Since this is your second Paranormal Q&A, has your name changed? Who are you?
Jim Malliard Co Founder Meadville Paranormal Investigation Team, Host of the Malliard Report, Syndicated and Award Winning Internet Radio show. Writer at Haunted Times Magazine, Paranormal Ethics Committee Member at International Museum of Spiritual Investigations (IMSI).
Has your Methodology changed since last interview??
No not really. A fair mix of science and spiritual measures are used.
Any New Favorite Haunts?
No not really. Of course I don’t believe places are haunted just active.
Any New Personal Experiences?
Every day, I find something new to ponder. Now I wonder about that song that gets stuck in your head. Is it a message from the other side?
Why did you get into the Paranormal?
Well my family tells me I used to walk around a cemetery talking to graves at 3. Started debating UFOs at 8. Got into the ghosts in my 20’s and my son, talking to something I couldn’t see.
What’s next/current? How’s the show?
The Malliard Report is always growing. Currently airing on two networks (Shark Radio Network and P.P.R.S. Network), able to be found on iTunes, YouTube. On February 28, 2012 I will be interviewing Paul Bradford. Other past guests have been David Rountree, CL Parker Mark Anthony Eric Altman and many many more. I hope you tune in Tuesdays at 9 pm eastern. And for all things report related www.malliard.com
Do you think that paranormal shows (radio/TV/Internet) gives groups a bad reputation?
Well, I feel some help and some hurt. The important thing we learn and discuss things. I mean I was told I should be thankful for ghost hunters and taps. While they did open some windows, I would be doing this without them, and wouldn’t be getting asked where the camera crew is. But at the end of the day, my reputation is mine own. Hence why the Malliard report. Not many folks are willing to put their name on there show and it do proudly.
Who is the person in the paranormal field you look up to the most or want to be like?
I enjoy talking with David Rountree. Even Though he’s a ton smarter then me. I enjoy a lot of different people. But who I want to be like? Not sure I enjoy being myself.
Have you made a page on www.paranormaldictionary.com?
Yes I have and I would strongly encourage anyone to do it. I mean free promotion is the best!
Most people know me as Katrina Weidman from A&E’s Paranormal State, but honestly, I’m just a regular girl who *happens to like* running around in the dark looking for ghosts.
Explain your Methodology?
This is a great question! That being said it is incredibly hard to answer! Everything in the paranormal is based on theory so I can’t say for every A there will be a B. It makes researching and investigating incredibly frustrating at times. What I always try to keep in my mind when working in this field are four things: 1) never assume anything 2) discoveries are made everyday; the Giant Panda was always believed to be somewhat of a mythical creature until the 1860s, why can’t Big Foot exist? 3) work with people you trust, after all you’re relying on their eye witness accounts 4) You have to find a balance between being a believer and a skeptic.
Favorite Haunts?
On Paranormal State we didn’t have many opportunities to go to big locations that are open to the public so it’s sometimes hard for me to list places that other’s in the field should visit. With that being said my favorite haunts are all private residences. The episode entitled “Pet Cemetery” was a favorite because so much of the activity matched up with information we were able to confirm from neighbors and previous owners. It was also a favorite because we went into that case thinking it was a “mom and pop” haunting, we were wrong. This is really the case that made me realize I should never assume anything when working in the paranormal. My other favorite was the episode entitled “The Glove”. This case is incredibly complicated and the experiences range from full body apparitions to levitating furniture. This is also the first time I saw an apparition that I can’t find a reasonable explanation for. That was an incredible moment for me. I will never ever forget that moment.
Personal Experiences?
I don’t even know where to begin with this. I think I’ve experienced just about everything at this point. Voices, psychic moments, apparitions, unexplained scratches, shadows. If you work in this field you have to be prepared to experience anything and everything.
Why did you get into the Paranormal?
Long story short I grew up in haunted houses. Having those experiences growing up left me with a bunch of questions. It was never taboo to talk about it in my family, as we all had our own experiences and fascination with this field, but they were just stories and experiences, there were never any answers. I wanted answers.
Whats next?
I have a few projects I’m working on, but next one is a two hour special for Chiller that airs at 8PM EST on March 11. It’s called “Real Fear: The Truth Behind the Movies”. I absolutely love the concept for this project, exploring the real life stories that inspired horror/supernatural movies. I am a huge horror, and obviously supernatural, movie fan and any time a movie says “based on true events” I will research the real story for weeks! This was a perfect fit for me.
Do you think that paranormal shows gives groups a bad reputation?
I think they can. The great thing about paranormal shows is it’s made the field less taboo and has really exposed a large number of people to the fact that something is going on that science can’t explain. The harmful part of paranormal shows is it gives people a false reality about what really goes on during an investigation and the risks you run working in this field. I’ve met countless people that say they have started their own paranormal group based off of the methods they’ve learned from “Paranormal State”. That terrifies me because it’s a 22 minute show. So much of our work is left on the cutting room floor plus you don’t see the work we do before or after we film one of our cases. The other harmful outcome I’ve seen is that the shows romanticize the field. Yes the field can be fun and you can find a lot of enjoyment working in it, however, you’re dealing with things that no one really knows how to control, furthermore no one really knows what we’re dealing with. I’ve had things follow me home, I’ve met people where this work has destroyed periods of their life. It might sound dramatic, but you can get physically hurt on a case and it can be mentally draining. If you’re looking to get into the field you really have to think about the negative consequences, it’s not always as happy and fun as TV makes it look.
Name some Random Facts about you?
My favorite shows are the ones that are in reruns, I hate waiting for “next week’s episode” I’m too impatient.
I love reading true crime.
I love horror and supernatural type movies/TV shows/books.
My favorite movie is The Wedding Singer.
I played the violin for eight years.
I love the water, but can only swim using doggy paddle.
I have to live near a major city and a coastline, if not I feel claustrophobic.
I’m a huge fan of pranks!
My obsessive side: I have to organize just about everything in alphabetical order, books, movies, magazines, etc. It helps keep me organized.
Are you a skeptic or a believer?
Both, although I prefer the word objective rather than skeptical. I am open minded to everything in this field, whether it be big foot, psychic abilities, demons, etc. I think it’s ignorant to think we have it all figured out and there aren’t any more discoveries to be made. However, I remain objective of personal experiences, whether they be my own or another person’s experience. When I’m talking with a client I’d say 98% of the time I believe they believe they experienced something, however eyewitness accounts are not always accurate and a lot of experiences can be naturally explained. To advance the field, as investigators and researchers, we have to be able to rule out the possibility of natural causes and tricks being played on our senses due to environment or by something internal, it’s part of the job.
We’ve been meeting a ton of groups and individuals who are starting out spending tons of cash on gear they really don’t need (yet) in our opinion. So we’d figure we’d post our takes on paranormal investigation basics:
Always carry I.D.
Get Permission to investigate the property & check out the property in daylight for safety issues!
Audio Recorder – To record E.V.P. Sessions and of course document other possible anomalous noises.
Camera (video or still) – To take pictures or video to capture hopefully some unexplained activity.
Batteries – Just in case the ones are drained or malfunction, you won’t miss a moment of the case!
First Aid Kit – Never hurts to be safe!
Flashlight(s) – Again safety First!
Notepad & Pen – All else fails take them along and write down the times and occurrences as they happen. Simpler way to start before you spend some money on more advanced gear.
A low cost recorder, available at most retailers like Wal-Mart. Connects to a computer by a USB port that pops out on a switch. Records in .wav format in HQ Mode. Has 4 file folder options to separate cases if needed.
Pro’s:
Flip out USB function for easy computer uploading of files, has a lock button to stop accidental recording or stopping of a recording.
Con’s:
Can’t use headphones to listen as you record as you can in higher end recorders.
Sony ICD-P210
An older audio recorder that connects to a computer by a USB cord. Sony software is required to download files to a computer. Has 4 file folder options to separate cases if needed. “Sony Quality”
Pro’s:
Solid recorder for E.V.P. work or general investigations, Can use headphones to listen as you record.
Con’s:
Limited Recording availability in HQ mode, Older Technology, Program required to Install to download audio files. Only works with Windows XP and lower without technical help.
Sony ICD-P620
A recorder that connects to a computer by a USB cord. Sony software is required to download files to a computer. Has 4 file folder options to separate cases if needed. “Sony Quality”.
Pro’s:
Solid recorder for E.V.P. work or general investigations, Can use headphones to listen as you record, Can record many of hours of Audio in HQ.
Con’s:
Program required to Install to download audio files.
Olympus VN-3100PC
A low cost recorder that connects to a computer by a USB cord. Software is required to download files to a computer. Has 4 file folder options to separate cases if needed.
Pro’s:
Solid recorder for E.V.P. work or general investigations.
Con’s:
Program required to Install to download audio files, Can’t use headphones to listen as you record.
Who Are You?
