Left of Skeptic

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! We’re heading across the world this week to talk about one of the most haunted skyscrapers: Sunshine 60 in downtown Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo, Japan! Built on the site of the former Sugamo Prison, where World War II war criminals and other prisoners were held and executed. Reports of ghostly sightings, floating fireballs, strange noises, and accidents have circulated since the building's construction in the mid-1970s. It’s even said that this morbid history is the reason they gave it such a bright and shiny name! But a name alone can’t erase this land’s history, and it can’t hide the ghosts prowling the grounds.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! We’ve covered a lot of water cryptids in the past, but never one we’ve given a new name. It’s time to talk about Glossy. This is the Gloucester Sea Serpent, reportedly seen off the coast of the Cape Ann area in Massachusetts. Seamen started reporting their sightings in the 1800s, and the most recent sighting was as recent as 1980! It’s one of the most well-documented sea cryptids in history, so why hasn’t it been as well-reported as popular creatures like Nessie or Champ? Because it doesn’t have a catchy name! JUSTICE FOR GLOSSY!

Happy Spooky Wednesday! This week Kala is inspired by her recent vacation, and she is talking about haunted locations around Lake George in Upstate New York. First is the historic Sagamore Resort, located on an island on the lake. Guests have fallen in love with this vacation spot for over a century, and it seems that they love it so much they stay even after death. Next is the Fort William Henry museum, located on land that was a key figure during the French and Indian War. Soldiers lost their lives here, a lot of them has stuck around. Additional locations include the Old Warren County Courthouse, Caldwell Cemetery, and a haunted island campsite! It seems like no matter where you go in this little tourist town, your chances of running into a spirit are pretty high!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, listeners!This week, Brittany tells us the curious tale of Sergei Ponomarenko - a man who claimed to have been born in 1932 Kyiv, Ukraine, only to show up in 2006 looking not a day over 25. The skeptics believe that there is proof that Sergei's story isn't true... but what do you think?

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! Kala's got another conspiracy theory for you this week! About 600,000 people go missing in the United States every year. And while there are many reasons for the disappearances, it seems that some are more mysterious than others. Enter: Missing 411. This conspiracy posits that there may be a paranormal reason for many of the disappearances in the U.S., especially in the wilderness and national parks. Are cryptids snatching children from their campsites? Or are hikers falling through vortexes? Or is it just the human impulse to try to explain the unexplainable?

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends!After our break last week, Brittany is hitting hard with the tale of the Baleroy Mansion on Mermaid Lane in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This home and the families who inhabited it brought a rich history… and a death chair. Yeah, you read that right. A. Death. Chair. And that’s not all. From ectoplasm to the angry Amanda to phantom cars to your traditional haunted spirits, the ghost sightings at Baleroy are as strange as the history of the home itself. You know you want more details, and Brittany has got them for you in this episode.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends!It doesn't happen often, but every once in a while, the stars simply don't align for us to get together for an episode - but we don't want to leave you without content! So we are bringing you a re-re-re-REMIX: Mystery Edition.We're diggin' back into the archives for this week's episode, and we're kicking it off with a story from our 2-Year Anniversary Episode (February 2023), Episode 105: No. Pam didn’t work for OSHA. Kala told us all about "The Alaska Triangle. Alaska is huge and often considered one of the last great unknowns. Harsh elements and vast wilderness are bound to lead to some disasters, but nowhere more frequently than in this giant, obtuse triangle. Are they UFOs? Vortexes? Cryptids? Cases can be made for all. "Next, we're heading to July of 2024 with a story from Episode 179: .. now we're just naming pits. Where "Brittany talks about the legend of the Green Children of Woolpit. Years ago, two children were found next to a pit full of angry, snarling wolves (okay... not really. It was just a pit). What makes this situation even weirder? The kids were green! Where did they come from? Were they fae? Aliens? Sickly humans? Sadly, with this happening so many centuries ago, we may never know for sure."We'll be back next week with an all-new story from Brittany!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! And Kala is feeling especially spooky this week. Inspired by a number of creepy videos, it’s time to learn all about mimics. Have you ever heard your mother calling you from downstairs, even when you know she’s at your grandma’s house? Have you heard your partner knock on the door to let them in, but you could swear they were downstairs in your bedroom? You might have encountered a mimic. Pay attention, because Kala is telling you what to look out for, what they (allegedly) can do, and giving you of some terrifying examples of people’s firsthand experiences with this cryptid. Don’t listen with the lights out. And if you do, don’t answer when someone calls you from your front door.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! As you know, we love beer! And this week, Brittany is diving into a haunted brewery—what a perfect subject! We're exploring the eerie charm of Oozlefinch Beers & Blending, nestled on historic Fort Monroe in Virginia. This craft brewery isn’t just known for its inventive brews and beachside vibes—it’s also steeped in ghostly lore. With a name inspired by a mythical bird said to haunt military forts, Oozlefinch embraces its spooky side with beers like the Lady in White, a tribute to one of the resident spirits. From sour ales to porters, their lineup is as spirited as the stories behind them. So kick back, crack open a brew, and listen to Brittany tell you all about this haunted hideaway where history, hops, and hauntings collide.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! This week, Kala is telling us all about the Pennhurst State School and Hospital in Spring City, Pennsylvania. This property is infamous for its controversial history and the ghostly tales that linger long after it closed. When it opened, Pennhurst was considered a model facility. When it closed, it was because Pennhurst violated the human rights of the people living there. Over nearly eight decades, more than 10,000 people lived at Pennhurst, any many died on the property. The ghosts of those who suffered on the grounds still seem to haunt the property to this day.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! This week, Brittany tells us all about CHEESE MAN PARK! Wait, that can’t be right. Oh… yeah. Chessman Park! In Denver, Colorado! Long ago, this beautiful public park was a cemetery, and it is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who were either poorly exhumed and relocated or left behind during the cemetery's conversion to a picnic spot. When you take your family on a nice visit to the pavilion, will you encounter feelings of unease, disembodied whispers, shadow figures, or any other paranormal phenomena? Or, worse… would you encounter the Cheese Man? Just kidding. There is no Cheese Man. But the rest is still pretty freaking spooky.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! We’re covering one of Kala’s favorite subjects this week: a spooky road! Kala is talking all about Zombie Road. This path in Wildwood, Missouri is renowned for its alleged paranormal activity and associated ghost stories. The trail, which was originally a road named Lawler Ford Road, is said to be haunted by various spectral figures, including Confederate soldiers, children, cranky old women, and industrial workers. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, shadow figures, and hearing unexplained cries. If you visit it at night you’re sure to be in for a spooky experience, and also possibly a trespassing ticket. Good luck!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, dear listeners! If our subject this week sounds ominous, that’s because it is! Brittany tells us all about the Black Monk of Pontefract. The bulk of this haunting occurred in England during the 1970s and 1980s. This ordinary-looking home was plagued by extraordinary events brought on by an entity known as “Fred.” While the haunting seemed standard enough, it eventually escalated and seemed targeted specifically at the family's daughter. While the activity had come and gone throughout the years, now that the home is available for paranormal investigation, it seems like the otherworldly activity is documented enough that it would be hard to dispute!

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! This week we're diving into the controversy of Ed and Lorraine Warren. We've covered some of their most famous cases here on Left of Skeptic, but each time they seem to be tinged with a bit of disbelief. We'd love to believe that everything we're told is true, but when the Warren name is attached, we have to have our doubts. Ed and Lorraine's legacy is fraught with allegations of lies, abuse, and scandal. In this episode, we list two specific cases that they investigated that seem to be, pretty clearly, hoaxes. But since both of them have since passed on, we're left with testimony of the people who knew them to either praise or condemn their character. Take a listen for yourself and let us know what you think. If you hear that an investigation was conducted by the Warrens, are you more or less likely to believe what you hear?

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! We're bringing you yet another Ed and Lorraine Warren haunting this week as Kala tells us all about the Smurl Family Haunting. This is considered the Warrens' final investigation, and it is the inspiration for the upcoming movie The Conjuring: Last Rites. For over a decade, the Smurl Family experienced haunting activity that started out harmlessly enough, but it eventually escalated to violence. After being ignored by the Catholic church, they turned to the only people they thought could handle it: Ed and Lorraine Warren. But was this a legitimate investigation, or was it just the Warrens taking advantage of a traumatized family in hopes for more publicity? Let us know what you think.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, dear listeners! This week is a classic style haunting as Brittany tells us all about the West Virginia Penitentiary AKA the Moundsville Penitentiary. With just under 1,000 documented deaths in the prison's history, it is no surprise that some spirits still lurk here long after operations have stopped. It's now a tourist attraction, museum, training facility, and filming location - people have experienced all sorts of paranormal activity within its walls. You may encounter the Shadow Man, who is believed to be a former prisoner and is said to be able to disappear through walls. Or you could feel the icy cold breath of the faceless man on your neck as he approaches you. There are other classic haunting signs as well, such as apparitions, cold spots, and strange noises. Would you dare take one of their haunted tours and experience the haunting for yourself? 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! This week we have a subject request from Kala's mama! Annapolis, Maryland, was founded in 1649. This makes it over 375 years old. An old town has a lot of history, and that history can include ghost stories and local legends. Kala talks about three different locations in this Maryland city that are known by the locals to be a little spooky! The Middleton Tavern dates back to 1740 and is believed to be haunted by a few different ghosts. One has been spotted in the dining rooms on the first floor and wears Revolutionary War-era clothing, peeking out the window toward the water. Other haunting reports here include shadowy figures, furniture that moves by itself, wall lanterns that turn upside down, and dinnerware getting thrown around. It's a server's worst nightmare. People staying overnight at the Governor Calvert House have reported many sightings of otherworldly spirits, but no stories are as creepy as the stories of their ghost who sticks around just because he likes to watch people undress. *blech*And one local legend will definitely send chills up your spine: The Headless Ghost of Cornhill Street. After being murdered by his younger brother, this apparition now wanders the street looking for anyone to help him find his missing appendage.  Maryland is known for its rich history and many haunted locations, and these stories are just more proof that we need to plan a trip out to the East Coast! 

Happy Spooky Wednesday, folks! Have you heard the latest controversy rocking the paranormal world? SOMEONE LOST ANNABELLE!Well, allegedly.TikTok and other social media platforms are buzzing with claims that the infamous haunted doll has mysteriously vanished while on her U.S. tour. And wherever she’s been, chaos seems to follow—fires, escaped convicts, and some seriously bad luck. Meanwhile, the person currently in possession of Annabelle (haha, puns) swears she’s never left his sight, but the internet remains skeptical. If only she could use her supernatural powers for good instead of… whatever this is.Curious about what’s actually going on with Annabelle but don’t want to wade through endless articles and speculation? Good news—Brittany did all the research so you don’t have to! Tune in this week to get the full breakdown on the eerie rumors, the strange events linked to Annabelle, and whether there’s more to this mystery than meets the eye.

Happy Spooky Wednesday! Are you involved in a family business? So is the famous actor Dan Aykroyd! But his family business has nothing to do with Hollywood, and everything to do with the supernatural. It turns out all that ghost hunting jargon used in the Ghostbusters movies comes from a place of experience. Beginning with his great-grandfather, members of the Aykroyd family have been communicating with spirits since the early 1900s. Now Dan his continuing on his family legacy, using his fame to bring their research to the public! This is a family we'd love to hang out with.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, everyone! We're still coming down from the Homegrown Music Festival high, so let's keep things rolling with some haunted music venues. This week Kala's got 5 haunted venues from around the United States:House of Blues (Chicago, Illinois) Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, Tennessee) The Rave/Eagles Club (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) The Rapids Theater (Niagara Falls, New York) Roseland Theater (Portland, Oregon) While some seem to have more "proof" than others, all five venues have stories from staff and music lovers with paranormal encounters. Have you seen anything at these locations? Do you have a favorite music venue with ghosts of its own? Let us know! If there's anything we love more than the supernatural, it's local music!