Paranormal Lens - A Crossroads Of Curiosities, LLC Production
Paranormal Lens - A Crossroads Of Curiosities, LLC Production

Paranormal Lens - A Crossroads Of Curiosities, LLC Production

Crossroads Of Curiosities, LLC

Overview
Episodes

Details

Welcome to our podcast, where we take deep dives looking at various topics through a Paranormal Lens.Every Thursday, co-hosts Ben Goldman, Brienna Shear, and Angela Wingard come together to unpack history, events, and phenomena through a paranormal perspective. Along the way, we'll share updates on our latest projects, discuss timely news that doesn’t always fit into a full-length investigation or film, and connect the dots between folklore, research, and lived experience.In addition to our main Thursday episodes, listeners can also expect occasional bonus or mini-episodes dropping on Mondays, recorded live on-set or at events.Whether it’s analyzing legends, exploring haunted history, or discussing the cultural impact of the unexplained... our podcast is your gateway into conversations that exist at the Crossroads Of Curiosities.

Recent Episodes

The Hat Man CREEPIEST Lore: Sleep Paralysis, Dweller On The Threshold, or Something More Ominous?
JAN 1, 2026
The Hat Man CREEPIEST Lore: Sleep Paralysis, Dweller On The Threshold, or Something More Ominous?
<p>In this episode of <em>Paranormal Lens</em>, we explore the chilling lore and theories surrounding the <strong>Hat Man</strong>, one of the most commonly reported shadow figures in modern paranormal accounts. Often described as a tall, dark silhouette wearing a wide-brimmed hat or top hat, the Hat Man frequently appears during episodes of sleep paralysis, in haunted locations, and in altered states of consciousness. Is he a single entity, a type of shadow person, or a shared hallucination shaped by fear, culture, and expectation? The discussion also dives into connections between the Hat Man and older occult concepts like the <strong>Dweller on the Threshold</strong>, the shadow self, egregores, and doppelgängers, questioning whether witnesses are seeing an actual entity... or merely its shadow.</p><p></p><p>GEMINI Summary: This episode discusses the Hat Man, a commonly reported shadow figure often seen during sleep paralysis or in haunted locations (2:18-2:22, 8:46-9:01).</p><p> Key theories and points explored include:</p><p> Nature of the Hat Man - The hosts debate if the Hat Man is a single entity, a type of shadow person, or a collective hallucination (8:09-8:16, 16:34-16:40).</p><p> Sleep Paralysis and Hallucinations - The Hat Man is frequently associated with sleep paralysis and is sometimes considered a Benadryl-induced hallucination (2:18-2:22, 3:07-3:10, 8:46-8:51).</p><p> Connection to "Dweller on the Threshold" - The discussion draws parallels between the Hat Man and the "Dweller on the Threshold," an occult concept described as a shadowy, demonic being that appears during a sleep paralysis-like state (10:00-11:07, 12:47-13:02).</p><p> Shadow of an Entity - A theory is proposed that the Hat Man might not be the entity itself, but rather the shadow of an entity, connecting to the idea of the "shadow self" or doppelgängers (12:36-12:55, 13:11-13:18).</p><p> Egregore Theory - The hosts consider if the Hat Man could be an egregore—a collective thoughtform that gains a form of reality through shared belief and repeated experiences (13:51-14:00, 14:09-15:15).</p><p> The Pocket Watch Lore - A lesser-known piece of lore is introduced: some sightings describe the Hat Man checking a gold pocket watch, leading to speculation about his purpose or connection to time (17:29-18:01, 26:40-26:51).</p><p> Appearance and Archetypes - The video touches on why ghosts, including the Hat Man, often appear in Victorian-era attire. It's suggested that intelligent entities might adopt these classic archetypes to fit in with perceived notions of ghosts (27:00-28:55).</p>
play-circle icon
31 MIN
Angela isn’t allowed to summon Santa Claus
DEC 25, 2025
Angela isn’t allowed to summon Santa Claus
<p>First it was cheese. Then it was owls. Now, we're looking at <strong>Santa Claus</strong> through a <em>paranormal lens</em>. Who (or what) is Santa really? What if he's just a Coke-fueled capitalistic creation? Or worse: the devil in disguise? We sincerely hope this episode enhances your Christmas instead of ruining it...</p><p></p><p>GEMINI Summary: This episode explores the origins and nature of Santa Claus through a paranormal lens, moving beyond the traditional figure to discuss his potential as a spiritual entity. The hosts discuss how the idea of Santa may have originated from various pagan gods, spirits, and saints, with popular belief potentially creating an "egregor" (2:53-3:08).</p><p> Key points discussed include: Santa's diverse origins (3:51-5:24): Santa Claus is presented as a "hodgepodge" of different cultures, spirits, and gods, with Christmas itself being a holiday that combined various traditions, including the Yule log, Christmas tree, and St. Nicholas, when Christianity spread and absorbed local practices.</p><p> Pagan influences: Odin: The Norse god Odin, known for riding an eight-legged horse (7:26-8:18), influenced the concept of Santa's sleigh and reindeer. Children would leave treats for Odin for blessings, similar to leaving cookies and milk for Santa (10:01-10:13). Odin's "all-seeing" nature also mirrors Santa's knowledge of who's "naughty or nice" (10:29-10:49). Hera: The goddess Hera, who appeared in fireplaces to bring good luck, contributed to the legend of Santa coming down the chimney (12:05-12:37). Santa as Satan? (12:47-16:50): The hosts explore the theory that "Santa" is an anagram for "Satan" and the use of "Old Nick" as a name for the devil. </p><p>They discuss how Santa could be seen as a representation of greed and temptation, contrasting with the true meaning of Christmas. St. Nicholas (13:54-15:20): The historical figure of St. Nicholas, an actual priest who left coins on windowsills and front doors, is acknowledged as a component of the Santa Claus legend. Coca-Cola's influence (21:00-22:46): The discussion highlights how Coca-Cola significantly shaped Santa's modern image in the 1930s by using him in winter advertisements to boost sales, solidifying his red and white attire. Personal beliefs and the metaphysical Santa (31:00-33:29): The hosts share their childhood experiences of realizing Santa wasn't real and ponder whether they would believe in Santa as a metaphysical "spirit of Christmas" rather than a physical being. They also humorously caution against attempting to summon Santa due to the potential of accidentally summoning Satan (33:50-34:19).</p>
play-circle icon
34 MIN
Can we trust our own memories? | “Remote Contact” interview outtake w/ Lauren Haunts (Monday Bonus)
DEC 22, 2025
Can we trust our own memories? | “Remote Contact” interview outtake w/ Lauren Haunts (Monday Bonus)
<p>This "Remote Contact" outtake/deleted scene broke my mind, and I knew we needed to discuss on the podcast. Can we trust our own memories, and recounts of paranormal experiences? We watch this interview outtake clip with Lauren Haunts together, and react in real time. What are the implications this has on one of our most impactful paranormal experiences EVER, at Madison Seminary this past May? This is a MUST-listen episode of PARANORMAL LENS.</p><p></p><p>Lauren Haunts: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.laurenhaunts.com">https://www.laurenhaunts.com</a></p><p></p><p>GEMINI Summary: This episode features an outtake from our "Remote Contact" film, delving into the reliability of human memory, especially concerning paranormal experiences (0:04). The hosts react to an outtake interview clip with Lauren Haunts, who discusses how our brains can create or alter memories based on beliefs, trauma, or preferences (3:40). This neuroplasticity suggests that even visceral paranormal experiences might not have happened exactly as remembered (4:10).</p><p> The discussion then shifts to a specific, impactful paranormal experience at Madison Seminary (7:47). The hosts recount hearing a loud, disembodied voice that sounded amplified but not electronic, saying "I'm here" and something else they couldn't clearly make out (8:30). Immediately after, cat balls on the table turned on, and an EMF meter went berserk (10:33). What makes this particularly relevant to the memory discussion is that despite all being present, their recollections of the exact words and clarity differed (12:38).</p><p> This leads them to propose a new method for future investigations: documenting experiences immediately by writing them down (6:18). They suggest comparing these written accounts with later recollections to see how memories might change over time, drawing parallels to a past investigation at Rosevear Park where four people experienced three things simultaneously, but none recalled the same combination of events (16:44). </p><p>The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of diligent documentation to ensure accurate recollection of paranormal events (22:56).</p>
play-circle icon
23 MIN
The Estes Method will NEVER be the same… “Remote Contact” NOW STREAMING on PARAFlixx paranormal+
DEC 18, 2025
The Estes Method will NEVER be the same… “Remote Contact” NOW STREAMING on PARAFlixx paranormal+
<p>Watch "Remote Contact" - NOW STREAMING on PARAFlixx: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://paraflixx.vhx.tv/remote-contact">https://paraflixx.vhx.tv/remote-contact</a></p><p>Participate to our ongoing Remote Contact experiments: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crossroadsofcuriosities.com/remote-contact">https://www.crossroadsofcuriosities.com/remote-contact</a></p><p></p><p>What happens when you swap a blindfold for VR Headset while doing the Estes Method? "Remote Contact" details preliminary experiments using immersive, 360 degree renders of haunted locations in these investigations.</p><p>What started as a fun twist on the traditional Estes Method quickly evolves into something more— Contemplating how these immersive spaces can open a person up to have a more impactful, meditative, and potentially "psychic" paranormal experience.</p><p>"Remote Contact" invites viewers to follow these preliminary trials, witness the strange data being collected, and discover how you can take part in this ongoing experiment.</p><p></p><p>GEMINI Summary: The episode discusses "Remote Contact," a new film and ongoing experiment by Crossroads of Curiosities, LLC, now streaming on PARAFlixx Paranormal+ (0:58). The project explores a new take on the Estes Method by replacing the traditional blindfold with a VR headset displaying immersive 360-degree footage of haunted locations (0:00-0:13, 9:40-10:00).</p><p> Key aspects of the "Remote Contact" project:</p><p> Genesis of the Idea </p><p>Ben, a film enthusiast, acquired a 360 camera and began using it to capture immersive renders of haunted locations, initially to preserve historical sites (2:10-3:29). This evolved into the idea of using these immersive videos with VR headsets for paranormal investigations (3:33-4:24).</p><p> Modification of the Estes Method </p><p>The core experiment involves participants wearing VR headsets with noise-reducing headphones, viewing 360-degree footage of known haunted locations, while an operator asks questions (9:40-10:00, 7:43-8:14). The goal is to see if responses from a spirit box (audio heard through the headphones) correlate with the virtual location (10:09-10:30).</p><p> Controls and Validation </p><p>The team intentionally uses locations they are intimately familiar with to validate responses (10:30-11:18). They also bring in individuals unfamiliar with the locations to minimize bias and enhance credibility (11:37-13:13).</p><p> Meditative and Channeling Aspects </p><p>The participants discuss how the Estes Method, especially with the immersive experience, can induce a meditative state and potentially lead to channeling or remote viewing experiences (14:40-15:07, 21:07-21:16). </p><p>A pivotal part of the film involves experimenting with Madison Seminary's Resonance Chamber and guided meditation instead of the spirit box to further explore these meditative states (21:18-23:01).</p><p> Call for Participation </p><p>The project is designed as an ongoing experiment, and the creators encourage viewers to participate by downloading the 360-degree video footage from their website and conducting their own experiments (1:46-1:53, 28:50-29:01, 30:26-30:58). A questionnaire is available on their website for participants to share their experiences (30:31-30:58).</p><p> Future Experiments </p><p>The team also briefly touches on potential future experiments, such as attempting to catch EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) within the 360-degree audio from the locations (27:12-28:20).</p><p> The film "Remote Contact" is 40 minutes long and is presented in a documentary style (25:58-26:10).</p>
play-circle icon
33 MIN