Jim Harold

Jim Harold is the host of a slew of spooky shows, including The Paranormal Podcast and Jim Harold’s Campfire. He is also an author. Follow Jim on Twitter here and on Instagram here.

Describe your show in 10 words or less.
Ordinary people share their extraordinary experiences with the paranormal.

Is there one story that has stuck with you over the years?
There is one that is called The Roadhouse Saloon that is Twilight Zone worthy! A woman finds herself in a bar where she and her companion are melding into a mural on the wall…it is really remarkable. Also, the place and the mural both ACTUALLY EXIST! I’ve met this caller in person and believe her 100%!

Is there a KIND of favorite story you enjoy?
Yes, they are what I call headscratchers…ones that “make you go hmmm” to quote that old song. Ones that aren’t necessarily traditional ghost stories but ones that make you wonder what the hell was that all about! For example, we had a caller who had been stranded and got help from a mechanic at a service station. The guy really went above and beyond to help her to the point of even driving her home. A couple of days later, she rode by the place and it looked to have been closed for at least 10 years. Those are the stories that get me most excited.

These people aren’t professional storytellers but you’re great at helping them out. What’s the secret to getting people to tell a good story?
Basically just sharing that this is a conversation, I reiterate that they are just telling me a story as you would tell a friend. That seems to calm most people down. After all, we are all humans and we all have stories. It is universal. So, I ask that they just relax and tell me a story like we’re around a campfire…and, guess what? We are! It’s just electronic.

After all these stories, do you believe ghosts are real?
Absolutely, but ask me WHAT they are and I am a lot less certain. I think reality is much stranger than most of us realize and that ghosts are a part of that. Do I think some are dead people haunting us? Yes. Do I think sometimes they are just residual energy that is not sentient? Yes. However, I also believe some may be some type of time slip and we are seeing replays of the past (or future)! That’s just speaking on ghosts, we’ve not even gotten into UFOs, cryptid creatures and the other topics we cover on the show. I’ve had these weird synchronicities involving what I consider signs from my late uncle and brother. However, I’ve never outright seen a ghost.

Who are your listeners?
 I think most are just people curious about our world and they recognize that not all is what it seems. I think people with an open mind to the paranormal are some of the most intellectually interesting people in the world.

Do you have any interesting stories about them?
Tiyi, who was the storyteller for The Roadhouse Saloon who was the caller I mentioned earlier, is an example of one of our listeners. Pre-pandemic, I traveled to her home with a videographer friend and we did a video on her story. Meeting her made me believe her even MORE. She’s an example of a highly intelligent, educated person in a respected profession who just happened to experience something totally bizarre and has decided courageously to share her story.

What things have you done for your show that have worked in growing numbers?
I think appearing on other podcasts is key. Plus, advertising on other similar podcasts is a great strategy. Finally, I call upon my audience to spread the word to like minded people. I remind them that we don’t have big conglomerate-sized budgets and they are our best messengers. Like in any business, word of mouth is key. Also, I have been very impressed with the work I’ve done with Tink (No, Lauren did not tell me to say this). (Ed. note: 😊)

What advice would you give to a podcaster who feels they are plateauing in numbers?
Try new things and don’t give up. I have been podcasting for 17 years and full time for 10. Plateaus are natural…you just keep pushing and trying different things till you push through…that is assuming your content is good. Make sure that your product is on point and with persistence you can grow. 17 years in I am always trying new things whether it is on the marketing, production, or rev gen side. If you stagnate, you die.

Have you ever dealt with podcast burnout?
Absolutely, but I remember how lucky I am, how cool my job is and what a pain it was to work for others who, sometimes, IMO knew far less than I did but held the levers of power. I love working for my audience, my plus members, my sponsors and myself.

How much do you think podcasters should share about themselves on their shows?
It is up to everyone’s comfort level. Safety first, always. But, I think it is smart to share a glimpse of your life if you feel OK with it while being watchful concerning security. I have boundaries but I have developed a very personal relationship with my audience. I believe both practicing prudence and reaching a certain level of intimacy is possible if you are mindful of what to share and what not to share.

What’s your most downloaded episode?
A best of show from a few years back with over 150,000 downloads according to our media host. Once or twice a year, we do these best of compilations going back to 2009 and they are some of our audience’s favorites.

What’s a podcast you love that everyone loves?
I like the Dateline podcasts…anything with Keith Morrison is great…that guy has such a creepy voice…but in a good way. (Ed note: hard agree.)

What’s a podcast you love that not enough people know about?
It seems weird that I would say not enough people know about him but I constantly sing the praises of Hall of Fame podcaster Leo LaPorte…he is kind of the model for what I do. I’ve always wanted to be the Leo LaPorte of the paranormal. Leo is one of the pioneers and still puts out some of the best podcasts on tech out there. I think sometimes the pioneers get overlooked in any medium. My favorite podcast he does is definitely Macbreak Weekly.

What does nobody ask you that you want to say?
Jim, are you a good singer? Guess what, I am a helluva singer…a little out of practice but at one time I was good enough to be a pro. Still, these days to be honest I think the mic I need to be in front of is a podcasting mic. It is my destiny.

Why don’t you sing on your podcast?
I'm not sure that people are tuning in to hear me sing...but around Halloween I'd sing a few bars of Season Of The Witch, but no one can seem to fix music licensing in podcasts...can someone get on that, seriously? I want some cool bumper music (that people know) for my shows!

Thanks, Jim!