In this 14-minute podcast, Fiona Broome talks about several controversial topics.

First, she explains that she's not going to appear on a TV show (unless absolutely necessary), she's been working behind the scenes on a TV series.  She finds, researches and recommends locations for a new TV series that's airing beginning in June 2011. 

Then, she talks about ghost-related TV shows in general, and admits that she watches (and likes) one paranormal TV show: Ghost Lab.

Here's why she likes them:

• They get the history right, usually.
• They try new, interesting things and admit when those experiments don't work.
• The show is realistic.  They don't act as if all the cool stuff happens in one hour or even six hours.
• The cast react appropriately to phenomena.
• The cast are blunt and connect with the ghosts with integrity.

Next, Fiona revisits the topic of "provoking," because the Ghost Lab team's version of provoking isn't the same as the taunting seen on some other shows.

The question is, if you were talking with that person (the ghost) in real life, would you be challenging them and helping them come to terms with what's happened, or are you taunting them?

After that, Fiona reviews a book, Being Mystic - In Touch with God, by Betsy Balega.  It addresses psychic issues and paranormal research from a Christian (Catholic) foundation.  In this book, Ms. Balega tells her own story in a chatty, personal manner.  Then, she talks about being psychic in the context of spiritual beliefs.  The book is written with tremendous sensitivity, and shares excellent advice.

Though you may not agree with Ms. Balega's spiritual choices, open-minded readers will discover useful insights that resonate across religious lines.  (If you really can't stand Catholicism, or Christianity in general, this book is not for you.)

Finally, Fiona reminds listeners that challenging spirits in healthy ways, giving them good advice, can be part of a productive parnormal investigation.

Music credits: Zombie, by Devin Anderson.

People often ask how long they should wait for a ghost to make contact.

In this podcast, Hollow Hill founder Fiona Broome talks about the importance of patience when you're ghost hunting.  Using shows such as 'Ghost Hunters' as an example, she points out that ghost contact can take hours... and sometimes multiple visits.

She shares tips to make your ghost hunts more interesting and productive.

(Note: Hollow Hill will be on the road when this podcast is broadcast. We're moving from Texas to New England.  Sound quality will be more consistent when we set up our office in the new location. The podcast is fine, but the closing music sounds a bit tinny.)

One of our Hollow Hill visitors, Amy, asked if it makes any difference if someone sings (peacefully) to ghosts.

In this podcast, Hollow Hill founder Fiona Broome talks about singing to ghosts and talking to them. 

Fiona's advice?  As long as you're respectful, communicating with ghosts -- as if they're friends, neighbors or family -- can improve your rapport with the spirits.

(Note: Until Hollow Hill moves from Texas to New England in early May 2008 and we set up our new office, the closing music is going to sound a little tinny.  The sound quality of the rest of the podcast is generally fine.)

Charlie, a Hollow Hill visitor, recently asked about contacting ghosts.  He wondered if some mediums can contact one age group more easily than another.

In this brief podcast (less than five minutes), Hollow Hill founder Fiona Broome discusses the factors that influence the contacts you'll make in haunted settings.

Many people write to Hollow Hill and ask whether their experiences mean that they've contacted a ghost.

We're not able to answer that because we're not there to see what's happening.  But, we are confident that many people are encountering ghosts, whether they realize it or  not.

In this podcast, Hollow Hill founder Fiona Broome discusses a few general issues related to contact with ghosts.

Link: Hollow Hill, the ghost hunting website

(Note: In this podcast, we're having a few sound problems, but they only affect the concluding music and standard comments after it.)

Fiona explains why hotels are great places for ghost hunting, and describes ghosts at two hotels:  The Wentworth Hotel in NH, and the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter.

Links:
Wentworth-by-the-Sea Hotel, New Castle, New Hampshire
Hotel Monteleone, French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
Hollow Hill, the ghost website, sponsors of this podcast

Fiona talks about the differences between haunted places that are good for research, and haunted places where you can help ghosts to "cross over."

Here's the bottom line: If you're in a cemetery or another public, haunted place, you aren't the first person to try to help the ghost you've encountered.  You may not even be among the first 100 people who've tried to help them.  Cemeteries and frequently visited haunted sites are best for research.

By contrast, you can find success at private residences and businesses if your primary goal is to help spirits trapped on the earthly plane.

Planning a ghost hunt?  Here are two important things to think about:

1. Why are you ghost hunting?  To help the living, to help ghosts "cross over" or simply for fun/curiosity?

2. Who should you include in your group, and who can have a negative effect on your research?

*Important note:  When Fiona talks about cemeteries, no ghost hunter says, "There's nobody there."  The issue is about who you can help.  Fiona talks about this more in her next Hollow Hill podcast.

Links:
Hollow Hill, the ghost website