In this episode of Don’t Turn Around, I sit down with Jessica Chobot—writer, host, gamer, paranormal explorer, and creator of the Culture Shock podcast. You might know Jessica from IGN, Nerdist News, Bizarre States, or Expedition X. But tonight, we go deeper into her lifelong fascination with the strange and unexplained.

Jessica shares how childhood encounters with Unsolved Mysteries, mythology books, and even a haunted Toys “R” Us first sparked her curiosity about the paranormal. She recounts a chilling UFO sighting on a lonely Ohio highway—an experience that still shapes the way she sees the unknown. We talk about her unforgettable investigation inside Mammoth Cave, where a full-blown panic attack turned into a breakthrough in resilience and strength.

Our conversation explores the cycles of paranormal interest through history, the ways culture frames our beliefs, and how modern distractions keep us from noticing the extraordinary that’s all around us. Jessica also opens up about Culture Shock, her latest podcast, which digs into the occult roots of history and science—unearthing the hidden stories that connect creativity, mysticism, and discovery.

This episode is a mix of curiosity, fear, humor, and deep reflection on why we’re drawn to the mysteries we may never fully explain.

• Jessica’s first sparks of paranormal interest—from Roanoke to haunted toy stores
• A late-night UFO sighting that defied explanation
• Inside Mammoth Cave: panic, resilience, and lessons in facing fear
• Paranormal cycles across history and how culture shapes belief
• The occult origins of science and why creativity matters to discovery
• Jessica’s new project, Culture Shock, and her vision for connecting weird history with our modern world

🎧 Listen to Culture Shock wherever you get your podcasts

📺 Watch video episodes and get early access on Patreon: patreon.com/acultureshockpodcast

📸 Instagram: @jessica_chobot; @occultureshockpodcast

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In this episode of Don’t Turn Around, I welcome back Timothy Renner—author, illustrator, musician, and host of Strange Familiars. Timothy has long explored the boundaries of folklore, high strangeness, and the wilderness, and tonight we dive deep into his experiences in the woods and beyond.

From his unforgettable “chessboard” encounters in Hex Hollow to the strange lights and vanishing houses at the now-legendary Site 7, Timothy shares stories that challenge our perception of what’s possible. We talk about the role of fear, the importance of authenticity, and how the energy we bring into the wilderness often shapes the encounters we have with the unknown.

We also discuss Timothy’s latest book, I Have Never Minded the Loneliness: Hermits and Their Stories, a work that blends history, folklore, and spirituality in ways that mirror the paranormal itself.

Whether you’re drawn to Bigfoot, ghost lights, or simply the mystery of the woods, this conversation will remind you that the paranormal is as much about us—our creativity, awareness, and authenticity—as it is about the phenomena themselves.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Timothy’s solitary childhood fostered a deep relationship with the woods.
• The eerie “chessboard” of Hex Hollow: rocks rearranged by unseen hands.
• Terrifying and transformative moments—strange smells, overwhelming fear, and mysterious mechanical sounds.
• The ongoing mysteries of Site 7: glowing lights, pale entities, and a possible disappearing house.
• Why respect, calm, and authenticity are essential when entering wild, liminal spaces.
• The parallels between hermits, folklore, and the paranormal in Timothy’s new book.

Resources & Links:

• Timothy Renner’s work: StrangeFamiliars.com
• Timothy’s music: Bandcamp (linked through his site)
• I Have Never Minded the Loneliness: Hermits and Their Stories (available via Amazon, local bookstores, and Timothy’s Etsy shop)
• Don’t Turn Around on Instagram: @dontturnaroundpodcast

Support the Show:

• Join the community on Patreon for exclusive content and early access.
• Leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more listeners discover the show.

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In this episode of Don't Turn Around, Phil welcomes Norse mystic, spiritual teacher, and author Kaedrich Olsen—a lifelong experiencer with a unique relationship to the spirit world. Together, they dive into Kaedrich’s origin story growing up in a household where séances, spirit communication, and psychic development were part of daily life. But this isn't just a conversation about ghosts—it's a deep exploration of awakening, personal power, and what it really means to be human.

Kaedrich shares how shadow work helps us heal and reclaim our spiritual gifts, why fear often distorts our perception of the paranormal, and how we are the veil that separates dimensions. They discuss the truth behind hauntings, the role of thought forms and tulpas, and why playfulness might be your greatest psychic tool.

Whether you're a seasoned investigator, an intuitive on the edge of awakening, or simply curious about the other side, this episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and real talk.

• Kaedrich’s early life in a spiritualist household
• The influence of fear and media on our paranormal perceptions
• What shadow work really is and how it heals spiritual trauma
• How thought forms, tulpas, and egregores can mimic hauntings
• Paranormal safety practices for investigators
• Why laughter and play are vital in spiritual connection
• Exploring Norse mysticism and the ancestral lens on the supernatural
• The nature of awakened souls and the power of asking better questions
• Using intention and self-awareness to shift your energetic reality
• How to communicate respectfully with spirits—including “tricksters”

Kaedrich Olson

Website: https://www.kaedrich.com

Social: @Kaedrich on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

If this episode inspired you, let us know by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

And don't forget to follow us on Instagram at @DontTurnAroundPodcast

Want more stories and insights from people living at the intersection of the human and the paranormal? Subscribe and don’t miss the next episode of Don’t Turn Around.

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Phil sits down with Sara Lee — paranormal investigator, experiencer, and former Kindred Spirits guest — for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about living in a haunted house, surviving a near-death experience, and parenting neurodivergent children amid the unexplained. From childhood spirit encounters to a life-changing investigation broadcast on national TV, Sara Lee shares how the paranormal has shaped her life and purpose. Her unique approach to ghost hunting, rooted in empathy and informed by her special education background, offers a refreshing and humanizing perspective on spirit communication.

🧭 In This Episode:

• A grandfather’s spirit appears moments after his death
• Sara’s near-death experience and the voice that brought her back
• Living in — and eventually leaving — a haunted Pennsylvania home
• Behind the scenes of her Kindred Spirits episode
• Using paranormal investigation as self-care
• Why compassion should be at the heart of every ghost hunt

🔮 Guest Info:

Sara Lee Forsberg

Follow her on Facebook: Sarah Lee M. Forsberg

Follow on Instagram: @mackenzielee02

Hashtags: #SquirrellyParanormal #InvestigationAsSaraLee #KensParanormAdventures

📣 Call to Action:

If this episode resonated with you, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, and share the show with someone who believes in the unexplained. Your support helps us reach more listeners who refuse to turn around.

🧡 Support the Show:

Join the DTA community on Patreon — keep the lights on, the mics hot, and the servers humming: https://www.patreon.com/philrossi

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