Halloween Is Boom Time for Paranormal Creators

CREATOR NEWSLETTER


As Halloween night approaches, tales of hauntings and ghostly apparitions are everywhere. But in today’s hyper-connected world, the supernatural isn’t just found in dark hallways and creaky old mansions. Some spirits seem to have taken up residence in more modern haunts: our phones, computers, and even our wifi connections.

From unexplained notifications that arrive in the dead of night to screens that flicker with cryptic messages, stories of haunted technology are becoming more common. Jack Wagner, a content creator and host of the Otherworld podcast, which tells stories from real people who have experienced something paranormal or unexplained, said that “the spirit world is learning to use new tools.” 

Wagner said that if you find yourself in possession of an item like, say, a haunted laptop, or believe that a spirit is trying to communicate through a piece of technology in your home, before you dunk your phone in holy water, take the tech to an electronics shop. “It could just be [poorly made] Temu wiring,” Wagner said. Still, he believes technology is often just a conduit for whatever spirit or paranormal apparition is trying to reach you.

If you’re tempted to try to record strange happenings for content, Wagner said that you might be out of luck. “Most people [who encounter the paranormal] are paralyzed in fear,” he said. “No matter what you think of this stuff, it’s a fight or flight response at a level you couldn’t comprehend.” There is also some speculation from paranormal enthusiasts that our cameras aren’t able to capture images from the otherworldly plane they believe ghostly apparitions exist in. 

Wagner said that Halloween is boom time for a podcast like his, and he’s been sifting through an onslaught of stories. “I’m not necessarily a believer,” he said. “But I’m also not a skeptic. I’m just a person who talks to a lot of people who have experienced this stuff.” Read our full interview with Wagner about his work here.


CULTURE

How Alternative Media Failed to Change Political Coverage

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump

Passionfruit Readers: Get Up To $100 in TikTok Advertising Credits

Newsflash: TikTok ads work for small businesses and creators. Whether you’re trying to grow your audience on platform, build an email list off platform, or sell your own products, TikTok has an entire suite of products for targeting, engaging, and converting new fans and loyal followers. Sign up now and get up to $100 in additional advertising credits when you fund your account through this link.


IN THE BIZ


PERSONALITIES

The Costco Guys on Fallon Were Peak Meme Bloat

Do you bring the boom? Do I bring the boom? Who brings the boom?

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor

The Costco Guys did a BOOM or DOOM with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show

CULTURE

Comic Artist Ingrid Ochoa over their art from the comic The Kiss Bet

How Comic Artists Make a Living Online

At New York Comic Con, Passionfruit spoke with two comic artists on the medium, making money, and how they stay devoted.

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor


JOB BOARD


WHAT WE’RE DISCUSSING

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • Grok Has Gone Wild

    Grok Has Gone Wild

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #341 | May 15, 2025 – Taylor Lorenz, Passionfruit Contributor PERSONALITIES Beast Games Has Been Renewed For Two More Seasons The announcement is hardly surprising. By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED There’s a reason mobile home parks are getting so much institutional love They remain one of the key affordable-housing sources nationally, have limited supply…

  • If You’re Maxxing Thank an Incel

    If You’re Maxxing Thank an Incel

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #340 | May 13, 2025 – Andrew Fiouzi, Contributing Editor  PLATFORMS TikTok Is Giving Small Businesses $1 Million In Free Ads 500 small businesses are getting lucky. By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED The Science City You Didn’t Know You Needed to Visit Did you know that the world wide web was born in…

  • DC’s Invite-Only Leftist Creatorverse

    DC’s Invite-Only Leftist Creatorverse

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #339 | May 8, 2025 – Liz Plank, Passionfruit Contributor PLATFORMS Netflix Is Getting TikTok-ified On Mobile Netflix is testing a vertical video feed. By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED Start learning AI in 2025 AI won’t take over the world. People who know how to use AI will. Join 1M+ top performers learning AI…