Guests are considered tentative and subject to change at any time leading up to the event. Please keep an eye on this page for the latest information.

---

2026 Symposium Presentations:

Alex Matsuo, MA – Ghosts in Translation: How Culture, Media, & Technology Shape the Paranormal

In the paranormal field, we often engage with the remnants of tragedy; haunted objects, historical atrocities, and spirits tied to violence and grief. But where do we draw the line between remembrance and exploitation? In this presentation, Alex explores the ethical responsibilities of investigators, collectors, and storytellers when engaging with trauma-linked artifacts and locations. We’ll examine the growing trend of aestheticizing pain in paranormal media and object displays, the importance of context and consent, and how we can honor the dead without trivializing their suffering. It’s time to ask: Are we preserving history, or consuming it for vibes?

Zach Bell – Paranormal Fandom: Social Media and Digital Spirituality Beyond the Screen

Join Zach Bell, Creative Director for Sam and Colby, for an exploration of how paranormal social media content influences spiritual beliefs and perspectives. Drawing on audience data and viewer experiences from one of the world’s largest paranormal YouTube channels, Zach examines how fandom, online communities, and digital storytelling can shape both skepticism and belief. The presentation also explores the growing connection between fandom identity, spirituality, and paranormal belief among younger generations.

Randy Liebeck – An International Overview of Institutional Parapsychological Research

In the paranormal field, we often engage with the remnants of tragedy; haunted objects, historical atrocities, and spirits tied to violence and grief. But where do we draw the line between remembrance and exploitation? In this presentation, Alex explores the ethical responsibilities of investigators, collectors, and storytellers when engaging with trauma-linked artifacts and locations. We’ll examine the growing trend of aestheticizing pain in paranormal media and object displays, the importance of context and consent, and how we can honor the dead without trivializing their suffering. It’s time to ask: Are we preserving history, or consuming it for vibes?

Brett Harpp, LMHC-D – The Haunted Therapist – The Haunted House of the Mind: Trauma, Memory, and Meaning-Making Through Paranormal Metaphor

What if the most haunted places are also powerful mirrors of the human mind? This thought-provoking workshop explores how the symbolism of haunted spaces can help us better understand trauma, memory, identity, and emotional experiences. Blending psychology with paranormal perspectives, participants will examine why haunted houses so often reflect the architecture of the psyche through guided reflection and interdisciplinary discussion.

Larry Eisller – Ghosts in the Machine: The Risks of AI in Paranormal Investigation

As AI transforms the way we capture, enhance, and analyze audio, images, and video, what does it mean for paranormal evidence? This presentation explores how artificial intelligence and modern mobile technology can unintentionally create—or intentionally fabricate—anomalies that appear paranormal. Through real-world testing and case studies, attendees will learn how AI is reshaping paranormal investigations and why transparency, raw data, and responsible evidence handling are more important than ever.

Lauren Tenney – Spirituality, Dissent, and Psychiatrization: Historical Perspectives and Rights-Based Conversations

This workshop explores how spiritual and anomalous experiences—such as trance states, mediumship, and hearing voices—are interpreted across historical, cultural, and institutional contexts, and what happens when those interpretations conflict. Drawing on participatory research, Mad Studies, and 19th-century spiritualist and psychiatric histories, it examines how meaning is shaped by authority and how similar experiences have been framed as both spiritually significant and as subjects of psychiatric intervention. Participants will reflect on how people navigate these dynamics today, including language, disclosure, and community context, while considering a human rights-based approach to lived experience.

Kelly Haapala – The Hidden Roles Investigators Unknowingly Play in Paranormal Encounters: The Paranormal Archetypes Framework

Paranormal investigations often focus on environmental conditions, equipment data, and unexplained activity, yet the investigator themselves is rarely examined as a variable. Drawing from years of field observations, Kelly Haapala developed the Paranormal Archetypes Framework, a model that explores the roles investigators may adopt during paranormal encounters. Perception and instinct can influence the way experiences are recognized and interpreted. Recognizing this, teams may improve communication and awareness of the human dynamics that shape paranormal research.

Vince Kelien – Abandonment Issues: When Haunted Places Decay… and When They Come Back to Life

Abandoned places often exist at the crossroads of history and paranormal lore. In Abandonment Issues, Vince Kelien examines historically significant locations that remain abandoned alongside sites that have been revived through preservation efforts. Using photographs, research, and paranormal case studies, he explores how abandonment and restoration may influence reports of unexplained activity while highlighting the importance of preserving these historic places before they are lost to time.

Megan Holland – Bridging the Veil in Gettysburg: Connecting with Loved Ones Through Paranormal Practice

Set against the deeply historic backdrop of Gettysburg, this workshop explores respectful and intentional approaches to spirit communication. Rather than focusing on evidence collection, it emphasizes meaningful personal connection through intuitive development, energy awareness, and the thoughtful use of paranormal tools. Participants will learn practical techniques for recognizing signs, creating a safe and grounded environment for communication, and approaching the spirit world with compassion, ethics, and clear intention. Through guided exercises and discussion, attendees of all experience levels will gain a supportive framework for exploring connection, healing, and understanding.

Emily Matscherz – Public Hauntings: The Role of Storytelling, Environment, and Expectation in Gettysburg Ghost Tourism

Why do some people report paranormal experiences while others walk away with nothing unusual to share? This presentation explores how guided ghost tours in Gettysburg shape perceptions of the paranormal through storytelling, environmental factors, and audience expectations. Drawing on field observations, participant feedback, and social media engagement, the research examines how historical narratives, atmospheric settings, and digital content influence reported experiences. By exploring the intersection of folklore, history, and psychology, this presentation offers insight into how paranormal encounters are perceived, interpreted, and shared in both physical and online spaces.

Dave Schumacher & Brandon Massullo – Hauntings: When Person, Place, and Environment Align

Are haunted experiences created by the environment, the location, the individual—or all three? Drawing on research conducted at the Hinsdale House, this presentation explores how psychological factors, environmental conditions, and the unique characteristics of a place interact to shape reported paranormal experiences. The findings suggest that haunt-type encounters emerge from a dynamic relationship between people, place, and environment rather than any single factor alone.

Crossroads of Curiosities – Remote Contact: Exploring Virtual Reality in Paranormal Investigation

Are haunted experiences created by the environment, the location, the individual—or all three? Drawing on research conducted at the Hinsdale House, this presentation explores how psychological factors, environmental conditions, and the unique characteristics of a place interact to shape reported paranormal experiences. The findings suggest that haunt-type encounters emerge from a dynamic relationship between people, place, and environment rather than any single factor alone.

Ryan Goeckner, PhD, MA; Sean M. Daley, PhD, MA; Christine M. Daley, PhD, MA, SM
– From Appendicitis to Aspergillus: Understanding the Sallie House Mythos

The Sallie House is one of the most famous haunted locations in the United States, known for reports of scratches, voices, and alleged demonic activity. Drawing on archival research, firsthand accounts, and years of on-site investigations, this presentation explores how the house’s legend evolved, separates fact from folklore, and examines why reports of paranormal activity continue to captivate investigators and visitors alike.

Dr. Kristopher Garza and Dr. Steve F. Bain – When Clients Share the Extraordinary: Ethical Approaches to Paranormal and Anomalous Experiences in Therapy

Paranormal and anomalous experiences are more commonly reported in counseling settings than many clinicians realize. This presentation explores how mental health professionals can ethically and effectively respond to these disclosures while distinguishing between pathological and non-pathological experiences. Drawing on person-centered, multicultural, and evidence-based approaches, attendees will learn practical frameworks—including the GHOST Method and W.H.O.L.E. strategy—that promote cultural humility, clinician confidence, and meaningful client engagement.

More presentations and a full schedule coming soon!