Paranormal Brew: A Podcast With Supernatural Powers

Podcasting as an industry captures listeners who are like-minded individuals who are attracted by true-crime, fiction, comedy, movies, and hundreds of assorted topics. 

Independent podcasting takes that level of commitment to much higher levels of participation. Indie podcasters create communities bonded by the podcast topic. It's usually a tight-knit group with live events, meetings, and group outings linked to the podcast.

Paranormal Brew is a superb video podcast on YouTube that began in 2016.  The podcast has a large and loyal following, which proves that independent podcasters like creator/ host Taryn Kerper play an outsized role in community bonding.

Listening to the guests on the Paranormal Brew podcast, it is immediately obvious that the guests and listeners couldn't care less if anyone other than them believes in the paranormal.

 Taryn relates how the podcast started: "A friend I met through a paranormal team would talk for hours, and those discussions created more questions than answers."

Taryn adds: "When you have a passion for something, the conversations are endless."

Like many independent podcasts, the show grew while the show was in motion. Taryn stabilized a format, added guests, and added Facebook Live to the mix. Taryn designed a video intro that uses a countdown (Actually, it's countup) format to visually and sonically draw viewers into the show. It's very effective. The creepy hallway images, the floating ghosts, and the shadows also contribute to that eerie feeling that you are not alone.

"Over the years, I've developed many relationships in the paranormal community," notes Taryn. "There are conventions to attend, and I meet people at locations with high paranormal activity."

Ear Worthy asked Taryn to define the paranormal community.

"That's a loaded question," Taryn responded. "You have people who grew up watching Ghost Hunters where they focused on investigations and research. The next group exploits the paranormal for its entertainment value and media attention. Finally, you have people who join the paranormal community as a scheme or scam to make money."

Taryn had her first paranormal encounter in 2006 in Gettysburg, PA. 

Taryn explains, "My mom wanted me to go with her to Gettysburg, and I was reluctant to go. But it was there, I had my first encounter with the unknown. I fell in love with Gettysburg and then joined a ghost group, going through extensive training."

Taryn is a South Jersey girl and does the show from her well-equipped home studio. I've listened for several years now and truly enjoy the show, even though I would count myself as a true believer in the paranormal. 

What I find so appealing about Paranormal Brew is that Taryn keeps the show focused on investigations, facts, and evidence. Taryn even had on a guest a few weeks ago -- Stevi Estes of the Truth Or Demons podcast --  who debunks false paranormal claims.

Taryn Kerper has had nine years of practice as an interviewer and her skills are on full display. She's a superb interviewer and host, guiding her guests carefully through the process. While immersed in Paranormal Brew, I discovered that the paranormal community is both large in scope and collaborative. Taryn has been a guest on dozens of paranormal podcasts, and, of course, those hosts have returned the favor, guesting on Paranormal Brew. 

"In my almost nine years," Taryn begins. "I've welcomed numerous guests, including Wraith Chasers, JD Swords, Three Tortured Souls, Haunted MD-Don Molnar, and Jason Hawes."

I've listened to episodes that have discussed haunted homes, hotels, and even battlefields. For Taryn Kerper, curiosity and that sense of discovery of the unknown are keystone themes of the show.

"Over the years, I've expanded the podcast themes to include skeptics, cryptids, UFOs, psychics, mediums, conspiracies, folklore, and history," notes Taryn. 

 Check out Paranormal Brew. While I'm not a true believer in the phenomena, I am open-minded enough to listen and question things I don't understand. Let Taryn Kerper and Paranormal Brew be your guide to the unknown.