Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf

Astonishing Legends Productions
  • 4.8 (355)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf

“Go inside the mind of one of television and movies’ wildest storytellers…”  Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf is a podcast that feels like discovering a secret diary.  Every episode unravels the mysteries of a book from Richard's bookshelf and a story from Richard’s life, weaving together the excitement of the supernatural and the warmth of personal storytelling.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    The Other Side - Part 1

    “I had heard of poltergeists – the spirit of a dead person causing some sort of disturbance in the house where the person resided before dying. For the first time I faced the real possibility that the source of all that had been happening could be my son – dead, but still living.” In this episode, travel with Richard Hatem to – “The Other Side” by Bishop James A. Pike, with Diane Kennedy. This book recounts the chilling experiences of Bishop Pike, an Episcopal leader who, in the wake of his son’s suicide, found himself crossing into a realm few are willing to acknowledge. In his search for an explanation, Pike turns to various mediums, paranormal experts, and eventually concludes that his son’s personality had somehow survived death. The haunting events that unfolded during these months left Pike—and those around him—questioning the very nature of life, death, and what might lie beyond the veil. But this episode isn’t just about Pike’s journey. It’s also about Richard’s own other side. When his girlfriend’s dad handed him The Other Side, Richard left it gathering dust on his desk for weeks. Why? Because he was stuck in his own emotional quicksand—trying to survive a long-distance relationship and all the teenage drama that came with it. Richard talks about his own experiences with love, loss, and how he found comfort in friends who managed to make him laugh when he felt like his world was falling apart.  Along the way, listeners will learn how grief, love, and the supernatural can unexpectedly collide, pushing us to rethink everything we thought we knew about the other side. Feeling more desperate by the hour, Richard finally decides to take a “big swing” to save himself – but will it work?  We’ll find out in The Other Side – Part Two… Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts for the next episode. Learn more about the stories, books, music, and more featured in this episode at https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/

    54 min

  2. 12/23/2024

    Surgeon From Another World

    This isn’t your typical Christmas story—but it is a Christmas story: one that delves into second chances, goodwill towards humanity, ghosts, and hope. And it’s true. Tonight, Richard Hatem brings you one of the strangest and most captivating tales he’s ever heard in Surgeon from Another World by George Chapman and Roy Stemman. It begins with a father’s devastating loss: at 25, George Chapman’s four-week-old daughter died. Struggling with grief and anger, he turned to spiritualism—hoping to connect with the beyond using whatever means necessary. What he found was unexpected: his mother, who had passed away when he was just five years old, reached out with messages of comfort and clarity. But that was just the beginning. George Chapman’s journey into the spiritual realm quickly deepened, leading him to encounter Dr. Lang—a once-living surgeon now communicating from beyond the grave. Even those who had known Dr. Lang—friends, patients, family—were absolutely convinced they were truly in contact with him through George. Every response and question from Dr. Lang shattered any lingering doubt, leaving listeners captivated and questioning the very possibility of life after death. For over 30 years, George’s interactions with these spirits defied skepticism and reshaped beliefs. This episode delves into how George Chapman’s experiences urge us to approach the inexplicable with an open mind and a spirit of curiosity. Subscribe now for more stories from Richard Hatem’s Paranormal Bookshelf, and visit richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com for more information on this episode and more.

    1h 4m

  3. 12/09/2024 · BONUS

    S2: Bonus Patreon Episode - A Conversation With Farah Yurdozu

    As a special treat, Richard shares with you a sample of what's happening on his Patreon feed —an interview with Turkish ufologist Farah Yurdozu.  If you recognize the name, it's because she is the author of Love In An Alien Purgatory — The Life and Fantastic Art of David Huggins, which was featured on Episode 2 of Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf.   In this wide-ranging conversation, Richard and Farah talk about: Farah's grandfather's terrifying encounter with Reptilian entities in Baghdad; Göbekli Tepe; the theories of Jacques Vallee; the difference in alien abductions from America to Istanbul — and the very real possibility of alien/human hybrids.  Join us for a one-of-a-kind discussion — and find out what's happening on Richard Hatem's Paranormal PATREON!" Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts for the next episode. Learn more about the stories, books, music, and more featured in this episode at https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/

    1h 6m

  4. 11/25/2024

    Phone Calls from the Dead

    Losing your virginity, bargain-bin paperbacks, and phone calls from beyond the grave—just another summer in the life of Richard Hatem. This week, Richard dusts off one of his strangest books, Phone Calls From the Dead by D. Scott Rogo and Raymond Bayless. But before he cracks the spine, we a detour back to the summer of 1983—a tale of his teenage years, his friend Larry, his girlfriend Michelle,  and the he-didn’t-even-know-it-was-life-changing moment when he unearthed this book in a record store. It wasn’t just the title that grabbed him (although, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t pick up)—it was the creeping realization that these weren't your average ghost stories. Unlike EVP, where you call the other side, Phone Calls From the Dead flips the script. What happens when the dead pick up the receiver and call you? Only the 80s landline era could provide that level of existential dread. So, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, settle in, and get ready for a journey through life’s firsts: rejection, loss, heartbreak, success, the first taste of adulthood. And hey—if your phone rings halfway through? Answer at your own risk. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts for the next episode. Learn more about the stories, books, music, and more featured in this episode at https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/

    1h 1m

  5. 11/11/2024

    Voices of the Dead?

    What do screenwriting, first dates, and electronic voice phenomena (EVP) have in common? For a teenaged Richard Hatem in December of 1982, it was the book: Voices of the Dead? By Susy Smith. Richard discovered something mind-blowing: you didn’t have to go anywhere to find a ghost. You just need a tape recorder, fresh batteries, and some time. With this knowledge, the idea of ghost-hunting went from a distant dream to an unnervingly close reality. Personal proof of the paranormal was right within Richard’s reach, finally. If only he was brave enough to seize it. But, like most teenagers, Richard’s attention was divided. He was also thinking about girls, first dates, and what to do with the rest of his life. Richard’s restless energy propelled him into these three pursuits that, while seemingly unrelated, all held the promise of discovery and validation. He was fueled by the need for answers and for understanding something beyond himself—whether it was voices from the beyond, the thrill of first loves, or how to eke out his creative identity.  As Richard shares his story, remember: the ghosts are already listening. You just need the courage to press record. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts for the next episode. Learn more about the stories, books, music, and more featured in this episode at https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/

    46 min

  6. 10/28/2024

    The Mammoth Mountain Poltergeist

    “Our first instinct was just sheer disbelief. We were trying to tell ourselves that it couldn't be real. It couldn't be happening. But it was.”—The Mammoth Mountain Poltergeist by Jenny Ashford and Tom Ross In this episode, Richard dives into The Mammoth Mountain Poltergeist by Jenny Ashford and Tom Ross—a book that’s part childhood memoir, part full-throttle paranormal nightmare, and less than 150 pages. But don’t let its length fool you, it may be the most important poltergeist story ever written. Tom Ross, who’s around Richard's age, recounts the terrifying winter vacation where his family faced supernatural phenomena that just wouldn't stop. Imagine the worst, most upsetting family trip of your life and multiply it by…a poltergeist. Richard first read this book in 2017, holed up in a condo in Mammoth during a ski vacation he’d rather forget. Fear has been a strange, and near constant companion, in Richard’s life. Yet, as he has discovered, confronting fear head-on can lead to unexpected revelations and personal growth. In this episode, he reflects on his own complicated relationship with fear, exploring how it can be both a barrier, a catalyst for change, and sometimes something you don’t have to take on. Join Richard as he faces down the paranormal once more, revisiting a story about fear, transformation, and how the darkness finds us all eventually, even if we’re not looking. Buckle up, it’s about to get weirder. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts for the next episode. Learn more about the stories, books, music, and more featured in this episode at https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/

    1h 3m

  7. 10/14/2024

    They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers

    “The Saucers don’t interest me anymore. When Barker asked is that because you found out they were too ordinary to be interesting? Or because what you discovered about them is too painful for you to think about?”—They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers by Gray Barker Richard picked up They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers while trying to crack the adaptation of The Mothman Prophecies during a three-week trip to New Mexico. He bought the book in the morning, started reading that afternoon, and by nightfall, the nightmares had begun. Richard found the book at a time when he had one year to write The Mothman Prophecies screenplay—no deadlines, no structure, just finish the damn thing. Sounds like a dream, right? But that lack of accountability became its own prison, as Richard wrestled with the kind of creative pressure that can make even a family vacation feel like a ticking time bomb. Barker’s book echoed that same unsettling tension. It’s not about resolutions; it’s steeped in gnawing speculation, pulling you into a world where the only thing scarier than what’s inside a flying saucer are the shadowy figures working to keep the truth hidden Beam yourself up into the saucer and explore UFO lore through the lens of the occult, government conspiracies, and the tortured relationships that shaped the field of ufology. And maybe, by the end of this episode, you’ll have your own answer to Barker’s question: are the saucers too ordinary to be interesting? Or is what you’ve learned about them too painful to even think about? Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts for the next episode. Learn more about the stories, books, music, and more featured in this episode at https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/

    56 min

  8. 09/30/2024

    Monsters Among Us

    “As we sat there, watching, she transformed into this huge beastly creature, similar to what people might call a wolf. Right there in the middle of our church. It stood on hind legs and rode a roar that would’ve made a lion cower.”—Monsters Among Us by Linda Godfrey Are you the kind of person who thinks ‘roughing it’ means staying at a hotel without Wi-Fi? Then pour some champagne to get through this episode set, mostly in the great(ish) outdoors. Let’s just say Monsters Among Us by Linda Godfrey has Richard rethinking that ‘quaint’ cabin in the woods Susan’s been pushing him to visit. In this episode, you’ll join Richard as he dives into Linda’s lifelong research and colorful universe, exploring a world where camping might mean becoming some creature’s midnight snack and not even the suburbs can keep you safe. During his trek, Richard uncovers the camaraderie and pancakes that fuel the paranormal community and the joy of exploring the weirdness of the world, together. Ready to venture off the beaten path? Grab a flashlight, say goodbye to room service, and join Richard for a rollicking deep dive into one of his wildest reads yet. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts for the next episode. Learn more about the stories, books, music, and more featured in this episode at https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/

    55 min
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4.8
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About

“Go inside the mind of one of television and movies’ wildest storytellers…”  Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf is a podcast that feels like discovering a secret diary.  Every episode unravels the mysteries of a book from Richard's bookshelf and a story from Richard’s life, weaving together the excitement of the supernatural and the warmth of personal storytelling.

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