Curious Explorers

Kathy Kelly and Traci Stein
  • 5.0 (9)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

What’s haunting the Paranormal Museum in Asbury Park ?Are orbs ghostly phenomena or mere camera artifacts?Can what we do in the future influence the past?How are precognition and retrocausation connected?Do the same psychological principles apply to both the living and the dead?Did Abraham Lincoln foresee his own death?Join historian Kathy Kelly, proprietress of The Paranormal Museum, and psychologist Traci Stein as they explore the evidence for - and against - a paranormal explanation for all things mysterious, historical and most of all - paranormal. [Theme song, "The Paranormal is Real" by Leonell Cassio, used with permission.]

  1. 1D AGO

    Father Malachi Martin -- Savior or Sinner? (Part 2 of the Marty Stalker Interview)

    Send a text Was Father Malachi Martin a savior or sinner? Spiritual counselor or Casanova? And what supernatural force has been trying to stop Director Marty Stalker from telling Father Martin's story? In this encore of Part II of the interview with Marty Stalker,  director of the Netflix documentary, "Hostage to the Devil," Marty does a deeper dive into controversial exorcist, Father Malachi Martin. Marty delves further into the world of demonic possession and the paranormal phenomena that he continues to encounter when speaking on these topics. In fact, you’ll hear some of the strange audio interference we experienced while recording; and in the YouTube version, you’ll get another glimpse of the type of light anomaly that punctuated the interview. Marty also discusses his conversations with notable personalities like Malachi Martin’s staunchest critic, Robert Blair Kaiser; radio legend Art Bell; Malachi Martin’s confidant, Ralph Sarchie; Father Cesar Truqui, and more. Finally, Marty shares details on his upcoming sequel to the documentary,  “Hostage to the Devil.” Tune in for an intriguing conversation about filmmaking and one of the Catholic church’s most enigmatic and polarizing figures. And catch the YouTube version to see some of the visual anomalies that occurred during the interview: https://youtu.be/zWAIfl24iOQ?si=_1O1b6cCN-q5z8rU For more on Marty Stalker and the “Hostage to the Devil” podcast, visit: https://martystalker.com/ And https://www.youtube.com/@CausewayPicturesNI For more on Kathy Kelly and the Paranormal Museum in Asbury Park, NJ, as well as ghost tours, investigations, the Jersey Devil Fable Festival and other events, visit: https://paranormalbooksnj.com/ For more on Traci Stein, her guided hypnotic imagery, upcoming events, and her other podcast, “Unpacking Possibility with Dr. Traci Stein,”  visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/ Support the show

    44 min

  2. FEB 28

    Hostage to the Devil: Director Marty Stalker on Fr. Malachi Martin, Exorcism & the Quest for the Truth (Encore)

    Send a text Who was controversial exorcist and Vatican insider Father Malachi Martin? Is demonic possession real? What supernatural force may be working against the truth coming out? In this special encore episode of Curious Explorers, we’re joined by Marty Stalker, the director of the Netflix documentary 'Hostage to the Devil,' which explores the life and exorcisms of Father Martin.  Marty reveals what he learned during his 6-year journey making the film, and also  describes the supernatural “resistance” Marty encountered while making the movie and since then. The interview also delves deep into the complex character of Father Martin, the controversies around exorcism, and Marty's personal spiritual journey.  Tune in for an intriguing conversation about filmmaking and one of the Catholic church’s most enigmatic and polarizing figures. Check out the YouTube version to see some of the visual anomalies that occurred during the interview: https://youtu.be/HjUDZ2ljVnY?si=hP5Pj9m0RKY0nTm2 For more on Marty Stalker and the “Hostage to the Devil” podcast, visit: https://martystalker.com/ And https://www.youtube.com/@CausewayPicturesNI For more on Kathy Kelly and the Paranormal Museum in Asbury Park, NJ, as well as ghost tours, investigations, the Jersey Devil Fable Festival and other events, visit: https://paranormalbooksnj.com/ For more on Traci Stein, her guided hypnotic imagery, upcoming events, and her other podcast, “Unpacking Possibility with Dr. Traci Stein,”  visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/ Chapters: 01:59 Director Marty Stalker's Background 04:42 "Technical Difficulties" and Paranormal Resistance 05:58 Marty's Experiences and Insights 09:07 Father Malachi Martin's Mystique 21:23 Marty's Personal Journey and Beliefs 26:34 Frustrations with Religion and Spirituality 27:08 Creating a Film Without Bias 27:46 Exorcism and Malachi Martin 28:30 Audience Reactions to the Film 33:44 Exorcism and Its Rarity 38:56 Personal Experiences and Intuition 47:21 Challenges and Supernatural “Resistance” Support the show

    53 min

  3. JAN 26

    Haunted Dolls: Love at First Fright

    Send a text Ever wonder why that vintage doll at the estate sale is giving you major bad vibes? Traci and Kathy crack open the creepy toy box on haunted dolls, from eBay's booming market to the A-listers of possessed porcelain (looking at you, Robert and Annabelle). Kathy spills the tea about her 100+ haunted doll collection – including the one that sent her running from the Paranormal Museum in the dead of night.  Meanwhile, Traci reminisces about a Dead Files gem: one woman, 2,000 haunted dolls, and a daughter who's really into death. Find out who sent Traci a (possibly) haunted doll, and what possessed her to stage a full-on photo shoot with it; why spirits love seeping into tiny ceramic bodies; when "collecting" crosses a weird line, and the science behind why dolls creep (most of) us out. Catch the Curious Explorers Podcast on Apple Music and all your favorite streaming apps. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/curious-explorers/id1756564535 For more on the ladies of Curious Explorers, visit: https://curious-explorers.com/ For more on Kathy Kelly and the Paranormal Museum, visit: https://paranormalbooksnj.com/ For more on Traci Stein, visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/ To read the article by Rosemary Ellen Guiley mentioned in this episode: https://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/2689#:~:text=March%2016%2C%202018%20READ%20TIME,activated%20by%20the%20right%20circumstanes. To read the VICE article mentioned in this episode: https://www.vice.com/en/article/this-is-why-we-think-dolls-are-creepyutm_sourcetonicfbus/ Support the show

    47 min

  4. JAN 20

    Ghosts of the Myrtles Plantation

    Send a text Join Kathy and Traci as they explore one of America's most famous haunted locations: the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana.  In this episode, Kathy shares the story behind a unique artifact in the Paranormal Museum—a cutting from the oleander tree at the center of the plantation's most enduring ghost story.  But this isn't just another retelling of the legend of “Chloe,” the enslaved woman said to haunt the property. Instead, Kathy examines what happens when we strip away romanticized narratives of the Old South and the Myrtles legend,  and confront the brutal historical realities of plantation life and the people who were enslaved there. What You'll Discover: The legend of Chloe and the poisoned birthday cake—and why the historical record tells a different storyHow ghost stories form around places shaped by systemic trauma and exploitationThe famous 1990s photograph that captured what appears to be a spectral figureWhy the Myrtles' haunting persists The significance of the Oleander tree as a “living witnesses” and the "DNA of a ghost story"Kathy's take on whether the Myrtles is truly hauntedThis episode goes beyond typical ghost story fare to explore how hauntings can be structural rather than tied to single events, and why removing one explanation doesn't remove the experiences themselves. It's an honest  examination of how we tell stories about haunted places—and whose stories are and are not recorded. Content Note: This episode includes frank, historically accurate discussions of slavery, s*xual exploitation, and violence against enslaved people. 3:20 - Overview of the Myrtles Plantation 11:51 - The Legend of Chloe 18:43 - The Brutal Reality of Enslavement 34:46 - The Famous Photograph 39:35 - The Oleander Tree Artifact 44:57 - The Nature of the Haunting 48:39 - Kathy's Take on Whether the Myrtles is Haunted 52:56 - Trees as Living Witnesses For more on Kathy Kelly and the Paranormal Museum, visit: https://paranormalbooksnj.com/ For more on Traci Stein, visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/ Follow the Curious Explorers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuriousExplorersShow/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiousexplorersshow/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriousExplorersShow Support the show

    59 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    Deathbed Visions: Visitors from Beyond the Veil

    Send a text What if the boundary between life and death isn't as solid as we think? Join Traci and Kathy as they explore deathbed visions— when the dying encounter the otherworldly – departed loved ones, spiritual figures and glimpses of heaven. Are these experiences comforting illusions or genuine glimpses beyond the veil? Drawing from bestselling books and deeply personal stories, the Curious Explorers navigate this profound mystery with their signature blend of heart and humor. Expect moving personal accounts, haunted objects, protection spells, and honest conversation about what might be possible in those final, sacred moments. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this episode will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about life's final frontier. For more information on the Curious Explorers Podcast, or to support the show, visit: https://curious-explorers.com/ For more on Kathy Kelly and the Paranormal Museum, visit: https://paranormalbooksnj.com/ For more on Traci Stein, visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/ Follow the Curious Explorers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuriousExplorersShow/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiousexplorersshow/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriousExplorersShow Support the show

    57 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    The REAL Bloody Marys

    Send a text Was the Bloody Mary legend based on Queen Mary? Countess Elizabeth Bathory? Or American Mary Worth?  Who – or what – shattered the mirrors at the Paranormal Museum?  Has Kathy ever summoned Bloody Mary? And do YOU dare to summon her? For more information on the Curious Explorers Podcast, or to support the show, visit: https://curious-explorers.com/ For more on Kathy Kelly and the Paranormal Museum, visit: https://paranormalbooksnj.com/ For more on Traci Stein, visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/ Follow the Curious Explorers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuriousExplorersShow/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiousexplorersshow/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriousExplorersShow Support the show

    39 min

  7. 11/26/2025

    Spirit Art, Mediumship, and More from the Curious Explorers

    Send a text Join Traci and Kathy as they explore the fascinating world of spirit portraiture!   Traci shares her personal experience as a sitter for six talented mediums who create portraits of loved ones from the other side—complete with comparison photos (in the YouTube version of the episode). The conversation weaves through the origins of spiritualism, the role of art in mediumship, and the enduring human desire to connect with those who have crossed over.  Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or just curious, this episode offers a blend of history, humor, and heartfelt stories from the edge of the unknown.  Don’t forget to like, share, and follow—your engagement keeps the conversation (and maybe the spirits) alive! For more information on the Curious Explorers Podcast, or to support the show, visit: https://curious-explorers.com/ For more on Traci Stein, her meditations and upcoming events, visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/ For more on Kathy Kelly and the Paranormal Museum, visit: https://paranormalbooksnj.com/ ~~~~~ To contact the mediums mentioned in this episode: Laura Solages: https://www.soul-ages.com/home Glenn Citerony: https://glennciterony.com/contact/ Special thanks also to mediums and spirit artists Carolyn Soares, Dale Heffer, and Gisele, and all of the spirits who came through to them. Support the show

    54 min

  8. 11/19/2025

    Psychic Detective Dorothy Allison: Murders and Mysteries in the Garden State

    Send a text In 1967, New Jersey housewife and mother of four, Dorothy Allison had a vivid dream about a missing boy – including that he had drowned and would be found in a drainpipe -- wearing a snowsuit, and with his shoes on the wrong feet. A month later, the boy’s body was found exactly as Dorothy had described, beginning her 30-year journey as a volunteer psychic detective assisting law enforcement. In this episode, Traci and Kathy cover some of Dorothy Allison’s headline-making cases, and also discuss other notable psychic detectives like Pam Coronado and Nancy Orlen Weber. And Traci shares the one case that confirmed she was definitely not cut out for psychic (or other) crime solving! For more on the Curious Explorers Podcast, visit: https://curious-explorers.com/ For more on Kathy Kelly and the Paranormal Museum in Asbury Park, NJ: https://paranormalbooksnj.com/ For more on Traci Stein’s Intuition Development Course mentioned in this episode: https://www.drtracistein.com/offers/G7RAF2Ek/checkout Articles about Dorothy Allison and the headline-making cases she helped solve:  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-07-mn-41451-story.html https://www.rd.com/list/mysteries-solved-by-psychics/ Support the show

    55 min
See All (52)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

What’s haunting the Paranormal Museum in Asbury Park ?Are orbs ghostly phenomena or mere camera artifacts?Can what we do in the future influence the past?How are precognition and retrocausation connected?Do the same psychological principles apply to both the living and the dead?Did Abraham Lincoln foresee his own death?Join historian Kathy Kelly, proprietress of The Paranormal Museum, and psychologist Traci Stein as they explore the evidence for - and against - a paranormal explanation for all things mysterious, historical and most of all - paranormal. [Theme song, "The Paranormal is Real" by Leonell Cassio, used with permission.]

Information

  • Creator
    Kathy Kelly and Traci Stein
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Curious Explorers
  • Show Website
    Curious Explorers

You Might Also Like