This week, I had the pleasure of speaking to Ann McDougall, who is a writer, actor, and graphic designer living in Toronto.

Ann joined me to talk about her new book, ‘A Ghost in the Room’, but before we discussed that we spoke about some fascinating subjects.

Why do people ask if museums are haunted, and why do people want to seek out ghosts.

We also discussed fraudulent mediums using hot reading, pareidolia and auditory pareidolia. We then chatted about a previous Prime Minister who did seances, and the first fatal séance.

The final conversation included paranormal photography and Table turning/tipping

S1 E39 Ann McDougall - Author of 'A Ghost in the Room'

Jo and Amélie go full cult-core in this episode of Streamin’ Demons, diving into Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror and the tunnel-crawling, bug-infested thriller Scurry. From Amélie’s late-in-life first watch to Jo’s full tattoo dedication, they unpack the generational, cultural, and queer legacy of Rocky Horror — and why the doc Strange Journey hits hard. Then they tackle Scurry, a single-shot survival flick where the real terror isn’t monsters — it’s trust, confinement, and sloppy writing. Plus: ghost hauntings, musicals in France, and Susan Sarandon’s underwear.


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KEY MOMENTS

 * Opening chaos – Jo forgets what show they’re on, Amélie has a chill day
 * Rocky Horror flashbacks – Amélie watches it late in life, Jo hated it until Susan Sarandon’s underwear changed everything
 * Doc love – Strange Journey reveals the real cult phenomenon 
 * Scurry’s one-shot flex – Amélie likes the bugs, Jo calls out the lazy writing
 * Jo’s big take – “It’s not horror. It’s claustrophobia with bugs and trust issues”
 * Amélie’s reflection – Musicals in France? Meh. But the vibe shift in settler countries hits different
 * WTF moment – Jo gets stiffed for an interview with Richard O'Brien
 * Why it matters – Culture clash, fan legacy, and why small films sometimes hit harder on VR than big screens

Strange Journey & Scurry Breakdown: Cult Classics, Bugs & Claustrophobia | Streamin’ Demons

In this episode of What’s Kraken, Jo sits down with Derek Chung from Nomnivore Games to talk accessibility, inclusivity, and why fun should always come first in game design. From the origins of the “Nomnivore” name to building games that double as therapeutic tools, Derek shares how titles like Emberwind, Snack Attack, and Nomaventure are breaking barriers and bringing players of all ages and abilities to the table.

👉 Explore more: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell

💀 We are Amazon Affiliates. If you click or buy through any Amazon links we share, we may earn a commission.

🔑 Key Moments

 * Origin story – How late-night MMO raids (and snacks) inspired Nomnivore.
 * Design philosophy – Accessibility isn’t an afterthought; it’s the foundation.
 * Games as therapy – Why Derek says “therapeutic,” not “therapy.”
 * Catalog highlights – From Snack Attack to Emberwind, modular games for every player.
 * Advice to his younger self – “Get more sleep now — you won’t later.”
 * Why it matters – Games as community builders: no kid eats lunch alone.



Games for Everyone with Derek Chung of Nomnivore | What’s Kraken Interview

This week, i had the pleasure of talking with Chucky Danger, host of the Danger Zone Podcast, Researcher, and cohost of the Counter Cult Podcast.

I start off this week, by asking Chucky about his brush with death and earning him the nickname of 'Chucky Danger'

We talked about his first paranormal experiences seeing none human, fully body apparitions, getting the heebee geebies whilst out camping, and the realization that the owls he was hearing, were probably not owls, but maybe Sasquatch.

The topic then changes as we discuss Chucky's Ultra-violet light research, and the way that the forest changes through the UV light lens.

We end up talking about Infrasound, and how elephants hear with their feet

S1 E38 Chucky Danger - Cryptid Investigator

In this episode of Streamin’ Demons, Jo and Amelie dive deep into Dexter Resurrection Season 1, Episode 4—a wild ride filled with surprise cameos, dark codes, and emotional gut-punches. From Uma Thurman blending so well into her role it took dinner to recognize her, to Peter Dinklage playing a collector with Tyrion Lannister vibes, to Neil Patrick Harris and Eric Stonestreet turning up as twisted killers, the episode is packed with faces you didn’t expect.

But the real debate? Dexter’s dynamic with Mia (Kristen Ritter). Is she a soulmate in code, or should they remain just friends? Jo wants the spark, Amelie wants the depth—sparks fly between the hosts over what’s best for Dexter’s humanity.

We also get into Batista’s messy obsession with catching Dexter, Harrison’s PTSD spiral, and that final gut-drop when Dexter shows up at the worst possible time.

This episode hit 97–98% approval for a reason—it’s one of the most haunting, exhilarating entries yet.

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⚠️ Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: If we use an Amazon link and you click/use it, we do get a small commission.

⏱️ KEY MOMENTS

 * Opening chaos – Jo & Amelie riff on VPNs, Joe Bob Briggs, and Prague.
 * Killer cameos – Uma Thurman, Peter Dinklage, Neil Patrick Harris, Eric Stonestreet, David Dastmalchian, Kristen Ritter—Dexter’s deadly dinner party.
 * Dexter & Mia’s connection – Friendship or romance? Heated host debate.
 * Batista’s obsession – From cuddly teddy bear to dark, messy investigator.
 * Harrison’s breakdown – PTSD, guilt, and a shocking fatherly hand on his shoulder.
 * That ending – Daddy Dexter returns, and nothing will be the same.

Dexter Resurrection S1E4 Breakdown: Killer Cameos, Mia’s Code & A Shocking Return | Streamin’ Demons

Jo sits down with Michael from Weathered Dragon, a true craftsman who turned a personal Dungeons & Dragons passion project into some of the most stunning custom gaming tables on the market. From his Gen Con beginnings to barstool-height builds that actually save your back, Michael shares the journey of bringing artistry, woodworking, and community into every design.

🎲 Check out Weathered Dragon at theweathereddragon.com or on Instagram @weathereddragon.

👉 Don’t forget: we are Amazon Affiliates — if we share an Amazon link and you use it, we may earn a small commission.

KEY MOMENTS

 * Opening spark – Jo recalls spotting Weathered Dragon’s booth at Gen Con and instantly knowing it was “a table made for people like me.”
 * From hobby to business – Michael explains how his Harbinger game table, built just for his family, launched a full-time craft.
 * Gen Con lessons – From bad booth locations to building crowd energy, Michael breaks down the chaos of con life.
 * Craft vs. commerce – Why Weathered Dragon tables blow away overpriced competitors, and what makes Michael’s barstool-height model unique.
 * Passion for the build – Michael talks woodworking roots, dry-brush weathering, and why each table is one-of-a-kind.
 * Community over sales – Customers become friends, even flying him out to California to play on their inaugural table.
 * Advice to younger self – “Keep pushing through setbacks. Take the punches, then come back swinging harder.”

Michael of Weathered Dragon on Crafting Gaming Tables | What’s Kraken Interview

Tonight i had the great pleasure of speaking to Daniel Cahoon, the host of the Magickal Journey Podcast.

Daniel experienced the paranormal from a very early age, and needed to know if his TV's channel hopping was due to ghosts and spirits, and footsteps in his room when he was asleep,  ignited a lifelong fascination with the paranormal.

We also spoke about Demons, Malevolent spirits, Haunted dolls, and the Dybbuk box.

Another point of discussion was, how much evidence defines a haunting.

S1 E37 Daniel Cahoon - Host of Magickal Journey Podcast

Jo and Amélie dive deep into Dexter: Resurrection S1E3 — from Harrison’s secret hotel life to Dexter’s new lunch invitation (yes, with other killers). But the real twist? Jo learns, live on mic, what photo of his Amélie kept on her nightstand for years… seen by boyfriends, guests, and even her parents. Let’s just say it’s personal. Add in hotel worker confessions, Uber wars, and ethical debates over gig work and murder, and you’ve got one hell of a Streamin’ Demons.

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💸 We are Amazon Affiliates. If we link to Amazon and you click or buy, we get coin (at no cost to you).

Key Moments – Dexter Resurrection S1E3 Breakdown

Opening chaos – Amélie asks Jo a loaded question about receiving a custom “toy” from a partner
Main plot or twist – Dexter stalks and kills Ronald Schmidt, uncovering a mysterious luncheon invite
Character study – Harrison’s hotel squatting, his emotional armor, and the growing tension with cops
Jo’s big take – “Be a better Uber driver, don’t murder people” — brutal logic meets moral clarity
Amélie’s reflection – Deep empathy for gig workers, hotel life insights, and posthumous dignity
WTF moment – Well, let's just say not even the AI wanted to type this one...
Theme kicker – Identity, legacy, and the tension between personal freedom and being seen





Dexter Resurrection Ep. 3: Killers, Hotels & That One Photo

In this episode of What’s Kraken, Jo sits down with Kyona Jiles, award-winning romance and fantasy author of First Death and Second Chance. They dive into her creative escape into writing, her early struggles with vanity publishing, and the resilience it took to turn setbacks into award-winning success. From dark humor in grief to building entire worlds filled with vampires, shapeshifters, and sexy FBI agents, Kyona brings honesty, laughter, and wisdom to the mic.

Check out Kyona's books here: https://amzn.to/46lvBDq

👉 Follow all our madness here: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell

💀 We are Amazon Affiliates. If you click or buy through any Amazon links we share, we may earn a commission.

🔑 Key Moments

 * Opening riff – Jo pokes fun at mispronunciations before introducing Kyona.
 * Origin story – Kyona shares how childhood contests and imagination led her to write.
 * Family roots in fantasy – Dragons, unicorns, and a Wrinkle in Time set her path.
 * Vanity publishing nightmare – How she got burned and the hard lessons learned.
 * Award-winning redemption – From setbacks to winning both 1st and 2nd place in RWA’s Prism Awards.
 * Teacher life vs. author life – Balancing the classroom with writing romance, suspense, and fantasy.
 * Dark humor in grief – Her new project My Dead Sister transforms loss into a cathartic, witty narrative.
 * Advice to younger self – Don’t try to fit in. Be yourself.

Kyona Jiles on Winning Awards & Writing Fantasy Romance | What’s Kraken Interview

Jo & Amelie fire up the original Thunderbirds in glorious 4K and dive into puppetry magic, racial stereotypes of the ’60s, and why this quirky classic still works today. From first-date movie potential to whether it predicts Zoom calls and modern tech, they balance nostalgia with sharp humor. Plus, the duo shares personal stories about friendship, flat-earther scares, and why some jokes land—or don’t. Watch along, laugh along, and rediscover the joy of old-school craftsmanship.

👉 More here: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell

Note: We are Amazon Affiliates—if you click and use an Amazon link, we may earn a commission.

Key Moments

 * Opening chaos – Jo & Amelie kick off with the Thunderbirds screener surprise
 * Main plot twist – Puppets sweating, radiation bombs, and a bar full of drunks
 * Character study – How stereotypes and race played out in the ’60s vs. now
 * Jo’s big take – The craftsmanship of puppetry vs. today’s CGI & AI
 * Amelie’s reflection – Watching as a child vs. showing it to her kids now
 * WTF moment – Flat earth & moon landing debates turned into friendship tests

Thunderbirds Breakdown: Puppets, Nostalgia & 4K Remaster | Streamin’ Demons

Streamin' Demons is your bi-weekly guide through the vast world of streaming entertainment. Join host Jo Szewczyk and special guests as they dive deep into three carefully selected titles - from the latest releases to hidden gems and everything in between. Each 30-45 minute episode features unfiltered reviews, engaging discussions, and authentic reactions that help you decide what to watch next. Whether you're a casual viewer or a dedicated binge-watcher, our candid conversations and expert insights will keep you informed and entertained. Subscribe now to join our growing community of streaming enthusiasts!

🎬 New episodes every other week ⏱️ Quick, focused 30-45 minute format 👥 Featured guests and expert perspectives 📺 Coverage across all major streaming platforms

Streamin' Demons

Join bestselling author Jo Szewczyk in What’s Kraken?, Empty Hell’s signature interview series where raw, unfiltered conversations cut through the noise. In just 20 minutes, Jo—known for his dark narrative hit Surviving Gen X—dives deep with creators, artists, and the voices shaping culture, politics, and entertainment today.

From filmmakers to musicians, writers to activists, comedians to elected officials—What’s Kraken? brings you the stories, struggles, and process behind the people changing the world around us. No scripts. No pretense. Just real talk with real people.

Subscribe now and join our growing community of entertainment enthusiasts. New episodes drop regularly on our YouTube channel and everywhere you get your podcasts!

What's Kraken with Jo Szewczyk

Surviving Gen X

Welcome to the SIPA Paranormal Chronicles, a Weekly Podcast for believers, skeptics, and everyone in between.

Launched by an Ottawa based paranormal team SIPA - Scientific Investigation of Paranormal Activity

Join our enthusiastic host, Lee, as he attempts to unveil a new layer of the mysterious, from chilling tales of ghosts to traditional concepts of the afterlife, From the complex world of demonology to the intriguing world of reincarnation, and from the mysterious world of Cryptids to the Intergalactic world of UFO’s and Extraterrestrials.

Our episodes will be rich with content designed to intrigue and inform and will hopefully unravel some of the mysteries that have captivated humanity for centuries.

Guests include paranormal researchers, seasoned ghost hunters, mediums and ordinary individuals with extraordinary experiences.

Listeners are invited to share their own paranormal experiences, which may even become topics of future episodes. Contact us at:

https://www.facebook.com/people/SIPA-Canada/61559002901355/

So, grab your headphones, settle in, and prepare for an adventure that challenges what you think you know about the paranormal, one ghostly chronicle at a time!

Jo

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