In this episode of The Malliard Report, Jim Malliard welcomes John Fowler, founder of The Midnight Watchmen and creator of ParanormalDictionary.com. From Pennsylvania’s haunted history to the ethics of ghost hunting, Fowler offers a grounded look at what it really means to investigate the unexplained. Together, they dive into how investigators balance curiosity with credibility — and how respect for both clients and locations separates the true professionals from the thrill seekers.
Fowler shares insights from his investigations across the Mid-Atlantic, from The Black Horse Inn in Easton — once rumored to host mob-linked spirits — to the well-known Jenny Wade House in Gettysburg. He walks listeners through his detailed process: interviewing clients, studying environmental factors like carbon monoxide and EMF, and conducting multi-day investigations that demand as much patience as passion. His stories reveal both the rigor and humanity of ghost hunting — often more about helping people feel heard than proving what lurks in the dark.
Jim and John also discuss the culture of the paranormal field itself: the rise of flashy TV shows versus the quiet, unseen hours of data review; the community’s growing reliance on technology versus old-school observation; and how collaboration — not competition — can push the field forward. Fowler’s creation, ParanormalDictionary.com, aims to do just that: a “Wikipedia for the paranormal” where investigators, teams, and haunted locations can share information and cross-reference evidence.
By the end of the hour, listeners are reminded that serious paranormal research is not about chasing fame — it’s about chasing understanding. Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode captures the heart of The Malliard Report: curiosity, respect, and a shared search for truth in the unseen.
The Malliard Report — where the paranormal meets Pennsylvania grit.
00:00 – Introductions & Beginnings
Jim welcomes John Fowler of The Midnight Watchmen; they discuss post-holiday recovery and how Fowler’s team began in Bucks County, PA.
05:00 – Building a Responsible Investigation
Fowler explains how his team handles residential and business cases, from initial client interviews to EMF and carbon monoxide checks.
10:00 – The Review Process
Discussion of how 80+ hours of audio/video evidence translates into weeks of analysis — and why thoroughness matters more than quick results.
15:00 – Ethics & Equipment
Fowler defends using practical tools like gaffer’s tape and criticizes investigators who treat clients as case files instead of people.
20:00 – When Science Meets Spirit
Conversation shifts to low-tech tools like compasses and flashlights, and the danger of over-relying on gadgets.
25:00 – The Black Horse Inn Case
Fowler recounts chilling evidence from Easton, including a spirit voice pleading “Don’t hurt me” — and how compassion, not provocation, defined the night.
35:00 – Building Community: ParanormalDictionary.com
Fowler describes his “Wikipedia for the paranormal,” encouraging transparency, team collaboration, and networking among investigators.
45:00 – The Expo: Paranormal Journeys
Details on Fowler’s Paranormal Journeys event in Lansdale, PA — a grassroots expo featuring local teams, skeptics, and cross-discipline topics like crop circles and shamanism.
55:00 – Media, Ego, and the Future of the Field
A candid discussion on ego in paranormal media, how social networks shape credibility, and why humility keeps the work honest.
1:05:00 – Gettysburg & Closing Thoughts
Fowler shares personal experiences from the Jenny Wade House and reflects on how history, respect, and curiosity keep him coming back year after year.
“Most residentials just want to know they’re not crazy — and sometimes, that’s the real haunting we can help lift.”
“We treat people like people, not case file numbers. That’s where the real investigation begins.”
“If a spirit can touch you, it can flip a switch — you don’t need to unscrew a flashlight for that.”
“ParanormalDictionary.com exists so teams can stop competing and start connecting.”
“At Gettysburg, it always feels like coming home. History breathes there — and sometimes, it answers back.”
