In this episode of The Malliard Report, Jim Malliard welcomes Jon Vanover, founder of the Vanover Research and Investigation Group (VRIG), for a frank and funny conversation about the state of paranormal investigation. Known for his no-nonsense approach and dry wit, Vanover pulls no punches when it comes to fake evidence, ghost-hunting celebrity culture, and the online chaos that has turned curiosity into clickbait.
What begins with the usual technical hiccups quickly settles into a grounded discussion about credibility, social media, and skepticism. Vanover explains his philosophy as an “investigator first, not a researcher,” focused on eliminating what things aren’t rather than jumping to conclusions about what they might be. He and Jim trade stories about Facebook bans, exaggerated evidence, and the never-ending parade of paranormal “merit badges” — from Waverly Hills to Linda Vista — that have turned investigation into a popularity contest.
The conversation drifts, as only The Malliard Report can, from Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter to the ethics of reality TV, from thermal cameras and false positives to the economics of “cash only” haunted attractions. Both hosts and guest share their skepticism toward overproduced ghost shows and their respect for those still doing honest, methodical work in the field.
As the night goes on, Vanover and Malliard dive into deeper territory: what social media has done to paranormal research, the myth of “ghosts everywhere,” and why true curiosity requires both open-mindedness and critical thought. The result is a mix of humor, truth, and unfiltered honesty — everything The Malliard Report is known for.
“Where the paranormal meets Pennsylvania grit,” this episode reminds listeners that behind every orb and EVP is a human story — and sometimes, just a puff of dust.
00:00 – Opening & Technical Chaos
Jim battles audio gremlins before introducing Jon Vanover of VRIG. The two joke about live broadcasting gone wrong — a classic Malliard start.
05:00 – Who Is Jon Vanover?
Jon introduces his group, explains his preference for investigation over theory, and admits to reading no paranormal books to stay unbiased.
10:00 – Debunking and Skepticism
The pair discuss the difference between believers and skeptics, the “one true way” mindset, and why questioning evidence is healthy, not negative.
15:00 – Facebook Bans and Paranormal Bullies
Vanover shares tales of being banned from Facebook groups, while Jim laughs about his own reputation as a “paranormal bully.”
20:00 – Merch, Logos, and Self-Promotion
A detour into Malliard Report t-shirts, VistaPrint business cards, and the absurd world of paranormal branding.
25:00 – Pet Peeves of the Paranormal
Jon’s biggest frustration: blurry photos and “ghosts in the trees.” He rails against low-effort evidence and the people defending it.
30:00 – Orbs, Mice, and Bad Investigations
A lively takedown of orbs, dust, and “live evidence” posts. Jim and Jon laugh about cell phone ghost hunters and fake livestreams.
35:00 – The Decline of the Field
Both men agree the paranormal field peaked around 2011. They discuss burnout, oversaturation, and how “pay-to-play” haunts have skewed priorities.
40:00 – Tools and Tech Talk
Thermal cameras, cold spots, and misused equipment. Jim cites David Roundtree’s research on how FLIR cameras only read surface temperatures.
45:00 – TV Ghost Hunters and Credibility
From TAPS to Ghost Adventures, they critique the evolution of televised ghost hunting and its impact on real investigation.
50:00 – The Facebook Experiment & Fan Pages
Jon describes testing how people believe fake paranormal pages — proving most folks never read beyond the title.
55:00 – Social Media Fatigue
The duo predict the decline of Facebook groups, the rise of fragmentation, and the future of antisocial media.
01:00:00 – Paid Conventions & “Para-whoring”
They mock high-priced paranormal conventions and the “celebrity investigator” economy, contrasting it with real field work.
01:05:00 – Paranormal Politics & Perspective
Comparing ghost circles to the mafia, Jim and Jon joke about infighting, alliances, and fading fan bases.
01:10:00 – Authenticity Over Fame
Jim closes the conversation reflecting on honesty, self-awareness, and The Malliard Report’s purpose: to give curious minds a fair voice without the fluff.
“I don’t read paranormal books — I don’t want my mind corrupted by one person’s thinking.” — Jon Vanover
“My own eyes? I believe them. Everybody else? Ehh.” — Jim Malliard
“The paranormal field peaked in 2011 — now people are just trying to feed the monster.” — Jon Vanover
“Your drug dealer’s not gonna tell you you’ve had enough — and neither will a haunted attraction.” — Jim Malliard
“If you can’t laugh about the paranormal, you’re probably taking yourself too seriously.” — Jim Malliard
