On February 5, Alex Matsuo from The Spooky Stuff sent me a message on Facebook with a link to a post that blew me away. The link was to a list of 30 of the most influential people in the paranormal that she had “compiled based on [her] personal development in the paranormal over the years.” One of the names on that list was mine. Say what?
Why The Spooky Stuff Created The List
As Alex put it:
Perhaps, a better description of this list is it’s a thank you letter to the people who have influenced me in this field. When I’m asked, “Hey, who should I be following in the paranormal?”, these are the people I send them to. There are hundreds of influential people in the paranormal, and these thirty are ones that resonate with me.
How The List Was Created
Alex put it together based on her own personal experiences with everybody. She also relied upon “common mentions” when polling the paranormal community.
She did number the list but stressed it was for the sake of her own sanity and to make sure that she listed 30 people. She also said the order everyone appeared in didn’t have any particular meaning because she’d “feel funny ranking these amazing folks.”
She also included people who were “still alive and working today” so that others could “check them out, see what they’re working on, and interact with them.”
I appreciated that because while a lot of these same folks would be on my list of influential paranormal peeps, there were also several who were new to me and who I look forward to getting to know better!
Who Was on the List
Alex didn’t just list names. She also included blurbs explaining who everyone was, what they did, and what it was she admired about them.
She made it clear that if someone else’s favorite investigator wasn’t on the list, that didn’t mean they weren’t influential too. This was just her personal list. She encourages comments because you never know. That might inspire some new finds for her —and perhaps even a new list!
For now, here are the 30 in the order that they appeared on The Spooky Stuff’s list of Most Influential People in the Paranormal:
- Alexandra Holzer
- Loyd Auerbach
- Kitsie Duncan
- Kenny Biddle
- Sharon A. Hill
- Richard Estep
- Stormy Daniels
- Sam Baltrusis
- Dr. Rachel Ironside
- John G. Sabol
- Beth Darlington
- Dave Schrader
- Caroline Watt
- Joshua Cutchin
- Dr. Ann Winsper
- Robert Murch
- Anne Rzechowicz
- Renata Daniel (17 and 18 were counted as one on the list because they’re the hosts of the True Hauntings podcast)
- Mike Ricksecker
- Dr. Susan Blackmore
- Dylan Jones
- Tina McSwain
- Tally Johnson
- Courtney Mroch
- Brandon Massullo
- Robin Pyatt Bellamy
- Lesia Miller Schnur
- Amanda – Spook Eats
- John E.L. Tenney
- Adam Berry
Another Case of Serendipity
Last year tested my social media limits. I gave it up completely in late summer/early fall. There was just too much going on. Not only on socials, but in life. I needed a break —so I took one!
I missed some things about social media because even though I feel comfortable identifying as an introvert, the truth is I also have extrovert/social butterfly tendencies.
Plus, I realize the value in tagging the people and businesses I interact with and feature on the blog, pod, etc. and networking by sharing their accomplishments, new developments, and what have you.
Because Insta is my personal fave platform, I did add that back in at the end of last year. But I was really struggling with ending my hiatus and going back to the other socials (Facebook and Twitter). I’d had more time to write, and, honestly, being off of them hadn’t impacted my viewer, listener, or watcher stats on the blog, pod or YouTube. If anything, they’d improved a little.
Still, I struggled. Should I go back to socials or not? So…I asked for a sign. Bam! Here came Alex’s message with the link to this list. That’s one of those things that’s super shareworthy on socials. Maybe it was time for my hiatus to be over.
And so, with my question answered, it is. Thanks, Universe —and Alex— for not only making up my mind but also for the kudos. I’m incredibly flattered to be included on this list because wow. Well, all you have to do is look at all the amazing names on it to see why I’d find such a nod so humbling.
For More Info About Alex & The Spooky Stuff
Visit https://alexmatsuo.com/.
Check-In
Were your favorite paranormal peeps on the list? Who else would you add?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I don’t have a favorite paranormal peep (with the exception of number 24 of course). I just like hearing and reading about all sorts of paranormal stuff no matter who is presenting it.
Awwww! LOL THANK YOU, Priscilla! I’m with you…I like so many. I would find it intimidating to create such a list. However, her list has inspired me to contemplate my favorite paranormal influencers who have passed. I’m thinking that’d be a fun post to tackle!
That’s a great idea for a post, Courtney!
Well with that confirmation I’m doing it then! Thanks for the encouragement!