Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Belyeu
Hi Stephen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, whether through writing or filmmaking. In 2017, I began listening to early podcasts about the paranormal, which were just starting to gain traction. Most of what I heard were hosts reading submitted ghost stories, but I wanted something more—stories directly from those who had experienced the strange events themselves. I also had a strong desire to visit these haunted locations in person.
Inspired by journalistic podcasts like This American Life, I decided to give it a shot. As I discovered local haunted sites and began interviewing witnesses, the idea grew. I found myself drawn to dive deeper into historical research and wanted to involve trusted people to help me investigate the claims. From there, The Night Owl Podcast took shape, combining personal storytelling, immersive research, and investigation to explore the paranormal.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not! It’s now easy to see why the paranormal shows before me were hosts sharing stories. It’s much more manageable and not as many moving parts as what I decided to do. Producing this show is a huge undertaking, and hitting our monthly deadline is always a major challenge. Since 2017, I’ve not stopped running. I’m always seeking out locations, planning calls, visiting the locations multiple times, digging into historical research, doing paranrmal investigating, and so on. Then, the journey’s not over. I must also put on my detective hat and try to, in some way, solve this mystery as best as I can. That involves sitting, listening, combing through all the evidence and history, then following leads that many times lead nowhere. But it’s an amazing journey every time and although it’s a struggle each time, it’s always incredibly rewarding.
The biggest challenges involve getting locations to commit, scheduling, and then editing. The editing of these multi-part series is intense and time-consuming.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The Night Owl: True Ghost Stories is known for its deep, investigative approach to the paranormal, but we also care deeply about the people and businesses affected by these phenomena. From the start, I wanted the show to be more than just sharing spooky stories—I wanted to give a voice to those who’ve had real, personal experiences with the paranormal. And it’s not just about telling their stories; it’s about visiting the locations, understanding the history, and delving into the mystery behind what’s really happening.
What truly sets us apart is the holistic approach we take. We don’t just investigate the locations—we also bring in spiritual practitioners, psychic mediums, and other trusted experts from our network. We aim to help not only the people who are suffering from these experiences but, often, we find that we’re able to help the spirits as well. It’s an aspect of the show that’s about healing, not just uncovering the unknown.
We’re also incredibly proud to have been recognized in our community. The Night Owl has won “Best Podcast” in the Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll four separate years, a testament to the dedication and passion we put into each episode.
At its core, The Night Owl is about more than just paranormal investigation—it’s about compassion, truth, and a genuine desire to make a difference for both the living and the departed.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We’re always on the lookout for new haunted locations and personal ghost stories to feature on the show. In addition to our main episodes, we have special Campfire Episodes, where we share personal, firsthand stories from listeners. If you own a business or home that’s experiencing strange phenomena—or if you have a compelling ghost story of your own—we’d love to hear from you! We’re also expanding beyond Austin and have ventured to haunted spots in surrounding towns and cities like San Antonio, Buda, New Braunfels, and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thenightowlpodcast.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenightowlpodcast/
Image Credits
Photograph by Meg Blohm
