Jason Hawes Speaks Out: The State of the Paranormal Community and the Drama We Need to Address

There comes a point where you have to stop, look around, and have an honest conversation — not about what's lurking in a dark hallway, but about what's happening in the community we've all built together. That's exactly what I did in my latest livestream, and judging by the response, it was a conversation long overdue. The paranormal field has always had its share of skeptics, believers, and everything in between, but lately something else has crept in, and it's time we talked about it.

I've been doing this work for decades. When I founded TAPS, the whole mission was simple: go in with an open mind, try to disprove everything first, and only when you've exhausted every rational explanation do you start considering something paranormal might be at play. That methodology hasn't changed. What has changed is the landscape around it — the community, the platforms, the personalities, and unfortunately, some of the drama that comes along with all of that.

I want to be clear about something right out of the gate: I love this community. The people who tune in, who go out and do their own investigations, who are genuinely curious about what might exist beyond our understanding — those are my people. This work matters. The questions we're asking matter. Whether you're a hardcore skeptic or someone who has had a deeply personal experience you can't explain, there's a place for you here, and I've always believed that. But when drama, ego, and dishonesty start infecting the space, it does real damage — not just to individuals, but to the credibility of the entire field. And credibility is something I've spent my entire career fighting for.

Lately, there have been things happening in the paranormal world that I felt I couldn't stay quiet about any longer. There are voices out there spreading misinformation, stirring up conflict, and in some cases, just flat-out being dishonest with audiences who trust them. That bothers me deeply. The people who follow paranormal content deserve better. They deserve investigators who are upfront about what they find and what they don't find. They deserve honesty when evidence doesn't pan out. In my years of investigating, some of the most powerful moments haven't been the unexplained ones — they've been the moments where we figured out the rational cause behind something that terrified a family for years. That's real. That's meaningful. And it gets lost when people prioritize sensationalism over truth.

I also want to acknowledge the personal side of this. This community has always been close-knit, and when conflicts arise — whether it's between investigators, content creators, or personalities in the space — it affects everyone. I've seen friendships fracture, collaborations fall apart, and good people get caught in the crossfire of other people's agendas. My goal has never been to pile on or point fingers, but to have a genuine, grounded conversation about where we are and where we should be heading. I've always believed that a rising tide lifts all boats. When we support each other, when we hold each other accountable with respect and professionalism, this field grows. When we tear each other apart for views or clout, we all lose.

At the end of the day, my commitment hasn't wavered — to the truth, to the process, and to the people who share a genuine passion for understanding the unknown. I hope this conversation sparked something productive, and I hope you'll keep showing up, keep asking hard questions, and keep holding this community — including me — to a higher standard. That's how we move forward.