Setting the Record Straight: Jason Hawes Speaks Out on Paranormal Community Drama and What's Really Going On

There comes a point where you have to step back, take a breath, and just say what needs to be said. The paranormal community is something I've dedicated the better part of my life to building, protecting, and pushing forward — and lately, some things have been happening that I can't stay quiet about anymore. Tonight's live stream isn't about a haunted location or a piece of compelling evidence; it's about something just as important: the health and integrity of this community we've all built together.

I've been doing this work for decades. I founded TAPS back when most people thought you were flat-out crazy for chasing things that go bump in the night. We fought hard — really hard — to bring credibility to paranormal investigation. We approached every case as skeptics first. We tried to debunk before we ever considered a paranormal explanation. That methodology wasn't just a TV format; it was and still is a genuine philosophy. It's the only honest way to do this work. So when I see things happening in the community right now that undermine all of that, it gets to me on a personal level.

Let's talk about what's actually been going on. There's drama circulating — and I mean real, disruptive drama — that some people have brought into spaces that are supposed to be about investigation, discovery, and mutual respect. I'm not here to call anyone out by name or fan any flames. That's not who I am. But I do think we need to have an honest conversation about where this community is heading and what we're willing to tolerate in its name. The paranormal field attracts passionate people, and passion is a good thing. But passion without accountability can do real damage — to reputations, to relationships, and to the credibility we've spent years building together.

Here's what I keep coming back to: the paranormal itself doesn't need embellishment. It doesn't need manufactured conflict or social media theatrics to be interesting. The real experiences — the ones people bring to us with shaking hands and genuine fear — those deserve better than to be overshadowed by ego and infighting. When investigators turn on each other, when drama becomes the content instead of the investigation, we lose sight of the people who actually need our help. The homeowners. The families. The individuals who reached out because something in their lives is scaring them, and they didn't know where else to turn. That's always been my north star, and I refuse to let the noise pull me away from it.

I also want to address the broader state of things as I see them right now. The community has grown enormously — more investigators, more content creators, more interest from the public than ever before. That's genuinely exciting. But growth always brings groaning pains. Not everyone coming into this space is coming in with the right intentions, and not every piece of content being put out there is doing the community any favors. I've always believed in leading by example rather than by lecturing. But sometimes you have to speak plainly. If you're in this field, I'd challenge you to ask yourself honestly: are you here to find the truth, or are you here to find fame? Because those two roads lead to very different places.

My verdict on the current state of the paranormal community? Inconclusive — and that's exactly why this conversation matters right now. There's enormous potential here, and I genuinely believe the best work this community has ever done is still ahead of us, but only if we hold the line on integrity, honesty, and respect for the people we serve. I'll keep showing up, I'll keep investigating, and I'll keep calling it like I see it — because that's the only way I know how to do this.