In this episode of the Ghost City Tours Podcast, host Tim Nealon explores the rich and eerie history of Halloween with acclaimed author and historian Lesley Bannatyne. Together, they trace Halloween’s evolution from ancient Celtic Samhain rituals to the modern celebration of costumes, candy, and haunted houses we know today.

Bannatyne unpacks the fascinating story behind the world’s favorite spooky holiday, explaining how Irish and Scottish folklore crossed the Atlantic and blended with American traditions to shape Halloween’s spirit of mischief and community. You’ll learn about:

• The pagan roots of Samhain and All Hallows’ Eve

• How the Catholic Church influenced early Halloween customs

• The rise of trick-or-treating and neighborhood celebrations

• The role of Hollywood horror films in redefining the holiday

• The truth behind myths like razor blades in apples and the Satanic Panic

• Why Halloween continues to reflect our fears, creativity, and sense of belonging

Whether you love ghost stories, folklore, or just want to know how Halloween became the cultural phenomenon it is today, this episode delivers insight, history, and plenty of spooky charm.

Guest: Lesley Bannatyne, author of Halloween Nation and A Halloween Reader Podcast: Ghost City Tours Podcast Keywords: History of Halloween, Halloween origins, Samhain, Lesley Bannatyne, Ghost City Tours, Halloween folklore, Halloween traditions, trick-or-treating history, haunted holiday, Halloween podcast

Discover how Halloween became America’s favorite night of mystery and magic—only on the Ghost City Tours Podcast.

In this episode of the Ghost City Podcast, host Tim Nealon sits down with Steve Ward—researcher, author, and longtime resident of Point Pleasant, West Virginia—to explore one of the most mysterious legends in American folklore: The Mothman. Steve has spent nearly 50 years investigating the strange events surrounding the 1966 sightings, where witnesses described a red-eyed, winged creature that haunted the TNT area. From eerie encounters and UFO activity to poltergeist phenomena and the infamous Silver Bridge collapse, Steve sheds light on the high strangeness that has made Point Pleasant a focal point for paranormal enthusiasts worldwide. We cover: -The original 1966 Mothman sightings in Point Pleasant -How UFOs, poltergeists, and Men in Black tie into the legend -The Silver Bridge tragedy and its connection to Mothman -Eyewitness accounts and physical evidence -Theories about what Mothman might really be -Why the Mothman Festival continues to draw thousands every year This episode dives deep into cryptids, folklore, and the enduring mystery of the Mothman—told through the eyes of someone who lives at the epicenter of it all. 📖 Learn more about Steve Ward & the Mothman Museum: https://www.mothmanmuseum.com/ 🔗 Follow Steve Ward: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.ward.5/ 🎙️Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGzPyKZjmBqCd_D4SWEhN6Q #mothman #steveward #pointpleasant #cryptids #paranormalpodcast #ghostcitytours #ghostcitypodcast #silverbridge #hauntedhistory #ufo #meninblack #highstrangeness #trueparanormalstories