Episode 234: A Mother/Daughter Duo Explores Haunted New Orleans

It’s common lore the ghost and spirit-infused stories of New Orleans. The vast history of the area along with the endless amounts of tragedy leave behind a lingering spirit you feel the moment you step into the city. But what lead to the Big Easy’s cemented status as one of the most haunted places?

Mother/daughter duo Rory O’Neill Schmitt and Rosary Hartel O’Neill took the time to dive into the story of the ghosts, vampires and spirits that haunt New Orleans. Their new book "The Haunted Guide to New Orleans" takes readers on a journey that goes beyond the scary stories and into the heart ofwhat makes the city so spooky.

This week, the two chat with us about what it’s like to write a book together, why they moved their focus to haunted history and the details that went into the research behind the words.

*See the duo for a book signed Dec. 20, 2025 at Garden District Book Shop.