One of my favourite things about running this blog is connecting with people who are building real communities in the paranormal world. Recently, I had the chance to have a chat with Michael Hulse, the founder of Paranormal Country, a unique ad-free social platform built for investigators, experiencers, and anyone curious about the unexplained.
I’ve been following Paranormal Country and I can honestly say it feels different. It’s not just another forum or Facebook group, it’s a proper space designed for thoughtful discussions, sharing evidence, and connecting with people who get it. Whether you’re into ghosts, UFOs, cryptids, psychic phenomena, or just love a good mystery, Paranormal Country gives you a place to explore it all without the noise of algorithms or clickbait.
Michael was kind enough to answer some questions about how this all came to life, the mission behind it, and why it’s becoming such an important hub for the paranormal community.
So let’s dive right in…
Q&A with Michael Hulse, Founder of Paranormal Country
1) Can you share the story behind founding Paranormal Country. What motivated you to create a niche social network for paranormal enthusiasts?
I’ve been around the paranormal for most of my life, first as a curious kid in Lancashire (yes, Pendle country) and later as someone who quietly turned curiosity into routine fieldwork: late-night vigils, EVP sessions, UFO sky watches, the lot. Over the years I noticed three things happening online:
- The best conversations were getting drowned out by noise and algorithms that reward outrage.
- Investigators, experiencers, and thoughtful sceptics rarely had a shared space that took all sides seriously.
- Great stories, especially from under-reported regions like Africa, China, parts of the Middle East and South America, weren’t reaching wider audiences.
So, I built Paranormal Country as a calm, purpose-built community: part forum, part social network, part research hub. It’s a place where people can share experiences without being shouted down, and where careful documentation sits alongside human stories. The aim was simple: lower the friction between curiosity and good conversation.
2) What inspired your mission to empower users to explore, share, and understand the unexplained?
Our official mission is: “To give people the power to explore, share, and understand the unexplained—connecting believers, investigators, and experiencers worldwide.”
I love that it puts understanding alongside exploration. Paranormal Country isn’t about forcing belief; it’s about documenting, comparing, and learning and doing it with kindness. If a member posts a haunting timeline, another might add local history, and someone else might run a debunk check. That collaborative rhythm is where understanding emerges.
When Steve Higgins covered Paranormal Country on Higgypop (a site that attracts over half a million readers a month), he called it “a distraction-free platform for people who want a serious place to connect, share and explore the paranormal.” That independent recognition reminded me that the mission resonates far beyond my own desk.
3) Paranormal Country is ad-free and community-driven — why was that important to you, and what difference does it make?
Attention is the rarest currency online. We keep the experience clean and community-first — free to join, no credit cards, no commitments. Posts aren’t drowned by third-party ads or engagement baits. When there are costs (like marketplace transactions), we’ve kept it simple and transparent with a small 1% fee to cover hosting and maintenance. It’s just me keeping the lights on, and members seem to appreciate knowing that.
The result is a calmer space where people read each other properly.
4) What kinds of discussions and content categories do you see flourishing on the platform?
We organise around twelve core topics, which helps keep conversations discoverable and inclusive:
- Ancient Mysteries & Alternative History
- Cryptozoology, Myths & Legends
- Dreams & Consciousness
- ET Life & the UFO Phenomenon
- Ghosts, Hauntings & the Paranormal
- The Mandela Effect
- Metaphysics & Psychic Phenomena
- Modern Mysteries, New Age & Prophecies
- NDE & OOBE
- Spirituality, Religion & Beliefs
- Conspiracy Theories (“The Rabbit Hole”)
- Unexplained TV, Books, Film & Radio
A big emphasis for us is global coverage, African sky-lights, Andean folklore, Middle Eastern ghost traditions, the stories that rarely trend in English-language feeds but absolutely deserve the spotlight.
5) How do you ensure the platform remains inclusive and welcoming to both believers and healthy sceptics?
- Clear rules of engagement: Disagree with ideas, not people.
- Evidence culture: Time-stamped notes, source links, and method descriptions are encouraged.
- Experience-first ethics: If someone shares a personal NDE or haunting, we prioritise compassion before critique, then move into analysis with consent.
- Moderation with a light touch: We step in for behaviour, not belief.
- Diverse voices: We actively welcome faith-based perspectives, lab-minded testers, folklore custodians, and seasoned investigators. The mix is the magic.
6) How do you plan to expand or evolve the platform in the coming months or years?
A few strands we’re nurturing (without wandering too far from our core):
- Research tools & case formatting.
- Community events: coordinated skywatches, local meetups, and collaborative experiments members can replicate worldwide.
- Paranormal travel support: haunted or historically significant places to stay and responsibly visit.
- Creator & team support: profiles, storefronts, and simple monetisation for events and books.
- Seasonal culture (Halloween especially): supporting communities with ghost walks, parades, and heritage tie-ins.
7) What sets Paranormal Country apart from other social platforms, especially for paranormal and spiritual communities?
- Signal over noise: No algorithmic outrage games.
- The twelve-topic framework: Breadth without chaos.
- Evidence meets empathy: Documentation and source-checking paired with human storytelling.
- Global lens: We actively highlight under-represented regions and traditions.
- Practical pathways: From team profiles to event listings and travel support.
As Higgypop noted, Paranormal Country is “built to avoid the distractions of bigger platforms, providing a dedicated space that blends forum culture with modern social networking.”
8) For someone intrigued by the paranormal, why should they consider joining Paranormal Country today?
Because the best answers live between perspectives. On any given thread you might see a folklorist, an RF engineer, and a near-death experiencer comparing notes. That blend is rare and often where the useful ideas appear. If you’re curious, kind, and willing to document, you’ll feel at home.
9) Finally, how can people get involved — share their stories, or connect with you personally?
- Join for FREE: Here – no credit cards, no commitments.
- Download the APP from Google Play Link Here and Apple App Store Here
- Share a story or case file: Even a rough timeline is welcome.
- Start a discussion: Jump into any of the twelve core topics.
- Partner as a venue or team: Host haunted locations, sell paranormal gear, or promote your events.
- Claim your business page: Promote your paranormal team or group for free.
- Get in touch: I’m on the platform daily, or email me at support@paranormalcountry.com.
- Connect on Facebook Here
- Connect on Instagram Here
Final Thoughts about Paranormal Country
I really love what Michael is building with Paranormal Country. For me, it highlights exactly what the paranormal field needs more of: community, inclusivity, and a space where stories can be shared and respected.
At Mystic Realm Blog, I’m always on the lookout for projects that push the paranormal community forward, and this is definitely one of them. If you’re reading this and looking for a welcoming space to connect with other investigators, share your own experiences, or just dive into discussions that go beyond the surface level, I’d definitely recommend checking out Paranormal Country.
A huge thank you to Michael for taking the time to chat with me and share his vision. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on how the platform grows — and I encourage you all to get involved too.
You can join Paranormal Country here: HERE
