Episode 336

Ghosts, Sociology & the Paranormal: Inside the Mind of Dr Rachael Ironside

Published on: 14th August, 2025

What happens when academic expertise meets the unexplained? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rachael Ironside, a doctor of sociology who has also previously lead chilling ghost tours and conducts hands-on paranormal investigations. We explore how sociology can help explain our fascination with ghosts, the cultural impact of hauntings, and the real-life experiences that blur the line between science and the supernatural.

From haunted history and spirit encounters to the psychology behind belief in the paranormal, this conversation offers a rare blend of scholarly insight and spine-tingling storytelling. Whether you’re a ghost hunter, history buff, or curious sceptic, you’ll discover how the social sciences can shed new light on the shadows of the unknown.

----------------------------------------ghost tours, paranormal investigations, sociology of the paranormal, haunted history, ghost stories, sociology podcast, paranormal podcast, haunted tours, paranormal research, supernatural experiences

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About the Podcast

Pursuit of the Paranormal
Paranormal investigations, UFO and UAP encounters, cryptids, and unexplained mysteries
Join Ash and Greg each week on Pursuit of the Paranormal, a UK-based paranormal podcast exploring the strange, unexplained, and unknown.

From paranormal investigations and ghost encounters to UAP/UFO sightings, cryptids, poltergeists, and government-covered mysteries, Ash and Greg dive into lesser-known cases that challenge what we think we know about reality.

Each episode features:

The latest paranormal, UFO, and UAP news

Deep dives into historical and forgotten cases

Discussions on cryptids, hauntings, and unexplained phenomena

Guest interviews with investigators, researchers, experiencers, and experts from the paranormal world

Whether you’re fascinated by ghost stories, true paranormal encounters, alien sightings, cryptozoology, or the science and psychology behind the unexplained, Pursuit of the Paranormal delivers thoughtful discussion, credible research, and open-minded exploration.

If you’re searching for a paranormal podcast, UFO podcast, UAP podcast, or a show that explores the mysteries of the unknown, this is the podcast for you.

About your host

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Greg & Ash

Pursuit of the Paranormal is where curiosity meets cold spots. Hosted by Greg & Ash, we dive into ghosts, UFOs/UAPs, cryptids, hauntings, and high strangeness with an open mind and a healthy dose of evidence-led thinking. Each week we investigate historic locations, unpack famous cases, and bring on researchers, experiencers, skeptics, scientists, and investigators for unfiltered conversations that challenge what we think we know.
From shadow figures in stately homes to lights in the night sky, we chase the stories, the data, and the people behind them—no clickbait, no fluff, just credible, curious, and occasionally creepy explorations of the unknown. Whether you’re a seasoned investigator, a late-night listener, or just “paranormal-curious,” you’re in good company here.
Hit follow, share your encounters, and join us as we document the unexplained—one case, one interview, one eerie EVP at a time.