When travelling the byways and highways of Kentucky and Illinois to the northeastern seaboard, there are plenty of places to check out in Haunted Discoveries. Interest in the paranormal developed differently for Brandon Alvis and Mustafa Gadillari. For the latter, it wasn’t until he was 18 that he started looking for answers.
“I started delving into the history of our family home, and I learned some things about the previous resident; it all confirmed what we were experiencing,” said Gadillari, “Ever since then, I was hooked. I joined a local team, did some investigations, and eventually went hardcore. I later became part of Ghost Hunters, where I met Brandon.”
Alvis’ route was different. While the two share a similar ethos in why they investigate, they chose to focus on what matters most to them rather than becoming just another paranormal reality show. He didn’t go into detail about the incident that started it all, but he did say he’s been studying the field for over 20 years. His ongoing work as the founder of the American Paranormal Research Association speaks for itself. With experience as a filmmaker, director, and editor, what they’ve built shows control and intent rather than chaos. As he explained, “It’s been a lot of fun to look at history through the paranormal angle and understand that what happened before us still echoes into our time.”
The team also understands their work carries archaeological weight. They are not only revealing regional history to viewers, but also finding that the results themselves can be a reward, something Mustafa (pictured below, interviewing the person on the left) acknowledges.
With these two leading the charge, they recruited Kendall Whelpton, (also from Ghost Hunters) as their director of photography. With shared history and strong chemistry, the group formed around a common goal, to test why spirits might persist in the land of the living. Among their working ideas are the paranormal photon theory and the genetic ghost code, both explored across their shows. To better understand these concepts, they rely on newer tools for data gathering. With enough data, they even plan to compile their findings into a book.
On the technical side, Alvis explained, “One of the biggest things we’ve been working on over the past five years is using the EMCCD camera (introduced on Ghost Hunters) more extensively.”
This device goes beyond standard low-light cameras and is commonly used in astrophysics. It may detect frequencies invisible to the human eye. While diving fully into quantum theory would require its own article, even the team agrees something deeper may be at play, which is why they brought a scientist into the fold.
“We’ve been working with Kloor and other professionals to explore this idea. We think we’re onto something when it comes to barometric pressure changes and photonic activity in these locations. The more data we collect, the closer we get to understanding the mechanics behind what we perceive as a haunting.”
The genetic side leans more philosophical. The concept isn’t entirely original, but this collaboration explores how inherited traits might play a role. Kloor is more active in the streaming series, Family Spirits, and the team hopes to expand this line of research as access to advanced technology improves. When this scientist has his paws on various industries, he can get it! Also, to understand why some folks have the gifts and others do not, it’s not just about how abilities like a sixth sense might pass down through generations. As Gadillari noted, it often appears to come through the maternal line, from a grandmother or aunt, suggesting a pattern worth examining.
These ideas sit within the same broader field, even if they don’t always overlap. When asked about the Rhine Institute, Alvis pointed out, “They focus more on controlled studies involving a person’s abilities within the parapsychological space.”
The team is also familiar with the Philip experiment, where focused thought is believed to manifest phenomena. Testing that requires a controlled setting, which led to the purchase and restoration of the Polk House as both a museum and research centre.
The goal is to invite other researchers to study these phenomena in a shared space. Now officially open, the site plays a key role in their work. As Alvis put it, “It’s not just about capturing it ourselves but pushing it further. Perryville feels like a very special place. Whatever is happening there seems to occur across the entire town at once.”
Episodes documenting the restoration process are already in production. There’s a long-standing belief that renovating old buildings can stir dormant activity, and future episodes aim to explore that idea further.
New episodes of both Haunted Discoveries and Family Spirits are on the way. The latter focuses more directly on the people affected, offering a more personal angle. The team also plans to expand beyond the region. Upcoming investigations will explore gold rush history, including the ’49ers role and mining towns, places with their own layered pasts. It all connects, since even in the series’ home fronts, the mines are a favoured scene.
“We have 28 new episodes of Haunted Discoveries coming over the next year. You’ll see our work restoring the Polk House, along with historical and paranormal discoveries that changed my perspective,” said Alvis.
“Reality is often more interesting than fiction. That’s what makes the show work. It’s pushed us to broaden how we explore the paranormal and how we tell these stories, and that will carry into future projects.”
The team also confirmed a future home video release, promising to include something special for collectors.
Haunted Discoveries is broadcasting on T&E in Canada and streaming on platforms like Tubi, Canal+, Plex, and Pluto TV. More on the YouTube series in part two.
Haunted Discoveries Teaser Trailer
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