Episode 37, 2024: Dancing with Demons & Haunted Travels

Small Town Tales Podcast

In the first part of this episode Small Town Tales talks with the founder and CEO of Mysterious Adventures Tours, a dark adventure tour group that travels worldwide to explore the most haunted locations in the world. Maria Schmidt shares her insights on haunted travels and how it has changed her perspective on life. Maria has also founded the world’s largest ghost hunt & started recognition for the National Ghost Hunting Day in September.

In the second half of this episode, I talk about my book and personal story of Dancing with Demons. It has occurred to me that many of my listeners don’t know why I am into the paranormal. Join me as I share a little bit about my story and why I wrote the book.
About Maria Pons-Schmidt
Maria, throughout her childhood and later as a Registered Nurse working with gerontology and hospice, has always been inspired to explore supernatural myths and legends that influence cultural beliefs and traditions. In 2015, she published a website, Haunted Journeys, that catalogs distinctive historical destinations around the world that are said to experience ethereal phenomena and unexplainable activities.
In 2016, Haunted Journeys commissioned the certification for National Ghost Hunting Day, celebrated on the last Saturday of each September. Annually, on this date, thousands of stakeholders, and enthusiasts of the “other-worldly” field, gather globally to participate in the World’s Largest Ghost Hunt™ event, raising generous funds for historical preservation. In addition, it has also raised public awareness (and perhaps some acceptance) for the science of enigmatic wonders, within the realm of para-psychology studies.
With these treasured resources and experiences, Maria’s entrepreneurial spirit further took flight! In 2020, she founded a tourism company, Mysterious Adventures Tours LLC, based in Hamilton, Ohio, USA.
Coining a new travel category defined as “Supernatural Tourism”, Mysterious Adventures Tours LLC awakens curiosity for the unexplainable and esoteric. Maria’s creative itineraries bring small groups of vagabonds to locations that break the mold of traditional tourism. Their guests experience the enigmatic, spectral, spiritual, and even haunted legends in the most stunning destinations around the world. She is proud to provide, through this resilient curiosity for the mystery, a security that their history and culturally-bound legends will not be forgotten. For you see, “A haunting is history wishing to be heard.”
About CL Thomas
C.L. Thomas is a widely traveled fine arts photographer and writer, delving into afterlife research, out-of-body experiences (OBEs), metaphysics, and folklore. She lectures at various events and creates "Spirit" art upon request. C.L. is the author of the haunting memoir "Dancing with Demons" and the acclaimed historical-fiction novel "Speaking to Shadows." Additionally, she is the creator and host of the Small Town Tales Podcast. Her extensive writing includes numerous articles and a blog focusing on legends, folklore magic, and paranormal stories. Currently, she resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her beloved Golden Retriever and Maine Coon cat.

Host: CL Thomas
CL Thomas Website: www.clthomas.org
Where to find the Maria:
Website: https://hauntedjourneys.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeisterMariaSchmidt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hauntedjourneysllc/?hl=en
Sponsors:
www.mysteriousadventurestours.com
www.clthomas.org