If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like if insomniacs, filmmakers, and paranormal junkies got together at 2AM in a haunted coffee shop to shoot the shit… you’re not alone. That’s basically the origin story of 3Haunted, the podcast hosted by Ashley Turner (a.k.a. Lunar Goddess), John Thomas, and BJ Segura. What started as a way to stay creative during the COVID lockdowns has morphed into a wild ride of ghost stories, psychic revelations, horror fandom, and conversations that frequently (and unapologetically) spiral into territory no one quite expects—including the ever-elusive topic of demon sex.
I sat down with the trio to talk about how it all started, their favorite episodes, what they’ve learned along the way, and what’s next for this beautifully weird crew.
Like many great ideas of our time, 3Haunted was born out of pandemic-induced chaos and cabin fever.
“It was COVID. What else were we gonna do?” Ashley jokes. “Originally it was me, John, and Kevin Wilson. We’d all been part of the Colorado indie film scene and wanted to stay connected after moving to different states.”
Kevin, who recorded the intro that still plays at the start of each episode, was part of the original trio before stepping away. John floated the idea of starting a podcast, and despite Ashley admitting she didn’t even listen to podcasts at the time (“I had no idea what I was getting into”), they went for it. Research was done. Mics were bought. And 3Haunted took its first breath.
“I think what made it click was that we didn’t try to be anything we weren’t,” John says. “We were just three people talking about the stuff we were already into—ghosts, horror, cryptids, film.”
That “let’s just talk about weird shit over coffee” vibe became the backbone of 3Haunted. Over time, they stopped trying to overly research every episode and instead started inviting guests who were living these topics. Psychics, filmmakers, investigators, authors—each guest brought their own flavor to the mix, helping the team find their rhythm.
BJ, who joined in season five after originally being a fan of the show, calls the podcast “an eye-opening experience.”
“I just loved what they were doing. I was a huge fan, and eventually Ashley and John brought me on. It just clicked,” he says.
Now five seasons deep with over 147 episodes aired, the crew is still evolving—adding guests, trying new formats, and debating whether or not to record from haunted locations (Ashley: hesitant, BJ and John: very down).
When asked to name their favorite episodes, the trio doesn’t hesitate: Paranormal Games People Play.
“These are not your ‘light as a feather, stiff as a board’ kind of games,” Ashley warns. “We’re talking Midnight Man, summoning demons in closets, 11-mile road rituals—some of these things have disclaimers like ‘this may kill you’ or ‘you might get possessed.’ And no, we don’t play them. But we love to talk about them.”
The games episodes have become a staple. For their 100th episode, they brought back Kevin and a few favorite guests for a chaos-filled celebration centered around—you guessed it—paranormal games. There were drinks. There were tangents. There was probably at least one inappropriate joke about summoning something you can’t un-summon.
Other favorite topics include cryptids, UFOs, and urban legends. Basically anything that scratches the itch for the weird and unexplained.
From humble audio beginnings to weekly releases and an ever-growing guest list, 3Haunted has come a long way. Early seasons were every-other-week affairs, but as the show picked up steam, so did the demand. More people were asking to be on. Publishers began pitching their authors. They leaned into the growth.
“We stopped prescreening guests because the best convos would happen before we hit record,” Ashley explains. “Now we just go in. If it sucks, it sucks. But most of the time, it doesn’t.”
BJ adds, “It’s a vibe thing. And honestly, most of the people we bring on are really passionate and just want to share. We make it a safe space.”
Ashley emphasizes that even the one time they almost shelved an episode, they still gave it serious consideration because “if someone takes the time to talk to us, that deserves respect.”
One topic that continually mystifies the team is Ashley herself—and the uncanny energy she seems to attract wherever they go.
“There’s something about Ashley,” John laughs. “We’ll be out somewhere, like Sedona or just hanging out, and total strangers will start confessing things to her—deep, bizarre stuff.”
Ashley nods. “It happens a lot. Like, I’m at the gym, and someone’s suddenly telling me they have a spirit attached to them that wants to talk to me. No context. Just… boom.”
To her credit, Ashley takes it in stride. But it’s become an inside joke among the team—one that’s fueled more than a few episode conversations.
“It’s like I have this energy that pulls weirdness in,” she says. “All I can do is laugh and keep doing what I do.”
The 3Haunted crew has no plans to slow down. In fact, they’re planning more live events—including a podcast recording from a horror shop in Denver and possibly (maybe) the Stanley Hotel’s infamous Stephen King room, if Ashley can lock it down.
When asked about dream locations, John names the Warren’s Occult Museum, Ashley wants to hit Houska Castle in Prague and Romania’s haunted ruins, and BJ? “Anywhere ancient—castles, pyramids, Morocco maybe. Just give me old energy and I’m in.”
So what would this crew tell someone looking to start a podcast?
“Make it a priority,” BJ says. “It can’t just be a hobby if you want it to last.”
“Don’t obsess over the numbers,” John adds. “Do something you’re passionate about. If you’re excited, your listeners will be too.”
Ashley’s advice? “Know your why, and make sure it’s not just external validation. You’ve gotta love the conversation, the curiosity, the weirdness. And also—find people you trust to do it with. You need a safe, supportive space to talk about weird shit.”
Their message to listeners? Embrace your weird. Or as Ashley puts it: “Maybe you’re not weird. Maybe you’re just a different color—and all the colors are brilliant.”