Hidden Gems: Meet Eric Freeman Sims of The Unseen Paranormal Podcast

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Freeman Sims.

Hi Eric, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been investigating the paranormal for over 20 years but in 2020, I decided to start The Unseen Paranormal Podcast and Unseen Productions. I noticed that there were not that many opportunities in the Middle Tennessee area for the general public to learn how to investigate and to see what we do compared to television. So, I teamed up with a friend from Medics 4 Paranormal and we hosted our first public ghost hunt at Historic Rosemont in Gallatin.

We soon found out that this was a great way to educate the general public and also give back to these historic locations that welcome paranormal investigations. We started hosting more public ghost hunts at other locations across Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. In 2022, I was asked to help Medics 4 Paranormal and PPF Investigations put on a paranormal convention at the Lebanon Fairgrounds. All of the proceeds went to two different charities and the small event was a success.

We only had around 20 vendors and with connections through my podcast, I booked a whole day of paranormal speakers. Since that small event was successful, we decided to go much bigger this year and hosted the Tennessee Haunts and Legends Expo at The Fairgrounds Nashville. We had over 70 vendors, and a full day of speakers, and raised $1500 each for Animal Rescue Corps and Trousdale Place in Gallatin TN. This event was completely paid for by the money that we made from hosting public ghost hunts all year. We do not make a dime off of any of the events that we host.

It is all about educating people and giving back to these historic haunted locations that are kind enough to open their doors to the paranormal community.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a bumpy road at times. There has been a learning curve learning the ins and outs of the convention business and charity business. Figuring out how to market to our specific community and trying to make sure every event that we put on is successful. The great thing is that every member of the team brings their own experiences and strengths to the table.

We collectively use our audiences and followers and the success of our brands to elevate our events so that we can bring in as much money for our charities as possible. Also, we always want to sell tickets to the events to help the amazing locations that we get to investigate. Sometimes that is hard to do with so many other things going on in Middle Tennessee.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Unseen Paranormal Podcast?
I have listened to podcasts for many years, but I started in the podcast world in 2019 when I reconnected with a friend from high school and she had a successful podcast at the time, that had nothing to do with the paranormal. She had me on as a guest and I started helping behind the scenes and became a producer for her show. I have experience with audio engineering, and the entertainment field, and have been a wedding and karaoke DJ for years.

She decided to end her show in 2020. She pushed me to do my show but focused on what I love which is the paranormal. That’s when I started The Unseen Paranormal Podcast in 2020. I want to talk to everyone about the paranormal. Not just paranormal celebrities but actual individual teams, authors, researchers, and historians with an emphasis on promoting diversity in the paranormal field. Fast forward to today. After 3 years of a lot of hard work and long days, The Unseen Paranormal Podcast is in the Top 2.5% of podcasts in the world and #37 in the Top 100 paranormal podcasts according to the podcast website FeedSpot.

I take a sort of grassroots approach to building my audience. I use social media a lot to promote the show and connect with my audience, but I also like to do in-person events such as conventions and public talks. I believe in any form of entertainment that your audience wants you to be authentic and approachable. I find the best way for me as a people person is to get out there and meet people and talk to them one-on-one.

How do you think about luck?
I don’t know if I believe in luck so much as making your opportunities. If you take every advantage to get out and network at different events, it tends to open up doors and opportunities that you may have missed otherwise.

I also believe that if you put out good things into the world then you will receive good things in return. It is a lot about how you treat people and make sure you always represent yourself well and treat others how you want to be treated.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-unseen-paranormal-podcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunseenparanormalpodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnseenParanormalPodcast
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-unseen-paranormal-podcast-a0323b1ba/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheUnseenPara
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theunseenparanormalpodcast

Image Credits
Tia Boner- One Wing Photography and Eric Freeman Sims