00:10 – Randy Newman welcomes listeners to this episode, Justin introduces Jody, and talks about the circles they’ve run together in the past. He talks about the newest toy he bought for the cats, the learning curve behind it, and Jody talks about what drew her into photography. She talks about the need to fulfill her creativity side, what got her started in photography, and where her business is located.

15:05 – Justin reflects on his visit to Big Whiskey in Puyallup, Jody talks about the vulnerability behind boudoir photography, and her lifetime love of capturing photos. Justin talks about the dopamine rushes he gets with his creativity at work, Jody explains what customers can expect from start to finish of a photoshoot, and how long the process overall takes.

30:02 – Justin talks about working with Jody to buy their house, his steampunk bar, and Jody talks about finding an amazing steampunk picture for it. She talks about performing at the Spanish Ballroom in McMenamins, Scott shares his interesting experience while ghost hunting at Brandy’s Attic, and explains that The Union Club building was built crooked.

44:30 – Each shares if they are on Team Jacob or Team Edward, Jody talks about the different types of shoots she does, and the administrative side of the business. Justin talks about how having a team goes a long way, Jody recommends people find a good CPA, and the type of loan she took out for her business.

Thanks, Jody for an awesome conversation and for sharing your love of art and music!

Special Guest: Jody Ellen Akerman.

Sponsored By:

• RCF Exteriors: Cut Wood. Not Corners. RCF Exteriors specializes in Window and Door installation across the South Puget Sound region. RCF Exteriors is a customer service orientated company with 20+ years experience in window and door installation. Our efficient and knowledgeable team is dedication to making sure you are satisfied with not only the final product but throughout the entire installation process. Email: rcfexteriors@gmail.com Phone: 253-446-8854

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Boudoir Photography | Bright Eyes Photography | Puyallup
• Bright Eyes Photography | Facebook — Welcome to Bright Eyes Photography & thank you so much for visiting!
• Union Club Tacoma — The Union Club is a coworking + event space in a historic building in the heart of downtown Tacoma. Built in 1888, Union Club contributes to Tacoma’s growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities.
• Colleen (@cookiecolleenk) • Instagram photos and videos
• Bright Eyes Boudoir • Instagram photos and videos
• Jody Ellen | Facebook

01:27 – Justin welcomes Ross, where listeners can find information online about AGHOST, and Ross talks about what got him into ghost hunting. He talks about forming the group in Seattle, being a full-time ghost hunter, and Justin talks about personal ghost experiences. Ross discusses the patience needed for ghost hunting, Scott talks about his experiences in the area, and Ross talks about how he peruses places to hunt ghosts.

18:18 – Ross explains why the apps people use may not be legit, the problems he faces in the ghost hunting field, and how he validates ghost encounters. He talks about the equipment he uses to read the environment, Justin talks about his theories of what ghosts are, and Ross shares what the secrets are to his success. He talks about the most challenging parts of ghost hunting, they talk about the ease of people manipulating videos, and Ross talks about the romanticism in working with the media.

36:41 – Jeff asks the first Coaster Question, Ross talks about his best personal ghost encounter, and always being respectful of the spirits he communicates with. Justin talks about GCP’s haunting experience at Union Club, Ross shares that he’d like to do an investigation there, and his want to also do a ghost investigation at the Pentium Temple in Tacoma.

55:15 – Ross talks about developing the system to prove touch, where listeners can watch ParaSense, and how long he’s been doing the ghost tours in Seattle. He talks about ghost research bias, the importance of stripping things down to their simplest form when investigating, and the importance of interviewing people who have had the experience. He talks about why the Amityville ghost case is so well known, being able to walk through the house, and AGHOST open memberships.

Thanks to Ross for joining GCP for an exciting look into the paranormal!

Special Guest: Ross Allison.

Sponsored By:

• Die Cut Stickers: Use the code GRITCITY15 at checkout and get 15% off your entire order! · Insanely custom stickers crafted to survive the PNW and beyond! Promo Code: GRITCITY15
• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• ParaSense
• AGHOST | Advanced Ghost Hunters of Seattle-Tacoma — The Pacific Northwests Oldest Working Ghost Hunting Team Seattle/Tacoma - all of the outlying areas - for Washington State
• Spooked in Seattle Tours — SINCE 2004, SPOOKED IN SEATTLE TOURS, IN ASSOCIATION WITH AGHOST (ADVANCED GHOST HUNTERS OF SEATTLE TACOMA), THE OLDEST AND LONGEST RUNNING GHOST TOUR IN THE AREA, HAS BEEN TELLING THE REAL STORIES OF HAUNTED SEATTLE AND PRESENTING EVIDENCE COLLECTED ON ACTUAL PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS.
• The Manrea Castle Hotel in Port Townsend, Washington.

01:05 – Brogan shares his and his wife’s Halloween costume plans, his plans for the birthday party celebration happening at Acme Tavern, and Andrew shares how Tacoma Ghost Tours got started. He talks about being into scary things since he was a kid, his love for history, and where Tacoma ghost stories came from. He talks about the haunting at what is now the Forum Bar and Grill, where listeners can find the pics he was talking about, and they converse about each of their personal ghost experiences.

14:32 – Andrew shares that his first ghost interaction when he was 19, he talks about how the tour works, the length of the tour, and how they really try to focus on a mix of ghost reports and proven historical facts. He talks about the skepticism he has on the ghost stories he’s heard, he gives credits to the people that run Brandys Attic, and talk about the ghost experiences they have had there.

27:20 – Brogan talks about his stepson getting to play for the Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Tacoma, how the secret services coached the kids during the visit, and Andrew expresses how good it is that Tacoma is taking strides to reconcile when the city expelling of 200 Chinese people in 1885. Scott shares on how amazing it is that over the course of 150 years how much we have advanced our relationship with China, how India separated part of their country to turn over to the Dalai Lama, and Andrew explains how Buddhist monks are, at time, also martial artists.

45:00 – Brogan talks about working as a security guard at the Tacoma Road Center and the hauntings there, Andrew talks about working with local ghost hunters on investigations, and how running the business turned him and his dad into minor level ghost hunters. He talks about more on the creepy “ghost” incidents at Brandys Attic, Scott offers to join him with a ghost hunt there, and Andrew talks on other potential buildings that are haunted in Tacoma, including Theatre Comique run by Harry Morgan, who controlled just about anything illegal in Tacoma in the late 1800’s.

Our hearts go out to Andrews parents, GCP is grateful for being able to know him.

Special Guest: Andrew.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Tacoma Ghost Tours on Facebook
• Tacoma Ghost Tours on Twitter
• Tacoma Ghost Tours Website

2:38 – Steve shares the tie he was wearing that day, the number of ties that he owns, and his 30 food related ties. Justin shares how listeners can find other shows they have done with Steve, Steve talks about the next project he is working on, and the group he’s working with to clean up the old pioneer headstones at the Tacoma cemetery. He talks about what got him started in cleaning up headstones, the solutions they use to do so, and the amount of people that help with this event. He talks about findagrave.com, the stories behind the headstones, and on the beginning history of the educational system in Tacoma.

20:54 – Steve talks about how ancient Native Americans generally lived 9 years longer than their European counter parts, Jeff talks on the importance for people to know how to search the web, and Steve shares an interesting experience he had with someone on Facebook around cursive writing. Justin talks about the use of Heinz Ketchup in the 1800’s for medicine, asks Steve on how the modern 1800’s society coming to Tacoma impacted education in the area, and Steve talks on what drove people to the PNW in the 1840’s and 50’s.

44:02 – Steve shares info on his Swiss Army knife and the features it has, the books he has written, and the location of the Pythian Temple. Justin talks on how astounded he was when touring the temple, how people can become members, and Steve provides info on his upcoming October Drunk History. He talks on his belief of ghosts, Justin discusses his belief, and Jeff shares how deep he goes with ghosts and his want to harness ghost energy.

61:18 – Steve brings the conversation back to education and gives a shout out to Clara McCarty, Pierce County’s first superintendent in 1880 and first graduate of the University of Washington. He talks on the inflation of educational costs and Justin talks taking college classes in Lakewood. They discuss the strip clubs in the area, how the clubs cannot server alcohol in Pierce County, and what they’re selling to get around the rule. Steve finishes out the show talking on the history behind Pierce County School District.

Thanks Steve for another great conversation!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Sponsored By:

• The Great Washington Shake Out!: Millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:17 a.m. on October 17* during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills! Washingtonians can join them today by registering for the 2019 Great Washington ShakeOut. Participating is a great way for your family or organization to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes– wherever you live, work, or travel.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• McNeil Island
• Legendary Locals of Lakewood
• Lakewood
• The Great Washington ShakeOut - Get Ready!

1:35 – Justin shares where listeners can find GCP online, how listeners can help them out online, and give props to Jason from Castle Security and Protection. Mark talks about how their podcast came to be, how they found haunted taverns on their quests, and they talk about their tours with Andrew from Tacoma Ghost Tours. Justin talks about the old, potentially haunted, buildings in Tacoma, the different businesses that have been in The Union Club over the years, and they share their haunted experiences there.

13:01 – They talk about the difference between Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Mark talks about how they got into scooters, and their goal to hit 40 bars in 4 days. They give a shout out to The Sandy Hut bar in Portland, the two new ghost stories they just learned about in Tacoma, and Brogan passes out their roulette drinks. They talk about dealing with other drivers on the road, the crazy drivers in the area, and Mark shares the length of time it takes them to create the episodes.

27:15 – Justin shares his ghost experience in Wisconsin, Brogan shares his paranormal experience in one of his old houses, and Jeff talks about the recent ghost experience in his new house. Scott chimes in with his ghost story, they talk about the haunting of the Olympus hotel, and Mark shares his most recent ghost encounter in Union Washington. The show ends with conversation about the haunting of the Pythian Temple in Tacoma and Mark talks about how often they record.

Special thanks you both for joining the guys for great stories and information on your podcast!!!!

Special Guest: Chasing Ghosts. On Scooters. In Bars..

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Chasing Ghosts, Ghost Chasers, Ghosts, Ghost Stories, Ghost Hunting — Chasing Ghosts. On Scooters. In Bars.  Our meandering stories about ghosts, bars, and scooters.  Sure, it's an odd combo, but trust us on this, it all makes sense.
• Tacoma Ghost Tours — THE FIRST & LONGEST RUNNING GHOST TOUR COMPANY IN THE CITY, TACOMA GHOST TOURS HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE OCTOBER 2012 
• Union Club Tacoma — The Union Club is a mixed-use project contributing to Tacoma’s growing artistic and entrepreneurial community.
• The Sandy Hut — 1430 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, Oregon
• Chasing Ghosts. On Scooters. In Bars on Facebook
• Chasing Ghosts. on Scooters. in Bars on Twitter

1:48 – Justin gives listeners information on where they can find GCP online, he gives props to Castle Security and Protection, and shares how listeners can support the podcast. Scott talks about the different places around the world that GCP gets downloads from, Justin discusses how great local information is found on Reddit, and Scott gives a shout out to Church Cantina. They talk about the best places in Tacoma to find delicious mac and cheese, The Valley on Puyallup Ave, and how everyday can be a taco day in Tacoma.

14:43 – Josh talks about CERT’s biggest worry of disasters that could happen in the PNW area, the research that is going on behind it, and the impact the area would face if it were to happen. They talk about the older buildings and houses in the area, what owners need to do to ensure they are protected as much as possible from things like earthquakes, and Justin talks about the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. Josh gives the guys tips on what to do during an earthquake. Scott discusses the prank videos online where people put emergency broadcasts on people’s TV, and the various prankees reactions.

28:17 – They talk about ‘grab and go’ bags, what types of things are important to have in them, and how critical it is for people to be prepared. Jeff talks about being evacuated when staying at Hawaii, hurricane parties people have in Florida, and Josh shares information on how people can sign up to get local emergency alerts.

38:10 – Josh talks about how people can get involved in the community, volunteering with CERT, and CERT’s volunteer training process. He explains that the emergency management groups are all trying to share consistent messages to the community, they talk about the different exercises CERT has, and he encourages people to get the preparedness process started. They close out this episode with information on how people can support the podcast and where listeners can go to submit ideas for people they’d like to have GCP talk to.

Thanks again Josh for two very informative episodes!

Special Guest: Josh Shelton.

Sponsored By:

• Castle Security & Protection: Castle Security & Protection is a security firm providing services to business owners in the greater Seattle area. With years of law enforcement and security experience, they can provide you with an in-depth evaluation of your company's security measures, as well as identify vulnerabilities that could result in financial losses. To set up a consultation or get more information call 206-659-5992 or visit CastleSecPro.com!
• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

1:24 – Justin gives a shout out to Wizard’s Keep Games, gives listeners information on GCP’s social media, and their new Patreon Account. They give a shout out to Castle Security and Protection, Justin talks about a recent Reddit comment on Tacoma’s happening scene in the early 80’s, and it’s downfall in the later 80’s. Jeff gives an update on the ghost activity at the Union Club he found using the I Ovilus ghost hunting app, Josh tells the guys what the Community Emergency Response Team does, and the types of training they offer.

15:31 – Josh talks about using the ‘All Hazards Approach’ that CERT uses, how long it’s been in place, and the variety of services they offer in the community. He talks about how he got involved, how CERT would assist if a big disaster happened, and what they train community members on in order to sustain themselves if a disaster were to happen. Justin talks about the importance of getting to know your neighbors in case of an emergency, Josh explains what the program ‘Map Your Neighborhood’ does, and how a little bit of training goes a long way if a major situation were to happen.

24:35 – Josh discusses the importance for local government to provide information to people on what to do if a disaster were to happen, other ways they’re expanding on how they can communicate to people in other languages in a time of disaster, and looking at other countries like Japan as an example of how they can also expand on what they’re doing in terms of emergency communication. Justin expands on the importance of knowing your neighbors, Josh shares where people can find them online, and classes they have coming up.

33:45 – Conversation goes to what people should carry in their cars in case of an emergency, what Josh recommends for people to keep in their home, and what people should do with their pets in an evacuation scenario. Josh gives information on how people that want to do the training can do so, Justin talks about being involved with the ‘Safe Streets’ in his community, and the group talks about the challenge to get younger people involved. Josh discusses students practicing the Lahar evacuation monthly, Puyallup’s high risk of a Lahar happening if the volcano went off, and how Tacoma is built on top of mood flow from Rainier in the 1500’s.

Thanks Josh for stopping in for a very informative episode, we look forward to hearing the rest of the episode next week!

Special Guest: Josh Shelton.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Tacoma CERT - HOME — The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, utility safety, team organization, and disaster medical operations.