Growth Now Movement with Justin Schenck
Description
In this episode, I sit down with Colin Browen, the creator behind The Paranormal Files, one of the largest paranormal YouTube channels in the world, reaching millions of viewers through his investigations into haunted locations, supernatural encounters, and unexplained phenomena. But this conversation goes far beyond ghost hunting. Colin opens up about his personal experiences with the paranormal, how those moments shaped his life and career, and why his work has recently expanded into true crime, human trafficking investigations, and uncovering stories that many people are afraid to talk about.
Colin's journey started long before YouTube. As a kid growing up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, his family moved into a newly built home that quickly became the center of unexplainable activity. He shares chilling stories of hearing voices that were not there, footsteps around his bed in the middle of the night, and experiences that forced him to question everything he believed about reality. Those early encounters sparked a lifelong curiosity about death, consciousness, and what may exist beyond what we can see.
We talk about how a high school ghost hunt became the first episode of what would eventually grow into The Paranormal Files, and how his passion for filmmaking and storytelling helped him turn that curiosity into a platform that now reaches millions of people around the world. Colin shares what he has learned after more than a decade of paranormal investigations, including why activity is often unpredictable, how skepticism plays an important role in his work, and how his beliefs have evolved over time.
This conversation also takes a deeper turn as Colin explains his transition into true crime investigations through his podcast Murder in America and his series The Conspiracy Files. He talks about the emotional weight of researching abuse cases, working with survivors, and his mission to use storytelling to bring awareness to difficult and often uncomfortable truths.
One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is Colin's openness about his personal struggles, including his battle with addiction and his journey into sobriety. He shares how getting sober became the turning point that allowed him to rebuild his life, repair relationships, and step fully into his purpose.
This episode is about more than the paranormal. It is about curiosity, purpose, healing, and the courage to explore the unknown both in the world and within yourself.
If you have ever questioned reality, wondered what happens after we die, or felt called to pursue something bigger than yourself, this conversation will challenge the way you think.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:• How Colin Browen built The Paranormal Files into one of the most successful paranormal YouTube channels in the world • The childhood paranormal experiences that shaped his life and career • What he has learned after more than a decade of ghost hunting and supernatural investigations • Why paranormal activity is often unpredictable and difficult to document • How his passion for filmmaking helped him turn curiosity into a global platform • Why he expanded his work into true crime and investigative storytelling • The emotional impact of working with survivors and telling difficult stories • How addiction affected his life and the moment he decided to get sober • The mindset shift that helped him rebuild his life and rediscover his purpose • Why following your curiosity can lead you to the work you were meant to do