API Members
Brad:
Senior Investigator, Interviewing Specialist, Debunker, and Researcher
My name's Brad Smith. I'm a freelance journalist, having recently relocated to Sacramento
after working for a daily newspaper in Northern California. I was born in Ontario,
Oregon--but I've always considered Ashland, Oregon, to be my hometown. I've also lived
in Nebraska and Tennessee and traveled across the country.
As Gandalf once said, "All who wander aren't lost."
Being a reporter is one of the best jobs in the world. From time to time, I've had the chance
to do some incredible things: I've been with firefighters as they trained inside a burning
building, experiencing firsthand the effects of smoke and fire; I've flown on helicopters with
law enforcement officers as they raided drug operations. I suited up as a Confederate
soldier during a Civil War re-enactment and wrote about it. I really do love my job.
I became interested in the paranormal at a young age; I spent a lot of time in the school
library, reading books about ghosts, UFOs, cryptids and the like. Charles Hoy Fort's
books, especially, spurred my interests. A number of past experiences confirmed my I belief
that there's a lot we don't know about the world around us . . . and I want to know more
about those mysteries.
Aside from working as a freelance journalist, I love reading. From science fiction to history,
being a bibliophile is a vice of mine. I love moves, from Kurosawa Akira's samurai films to
Tarantino's quirky epics. On some weekends, I'm a guest panelist on a radio show called "Beyond the Paranormal." A tech-geek, I'm always on the prowl for new gadgets. My
girlfriend April and I also enjoy sightseeing and exploring local haunts-- the non-paranormal
kind, that is.
Day Job: Freelance Journalist
Hobbies: Writing, reading, photography, history, films and real-time strategy computer games.
An Interview with Brad Smith:
1. What interested you in the paranormal?
I started reading about it at a very young age; some of my family had talked
about their paranormal encounters -- ranging from ghosts to UFO sightings --
and those stories spurred me on to learn more about "The Unknown." I've been learning ever since . . . .
2. How are you treated in public when people realize that you are a paranormal investigator?
Very favorable, for the most part. Some have even told me about their alleged paranormal experiences. Due
to increased media exposure, I feel that many people are far more willing to discuss their experiences.
3. Have you ever had anybody react to what you do negatively?
A few. Some due to religious beliefs and others because they believe that the paranormal doesn't exist at all.
In either case, I hear out what they have to say. If they choose to hear me out, I explain my belief system.
4. What do you do when you aren't investigating?
I work as a freelance journalist. In my spare time, I do a lot of reading. I love science fiction. I'm also working on
my own SF novel. I also spend time researching the paranormal since I'm a guest panelist on a weekly radio talk
show called, fittingly, "Beyond the Paranormal." My girlfriend and I also enjoy computer gaming and playing
tourist.
5. What investigation sticks out in your mind?
This happened a few years ago. I was with some people who were having unusual activity in their duplex. They
were seeing strange shadows, objects were being moved or thrown about. I was shoved a number of times by an
unseen force. A young woman, as she was walking down some stairs, was pushed in the same manner and nearly
fell.
6. Have you had any unexplained experiences?
A number of them. Being pushed around by something I couldn't see was somewhat unnerving.
7. What skills do you bring to API?
Being a reporter, I've picked up a few skills over the years. Interviewing. Research. Analysis. Being observant
and thorough. Being skeptical yet open minded. Dealing with people -- some folks are reluctant to discuss some
aspects of what they've just experienced. You have to know how to approach them, make them feel at ease. Gain
their trust. Being a reporter is just like being an API investigator: You're searching for the facts.
8. What do you want to get out of your experience with API?
Learning more about the paranormal. I'm very excited about joining this group and look forward to benefiting
from the experience. I firmly believe in API's creed of seeking answers, helping those in need, educating the
public, documenting with science and advancing the paranormal field of study.
9. How does your family feel about your investigations?
They're very supportive of what I do, especially my parents and my girlfriend. Due to my job, I do hear some <
"Kolchak -- The Night Stalker" jokes . . . which is very cool, I think . . . .
10. Do you enjoy being an investigator?
Yes. Never a dull moment. This is an exciting time to be in the paranormal field. New technology like "Frank's
Box" and the "MiniBox" . . . teams applying rigorous scientific methods to their investigations . . . teams working
together . . . . I feel that the paranormal field is entering a new phase and I'm glad to be a part of it.
11. Is there anything you would like to add?
I'm very grateful to be a part of API and its mission. That's all I can say.
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