Ghostly Whispers and Eerie Encounters: Gather ‘Round for “Scary Stories From the Rez”

With the spooky season upon us, there’s nothing like scary tales that send a chill down your spine and keep you listening long after the lights go out. For Wet’suwet’en storyteller, host and producer Meagan Howard-Gibbon, those stories are more than just campfire folklore; they’re living threads of culture, connection and community.

Through her TELUS STORYHIVE Video Podcast series Scary Stories from the Rez, Meagan invites guests to share their real-life paranormal experiences, from mysterious voices and Sasquatch sightings to ghostly apparitions. Each conversation blends spookiness, humour and traditional Indigenous storytelling.

We caught up with Meagan to talk about the origins of the podcast, her advice for aspiring podcasters and her favourite scary tales. 

STORYHIVE: Tell us about yourself! 

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: My name is Meagan, and I'm a Wet’suwet’en woman from the Frog Clan. I live in Prince George and work in communications, with a background in commercial film and creative projects with friends. I'm also the host and producer of the Scary Stories from the Rez podcast—and I have a dog at home!

STORYHIVE: What inspired you to start Scary Stories from the Rez?

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: Living in Prince George, I often found myself asking people in nearby communities if they’d ever experienced anything paranormal. The stories people shared gave me chills, but they also offered a deeper sense of their culture and community. Those conversations felt so natural that I realized they’d make a great podcast to share with others!

STORYHIVE: What goes into creating the video podcast?

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: Each episode starts with finding someone interested in sharing their spooky stories. I’ll do a quick pre-interview to get to know them, but I'll save the actual story for the recording so my reactions are authentic. I also make sure they’re comfortable on camera.

A lot of friends helped bring the show to life. I had support with lighting, camera setup and set design; we used my living room and borrowed an “iconic” chair for the set! My fiancé recorded every episode, and a friend handled the editing. It really took a small community of creative people to make it happen, and asking for help was one of the best decisions I made.

STORYHIVE: The stories can be eerie, emotional and even funny at times. How do you strike the right tone between spookiness, tradition and entertainment?

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: I knew I wanted the podcast to feel like a natural conversation. Each guest brings their own energy, which really shapes the tone. Some episodes get funny, others are deeply spooky or emotional. I’ve learned to go with the flow rather than trying to control the outcome, and that’s what makes each episode unique!

STORYHIVE: You recently held a live recording of the podcast! What was that experience like? 

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: The live recording of Scary Stories from the Rez was so much fun. I was really nervous about the outcome and about doing it in front of a live audience.

I didn’t expect a big turnout, but it ended up being a full house. Some people from STORYHIVE came, which made me feel really supported. They even helped with booking the venue and offering advice.

The whole experience gave me a huge confidence boost. It made me realize that people really do want to hear these stories, and that there’s strong community support for what I’m doing!

STORYHIVE: How has your community responded to the podcast? Have you noticed it sparking new interest in traditional stories or local legends?

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: After Season 1 came out on the STORYHIVE YouTube channel, Trish—who appears in the live episode—reached out to me. That’s how we started talking, and I asked if she’d be interested in doing a live show. She said yes, and it turned out amazing. She’s a great storyteller and has so many incredible stories to share.

That live episode will be released at the end of this month on my YouTube channel. Beyond that, the podcast has really sparked a lot of conversations, and I feel so supported by the community. So many people have reached out to say they love the podcast or to tell me they’ve had similar spooky experiences. 

One friend listened to the first episode, which takes place in Witset, and the next day she was there for work and had her own spooky experience! It’s been so much fun hearing all those stories and seeing how the show resonates with people.

STORYHIVE: Do you have a particular spooky tale that was a highlight to share?

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: I honestly love all the episodes; they each hold a special place for me. The first episode we recorded is with my cousin, whom I’m really close to. I also did one with my fiancé, who’s a ghost hunter, which I thought would be interesting for listeners.

But I especially loved the last two episodes, which are a two-parter with a guest named Colton Phillips. I met him while working at the school district as an Indigenous education worker. I invited him to my school to tell scary stories to the boys group I was running, and he showed up with a fake fire, turned off the lights and told his stories in this really animated, captivating way.

He grew up in the Chilcotin, so his stories are all set there—lots of Sasquatch encounters and even voices calling to him at night. His delivery was incredible, and he wanted to share his stories with more students. Those episodes really stand out to me, but I truly love them all!

STORYHIVE: Tell us about joining the TELUS STORYHIVE Video Podcast program! What was the experience like? Was there a particular takeaway from the program that was most helpful to you? 

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: Coming into the program, I already had a bit of background, so I wasn’t brand new to visual storytelling. I mainly wanted to build a stronger foundation in podcasting, and I found the training really helpful, especially around how to choose guests and structure interviews.

There were great reference materials and guidelines to go back to whenever I had questions. Erin Shaw, our Program Manager, was also super accessible and quick to respond whenever I needed help.

Being connected with other creators in the same program was amazing. We were grouped by region, so I got to discover local creators and learn about their shows. We’d share tips—like what equipment we were using—and support each other along the way.

The STORYHIVE materials were so thorough, and they encouraged us to bring in help when needed. You don’t have to be great at everything; you can hire people to help with what you’re less confident in. That flexibility and the grant funding made a huge difference.

Honestly, I don’t think I would have had the push or confidence to make this podcast on my own. Having STORYHIVE’s support was instrumental to getting it off the ground.

STORYHIVE: What advice would you give to others looking to create their own video podcast and apply for funding?

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: Looking at my own story, I had no idea what to expect when I first applied, but being truly passionate about my idea was key. I think that’s what comes through in your application, when you really care about what you’re making.

So I’d say don’t be afraid of the process. It takes time, but ask for help when you need it. Use whatever equipment you have. You don’t need the best cameras or microphones to start. The most important thing is to believe in your idea and just go for it.

STORYHIVE: What’s next for the show? Are there any upcoming spooky episodes you can tease? 

Meagan Howard-Gibbon: At the end of October, the live episode will go up on my YouTube channel featuring Trish Evans, The Ganhada Medium, who has some truly chilling stories. If you like spooky stuff, turn off the lights, get cozy and watch that episode when it drops!

I’m also applying for a grant for Season 2 of Scary Stories from the Rez. We’ll see how it goes, but I’m definitely hoping to bring it back.

STORYHIVE: If you were to describe your podcast in one word, what would it be?

Spooky!

Huge congratulations to Meagan Howard-Gibbon on the success of her video podcast, Scary Stories From the Rez! Check it out as part of 65 brand-new Canadian & Indigenous series on TELUS Optik TV Video on Demand channel 9, Stream+ and STORYHIVE's YouTube channel.

Follow Meagan on Instagram @scarystoriesfromtherez.

Interested in producing your own video podcast? The next STORYHIVE Video Podcast program opens for applications on November 4, 2025. Stay tuned on STORYHIVE’s website and social media channels! Missed our Creator Kickoff Event? Watch it now to learn more about all our upcoming programs, including Video Podcast.