Southern Gothic: Exploring the South’s Most Infamous Hauntings, Legends, and Folklore with Brandon Schexnayder
Our host James Lewis traveled to Nashville recently to sit down with Brandon Schexnayder, the talented host of the highly acclaimed Southern Gothic podcast. They talked about Brandon’s deep family roots in New Orleans, authentic storytelling, and the rich Southern folklore that Brandon brings to life in his podcast. With over 200 episodes, Southern Gothic is like an immersive ghost tour, offering scripted, narrated tales that intertwine history and hauntings with meticulous research and storytelling craft. But Brandon’s journey to creating such a beloved podcast was anything but ordinary.
Honing the Art of Storytelling
Although the show started in 2018, Brandon learned more than he expected to shortly after the COVID lockdowns in 2020. His friend opened a ghost tour company just outside of Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee and needed some additional coverage, which he offered for a while, later transitioning to seasonal help. By giving ghost tours, Brandon learned how to captivate an audience, handle interruptions, and refine his impromptu storytelling. These experiences began to inform his podcasting strategy, allowing him to weave together eerie tales with an authentic, historical foundation. His dedication to maintaining the integrity of these stories—ensuring they are rooted in real history rather than just tragic myths—sets Southern Gothic apart from other haunted history podcasts. “I wanted it to be more than just a scary story. History comes first,” Brandon explains.
Brandon also credits Mike Brown, a renowned storyteller and tour guide in Charleston, for inspiring him with his rich, Vincent Price-like delivery. Brandon's admiration for Mike’s ability to engage audiences is evident in the way he has structured his own show, balancing the thrill of ghost stories with the gravitas of historical accuracy.
A Personal Connection to Southern History
Growing up in New Orleans, Brandon’s fascination with Southern history began at a young age. His family has roots in the city that go back 200 years, making him one of the first in his lineage to leave the area. He fondly recalls spending time with his family in the outer parishes of New Orleans, pouring over microfiche and exploring cemeteries to learn more about their ancestry. This personal connection to history, combined with his love for ghost tours, helped shape the foundation for Southern Gothic.
Even though Brandon jokes that he does great PR for ghosts, he admits he has never had a paranormal encounter himself. However, his love for haunted places shines through in his podcast and in the recommendations he shares. During the episode, he highlights some of his favorite haunted locations, including Cahawba, Alabama, Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, and Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville.
Behind the Scenes of Southern Gothic
The success of Southern Gothic is no small feat. Each episode requires around 40 hours of work, as Brandon writes the script, conducts research, and handles all of the sound design. When asked to tell us a story, he recounts a short-and-sweet thriller about Julia Brown, a woman who by some accounts cursed the community of Frenier (once known as Schlosser), leading to a hurricane that destroyed it shortly after her death. The effort and care Brandon puts into the history he recounts is a testament to his dedication to telling these stories in the most authentic and captivating way possible.
Brandon’s passion for telling ghost stories is also coming full circle, and you can experience it for yourself at an upcoming stage show in Nashville on October 17th. This semi-regular live event will offer a “campfire feel” as he describes it, where Brandon will share ghost stories with a guitar player providing background music. Tickets for the event are available on his website.
Exploring Nashville and Beyond
The episode wraps up on a lighter note, with James and Brandon bonding over their shared love of spicy food. Brandon recommends some of his favorite spots in Nashville, including Hattie B’s for hot chicken and Loveless Café for authentic Southern cuisine. It’s clear that while Brandon excels at spinning ghostly tales, he’s also an aficionado of Southern food and culture.
Brandon Schexnayder’s journey to hosting a top-rated podcast is a story of passion, dedication, and a deep connection to the South’s haunted history. Whether you’re a fan of eerie stories or just love well-researched historical tales, Southern Gothic is a must-listen. As Brandon says, “Stay spooky,” and tune in to the latest episode of Southern Character for a fascinating conversation about storytelling, haunted histories, and the love of Southern folklore.