About Dan Sellers

Dan Sellers is a North Carolina author, filmmaker, folklorist, and storyteller, and the founder of Carolina Haints. A lifelong fascination with regional history and unusual stories has shaped his work documenting and sharing the folklore of the Carolinas.

Dan created and hosted the original seven-season Carolina Haints podcast and hosts Carolina Haints presents FOLK. He is the co-author of Carolina Haints: Ghost Folklore, Mysteries, and Legends of the Old North State and the author of Haunted High Point and FOLK: A Collection of Curious Lore from the Carolinas.

In addition to writing and podcasting, Dan shares stories with audiences through live performances, library programs, and community events. His work with Carolina Haints includes projects recognizing local folklore through Legends & Lore markers. He is also involved in filmmaking and independent media through Wreak Havoc Productions, LLC.

Based in High Point, North Carolina, Dan is committed to preserving the region’s distinctive storytelling traditions and introducing them to new audiences.

Creative Collaborators

Suggested website presentation: a small portrait for each collaborator, their name and role, followed by the short biography. Film credits and book titles should be checked before publication.

Jeffrey Cochran

Writer, Researcher & Filmmaker

Jeffrey Cochran has been an integral part of Carolina Haints since its early days, researching and writing the majority of episodes across all seven seasons of the original podcast. He is also co-author of Carolina Haints: Ghost Folklore, Mysteries, and Legends of the Old North State. An accomplished writer, filmmaker, and producer, Jeffrey is a producing partner with Wreak Havoc Productions, LLC, the production company behind Carolina Haints and other creative projects. His storytelling and research have played an invaluable role in the organization’s success.

Sammie Cassell

Actor, Filmmaker & Producer

Sammie Cassell helped establish Carolina Haints as a podcast in its earliest days and has lent his acting talents and distinctive voice to numerous episodes. An accomplished actor, filmmaker, and producer in his own right, Sammie is also a producing partner with Wreak Havoc Productions, LLC. His creativity and longstanding involvement have helped shape the sound and character of Carolina Haints.

Judson Hurd

Composer & Musician

Judson Hurd has helped define the musical identity of Carolina Haints, composing “Dream,” the theme for the original podcast’s first two seasons, and a new theme for its remaining five seasons. He has also composed all original music for Carolina Haints presents FOLK. An accomplished film composer with a body of screen work, Judson has joined Dan Sellers for a live storytelling performance and frequently collaborates on projects through Wreak Havoc Productions, LLC.

Liz Z. Pardue

Storyteller, Author & Researcher

Liz Z. Pardue has lent her voice to several notable Carolina Haints podcast episodes, researched stories for upcoming books, and joined Dan Sellers for live storytelling events. Beyond these collaborations, she is co-owner of Sisterhood of Spirits, operates the Fuquay-Varina Ghosts walking ghost tour, and is co-author of Fuquay-Varina Ghosts. Her work reflects a shared dedication to bringing local history and folklore to life.

Brett Clark

Documentarian & Creative Collaborator

Brett Clark documents regional legends, haunted history, and folklore through his YouTube series Haunt Hops. He has helped document Carolina Haints’ Legends & Lore markers and introduced his audience to its books and publications. Brett has also worked with Carolina Haints to explore additional storytelling formats and projects that remain in development.

Jason Lonon

Marketing & Creative Collaborator

Jason Lonon has helped promote Carolina Haints publications and merchandise through his business, Crap-O-Rama, which offers the official Carolina Haints T-shirt and is among the select vendors carrying signed copies of Haunted High Point. He is also leading the redesign of CarolinaHaints.com, helping refresh the organization’s online presence.

Cynthia Moore Brown

Folklorist, Author & Storyteller

Cynthia Moore Brown is an established folklorist, author, and storyteller who has spent decades sharing the storytelling traditions of the American South. A co-founder of the North Carolina Storytelling Guild, she performs for audiences of all ages, including children and school groups. Her publications include Folktales and Ghost Stories of North Carolina’s Piedmont, Pirates and Ghosts of the Carolinas’ Coast, and Folklore and Food. A longtime Carolina Haints supporter, Cynthia has performed voice work for the podcast, helped with the dedication of the Lydia’s Bridge Legends & Lore marker, and wrote the foreword to Haunted High Point.

Matt Myers

Lake Norman Monster Researcher & Folklore Advocate

Matt Myers is a leading authority on Normie, the Lake Norman Monster, and runs LakeNormanMonster.com, a site dedicated to the creature’s legend and local lore. He collaborated with Carolina Haints to help establish the Normie Legends & Lore marker, recognizing the creature’s place in North Carolina’s folklore.