A Chat With Zak and Max from A&E’s “World’s Biggest Ghost Hunt: Pennhurst Asylum”

I really like the concept of A&E’s new show, World’s Biggest Ghost Hunt: Pennhurst Asylum, which premieres October 30 at 8 pm ET/PT. What sets it apart from other ghost hunting shows we’ve seen thus far –and where the “biggest” comes from in its title– is that it’s the longest continually filmed paranormal investigation in TV history.

Investigators spent two weeks living in Pennhurst. Truly living there. Eating, sleeping, working, and no cell phones. That gave them time to really concentrate on the environment and learn its quirks and nuances.

As luck would have it –no pun intended, but that was the last name of the publicist from A&E who made this opportunity possible– I had the chance to talk with two of the new show’s stars: Max Baumle and Zak Heino. A chance I almost missed…

Whoopsie Strikes Again

I come by my nickname, Whoopsie, honestly. I try my best to make things go smoothly, but do they? Sometimes. Not usually. This was another example of a cluster. On a couple of fronts.

First, I wasn’t paying close enough attention to the email exchange. I was waiting to hear back on the day and time for the call. I hadn’t realized that email had come in.

Luckily I happened to be on my cell phone when an email popped up asking if I was joining the call –which I was five minutes late for!

Horror ripped through my heart as I quickly tried to figure out what had happened –and to get my @$$ on the phone!

Thankfully Max, Zak and Jordan were all good sports about it. But that’s why you hear me a little flustered at the beginning of the interview. (If you listen to the podcast episode, which is embedded below.)

I wasn’t prepped, my computer wasn’t on, and I didn’t want to make the same mistake I’d made with Alexandra Holzer. (Not using the recording app properly, which ended up in our awesome conversation not getting recorded.)

Even though I successfully recorded the call this time (it was only my second time using the Tape A Call app), there was still an issue.

That brings me to my Second guffaw: At first my connection was bad so I’m breaking up like crazy.

But everything worked out. It’s not the best sound quality on my end, but it recorded. (Hey, I’m still new to the podcasting part of things. Another learning curve…just wish some weren’t as sharp as others!)

Here’s a quick recap of what we talked about. To listen to it all, check out the podcast.

Are they excited for the premiere?

Of course!

What got them into the paranormal?

A haunted tavern that a historical society opened up to a local paranormal team on Halloween when they were in elementary school. They did the tour and the walk through paranormal investigation. The equipment captured Max’s interest. They noted this all happened before Ghost Hunters was even on too, which I found interesting.

They shared a story about a rocking chair that started rocking on its own during that tavern tour. That really made an impact. As did an EVP of a little girl’s voice that was captured in a cemetery when no children were around.

How did the team get together?

Zak and Max grew up together. Justin is Zak’s cousin. They met Ali and Katie met for the first time at Pennhurst. Didn’t know who they were going to be paired up with, but were pleasantly surprised.

How did Pennhurst get picked?

Most haunted place they could think of. More of a production thing, logistically-speaking. But they couldn’t think of a better place to investigate and both agreed they were honored by the chance.

Locked in for two weeks?

Yes, pretty much locked in. No outside contact. No phone. Isolated from the rest of the world.

How’d they get food?

As Max put it, they “lived on caffeine, trail mix, and bags of boiled eggs.”

They stocked a refrigerator and were loaded with coffee and “pallets” of Redbull.

How does it feel to know they’re making history?

Zak said they loved they had the chance to be part of this.

Max, “Surreal.”

Able to get evidence, and an opportunity to show how scientifically they approached investigations, but it was also more emotional than any of them expected.

Big Moment

Zak’s was a shadow person experience.

Max was able to debunk rem pod equipment.

Couldn’t give a lot away about how they were able to poke holes in a lot of the equipment people use –incorrectly– to ghost hunt, but there was a big BUT. They also figured out how to make equipment work better. (They both have science backgrounds and put that to use.)

Is the show called a “special”?

Yes. But also a “spectacular,” jokes Max. (I wanted to know if we could expect to see them in a series or another special of this nature.)

Where else would they want to spend two weeks?

Max said any another big location that’s often investigated. He’d like to try and blow holes in commonly shared experiences, but also to find evidence to fortify them. Loves to be a fact checker of the paranormal.

Zak’s dream locations include the Paris catacombs and Pripyat, although he admits Pripyat probably isn’t a realistic two-week investigation.

Keep same team for future projects?

Yes. Zak, Max and Justin have been together forever. But after spending two weeks with Ali and Katie, they feel like they’re family now too.

They also like the team dynamic and what everyone brings to the table with their investigation styles, which complimented each other. Because all sides are represented, from skeptics to spiritual.

How do people find them?

For starters, watch the World’s Biggest Ghost Hunt: Pennhurst Asylum on A&E on October 30 at 8PM ET/PT.

But they’re also on social media.

Max Baumle’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Zak Heino’s Facebook and Twitter.

And here’s A&E’s links too: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Follow #WorldsBiggestGhostHunt to learn more.

Listen to the Interview