289 – Fortunate Phantoms: The World’s Happiest Ghost Stories

Mike Huberty • March 30, 2020

With the world under quarantine for an indefinite amount of time and people everywhere being a little freaked out by the current circumstances of our COVID-19 isolation, we thought we’d brighten things up a little bit with some ghost stories that aren’t scary, but they’re happy!

A man with a colorful parrot on his shoulder
Manuco Gandia from the Gallery Inn in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the parrot that scared the crap out of Mike. Photo by Macduff Everton

Wendy and I were joined for a podcast we recorded on Facebook Live with Allison Jornlin, Milwaukee’s Paranormal Researcher of the Year and WhatsYourGhostStory.com ‘s Scott Markus to talk about the happiest ghost stories we know.

In this episode, we talk about a ton of happy ghost stories and one not-so-happy one:

  • The Gallery Inn in San Juan, Puerto Rico which is haunted by the ghost of the husband of the owner, Manuco Gandia and the stories that the staff told me personally
  • Rudolph Valentino’s favorite haunts in Hollywood
  • The lovers that haunt the Miller Caves in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • The spirit of North Hall on the University of Wisconsin campus and the ghost story there from my high school social studies teacher!
  • How naturalist John Muir saved his professor’s life after a psychic premonition
  • Milwaukee’s own Hungarian Baron, adventurer Dr. Stephan Borhegyi who still haunts the Milwaukee Public Museum
  • The ghosts of the Eastland Disaster and the ones that haunt Oprah’s Harpo Studios in Chicago (that’s the not so happy one)
A movie poster for rudolph valentino 's son of the sheik
Rudolph Valentino’s most famous role and his spirit still haunts his favorite places in Hollywood

It’s a fun episode for a weird time, but we hope you’ll enjoy these timeless tales of optimism from the Great Beyond.

Ghost stories are often meant to scare and shock, and those are awesome, but they don’t have to always be that way! As Allison says, “Ghost stories mean there’s an afterlife and when there’s life, there’s hope.” So for this week’s song, we wanted to play the heaviest, meanest song we could think of with the nicest lyrics we could think of. Here’s Sunspot with “Happy”!

I’m in such a good mood
Bursting at the seams with bliss
A moment of perfection that feels just so joyous

sugar, spice and everything nice
Living in paradise
This delight is magnified
I got the whole world on my side

Rainbows and sunshine calling
Puppies and hedgehogs crawling
My cup runneth over and
This life is but a dream
Snuggles and rocking chairs
Little hugs and teddy bears
Did I mention that I’m so goddamn happy

Feeling so majestic
So gleeful you could get sick
Smiles and laughs and winks and my feet don’t touch the ground
The call me Mr. Awesome
Don’t need to feel caution
This is my lucky day, love is all around.

Rainbows and sunshine calling
Puppies and hedgehogs crawling
My cup runneth over and
This life is but a dream
Snuggles and rocking chairs
Little hugs and teddy bears
Did I mention that I’m so goddamn happy

ghosts and pizza
By Mike Huberty September 17, 2025
Join the Chicago Ghosts and Pizza Tour in October 2025. Explore haunted Loop landmarks, taste Chicago’s best deep-dish pizza, and hear chilling ghost stories. Two nights only at The Exchequer, Oct 23 and Oct 30 at 6 PM.
New Orleans ghost tour
By Mike Huberty September 13, 2025
Join Rory & Rosary O’Neill on Oct 3 in New Orleans for a haunted ghost tour + signed copy of The Haunted Guide to New Orleans.
ghost stories Milwaukee Third Ward
By Tea Krulos September 13, 2025
Discover Milwaukee’s most haunted brunch spots. From ghostly legends to Bloody Marys, these restaurants mix paranormal history with delicious brunch.
La Garita del Diablo of puerto rico
By Chris Callaghan September 11, 2025
Discover the chilling legend of La Garita del Diablo at Fort San Cristóbal, where a soldier vanished without a trace. Explore San Juan’s haunted past on our Ghost Tours.
Great Dane in Madison, WI
By Mike Huberty September 10, 2025
Step inside one of Madison’s most haunted bars. The Great Dane Pub, formerly the Fess Hotel, has seen over 150 years of history and unexplained paranormal activity. Join Ghost Host Lisa Van Buskirk on a Capitol Square Ghost Walk with American Ghost Walks and experience Madison’s eerie side for yourself.
La Llorona Legend
By Chris Callaghan September 10, 2025
Discover the chilling tale of La Llorona, the weeping woman whose tragic story haunts Latin America. Learn about this legendary ghost and her centuries-old curse.
drawing of the lady elgin
By Mike Huberty September 9, 2025
Explore the sinking of the Lady Elgin, Lake Michigan’s most haunted shipwreck, and discover ghost stories on Milwaukee and Chicago ghost tours.
Bermuda Triangle
By Chris Callaghan September 8, 2025
Discover where the Bermuda Triangle is located and uncover its mysterious disappearances. Navigate through the most enigmatic waters between Bermuda, Miami, and Puerto Rico.
Ressurection of Mary
By Ursula Bielski September 4, 2025
Discover the legend of Resurrection Mary on Archer Avenue in Chicago. Visit Resurrection Cemetery with our ghost tours for a haunting experience.
Milwaukee Paracon 2025 logo
By Mike Huberty September 3, 2025
Experience Milwaukee Paracon 2025 on October 18 at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center—an all-day, free paranormal conference featuring ghost stories, urban legends, UFO sightings, Wisconsin folklore, expert speakers, and unique vendors. Register now for Brew City’s top supernatural event