By Paul Salfen, Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen sits down with the faith-and-culture journalist to unpack the second installment of the Investigating the Supernatural series — a project that blends eyewitness testimony, expert insight, Scripture and reenactments to ask one provocative question: Is the spiritual realm real, and how does it touch our everyday lives?
Houston, TX – In a wide-ranging and candid conversation on AMFM Magazine, host Paul Salfen welcomed Billy Hallowell, journalist, commentator, digital TV host and author of three books. Hallowell has penned more than 15,000 articles on faith, culture and politics and has interviewed hundreds of celebrities, authors and influencers. Today he is the driving force behind CBN’s feature-film series Investigating the Supernatural.
The latest installment, Angels & Demons, follows Hallowell as he crisscrosses the country examining firsthand accounts of angelic encounters, demonic oppression and deliverance. Through dramatic reenactments, expert biblical analysis and compelling personal testimonies — including that of truck driver Bruce Van Natta — the film confronts a question modern culture often sidesteps: Is the spiritual realm real, and if so, how does it impact our lives today?
“It’s part of a series that we’re doing at CBN called Investigating the Supernatural,” Hallowell told Salfen. “Our first one was on miracles… and then Angels and Demons really, as the second installment, is in a lot of ways the right place to go.”
Hallowell approaches the subject with both deep Christian conviction and healthy skepticism. “I’ve been a Christian my whole life,” he explained, “but I also am very skeptical. If you tell me you have had an experience, you need to prove that to me.” That evidence-based lens drives the film, which presents case after case that leaves viewers — and sometimes the filmmakers themselves — grappling with the inexplicable.
The conversation touched on hot-button theological questions rarely discussed openly, even among believers: Are demons fallen angels? Disembodied spirits of the Nephilim? How do these realities intersect with today’s fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial life? Hallowell noted that presidents and former presidents have spoken publicly on the topic, yet many in the faith community remain hesitant. Angels & Demons does not shy away from these conversations.
Salfen also asked about the personal toll of immersing oneself in such intense subject matter. Hallowell admitted he has experienced what he calls spiritual warfare while working on the project — moments that reinforced his belief that “we live in a world that is not just physical. There is a spiritual dimension and it is pouring over and actually impacting a lot of what is happening around us.”
Yet the film is ultimately life-affirming. It explores not only the reality of evil but the tangible presence of divine protection and the hope of deliverance. Hallowell hopes viewers walk away asking deeper questions about good and evil, about what angels and demons actually mean in daily practice, and about the God who stands above both.
A Career “Hail Mary” Rooted in Faith
Salfen, whose co-host is Dallas Cowboys legend Drew Pearson, couldn’t resist asking Hallowell for his own “Hail Mary” moment — that career-defining leap of faith. Hallowell shared how, a few years ago, he was stuck in a job he desperately wanted to leave. He prayed for direction and, within days, three unexpected opportunities appeared. He turned down the highest-paying offer to follow what he believed was God’s leading — a decision that opened the door to the very films and projects he is passionate about today.
“That was the best decision I ever made,” he said. “Sometimes the Hail Mary is saying, ‘I’m not going to go for the money. I’m going to go for the thing that matters more.’”
Hallowell’s advice to aspiring storytellers is straightforward: follow the calling God places on your heart, work hard (even for free at first), and build genuine relationships. “That is the best currency,” he noted.
What Audiences Can Expect
Whether viewers are lifelong believers, skeptics or somewhere in between, Investigating the Supernatural: Angels & Demons promises to entertain, provoke thought and point toward something bigger than ourselves. The film is already generating buzz for its high production value and its willingness to tackle difficult questions with honesty and evidence.
And there’s more on the horizon. At the end of Angels & Demons, a teaser hints at the third film in the series — Heaven & Hell — currently in production and slated for release next year.
Paul Salfen wrapped the interview by thanking Hallowell for his tireless work shining light into the unseen realm. “It’s endlessly fascinating,” Salfen said, “and we really appreciate your time.”
Investigating the Supernatural: Angels & Demons is available now through CBN. For more on Billy Hallowell’s work, including his podcast Into the Supernatural, visit CBN.com or follow him on social media.
AMFM Magazine will continue to bring you exclusive conversations with the voices shaping faith and culture today. Stay tuned.
About Paul Salfen: Paul Salfen is a Dallas-based TV host, producer, editor, writer, and consultant who currently holds the positions of co-host of Drew Pearson Live on KTXD (London Broadcasting), co-host of The ANE Show on iHeartMedia, and producer/writer for AMFM Magazine.
About Christine Thompson: Christine Thompson is the Founder/Editor-In-Chief, Writer and Video Editor of AMFM Magazine and AMFM Studios LLC.
