An Inspired Chat with Dylan Stevens of Queensbury

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dylan Stevens . Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Dylan , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of work, I’ve recently been trying to take some more time to enjoy myself. I went to my fourth and fifth concerts last month and had an absolute blast!

Ended up seeing Falling in Reverse, Point North, Hollywood Undead & Slaughter to Prevail in Hartford, CT just after one of my drill weekends with the Army Reserves, and then I saw Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, & Return to Dust in Darien Lake, NY on my way to Ohio for a ghost hunting convention.

Ever since I’ve gone headfirst into content creation, I’ve struggled with spending money. Content creation is so volatile, and you never know when the next financial emergency will come about. But at the same time, I’ve been grinding for the past few years without really taking any time to treat myself- so I’ve been trying to focus on balancing my life. Work hard play hard, after all.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Dylan, I’m a ghost hunter and army reservist from Upstate NY.

I’ve been ghost hunting for 11 years, recently starting a YouTube channel called “Haunted Nights” after appearing on the Travel Channel for interviews a couple of times, and some amazing opportunities & collaborations through YouTube. Now we’ve been creating YouTube videos for about 3 1/2 years, and last year I began my own personal channel just under my name “Dylan Stevens” to document my day to day life, some behind the scenes, trips that we go on, and some ghost hunting on my own as well.

I also joined the military in high school. I enlisted under the delayed entry program, so I enlisted my summer of junior year but didn’t go off to basic training until the end of senior year in 2020. In November of 2023, I was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and extended my contract one year over this summer to explore my options. I’m currently a 31B/ Military Police enlisted soldier, working on completing my degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management- after I complete my degree, who knows? Maybe I’ll go the officer or warrant officer route.

Every year, we host public ghost hunting events all over the US. In the past 7 months alone, we’ve brought over 300 people on ghost hunts at some of the United States’ most haunted buildings. Over the years, we’ve garnered millions of views across multiple platforms; from YouTube, Instagram, Twitch Facebook & TikTok- we keep ourselves very busy even in the “slow season”!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I believed that I couldn’t be on camera. I hated being in pictures, hated taking videos of myself, hated hearing my voice: but now this is a weekly, if not daily thing for me.

I don’t like being the center of attention, but at the same time I’ve become much more outgoing and comfortable both online and in unfamiliar social situations.

The comfort zone is where dreams die!

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely- the first year or two I was full time with content creation was terrifying. I had leftover funds from working retail and my monthly check from the reserves, but as time went on this dwindled fast.

From food on the road, to getting merch at haunted locations around the world, and life’s expenses- there was an extended period of time where I was losing money at an alarming rate. This past Winter I came very close to giving it all up- but this year has been one of the best years for my accounts across the board.

Sometimes changing your perspective on a few issues and seeking to push yourself harder than ever before, even in the midst of a huge downturn is what it takes to get that initial breakthrough. I’m not where I want to be- there’s still many months where I break even at best, but I had a “light at the end of the tunnel” moment over the summer for sure.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
The paranormal. Everybody has their own beliefs regarding the paranormal- from those who hate equipment and rely on physical manifestations or call and response, to groups like ours who love equipment even with its faults.

Some just flat out believe it’s phony, but over the past 11 years I’ve had way too many experiences that reaffirm my belief that SOMETHING is going on. Is it ghosts? I’m not sure- as we talk about in our videos, could it be a time slip? Could it be all residual and just coincidental timing? Could it be demons, angels, or otherworldly entities?

Nobody really knows, and having the ability to see how different faiths, beliefs and values attack this field is so fascinating.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Through it all- I try to cultivate an environment that is supportive and lets people drop their guard for a minute.

I remember watching YouTube when I was younger and seeing all of these creators build a community of people who just liked a common thing. Regardless of background, religious beliefs, political beliefs, whatever- all of these people came together to enjoy whatever the topic at hand was.

That’s what I seek to do with our videos, and streams. Leave your stressors at the door, let’s have some fun exploring the unknown, taking a trip or playing some video games. From the built different core values, to what I say in the videos & streams every day, I hope these lessons ring true so that future creators in our community can carry that on as well.

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