Dr. Malcolm Ryder

Dr. Malcolm Ryder is a paraphsychologist for a radio station in Chicago. He is also the host and narrator of A Voice From Darkness, a radio show that tries to help callers who have paranormal, supernatural or unexplainable problems. He has a sister, Amelia, who is a professor of the occult studies at Ravenswood.

Personality
Dr. Ryder is a very capable parapsychologist who is genuinely trying to help the people who call in to shis show. However he would not hesitate to sacrifice people for the greater good. He is a private person who does not seem to handle pressure well, especially if people distrust him or critizise him. When his callers are in need, he will however listen carefully and empathetically. There are lots of conspiracy theories about him on the internet as he's been involved in the unsolved disappearance of Julian and Miranda Holloway.

Physical Appearance
Dr. Ryders appearance has never been described on the podcast but he is implied to be at least middle aged.

Early History
Malcolms family has been adjacent to the supernatural for generations but he himself didn't witness a paranormal phenomenon until he was seven years old, when his grandfather, Duncan Ryder, cut loose his own shadow in front of the boy. The shadow then proceeded to knock over books to their amusement but then tried to attack little Malcolm. His grandfather saved him by knocking the lamp off the table.

Adult Years
During his studies Malcolm became friends with two siblings with "special abilities" who spent their free time traveling to supernatural places like the city from episode 4. Those siblings were the Holloways who later went missing and sparked the conspiracy theories about Malcolm. Their group of friends consisted of Alec, Sonja, Charlotte, Julian, Miranda and Malcolm.

According to the official Twitter account, Malcolm got his phd after approximately 20 years and used to do field work as an undergrad and grad student.

Abilities and Powers
The traveling salesman strongly hints at Malcolm having special powers:"'“I understand why you’re scared of me,” He said. “I’ve heard his show - what Malcolm says about me. And everything he says… it’s mostly true. But at the same time… it’s not true at all. I have my gifts. Abilities. Malcolm has his too - he can say things - tell stories. Get people to believe him. If you don’t believe me, let me ask you: What did Malcolm say to get you to come here? Did he tell you to enter a dream and spy on The Traveling Salesman? Or did he maybe say something truthful, but maybe not the whole truth… not the part that mattered?”"Other than that he can find people even if they haven't told him their name and address.

Trivia

 * Malcolm gets a 603 call every year, on a day of personal significance
 * He lives in Chicago but he used to study at Ravenswood University on Mackinac Island
 * His grandfather used to be a professor of the occult, just like his sister