Common Mystics

Jennifer James and Jill Stanley
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated fortnightly

Ride shotgun with psychic sisters Jennifer James and Jill Stanley as they road trip to uncover extraordinary stories (we’re talking ghosts, murder, mayhem) in ordinary places (shout out to middle America!). Giving voice to the voiceless, these sisters use their intuitive powers, incredible research skills and wicked humor to “tune in” and bring untold history to life. So, hop in, buckle up and get ready for a smart, silly, spooky good time.

  1. 11 Jun

    152: Blood in Paradise: The Murder of Bugsy Siegel in Beverly Hills, CA

    On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill follow the incredible rise and dramatic fall of Bugsy Siegel, the gangster who helped transform Las Vegas from a dusty desert town into a glittering entertainment destination. Born into poverty in the crowded streets of New York City, Bugsy clawed his way to the top of the criminal underworld and became one of the most powerful mobsters of his time. Along the way, he rubbed elbows with Hollywood stars, built the Flamingo Hotel, and helped create the blueprint for the modern Las Vegas Strip. But in 1947, his story came to a violent end when a gunman opened fire through the window of a posh Beverly Hills residence. As Jen and Jill set out to uncover Bugsy's story, they quickly realize he may be the one coming through—but he's not alone. Another unexpected voice emerges from the shadows, offering a side of the story the sisters never anticipated. For photos, maps, and historical images that bring this story to life, be sure to visit the Common Mystics YouTube channel and follow along as we uncover the fascinating life and mysterious death of Bugsy Siegel. If you love uncovering hidden history and discovering the powerful stories woven into the places we explore, please consider supporting Common Mystics on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics. Your support helps us continue traveling, researching, and giving voice to the forgotten stories that still linger in the shadows. * This episode includes discussion of violence and murder. Sensitive listeners, please use discretion.

    1hr 10min

  2. 28 May

    151: Mystics in the Making- Our Dad, A Wanted Man

    On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill pull back the curtain and get a little more personal than usual. They dive into a chapter of their lives that was equal parts heartbreaking and life-shaping, sharing the story of their father: a man who brought laughter, chaos, love, and pain in ways that still echo today. It’s a story with sharp edges and soft spots, and while there’s a space in their hearts that never quite filled back in, it’s also the very thing that helped forge their strength, their resilience, and the women they are now. Support Common Mystics on Patreon and get exclusive bonus content and monthly video calls with Jen & Jill!!! https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@commonmystics5053

    1hr 19min

  3. 14 May

    Classic Common Mystics- Mystics in the Making: Our Mother Stella

    Please enjoy this repost of a fan favorite! On this classic episode of Common Mystics, Jennifer and Jill discuss their late mother Stella, who modeled for her daughters a discerning, yet eclectic approach to religion, spirituality, and the divination arts. Laugh with them as they relate stories that exemplify Stella's humor and strength, and learn how their mother continues to be present in their every day lives. Do YOU ever wonder if your late loved ones are communicating with YOU? Jennifer and Jill explain how they know that they are. Support Common Mystics on Patreon and get exclusive bonus content and monthly video calls with Jen & Jill!!! https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics

    25 min

  4. 30 Apr

    150: A Fortune, A Murder, and a Forgotten Voice out of Galena, IL

    On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill travel to a town that feels suspended in time on the Upper Mississippi: Galena, Illinois.* Beneath its brick streets and blufftop beauty lies a harder story. In the 1830s and 1840s, northern Illinois was still raw country. As settlers poured into Galena to mine lead and find fortune, the roads filled with opportunity… and the Mississippi River towns filled with danger. Travelers whispered of the Banditti of the Prairie—bands of thieves, killers, and fugitives said to move through the shadows of the frontier. And some believed those same shadows reached all the way to the brutal murder of George Davenport, a frontier legend who survived war, wilderness, and the dangers of the early republic… only to meet violence in old age when three men entered his home searching for hidden wealth. Because where fortunes gather, outlaws follow. And where history leaves wounds… sometimes the past still speaks. If you love uncovering hidden history and discovering the powerful stories woven into the places we explore, please consider supporting Common Mystics on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics. Your support helps us continue traveling, researching, and giving voice to the forgotten stories that still linger in the shadows. * This episode includes discussion of violence and murder. Sensitive listeners, please use discretion.

    1hr 9min

  5. 16 Apr

    149: More Voices from the Road- Echoes on the Mississippi River: Riot Aboard the Steamboat Dubuque

    On this episode of Common Mystics*, Jen and Jill travel back to the summer of 1869, where the mighty Mississippi River carried more than lumber and passengers; it carried tension, resentment, and a tragedy that would leave six men dead. What began as a routine journey aboard the steamboat Dubuque quickly unraveled into one of the most chilling and overlooked racial violence events in Midwestern history. A confrontation between a black deckhand and a white raftsman ignited something much larger—something rooted in the uneasy aftermath of the Civil War, economic fear, and deep racial division. Chaos took hold. Men were hunted. Lives were lost in acts described at the time as “unprovoked” and “wanton.” But this story isn’t just about what happened. It’s about why it happened— and what it reveals about a country struggling to redefine itself. If you love uncovering hidden history and discovering the powerful stories woven into the places we explore, please consider supporting Common Mystics on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics. Your support helps us keep traveling, researching, and giving voice to the forgotten stories that still linger in the shadows. *This episode contains discussion of racial violence. Listener discretion is advised.

    54 min

  6. 2 Apr

    148: Alone in the Farmhouse: A True Depression-Era Murder Mystery in Decorah, IA

    On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill journey into the breathtaking Driftless Region of the Midwest — a landscape untouched by glaciers and steeped in history. Their travels lead them to the quiet river town of Decorah, Iowa, where beauty and tragedy intertwine.  Here, a haunting mystery unfolds. In 1929, fourteen-year-old Romelda Casten died suddenly and mysteriously inside her family farmhouse while her parents were away. Was it a tragic accident… or something far more sinister? As the investigation deepens, shocking revelations emerge — and suspicion turns toward those closest to her. Tune in for a chilling and unforgettable story that still echoes through the ancient hills of northeast Iowa. If you love uncovering hidden history and discovering the powerful stories woven into the places we explore, please consider supporting Common Mystics on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics. Your support helps us keep traveling, researching, and giving voice to the forgotten stories that still linger in the shadows.

    47 min

  7. 19 Mar

    147: More Voices from the Road- Treaties, War, and the Dakota Story

    On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill explore the history of the Dakota people of the Upper Mississippi River Valley, specifically the Mdewakanton band and the leadership of Chief Wabasha III. They trace how early treaties and increasing American expansion reshaped Dakota homelands and set the stage for growing tension. Hunger, land loss, and broken promises contributed to the outbreak of the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862. The episode examines the war’s devastating aftermath, including exile and lasting cultural impact. Through the story of Wabasha III, listeners are invited to reflect on leadership, survival, and the memory carried in the land. Join us as we give voice to a powerful chapter of Midwestern history. If you enjoy exploring hidden history and the stories behind the places we travel, please consider supporting the show through Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics. Your support helps us continue giving voice to stories that might otherwise be forgotten.

    57 min

  8. 5 Mar

    146: Murder in the Red Light District of Winona, MN

    On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill travel back to the earliest days of settlement along the northern Mississippi River, exploring how river towns took shape in the 17th and 18th centuries. Built alongside booming industry and filled with young men looking for fortune—and fun—these towns quickly developed a rough-and-tumble reputation. Fast forward to 1879, when Winona, Minnesota boasts a thriving red-light district overflowing with liquor, gambling, and every variety of vice. One night, outside a notorious downtown saloon, a drunken argument erupts into gunfire. When the smoke clears, one man lies dead and another is sent to prison. But the story doesn’t end there. Nearly 150 years later, the questions still linger—and the spirits connected to that fateful night may still be waiting for someone to tell their story. Thanks for listening. Support us on Patreon and get exclusive bonus content and monthly video calls with Jen & Jill. https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics

    51 min
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Ride shotgun with psychic sisters Jennifer James and Jill Stanley as they road trip to uncover extraordinary stories (we’re talking ghosts, murder, mayhem) in ordinary places (shout out to middle America!). Giving voice to the voiceless, these sisters use their intuitive powers, incredible research skills and wicked humor to “tune in” and bring untold history to life. So, hop in, buckle up and get ready for a smart, silly, spooky good time.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer James and Jill Stanley
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    173
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Common Mystics
  • Show Website
    Common Mystics

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