Text or VM the Show Ghosts are not just jump scares and cold spots. When we actually compare notes across witchcraft, occult practice, mediumship, and lived experience, the “paranormal” starts to look a lot more like a normal part of being human. We sit down as a roundtable with Judika Illes, author of Encyclopedia of Spirits and The Weiser Field Guide to the Paranormal, plus Jake Morningstar, author of Tattoo Magic, Richard Lael, The Gentleman Psychic - psychic medium and occultist based in New Orleans, and co-host Jenny C. Bell. Together, we ask the real question behind every haunting: what are we actually encountering? We explore the idea that ghosts can be the souls of dead people, but also that they might be emotional imprints, thoughtforms, or egregores shaped by attention and belief. One line changes the whole frame: saints are ghosts too, because devotion keeps the presence of once-living people active in the world. From there, the stories hit. We share a corroborated stairwell apparition, a silvery night visitor that brushes up against sleep paralysis and “hag attack” folklore, and a paranormal investigation moment that turns funny and unnerving at the same time. We also go deep on “time is an illusion,” including how a séance can touch energies from the living, the dead, or even a future self, depending on how you think time is “sliced.” We end with what we wish more people understood: don’t yuck other people’s yum, don’t rush to explain away your own experience, and approach spirits with kindness and basic respect. If you enjoy thoughtful ghost stories, witchy philosophy, and grounded spiritual practice, hit play, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review. Bios: Richard-Lael Lillard - The Gentleman Psychic Now located in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been seen on Ghost Adventures, Jubilee Media and more. He has been clairvoyant since his youth. It is a rich tradition within his family going back generations. He has traveled across the United States and Europe on a mystic tour, learning, teaching and growing. He believes that together we can build a brighter future. Let's create a better tomorrow by understanding the past and the present. https://thegentlemanpsychic.com/ IG: @richardlaellillard Jake Morningstar, the founder and high priest of Diamond Eye coven, has been a Witch for over twenty years. A true believer in learning (11 years!), Jake has a BS in Neuroscience from Brown and a PhD in Marketing from Wharton. He has taught hundreds in the mundane and esoteric arts. Visit him at Instagram.com/that_morningstar_witch Judika Illes is the bestselling author of numerous books devoted to spells, spirits, and witchcraft, including the Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells and Encyclopedia of Spirits, as well as Pure Magic, Daily Magic, Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, and Sages, and Witches: A Compendium. A lifelong student, lover, and practitioner of the magical arts, Judika is also the creator of two oracle decks, Magic Spells Oracle and Protection Spells, as well as the forthcoming Prosperity Spells deck. The editor and curator of two books of mystical fiction, The Weiser Book of the Fantastic and Forgotten and The Weiser Book of Occult Detectives, Judika was among the contributing authors to Taschen’s Witchcraft, part of The Library of Esoterica series. She has been a professional tarot card reader for over three decades and is a certified aromatherapist. A native New Yorker, Judika teaches in the US and internationally, live and virtually. Instagram @judikailles facebook.com/AuthorJudikaIlles/ #Paranormal #Witchcraft #GhostStories Thank you for supporting Belief, Being, & BEYOND! Your generosity helps sustain a woman-owned small business and an independent podcast dedicated to bringing authentic voices and meaningful conversations into the world. As a Navajo woman, I’m honored to share my perspective and create space for deeper connection, curiosity, and exploration. Your support truly makes a difference. ❤️ Did you know that you can join Our Coven Community? Surround yourself with other like-minded individuals hosted by Jenny C Bell. Visit JennyCBell.com Also, You, yes… you can sit down for a one-on-one with Granddaughter Crow. On sale prices are as low as $50 for a 30min shamanic and animistic insight from The Wisdom of the Natural World. Visit GranddaughterCrow.com Support the show Granddaughter Crow - www.granddaughtercrow.com Become a Member and Support the Podcast: Check Out My Patreon https://www.patreon.com/GranddaughterCrow Check Out My Substack https://substack.com/@granddaughtercrow Social Media: @GranddaughterCrow YouTube Channel: @GranddaughterCrow Jenny C Bell - https://www.jennycbell.com/ Jenny’s Our Coven Community https://our-coven.mn.co/landing For more from Jenny: https://linktr.ee/Jennyc.bell?utm_source=linktree_profile_sharesid=ba12a9e9-bd17-4699-9e70-68c74fb3c96f
