The Psychic and The Skeptic | Podcast on RSS.com

The Psychic and The Skeptic

The Psychic and The Skeptic

by Christy Clark and Kathryn Wickham

Spirituality Society & Culture

Episode 52 - A Year of Questions, Doubts, Discoveries... and the Occasional Eye Roll

On their one-year anniversary episode, Christy and Kathy reflect on how the podcast grew from 2:00 AM debates, and their goal of balancing psychic and skeptical perspectives across case files, cryptids, and broader “abnormal” topics. They thank listeners and share statistics such as the top countries that have downloaded episodes. They answer questions and discuss popular episodes (Episode 1, Kendall’s, The Psychic, and an EVP episode), and favorites, key disagreements (photos, orbs), compelling EVPs (“din-din,” Beatty Mansion), disappointing cases, scariest locations, misconceptions, equipment skepticism, hot takes, and invite emails, stories, and future topic requests. Be sure to follow our podcast for updates, rate us on your favorite platform, and share your thoughts and stories at psychicandskeptic@gmail.com. Disclaimers: This podcast is for informational or entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. The content is general and accuracy is not guaranteed. Listeners are responsible for how they use the information. The hosts are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast content is protected by copyright and unauthorized use is prohibited. 00:00 Anniversary Banter 01:12 Why We Started 02:17 Podcast Mission 03:21 Year One Stats 05:42 Top Episodes Recap 07:32 EVP Spotlight 08:29 Favorite Episodes 10:26 Behind the Scenes 13:37 Evidence Debates 15:34 Underrated Episodes 16:40 Best EVP Stories 19:26 Disappointing Cases 23:10 Scariest Moments 27:13 Investigation Humor 28:30 Common Misconceptions 29:49 What Counts as Evidence 30:14 Why Some Experience More 32:50 DIY Investigation Mistakes 35:22 Devices and Ghost Tech 40:45 Orbs and Demon Hype 43:12 What to Do First 44:45 Hollywood Gets It Wrong 46:18 Big Paranormal Mysteries 49:54 Paranormal Hot Takes 53:54 One Year In Reflection 56:30 Audience and Next Steps 58:43 Wrap Up and Contact

Episode 51 - Automatic Writing

In this episode, Christy and Kathy explore automatic writing—writing perceived as guided by spirits, the subconscious, or other external forces—and debate paranormal versus psychological explanations like the ideomotor effect, dissociation, cryptomnesia, and altered states. They trace the practice chronologically from ancient Chinese fuji spirit writing and the Oracle of Delphi’s trance traditions through medieval mysticism and occult associations, then to the 19th-century Spiritualist movement (including the Fox sisters) and prominent figures such as Pearl Curran (Patience Worth), Blavatsky, Swedenborg, Andrew Jackson Davis, Hildegard of Bingen, Helene Smith’s alleged Mars communications, and William Stainton Moses. Christy shares her own investigation experience with hand-controlled writing and both discuss potential dangers, spiritual protections, and listener outreach for stories. Be sure to follow our podcast for updates, rate us on your favorite platform, and share your thoughts and stories at psychicandskeptic@gmail.com. Disclaimers: This podcast is for informational or entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. The content is general and accuracy is not guaranteed. Listeners are responsible for how they use the information. The hosts are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast content is protected by copyright and unauthorized use is prohibited. 00:00 Introduction 00:41 What Is Automatic Writing? 05:48 Ancient History & Origins 12:18 The Oracle of Delphi 15:57 Medieval Period & Spiritualism 18:08 The Spiritualist Movement & Fox Sisters 24:38 Psychology & the Unconscious Mind 27:46 Documented Cases 36:25 The Alien Case: Helene Smith 45:39 Christy's Personal Experience 56:01 Dangers of Automatic Writing 01:01:24 Closing Thoughts

Episode 50 - Civil War Ghosts - The Battle of Antietam

In this episode, Christy and Kathy continue their Civil War Ghost series on Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland, pairing battle history and eyewitness testimony with modern paranormal reports and skeptical explanations. They outline Antietam (Sept. 17, 1862) as the deadliest single day in American military history—and trace key phases from the Cornfield and Dunker Church to the Sunken Road (“Bloody Lane”) and Burnside Bridge. They discuss intense casualty figures, post-battle uses of Dunker Church, and Gardner’s photographs, then review hauntings like phantom gunfire, gunpowder smells, footsteps, whispers, shadow figures, vanishing soldiers, singing, blue orbs, and marching, weighing residual versus intelligent hauntings and psychological priming. They close with a Memorial Day tribute, invite listener stories and emails, and preview their June 19 one-year anniversary/50th episode with a bonus show and optional listener Q&A reading request. Be sure to follow our podcast for updates, rate us on your favorite platform, and share your thoughts and stories at psychicandskeptic@gmail.com. Disclaimers: This podcast is for informational or entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. The content is general and accuracy is not guaranteed. Listeners are responsible for how they use the information. The hosts are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast content is protected by copyright and unauthorized use is prohibited. 00:00 Episode 50 - Civil War Ghosts - The Battle of Antietam 04:08 The Battle History 10:45 The Cornfield & Dunker Church 16:48 Bloody Lane / Sunken Road 27:34 Burnside Bridge

Episode 49 - Cryptid Files - The Slenderman

In this episode, Christy and Kathy open another cryptid file featuring The Slender Man. They contrast the well-known 2009 origin—Eric Knudsen (“Victor Surge”) creating unsettling Photoshop images and captions on the Something Awful forum—with a darker “Watcher in the Woods” concept and the idea that Slender Man “feeds” on attention as modern folklore blurs fiction and plausibility. They outline traits that solidified through collective online storytelling (tall, faceless, suited, tentacle-like limbs, forests, children, “slender sickness”) and cite Marble Hornets as a key expansion. They discuss alleged sightings in California, England, Germany, Arkansas, and Ohio with skeptical explanations, and cover the 2014 Ouachita stabbing case, its insanity verdicts, releases, and later escape attempt. The episode ends with a call for listener story submissions. Be sure to follow our podcast for updates, rate us on your favorite platform, and share your thoughts and stories at psychicandskeptic@gmail.com. Disclaimers: This podcast is for informational or entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. The content is general and accuracy is not guaranteed. Listeners are responsible for how they use the information. The hosts are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast content is protected by copyright and unauthorized use is prohibited. 00:00 Introduction 03:34 Origins of Slenderman 10:16 The Myth Spreads 12:47 Slenderman Enters Reality 13:55 Why Slenderman Endures 15:33 Real-Life Sightings 22:19 The Waukesha Stabbing Case 32:41 Closing Thoughts

Episode 48 - Case Files - Yorktown Memorial Hospital - Part 2

In part two of their Yorktown Memorial Hospital case file, Christy and Kathy rejoin Afterlife Paranormal Investigations for an overnight investigation, starting with a basement sit-down in the “Cage Room,” described as a prison-like enclosure once used for at-risk patients. While monitoring with EMF devices, a motion-sensing music box, light-up cat balls, and a laser grid. They review audio captured elsewhere in the building that includes banging and a whisper that sounds like “put it back.” They test alleged blood splatter tied to a rumored basement murder-suicide using a presumptive blood kit. Listen to stories of a small shadow in the laser grid hallway, repeated equipment activation, a loud noise, and equipment that moved on its own. They review more EVPs and Christy shares psychic impressions of several spirits, including an “angry male,” grieving mothers, Dr. Leon Nowerski, and a “lady in blue,” Be sure to follow our podcast for updates, rate us on your favorite platform, and share your thoughts and stories at psychicandskeptic@gmail.com. Disclaimers: This podcast is for informational or entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. The content is general and accuracy is not guaranteed. Listeners are responsible for how they use the information. The hosts are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast content is protected by copyright and unauthorized use is prohibited. 00:00 Part Two Begins 01:20 Basement Cage Room 01:57 Sit Down Method 04:08 Put It Back EVP 06:31 Blood Splatter Tested 08:27 Laser Grid Shadow 10:35 Chapel To Nurses Station 11:22 Audio Baiting Bangs 13:48 Nurse Station EVP 14:29 Psychic Claims Begin 14:41 Angry Male Spirit 16:58 Lost Baby Mother 17:51 Teen Mother Story 20:47 Doctor Leon Revealed 24:35 Crossing Over Debate 28:23 Lady In Blue 29:59 Where To Find Evidence 31:08 Final Thanks

Episode 47 - Case Files - Yorktown Memorial Hospital - Part 1

Christy and Kathy open their case file on Yorktown Memorial Hospital in Yorktown, Texas, joining their sister team API for a March 2025 overnight investigation, though they sleep in their cars due to the building’s disrepair, dust, mold, animals, and limited electricity. Kathy reviews the hospital’s history: built in 1950–1951 as a 20-bed facility run by Felician sisters, dedicated to 49 local war dead, with staff quarters upstairs, and physicians including long-serving Dr. Leon Nowierski, Sr.; competition and declining resources led to closure in 1986, later brief rehab use, and decommissioning in 1992. They discuss unverified claims of ~2,000 deaths, malpractice rumors, and reported hauntings including nuns, Dr. Nowierski, a child named “Stacey,” “TJ,” shadow figures (especially in the basement), EVPs, physical attacks, red eyes, and footsteps. During setup, Jill captures an EVP, and Christy’s lobby recorder later catches a loud knock while the team is out to dinner. Be sure to follow our podcast for updates, rate us on your favorite platform, and share your thoughts and stories at psychicandskeptic@gmail.com. Disclaimers: This podcast is for informational or entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. The content is general and accuracy is not guaranteed. Listeners are responsible for how they use the information. The hosts are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast content is protected by copyright and unauthorized use is prohibited. 00:00 Case File Intro 01:02 Road Trip to Yorktown 02:23 Hospital Origins and Memorial 03:28 Nuns and Early Staff 05:18 Doctors and Dr Nowierski 06:28 Decline and Closure 07:09 Death Rate and Rumors 12:27 After Closure and Safety 14:18 Haunting Claims Overview 16:52 Provoking and Vulnerability 21:04 Light Anomalies and Debunks 22:43 Heaviness Without Claims 23:58 Dr Nowierski Sighting 25:14 Stacey Child Spirit 27:04 Strict Nun Enforcers 29:19 TJ Restless Patient 31:45 Basement Shadow Figure 33:14 Voices EVPs And Dolls 36:47 Investigation Setup Walk-through 38:09 Captured EVP 39:57 Dinner Break Loud Knock 40:53 Part One Wrap Up

Episode 46 - Cryptid Files - Little People

In this episode, Christy and Kathy open another “Cryptid File” to examine worldwide stories of “little people,” contrasting European fairy/brownie lore with Indigenous North American traditions where they are seen as real watchers, protectors, teachers, or tricksters. They focus on three tribal traditions—Cherokee (Yunwi Tsunsdi), Algonquian/Wampanoag (pukwudgies), and Lakota (Canotila)—and discuss how encounters often occur in forests, mountains, or sacred spaces, with reported patterns like guiding lost children, disorienting adults, whispering voices calling names, and fleeting small figures. They reference the 2003 Homo floresiensis (“hobbit”) find while noting past skeleton hoaxes and skeptical explanations such as stress, dehydration, echoes, and suggestion. Modern anecdotal cases span the Smokies, Appalachians, New England/Bridgewater Triangle, and the Black Hills, ending with a call for listener stories and emphasis on respect for nature and not seeking contact. Be sure to follow our podcast for updates, rate us on your favorite platform, and share your thoughts and stories at psychicandskeptic@gmail.com. Disclaimers: This podcast is for informational or entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. The content is general and accuracy is not guaranteed. Listeners are responsible for how they use the information. The hosts are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast content is protected by copyright and unauthorized use is prohibited. 00:00 Little People Across Cultures 01:49 Oklahoma Investigation Origins 04:44 Evidence and Hobbit Skeleton 08:35 Cherokee Little People Yaka 11:07 Cherokee Rules and Roles 14:48 Modern Cherokee Encounter Cases 21:58 Patterns and Takeaways 22:51 Algonquian Pukwudgie Lore 25:40 Forest Warnings Explained 26:32 Camouflage And Perception 27:46 Colonial Era Accounts 29:24 20th Century Sightings 31:34 Bridgewater Triangle Hotspot 34:46 Recurring Modern Reports 37:20 Lakota Tree Dwellers 39:46 Lakota Encounter Cases 44:44 Comparing The Three 45:38 Folklore Lessons And Wrap

Episode 45 - Civil War Ghosts - The Battle of Shiloh

In this episode of Psychic and the Skeptic, Christy and Kathy continue their Civil War Ghost Series with Part 3 on the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862), discussing its heavy casualties and how traumatic battle sites fuel reports of hauntings while separating documented history from psychological, environmental, and cultural interpretations. They thank a growing international listener base, invite emails and cryptid suggestions, and provide battle context (Union victory, surprise Confederate attack, key leaders, and the strategic impact). They then cover four haunted Shiloh locations—Shiloh Church, Hornet’s Nest, Bloody Pond, and Peach Orchard—pairing historical details with modern reports like phantom gunfire, soldiers, cries, mists, and lights, alongside skeptical explanations such as acoustics, wildlife, expectations, heat distortion, and red algae. 00:00 Series Intro and Setup 01:20 Hill House Bang Evidence 02:44 Residual vs Intelligent Hauntings 04:27 Listener Shoutouts Worldwide 06:36 How to Contact the Show 07:16 Battle of Shiloh Overview 09:01 Shiloh Church History 13:57 Ghost Reports and Skeptic View 17:31 Next Stop Hornet’s Nest 17:39 Hornets Nest Stand 19:48 Ghost Sounds Explained 21:03 Bloody Pond Legend 23:51 Why The Water Turns Red 26:13 Peach Orchard Battlefield 28:46 Apparitions And Illusions 30:50 Trauma Mass Graves And Orbs 34:52 Closing Thoughts And Next Episode

Episode 44 - Civil War Ghosts - Battle of Bull Run

In this episode, Christy and Kathy continue with their “Civil War Ghosts” series, covering the history of the Battle of Bull Run/First Manassas (July 21, 1861) and the Second Battle of Bull Run (August 1862) They explain key leaders, such as Stonewall Jackson, and the Confederate victories, casualties, the role of railroads, and how the battle shattered expectations of a quick war. They then explore reported hauntings across Manassas National Battlefield Park, including Henry House Hill (Judith Henry’s death and soldier apparitions, battle sounds, and lights), Stone Bridge (footsteps, wagons, gunpowder smells, cold spots), Matthews Hill (musket fire, smoke, vibrations), Sudley Church (field hospital with cries and apparitions), and Chinn Ridge/Longstreet’s “Killing Ground” (walking wounded, phantom cavalry, lantern-like lights, and intense emotions), while weighing residual vs. intelligent hauntings and skeptical explanations. Be sure to follow our podcast for updates, rate us on your favorite platform, and share your thoughts at psychicandskeptic@gmail.com. Disclaimers: This podcast is for informational or entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. The content is general and accuracy is not guaranteed. Listeners are responsible for how they use the information. The hosts are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast content is protected by copyright and unauthorized use is prohibited. 0:00 Series Intro And Scope 01:42 Listener Shoutouts And Map 03:08 Bull Run Battle History 07:29 Why The Union Lost 08:52 Henry House Hill Tragedy 12:46 Henry House Hauntings 15:42 Skeptic Vs Believer Debate 20:06 Stone Bridge History 21:45 Stone Bridge Paranormal Claims 23:48 Cold Spots Energy Theory 28:02 Panic Feel And Empath Talk 28:43 Silence and Dread 29:20 Empaths and Atmosphere 30:33 Matthews Hill Battle 32:38 Residual Evidence Debate 35:24 Sudley Church Hospital 39:14 Lights Orbs and Skepticism 44:03 Chinn Ridge Killing Ground 51:59 Phantom Cavalry Reports 54:54 Why Bull Run Haunted 55:24 War Legacy and Wrap Up

Episode 43 - Civil War Ghosts - Ft Sumter

In this episode, Christy and Kathy launch a multi-part series on Civil War history and alleged hauntings, debating whether “vibes” at historic sites reflect paranormal activity or emotional responses to tragedy. They discuss personal connections to Gettysburg, Oklahoma’s Fort Washita (now owned by the Chickasaw Nation), and a visit to the Andersonville POW camp in Georgia, describing its harsh conditions and solemn atmosphere. They outline key Civil War causes beyond slavery, including territorial expansion, states’ rights, and economic differences, then cover the timeline (1861–1865) and more than 600,000 deaths. Focusing on Fort Sumter as the war’s official start (April 12, 1861), they recount the 100-gun salute accident that killed Private Daniel Hough and review reported ghost claims, while emphasizing how anecdotes, suggestion, and modern paranormal tourism complicate evidence. Be sure to follow our podcast for updates, rate us on your favorite platform, and share your thoughts at psychicandskeptic@gmail.com. Disclaimers: This podcast is for informational or entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional or medical advice. The content is general and accuracy is not guaranteed. Listeners are responsible for how they use the information. The hosts are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast content is protected by copyright and unauthorized use is prohibited. 00:00 Civil War Kickoff 00:39 Personal Connections 01:13 Oklahoma Fort Stories 03:09 Paranormal Vibes Setup 05:49 Gettysburg Souvenirs 07:39 Why History Matters 08:26 Civil War Causes 11:19 Fort Sumter Begins 13:41 First Fatalities Explained 15:14 Andersonville POW Camp 16:52 Respectful Site Reflections 17:52 Andersonville Conditions 18:37 First Ghost Sighting 19:52 Haunting Claims Explained 21:00 Skeptic Health Concerns 21:34 Face on the Flag 23:58 Shadow Figures Reports 24:26 Debunking Smells Photos 27:08 Paranormal Craze Context 29:50 Why Fort Sumter Matters 30:46 Next Episodes Tease 32:22 Follow for Evidence 33:32 Series Wrap Up

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