168: Paranormal Experiences , Near Death Research, and Why You’re Not Alone | Rev. Karen Herrick

What if life after death isn’t a belief system, but a research-backed reality?In this expansive episode of Mystical Sisterhood®, Maureen Spielman sits down with Rev. Karen Herrick, PhD, LCSW, psychotherapist and researcher at the intersection of grief, addiction, spirituality, and paranormal experience.After 30+ years of clinical practice and doctoral research in spiritual psychology, Rev. Herrick shares what she has learned about near death experiences, synchronicity, pretergression, mediumship, the spiritual body, and why we are never alone.From a spontaneous rebirth experience during breathwork to working with trauma survivors who reported paranormal protection, Rev. Herrick explains how spirituality and psychotherapy are not opposites, but partners.If you’ve ever wondered what happens when we die, how the soul functions, whether spiritual experiences are “real,” or how synchronicity guides our lives, this episode will expand your lens.What you’ll learn in this episode:How a spontaneous rebirth experience awakened Rev. Herrick’s spiritual expansionWhy trauma survivors may access altered states more easilyThe concept of having both a physical body and a spiritual bodyWhat near death research reveals about tunnels, light, and transitionHow the vagus nerve may relate to the “tunnel” experienceWhat pretergression means and how symbolic experiences guide healingWhy synchronicity is not coincidenceThe “Boggle Threshold” and why some minds resist spiritual ideasHow paranormal experiences show up in psychotherapyWhy grief healing changes when we understand transition instead of lossHow children naturally ask the deepest spiritual questionsWhy showing up is half of lifeWe talk about:00:00 A spirituality group that lasted 2.5 years instead of two weeks02:00 The rebirth breathwork experience that changed everything06:00 Altered states of consciousness and spiritual awakening08:00 Trauma, dissociation, and spiritual access12:00 Working with clients who report leaving their body14:00 The spiritual body vs physical body17:00 A paranormal protection story in therapy22:00 APA research acknowledging life after death24:00 What is predigression and symbolic spiritual healing29:00 Explaining the soul to a child38:00 The vagus nerve and the tunnel of transition41:00 The Boggle Threshold and why some reject spiritual phenomena42:00 Fear, showing up, and walking through expansion43:00 Transition vs death and supporting grief with spiritual understandingResources mentioned in this episode:Mystical Sisterhood® Rising: https://www.maureenspielman.com/mysticalsisterhoodrisingMystical Sisterhood® Resource Guide: https://www.maureenspielman.com/freebiesOne-on-One Coaching: Schedule a Discovery Call HereAbout the Host: Maureen Spielman is the Founder of Mystical Sisterhood®, a podcast dedicated to bringing more joy, healing and expansion of consciousness to the world. She is a Conscious Life Coach who supports women through one-on-one coaching, tailored groups, and workshops.Connect with Rev. KarenFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/revkarenherrickLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/revkareneherrickphd/Email: [email protected]: https://www.karenherrick.com/Connect with Maureen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maureenspielman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mysticalsisterhoodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?listWebsite: https://www.maureenspielman.comEmail Maureen at [email protected] to inquire about coaching, podcasting & speaking engagementsThanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Disclaimer: This information in this podcast is to be used for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose and treat any healthy problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific situation. For my full disclaimer, visit https://www.maureenspielman.comSubscribe to the PodcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews help our podcast rank higher, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.#LifeAfterDeath #NearDeathExperience #SpiritualPsychology #TheSoul #Synchronicity #VagusNerve #GriefHealing #ParanormalResearch #SpiritualBody #MysticalSisterhood #KarenHerrick #ConsciousTransition