Episode 16 - Spiritualism

Send us Fan MailDuring the 18th and 19th centuries, the Western world became obsessed with a single idea: that the living could communicate directly with the dead. In this episode, we explore the rise of Spiritualism, the séance boom, and the scientific figures who tried to test the limits of consciousness. From the Fox Sisters in upstate New York to the controlled experiments of Sir William Crookes and the philosophical systems of the Golden Dawn and Theosophical Society, this documentary-style deep dive traces how belief, technology, and curiosity collided in an era convinced it stood on the edge of discovering the unseen.We examine the birth of mediumship, the mechanics of séance rooms, the rise of occult orders, and the intersection between science and spirit that shaped the modern paranormal landscape. Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or simply fascinated by the history of the unexplained, this episode offers a grounded look at the moment when the Victorian world tried to investigate the afterlife with the same seriousness it gave to electricity, telegraphs, and astronomy.Support the show