On this episode of “Dark Matter,” Art Bell begins the show by introducing the night’s guest, Loyd Auerbach, an expert in parapsychology and the paranormal. However, before delving into the interview, Art touches on several topics, starting with his personal setup for the show. He proudly explains how he controls the music and announcements, noting that he uses his own board to manage everything, while his assistant Evan manages the phones and handles the technical aspects behind the scenes.
Art also discusses how international listeners can now participate in the show using Skype, providing his Skype ID for listeners outside the U.S. and Canada to test this new system. Additionally, Art mentions the ongoing ghost picture contest, encouraging listeners to submit their own ghost photographs, with a chance to win a SiriusXM radio and a year’s subscription.
He humorously shares his thoughts on the U.S. government shutdown, mentioning how it affects everyday life, and even brings up a personal anecdote about contacting his banker in the Philippines.
As Art continues the show, he addresses the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the U.S. government’s financial situation, sharing his thoughts on the possible repercussions of the debt ceiling crisis. He speculates that the wealthy would also suffer significant losses if things were to spiral out of control. During the broadcast, Art takes a test Skype call from a listener in Melbourne, Australia, confirming that his new international call system works. The two briefly chat, and Art is pleased with how well the call quality holds up. He enjoys experimenting with the technical aspects of the show and is excited to now have a way for listeners from all over the world to participate.
Afterward, Art shifts to discussing a useful gadget: a Super USB Wi-Fi Antenna, which he promotes as an excellent solution for improving weak Wi-Fi signals, particularly for truckers. He goes into detail about its features and encourages listeners to buy it from C. Crane. As more calls flood in, Art briefly mentions his guest for the night, Loyd Auerbach, the Director of the Office of Paranormal Investigations. Auerbach has over 30 years of experience in the field of parapsychology, has authored eight books, and has appeared on numerous media outlets, including “The View,” “Oprah,” and “Larry King Live.”
As Art introduces his guest, Loyd Auerbach, they briefly discuss their previous interactions. Auerbach, who teaches parapsychology and has extensive experience in the field, begins explaining the Princeton consciousness experiment, specifically the use of random event generators (or “eggs”). These devices flip random sequences of ones and zeros at a rapid pace, and experiments aim to see if people can influence the randomness with their thoughts or intentions. While early research focused on conscious efforts to affect these devices, Auerbach points out that much of this influence may come from unconscious psychokinesis (mind over matter).
The “eggs” are set up around the world, and researchers have observed that they seem to respond to large-scale emotional events, such as major sports championships like the World Cup or Super Bowl. The experiment tracks whether random patterns change during these moments, and findings suggest that these global devices are influenced by collective emotions, often showing non-random patterns during such events. This experiment has been ongoing for a long time, even before significant events like 9/11.
Art and Loyd continue their discussion, diving deeper into the possible effects of human consciousness on random event generators. Loyd shares that there is significant data indicating non-random outcomes connected to emotional or significant events. Art recounts his own experiments from previous shows, where he asked millions of listeners to focus on making it rain in drought-stricken areas, and to his amazement, it worked. Rainfall started within 30 minutes in several instances, but the results eventually scared Art, prompting him to stop the experiments. He began to worry about the potential unintended consequences of meddling with such forces, like causing harm.
Loyd acknowledges that getting so many people to concentrate on a single goal, like bringing rain, is an extraordinary feat. He also highlights the risk of experiments like these, noting that when intentions aren’t carefully controlled, unexpected consequences may arise, such as continuous rainfall. Additionally, there is a psychological risk: people may overestimate their role in influencing these outcomes, which could lead to delusions of power.
Art recalls a particular moment that made him stop these experiments entirely—when a hurricane in the Atlantic was nearing the U.S., listeners suggested they try to turn it around. Art feared that they might unintentionally make things worse, like turning a Category 1 storm into a much stronger one. That was when he decided the potential dangers outweighed the curiosity and excitement of conducting such experiments.
Art and Loyd delve into the academic side of parapsychology, with Loyd explaining that while he is not a tenured professor, he teaches courses on the subject at various institutions. He discusses the fluctuating attendance in his parapsychology classes, largely due to the fact that it remains an elective subject with limited recognition in mainstream academia. He points out that major universities are hesitant to offer courses in parapsychology because of academic prejudice, despite the widespread interest and the millions of people who experience unexplained phenomena.
Loyd also talks about the Forever Family Foundation, of which he is the president. This organization was founded by a couple who had lost their daughter, and they were able to connect with her through a medium, which helped them greatly in their grieving process. Over time, the foundation has grown to support research into life after death, mediumship, and reincarnation. Loyd explains that mediums who are genuine often provide highly specific information, not just names and dates, but also personal details delivered in a way that mimics the mannerisms and speech patterns of the deceased person. This level of specificity convinced both the founders and Loyd himself that there is something genuine about the mediumship process.
Art expresses his skepticism, admitting that while he wants to believe, he has yet to find strong enough evidence to convince him. Loyd, however, emphasizes that it’s often the emotional delivery and specific gestures from mediums that truly resonate with those seeking to connect with lost loved ones.
Art and Loyd continue exploring the complexities of mediumship and psychic phenomena. Loyd points out that, while mediums may offer specific and accurate information, it’s difficult to distinguish whether they are communicating with the deceased or merely reading the minds of the living. This creates a conundrum for researchers: is the information coming from the spirit world or from the sitter’s mind? Regardless, Art finds the whole idea exciting, whether it proves ESP or life after death. Either way, he believes it points to a reality that we don’t fully understand, involving abilities beyond current comprehension.
Loyd shares his frustration that mainstream science refuses to engage with this data, often dismissing it outright. Art humorously compares this to the dysfunction of Congress. Loyd also talks about his involvement with various television shows over the years, sometimes as a consultant or participant in paranormal investigations. He recalls consulting for both reality and non-reality shows, including some iconic projects like the movie “Ghost,” where his first book was noted by Whoopi Goldberg as an influence for the screenwriter.
They touch on how certain cultures, particularly in Asia, have a much deeper interest and acceptance of paranormal phenomena compared to the more skeptical, materialist approach common in Western science. Loyd notes that in many parts of the world, these beliefs are ingrained in the culture, leading to a broader acceptance of the paranormal.
Art and Loyd discuss the credibility of psychics and mediums. Art shares his experiences, mentioning that while many psychics he’s encountered have been disappointing, two individuals, Daniel Brinkley and Evelyn Paglini, impressed him greatly with their accuracy. Loyd agrees that there are many psychics who either overstate their abilities or aren’t reliable, while the best psychics tend to be more grounded, humble, and aware of their limitations. He emphasizes that a key trait of good psychics is a sense of humor and not taking themselves too seriously.
Loyd estimates that around 20% of psychics have real abilities, while the remaining 80% either have mixed or no ability. He advises people to be cautious when consulting psychics and to assess the usefulness of the information provided. In his role, many of the psychics he interacts with have been vetted through certification processes, like those conducted by the Forever Family Foundation or the Windbridge Institute. These organizations put mediums through rigorous testing, including Skype readings evaluated by both sitters and independent judges.
Loyd recounts how one of his students, who revealed her psychic abilities after a course, went through such a certification process and did exceptionally well, eventually becoming one of Windbridge’s certified research mediums.
Art and Loyd continue discussing the techniques used by psychics, particularly “cold reading,” where psychics make educated guesses based on observations and subtle probing. Loyd explains that this is a common technique, and even intuitive people do it unconsciously. However, there’s a difference between intuitive insights and providing specific, verifiable facts like names, dates, and places, which should be checked to ensure the psychic didn’t obtain the information through research. In today’s world, with so much personal information on social media, it can be hard to know if a psychic is genuinely gifted or simply using what they’ve found online.
Loyd often tests psychics by taking them to haunted locations, where he knows things about the place that they wouldn’t be able to find out. He notes that many psychics want to prove themselves by investigating haunted sites. Art asks if Loyd believes in haunted locations where something non-human might be present, and Loyd responds that they distinguish between two types of phenomena in parapsychology. Some hauntings seem to be recordings of past events that play out repeatedly, while others involve interactive apparitions—spirits of deceased people who may try to communicate.
Loyd shares an example from Gettysburg, where people reported seeing a battle scene but recognized that they were witnessing a replay of past events rather than actual ghosts. He makes the distinction between this type of “place memory” haunting and more interactive experiences where a spirit might directly engage with the living.
Loyd elaborates on hauntings, explaining that they are often environmental imprints left by both living and deceased people. These imprints linger in places and can be sensed by those sensitive enough to pick them up. He notes that it’s not just deceased individuals who leave these impressions—living people can do so as well, and sensitive individuals can experience these recordings of past events. This phenomenon is believed to be tied to environmental factors, such as geomagnetic fields, though testing these theories has been hindered by a lack of funding for parapsychological research.
Art asks about psychics encountering such imprints, and Loyd explains that some psychics may be highly sensitive to these energies, while others may not pick up on them at all. He compares psychic abilities to athletic or creative talents—some psychics excel in specific areas, like remote viewing, but may not be able to perceive apparitions or hauntings.
They then dive into the topic of remote viewers, particularly those involved in government programs like the CIA’s Stargate Project. Loyd clarifies that while the CIA briefly handled the program, it was originally a Defense Department initiative, and the CIA ultimately decided to shut it down without fully reviewing its past files. He also reveals that Russia conducted extensive psychic research, even deploying remote viewers in tanks during the Chechnya War to help with defense and offense on the battlefield. This surprising revelation intrigues Art, as it’s an application of psychic abilities in real-time warfare, a fact largely unknown to the public.
Art and Loyd shift their conversation toward the topic of psychotronic generators and psychic weaponry, particularly in the context of Russian research. Loyd explains that psychotronic generators were rumored in the 1970s to be devices that could harness psychic energy as a power source. These were supposed to be able to amplify or generate energy from someone’s mind for use in weaponry or other purposes. However, according to some Russian scientists involved in the projects, none of the generators worked, though people continued to try and develop them.
Art presses for a clearer understanding of psychic weaponry, which Loyd explains was intended to weaponize psychic abilities, such as stopping a living organism’s heart. While there are myths, like the one surrounding the ability to stop a frog’s heart psychically, Loyd notes that there was only one documented case where this allegedly happened. He compares it to the “men who stare at goats” concept, but clarifies that the more plausible method was through physical touch, as taught by martial artists, including a technique known as “dim mak” or the “delayed death touch.”
Loyd shares a story of a martial artist demonstrating this technique, resulting in fatal internal damage to a goat, and showing its effects on a watermelon by turning it to mush with just a touch. When Art asks if these abilities could be real, Loyd suggests that most people may have an unconscious “psychic shield,” protecting them from such attacks. However, animals like frogs or goats likely wouldn’t have such a defense.
Fascinated, Art contemplates the possibility of further training psychic abilities to enhance skills like stopping a heart, leading into more questions about the nature and potential of these abilities.
Loyd discusses psychokinesis (PK) and how it differs from the ability to train or improve, as seen in physical skills. He explains that PK is often an unconscious reaction, and while psychic healing works, it requires the recipient to want to get better. Art then brings up studies showing that prayer and intention can improve health outcomes, even when the subjects are unaware they are being prayed for. Loyd confirms that these studies are well-conducted and highlights experiments with animals and plants, where healers have sped up recovery or improved health through intention.
They also discuss how intention plays a significant role, even when people talk to their plants, as the positive energy and focus might have beneficial effects.
Switching gears, Art mentions that Loyd recently criticized paranormal reality TV on his website. Loyd shares that while such shows have helped increase interest in the paranormal, they have also misrepresented the field. Having grown up around the television industry and with a family involved in TV production, Loyd explains how these shows are more focused on entertainment and ratings than accurately portraying paranormal investigations. This has led to a misinformed audience that often takes what they see on TV as reality, making it difficult to get serious attention for scientific parapsychological research.
Loyd continues discussing his frustrations with how paranormal reality TV shows are produced. He explains that most talent on these shows, such as the cast of Ghost Hunters, had no control over what was shown in the early years. Production teams often manipulate the sequence of events, sometimes even fabricating or altering what actually happened. Loyd mentions that participants are bound by non-disclosure agreements, preventing them from speaking out about any misrepresentation, and even reveals that some contracts explicitly state that participants could be intentionally defamed without legal recourse.
He expresses frustration that while many people sign such contracts just to be on TV, he would never do so. Loyd has been involved in developing a few paranormal show concepts, but when they reach the network level, they often get rejected in favor of ideas that are more formulaic and similar to existing shows, which networks know will generate short-term ratings.
They shift into discussing the growing public interest in the paranormal, with Loyd noting that it partly stems from people’s disillusionment with traditional religions. As more people move away from organized religion, they turn to spirituality and the paranormal as a way to connect with the universe and the human spirit. While traditional religious participation is declining, Loyd observes that people remain spiritual, seeking alternative ways to explore these ideas.
Art reflects on how sad it is that many people are turning away from the image of God presented by traditional institutions, and wonders if organized religion can reverse this trend by being more open to questions and exploration.
Art returns to the topic of psychic weaponry, asking if Loyd has ever seen someone affect a physical object using psychokinesis (PK). Loyd shares that he has, recounting his experience with Martin Caidin, the science fiction writer who created The Six Million Dollar Man. Caidin claimed to be able to move small objects, and under controlled conditions, he demonstrated this ability. Caidin could make small targets, such as paper or metal objects balanced on spindles, spin behind glass, sometimes on demand.
Loyd explains that witnessing such feats gives him a sense of excitement rather than fear, comparing it to his childhood fascination with comic books, science fiction, and television shows like The Twilight Zone and One Step Beyond. For him, it felt natural that people could possess such abilities, and his interest in parapsychology grew from there. He also mentions experiencing poltergeist and ghost cases where objects moved without an apparent physical force.
Art contemplates whether the ability to move objects through PK could be extended to stopping a frog’s heart, as previously discussed. Loyd acknowledges that while it’s possible, most living organisms, including humans, have a psychic self-defense mechanism that helps prevent such attacks. He compares this to curses, which only take effect if the person believes in them. Doubt or fear can psychologically weaken a person, allowing a curse—or negative psychic influence—to have an effect, much like in the case of voodoo practices.
Loyd also touches on the idea of karma, noting that in some belief systems, sending out negative energy can come back to harm the sender. However, he humorously adds that this doesn’t seem to apply in the real world to people like corporate leaders or bankers.
When Art asks about how these experiences have shaped his worldview, Loyd reveals that, while he identifies as Jewish culturally, he doesn’t participate in organized religion. Instead, he half-jokingly describes himself as a Jedi, not subscribing to the idea of a higher power pulling all the strings.
Loyd delves into his beliefs, explaining that while he doesn’t call it “God,” he believes there is a force or interconnected field that links everything in the universe, akin to the concept of a “grand unified field” in physics or the “Force” in Star Wars. This sense of interconnectedness ties into quantum entanglement, a phenomenon that fascinates both Loyd and Art. Though difficult to fully comprehend, entanglement suggests that particles can influence each other instantaneously across vast distances, which challenges our current understanding of space and communication. Loyd speculates that entanglement could be related to ESP (extrasensory perception), as both phenomena seem to transcend distance and time.
Art asks about psychokinesis (PK) and ghost phenomena, specifically how spirits seem to move objects, such as books falling off shelves or lights flickering. Loyd responds that he’s witnessed such occurrences, although they are rare. He describes a “learning curve” for ghosts, noting that the deceased don’t automatically become smarter after death, and they must figure out how to manipulate objects with their mind, much like the portrayal of Patrick Swayze’s character in Ghost.
Loyd recounts an experience at the Banta Inn in California, where a ghost named the bartender would physically interact with objects. During an interview for the TV show Hard Copy, an ashtray behind the director unexpectedly popped into the air and flipped over, landing with a smack on the bar, much to everyone’s surprise—except the cameraman and director, who missed the event.
Loyd continues discussing his experiences with paranormal activity, recounting how the ghost at the Banta Inn regularly moved objects like an ashtray, creating a thud that the TV crew even caught on audio. He shares other moments when objects were captured moving on camera, including a chandelier that stopped moving suddenly upon request from a psychic. Loyd also mentions footage of Nina Kulagina, a well-known psychic in Russia who supposedly moved objects using psychokinesis, despite allegations of fraud. He explains that Kulagina was believed to exude histamine from her hands, which, combined with electrostatic fields, allowed her to move non-metallic objects. While her use of a magnet at one point damaged her credibility, Loyd still finds her case intriguing.
Loyd shifts the conversation to his other passion—chocolate. He shares how his journey into the world of chocolate began in Northern California when he discovered artisan chocolates from Scharffen Berger in the late 90s. This led him to explore the history, properties, and makers of fine chocolate, eventually inspiring him to write a book about going from a chocoholic to a chocolate gourmet. After receiving advice from a respected chocolatier, Joseph Schmidt, Loyd became a professional chocolatier himself, learning the craft and making chocolate in a commercial kitchen.
Art and Loyd discuss how chocolate, especially dark chocolate, has numerous health benefits and mood-enhancing qualities, particularly due to theobromine and phenylethylamine (PEA), a compound that simulates the feeling of being in love. Loyd also describes a fascinating study by Dean Radin, in which different samples of chocolate were imbued with intention. Buddhist monks, a Mongolian shaman, and even an intention circuit were used to implant positive intentions into the chocolate. The results of the double-blind study showed that chocolate infused with intention significantly boosted mood and energy levels compared to the control group.
Art humorously notes that just talking about chocolate is enough to make him crave it, especially dark chocolate.
Art and Loyd share a light-hearted moment as they discuss whether cravings for things like chocolate might follow us to the afterlife. Loyd hopes that food, or at least the mental experience of it, will remain in some form after death. Art humorously mentions his love for radio and wonders if it, too, will exist in the afterlife.
Shifting to more serious topics, Art asks Loyd about his sense of what the afterlife might be like. Loyd, who has worked with many psychics, shares that most communications from the other side suggest a pleasant, familiar world similar to ours, without aging or illness. He also mentions the idea of a world where people confront their past actions but aren’t punished—much like the premise of the movie Defending Your Life. Loyd admits, however, that the true nature of the afterlife may be beyond human understanding, especially since we won’t have physical bodies there.
Art then raises a philosophical question: if someone has loved many people throughout their life, who would they be with on the other side? Loyd suggests that perhaps people end up with the one they had the strongest connection with, while others form their own connections. He also touches on reincarnation, noting that in some cultures, such as Thailand, reincarnation is widely accepted, and there’s ongoing research supporting it. Loyd adds that early versions of the New Testament included references to reincarnation, which were later removed.
Loyd and Art delve into the topic of reincarnation, with Loyd acknowledging the research done by figures such as Ian Stevenson and Jim Tucker at the University of Virginia, as well as Erlandur Haraldsson in Iceland, who have studied children who recall past lives in detail. These children often describe people and events from past lives in such a way that there is no plausible explanation for how they could have known the information. Many of these cases occur in places with limited access to media and technology, making them even more remarkable.
Art shares his experience of speaking with doctors who, through hypnosis for medical or therapeutic purposes, inadvertently regressed people into past lives. Loyd explains that while hypnotic regression sometimes reveals compelling details, much of it is not reliable, as the mind can unconsciously create a past life story based on accumulated memories, a phenomenon known as cryptomnesia. To distinguish genuine past-life memories from fabricated ones, some hypnotherapists ask highly specific questions about daily life in historical settings—details that most people wouldn’t know.
Loyd expresses belief in the reality of reincarnation, though he admits not knowing exactly what it means. He speculates that it could involve some form of spirit or soul rebirth or the transmission of intense memories. He rules out genetic explanations because these cases often occur in families with no direct connection. Interestingly, research has found that most reincarnations happen within 15 months of the previous person’s death, which raises further questions about the mechanism behind the phenomenon.
Art mentions that some cultures believe in an “in-between” period where souls choose their next parents, an idea Loyd finds fascinating. He mentions his own research on reincarnation in the 1990s and discusses different cultural beliefs about the process of rebirth.
Loyd and Art continue discussing reincarnation and various cultural beliefs surrounding it. Loyd explains that some groups believe reincarnation happens only within families, while others believe it occurs outside of familial lines. Art touches on the concept that reincarnation involves a process of improvement with each life, but he questions how one can correct their past mistakes without conscious memories of previous lives. Loyd agrees, noting that the unconscious mind may guide individuals, and accessing it through methods like hypnotic regression suggests it knows things that the conscious mind does not.
The conversation then shifts to a breaking news report: a significant earthquake (between 7.1 and 7.5 magnitude) has struck the southern Philippines, where Art’s wife’s family is located. Loyd expresses sympathy, and Art asks if psychics can predict such natural disasters. Loyd explains that while some psychics can sense large events, they rarely have the precision necessary to make accurate predictions about when and where these events will happen. He likens this unpredictability to Yoda’s line in Star Wars: “The future is always in motion.”
Art asks Loyd if he’s ever consulted a psychic for personal reasons, and Loyd admits he has. He explains that while he listens to psychics for clarity and additional information, he ultimately makes his own decisions. He also shares that he has visited mediums to communicate with deceased family members, and these experiences have been both valid and helpful. Loyd recounts a particularly meaningful moment after his father’s death, where a television in the hospital waiting room turned on and changed to a sports channel—something his father, a sports producer, might have done as a sign of his presence.
Loyd recounts another personal experience with the presence of a departed loved one. After his friend Martin Caidin passed away from cancer, Loyd had expected to sense something in the days following his death, but nothing happened right away. However, about a week later, while driving to the Oakland airport, Loyd’s car suddenly filled with the distinct smell of Martin’s cigar smoke, and he felt a presence in the passenger seat. He had a one-sided conversation, saying his goodbyes, and the experience left him feeling at peace. Later that day, Loyd called another friend of Martin’s, who reported having the exact same experience of smelling cigar smoke at nearly the same time. A third person, another of Martin’s pilot friends, also had a similar experience, as did others over the following weeks.
Art, although a self-professed skeptic, admits to having had his own “conversations” with those who have passed on, often while alone in his car. He finds them comforting, even if others might dismiss them as a coping mechanism for grief. Loyd agrees, emphasizing that whether the experience is purely psychological or something more, it serves a positive purpose for those who experience it.
As the conversation shifts, Loyd touches on his role as an educator in the paranormal field, expressing a desire to help people learn about the reality of these phenomena. He encourages people interested in the paranormal to seek out educational resources, such as those offered by organizations like the Forever Family Foundation, which blends science and psychic exploration in its annual conferences.
Loyd discusses the importance of organizations that support parapsychology and grief therapy, such as the Ryan Research Center and Windbridge, both of which he is involved with. These organizations conduct research, offer classes, and provide resources, including lists of certified mediums. Loyd mentions that there is a wealth of information available through these institutions, such as video lectures and workshops with prominent figures in the field. He highlights how mediums have been shown to have a positive impact on the grieving process, particularly in helping individuals say goodbye to their loved ones, which can be therapeutic even if one views it skeptically.
Art raises a practical question about how someone can find a legitimate medium after losing a loved one. Loyd explains that both the Forever Family Foundation and the Windbridge Institute offer vetted lists of mediums who can work remotely via phone or Skype. Interestingly, research has found that some mediums perform better when they are farther away from the person they are reading for. Loyd also mentions a particularly talented medium, Sandra O’Hara from Ireland, who works via Skype and is highly compassionate and effective, despite not being officially certified.
Loyd emphasizes that many certified mediums are down-to-earth, normal people, contrary to the exaggerated personalities often depicted on TV. He notes that even famous mediums like Teresa Caputo, the “Long Island Medium,” are certified by reputable organizations and possess genuine abilities.
Loyd addresses a question from a listener about why people who don’t want to heal cannot be helped by methods like psychokinesis or any other healing practice. He explains that it relates to the mind-body connection, noting that people have significant control over their own health and well-being, often more than a healer could provide. He points out that psychosomatic illnesses—real physical conditions caused by stress—are examples of how the mind affects the body. Loyd also emphasizes the power of positive thinking and intention in preventive health care, sharing that visualizations, such as imagining healing light flowing through one’s body, can have beneficial effects.
Art comments on the idea of healing with the mind, and Loyd adds that laughter, often said to be the best medicine, is indeed shown to have positive health effects. The conversation shifts to the challenge of thinking oneself healthy versus sick, with Loyd acknowledging that stress and environmental factors make it easier to get sick than to stay healthy.
They briefly discuss Nina Kulagina’s psychokinesis, referencing videos now available on Art’s website, and how seeing such phenomena would be life-changing, much like witnessing a UFO. Loyd notes that some people experience cognitive dissonance when confronted with such extraordinary events, choosing to reject what they’ve seen because it conflicts with their worldview.
Art then asks why the U.S. lags behind other countries, such as Russia and China, in researching fields like parapsychology. Loyd attributes this to cultural and philosophical differences, explaining that other countries have more open approaches rooted in their histories and belief systems, while Western science remains heavily influenced by Victorian-era thinking.
A listener asks Loyd if, when someone dies after suffering from Alzheimer’s, they regain their mind in the afterlife. Loyd shares that he believes they do, explaining that many people report “deathbed apparitions,” where individuals, even those with severe cognitive decline, suddenly gain clarity shortly before passing. They may engage in lucid conversations or claim to see loved ones coming to take them away. Loyd likens this phenomenon to a faulty TV set: the body is the set, but the consciousness is the signal. Even if the set malfunctions, the signal remains intact.
Another listener asks about EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena), which have been a recurring and eerie subject on Art’s shows. Loyd explains that EVPs are a genuine phenomenon, but whether they constitute spirit communication is still up for debate. Interestingly, some individuals seem more likely to capture EVPs than others, suggesting a possible connection between the person and the recording, something Loyd refers to as a “technomedium.” He explains that this person might act as an unconscious intermediary between the spirit world and the technology. Some EVPs might not involve spirits at all but instead capture residual “place memories,” such as sounds of horses, gunshots, or crowd noise—echoes of past events.
The show takes a call from a listener who shares their experiences of feeling guided by their deceased wife after her passing, particularly in finding items like a book or insurance papers. He asks Loyd how he can further develop his psychic abilities, especially given his history of having some psychic tendencies.
The listener shares an experience of receiving what felt like direct guidance from his late wife, helping him find specific items like a book and insurance papers. Loyd explains that the emotional connection he had with his wife made him more open to such communication, and that being receptive can open someone up to other psychic experiences. He shares advice from a psychic colleague, Alex Tanous, who said that the first step in becoming psychic is recognizing that you already are. Loyd encourages people to pay attention to moments of insight or intuition and track them, as this awareness helps develop psychic abilities further.
Art then takes a call from Allie in California, who shares that she has always felt out of place in this era, feeling as though she belongs in a different time. From a young age, she talked about past experiences, including riding a motorcycle across the U.S. as an adult, which she wouldn’t have known as a child. Allie expresses interest in hypnosis to explore potential past lives. Loyd supports the idea, noting that hypnosis can be therapeutic, and offers to connect her with a reputable therapist through his website or email. He recommends she contact him at his email address or through his website mindreader.com for more guidance.
The next caller, Hal from Maryland, greets Art warmly with a “many Roswells” and reflects on listening to Art during the Y2K millennium crisis, setting up for further discussion.
The caller shares an experience in which he felt guided by his late father to fix his truck after it broke down, even though he hadn’t paid much attention to his father’s instructions when he was younger. He believes that his father helped him remember what to do in that moment, which allowed him to get the truck working again. Loyd acknowledges that this kind of posthumous guidance from loved ones is a common experience, especially when there’s a strong emotional connection.
Earlier in the conversation, another listener discussed past-life regression and the idea that we are born with knowledge from past lives, but forget it as we grow older. Loyd agrees that this is a possibility and notes that many children who recall past lives tend to forget those memories by the age of six as their current personality fully develops. Art adds that this process is similar to how dreams quickly fade from memory if not written down or discussed shortly after waking.
Loyd also comments on the process of past-life regression therapy, explaining that it can be therapeutic, though not everyone who undergoes it will uncover actual past-life memories. He emphasizes the importance of verifying details through research to determine the accuracy of these memories.
Loyd discusses the common experience of people feeling guided or receiving communication from deceased loved ones, similar to the truck driver’s story of his father helping him fix the truck after he passed away. Loyd shares that many people have these experiences but are often hesitant to talk about them for fear of ridicule. He suggests that if people were more open about such experiences, we’d find that a significant percentage of the population has had some form of psychic or extrasensory experience. Surveys show that belief in life after death and psychic phenomena is quite common, with around 32-38% of people reporting such experiences.
A caller brings up Matthew Alper’s book The God Part of the Brain, which posits that humans have an innate need to believe in God and the afterlife due to our fear of mortality. While Loyd acknowledges this perspective, he points out that it doesn’t necessarily negate the possibility of an actual afterlife.
Another caller from Connecticut raises an interesting question about the terminology used in the field of parapsychology, suggesting that phrases like “paranormal” or “supernatural” may be counterproductive. Loyd agrees, stating that these terms suggest that psychic phenomena are abnormal, when in reality they might be part of our natural world. The challenge, however, is finding a new term for the field that doesn’t require constant explanation.
The caller then asks if there has ever been an effort to create a university department dedicated to parapsychology. Loyd humorously explains that while such an initiative would require substantial funding, universities might be more inclined to support it if a portion of the money went to the athletic department, as sports programs are often vital to a school’s survival.
The discussion continues with a listener asking whether there’s any evidence of psychic connections with non-human beings, such as animals or extraterrestrials. Loyd confirms that there have been documented encounters with animals, such as reports of ghost pets, and cases where pets have seemingly used some form of psychic ability to track their owners across vast distances. He remains more skeptical about communication with extraterrestrials, noting that there’s no solid way to prove or disprove such claims.
Regarding evil entities, Loyd explains that he doesn’t believe in pure evil but acknowledges that people can do evil things. He references Simon Baron-Cohen’s book The Science of Evil, which frames evil as a lack of empathy rather than an external force. He mentions cases of spirits that were unpleasant in life and continue to exhibit such behavior after death, but their impact is often more psychological than physical.
The next caller, Teresa from Pennsylvania, shares a profound personal experience. When Teresa was 11, her mother, who had passed away, appeared to her in a vivid vision, sitting on the side of her bed. Her mother spoke to her, apologizing for leaving and encouraging Teresa to believe in herself, as she was the strong one in the family. During the encounter, Teresa had an out-of-body experience, where she saw herself get up from her bed and stand in the corner of the room. As her mother left, Teresa felt a sharp pain in her belly button and was told not to follow. Years later, she learned from someone at the Edgar Cayce Institute that her experience resembled the “silver cord” dream, which relates to out-of-body experiences.
Loyd discusses the idea of out-of-body experiences and the “silver cord,” explaining that not everyone reports seeing a silver cord during these experiences. He reassures the previous caller that the presence or absence of this cord doesn’t mean someone is in danger during an out-of-body experience. He also touches on the belief in transmigration, where a soul could reincarnate as an animal, a common belief in some cultures, though it’s not something that can be easily researched or verified.
The conversation shifts to a caller named Robin, who shares her paranormal experiences while working as a performer at the now-closed Star Trek: The Experience attraction in Las Vegas. She describes the odd occurrences she and her colleagues witnessed, such as malfunctioning transit doors and ghost sightings. Robin also recounts an experience where she smelled and saw the outline of a dog, which turned out to resemble her co-worker’s deceased pet.
Loyd responds by discussing how electromagnetic fields, such as those present in the attraction, could potentially cause hallucinations or even enhance psychic abilities. He references the work of Michael Persinger, who studied how electromagnetic fields might make people more prone to paranormal experiences or visions, including “ghostly visitors” or imprints of past events.
The caller from Japan asks Loyd about ghosts that seem to replay specific actions at specific locations without interacting with people, wondering if they might be some kind of “quantum echo.” Loyd explains that these are referred to as “place memories,” where the environment somehow records an event, and people can pick up on these recordings through various sensory experiences. Such events tend to be highly emotionally charged or repetitive, but they are essentially non-interactive, like watching a recording of the past.
Art then revisits the topic of out-of-body experiences (OBEs). Loyd describes his involvement in OBE research at the American Society for Psychical Research (ASPR) in the early 1980s. He explains that during an OBE, it’s as though part of a person’s consciousness leaves the body, but not the entire self. This “space probe” part can travel to other locations while the individual remains physically alive. People who have experienced OBEs often describe being in two places at once, observing events remotely while remaining aware of their physical body.
The conversation also touches on lucid dreaming, where a person becomes aware they are dreaming and can control their dreams. Loyd notes that lucid dreaming was first discussed in psychical research in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t popularized in mainstream science until much later, when it was reintroduced by researchers like Stephen LaBerge.
The next caller, Bob, shares a story about receiving a vivid image of a soldier in glasses when he met a young waitress. He later discovered that the image was of the waitress’s father, who had passed away and used to call her younger sister by a pet name. Bob’s ability to connect this image to the deceased father was surprising, as he had never had such an experience before.
Loyd continues the discussion, addressing a caller who experiences phenomena such as lights turning on and off or locks shifting in his house before an announcement of a family member’s death. Loyd suggests that these occurrences could be caused by the caller’s own unconscious mind, possibly becoming aware of the impending death and manifesting these signs as a way of alerting his conscious self.
Another question from a listener inquires about induced metaphysical experiences using electromagnetic fields, particularly in relation to transcranial stimulation. Loyd explains that this research, largely based on the work of Michael Persinger, involves using a magnetic field similar to the Earth’s magnetic field to induce experiences such as religious ecstasy, out-of-body experiences, and even feelings of abduction. The research is controversial, as some attempts to replicate it have been unsuccessful, but the phenomenon remains of interest due to its potential connection to psychic experiences.
A caller named Scott shares a remarkable psychometric experience, where he held an object and picked up impressions from it. He described scenes and objects from his wife’s grandmother’s home in southwest Missouri, including a piano and a ceramic bucket associated with sadness. It turned out that the piano had been tied to a tragic family event where one of his mother-in-law’s younger brothers had eaten rat poison stored in the bucket. His wife was astounded by the accuracy of his descriptions, which led her to ask how he was able to do it. Loyd explains that psychometry, the ability to read impressions from objects, is one of the easiest psychic skills to learn. It involves tapping into the field of information around an object, similar to how place memory works in hauntings.
One caller from Michigan asks Loyd about his experience with the double-slit experiment and structured water. Loyd explains that while he hasn’t personally worked on the double-slit experiment, researcher Dean Radin has been conducting studies on how consciousness affects quantum phenomena in such experiments. Regarding structured water, Loyd mentions that he has worked on related experiments, including one involving the molecular structure of chocolate influenced by intention.
Another caller, Mike from California, shares his experience of not grieving the loss of his parents and how it eventually manifested as psychological and physical distress. He describes how suppressing grief led to symptoms like feeling smothered at night, until a therapist explained that unresolved grief would eventually surface, much like potatoes boiling over in a pot. Loyd and Art both agree that unprocessed grief can have serious consequences, and it’s crucial to address it sooner rather than later.
The final call comes from Marion in Nevada, who recounts an eerie childhood experience of seeing a figure at the foot of her bed, outlined like fiber optics but dark and transparent, with what appeared to be horns on its head. Unfortunately, time runs out before they can delve deeper into her story, and Art wraps up the show, thanking Loyd for joining him.