The rise of the Ouija board in North America involves corporate intrigue, family betrayal, a lot of litigation, and very little spiritualism. Today’s episode covers how “talking boards” went from divination tool to big business.
Mar 4
Théophile Steinlen Beyond 'Le Chat Noir'
“Le Chat Noir” is one of the most famous pieces of late 19th century European art, but the artist behind it was also very active in France's anarchist and socialist political groups of the time. Research: Asimakis, Magdalyn. “War, Socialism, and Cats: Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen ... Show More
38m 27s
Mar 2
Hercules Posey & the President’s House
The President's House was the first home of the U.S. president in the temporary capital of Phildelphia. While George Washington lived there, he had nine enslaved people that we know of., including the cook, Hercules. Research: “George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 April 1791,” Fo ... Show More
45m 15s
Apr 2023
If you're here, give us a sign: Stories with Ouija Boards
How do you feel about Ouija boards? I personally believe they are not intrinsically evil and can actually be incredibly fun. However, just because Ouija boards can be fun, doesn’t mean they can't also make unexplainable things happen. So in this episode, I’ll be sharing a variety ... Show More
36m 24s
Dec 2023
The Exorcist with Marlena Williams
<p>The Exorcist turns 50 this week, so we invited Marlena Williams, author of Night Mother: A Personal and Cultural History of the Exorcist, to come tell us about the little possession movie that changed America forever. Was the set cursed by Satan himself, or plain old 70s misog ... Show More
1h 11m
May 2023
327: Ouija Board Terror, Doctor’s Office Doppelganger & Shadow Man Visitations
On February 10th, 1891, The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the patent number 446,054 to Elijah Bond, and his partner Jishnu Thyagarajan. Now, over one hundred and thirty years later, their innocent, yet ominous invention can still be found in stores around the world. An ... Show More
30m 28s