Common Mystics
True Crime & Paranormal
About
Ride shotgun with psychic sisters Jennifer James and Jill Stanley as they road trip to uncover extraordinary stories (we’re talking ghosts, murder, mayhem) in ordinary places (shout out to middle America!). Giving voice to the voiceless, these sisters use their intuitive powers, incredible research skills and wicked humor to “tune in” and bring untold history to life. So, hop in, buckle up and get ready for a smart, silly, spooky good time.
Episodes
- Classic Common Mystics- Mystics in the Making: Our Mother Stella
Please enjoy this repost of a fan favorite! On this classic episode of Common Mystics, Jennifer and Jill discuss their late mother Stella, who modeled for her daughters a discerning, yet eclectic approach to religion, spirituality, and the…
- 150: A Fortune, A Murder, and a Forgotten Voice out of Galena, IL
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill travel to a town that feels suspended in time on the Upper Mississippi: Galena, Illinois.* Beneath its brick streets and blufftop beauty lies a harder story. In the 1830s and 1840s, northern…
- 149: More Voices from the Road- Echoes on the Mississippi River: Riot Aboard the Steamboat Dubuque
On this episode of Common Mystics * , Jen and Jill travel back to the summer of 1869, where the mighty Mississippi River carried more than lumber and passengers; it carried tension, resentment, and a tragedy that would leave six men dead.…
- 148: Alone in the Farmhouse: A True Depression-Era Murder Mystery in Decorah, IA
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill journey into the breathtaking Driftless Region of the Midwest — a landscape untouched by glaciers and steeped in history. Their travels lead them to the quiet river town of Decorah, Iowa, whe…
- 147: More Voices from the Road- Treaties, War, and the Dakota Story
On this episode of Common Mystics , Jen and Jill explore the history of the Dakota people of the Upper Mississippi River Valley, specifically the Mdewakanton band and the leadership of Chief Wabasha III. They trace how early treaties and i…
- 146: Murder in the Red Light District of Winona, MN
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill travel back to the earliest days of settlement along the northern Mississippi River, exploring how river towns took shape in the 17th and 18th centuries. Built alongside booming industry and…
- 145: A Spirited Conversation with Deborah Graham, Psychic Matchmaker
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill have an absolute blast as they sit down with renowned psychic relationship expert and matchmaker Deborah Graham to dish on the unseen forces that pull hearts together, and the energetic speed…
- 144: Unfinished Business at the Grand Hotel in Stoughton, WI
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill investigate a ghost story from the town of Stoughton, WI… but what they uncover is far more unsettling than the legend itself. In November of 1925, Saxe Hoverson, a respected local official,…
- 143: More Voices from the Road- The Witch Trial of Susannah Martin
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill stumble into a surprising connection to the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. What begins as an investigation in Imlay City, Michigan quickly turns into something much bigger when the sist…
- 142: Young and Evil in Imlay City, MI
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill journey to Imlay City, a quiet Midwestern town just 50 miles north of Detroit, to explore a tragic story from 1947: the senseless murders of the Smith children.* This is not a story told for…
- 141: The Hidden Pagan Origins of the Virgin Mary
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill dive into the surprising blend of Christian doctrine and ancient pagan tradition behind one of the Catholic Church’s most beloved figures. Learn how older goddess archetypes—fertility mothers…
- 140: Meeting an American Icon in Fairmount, IN
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill find themselves in the unassuming Indiana hometown of a Hollywood legend. A near car accident becomes the first breadcrumb in a trail that leads directly to James Byron Dean—one of cinema’s m…
- 139: Terror in Eastern Tennessee
On this episode of Common Mystics , Jen and Jill dive into a series of brutal crimes that terrorized East Tennessee over a century ago.* It began in 1919, when two women, sleeping peacefully in the dead of night, were brutally attacked in…
- 138: Connecting with Our Celestial Families with Dr. Scott Guerin
On this episode of Common Mystics, we’re thrilled to hang out with our friend Dr. Scott Guerin for a mind-bending conversation about aliens—yep, our celestial family ! Scott is a psychologist, educator, and author who dives deep into human…
- 137: Jen and Jill's Hunt for Ghosts for Halloween 2025
On this spine-tingling episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill take you on three unforgettable ghost hunts that will leave you questioning what’s lurking beyond the veil. First stop: the infamous Demon House in Hartford City, Indiana, wher…
- 136: Death of a Swindler in Sweetwater, TN
On this episode of Common Mystics, the murder of a prominent community leader opens the door to chilling revelations. In 1882, the quiet town of Sweetwater, Tennessee, was shaken when its former mayor was killed—by his own nephew. But bene…
- 135: Two Women, Two Fates in Chatsworth, GA
This episode of Common Mystics dives into two women's stories, forever linked in the annals of Georgia state law. But are their spirits linked, too? And what's their connection to a haunted hotel in downtown Chatsworth, GA? This tale is pa…
- 134: The "Alien Enemies" at Fort Oglethorpe, GA
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill reveal a remarkable story about the "enemy aliens" imprisoned at Fort Oglethorpe, GA, during World War I.* After the U.S. entered the war, German civilians were detained without evidence, dee…
- 133: Interview with Deb Bowen of the Psychic Teachers Podcast
On this episode of Common Mystics, we are thrilled to welcome an extraordinary guest: Deb Bowen—podcaster, educator, and author. Deb is co-author of Crafting the Wheel of the Year, (Search Press, UK) in which she wrote the spiritual, cultu…
- 132: The Shame of Madison County, AL
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill unveil a gripping tale of murder and justice gone tragically astray.* The story unfolds in rural Madison County, Alabama, on a spring morning in 1897, when the patriarch of the Kelly family w…
- 131: Whatever Happened to Frank James out of Huntsville, AL
On this episode of Common Mystics , Jen and Jill unravel the story of a pivotal figure in one of the most infamous outlaw gangs in American history. In 1881, near Huntsville, Alabama, three masked horsemen orchestrated a daring robbery and…
- 130: The Enduring Allure of Tallulah Bankhead in Huntsville, AL
On this episode of Common Mystics , Jen and Jill delve into the fascinating life of Tallulah Bankhead (1902–1968), the legendary stage and screen actress from the golden age of entertainment.* Whether shining on Broadway, captivating audie…
- 129: A Walk of Bravery in Gadsden, AL
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill uncover the inspiring yet tragic story of Bill Moore, a white man with an unshakable commitment to civil rights.* Driven by his belief in equality, Bill embarked on bold solo marches to expos…
- 128: The Confession of Charlie Johnson, The First Legally Hanged Man in Etowah County, AL
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill explore the chilling story of a man condemned to death under dubious circumstances in the deep South of 1889.* The post-Reconstruction era brought significant challenges for people of color a…
- 127: Mystics in the Making- Our Grandpa Stanley
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill honor the life and legacy of their Grandfather Stanley—a man who quietly stood tall among the strong women in his family. As the husband of their beloved Grandma Irena and father to their mom…
- 126: Brothers at Odds- A Cherokee Tale of Politics and Pride in Fort Payne, AL
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill uncover a surprising twist as a new voice emerges to share his perspective on the Trail of Tears. While creating Episode 124, which focused on Cherokee Chief John Ross, we had no idea about t…
- 125: A Legacy of Love in Chattanooga, TN
On this episode of Common Mystics, we continue our discussion of Chattanooga, Tennessee. After the Civil War, many families were left shattered with poverty, disease, and hardship forcing countless children into desperate situations. Orpha…
- 124: The Trail of Tears in Chattanooga, TN
On this episode of Common Mystics Jen and Jill explore the haunting history of the Trail of Tears—the forced removal of the Cherokee people and other tribes from their lands to territories west of the Mississippi in the 1830s. Along the wa…
- Boo Review #12: The Merman's Prophesies
Welcome back to The Boo Review, where we dive into the most haunting tales from yesterday's news sources. Today’s tale of a mystical merman draws inspiration from a fascinating article in The American Weekly Mercury out of Philadelphia, pu…
- 123: More Voices from the Road- The Hemings of Monticello
On this episode of Common Mystics the sisters dive into one of America's most controversial icons: Thomas Jefferson. Celebrated as the author of the Declaration of Independence and the nation's third President, Jefferson's legacy isn't wit…
- Common Mystics' Mini Meditation for Psychic Protection
Welcome to Common Mystics' Mini Meditation series! These brief episodes are crafted to assist you in manifesting your ideal life in just a few minutes. Feeling drained or overwhelmed by others' energy? In this episode, we’re guiding you th…
- 122: More Voices from the Road- The Black Widow of La Porte, IN
In this gripping episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill dive into a chilling tale of greed, betrayal, and cold-blooded murder.* Following a trail of cryptic clues, including the activities of infamous serial killer H.H. Holmes, the sister…
- Boo Review #11: Death By Witchcraft in Quindaro, KS
Welcome back to The Boo Review, where we dive into the most haunting tales from yesterday's news sources. Today's story, out of Quindero, Kansas, is a haunting tale of a once-thriving town that vanished under mysterious and tragic circumst…
- 121: A Vision of Murder in Oak Park, IL
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill explore the remarkable yet haunting story about Steve Linscott, a man whose life was forever altered by his unexpected connection to a horrific crime.* In 1980, Steve, a Bible college student…
- Common Mystics' Mini Meditation for the Full Moon
Welcome to Common Mystics' Mini Meditation series! These brief episodes are crafted to assist you in manifesting your ideal life in just a few minutes. Today’s Mini Meditation is thoughtfully designed for the full moon—a powerful moment of…
- 120: Astrological Insights for March 2025 – Eclipses, Energy Shifts, and New Beginnings
On this episode of Common Mystics, we’re thrilled to welcome our friend Michelle Holland as we delve into the cosmic forces set to influence us this month. March 2025 is shaping up to be a month of profound cosmic shifts! Join us in this e…
- Boo Review #10: The Séance on Twenty-Seventh Street in Rochester, NY
Welcome back to The Boo Review, where we dive into the most haunting tales from yesterday's news sources. Rochester, New York is steeped in spiritualist traditions and eerie tales of the paranormal. Back in March 1890, the Rochester Democr…
- 119: Truth in Harmonia, MI
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill share a captivating story uncovered by a Common Mystics retreat group in August 2024. While exploring Bedford Township, MI, the group followed psychic impressions that guided them to a nearly…
- Common Mystics' Mini Meditation for Releasing Rage
Welcome to Common Mystics' Mini Meditation series! These brief episodes are crafted to assist you in manifesting your ideal life in just a few minutes. Today's Mini Meditation is designed to help you release your rage. If you’re like us, t…
- 118: Return to Nashville, MI
On this episode of Common Mystics , Jen and Jill return to Nashville, Michigan, where the voiceless spirit from their very first episode speaks once more. During the summer of 2024, while hosting a Common Mystics retreat in Battle Creek, M…
- Boo Review #9: The Milkwoman’s Daughter in Endfield, PA
Welcome back to The Boo Review, where we dive into the most haunting tales from yesterday's news sources. Set in 1729, this tale unfolds in the rural settlement of Endfield, Pennsylvania, within a family of dairy farmers. Adelaide, the fam…
- 117: Encore Presentation-Mystery & Legend in Nashville, MI
On the first episode of Common Mystics Jennifer and Jill stumble upon a 127 year old mystery in Nashville, MI surrounding a tragic death in the mansion of a prominent local family.* What happened at the home of Charles M. Putnam? Was it mu…
- Common Mystics' Mini Meditation for Receiving Clarity From Your Higher Self
Welcome to Common Mystics' Mini Meditation series! These brief episodes are crafted to assist you in manifesting your ideal life in just a few minutes. Today's Mini Meditation is designed to help you receive clarity from your higher self.…
- 116: Stories of Hope
On this episode of Common Mystics, we share uplifting stories of hope from a few of our friends and listeners—stories that capture moments when Spirit reveals itself. Perfectly timed for the new year, these tales are meant to inspire wonde…
- Boo Review #8: The Quaker Visitant in Lancaster, PA
Welcome back to The Boo Review, where we dive into the most haunting tales from yesterday's news sources. This week, we’re taking you back to 1753 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to explore the chilling tale of Jacob Wilhelm—a man whose stubbo…
- 115: Encore Presentation- Holiday Special 2022
Please enjoy this encore presentation of the Common Mystics podcast originally posted in December 2022. On this holiday episode, Jennifer and Jill dive into the roots of Christmas. If nothing else, tune in to hear Jill's versions of the Na…
- Detours Ep. 62: Krampus! Santa's Evil Twin
Please enjoy this reposting of Common Mystics' Detours Episode 62, originally published on Patreon in December 2022. We had a BLAST discussing the tradition of Krampus! Forget about leaving coal, this guy will drag you to hell for misbehav…
- 114: Christmas Ghost Stories in Victorian England and Beyond
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill dive into the fascinating and spooky tradition of Christmas ghost stories. Did you know that sharing ghostly tales during the winter months has been a beloved custom in cultures around the wo…
- Boo Review #7: The Coachman Comes
Welcome back to The Boo Review, where we dive into the most haunting tales from yesterday's news sources. Step inside the chilling mystery of 121 Kirkland Street—if you dare. In this spine-tingling episode, we follow Boston Globe reporter…
- 113: Return to Ridgeway, SC
On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill assist a granddaughter in connecting with the spirit of her grandmother beyond the grave. When the sisters discussed the tragic murder in Episode 54: Portal to Murder in Ridgeway, SC, they di…