Psychic Medium John Edward Interviewed By Skeptic

 

Renowned Psychic Medium John Edward has kept busy over the years with his hit show “Crossing Over with John Edward” and seven books now released related to Psychic phenomena, along with his current live event tour where the Psychic is traveling around the world performing for audiences live.

Recently renowned Psychic John Edward sat down with skeptic Jordan Gaines of pennlive.com for a great interview exploring his earliest Psychic experiences and even Gamma radiation!

What was your first psychic experience like? How old were you, and did you know what was happening?
During his childhood, John asserts that he experienced unknown psychic moments here and there, though nothing “earth-shattering.” When he was around 15, he began studying metaphysics, which has evolved into parapsychology and now “new-age” parapsychology. From then on, he became more aware of his experiences and what was happening to him.

You describe your interactions with the deceased as short ideas that enter your head, like an interrupted conversation. How do you handle a studio audience with hundreds of people—are they all vying for your attention? Is there a sense of urgency from some? Do you tune it out?
John answered, “You kinda just listen.” He described it as entering a cafeteria, where all you hear is noise—then suddenly, if you just focus a little, the people who are meant to come through can begin a conversation with him. He feels that their family and friends brought them to him, and that it’s simply meant to be that they interact. I asked if it was like the cocktail effect—the psychological term referring to when you hear your name in a crowded room, you’ll immediately turn to the direction of the speaker and try to determine who wants your attention. He said that was exactly it—when it happens, he feels tethered to the deceased person.

You describe the use of symbols, such as different colored roses. Are the deceased making these symbols for you, or is this something you’re subconsciously translating?
John says these symbols are translated himself. He described a drive where he found himself next to a truck depicting white roses. Somehow, the roses stuck out to him. When he later did a reading of a woman referring to her daughter, he kept seeing the white roses, followed by the number 16. Eventually, they parsed out that it was referring to the girl’s 16th birthday—thus, white roses meant “congratulations” or “celebration.” Other colors have other meanings.

Do you have any other psychic abilities? Does it run in the family?
He describes mediums as being a specialized psychic, like how a gastroenterologist is a specialized type of doctor. He sees the ability in his kids already—they “know stuff.” When I asked him exactly what he noticed, he spoke of his 5-year old daughter Olivia. When she was 3, he was putting her to bed one night when she said, “Daddy, remember when I died?” “No,” he said, “do you remember when you died?” They continued to have a normal, mature conversation about her past life, including her former name. He was impressed that she was not “freaking out,” because he says he was!

Have you ever undergone any type of brain imaging or electrical activity recording (like EEG)? Would you?
Yes, he said, he would, especially because he is a big “science geek.” Around 10 years ago, he was examined by Dr. Gary Schwartz at the University of Arizona, a psychologist and researcher in the field of parapsychology, where they administered a series of tests. For the HBO show Life After Life, he was also subjected to a series of tests to rule out mind reading, prompting by visual cues, and was hooked up to an EEG and heart monitor. He described an experiment performed with another psychic in which the researchers examined whether gamma radiation was expelled during a psychic reading. Five minutes into making a psychic connection, she “blew out the machine.”

Do you have a background in neuroscience? What do you think is happening?
No, he has no formal education of the brain, but he reads science books and subscribes to science magazines to learn as much as he can. He speculates that he may have some overdeveloped brain structure that accounts for his ability—but what, he has no idea. He can explain how it feels when it happens, though, and spoke fondly of how his ears go bright red. During tapings of Crossing Over, his makeup artist would have them stop the camera so they could apply makeup to his ears, because “it looked weird.” He believes a number of “biochemical changes” must be at work, brain and body alike.

Many studies have shown that certain personality types are more prone to psychic ability, such as creative, imaginative, and having a strong sense of fantasy. How would you describe your personality?
“Well, I have a Superman tattoo. Does that answer your question?”

What do you want scientists and skeptics to know about what you do?
John likes skeptical people, not cynical people. He asserts that scientists should be explorers, forming questions and seeking discoveries—not turning their backs simply because there isn’t already existing evidence.

Do we all have psychic abilities? As a researcher, I am interested in sleep. When we dream about deceased loved ones, is that us missing them, or is it something more?
John says we are indeed more open to unconscious awareness as we sleep, as our brains are functioning differently than our awake, conscious minds. Most dreams, he says, are just us missing our loved ones. On rare occasions, however, he says that visits can occur—and you know they’re visits because the dream stands out to you. Something “profound” or “detailed” happens, and the dream doesn’t fade over time.

Psychic Medium John Edward is currently performing live events across the United States and Canada as part of his 2012 world Psychic tour. View full tour schedule here: Psychic Medium John Edward: 2012 Tour Schedule

Have you ever seen Psychic John Edward perform live, what did you think of the event? Be sure to leave a comment.