A Magician Among the Spirits: Houdini, Doyle, and the Occult | MHP 10.26.20.

Some of the most famous minds of the 19th century became swept up in the allure of Spiritualism and mediumship. No less among these had been Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who became one of the staunchest defenders of Spiritualism, even authoring a two-volume history of the religion. However, his friend Harry Houdini, while initially open to the possibility of mediumship as an avenue toward making contact with those who had crossed over, soon became convinced that it was a sham. In addition to placing strains on his friendship with Doyle, the experience pushed Houdini toward the pursuit of exposing all mediumship and paranormal claims as nonsense.  However, following Houdini's death on Halloween in 1926, even the world's greatest magician would become the target of attempts with reaching the dead through seances and mediumship. On this special Halloween edition of the program, we explore Houdini and Doyles relationship with the occult, and how even in death they each remained highly influential on the world of the occult. The story doesn't end here... become an X Subscriber and get access to even more weekly content and monthly specials. Enjoy The Micah Hanks Program? Check out Micah's other podcasts here.  Want to advertise/sponsor our show? We have partnered with the fine folks at AdvertiseCast to handle our advertising/sponsorship requests. If you would like to advertise with The Micah Hanks Program, all you have to do is email [email protected] or click the link below to get started: AdvertiseCast: Advertise with The Micah Hanks Program Coronavirus Charities If you are able, please consider supporting the following charities that are offering relief for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Charities Page to learn more. Show Notes Below are links to stories and other content featured in this episode: Rare Halloween full moon will shine on Saturday NASA to announce mysterious moon discovery on Monday Cars can’t crush the diabolical ironclad beetle, 2020’s latest horror Do we have to toss Halloween out the window this year? Public Health experts weigh in Ireland, The Original Home of Halloween James Randi, dazzling magician and skeptic, dies at 92 Harry Houdini, “A Magician Among the Spirits” Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Edge of the Unknown” An Actual Recording Of Arthur Conan Doyle's "Spirit" From A 1934 Séance Reports of Spiritual Contact With Late Magician Are Called "Piffle." Widow Says Medium in Trance Gave Key Words Left by the Magician. Freethinker Offers $25,000 for a "Spirit Communication" With Magician.  'He Has Not Come,' She Says at Hollywood Test on Tenth Anniversary of Death. X Subscriber Sign-Up BECOME AN X SUBSCRIBER AND GET EVEN MORE GREAT PODCASTS AND MONTHLY SPECIALS FROM MICAH HANKS. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalog of The Micah Hanks Program, as well as “classic” episodes of The Gralien Report Podcast, weekly “additional editions” of the subscriber-only X Podcast, the monthly Enigmas specials, and much more. Like us on Facebook Follow @MicahHanks on Twitter Follow Micah on Instagram Visit Micah's Website and check out Our Podcast Page