Another mind bending podcast.

As noted, Jennifer Shaffer and I have been doing these weekly meetings for 8 years.  It was not long after John McCain's passing that I was upstairs in my apt. and heard his voice say "I understand you're the guy to get a message to my family."

I was startled - I didn't know him, met his chief of staff while researching "Three for the Road" in DC, but had no connection to him. Yet I could tell it was his voice. I said to him what I say to everyone "I'm not in charge of that - but if you can get on Luana Ander's guest list we're happy to chat with you."

He had a private message for his daughter, which I passed along through a radio producer we both know - and I have no idea what she thought of someone claiming to "hear her father."  I know I would be dubious about it.  But I said I would and I did.

And as noted, when RFK's voice showed up one day in my apt - clear as a bell, I was startled to hear it.  Again - I said "Well, if you want to pass a message to your family, you need to speak to Luana."

And we did pass a message along to his family, and as noted, that family member thanked me for doing so.  It's not up to us whether people take these messages seriously - however if I can figure out a way to pass along a message I will do so.

In today's podcast, John appeared in a dream I had last night, talking about opening up a "McCain's Pub" or "McCain's joint" - a place where people from both sides of the political spectrum could meet - talk about politics without the fervor. Perhaps do karaoke - maybe a folk singer - and people could listen and perhaps not argue. Doesn't mean they're going to change their opinions about anything - but it would be more civil.

It's not something I've ever thought of - and like Jennifer notes, politics is the last thing we want to stir people up about.  But he pointed this out in the dream - and talked about it on the podcast.

Was surprised to hear JFK and RFK stopped by - as they did not previously.  When we first interviewed Maverick - LBJ stopped by, and later Nixon, then Lincoln, then Mary Todd Lincoln.  It's all in BACKSTAGE PASS TO THE FLIPSIDE.

I try to ask the same questions to all of them. If they can add some kind of insight into our world, I'm happy to share it.  I do have conservatives in my family tree - and hopefully we survive the upcoming election. But either way - I love the concept of "before you respond, calm yourself, think a peaceful thought before you respond."

It's really unique and not something I would have ever thought of, or Jennifer would come up with. 

Whitney Houston stopped by - I recall interviewing her mother Cissy when Aretha came through (it's in TUNING INTO THE AFTERLIFE) as they were very close, and Aretha had Whitney around her often.

But in this case, I try to focus on what it is they want to express or talk about - and how others can ask them questions or ask them for help.

As always our class is moderated by Luana Anders, who appears on TCM this week in THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM. I saw the restored print in a theater - it was amazing to see. 

I like to point out when people are incredulous about who shows up in our podcasts. "They weren't celebrities when they were children or teens, it's only later on that happened to them. They're always who they are - and when they get to the flipside, they see all the people they've had previous lifetimes with, and the whole notion of celebrity is related to one particular performance.

Their friends, teachers, guides, council members know their whole history - whether in this lifetime they were singers, actors, politicians, carpenters or podcasters.  Everyone is just walking each other home.

Hope this helps. Here's a fun video I found looking to see what Maverick's favorite restaurant was... is: https://youtu.be/UNZSCokrrYM?si=of8T0mzvUyJqPsms