Ouija: Don't Forget to Say Goodbye
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Adam Berry
Episode Summary:
“As friends we gather, hearts are true, spirits near, we call to you…”

That’s the chant that begins most Ouija board sessions—but what really happens after you call? In this immersive and deeply personal episode, Adam Berry pulls back the planchette-shaped curtain on the true history, mystery, and controversy of the Ouija board. From spooky basements and dusty attics to Target toy aisles and academic labs, we trace how a simple board became one of the most misunderstood—and feared—objects in paranormal culture.

This episode is split into FIVE revealing acts, each diving deeper into what Ouija boards really are, where they came from, and how they’ve haunted the public imagination for over a century.

INTRO The rise, fall, and resurrection of the spirit board.

What was once seen as a sacred tool for grieving families to reach their lost loved ones has become demonized by movies, religious fears, and urban legends. Why? What changed? Adam Berry introduces us to the paradox of the Ouija board: both a harmless toy and a doorway to darkness, depending on who you ask. But underneath the fear lies a fascinating truth about human psychology, grief, belief, and mystery. And it all starts here.

ACT 1: THE SPIRIT OF THE SPIRIT BOARD

From séance rooms to shelves at Toys R Us—this is the origin story of the Ouija board.

In this gripping first act, Adam dives into the spiritualist roots of the spirit board. Learn how post-Civil War grief and a nationwide fascination with contacting the dead gave birth to what we now know as the Ouija board. You’ll hear about:

• The mysterious Helen Peters who gave it its iconic name
• The marketing genius of William Fuld
• How World Wars and family trauma fueled demand for "answers from beyond"
• A staggering sales number: over 25 million boards sold… and counting

This act sets the stage for everything that follows—and it’s way more than just letters on a board.

ACT 2: “DISENCHANTING THE PLANCHETTE” WITH PROFESSOR ADAM BERRY

What if Ouija boards don’t actually work… and that’s what makes them so powerful?

Get ready for a masterclass in myth-busting. Adam transforms into your paranormal professor, walking us through his Four Truths About Why the Ouija Doesn’t Work—and why that’s not the full story.

He covers:

1. The Ideomotor Effect – Real science explains the movement of the planchette… or does it?
2. Parlor Games and Victorian Flirtation – Spirit boards weren’t just spooky; they were steamy.
3. Pop Culture Panic – From The Exorcist to 1980s daytime talk shows, Hollywood and hysteria gave the board its modern-day fear factor.
4. Childhood Terrors – Why most people’s fears come from sleepovers and scary stories… not reality.

With sharp humor and deep insight, Adam unpacks why people fear the board, and why that fear might be the scariest thing of all.

ACT 3: A COLLECTOR OF OUIJA BOARDS SPEAKS

Enter the weird and wonderful world of Beckie-Ann Galentine—licensed embalmer, Ouija collector, and mother-to-be.

In this deeply moving and personal act, Adam interviews paranormal investigator and social media icon Beckie-Ann Galentine (@mybloodygalentine) about her lifelong fascination with spirit boards. Beckie shares:

• How she accidentally started her collection by buying a magician’s stash of vintage boards on eBay
• Why the story behind each board matters more than the spook factor
• The time she picked up a half-burned board from a haunted Underground Railroad house
• The stunning backlash she received after throwing a Ouija-themed baby shower at the haunted Shanley Hotel

Beckie opens up about motherhood, modern witch-hunts (via TikTok), and why the real danger isn’t the board—it’s misinformation, fear, and judgment. Her story is funny, fierce, and fearless.

ACT 4: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SPIRIT BOARD

Do Ouija boards tap into the dead—or our deepest fears?

From spiritual obsession to psychological breakdowns, this act explores the real, clinical reactions people have had after using Ouija boards. Adam takes us through:

• Historical cases of madness and even murder linked to Ouija sessions
• Scientific explanations for trance states, hallucinations, and “possession”
• The very real emotional power of belief—whether you're a skeptic or a seeker

If you've ever wondered why some people seem to spiral after using a board, this segment breaks it all down—no judgment, just truth.

ACT 5: REAL, AND REALLY SCARY, OUIJA EXPERIENCES

You’ve heard the theories—now hear the stories.

In this haunting final act, real people from across the world share their most chilling and unforgettable experiences with Ouija boards. You’ll hear:

• A planchette that caused a baby to stir—every time hands touched it
• A name from the board that later haunted a family computer
• A session that started as a prank... and ended in years of silence

These are raw, personal testimonies that resist easy explanation. Whether you believe or not, something happened to them. And it’s enough to make you think twice before asking: “Is anyone there?”

This Haunted Life will be taking a short break after long exploration of Ouija boards—but we’ll be back on SEPTEMBER 16, just in time for spooky season!

Until then:
- Keep your hearts open
- Keep your minds sharp
- And keep listening... because the hauntings are always closer than you think.

Support the Show:
 

Join our Haunted Life Patreon www.patreon.com/adamberry to get behind-the-scenes content, exclusive Q&As, and connect with fellow Hauntees.

PLUS first access to “This After-Life” - a companion YouTube podcast where we explore each episode in more detail with special guests and have all the fun to be had! 

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