In this spine-tingling episode, host John Radtke is joined once again by Rissa from Tea & Smoke for an in-depth journey into one of the most infamous paranormal tools of all time — the Ouija Board. From its eerie Victorian origins to its pop culture legacy, they trace how a “toy” became one of the world’s most feared gateways to the unknown.
👻 Episode Summary
What started as a parlor game during the Spiritualist movement of the 1800s soon transformed into a cultural phenomenon. Rissa walks us through the dark, tragic, and surprisingly entrepreneurial history of the Ouija board — from its creation by businessmen in Baltimore to the spooky myths and moral panics that followed. You’ll learn how a locket, a séance, and a clever marketing plan birthed a legend that refuses to die.
Together, John and Rissa explore:
The Fox Sisters and the birth of American spiritualism
How Helen Peters named the Ouija board — and how it betrayed her
Why Hasbro now owns one of the world’s most “haunted” brands
The Exorcist effect that turned a game into a demonic symbol
The Satanic Panic years — and how fear fueled sales
Modern science’s explanation: the ideomotor effect
And whether Ouija boards are truly dangerous… or just misunderstood
💀 Highlights
📜 The Ouija board’s link to the Civil War, grief, and loss
🪦 The mysterious death of inventor William Fuld
🧠 How scientists once used Ouija boards to access hidden memories
🎬 Pop culture moments from I Love Lucy to The Exorcist
🔥 The surprising rules of play — and what not to ask
🕯️ Why You’ll Love It
This episode blends history, folklore, and psychology with John and Rissa’s trademark humor and insight. Whether you’re a skeptic, believer, or just love a good ghost story, you’ll come away with a whole new understanding of why the Ouija board endures — and why it might not be as evil as you think.
📅 Episode Out: Halloween Week
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your chills.
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