Surviving Death: The Evidence

Near-Death Experience in Indigenous Religions

53 min · 27 de abr de 2026
Portada del episodio Near-Death Experience in Indigenous Religions

Descripción

This week I am talking to Dr Gregory Shushan about his book 'Near-Death Experience in Indigenous Religions'. Near-death experiences are known around the world and throughout human history. They are sometimes reported by individuals who have revived from a period of clinical death or near-death and they typically feature sensations of leaving the body, entering and emerging from darkness, meeting deceased friends and relatives, encountering beings of light, judgment of one's earthly life, feelings of oneness, and reaching barriers, only to return to the body. Those who have NDEs almost invariably understand them as having profound spiritual or religious significance. In this book, Gregory Shushan explores the relationships between near-death experiences, shamanism, and beliefs about the afterlife in traditional indigenous societies in Africa, North America, and Oceania. Drawing on historical accounts of the earliest encounters with explorers, missionaries, and ethnologists, this study addresses questions such as: Do ideas about the afterlife commonly originate in NDEs? What role does culture play in how people experience and interpret NDEs? How can we account for cross-cultural similarities and differences between afterlife beliefs? Though NDEs are universal, Shushan shows that how they are actually experienced and interpreted varies by region and culture. As the historical documents reveal, in North America, they were commonly valorized, and attempts were made to replicate them through shamanic rituals. In Africa, however, they were largely considered aberrational events with links to possession or sorcery. In Oceania, Micronesia corresponded more to the African model, while Australia had a greater focus on afterlife journey shamanism. Polynesia and Melanesia showed an almost casual acceptance of the phenomenon as reflected in numerous myths, legends, and historical accounts. This study examines the continuum of similarities and differences between NDEs, shamanism, and afterlife beliefs in dozens of cultures throughout these regions. In the process, it makes a valuable contribution to our knowledge about the origins of afterlife beliefs around the world and the significance of related experiences in human history. Gregory Shushan explores the relationship between NDEs and beliefs about the afterlife in traditional indigenous societies. Bio He was Grawemeyer Award-nominated for his book Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Religious Experience Research Centre, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and was previously Perrott-Warrick Researcher at University of Oxford's Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion; and Scholar-in Residence at the Centro Incontri Umani (The Cross Cultural Centre), Ascona, Switzerland. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0197685439 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0197685439] My Book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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22 episodios

Portada del episodio Reincarnation and the Afterlife

Reincarnation and the Afterlife

This week I am talking to Richard Martini. Writer/Director/Author Richard is an award winning filmmaker, who has written and/or directed 8 theatrical features, and a number of documentaries. His first book, "Flipside: A Tourist's Guide on How to Navigate the Afterlife" went to #1 twice at Amazon in all its genres. The book is based on transcripts of a documentary he made which is available at Amazon (Flipside: A Journey Into the Afterlife) and Gaia TV. His books "It's a Wonderful Afterlife" volumes one and two expands the research into the afterlife from Michael Newton's work, to include interviews with a number of scientists in the field of consciousness, including Dr. Bruce Greyson, Dr. Mario Beauregard, and Gary Schwartz Phd. He also examines near death experiences and compares their accounts to similar ones during between life sessions (the technique used by Michael Newton that allows people to access the between lives realm, or LBLs) and other examples (OBEs) where people may have lost their ability to think normally, but are having the same experiences. In "Hacking the Afterlife" he interviews mediums and explores "interviewing people no longer on the planet." As Gary Schwartz put it after reading "Flipside" "Inspiring, well written and entertaining. The kind of book where once you have read it, you will no longer be able to see the world in the same way again. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacking-the-afterlife-podcast/id1505639009 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacking-the-afterlife-podcast/id1505639009] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWhpYMjfbFfC0STNdWw_udw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWhpYMjfbFfC0STNdWw_udw] https://richmartini.blogspot.com/ [https://richmartini.blogspot.com/] My Book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

13 de jul de 202659 min
Portada del episodio Reincarnation Research

Reincarnation Research

In this episode I'm talking to Walter Semkiw. Walter is the author of the book 'Born Again' Dr. Semkiw is a Board Certified Occupational Medicine physician who practices at a major medical center in San Francisco, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Occupational Medicine.  Previously, he served as Medical Director for Unocal 76, a Fortune 500 oil company. Walter embarked on reincarnation research in 1995 and he is the author of Return of the Revolutionaries: The Case for Reincarnation and Soul Groups Reunited, which was published in 2003.  In this book, a cohort reincarnated from the time of the American Revolution is identified.  Former President Bill Clinton wrote, regarding Revolutionaries, “It looks fascinating,” and neurosurgeon Norm Shealy, MD, PhD, wrote “For the survival of humanity, this is the most important book written in 2000 years.” Walter is also the author of Born Again, which is available in the US, India, Indonesia and Serbia (2006 version). In this book, independently researched reincarnation cases with evidence of reincarnation are compiled with a focus on the work of Ian Stevenson, MD of the University of Virginia.  Cases derived through world famous trance medium Kevin Ryerson, who has been featured in Shirley MacLaine's books, are also presented.  Born Again has received widespread media attention in India and Walter was featured on CNN in March 2006. An expanded international edition of Born Again (2011), which summarizes key reincarnation cases with evidence of past lives, is available as an E-Book, as well as in a printed version. Born Again has been commented on by the former President of India, Abdul Kalam, and by Shah Rukh Kahn, one of India’s greatest film and television stars. Walter has also penned Origin of the Soul and the Purpose of Reincarnation.  Whereas Return of the Revolutionaries and Born Again present cases which demonstrate objective evidence of reincarnation, Origin of the Soul addresses the big picture of why we reincarnate and the nature of the spiritual world. Walter has presented at the Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE), an academic group that pioneer reincarnation researcher Ian Stevenson, MD cofounded.  Walter spent a day with Dr. Stevenson in 2001 and Dr. Stevenson personally sponsored Walter's membership in the SSE. Walter is an advocate of Ian Stevenson's past lives research. Dr. Semkiw has been a speaker at the first four World Congresses for Regression Therapy, held in the Netherlands, India, Brazil and Turkey.  He has appeared on CNN and in Newsweek, as well as numerous other television and radio shows, including Coast to Coast.  He has been cited on numerous occasions in the Times of India, which has the largest circulation of any English language newspaper in the world. Walter has been selected as one of Who's Who Professionals of the Year for 2016. In sum, Dr. Semkiw is an expert in reincarnation research, particularly reincarnation cases which demonstrate objective evidence of reincarnation. https://reincarnationresearch.com/ [https://reincarnationresearch.com/] My Book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

6 de jul de 20261 h 0 min
Portada del episodio Past Life Regression

Past Life Regression

This week I'm talking to Peter Smith about his book “Quantum Consciousness – Expanding your personal universe” Bio Peter has always been inspired by his work at The Michael Newton Institute for Life Between Lives Hypnotherapy (TNI). He was  President of the Institute from 2009 till 2018, when he was asked to take on the role of Director of the Newton Legacy, a role created to uphold the philosophy and integrity of Michael Newton's life's work. Peter was awarded the Peggy Newton award for outstanding service to TNI in 2013 and has trained LBL Practitioners and Teachers in different parts of the world since 2006. He speaks regularly at various conferences, on radio programs and has participated in a number of documentaries both in Australia and overseas. https://www.quantumconsciousness.com.au/ [https://www.quantumconsciousness.com.au/] https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Consciousness-Journey-Through-Realms-ebook/dp/B075W2CM8M [https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Consciousness-Journey-Through-Realms-ebook/dp/B075W2CM8M] My Book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

29 de jun de 202658 min
Portada del episodio A Near Death Experience

A Near Death Experience

This week I'm talking to Tricia Barker about her book 'Angels in the OR: What Dying Taught Me About Healing, Survival, and Transformation' Tricia Barker was a depressed, agnostic college student at The University of Texas in Austin...until a profound near-death experience (NDE) during surgery revolutionizes her entire world. As she learns to walk again, Tricia lets go of painful wounds from childhood and integrates some of the aftereffects of her spiritual journey into her daily life. She returns to college with renewed vigor, intending to embark on a new path by becoming an English teacher. But after a year of teaching in the US, Tricia travels to South Korea, where she is the victim of a sexual assault. Now, she must use the wisdom she gained on the Other Side to heal herself; and later, guide countless junior high, high school, and college students to greater peace. Through teaching and mentoring others--many of whom are struggling with traumas of their own--Tricia decides to devote her life to bringing the "light" she experienced during her NDE to individuals who are seeking solace, inspiration, and overall well-being. Bio Tricia Barker experienced a profound near-death experience during her senior year of college, and this experience guided her to teach overseas, in public schools, and at the college level.  Her near-death experience story has been featured on I Survived:  Beyond and Back, Season 1, Life to Afterlife: Death and Back, National Geographic Magazine, Simple Grace Magazine, Women’s World Magazine, Coast to Coast AM, GAIA, WFAA, and The Doctor Oz Show.   Tricia’s memoir, Angels in the OR: What Dying Taught Me About Healing, Survival, and Transformation, is available as an e-book, paperback, and through Audible. Tricia is a graduate of The University of Texas. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. She is a professor, author, medium, and theta healer. Tricia also interviews other near-death experiencers, researchers, healers, spiritual teachers, and mediums on her YouTube Channel. https://triciabarkernde.com/ [https://triciabarkernde.com/] https://www.amazon.co.uk/Angels-Taught-Healing-Survival-Transformation-ebook/dp/B07NGQZSHL [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Angels-Taught-Healing-Survival-Transformation-ebook/dp/B07NGQZSHL] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyIstVbBhilo1gdUmazkReQ?view_as=subscriber [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyIstVbBhilo1gdUmazkReQ?view_as=subscriber] My Book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

22 de jun de 202647 min
Portada del episodio Physical Mediumship

Physical Mediumship

This week I am talking to Robin Foy. Robin was one of the team who took part in The Scole Experiment looking into physical mediumship. The Scole Experiment is now widely regarded as the most important scientific investigation of evidence for life after death in history. Highly-qualified and objective scientists, and a whole range of other people who attended the Scole Group's sessions, came away convinced that (mostly) invisible, discarnate intelligences were making direct contact with those present. Robin and Sandra Foy both have 39 years intensive experience of witnessing physical mediumship and physical phenomena. As well as being involved in a series of their own home circles to develop phenomena over the years with varying results, they have also had the opportunity to sit with a number of physical mediums, many of whom are (or were) well known in this field. Through their long involvement, they have gained extensive knowledge and experience of the different ways in which physical phenomena can be produced by the spirit teams attached to various circles, mediums and groups. This is knowledge they would like to share with other dedicated groups and serious researchers. The crowning glory of their experiences to date is their involvement in the now famous 'Scole Experiment' which took place at their home in Scole over a 5-year period in the 1990's. During this period, Robin and Sandra were able to witness no less than 1,000 hours of physical phenomena in their 'Scole Experimental Group', where their two physical medium friends, Diana and Alan Bennett remained in deep trance throughout their experimental sessions. Robin Foy was the Co-Founder of the ISM Home Circle Link in the 1980's and the Founder of the Noah's Ark Society in 1990. He remained its chairman until September 1994. In 1992, he was Co-Founder of the Scole Experimental Group and, later, of the New Spiritual Science Foundation. The group demonstrated physical phenomena to the public (and to scientific investigators who were senior members of the SPR -Society for Psychical Research) in the UK, in Ibiza, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland (Eire) as well as in California (USA) In 1996, Robin published his first book - In Pursuit of Physical Mediumship (Janus Publishing Co Ltd) His Latest Book - Witnessing the Impossible - was published a while ago (Torcal Publications 2008), and is the only complete record of every sitting of the Scole Experimental Group. My Book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 de jun de 202658 min