In today’s episode, Ashleigh Bodell sits down with a true expert on spirit boards: John Kozik, founder of the Salem Witchboard Museum and passionate collector of all things Ouija. Together, they dive deep into the fascinating and surprising history behind talking boards, from their origins in the spiritualist movement to the cultural phenomenon of the Ouija brand. John shares behind-the-scenes stories about rare and unusual boards, including his legendary quest to acquire the elusive Electric Mystifying Oracle and tales of supernatural happenings in the museum, such as the mysterious Stranger Things board that continues to baffle visitors and technology alike. Whether you’re a skeptic, collector, or simply spirit-curious, this episode uncovers the stories, the lore, and the artistry behind spirit boards and why they continue to captivate us today. Plus, you’ll hear about John’s personal journey - how his family legacy, passion for collecting, and love for the paranormal led him to turn his obsession into a one-of-a-kind museum in the heart of Salem. So grab your favorite crystal (or a cup of tea) and get ready for a journey into the unknown! Key Moments: 06:48 Ouija's Trademark Advantage 14:21 Ouija Board Family Stories 18:58 "Lost Ouija Boards Rediscovered" 23:34 Planchette Obsession and Collection Journey 27:24 Haunted Board in Museum Exhibit 32:20 Embracing Ouija Board Comfort 39:34 Warehouse Worker to Museum Founder 42:10 Passion Turned Into Niche Museum 47:18 Childhood Memories and Subconscious Influence 52:34 Baltimore History Museum Founding Initiative 01:00:40 Rare Board Research with Experts About the guest : John Kozik is a historian of spiritualism and the cultural history of the Ouija board. He often clarifies that “Ouija” is actually a brand name for what are more generally called talking boards, spirit boards, or witch boards. John’s expertise traces the origins of these boards back to the American spiritualist movement after the Civil War, a time when grief and curiosity about the afterlife inspired people to seek ways to communicate with lost loved ones. In his work, John explains how these communication methods evolved - from simple yes-or-no knock responses to elaborate systems of counting knocks, eventually leading to the invention of the talking board as a faster, more direct means of spiritual communication. Through his research and storytelling, John Kozik reveals the deep human longing behind our fascination with the unknown. Link : Website: https://www.salemwitchboardmuseum.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salem_witch_board_museum/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Salem.Witch.Board.Museum Connect Ashleigh : https://www.instagram.com/bigcrystalenergypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/mystical.mama.ash Send me any questions or comments you may have and I will answer them on upcoming podcast episodes!! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please message me with any questions or comments. bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com
