We are officially stepping into the Season of the Witch, and to take us a little deeper into spooky season, I’m bringing one of my favorite conversations back from the Big Crystal Energy archives.
So many new listeners have found the podcast since this episode originally aired, and this conversation with John Kozik of the Salem Witch Board Museum was simply too good to leave buried.
John is a historian, collector, and founding member of the Talking Board Historical Society whose fascination with Ouija began with the board he inherited from his grandmother. What started as collecting eventually grew into an incredible mission to research, preserve, and share the history of talking boards—and ultimately led to the Salem Witch Board Museum.
In this episode, we explore the origins of talking boards during the Spiritualist movement, how Ouija became one of the most recognizable names in the paranormal world, and how pop culture helped transform something once used to communicate with loved ones into an object many people now fear.
John also shares stories from his collection, including incredibly rare antique boards, the mysterious Stranger Things board at the museum, paranormal experiences visitors have reported, and the lengths he has gone to track down some of the rarest pieces in Ouija history.
But this conversation goes beyond the paranormal. We also talk about obsession, collecting, following the strange threads that have been with us since childhood, and what can happen when you go all in on the weird thing you love.
Whether you heard this conversation when it originally aired or you're discovering it for the first time, grab a candle, settle in, and let's descend a little deeper into spooky season.
In this episode:
• The surprising origins of talking boards and Ouija
• Ouija’s connection to the Spiritualist movement
• How movies and pop culture changed the way people view Ouija
• John’s grandmother and the board that started his collection
• Rare and unusual talking boards from throughout history
• The mysterious Stranger Things board at the Salem museum
• Paranormal experiences and stories visitors have shared
• The Salem Witch Board Museum and Talking Board Historical Society
• Turning an incredibly niche obsession into a career
• Why the things we're drawn to as children may follow us throughout our lives
Connect with John and learn more about the Salem Witch Board Museum and Talking Board Historical Society.
And if you're new to Big Crystal Energy, welcome. There is plenty more strange, magical, witchy energy coming your way as we move deeper into the Season of the Witch.
Instagram: @salem_witch_board_museum
Until next time, friends, keep bringing your own Big Crystal Energy into the world.
Send me questions or comments
bigcrystalenergypodcast @gmail.com
