Guided By Spirits The Story Of A Movement With Dr Nick Richbell

In this episode of Haunted History Chronicles, I’m joined by Dr Nick Richbell—historian, archivist, and Spiritualist. Nick received his PhD in History from the University of Waterloo, where his research focused on Maurice Barbanell and his spirit guide, Silver Birch. While Silver Birch remains a familiar name in Spiritualist churches, Barbanell’s own legacy has been overshadowed, despite over sixty years of tireless dedication to the movement. Nick’s forthcoming book (2026) seeks to correct this, restoring Barbanell as one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century Spiritualism.

Together, we dive into the fascinating world of spirit guides: what they are, how mediums have worked with them, and why they became such an essential part of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Spiritualism. From famous cases and the rise of the movement, to controversies of fraud, scepticism, and representation in the Spiritualist press, this conversation blends history, belief, and culture. With Nick’s perspective as both a historian and a Spiritualist, this episode offers a compelling exploration of Spiritualism’s past and its enduring place in society’s search for meaning beyond the veil.

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