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 As the historical documents reveal, in North America, they were commonly valorized, and attempts were made to replicate them through shamanic rituals.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

My Book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP

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In this episode I'm talking to Claire Broad about her book 'Answers from Heaven: Incredible True Stories of Heavenly Encounters and the Afterlife'

Answers from Heaven is for anyone who has ever wondered if there is an afterlife and if it is truly possible to contact the spirit world.

In this compelling book, Sunday Times bestselling author Theresa Cheung and medium Claire Broad share the fascinating true stories of ordinary people who have experienced direct communication from the spirit world, and those who have received proof of survival through a reading with Claire.

Answers from Heaven outlines the many different ways that heaven may answer our prayers, offer us comfort and provide proof of survival, and includes:

- The top ten afterlife signs

- What near-death experiences can tell us

- The meaning of visions and dreams

- The importance of intuition and coincidence

- Advice on visiting a medium

As well as examining the ways in which messages can come to us from the other side, Answers from Heaven outlines the latest scientific research on the afterlife and mediumship, and helps shed light on one of the most important questions about human experience - what happens after we die? It also shares the practical steps we can all take to become more attuned to the medium that lies within us and recognise the signs that heaven is calling.

Bio

From an early age, Claire became aware of non-ordinary states of consciousness and the continuity of awareness beyond physical death. These early experiences shaped a lifelong inquiry into the nature of consciousness, the soul, and what it means to live well as a human being. Rather than framing this as belief, Claire has spent nearly three decades exploring consciousness through direct practice, disciplined training, and grounded application.

Originally known for her work in mediumship and spirit communication, Claire’s practice naturally evolved as her understanding deepened. Today, her work sits at the intersection of soul awareness, consciousness studies, emotional safety, and lived human experience. She supports people in moving beyond fear-based spirituality, identity confusion, and spiritual overwhelm, and into a stable, embodied relationship with their own soul — one that supports clarity, regulation, purpose, and meaningful connection.

Claire is widely respected for her down-to-earth, honest approach. She is often described as someone who brings spiritual understanding into practical life — without bypassing grief, trauma, or the realities of being human. Her work does not offer quick fixes or heightened states, but a deeper capacity to live with steadiness, meaning, and integrity.

Alongside her private work, Claire teaches internationally and is regularly invited to lecture at established institutions, including the College of Psychic Studies in London. She has addressed sold-out audiences, led workshops and professional trainings, and facilitated immersive retreats focused on embodied soul awareness and conscious living. Through this work, she has supported thousands of people navigating loss, awakening, change, and personal transformation.

Claire is the author of three bestselling books exploring the nature of the soul, consciousness, and life beyond death. Her writing is known for balancing spiritual insight with emotional honesty and psychological grounding, contributing to contemporary conversations around consciousness, meaning, and human potential.

At the heart of Claire’s work is a simple truth:

• You are not broken.

• You are not lost.

• And you are not separate from your soul.

Learning to live from that place changes how you think, relate, and live.

https://www.clairebroad.com/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0714B4RQ9

My Book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP

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In this episode I am talking to Wendy Rose Williams about her book 'Regression Healing I:: The Huntsman, the Lord High Mayor and the World War II Soldier'

A lifetime athlete and adventurer had broken his neck. Could a comprehensive Past-Life Regression truly heal his significant daily pain? Could he finally learn how to connect easily and meaningfully with his Higher Self and Guides?

Witness one man’s exploration of more than a dozen of his past lives. Celebrate his journey Home as he becomes “One” with the Light within us all. Learn how finding the origin of physical or emotional pain provides the opportunity to heal and release it for a happier, healthier NOW, via the Regression Healing™ spiritual regression technique.

This story is the culmination of a profound soul-mate journey between a man and the woman who becomes his Past-Life Regressionist. Soul-mates are for lessons, to awaken us, and often to challenge us to grow or to go. Discover how their mastery of this final lesson frees them both.

Bio

Wendy Rose Williams is a Past Life Energy Healer. She helps people from around the world release energy that no longer serves them. Examples include pain, anxiety and depression. The goal is to live a happier, healthier life filled with purpose!

Wendy trained with Dr. Brian Weiss ('Many Lives, Many Masters') as well as other industry leaders for past-life regression therapy, future life progression and the Between-Lives spiritual regression. She is a Certified Spiritual Teacher as well as a Reiki Master energy healer, author & speaker and a Near-Death Experiencer.

Wendy co-hosts the "Waking Up Spiritually!" podcast the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month at noon Pacific. The podcast is a 'live' video format, and is recorded and archived:

https://wakingupspiritually.com/broadcasts/

Waking Up Spiritually is also available on your favorite podcast apps and on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-oiSdXdQUaWyMvpFGw5_9Q

Request your complimentary 15-minute phone appointment with Wendy here:

https://www.wendyrosewilliams.com/

Wendy has two daughters in college & vet school and is a volunteer and foster for the Dog Gone Seattle Rescue. Her puppy Henley keeps her active in the beautiful Pacific Northwest region!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQUFV1A

My Book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.