Common Mystics - Jennifer James and Jill Stanley

Latest Episodes:

162: Vampires- Why We Can't Let the Dead Stay Dead Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

On this Halloween episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill sink their teeth into the bloody, bizarre, and surprisingly sexy history of vampires! From ancient bloodthirsty demons and terrifying vampire panics to chilling true stories, the sisters uncover how fear, superstition, and a whole lot of grave digging gave birth to one of history’s most enduring monsters. But somewhere along the way, these horrifying undead creatures traded their rotting corpses for velvet capes, smoldering stares, and irresistible sex appeal. How the hell did we go from digging up dead bodies to falling in love with vampires like Dracula, Lestat, and Edward Cullen? Join Jen and Jill as they explore the evolution of the vampire—and ask the ultimate question: If you could live forever, would you?

WAIT! THERE'S MORE MYSTICAL MADNESS!

Think you've heard it all? Oh, Mysties, not even close! Head over to the Common Mystics YouTube channel for the unedited, unfiltered version of this episode! We're talking fascinating historical photographs, creepy visuals, and all those hilarious, unexpected, and occasionally ridiculous moments that didn't make the final cut. Trust us, you don't want to miss the extra chaos!

LOVE COMMON MYSTICS? COME JOIN OUR INNER CIRCLE!

The fun doesn't stop when the episode ends! Join us on Common Mystics Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, and even more adventures into the mysterious and unexplained!

And here's where things get REALLY good! At our highest Patreon tier, you can hang out LIVE with Jen, Jill, and our fabulous Mysties community during our monthly Zoom gatherings! We're talking mystical deep dives, hands-on intuitive exercises, new spiritual skills, plenty of laughs, and a chance to connect with people who love the weird and wonderful just as much as you do.

Come for the mysteries. Stay for the magic, the mischief, and the Mysties!

161: The Lost People of Lake Okeechobee, FL Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill uncover the haunting history of the Mayaimi, a nearly forgotten Indigenous people who once inhabited the mysterious wetlands surrounding Florida’s Lake Okeechobee. What begins with psychic impressions of ancient settlements, tribal violence, and a phantom presence leads the sisters into one of the darkest and least-known chapters of early American history. As European powers battled for control of Florida, armed slave raiders swept through Native communities, leaving devastation, captivity, and displacement in their wake. But the Mayaimi story takes an unexpected turn when historical records reveal that these supposedly vanished people may have survived far longer than anyone imagined.

What really happened to the Mayaimi, and how does an entire people seemingly disappear from history? Join Jen and Jill for a chilling journey into a forgotten world where the truth is far more complicated—and heartbreaking—than the history books suggest.

Head over to the Common Mystics YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@commonmystics5053 for the unedited version of this episode, complete with historical photographs, fascinating visuals, and a few extra moments that didn't make the final cut!

Want more mystical adventures with Jen and Jill? Join the Common Mystics Patreon group at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics for exclusive bonus content, behind-the-scenes fun, and even more spiritual exploration! At our highest tier, you'll join Jen, Jill, and our amazing Mysties community for live monthly Zoom gatherings, where we explore fascinating spiritual and mystical topics, learn new intuitive skills, and connect with like-minded souls. Come for the magic, stay for the community!

160: The Widow Who Vanished in Shullsburg, WI Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill travel to the historic mining town of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, where their psychic impressions lead them to the haunting story of Augusta Reinhart, a widow who mysteriously vanished in June 1904. After a five month search, Augusta was finally discovered forty feet underground in an abandoned mine shaft. But there was another twist: shortly before she vanished, Augusta was reportedly fighting to recover $500 from her late husband’s $1,000 life-insurance benefit from an unnamed man. Was Augusta’s death the suicide authorities ultimately determined it to be—or could the unresolved financial dispute point toward something more sinister? And just how closely did Jen and Jill’s psychic hits match Augusta’s story before they even knew her name?

For the full, gloriously unedited Common Mystics experience, head over to the Common Mystics YouTube channel, where historical photographs, documents, and archival footage help us illustrate Augusta’s forgotten story.

Want for Mystics? Join us on Patreon at patreon.com/commonmystics for extra content, monthly live calls with Jen and Jill, and plenty of spirited fun with our fabulous community of Mysties!

159: The Mysterious Death of a Nazi Hunter in Los Angeles, CA Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill uncover the extraordinary life and mysterious death of Captain John Schmidt, one of America’s earliest Nazi hunters. In 1930s Los Angeles, Nazi organizations operated openly: spreading propaganda, recruiting supporters, stockpiling weapons, and discussing violent plans. When government agencies failed to act, Jewish attorney Leon Lewis assembled a secret network of unlikely spies, including Schmidt and his wife, Alyce, to infiltrate the movement from within.

Schmidt risked his life gathering evidence, exposing extremists, and testifying against Nazi leaders—even after receiving death threats inside a packed courtroom. Then, in 1944, he died suddenly under circumstances suspicious enough to trigger a poisoning investigation. Was his death natural, or had the enemies he spent years pursuing finally caught up with him?

For the full visual experience, watch this episode on the Common Mystics YouTube channel, where historical photographs, documents, maps, and archival footage help bring Schmidt’s forgotten story to life.

Can’t get enough hidden history, mysterious happenings, and the forgotten stories lurking in the places we explore? Join us on Patreon at patreon.com/commonmystics for extra content, monthly live calls with Jen and Jill, and plenty of spirited fun with our fabulous community of Mysties!

158: Judy Garland and the Studio Drug Machine in Old Hollywood, CA Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Common Mystics*, Jen and Jill head back to the glittering days of Old Hollywood—when movie studios didn’t just control the films their stars made. They controlled their schedules, their appearances, their weight…and sometimes, even when they slept.

No one embodies the devastating consequences of the studio system quite like Judy Garland. She entered MGM as a 13-year-old girl with an extraordinary voice and emerged as one of the biggest stars in America—but the price of keeping Judy Garland camera-ready would follow her long after the studio lights went dark.

So today, we’re pulling back the curtain on Hollywood’s studio drug machine—and telling the heartbreaking story of the girl who followed the Yellow Brick Road straight into the machinery of MGM.

For the full experience, head over to the Common Mystics YouTube channel, where historical photographs and other visuals help bring this incredible story—and the real people and places at its heart—to life.

Can’t get enough Common Mystics? Come join us on Patreon! Get extra Mystics content, exclusive deep dives, and monthly live Zooms with Jen and Jill, where we explore all things spiritual, learn together, swap ideas, and connect with an amazing community of fellow seekers.

Plus, your support helps keep the Mystics on the road—traveling, researching, and giving voice to the forgotten stories waiting to be told.

Join the Mystics community: https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics

*This episode discusses prescription drug misuse and addiction, restrictive dieting and body shaming, the exploitation of young performers, mental health struggles, and death by accidental overdose. Please listen with care.

157: Massacre in the Canyon in San Bernardino Co., CA Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill head back to the lawless days of 1851 Southern California, where a stolen herd of horses, two murdered teamsters, and the arrest of two teenage members of the powerful Lugo family set off a deadly chain of events. What followed was a sensational trial, a revenge-hungry gang, and a bloody massacre in the mountains where nearly everyone involved would end up dead.

For the full video experience, head over to the Common Mystics YouTube channel, where we’ve included historical photographs, maps, and other visuals to help bring this incredible story—and the people and places behind it—to life.

If you can’t get enough Common Mystics, come hang out with us on Patreon! You’ll get extra Mystics content, exclusive deep dives, and monthly live Zooms with Jen and Jill, where we explore all things spiritual, learn together, ask questions, and connect with a wonderful community of fellow seekers. Your support also helps keep us on the road—traveling, researching, and uncovering the forgotten stories that are waiting to be told. Join the Mystics community at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics—we’d love to see you there!

156: Interview with Rebekah Carmichael, author of The Not-So-Scary Guide to Ghosts Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill sit down with paranormal investigator, psychic medium, and author Rebekah Carmichael to chat about her book, The Not-So-Scary Guide to Ghosts. Rebekah challenges some of the biggest assumptions about ghosts, explaining her fascinating ideas about different types of spirits, psychic development, and why connecting with the unseen doesn't have to be frightening. We also compare investigation styles, swap ghost stories, and discover we have more in common than we expected—including an encounter with one very famous pirate!

We also tackle some of the questions everyone wants answered: Are Ouija boards really dangerous? Can anyone develop psychic abilities? What separates a truly gifted psychic from a convincing fake? Plus, Rebekah shares practical advice for anyone just beginning their spiritual journey and reminds us that the spirit world may be a lot more welcoming—and a lot less scary—than we've been taught to believe.

If you love uncovering hidden history and discovering the powerful stories woven into the places we explore, please consider supporting Common Mystics on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics. Your support helps us continue traveling, researching, and giving voice to the forgotten stories that still linger in the shadows.

155: The Voice We Couldn't Ignore in Victorville, CA Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and JIll step outside their usual historical time frame to explore a heartbreaking case from the High Desert of Southern California in 2001. While we typically focus on stories from the more distant past, recent developments surrounding this investigation made us feel that the voiceless was reaching out, asking to be heard.

To honor the privacy of those who continue to live with this tragedy, we have chosen not to use the victim's name throughout the episode. Instead, we focus on her story, the circumstances surrounding her abduction and murder, the investigation that unfolded over the years, and the remarkable events that recently brought new attention to the case.

Join us as we explore a case that reminds us that, sometimes, justice may take years—but a voice seeking to be heard is never truly silenced.

For the video of this episode, be sure to visit the Common Mystics YouTube channel.

154: The Story of Juana Maria, the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, CA Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Common Mystics, Jennifer and Jill journey to California's coast to uncover the remarkable story of Juana Maria, the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, whose eighteen years of isolation inspired the classic novel Island of the Blue Dolphins and became one of the most enduring legends in American history.

But the legend isn't the whole story. We trace the history of the Channel Islands and the Nicoleño people, explore the devastating impact of colonization, the fur trade, and the California mission system, and reveal how one woman came to embody the final chapter of an entire culture. Along the way, we separate myth from history, uncover surprising discoveries made by modern historians, and examine the facts that challenge the version of Juana Maria's story that many grew up believing.

Could the truth be even more extraordinary than the legend? Join us as we explore one of California's most haunting and unforgettable stories.

For photos and other historical images that bring this story to life, be sure to visit the Common Mystics YouTube channel and follow along as we discuss the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, CA.

153: Forgotten Heiress- The Unsolved Murder of Georgette Bauerdorf in Hollywood, CA Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Common Mystics*, Jen and Jill investigate the unsolved 1944 murder of Hollywood heiress Georgette Bauerdorf, whose brutal death behind the glamour of wartime Los Angeles remains one of the city's most haunting and enduring mysteries. Found deceased in her own bathtub under suspicious circumstances, Georgette’s case shocked a city already steeped in secrecy and shadow during World War II. As we peel back the layers of her life, we uncover connections to elite social circles and a trail of unanswered questions that have lingered for decades. Join us as we explore the eerie details, possible suspects, and enduring theories surrounding a case that still refuses to be laid to rest.

For photos and other historical images that bring this story to life, be sure to visit the Common Mystics YouTube channel and follow along as we discuss the unsolved murder of Georgette Bauerdorf.

* This episode includes discussion of violence, sexual assault and murder. Sensitive listeners, please use discretion.

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