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BOA : Audio

11.12.13

Bill Guggenheim /
Dr. Annie Kagan

(2 Hours, 51 Minutes)


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(MP3 B : 90 minutes)

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BoA:Audio takes another look at After-Death Communication (ADC) with a pair of guests: pioneering researcher Bill Guggenheim and ADC experiencer Dr. Annie Kagan. In the first half, Bill will detail his journey to studying ADCs and how it led to the groundbreaking book Hello From Heaven, the differentiation between ADCs and 'ghosts,' instances which may prove that ADCs are not guilt-induced experiences, the difficulty of studying this nebulous subject, and much much more.

In the latter half, Dr. Annie Kagan will talk about being contacted by her late brother, who prompted her to write the book The Afterlife of Billy Fingers, which chronicled her experience and his story. Annie will reflect on the first moment her brother contacted her as well as reveal the logistics of this communication. We'll also discuss how Annie's story is an incredibly unique experience in the pantheon of ADC cases as well as much much more.

Altogether, this is a massive edition of the program which may have you looking at everyday moments and pondering if they could be messages from beyond as we discuss After-Death Communication with the researcher who put the phenomenon on the paranormal map, Bill Guggenheim, and an author who shares her stunning personal experience with ADCs, Dr. Annie Kagan.

Full Preview: We begin by having Bill refresh us on his bio / background and he recounts the series of events which led him to research the mysteries of life after death and, specifically, after-death communication. Bill recounts how Elisabeth Kubler Ross played a critical role in opening his eyes to the possibility for contact between the living and the dead. He also shares his own strange experience which resulted in saving the life of his son and how that also resulted in his decision to write Hello from Heaven.

Bill then defines what constitutes an 'After-Death Communication' and we look at how it was developed as well as how an ADC differs from your prototypical 'ghost story.' We also find out if 'enemies' ever return to 'make good' with their adversaries following death. Additionally, Bill shares a bizarre story of a woman who wanted to contact the ghost of serial killer Ted Bundy and experienced a terrifying encounter with something evil. Additionally, he reveals how many radio stations call on him around Halloween to talk about ADCs, despite the loving nature of the topic.

To that end, Bill stresses the difference between ADCs and 'supernatural experiences,' talking about how ADCs center more around bereaved people rather than simply a sensational event. This leads to some talk about how Bill and Judy Guggenheim were pioneers of ADC research, having both named and defined the phenomenon in Hello from Heaven. The conversation then segues into talking about how ADCs seem to be becoming more accepted by the general public and Bill muses about why this appears to be the case. He also talks about how death and dying are becoming more socially acceptable to discuss in modern times.

Bill also shares some stunning ADC statistics which suggest that the phenomenon is far more prevalent many may think. This leads to him talking about instances where the details of an ADC suggest that is cannot be a mere case of grief-induced hallucinations. Next we talk about perhaps the most compelling form of ADCs: phone calls or other technical communications from the dead. In light of the thousands of cases that Bill has collected, we find out if he, or anyone else, has 'crunched the numbers' on the data to see if there are any overarching, but previously imperceptible, trends.

He details a few other types of ADCs which refute the idea that such experiences are only because the experiencer is overcome with grief. This results in us talking about why science cannot 'prove' ADCs because it solely focuses on the physical reality and, thus, cannot unlock the secret of the phenomenon. Going down a different route, we find out about ADC 'pacts,' where people promise each other that whoever dies first will come back to let their cohort know that they have 'arrived' on the other side, and Bill shares details on instances where this has happened as well as what unsuccessful agreements may mean.

Heading towards the close, Bill talks about what needs to be done for ADCs to advance further into the public consciousness and become more accepted as a normal event. We discuss the need for more media coverage of the phenomenon and how, too often, they are lumped in with ghost stories and TV programming surrounding that enigma. Bill shares some tips for people who are longing to experience an ADC and also talks about how the phenomenon leads to an uplifting feeling for those who experience it. Considering Bill's epic career studying ADCs, we find out what he'd like to see from future researchers of the phenomenon.

Closing out the conversation, we discuss instances where ADCs have prevented someone from attempting to commit suicide, how ADCs are even more socially accepted in other areas of the world, and the ultimate message of Hello from Heaven.

****************

In the second half of the program, we welcome Dr. Annie Kagan, author of the book The Afterlife of Billy Fingers, which tells the amazing story of her ongoing after-death communication with her late brother, Billie. We being by getting some bio / background on Annie and learning about how her amazing story first began. We then revisit the first time that Annie hear from her brother and she tells us about how it happened as well as her thought process as she had this experience. We also break the 4th wall and find out how long it took Annie to believe that her experience was real and actually happening.

Next we have Annie provide an example of an instance when her communication with her brother was shown to be legitimate via information provided to her by him in the afterlife. In light of the extensive level of communication between Annie and Billy, we discuss how this differs from the 'classic' ADC, which seems to be more a one-off communication. This leads to some talk about the lessons about life on Earth that were imparted to Annie from Billy. Since this case goes beyond an NDE, we find out, via Billy's messages to Annie, what happens when the NDE ends and the afterlife begins.

We then look at ADCs, as a whole, and talk about how the phenomenon seems to be becoming more generally accepted in the mainstream as a mysterious, albeit real, phenomenon. Annie shares one particular story about a man who 'listened to a voice' and narrowly avoided death by taking the advice. Looking a the logistics of Annie's experience, we find out if Billy contacted anyone else or made his presence known in some other way. Additionally, we find out if the communication changed over time or if Billy's ability to communicate evolved as he continued onward in the afterlife.

In light of her remarkable story, we find out if Annie received any pushback to her story from skeptical readers. She reflects on why some folks may get angry over her story as well as the tremendous amount work which was required by her for the communication to happen. Looking at the logistics of the experience again, Annie explains the timeline of the communication, when it began, how long it lasted, and if it still continues today as well as why she may be taking a break from communicating with Billy at the moment. Annie also reflects on the uncomfortable and conflicting nature of acting as a spokesperson for someone on 'the other side' when he is our only witness to the afterlife.

Following that, Annie tells us about the positive feedback she has received regarding the book since its publication this past Spring. We also reflect on how ADCs seem to give great comfort to those who experience them and Annie shares how her reaction to the passing of her mother was influenced by her experiences with Billy. Beyond that, we talk about how ADCs and the pondering of the phenomenon can have a tremendous perspective on both death and life. Comparing Billy's story to many staples of NDE cases, we learn that he had several 'life reviews,' rather than the sole one that NDE experiencers report.

Heading towards the close, we talk more about Billy's 'reporting' from the afterlife and what sort of information about the 'dimension' he imparted to Annie. In addition to that, we ask Annie if Billy provided any indication as to how extensively, in the afterlife, we see our deceased loved ones who have also 'crossed over.' Annie also provides advice for people who long to reunite with their late loved ones without having to make the journey themselves as well as why people need to be more open and interpretive in their lives if they want to experience an ADC. Closing out the program, we find out where folks can pick up The Afterlife of Billy Fingers and what's next for Dr. Annie Kagan.




Bill Guggenheim Bio

Bill Guggenheim and his former wife Judy, conducted seven years of research on After-Death Communication (ADC) for their book, Hello From Heaven! During this time, they interviewed 2,000 people and collected more than 3,300 first-hand accounts of ADC experiences. Bill is on the Board of Advisors of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) and is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). He presents workshops at conferences for bereavement support groups, hospices, churches, colleges, and many other types of institutions.

His website is after-death.com

Dr. Annie Kagan Bio

Annie Kagan began writing songs at the age of fourteen. At fifteen, she was signed by a producer from Columbia Records. At sixteen, she was performing in New York City cafes and clubs. After ten years as a songwriter and performer, Annie returned to college, graduating with honors, and became a Doctor of Chiropractic with a successful private practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Attracted to Eastern spiritual traditions, Annie studied yoga and pursued an intense meditation practice. Following her inner voice, she left her career as a doctor and abandoned her hectic city life in search of serenity in a small house by the bay on the tip of Long Island. Annie returned to songwriting, collaborating with Grammy and Emmy award-winning producer Brian Keane. When her brother Billy died unexpectedly and began speaking to her from the afterlife, her future took a surprising turn. She has masterfully combined her talents as a lyricist, performer and healer in order to touch the lives of others with Billy’s communications from the other side in her debut book “The Afterlife of Billy Fingers”.

Her website is anniekagan.com


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