Hacking the Afterlife with Jennifer Shaffer, Luana Anders, Harry Dean Stanton and Sitting Bull (Tatanka Iyotake)

Another unusual afternoon chatting with folks on the flipside. In this episode we get a visit from an old friend Harry Dean Stanton. Harry passed away in Sept. 2017 at the age of 91. As noted in the book BACKSTAGE PASS TO THE FLIPSIDE, Harry Dean came through prior to his memorial service.   When Harry passed, I wondered if it was possible to chat with my old pal. A skeptic's skeptic, he had spent many a long evening arguing with anyone who wanted to talk about the afterlife. He lumped the reports into a big hat of nonsense, and was quite vocal about "life ending in death and we should get over it." There's a DVD of one of Harry's movies where the director put clips of him talking about it. Anyways, Harry came forward when I asked for him. I asked what he thought it was like "realizing there was an afterlife."  That footage was shot live on camera, is in the film Hacking the Afterlife on Gaia (HackingTheAfterlifeFilm.com) Harry gave us an elaborate story of how he was greeted on the flipside by Luana, Fred Roos, driving to the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.  Fred is still on the planet, and confirmed everything Harry told me (which I didn't know.)  Harry called the "creation of this event" as a soft landing for him - so he wasn't stressed, as he thought he had "fallen into a dream." Something he thought might happen. So today he stopped by to elaborate on his conversation from 6 years ago - that it was advisable to "believe in the possibility" before one leaves the planet, as that "makes it easier to transition." I didn't ask for Harry to come by, but he has a number of times before, and like I say, I knew him, spent one too many evenings with him, and played guitar with him.  He's a much beloved person, as Pacino, Nicholson, Beatty and Ed Begley Jr. All were there - all are skeptics.  I brought private messages to a couple of his closest friends, and one to his old girlfriend (whom I mention in the podcast.) Yes, it's mind bending to hear again from Harry Dean. No it's not impossible or even unusual. Yes, my son and I were listening to "Lakota songs for Sitting Bull" on YouTube the other day - his face popped up in the search portion and we listened to about a half hour of songs sung by his people. For those keeping track, my first hypnotherapy session I recalled being a Lakota medicine man - I recalled my name "Wa'tanka" and how I'd lost my wife and son in a battle with the Huron. Later, I consulted an historian who confirmed all the details I mentioned, including the battle sites (in Eau Claire Wisconsin where they fought for 60 years) He knew I was a medicine man from my description of clothing (two feathers in my hair hanging down, wearing buckskin) and pointed out the name was a derivation of "Wakan Tanka" which means the great spirit.  Since then I have spend time learning about the Lakota and all I can say is that Sitting Bull (Tatanka Iyotake) is someone I'm somewhat familiar with, have seen one of his peace pipes in the Autry museum (which Jennifer identified at the time) and we have heard from him before. Our ancestors are not far away. It's up to us to take the time to invite them by for a chat. Enjoy

Hacking the Afterlife documentary is live on Gaia

Hacking the Afterlife is LIVE ON THE AIR!

LIVE ON GAIA NOW!!! Ten years of chatting with the afterlife. Jennifer Shaffer, Michael Newton, Scott De Tamble, Kimberly Babcock, Howard Schultz, Bill Paxton, Harry Dean Stanton, Luana Anders, Charles Grodin - all make appearances. As Gary Schwartz PhD put it in the Foreword for "Flipside:" "This is the kind of book once you have read it, you will no longer be able to see the world in the same way again." The same can be said of this film. Don't watch it unless you're prepared to change how you see the world... and the world beyond.

1. The feature length documentary (1:49). 

2. The trailer for the documentary also at Gaia: 

Here's the trailer via my YouTube page at Martinizone.com:

A little background about the film:

Luana Anders

It's taken me ten years to make a sequel to "Flipside" 

The film is a distillation of that research over the past ten years. There are a couple of clips from the original "Flipside" documentary for context.

The documentary is in three sections:

1. Hacking the Afterlife via hypnotherapy.

In this section, the footage touches upon the hypnosis sessions that have been done by a number of clinical psychologists and others. I start with Michael Newton, because he was responsible for my entry into this arena - clips from his last filmed interview (which makes up the documentary and book "Flipside.")

I feature a clip of Dr. Brian Weiss talking about the research, as his was the first book I read that introduced me to the topic.  Charles Grodin's wife, Elissa Grodin turned me on to the book, "Many Lives Many Masters."

Later on in the film is an excerpt from a talk with Dr. Helen Wambach. Dr. Wambach was a clinical psychologist in the 1970's who did extensive research into using hypnosis to access previous lifetimes. By eliminating bias she was able to verify historical accuracy. She eliminated bias by not focusing on personal experience or journey - but on recalled details. What kinds of utensils were used in what time period, the weather of the region recalled, the clothing worn, the construction materials used. By focusing on historical details she could demonstrate that people were recalling things with veracity - historically accurate events that aren't part of the zeitgeist (books, films, etc).

I feature a number of hypnotherapy cases I've filmed - two friends of mine who both agreed to have me film their hypnosis sessions. One a lifelong friend who was a successful TV executive, another a screenwriter with Parkinson's. Both have revelatory memories about previous lifetimes while under hypnosis.

Michael Newton in his last filmed interview

The Second Part is "Hacking the Afterlife" through mediumship.

I focus on mediums that I know or have worked with in the past. Jennifer Shaffer works with law enforcement agencies nationwide on missing person cases. The other mediums are people I know to be accurate in their work. In the film "Talking to Bill Paxton" also on Gaia, I have three different mediums answer the same questions I ask my old friend on the flipside.  Each one answers the same way - the same answers - even though in one case I wasn't in the room when the questions were asked.

Jennifer Shaffer

Also a filmed interview with James Van Praagh that was part of the Charles Grodin show which I produced and participated in, where James speaks directly, live on air to my friend Luana Anders on the flipside.

There are dramatic scenes speaking with the late actor Harry Dean Stanton, my friend, friend of Luana Anders (who helps us from the flipside) and his dramatic recounting of his crossing over to the afterlife. He provides accurate information about his last days on earth, as well as personal private messages to his friends.

There's a portion where I introduce the life and career of Luana Anders and how she's been instrumental in my education in this area.

Harry Dean and Bill Paxton are in the film

The third section is "Hacking the Afterlife" via NDE's - 

in this case, I demonstrate how no hypnosis is required for someone to access a dramatic event. Could be a dream, NDE, or some other "consciousness altering event."  There's an interview with filmmaker Josh Davidow where he recalls a previous lifetime without hypnosis - which I provide evidence of in the documentary. There are the NDE's of Josh and Steph Arnold and then a demonstration how they can "access the afterlife" with a series of simple questions.

Film was submitted prior to the passing of my dear friend Charles Grodin - so while he's not in the "dedicated to" section, he knows he's included.

Your truly and Charles Grodin on the Merv Show

Again - ten years of trying to capture lightning in a bottle.

It's not my opinion, theory or belief that people say these things with or without hypnosis, via mediums, via hypnotherapy, via meditation - it's on film. I have hundreds of similar cases of people on camera, on a microphone doing the same.

Thanks to Scott De Tamble for his generous help in allowing me access to his work, thanks to Jennifer Shaffer and her generous help allowing me to access her gifts of mediumship.  There's no film without them.

But take the time to watch it, it's free on Gaia.com (for new subscribers)

For further information, or "read along" texts - I can offer my books:

1. Flipside: A tourist's guide on how to navigate the Afterlife.

2. Flipside the documentary

3. It's a Wonderful Afterlife (books one and two).

4. Hacking the Afterlife

5. Architecture of the Afterlife

(For those with a science bent, see UVA's DOPS Dr. Greyson's "After" Dr. Tucker's "Before" and Ed Kelly PhD's "Consciousness Unbound" for how consciousness can exist outside the brain. While I've met or interviewed all these scientists from UVA, their work and research isn't part of mine - However, because we are talking about conversing with people no longer on the planet, one would have to understand how consciousness can still exist by learning from scientists how that is possible.)

For more information about Scott: Scott at Lightbetweenlives.com - 

For more information about Jennifer: JenniferShaffer.com

We have three books we've created together; "Backstage Pass to the Flipside" books one, two and three. All transcripts of our weekly interviews.

There are numerous clips, and 65 podcasts at MartiniZone.com or the audio is at HackingTheAfterlife.com - 

There are now three documentaries available: "Flipside" "Talking to Bill Paxton" and "Hacking the Afterlife" on Gaia

All flipside all the time.

If you have a chance, can watch the film, (and like it?) please leave a comment in the space provided at Gaia.  The more people who "like" a film, the more people become aware of it.  

My apologies for out of focus shots, shots filmed in crowded restaurants, noisy cafes - this is a labor of love, and despite having a career in the film industry making feature films that don't have "spotty lighting" or "bad sound" - sometimes you just have to turn on the camera and see what you can capture. It's lightning in a bottle, or in this case a tripod (or cellphone).

Enjoy.

Hacking the Afterlife with Ketamine, Harry Dean, Hawking and a Visit from the Alpha and Omega

An unusual confirmation of events on the Flipside from Jennifer Shaffer and the term "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (and the rest of the poem that includes “rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief.”) 

From Wiki: "Tinker Tailor" is a counting game, nursery rhyme and fortune telling song traditionally played in England, that can be used to count cherry stones, buttons, daisy petals and other items... It is commonly used by children in both Britain and America for "counting out", e.g. for choosing who shall be "It" in a game of tag."

The title came to mind and it appears to reference the idea that we are always connected to all of our lifetimes - no matter which role we've chosen on the planet this time around. Another conversation with the flipside about process. 

But in terms of "Tinker, Tailor" - a counting game, I think what Luana wanted me to mention, or think about - was the idea of "counting the lifetimes we've had."  We appear on the planet as all of these characters, they're all like characters in a play, and depending how long we are in the acting troupe, we might play each one of them. One day we're Hamlet, the next day Ophelia, another day Iago.  In the actor's troupe, everyone plays everything.

In the above clip, there's a brief hello from our pals from "Big Love" Harry Dean Stanton and Bill Paxton - and then a surprise visit from Stephen Hawking who tells us there is a "formula" for love. Finally, a wrap up with a few answers from the Alpha and the Omega.

Another mind bending episode into the flipside with the amazing Jennifer Shaffer helping us access a "flipside classroom."

Sometimes, post session, I hear something or get something that relates directly to the session. This morning, I received an email from the fellow I mentioned in this session, who is suffering from PTSD.  

He told me he was going to go to do a Ketamine session with the supervision of a doctor, and in light of Jennifer's experience (which she reports in detail during the session), I wanted to share this fellow's email this morning.

"Hi Rich!

Hope everyone is healthy and happy in Martini Land!

I noticed ketamine in the headline of your webpage post.  I'll have to watch it again because I missed that part...probably day dreaming.

Just wanted to let you know I did the ketamine therapy sun, mon and tues. (for PTSD).

It's going to save my life.  

I have not felt this positive, anxiety free and happy for as long as I can remember....  This is their website:

https://ketamineinstitute.com/

He's developed a treatment he says has been over 85% effective.  I can't say enough good things about him and the treatment.  I've never done LSD or anything like that...so it was a cool experience for me.  

I was in another world.  Saw shapes, colors, textures...then places and people.  I swear I saw Jesus on the second day.  He said that Jesus stops by on the regular for peoples treatments.

(The doctor) asked me what he looked like.  

I could only remember bits and pieces but having just woken from the treatment, I said he looks more like Colin Kaepernick than "Catholic white Jesus".  He laughed and said people often see him the way they need to see him but he wasn't surprised at my description.  But damn it...I forgot to look at his eyes...I know they weren't blue though.  They were dark.

The Doctor also mentioned that after this treatment I'm likely to have easier access to things like spirit guides and may notice more synchronicities.  He doesn't mention anything like that before the treatment...I'm guess so as not to influence my experience.  But once we discussed my experience...I can tell he is a believer in those experiences.

Now I go back for a treatment at 3 months, 6 months and 9 months.  Earlier if symptoms start returning.  After that he's had people go as long as 4 years before they need to come back for a treatment.  Though he said I am welcome to make an appt anytime I want to come back.

It's cool stuff man!  My Wife and I also discussed that it's no coincidence that we were led to this area and he happens to be nearby.  He gets patients flying in from all over the world.

What a ride!  Thanks for all your help in understanding this stuff!

*****

My reply:

"Fantastic.  Actually you are mentioned in the above episode. Not by name, but Jennifer begins describing her doctor/ shaman ketamine therapy and after she talks about it I mentioned your therapy. (You're the only one I know doing it for PTSD.) 

So this is a confirmation of the research.. proof if you will. 

Jesus shows up as well at the end (of the above session). He appears to people not because they're Christian but because he can. 

He appears slightly different to each person.. sometimes his eye color changes mid conversation.  The fun part is.. how do we know it is him? (He's not wearing a nametag!) 

Yet people report seeing him often. (See "Hacking the Afterlife" and "Architecture of the Afterlife" for numerous accounts where he shows up with people not under hypnosis, just accessing the flipside by a series of questions.) So very cool to hear and thanks for sharing." 

*****

His reply: 

"And that's what the Doctor said also... people sometimes see him the way they need to see him.  Incredible!"

*****

At the end of this session above, out of the blue I asked Jennifer if the Alpha and Omega (Jesus) could weigh in on the conversation. It popped into my head. 

For those familiar with my work, familiar with my writing, they know I'm not card carrying Christian, I'm not selling any kind of ideology - they know that when given the chance, I ask Jesus to weigh in on any number of things, some of the most controversial he's said (repeatedly via different people) are that he "survived the crucifixion" that he was "married to Mary Magdalene" that he had "children" that he "returned to Kashmir after the crucifixion to continue his legacy. 

That he's had "other lifetimes" but each one is reportedly an example of "unconditional love."  (See "Hacking the Afterlife" for specifics.) But again - I'm not answering the questions, he is, either through someone not under hypnosis ("Architecture of the Afterlife") or via a medium who spontaneously says "Jesus is also here."  When he appears, I take the opportunity to ask him questions that reflect the research.  His answers are sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always reflect an idea of "unconditional love."

I don't want to upset anyone's belief system - if this seems problematic, I would offer to the scientists that if he's appearing based on one's perception (and sometimes that's over many lifetimes, not just this one) then it is something that is being translated by the mind -"the energy" of that frequency and coming to realize that the "avatar known as Jesus" shares that frequency with many avatars. It's often repeated - that he shares the same "frequency" as many "avatars." (Which is not commonly referred to by any religious texts.)

For those that have a mental block at the mention of his name (lest we forget, he wasn't a Christian per se; that happens after he departs) for religious or secular reasons - I am just reporting. I turn on the camera, I turn it off. Sometimes I ask questions. Sometimes a hypnotherapist asks the questions. 

It's not me seeing him, saying he's "appeared" - in all the cases, I ask questions about his appearance (often brown eyes with flecks of gold, but not always), I ask about what he looks like now - what clothes he's appearing in (and if it's too disruptive to see him in regal attire (as "he's always been painted") I ask him to switch into something more conducive to conversation.  (More than once people have reported seeing him suddenly in a tee shirt and jeans, sandals or no shoes.)

So - I'm repeating an email from a fellow who reached out to me online, whom I've yet to meet, but who has focused on healing his mind, and finally got to a place where he could do so with the help of Ketamine. It's not the Ketamine doing the transformation - but the Ketamine appears to "remove" or "alter" the filters we all have in place that prevent us from accessing this information.

People report (and I've filmed them reporting) that a near death event, out of body experience, LSD, deep hypnosis or meditation can have the same effect - but the resulting information that they share (often contrary to their belief system whether they were skeptics or believers) is something that I can report. What they say on camera is consistent and reproducible.

And here, someone is reporting that with the help of a medical professional, a hallucinogen, he was able to access the flipside, to rid himself of the life threatening post traumatic stress of his earlier life, observe things about himself that his "conscious mind within his body" could not do so - and that he got a chance to see an avatar while doing so.

Pretty cool if you ask me...

BUT WAIT!!!! THERE'S MORE!!!!

This just in, and I have to share it for anyone who needs to read it: (soldiers, skeptics, those suffering from PTSD and others.) This is his first account experience that he wrote up after his Ketamine therapy for PTSD:)

"The first thing I noticed, was the room began to shift. In a barely perceptible way. Textures became more prominent. The walls began to look softer. I started licking my lips to see if they were still there...they were. Then...they were gone. I wasn’t my body an longer. I was the walls, the chair, the light, the air….everything was me and I was everything. There was no perceptible difference between “myself” and the air or the colors or the sound. Sound was color and color was sounds. And I was all of it.

I don’t know if I couldn’t talk...but I didn’t want to nor did I have to. Whatever I thought was immediately thought by everything else. The ceiling of the room rose until I could not see it or perceive it any longer. I could no longer feel myself sitting in the chair. I was flying slowly through a maze of colors and textures. Feeling nothing but the most unconditional love for everything. There was no fear, only love.

(Note: This is also what Jennifer reports in her session... unconditional love, connected to everyone and everything.)

At first, having no reference to compare it to, I began to worry that I would not be able to control anything or get back. Then it didn’t matter. I controlled everything and nothing at the same time. 

At the time I thought I may not be able to get back, faces and people appeared. My Boston Terrier appeared. She jumped through my “mind” in the air as if weightless. We were one...and all concerns melted away. 

I saw faces of people I did not know as well as my Aunt. Jesus also floated into vision with the most all encompassing smile. He did not look like “Catholic, blue eyed Jesus”. He looked young, healthy and had olive color skin and dark eyes. 

I felt nothing but love...he did not have to tell me who he was...it was understood immediately. He looked at me as if to say “finally, you’re home”. And I was home. Every major detail of life was gone...making me realize that none of it truly exists. The only thing that exists is love.

The feeling of love has stayed with me. It’s been 3 days since the last treatment and I can still see his face and feel the all encompassing feeling of joy that we brought each other. 

I saw people I don’t remember but we sat around my Aunt’s yellow topped table. I remember seeing the chairs I sat in as a child...the backrests grey with a large button in the middle. One yellow, one red, one green and one blue. The seats, though people were seated, were still visible. The same color as the button on the backrest. Then it melted away into everything else and all was one again.

I found myself in the woods that I know. It was pitch black with only stars visible as I stood in the middle of a two track road with trees hanging over the the edges. More people were there with me. There was no light, though I could see every single detail of every tree, every leaf. The air was thick like water with no wetness. 

And I was all of it...part of everything. The trees knew who I was and I knew who the trees were. There was no distinction of being separate.

As the ketamine began to wear off and the orange salt lamp on the table in front of me began to come back into sight...the only thing I said was “booooo”. My Dr. laughed and asked me gently “Well? What or who did you see?” 

I mentioned Jesus and my Aunt with a bit of embarrassment... hoping he wouldn’t think I was crazy. He said “You would be surprised to know how often he stops by during these treatments”. 

It was hard to come back. Though after coming back, the world has a softer feel to it. The harshness of the world that was there before has been replaced with a softness that I can’t quite explain. It’s now easier for me to feel connected.

The anxiety that had been running my life...keeping me in the house and from experiencing the world is gone. I can’t even remember what it felt like to have it. The fear I felt at having to leave this house has evaporated into thin air... I no longer have any use for it….there is no fear when you are everyone and everything.

The depression and suicidal ideation that permeated my every day life...I lost it. I couldn’t find it right now if I wanted to. Somehow, this treatment puts you in a place of understanding. Understanding that you are everything and everyone. None of us are separate...we never were."

*****

(Note: In the cases of people who have had an "epiphany" or "apotheosis" they often report this feeling of being connected to everyone and everything, of being "one with everything" - which Jennifer tries to explain but was reluctant to say.  But as noted in the session, being "one with everything" appears to be our natural state of being - and that it's when we come here, for whatever reason, we experience that "separation.")

The author of this just sent this to me, and I had to add it.  For those that cannot hear they won't - but for those who can, they will.  

I'm not advocating the use of Ketamine except under medical supervision. But it appears to be a way to "remove the filters" or alter them so that we can access the flipside. (For an in depth medical discussion of "filters on the brain" I recommend Dr. Bruce Greyson's YouTube talk "Is consciousness produced by the brain?" where he cites the medical evidence that it is not only.)

By removing or altering the filters, we can gain insight into the human condition.

Beyond Words

Each week, Jennifer Shaffer and I have chats with folks on the flipside. That is, people no longer on the planet.  Are we speaking to a floating ghost? Or an echo of a consciousness? Or a pool of consciousness?  Perhaps it's worth looking at the "process" involved.  

Jennifer is a medium who works with law enforcement agencies nationwide on missing person cases. She's used to jaded skeptics asking her questions and having their minds blown by her giving details that turn out later on to be evidence. 

By her "solving" a mystery by seeing the events that took place. She's not always able to do so - sometimes people can't project what happened to them, or she misinterprets the visuals, sounds or senses she is getting.  But when she's correct - she's correct. (Ask Bill Bratton, former NYPD commissioner about her.)

Jennifer and George Noory of Coast to Coast

What's the process?

I had a dream last night where I was speaking to Luana Anders and she said something that made me laugh, but it was a lightning quick thought.  I mean, she passed along something funny to me, I laughed, said "I get it" before she fully formed it - like I was on the same engram or thought path with her. 

And then a second later, after I said "That's funny!" I could not access it. That is me - Richard - the guy on the planet in bed having a dream where I'm talking to Luana, and I realize we're in mid conversation.

But my higher self - the two thirds left behind - got her joke.  And that guy laughed before she could finish saying it. But because the mind of "me" (Richard in bed guy) is not lightning swift, I couldn't hold onto it - because it was in her mind.  

So I tried to ask her - consciously - "What was it you were referencing?" She replied "Access and process."  Meaning - "It's about the process - and how we access our higher selves."

So this post is about process and access. How we access people who are no longer on the planet.  We are connected to them at all times (not aware of it), and since no one disappears or goes to nothingness, we all "return home" - a portion of them is always accessible.  Not a "floating, meandering" portion - but one that is connected to their "higher consciousness" which is aware of all of their lifetimes (as well as ours. Just ask.)

We have filters that block our access to that information, but those filters can be altered or adjusted during a near death event, out of body experience, taking hallucinogens, using meditation or under deep hypnosis.  The filters - the things that prevent us from accessing this information on a daily basis - are firmly in place. (For "filter references" in research, I recommend Dr. Greyson's "Is consciousness produced by the brain?" or Dr. Wambach's "Reliving Past Lives" where she suggests the "hypervigilant" left brain blocks the information received (the brain functioning like a stereo receiver.)

As they are altered when we are asleep.

In dreams. However - we can be open to their being altered while awake. And to do that, just "open one's mind up to the possibility that there is an afterlife" and things will spring forth. In the previous post, I mentioned how a close friend suddenly realized her pal who died ten years ago was "hanging out with her."  She had written me suddenly, saying that "It feels like this guardian or guide is with me now and is showing herself to me. I can feel and hear her."

I wrote: "Ask her who she is."  A few minutes later, she said "Oh my God! It's Sharon!"  I knew Sharon - my pal's close friend in high school - but Sharon is keeping an eye on her since she checked off the planet ten years ago. For ten years she had "no idea" who that person might be, never mentioned it to anyone (except to me once in an email, that someone "makes her feel completely at peace when she shows up.")  Told no one. Claimed who she was to no one.

And then when asked the question "Who are you?" she replied. Gave her a visual of who she is.  That kind of verification will mean nothing to someone who hasn't experienced it.  The super skeptics will remain super skeptics - until they have the same experience. That's how the mind works. Super skeptical until it's no longer useful.

I got a note from someone on Quora who self identified as a skeptic, but wanted to try to self experiment. He wanted to see if he could access someone no longer on the planet; his mother who had died some years ago. 

He followed the method I recommended; imagined her sitting across from him.  He said “I tried the method, spent ten minutes just pretending to see my mother, did a simple meditation of creating her, what she was wearing, holding her hands. He said, then he asked her a simple question he wouldn't know the answer to: “Who greeted you when you crossed over?” 

She replied (aloud, in his head) “Hugh Nessel.”

He had no clue who that was, so he reached out to his sister, the keeper of family histories, and she said “That was mother's maternal grandfather. You never met him because he died before you were born." 

He wrote to tell me that this incident had "shaken him to his core."  He had tried a simple self experiment... and the results surprised him.

Super skeptics will tell us that everything is cryptomnesia, something we heard before, or created with our minds, which are locked in place by the brain, and die with us upon departure.  That he must have heard this name somewhere someplace in his lifetime and that he just forgot it.  

But you see - that doesn't acknowledge the experiential portion. Which is "hearing his mother's voice saying new information that he had not heard before."  He had never heard her say "Hugh Nessel."  (Or had any access to it). And when he did hear her say it, he was startled to "hear her voice" but didn't say "Oh, right, that old duffer."  He was confused because he didn't know who that could be. She said a name completely foreign to him, but in her own voice, which he knew was hers.

But his sister set him straight. 

Someone he never met, who died before he was born, whose name would not be common knowledge. (This is just one of dozens of examples I can recount.)

Harry Dean and his pal Bill

Harry Dean Stanton showed up in a conversation with Jennifer Shaffer a week before his memorial service. He gave me three messages to give his close friends at the service.  Details about issues relating to their health that they had not told anyone, was not common knowledge. I went up to each of them and told them at the memorial service. They were flabbergasted.

I asked Harry what he wanted me to say at his Memorial - he said "Tell people to believe in the afterlife."  I laughed. "Harry, you were a famous atheist. None of your friends is going to believe I spoke to you."  He said "Then tell them to believe in the possibility of an afterlife so then they won't waste another minute of their life arguing about it like I did."  Sage words.

Finally,  someone on Quora asked me the same question today - "How do we know we are connected to our higher selves, so I can, for example, figure out the right trade to make? How do you differentiate between your own inner voice and the voice of your guide(s) or loved ones who are trying to communicate. How do I know whom to thank for the all the stock tips and subsequently, whom do I fault for not taking them ;) ?"

I replied: 

"You mean Lottery numbers? Well, I always ask. They always laugh. I recommend adding intent. Who am I here to help or heal? Who am I here (in this lifetime) to make their lives happy or comfortable? Focus on the intent of the trade. Not on the self profit. But on who it will benefit. And I’m not referring to trades that are related to “good causes” (though of course that’s related) I’m referring to choices that relate to “why we are on the planet.” 

I included a link from my film "Limit Up" which although cowritten with Luana Anders, was about how God (played by Ray Charles) was trying to manipulate the soybean market at the Chicago Board of Trade to end world hunger. (His assistant angel played by Danitra Vance.)  I sent him a link to the film which is below.

But I included this in the reply:

The best detail I’ve heard came from a conversation with Michael Newton via Jennifer Shaffer during one or our chats with him on the flipside. (Showed up, offered insight, not by request, but just because he can). I asked him for a simple 1, 2, 3 for communication. He said “Say their name, ask your questions.” I asked “do you say the name aloud or in your head?” He said “Doesn’t matter.” I asked “So how can you tell when your actually making a connection rather than wishful thinking?” He said “When they answer the question before you can ask it.” I said “Is there a 3rd thing?” He said, “No, only two.”...

(Just like the Luana conversation from last night referenced above. She was telling me something and I got it before she said it aloud. But my "lesser" conscious self didn't "hear it" - but my "higher self" got the image and joke intended before she even finished the sentence. Hence this post about "access" and "process.")

Say their name. Ask your questions. If one is trying to access their higher self, I recommend just asking their guide. (If they don’t know who that is, learn who that is). The guide has access to one’s life plan - and can answer pretty much any question one might have. But don’t be surprised if when one is about to “Make a trade” and they ask their guide for advice and they say “And what do you plan to do with the money that you get from that successful trade?” If it isn’t part of one’s life plan, or path - perhaps avoid it."

His reply:

"The reason for my question, if I may. So, I’m standing in my kitchen, making myself a munchie snack. You know, high on life. As I have a moment of creative genius. I top my warm raspberry crumb coffee cake that is sitting on top of vanilla ice cream bar separated by a thin layer of Belgian chocolate with a double espresso. and Viola. I’m a legend in my own mind.

Before ever taking a bite I said to myself, “Oh, man. Grandpa would LOVE this!”…and before I finished the sentence I heard his voice in my head, loud and clear say the word “Vkustnyatsina”, or scrumptious in Russian. I freaked for a second. I know I heard his voice. I read all your stuff. I knew it was possible but…I know it was unmistakably his voice. But is it him, or is there an intermediary that is showing me that image and sound, as a means of establishing communications, as my guide? How would I know the difference. Is this my higher self sending me an image of him because I miss him?"

My reply:

"Wow. That gave me a chill... THAT’S EXACTLY IT. We have a hard time training ourselves not to judge events that occur. And that, my friend, was one of them. Vkustnyatsina! I love it. Scrumptious!!! Only you would know his voice. He’s been trying to talk to you for a long time. Finally! You listened! Very cool. Spasibo. 

To which he replied:

"Thank you for the validation. I’m beyond words right now."

Beyond words.

It's a good place to be.

And now - in its 30th year, I bring you the epic film of "Limit Up" starring Ray Charles as God, Danitra Vance as his assistant, Nancy Allen as the soybean trader, Brad Hall as her BFF, Dean Stockwell as her boss. Luana Anders is in a scene asking me about soybeans. Enjoy something that is Beyond Words.

Easy Riders on the Flipside

EASY RIDERS ON THE FLIPSIDE

Luana Anders and Peter Fonda meeting up

In the continuing research into the flipside, Jennifer Shaffer and I meet up weekly to discuss the latest news from our pals on the flipside.  

In this case, I decided to see if it was possible to interview Peter Fonda.  For those of you who don't know Peter, this interview gives some intimate details about him.

Jennifer and I have been doing this for some years now, meeting weekly to see who comes forward. My questions are in Italics, and Jennifer's answers are in bold. This is an excerpt from the upcoming book; "Backstage Pass to the Flipside (Part three) "Class is in Session." (tentative title)

I will be talking about this new book on COAST TO COAST WITH GEORGE NOORY this Friday night.  Tune in if you want to hear the latest updates on the flipside.

Book one: Backstage Pass

https://www.amazon.com/Backstage-Pass-Flipside-Book-One-ebook/dp/B07FR38DQB

Jennifer Shaffer

Luana Anders is an actress with over 30 films and 300 TV shows to her credit.  She and I met at USC film school in the 70's, and spent the next 20 years together.  After leaving the planet in 1996, she started appearing in my dreams; visually, audibly, and at a younger age.  I began to wonder how it could be that she was still in contact with me, which began my journey into the flipside.

As recounted in the book and film "Flipside" - Luana guided me in a number of ways, to meet people who were well versed in "how to communicate with the flipside."  I began my journey with the work of Michael Newton, a hypnotherapist in Los Angeles who catalogued his 7000 cases where people under deep hypnosis were able to see, hear, experience a number of things, including previous lifetimes, and the between lives realm.  That book "Flipside" became a best seller after my first appearance on "Coast to Coast." (Followed by best sellers (kindle in their genre) "It's a Wonderful Afterlife," "Hacking the Afterlife" and "Backstage Pass to the Flipside.")

It also brought me to the attention of medium Jennifer Shaffer, who works with law enforcement nationwide on missing person cases.  About four years ago, I began filming our conversations with folks on the flipside. 

We interviewed people that I knew, or Luana knew, who were no longer on the planet.  Luana facilitated those conversations - she helping her friends to "communicate" with us (via Jennifer) and Jennifer helping to translate what she was seeing/sensing/hearing into answers.  Sometimes she wouldn't know what the image or reference meant, and I would do the forensic research to tie the strings together. (It's always a bit startling when someone says "look up Erik Estrada" and I actually find a link to them.) 

We often learn "new information" from people on the flipside (as detailed in "Hacking the Afterlife") and in the case of "Backstage Pass to the Flipside" the title itself was suggested by none other than Tom Petty (Happy Birthday Tom) who said "Luana is like the person at the back door with the backstage passes. She hands them out to us so we can communicate with you."  Hence the title of the book.

Backstage Pass Two

Like anyone, I take whatever I hear, see, gather with an idea of "Wow, that's wild. I wonder if that's true?" and then piece it together. In this fashion, I reached out to Aretha Franklin's niece at her insistence (she said her niece was handling her estate, and it turned out she was. She said her niece would find her hand written will, and it turned out she did.) These interviews (starting with Aretha) will be part of an upcoming book, "Part Three" of this series, tentatively titled "Class is in Session." I interview numerous people - not all celebrities - but sometimes religious figures, icons from the past, sometimes friends of friends, sometimes close friend's parents who are no longer on the planet.

I've found that not everyone is open to this research - which is understandable. After all, we've seen our loved ones die in our arms, we've grieved for them, and we've put them into the rolodex of our memory.  My suggesting that they can "still talk to us" or that they're accessible brings up old wounds, and a fear that we're being "observed" when we don't want to be.  All I can say is - sorry.  It's not my fault that they show up in our sessions, ask me to pass along information to their loved ones. As Jennifer's father suggested to us from the flipside; "tell people to move grief to nostalgia.  Grief has only sad memories; nostalgia has both sad and happy memories. When you move grief to nostalgia you begin the healing process."

I find it interesting when their loved ones are skeptical, doubtful, even upset at hearing that their loved one reached out to me through Jennifer.  Why wouldn't they just reach out to them directly? 

Well, it appears to be a frequency issue. They can't just speak, or talk to their loved ones - without practice, without the loved ones opening themselves up to the possibility of communication.  So out of frustration, I guess, they show up on our doorstep. And what they impart to us is not what they would impart to their loved ones - they "consider the source" when passing information. They know (and warn us) how skeptical their loved ones are - but that doesn't stop me from passing along what I hear.

Luana in a still from the film "The Trip" a film that brought
Dennis, Peter and Luana together with Luana playing a trippy waitress

In this case, I asked this person to show up - and as we'll see, Jennifer wasn't aware of who he was, and did not recognize him straight away.  (Which demonstrates that I haven't prepped her in advance in any way shape or form.)

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in Cannes with Easy Rider

This was filmed on 9-27, and the next day, I discovered that Easy Rider was playing at my local cinema, the Aero.  A 4K print that is pristine, that really highlights Lazlo Kovacs amazing work, Dennis Hopper's realistic direction and acting as "Billy" and Peter Fonda's laconic yet profound performance as "Captain America."  

After the screening, I met three young folks who had never seen the film. (Tucker!) I asked their opinion:  "It's so timely, it really speaks to what's going on in the country now."  For those who haven't seen "Easy Rider" in awhile, it's about prejudice, it's about judging people for the way they look, it's about realizing that we talk about freedom in a way that we think is settled law - and that it isn't on many levels.  With the rise of fascism in the country, or misplaced xenophobia, the film speaks directly to those issues in a way that is startling.

If you haven't seen it - see it.  If you have seen it - see it again.

In light of this interview - people who know me know that I just keep filming whatever pops into my mind, and that Jennifer is kind enough, and generous enough to offer her services as a cellphone to the flipside.  In this case, Luana Anders (who is in Easy Rider) is the person who says that this interview is a "9 out of 10" with regard to this research.

That won't be apparent at first - because Jennifer did not know who Peter was, was not familiar with his work or career, never saw Easy Rider, was not familiar with his father's work either.  I took that opportunity - knowing that she did not know who we were speaking with - to demonstrate how one can learn "new information" during an interview with someone on the flipside.

In particular, Peter had a "near death experience" when he was 11, something that wasn't called it back then.  What Jennifer didn't know, was that his mother committed suicide when he was ten, and no one told him that until he was 15. But when he was 11, he accidentally shot himself - and in this interview reveals (for the first time ever anywhere) what he saw during that near death event.

I also asked his mother to come forward, briefly, to also demonstrate that our loved ones don't die - we don't die - we just move into "another room" or "another form of reality."  In this case, Peter mentions the same "construct" that Harry Dean Stanton shared with us (in "Backstage Pass to the Flipside" and in posts previously on this page that point to his proving that he still exists.)

Harry Dean Stanton and friend

Harry makes a surprise appearance in this interview as well - I didn't know he did a film with Peter, but Peter references him.  So - in honor of the 50th anniversary of "Easy Rider" I bring you an interview with Peter, Dennis, Luana and others:

Flipside Explorers Club

Rich: Hi Jennifer.

Jennifer: Hello.

I did have a couple of people I wanted to talk to and Luana, I don’t how important they are to talk to. I’ll leave it up to you.

She says “They’re a 9 out of 10 for whatever research you’re doing.”

(Note: Jennifer doesn’t know who I’ve invited, but in terms of how Luana views this next guest; he’s a “9 out of 10.”)

Let’s start with the 9. This is someone Luana worked with and knew.

And is related to Jack Nicholson.

Yes. (ding!) This is someone who recently moved to the flipside.

And is also friends with our class member from “Big Love.”

Harry Dean Stanton? Okay, I didn’t know that. I was quoting Harry yesterday.

Harry Dean (back right) along with costars Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid, Freddie Forrest
Luana appeared in films or TV shows with all of them

(Note: Six Degrees of Luana. The writer of “The Missouri Breaks” (starring Marlon Brando, where Harry Dean and Luana had roles) Thomas McGuane wrote and directed a film with Peter and Harry called “92 Degrees in the Shade.” Harry Dean, at the funeral of his close friend Warren Oates, “told an anecdote of his comrade’s encouragement when a mutual scene from Peter Fonda’s “92 degrees in the Shade” was near the brink of collapse.” (Medium.com) Peter Fonda, whom Jennifer has no clue who I’m talking about, is telling us from the flipside that he and Harry Dean were friends.)

Harry showed me a flower.

Okay there is something that Luana and Jack were involved in that this person I am calling forward was part of. Does he want to come and speak with us?

“He doesn’t know how. He didn’t know how to communicate when he was here.”

Well, Luana can help him. Is he ready to talk to us?

I saw Anthony Bourdain.

(Note: When Anthony died, Peter was filmed (YouTube) saying “I was so sorry to hear that. I really liked him. It’s so sad.” I don’t know if they met, or he was just a fan, but now they can chat.  The topic of suicide comes up in a few minutes.)

Then I saw the karate guy – from Kung Fu.

David Carradine. Indeed, he looked a bit like him. Let’s put him in the chair. Can we bring him forward? 

She’s showing me that room where everyone met each other?

Jack Nicholson with his former acting teacher Jeff Corey

(Note: Jennifer is referring to Jeff Corey's “classroom” where Luana met Jack Nicholson, Sally Kellerman, Roger Corman and other close friends – all actors who worked for Roger in films.  Peter’s career began as Jack and Luana’s did – working in Roger Corman movies.)

Her acting class. Yes, he was there around that time. He’s in a movie with Luana.  Luana, show her what this guest did in this movie.

I saw him driving... (or)... on a motorcycle?

Focus on that motorcycle if you can. What color is it? You guys, show her the motorcycle from the movie.

I’m seeing white... which doesn’t make any sense.

And some red and blue – I can’t believe you don’t know this movie but it demonstrates how I’ve not spoken to or helped you in any way. Luana appeared in a movie with Dennis...

Hopper.

Correct. The guy in our interview chair passed over a few weeks ago.  You never saw their movie?

I’m sorry. Is it called “Freedom” or something about freedom?

Close. “Easy Rider.” 

Never saw it.

Well, it is a film about freedom. That’s fine – you don’t know who starred in Easy Rider, do you? His name is Peter Fonda.

(Note: Indeed, having seen the latest 4K print after this interview, there’s a speech at the end that Jack Nicholson gives Dennis saying “They don’t fear your hair. They fear what you represent; freedom.” )

Is that Jane Fonda’s dad?

Ask him. Peter, what’s your relation to Jane?

Brother and sister. (Jennifer frowns)

Don’t be disappointed; it just shows you have not been prepped.

Sorry. I would not have known.

Luana is this the 9 out of ten person?

“Yes.” (Jennifer aside:) Did he have throat cancer? I felt his throat.

Could have been...possibly.

(Note: Yes, the throat area; Peter died of lung cancer.)

“It went through his whole body,” he says.

So Peter, that reply shows that you can converse with us. Tell me, how does he appear to you?  

They’re saying “She didn’t (even) know who she was talking to!” That’s what they’re saying.  I kept seeing James Dean, but I didn’t think that he might represent the motorcyle. He (Peter) has this wavy hair, and looks.. well, you already described David Carradine.

A tall thin guy. Let’s invite Dennis to join us as well.

They’re all there.

Peter, who was there to greet you when you crossed over?

“His mother.”

Peter with family, with his wife, Peter’s mom; Frances Seymour Brokaw. She reportedly was bi-polar, and when hearing they were going to divorce, took her own life. Reportedly, Peter wasn’t told what happened for five years after the event.

She’s short, like tiny – I saw Jane’s face in hers, something somewhere in her looks -  felt like she died 30 years ago or something. Felt like she had something wrong with her brain... her heart... I saw pills. 

(Note: His mother, Frances Brokaw was petite compared to husband Henry. She died in 1950, so if the comment "she died 30 years ago" is enough to stop a person from reading on, as I'm fond of saying, "Now's the time to get off this bus."  Jennifer is reporting - and her feeling was that it was "30 years ago" when it was 70. People on the flipside give images that represent events, like “pills” for “suicide.” I don’t know if she was taking pills for her condition, but it’s been widely reported she was manic depressive or bi-polar which may have led to her suicide.)

What was that like to see your mother again?

He says “Bliss... and questions.” He had so many questions, a script of unanswered (ones).. a list of questions; she left too early." She said to him “It was going to be okay,” and then his dogs came to him (on the flipside.)

Peter, have you had a chance to see your father?

“Yeah, but he was in the back.”

(Note: “Staying back” is often reported when people aren’t sure what the reception to seeing them will be like. Again, Jennifer has no idea who his father is.)

Is he able to converse with you or is he still working out his journey?

He says “They missed levels.” I don’t know what the levels are.

(Note: In this context, it may be that something prevented them from greeting each other at first.)

So he’s not conversing?

“He’s in a different place (mentally), trying to think about how to come back.”

(Note: This is in the "flipside" research as well, people under deep hypnosis talking about the process of planning their return, gearing up so to speak, to make that return.)

Peter, your mom was there to greet you, but she left the planet in a startling way – did you talk about that with her? Did she explain why that happened?

Was there a sudden impact to her chest, like a force?

(Note: Having done a number of these with Jennifer,  I've heard from her before that "sudden impact" may refer to as a “sudden or unexpected passing” – like it wasn’t expected or planned. She may be seeing the gunshot that Peter speaks of in a few minutes. But in the case of his mother, Frances, it was a few days after hearing of her impending divorce that she committed suicide.)

Well, in a way. But Peter, she was the first person to greet you – have you since conversed with your dad?

“Yeah.”

After your mom passed away, you had an incident that happened when you were 10 or 11 years old.

(Jennifer, after a pause) He saw her.

What happened to you that you saw her?

He showed me being angry and couldn’t breathe.

It’s been reported there was an accident, but I don’t know if it was puproseful or not.

He’s saying “He had a near death experience.” (Jennifer aside:) Did he have a near death experience?

Do you want to show Jennifer what happened?

“It was a gun.”

That’s correct. (Ding!) Was that an accident or on purpose?

He says “He was out of his mind, it was both – the safety wasn’t on.”

So it was an accident that you shot yourself?

He’s showing me the bullet went straight through him... (gestures to her body).

But then you saw your mom?

“Yes. He shows me crying and just loving her and understanding everything she went through all the sadness she went through.”

And then you came back?

He says “He felt like he was ten years older after that.”

(Note: From a biography of Peter: “Peter... played Captain America in... Easy Rider (and gained an Oscar nomination) for Ulee’s Gold (1997). In his 1998 memoir, Don’t Tell Dad, he chronicled his difficult, distant relationship with his famous father. Describing Henry’s role in John Ford’s Fort Apache (1948) as “an unsmiling, bitter, strict hard-ass...” when asked about his father, he'd say "Have you seen the film?" Born in New York, he and Jane were sent to live with an aunt and uncle in Nebraska following the suicide of their mother, Frances Ford Seymour, in 1950, when Peter was 10. On his 11th birthday, he accidentally shot himself in the stomach and nearly died. Years later, he told John Lennon, during an LSD session, that “I know what it’s like to be dead”, a phrase which ended up becoming part of the lyrics for the Beatles’ song She Said, She Said. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/17/peter-fonda-obituary)

Someone in our class you’ve spoken to – you reportedly said to him “I know what it’s like to be dead.”

Is that Dennis?

No, it’s a musician in our class that we’ve interviewed.

I’m going through my mental rolodex of whom we’ve talked to, I’m seeing Tom Petty, Prince... Jimi Hendrix.

No. I’ll just tell you. When they talk about Peter’s life, they include this anecdote; John Lennon had dropped LSD, and Peter was whispering in his ear “I know what it’s like to be dead.” It creeped John out, but he put it in a song “She said, She said.”  However, what Peter is reporting was that he was telling him something accurate – he had a near death event, and actually “knew what it was like to be dead” because he had an NDE and saw his mother?

Correct.

Peter now you can see what we’re doing. I have more questions for you; what was it like to see Luana on the flipside and where did you see her?

They were backstage for that concert – do you remember the car ride to that concert we spoke of?

(Note: She’s referring to the Harry Dean Stanton story of how Luana had built upon the memory of their trip to the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.  Harry reported to Jennifer the details of the trip (which I was able to forensically verify,who was driving the car, who they saw the first night, etc).  Harry referred to that experience – he was an atheist who thought there was no afterlife, or that people “fell into a happy dream” – and thought that was the case.  He said “Luana gave me a soft landing.”  This is the about the sixth time we’ve heard of someone “walking into a concert event” when they appeared on the flipside.  Often it’s on stage, in this case, it’s backstage.)

But this time he was already backstage with her at the concert – some type of concert.

Let’s ask; was it the Monterey Pop concert?

They’re saying “Yeah.”

Well, why not? Once you can construct or create a CGI of the Monterey Pop festival why not use it again to bring in other friends? So Peter, at some point after you stepped into the flipside, you found yourself backstage at Monterey Pop festival?

“Yeah.  It was like...in a grassy area. I saw (Luana) blowing bubbles.”

Besides Luana, who did you see?

“Robert Kennedy.” I don’t know why he showed me him.

Well, it was 1967; he might have been there. Were you a fan of his?

Record Producer Lou Adler and Mama's and Papa's John Phillips
arriving for the Monterey Pop Festival.

Peter says “He disliked the war...” -- Something about how “He hated the war,” but Peter says "He didn’t trust the government at all."

When you see Luana, she’s blowing bubbles; what’s she wearing?

“Like a 60’s dress, with a headband, hair down, playing a tambourine.”

You recognized her as Luana, correct?

Backstage at Monterey Pop

“Yeah, but it felt like it was that moment in time – that it existed then.” He says “He knew it wasn’t a memory though.”

How did you know it wasn’t a memory?

“Because of the landscape, it wasn’t tangible.” He showed me that scene (in the film) "Twilight," when they go out in the sun...

An unusual landscape?

“He thought he was on the best acid trip of his life.”

Who did you see at the festival?

“Jimi Hendrix.”

Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix Monterey Pop

(Note: In our interview with Harry Dean Stanton, he mentioned that they saw Jimi Hendrix at the festival. When I contacted Fred Roos, the Oscar winning film producer who drove with Luana and Harry Dean to the festival, I asked him what acts they saw, and he said the same; "Jimi Hendrix.")

When did you see Dennis?

“A little later, he was coming back, towards the back of a stage... to the side, looked like Dennis was there controlling things on the stage – something backstage.”

Dennis Hopper and Brian Jones, Monterey Pop Festival

(Note: Dennis was there with Rolling Stone’s founding member Brian Jones. From “Michael Bloomfield: If you Love these blues” (Backbeat Publishing 2000 by Jan Mark Wolkin) “Our first job was the movie score for “the Trip.” We went to LA to record it, that’s where we met Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. they were always in the studio with us, and Jack Nicholson was involved in that. Then, after the film score, we played the Monterey Pop Festival. (as “Electric Flag”))

How was that reunion?

“Quick.”

(Note: She said “Quick” before I could finish the question.)

“When he walked away, that’s when I realized more what was going on... seeing Dennis, that was the defining moment when he knew he was on the flipside.”

Peter, I know your daughter – can you put that in Jennifer’s mind? Bridget Fonda; she worked with Bill Paxton.

Bridget Fonda in a still from the film I
wrote and directed"You Can't Hurry Love" (Vestron)

“Yes. He says “He goes and sees her in her dreams. Two days after he passed she had like a full apparition, like she saw him.”

Anything you want to tell her?

Something to do with paperwork, “Dot your i’s cross your t’s” – almost feels like property issues. He wants to say “Dot your i’s and cross your t’s.” Tell her “Everything’s going to be okay.” He says "She remembers the dream, but she’s discounting it. He wants her to know that he was there in that dream state with her."

Were you friendly with Bridget’s husband?

He says “Of course; anyone that can handle Bridget...” He’s very funny.

She’s married to Danny Elfman, the composer.

(Jennifer aside: From “Oingo Boingo?”)

Composer Elfman: IMDB

Yes, and many film scores. So Peter, were you close to Danny?

He says “Of course he is...” (A pause) (Jennifer aside:) something about his shoes... something about him “Doing what he wants to do and not what others want him to do.” Like “get bigger shoes” as a metaphor.

Like “Don’t let others define you?”

“Yes.”

Because he wants to compose bigger scores or do something else?

“Like something else completely – and he should.”

What about Bridget? How is she doing?

"Her children are older now... but... She’s really busy with her family."

She’s kind of retired from acting, but I did put her in her first speaking role in a film.

He’s saying “You gave her the confidence.”

I don’t know about that.. but Luana was in it too – isn’t that odd Peter? What’s odd is that it never came up – never discussed. Luana was hilarious in “You Can’t Hurry Love” and Bridget was a bit nervous at first.

He says “Luana helped her.”

Well, maybe he means her career. Luana showed the film to her pal Francis Coppola, and he cast her in Godfather Three.

Is she the one with blue eyes?

Bridget circa Godfather 3

Yes, terrific actor, did a film with Bill Paxton, who called me and said “I finally got to work with Bridget.” Bill was going to star in “You Can’t Hurry Love” with Bridget and Luana – but enough about me – Peter back to you, what do you miss about being on the planet if anything?

He says, “The food.”

(Note: It's a common refrain. People claim to be able recreate many things on the flipside as a mental construct - from playing golf to riding horses, but it's harder to construct the actual taste of things, or tangible things like touch.)

Anything you want me to tell your sister Jane?

Jennifer laughs. He says “Tell her it’s not scary up here.”

What’s that mean?

“That it’s not scary up there! She’s afraid of death.”

She thinks it’s all going to end? Well let’s bring your mom here for a second... I forget her first name.. (Frances). Let’s ask her a question; mom what do you want to say to your daughter Jane?

“Take your time; there’s no rush.”

(Note: There's an iconic scene in "Easy Rider" shot in the cemetery in New Orleans, where everyone was improvising an acid trip. In Peter's scene, he holds onto a statue and refers to it as his mother, telling her he hated her for "leaving so soon." She's with him on the flipside, so I wanted her to come forward and remind us of that fact.)

Peter?

He says “Time doesn’t exist up there.”

Peter, do you remember your last moments on the planet? Was Jane with you?

“Yeah.” He said, “He looked up and said he saw their mom.” He says “At first I was nervous... and then she just... he saw these beautiful lights.”

Were you smiling?

He was, but at first he was terrified.

What were your last words here, first words on the flipside?

I’m not getting the right interpretation, but something like “I’ll see you soon... at lunch.” Something like that.

Meaning?

Like “There’s not going to be any time between the next time I see you.”

Okay, it'll feel like a few minutes later when they see each other again - like "lunch." Anything you want me to tell her to focus on? Have you tried to visit her?

Jennifer laughs, rolls her eyes. He’s showing me her face doesn’t move and she can’t close her eyes completely (when sleeping). He is so funny. He says “She’s felt him. Definitely felt him around her.” He says, “She can smell him, there’s a certain scent.” (Jennifer aside: I’m asked “Is she going to miss you?” and he laughed and said “no.”)

Jane Fonda, Wikipedia

Peter can we bring your dad forward? I don’t think Jennifer knows who your dad is. Luana is that possible to bring him?

(Jennifer shrugs; she does not.) What’s his name?

Henry... or Hank.

Was he a director or a producer or something?

Kind of. Right business.

Why did he just show me the show Chips? With Erik Estrada?

(Note: This is an odd reference, and I had no idea if Henry knew Erik. However, a casual search of the internet reveals they did “Midway” together, where Henry was an officer, and Erik a young sailor. ("Midway" starring Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, and Robert Wagner) It’s a subtle yet clear way of “proof of concept.” I had no idea he knew Erik, nor did Jennifer, but he’s showing us something that I can look up and verify – and did.)

Hank, can we talk to you? Who was there to greet you when you crossed over?

He’s showing me a horse.

Was this your horse? Did you work with this horse? Or did you own this?

Henry Fonda, "My Darling Clementine" 1946

“Owned it. It was like a racing horse.”  He said, “He had a lot of them.” I was getting the color gray. He owned him when he was young or his family did.

You had a long career and Jennifer is not aware of it... but I am.

He’s showing me... the theater (plays).... and movies.

That’s correct. He was an actor – let me ask you Henry; what was your favorite role?

(Note: According to his Broadway Theater Credits, he did 18 shows on Broadway starting in 1929 and 125 feature films, nominated for two Oscars (“12 Angry Men” and “Grapes of Wrath,” he won for “On Golden Pond”)

There’s a lot of them that he just showed me. One with Robert Redford.

Robert Redford giving Henry Fond an Oscar

(Note: While it’s not widely known, Robert Redford’s career began with an appearance with Henry Fonda: “Redford, began his TV career at 22 with a small part in the NBC drama “The Last Gunfight” with Henry Fonda. (LA Times. “Robert Redford the TV kid.”)  Also Robert Redford presented Fonda an honorary Oscar in 1981.)

Is there one with a lot of men... (“12 Angry Men” was one film he was nominated for.)  Did he play in a movie where he was the President?

Yes, it was called “Fail Safe.”

Henry Fonda; Fail Safe

(Tapping her nose) That’s the one.

(Note: I know when Jennifer is tapping her nose, she’s doing it to say “yes.” “Fail Safe” was made in 1964, directed by Sydney Lumet. Fonda plays a President in the middle of an accidental nuclear attack. “American planes are sent to deliver a nuclear attack on Moscow, but it's a mistake due to an electrical malfunction. Can all-out war be averted?” It’s currently got a 95% rating at Rotten Tomatoes)

You were also in “The Grapes of Wrath,” directed by John Ford, written by John Steinbeck. It was an iconic film; your dialog about the era is the one they usually quote. It was an amazing performance (nominated for Oscar). I know when Jennifer looks you up she’ll see how many films she’s seen you in.

(Jennifer shrugs) I’m sorry.

That’s fine – really, that’s great; it shows that you haven’t thought or heard of any of this in advance.

Fonda in "Grapes of Wrath"

He says “He felt that Grapes of Wrath was a different kind of story telling; he felt it wasn’t acting.”

Indeed. And “Fail Safe” was low budget, shot on a confined set, like a stage play; Henry was brilliant in it.

I’m sorry, but he keeps showing me this guy from Chips...  Erik Estrada?

Okay, who is showing her Erik Estrada and why?

Luana.

Lu, why are you showing her Erik? We know you guys you don’t drop random references. Is there some connection with Peter and Erik?

(Jennifer aside:) Maybe it’s about Peter.

Erik Estrada on Twitter

Well; both played motorcycles guys... Peter, they had a new 4K version of Easy Rider a few weeks ago at at Radio City Music Hall, were you aware of it?

Peter leading the way

He said, “They were all there. He loved it, he loved to be celebrated and remembered.”

If I may ask, why is that important?

“Because that celebration connects them to here, more – people start thinking about them and then they can “work their magic.” (i.e. connecting to them)

About Erik Estrada, do you want us to say something for him?

They’re saying “You’re going to connect it in some way.”

Okay. I’ll try. Thank you Peter for stopping by.

(Note: Indeed, there is a link between Henry, Peter and Erik.  Erik worked on on the film“Midway” with Peter’s father Henry, then later in life, after “Chips” and “Easy Rider” made both Erik and Peter “America’s motorcycle actors” he and Peter were the co-chairs of the 2000 March of Dimes Motorcycle Ride in Shreveport. “American Motorcyclist, Oct. 2000” (New information) They’ve also both hosted the Hollywood Christmas Parade.)


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Copyright Richard Martini 2019 All Rights Reserved. An excerpt from "Backstage Pass to the Flipside: Talking to the afterlife with Jennifer Shaffer: Class is in Session."