Podcast Summary: "John Edward: Can Read a Room"

Podcast: Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa
Host: Kelly Ripa
Guest: John Edward (Psychic Medium, Author)
Date: October 8, 2025
Episode Description: Kelly and her team sit down with renowned psychic medium John Edward to discuss his career, skepticism, his role in solving cold cases, experiences communicating with spirits, his latest book Chasing Evil, and to participate in on-air readings with the podcast crew. The show is candid, irreverent, and peppered with humor and personal stories.

Main Theme

The episode explores the enduring human fascination with connecting to the afterlife, as well as skepticism around psychic abilities. It delves into John Edward’s methods, his partnership with law enforcement, memorable stories from his career, and provides firsthand readings for the show’s team. The tone is a blend of curiosity, humor, and genuine openness to extraordinary experiences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing John Edward & Early Anecdotes

• Kelly introduces John Edward as a figure who’s brought comfort and closure to millions, and highlights his new book, Chasing Evil ([02:00]).
• Jan (Show Producer) shares a personal story from 2007 about John astonishingly pinpointing private family details during a reading, convincing a skeptic spouse ([04:04]-[05:34]).

Memorable Quotes

• “He knew about the first husband, the second husband, he died of sepsis... He went into the kitchen renovation. I mean, it’s wild.” – Kelly ([03:28])
• “He was 100% accurate. And she was stunned.” – Kelly ([03:49])

2. Irreverent Humor: The Foreskin Segment

• The group, in their typical off-camera candidness, joke about circumcision and ask John if he’s ever connected with… a foreskin ([07:05]-[09:40]).
  • John responds with playful dryness, “I don’t believe I can actually add that to the roster of my abilities. No.” ([09:31])
  • He adds, “I’ve had people who’ve lost a lot of body parts come through – and none of them really care about said body parts. It’s kind of not who they are from a conscious standpoint.” ([10:23])

3. On-Air Personal Readings

• Albert: John provides a spontaneous reading, mentioning family health issues and credit fraud that Albert confirms. He accurately references Albert’s family’s coffee business, his mother’s recent health scare, and spirits from both maternal and paternal branches ([11:00]-[13:07]).
  • “Your mom’s around you...and you need to watch the credit card fraud or some type of credit issue.” – John ([11:15])
• Jan & Ashley: Jan asks to connect with her late mother. John picks up on family names, birthdays, jewelry, and specific personal items (like a bird statue), along with details about familial relationships and recent stressful developments (e.g., Jan’s rental home being sold, which she had not shared earlier) ([38:22]-[49:54]).
  • “Validation is important...This is your mom coming through — she wants to let you know she’s around. She’s good. She’s okay.” – John ([48:52])
  • “My mom’s insisting I bring up her jewelry...not just valuable jewelry, but maybe fake jewelry that was valuable to her, something chunky, a big flowery brooch you’d probably never wear.” – John ([48:13])
  • “I literally just got the news about my house. I didn’t even tell you about that.” – Jan ([49:12])
• Kelly: John picks up on Kelly’s deceased dog Chewy, family names, and gives advice related to her son’s life choices ([50:20]-[54:44]).
  • “Your grandma...has your dog.” – John ([53:04])

4. John Edward’s Work with Law Enforcement & Skeptics

• John discusses his partnership with FBI agent Robert Hilland, a strong skeptic who intended to expose him, but ended up convinced after personally validated results ([15:11]-[17:20]).
  • “The first meeting...we kind of forged what started as an untrusting relationship...then information came through about that case and him personally that later became validated.” – John ([17:11])
• Describes using “psychometry” (reading objects for energy) in police investigations, cautioning listeners not to give mediums personal items unless they want deep readings ([15:45]-[17:20]).
• Recounts the pivotal case of John Smith with two missing wives, where John’s input led to solving a cold case ([20:21]-[21:25]).
• Explains reluctance to work with police, shaped by his NYPD father’s skepticism and personal ethics around these cases ([17:20]-[18:50]).

5. Highlight: High-Profile Cases & Boundaries

• John describes involvement in cases like the murder of Annie Lee, assisting with guidance that led directly to critical discoveries ([21:40]-[22:48]).
• Discusses being psychic consultant on the Michael Vick dog fighting case, explaining how psychic insight helped direct police interrogation ([25:41]-[26:56]).
• On emotional challenges: “The Noah case...that one was the one where I felt like I lost my objective professionalism and felt more like paternal urgency.” – John ([27:12])
• Strongly emphasizes ethical boundaries: “Just because I could do something doesn’t mean I should.” – John ([28:03])

6. Mediumship Practice, Skepticism, and Craft

• John contrasts his approach with other psychics: for him, mediumship is “off” when he chooses, and he isn’t bombarded by spirit voices without consent or invitation ([31:10]-[32:20]).
  • “There’s no such thing as ‘I’m so psychic that I can’t turn it off.’ That’s a choice.” – John ([31:41])
• Explains spiritual etiquette, likening unsolicited psychic messages to a surgeon giving a random breast cancer diagnosis in a supermarket—wrong time, wrong place ([33:39]).

7. Evolve Plus: Teaching & Community

• John introduces his new platform Evolve Plus, crafted as a safe, trusted online community for mediumship, teaching, and live-streamed readings with verified experts ([35:34]-[38:02]).

8. Ethics of Mediumship: No “Stuck” Spirits

• John reassures listeners no spirits are “stuck” and that “they’re at a different level” after death ([54:42]-[55:15]).
  • “If you hear a psychic or medium say they’re stuck, or they need prayers...I don't know. I’ve been doing this for 40 years...You’re good.” – John ([54:42])

9. Healthy Skepticism

• Advocates for skepticism: “There’s a difference between skepticism and cynicism. Cynicism says nothing’s possible. Skepticism says, ‘show me, I’m not sure.’ So the fact that you’re questioning something allows you to go deeper.” – John ([56:25])

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Not Caring for Lost Body Parts (Foreskin Segment):
  “I’ve had people who’ve lost a lot of body parts come through and none of them really care about said body parts.” – John ([10:23])
• On Professional Boundaries:
  “Just because I could doesn’t mean I should.” – John ([28:03])
• On Skepticism:
  “Cynicism says nothing’s possible. Skepticism says, ‘show me.’” – John ([56:25])
• On Grief and the Afterlife:
  “No one has ever come through to say they are not okay.” – John ([54:42])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:00] – Introduction of John Edward & setup of the episode
• [04:04] – Jan’s chilling story about her husband’s reading
• [07:05] – Circumcision & foreskin jokes; candid off-camera banter
• [09:40] – John’s perspective on spirits and body parts
• [11:00] – Albert’s reading (health, credit fraud, family business)
• [13:07] – Italian family dynamics with spirits
• [15:11] – The FBI, skepticism, and solving cold cases
• [21:40] – Working on the Annie Lee case
• [25:41] – Psychic help in the Michael Vick investigation
• [27:12] – Emotional burden of missing children cases
• [28:03] – Rules/Boundaries for using psychic abilities
• [31:10] – How John controls his “channels”; contrast with other psychics
• [33:39] – Analogy: unsolicited psychic advice vs. random breast exams
• [35:34] – Launching Evolve Plus TV
• [38:22] – Jan’s reading: family, house news, sentimental items
• [50:20] – Kelly’s son’s life decision and family connections
• [54:42] – Reassurances about the afterlife (no “stuck” spirits)
• [56:25] – John on skepticism vs. cynicism

Conclusion & Vibe

The episode is a rare mix of playful irreverence, emotional candor, and sincere curiosity about the paranormal. John Edward stands out as both a seasoned practitioner and a grounded skeptic about his own abilities, consistently advocating for critical thinking and boundaries. The team’s openness allows for authentic, moving moments during real-time readings, while also keeping things light with their signature humor.

Listeners can expect:

• Behind-the-scenes stories from John’s adventures with skeptics and solving crimes
• On-air readings with uncanny specificity
• Laughter and jokes about topics most shows would never touch
• Practical advice on seeking psychic guidance and protecting oneself from scams
• Reassurance that loved ones who have passed are ultimately “okay,” and ethical guidelines for approaching all things spiritual

Recommended for: Anyone curious about mediumship, spiritual connections, or simply loves unfiltered, smart guests—and isn’t afraid of a few wild detours about foreskin along the way.