Today, I would like to begin a new venture with my posts here on The Contrarian — personal interviews. The more contacts I gain in the world of the paranormal, the more I want to spread the wealth to our readers. I have hopes of bringing in interviews with all walks of life in this para-world: television personalities, investigators, forefathers and also the people most affected by the paranormal: those who lived through experiences.
My first interview is with Tiffany Smith Johnson, a good friend and colleague of mine who I met last year while in Buffalo, NY. Johnson is a world-renowned psychic, writer (Seeds of Thought & Picture Yourself Developing Your Psychic Abilities), healer (Reiki Master), media personality, ordained minister and speaker. With 20-plus years of experience, there isn’t much that Tiffany hasn’t encountered. At a young age, Tiffany began her studies with the Tarot and continued to pursue her interests in Mediumship, Magick, hypnosis and various other topics. Now, in her 30s, Tiffany has had the opportunity to work and study with many experts in the spiritual and paranormal field.
Practicing out of Minnesota, but touring nationally, Tiffany’s down to earth sense of humor and metaphysical knowledge on topics ranging from Ghosts and the Paranormal to Psychic Development, are well received by those looking for guidance on their spiritual journey. She continues to receive regional and national accolades and media attention with her no-nonsense approach.
With a new TLC television show on the way, Johnson will soon be a household name to all paranormal enthusiasts.
Thanks for talking to me today. First, can you tell us about your early years as a psychic? When did you first identify yourself as a psychic? How did you know that you had sharpened abilities that others did not?
You know, there wasn’t any specific day that I had an epiphany about being psychic. It was a part of who I was/am. So, it wasn’t like there was an event. One of my first memories is waking up, in the middle of the night. I would wake up due to the “noise”. Upon opening my eyes, I saw shadowy people around me. And they were all chatting. Not TO me, but just AROUND me. I started to listen. I’d “overhear” stories. Eventually, I’d go back to sleep. Upon waking in the morning, I would relay the stories back to my mom over breakfast. Often, what I found out was that the “stories” that I heard were those of loved ones that passed long before I was born. My mother would recognize the names and knew the events that I’d heard. I do feel I have a predisposition to what I do, although I believe everyone is psychic. But, it really didn’t dawn on me until my 20′s that maybe I was a bit more “dialed in” than others.
Was there ever a time when the possible stigma of being a psychic caused you to think twice about “outing” your abilities?
Absolutely. I think that’s human nature. It happened a couple times. I remember being 14 or 15 and really struggling. Then again in my later 20s after I’d really committed. At that point, I was more concerned about the stigma brought on to my family.
How would you define “psychic” or “psychic abilities?”
A psychic is someone that is able to gain relatable, verifiable information from other than the 5 physical senses.
Psychics are frequently turned to in paranormal investigations, what is the role of people with psychic abilities when it comes to paranormal investigation? What can they accomplish that scientific investigation cannot?
A good friend said that psychics are best used as “drug dogs” on investigations. I think that says it all. Psychics are often utilized to tap in to energies that may not be obvious to all those investigating. OR they may have an insight as to WHEN something can, in fact, be captured using equipment.
Every so often people hear of psychics assisting in police investigations of missing children, homicide, etc. Have you ever been approached by a police department for the same reasons? Do you feel that this is an area that psychics should be utilized more often?
The police don’t typically approach me, however, I am approached by families of those victims. And yes, I absolutely think that psychics could and SHOULD be used more in that capacity, but I understand the stigma of utilizing them. It’s too bad, but some departments believe that if a psychic can find evidence OR a missing person, that it makes the police look like they weren’t doing their job. When, in fact, it’s the other way around. That they were open to using all resources necessary to get a job done.
Obviously, a person who publicly declares themselves a psychic is going to attract a level of disbelief and skeptics who will confront him or her of fakery. How do you explain yourself to those who do not believe in your abilities? Have you ever converted someone?
I don’t explain. I respect their right to their belief system and appreciate their conviction. About converting anyone. . . I think I have. However, they have been OPEN to the possibility of truth.
Where do you see psychic research and abilities in the future?
I really, REALLY believe in the next ten years we will make great strides in understanding how psychic ability works. We’ve come SO far in the paranormal world with folks making their own equipment; those same people are branching out and making equipment to examine psychic work as well. It’s a natural progression. I’ve been approached on several occasions by “engineery” — is that a word? — type people to work with them as a test subject to take measurements while doing readings and I’m super excited to see what we can accomplish!
What advice do you have for those who would want to hone their own abilities, or perhaps test their own hidden talents?
Really, read everything you can get your hands on. Read books on those psychics that came before you in history. Study up on Edgar Cayce. He’s an amazing individual who allowed himself to be a heavily documented subject. Then, find books on technique. And read up on how working psychically affects those that do it on a regular basis. And, of course, you can check out my book: Picture Yourself Developing Your Psychic Abilities! I really tried to put in all aspects of psychicism. History. Technique. Expectations, etc. From there, it’s just practice, practice, practice. I get asked all the time about trusting what you receive and that really only comes from doing the actual work.
What’s next for Tiffany Smith Johnson?
Gosh. So much. I’m super excited to be a part of TWO shows that will air by the end of the year. I was asked back on the second season of “Psychic Kids” (A&E) AND am super stoked to be part of a brand NEW series premiering on TLC in Nov. tentatively called “Ghost Intervention.” And, of course, I’m working on a third book that is really the silly side of being a psychic. Funny stories both personally and thing I hear professionally. Of course all names, etc. will be changed to protect those involved!
Thanks for talking with me, Tiffany.
Thank you!
———————————————
Johnson’s books are available on Amazon, or off of her website, www.readingsbytiffany.com. And, of course, as a friend of The Contrarian, when Tiffany Smith Johnson’s television show is set to air, I will immediately report it here.
Hi Russell,
How is taking legal responsibility a bad thing?
First, let me say that I feel kind of bad for “picking on” Tiffany here. I would prefer to discuss psychic phenomena in broader terms and not be mistaken for making ad hominem arguments. Still, to justify the comment, this is not taking legal responsibility; this is an attempt to absolve herself of it. The very “qualified professionals” that her statement refers to are people who give advice as well, only they are legally responsible for what they say and they can be sued for it when they are wrong. That she cannot be held responsible for any advice that she gives goes to the point that it’s probably not reliable which calls into question (in my mind) the very abilities she claims to have. If these abilities were reliable and consistent, why *wouldn’t* she take responsibility for the actions others take based on her advice? Most companies that are assured of their services even give guarantees of satisfaction with money returned. She could at least offer that. What these guarantees is that she gets $100 of your money and you *might* get something in return. Is that taking responsibility?
And also, I take back what I said about “Including the typos” because that was snotty and obviously, I just made one.
I am pretty sure that the other ‘highly qualified individuals’ that the disclaimer mentions are people who hold degrees in counseling, medical or psychiatric care.
I think that these disclaimers only purpose is to ensure that the user doesn’t rely totally on the advice given – seems like a smart move to me, especially for a field that doesn’t have certification.
And typos happen.
Can I use part of your post in my website if I link you back?
@Russell W (yes I know I’m replying to a year-old post)
In the distant future when people finally realize that the pinnicle of understanding and knowledge was not yet achieved in the early 2000′s and that not all claims of the paranormal can be attributed to mass hysteria and swamp gas, maybe there’ll be services that’ll help cover psychics for any mistakes they might make. Until then, disclaimers such as the one on Tiffany’s site will have to do.
From Tiffany’s web site: “Disclaimer: All information given to you by Tiffany during a reading should not take the place of any medical, legal or financial advice given to you by a qualified professional. Tiffany strongly suggests that you accept any and all information given to you during a reading in a strictlymetaphysical [sic] nature only. All readings are for entertainment purposes only. Therefore, Readings By Tiffany will not accept responsibility for any actions that a client personally akes [sic] that are derived from advice or information obtained during a reading.”
Including the typos, this says pretty much all I could say in this comment.