Mark Anthony, the "psychic lawyer," joined guest host Rich Berra (email) for a discussion on the lore surrounding Friday the 13th. Anthony explored the historical and mythological roots of the number 13's stigma, tracing its origins to ancient civilizations like Babylon, where the Code of Hammurabi omits the number 13. He connected this to numerology and explained that 12 has long represented completeness (e.g., 12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 gods of Olympus). In Norse mythology, the uninvited 13th guest Loki disrupts a banquet, ultimately causing the death of the god Balder. This story notably includes Balder rising from the dead on the third day, predating Christian parallels. Christianity further reinforces the superstition through the Last Supper, where Judas—deemed the 13th guest—betrays Jesus, leading to an enduring taboo against seating 13 people at a table. This taboo was compounded by Wiccan traditions, which organize covens into groups of 13, further fueling fear of the number.
Anthony commented on the impact of Friday the 13th in modern times, noting how deeply the superstition persists. He shared data showing that 85% of elevator panels omit the 13th floor and cites Apollo 13 as a cultural example of the number's ominous association. He referenced Saint Anthony of Padua, whose feast day occasionally falls on a Friday the 13th, to show a more positive spiritual counterpoint. Anthony explained that Saint Anthony, known for miraculous and psychic-like abilities, represents the other side of the superstition, reminding listeners that some consider Friday the 13th a spiritually significant or even lucky day. Despite modern skepticism, studies show that many people avoid travel or commerce on this date, resulting in an estimated $900 million in lost revenue for businesses, he revealed.
Anthony also talked about his role as a "psychic lawyer" and the scientific side of mediumship. He posited his theory of the electromagnetic soul, which suggests that the soul is pure energy that transitions into another dimension upon death. Using both spiritual insight and physics concepts like quantum mechanics and the electromagnetic spectrum, he argued that spirit communication is scientifically plausible. He detailed personal and professional experiences using devices like the spirit box and emphasized collaboration with scientists to validate his findings. According to Anthony, spirits report peace and joy in the afterlife. Our essence—our soul—persists and connects to a vast, loving collective consciousness after death, he said.
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Open Lines followed in the latter half of the program. Rich and producer Tom Danheiser discussed the fear and fascination surrounding Ouija boards. Rich shared his deep discomfort with Ouija boards, viewing them as dangerous tools that open doors to unknown and potentially malevolent forces—especially demons, which he considers more real and threatening than ghosts or aliens. Tommy challenged this fear by asking if the board might simply be harmless if not associated with evil, but both ultimately agreed that the dark reputation of Ouija boards—amplified by films like The Exorcist—has cemented their ominous image.
Ruth from Maryland recounted a haunting local legend from Leonardtown about a woman named Moll Dyer, who was accused of witchcraft in 1698 during a brutal winter. Though she was a healer who used herbal remedies and likely learned from Indigenous people and indentured servants, she was blamed for the extreme cold and ultimately driven from her home by torch-bearing townsmen. She fled to a nearby stone—possibly a Catholic mass stone—and froze to death, found days later with one hand on the rock and one raised in the air, which fueled rumors of a curse. Ruth emphasized that most locals believe Moll was falsely accused and still feel her presence in the woods, noting strange energy and recent unexplained deaths.
Autumn from Tempe, Arizona shared a personal story about how she senses the presence of loved ones—both living and deceased—through birds, especially cardinals and white feathers, which she associates with her grandfather and biological father. She reflected on her estranged relationship with her biological father, who has a troubled past involving prison and drug-related crimes and is now trying to reconnect. Though she feels some empathy, Autumn expressed uncertainty and reluctance about letting him back into her life or introducing him to her daughter, believing the relationship would only benefit him and not her.