Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Strickland.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have had an innate fascination with the paranormal realm since early childhood. In fact, I can distinctly remember my very first ghostly encounter that occurred on a warm, dusky night in Las Vegas, Nevada. My parents and I were drying off after a long swim in our backyard pool when something quite intriguing occurred: I saw this dark, misty mass float right by us, which prompted me to ask, “Mommy and Daddy, did you see that?” I was around five years of age at the time and the only person to witness this unusual phenomenon. While residing in Las Vegas during my early years, I came into contact with and subsequently interacted with a male spirit from the 1800s. As an adult with twenty-plus years of paranormal research under my belt, I have surmised that this particular ghost emanated from the Gold Rush period.
As I grew older, my interest in the afterlife and supernatural expanded. During my senior year of undergraduate college, I experienced a profound, life-changing paranormal event, which catapulted me into active research and investigation of the unknown. I have always been close to my maternal grandmother, Helen Lopinto, and was devastated when she passed at the age of 96 from congestive heart failure. In fact, she called me on the phone the night prior to her transition to the stars wanting to make sure I was “okay.” I thought this gesture was rather odd, considering it a grandmotherly action on her part. I have now realized that she was most likely getting all her affairs in order prior to departing the physical plane.
A few days after Helen’s funeral, I started experiencing odd phenomena in my college apartment. It commenced with my doorknobs rattling of their own volition. Then came the disembodied caress on my face as I was studying – a feeling that came from someone I knew and loved deeply. A few days later, I saw my grandmother’s spirit form in my bedroom. Her apparition looked to be about ten years younger and adorned in her favorite blue and white house dress. She had a white light behind her, which mimicked that of a spotlight. I shared these profound experiences with my mom, Norma (Helen’s youngest daughter). Norma and I subsequently talked with Helen and let her know that the family was okay and she was free to move on. After we did this, the experiences ceased; however, Helen does visit now and then in ethereal form. In a way, I have to sincerely thank my grandmother as she helped to pave the way for me as a professional paranormal investigator and researcher. For the past twenty years or so, I have devoted much of my time to studying the unknown realm, with a keen interest in afterlife study: ghosts, spirits, and hauntings.
I have worked with various Southern California-based research teams prior to developing the San Diego Paranormal Research Society (SDPRS) in 2009. The SDPRS team is a professional, highly experienced, and devoted group that has evolved into one of San Diego’s well-respected research groups. We have conducted numerous case studies at historical sites, businesses, and private residences throughout the city and beyond. As strong advocates for the spirit realm, the SDPRS operates with respect and reverence at all times. In a way, our research is a great way to learn about the people that walked the land before us. Furthermore, the SDPRS has spent the past eight years researching Vista’s iconic Rancho Buena Vista Adobe and was the official host of the monthly “Spirits of the Adobe” fundraising paranormal tours on the property from 2011-2019.
As a well-respected research group, the San Diego Paranormal Research Society is often requested to appear in film, television, radio, and/or print mediums. Some of my media outlet appearances have included Travel Channel’s “Ghost Stories” and “Famously Afraid”, BIO’s “My Ghost Story – Caught on Camera,” “KPBS Evening Edition,” “San Diego Living,” “Good Morning San Diego,” “Channel 8 Morning Edition” among others. I have also appeared in various documentary films, including the ground-breaking “All Around Us.” I’ve also been interviewed on hundreds of radio shows and podcasts as well as in newspapers and magazines.
From 2020 – 2023, I co-hosted “Haunted Voices Radio” along with Todd Bates. Additionally, I debuted “The Afterlife Chronicles Show” in 2020; Feedspot selected the show as one of the top 25 programs on the afterlife. It’s been enlightening to talk to several accomplished individuals, including physicians, medical personnel, near-death experiences / researchers, psychic mediums, authors, and paranormal researchers.
In 2024, I will be debuting “The Life Inspiration Project,” a brand-new program and unique platform that aims to spread encouragement, awareness, and inspiration through a variety of different subjects and disciplines, including afterlife study and paranormal research. Thus, “The Afterlife Chronicles Show” is not lost in the shuffle; instead, it will become intertwined with the larger scope of “The Life Inspiration Project.”
I have a love for writing and accomplished one of my lifelong aspirations in 2009 – the writing of my first nonfiction book, “Field Guide to Southern California Hauntings.” Since that time, I have written and published several other books with Penoaks, Schiffer, and The History Press. These include “Haunted Queen of the Seas: The Living Legend of the RMS Queen Mary” (1st and 2nd editions), “Spirited Queen Mary – Her Haunted Legend,” “RMS Queen Mary – Voices from Her Voyages,” “San Diego’s Most Haunted: The Historical Legacy and Paranormal Marvels of America’s Finest City,” and “Spirits of Rancho Buena Vista Adobe.” My books about the Queen Mary historic ship continue to be bestsellers aboard in her various gift stores. In addition to writing books, I am also a writer and correspondent to Paranormal Underground Magazine, one of the leading print resources on all things supernatural.
In 2022, I developed my own publishing imprint, Kayli Max Books, as a way to honor Max and Kayli, my beloved felines who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. I’ve also written and published two books under this imprint, including “Max and Kayli: Two Remarkable Felines Forever Imprinted on My Heart” and “The Afterlife Chronicles: Exploring the Connection Between Life, Death, and Beyond”, which hit the #1 new release in six categories on Amazon.
In March 2024, Denise A. Agnew, Marie D. Jones, and I will be releasing our new anthology, “Women on the Fringe: Groundbreaking Women in the Paranormal.” The women featured in this project come from all walks of life and investigate various areas of paranormal study. They share their stories of how they got into their respective fields of study, the challenges they face and elaborate on what motivates them to continue their quests for knowledge of the unknown.
During my years as a paranormal researcher and writer, I also discovered my affinity for presenting. There is something quite awesome and special about sharing your passions with people, and that’s exactly what I do when I give various presentations about the paranormal and spirit realm. To date, I have lectured at numerous conferences, events, and libraries. Some of these include the annual Oregon Ghost Conference, Port Gamble Ghost Conference, Preston Castle Benefit Paracon, Ghost Fest IV aboard the Queen Mary, Amy Bruni’s Strange Escapes aboard the Queen Mary, Maritime Ghost Conference San Diego, Haunted America Conference West Coast, OSHER Adult Learning through California State University San Marcos, San Diego History Center, San Diego Ghost and Paranormal Meetup Group, among several others. I have also lectured at many San Diego libraries.
I offer many different presentation topics; some of the most requested include “Children and the Paranormal,” “San Diego’s Most Haunted,” “RMS Queen Mary – Haunted Queen of the Seas,” “Tulpas and Thought Projections – Implications for Paranormal Research,” “Beginner and Advanced Paranormal Research,” “Trends in Paranormal Research,” “Spirits of Rancho Buena Vista Adobe,” “Developing a Paranormal Research Team,” “Ghostology,” “Data Analysis, Documentation and Report Writing,” “The Afterlife Chronicles,” “History of Spiritualism,” “Animals and the Afterlife,” etc.
The RMS Queen Mary is my second home. For almost twenty years, I have extensively researched both the ocean liner’s history and paranormal phenomena. It’s a joy to talk about the legendary Queen Mary with people from all over the world. The ship is also known as one of the top ten most haunted locations in the world. The resident spirits aboard her decks are all a part of her living legend. It’s an honor to have personal connections with many of them. Legacies are to never be silenced, and I am honored to share the Queen Mary’s legacy and chronicles on the seas with people of all ages. It’s a sheer delight to be known nationally and internationally as a Queen Mary historian, and it’s one of my life’s duties to keep her amazing story alive.
I absolutely have a passion for what I do. I believe studying the paranormal and doing what I do is my destiny, which has perhaps been sealed long before my inception.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, my journey has been a smooth ride. My family and friends are quite supportive of the work I do as it can be a very sensitive and controversial subject.
However, I will share one aspect that consistently remains a thorn in my side: the often toxic sensationalism that surrounds the paranormal. Ghosts, spirits, and other entities are not here for our amusement. They are not here for us to degrade or disrespect. When the entertainment industry and mass media over-exaggerates and dramatizes paranormal events, it causes a wave of misunderstanding and inaccurate perceptions.
With the rapid progression of technology, the distribution of social media, and Hollywood’s fixation on creating shows or films about evil, we are seeing an influx of many false impressions regarding the ethereal kingdom. Courage is needed to supersede these misconceptions. Those who, throughout the ages, have had endearing encounters with the spirit world should come forward and share their experiences. The aftermath will trigger a consistent ripple effect with the intent of dispelling these often destructive beliefs. Let’s examine some of the most common fallacies associated with the afterlife.
Do not turn to Hollywood for advice or education if you truly want to learn about the authentic reality of the spirit world. Unlike the way they are depicted in various media creations, ghosts and spirits don’t morph into creepy forms. They don’t maliciously come out of the woodwork in chilling ways to frighten the living.
It is my hope that we can start taking a more academic route to studying the paranormal. Only then will it be treated with the dignity it deserves.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve already elaborated on my projects in the previous section, but I will reiterate that I have a passion for studying the afterlife and paranormal fields. I believe that there’s something occurring in the cosmos that is further uniting the living world with the afterlife. I also believe that our loved ones who’ve transitioned to the other side are teaching us about humanity, especially during these challenging times. In regards to paranormal investigation, I concentrate more on ghost research and investigation of haunted locations. I also have a keen interest in how the living world influences the world of paranormal phenomena.
I specialize in the study of the afterlife and psi phenomena, with strong interests in communicating with spirits, exploring how human consciousness survives physical death, near-death experiences, remote viewing, etc. Strong intuition and psychic mediumship runs through my maternal line; while I haven’t openly classified myself as a psychic medium, I have utilized these gifts since childhood. I strongly believe that we all have the ability to channel spirits and use our innate intuition; some people are more practiced at it than others. I consider myself more of an empath and evidential medium, as I can easily communicate with the spirit realm.
Remote viewing is another practice that I enjoy and want to learn more about. It’s been an honor to assist law enforcement on missing persons cases using the art of remote viewing. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with the art of channeling and mediumship, and it should be approached from a place of humility at all times. It’s a form of pure art that emanates from the divine soul.
Throughout the paranormal community and beyond, I am known for my professionalism and humble / kind ways of working with the spirit realm. Like many other fields, this is an area where we learn from each other, and I’ve met many good friends and wonderful individuals.
The work I do comes from my heart. There’s a lot of ego in the paranormal field, and I stay away from it. If a person’s motivation to study the paranormal stems from a desire to become famous or be on TV, then I’d suggest for that person to take a long, hard look at himself or herself.
I blaze my own trail and approach my work with humility, kindness, and understanding. I have a heartfelt quest to study the afterlife and beyond. It should be treated with dignity and reverence at all times.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Interests in parapsychology and the paranormal are highly infused in our society right now. As I mentioned in the previous section, I would like to see more of an academic approach to studying anomalous phenomena as opposed to a focus on the dramatic and sensational. In my opinion, it is only then will we truly gain a deeper understanding of where the paranormal fits in the multiverse.
Instead of accurate and authentic information about the afterlife and paranormal fields being shared on social media, we are seeing an influx of misinformation being disseminated. One such example is the hyper focus on the “demonic” – giving the false impression that ghosts and spirits are to be feared. Or, various “YouTube” videos of people going through haunted locations and over-exaggerating what they’re experiencing.
Thrill-seeking should not be mixed with hardcore research into fringe territories and anomalous phenomena. There’s a different psychological mindset and motivation between thrill-seekers and true researchers of the unknown.
More people are desiring to share their experiences with the unknown or encounters with departed loved ones. Discussion about the afterlife and connecting with spirits is not as taboo as it once was. This, in turn, will open up the door to a collective understanding of the eternal bond between mortality and the afterlife.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nicoledstrickland.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authornicolestrickland/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nicoledstrickland
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoledstrickland
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sdprsnicole
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxTQhxNbXH_-MhklMy79_Ew
Image Credits
Denise A. Agnew
AbbyDesignsIt
Norma Strickland
