Hollister Rand is one of the most influential psychics. She is an internationally renowned medium, author, and speaker based in Los Angeles, California. She provides specific messages from loved ones in spirit and is known for her extraordinarily detailed work. She is the acclaimed author of "I are Not Dead, I'm Different: Kids in Spirit Teach Us About Living a Better Life on Earth." She is one of the guest speakers for our "New Year, New You: A Mind, Body, and Soul Make-Over from the Inside Out A Virtual Event".
Q. Can you tell us about the first book that made you cry?
H: For animal lovers of my generation, two words bring us to tears, "Old Yeller." Old Yeller by Fred Gipson was published in 1942. Disney did a film adaptation in 1957. Spoiler alert: Old Yeller dies in the end, but his pups keep his memory alive.
Q. At what age did you start writing? Did you always know you'd end up becoming one of the best spiritual communicators and authors, or was it a moment of epiphany all of a sudden when you just knew that you'd want to do this for the rest of your life?
H: There is a baby photo of me sitting in a tiny rocker with a book in front of my face. I couldn't read or write at that point (and could barely hold the book) but I must have known then what I know now – – books can change us. We've all heard the phrase, "Be the change you want to see in the world." I've always wanted to write about what has changed me and have been grateful when my words have made a difference to others.
Q. Do you think someone could be a writer if they aren't empathetic enough?
H: Words are just words, but can make a profound positive difference if they're put together with heart.
Q. Can you tell us about your favorite memory as a writer?
H: When I typed these words in my latest book: The End (Not really)
Q. Where do you draw inspiration from?
H: What inspires me are the spirits who share their love and healing messages with me. As a medium, I work at the nexus between trauma/loss and love/reconnection. Being part of the reunion of people and spirits gives me a lot to write about!
Q. What is your favorite childhood book?
H: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett published in 1911. Mary, the female protagonist, is orphaned by cholera, discovers a crippled cousin, and together they recreate a perfect garden behind walls where his mother had died. The book addresses themes of resilience despite profound loss and healing through nature and connection. There is a new movie based on the book, so everything old is new again, yet again.
Q. Have you decided on your 2021 New Year resolutions yet? If you have, what are they?
H: My number one resolution is the same as my morning intention each day: Be supremely helpful. In December I like to look back on the previous year and express gratitude – – even for the most difficult aspects of the past year. This sets the energy for receiving with an open heart whatever the new year brings.
Q. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
H: Getting started!
Q. Do you view writing as a spiritual practice?
H: I approach my life as a spiritual practice, mindfully. In my writing, spiritual concepts not only become physical (books) but memorable because the spiritual is linked to personal stories of life, loss, pain, reunion, and peace.
Q. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
H: It will be okay. When I was young, I wrote to express emotional truth in the face of death. (As you can see from earlier answers, even my childhood reading dealt with healing around death.) Today I write for very much the same reasons. I share the peace of the spirits with people who are suffering so can now say with confidence, It will be okay.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
H. Write when you have something to say. And once you've started, never give up.
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Hollister Rand has provided detailed messages from spirits for more than 25 years. Everything You Wanted to Know about the Afterlife but Were Too Afraid to Ask, published by Beyond Words Publishing/Atria Books, provides insights and answers to the most common questions about life after death. Her work on television includes Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood and America Now. Hollister's radio appearances include Sirius XM's John Edward Psychic Radio, KOST FM's Angels in Waiting, KBIG 104's Radio Medium, and Coast to Coast AM with George Noory. During her marriage to college sweetheart and fellow medium, James Van Praagh, Hollister's passion for spirit communication blossomed.
Following their divorce, Hollister expanded her dedication to the healing work of mediumship with events and workshops in the US and abroad. It has been her honor to work with respected mediums including Robert Brown and John Edward. Hollister lives in Los Angeles with her impossibly small and very loving rescue Chihuahuas, Bodhi and Amara.
