Episode 34: Omerta

Tina and Hillary cover mysticism in the White House and ranchers turned arsonists Dwight and Steven Hammond.

Tina’s Story
Throughout history, a number of First Ladies turned to the occult when suffering hardships. But, when rumors swirl that the Reagans regularly sought astrological advice, it makes one wonder whether the supposed rational people elected to govern us may be governed by superstition.

Hillary’s Story
Dwight and Steven Hammond railed against the federal Bureau of Land Management for years. But, when they start a series of fires over the years, an arson investigation ignites, flaming tensions between the Federal government and the ranching community.

Sources
Tina's Story
Wikimedia
Jane Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Donald Regan
Fox Sisters

Vice
The First Ladies Who Brought the Occult to the White House--by Amanda Arnold

First Ladies
First Ladies & The Occult: Premonitions & Dreams Reveal Presidents’ Death, Part 3--by CARL ANTHONY

Smithsonian Magazine
The Spiritualist Who Warned Lincoln Was Also Booth’s Drinking Buddy--by Terry Alford

Google Books
America's First Ladies: A Historical Encyclopedia and Primary Document--By Nancy Hendricks

Boston Magazine
TBT: President Franklin Pierce’s Train Wreck—by Hayley Glatter

White House History
Seances in the Red Room--by Alexandra Kommel

Vaguely Interesting
President Lincoln and the White House séances

Mental Floss
8 Famous Seances--by Stacy Conradt
The Rise and Fall of 5 Claimed Mediums--BY REBECCA OCONNELL

Miss Havisham’s Curiosities
White House Seances and Madness

History Collection
10 First Ladies Who Believed in the Supernatural--By Shannon Quinn

Los Angeles Times
Nancy Reagan turned to astrology in White House to protect her husband--by SHELBY GRAD AND DAVID COLKER