FOX Nation new series features New Bedford native and her psychic abilities
NEW BEDFORD – The latest paranormal docuseries to hit FOX Nation, the subscription-based streaming service under FOX News Media, is "Secrets of the Asylum,” featuring New Bedford’s own Stephanie Burke.
The six-part series, which premiered on Oct. 20, follows paranormal investigator Scott Porter and Burke as they venture into The Eloise Asylum, the psychiatric hospital located just outside Detroit in Westland, Michigan.
Burke and Porter uncover the "sinister secrets" inside the abandoned asylum as well as shed light on the disturbing treatments inflicted on the mentally ill during the Great Depression, including electroshock therapy, insulin shock therapy and lobotomies.
Focusing on her mediumship in New Bedford
Growing up in New Bedford, surrounded by so much rich history, Burke said it really nurtured her abilities as a child. “It gave me a fascination for the spirit world and ultimately led me to the work I do now,” she said. “But back then, I was shy and kept to myself. I didn't want to be seen as the weird kid in school. It wasn't until I was about 17 or 18 that I started to go more public with my gift."
Burke said she inherited the ability to communicate with spirits from the afterlife from their mother's side of the family. It has been passed down through generations, with connections to the Mayflower and the Salem witch trials.
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Burke said her mother also had the gift but did not have as much interest in it and wanted Burke to have a normal life. “She would drop me off at St. Mary's and tell me not to say anything to the other kids,” Burke said.
But despite trying to avoid them, Burke said her abilities are now part of their everyday life, part of her five senses such as constant background noise you’d hear from an almost muted clock radio.
“You know how when you walk into a room and you know if you like somebody or you don't like somebody right away, just have a feeling about it. Mine is the same way only it's heightened and it's a little bit stronger,” she said.
"And that part is always going no matter what.”
Using her gift to help others
Burke, who is also a Reiki Master and teacher, said one of her favorite aspects of exploring the paranormal is uncovering the mystery behind history. She said she firmly believes that there is much to be learned from those who have come before us and enjoys giving spirits a voice and the opportunity to share their stories.
Burke uses her gift to help others understand that death is not the end, but a new beginning. She has assisted families, historical societies, corporations, authors and television shows with her gifts.
As she got older, she said she explored her gift as a medium and wondered if there were others out there. Years later, she became more public about her abilities and met others with similar interests.
“I ended up filming TV shows about ghost hunting, like ‘Ghost Hunters’ and ‘Kindred Spirits,” she said, adding she also co-hosts WBSM's Spooky Southcoast Radio on Saturday nights.
How mediums are perceived on television vs. reality
When it comes to how the entertainment world depicts mediums, Burke said that mediums are perceived well in the reality world and in Hollywood as a form of entertainment.
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“Many people are fascinated by the idea of communicating with the dead and find it brings hope and closure to those who are grieving,” she said.
However, Burke said she doesn’t compare themselves to other mediums on TV, as everyone has their own unique abilities and ways of using them. For example, Burke’s show focuses on helping those who no longer have a voice.
“I think that the entertainment world perceives mediums in different ways. Some people may view it as just entertainment or a form of popular culture, while others may view it as a real and legitimate ability. It really depends on the individual and their personal beliefs and experiences with mediums,” she said.
As for differentiating between what is real and what is not, Burke said that it is up to the individual to decide for themselves. Some mediums may have genuine abilities while others may be using tricks or manipulation to appear as though they have a gift.
“It's important to use discernment and do your own research when it comes to mediums and their abilities. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what they believe to be real,” she added.
What makes Burke's new show worth the watch?
The first episode of her series titled "Committed," sets the stage as Porter and Burke encounter the chilling presence lurking within the asylum's walls. As they continue their investigation, they unravel all the crazy events that took place within the asylum.
"We were able to not just go in and say hey, there's some paranormal activity and then leave. We were able to really go in and say, 'This is who it is. This is why they're here.' Being able to get some justice for the people that are left there was very rewarding,” she said.
Burke said doing the show, they were able to uncover information about the spirits that led to the next episode and also bring peace to them as they went.
She hopes that her work in the paranormal field can show others the value of being open-minded and learning from different perspectives. "I've been able to travel the world and meet different people from all different walks of life from all different cultures,” she said.
“To be able to take something away from each and every one of them and learn something new has been an amazing ride.”
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: FOX Nation series 'Secrets of the Asylum' stars New Bedford native
