Meet Medium Barb Mallon - my mentor!

I'm fortunate to know several mediums and incredible people that deal with spirits and ghosts, and this week, I sat down with my friend and mentor Barb Mallon of Northern Virginia. Barb gives educational courses, has group medium events, does one-on-one readings, phone readings and more. 

 Now YOU can get to know Barb and then look her up when you really need to hear from Spirit! - Rob

1. In your own words, who is Barb Mallon, Medium? 

Barb Mallon

I am just your normal mom of three great kids, two pit bull mixes and four fat, furry rats. Besides being a medium, I love silversmithing and creating pretty pieces of jewelry.  I am also an avid animal lover and really enjoy doing events to help local no kill shelters.

2. When in your life did you realize you had an ability to communicate with spirits and how did you handle it? 

I have always been pulled towards metaphysics and worked with the Tarot for many years (just another way for your guides to help with guidance).  I was growing and evolving intuitively and happened to see a medium work somewhere.  It hit me like a hammer over the head, "THAT'S what I'm supposed to be doing."  I didn't know why at the time and was a little leery, not understanding it.  That said, I felt it so strongly and studied, had readings done for myself and it just happened.  People were validating what I was saying.  It was honestly nothing I had to really handle... I fully embraced it!

3. How did you finally embrace your gift of mediumship? 

I just let it happen and not long after, I was getting calls from new clients because of word of mouth.

4.  You wrote a chapter in Rob Gutro's "Pets and the Afterlife" about how your late dog Blue communicated with you from the other side. How amazing was that for you? Was that the first time a dog or cat came through? 

Barb's dog Blue came through

Yes, I think she knew how horrible we felt about how sick she was and the decision we really needed to make.  She gave me the gift of peace of mind - that she was so much better there, but also helped me to let go of the awful guilt I had.  The things she did were more physical and different than when a pet comes through for a client.  I have had hundreds if not thousands of animals come through for their human before Blue passed and after!

5. You also teach psychic development, make jewelry, are a mom and help dog rescues! 
Tell me a little about each of these passions! 

I teach psychic development because I want people to know it's NORMAL to be intuitive and will only help you in this lifetime.  :)  It's amazing to see the lightbulbs go off when my students read for each other.  It's truly fascinating.  

With making jewelry, the art of melting down silver or forming/hammering it into pretty things is so healing for me.  It's even more fun when one of my clients comes in for a reading wearing one of my pieces!  I love chunky and textured pieces with a rustic feel.  

My two boys keep me pretty busy and they also help out with my events - FOR MONEY of course!  They are great kids with their own talents, and yes, both have seen spirits clearly!

Barb the Jewelry Maker!

The older I get, the more my passion for helping helpless animals grows.  Especially to the ones who are judged unfairly, like bully breeds.  It's heartbreaking to know that my insanely sweet Maggie was just hours of being euthanized because of her breed and people's misconceptions about pit bull breeds.  Maggie will come up to you and literally give you a hug!  She is my best friend and "mama" dog.  Her "brother" Sammy will lick you to death, so watch out!  Whatever I can possibly do to help these sweet dogs, I will!

6. What’s next on the horizon for you?

I've been taking a bit of a breather from demonstrations lately and have concentrated on taking more clients and teaching.  I'm introducing a Psychic Development webinar in July and I plan on doing a bunch of these as time permits!

Barb and Bren at a convention

7. How can people get a hold of you for phone or in-person readings? 
-What is your website, facebook and twitter pages?

My website is www.BarbMallon.com and you can click the contact page to write or call.  You can also schedule online at www.barbmallon.com/schedule.htm.  

Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/barbmallonpsychicmedium Twitter is www.twitter.com/barbmallon

Instagram is www.instagram.com/barbmallon, and....

Etsy is www.etsy.com/shop/barbmallonjewelry

***ON JULY 10TH, this blog will feature a special column from Barb about "Repetitive Numbers"!  Stay tuned! 

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BARB'S CHAPTER IS FEATURED IN MY BOOK: PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE! 

by Rob Gutro: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- http://tinyurl.com/mqgamq2%20

Hear the Podcast: Into the Unknown Realm with guest Ruthie Larkin, Medium

Did you miss last night's Into the Unknown Realm show with my friend Medium Ruthie Larkin? 
Now you can hear the Podcast here:   http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dtm-radio/2014/07/01/into-the-unknown-realm-with-steve-and-naomi-with-guest-ruthie-larkin

Into the Unknown Realm with Steve and Naomi with guest Ruthie Larkin

WHO IS RUTHIE LARKIN, THE BEANTOWN MEDIUM? 

Psychic Medium   •  Reiki Master/Teacher  •  Certified Energy Systems Management Practitioner
•  Medical Intuitive •  Certified Integrated Energy Therapy Practitioner  •  House Clearings

I have had psychic and healing abilities since childhood and only used them for the benefit of my family and close friends until 2007 when I decided to embrace my calling. Having spent my adult life in corporate sales in the voice and data industry for major organizations, I finally decided it was time to utilize my gifts. I now have a large following across the country and especially in the New England area. I am available for private, phone and group readings as well as large events.  http://www.beantownmedium.com/

https://www.facebook.com/BeanTownMedium

Meet The Hosts:   Steve and Naomi are from the paranormal group S.T.U.R.S., which stands for Seeking the Unknown Realm Society. Steve is the founder of S.T.U.R.S. and Naomi is an investigator. The group was started in October of 2010. STURS has investigated many locations throughout New England, including Rolling Hills Asylum in Bethany, NY, Pennhurst Asylum, The Houghton Mansion in North Adams, MA, The Haunted Victorian in Gardner, MA, The Governors Inn Hampton Falls, NH, The Paine House in Coventry, MA and best known for their appearance on A&E's My Ghost Stories for their story on the investigation of The Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, NH. Steve and Naomi also perform together singing which includes performing live at the 2013 Paranormal Awards. Into The Unknown Realm with Steve & Naomi are norminated for Radio Show of The Year for the 2014 Paranormal Awards and STURS was a nominee for the 2013 & 2014 EVP Of The Year Award, 2014 Video of the Year & 2014 Comedy of The Year. Naomi can be also seen in the benefit calendar for 2014 Women of The Paranormal as Miss January. They are often joined by their teammates from STURS, like Steve E as they affectionally refer to him as "Quiet Steve". Always a fun show filled with some pretty amazing guests!!

Listen Tonight 8-9pm EDT- Medium Ruthie Larkin interviewed on Into the Unknown Realm Radio

Ruthie and her late dog Boston

 Tonight from 8-9pm EDT- Medium Ruthie Larkin will be interviewed on Into the Unknown Realm  Radio with hosts Naomi and Steve! 

Ruthie will be doing LIVE READINGS on the phone during the interview. 
THE CALL IN NUMBER: 818-431-8214
 
   Ruthie is an amazing medium who appears in my book "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" and she has her OWN CHAPTER in my new book "Pets and the Afterlife" where she talks about how the spirit of her late dog Boston communicated with her many times! 

   Ruthie is a learned medium who does in person and phone readings. She's known as the "Beantown Medium" and her website is found at: http://www.beantownmedium.com/
Ruthie is a:  •  Psychic Medium  •  Reiki Master/Teacher  •  Certified Energy Systems Management Practitioner •  Medical Intuitive •  Certified Integrated Energy Therapy Practitioner  and •  does House Clearings

 

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Summary for book: PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE by Rob Gutro: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- http://tinyurl.com/mqgamq2%20

 

A Sniffing Spirit's Sign!

Today at the Frederick Book Festival I met a lot of wonderful people and many had their own stories of spirit encounters.
A woman named Cheryl came to my table (where I was selling my books) and we were talking about my book "Pets and the Afterlife" and dog rescues. - I was also representing DC Area Weimaraner Rescue there (I had the Weim and Book banners displayed). 
    Cheryl told me that her beloved dog named Oliver had passed. She said that Oliver would always make the stress of the day melt away. She said that whenever she would drive into the garage Oliver would run to the door (inside the house) after hearing the garage. She said she would then see Oliver's nose at the bottom of the door that separated the inside of the house from the garage and she would always hear him sniffing when she would get out of the car.
   Now that Oliver had passed, her home felt empty and there was no one there to remove the stress.  One day, however, she had a bad day and came home. She pulled into the garage and got out of the car. She said that she swears she heard Oliver sniffing at the door. She said that she knew that he was in spirit on the other side of the door and she instantly felt better. 
  I explained that dogs on the other side maintain the habits they had in the physical world and it makes perfect sense that Oliver's spirit would be there, doing what he usually did. 
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Summary: PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE by Rob Gutro: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- http://tinyurl.com/mqgamq2%20

Lessons Learned, Ghosts and Spirits

For Rob Gutro's books: "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead," "Pets and the Afterlife" and the new book "Pets and the Afterlife 2" -  visit Amazon.com   (or click this link) 

Pets and the Afterlife 2, Pets and the Afterlife

Come meet Rob today at the Frederick Book Festival 9a-6p!

Come on out to the Frederick Book Festival, Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th, 2014 at the Hampton Inn, 5311 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick, MD 21704.

Rob is one of three authors talking on a Paranormal Panel at 11 am this morning!






Want to know what inspired a book? Looking for opportunities to meet other authors? This is the meet and greet place to do it!
See you there!

Mike Ricksecker Interviews Rob Gutro about books, mediumship, plans

Rob Gutro and Mike Ricksecker

My friend, fellow author, ghost investigator and "Ghostorian" Mike Ricksecker asked me questions for his blog, (Mike Ricksecker's Blog) so I thought I'd share my answers  here, so you can get a feel for my experience.


1. In your own words, who is Rob Gutro? I'm an average middle-aged guy who happens to be a scientist, dog dad, dog rescue volunteer, an investigator with Inspired Ghost Tracking and a developing medium.  Since I was a child I could receive messages from ghosts or spirits (who have crossed over). I wrote "Pets and the Afterlife," "Ghosts and Spirits" and "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" to teach others how Ghosts and Spirits communicate and to give hope about the afterlife. I also provide some scientific explanations about how they do it. I'm not a medium who makes appointments - I'm not as well-developed in my abilities as learned mediums. I' consider myself more of a "medium rare."  :)

Inspired Ghost Tracking Core Group

2. When in your life did you start recognizing the abilities that you possess?
When I saw my grandfather materialize in full color before me, 6 months after he died. I was 13 years old. Now that I think about it- he appeared in July, which was the month of his birthday. That makes perfect sense because spirits come back with messages especially around birthdays and anniversaries.

3. What inspired you to start writing about your experiences as a medium?
I've had encounters with Earth bound ghosts and spirits on-and-off until 2005. That's when my puppy Buzz was killed by a car when his leash opened. Buzz immediately crossed and provided signs that he was with me - ranging from moving things to musical and audible signs to actually seeing him. He inspired me to write my first book and give others hope that pets and people communicate from the other side. My dad passed while I was writing the book and he also provided many amazing signs that even helped me convince my own family dad's spirit was present during his wake and funeral.

4. You have a passion for caring for and rescuing dogs which has led to your latest book, Pets and the Afterlife. Tell us about that.
My first dog, Buzz taught me what unconditional love means. Sure, we learn it from our parents, but it's different with a dog or cat. They love you 100% all the time and are never disappointed in you. My partner and I came together with one dog each and since we couldn't have children we wanted to help return the love to needy dogs who didn't have homes, so we began fostering dogs (adopted 2 of them), transporting dogs for several rescues and donating time and money to help dogs. Our dogs are our children as they are with many pet owners.
  When Buzz passed I was devastated. He provided proof he was still around from the other side. When we lost our dog Sprite in the summer of 2013, he also provided signs that were verified by us, three mediums we we know who don't even know each other, and friends in Maryland and New Mexico. It's an awesome story in the Pets and the Afterlife book and serves to give proof and hope to people who lost pets.
 

Buzz provided many signs from the other side

5. How did your personal experiences come to mold and shape your other books, Ghosts and Spirits – Insights from a Medium and Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead?
 As with the Pets book, I wrote all of my books for a couple of reasons: 1) to prove that people and animals who pass are still with us 2) to show people how to look for signs and understand them. 3) To give people hope and comfort knowing that spirits are still with them from time to time, helping and guiding them 4) To understand that physical death is just one part of our lives 5) to understand that our relatives and pets are waiting for us on the other side 6) I use science and science of behavior to provide proof of how ghosts and spirits are able to convey messages.

6. What’s next on the horizon for Rob Gutro?
It's a busy year since releasing "Pets and the Afterlife" on March 27. I've connected with many fellow pet parents looking for signs and comfort (and some pets have already given me messages for their parents!).  During the rest of the year I've got appearances and interviews every other weekend through October. I'll be speaking at The Frederick Book Festival on June 28th, On August 1 at Inspired Ghost Tracking,  Paracon in Pensacola, FL Aug 9-10, a rescue in NY in August followed by appearances at the New England Pet Expo in Boston in Sept., the Capital Pet Expo in Washington, DC in October and several others in between.
   I've already written my fourth book for next year, but just have to edit it. It's called "Energy, Entities and England: Ghosts in the U.K." In addition, the response from the Pets book has been so great, I'm writing a second volume with stories from others. So, there's a lot happening and the best part is helping comfort and educate people to know how to recognize signs from their loved ones, while sometimes passing messages on from the other side. 

PODCAST! - Dog Works Radio- Hear my 30 min. interview!

Here's the link to the podcast of my interview tonight on Dog Works Radio about my book Pets and the Afterlife!
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:  http://dogworksradio.com/2014/06/25/dog-works-radio-presents-rob-gutro/

   Dog Works Radio is broadcast from Alaska and the mission of the radio station is to educate the public about responsible dog ownership and the value of the relationship with our canine companions.

http://www.dogworksradio.com/
    Dog Works Radio is brought to you by Dog Works Training Centers and is presented by Twine Group Media.

Robert Forto is the executive producer of Dog Works Radio and is behind the mic on all of the shows. Robert has been a musician since he was in high school and brings a unique (albeit sometimes too tech-y) aspect to the shows.
    Dog Works Radio family of shows; Dog Works Radio, Mush! You Huskies, and The Gypsy Musher, Mushing Radio and our brand new show, The Sibe Vibe, bring our listeners into the wonderful world of working dogs. We share our stories, training advice and antedotes from years of working and living with our canine
companions. 

Interview Tonight on Dog Works Radio! 8pmEDT (listen live)

Tonight at 8 p.m. EDT I'm being interviewed on Dog Works Radio
about my book Pets and the Afterlife!
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:  http://dogworksradio.com/2014/06/25/dog-works-radio-presents-rob-gutro/


 Dog Works Radio is broadcast from Alaska and the mission of the radio station is to educate the public about responsible dog ownership and the value of the relationship with our canine companions.
http://www.dogworksradio.com/

Dog Works Radio is brought to you by Dog Works Training Centers and is presented by Twine Group Media.

Robert Forto is the executive producer of Dog Works Radio and is behind the mic on all of the shows. Robert has been a musician since he was in high school and brings a unique (albeit sometimes too tech-y) aspect to the shows.

Dog Works Radio family of shows; Dog Works Radio, Mush! You Huskies, and The Gypsy Musher, Mushing Radio and our brand new show, The Sibe Vibe, bring our listeners into the wonderful world of working dogs. We share our stories, training advice and antedotes from years of working and living with our canine
companions.
LISTEN:   The show is also airing on KVRF Radio in Sutton, Alaska  (near Anchorage) LISTEN  HERE: http://tunein.com/radio/Radio-Free-Palmer-895-s144880/  and here: http://dogworksradio.com/dog-talk-radio/ 

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:  http://dogworksradio.com/2014/06/25/dog-works-radio-presents-rob-gutro/

Reader Question: Euthanasia for Pets... What about People?

Euthanasia Decision Guidelines for Pets

Here's a very interesting question about a very controversial topic: Euthanasia. Because I just published my book "Pets and the Afterlife" and talk about making the decision to euthanize our pets when they are suffering, I received a question asking why I think that people have an issue with ending human suffering.

QUESTION:  My question is regarding euthanasia.  We euthanize our beloved animals as an act of compassion  yet we won’t extend the same compassion to people.  What about all the people that have died by their own hands as a desperate act of self-euthanasia when life has become unbearable or impossible. We think it’s cruel to let an animal suffer like this, and yet we expect people to suffer like this, often bankrupting families and we tend to condemn those who choose not to suffer and choose to end their life instead.  And what about someone like Dr. Kevorkian that (I believe) compassionately helped people die. I’m really curious to know if you’ve ever gotten anything about this type of situation?

MY RESPONSE: 

   You bring up a very important point about euthanasia that I've talked about before many times with my partner. It certainly does seem cruel that humans don't give the same care to each other as we try to give to pets at the end of their lives during times of severe suffering. This is something I've recently struggled to understand.
    I believe that line of thought against euthanizing people originated with some religions that said that "pets don't have souls and humans do" - which we know to be false. In addition some religions have looked at euthanasia as "murder" instead of humane treatment of people. As a result, we are sadly not able to treat people in a humane way at the end of their lives to end their suffering.

What about people?

   My mother died this past December. She had a stroke and was suffering horrendously, and I had to make the choice with my brothers to remove her from life support - so she would not live paralyzed and in a vegetative state- so your question strongly resonates with me. I do know that my mother suffered in that week it took for her to pass after her debilitating stroke.
  Perhaps as people realize we need to focus more on the humane treatment of others over doctrine, we will be able to assist our loved ones cross over at the end of their lives and shorten their suffering.
  In July, 2013, when we had to make the decision for our 16 1/2 year old dog Sprite, who could barely use his back legs, had kidney failure, strong heart murmur, was going blind and deaf before something ruptured in his nose causing bleeding for hours (I took him to the emergency vet and they said it was likely a tumor in the sinuses, not a broken blood vessel)- and we made the choice the next day, because he was suffering so much.  We didn't want to see him suffer any further - and yes, it was heartwrenching.

SOME PLACES IT IS LEGAL - After responding to this question, I learned that the Netherlands and Belgium, and states like Oregon, have legalized euthanasia. 

   WHERE DID THE WORD COME FROM? - The word "euthanasia" was first used in a medical context by Francis Bacon in the 17th century, to refer to an easy, painless, happy death, during which it was a "physician's responsibility to alleviate the 'physical sufferings' of the body." 

  WHERE WAS THE CONCEPT FIRST MENTIONED IN HISTORY? - The first apparent usage of the term "euthanasia" belongs to the historian Suetonius who described how the Emperor Augustus, "dying quickly and without suffering in the arms of his wife, Livia, experienced the 'euthanasia' he had wished for." (Ref.   Philippe Letellier, chapter: History and definition of a Word, in Euthanasia: Ethical and human aspects By Council of Europe)

A Resource: Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (website)

Since I've published my third book "Pets and the Afterlife" so many people have reached out for comfort. I recently found a website about an organization that also provides comfort: the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement.
  They have chat rooms,  events, aftercare, information about euthanasia, newsletters, quality of life, products, support, training and much more. 
  If you've lost a pet and are suffering, please contact them. 
Also, please consider a read of my book "Pets and the Afterlife" so you can learn how to see the signs that our pet's spirits are giving us. There's nothing more comforting knowing that our pets remain with us from the other side - Rob

 
FROM THEIR WEBSITE: 
    We are all professionally trained volunteers in pet bereavement counseling, and are here for you. Our beloved animal friends have brought us together, and in honor of them we are now all here for each other, as well. Welcome.
    The APLB is unique, and the only organization in the world doing all this. Our services are free and available to anyone bereaving for a beloved pet. We pride ourselves in incorporating the collective wisdom and experience of all our friends and members. And we make that freely available to anyone who can use it, during deep bereavement for a beloved pet.
Membership is not required for this, but we hope you will Join us.
We need your support to help us expand the many services we are providing
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Summary: PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE by Rob Gutro: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- http://tinyurl.com/mqgamq2%20