Publication date:
Aug 30, 2023
The interview with Jeffrey Mishlove and Elly Flippen delves into the life and legacy of Ingo Swann, a renowned psychic and remote viewer. Elly Flippen, Swann’s niece and current administrator of his estate, provides an intimate perspective on Swann’s multifaceted personality and contributions.
Swann, the “father of remote viewing,” had a disciplined and precise nature, influenced by his Virgo astrological sign and his upbringing by his Finnish-Swedish grandmother. Elly shares personal anecdotes from her childhood, describing Swann’s larger-than-life presence and his fast-paced lifestyle. Swann’s connection to the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) during the 1970s, where he trained other remote viewers, is highlighted, including the secretive nature of his work, which he seldom discussed with his family.
Elly recounts moving in with Swann after graduating from Vassar College, describing his hospitable and generous nature. She notes his ability to cook exquisite meals using simple kitchen appliances and his passion for entertaining a diverse range of guests, from artists and writers to military personnel and paranormal investigators.
The interview touches on Swann’s early life, his spontaneous psychic experiences, and his formative influences, particularly from his Cherokee heritage. Swann’s artistic journey is explored, showing how his work evolved from surrealism to vibrant abstract representations of auras and cosmic phenomena.
Elly also discusses the administration of Swann’s estate, including the donation of his archives to the University of West Georgia and the establishment of fellowships to support ongoing research in parapsychology. Additionally, she addresses Swann’s involvement with Scientology and its influence on his development of remote viewing methodologies.
The interview concludes with reflections on Swann’s enduring legacy and the ongoing efforts to document and share his life’s work, including the production of a documentary on his contributions to remote viewing and the broader field of psychic phenomena.