Ky Dickens: Letting Go
- Sue Shanahan
- 2 minutes ago
- 6 min read
“I mean, I do feel as though my entire life and career have led up to this moment.” - Ky Dickens
The first time I heard of documentarian Ky Dickens was during my interview with psychic medium, Laura Lynne Jackson. Early on in our conversation Laura asked if I had listened to the podcast series that Ky is behind, The Telepathy Tapes. I had never heard of it. She went on to say that she believes the consciousness of humanity is at a turning point, and the podcast gives evidence of that. That statement really piqued my interest. I had been sensing the same thing. When I played back the recording, I counted Laura recommending I listen to the Telepathy Tapes three times. That was it. When something comes to me in threes, I take it as a directive from heaven to follow through. So I did.
Listening to the podcast series blew my mind. In the episodes, Ky explores telepathy in the nonspeaking autistic community. She investigates the claim that some nonverbal autistic individuals possess telepathic or paranormal communication abilities. They can literally read each other’s minds. Some of their parents say what’s going on is above and beyond thought sharing. They believe they are in some way merging and sharing a consciousness. Ky’s research is so airtight that it won me over. There is much more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye.
How Ky came to create one of the most talked about podcasts is woven into the tapestry of her life. She was raised alongside a brother who is high functioning on the autism spectrum.
“Growing up he was considered odd. He doesn’t understand social cues, so life was difficult for him. That’s where my heart for, you know, for the autism community originated.”
That same heart lead Ky into becoming a documentary filmmaker whose focus was on social justice issues. Her films always promoted acceptance, respect and valued differences.
During the time of COVID, Ky’s world was shaken to its core when she lost two dear friends in separate incidents.
“So I was going through my own process of grief and really wanting to understand what are we doing here? What is all of this? Does consciousness survive death? I decided whatever I do next, I don't want it to be about solving the brokenness in society. I want to solve the brokenness in people. I want to make a documentary that explains why we're here, where we're going and what it all means.”
Ky shared her big questions about existence with a friend. She was assured that consciousness absolutely goes on.
“I was like, how can you say that with such certainty? My friend said, ‘If you just start looking and asking the questions, the answers will come and then you'll know for sure it does.’ I thought if I'm going to spend years researching a topic for a documentary I want to research consciousness. I had no idea where it would lead, but I thought whatever this is, it's going to be my next project.”
Ky began reading and listening to podcasts when she stumbled upon an interview with scientist Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell. Educated at Johns Hopkins and Harvard, She had been studying non-speaking autistic individuals and their ability to read minds. She had tested their telepathic skills, and the tests came back with a over 97% accuracy rate. Dr. Powell was certain that telepathy is only the tip of the iceberg of their special abilities.
“It hit me like a lightning bolt! I’m like, this is it! If this is true, this could change everything. Maybe this is even the key to everything.”
That’s when Ky began working on a docu-series exploring the profound abilities of non-speakers with autism. She felt called to shine a light on individuals who have been underestimated for far too long. She partnered with one of the best production companies around and pitched it to various networks and streamers. What she showed them was often met with praise and tears, but no one wanted to fund it because it didn’t fit their mandate. To receive all “no’s” was devastating for Ky.
“I thought this was my life's purpose. I felt at the core of my being that this was going to be something really monumental, not just for the non-speaking autistic community, but for transitioning consciousness.”
Ky went through a few weeks of despair and self-dejection. She was especially upset about snuffing out the hope that the docu-seiries could bring to non-speakers and their families. Being seen and having their capabilities understood would’ve meant so much.
“I remember being on a walk with a Buddhist friend of mine, and she said to me, ‘You know, what you had planned for yourself is so small compared to what God has in store for you. You have to let go and surrender it. You are so attached to what you think it should look like.’ And I remember being so annoyed with her, thinking, what is she talking about? It's the end of the road. There's nowhere left to go. For three years I poured my heart, soul, money and time into this docu-series, and it's over.”
When Ky went home that day she let go and told the Universe, “Okay I surrender! Clearly I’m not the right person to tell this story. Take it back, I'm so sorry. Let it go however you think it should go. I’m done”
A couple of days later it hit Ky, “I have to make a podcast! I had an absolute knowing that this was the direction I needed to go in. And then I became obsessed with it, like a dog and a bone.”
It was the perfect solution. She didn’t need a production company. She didn’t need financial backing. She didn’t need a green light from anyone. All Ky needed was herself and a microphone.
Most people in her life thought a podcast was a terrible idea. Testing non-speakers who use letter boards to spell their thoughts had to be seen. It seemed impossible for their story to be told non-visually, but Ky had a clear knowing that this is the way its supposed to go. When she sat down at her computer to write episode one, she discovered she had every single quote, and every bit of information she needed. It was on all of her drives from her years of research. The foundation had already had been laid.
When The Telepathy Tapes podcast was introduced later that year Ky was not prepared for the way it was received. She had done absolutely no marketing. It had taken on a life of its own. It found an audience through word of mouth.
Looking back, Ky believes that the podcast series was set in motion years ago. She says she was always being guided, but she didn’t always listen. Early on in her career, she remembers feeling that she wanted to do films and should move from the Midwest to California. She ignored the pull because logically it didn’t make sense. At the time she was working at a production company making commercials. It paid the bills, but deep down she knew it wasn't her calling. Yet moving out West felt way too risky. She lived by family who helped with childcare, leaving them and the thought of not being financially stable frightened her.
When Ky finally took the leap and left, that’s when things really began shifting and moving. It's like her whole life opened up. She worked less, made more money and was happier. The stage was set for her to get where she is today.
“When we have a tight grip and unending need for certainty, we aren’t open to receive what is meant for us. And so what I've learned today is, every time I start to think too much, and reason away what my instincts are telling me, I shift my focus to letting love guide me. Doing that gives room for unimagined possibilities to enter. It works.”
The Telepathy Tapes podcast was released on Sept. 9, 2024. By early January 2025, the show had soared to the number one podcast, briefly knocking Joe Rogan off his perch in the USA. The podcast series won the Webby Award for Best Indie Podcast in 2025 and was also a nominee for Podcast of the Year at the iHeartPodcast Awards. Since then UTA, a global talent and entertainment company, has signed “The Telepathy Tapes,” and Ky Dickens, on for global representation. Of course, after all of that, Ky had no problem securing the funding needed to film The Telepathy Tapes docu-series. It’s scheduled to be releases in the spring of 2026. Ky Dickens has been officially out dreamed.
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Text and artwork © Sue Shanahan