Benjamin Stimpson (BA, MBACP) is an award‑winning writer, independent researcher, podcaster, and public speaker whose work focuses on folk practice, British folk religion, occultism, medieval and early modern history, British folklore, and modern Neopaganism. He holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Waterloo and a Diploma in Spiritual Psychotherapy, and works professionally as an integrative therapist drawing on systemic, narrative, transpersonal, and somatic approaches.
Ben’s research centres on medieval and early modern folk practice, the folklore and history of magic and witchcraft, and applied modern spiritual and magical traditions. He is the author of Ancestral Whispers: A Guide to Developing Ancestral Veneration Practices (Llewellyn, 2023), winner of the 2024 COVR Gold Medal in Folk Magic. His current projects explore the folklore of witches, cunningfolk, and other magical practitioners, with a major publication forthcoming from The History Press in 2025.
A teacher at heart, Ben has produced a wide range of lectures and courses for conferences and private groups, including appearances at the Salem Folklore and Witchcraft Festival, Botanica Obscura, Occulticon, and the Ancestral Magic Summit. Many of these talks are available through his Patreon archive.
Ben has been a guest on over a hundred podcasts discussing his research, magical practice, and paranormal experiences, and previously hosted Essence with Ben Stimpson, interviewing authors and practitioners in folklore, magic, and the occult. Originally from North Wales, he spent many years in Ontario before returning to England — a journey that deepened his love of Britain’s folk culture. Outside his work, he enjoys classic British comedy, science fiction and fantasy, cooking, crafting, exploring hidden places, and spending time with his office manager, Skye.