Delivering Holp … from the Other Side
With nearly 300,000 followers on Instagram and over 500,000 on TikTok, Holp has gained widespread recognition for his ability to connect with those who have passed on, providing comfort and closure to their loved ones. His out-and-proud, effervescent personality and advocacy for LGBTQ and mental health issues have made him a popular figure, earning him recent spotlights on Entertainment Tonight and in Us Weekly and Elle magazines.
Holp sees himself as the “Guncle of the Spirit world,” offering clarity and compassion in his sessions. His goal is to help people release guilt, regret, and shame, and he believes that in the end, love is what truly matters. We spoke with Travis Holp from his home in Seattle.
You’re joining the Awkwardly Zen 11·11 Metaphysical Fair. What can people expect from this spiritual gathering?
This is such a fun event! Awkwardly Zen is a spiritual community that serves over 15,000 members worldwide. This annual event features over 30 different healers, psychics, astrologists, and tarot readers who offer readings, healings, and so much more! There is something for everyone and then some.
Will your live show include readings with audience members?
My live events focus on bringing through evidential messages from audience members’ loved ones in spirit. During these events, I deliver as many messages as possible, and I never know what to expect. It’s a lot of surprises and fun.
Some readers might be skeptical about the spirit world and psychic mediums. What would you say to those who are unsure or have doubts about what you do?
I am ok with skeptics. I’m not big on forcing people to believe in what I do. My best advice is to be open because there are so many things in this world that we cannot see, hear, or feel with our physical senses. Stay curious!
How did you first discover your gift?
I have been communicating with Spirit for as long as I can remember, but (in the beginning), I didn’t know exactly what was happening. It wasn’t until my 20s that I gave my first reading to a friend.
Is that when you realized your gift could help others in profound ways?
Not exactly. I had been giving readings to friends and family for some time. It was when I gave my first reading to a stranger in my 30s that I realized this is what I am here to do. It was the first time in my life I felt whole, and that’s when I knew.
Can you describe what the experience is like for you during a reading?
My whole body gets warm, and I sweat. Super cute … and then my body tingles. I start to see images, hear names, and feel things in my body, like the emotions of the spirit communicator or how they passed. It’s unlike anything else I have ever experienced. I feel almost euphoric during the experience.
How has social media helped you connect with people on a deeper level?
Social media is a brilliant tool for connection, and while I may not know what it’s like to be the person watching my videos, I know what struggle is like. I know what it’s like to be hopeless. I’ve been to some pretty dark places, and so, for me to share some light with someone on the opposite side of the phone screen is an honor.
As a messenger of the Spirit World, you stress the importance of telling it like it is. Why is that important?
My ego has no place in readings. I deliver the information like I hear/see/feel it because that is my commitment to the Spirit. To deliver the mail, but not to read it.
Death can be such a heavy, emotional subject, yet as the Warrior Unicorn, you manage to shed light on it with empathy, understanding, and even some humor.
I have never been afraid of death. Death is the ultimate act of surrender, and it’s the doorway into what is next. While I am in no hurry to cross over, time and time again, those in Spirit remind me that our physical death is as beautiful as our physical birth.
What advice do you have for those struggling with grief, especially for people who may not have found closure?
Be with the grief. Grief is our indicator of how much we love the physically departed, and that grief can be a gift and a great teacher, if we allow it.
What’s next for you?
More live events across the country and continuing to enjoy each moment as it comes. I also have a new book coming out! It’s called Are You There Spirit? It’s Me, Travis. Look for it soon!
