

Strange As It Seems
Strange As It Seems
A podcast series about History, Occultism, Espionage, Secret Societies, Conspiracy and High Weirdness. Hosted by Dr. Richard B. Spence and co-host Stephen Austin.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 13, 2025 • 2h 18min
Flying Saucers and Secret Agents
Rick and Stephen explore the possible links between the UFO phenomenon, espionage and psyops.
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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/

Feb 28, 2025 • 2h 28min
An Introduction to Occult Politics
"Rick delves into the realm of occult politics by exploring the bizarre story of Clotilde Bersone, French Synarchy and the American "Business Plot."
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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strange-as-it-seems/id1777455156
Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/

Feb 10, 2025 • 2h 5min
The Occult Life of Jack Parsons
Rick recounts the shadowy life of visionary rocketeer and devoted occultist, Jack W. Parsons. More importantly, he reveals Parsons’ ties to espionage—connections that may have ultimately sealed his fate.
FOLLOW US:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pryV4bnp8svmiQc4O
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strange-as-it-seems/id1777455156
Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/

Jan 25, 2025 • 2h 29min
The Mysteries of Fred L. Crisman
Rick introduces Stephen to Fred L. Crisman.

Dec 6, 2024 • 3h
Weaponized Magic: Aleister Crowley to MK Ultra
Rick gives a brief history of the connection between occult knowledge, psychic research, and intelligence agencies.

Nov 13, 2024 • 2h 10min
Death in the Adirondacks
Rick walks Stephen through a story of political intrigue in the Adirondack Mountains.
Original Publication:
Spence, Richard B. "Death in the Adirondacks: Amtorg, Intrigue, and the Dubious Demise of Isaiya Khurgin and Efraim Sklyansky, August 1925." American Communist History, vol. 14, no. 2 (Aug. 2015), pp. 135–158.

Nov 6, 2024 • 2h 33min
An Introduction to James Shelby Downard
Rick introduces Stephen to the strange life of James Shelby Downard.

Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 56min
Lights in the sky: The Utah Airship Mystery
In this inaugural (demo) episode of Strange As It Seems, Rick covers his 2017 article "LIGHTS IN THE SKY: A True Tale of Mystery Airships, Spies, and Secret Cults in WWI Utah," while Stephen tries to keep up.


