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
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.
