

Consensus Unreality
Consensus Unreality
Exploring connections in high strangeness, fringe culture and the occult
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 4min
Unfolding Alternate Realities, Ong's Hat, Synchronicity and more with Joseph Matheny
In this captivating discussion, Joseph Matheny, an interdisciplinary artist and pioneer of the Ong's Hat project, shares insights from the early internet and mail art movements. He reflects on the origins of Ong's Hat, blending local folklore with collaborative storytelling. Matheny explores the chaotic creativity involved in art and synchronicity, recounting uncanny encounters that shaped his work. He also sheds light on the evolution of alternate reality games, their commercialization, and the push towards grassroots narratives, making for a thought-provoking listen!

Sep 22, 2025 • 47min
Weird Fiction, Divination and the Magic of Place: Algernon Blackwood; Pan; Geomancy
In this double feature episode — half public, half Patreon-only— we celebrate the equinox with a discussion of Algernon Blackwood's "The Willows" and "The Wendigo", as well as the ageless fascination of Pan. In the Patreon section, things get spooky and bibliomantic, including the announcement of a new CU divination key.
Hear the second part of this episode and access tons of exclusive content, written material, printed zines and more on Patreon.com/consensusunreality
or unlock at the top of our Spotify Page

Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 9min
The Crossroads of Fairy Lore, Photographing Djinn and Tracing the Dark Song with Darragh Mason
In this interview with Spirit Box podcast host Darragh Mason, we travel deep into crossroads to discuss his important recent book Song of the Dark Man. We also spoke about extreme experiences in photography; documenting the Djinn; fairies; magick and more. Not to be missed.
Plus: tune in for an exclusive Patreon follow-up, where Ben and Dave reflect on some of the startling and captivating aspects of the interview, Alien: Earth, TikTok-viral demon boxes, Occult travels and more! Join our Patreon for our full episode archive, ongoing exclusive episodes, written content, printed publications, discord server and more. Its the only way to support the show, and we do a ton of exclusive stuff over there.
https://www.patreon.com/c/consensusunreality

Aug 25, 2025 • 1h 18min
Fourth Wall Phantoms and the Truth About Aliens with Joshua Cutchin
This episode is about you, the listener. Our third interview with the prolific and brilliant Joshua Cutchin focuses on his newest book, Fourth Wall Phantoms, with conversation on the fictionally charged nature of paranormal encounters, feedback loops of imagination and reality, the power of narrative, ideas as entities, and more.
Exclusive afterword, full episodes, full archive, printed materials and more at:
https://www.patreon.com/c/consensusunreality
Joshua Cutchin
https://www.joshuacutchin.com/about

Aug 17, 2025 • 17min
The Loch and the Grail with Mike Bruno Patreon Episode Preview
An exploration of dragons, serpents, and myth, Nessie, the depths, reptilian evil, wormy good, and the quest for the grail. After 3 years, we’re joined again by friend of the show Mike Bruno, musician, birdcatcher, and mystic. Don’t miss it!
Full episode, full archive and tons of exclusives available at
https://www.patreon.com/c/consensusunreality
Mike Bruno Music
https://mikebruno.bandcamp.com/

Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 12min
Andrija Puharich, The Law of One: Ra Material and More with Greg Mallozzi of The Cosmic Clock
In this interview with Gregory Mallozzi, we re-enter the Law of One and Don Elkins rabbit hole. Greg's new podcast series on Elkins fuels the conversation, and we dive deep into the strange life of Andrija Puharich, with detours through archiving the paranormal, robot voices, and more.
Join our Patreon for printed zine subscriptions, recorded materials, regular exclusive episodes, full discord server and more!
https://www.patreon.com/c/consensusunreality
The Cosmic Clock
https://www.cosmicclock.net/
CARE (Center for Rare and Exotic Archives)
https://exotical.substack.com/
Intro Music by Treatment
https://treatmentforu.bandcamp.com/album/treatment-ep

Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 26min
Early American Mysticism, Cryptozoology and the Alien Abduction Mythos with Timothy Grieve-Carlson
In this interview with historian of religions Timothy Grieve-Carlson, we discuss the history of cryptozoology, Pennsylvania's deep history of the weird, and much more. Christian mystic Kelpius and the Ephrata Cloister receive particular attention, as well as the religious implications of alien abduction experiences, Whitley Strieber's Communion letters archive, and the Rosicrucian phenomenon. Is Bigfoot Cain? Find out!
Join our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/c/consensusunreality

Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 19min
Synchronicity and Esoteric Fabrications with Kristen Phillips of The Liminal Credential
Kristen Phillips, artist, writer, fabricator, and Philosophical Research Society events manager joins us for a deep dive on PRS, synchronicity, and more. We talk the legacy of Manly P. Hall, the genius of Arthur M. Young, artist Claire Pierpoint and a wild sync, aviator-mystics, Kristen's approach to art and her ongoing work The Membrane, and more. A packed conversation on many CU-classic themes!
Plus: a bonus Ben-Dave patreon discussion on Rosicrucianism, Martinism, George Hunt Williamson, and more.
Join our patreon
https://www.patreon.com/c/consensusunreality
The Liminal Credential
https://www.instagram.com/liminalcredential/

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 18min
The Craft and Magic of Strange Machines with Will Mullany of Molasses Industries
Tesla's ghost is in the public domain! Will Mullany of Molasses Industries joins CU to chat about unconventional DIY electronics, ghosts in machines, the weird powers of low frequency electricity, the synchronicity of picking, and more. Cybernetics, control and chaos, intentionality vs. randomness, the human body as feedback node... A classic Consensus Unreality talk.
Join our patreon for our full episode archive, written content, ongoing exclusive episodes and more
https://www.patreon.com/c/consensusunreality
Molasses industries
https://www.molassesindustries.com/

May 31, 2025 • 1h 3min
Hermetic Initiation, Haunted Houses, Revelatory Lights and Float Tank Confessions with Erick Van Ficken of Coteries
Erick Van Ficken, a musician and performance artist behind the Coteries project, shares his fascinating journey through the realms of the paranormal and spirituality. He recounts eerie experiences living in haunted houses, including unsettling sounds and ghostly presences. The discussion dives into the curious Marfa Mystery Lights, revealing personal encounters and local lore. Erick also explores the transformative power of light therapy and the unique role of performance art in self-expression and personal healing, blending art with the mystical.