Astonishing Legends

In October 1973, as the Vietnam War waned and Watergate filled headlines, two friends in Pascagoula, Mississippi—Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker—had an encounter that would shake them for life and baffle the world. While fishing after work, they claimed to be abducted by strange beings from a hovering craft, describing elephant-skinned entities with claw-like hands, and examined aboard the vessel. Though skeptics dismissed it as a hoax or hallucination, the Pascagoula Abduction remains one of the most compelling and hotly debated UFO cases.  In this first installment of our two-part series, we delve into the initial reports, physical evidence, and lasting impact of the incident, joined by returning guest Philip Mantle — UFO researcher, close friend of Calvin Parker, and co-writer of the Amazon Prime docuseries Pascagoula ’73 — who calls it the best documented case of its kind. And with new eyewitnesses continuing to emerge, you might find yourself agreeing. Visit our website for a lot more information on this episode.

In tonight’s dead letter, Scott and Forrest read a listener submission from Karena in Semaphore, Australia, who recounts a puzzling experience during her morning walk. On a bright, hot summer's day, she encountered a man walking 3 dogs. That itself is certainly not unusual, but he was dressed in clothes from another time and he vanished into thin air. Semaphore | South Australia Semaphore, South Australia - Wikipedia The Ghosts of Versailles Part 1 (Spotify Link) A Timeslip Story The Ghosts of Versailles Part 2 (Spotify Link) A Timeslip Story There are 4 or 5 episodes on The Somerton Man. Look for those links in our archives. Send your story to deadletteroffice@astonishinglegends.com

This week, we’re heading into the world of parapsychology with a visit to the legendary Rhine Research Center in North Carolina—an institution that’s been quietly pushing the boundaries of the human mind for nearly a century. Founded in the 1930s by J.B. and Louisa Rhine at Duke University, the center has long been a hub for rigorous scientific inquiry into phenomena like telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis. Recently, friend of the show Allison Jornlin invited Scott on a trip to the Rhine to help renowned researcher Dr. Nancy Zingrone donate materials from her and her late husband’s extensive paranormal library. While there, Scott met John G. Kruth, Executive Director of the Rhine and one of the foremost experts on the scientific study of consciousness and psychic phenomena, who joins us to share the fascinating history of the Rhine. Visit our website for a lot more information on this episode.

In tonight’s dead letter, we dive deep into the woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula with Alicia, an experienced outdoorswoman who encounters a mysterious forest dweller during her hunting trip. As she waits silently, a small, dark form captures her attention—what could it possibly be? Is it a creature of folklore peeking into our world, or just an intricate game of light and shadow? Michigan's Upper Peninsula 'The Wood Sprite' by Nabokov Pukwudgie Fairies Astonishing Dead Letter Office Send your stories to deadletteroffice@astonishinglegends.com

In tonight’s dead letter, we dive into "The Scented Ghost," a story from Buffalo, New York, shared by our listener Cheryl. In her old apartment, she and her boyfriend often noticed a strong, unusual floral scent, which could selectively present itself to either one of them. Things got eerie when Cheryl encountered a mysterious figure one night, leaving her spooked. Years later, a chance encounter adds an unexpected twist to her tale, connecting her to a total stranger who had a similar experience in literally the exact same apartment. https://paranormalglobe.com/2018/07/29/can-you-smell-ghosts-4-paranormal-smells-to-look-out-for/ https://www.hauntedrooms.com/new-york/buffalo/haunted-places Send your stories to deadletteroffice@astonishinglegends.com

In Part 2 of our series on the Max Headroom Broadcast Signal Interruption, we dig deeper into the analog chaos that unfolded in 1987 Chicago — a surreal, rebellious hijacking that mocked media itself. We explore the investigation, the lingering mystery, and what it says about how we interact with technology, culture, and entertainment today. Who was behind that mask? Who wielded that fly-swatter? Let’s get into it.  Visit our website for a lot more information on this episode.

In tonight’s dead letter, listener Leah experiences repeated visits from what appear to be gnome-like beings. The visits began after she began practicing Wicca, and thankfully, these mysterious creatures appear to be non-threatening…but persistent. Are they simply hallucinations connected to sleep paralysis, or are they part of the fabric of reality that is hidden from us most of the time? Email your stories to deadletteroffice@astonishinglegends.com https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/cryptids/evil-gnomes-mythology

In tonight's dead letter, we explore the eerie experiences of Allie, a PhD candidate from the University of Arkansas, who revisits the hauntingly notorious Devil's Den in the Ozark National Forest. As shared with hosts Scott and Forrest, Allie's research expeditions become unsettling when she feels an unseen presence and hears unexplained banging noises near isolated trails and bridges. Her tales echo past episodes with guest of our main show, Terry Lovelace, adding another layer to the chilling lore of this paranormal hotspot.  Shownotes: Abduction at Devil’s Den (Terry Lovelace) Devil’s Den the Reckoning Part 1 Devil’s Den the Reckoning Part 2 Devil's Den State Park Devil's Den State Park Wikipedia Terry Lovelace Books at Amazon https://a.co/d/cA4eG3f https://a.co/d/j7l4PFJ

Dive into the strange world of the Max Headroom Pirate TV Incident, where a masked figure hijacked Chicago broadcasts with surreal messages. Explore the technical wizardry that made this bizarre act possible and the myriad theories about the hijackers' identity. The hosts serve up a mix of nostalgia, humor, and cultural commentary, discussing its lasting impact on media. Unpack the unsettling nature of this incident while reflecting on the evolution of technology and its influence on communication, all wrapped in an entertaining narrative.

In tonight's dead letter, we hear from Jada who encountered a shadowy figure with red eyes on two separate occasions in different locations. The first sighting occurred during a summer church camp, but the second happened years later and was witnessed by her boyfriend, who doesn’t believe in this kind of stuff. Are hauntings tied to people rather than places? Or tied to anything at all? The more we learn, the more questions we have.