Astonishing Legends

We are once again joined by investigator Philip Mantle to dive back into the Pascagoula Abduction with Part 2 of our series, peeling back layers of a story that stretches far beyond one night in 1973. While skeptics cite a silent bridgetender, fresh eyewitness accounts —from shipyard workers to families at home — suggest something far stranger was unfolding. In this episode, we uncover a decades-hidden encounter from Jerry and Maria Blair, whose experiences may rival the original tale, and explore newly revealed evidence, buried memories, and the unsettling question: what did these beings really want?Visit our website for a lot more information on this episode.

A scientist shares a chilling childhood encounter with a glowing, humanoid figure, challenging the boundaries of skepticism and belief. Family recollections add mystery to the tale, linking past experiences to potential paranormal phenomena. The discussion expands to explore unique glow-in-the-dark materials and their fascinating history, while also highlighting the rising number of UFO sightings in Long Island. Listeners are encouraged to share their own supernatural stories, inviting a community of shared experiences and intrigue.

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 AustraliaSemaphore, South Australia - WikipediaThe Ghosts of Versailles Part 1 (Spotify Link) A Timeslip StoryThe Ghosts of Versailles Part 2 (Spotify Link) A Timeslip StoryThere are 4 or 5 episodes on The Somerton Man. Look for those links in our archives.Send your story to deadletteroffice@astonishinglegends.com

John G. Kruth, Executive Director of the Rhine Research Center, dives into the fascinating world of parapsychology. He explores the center's rich history, founded in the 1930s, focusing on psychic phenomena like telepathy and clairvoyance. Kruth discusses the development of Zener cards for ESP testing and reveals intriguing experimental findings that defy conventional views on energy. He also highlights the connections between time, consciousness, and extraordinary human abilities, all while demystifying the scientific exploration of these phenomena.

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 NabokovPukwudgieFairiesAstonishing Dead Letter OfficeSend 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-placesSend 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.comhttps://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 1Devil’s Den the Reckoning Part 2Devil's Den State ParkDevil's Den State Park WikipediaTerry Lovelace Books at Amazonhttps://a.co/d/cA4eG3fhttps://a.co/d/j7l4PFJ