The Paracast — The Gold Standard of Paranormal Radio

Artist and abduction researcher Budd Hopkins, one of the controversial figures in the field, returned to The Paracast to talk about his memoir, “Art, Life and UFOs.” This discussion included a host of personal remembrances that also encompass subjects beyond UFOs. Hopkins died in 2011; Biedny died in 2024.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.

In one of our most memorable episodes, Gene and David don their Consumer Protection hats and expose the questionable antics of UFO researcher Bill Knell, someone who has allegedly preyed on the unwary for several decades. They'll are joined in this worthy effort by investigator Frank Warren, who has done his own research into the questionable exploits of the offender in question.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.

Decades before the 1997 sci-fi comedy "Men In Black" launched a multibillion dollar film franchise, a young folklorist, UFO promoter Gray Barker helped to spread the original MIB concept in a book, They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers. The details about Barker's colorful life is told in Gabriel Mckee's book, The Saucerian: The Unbelievable Life of Gray Barker (MIT Press). It's the strange, but true biography of a central purveyor and promoter of flying saucer and conspiracist knowledge in the mid-twentieth century. Known mostly to people in the UFO field, Barker (who died in 1984) was an eccentric literary outsider, filled with ideas that were out of step with the world. An author and unreliable narrator of implausible stories, Barker founded and operated Saucerian Books, an independent publisher of books about flying saucers and other ideas at the fringes of popular discourse. In The Saucerian, Gabriel Mckee tells the fascinating story of Barker’s West Virginia–based press, the unique corpus of materials it published, and how office-copying and self-publishing techniques influenced the spread of paranormal beliefs and conspiratorial worldviews over the last century. Following the development of UFO subculture, Mckee explores the life and career of a larger-than-life hoaxer and originator of pseudoscientific ideas. In return, Gene and cohost Tim Swartz talk about their own encounters with Barker and his friends over the years. This is an episode you won't want to miss. Gabriel's site: https://gabrielmckee.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.

Gene and Chris present noted parapolitics author Kenneth F. Thomas, publisher of Steamshovel Press, who will deliver the latest developments on the most significant conspiracies of our time, including the Kennedy Assassination, decades after the tragic event, the possible connection with UFOs, and other mysteries. The speculation about JFK's death was revitalized when more than 80,000 documents on the case were released in early 2025. Thomas died in 2023.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.

Gene and Chris present veteran and prolific paranormal writer Nick Redfern, author of "Keep Out!: Top Secret Places Governments Don't Want You to Know About." This highly readable book is not just about UFOs, secret alien bases and so on, but about many of the mysteries and legends that surround a number of unusual places, often underground, around the world.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.

Gene and cohost Tim Swartz present a special appearance from veteran UFO researcher Chris Rutkowski, who offers a really check about the current state of research into the phenomenon. He has expansive credentials as an investigator and writer, including: contributing editor of International UFO Reporter and was the editor of the Swamp Gas Journal, an occasional Ufozine first published in 1978 when he was part of Decadent Winnipeg Fandom. He is a past-president of the Winnipeg Science Fiction Society and was part of the Winnipeg SF community that gathered Saturdays at the home of the legendary “first fan” Chester Cuthbert. He is also a past-president of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada — Winnipeg Centre and has degrees in science and education. Chris Rutkowski blogs at: uforum.blogspot.com. Rutkowski also has nine published books, including: Visitations? (1989); Unnatural History (1993); Mysterious Manitoba, co-authored with Dave Creighton and Brian Fidler (1997); Abductions and Aliens (2000); The Canadian UFO Report, co-authored with Geoff Dittman (2006); A World of UFOs (2008), I Saw It Too! (2009), The Big Book of UFOs (2010) and When They Appeared, co-authored with Stan Michalak (2019). His last book was Canada's UFOs — Declassified (2022), and he has been working on a new book.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.

Gene and Chris are joined by the irrepressible Jim Moseley, Editor/Publisher of Saucer Smear, who discusses the fakes and the outright frauds he has discovered, and sometimes exposed — and sometgimes perpetrated — in the UFO field since the 1950s. One of Gene's closest friends, he died in 2012. A memorial site dedicated to Jim is located at: www.jimmoseley.com. Chris died in 2024.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.

This discussion features Ann Druffel, an influential author and NICAP member, alongside Michael Miley, a seasoned UFO investigator. They delve into the tragic legacy of Dr. James E. McDonald and how it affected the UFO community. Listeners are treated to gripping stories of personal encounters with extraterrestrial beings and a reflection on the psychological impacts these experiences can have. The conversation also hints at the possible connections between UFOs, environmental concerns, and mankind’s consciousness, leaving us pondering the mysteries that lie beyond.

The rags to riches journey of Elvis Presley, the "king" of rock and roll, is well known. In a special interview with Gene and guest cohost Hercules Invictus, Miguel Conner, author of "The Occult Elvis: The Mystical and Magical Life of the King," reveals details that are not well known, how Elvis was a profound mystic, occultist, and shaman. Beginning with the unusual circumstances of his birth — and his stillborn twin brother — Conner traces the diverse thread of mysticism that runs through Presley’s life, drawing on firsthand accounts from the people closest to him, including his wife, Priscilla, the Memphis Mafia, and his spiritual advisors. He argues that Elvis was well-versed in the esoteric practices of sex magic, meditation, astrology, and numerology and had a deep familiarity with Kabbalah, Gnosticism, Theosophy, and Eastern traditions. And he also reveals how Elvis was a natural healer, telekinetic, psychic, and astral traveler who had significant mystical experiences and UFO encounters. Connor also looks at the conspiratorial and paranormal aspects of Elvis’s life. And what about the influence of a magical comic book super hero in the look of Elvis' famous costume that he wore during his live performances? His website: www.miguelconner.com. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.

Ted Phillips, Director of The Center for Physical Trace Research, who excelled at probing trace evidence discovered in the wake of UFO landings, reported on the incredible events at Marley Woods.  The site was later revealed to be located in Missouri. Is this a "window area" that attracts paranormal phenomena? Philips sadly passed in 2020.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.