Radio Misterioso

Religious studies scholar Dr. Stephen Finley (Louisiana State University) is almost singular in his academic study of the UFO origins of the belief system of the Nation of Islam (NOI.) In the late 1980s, Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the most popular offshoot of the group, announced that he had an encounter with space people on a mountaintop in Mexico, and was taken aboard what he referred to as the ”Mother Wheel,” where he claimed to have met with the deceased leaders of the religion and given the blessing and authority to lead the group into the future. Dr. Finley joined me to discuss this episode and the tributaries of personalities and events that led to it, and how it has affected the history of the Nation of Islam ever since. We traced the origins of the African American experience that led to this belief system, and his claim that “you cannot make sense of the NOI without looking at it as a UFO religion.” Finley believes that his study “says something about who we are as a people” and that the very act of marginalizing the subject (especially among his fellow academicians) was what drew him to it in the first place. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Kevin Day has been interviewed and scrutinized endlessly by the UFO community. He was the Aerial Defense Matter expert and radar operator on the guided missile cruiser Princeton in early November of 2004, when the so-called “Nimitz UFO encounters” occurred. He has also served as Air Intercept Controller Supervisor (AICS/TOPGUN), Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator (AAWC) and Operations Department Leading Chief Petty Officer. In this interview, Day first describes the events of that day, and how they affected those involved. As a radar and detection expert, his opinion is that “the Navy tech allowed us to see something that had been there for a long long time.” He describes his impressions and feelings during the main incident and more importantly, how they have affected his life and outlook in the years following his retirement from the Navy. Day says that unnamed officials later visited him on his property and declared that he was “incredibly important in what’s about to happen,” implying some sort of scenario where UFOs and whatever operates them would become more well-known and accepted. Day makes no comment as to what these might be. He also reports some possible psychic effects from the incident. We ended with an extended discussion of his UAP Expedition project, where Day and others such as physicist Kevin Knuth, entrepreneur Deep Prasad, and MIT scientist Rizwan Virk will attempt to attract and record any UFO activity they are able to capture in the area of the original sightings. We had a lot of tech problems for the first 1/3rd of the interview. I have inserted tones inserted at these points in the recording. Thanks to Dave Altman for arranging this interview. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Shannon Taggart is an artist and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York.  Her images have been exhibited and featured internationally, including in TIME, the New York Times Magazine, Discover, and Newsweek. We talked about the release of her photography book Séance, which examines the history, issues, and impact of the Spiritualist movement, birthed in the 19th century and which survives to this day. There are literate and informative essays throughout, illustrated with rare and sometimes quite beautiful images and photographs from the history of Spiritualism and related areas of parapsychology, as well as her own stunning images of séances, psychic readings, and the objects associated with them. We discussed her introduction to the world of the séance, and her eventual evolution into what she calls a “diplomat of spiritualism.” She also mentioned that some people (particularly urban sophisticates and some in the art world) seem to be interested in the paranormal, “but if you make it too real for them, they turn off.” She also gave us a fascinating insight into the phenomenon known as “ectoplasm,” and reports of the substance smelling like bodily fluids. One of Shannon’s most interesting insights were her comparisons of photography and Spiritualism: “Through their dance with each other, [they] exposed each other’s limitations. We learned about photography’s complicated relationship with truth, and we learned about Spiritualism’s subjective truth.” Purchase from the publisher. Purchase from the U.S. distributor. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Michael Masters earned his doctorate in Anthropology in 2009 and is on the faculty of Montana Technological University. His specialty is in biological anthropology and evolutionary biology, specifically the study of fossil hominid skulls to trace trends in evolution as well as studies of the eye socket to determine the causes and solutions to visual disorders. In 2018, he released “Identified Flying Objects: A Multidisciplinary Scientific Approach to the UFO Phenomenon,” a study of evolutionary trends which may lead humans to eventually appear like what we now describe as the popular concept of “aliens,” which is known as neoteny (“the slowing or delaying of body development, compared to non-human primates, resulting in features such as a large head, a flat face, and relatively short arms.”) The other main premise of his book is that if we eventually begin to look like aliens, there is the possibility that we may be returning from our own evolutionary future and appear as what we know as UFOs and their occupants. We discussed the theoretical possibility that backwards time travel is possible. Masters maintained that the events of the past half century may be very interesting to anyone traveling from the future because of all the rapid changes which have occurred. Masters also believes that the embargo on UFO discussion may be “just about to pop” and that academics will “be their own disclosure.” LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

From March 10th to the 17th, I visited my friend Miguel Romero in Mexico City. At the suggestion of our friend David Metcalfe, we decided to conduct a live show from the condo where we were staying. Most of the program was a travelogue of the city and surrounding areas, Mexican history, comparative religions, and food. We spoke on our visit to the massive basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and a true goddess figure in her own right. We discussed the ease with which Mexicans accept both their Catholic/ Spanish history as well as harboring an infinite amount of pride in their indigenous heritage. We also attended a wrestling match (aka Lucha Libre) which is very different from the American version. We recalled a possible near robbery which we experienced while on a canal touring the infamous “Island of the Dolls,” and the ignorant bliss that was present in the country at the time with regard to the growing pandemic. Miguel suggested that we should “embrace living in a state of eternal surrealism.” He summed up his country as “a place where the fantastic goes hand in hand with daily life.” LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Whitley Strieber for the second time in as many months. The occasion was the release of his new book, entitled A New World. The work may be the most important in Strieber’s “visitors” saga to date: It outlines exactly who and what he has come to believe these entities are, as well as how they interact with us and their reasons for doing so, and how some people may be able to open their own lines of communication with them. A couple of years ago, Whitley said he asked the Visitors to show themselves to more people, and that this book was their eventual answer. He said that they “communicate completely differently than us” without “an evolved language.” Strieber’s experiences led him to conclude that they lead an existence that is nearly unfathomable to us, but is frighteningly described as “like being in an empty house where nothing important or significant can ever happen, and you can’t get out,” and that this is why they need our thoughts and sensations of living in a physical world. This, he concludes, is why they seek the “Communion” described in his very first book on the subject. He also recounted his experience of an apparent implanted object in his ear and how he receives communication through it. We ended with his wish that more scientific and academic people become aware of and engaged with the subject and the Visitors, and how this may already be happening. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Susan and Massimo are amazing people. Both have been on the program before; Susan talking about her private research in parapsychological and UFO topics, and Dr. Massimo on his theories of possible sentient plasmas, which he has studied worldwide, including the famous Hessdalen lights . Earlier this year, Susan moved to Italy and she and Massimo were married. They are now involved in projects combining spiritual and traditional modes of knowledge with the methods of science. This literal marriage of science and the humanities and arts is close to the ideals of a recurring theme on this show. I believe that both of them have a rare combination and balance of analytical and creative faculties which are important to an understanding of (presently) fringe subjects. Both have had experiences with the paranormal and it has shaped their methodologies. My two favorite quotes from the interview will give some idea of why it was so enjoyable and interesting: Massimo: “Humanity doesn’t need priests; it needs quantum leaps.” Susan: “I want to provoke, invoke, and eventually measure the phenomena.” Image: Susan doodled this figure during the interview. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Prasad and Michio Kaku I’ll admit that I was not impressed with Deep Prasad when he burst on the UFO scene earlier this year. On Thanksgiving Day (in the U.S.) he tweeted a narrative about a very strange, vivid daytime experience he had with apparent non-human entities on February 1st. At that point, I realized his quick conversion from a quantum computing entrepreneur to UFO player was due to this dramatic life-changing experience. Deep had already agreed to an interview over a week before this tweet was posted. Prasad’s drawing of his experience. Our talk ranged from an explanation of the theories and applications of quantum computing (which are being pioneered by his company ReactiveQ), his feeling that the so-called “meta-materials” being touted around the internet as pieces of crashed UFOs may not be provable or useful, at least two other strange apparent “contact” episodes he has experienced, and the ideas behind the upcoming UAP Pattern Detection Expedition, which will attempt to attract and record evidence of UFO activity off the coast of Southern California in the same area as the famous Nimitz naval encounters of 2004. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Vassar College Religious Studies professor Christopher White’s book Other Worlds is a history of the western world’s search for extra dimensions and how it affected science, the arts, literature, and spirituality. Beginning with the relatively well-known 1884 book Flatland by Edwin Abbott, Chris describes the rise of science in Victorian England and attempts by some thinkers of the period to reconcile these discoveries with traditional and entrenched religious ideas. We moved on to Charles Edward Hinton and his elaborate system of cubes which he said would help anyone realize hidden truths about higher dimensions. We examined the late 19th century astrophysicist Karl Fredrich Zollner and his clash with other scientists regarding his belief that he had found a system of laws that reconciled science and spirituality and who also enthusiastically conducted seances. Chris also delved into the visual arts with Russian avant-garde painter and philosopher Kasmir Malevich as well as iconic author JRR Tolkien, who belived his dreams contained hidden truths regarding his Christian faith. We ended with the advent of television and how it was regarded as an almost magical device when it was introduced and the observation that many scientists and science writers still use mystical ideas and language when writing for a popular audience, and conversely, how those involved in matters of spirit and faith routinely borrow from the language of science. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

The tradition continues with more Halloween weirdness courtesy of the ear and research of my friend Courtney. This year, we had a few more long-form songs and another dramatic reading, as well as some detailed background on some of the tunes, and an unkindess of adaptations of Poe’s The Raven. Enjoy and have a scary and funny and weird Halloween – The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! 1 – Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks – Halloween Is Here (2013) 2 – Borrah Minevitch And His Harmonica Rascals – Ghost Walk (1933) 3 – Jack Turner – Nightmare (1955) 4 – The Zanies – Russian Roulette (1962) 5 – Merv Griffin – House of Horrors (1962) 6 – Bob McFadden – Transylvania Polka (1960) 7 – Gong – Witch’s Song/ I Am Your Pussy (1973) 8 – Prince Buster – Hard Man fe Dead (1967) 9 – C.W. McCall – Night Rider (1975) 10 – Sonny Richard’s “Panics” With Cindy & Misty – The Voodoo Walk (1962) 11 – The Bollock Brothers – Drac’s Back (1986) 12 – Casual Three – Invisible Thing (1968) 13 – Thurl Ravenscroft – Grim Grinning Ghosts (1969) 14 – Ross Brunetti – Three Witches (2006) 15 – Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan – The Voice (1972) 16 – The Holly Twins – Okeefenokee (1962) 17 – Steve King and the Echelons – Satan is Her Name (1962) 18 – Frenchy – Ribcage Mambo (1998) 19 – David Byrne – Horses (The Ghost Song) (1999) 20 – A dramatic reading by Courtney of “Warren Zevon’s ‘Werewolves of London’” by James Joyce by Anthony Sams 21 – Spike Jones – Two Heads (1959) 23 – The Kirby Stone Four – Raven (1957) 24 – Buddy Morrow and His Orchestra – The Raven (1960) 25 – Lord Buckley – The Raven (1956) 26 – Stonewall Jackson – Never More Quote The Raven (1970) 27 – Alan Parsons – The Raven (1976) 28 – Electric Frankenstein – Coolest Little Monster (1995) LISTEN/DOWNLOAD

Alan Stivelman has created a film that shows a new way to examine the UFO subject and more importantly, the witness. Witness of Another World tells the story of Juan Pérez, an Argentinian gaucho who in 1978 at the age of 12, saw something for which he had no concept or explanation, and which continued to disturb him for the next 40 years. Stivelman contacted Pérez and began to delve into his story and his life, in a simple effort to understand what had happened and more importantly, to attempt to help Pérez in some way. The film was the result. In contrast with most UFO films and documentaries which treat the sighting or encounter as the main subject, Stivelman decided to concentrate on the experience of the witness and how his life was turned inside out. Pérez, who described his encounter as “neither beautiful nor ugly,” was ostracized from his family and community as a result of his experience. He experienced nightmares regularly and retreated to a remote farm to live alone with his issues. In our interview (Miguel Romero joined me as co-host) Stivelman describes what happened to Pérez, with many glimpses of issues that were either too complicated or left out of the film in the interest of telling the story or for privacy concerns at the time. What emerges is a story of someone who was unwillingly transformed into a man with gifts normally associated with a shamanic individual. Stivelman (along with Jacques Vallée, who appears prominently in the film, and who investigated the case in 1980) spoke at length with Pérez, letting him tell his story in his way. What emerged was essentially interpreted as an initiatory experience by the indigenous Guaraní people of Argentina and Peru, whom Stivelman contacted and arranged for Pérez to visit. The encounter provided him with a perspective from his ancestral roots and transformed him into a person who is more at peace with his sighting and who he has become. An in depth review by David Metcalfe. And another by RPJ/ Miguel. Watch/ order the film. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Anyone who listens to this show knows the work of Whitley Strieber. His 1987 book Communion was a watershed document that made millions aware of the phenomenon of UFO abductions. It defined and codified the experiences for thousands of people, many of whom wrote to Strieber and his late wife Anne with their own stories. His influence can truly be described as “iconic.” To me, he is the best currently active artist dealing with this subject. In this conversation, we discussed the beginnings of his experiences, indications of what came before, and the deep influence of his wife in framing and presenting his story. We also delved into the enigma of materials supposedly taken from UFO crashes, the brain physiology of abductees, how Anne has apparently communicated with him since her death, and the times that author William S. Burroughs visited Strieber’s famous cabin looking to make contact with the Visitors. Commenting on the events of his life, Strieber says he has come to believe that “what we see here is another level of human beings who are in control of souls.” His next book is entitled A New World. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Dr. Jeffrey J. Kripal holds the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University. He is also the Associate Director of the Center for Theory and Research at the Esalen Institute. He has authored nine books on religion, popular culture and the paranormal, Including Kali’s Child, Authors of the Impossible, Mutants and Mystics, The Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained (with Whitley Strieber), and most recently, The Flip: Epiphanies of Mind and the Future of Knowledge. Kripal is currently at the forefront of a revolution in the conversation between the sciences and the humanities. These two modalities of human knowledge are in need of reconciliation, since, as Kripal says in this interview, “a phenomena that can’t be studied without the scientific method does not mean it can’t be studied.” Dr. Kripal also described his personal crucible which set him on a path to understanding and eventually to the study of religion. An early spiritual crisis and revelations about his Catholic background and fellow students at a seminary launched him into a search for meaning. For too long, Kripal believes, the mechanism of the paranormal (i.e. causes, theories, and hard data collection) have taken center stage in our quest for answers. He sees the experience of the witness as a key to finding the bridge between science and spirit. We discussed the need for a study of the meaning of these narratives and how they change the witness or experiencer. This was a very enjoyable interview and a great way to return from the Radio Misterioso hiatus. Enjoy! LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Lifetime researcher Stanton T. Friedman passed away on May 13, 2019 after over 50 years of writing and lecturing. He was the public face of UFO study for those who knew little about the subject, and a mentor, inspiration, and guru for many inside the sometimes strange world of UFO conventions and gatherings, many of which he headlined. He earned the trust of those on many sides of the issue for his honesty and forthrightness, and was unfailingly thoughtful and polite to all, no matter what disagreements were present. On February 18 of 2018, I recorded an interview with Friedman in an unused room at the International UFO Congress. In this conversation, he recalled his childhood and love of the Dodgers and Jackie Robinson, and his college and early career as a nuclear physicist for a variety of aerospace companies. He even described a job for McDonnell Douglas which he said assigned him to “figure out how flying saucers worked” but was unfortunately cancelled for budgetary reasons. Friedman explained his philosophy that “technological progress comes from doing things differently in an unpredictable way,” and ended the interview with his observation that since (as he believed) extraterrestrial civilizations have been able to survive any growing pains to reach us, this strengthened his hope that the human race can do the same. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD

Dr. Kevin Knuth is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University at Albany. He is a former NASA research scientist having worked for four years at Ames Research Center in the Intelligent Systems Division designing artificial intelligence algorithms for astrophysical data analysis. On March 19th Dr. Knuth gave a presentation at the first Anomalous Aerospace Phenomena Conference in Huntsville Alabama, sponsored by the Scientific Coalition for Ufology. I was there for the talk and knew immediately that he had to be on the show. Knuth’s paper, “Constraints on Societies Engaged in Relativistic Interstellar Travel,” used current relativistic theory to examine the issues faced by a race if they achieve near-light-speed travel. Chart from Knuth’s lecture. For anyone who can achieve this level of technology, Knuth says that many possibilities open up: At speeds approaching light, one could travel halfway across the galaxy in just about 110 days of experienced time on a ship, although, according to general relativity, the time experienced to those standing still would be so great that their civilization would have been dead for many thousands of years when upon return. Knuth points out that, if a civilization became nomadic spacefarers, they would essentially live for millions of years in galactic time, but experience a normal lifespan of 60-70 years on their ships. We spoke about the implications of this scenario for the UFO subject. We also delved into the changing attitude of science toward UFOs and related subjects, and how this has changed with new discoveries about exoplanets and scientists who are beginning to look at data more than entrenched beliefs in a search for greater understanding. LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD