One of the benefits of the internet doesn't require being tied down to a computer anymore. I was a little late coming to the joys of listening to them, and am now just gobsmacked with the tremendous amount of information that can be carried around and listened to, anytime, anywhere.
Here are some of interest to both budding young anomalists and crusty old skeptics still invested with an interest in the odd and unusal...
Adam Gorightly’s Untamed Dimensions --- Although only in operation from 2006 to 2008, these are some truly entertaining shows to go back and revisit. Gorightly is also a prolific, self labeled ‘crank historian’ (with an unspecified emphasis on crank or historian) whose works on Kenneth Thornley and Charles Manson are some of the best out there, and in Thornley’s case about the only one out there. But the podcasts are a downright hoot, where one will find information that supplements his written work and often goes off onto even more bizarre tangents. His interviews with the clear cut crackpots are especially appealing in that he doesn’t judge them and gently guides them into their own particular brand of eloquent craziness. And this is your go-to guy for the latest low down on Charles Manson, a case long far richer than that presented to the public by Vince “Helter Skelter” Bugliosi.
Greg Bishop’s Radio Misterioso --- Bishop is another author who has brought his skills and background into the podcast realm. This is an author who has done plenty of footwork in his investigation of the Paul Bennewitz case, which has imbued him with a deep and firmly grounded understanding of the depth and breadth deception that government disinformation programs can engage in.
Binnall of America --- A relative newcomer to anomalies (the mid 2000s), Ted Binnall has put together an impressive collection of interviews (well into its fifth year now) that is definitely worth the hundreds of hours they encompass. If you’re into baseball, don’t miss his annual baseball show with a wide range of other podcasters and investigators (including Adam Gorightly and Greg Bishop) expounding on another favorite subject of theirs.
Paratopia --- Lots of interesting programs here, though often tucked in between lots of banter and emotional outbursts with the feel of broadcast flame wars. But there is a healthy dose of skepticism and the hosts make no secret of their opinions, which they wisely hold back until after their interviews, so I don’t feel too bad about opining on their own personal vagaries. Expect a heavy dose of ghost hunting and odd excursions into personal grow here.
Eerie Radio --- Interesting material out there, though the back and forth banter at times makes it, well, on some of their own descriptions that own up to this and recommend not downloading them. I did feel, along with the hosts, a certain amount of embarrassment for the Hessdalen Project scientist Erling P. Strand they interviewed, especially if he listened to their post show wrap up, although the interview itself was pretty well done. But if you’re looking for that feeling of sitting around shooting the shit with a bunch of old friends with names like DK and Fizz, this could be your show. Heavy emphasis on ghost hunting here too.
Out There Radio --- This is another now defunct podcast that bears many rewards for the listener willing to go on through all 50 episodes. These are well researched and reach well into “the world of conspiracy theories, the occult, hidden history, and the counterculture” that stand as excellent introductions to many different areas that are too often presented in a more hysterical fashion. This was originally a college radio show where the intellectual background of the hosts shines through.
Welcome to Mars! --- This series of 12 half hour longs podcasts presents a cultural history of the 50’s that should not be missed. It is not only well researched and presents the mindset that gave rise to the idea of the past’s idea of the future, but the background music (with theremin) by Simon James creates an eerie aural ambience that captures the nature of the 50's beautifully. Anyone who wants to get a clearer understanding of the anthropoloical setting that the flying saucer phenoma arose should check this one out!
Conspiracy Skeptic --- It’s not only the true believers that warrant a listen. There are so fairly complete synopses of conspiracy memes here that offer a counterbalance to overly open minds, the kind where the brains start falling out. I particularly liked the one on the Satanic Panic of the 80s and 90s as an example of how unquestioning acceptance of conspiracy theories have led to witch hunts with horrendous casualties in modern day America.
PsiOp Radio --- This is an Austin based podcast which took me a while to warm up to due to its decided parapolitical leanings. But SMiles Lewis and Mack White do make a pretty good team and do offer some pretty good guests. Mack is a good old boy cartoonist with a delightfully anomalistic bent to much of his work, and SMiles is the mastermind behind the Anomaly Radio network of shows. Unfortunately, many of the downloads are burdened with some lengthy commercials that haven’t been edited out.
Blue Rose Radio --- This is an earlier and now discontinued podcast from SMiles Lewis, but still available if you dig deeply enough through the Anomaly Radio backlists. Drawing its title from a Twin Peaks reference, the earlier numbers are pretty dad gummed interesting and well worth the time.
There are some podcasts that I’ve come across because of interviews they’ve done, usually of authors of interesting books. Mitch Horowitz (Occult America), Peter Levenda (the Sinister Forces trilogy) and H.P. Alberelli (A Terrible Mistake) are examples of such authors. Adam Gorightly (The Shadow over Santa Susanna, The Beast of Adam Gorightly) and Greg Bishop (Project Beta) are authors have not only have (or have had) podcasts of their own, but are often interviewed on other podcasts, which make them worth a listen and further consideration.
Gnostic Media --- I can’t really say a whole lot about this podcast, though I can heartily recommend the interviews with Horowitz and Levenda that can be found there. There is a strong emphasis on psychedelic related research in many of these podcasts, with many interviews with very serious investigators, including Dr. Stanley Grof.
Red Ice Radio --- A Swedish podcast in English that has presented some in depth programs with Albarelli and Levenda here. This is good, straight forward interviewing with a peculiarly non-American spin that is refreshing in its own right. An update on Julian Jaynes (The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Brain) research is an excellent introduction to a concept that probably offers more insights into the study of anomalous behavior than is generally recognized. Most of the shows are broken up into two hour long parts, the second only available to subscribers, but if you look hard enough some of the more interesting second halves can be found out there.
