The Micah Hanks Program

This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, we embark on our foray into the unexplained with an examination of the latest news of the weird. We begin with a look at mysterious cases of abnormal human brains, before shifting toward the ongoing search for answers about life in the universe. We also look at why some researchers are concerned about an eventual impact we may have with an asteroid which we’ll soon be studying. While samples from Bennu, as it has been dubbed, may teach us about the origins of the universe, will it ultimately deliver a “kiss of death”, or will technology intervene in the coming years that may help steer the course of humanity away from death-dealing space rocks? Then in hour two, look at the fascination viewers have with the new Netflix series Stranger Things, which incorporates elements of the supernatural, psychic phenomenon, conspiracies, monsters and the occult, and alternate dimensions into a program widely recognized as an instant “cult classic.” But is there more to why we love this show, and its homages to 1980s culture? We’ll explore this, and more, on this week’s podcast. Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report, conspiracy claims abound from the DNC, where some have likened the unrest to a “Cold War-era spy novel”. By the end of this election, all the maddness may very well have Micah spontaneously transmogrifying into a giant Pacific barking salamander, and diving beneath the nearest log… but apart from the known species of giant (and yes, barking) salamanders in the Pacific Northwest, could there be something much larger, particularly around the Trinity Alps? Some have claimed to see salamanders as large as three feet in length, which is roughly the size of some Asian species. Could they exist in the Northwestern Americas as well? We examine this, as well as the latest science behind spooky action at a distance, and why this is redefining how we envision quantum mechanics. Then in the second hour, along with listener emails and other general commentary, we revisit the search for answers behind alleged “mystery satellites” that were observed back in the 1950s, as discussed on an episode a few weeks back. What do these strange objects have to do with the peculiar phenomenon of long-delayed radio echoes, and furthermore, why does this have some researchers talking about “alien probes” that may exist even further out in space? Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report, conspiracy claims abound from the DNC, where some have likened the unrest to a “Cold War-era spy novel”. By the end of this election, all the maddness may very well have Micah spontaneously transmogrifying into a giant Pacific barking salamander, and diving beneath the nearest log… but apart from the known species of giant (and yes, barking) salamanders in the Pacific Northwest, could there be something much larger, particularly around the Trinity Alps? Some have claimed to see salamanders as large as three feet in length, which is roughly the size of some Asian species. Could they exist in the Northwestern Americas as well? We examine this, as well as the latest science behind spooky action at a distance, and why this is redefining how we envision quantum mechanics. Then in the second hour, along with listener emails and other general commentary, we revisit the search for answers behind alleged “mystery satellites” that were observed back in the 1950s, as discussed on an episode a few weeks back. What do these strange objects have to do with the peculiar phenomenon of long-delayed radio echoes, and furthermore, why does this have some researchers talking about “alien probes” that may exist even further out in space? Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, the recent world events that include a coup attempt in Turkey have had Micah asking whether this incident, the outcome of which worked largely to the benefit of Turkish leader Erdogan, could have been more than it seemed to be. More specifically, is there precedent here — both historically, as well as with recent news involving the coup attempt, that suggests it could have been a “false flag”? We also examine a number of other items trending in the news, which include the continuing popularity and fervor surrounding the Pokemon Go smartphone app. What does it tell us about the future of technology, and does it even point toward new notions of the much-discussed idea of a “simulated universe”? The in hour two, we discuss a new book, Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension, by complexity scientist Samuel Arbesman. In it, he offers an insightful field guide to living with complex technologies that defy human comprehension. As technology grows more complex, Arbesman argues, its behavior mimics the vagaries of the natural world more than it conforms to a mathematical model. If we are to survive and thrive in this new age, we must abandon our need for governing principles and rules and accept the chaos. By embracing and observing the freak accidents and flukes that disrupt our lives, we can gain valuable clues about how our algorithms really work. What’s more, we will become better thinkers, scientists, and innovators as a result. Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, the recent world events that include a coup attempt in Turkey have had Micah asking whether this incident, the outcome of which worked largely to the benefit of Turkish leader Erdogan, could have been more than it seemed to be. More specifically, is there precedent here — both historically, as well as with recent news involving the coup attempt, that suggests it could have been a “false flag”? We also examine a number of other items trending in the news, which include the continuing popularity and fervor surrounding the Pokemon Go smartphone app. What does it tell us about the future of technology, and does it even point toward new notions of the much-discussed idea of a “simulated universe”? The in hour two, we discuss a new book, Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension, by complexity scientist Samuel Arbesman. In it, he offers an insightful field guide to living with complex technologies that defy human comprehension. As technology grows more complex, Arbesman argues, its behavior mimics the vagaries of the natural world more than it conforms to a mathematical model. If we are to survive and thrive in this new age, we must abandon our need for governing principles and rules and accept the chaos. By embracing and observing the freak accidents and flukes that disrupt our lives, we can gain valuable clues about how our algorithms really work. What’s more, we will become better thinkers, scientists, and innovators as a result. Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report, our very own “Hobbo” is fresh back from Roswell, New Mexico, one of the most recognizable locations in modern UFO history. We catch up with him about this, in addition to discussing people’s synchronistic experiences, before shifting gears and looking at the latest developments in the search for extraterrestrial life, and why scientists think we may need a fresh new approach. Then in hour two, John L. Steadman joins us to discuss his latest book, H.P. Lovecraft and the Black Magick Tradition. John is an English professor and Lovecraft scholar, in addition to having maintained an interest in ceremonial “magick” since an early age. He brings a number of unique perspectives which delve into the mystical, historical, and literary elements, as well as the psychology behind magical practices, and whether such things are indeed, in his view, “evil.” Finally, he discusses the many ways in which Lovecraft seemed to anticipate scientific discoveries of the years following his own untimely death. Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report, our very own “Hobbo” is fresh back from Roswell, New Mexico, one of the most recognizable locations in modern UFO history. We catch up with him about this, in addition to discussing people’s synchronistic experiences, before shifting gears and looking at the latest developments in the search for extraterrestrial life, and why scientists think we may need a fresh new approach. Then in hour two, John L. Steadman joins us to discuss his latest book, H.P. Lovecraft and the Black Magick Tradition. John is an English professor and Lovecraft scholar, in addition to having maintained an interest in ceremonial “magick” since an early age. He brings a number of unique perspectives which delve into the mystical, historical, and literary elements, as well as the psychology behind magical practices, and whether such things are indeed, in his view, “evil.” Finally, he discusses the many ways in which Lovecraft seemed to anticipate scientific discoveries of the years following his own untimely death. Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, we kick off the program with a belated discussion of Independence Day fireworks, in addition to the occasional appearance of other things in the sky: add to that the spotting of satellites, along with a sprinkling of “black helicopters.” We examine why a subject like this would become relegated to “fringe” thought, despite the existence of actual black helicopters, before looking at a scientist that believes he has discovered magneto-reception, a sort of “sixth sense” in humans. Why does this have skeptics upset, and is there a good case to be made for the legitimacy of the study in question? Next, we examine an alleged discovery on Google Earth that some believe is representative of China’s version of “Area 51”. Micah explains what the site has to do with Nazi UFO conspiracies, and takes us down the rabbit hole as we examine German rocket scientist Hermann Oberth’s interest in UFOs, and whether he might have actually worked on a mysterious project known popularly as “The Bell.” Did it really exist, and if so, had Oberth been hiding his involvement in the project? After taking a moment to answer an email from a young fan, in hour two we shift gears and open the old case of “mystery moonlets” that were purportedly being spotted by astronomers back in the 1950s. These objects, if natural, leave us with many questions about how they appeared in Earth orbit. On the other hand, if manmade, “artificial satellites”, the question remains as to who, precisely, launched them… and more importantly, who even had the technology required to launch such craft as far back as 1953! This, and much more, are discussed on this edition of the podcast. Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, we kick off the program with a belated discussion of Independence Day fireworks, in addition to the occasional appearance of other things in the sky: add to that the spotting of satellites, along with a sprinkling of “black helicopters.” We examine why a subject like this would become relegated to “fringe” thought, despite the existence of actual black helicopters, before looking at a scientist that believes he has discovered magneto-reception, a sort of “sixth sense” in humans. Why does this have skeptics upset, and is there a good case to be made for the legitimacy of the study in question? Next, we examine an alleged discovery on Google Earth that some believe is representative of China’s version of “Area 51”. Micah explains what the site has to do with Nazi UFO conspiracies, and takes us down the rabbit hole as we examine German rocket scientist Hermann Oberth’s interest in UFOs, and whether he might have actually worked on a mysterious project known popularly as “The Bell.” Did it really exist, and if so, had Oberth been hiding his involvement in the project? After taking a moment to answer an email from a young fan, in hour two we shift gears and open the old case of “mystery moonlets” that were purportedly being spotted by astronomers back in the 1950s. These objects, if natural, leave us with many questions about how they appeared in Earth orbit. On the other hand, if manmade, “artificial satellites”, the question remains as to who, precisely, launched them… and more importantly, who even had the technology required to launch such craft as far back as 1953! This, and much more, are discussed on this edition of the podcast. Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, Micah is fresh back from an adventure in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where he engaged in a ten mile hike that brought him to the summit of Mount Laconte, Tennessee. This beautiful location in the ancient hills of Appalachia is the site of an unusual encounter that took place decades ago, involving a group of volunteers with the National Park Service whose cabin was “attacked” during a snowbound search and rescue operation. Micah offers some commentary on the trip, and discusses the plausible reasons many people could go missing in a remote wilderness like this, and how easily it could happen. Looking at the news, on the heels of reports of rare birds spotted in the wild for first time in decades, we look at recent reports of sightings of one of the most famous creatures believed to be extinct today. Was a Thylacine photographed in New Zealand, and are such claims bolstered by reports like this one from earlier this year, where a man claimed to have been one of the many who have spotted the reclusive “Tasmanian Tiger”?  Then in the second hour, in addition to listener emails, Micah takes us on a journey through time as we look back at the ancient world, and drastic changes in temperature that happened in it. As we examine periods of glaciation that our planet cycles through over time, we examine the work of mathematician Milutin Milankovich, who managed to solve the riddle of ice ages, their periodicity, and what causes them to occur. Still, there are also more “anomalous” temperature variances which science hasn’t yet managed to explain… do some point to a cataclysmic impact event in our ancient past? Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, Micah is fresh back from an adventure in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where he engaged in a ten mile hike that brought him to the summit of Mount Laconte, Tennessee. This beautiful location in the ancient hills of Appalachia is the site of an unusual encounter that took place decades ago, involving a group of volunteers with the National Park Service whose cabin was “attacked” during a snowbound search and rescue operation. Micah offers some commentary on the trip, and discusses the plausible reasons many people could go missing in a remote wilderness like this, and how easily it could happen. Looking at the news, on the heels of reports of rare birds spotted in the wild for first time in decades, we look at recent reports of sightings of one of the most famous creatures believed to be extinct today. Was a Thylacine photographed in New Zealand, and are such claims bolstered by reports like this one from earlier this year, where a man claimed to have been one of the many who have spotted the reclusive “Tasmanian Tiger”?  Then in the second hour, in addition to listener emails, Micah takes us on a journey through time as we look back at the ancient world, and drastic changes in temperature that happened in it. As we examine periods of glaciation that our planet cycles through over time, we examine the work of mathematician Milutin Milankovich, who managed to solve the riddle of ice ages, their periodicity, and what causes them to occur. Still, there are also more “anomalous” temperature variances which science hasn’t yet managed to explain… do some point to a cataclysmic impact event in our ancient past? Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

On this longest day of the year, we celebrate the ancient ceremonial traditions of the British Isles in our recognition of the Summer Solstice, by looking at a number of stories involving ancient mysteries. For starters, a ‘Holy Grail’ cup is being put on display at the national library in Aberystwyth, which leads us to some discussion of our famous “Gralien” and Arthurian legends (as well as a quick, humble tribute to Monty Python and the Holy Grail).  We also examine an ancient Scandinavian tale of war, and how the modern historical “proof” of this unusual account may have been discovered… at the bottom of a well. Elsewhere, what unsettling discovery did a group of highway workers make when removing earth near a famous “haunted” gravesite? In hour two, we shift our focus from ancient mysteries to the modern, forward-thinking research into the enigma of the Sasquatch. In many situations involving field research in the remote wilds of America, researchers have claimed to hear distinct sounds described as “wood knocks”, which some believe to be made by legendary, manlike creatures as-yet unproven by science. But how could a mystery beast of such mythic proportions actually exist, and is there a plausible case to be made for their mysterious, yet persistent evasion of discovery? Researcher and author David Weatherly chose to tackle these questions with the help of other researchers in the field, which led him to the publication of Wood Knocks Volume One: Journal of Sasquatch Research, featuring art by the infamous Sam Shearon, and a trove of articles that examine everything from physical research in the field, to theories about the origins of these alleged creatures. Weatherly also tells us of his own travels to the mysterious Lovelock Cave in Nevada, which tells of a very unique story of ancient “giants” that fought against the Paiute Indians; what did David find when he and a colleague recently entered the famous cave? Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

On this longest day of the year, we celebrate the ancient ceremonial traditions of the British Isles in our recognition of the Summer Solstice, by looking at a number of stories involving ancient mysteries. For starters, a ‘Holy Grail’ cup is being put on display at the national library in Aberystwyth, which leads us to some discussion of our famous “Gralien” and Arthurian legends (as well as a quick, humble tribute to Monty Python and the Holy Grail).  We also examine an ancient Scandinavian tale of war, and how the modern historical “proof” of this unusual account may have been discovered… at the bottom of a well. Elsewhere, what unsettling discovery did a group of highway workers make when removing earth near a famous “haunted” gravesite? In hour two, we shift our focus from ancient mysteries to the modern, forward-thinking research into the enigma of the Sasquatch. In many situations involving field research in the remote wilds of America, researchers have claimed to hear distinct sounds described as “wood knocks”, which some believe to be made by legendary, manlike creatures as-yet unproven by science. But how could a mystery beast of such mythic proportions actually exist, and is there a plausible case to be made for their mysterious, yet persistent evasion of discovery? Researcher and author David Weatherly chose to tackle these questions with the help of other researchers in the field, which led him to the publication of Wood Knocks Volume One: Journal of Sasquatch Research, featuring art by the infamous Sam Shearon, and a trove of articles that examine everything from physical research in the field, to theories about the origins of these alleged creatures. Weatherly also tells us of his own travels to the mysterious Lovelock Cave in Nevada, which tells of a very unique story of ancient “giants” that fought against the Paiute Indians; what did David find when he and a colleague recently entered the famous cave? Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, the recent launch of the world’s most powerful rocket may have sparked a few daytime “UFO” sightings over the Sunshine State… meanwhile, a man has created a robot that does precisely what a good robot should never do: it has the ability to choose whether it causes harm to a human. Also, leads sent along by our listeners have got us looking at Google, it’s mysterious and secretive “X” program, and the high-altitude balloon tests it has been rendering. Could these balloon tests actually explain a number of UFO sightings? Then in hour two, Joshua Cutchin joins us to discuss his recent appearance at the 2016 Fort Fest, an event held in Maryland by the International Fortean Organization (INFO). Many today are probably unaware of what, precisely, the INFO group is, and what their involvement with the unexplained has been over the last century. Cutchin tells us a bit about the event, as well as what he and other speakers were discussing. Over the course of the discussion, we turn our attention to subjects that include Nessie, the famous monster that allegedly lurks beneath Loch Ness, as well as what Cutchin thinks about the UFO subject. After our talk with Joshua Cutchin, Micah spends the show’s final segment looking at unusual reports that describe events in ancient times that remind many scholars of the perils of modern warfare. Do ancient holy texts and philosophical dialogues describe an ancient war that occurred in humanity’s past, which has been forgotten by time? If so, what evidence still exists today that may help substantiate this idea? Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.

This week on The Gralien Report Podcast, the recent launch of the world’s most powerful rocket may have sparked a few daytime “UFO” sightings over the Sunshine State… meanwhile, a man has created a robot that does precisely what a good robot should never do: it has the ability to choose whether it causes harm to a human. Also, leads sent along by our listeners have got us looking at Google, it’s mysterious and secretive “X” program, and the high-altitude balloon tests it has been rendering. Could these balloon tests actually explain a number of UFO sightings? Then in hour two, Joshua Cutchin joins us to discuss his recent appearance at the 2016 Fort Fest, an event held in Maryland by the International Fortean Organization (INFO). Many today are probably unaware of what, precisely, the INFO group is, and what their involvement with the unexplained has been over the last century. Cutchin tells us a bit about the event, as well as what he and other speakers were discussing. Over the course of the discussion, we turn our attention to subjects that include Nessie, the famous monster that allegedly lurks beneath Loch Ness, as well as what Cutchin thinks about the UFO subject. After our talk with Joshua Cutchin, Micah spends the show’s final segment looking at unusual reports that describe events in ancient times that remind many scholars of the perils of modern warfare. Do ancient holy texts and philosophical dialogues describe an ancient war that occurred in humanity’s past, which has been forgotten by time? If so, what evidence still exists today that may help substantiate this idea? Join us and become a member of Gralien X for more great podcasts and bonus monthly specials. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalogue of Gralien Enigmas, in addition to weekly installments of the “additional edition”, the Gralien X Podcast. You can also“Like” us on Facebook, or sign up to follow us on Twitter: @MicahHanks @Gralien Report Got information or comments you’d like to share with us for an upcoming edition of the program? Send Micah an email with your thoughts or other information.