The Paracast -- The Gold Standard of Paranormal Radio

Gene and Randall revisit a theory that combines parapsychology and sociology with UFOs as we present Eric Ouellet, author of “Illuminations: The UFO Experience as a Parapsychological Event.” In this book, Ouellet’s book provides a thought-provoking reassessment of several well-known UFO cases, including the Washington, D.C. UFO wave of 1952, the Betty and Barney Hill abduction of 1961, the Rendlesham UFO incident of 1980, and the Belgian UFO wave of 1989-1991. Ouellet is a professor of Defense Studies at the Royal Military College of Canada, and at the Canadian Forces College (Canada’s Joint Staff and War College). He has a Ph.D. in sociology from York University (Toronto, Canada).

Gene and Randall take a virtual tour of Haunted Knoxville with “Paranormal Historian” J. Adam Smith, who holds such titles as Holistic Energy Therapist / Medical Intuitive, Certified Paranormal Investigator, and Certified Reiki II Practitioner. He is also a member of the American Association of Psychics and the Edgar Cayce Institute (A.R.E.). In his “other life,” J. is a professional electric violinist and teacher. He also leads workshops on developing intuition, connecting to your Angels, and lecturing on the evolution of the Spirit and having discussions with other contemplatives about life’s mysteries, and more. Indeed this episode may be the closest thing to a “real” magical mystery tour.

Gene and Randall present Canadian Fortean researcher Chris Rutkowski. Since the mid-1970s, he’s written about his investigations and research on UFOs, for which he is best known. He has been involved in writing and media projects for more than 30 years, including TV specials ("The Monster of Lake Manitoba," 1996), planetarium shows ("Moonlight Serenade," 1983, and "Amateur Nights," 1989) and newspaper columns ("Strange Tales," in the Northern Times, Thompson, Manitoba, 1984 to 1985). Chris has also written nine books on UFOs and related issues, a collection of short stories and has contributed to many other volumes, both fiction and non-fiction. This episode will offer news of his latest work, plus a dose of pop culture as Chris and Gene talk briefly about super heroes in the movies and on TV.

Gene and Randall present a return visit from the one and only Red Pill Junkie (Miguel Romero). On this episode, RPJ will discuss his recent article, "Man Overboard: One Year After Its Launch, To the Stars Academy's Financial Situation Remains Stuck on the Ground," which appeared in the Daily Grail. In late 2017, we learned of a Pentagon UFO study, covered by the likes of The New York Times and the Washington Post. There was great hope that the subject would finally be taken seriously by the mainstream media and science. But has the effort, spearheaded by rock and roller Tom DeLonge,  stalled after the initial onrush of publicity? RPJ explores this and other paranormal research topics.

Gene and Randall present a double header, first featuring Alejandro Rojas of OpenMinds.tv for a UFO update. He presents an update on the status of the James Fox UFO documentary formerly known as “701: The Movie,” plus the latest developments in UFO research that has garnered more attention by the mainstream media, along with plans for the 2019 International UFO Congress to be held near Scottsdale, AZ. You’ll also hear about the fascinating UFO culture from researcher Curtis Collins, who also covers the recently-formed Scientific Coalition for Ufology (SCU) of which Alejandro is a board member. Curt also expands the discussion about the participation of scientists in UFO research, which leads into this weekend’s episode of After The Paracast, an exclusive feature of The Paracast+.

Gene and Randall present Paul Kingsbury is a Professor of Geography at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. In 2015 Paul succeeded in winning a four-year SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) Insight Grant for a project called: "Situating the Growth of Paranormal Investigation Cultures: A Critical Study of the Lived Spaces of Organizations and Conferences.” That's right folks, a bona fide University professor who thinks the cultural aspects of the paranormal are worthy of serious academic study. During this interview, you'll learn how Paul became immersed in a number of areas of paranormal research, including crop circles, Bigfoot, UFOs and more.

Gene and Randall present Sharon A. Hill, who researches paranormal topics, pseudoscience, and natural anomalies with a special scholarly interest in how paranormal investigators use science and interact with the public. She has written Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers, published in 2017, the only comprehensive study of modern ghost investigators, cryptozoologists and Ufologists that assesses claims of the paranormal. A trained geologist with a Masters in Education, she has written for Skeptical Inquirer and Fortean Times, and created and ran the popular weird news website Doubtful News for many years, as well as producing a related podcast, 15 Credibility Street.

Gene and Randall present paranormal investigator Clarissa Vazquez, founder of the Colorado Coalition of Paranormal Investigators (CCPI). Its purpose is to provide genuine help to those frightened by a potential paranormal experience. Since its inception, the CCPI has grown to include dedicated members that conduct thorough and professional investigations. Known simply as “Fearless Leader” to the CCPI team, Clarissa takes a scientific and refreshingly skeptical approach to her research and created the popular “Phantom Hitchhiker Project.” She is also the author of six books covering a wide range of paranormal subjects that include “Debunking Common Paranormal Myths: Exploring Psychosomatic Pareidolia.”

Gene and Randall present Bryan Bonner of the Rocky Mountain Paranormal Research Society. For over two decades Bryan, with a healthy dose of skepticism, has examined a wide range of reported paranormal phenomena, including ghosts, poltergeists, psychics, UFOs, conspiracy theories, urban legends, and much more. Unlike others in the field, Bryan has made sure not to run around cemeteries, screaming and scaring the group with over-active imaginations.  From the field to the lab, he tests bizarre beliefs and practices, conducts experiments and on-site investigations, and recreates unusual events. He has confronted hauntings, Ouija board activity, levitation, psychic readings, alien abductions, and telephones that try to talk to the dead.

Gene and Randall present a return appearance by UFO researcher and Biblical scholar David Halperin. His perspective on UFOs is that like religion, they are a human phenomenon. They have nothing to do with space travel or life on other planets. They’re about us–our hopes, our longings, our terrors. Particularly the greatest terror of all: the end of our existence. Are they alien visitors? Yes; but not in the sense of coming from outer space. Inside our own minds, our own souls, there’s enough alienness to fill a universe. Some of it is emerging … With messages for us? Perhaps. We just need to learn to decode them. From 1976 through 2000, David taught Jewish history in the Religious Studies Department at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

On the evening of October 11, 1973, co-workers 42-year-old Charles Hickson and 19-year-old Calvin Parker told the Jackson County, Mississippi Sheriff's office they were fishing off a pier on the west bank of the Pascagoula River in Mississippi when they heard a whirring/whizzing sound, and saw two flashing blue lights and an oval shaped object 30–40 feet across and 8–10 feet high. Parker and Hickson claimed that they were "conscious but paralyzed" while three "creatures" took them aboard the object and subjected them to an examination before releasing them. Gene and Randall present Calvin Parker to discuss this experience and another, 20 years later, as told in his book, "Pascagoula — The Closest Encounter: My Story."

Gene and cohost J. Randall Murphy introduce vampire expert Douglas Robinson. Douglas is a critically acclaimed author who penned the “Silently Series” which currently consists of three books about real vampire lifestyles in a dramatic-fiction style. Robinson is also an educator who helps inspiring authors pursue their writing aspirations to a finished product. He’s the founder and CEO of Silently Publishing. During this interview, Robinson will explain why he believes that the vampires he writes about represent a genuine subculture or secret society that truly exists.

Coming August 19 on The Paracast (www.theparacast.com): Gene and weekly cohost J. Randall Murphy present Nigel Watson, who has researched and investigated historical and contemporary reports of UFO sightings since the 1970s. He is the author of such books as "Portraits of Alien Encounters" (VALIS, 1990), "Phantom Aerial Flaps and Waves" (VALIS, 1990), "Supernatural Spielberg" (with Darren Slade, VALIS, 1992), editor/writer of "The Scareship Mystery: A Survey of Phantom Airship Scares, 1909-1918" (DOMRA, 2000) "The UFO Investigations Manual" (Haynes, 2013), and "UFOs of the First World War" (The History Press, 2015). He has also written for numerous books, publications and websites, including Magonia, Paranormal Magazine, Fortean Times, Wired, Flipside, How It Works, All About Space, Fate, Strange Magazine, Beyond, History Today, Aquila, Alien Worlds, UniLad, The Unexplained, Flying Saucer Review, UFO Magazine India and UFO Magazine (USA).

Gene and weekly cohost J. Randall Murphy present Dr. Richard Bonenfant, a retired medical research scientist who’s career specialized in the study of birth defects in newborn children. He has been a research associate with the Albany Medical Center Hospital in Albany, New York, a medical epidemiologist with the New York State Birth Defects Institute, and a research scientist with the Division of Environment Epidemiology at the New York State Department of Health. Richard has also authored four books and participated in interviews where he has talked about the darker aspects of unexplained phenomena: animal mutilations where there are no traces of a perpetrator. Some reports documenting these strange events date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and were reported by legendary anomalist, Charles Fort. He has also written a paper on NDEs.

Gene and weekly cohost J. Randall Murphy present former national security officer Walter Bosley with more details of his military background, and what he knew about fellow intelligence officer Rick Doty. You'll hear about breakaway civilizations, secret spacecraft and lots more, including Bosley's UFO sighting. He is the author of the "Secret Missions" series and, with Richard B. Spence on the first volume, the "Empire of the Wheel" trilogy currently being developed for television. He speaks at various events and has appeared on "Ancient Aliens."