The Paracast

Gene and Randall feature a return visit from Richard Hoffman, an Executive Board Member for the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU), who has been investigating the UFO phenomenon for over 52 years. He first got involved in UFO researcher as a teenager when he was assigned a school paper on the subject. His curiosity resulted in a lifelong pursuit of the truth behind the mystery. Over the years, Rich has explored a number of fascinating UFO cases, some of which he’ll describe on this episode. This interview will also focus heavily on the latest developments in UAP research, and the possibility of disclosure; that is, if there’s anything to disclose.

Gene and Randall present author/screenwriter/producer for Bryce Zabel for a wide-ranging discussion that includes super heroes and his alternative history about what many regard as the best rock group of all time, “Once There Was a Way: What if The Beatles Stayed Together?” But the main topic is about the possibility of UFO disclosure. Nearly 10 years after the speculative fiction story he and Richard M. Dolan wrote about the subject, “A.D. After Disclosure: When the Government Finally Reveals the Truth About Alien Contact,” Zabel talks about what he regards as the improved prospects for the secret of the UFOs — or UAPs — finally being revealed. But what about theories about demonic UFOs, or whether other countries might be poised to reveal the truth as to what they are before the U.S. finally gets around to it? Note: This interview continues on the February 16, 2020 episode of After The Paracast.

Gene and Randall welcome that ever-prolific author on all things paranormal, Nick Redfern. Here Nick begins the episode with a strange story about a newspaper reporter who died, perhaps under mysterious circumstances, while en route to cover a flying saucer convention in the California desert. It was the 1950s, with Cold War paranoia rampant, and the FBI was building dossiers on such contactees as George Adamski and George Van Tassel in order to seek evidence of possible communist influence. Indeed, was the original message of peace and brotherhood all a cover for efforts to convert loyal Americans to communism? Those were indeed curious times.

In a very special “Shop Talk” episode, Gene and Randall hang with David Stone (stonehart in the forums) an active forum participant and a paranormal theorist. The wide range of discussions include current issues in the UFO field and whether it makes any difference. And what about the skepticism about the credentials of Luis Elizondo, the reported head of the Pentagon’s Advance Aerospace Threat Identification Program? There are also forays into pop culture and a discussion about rock musicians that appear to be interested in UFOs by dint of their songs, and even a sighting or two.

Gene and Randall present a return appearance by journalist Leslie Kean, who co-authored a groundbreaking front page story for The New York Times about a previously secret Pentagon program studying UFOs. In 2010, her book “UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record” (Crown Publishing Group, 2010) was a New York Times bestseller. She is also the author of “Surviving Death: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for an Afterlife.” During this interview, Leslie talks of her inspirations for the book about life after death, which included regular consultations with two mediums, and possible communications with her dead brother, and even the late abduction researcher Budd Hopkins, with whom she had a close relationship.

With more incredible ghost stories, Gene and Randall present paranormal author/adventurer Jeff Belanger. On this episode, he shoots a thick arrow through the conventional wisdom that the legend of Robin Hood describes someone from England. You’ll also hear about America’s Stonehenge, the man-eating apple tree (yes, we’re serious!), psychic sleuths, who are reputed to solve crimes that remain unsolved, and even Glastonbury’s Glawackus (and say that five times fast!). And that’s just the beginning, since Jeff also brings more tales to the January 19, 2020 episode of After The Paracast, available for Paracast+ members. Jeff is the Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of the New England Legends series that debuted on PBS in October of 2013, and the weekly New England Legends Podcast.

Gene and Randall introduce Gary Voorhis Jr, a firsthand witness to part of the the U.S.S. Nimitz “tic-tac” UFO events during the week of the 14th of November 2004. He was a fire controlman and Aegis Computer/ CEC technician onboard the U.S.S. Princeton. When the unknown returns appeared on radar, Voorhis says he’d run up to the bridge and look through a pair of heavily magnified binoculars in the direction the returns were coming from. He says the objects were too far off to make out any distinguishing features, but he could clearly see something moving erratically in the distance. They’d just be hovering there, then all of a sudden, in an instant, they’d dart off to another direction and stop, behavior typical of a UFO. He also talks about those gun camera videos of these objects, and possible solutions to what was going on. Voorhis is now vice president of the UAP Expedition Group.

Gene and Randall present a thought-provoking discussion with long time UFO author/researchers Jerome Clark and Chris Rutkowski. Jerry has written over a dozen books include the multivolume magnum opus, “The UFO Encyclopedia.” He’s also a songwriter whose music has been recorded or performed by musicians such as Emmylou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Tom T. Hall. Chris is a Canadian science writer and educator, with a background in astronomy but with a passion for teaching science concepts to children and adults. Since the mid-1970s, he also has been studying reports of UFOs and writing about his investigations and research.