Favourite Paracast Episodes...

[Goody]

What are your top 5 all time favourite Paracast Episodes in order from 1-5. Where 1 = The best so far & 5= Just not as good but still memorable..

They can be chosen for entertainment purposes only, or just for great intelligent discussion, or both.

Also state why you selected them & what you enjoyed most about each particular show!

For me it's:

5. Jim Sparks interview - I honestly find this man's story very interesting & it went down as an excellant Paracast show in general!

4. Dr Steven Greer. (both shows) - A brilliant choice for a guest. The man in my opinion is very well spoken, educated & come's off as a person who has done his homework; whether you agree with him or not. The tough questions were fired appropriately from David & Gene which made for a brilliant discussion that flowed nicely...very well worth the listen.

3. Stanton Friedman - Need I say anymore?

2. Eric Julien - This was one of the most funny & entertaining shows to date. Why? Because This guy came off as F.O.S & well, the accent was more than hilarious. Also this show get's my no.2 pick for David's outrageous Julien impersonation in the conclusion, very very funny!

1. Michael Horn (both shows) - I can't help it. These have got to be my favourite episodes. The guy is a jackass & dont we know it. His ability to change topic to protect his arse was not just annoying, but left Mr Horn smelling of B.S. & thus get's my no.1 choice. It was one hell of an intense debate all around & Dave & Gene handled it fantastically! Whenever I listen to those shows I honestly get very involved in it. I can literally feel the frustration building & that in my opinion is deserving of no.1.

So there you have it, they're my choices.

What about you guys Dave & Gene? What are your 5 memorable episodes?

 

[Aaron LeClair]

Off the top of my head, Horn. Friedman would be one if I haven't already heard him a million times. Jeff's first appearance. David's ghost experience was good. Round table is good. I liked the show with those magazine guys from Strange NJ well enough. Not really five I guess, but close enough.

 

[Casual Paracast Listener]

Although i did not like a single episode from the episode selection stated on this thread but to each his own, And i like to post my favs too.

Here it goes, My top five favorite episodes...

5: Don Ecker, Second interview

4: Paul H. Smith

3, 2 & 1: Kenneth F. Thomas

I skipped the reasons, As they are apparent to me and i can not put it into words...

Have a nice day all

 

[Aaron LeClair]

Although i did not like a single episode from the episode selection stated on this thread but to each his own, And i like to post my favs too.

Here it goes, My top five favorite episodes...

5: Don Ecker, Second interview

4: Paul H. Smith

3, 2 & 1: Kenneth F. Thomas

I skipped the reasons, As they are apparent to me and i can not put it into words...

Have a nice day all

Yep, Don is one of my favs too. I don't think I listened to Paul and Thomas. Not sure.

 

[DBTrek]

Michael Horn, Episode II.

All it needed was someone throwing a chair and it would have been an instant classic.

-DBTrek

 

[ondafritz]

Wow, good question.

In no order:

Jessie Marcel Jr. - really good one.

Stan Friedman - Pick one.

Don Ecker - Pointing out that B.S. causes even the best to burn out.

Derrell Sims - Total comic relief. This guy is so full of it you can only listen to him and think stand up comic.

Roger Leir - This is an interesting guy. Although I admit that I really don't know what to think of him sometimes.

But, right now, my favorite episode is last weeks Rich Dolan interview. That was a GREAT 2 hours.

 

[spookyparadigm]

I'd have to go back and look at the list, but I really enjoyed the Dolan interview.

 

[auntiegrav]

1. The Kennedy to Area 51 episode (was that Ken Thomas?)
2. David's Venezuela revelation
3. J Ritzmanns revelations
4. Roundtable was pretty good
5. Richard Dolan

Stan Friedman...um....honorable mention for experience. Love David's impression of him, but Gene needs to do an impression of Dave's EDH for fun and fairness...;-)

Reasons: Uniqueness and conversation quality of the guests.

 

[cottonzway]

My favorite one was Jeff Ritzman's first visit to the show with his story. I thought it was an excellent show and Jeff's story is amazing but comes from a guy who I hear/read not reason to question in terms of honesty.

 

[Burnt State]

I was just thinking about starting a new thread on this very topic, but let's just revive an old thread instead. That seems more fitting in these silent Paracast days.

I'm a long haul Paracast listener. I came in close to the begining with Biedny, and swallowed up all those episodes and then rode through into the Christopher O'Brien years and I have to say those are my favourite periods without question. After that it would have to be Curt Collins for the other great cohost that I'm familiar with. He's got in depth knowledge and is a great historian himself.
I haven't heard a lot of Tim's work on the show but from what I have he reminds me of O'Brien's breadth and depth of knowledge on disparate topics. Along with Gene's drive and association with so many of the major North American Ufological pioneers The Paracast remains a vital piece of Paranormal history.

Its hard to nail down favourite episodes. The OP has named some very significant ones. For me it's always been about the intermix of personality and theory.

 

[Burnt State]

Favourites include: Jerome Clark's insightful analysis, Brad Steiger's mellifluous storytelling, Jaques Vallee's detailed and meticulous approaches, Jim Moseley the Court Jester who kept us sane and entertained, Stan Gordon's exceptional contributions to research - he's got the best stories of all, Stan Friedman's convictions for better or worse, Don Ecker's brashness, Greg Bishop's open ended theorizing, Chris Rutkowski's humour and commitment to the field, and so many other unique figures such as Timothy Good, Nick Redfern, George Hansen, Linda Godfrey, Mac Tonnies, Russel Targ, Paul Kimball, Walter Bosley and oh so many other wonderful examinations of critical moments of Ufological and paranormal history. We got to hear the great abduction trio: Hopkins Jacobs & Mack and pivotal figures in every aspect of the paranormal. What a great pleasure it's been to listen to it all.

It is challenging and curious to be in a period where there is neither signal nor noise. But i do think it is important to recognize that Gene Steinberg and his connections to key pioneers has been the bedrock of it all with his own approach to paranormal and UFO weirdness which is refreshingly critical, skeptical and open-minded in its pursuits. Wish it was still around.

 

[Randall]

Favourites include: Jerome Clark's insightful analysis, Brad Steiger's mellifluous storytelling, Jaques Vallee's detailed and meticulous approaches, Jim Moseley the Court Jester who kept us sane and entertained, Stan Gordon's exceptional contributions to research - he's got the best stories of all, Stan Friedman's convictions for better or worse, Don Ecker's brashness, Greg Bishop's open ended theorizing, Chris Rutkowski's humour and commitment to the field, and so many other unique figures such as Timothy Good, Nick Redfern, George Hansen, Linda Godfrey, Mac Tonnies, Russel Targ, Paul Kimball, Walter Bosley and oh so many other wonderful examinations of critical moments of Ufological and paranormal history. We got to hear the great abduction trio: Hopkins Jacobs & Mack and pivotal figures in every aspect of the paranormal. What a great pleasure it's been to listen to it all.

It is challenging and curious to be in a period where there is neither signal nor noise. But i do think it is important to recognize that Gene Steinberg and his connections to key pioneers has been the bedrock of it all with his own approach to paranormal and UFO weirdness which is refreshingly critical, skeptical and open-minded in its pursuits. Wish it was still around.

Excellent summary. Adding to yours, my personal favorites were when Gene and Chris had guest listeners and forum participants on and they'd just talk shop. I'll never forget when Chris said the words — "Linda Mouldy Cow"

 

[SRL+]

But i do think it is important to recognize that Gene Steinberg and his connections to key pioneers has been the bedrock of it all with his own approach to paranormal and UFO weirdness which is refreshingly critical, skeptical and open-minded in its pursuits. Wish it was still around.

Very well said, Mr. State.

The archives are no longer available; however, I believe there have been over 780 episodes recorded. I’ll throw a few more into the mix such as Chris Aubeck, John Alexander, the old school folks talking about Long John Nebel, Gray Barker, and others of the day. There was one episode with a fellow named Richard Toronto who Gene gave some of Richard Shaver’s art work.

Then there’s the ridiculous guests who would be eviscerated while being chased by forum members with their torches and pitchforks. IMHO, this forum was occasionally just about as entertaining as the shows were. For example, the Roswell slide dream team, the Skinwalker Ranch thread (s), To The Stars Academy, all with hundreds of postings, thousands of views, and so much more. In its prime this UFO/paranormal forum was arguably the best in all the land.

 

[Burnt State]

In its prime this UFO/paranormal forum was arguably the best in all the land.

I remember this place used to be humming with a lot of exceptional posters - some with brilliant knowledge and insights in so many diverse fields. It made for very dynamic dialogue. I loved the intensity some topics brought out in the community. I learned a lot from some pretty smart cats. But like all forums they have their rise of dynamic personalities and discussions and then they burn out. I wonder where everyone went? Maybe some are dead, or too busy playing with their grandchildren or catheters.

The archives are no longer available; however, I believe there have been over 780 episodes recorded.

That is a tragedy right there. This catalogue of interviews with some of the core early figures as well as the discussion about the great early figures of ufology and paranormality is a critical piece of history. Some of those episodes that were signal separators like the Michael Horn affairs, talks with skeptics, Greer and Crystal skull babble provided important critical analysis and some really good laughs.
.

 

[SRL+]

I remember this place used to be humming with a lot of exceptional posters - some with brilliant knowledge and insights in so many diverse fields.

Undoubtably, some with PhD’s. Additionally, Greg Bishop, Paul Kimball, and forum member Trained Observer really brought their A game.

I wonder where everyone went?

Some were prodded and poached then to be placed in another UFO/paranormal forum where armchair Ufologists go to die with their catheters in hand.

 

[Burnt State]

Undoubtedly, some with PhD’s. Additionally, Greg Bishop, Paul Kimball, and forum member Trained Observer really brought their A game.

I learned so much from Greg, especially about being open minded to the exploration of the topic, and Trained Observer totally cracked my brain wide open. He had things pretty nailed down in terms of thinking critically about the subject. There were two other characters, whose names now escape me at the moment, though I can see the icon of one which was the Kool Aid character sitting on top of a red car. They were also excellent illuminators about how to think about the phenomena from some very unique lenses.

Those were great discussions. I followed Trained in some podcasts he had done and talked a.bit with him but now I've even forgotten his name. I just remember him revelling in his grandchildren and sharing classic sci fi movies with them. It's all just turning into an old UFO landing site where you can't quite make out if anything was ever really there. I mean I could go back and read the old threads, but who the hell has time to do that? I wish there was more critical banter from more folk out here. I wonder how many simply just fell off the UFO radar the way you do across time? It peaks your brain for a bit and then it doesn't, and you move on to spending time with the grand kids or growing vegetables and trees from seed.

 

[SRL+]

TO’s name is Rick, like your name is Brian. I remember the Kool-Aid dude. He was from the UK. Understandably over time some just get burnt out and get along with their lives. Greg had to decompress as this subject has been known to be overwhelming. For instance, Frank Salisbury author of The Great Utah UFO Display had to decompress due to his Mormon religious belief. Steve Allen witness of the Stephenville Texas UFOs had to confer with his minister. For sure, this subject is not always for the faint of heart.