The AP Strange Show

This week, Joseph L. Flatley returns to the show for a wide-ranging discussion touching on themes of magick, psychology, and subjective synthesis and how these threads weave through his recent works- including his latest book, The Occult Timothy Leary: The Tarot, Magical States, and Post-Terrestrial Evolution and his podcast series The Inner Empire. Flatley was last on the show in June of 2026 to discuss his book about Gabriel of Urantia, New Age Grifter, and in conversation this time around expand on some of the themes from that episode- and more! They discuss various forms of channeling, ideas about extraterrestrial...

On this week's show, back by popular demand, the one-and-only Tim Binnall joins AP to recount various adventures (and possible misadventures) from this past summer. Tim presented at two different conferences in two weeks- the Cryptids in the Mountains conference in Chester, VT, and at the Exeter UFO Festival in New Hampshire- and in conversation here he talks about the subjects he covered, the people he met, and the overall experience of seeking out weird venues like these. He and AP get into the nitty gritty of his Vermont presentation, which focused on the case of the Dover Demon...

With the arrival of spooky season, AP welcomes to the show "Mr. Halloween" himself, New England's own original hauntropreneur David Bertolino to look back on his groundbreaking horror theme park Spooky World and its legacy. His new book, Behind the Screams at Spooky World: The Secrets, Scares, and Stars of America's Original Horror Theme Park, covers the first 12 years of turning a small farmhouse plot into a cultural mecca. With plenty of great photos and introductory words from Linda Blair and Alice Cooper, the book reveals a wild history of chance-taking, controlled chaos, and spooktacular fun!
In conversation...

This week's show is a celebration of Edgar Allan Poe with journalist, poet, and events producer Meg Smith! Meg is one of the organizers behind the Poe in Lowell Festival, an annual event entering its third year in her hometown of Lowell, MA. In conversation, she explains Poe's connections to the city, the people he interacted with, and influence throughout the region. Of course, there's plenty to talk about with Poe, from his beginnings in Boston to his death in Baltimore- and the spectral imprint he left on all the places in between! Meg also discusses the strange correlations...

This week, Jo Hickey-Hall joins AP to discuss all things fairy and much more! Jo is a folklore researcher, and has long hosted The Modern Fairy Sightings Podcast- a show where she invites guests to share their experiences with the otherworldly. In conversation, she and AP discuss some of her investigations, her personal encounters, and thoughts about public perceptions about fairies and those who report seeing them. They talk about nature, and the connection of places to the more ethereal entities which inhabit them- and the spiritual or emotional energies which drive such encounters. 

Jo's years worth o...

This week, author, journalist, playwright, and editor Dona Masi joins AP for a discussion about alien abductions and her novel inspired by them, The Taking. Her book is a coming of age story for a young girl named Vera, who must navigate the normal trials of growing up alongside troublesome dreams and strange experiences she can't explain- or even tell anyone about. The story is a heartfelt and sympathetic tale which speaks to the isolation of experiencers, and as the story unfolds one gets a sense of the private struggles abductees might deal with. In conversation, she and AP d...

This week, we're celebrating 100 episodes of The AP Strange Show with questions from YOU, the listener! In anticipation of the milestone, AP put out a call on social media for questions to be answered in an "AMA" format, and listeners did not disappoint- several people sent really thoughtful, great questions (as well as a few absurd and fun ones) for AP to answer. 

It is hoped that the listener will find this episode fun and enlightening, as it deviates a bit from the usual format with guests or pre-prepared bonus material. Questions from listeners led to a l...

This week's show is a celebration of Stanley Kubrick, with filmmaker, teacher, and student of the weird Chris Ernst dropping in to discuss the legendary movie director with AP, and ther was a lot to talk about! From an in-depth discussion of Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb to overall influence of Kubrick's oeuvre, they get into the nitty-gritty about his methods, subjects, and style. They discuss major themes that run throughout Kubrick's work, as well as some of the more esoteric aspects of his framing of shots and visual rhyming which...

This week, paranormal tour guide, researcher, and investigator Kjersti Beth joins AP for a very fun and wide-ranging discussion about hauntings and associated weirdness. Kjersti presented ideas about the Stone Tape Theory at the 2023 Paranormal Research Symposium, the paper for which appears in their published journal- and in conversation she gets into various ideas about ghosts and ghostly phenomena, based on both research and her personal experiences. She and AP get into ideas about residual hauntings, the role of animals in paranormal experiences, and much more!

In her hometown of Madison, WI, Kjersti leads tours for Mad...

This week, AP is joined by astrologer, poet, and teacher Andrew B. Watt for a fascinating conversation about magic, time, and the hidden mechanisms behind it all. Andrew offers services as an astrologer and consultant, building upon years of study and practice, but he and AP came to know each other through a mutual love of poetry years ago; and Andrew's forecasts and astrological writings online are a wonderful fusion of both his zodiacal and poetic talents. Getting into the nitty-gritty of what the planets tell us, Andrew has built a corpus of writings including odes, hymns, sonnets, and...

This week's show is a unique and fun one, as ventriloquist, comedienne, actor, and author April Brucker joins AP for a fascinating discussion about America's relationship with ventriloquism and her own personal experiences as a performer. April's new book, 250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture explores the many and varied ways the particular form of performing art has informed not just popular entertainment, but our society more broadly! It's an entertaining read, with poignant observations about the ways puppets have given voice to underrepresented groups and have largely been able to get away with saying things...

This week, Fortean artist, writer, actor, and sometimes squatcher Mister Sam Shearon joins AP for a chat that goes all over the paranormal map. They discuss all manner of weirdness, ranging from Bigfoot to phantom pantaloons to UFOs- and so much more! Sam talks about his early inspirations in the realm of monsters, and the development of his skills illustrating all kinds of things that go bump in the night. His talents have been featured on over 100 paranormal book covers, as well as leading to illustration work in the comic book industry and for heavy metal bands. In conversation...

This week, we at Strange HQ are taking time out for the main show but still delivering a bonus episode in celebration of Bugs Bunny's 86th birthday! This bonus episode is composed of a piece written several years ago by AP, and is a personal favorite for him of his Weird Writings. How is Bugs related to UFOs? You'll have to listen to find out!

Also included are a few announcements about the rapidly approaching 100th episode of The AP Strange Show. Tune in to find out how you can be involved, should you so choose!

This week, it's another edition of Third Time's the Charm (3xtc) covering the regrettable conclusion to the epic film saga of The Godfather. Blackwolf John Oates and Vayse co-host Peter C. Hine return to the show, getting "pulled back in" as it were, to pick apart the 1990 return to the world of organized crime centered around the Corleone family with AP. As tends to happen with these episodes, the prior movies are discussed as well which, in this case especially, does no favors to the sequel in question. 

The conversation around Godfather Part 3 (or is it Godfather: C...

This week, Boston-based songwriter Nick Paraggio joins AP for a discussion about their journey as a performing musician, the unique subjects that inspire their songs, and even some personal mystical experiences for good measure! Nick has performed as Captain Vampire for the last several years, and released albums full of songs covering feuding occultists, pigeons, and odd historical events. In conversation, Nick discusses the process of crafting songs from the stories of figures such as Hildegard von Bingen or Alexander the Great, navigating music scenes and finding one's own way in the world of performance, and even the ins...

This week, returning guests Stephanie Quick and Rachel Nelson join AP for an examination of UAP disclosure narratives, in particular that of contact with "non-human intelligences", or NHI. In the process, they look at the broad spectrum of lifeforms which meet that description, and the many and varied ways communication and intelligence manifest here on earth. In comparing the known science and history of human and animal cooperation with reports of extraterrestrial or ultraterrestrial contacts, they consider a broad range of what constitutes such nebulous categories as sentience, consciousness, or intelligence- opening up an avenue of conjecture which they...

This week's show is an affectionate look at the works of Douglas Adams, and what his humorous writings have to teach us about life, the universe, and everything. Joining AP are returning guest and time traveler extraordinaire Steve Mills and Adams super-fan and UFO buff Kevin Wood. In conversation they first discuss their respective discoveries of Adams' work in different times and places and through various forms of media, from the original radio production of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy to related books, movies, TV series, and even stage plays. The characters in the story are analyzed as well...

On this week's episode of The AP Strange Show, the one-and-only Jessica Knapik joins AP for a wide-ranging conversation about a broad variety of fun topics, including her travels, favorite movies, and ghostly experiences. Jessica is co-hosts the popular podcast What's Up Weirdo with John E. L. Tenney, is a member of the Michigan Movie Critics Guild, and has done her share of traveling and paranormal investigations- so she has a wealth of stories and knowledge to share!

The episode begins with some discussion about the current hellscape in which we live, and also the pitfalls of...

This week, journalist Joseph L. Flatley joins AP to discuss his book New Age Grifter- an in-depth investigation of a little-known cult and its now deceased leader Gabriel of Urantia. Flatley's freelance journalistic efforts in speaking to and working with former members of the cult, operating as Global Community Communications Alliance, brought to light insights about the man and his UFO-centered religious movement that range from humorous to downright disturbing. His book, the culmination of these efforts, even becomes part of the story as the group and its leader attempted to prevent its release. The book is out in...

On this week's show, ritualist and artist Ulysses Black joins AP to discuss ritual magic as it is portrayed in movies, ranging from horror movies to documentaries to arthouse cinema. He has written a full book's worth of work on the subject, and in this episode he and AP discuss some of the movies he covered and how he went about dissecting them. Ulysses' background in both art and ritual magick give him a unique critical eye for details in narrative construction and particulars about ritual in its portrayal, leading to fascinating insights into how we assign meaning as...

This week's show is a fun one, as author and viking historian Rowdy Geirsson joins AP for a discussion about his humorous work in writing about Scandinavian history and Norse Mythology. His recent book, The Impudent Edda, is a unique version of familiar Norse tales translated by Rowdy "from the original Bostonian"- showcasing gods like Odin, Loki, and Freya within the distinctly modern realm of New England. Such writings (in the original Bostonian) have been featured as a regular column on McSweeney's Internet Tendency and elsewhere, and despite their obvious playfulness and humor offer insights into the cosmology o...

On this week's episode of The AP Strange Show, Houdini historian John Cox joins AP for an in-depth discussion about the legendary magician, escape artist, and arch debunker of Spiritualist phenomena, Harry Houdini. John's incredible breadth of knowledge about the larger-than-life figure stems from a childhood fascination, and has culminated in several books and appearances on TV shows such as The UnXplained with William Shatner. Throughout his career as a screenwriter, he has continued pursuing the life story of the man whose name has become synonymous with stage magic and escape artistry.

In this conversation, he and...

This week, the one-and-only John E. L. Tenney joins AP for a conversation about a wide range of weird subjects including witches, Bigfoots, frogs, comedians, and much more! As a longtime investigator of and lecturer in a variety of highly strange topics, Tenney brings a wealth of knowledge and presents it in a warm and funny way through his works and on his podcast, What's Up Weirdo. In this episode, he discusses his recent zine dedicated to Gundella the Green Witch, as well as other larger than life characters. From there the chat covers a lot of weird ground...

This week, comic creator and teacher Bobby Campbell returns to the show for a wide-ranging chat about Discordianism, Maybe Logic, and navigating the strange and often scary world we find ourselves in now. Bobby has been working on a comic book adaptation of the classic Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea novel series Illuminatus!, with issue number 3 on the way and a collected volume this summer. In conversation on this episode, he and AP cover a lot of ground; everything from the study of psychedelics as medicine to the encroachment of AI to the life and theories of Wilhelm...

This week, singer-songwriter Mark Winters joins AP to discuss protons, poetry, and positivity as he continues his Good Vibes Highway Tour along the Pacific Coast. Having a bit of an unconventional background for a touring musician, he discusses his journey from an interest in science and a career in aerospace engineering to the creative endeavors he came to enjoy, which culminated in several albums full of his own songs. This leads to an interesting discussion about the nature of creativity, how curiosity and scientific inquiry are related to artistic impulses, and the various ways one can apply their intellect.<...

This week, Virgo Blade joins AP in a Third Time's the Charm (3xtC) discussion about the third Batman movie, Batman Forever- but, considering the rich cultural history around the character of Batman and his hometown with its resident Rogue's Gallery of villains, it became a great discussion of the DC Comics property more broadly. Virgo was the perfect guest to discuss the Dark Knight with; as a scriptwriter and content creator who spends a lot of time discussing comic books and associated media, his particular affinity for the Caped Crusader (and the Boy Wonder) made him an ideal choice...

This week, writer, researcher, and "strange claims adjustor" Sharon A. Hill joins AP for a wide-ranging discussion about those curious specimens called cryptids- what they are, how we define them, and how stories about them define us. Sharon approaches cryptozoology from an academic perspective, and is at once skeptical and simultaneously sympathetic to reported zoological anomalies. The interview begins with a bit about her background, what draws her to the study of highly strange claims, and the various approaches she has taken toward such subjects in over two decades of writing about them. In particular, the role of science...

This week, SMiles Lewis joins AP for a wide-ranging discussion about fringe and conspiracy narratives and the ways in which many of these ideas have mutated as they have made their way into mainstream culture. SMiles is the founder of Anomaly Archives, a Texas-based collection of over 7000 titles related to UFOs, parapsychology, and other unexplained phenomena. He is a longtime researcher, writer, and podcaster with a valuable perspective on the topic at hand. In 2023, he was featured in a New York Times Op Ed by Dr. Annie Kelly, which analyzed the rise of QAnon and the prominence of conspiracy...

This week's show is a fun and fascinating discussion with author and journalist Aaron Smith about his book, Natural Born! Circus, Sideshow, and the Art of Being Human. In the book, he interviews and profiles working performers in the world of sideshow that would have once been called "freaks"- now largely preferring the term "Natural Born"- about their experiences, lives, philosophies, and ambitions. Before he began his career in journalism, Aaron had worked for the circus as a cotton candy vendor and a roustabout, giving him a unique insider perspective and credential that leads to enlightening conversations w...

On this week's episode, Rachel Nelson joins AP for an in-depth and thoughtful discussion about the merry old land of Oz and the many ways the mythic realm has impacted our culture since L. Frank Baum first created it. Rachel is a researcher, a poet, and a presenter of the strange over at Ufo Sunset, a multimedia project she works on with Jeff Knox. In this conversation, Rachel discusses what ultimately led her to the UFO subject through a variety of other strange interests, where her interest in Oz began, and how these two interests often overlap. More than...

This week's episode is an exploration of the occult underpinnings of our modern technological age, as guest Shira Chess discusses her recent book The Unseen Internet: Conjuring the Occult in Digital Discourse. Shira is an Associate Professor of Entertainment and Media Studies at the University of Georgia, and she brings scholarly rigor to topics that don't often get such careful attention- especially in examples that seem so strange from an outside perspective. The book covers a wide variety of modern occult and magical traditions that informed the creators and early users of the internet, providing a through-line to the t...

This week, author and musician Mike Fiorito returns to the show to discuss his latest book, The Innerspace of Outerspace: Exploring Other Worlds Through Music. In the book, he explores UFO and UFO adjacent themes as well as his personal stories and interactions with music as a gateway to expanded consciousness. Covering an array of popular music and artists, he pulls on threads that uncover the varied ways music is inspired by, and enhances, esoteric states. In conversation here, he and AP talk about Sun Ra's life and works, Pink Floyd and the legacy of Syd Barrett, bands such a...

On this week's show, we're celebrating International Women's Day with paranormal writer and ghost tour entrepreneur Allison Jornlin! Allison's excellent website, https://paranormalwomen.com/ , shines a spotlight on women throughout history who have contributed to the knowledge and study of all things paranormal. In this conversation, she and AP get into a little about her background, what drew her to the women she writes about, and the increasing importance of promoting and preserving such history especially in times as fraught as these.

There are plenty of entries on her website, and this conversation barely scratched the surface. I...

This week, Dr. Cinzia Yates joins AP for a discussion about her independent efforts to investigate one of the most puzzling and strange cases in all of paranormal history- that of the Dodleston Messages. Dr. Yates brings a unique perspective to the case, both from her academic background in ethnomusicology, history, and folklore as well as her oddly personal connections that brought the story to her attention originally. In the show, she and AP discuss the case in detail- a story of apparently time-traveling messages on an early computer, poltergeist activity, and much more!

Listeners may be...

This week, AP talks with Jack Brewer about Expanding Frontiers Research, a non-profit organization he founded along with Erica Lukes which is dedicated to responsible reporting and education around sourcing information on the topic of UFOs. Jack is a longtime UFO researcher and the author of such books as The Greys Have Been Framed: Exploitation in the UFO Community and Wayward Sons: NICAP and the IC. In this episode, he and AP discuss some recent work featured on the Expanding Frontiers blog regarding the FBI's interest in contactees and UFO groups such as The New York Saucer Information Bureau- whic...

This week's show is a swapcast with the duo who host the awesome Eternal Void But With Jazz, Michelle and Gabby! It is also a "Third Time's the Charm" episode, taking a look at the very recent third installment of the popular Netflix Knives Out mystery movies, Wake Up Dead Man. MIchelle has appeared on The AP Strange Show before, to talk about the Simpsons in the episode "Getting Cromulent with Michelle Elmquist", and after a long hiatus has revived her show The Eternal Void with a wonderful new co-host- check it out!

Discussed in this episode...

This week's show is a deep dive on one of the weirdest and most perplexing cases in the history of paranormalia- that of Gef, the Talking Mongoose- with writer and investigator Gayle Fidler. In recent years, alongside members of the Lancashire Anomalous Phenomena Investigation Society and the Center for Fortean Zoology, Gayle has visited the Isle of Man in search of the Dalby Spook himself. In this episode, she and AP get into the nitty-gritty of the more esoteric elements surrounding the famous exploits of Gef at Cashen's Gap nearly a century ago.

Having a background in...

On this week's show, paranormal investigator and psychic medium Amanda D. Paulson joins AP for a discussion about a variety of spooky phenomena, how one might interact with it, and the importance of considering the living as well as the dead when out looking for ghosts. Amanda has spent years developing theories about Paranormal Emotional Touchpoints, which is the subject of a book she is currently writing and expects will have published in summer of 2027. Her theories are drawn from her own experiences and intuitive senses, drawing upon what she calls "odd emotions" as a means of connecting with...

This week's show is a deep dive into the history of an oft-underrepresented and very taboo aspect of carnival sideshows- the geek act- with author and variety arts performer Nathan Wakefield. Nathan is the author of the excellent book The Rise and Fall of the Sideshow Geek: Snake Eaters, Human Ostriches, and Other Extreme Entertainments, and in this episode he and AP go over a wide variety of acts, personalities, and techniques described in its pages- and still only cover a fraction of the wonderfully weird history it contains! Listeners will hear about various acts associated with geeking, what c...

This week, AP is joined by Simon Hesselager Johansen for a fascinating discussion about UFO contactees that are not well known outside of Denmark and other select locales within Europe. Simon is a writer and researcher with HidDenmark, a group which chronicles and maps high strangeness, folklore, and mystery throughout the country, and in his recent work on the site he has done a deep dive on those claiming contact with beings from other planets. In this conversation, he first explains the history of HidDenmark and his contributions to it, and a bit about some historical encounters with UFOs...