I was a latecomer to Coast to Coast AM, only listening once the show became available online in the 1990s. His subject matter revived my childhood obsession with all things weird and I enjoyed Art Bell’s rare ability to ask informed questions without appearing to pass judgment on any guest, no matter how off the wall. I was surprised and saddened to learn of his passing this past April 13th (a Friday. Of course).
So in memory of one of the first* and arguably greatest paranormal broadcasters I’m posting my personal list of his spiritual children: the podcasters of the strange and mysterious.
Some caveats: This list is just what I listen to regularly and is no way complete–please feel free to include your favorites in the comments! I put them in alphabetical order and while I’ve highlighted occasional favorite episodes or series you can generally jump in anywhere.
- Astonishing Legends: hosts Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess are backed by a huge volunteer “Astonishing Research Corps”. As such their shows tend to be long (but never dull) and well-researched. Their 4-parter on the still unidentified Somerton Man is representative: part 1, 2a, 2b, 3.
- Binnall of America: host Tim Binnall posts new episodes on an irregular basis; usually paranormal/esoteric with the occasional “Lost” or Wrestlemania episode. Repeat guest microbiologist Tyler Kokjohn always brings much-needed critical analysis of wilder claims.
- Dreamland: A Coast to Coast spinoff now hosted by Whitley Strieber of “Communion” fame. The most recent episode is free and the rest are subscription only with the rare exception, like the 2017 year-end extravaganza.
- Graveyard Tales: new to me, Adam and Matt banter well, check out their breakdown of crazy Flatwoods Monster theories.
- MonsterTalk: “the science show about monsters” is ostensibly a debunking party-pooper but I value the careful skepticism hosts Blake Smith and Dr. Karen Stollznow bring to the table. I particularly enjoyed their two parter with author Guy Lyon Playfair (also RIP) about the Enfield Poltergeist: part 1, 2.
- Mysterious Universe: out of Australia since 2006 (!) and currently hosted by Benjamin Grundy, this is the first place I ever heard about the Dodleston messages.
- Night Time Podcast: Canada-focused and not exclusively paranormal; indeed host Jordan Bonaparte’s strongest episodes deal with unsolved disappearances. See the Emma Fillipoff is Missing series; Missing Maura Murray part 1, 2.
- Not Alone Podcast: Sam and Jason’s two-part takedown of David Icke is majestic.
- Our Strange Skies: relatively new effort by Rob Kristofferson about “UFO events and myths that make up America’s identity.” Representative episode: round table about “UFO Dad” J. Allen Hynek.
- Project Archivist: strange history and weird phenomena with occasional ventures into pure pop cultural silliness. Roejen and Lobo’s interview with Church of the Subgenius’ Ivan Stang is a scream. Full disclosure, I’ve appeared on this show, though my interview is no longer online.
- Radio Misterioso: long running show hosted by iconoclast Greg Bishop. His interview with Dr. Diana Walsh Pasulka about UFOs as modern religion has me looking forward to “American Cosmic” for a (hopefully) very new take on the phenomenon.
- Somewhere In the Skies: the usual suspects peppered with some genuine outliers; director Brad Abrahams’ documentary about alien abductee/experiencer David Huggins extra strange in a field of strange.
- Unexplained: story-telling in posh English accent; their 3 parter on magician/rocket scientist Jack Parsons is both illuminating and disturbing: part 1, 2, 3
- Where Did the Road Go?: Seriah Azkath is available both online and on terrestrial radio, and covers the usual paranormal topics along with a smattering of pop culture and true/unsolved crime. This high-tech harrassment two parter with Robert Guffey is funny-strange.
*See Mae Brussel; Long John Nebel.
