Beyond the Human

Today on Headlines from the Beyond:Avi Loeb’s search for extraterrestrial intelligence doesn’t stop with 3I/ATLAS. We look at the broader scientific philosophy behind his work—why he argues we must treat anomalies seriously, and what that means for the study of interstellar visitors.Then: The Conjuring House saga gets even stranger. Between a YouTuber purchasing the property’s bank note, Jason Hawes’ ongoing fundraising efforts, and a newly filed lawsuit alleging an illegal sale, the story around one of America’s most famous haunted homes has become its own paranormal drama.Finally: SUNY Albany launches ProjectX, a major new academic initiative dedicated to rigorous scientific research on UFOs and UAPs—led by physicist Dr. Kevin Knuth and backed by a fresh endowment.Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠Instagram⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠Substack⁠.Show Notes:TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd95LBhuSOkGalileo Project:https://galileo.hsites.harvard.edu/On the Possibility of an Artificial Origin for Oumuamua:https://lweb.cfa.harvard.edu/~loeb/Loeb_Astrobiology.pdfExtraterrestrial:https://www.harpercollins.com/products/extraterrestrial-avi-loeb?variant=39935330418722IM1 Spherules from the Pacific Ocean:https://avi-loeb.medium.com/the-im1-spherules-from-the-pacific-ocean-have-extrasolar-composition-f025cb03dec6UAlbany ProjectX: https://thedebrief.org/ualbany-project-x-how-a-team-of-new-york-physicists-is-launching-a-cutting-edge-investigation-into-aerial-mysteries/Lawsuit filed against Jason Hawes is the latest development in the sale of The Conjuring House: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/suit-filed-over-sale-conjuring-172610048.html 

Today on Headlines from the Beyond:New data on interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS reveals a strange “heartbeat” pattern in scattered sunlight—fueling fresh debate over whether its anomalies are natural, technological, or something entirely unexpected. We break down what scientists know so far and why the UN is running a planetary-defense exercise at the same time.Then: Who is Avi Loeb, and what exactly is the Loeb Scale that’s reshaping how astronomers classify interstellar objects? We explore why his ideas inspire some researchers—and frustrate others.And finally: It’s Krampusnacht. We take a quick cultural detour into the horned, birch-rod-bearing figure who roams Central Europe on December 5th, punishing misbehaving children, marching in Krampuslauf parades, and accepting schnapps offerings along the way.Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on Instagram and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on Substack.Show Notes:https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/people/avi-loebLoeb Scale:https://avi-loeb.medium.com/the-loeb-scale-astronomical-classification-of-interstellar-objects-62b909644351The Age of Disclosure: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Age-of-Disclosure/0NVVP9AVUZEJKG9CJC4RQE9J27 Atlas Obscura - What is Krampus: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-krampus

Today on Headlines from the Beyond:A new interstellar visitor, 3I/ATLAS, is raising questions in the astronomy community with unusual features that set it apart from known comets. We break down what scientists know so far and why some are watching it closely.In Pennsylvania, a driver reports a daytime Bigfoot sighting along I-80, adding a new entry to the state’s history of cryptid encounters.And nearly 5,000 newly released National Archives documents shed fresh light on early searches for Amelia Earhart after her disappearance.Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠Instagram⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠Substack⁠.Show Notes:Bigfoot sighting 20 miles northeast of Penn State National Archives Amelia Earhart collectionWatch the whole Avi Loeb television interview here. 

What does it really mean to die—and what comes after?In this episode of Beyond the Human, we dive deep into the anthropology, science, and spirituality of death and the afterlife. From ancient beliefs about the soul’s journey to modern debates about brain death and consciousness, we explore how cultures around the world define what it means to “die,” and how those beliefs shape the way we live.We trace the shifting medical and philosophical definitions of death—from the “heart and lung” standard to the modern concept of total brain death—and ask: is there truly a single “moment” when life ends, or is dying a process? Through cross-cultural comparisons, we touch on rituals, mourning practices, and afterlife beliefs that reflect a universal human desire to make meaning out of mortality.From near-death experiences and life reviews to ghost sickness and ancestor veneration, Beyond the Human examines what happens when biological death meets social death—and how the living continue to interact with the dead.Whether you’re drawn to science, spirituality, or the mysteries in between, this episode explores how humanity’s oldest question—what happens after we die—continues to shape culture, belief, and identity.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠Instagram⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠Substack⁠.Topics discussed in this episode: (2:59) - What is Biological Death?(19:44) - The Process of Death(30:48) - So What Happens After Death? (39:32) - Mourning and Grief(51:45) - The Afterlife Across CulturesResources for additional research:Anthony Peake, Near Death Experiences: The Science, Psychology, and Anthropology Behind the Phenomenon

What if we could study the paranormal the same way we study culture, health, or religion?In this special mini-episode of Beyond the Human, we introduce Anomalies — our newest research project from the Society for Applied Paranormal Research. This long-term study explores how people experience and interpret the paranormal and supernatural, using surveys and interviews to understand belief, stigma, and the shared human stories that shape encounters with the unknown.We break down the project’s design — from exploring mental and spiritual health to documenting experiences with UFOs, hauntings, cryptids, and psychic phenomena — and share why we think the academic world needs to take these experiences seriously.We also discuss the long-term vision for Anomalies: building a cross-cultural database of belief and experience, adding evidence archives, and creating an interactive map of where the unexplained unfolds.Whether you’re an experiencer, a skeptic, or simply curious about what connects us through mystery, this episode marks the beginning of a new way to study the extraordinary.🎧 Listen now to learn how to participate — and how your story can help shape the future of paranormal research.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠.

Why do people hunt ghosts, and what does it say about culture, belief, and science?In this episode of Beyond the Human, we explore the history and culture of ghost hunting, from its roots in 19th-century Spiritualism to today’s high-tech paranormal investigations. We look at how gender, media, and popular culture shape who gets recognized as a ghost hunter — and why investigations led by men are often seen as more “scientific.”We also dive into the tools and techniques of ghost hunters — EMF meters, EVP recorders, spirit boxes — and how they blur the line between science, pseudoscience, and performance. Along the way, we discuss the difference between investigators and experiencers, the popularity of dark tourism at haunted sites, and how ghost hunting reveals deeper truths about modern belief in the supernatural.Whether you’re a fan of paranormal TV, a practicing ghost hunter, or just curious about why people chase the dead, this episode offers a critical, anthropological look at one of the most fascinating subcultures in the paranormal world.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠.Topics discussed in this episode: (4:40) - What’s in a Name?(31:03) - Is Ghost Hunting Actually Scientific?(50:00) - Capturing Evidence of the Paranormal (1:06:12) - Types of Ghost Hunters(1:15:03) - Ghost Hunting and the Senses(1:23:09) - What Do We Think?Resources for additional research:Ghost Hunters (streaming on Netflix, HBO Max, and Prime Video)Waldemar Borgoras EVPBraithwaite, J. J., Perez-Aquino, k., & Townsend, M. (2004). In search of magnetic anomalies associated with haunt-type experiences: Pulses and patterns in dual time-synchronized measurements. Journal of Parapsychology, 68, 255-288.Raudive, Konstantins, Joyce Morton, and Nadia Fowler. Breakthrough: An amazing experiment in electronic communication with the dead. Buckinghamshire, UK: Smythe, 1971.Wiseman, R., Watt, C., Greening, E., Stevens, P., & O'keeffe, C. (2002). An investigation into the alleged haunting of Hampton Court Palace: Psychological variables and magnetic fields. Journal of Parapsychology, 66, 387-408.Wiseman, R., Watt, C., Stevens, P., Greening, E., & O'Keeffe, C. (2003). An investigation into alleged "hauntings." British Journal of Parapsychology, 94, 195-211.

In this episode of Beyond the Human, we dive into one of the most mysterious and controversial medical conditions of the 21st century: Morgellons Disease. Characterized by skin lesions, thread-like fibers, neurological symptoms, and overwhelming fatigue, Morgellons has left patients and doctors divided—some calling it a legitimate infectious disease, others labeling it delusional parasitosis.We explore the tangled history of this condition, from 17th-century medical texts to the CDC’s highly contested 2012 study. Through an anthropological lens, we unpack why Morgellons has become a “contested illness,” how medical gaslighting pushes sufferers toward alternative explanations—including nanotechnology, chemtrails, and even extraterrestrials—and what this case tells us about power, credibility, and belief in Western biomedicine.We also unpack the leading theories behind Morgellons: Lyme disease and spirochete infections, stress and immune dysfunction, trauma, and even fringe explanations involving nanotech, chemtrails, and extraterrestrials. From fibers made of collagen and keratin to symptoms like brain fog, GI issues, and dental deterioration, the lived reality of Morgellons defies easy categorization.Whether you're a skeptic, a sufferer, or simply curious about the boundary between science and belief, this episode offers a grounded yet empathetic exploration of what it means to live—and die—with a mystery no one can explain.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠.Topics discussed in this episode:(1:47) Our Interest(8:13) What is Morgellons?(23:19) History and Origins(32:09) CDC Explanation(43:16) Alternative Explanations1:19:00 - Treatment and Community(1:23:21) The Human CostResources for additional research:Etmuller’s DrawingAbout the USPHS Syphilis StudySkin Deep: The Battle Over MorgellonsPi Ware, FilmmakerThe Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease FoundationMorgellons: The Legitimization of a DiseaseBitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological WeaponsLab 257: The Disturbing Story of the Government's Secret Germ LaboratoryHealing LymeCDC Study:  Pearson, M. L., Selby, J. V., Katz, K. A., Cantrell, V., Braden, C. R., Parise, M. E., Paddock, C. D., Lewin-Smith, M. R., Kalasinsky, V. F., Goldstein, F. C., Hightower, A. W., Papier, A., Lewis, B., Motipara, S., Eberhard, M. L., & Unexplained Dermopathy Study Team (2012). Clinical, epidemiologic, histopathologic and molecular features of an unexplained dermopathy. PloS one, 7(1), e29908. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029908Fagen, J. L., Shelton, J. A., & Luché-Thayer, J. (2023). Medical Gaslighting and Lyme Disease: The Patient Experience. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(1), 78. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12010078Middelveen MJ, Martinez RM, Fesler MC, Sapi E, Burke J, Shah JS, Nicolaus C, Stricker RB. Classification and Staging of Morgellons Disease: Lessons from Syphilis. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:145-164 https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S239840Middelveen, M. J., Mayne, P. J., Kahn, D. G., & Stricker, R. B. (2013). Characterization and evolution of dermal filaments from patients with Morgellons disease. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 6, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S39017

In this episode of Beyond the Human, we explore one of America's most infamous haunted houses: the Sallie House in Atchison, Kansas. From its 19th-century origins to modern-day ghost hunts and paranormal media fame, this house has become a hotspot for supernatural speculation.We dive into the Pickman family’s chilling encounters that started it all and examine the strange reports that followed: shadow figures, moving objects, unexplained scratches, and disembodied voices. Drawing on over 250 hours of personal investigation experience at the house, we separate fact from fiction, challenge the popular demonic narrative, and offer a grounded, research-based perspective on what might really be going on inside 508 N 2nd Street.Along the way, we reflect on why places like the Sallie House captivate public imagination, what kinds of people come to investigate, and whether belief in the paranormal really changes after firsthand experience.Whether you're a skeptic, believer, or somewhere in between, this episode unpacks the mystery behind one of the most talked-about haunted houses in America.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠.Topics discussed in this episode:(2:33) Introducing the Sallie House and Atchison, KS(10:33) Uncovering the History of the Sallie House(15:11) The Pickmans’ Story(34:26) Us as Investigators(45:47) Our Connection to the Sallie HouseResources for additional research:Sallie House The Sallie House Haunting https://visitatchison.com/Heartland Ghost Sightings compilationParanormal Witness Sn3 Ep18 - The Harpy (available on Peacock)Ghost Adventures Sn13 Ep2 - The Sallie House (available on AppleTV)Other LocationsVilisca Axe Murder HouseWornall Majors House MuseumsWaverly Hills SanatoriumMissouri State PenitentiaryMyrtle’s PlantationStanley HotelSubscribe to our Patreon to never miss an episode! 

Anthropology of the Paranormal - What Can Culture Teach Us About the Unknown?In this premier episode of Beyond the Human, anthropologists Chris and Ryan introduce a bold new approach to the paranormal - one grounded in academic inquiry, lived experience, and cultural context. Why do so many people across time and place report strange encounters? What happens when scholars take these stories seriously?We unpack what anthropology is and how the anthropological perspective offers a unique lens for exploring supernatural and anomalous beliefs and experiences from ghost sightings and UFO encounters to spirit possession and contested illness. This episode lays the foundation for thinking critically and compassionately about the “paranormal” through cultural relativism and cross-cultural comparison while emphasizing the importance of participation to gain a thorough understanding and be able to empathize with others who haveexperienced the unknown or unknowable.Through an anthropological lens, we explore how the paranormal is defined, experienced, and made meaningful across different societies. Rather than dismissing these experiences as irrational or unscientific, we examine them as important expressions of belief, identity, and the limits of conventional knowledge. We don’t try to “prove” or “debunk” the paranormal - we ask what these stories reveal about what it means to be human.Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or just curious, this episode invites you to rethink the boundaries of reality - and academia.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠.Topics discussed in this episode:(0:00) Intro(1:35) Meet Chris and Ryan(6:41) Why We Started This Podcast(10:30) What is Anthropology?(19:09) How to Think Like an Anthropologist(34:57) Anthropology Meets the Paranormal(43:57) What’s coming on Beyond the Human Resources for additional research:A Haunting in Connecticut specialNever Whisper at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction AnthologySubscribe to our Patreon to never miss an episode!

Discover Beyond the Human: Anthropology of the Unknown — a podcast exploring paranormal beliefs, supernatural experiences, and unexplained phenomena through an anthropological lens. In this trailer episode, hosts and anthropologists Chris Daley and Ryan Goeckner introduce the show’s mission: to investigate the cultural meaning behind UFO sightings, ghost stories, psychic visions, cryptids like Mothman, and even spontaneous human combustion. Featuring expert interviews, real-life encounters, and deep dives into global folklore and modern conspiracy theories, this podcast goes beyond the strange to ask what these mysteries reveal about us as humans. If you're curious about the intersection of belief, culture, and the unknown, start your journey here.Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠.