Strange As It Seems

A podcast series about History, Occultism, Espionage, Secret Societies, Conspiracy and High Weirdness. Hosted by Dr. Richard B. Spence and co-host Stephen Austin.

Spies, Lies, and Hidden History

Rick and Stephen dive into the murky world of espionage and disinformation to uncover the hidden truths behind three elusive spies—Sidney Reilly, Kurt Jahnke, and Arthur Adams.  FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/  

10-06
02:32:25

Bohemian Grove, Bilderberg, and Beyond

Rick and Stephen delve into the shadowy world of elite secret societies—from the rituals of Bohemian Grove to the exclusivity of the Bilderberg meetings, Council on Foreign Relations, and the imperial ambitions of Cecil Rhodes.  FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/

09-08
02:51:24

How To Invent The Future

Rick and Stephen explore how suppressed or imagined technologies, from Mesmer’s animal magnetism to Tesla’s free energy and Russian Cosmism, illustrate humanity’s recurring drive to uncover secret forces. The discussion ties these examples to Nick Land’s concept of hyperstition, showing how myths and speculative technologies can loop back into reality.   FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/  

08-25
03:12:34

Who Are The Illuminati?

Rick explores the historical origins of the Illuminati, tracing the rise of Adam Weishaupt’s secret society in 18th-century Bavaria. Along the way, we investigates the Illuminati’s strategies, ideology, and influence—both real and imagined. FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/  

08-08
02:23:32

Who Wrote the Protocols?

Rick examines the origins and evolution of The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion, exploring its fabrication, dissemination, and enduring influence as one of history's most destructive pieces of propaganda.   FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/  

07-25
01:52:52

Lost Continents and Subterranean Realms

Rick delves into the origins of the legend of Atlantis, tracing its evolution over centuries into a symbol of lost wisdom, advanced civilizations, and hidden realms. FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/

06-20
01:52:39

Occult Hitler

Rick and Stephen examine the origins of Nazi occultism, tracing the ideas, figures, and organizations that influenced Adolf Hitler.   FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/  

05-23
02:16:28

Who Killed the Romanovs?

Rick delves into the dark mystery of the Romanov murders. FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/

04-17
02:28:43

Ghost in the Machine: The Techno-Occult

From brazen heads to influencing machines, Rick and Stephen explore the eerie convergence of techne and the occult. FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/  

03-28
02:06:41

Flying Saucers and Secret Agents

Rick and Stephen explore the possible links between the UFO phenomenon, espionage and psyops.   FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pr... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/  

03-13
02:18:00

An Introduction to Occult Politics

"Rick delves into the realm of occult politics by exploring the bizarre story of Clotilde Bersone, French Synarchy and the American "Business Plot."   FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pryV4bnp8svmiQc4O Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strange-as-it-seems/id1777455156 Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/

02-28
02:28:20

The Occult Life of Jack Parsons

Rick recounts the shadowy life of visionary rocketeer and devoted occultist, Jack W. Parsons. More importantly, he reveals Parsons’ ties to espionage—connections that may have ultimately sealed his fate.   FOLLOW US: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7loq8pryV4bnp8svmiQc4O Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strange-as-it-seems/id1777455156 Podbean: https://strangeasitseems.podbean.com/  

02-10
02:04:36

The Mysteries of Fred L. Crisman

Rick introduces Stephen to Fred L. Crisman.

01-25
02:29:13

Weaponized Magic: Aleister Crowley to MK Ultra

Rick gives a brief history of the connection between occult knowledge, psychic research, and intelligence agencies.

12-06
03:00:15

Death in the Adirondacks

Rick walks Stephen through a story of political intrigue in the Adirondack Mountains.   Original Publication: Spence, Richard B. "Death in the Adirondacks: Amtorg, Intrigue, and the Dubious Demise of Isaiya Khurgin and Efraim Sklyansky, August 1925." American Communist History, vol. 14, no. 2 (Aug. 2015), pp. 135–158.

11-13
02:10:01

An Introduction to James Shelby Downard

Rick introduces Stephen to the strange life of James Shelby Downard.

11-06
02:32:59

Lights in the sky: The Utah Airship Mystery

In this inaugural (demo) episode of Strange As It Seems, Rick covers his 2017 article "LIGHTS IN THE SKY: A True Tale of Mystery Airships, Spies, and Secret Cults in WWI Utah," while Stephen tries to keep up.

10-31
01:55:46

Morgan Copeland

a lot of us enjoy a longer podcast! I think it's nice when it's not broken up into 3-4 episodes

03-28 Reply

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