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The Paranoid Strain

Fearful Jesuit
Ancient Aliens
Philip K. Dick
Ufos
Anunnaki
Conspiracy Theories
Gnosticism
Nibiru
Gospel Of Judas
Erich Von Daniken
Aliens
Sumerian Mythology
VALIS
The Bible
Philip Cobbins
Consciousness
Bart Ehrman
Christianity
Chariots Of the Gods
Ancient Astronauts
Paul Mccartney

The podcast that explains why so many people believe ridiculous conspiracy theories.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes187Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Paranoid Strain

Latest Episodes

Don't let the episode title fool you--we're still covering J Allen Hynek. But we're considering the period of his career in which a number of important events transpired, including the launch of the Russians' bleeping ball of evil, as well as the con... more

We continue our exploration of J. Allen Hynek's life, but also take a sharp left turn to explore bayesian analysis, and how it can help us understand why aliens are not a particularly likely answer to the mystery of UFOs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.... more

We move on from abductions with a look back at the greatest educational film host of all time, Phil Hartman. But then, in a more serious vein, we start our discussion of J Allen Hynek, a real and admirable astronomer who started out as the military's... more

This is the second half of our Art Bell abduction coverage--this time, we're handling John Mack's and Whitley Strieber's appearances on the show. Art super-duper believes in this stuff, so there's not much push back, but these interviews really provi... more

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Recent Guests

George Van Tassel
An aviation engineer and ufologist known for his work in constructing the Integratron.
Episode: New! Unidentified--The cold war gets hot with Sputnik and the Integratron
Dr. Susan Clancy
An experimental psychologist and author studying alien abduction claims.
Harvard University
Episode: New! Unidentified--Maury says the alien IS the daddy...abductees and their alien hybrid children
Linda Napolitano
A woman who claims to have experienced alien abduction and wrote to Budd Hopkins for help.
Episode: New! Unidentified--Budd Hopkins and the Manhattan Alien Abduction
Budd Hopkins
A researcher known for his work on alien abductions and hypnosis techniques.
Episode: New! Unidentified--Budd Hopkins and the Manhattan Alien Abduction
George O'Barsky
Former liquor store owner who had his own UFO sighting.
Episode: New! Unidentified--Budd Hopkins and the Manhattan Alien Abduction
Dr. John Mack
A prominent Harvard psychiatrist known for his research on alien abductions.
Harvard University
Episode: New! Unidentified--The Harvard psychiatrist who believed in abductions
Matthew Bowman
Associate professor of history and religion at Claremont Graduate University, focusing on Mormon studies and new religious movements.
Claremont Graduate University
Episode: New! Unidentified--Barney, Betty, and the UFO they saw
Enman Durrana
Sumerian god-king as channeled on a popular AM radio show.
Love Chat
Episode: Encore: Upon a Red Horse, Part III
Bruce Brattle Jr.
Son of renowned director Bruce Brattle, known for his daredevil antics and UFO advocacy.
Episode: Encore: Upon a Red Horse, Part II

Hosts

Fearful Jesuit
Co-host of the show, provides insights on various conspiracy theories and related phenomena.
Dana
Co-host and commentator, contributes to discussions with analysis and humor.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 404 ratings
  • Fun ideas, rough execution

    I’ve been diving into conspiracy theories lately just to have some fun and this podcast does a good job of covering popular conspiracy theories as well as debunking them. However it has an irritating “I am very smart” tone that becomes hard to listen to over time.

    Less time name calling and talking down on people and more time debunking on its own merit would help this show a good bit

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Snowglob3
    United States2 months ago
  • Best Paranoid Podcast Ever

    Updated Oct 2024 - this has got to be the best podcast for giving the details on conspiracy theories! Not only the what, but the who, when, why, and where!

    The 40 Year Old Boy told me to listen, so I did listen to the first one. I fell in love with Mr Fearful Jesuit's podcast. So now I listen whether Mike tells me to or not. But continue to pay Mike to pimp your show so he quits begging me for money!

    Anyway, The Paranoid Strain is a really fun podcast with real information about the various... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Best Show Ever Fan
    United Statesa year ago
  • Informative

    Entertaining and informative, the best part is that they give references for their assertions not just say go do your on research. You can do your own research but look for references and collaborations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Matt Bluth
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great concept, poor execution

    The meat & bones of the podcast are great in concept but holy cow, listening to it is ROUGH. I got halfway through one episode and had to stop bc it was just way too painful to listen to. The wooden, “I’m obviously reading from a script.” Then add the super long, bizarre sound effects, and the whole thing becomes an assault on the eardrums. Honestly they should pay everyone compensation for the mess.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Keisha Parker
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love this crazy world

    Delightful and remarkable what kind of nonsense people believe. Love this show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bilas Peles
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some reviews highlight a need for better execution in terms of audio presentation, suggesting improvements in sound quality and delivery.
Many find the hosts relatable and entertaining, especially enjoying their critical approach to misinformation.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth exploration of conspiracy theories coupled with humor.
The podcast is praised for its detailed research, reinforcing its credibility and insightful commentary on bizarre societal beliefs.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

New! Unidentified--Troy McClure and the Close Encounters Man
Q: So what's the deal with this guy?
Hynek was a Chicago boy, born to Czech immigrant parents and educated at the University of Chicago; he became a key figure in the UFO phenomenon.
New! Unidentified--The Harvard psychiatrist who believed in abductions
Q: Dr. Mack, what does this all mean?
Mack explained that the experiences of abduction are real and not psychiatric disturbances, suggesting a significant phenomenon often ridiculed in contemporary culture.
New! Unidentified--What Barney and Betty Hill actually saw (it wasn't a UFO)
Q: Well, then if it wasn't aliens, what did they see?
The answer is uncertain, but there have been various suggestions proposed over the years, including the possibility they saw Jupiter or a beacon light from an observation tower.
New! Unidentified--Barney, Betty, and the UFO they saw
Q: What intrigued you to write about the story of Betty and Barney Hill?
Dr. Bowman highlights his discovery of the Hills' personal documents that provided a rich narrative, motivating him to explore their story in depth.
New! Unidentified, Episode 9: Nibiru needs gold--and sperm, for some reason
Q: What is the significance of the Anunnaki in historical contexts?
The Anunnaki are often portrayed as gods within ancient Mesopotamian mythology, with various interpretations linking them to modern conspiracy theories.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Paranoid Strain

What is The Paranoid Strain about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intriguing world of conspiracy theories and alien phenomena, the episodes discuss various dimensions of belief and skepticism. Engaging narratives explore the intense psychological elements behind alien abductions, personal accounts from notable figures, and cultural impacts of UFO experiences. Each episode features expert guests who add depth to the discussions, diving into both the historical context of belief systems and modern implications related to conspiracy culture. Unique in its combination of humor and serious critique of absurd claims, listeners are taken on a chilling yet entertaining journey through fantastical narratives and the often bizarre motives behind them.

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How many listeners does The Paranoid Strain get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Paranoid Strain has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Paranoid Strain?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Paranoid Strain:

1. The Why Files: Operation Podcast
2. Stuff They Don't Want You To Know
3. Last Podcast On The Left
4. Lore
5. Unexplained

How many episodes of The Paranoid Strain are there?

The Paranoid Strain launched 8 years ago and published 187 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Paranoid Strain?

Recent guests on The Paranoid Strain include:

1. George Van Tassel
2. Dr. Susan Clancy
3. Linda Napolitano
4. Budd Hopkins
5. George O'Barsky
6. Dr. John Mack
7. Matthew Bowman
8. Enman Durrana

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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