Category: New Age & Paranormal
Robert Joustra on Zombies, Cylons, Charles Taylor, and the Apocalypse
It is the end of the world as we know it! Actually, when hasn’t it been the end of the world as we know it?! That is the question that motivates a fascinating new book looking at the world going to hell. Prof. Robert Joustra discusses “How To Survive the Apocalypse: Zombies, Cylons, Faith, and Politics at the End of the World,” which he co-authored with Prof. Alissa Wilkinson. We cover everything from Battlestar Galactica to The Walking Dead, all through the lens of the philosophical work of Charles Taylor. We even talk Mad Men and Breaking Bad for good measure.
This is our annual trick and treat for you as you celebrate Reformation Day! Check out our previous spooky Halloween episodes in the archives.
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Chris Bader on the Paranormal
Who believes in the paranormal and why? Prof. Chris Bader returns to our podcast to discuss an updated version of his book “Paranormal America” (co-authored with Joseph Baker and Carson Mencken). This conversation is filled with ghost stories and UFO abductees and may sound a bit preposterous, but the lessons to be drawn from individuals who believe in the paranormal should be taken very seriously. Chris explains the social scientific importance of studying the paranormal.
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Chris White on Debunking Ancient Aliens
Was Ezekiel’s Wheel in the Old Testament really a spaceship? Were the lines on a Peruvian plateau a landing strip for ancient astronauts? Did extraterrestial beings give us the ability to nuke one another? And how did the Egyptians get those last few stones on the top of the pyramids if not by some super high-tech flying saucer? Chris White, producer of the film “Ancient Aliens Debunked,” joins us for our special Halloween episode to talk about these, and several more mysteries.
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Scott Poole on Monsters
A week before Halloween, we investigate the darker side of the supernatural with a look at how monsters have been portrayed in American history and what that says about US history. Historian Scott Poole (College of Charleston) talks about his new book, “Monsters in America” and shows how our obsession with, and imagery of, monsters has reflected some very dark trends over the past 400 years. From aliens to zombies, we cover it all in this special spooky version of the increasingly popular podcast! Warning: Not for the faint of heart.
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Chris Bader on Ghosts, UFOs and the Paranormal
Ghosts. UFOs. Bigfoot. Astrology. Who subscribes to these beliefs and why? Chris Bader of Baylor University discusses his research on the paranormal, revealing some surprising results gleaned from survey research and in-depth fieldwork. Find out what it is like to go on a Bigfoot hunt!
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