Beyond the Human
Two anthropologists explore paranormal beliefs and strange experiences from a global perspective, examining why people across cultures believe in phenomena that science cannot explain. The podcast delves into ghost stories, alien encounters, medical mysteries, and supernatural beliefs, revealing what these shared stories say about humanity and the unknown.
Episodes
New Orang Pendek Evidence? Adam Thorn's Sumatra Expedition & Conjuring House Court Ruling
This week on Headlines from the Beyond:Did cryptozoologist Adam Thorn capture evidence of the elusive orang pendek? During a recent expedition to Sumatra, Thorn collected environmental DNA samples, possible hair specimens, and deployed camera traps throughout the jungle. In footage recently shared on his YouTube channel, something appears to smear mud across one camera's lens before a cinnamon
Pennhurst Data Center Denied & Ohio’s Loveland Frogman Bill
Welcome to our new listeners!We’ve had a lot of new followers since launching our TikTok and 250 Years of American High Strangeness series, so for those just joining us: Headlines from the Beyond is our (mostly) weekly series covering the paranormal, unexplained, and strange stories that caught our attention this week.This week on Headlines from the Beyond:After months of hearings and intense loca
Exorcism Across Cultures: Demons, Possession, and Spiritual Healing
What happens when cultures around the world interpret illness, suffering, and altered states of consciousness as spiritual possession?In this episode of Beyond the Human, we explore exorcism as a cross-cultural phenomenon, examining how different religious traditions understand spirits, possession, healing, and the supernatural.Rather than treating exorcism as simply horror movie material, this ep
Can Orang Pendek Finally Be Proven Real? | Headlines from the Beyond Ep. 16
This week on Headlines from the Beyond:Will a new expedition to Sumatra finally uncover definitive evidence of the mysterious orang pendek?Cryptohominid researcher Adam Thorn has returned to the jungles of Sumatra with a much more ambitious investigation into the legendary “little person” of Indonesian folklore. Using long-term trail camera deployment, environmental DNA sampling, footprint analys
Near-Death Experiences Study, Pentagon UAP Office at Risk, and Missing Scientists Spark Conspiracy Theories
This week on Headlines from the Beyond, we’re covering three major paranormal and unexplained stories shaping the conversation right now.A new publication from the International Association for Near-Death Studies proposes a bold scientific framework for studying near-death experiences (NDEs) and other end-of-life phenomena. Drawing on decades of clinical observations, one researcher estimates that
Santa Muerte, Miracles, and the Paranormal: Interview with Dr. Andrew Chesnut
What happens when lived religious experience challenges how we define the paranormal?In this episode of Beyond the Human, we’re joined by Andrew Chesnut, one of the leading scholars on Santa Muerte, for an in-depth conversation on devotion, healing, and the realities behind one of the fastest-growing religious movements in the world.Building on our previous episode, we go beyond history and symbol
Nick Pope Dies, JD Vance on UFOs, and Pilot Spots ‘Flying Disc’ Over Philadelphia
This week on Headlines from the Beyond, we’re covering three major stories shaping paranormal conversation right now.The UFO community is mourning the loss of Nick Pope, one of the most recognizable figures in modern UFO research. Known for his work on the UK Ministry of Defence’s “UFO desk” and later as a prominent media voice on shows like Ancient Aliens, Pope’s legacy spans decades of investiga
Santa Muerte Explained: Death, Devotion, and the Supernatural
What if some of the most powerful paranormal experiences aren’t found in ghost stories—but in religion?In this episode of Beyond the Human, we explore the rapidly growing devotion to Santa Muerte, also known as Holy Death, the Skeleton Saint, or La Flaca. With millions of devotees across Mexico, the United States, and Central America, Santa Muerte has been called one of the fastest-growing new rel
Ohio Bigfoot Flap, Havana Syndrome Tests, Patterson-Gimlin Debate, and Waving Goodbye to 3I/ATLAS
This week on Headlines from the Beyond, we’re covering four major paranormal and unexplained stories making headlines right now.In northeast Ohio, a wave of recent sasquatch sightings has researchers calling it the latest Bigfoot “flap.” Multiple witnesses across Portage and Trumbull Counties report encounters with large, hair-covered figures, strange vocalizations, and possible footprints. What’s
A Missing Air Force General, SETI May Be Missing Alien Signals, and Etsy Witch Bans
This week on Headlines from the Beyond, we’re covering three strange stories making headlines right now.Authorities in Albuquerque are searching for retired U.S. Air Force General William Neil McCasland after he was reported missing in late February. An accomplished aerospace engineer and former director of major Air Force research programs—including work connected to Wright-Patterson Air Force Ba
Presidential Disclosure, St. Francis’ Skeleton, Galileo Project Volunteers, and a Havana Syndrome update
Today on Headlines from the Beyond:Former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump make headlines over UFOs, UAPs, and extraterrestrial life. In a viral podcast appearance, Obama joked that “aliens are real,” before clarifying that while life likely exists somewhere in the vast universe, he saw no evidence of extraterrestrial contact during his presidency. Days later, Trump responded aboard Air Fo
Varginha UFO Case Resurfaces, Loch Ness Camera Recovered, Bigfoot Prints in New York
This week on Headlines from the Beyond, we’re covering three major paranormal news stories making waves right now.The Varginha UFO incident, often called the “Brazilian Roswell," is back in the spotlight 30 years later, following a National Press Club briefing featuring eyewitness testimony, medical claims, and renewed interest from members of Congress. Why is this case resurging now and what
Marian Apparitions, Havana Syndrome, Mystery Sounds, and Preparing for UAP Disclosure
Today on Headlines from the Beyond:Reports of a possible Marian apparition in Rwanda draw large crowds, intense debate, and official investigation. Two children in the Musanze District claim to have seen the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus—first appearing on a utility pole, then later in a nearby tree. While local officials have dismissed the reports as rumor, the Diocese of Ruhengeri has con
Xenoanthropology: What Anthropology Can Teach Us About Aliens
If humans were to encounter extraterrestrial life, how would we begin to understand it?In this episode of Beyond the Human, we explore xenoanthropology—a theoretical extension of anthropology concerned with understanding non-human intelligences, their social systems, and their possible cultures. Rather than asking whether extraterrestrial life exists, we ask what it might be like if it does—and ho
Erich von Däniken’s Legacy, CIA Secrecy, and Pennsylvania Body Part Crimes
Today on Headlines from the Beyond:The world of the unexplained loses one of its most influential figures. We remember the life and legacy of Erich von Däniken, the author who popularized ancient astronaut theory and challenged generations of readers to rethink humanity’s past. From Chariots of the Gods? to decades of public debate, we look at why his work mattered—regardless of where you stand on
Ticks and Bioweapons Review, Peruvian Shamanic Predictions, and British UAP Files
Today on Headlines from the Beyond:Big news from Capitol Hill and beyond: the U.S. federal government has launched a probe into Cold War-era biological research involving ticks and tick-borne diseases. Signed into law as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, the amendment directs the Government Accountability Office to review Department of Defense projects from 1945–1972 to determin
Winged Humanoids: From Prehistoric Art to Mothman Encounters
In Episode 6 of Beyond the Human, we trace the long and strange history of winged humanoids—from Paleolithic cave art and ancient mythologies to modern cryptid encounters—through the lens of the most famous example of all: Mothman.Beginning with prehistoric depictions of winged human figures across Europe, Asia, and North America, this episode explores how beings resembling Mothman appear repeated
3I/ATLAS After Earth, Pennhurst’s Future, and the Yankee Blue Memo
Today on Headlines from the Beyond:Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS made its closest approach to Earth last week—so what did we actually learn from its visit, and what happens next? We break down the latest observations, including new imagery, the still-prominent anti-tail, and why the object’s behavior continues to raise questions while remaining more likely natural than artificial. We also discuss A
3I/ATLAS and First Contact Scenarios, Disclosure Day, and Exorcism Requests
Today on Headlines from the Beyond:As interstellar object 3I/ATLAS makes its closest approach to Earth, we break down the latest updates—and ask what might happen if it turned out to be more than a comet. From new images showing unusual jets and a pronounced anti-tail to the mysterious loss of contact with NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft during its Mars flyby, we explore what scientists know so far and wh
Avi Loeb’s Critics, the Roswell Hangar Fire, and Our Routledge Book Deal
Today on Headlines from the Beyond:Avi Loeb’s search for extraterrestrial intelligence doesn’t stop with 3I/ATLAS. We examine how other astrophysicists and astrobiologists view the search for life beyond Earth, from mainstream approaches focused on biosignatures to ongoing debates over technosignatures, interstellar objects, and what anomalies like ’Oumuamua and 3I/ATLAS really mean. Along the way
Avi Loeb's Discoveries, the Conjuring House, and UAlbany ProjectX
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 Haw
3I/ATLAS Has a Heartbeat, The Age of Disclosure, and Krampusnacht
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
What is 3I/ATLAS, Bigfoot in Pennsylvania, and Newly Released Amelia Earhart Files
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
The Moment We Die: Exploring the Boundary of Biological and Social Death
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
Studying the Strange: Introducing the Anomalies Research Project
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,
Ghost Hunting — Culture, Belief, and the Paranormal
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 o
Morgellons Disease – Medical Mystery, Contested Illness, and the Human Cost of Disbelief
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 ex
The Sallie House Haunting - History, Hype, and Firsthand Encounters
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
Anthropology of the Paranormal - What Can Culture Teach Us About the Unknown?
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 seriou
Beyond the Human: Anthropology of the Unknown
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 Mot
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