Beyond the Human

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 determine whether ticks were ever studied or weaponized, whether research ventured outside military facilities, and whether relevant documents were destroyed—raising questions for people impacted by Lyme disease and Morgellons alike. 

Then: A group of Peruvian shamans gathe...

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 repeatedly in folklore, religion, and myth—from Assyrian winged genies and Greek harpies to Abrahamic angels.

We then turn to the 1966–1967 sightings in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, examining eyewitness accounts, the TNT Area encounters, and the sudd...

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 Avi Loeb’s recent comments, the public reaction to scientific uncertainty, and what 3I/ATLAS reveals about how both scientists and the public engage with anomalies. From its billion-year journey through the Milky Way to its...

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 what remains unexplained. Then we turn to the bigger question: how would humanity actually react if 3I/ATLAS were confirmed as extraterrestrial intelligence? Drawing on past anom...

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, we break down key concepts like X-ray emissions from comets, the Drake Equation, the Fermi Paradox, and why Loeb insists that unexplained data deserves serious scientific attention.

Then: A mysterious fire erupts at Hangar 84 at the Roswel...

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 paranorm...

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...

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 th...

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 tr...

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 t...

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 scie...

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...

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, re...

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...

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...