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In January 1959, nine experienced Soviet hikers from the Ural Polytechnic Institute set off on a ski trek in the northern Ural Mountains, aiming to reach Mount Otorten. The group, led by Igor Dyatlov, consisted of eight men and two women, almost all in their early to mid-20s.  These experienced hikers were supposed to send a telegram at each checkpoint they reached.  The first telegram came, the second did not.  A search party went looking for them and on February 26, 1959, their abandoned campsite was discovered.  Inside the tents were neatly folded clothing, with gear left behind (ie., there may be one shoe in the tent but the other was. Missing).  The tent was slashed open from the inside.  Bodies were found in various locations, in various states of dress. The bodies had swapped clothing (for example, male clothing on the females and vice versa).  Six of the hikers cause of death was hypothermia, and the other 3 were killed d/t chest and head trauma.  What makes this even odder, is that he clothing revealed hgh levels of radiation.  Locals and soldiers reported strange orange lights in the night sky around this time.  And the decomposing bodies had orange tinted skin and grey hair.  The Soviet authorities initially ruled that the hikers died due to an "unknown compelling force".   The investigation was quickly closed, and the files were classified.  But what really happened?  Was it an avalanche, recent investigtions by the Russian government would have you believe?  Was the military somehow involved?  Could it have been a Yeti?  Or was there something more paranormal at play? 

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**Discussion begins at 6:00**

In 1901, Frederick McKay was a dentist who opened a practice in Colorado Springs and found that his patients all seemed to have stained/mottled teeth, but no cavities.  Why was this?  He determined, after nearly 30 years and with the help of other researchers, that they all had what is now called fluorosis – and it was the result of high levels of fluoride in the Colorado Springs drinking water.  He reported his findings to the dental community, and people started comparing fluoride levels and dental hygiene in various geographical areas. In the 1930s, a dentist with the US Public Health Service, sought to determine how high the level of fluoride in the water could be before it caused mottling, in hopes they could remove fluoride from water sources where there were higher levels.  During his study, he learned that low doses had a protective effect.  It was reported that when natural fluoride concentration was greater than 1 part per million, the incidence of cavities was seen to be reduced by some 50-65% and the World Health Organization began to recommend supplemental fluoride where levels were low.

In the 1940s and 50s, there was a push to fluoridate water in the US and Canada, reportedly in an attempt to improve dental health.  This practice was immediately divisive, and remains that way today.  Today, the American Dental Association remains a strong advocate of adding fluoride to water and estimates that every dollar spent on fluoridation saves about fifty dollars in future dental expenses.  Nonetheless, for the last7 0 years there have been people who felt that the government had and continues to have a more nefarious goal… Was this all a communist plot to undermine American health or control the population?  Other critics note similarities between MK Ultra studies and fluoridating water.   The potential goal of mind control was even referenced in the 1964 political satire Dr Strangelove – in which one of the characters, General Jack D. Ripper believes that fluoridation of public water supplies is a Communist conspiracy designed to weaken American willpower. He sees it as a sinister plot to destroy "our precious bodily fluids".  Was this all a conspiracy to cover up and get rid of fluoride, an industrial waste product of fertilizer?  Finally, there are those who believe that water fluoridation is an infringement of individual rights - similar to mass medication or vaccination without consent.  Additional concerns surround the potential negative health effects including bone cancer, thyroid issues, and cognitive deficits in children – but what is the truth?    Is fluoride in our water a cheap and effective way to improve dental health?  Or is there something more sinister at play?

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**Discussion begins at 7:30**

In 1587, a small English colony was established on an island off of North America's east coast.  It was meant to be the first permanent English settlement, but the colonists mysteriously disappeared.  Known as the lost colony of Roanoke, it remains one of America's greatest historical mysteries, with only vague clues, and  no definitive evidence, fueling ongoing speculation and theories.  

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Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson, 99 years ago this week.  Rising to fame in the 1950s, she captivated audiences with her beauty, charm, and vulnerability.  She starred in numerous successful films, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, and Some Like It Hot, solidifying her status as a Hollywood legend.  Despite her glamorous public image, Norma Jeane battled with personal struggles including mental health issues, substance abuse, and a string of troubled relationships.   On August 5, 1962, Norma Jeane was found dead in her Los Angeles home at the age of 36.  The official cause of death was listed as a probable suicide due to an overdose of barbiturates.  A bottle of sleeping pills was found near her bed, and she had reportedly been dealing with depression in the weeks leading up to her death.  However, her death has remained shrouded in mystery and controversy.  Numerous inconsistencies in the timeline of her final hours, the delay in contacting authorities, and the disappearance of personal documents and records have fueled speculation that her death may not have been a simple suicide.  Some believe that foul play was involved, citing her alleged affairs with high-profile political figures such as President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert F. Kennedy as a possible motive for a cover-up.  Other theories range from involvement by the CIA or FBI to suggestions that Norma was silenced due to knowledge of state secrets.  Whether her death was a tragic accident, a suicide, or something more sinister, it remains one of Hollywood’s most tragic mysteries.

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**Discussion 4:25**

So in honor of the new pope, our man Leo, Colleen has gone into full National Treasure mode... a DaVinci Code extravaganza, if you will, and dove deep into the secrets of the Vatican Archives - A room, with 50 miles of shelving containing documents upon documents of the entire history of the Catholic Church.  What secrets can we find?  What has been kept hush for thousands of years?   Today we'll be discussing only some of the major conspiracy theories surrounding the Vatican. Specifically, we will discuss the three secrets of Fatima, proof of extraterrestrial life, and time machines...  Is the church keeping us all in the dark?

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Memorial Day is the US holiday observed on the last Monday of May, to honor our military personnel who have died in service to the country. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday began after the Civil War to commemorate fallen soldiers, and over time, it expanded to include all U.S. military service members who died in wars and conflicts.  It is a day of remembrance and reflection to honor the sacrifices made by the armed forces and their families.  Now Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day – which is observed on November 11 of each year, and honors all military veterans who have served both in wartime and peacetime, and recognizes the contributions of all veterans – both living and deceased.  If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that we are huge supporters of the military and we love our veterans.  So in honor of the holiday, I thought we would take a look at some of the other sacrifices our military servicemen and women have made over the years, often without their knowledge.  Unfortunately, many of these have proof proof – so they don’t really even fall into the “conspiracy theory” realm, but they are definitely conspiracies…

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**Discussion begins at 4:40**

Today, we are unraveling age-old superstitions, myths, and beliefs passed down through generations.  Can waking a sleepwalker kill them?  Is it true the caffeine stunts your growth?  Do we really need to wait 30 minutes after eating to go for a swim?  In this week's episode, we are exploring the origins of these quirky traditions and uncovering the truth behind them.

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The Billiwhack Monster is a creature said to haunt the hills near Santa Paula, California. First reported during the 1950s, the monster allegedly resides in or around the ruins of the old Billiwhack Dairy.  According to local lore, a former military scientist who owned the dairy was connected to the OSS, the precursor to the CIA.  The OSS allegedly had the owner of the dairy, August Rubel performing experiments beneath the dairy, and one of these secret projects involved attempts to create a super-soldier.  Legend has it that one of these experiments went horribly wrong resulting in the creating of the Billiwhack Monster, a hulking, half man/half goat covered in dark fur, standing over seven feet tall, with immense strength and glowing eyes.  During WW2 Rubel was sent abroad where he died.  The family supposedly abandoned the property, leaving the monster to roam free and torment visitors.  Sightings of the Billiwhack Monster are still reported – is there really a human experiment running free and harming locals?  Or is this all an urban legend meets conspiracy theory stemming from the general distrust of the government during this time period?

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**Discussion begins at 4:40**

Coca-cola, established in 1886, has evolved into one of the world’s most recognized beverage brands.  Over its extensive history, the company has been at the center of various controversies and conspiracy theories.  Today, we’re going to talk about some of those.

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Robert F. Kennedy, younger brother to John F Kennedy, former Attorney General and New York Senator, and a leading Democratic presidential candidate, was assassinated on June 5, 1968.  He was at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, shortly after delivering a victory speech following his win in the California primary.  The official story is that Kennedy was shot multiple times by Sirhan Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian man. Sirhan was quickly apprehended at the scene and later claimed that he was angry over Kennedy's pro-Israel stance, particularly his support for Israel in the wake of the Six-Day War in 1967.  Kennedy was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following day, on June 6, 1968.

Although Sirhan Sirhan was arrested and convicted of the murder, many conspiracy theories have since emerged surrounding the assassination.  Some people believe that there may have been a second gunman or that Sirhan's actions were part of a larger plot. These theories have been fueled by the fact that Sirhan’s gun was only a small-caliber revolver which was inconsistent with the murder weapon, and the physical evidence suggested that the shots that killed Kennedy came from close range—closer than Sirhan was able to stand to the senator at the time. Some argue that there were additional shooters in the pantry, pointing to discrepancies in witness testimony and the trajectory of the bullets.

Conspiracy theories point to the possibility of CIA or other government involvement, citing the political climate of the time, with Kennedy being a vocal critic of the Vietnam War and a potential force for change in U.S. politics. Others suggest that powerful figures within the Democratic Party may have had motives for silencing Kennedy as he was gaining momentum in the race for president.   Did Sirhan Sirhan act alone?  Or was he merely a victim of MK Ultra?  Did he actually kill RFK, or was there someone else directly responsible?

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