In the 1960s, a newly independent Zambia entered the space race with a bold — and baffling — plan. Led by self-declared “Minister of Space” Edward Nkoloso, a team of would-be astronauts trained in oil drums, dreamed of Mars, and captured the world’s attention. To Western observers, it looked like a joke. But Zambia's space ambitions may have been a front for something far more earthly — and far more dangerous.

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Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason English
Written by Lucas Reilly
Senior Producer is Josh Fisher
Editing and Sound Design by Jesse Nighswonger
Mixing and Mastering by Josh Fisher
Research and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Lucas Reilly
Original Music by Elise McCoy
Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla
Executive Producer is Jason English

For School of Humans, Producers are Emilia Brock and Edeliz Perez. Executive Producer is Virginia Prescott. Thanks to Anthony West for his excellent voiceover work!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the winter of 1980, the world turned its eyes to Lake Placid, New York, host of the Winter Olympics. But behind the pageantry, another structure loomed in the Adirondack woods. Built to house 1,800 athletes, the Olympic Village looked less like a dormitory than a detention center — because that’s exactly what it was designed to become.

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Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason English
Written by Zaron Burnett
Senior Producer is Josh Fisher
Editing and Sound Design by Jesse Nighswonger
Mixing and Mastering by Josh Fisher
Original Music by Elise McCoy
Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla
Executive Producer is Jason English

For School of Humans, Producers are Emilia Brock and Edeliz Perez. Executive Producer is Virginia Prescott. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1897, a Swedish engineer set out to reach the North Pole ... by balloon. With two companions, a crate of champagne, and the faith of a nation, he rose into the Arctic fog — and vanished. Decades later, their frozen journals and undeveloped film emerged from the ice, revealing the haunting truth behind one of exploration’s great mysteries.

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On the Very Special Episodes podcast, Dana Schwartz tells one incredible story each week. Follow her down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. New episodes starting February 4th!

This episode is a production of iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1983, a cherubic, homely doll triggered something close to national hysteria. Parents fought in store aisles. Shelves were stripped bare. Even the New York mafia found itself selling children’s toys.  

Cabbage Patch Kids went from handmade curiosities to the most coveted object in America — igniting riots, corporate battles, and a moral panic that stretched from suburban malls to federal courtrooms. All in a single Christmas season. 

And the frenzy didn’t end when the Kids disappeared from shelves. In an unexpected twist decades later, these dolls would get more care and attention than they ever had before.

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Very special thanks to all our guests! You can hear more of Larry Mazza’s story in his book The Life, available on Amazon.

Today's episode is a production of iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1979, the world watched as NASA’s 77-ton space station made its fiery plunge back to Earth. When Skylab broke apart over a sleepy Australian town, the falling debris set off a global media frenzy. This is the story of the night the sky actually fell — and the teenager who became an improbable hero.

Hi, Astray listeners! Check out this story from the Very Special Episodes podcast. You can listen to new episodes of VSE every Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Today's episode is a production of iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, hundreds of starving dogs were trapped inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. For years, Oregon-based veterinarian Dr. Jenn Betz had been their lifeline. Now, with Putin’s troops occupying the site, she had only one thought: How do I get back there?

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Hi, Astray listeners! Check out this story from the Very Special Episodes podcast. You can listen to new episodes of VSE every Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts. 

Today's episode is a production of iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dangers of Datura revealed, and a different perspective on what it means to seek… and the cost for those of us who do.

Support India during the pandemic by donating to the organizations listed below that were suggested by Astray producer, Ankita Anand.

• https://fundraisers.giveindia.org/projects/wastepickers-of-pune-call-for-support-in-the-devastating-times-of-covid19
• https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid-aid-for-ranchi-india?member=10472615&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer
• https://www.donatekart.com/Hemkunt-Foundation/Give-Oxygen-Cylinders/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvr6EBhDOARIsAPpqUPHbqctClydjRkIjvTnCA8ms7DZvq2OSxSDLBgq2VBFCLJcnxq0A9J8aAli1EALw_wcB
• https://www.khalsaaid.org/donate

Guest Experts:

Suzy Singh ~ Therapist, author and international speaker on karma and consciousness

Alberto Roman ~ Shaman // Contemporary Curandero 

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders - Sound Production

Jason Shannon ~ Composer 

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie Marinelli’s story is not surrounded by theories. In a first hand interview, he provides answers about hitting a spiritual edge in India — a journey he barely survived.

Charlie Marinelli: Found Show Notes:

Charlie Marinelli ~ Contact Charlie at [email protected]. 

Suzy Singh ~ Therapist, author and international speaker on karma and consciousness speaks about Black Magic.

Referenced Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). A New York Times article about the ‘Psychedelic Revolution’ hitting psychiatry. 

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders 

Jason Shannon ~ Composer 

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spiritual edge Charlie Marinelli chased in India the summer of 2019 forced his parents on a desperate race against the clock to try to rescue him.

Charlie Marinelli Show Notes:

Matthew Remski ~ Author, Journalist and Host of the podcast Conspirituality

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders 

Jason Shannon ~ Composer 

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In November 2018, Russell flew to Rishikesh seeking the “next level of spirituality,” but it’s a quest he would never return from.

Russell in Rishikesh Show Notes:

Unidentified Dead Bodies in India Database ~ The database where Russell’s body was found.

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders 

Jason Shannon ~ Composer 

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.