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 gathered at the end of last year to make predictions for 2026. Some were ambitious—calling for a change of leadership in Venezuela and an end to the war in Ukraine—and while not all have come to pass, a few early forecasts are already prompting conversation about cultural prophecy, indigenous worldviews, and how traditional spiritual authorities engage with global events.

Finally: Newly unsealed British Ministry of Defence files reveal that in the 1990s the UK military tasked intelligence officers with investigating unidentified aerial phenomena and actively considering whether to acquire unidentified technology reported in sightings. The files show that reports of unusual craft, including cases like the Rendlesham Forest incident, were taken seriously enough to prompt strategic discussion about defense implications—offering a fresh archival angle on government interest in UAPs and the long path toward disclosure. 

And as a New Year's bonus, an update on our ongoing Anomalies research project.

Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:

Tick Weaponization to be Investigated

Peru shamans foretell illness for Trump, Maduro's exile in 2026

MoD ordered officers to find UFO technology, secret files reveal

Typewriter sound effect: “Typewriter snippet 01 mono [loop]” by cabled_mess, via Freesound (CC0).

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 sudden end of sightings following the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge. Drawing on the work of journalist and ufologist John Keel, we explore how Mothman became entangled with UFO encounters, Men in Black reports, and what Keel termed high strangeness.

The episode also looks beyond Point Pleasant to lesser-known cases like the Van Meter Visitor, post-disaster sightings at Chernobyl and Fukushima, and contemporary reports around Chicago and Lake Michigan. Finally, we examine competing explanations—from misidentification and altered states of consciousness to cryptids and Keel’s ultraterrestrial hypothesis—asking what these recurring winged humanoid encounters might reveal about perception, mythology, and the limits of human understanding.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠.

Topics discussed in this episode:

(1:31) - Pre/History of Winged Humanoids

(13:53) - The Mothman of Point Pleasant

(46:19) - The Van Meter Visitor

(58:54) - How do we explain this?

Resources for additional research:

Wayland, Tobias. “A Timeline of the Lake Michigan Mothman Sightings So Far.” The Singular Fortean Society. 2017.

Beyond the Human. “Cryptid Compendium: Mothman.” 2025.

Campfire ambience: “Campfire at night soundscape (louder fire, quieter animals)” by SilverIllusionist, via Freesound (CC BY 4.0).

Music: “Backwoods BBQ” by Chris Haugen, via the YouTube Audio Library.

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 upcoming close pass by Jupiter, we explore why this interstellar visitor matters—even if it ultimately ignores us completely.

Then: A major development at one of America’s most infamous haunted locations. Plans to restrict a proposed data center at the Pennhurst State School and Hospital site have been shelved, allowing the project to move forward to a conditional use hearing. We examine what this means for Pennhurst’s future as a historic site, a paranormal tourism destination, and a cultural landmark—alongside ongoing public opposition, petitions, and the site’s continued role in haunted attractions and paranormal events.

Finally: The Pentagon has reopened a FOIA search related to the mysterious “Yankee Blue” memo, a document tied to allegations of a U.S. Air Force UFO disinformation and hazing program. We unpack what Yankee Blue was alleged to be, why the Department of Defense reportedly moved to end the practice, and what the renewed FOIA effort could reveal about how UFO narratives have been managed within the military.

Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes

The Humans by Matt Haig

East Vincent Township shelves proposed data center ordinance after community concerns

Protect Pennhurst from Data Center Development Petition

Pentagon Reopens Search for Alleged “Yankee Blue” Memo After Initial Denial

The Pentagon Disinformation That Fueled America’s UFO Mythology

Typewriter sound effect: “Typewriter snippet 01 mono [loop]” by cabled_mess, via Freesound (CC0).

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 anomalies, contactee narratives, anthropology, and science fiction, we consider everything from mass hysteria and economic upheaval to surprisingly muted responses where life simply goes on.

Then: The teaser trailer for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film Disclosure Day dropped this week, igniting speculation and debate. With little revealed about the plot but a star-studded cast and heavy disclosure themes, we ask whether Hollywood is riding the current wave of extraterrestrial anxiety—and whether Disclosure Day could shape public discourse the way E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind once did.

Finally: New reporting suggests that requests for exorcisms are on the rise across the United States. Drawing on recent CNN coverage and responses from Catholic dioceses nationwide, we examine what’s driving the increase, what counts as possession versus distress, and what this trend may reveal about fear, belief, and uncertainty in an age of disclosure.

Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:

UFO Religions Explained - Religion for Breakfast

Would Alien “First Contact” Destroy Religion - Religion for Breakfast

Cooper, Keith “New SETI Protocols: How Will Scientists Announce the Discovery of Alien Life?” Supercluster, 2025

Zasky, Jason “If ET Calls, Who Answers” Failure Magazine, 2012

Magee, Tamlin “The Missing PLan for Alien First Contact” BBC, 2022

Carter, Justin “The Next Steven Spielberg Movie Has a Poster to Disclose.” Gizmodo, 2025.

Disclosure Day teaser trailer

CNN Discovers Exorcism Inquiries are on the Rise 

Typewriter sound effect: “Typewriter snippet 01 mono [loop]” by cabled_mess, via Freesound (CC0).

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 Roswell Air Center. The hangar has long been rumored to house debris and bodies recovered from the 1947 Roswell crash, and while the cause of the blaze remains unknown, its location has reignited speculation about what—if anything—may have been destroyed.

Finally: We share some major news of our own. Headlines from the Beyond is officially under contract with Routledge, one of the world’s leading academic publishers, to publish a forthcoming book on Morgellons disease and medical dismissal slated for release in spring 2027.

Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠.

Show Notes:

Mysterious fire erupts at UFO crash-linked ‘Hanger 84’ in Roswell where conspiracy claims ‘alien bodies were stashed’

Typewriter sound effect: “Typewriter snippet 01 mono [loop]” by cabled_mess, via Freesound (CC0).

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 paranormal drama.

Finally: SUNY Albany launches ProjectX, a major new academic initiative dedicated to rigorous scientific research on UFOs and UAPs—led by physicist Dr. Kevin Knuth and backed by a fresh endowment.

Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠Instagram⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠Substack⁠.

Show Notes:

TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd95LBhuSOk

Galileo Project:

https://galileo.hsites.harvard.edu/

On the Possibility of an Artificial Origin for Oumuamua:

https://lweb.cfa.harvard.edu/~loeb/Loeb_Astrobiology.pdf

Extraterrestrial:

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/extraterrestrial-avi-loeb?variant=39935330418722

IM1 Spherules from the Pacific Ocean:

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/the-im1-spherules-from-the-pacific-ocean-have-extrasolar-composition-f025cb03dec6

UAlbany ProjectX: https://thedebrief.org/ualbany-project-x-how-a-team-of-new-york-physicists-is-launching-a-cutting-edge-investigation-into-aerial-mysteries/

Lawsuit filed against Jason Hawes is the latest development in the sale of The Conjuring House: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/suit-filed-over-sale-conjuring-172610048.html 

Typewriter sound effect: “Typewriter snippet 01 mono [loop]” by cabled_mess, via Freesound (CC0).

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 cultural detour into the horned, birch-rod-bearing figure who roams Central Europe on December 5th, punishing misbehaving children, marching in Krampuslauf parades, and accepting schnapps offerings along the way.

Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on Instagram and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on Substack.

Show Notes:

https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/people/avi-loeb

Loeb Scale:

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/the-loeb-scale-astronomical-classification-of-interstellar-objects-62b909644351

The Age of Disclosure: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Age-of-Disclosure/0NVVP9AVUZEJKG9CJC4RQE9J27 

Atlas Obscura - What is Krampus: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-krampus

Typewriter sound effect: “Typewriter snippet 01 mono [loop]” by cabled_mess, via Freesound (CC0).

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 the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠Instagram⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠Substack⁠.

Show Notes:

Bigfoot sighting 20 miles northeast of Penn State 

National Archives Amelia Earhart collection

Watch the whole Avi Loeb television interview here. 

Typewriter sound effect: “Typewriter snippet 01 mono [loop]” by cabled_mess, via Freesound (CC0).

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 truly a single “moment” when life ends, or is dying a process? Through cross-cultural comparisons, we touch on rituals, mourning practices, and afterlife beliefs that reflect a universal human desire to make meaning out of mortality.

From near-death experiences and life reviews to ghost sickness and ancestor veneration, Beyond the Human examines what happens when biological death meets social death—and how the living continue to interact with the dead.

Whether you’re drawn to science, spirituality, or the mysteries in between, this episode explores how humanity’s oldest question—what happens after we die—continues to shape culture, belief, and identity.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠Instagram⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠Substack⁠.

Topics discussed in this episode:

(2:59) - What is Biological Death?

(19:44) - The Process of Death

(30:48) - So What Happens After Death?

(39:32) - Mourning and Grief

(51:45) - The Afterlife Across Cultures

Resources for additional research:

Anthony Peake, Near Death Experiences: The Science, Psychology, and Anthropology Behind the Phenomenon

Campfire ambience: “Campfire at night soundscape (louder fire, quieter animals)” by SilverIllusionist, via Freesound (CC BY 4.0).
Music: “Backwoods BBQ” by Chris Haugen, via the YouTube Audio Library.

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 think the academic world needs to take these experiences seriously.

We also discuss the long-term vision for Anomalies: building a cross-cultural database of belief and experience, adding evidence archives, and creating an interactive map of where the unexplained unfolds.

Whether you’re an experiencer, a skeptic, or simply curious about what connects us through mystery, this episode marks the beginning of a new way to study the extraordinary.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to participate — and how your story can help shape the future of paranormal research.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠.

Campfire ambience: “Campfire at night soundscape (louder fire, quieter animals)” by SilverIllusionist, via Freesound (CC BY 4.0).
Music: “Backwoods BBQ” by Chris Haugen, via the YouTube Audio Library.