In the first half of our live Christmas night show, writer, director, and producer Marc Zicree discussed Rod Serling's legendary career and his work with The Twilight Zone. This would have been Serling's 100th birthday, as he was born on Christmas Day. Zicree highlighted the impact of Serling's work, noting that he wrote Twilight Zone from 1959 to 1964, and the episodes are "every bit as relevant now, if not more." Zicree talked about his personal journey and how his admiration for Serling inspired him to write "The Twilight Zone Companion." He started the book when he was just out of college, two years after Serling's death. "I interviewed over 100 people who worked on the show-- actors, writers, producers, and my goal was to learn how to make great television," he said, and "now, all these years later, at my own studio, I've got three sound stages filled with spaceships, robots, and aliens."
Serling's work had a lasting influence on television and he had a remarkable ability to showcase actors' talents, he commented. Zicree revealed that Serling had sought to adapt a Philip K. Dick story for the series but faced obstacles in acquiring the rights. Zicree also reminisced about the timeless relevance of episodes like "The Shelter" (1961), a poignant narrative about nuclear fear and human nature. He praised Serling's commitment to freedom of thought and expression, stating, "Rod loved the individual," and he was very strongly against conformity and censorship.
Zicree also shared insights about his current projects, including "Space Command," which aims to counter the prevalent negativity in modern sci-fi. He noted the importance of community involvement in his work, revealing that many of his investors contributed to the project for as little as $7,500, eager to be part of a positive initiative.
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The latter half featured our special holiday edition of Open Lines. Among the callers was Michael from Denver, Colorado, who expressed gratitude for the program and its host, George Noory, for being a source of support throughout the year, not just during the holidays. He shared how listening to the show since childhood helped him develop confidence and cope during the challenging times of COVID-19. Cornelius from Louisiana also thanked the show and its listeners for their support during his difficult times, including the loss of his father. Joe from Long Island discussed the themes of societal behavior depicted in "The Twilight Zone," particularly how characters respond to crises. Bernadine from Minnesota recalled her fond memories of attending a Pat Boone concert at an early age with her cousin.
Ruthie emphasized the positive impact of the Coast to Coast hosts, likening them to therapists and teachers, and wished everyone a happy holiday season. Aaron, from Tempe, Arizona, spoke about the significance of family and community, and his experiences with his local hockey group and family gatherings. Jeremy from North Dakota shared his excitement about potentially winning a lottery jackpot and his plan to establish a trust to help those in need if he wins. First-time caller Wyatt had concerns over drone sightings in New Jersey, speculating about potential government mishaps involving lost assets. And Natalia, a disabled Vietnam veteran, offered her thanks for the show, which she feels provides a sense of family and connection.
George concluded the program by playing a recording of Lee Allan reading "Letter from Michael," the story of a Marine's encounter with an angel who saves his life in the Korean War.

In the first half of our live Christmas Eve show, Dr. Joan Hangarter, also known as Joan of Angels, shared insights into the transformative world of angels and miracles. She highlighted the significance of the holiday season as a time for angelic connection, noting, "The angels were very much present when Jesus was born... guiding us and helping us to transform into a higher vibrational frequency." Angels are always present, even if we don't always feel them, and it's important for us to reconnect with our angelic essence, she suggested. To foster this connection, she recommends slowing down to receive messages from the angels, and noted we may see different signs of their presence in our lives. Angelic communication can be subtle, often manifesting as a distinct voice or energy shift, she added.
She described a friend's angelic encounter while climbing a mountain, illustrating how angels can intervene in our lives during critical moments. Sharing her own experience, she described a near-accident where she felt an angelic presence halt her spinning car. Joan reflected on the value of faith, noting, "Our thoughts create our reality." She encouraged listeners to align with positivity, stating, "The more you think good thoughts, the more good things happen to you." She offered practical steps for manifesting personal goals, including setting your intention, visualization (imagining the specific details of the desired outcome), using affirmations, and expressing gratitude for achievements before they occur.
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In the latter half, psychic therapist Vincent Genna addressed the current state of the planet and its energetic climate, and what he sees in our future. Discussing various forms of psychic perception, he stated that psychics "can hear things with their mind's ear" and know or sense things that just come upon them. In making his predictions, which he does not generally assign specific dates to, he finds it helpful to blend scientific projections, biblical prophecies, and his psychic insights and communications with the spirit realm. "Predictions without action are useless," he commented, adding that he believes humanity's future is uncertain and contingent upon individual and collective actions.
Genna connected the themes of various December celebrations-- Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa-- to a universal message of light and hope. He urged listeners to reflect on their internal conflicts and heal their emotional wounds, saying, "If there is disharmony within you, then you're feeding into the disharmony in the outer, external world." When asked about the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, he likened the situation to "a bunch of children" fighting over toys, illustrating the irrationality of power struggles. He predicted that by the end of 2025, there would be "some kind of ceasefire." On the topic of extraterrestrial beings, he believes they are observing humanity and wishing to assist. He stated, "They are our older brothers and sisters... they are benevolent." During the last hour, he gave readings for callers.
Closing out the holiday show, George played Lionel Fanthorpe's classic rendition of "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

In the first half, Dr. Joel Wallach discussed the benefits of natural remedies that aid in the body's recovery from chronic conditions that plague Americans today. Speaking of holiday feasting, he noted that "When you eat a lot, that means you're missing something," highlighting the problem of nutritional deficiencies. He emphasized the need for a balanced intake of essential nutrients, stating, "You need to be taking the 90 essential nutrients," which include 60 minerals, and 16 vitamins. Wallach argued that if you're eating well but not supplementing, you may wind up with such conditions as arthritis, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure due to the inadequacy of modern diets. "You're filling up on the calories, but you're not getting the nutrients," he cautioned.
"Parkinson's disease is not a genetic thing, and it's something we can get rid of in weeks," Wallach claimed, as he shared a success story about a woman who had suffered from Parkinson's for over a decade but saw miraculous improvements after changing her diet and taking specific supplements. Responding to a caller concerned about a woman with a dental infection affecting her mobility, he suggested a comprehensive supplement plan to alleviate pressure from osteoporosis in the skull. He encouraged listeners to commit to a 90-day regimen for best results, asserting that many health issues can be reversed with the correct supplement program and diet.
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In the latter half, paranormal investigator and the "Wizard of Weird," Joshua P. Warren, presented strange yuletide tales, including reports of witnesses who have seen Santa Claus, and the legend of Krampus and other Christmas spirits. Regarding the Santa sightings, he has been collecting stories since 2008 and related the phenomenon to tulpas, a thought form or materialization that is created through intense concentration. One notable account came from a woman in Miami who reported seeing Santa in her living room in 1980. She asked him where toys came from, to which he replied, "They are not made on Earth. I inspire the toy makers." Warren recounted his own experiment involving a Santa doll, which led to strange occurrences on a ranch in Texas, including a mysterious 911 call from a building no one was supposed to be in.
Santa is actually based on the historical figure Saint Nicholas, an early Christian bishop who had a habit of secret gift-giving. Turning to the darker side of Christmas, Warren discussed Krampus, a horned creature that originated in European folklore, who is said to punish naughty children. He described him as a "tall, shaggy beast" with long fangs and wild, fiery eyes who drags children off to his cave.
On a cheerier note, he pointed out that the Christmas season is a time when more miracles are reported, highlighting the transformative power of belief during this time. He recounted an extraordinary event involving a woman who, after losing her home in the Asheville flood in the fall, received unexpected assistance just a few days ago. He also touched on his recent 'Time Camera' experiment, involving radionics and photography. For more, check out Joshua's weekly show, Strange Things, on C2C's Paranormal Podcast Network.

In the first hour, Marik von Rennenkampff, a former analyst with both the US Department of Defense and the State Department, spoke with George Knapp about UAP disclosure and the numerous drone sightings in the news. He told listeners how his initial skepticism about UFOs shifted after watching Commander David Fravor's interview on Joe Rogan's podcast, where Fravor spoke about his involvement in the famous "Tic Tac" UFO sighting. "I recognized that Commander Fravor was 100% the real deal," von Rennenkampff asserted. He then praised the courage of military personnel who have come forward to discuss their experiences. "It is career suicide... nobody wants to be the 'UFO guy,'" he noted. "The stigma is still strong... especially in the Air Force."
Von Rennenkampff discussed the controversial tenure of Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the former head of the Pentagon's UFO investigation program, AARO. He criticized Kirkpatrick's rushed reports and emotional responses to critics, suggesting a lack of credibility and transparency in his leadership. "There are unreported UFO retrieval and reverse engineering programs," he insisted.
Turning to the recent drone incursions over sensitive military sites, von Rennenkampff described the situation as a "crisis." He noted that advanced counter-drone technology has failed to identify or neutralize these UAP, which "hovered, stalked, and flew over" critical areas. "It's astounding that this is still a mystery," von Rennenkampff remarked. He also pointed to historical parallels with similar incidents from the 1960s and 1970s.
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In the second hour, screenwriter and producer Bryce Zabel further explored the many recent reports of drone sightings. He highlighted the geographical extent of these events, stating that "this is a global phenomenon." Zabel pointed out the confusion surrounding the government's responses, and he expressed skepticism about official claims that they are not foreign adversaries. He also criticized the media's coverage as inconsistent, suggesting that the public is increasingly frustrated by a lack of transparency.
On the contentious issue of whether to shoot down the unidentified drones, he referenced pilot Ryan Graves, who cautioned, "It's never a good idea to shoot something when you don't know what it is." Zabel emphasized the potential risks surrounding these sightings, suggesting that some of the objects could be advanced technologies mimicking human-made designs. "They [could] assume a form that's... not really threatening," he noted, while speculating that otherworldly entities might be conducting a sociological experiment.
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The final part of the show featured Jeremy Corbell speaking about the congressional UAP hearings over the past 18 months. He remarked that "the first hearing was really powerful because it was kind of like a strategic surprise," as credible witnesses spoke under oath. He expressed frustration over the lack of firsthand witnesses in subsequent hearings, revealing that some whistleblowers were "forbidden from speaking to Congress" without a subpoena—a situation he called a "cosmic pickle."
Corbell also touched on the Immaculate Constellation program, a data aggregation operation aimed at better understand UAPs. He questioned the whereabouts of crucial footage related to this initiative, and criticized Congress for what he described as a lack of transparency. "They lied to the American public," he insisted. Corbell accused Congress of functioning like a "counterintelligence operation" aimed at identifying whistleblowers while silencing them.
The conversation then shifted to the controversial "jellyfish video" that Corbell released, which shows an unidentified object near a military base. He expressed frustration at ongoing attempts to dismiss the footage as unremarkable.

Paranormal researcher Alex Matsuo joined guest host Rich Berra (email) to explore the darker side of Christmas traditions. For centuries, societies, particularly in pagan traditions, believed that the veil between the living and the spirit world was thinner during this time, with figures like Odin leading the Wild Hunt to collect souls, she explained. This belief in wandering spirits and darker forces inspired tales and traditions, which were later blended into festive storytelling, most notably by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol. This juxtaposition of joy and darkness is characteristic of the season, she added.
Matsuo shared how personal experiences shaped her exploration of Christmas's darker lore. Following the loss of close family members and grappling with personal grief, she found solace in delving into the macabre aspects of Christmas traditions. She highlighted figures like Krampus and Frau Perchta, who imposed moral lessons through fear, as well as the evolution of these traditions into more playful modern interpretations. This historical curiosity also revealed how pre-Christian practices were often absorbed into Christian festivities, she noted.
Matsuo traced the origins of various Christmas figures and their traditions from around the world, emphasizing the Scandinavian roots of many customs. For example, she examined Krampus's role as Saint Nicholas's enforcer, punishing naughty children, and Finland's Joulupukki, a goat-like figure evolved from darker mythological roots into a gift-giving entity akin to Santa Claus. The cultural importance of leaving offerings for these figures is a recurring theme, symbolizing respect and gratitude to mythical guardians, she pointed out.
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During the latter half of the program, bestselling author William Forstchen touched on drone sightings in the U.S., and the potential dangers of solar flares and EMPs. He expressed frustration with the bureaucracy's sluggishness in addressing aerial threats, likening it to the inefficiencies of the Department of Motor Vehicles. He noted that clear, decisive action, such as shooting down unverified objects, could provide answers and alleviate public concern. Forstchen critiqued the federal government's response to incidents like the Chinese spy balloon, which traversed the U.S. largely unchallenged.
Shifting to EMPs, Forstchen elaborated on the catastrophic consequences of such an event, detailing how it could cripple electrical grids and lead to societal collapse. He explained the mechanics of EMPs and highlighted the vulnerabilities in the U.S. infrastructure, citing outdated components and a lack of preparedness. Using fictional storytelling, such as his book One Second After, he illustrates the devastating effects on water supply, food distribution, and public order.
Forstchen also expressed his optimism for private enterprise revolutionizing space exploration and addressing technological gaps. He affirmed that humans landed on the moon, dismissing conspiracy theories as implausible due to the sheer number of people required to sustain such a hoax. Reflecting on the International Space Station (ISS), he discussed the challenges faced by astronauts, particularly those stranded due to unforeseen circumstances, emphasizing the physical toll of prolonged weightlessness. He highlighted the need for robust planning and innovation to tackle both terrestrial and extraterrestrial challenges.
Guests

In the first half, former FBI agent Mike Campi discussed his extensive career targeting organized crime, specifically the Genovese crime family in New York, the country's most secretive and powerful Mob organization. Campi's determination helped lead to the indictment of key figures within the Genovese administration. He shared the harrowing story of Michael 'Cookie' D'Urso, a Genovese associate who survived being shot in the head at a social club where his cousin was killed. Despite the dangers, D'Urso ultimately decided to cooperate with authorities, motivated by a desire for justice for his cousin's murder. Campi explained, "He wanted his story told... to discourage and talk about the hypocrisy of that life." D'Urso's cooperation with the FBI led to a significant investigation that uncovered deep connections within organized crime, including plans for violent confrontations with rival factions, a war with Albanian crime families, and the control of port unions.
Another Genovese mobster, George Barone, who worked the docks and waterfronts, eventually became a cooperating witness for the government, Campi reported. He traced the evolution of organized crime from Prohibition in the 1920s through pivotal events like the Appalachian meeting of 1957, which marked a significant shift in mob dynamics. He highlighted how figures like Lucky Luciano and Vito Genovese navigated a treacherous landscape of alliances and betrayals, explaining their ethos: "Your crime family is supposed to come before your blood family." Regarding Hollywood's portrayal of mobsters, he said it's often over the top, "painting them as sophisticated figures manipulating law enforcement," while the truth reveals a world steeped in betrayal and hypocrisy.

Robert Hastings, UFO researcher and author, has delved into declassified US government documents that confirm UFO incursions at nuclear weapons sites as early as 1945. In the first half, he shared his reactions to the recent congressional UAP hearing, as well as recounted various UFO cases. UFOs are craft from one or more other worlds, he believes, operated by entities other than us, and the continued secrecy surrounding this phenomenon is disturbing. Yet he conceded that in regards to UFOs' interference with nuclear systems, "If you start talking candidly about disc-shaped craft shutting down or even temporarily activating our nuclear missiles... that's quite anxiety-producing."
Reflecting on the US congressional hearings, he highlighted Luis Elizondo's testimony, who stated, "All of this was for the purpose of hiding the fact that we're not alone in the cosmos." Hastings thinks this acknowledgment is a significant step forward despite the challenges of revealing classified information. "I've never seen this kind of public interest and media interest," he commented, suggesting that the momentum is building towards eventual transparency.
He detailed several alarming incidents, particularly from the Northern Tier missile bases in the 1960s and 70s, where UFOs were observed hovering over missile silos, causing missile launch systems to activate. One striking account involved Captain David Schuur, who recounted a night in 1966 or '67 at Minot AFB when "luminous objects" were seen moving among missiles, triggering launch indicators. "They were terrified...Nothing like this had ever happened before," Hastings shared. He speculated on the motives behind these incidents, suggesting that non-human intelligences might be cautioning humanity about the dangers of nuclear weapons. Hastings also touched on how he and some of the military witnesses, such as Bob Jacobs, believe they are "experiencers," having undergone alien abductions.

Mindfulness expert Paul Sugar joined guest host Connie Willis (info) to discuss his journey with Kabbalah and his work in health and medicine. He defined mindfulness as the practice of keeping one's attention anchored in the present moment, using the body, breath, thoughts, and emotions as entry points. This practice allows individuals to connect with their "ground of being," facilitating a flow state or peak performance, he explained. Sugar underscored the significance of mindfulness in addressing the modern epidemic of chronic fear and anxiety, which is often rooted in the autonomic nervous system's "fight or flight" mode. Through mindfulness, individuals can reconnect with their bodies, reverse stress responses, and experience life more fully, he revealed.
Sugar reported on his pioneering research with first through third graders in the 1990s showing that children grasp mindfulness quickly, enabling them to cultivate present-moment awareness and manage stress effectively. Partnering with nonprofits, he has made mindfulness accessible to millions of children through scalable programs. He also commented on the field of epigenetics and how it may demonstrate how mindfulness can positively influence gene expression.
Sugar spoke about his introduction to Kabbalah as a transformative experience that helped him address existential fears and questions, particularly following a near-death experience. During this pivotal time in 1969, he joined a Kabbalah study group, which involved studying texts and practicing Kabbalistic meditation. This practice was paired with his involvement in yoga study groups, which provided spiritual frameworks to explore life’s deeper meanings. Sugar pointed out that Kabbalah, like mindfulness and other contemplative traditions, offers profound insights into self-awareness and a path to inner peace.

Guest host Rich Berra (email) was joined by author Whitley Strieber in the first half of he program to discuss UFO-related topics. Strieber delved into the recent UAP hearing, emphasizing that the timing was deliberate—a signal from Congress to the incoming executive administration to end decades of secrecy, which dates back to the Truman administration. He highlighted the pervasive stonewalling across administrations, attributing the lack of media coverage to the dependency of mainstream outlets on the Pentagon for information. According to Strieber, the secrecy is so entrenched that even Freedom of Information Act requests are thwarted by the private sector offloading critical records, making them inaccessible to the public. He underscored the fragmented and undocumented nature of UFO-related research, referencing historical instances of concealed evidence and the sophisticated methods used to keep information hidden. Strieber stressed the importance of continued congressional and public pressure to uncover the truth.
Strieber also recounted a traumatic abduction on December 26, 1986, which radically altered his perspective on extraterrestrial phenomena. Initially dismissing the event as a nightmare, he later confronted physical evidence of an encounter, including injuries and memories of intrusive procedures conducted by non-human entities. These experiences led him to speculate that the visitors were involved in creating hybrids or performing experiments on humans, possibly tied to a larger agenda. Reflecting on his abduction and subsequent hypnosis sessions, Strieber expressed frustration over the ridicule he faced, particularly regarding the infamous "rectal probe" stereotype, while emphasizing the depth and seriousness of his ordeal. This, combined with observations of telepathic capabilities among hybrids and autistic individuals, suggested to him a transformative shift in human consciousness driven by these mysterious beings.

Jason Steffen is associate professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A longtime science team member of NASA's Kepler mission, he has contributed to the discovery and characterization of thousands of exoplanets that orbit distant stars. In the first half, he shared insights into the journey of the Kepler mission and its groundbreaking discoveries. Launched in 2009, Kepler operated for about four years and then was repurposed in what was known as the K2 mission, providing an additional five years of data. He explained the distinctions between Kepler and the Hubble Space Telescope-- Kepler was designed to be very precise at making measurements of stars, which allowed it to identify over 2,700 new planets, while Hubble was more adept at taking stunning photos.
He noted that when Kepler launched, no planets were known outside of the solar system, and its mission was to find Earth-like worlds. The data revealed an unexpected diversity of planets. "The typical planet that Kepler found is about three to five times the mass of the Earth," he reported. Among Kepler's remarkable findings were "hot Earths," planets similar in size to Earth but orbiting their stars in just one day, leading to extreme conditions. "If you were on the surface of one of those planets, the sun...would fill half the sky...[and] you'd be swimming in a sea of molten rock," he marveled.
The conversation shifted to the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth. Steffen shared insights from his colleague David Kipping, who posits that "if life formed really quickly on the Earth... then it's easy for life to get started." Recent fossil discoveries suggest life on Earth began much sooner than previously thought, making the existence of life elsewhere in the galaxy seem more plausible.