Hysteria 51

In 1966 an unassuming pair of couples went joyriding in the hills of West Virginia. They just thought they were out to have some fun with some friends and escape their hometown of Point Pleasant for a while. They were wrong. The following series of events sparked a national phenomenon that is still alive today – the legend of the MOTHMAN. From the descriptions of red eyes and 10 foot wings to the sightings of a flying man outside the famed Sears Tower in Chicago – this cryptid has permeated the cultural zeitgeist for over 50 years. But what is it? Is there truly a winged beast flying around the world as the harbinger of doom? Or are these sightings a combination of mass hysteria, military exercises and really big birds? We grab our binoculars, camera, and Audubon society membership cards as we go in search of the Mothman this week. Plus, are all the Mothman sightings really just Batman? (no) Why is Conspiracy Bot making English Muffins? (we don't know). And how many times will Brent sing the Mothra song? (really, any is too many) All of that and more on the podcast that isn’t sure who the Mothman is, but does wonder what Christian Bale has been up to – Hysteria 51.

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Fact: If you're reading this there's an 89% chance you've been abducted by aliens (note: not a fact). As such, it's important to know your who abducted you (the CIA will ask). Was it a Tall Grey that scooped you up, or were you lucky enough to be absconded by a Blue Avian? Hysteria 51 is here to help. Tune in this week as we give you the David Attenborough treatment of ALIEN RACES! Plus, what's the best fictional alien in pop culture? (hint: it isn't Mark Zuckerberg) Were the Borg progressives? (hint: duh) And, we create our own Alien Races that are sure to be spotted on 15 websites by the end of the show. (hint: they'll have an Angelfire domain) All of that and more on the podcast that loves all of the alien races equally. Except whatever E.T. is – that little dude was up to something – Hysteria 51.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The government has done some less than scrupulous things over the years (allegedly), but they would never test mind control tactics on unknowing AMERICAN citizens - right? WRONG. Enter MK ULTRA - a 20 year covert program to assess the potential use of LSD and other drugs for mind control, information gathering, and psychological torture - all on unsuspecting U.S. citizens. What did they actually accomplish? Do we have Manchurian Candidates running around the world right now? And when Congress dismantled the program in the 70's - did it truly stop or just go into hiding? This week we spike our own drink and avoid assassinating anyone as we go on a long strange trip into MK ULTRA. Plus, Conspiracy Bot completely misses what we meant by "acid" (again) , Alexa has a bad day when hanging out with Conspiracy Bot (again), and Conspiracy Bot conducts experiments on the neighbors pets (AGAIN). All of that and more on the podcast has NEVER been unknowingly drugged, but our fingers are still crossed – Hysteria 51.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Forget the Flat Earth or Hollow Earth. This week we’ve got the real wool that’s been pulled over all of our proverbial eyes...the MOON IS HOLLOW. Not only is it hollow, but our alien overlords put it there...or flew it there...or something, but don’t sweat the small stuff. The weird part it there’s actual more science behind this one than flat earth has ever had! No one knows for sure exactly where the moon actually came from and why every test says it’s so much less dense than it should be. This week we strap on our spacesuits and go on a moonwalk. Plus, Conspiracy Bot works on making Energon Cubes (he fails), we take a trip down memory lane at Spencer’s (to buy red mercury), and yes, somehow both Reptilians and Nazis make their way into this story (we give up). All of that and more on the podcast that isn’t sure what’s going on on the moon, but we’re sure it isn’t normal - Hysteria 51.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pablo Escobar, known as the King of Cocaine, was a Colombian drug kingpin, a smuggler, killer, cartel leader, and CIA Operative. Wait, what was that last one? CIA Operative - according to many involved - the man once responsible for 80% of all cocaine consumed in the U.S. in a given year, was being protected by and even funded by the CIA. This week we hear from Sam Kulper who had a chance to sit down with Escobar's brother Roberto, while in Columbia. How involved was the US Government? Was the king of all Narcos just a side effect of the Iran/Contra Affair? Could Sam stop staring at Roberto's missing eye? We ask the tough questions this week. Plus, Conspiracy Bot gets a jet-pack (not really), Brent decides he missed his calling to be a Narco (not really) , and Columbia has a Hippo problem (really). All of that and more on the podcast that’s never been involved in the drug trade, but if we were we’d want it to be with Ray Liotta - Hysteria 51.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What could compel 39 people from all walks of life to abandon their friends and family and commit suicide in a vain and rather crazy attempt to hop a ride on a UFO hiding behind the Hale-Bopp Comet in March of 1997? Well, the answer is stranger than you think...this week we look into the history, mystery, and ultimate tragedy of the Heaven's Gate cult. How did a Texas nurse and a college choral director with Broadway dreams become the leaders of the UFO Cult to end all UFO cults? And how did they convince so many unlikely people to join them? Were they really trying to transcend humanity or were they perfectly deranged bedfellows preying on the trust of their followers. This week we shave our heads, learn the handshakes and try to get to the bottom of the largest mass suicide to ever take place on American soil. Plus, Conspiracy Bot tries to start a cult with Alexa (he's unsuccessful), in unrelated news Conspiracy Bot also tries to order a 5 gallon drum of Sharkleberry Fin Kool-Aid (it's related), and also in unrelated news Conspiracy Bot offers to get drinks for the show (also actually related). All of that and more on the podcast that has never been in a cult, but if we were we’re pretty sure Dr Frank N Furter would be our leader – Hysteria 51.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Imagine an annual secret meeting of the world’s elite. Politicians, heads of industry, financial leaders, and media executives all trading secrets, colluding on policies, and essentially determining the fate of the free world year after year. Sounds like a James Bond plot, right? Well, it’s also AN ACTUAL CONFERENCE that has taken place on a yearly basis since 1954. But what is the Bilderberg Group really up to? Is it a well meaning group of thought leaders putting their heads together annually to make the world a safer and better place? Or, are they one uniquely shaped island or mountain short of a Saturday morning cartoon-worthy cabal? We take the red pill and see how deep this rabbit hole goes this week. Plus, Count Von Count makes an appearance and goes R rated, precogs have it out for John, and Joe Peck is back…for the last time. All of that and more on the podcast that isn’t a secret cabal led by a European count, but if we were the count would DEFINITELY be a Muppet – Hysteria 51.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a GIANT WEEK on Hysteria 51! Nope, not a clever euphemism, this week we’re talking REAL LIFE GIANTS! We don’t mean regular folks with Gigantism. And we’re not talking about your buddy from college that was, like, really tall. No, we’re talking honest to goodness Giants. Beings that look like you or I but use oak trees for toothpicks and are customarily accompanied by Babe the Blue Ox. OK, that might just be Paul Bunyan, but you get the point. Are these creatures descendants of Angels? Another race of bipedal hominids? ALIENS? And no matter what they were – are they still around? This week we grab our slingshots and aim to find out. Plus, we talk our favorite Andre the Giant moments, discuss our favorite bar in the land of Giants (Alton, Il), and MOWENS makes his long awaited return to the lower 4th. All of that and more on the podcast that’s never met a giant, but got pretty close to one at the Silverdome in Detroit in 87 – Hysteria 51.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2011 a group of treasure hunters were searching the Baltic Sea when they came upon something they couldn't explain. Their sonar showed an image of some sort of...structure on the sea floor. It was somewhat round in shape and almost ship-like. Subsequent investigations have shed little light as to the structure's true identity, purpose, or origin. One thing is clear - it isn't a UFO (it's clearly a UFO). This week we break out our scuba gear and join the search. Plus, was Jar Jar Binks actually a Sith Lord? (Conspiracy Bot thinks so) What does century old champagne taste like? (money) And why is C-Bot watching bad Harrison Ford thrillers from 2 decades ago? (show prep) All of that and more on the podcast that’s never been to the bottom of the ocean, but we’re pretty sure that’s where the Gungans live - Hysteria 51.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Think of every half-baked conspiracy theory and bad UFO story you've ever heard. Now picture a book that ties them all together. And for bonus points, imagine it's actually a bunch of thinly veiled hate speech! Well, imagine no further my friends, because this week we dive into "Behold a Pale Horse" a book that for some unknown reason is still decently big in conspiracy circles (our guess is everyone buys it, but no one actually reads it). We then take a look at the book's crackpot author Bill Cooper, how he got to the place where he wrote the book, and what led to his being shot by authorities after allegedly proclaiming he would not be taken alive (his one prophecy that did turn out to be accurate). And here's the good news - after listening this week - you won't have to read the book! We do all the heavy lifting! We do these things because we care. Plus, we talk the conspiracy theorist we CAN get behind (Fox Mulder), we ponder the redemption status of Brent's "Book-It" stars (do those things expire?), and special guest Dr. Chris Cogswell of the Mad Scientist Podcast joins the show to help us break it all down. All of that and more on the podcast that doesn’t often cover conspiracy theorists that literally believe in EVERYTHING, but when we do we wish it was Fox Mulder EVERY SINGLE TIME – Hysteria 51.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.