Rebelliously Curious with Chrissy Newton: UFOs, Science, Culture and Futurism

By Chrissy NewtonSociety & Culture Science

Rebelliously Curious with Chrissy Newton: UFOs, Science, Culture and Futurism episodes

September 18 Are Gen Z Most Likely to Believe in UFOs? | RC110
A recent study suggests Gen Z is the generation most likely to believe in UFOs, and they're also the generation growing up surrounded by UAP stories across news and social media. But what happens when the government starts releasing more and more information about UFOs?

Does transparency build trust, or can it actually create more suspicion? Today, I'm joined by Yaniv Regev, political theorist and author of The Bulwark article, "Why the Trump Administration Is Telling Us So Much About UFOs." We're talking transparency, populism, Gen Z and UAPs, conspiracy theories, and whether the Trump administration is helping answer the UAP enigma or firehosing the topics to the public.

Join me as we get rebelliously curious.

Watch the YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BROyyRLXeI8

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

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Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

44 min
August 06 Congress Reopens the MKUltra Files: Stephen Kinzer Explains What It Means Today | RC109
On June 30 of this year, the House Oversight Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets held a congressional hearing examining one of the CIA's most controversial covert programs: Project MKUltra. More than 50 years after the program was exposed, lawmakers revisited questions about secret human experimentation, accountability, and whether the legacy of MKUltra still has implications today.

Joining me is Stephen Kinzer, award-winning journalist, historian, former New York Times foreign correspondent, and author of Poisoner in Chief, the definitive book on the CIA MKUltra program.

In this conversation, we'll discuss what the hearing revealed, what history tells us about the program, whether the CIA's pursuit of mind control worked, and how advances in neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and brain-computer interfaces are reshaping the conversation around influence, manipulation, and human consciousness.

Join me as we get rebelliously curious.

Watch the YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BROyyRLXeI8

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com

Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

1 hr
July 07 Former All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office Science Advisor on UAP, Government Transparency with Randy Bostick, PhD | RC 108
I'm joined by Randy Bostick, PhD, a physicist and former Science Advisor for the U.S. Department of Defense's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, or AARO. Today we'll discuss Randy's time at AARO, the challenges facing UAP investigations within the government, how government and civilian scientists can work together, and so much more.

Join us as we get rebelliously curious.

Watch the YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFW4V8dhKbQ&t=12s

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com

Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

1 hr 7 min
June 23 Steven Spielberg Being Briefed on UFOs and Disclosure Day | RC107
Today, we're joined by Bryce Zabel—award-winning television writer, producer, and journalist, and one of the most respected voices in the UFO and UAP conversation. From creating the cult-classic TV series Dark Skies to co-hosting the popular UFO podcast Need to Know and launching his new podcast Sound, Light, and Frequency, Bryce has spent decades exploring the intersection of media, mystery, and the unknown. In this conversation, we'll dive into the current state of disclosure and Hollywood's role in shaping public perception of the UFO and UAP phenomenon. We'll also discuss Steven Spielberg's film Disclosure Day and the long-standing claims that Spielberg may have been briefed on aspects of the phenomenon through government channels, despite his public statements to the contrary.

Bryce also shares the fascinating story of how Spielberg's team reportedly attempted to stop the production Dark Skies during its original run. Finally, we discuss whistleblower David Grusch's first on-camera interview with NewsNation, the unreleased extended interview conducted by Ross Coulthart at Bryce's home, and why that full conversation has yet to air. We'll explore what may still be missing from the public record and what it could mean for the future of disclosure.

Join us as we get rebelliously curious.

Watch the YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQUIu1X47y8

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com

Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

1 hr 37 min
June 05 Could Planet Nine be found this year?! Feat. Konstantin Batygin | RC 106
In 2016, the idea of a hidden planet lurking far beyond Neptune reignited one of astronomy's biggest mysteries. Since then, the search for "Planet Nine" has captured the imagination of scientists and the public alike—raising profound questions about how our solar system formed, and whether we've overlooked an entire world in our cosmic backyard. Today, I'm joined by Konstantin Batygin, professor of planetary science at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and one of the leading architects of the Planet Nine hypothesis.

We discuss the evidence for the theory, the controversy surrounding it, and the new evidence that could be found this year supporting the idea that Planet Nine actually exists! We also discuss what its discovery would mean for astronomy and how it could reshape our understanding of the solar system.

Finally, we explore the line between science and mythology—from cultural Mesopotamian legends like Nibiru and the Anunnaki to what Planet 8's discovery would mean for people who follow Anunnaki folklore. Does this mean Sumerians were right? Join us as we get rebelliously curious.

Join us as we get rebelliously curious.

Watch the YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQUIu1X47y8

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com

Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

42 min
May 13 2027 Human Design Prediction, the Future of Human Consciousness & Children With Autism | 105
Today's guest is Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell, a retired integrative medical doctor, neuropsychiatrist, and psychotherapist whose work has spanned the intersections of mind, brain, and human development.

In this conversation, we explore neurodiversity, autism, communication, and the evolving science behind non-speaking autistic individuals. We also examine controversial claims around telepathy, emerging research on cognition and consciousness, the ethical responsibilities of working with vulnerable populations, and how politics, genetics, and culture are shaping the future of autism research.

This is a wide-ranging conversation that challenges assumptions and asks difficult questions about what we really understand — and what we may still be missing — about the human mind.

Join us as we get rebelliously curious.

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com

Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

1 hr 3 min
April 28 China's Government-Backed BCI Push Could Bring Brain-Computer Tech to the Masses Within 3 to 5 Years | RC104
In this episode, we focus on China's rapidly evolving role in BCI development with guest Phoenix Peng, CEO and founder of Gestala, from Chinese communist government policy and healthcare integration to questions around data privacy, ethics, and large-scale deployment of BCI technology in schools, hospitals, and industry.

We also explore how China's regulatory environment is shaping innovation, what's currently possible in clinical and consumer settings, and where the line sits between advancement, safety, and oversight in one of the most closely watched tech frontiers in the world.

Join us as we get rebelliously curious.

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com

Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

1 hr 4 min
April 16 UFOs, Cover-Ups, and Psychological Warfare: What Have We Been Led to Believe? Guest Mark Pilkington | RC 103
Today's episode sits right at the intersection of mystery, media, and manipulation. We're diving into the strange, often unsettling world of UFOs—or what we now call UAPs—and asking a simple question: what's real, and what have we been led to believe?

For decades, stories of unidentified craft, alien encounters, and government secrecy have shaped public imagination. But behind those headlines lies a deeper story—one involving Cold War paranoia, psychological operations, and, at times, deliberate disinformation.

Our guest is Mark Pilkington, author of Mirage Men. Together, we will deconstruct the controversial role of Air Force investigator Richard Doty, and the case of Paul Bennewitz—one of the most troubling examples of how belief, secrecy, and state power can collide.

Along the way, we'll look at how media, including major publications like Life magazine in the 40s and 50s, may have been influenced—subtly or otherwise—by intelligence agencies during a time when information itself was a battlefield.

So today, we're not just asking whether UFOs are real.

We're asking: who's been shaping the story all along?

Join us as we get rebelliously curious.

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com

Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/
1 hr 11 min
April 01 Brain-Computer Interfaces: Germany Hacks the Nervous System with Dr. Martin Schüttler | RC102
Today, we're diving into one of the most fascinating and rapidly evolving frontiers: brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs, but from a European perspective.

Joining us is Dr. Martin Schüttler, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at CorTec, the first German company at the forefront of neural interface innovation. From restoring lost function to potentially redefining how we interact with machines—and even our own biology—BCIs are no longer science fiction. In this conversation, we'll explore Martin's journey into the BCI community, what sets Germany's approach apart on the global stage, and how neural technology could intersect with the complex human nervous system.

We'll also tackle big-picture questions around privacy, policy, and power: Who owns brain data? Can global standards keep up with innovation? And what happens when this technology moves beyond the lab and into everyday life?

Join us as we get rebelliously curious.

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com

Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

1 hr 5 min
March 19 Inside MKUltra: The CIA's Secret Mind Control Program and Canada's Darkest Experiments with Dr. Colin A. Ross | RC101
Today's episode explores one of the most disturbing intelligence programs of the Cold War: MKUltra. For decades, the Central Intelligence Agency ran secret experiments attempting to understand — and potentially control — the human mind.

These programs tested everything from psychological manipulation to drugs like LSD, often without the consent of the people involved. While many people associate MKUltra with experiments in the United States, some of the most controversial cases actually happened in Canada — particularly at the Allan Memorial Institute in Montreal under Dr. Donald Ewen Cameron.

His experiments, including techniques known as "depatterning" and "psychic driving," aimed to erase and rebuild aspects of a person's personality. Today, we're going to unpack the Canadian connection to MKUltra, the real victims of these experiments, and how some of these techniques influenced later psychological and military research. We'll also talk about related programs — from intelligence research into ESP, how MKUltra tactics have been used in Guantanamo Bay, to remote viewing projects like the Stargate, which included well‑known remote viewer Joe McMoneagle. And finally, we'll look at the bigger question: how ideas about mind influence, psychological warfare, and emerging technologies might shape the future.

Join us as we get rebelliously curious!

Follow Chrissy Newton:

Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com

Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

1 hr 12 min

About Rebelliously Curious with Chrissy Newton: UFOs, Science, Culture and Futurism

From the publisher's feed

UFOs/UAPs, new scientific theories and discoveries, intersections of culture and science, space exploration, artificial intelligence, along with future technology and trends, are discussed with top experts and scientists. From the scientific mysteries of today to the innovations and technologies that will set the pace for the world of tomorrow, Rebelliously Curious is a podcast that explores science, technology, and the unexplained in rich, colorful conversations tailored for the passionately inquisitive mind. In every episode, host and investigative conversationalist Chrissy Newton, a longtime podcaster, video journalist, media expert, and contributor to The Debrief, dives into the less-often explored areas of science and culture. You can follow her on X: @chrissynewton and IG: @beingchrissynewton, and watch videos of all past episodes on her YouTube channel, Rebelliously Curious with Chrissy Newton.