The AP Strange Show

This week's show is difficult to adequately describe, as writer and zine publisher Phil Snyder joins AP to compare notes on their respective researches into the weirdness of clowns and the attendant synchronicities that resulted from their efforts. Listeners who are familiar with AP's Weird Writings will recognize clowns and clowning as a recurring theme, although that was never intended. It seems the "Clown Realm" has a way of pulling one in, or following one around, and Phil's experiences bear that out. While often not strictly paranormal or metaphysical, the Clown as a symbol seems to have a lasting influence on those who look too deeply into the history or mystical value of these strange entities.

Even discussing the topic in a podcast format becomes tricky, because one has to acclimate the listener to the variables at play- as such, there are several diversions in the conversation here that serve as useful background even when not obviously clown-related. As such, through telling his own story, Phil touches on themes of paranoia, extreme weather events, Native American traditions, Jungian analysis, traumatic childhood experiences, and more. He begins with his earliest memory of seeing clowns perform, and goes on to describe what he refers to as his "Clown Conversion" and similarly strange effects such as "Clown Stigmata". As he goes along, AP also shares some of his relevant stories, showing a parallel track of high clown weirdness made up of strange dreams, chance encounters with actual clowns, signs and portents, UFO adjacent experiences, and a variety of other threads that the listener will hopefully benefit from- or at least be entertained by!

Listen, enjoy, and remember- You can't trust a clown! 

This week, AP welcomes musician, paranormal investigator, lecturer, and podcast host Brian J. Corey to discuss some of the finer points about things we consider spooky, as outlined in his new book Reconsider Everything: Speculations on the Paranormal and Supernatural. In the book, Brian draws from his own experiences to illustrate how little we actually know about phenomena such as ghosts, synchronicity, and the psychical side of life. Using examples of strange occurrences that defy easy categorization, or ones that simply deviate from popular narratives, his book and this conversation make an argument for open-mindedness and setting aside one's assumptions.

In conversation, they discuss his early influences in the world of the strange, regional folklore in his home state of Nebraska, the role of music and creative expression in paranormal investigation, and much more! They also get into Brian's love of horror movies, as The Necronomicast, which he hosts, began as a horror movie appreciation show- and the ways that horror tropes inform real paranormal narratives. Since Brian is a huge fan of the Friday the 13th series, he and AP have a miniature "Third Time's the Charm" style chat about the franchise toward the end of the show. 

Brian is a joy to listen to and to read! Check out his book here: https://a.co/d/07H5srDB and find The Necronomicast wherever you get your podcasts!

This week, AP is joined by author, researcher, and self-described "crackpot historian" Adam Gorightly for a fascinating discussion about his latest book Agent of Disruption: The Many Lives of Fred Lee Crisman. Adam has long been a singular voice in writing about all manner of weirdness, ranging from UFO history to Discordianism and JFK assassination theories, and the subject of his latest book serves as a strange nexus figure in the midst of all of it. In conversation here, Gorightly explains a bit about how Crisman played a role in some of the pivotal events that informed our modern conceptions of fringe topics- including, but not limited to, his involvement in the Maury Island UFO event and Jim Garrison's investigation into what happened that day in Dealey Plaza. His book is an amazingly comprehensive investigation into the various narratives pertaining directly to Crisman, but also the myriad ways his tall tales and cons weaved their way into subsequent cultural myth. There was simply no way to cover all of it in one interview, but listeners will be rewarded with strange anecdotes and even stranger connections made in this chat.

Along the way, Gorightly and AP discuss some of the other colorful characters in Crisman's orbit, such as Thomas Beckham and the Rev. Dr. Frank E. Stranges- as well as connections to unreliable narrators such as Richard Shaver and Michael Riconosciuto- creating a mind-boggling, tangled web of weirdness which is very relevant to more recent events. In his writing and in talking about such subjects, Gorightly brings a welcome sense of levity while remaining level-headed and fact-oriented in his approach, laying out what is known and letting listeners and readers draw their own conclusions- and in this case, there's a lot to get into! The latest book is long, but it's certainly never boring; it serves as a profile of one marginal figure whose deceptions and varying motives had lasting influence suffused into the greater fringe milieu. 

Order a copy of Adam's new book here: https://a.co/d/00h6Ltm2
And keep up with his work here: https://gorightly.wordpress.com/

This week, Ali Baughman joins AP for a discussion about and celebration of The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Ali is a self described theater nerd, being an educator and director in theater as well as an actor, writer, and podcast producer. She is currently playing the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in a shadow cast of Rocky Horror in her hometown of Hagerstown, MD, and in conversation she discusses the cult legacy of Rocky Horror as well as that of the original Frankie, Tim Curry. She gets into her own history with the musical, as well as with acting generally, framing Rocky Horror as an initiation of sorts for theater kids- leading to broader discussions about the various ways people have become attached to the film, and the phenomenon of audience participation that has developed over the decades since its release.

Also discussed are some of the inspirations that went into the writing, filming, and character development of the original story which allows for a chat about cult movies, B-movies, and science fiction / horror cinema more broadly. AP and Ali also talk about her podcast The Vampire Talk Show, currently on indefinite hiatus, in which she plays the role of Val the Vampire- which once featured a certain AP Strange Show host as a guest clown- leading to a very fun conversation about Ali and AP's shared affection for weird monster movies and the creativity that goes into making various forms of media. If all that's not enough for you, Ali shares experiences with various ghosts she's encountered in her theater career- including some that seem to look out for her interests when she's directing a production!

Ali was a terrific guest, and the perfect person to talk RHPS with this spooky season. To find out more about the theater work she does with the Potomac Playmakers, check it out here: https://www.potomacplaymakers.org/

This week, Joseph L. Flatley returns to the show for a wide-ranging discussion touching on themes of magick, psychology, and subjective synthesis and how these threads weave through his recent works- including his latest book, The Occult Timothy Leary: The Tarot, Magical States, and Post-Terrestrial Evolution and his podcast series The Inner Empire. Flatley was last on the show in June of 2026 to discuss his book about Gabriel of Urantia, New Age Grifter, and in conversation this time around expand on some of the themes from that episode- and more! They discuss various forms of channeling, ideas about extraterrestrial intelligences and Leary's eight-circuit model, the legacy of Western magical organizations such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and the role of technology in our societal evolution.

The conversation also gets into varied opinions about Leary and his legacy, and the wildly divergent points of view that inform public memory of him. There are plenty of avenues here to discuss the history of eccentric or controversial ideas, and this episode runs the gamut- and provides a nuanced look at where we are now, and where we might be headed as a species. 

Check out Flatley's new book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Occult-Timothy-Leary/Joseph-L-Flatley/9798888500842
...and check out the Inner Empire, whereever you find podcasts!

On this week's show, back by popular demand, the one-and-only Tim Binnall joins AP to recount various adventures (and possible misadventures) from this past summer. Tim presented at two different conferences in two weeks- the Cryptids in the Mountains conference in Chester, VT, and at the Exeter UFO Festival in New Hampshire- and in conversation here he talks about the subjects he covered, the people he met, and the overall experience of seeking out weird venues like these. He and AP get into the nitty gritty of his Vermont presentation, which focused on the case of the Dover Demon, a mysterious creature seen in Massachusetts by multiple witnesses in the 1970s. He also talks about his history with the Exeter UFO Conference, how it has grown over time, and the sense of community which has informed the very popular regional event. 

That's not all though! Tim's adventures also took him to Wisconsin, where he checked out some weird museums covering everything from circus history to architecture and even mustard! Tim's travels and experiences show that there is no shortage of weirdness out there to discover and engage with, and gives advice and encouragement to listeners to find adventures for themselves.

Tim's podcast, Binnall of America: The Revival, is currently on a brief break but will return soon- if you're not already, go and subscribe!

With the arrival of spooky season, AP welcomes to the show "Mr. Halloween" himself, New England's own original hauntropreneur David Bertolino to look back on his groundbreaking horror theme park Spooky World and its legacy. His new book, Behind the Screams at Spooky World: The Secrets, Scares, and Stars of America's Original Horror Theme Park, covers the first 12 years of turning a small farmhouse plot into a cultural mecca. With plenty of great photos and introductory words from Linda Blair and Alice Cooper, the book reveals a wild history of chance-taking, controlled chaos, and spooktacular fun!
In conversation David explains his early inspirations for the park, and the evolution of what started as a haunted hayride- from his early fascinations with horror in the form of Vincent Price movies and the costumes in his family's magic and joke shop to working with Hollywood effects legend Tom Savini and building an at-the-time unheard of sensory experience of Halloween thrills. The novelty of the park would go on to inspire other locales, and its legacy can be felt to this day in the form of other such attractions and horror conventions- and as it happens, David will be doing a panel at the Silver Scream Con in Worcester, MA, on October 2nd along with Linda Blair to promote the book!
The story of Spooky World is a fun one, and well worth considering, populated with characters such as Tiny Tim, Robert Englund, the Mouse Girl, psychotic clowns, football players, and more! David is quite the storyteller, and a perfect guest to bring the Halloween fun to the show!

Check out David's book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1577159179?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
...and find the documentary about Spooky World, Spooktacular!, on streaming services such as Tubi, Amazon Prime, or Shudder!

This week's show is a celebration of Edgar Allan Poe with journalist, poet, and events producer Meg Smith! Meg is one of the organizers behind the Poe in Lowell Festival, an annual event entering its third year in her hometown of Lowell, MA. In conversation, she explains Poe's connections to the city, the people he interacted with, and influence throughout the region. Of course, there's plenty to talk about with Poe, from his beginnings in Boston to his death in Baltimore- and the spectral imprint he left on all the places in between! Meg also discusses the strange correlations between Poe and Lowell's own Jack Kerouac, whose festival occurs in the week's leading up to Poe's in the city. In exploring local literary history, Meg and AP dig into the almost mythic presence such well-known writers occupy in the public imagination- and how locales frequented by them retain some of their spirit.

If that's not enough, they also get into Poe's influence on H. P. Lovecraft and the Providence festival that celebrates him, Meg shares stories from working at Spooky World in the 90s, and she talks about her upcoming Martian New Year's party in Worcester! The conversation covers a lot of ground, from the gothic to the beat generation and onward into space- and Meg had so many great insights to share!

Check out Meg's work at http://megsmithwriter.com/ , find her on instagram at @megsmithwriter , and follow along with her journalism at https://www.worcestermag.com/

This week, Jo Hickey-Hall joins AP to discuss all things fairy and much more! Jo is a folklore researcher, and has long hosted The Modern Fairy Sightings Podcast- a show where she invites guests to share their experiences with the otherworldly. In conversation, she and AP discuss some of her investigations, her personal encounters, and thoughts about public perceptions about fairies and those who report seeing them. They talk about nature, and the connection of places to the more ethereal entities which inhabit them- and the spiritual or emotional energies which drive such encounters. 

Jo's years worth of work researching and exploring the fairy realm have also culminated in a book called Modern Fairy Sightings: Personal Encounters in Extraordinary Times, which will release in November of 2026. They discuss the upcoming book, (which sounds like a great Christmas gift for the discerning Fortean in your life!), as well as the rapidly changing and often terrifying mundane world we inhabit- and what that means for the more ethereal planes of reality. Jo's insights and knowledge leave listeners with a lot to think about!

If you haven't already, be sure to check out The Modern Fairy Sightings Podcast wherever you find your shows- and keep your eyes peeled for Jo's book when it releases! 

This week, author, journalist, playwright, and editor Dona Masi joins AP for a discussion about alien abductions and her novel inspired by them, The Taking. Her book is a coming of age story for a young girl named Vera, who must navigate the normal trials of growing up alongside troublesome dreams and strange experiences she can't explain- or even tell anyone about. The story is a heartfelt and sympathetic tale which speaks to the isolation of experiencers, and as the story unfolds one gets a sense of the private struggles abductees might deal with. In conversation, she and AP discuss the book and some of the real-life accounts that inspired it- notably, the Betty and Barney Hill Incident which occurred in Dona's home state of New Hampshire, the accounts of Whitley Strieber, and others.

Dona also relates some of her own personal experiences, as well as her inspirations and philosophies regarding how she writes fiction. Throughout the interview, she and AP explore the various ways storytelling impacts us all, notable UFO events and how they are studied, and much more!

For more on Dona and her work, and to order your own copy of The Taking, click here: https://donamasi.com/