What do schoolchildren, David Bowie, and government whistleblowers have in common? Apparently, aliens.

This week on Mostly True Alien Stories, we’re diving into one of the strangest, most compelling UFO encounters of all time—the Ariel School Incident. In 1994, over 60 kids in Zimbabwe claimed to have seen an alien craft land near their school, complete with big-eyed beings and telepathic messages. Were they all in on an elaborate prank, or did extraterrestrials just really want to drop some cryptic life lessons on a playground full of 10-year-olds?

And because we like to keep things intergalactic, we also explore President Jimmy Carter's deathbed confessions about extraterrestrials and David Bowie’s obsession with aliens (the man wasn’t just Ziggy Stardust—he was convinced ETs were vibing with us), chat about whistleblower Luis Elizondo’s fight to expose the government’s UFO secrets, and, of course, break down the must-watch alien movies and TV shows you need in your life.

It’s an episode packed with mystery, cosmic intrigue, and just enough existential dread to keep things spicy. So, tune in and join us as we separate the truly bizarre from the mostly true.

Takeaways

• The script reading sets a playful tone for the episode.
• Jimmy Carter had a genuine interest in UFOs and believed in the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
• Public perception of UFO sightings has evolved over the years, with more people willing to report their experiences.
• Classic alien films like 'The Thing' continue to influence popular culture and perceptions of extraterrestrials.
• David Bowie had multiple UFO sightings and believed in their existence, which adds a layer of intrigue to his persona.
• The Aerial School encounter in Zimbabwe is one of the most documented UFO sightings, involving numerous credible witnesses.
• Children's accounts of the Aerial School incident were remarkably consistent, suggesting a shared experience.
• The involvement of Dr. John Mack lent credibility to the Aerial School incident, despite criticism from the academic community.
• Skepticism remains regarding the validity of the Aerial School encounter, with some claiming it was a case of mass hysteria.
• The debate over the Aerial School incident highlights the ongoing fascination and skepticism surrounding UFOs and extraterrestrial life.

Chapters

00:00 Alien News and Entertainment Overview

00:11 Jimmy Carter's UFO Insights

01:50 UFO Revelations and Government Transparency

04:35 Cultural Perceptions of UFO Sightings

05:42 Classic Alien Films and Recommendations

07:56 David Bowie's UFO Experiences

12:30 The Aerial School Encounter in Zimbabwe

14:12 The Encounter Begins

16:15 Telepathic Communication and Environmental Concerns

18:53 Witness Accounts and Drawings

19:59 Dr. John Mack's Investigation

21:15 Media Coverage and Public Reaction

23:12 Headmistress Alien Abduction

27:42 Is It Mostly True? Andrew Weighs In

28:30 Neal Weighs In

33:03 Conclusion