Somewhere In The Skies

On episode 19 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan pulls a fascinating interview out of the vault over at INTO THE FRAY RADIO. This interview finds Ryan speaking with NY Times Best-selling author, Ben Mezrich, about his book, The 37th Parallel: The Secret Truth Behind America’s UFO Highway, which chronicles the life and investigations of UFO researcher, Chuck Zukowski. Ben brings us on a deeply personal and fascinating journey into one man’s search for answers to the mysterious cattle mutilation phenomenon, UFOs, and even a possible conspiracy by Bigelow Aerospace. This all culminates into a path of uncertainty and mystery across America known as the 37th Parallel. Guest Bio: Ben Mezrich graduated magna cum laude from Harvard. He has published fifteen books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Accidental Billionaires, which was adapted into the Academy Award–winning film, ‘The Social Network’, and ‘Bringing Down the House’, which has sold more than 1.5 million copies in twelve languages and was the basis

On episode 18 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan sits down with MJ Banias. This was a deep conversation that could only be processed with whiskey in hand. In this case, it was Maple Whiskey for Ryan, and a 15-year-old scotch for MJ. As a cultural theorist and peripheral student of philosophy, MJ runs us through his thoughts on the UFO topic, the UFO subculture, and the many ways to approach ufology as we move forward in this deeply enigmatic and unapologetic topic. What does ufology have to do with capitalism? Is there room for skeptics and debunkers when it comes to the UFO question? And just exactly how can we move forward without even connecting aliens to the UFO mystery? All these questions and more are asked in this booze-fueled episode that shatters the UFO mythos and picks up the pieces in a whole new light.  Guest Bio: MJ Banias is a writer, blogger, and theorist with a background in Critical Theory, History, and Cultural Studies who critically and philosophically examines the weird, the strange and the

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Jim Marrs (1943-2017) On episode 17 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan speaks briefly about the recent passing of conspiracy legend and author, Jim Marrs. Then, he sits down with Peter Robbins, UFO researcher and author for an in-studio discussion. After a few beers, Robbins runs us through a brand new lecture he's currently shaping and refining on the following:  The lecture begins with questioning why 'we' respond to the subject of UFOs the way we do and how society was conditioned to understand that UFOs are nonsense. What constitutes 'proof,' or at the least, UFO related images we should consider taking seriously? What about 'ancient aliens' type images? What about other historical imagery? What we can learn from pre-digital UFO photographs, and what marks the 'real' ones as authentic? How did UFO news coverage, that is print journalism, impact public thinking in the 1940s? And what was the legacy it implanted in the public's psyches? How will the truth ultimately m

On episode 16 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan is joined by Sammy Waisenen, host of the popular podcast, THE HOWL HORROR PROGRAM. This is a podcast mash-up where Ryan and Sammy discuss their personal UFO sightings, what they love about horror movies, and their admiration for the 1993 film, FIRE IN THE SKY. FIRE IN THE SKY is the comprehensive story of a logger named Travis Walton who mysteriously disappears in 1975. Walton and co-workers accidentally discover a UFO and unfortunately, they all escape except Walton who is elevated aboard the bizarre aircraft. As time passes, the small town of Snowflake, Arizona begins to believe that the other loggers are covering up the murder of Walton. But when Walton shows up sometime later, his story of what happened is both incredible and downright terrifying. Sammy and Ryan dissect the film and go in depth about the dichotomy between the Hollywood version and the actual events that Travis Walton recounted to the public. It was a fresh take on this classic UFO film. Will t

On episode 15 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan is joined by David Jenkins. Jenkins is the creator and executive producer of the hit television series, PEOPLE OF EARTH, on TBS Network. The show is a gentle and modestly pleasing comedy about a support group for alien abductees, but as we learn in this interview, it's about much more. Jenkins explains the inception of the show, his thorough research into the UFO and abduction phenomenon, and where the show is heading with its second season premiering tonight! Jenkins doesn't do podcast interviews often, let alone a UFO one, so it was a huge honor to have him on the show. It's also very clear that although the show may be considered a comedy, the heart and compassion brought forward by the creative team behind PEOPLE OF EARTH is palpable, and no matter your beliefs on the alien abduction phenomenon, this is a show worth watching, and a topic worth discussing as we continue to reach further and further out into the cosmos.  Guest Bio: David Jenkins received undergr

On episode 13 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan confesses his closeted passion for punk music, and is then joined by journalist, Mike Damante, to talk about his book, Punk Rock and UFOs: Cryptozoology Meets Anarchy. What exactly does punk music have in common with the UFO topic? And how has Damante infused this into his own research into the topic? His theories on UFOs are complex and extremely intriguing, and we dive deep into them on this week's show. We also talk about his latest endeavor with his new website, PunkRockandUFOs.com Guest Bio: Damante is the author of the book, Punk Rock and UFOs: Cryptozoology Meets Anarchy. He is also an established journalist, having worked for the Houston Chronicle as a copy editor, writer, reporter and web producer. He currently produces their "MIKED" music blog and has interviewed bands and musicians like Bad Religion, blink-182, Taking Back Sunday, Tom DeLonge, Tegan and Sara, Aerosmith, B.o.B and countless others. He currently teaches Journalism and English in Houston,

On Episode 12 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES: In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the 1947 Roswell crash, Ryan speaks with documentary filmmaker, Simon Sharman. They discuss his new film, Cosmic Whistleblowers. What began as one final attempt to interview the last living witnesses of the Roswell UFO incident of 1947 unexpectedly turns into a two-year investigation of the UFO investigators themselves, in what some have said is the most revealing documentary ever made about the UFO issue. With incredible interviews given by retired military personnel with Top Secret clearance, ex-NASA officials and others who became embroiled in this extraordinary event, Cosmic Whistleblowers is the final and perhaps last chance at discovering the truth on the biggest UFO mystery of the last century. Guest Bio: Simon Sharman grew up in the 1970s on a tv and film diet of Space 1999, Star Wars, and Alien, but it was 1960s tv series, The Invaders, that sticks in his mind over all the rest. During his early twenties whilst studyin

On episode 11 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan speaks with Erica Lukes, a UFO researcher out of Utah. They discuss the many mysterious happenings at Dugway Proving Ground, a U.S. Army facility known for testing biological and chemical weapons. But recently, many exotic aircraft and UFO activity have been reported in and around the base. Erica also speaks to us about the strange plethora of activity surrounding the Skinwalker Ranch. The conversation then moves to strictly UFOs with Erica's research into a 2014 mass UFO sighting over Salt Lake City, the orange orb phenomenon, and the stunning UFO incident of American Airlines Flight 434. Guest Bio: Erica Lukes is the head of Unexplained Utah, an organization which is focused upon scientifically researching Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. She is currently developing research protocols that can be utilized by other organizations and to streamline the research process. She now serves as the Communications Director for the International Association of UAP Researcher

On episode 10 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan speaks with Mark O'Connell, author of the recently released book, The Close Encounters Man: How One Man Made the World Believe in UFOs. The book chronicles the life and career of J. Allen Hynek, who was hired by the Air Force to debunk Unidentified Flying Object sightings reported across the country. But after years of denials, Hynek made a shocking pronouncement: UFOs are real.  With unprecedented access to Hynek’s personal and professional files, Mark O’Connell smashes conventional wisdom to reveal the intriguing man and scientist beneath the legend. Tracing Hynek’s career, O'Connell examines Hynek’s often-ignored work as a professional astronomer to create a complete portrait of a groundbreaking enthusiast who became an American cult icon and transformed the way we see our world and our universe. Guest Bio: Mark O’Connell is a screenwriter, teacher, and blogger. He wrote episodes for Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and has develo

On episode 09 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan conducts the first in-studio interview with Andrew Sanford, host of the current events comedy podcast, Half White Son of a Black Man. Being a skeptic, Andrew comes on the show to hear some of the more convincing aspects of the UFO question. They also discuss the 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast that shook the nation, the Travis Walton incident, and the heavy power of belief. They round out the conversation with a light-hearted segment from Andrew's podcast called "Explain". It was a refreshing mash-up of podcasts, and certainly won't be the last we hear from the half-white son of a black man! Andrew Sanford is a writer/performer located in New York City. As a writer, he has written a full-length graphic novel called Gwendolyn that was published in 2014 and he has twice been a featured writer in the 2014 and 2016 ABC New Talent Showcases. As a performer, he has produced and starred in a host of online content and is currently hosting a weekly podcast called H

On episode 08 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan begins with a recent '60 Minutes' interview with aerospace millionaire, Robert Bigelow, where he made dramatic claims that not only are UFOs real, but that the occupants of these craft have already visited the planet and continue to do so. Ryan then speaks with Jane Kyle, a UFO researcher out of Texas. They discuss some of the more famous cases to come out of the area, such as the Cash/Landrum incident and the Stephenville Lights. Jane then brings us through some of her personal investigations and research into local cases, including a strange ring of light in Houston and mysterious humming noises throughout Texas. The conversation is rounded out by Jane's personal thoughts on getting younger people involved in UFO studies, and she also comments on the whole Tom DeLonge controversy in respect to his UFO work. In a state whose unofficial motto is "Go Big or Go Home!", we certainly lived up to said motto in this episode. Jane Kyle is a UFO researcher and writer livi

On episode 07 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan speaks with author and researcher, Nick Redfern.  In 2005, a book hit the shelves that completely shattered the Roswell UFO incident into pieces, and caused quite a stir in the UFO community and beyond. Rather than a crashed UFO piloted by alien beings, a new theory was brought to the table: a highly confidential, U.S. government-sanctioned program to conduct medical experiments on handicapped, disfigured, and diseased Japanese POWs, exploited as "expendable" victims by their captors and flown at high altitudes in advanced balloons and possible aircraft over the New Mexico desert. That book was Bodysnatchers in the Desert: The Horrible Truth at the Heart of the Roswell Story. Now, author, Nick Redfern, has stirred the pot once more expanding on the information in a follow-up book, The Roswell UFO Conspiracy: Exposing a Shocking and Sinister Secret. Ryan speaks with Redfern about the new information he's uncovered concerning his original theories on what crashed

On episode six of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan reads a very compelling listener email from a UFO witness, who in 1980 at the age of fourteen, watched in awe as a large triangular craft hovered over her vehicle near Man Lake in Alberta, Canada. As she stared upward, she felt as though whatever controlled the craft was also controlling her thoughts, and somehow knew what she was feeling and thinking.  The notion of a psychic aspect to UFO sightings bleeds over into this week's discussion with guest, Susan Demeter-St. Clair. Ryan and Susan discuss several cases that she's researched where not only psychic and telepathic communications may have been involved, but that elements of high strangeness and the paranormal may, in fact, have more to do with the UFO question than we truly give it credit for. And how do these aspects affect the witness or experiencer during and after the event? It was a fascinating discussion of these often overlooked aspects of UFO reports that certainly raise new questions. Guest Bio: Su

On episode five of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan introduces us to a UFO sighting that occurred in 2004 in which the Mexican Air Force reported eleven UFOs during a routine patrol flight. Infrared cameras mounted on the plane were able to capture the UFOs. Radio transmissions and an official report given to the Mexican Secretary of Defense made this a very intriguing case that received very little attention in the United States.  The UFO topic is often seen through very western eyes within the United States. But many extraordinary cases have occurred both on the southwestern border and through the skies and grounds of Mexico. And one individual who has looked extensively into these cases is Ruben Uriarte. In this episode, he and Ryan discuss the strange case known as the Cisco Grove incident, in which a UFO witness spent an entire night fighting off an entire fleet of alien humanoids and a robot-looking being. Ruben also speaks of the 1975 Carlos de los Santos case in which a pilot encountered three saucer-shap

On episode 04 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan speaks with Annie Jacobsen, author of Phenomena: The Secret History of the U.S. Government's Investigations Into Extrasensory Perception and Psychokinesis. Annie goes into great detail on how the U.S. obtained extremely bizarre nazi documents after WWII that had to do with studying psychic phenomena. These studies would then be manipulated and reformed to be researched by the U.S. Government under the direction of the C.I.A. This culminated into several decades of working with psychics and remote viewers who would spy on the Soviets during the Cold War. Annie brings us up to date on many of these covert projects and how they have evolved into a whole new cyber and mind war in today's military industrial complex. And yes... we touch on ufology. So don't fret! Guest Bio: Annie Jacobsen is a journalist, bestselling author, and 2016 Pulitzer Prize finalist. Her books, Area 51, Operation Paperclip, and The Pentagon's Brain were New York Times bestsellers and have b

On episode 03 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan brings up a recent New York Times article that actually takes the UFO topic seriously. It features the recent release of The U.F.O Sightings Desk Reference, a compendium book created and published by Cheryl and Linda Costa. Ever wondered what type and how many UFOs are reported in your state, city, and town? This book will definitely satisfy your curiosity.  Check out the New York Times article HERE. ​Ryan then speaks with Greg Eghigian, Associate Professor of Modern History at Penn State University. They dive deep into a paper Greg has had published, titled, Making UFOs Make Sense: Ufology, science, and the history of their mutual mistrust. The conversation moves to examining the historical and cultural impact the entire UFO phenomenon has had and the influence that sub-culture brings to the topic. They end the conversation detailing some exciting work Greg will be doing in Washington D.C. as the Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History. While there, he'

On Episode 02 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan talks about the mysterious case of a young man that has supposedly gone missing in Brazil. Left behind in his bedroom is a conspiracy theorist's dream come true; cryptic messages, occult-like symbols, a series of self-published books completely in code and a large, hand-made statue of a 16th-century philosopher. This entire story is made all the more intriguing after learning the young man was obsessed with aliens, a hand-painted portrait left hanging on the wall showing him dressed as the late philosopher, and an alien being holding him on the shoulder. Is this story the mystery of the year? Or is it an intricate prank or performance piece set to fool the online community? Next, we hear from Ryan's guest, noted author and radio personality, Micah Hanks. They speak about a fascinating UFO sighting that Hank's personally researched and investigated, and then they dig deep into the famous Cash/Landrum UFO case and the mysterious Frederick Valentich disappearance. Th

On the premiere episode of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, host, Ryan Sprague, introduces the listeners to the show and then speaks with historian and author, Richard Dolan, about the media and UFOs. They also discuss the possibility and forms of disclosure that may occur in a new American political era, and then they wrap things up by confronting the future of UFO studies. Richard Dolan is the author of two volumes of history, UFOs and the National Security State, both ground-breaking works which together provide the most factually complete and accessible narrative of the UFO subject available anywhere. He also co-authored a speculative book about the future, A.D. After Disclosure, the first-ever analysis not only of how UFO secrecy might end, but of the all-important question: what happens next Richard’s latest work, UFOs for the 21st Century Mind, provides a fresh treatment of the entire subject. In it, he discusses the important sightings, the encounters, the politics, the cover-up, ancient aliens, the bizarre sc