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The Paranoid Strain

The podcast that explains conspiracy theories to normal people


Latest episode

  • 51. New! Unidentified--UFOs over Russia, the Black Mailbox, and Meet Bob Lazar

    34:46||Season 6, Ep. 51
    In case the Chads didn't bring enough bullshit about UFOs over Russia, we've got a few more tall tales about aliens from the Soviet Union. Then, we begin our miniseries on famous UFO "whistleblower" Bob Lazar, by way of the infamous Area 51 Black Mailbox. Enjoy.

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  • 50. New! Unidentified--The Soviet Chads spill the beans on Comrade Stalin's UFO plan

    40:47||Season 6, Ep. 50
    In this episode, we uncover the roots of the Stalin Roswell UFO conspiracy with the help of two very stupid Chads and one human thumb named Joe Rogan. I know half of my audience are groaning. But for the other half,--you're welcome.
  • 49. New! Unidentified--Annie Jacobsen's folly, and Art Bell takes on Area 51

    01:18:16||Season 6, Ep. 49
    We continue the sad story of the very silly Stalin/Roswell story that the otherwise solid Annie Jacobsen decided was fit to print, and then we provide you with the minimum recommended daily requirement of Art Bell content, in this case specifically focused on the 51st Area. It's a long one, and we hope it's fun for you. See you in a couple of weeks with another epic episode, featuring some guests who may or may not be...stupid. See you then.
  • 48. New! Unidentified--The strangest Area 51 theory you've ever heard

    31:36||Season 6, Ep. 48
    As promised, here's Annie Jacobsen's super-weird story about the *real* reason Area 51 was founded. It's super dumb. But fascinating. But dumb. Seriously. Real, real dumb. I don't know how she possibly believed this crap. Enjoy!
  • New! Unidentified--Dirty bombs and dirty deeds at Area 51

    32:10|
    We continue our exploration of the (actual) history of Area 51, this time emphasizing some of the truly awful, irresponsible, and dangerous stuff that went on there--not just nuclear tests, but a simulated dirty bomb explosion with radiation that should clear up in about fifty thousand years, plus an nauseating story about poisoning employees and then refusing to acknowledge said poisoning because the place where they worked doesn't even officially exist. Next time: one of the weirdest goddamned stories we've ever covered. And it's from an otherwise sensible book. I KNOW! Can't wait for you to hear about it.
  • 46. New! Unidentified--U2. No, not that one. The spy plane.

    30:17||Season 6, Ep. 46
    Merry Christmas, or Happy Hannukah, or like whatever you're into, folks. This time, we talk about Area 51's original raison d'etre, the notorious U2 spy plane. We learn how and why this odd-looking thing was built, how it played into one of the earliest crises of the Cold War, and how its weird shape and unbelievable maximum altitude essentially made sightings of it as a truly unidentified flying object nearly inevitable.
  • 45. New! Unidentified--Willem and I visit Area 51

    36:47||Season 6, Ep. 45
    We put J Allen's story to bed, and begin our exploration of the most mysterious stretch of desert on earth, Area 51. This time, we learn what happened when show artist Willem UFO and I visited Rachel Nevada, the wide spot in the road nearest to the Groom Lake secret facility. More Area 51 in a couple of weeks!