The AP Strange Show

AP Strange

A show about Weird Stuff, hosted by AP Strange. AP interviews cool weirdos about their work, and invites friends on to discuss second sequels in franchises in a series called "Third Time's the Charm". Other fun surprises await...

  1. Saving Gotham City with Virgo Blade (3xtC)

    1 DAG GELEDEN

    Saving Gotham City with Virgo Blade (3xtC)

    This week, Virgo Blade joins AP in a Third Time's the Charm (3xtC) discussion about the third Batman movie, Batman Forever- but, considering the rich cultural history around the character of Batman and his hometown with its resident Rogue's Gallery of villains, it became a great discussion of the DC Comics property more broadly. Virgo was the perfect guest to discuss the Dark Knight with; as a scriptwriter and content creator who spends a lot of time discussing comic books and associated media, his particular affinity for the Caped Crusader (and the Boy Wonder) made him an ideal choice for the chat.Discussion begins with Batman Forever, from its cast and direction to it's general aesthetic and questionable costume choices. From there the conversation quickly expands to cover various permutations and incarnations of the denizens of Gotham's underworld, through various media and time periods. Virgo gets into the dynamics of some of these iconic characters, their motivations, and how they've been interpreted over the years. Comparisons are made between the darker, more realistic versions of the heroes and villains in Gotham and the campy flip side of them, exemplified well in the third movie. Also discussed are the.ways comic book narratives mirror our world, how these stories can help us contextualize the madness of the modern day, and how we might save our own proverbial Gotham Cities.  Follow Virgo Blade on TikTok, Instagram, or BlueSky to keep up to date on the movies and comics he covers!

    1 u 13 m
  2. Considering Cryptids with Sharon Hill

    19 APR

    Considering Cryptids with Sharon Hill

    This week, writer, researcher, and "strange claims adjustor" Sharon A. Hill joins AP for a wide-ranging discussion about those curious specimens called cryptids- what they are, how we define them, and how stories about them define us. Sharon approaches cryptozoology from an academic perspective, and is at once skeptical and simultaneously sympathetic to reported zoological anomalies. The interview begins with a bit about her background, what draws her to the study of highly strange claims, and the various approaches she has taken toward such subjects in over two decades of writing about them. In particular, the role of science is discussed as it pertains to investigation, and the distinction is made between scientific inquiry and what Hill calls "scientifical" methods. This leads to a broader discussion of skepticism, and the pitfalls of disbelief.From there they get into a wild sampling of cryptozoological oddities and narratives, from the changing definition of the term "cryptid" itself to festivals based on the mystery creatures and more. They talk about concerning trends of associating the creatures with tragic events as well as exploitation of cultural legends as well, and if that's not enough also discuss recent revelations about the Patterson Gimlin Film and what it says about the state of Bigfootery in our current cultural landscape. Be sure to check out Sharon's prolific body of writing here: https://sharonahill.com/

    1 u 18 m
  3. Going Down the Rabbit Hole with SMiles Lewis

    12 APR

    Going Down the Rabbit Hole with SMiles Lewis

    This week, SMiles Lewis joins AP for a wide-ranging discussion about fringe and conspiracy narratives and the ways in which many of these ideas have mutated as they have made their way into mainstream culture. SMiles is the founder of Anomaly Archives, a Texas-based collection of over 7000 titles related to UFOs, parapsychology, and other unexplained phenomena. He is a longtime researcher, writer, and podcaster with a valuable perspective on the topic at hand. In 2023, he was featured in a New York Times Op Ed by Dr. Annie Kelly, which analyzed the rise of QAnon and the prominence of conspiracy theories in public discourse. Times being as they are, it seemed a fruitful line of inquiry to revisit the topic and discuss how this has progressed in the few short years since Dr. Kelly wrote her article. In conversation here, SMiles discusses his history with fringe topics and various turning points in the last few decades that have helped formerly fringe ideas proliferate. They manage to find room for levity in what might seem a dark topic, as they discuss everything from 9 / 11 truthers to Bohemian Grove and more. Also discussed is the balancing act of remaining simultaneously critical and open to ideas, and the importance of preserving one's sanity when diving into rabbit holes. Check out SMiles' work at Anomaly Archives here: https://anomalyarchives.org/ , and consider joining the Patreon for it to help support a tremendous lending library in need!

    1 u 41 m
  4. Meeting Natural Born Performers with Aaron Smith

    5 APR

    Meeting Natural Born Performers with Aaron Smith

    This week's show is a fun and fascinating discussion with author and journalist Aaron Smith about his book, Natural Born! Circus, Sideshow, and the Art of Being Human. In the book, he interviews and profiles working performers in the world of sideshow that would have once been called "freaks"- now largely preferring the term "Natural Born"- about their experiences, lives, philosophies, and ambitions. Before he began his career in journalism, Aaron had worked for the circus as a cotton candy vendor and a roustabout, giving him a unique insider perspective and credential that leads to enlightening conversations with those profiled about humanity and finding one's place in the world. In conversation here, Smith explains the inspiration for the book and the methods he undertook to find these performers, providing a snapshot of the modern version of a sideshow- something many would assume is a thing of the past. He and AP talk about several of the performers featured in the book, such as Jackie the Human Tripod, Short E. Dangerously, The Bendable Girl Camille Zamboni, and many more. Actor and natural Mat Fraser, aka Seal Boy, comes up frequently both in the book and discussion; he was among the stars of the TV series American Horror Story in the Freak Show season, which leads to talk of media representation and common perspectives about people who are born differently. This provides a through line for the history of the subject, from the early days and the ever presents specter of exploitation, which makes the points of view of these modern day performers all the more valuable.  Check out Aaron Smith's book from Outside Talker Press here: https://outsidetalkerpress.bigcartel.com/product/natural-born-circus-sideshow-and-the-art-of-being-human

    1 u 21 m
  5. Returning to Oz with Rachel Nelson

    29 MRT

    Returning to Oz with Rachel Nelson

    On this week's episode, Rachel Nelson joins AP for an in-depth and thoughtful discussion about the merry old land of Oz and the many ways the mythic realm has impacted our culture since L. Frank Baum first created it. Rachel is a researcher, a poet, and a presenter of the strange over at Ufo Sunset, a multimedia project she works on with Jeff Knox. In this conversation, Rachel discusses what ultimately led her to the UFO subject through a variety of other strange interests, where her interest in Oz began, and how these two interests often overlap. More than that, though, they discuss how ubiquitous the Oz narratives are which inform us all in some way or another. The discussion covers a bit about Baum and his life, and his influences which include his mother-in-law, the activist Matilda Joslyn Gage. The 1985 movie Return to Oz is also discussed, with a focus on the character of Princess Ozma. The freewheeling conversation frequently alludes to concepts in the field of anomalies such as the Oz Effect, and attempts to contact ET civilizations, while also dipping into the almost subliminal qualities of tropes and narratives within the Oz cannon in the cultural subconscious. Further, there's discussions about semiotics, David Lynch, and finally, Rachel's current efforts with a large scale poetry project. Of course there's also lions and tigers and bears along the way! Check out the awesome videos by Ufo Sunset at https://www.youtube.com/@UfoSunset1947

    1 u 29 m
  6. Seeing the Unseen Internet with Shira Chess

    22 MRT

    Seeing the Unseen Internet with Shira Chess

    This week's episode is an exploration of the occult underpinnings of our modern technological age, as guest Shira Chess discusses her recent book The Unseen Internet: Conjuring the Occult in Digital Discourse. Shira is an Associate Professor of Entertainment and Media Studies at the University of Georgia, and she brings scholarly rigor to topics that don't often get such careful attention- especially in examples that seem so strange from an outside perspective. The book covers a wide variety of modern occult and magical traditions that informed the creators and early users of the internet, providing a through-line to the types of weirdness we see online and offline today. Topics covered include meme magick, reality shifting, the Back Rooms, Mandela Effects, and the gamification of reality. In discussing such phenomena the conversation weaves in traditional occult themes such as Theosophical ideas and Solomonic Magic, and much more modern Chaos Magick and Discordian practices. In talking about all of these themes, questions are raised about the malleability of consensus reality, our perception of it, and what can be done with it.  Check out Shira's fascinating book at https://mitpress.mit.edu/author/shira-chess-2026/And follow her on Substack at https://substack.com/@unseeninternet

    1 u 16 m
  7. Exploring Musical Worlds with Mike Fiorito

    15 MRT

    Exploring Musical Worlds with Mike Fiorito

    This week, author and musician Mike Fiorito returns to the show to discuss his latest book, The Innerspace of Outerspace: Exploring Other Worlds Through Music. In the book, he explores UFO and UFO adjacent themes as well as his personal stories and interactions with music as a gateway to expanded consciousness. Covering an array of popular music and artists, he pulls on threads that uncover the varied ways music is inspired by, and enhances, esoteric states. In conversation here, he and AP talk about Sun Ra's life and works, Pink Floyd and the legacy of Syd Barrett, bands such as Yes and Boston, as well as the channeled origins of New Age music through Steve Halpern. They also share personal anecdotes about discovering music, and the various ways that songs can carry meaning. The book serves as an exploration of the realms music can inhabit, and how it can help us traverse various states of being- as something visionary, transformative, and communicative of truths that language alone can't convey. Check out The Innerspace of Outerspace here (where you can also find Mike's other books): https://mikefiorito.com/mikes-bio-and-books-1

    1 u 11 m
  8. Celebrating Paranormal Women with Allison Jornlin

    8 MRT

    Celebrating Paranormal Women with Allison Jornlin

    On this week's show, we're celebrating International Women's Day with paranormal writer and ghost tour entrepreneur Allison Jornlin! Allison's excellent website, https://paranormalwomen.com/ , shines a spotlight on women throughout history who have contributed to the knowledge and study of all things paranormal. In this conversation, she and AP get into a little about her background, what drew her to the women she writes about, and the increasing importance of promoting and preserving such history especially in times as fraught as these. There are plenty of entries on her website, and this conversation barely scratched the surface. In it you will hear about Catherine Crowe, Eleanor Sidgwick, Louisa Rhine, Alexandra David-Neel, Lahe'ena'e Gay, Rose Mackenberg, and more! Discussed also is Linda Godfrey, and Allison's personal reminiscence of her as a writer, friend, and influence.  Be sure to check out Allison's writings on these incredible women, and her work with American Ghost Walks as well! https://www.americanghostwalks.com/about-us

    1 u 37 m
Bekijk alles (85)

Info

A show about Weird Stuff, hosted by AP Strange. AP interviews cool weirdos about their work, and invites friends on to discuss second sequels in franchises in a series called "Third Time's the Charm". Other fun surprises await...

Informatie

  • Maker
    AP Strange
  • Jaren actief
    2024 - 2026
  • Afleveringen
    85
  • Beoordeling
    Expliciet
  • Copyright
    © 2026 AP Strange

Suggesties voor jou