A Study of Strange

Convergent Content, LLC
  • 4.9 (33)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
A Study of Strange

For lovers of true crime, mysteries, and outlandish tales of high strangeness. Join host Michael May as he investigates tales of the unknown each week, from bizarre crimes to unsolved murders and unexplained phenomena. ”A Study of Strange” attempts to debunk common misconceptions and dive deep into the most unusual unsolved stories from history. With occasional guests including entertainment industry insiders, writers, randos and more! Michael May is a filmmaker and performer known for producing films like GHOSTS OF THE OZARKS, 12 HOUR SHIFT, and hosting the true-crime automotive TV shows AUTO/BIOGRAPHY and AUTOBIOGRAPHY: COLD CASES. He obsesses over historical mysteries and loves to bring fascinating stories to life.

  1. JUL 2

    Tensegrity and the Vanishing Witches PART TWO: The Cult of Carlos Castaneda

    We conclude the devilish and mysterious story surrounding the disappearance of a group of women involved in a small cult run by new age author Carlos Castaneda.  Not many are aware that one of the most successful New Age authors, Carlos Castaneda, lead a cult. The women that made up the inner circle of his cult were called “the witches” and five of them disappeared after Castaneda’s death in 1998. In an all too familiar trope, Castaneda’s mythology was built on lies, narcissism, hypocrisy, and abuse, yet the witches remain missing. Did they commit mass suicide, or are they still in control of the cult’s workshops (Tensegrity) and publishing empire? With Special Guest Mariah Klapatch!  Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC   LINKS https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8088.Carlos_Castaneda https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APXVFG https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a60923618/carlos-castaneda-cult-geoffrey-gray/ https://deleuze.cla.purdue.edu/people/carlos-castaneda/ https://www.castaneda.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Sorcerers-Apprentice-Life-Carlos-Castaneda/dp/1583942068/ref=asc_df_1583942068?mcid=0d8519cc17a73ea982de07dd78440a03&hvocijid=5328905483217033375-1583942068-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5328905483217033375&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-2281435177378&psc=1

    58 min

  2. JUN 24

    Tensegrity and the Vanishing Witches: The Cult of Carlos Castaneda PART ONE

    Not many are aware that one of the most successful “new age” authors, Carlos Castaneda, lead a cult. The women that made up the inner circle of his cult were called “the witches” and five of them disappeared soon after Castaneda’s death in 1998. In an all too familiar trope, Castaneda’s mythology was built on lies, narcissism, hypocrisy, and abuse, yet the witches remain missing. Did they commit mass suicide, or are they in control of the cult’s workshops (Tensegrity) and publishing empire.  Theme Music by Matt Glass: https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC LINKS https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8088.Carlos_Castaneda https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APXVFG https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a60923618/carlos-castaneda-cult-geoffrey-gray/ https://deleuze.cla.purdue.edu/people/carlos-castaneda/ https://www.castaneda.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Sorcerers-Apprentice-Life-Carlos-Castaneda/dp/1583942068/ref=asc_df_1583942068?mcid=0d8519cc17a73ea982de07dd78440a03&hvocijid=5328905483217033375-1583942068-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5328905483217033375&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-2281435177378&psc=1

    55 min

  3. JUN 11

    Four of the World's Most Haunted Paintings

    What makes an object haunted? These four paintings have strange and mysterious backgrounds, along with claims of supernatural phenomena. #1 The Hands Resist Him, #2 The Anguished Man, #3 Woman of the Rain, #4 The Crying Boy Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

    18 min

  4. JUN 3

    Tunguska: When the Sky Exploded

    In 1908, something tore through the skies over Siberia and exploded with the force of a thousand Hiroshima bombs. Trees were flattened across 800 square miles, yet no impact crater was ever found. What caused the Tunguska Event? A meteor? A comet? Something stranger? In this episode, we analyze the science and the some of the wild theories behind the largest cosmic explosion in recorded history, and explore other mysterious blasts from history.  Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

    26 min

  5. MAY 20

    Scary Photos That Can't Be Explained: What Happened to Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon

    On April 1, 2014, two young Dutch friends, Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon, tragically disappeared while on vacation in Panama. What began as a day hike turned into a heartbreaking mystery when their remains were discovered weeks later. While the prevailing theory suggests a tragic accident led to their deaths, there are several unexplained and unsettling details. Among these are eerie photographs taken after their disappearance which cannot be explained.   Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC   LINKS! https://koudekaas.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-disappearance-of-kris-kremers-and_11.html https://www.threads.com/@thescaryfact/post/DCB3CsJtnpP/on-april-8-90-photos-were-taken-between-1-and-4-am-deep-in-the-jungle-on-froons- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_of_Kris_Kremers_and_Lisanne_Froon https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/15rlrrb/kris_kremer_and_lisanne_froon_there_is_no_mystery/ https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/kris-kremers-lisanne-froon-vanished-clues-225178-20241103 https://allthatsinteresting.com/kris-kremers-lisanne-froon

    17 min

  6. MAY 13

    The Hollywood Manager That Stole Millions From Celebrities | Interview with Jonathan Todd Schwartz

    Jonathan Todd Schwartz was a successful business manager for A-list celebrities and seemingly had it all. However, his life took a dark turn when he stole nearly $5 million from Alanis Morrissette and other clients. Driven by addiction, Schwartz's story is now one of rehabilitation and redemption. Follow Jonathan https://www.instagram.com/therealjonathanschwartz/ Altus Rehab    Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May   Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

    44 min

  7. MAY 6

    The Chicago Mothman | with Oliver Berger

    The Mothman, a legendary winged “birdman” with glowing red eyes, was first reported in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1966. Interestingly, similar sightings began this century in Chicago. As far as cryptids go, the myth behind Mothman is more supernatural than zoological, with many believing this creature is a harbinger of doom. With special guest Oliver Berger! https://www.instagram.com/oliveraberger/ https://oliveraustinberger.com/   Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC   LINKS https://www.singularfortean.com/ https://www.singularfortean.com/news/2017/6/10/a-timeline-of-the-chicago-flying-humanoid-sightings-so-far https://www.singularfortean.com/news/2020/6/23/second-pilot-reports-sighting-of-mothman-at-chicagos-ohare-international-airport https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/p/chicago-phantom-sightings-2011-2017.html https://ufoclearinghouse.wordpress.com/the-latest-ufo-sightings/ https://www.reddit.com/r/cryptids/comments/1kb1ezz/the_chicago_mothman/ https://www.reddit.com/r/cryptids/comments/1bepcqj/recent_mothman_sightings/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Cryptozoology/comments/ejial9/the_chicago_mothman_has_been_seen_eight_times/ https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/2025/04/john-keels-mothman-reports-collection_30.html https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/p/chicago-phantom-sightings-2011-2017.html https://q985online.com/mothman-sighting-illinois-airport/ https://airlinegeeks.com/2020/10/24/spooktober-the-mothman-of-chicago-o-hare/ https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/unsolved-mysteries-volume-4-episode-5-mothman-revisited https://unsolved.com/gallery/the-mothman-revisited/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3upSX0jS0A

    47 min

  8. APR 29

    8 Strange Sounds That Can't Be Explained

    From underwater anomalies to the notorious Hum heard around the world, these eight strange sounds are difficult to explain.  Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ Website: www.astudyofstrange.com Hosted by Michael May Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC   LINKS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtEfHnbMWIg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3k1Qwx9Y0Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuRBM0i8mbI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG3JDTWW2fU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up4BhgfjA2A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPae-2nnsoY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmaxQgAaKns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Xn6gQmmcY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JArPkrS4LYQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfa8NscHFnE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4sDyTaVwWY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8zhCjBYY_M

    21 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

For lovers of true crime, mysteries, and outlandish tales of high strangeness. Join host Michael May as he investigates tales of the unknown each week, from bizarre crimes to unsolved murders and unexplained phenomena. ”A Study of Strange” attempts to debunk common misconceptions and dive deep into the most unusual unsolved stories from history. With occasional guests including entertainment industry insiders, writers, randos and more! Michael May is a filmmaker and performer known for producing films like GHOSTS OF THE OZARKS, 12 HOUR SHIFT, and hosting the true-crime automotive TV shows AUTO/BIOGRAPHY and AUTOBIOGRAPHY: COLD CASES. He obsesses over historical mysteries and loves to bring fascinating stories to life.

Information

  • Creator
    Convergent Content, LLC
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    A Study of Strange

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