Beneath The Surface

Subterrix
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Hobbies
  • Updated Bimonthly

Metal detecting is serious business. It's also wildly fun, occasionally chaotic, and full of unforgettable characters. Beneath the Surface brings the whole hobby to the mic- the big finds, the bad decisions, the tech wars, the field stories, the heated debates, the quiet lessons, and the people who make this world interesting. Some episodes dive into stewardship and standards. Some break down new detectors, marketplace drama, or industry news. Others are just honest conversations with detectorists, landowners, collectors, and experts who've seen things most people never will. We'll laugh. We'll disagree. We'll challenge hype. And we'll talk about what it really means to do this well. Because metal detecting isn't just about what's in the ground. It's about the culture around it - and where it's headed next.

Episodes

  1. Focus Speed: The Science Behind the Search with Joanna Laznicka

    May 9

    Focus Speed: The Science Behind the Search with Joanna Laznicka

    Most metal detecting advice focuses on luck, but what if your success hinges on data, discipline, and strategic research? Joanna Laznicka, a top-tier detectorist and founder of Focus Speed, reveals how a deliberate approach transforms the hobby into a science. From her journey crossing California and British Columbia to uncovering relics with pinpoint precision, Joanna challenges the myth that luck is a factor—she shows that rigorous research and innovative tools can consistently lead to historic finds. This episode breaks down tangible tactics like analyzing vegetation and rock patterns with LIDAR and historic aerials, using targeted AI-driven insights, and understanding the subtle science behind metal detector signals. Merrill Kazanjian shares his experience with target ID and phase shift testing, emphasizing how understanding detector behavior can elevate your results beyond the basics. We also explore how recent breakthroughs—like Subterrix’s property reports and AI mapping—are making site discovery more accessible, even for beginners. Why does this matter? Because in a field often mistaken for chance, missing out on these methods can mean losing sites before they're even found. The opportunity lies in mastering research, leveraging smart tools, and partnering with a community that values ethical, informed detecting. Whether you're a seasoned relic hunter or just getting started, this episode is your blueprint for uncovering history more efficiently and ethically. Perfect for anyone eager to elevate their detecting game, understand the ground beneath their feet, and join a community committed to discovery and preservation. If you're ready to see metal detecting through a new lens—data-driven, strategic, and just smarter—hit play now.

    56 min
  2. Sushi Has Been Unlocked

    May 4

    Sushi Has Been Unlocked

    Merrill Kazanjian is one of the most respected metal detectorists in the United States, the U.S. Ambassador for XP Metal Detectors, and the man behind Metal Detecting NYC — one of the most technically rigorous and entertaining detecting channels on YouTube. He's a 20+ year NYC school teacher, a husband, a dad, and a friend to so many in this community. He's also the only person in all of metal detecting who has created his own language for the hobby — words like Sushi and Jello that his fans live for and nobody outside his world can explain. On this episode, we go beneath the surface on all of it: his teaching career, his technical approach, the story behind his fictional rap alter ego Barry, and finally — the definitive answer to the question his fans have been asking: what does "Sushi has been unlocked" actually mean?

    41 min
  3. Metal Detecting: Signals From the Past and the Thrill of Discovery | Beneath the Surface

    Apr 15

    Metal Detecting: Signals From the Past and the Thrill of Discovery | Beneath the Surface

    Host Ryan Marcus introduces Beneath the Surface and speaks with sociologist, author, and researcher Dr. Anna Maria Bounds about the psychology and culture of metal detecting. Anna shares her lifelong connection to detecting through her father, a Virginia Beach treasure hunter and shop owner who even built an early underwater detector, and recalls how she later returned to the hobby after his death. They discuss the excitement of “the signal,” why detecting feels addictive, and how it differs from goal-driven treasure hunting by emphasizing open-minded discovery, learning, and connection to past and present. Both highlight detecting’s meditative benefits for stress and blood pressure, and Anna describes the hobby’s unusually supportive community. Ryan also explains how his Subter platform uses research, terrain analysis, and privacy-protecting encryption to help plan hunts. Anna closes with a story about her father finding a ring believed to be linked to espionage.

    33 min
  4. Beyond Borders with Mo | Chasing Roman Coins and Ancient History Across Europe

    Mar 25

    Beyond Borders with Mo | Chasing Roman Coins and Ancient History Across Europe

    In Episode 2 of Beneath The Surface, Ryan Marcus sits down with Out with Mo, a professional metal detectorist from northern Germany whose passion for discovery has taken him across Europe and into some of the most historically rich landscapes in the world. Mo shares how he first got started in metal detecting during the COVID lockdowns, how a chance discovery of Napoleon-era buttons and silver coins hooked him on the hobby, and how his journey eventually led him to detecting in countries like Bulgaria where ancient Roman history still lies just beneath the soil. The conversation explores the realities of metal detecting in different countries, the regulations and responsibilities that come with recovering historical artifacts, and the mindset required to pursue meaningful discoveries. Mo also recounts unforgettable moments in the field, including days where dozens of Roman coins surfaced and the emotional discovery of an ancient sword buried on a remote mountain. Beyond the finds themselves, this episode dives into the deeper connection detectorists feel to history, the importance of stewardship and research, and how a global community of enthusiasts shares knowledge and experience across borders. Because beneath every signal, there’s more than metal — there’s a story waiting to be uncovered.

    42 min
  5. To Detect & Serve - Mike Di Trani

    Mar 13

    To Detect & Serve - Mike Di Trani

    In this inaugural episode of Beneath the Surface, host Ryan Marcus sits down with Mike DiTrani, a retired NYPD lieutenant, Coast Guard veteran, and founder of the Staten Island History Hunters Club—the only non-profit metal detecting club in New York City. Mike shares how decades of law enforcement and Coast Guard service shaped his approach to metal detecting, from reading terrain like a crime scene to making split-second decisions on whether a signal is worth digging. He reveals the "zen" quality that drew him to detecting after a career of constant high-stakes decision-making, and explains why skill and research matter far more than expensive equipment. You'll learn: How situational awareness from police work translates to finding targets others missThe research process behind successful hunts (LIDAR, Sanborn maps, historical aerials)Why mastering your detector matters more than buying the latest modelThe Scout ethos: leaving sites better than you found themCommon mistakes new detectorists make (unrealistic expectations, not learning their machine)Mike's signal analysis process: the exact steps from beep to dig decisionThis conversation goes beyond the finds to explore the mindset, method, and ethics that separate serious detectorists from casual treasure hunters. If you want to level up your detecting game, this episode is essential listening.

    28 min
  6. Trailer: Beneath The Surface

    Feb 27

    Trailer: Beneath The Surface

    A prelude to Beneath The Surface

    1 min

Trailer

About

Metal detecting is serious business. It's also wildly fun, occasionally chaotic, and full of unforgettable characters. Beneath the Surface brings the whole hobby to the mic- the big finds, the bad decisions, the tech wars, the field stories, the heated debates, the quiet lessons, and the people who make this world interesting. Some episodes dive into stewardship and standards. Some break down new detectors, marketplace drama, or industry news. Others are just honest conversations with detectorists, landowners, collectors, and experts who've seen things most people never will. We'll laugh. We'll disagree. We'll challenge hype. And we'll talk about what it really means to do this well. Because metal detecting isn't just about what's in the ground. It's about the culture around it - and where it's headed next.

Information

  • Creator
    Subterrix
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Subterrix Beneath The Surface
  • Show Website
    Beneath The Surface