Podcast Ufo

by UFO History Buff & Author, Charles Lear | For many people growing up in the 1970s (of which this writer is one), seeing a UFO documentary was their first in-depth look into the subject. These films often came along with books tied in, and major publishers such as Bantam were getting onboard. More and more people were willing to accept the idea that UFOs were worthy of serious consideration, and this meant that more and more people were willing to spend money on movies and books covering the subject. What had formerly been mostly confined to a subculture of enthusiasts, was on its way to becoming the profitable entertainment industry it is today. What may may come as a surprise to some readers is that between the 1947 summer of the saucers and 1968, there were only two documentaries (if any readers know differently feel free to comment) made in the midst of all the science fiction saucer films that became popular starting in the 1950s.What is thought to be the first flying saucer/UFO documentary was rel

In this episode of Podcast UFO, we are joined by Dr. Robert McGwier, widely known as “Science Bob,” for a deep, technical discussion on UAP and USO detection through automated sensor data gathering. Dr. McGwier brings decades of experience in applied mathematics, signal processing, and national-security–level data analysis. This conversation moves beyond speculation and focuses squarely on how real-world sensor systems—such as radar, sonar, electro-optical/infrared platforms, acoustic sensors, and passive detection arrays—are used to identify, correlate, and evaluate anomalous objects operating in air and undersea environments. We explore how modern sensor fusion works, what automated detection pipelines can (and cannot) reliably tell us, how false positives arise, and what standards must be applied before data can be considered credible. The discussion also addresses the challenges of classification, data access, and the limitations inherent in current monitoring systems. This episode is essential viewing fo

by UFO History Buff & Author, Charles Lear Throughout 1954 in France, there was a wave of humanoid reports that received national and international press coverage. That same year, Italy experienced a wave of its own that didn’t get nearly as much attention, although one particular case has since become a classic. A detailed account (page 12 of the pdf) of the case and a follow-up investigation 18 years later is presented in the Vol. 18, No. 5, Flying Saucer Review. Jacques Vallée included a brief account in his catalogue titled Une Siècle d’Atterisages” (a Century of Landings) published as a series in Lumières dans la Nuit starting with the April 1969 issue and ending with the February 1970 issue. However, according to editor Gordon Creighton, “so far as I am aware, no full description of it has ever appeared in English.”The account, by Sergio Conti, appears on page 11 (page 14 of the pdf) under the headline, “The Cennina Landing of 1954.” It was translated by Creighton from Il Giornale dei Misteri No.17,

Join attendees of the historic Washington, DC press conference organized by filmmaker James Fox, focused on the 1996 Varginha, Brazil UFO incident. In this roundtable discussion, Martin Willis is joined by fellow attendees Sarah Gamm & Anthony Miller, of Fire in the Cosmos to reflect on what it was like to be present at this landmark event held at the National Press Club. The group shares firsthand impressions of the atmosphere inside the room, the significance of the testimony presented, and the experience of meeting and speaking directly with Brazilian witnesses connected to the Varginha case. From emotional moments to broader implications for UFO/UAP disclosure, this conversation offers a rare, ground-level perspective on a press conference that many are calling a turning point in the public discussion of non-human intelligence. This episode provides listeners and viewers with insights you won’t get from headlines alone, what it felt like to be there, how the testimony was received in person, and why t

Longtime UFO investigator Allan Lavigne joins Martin Willis for a deep-dive into the “boots-on-the-ground” era of UFO research—when cases were tracked by phone calls, paper files, and relentless field work. Allan recounts his time with APRO (Aerial Phenomena Research Organization), the pioneering civilian group founded by Jim and Coral Lorenzen, and explains how APRO’s investigations accelerated after Project Blue Book ended. Along the way, he shares what it was like working some of the most talked-about cases of the 1970s and beyond—abductions, crash-retrieval lore, and major sightings that still divide researchers today. Allan also provides a rare first-person account of being the first investigator to interview Travis Walton, why he considers the case legitimate, and what details from that original interview still matter. From there, the conversation shifts into controversial territory: the Billy Meier saga (and how APRO evaluated evidence in the pre-digital age), the Phoenix Lights, the “alien autopsy” fi

We apologize in advance for any audio issues during the livestream, as this is a live press event with multiple speakers. Please note that some witnesses are speaking in Portuguese, with English translation provided. (two sessions) Martin attended and livestreamed a historic press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2026. For the first time publicly, Brazilian neurosurgeon Dr. Italo Venturelli described his 1996 hospital encounter with a living, non-human intelligent being connected to the Varginha incident. Organized by investigative journalist and filmmaker James Fox, the event featured Brazilian witnesses, medical and forensic testimony, and new evidence related to the reported crash, military involvement, and subsequent investigations, coinciding with the release of Moment of Contact: New Revelations of Alien Encounters. Martin and other attendees will host a recap show on Thursday, January 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET, which will also be released as an audio podcast discussing k

Journalist Leslie Kean joins Martin Willis at the National Press Club following the UAP/UFO press conference to share her candid reaction to the historic event. Kean reflects on the emotional testimony of witnesses, the extraordinary effort behind organizing the press conference, and why the case presented is one of the most important she has encountered. She emphasizes the credibility of the witnesses, the significance of international cooperation, and the urgent need for access to hard data such as photographs, videos, flight logs, and medical records that remain sequestered by authorities. In this conversation, Kean also discusses the alleged involvement of U.S. authorities following the incident, questions surrounding missing documentation, and why key evidence may now reside in the United States. She speaks movingly about the humanity of the witnesses—particularly the medical professionals involved—and the emotional weight of the testimony presented. The interview concludes with reflection on the lasting

Martin reconnects with journalist and producer Chrissy Newton for a concise, wide-ranging discussion that traces her path into UAP reporting—from early PR work and influential documentaries to the personal experiences that sustain long-term interest in the subject. Chrissy recounts her father’s Ontario UFO sighting and how firsthand encounters often become the spark that turns curiosity into a lifelong pursuit, even as friends and family react very differently to the topic. The conversation then shifts to bigger themes shaping today’s UAP landscape: overlapping rabbit holes in national security, politics, science, and media; the ebb and flow of public attention; and why younger voices entering the field matter. Chrissy explains how her work at The Debrief has expanded her focus into emerging technologies—especially AI and brain-computer interfaces—highlighting both their real medical promise and the ethical risks as technology accelerates faster than society can adapt. They close by exploring how future tools

Martin Willis welcomes back Erling Strand, founder of Project Hessdalen, for an in-depth discussion on one of the world’s most enduring and scientifically studied unexplained phenomena—the Hessdalen Lights of Norway. In this wide-ranging conversation, Strand reflects on his first encounters in the early 1980s and how an initial curiosity evolved into a decades-long, instrument-based research program. He explains the four primary categories of observations reported in the Hessdalen Valley, ranging from brief flashing lights to long-duration luminous objects, radar-tracked targets traveling at extreme speeds, and rare daylight sightings of structured craft-like forms. The discussion explores hard data collected over the years, including radar returns consistent with solid objects, electromagnetic and magnetic measurements, unexplained ground conductivity, ultraviolet indicators, and baffling physical effects such as tracks in snow with no heat signature. Strand also addresses competing hypotheses—plasma, geophy

In last week’s blog, we looked at a case from Spain that involved three airmen who were stationed at a Spanish Air Force base near Talavera La Real. It was investigated by Juan José Benítez who wrote a report (page 4 of the pdf) and sent it to Flying Saucer Review. The report was translated into English by Gordon Creighton, and it was published in the Vol. 23, No. 5, February 1978 issue.According to Benítez, the three airmen, José María Trejo, Juan Carrizosa Luján, and José Hildago were on guard duty after midnight on November 12, 1976. Trejo and Carrizosa were in their sentry boxes, and Hildago was on patrol with a German Shepherd. At around 1:45 a.m., Trejo and Carrizosa heard what sounded like radio interference, which then turned into a piercing, high-pitched whistle that hurt their ears. The whistle started and stopped repeatedly, and the two men, armed with Z-26 quick-firing rifles, searched the area where it seemed to be coming from.They then saw a light that looked like a flare high up in the sky that

In the Vol. 23, No. 5, February 1978 Flying Saucer Review, there is a report (page 4 of the pdf) out of Spain headlined, “Encounter at Talavera.” It was written by Juan José Benítez and translated by Gordon Creighton. Benítez got the story from the main witnesses who were three airmen stationed at a Spanish Air Force base near Talavera la Real, close to the Spanish-Portuguese border. He describes the case as “simply staggering.”Benítez explains that the incident occurred on November 12, 1976, and that he got the story firsthand from the witnesses, but kept the details to himself because the three men involved had still been in the service “until a short time ago.”According to Benítez, at around 1:45 a.m., José María Trejo and Juan Carrizosa Luján were in their sentry boxes on guard duty near the fuel depot of the Talavera Air Force Base and Jet Aircraft School a few kilometers from the city of Badajoz. Their boxes were 60 meters apart and they both heard what sounded like radio interference, which then turned

In this in-depth conversation, Martin Willis is joined by Anna Brady-Estevez, a senior technology investor and former government innovation leader, for a wide-ranging discussion on UAP, scientific rigor, and the future of advanced research. Anna shares her personal journey into the UAP topic—from early curiosity and cultural stigma to firsthand sightings and high-level exposure through government, science, and finance. Drawing on her experience funding hundreds of advanced technology companies across energy, space, and national security, she explains how UAP-related questions increasingly overlap with real, cutting-edge research already underway.Topics explored include:Why UAP remained stigmatized for decades—and what has changedFirsthand sightings involving orbs, structured craft, and anomalous behaviorHow scientists evaluate unexplained phenomena without abandoning rigorThe role of government, funding, and private industry in UAP researchCongressional hearings, whistleblowers, and public disclosureAdvanced

Filmmaker and investigator James Fox returns for an in-depth discussion of his latest release, Moment of Contact: New Revelations of Alien Encounters. The conversation revisits the 1996 Varginha, Brazil incident—often called “Brazil’s Roswell”—and examines new testimony that has emerged since the film’s premiere. Fox shares updates from recent travels to Brazil, including additional witness accounts, hospital testimony, and details involving alleged creature encounters and military involvement. The discussion also broadens to government secrecy, whistleblowers, crash-retrieval programs, and why the Varginha case remains one of the most complex and controversial UFO investigations on record.SHOW NOTES

by UFO History Buff & Author, Charles Lear ~ This past week, I found myself in the position of having two co-workers who are UFO witnesses and decided to take advantage of this and have them tell their stories for this blog.The first story is that of Ilya Vett, 54, who has been with the organization for over three years, and he first told it to me not long after I met him. He grew up in the area of New Paltz, New York, which is near Pine Bush and the Hudson Valley. Both of those areas are notorious for UFO flaps in the 1980s (Ilya and I went to the 2022 Pine Bush UFO Fair where I met up with Martin), which is when Ilya said he had his sighting. Ilya also told me that his wife, prior to their marriage, had a sighting of a UFO with her family while they were driving. According to him, when they got home, it was over their house.As for Ilya’s story, he recorded it for me on his own time not prompted by any questions from me. According to him, he and some friends were riding their bikes on Prospect Street in

Martin Willis with UFO-Jack co-hosting react to the newly released Steven Spielberg Disclosure Day teaser, which Martin says “gave me the willies” and immediately compelled a discussion. They cue up the teaser and then break down its most striking lines—“If you found out we weren’t alone…,” “People have a right to know the truth,” “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you… so I’m gonna show you,” and the nun’s reflection on why a vast universe would exist “yet save it only for us.” Martin and Jack highlight how the teaser leans into suspense and emotion, avoids showing aliens or craft, and uses the loaded concept of “full disclosure… to the whole world… all at once” to tap directly into long-running UFO community themes. They also point out imagery suggesting mass attention, faith and religious reactions, hints of telepathy/psionics and unconventional communication, and a conspicuous absence of government officials—while agreeing the teaser’s huge view count signals mainstream interest and could help “normies” e

In last week’s blog, we looked at the beginning of the modern crop circle phenomenon that first got the attention of the media and UFO researchers in 198o. This was described in the 1986 report compiled by Paul Fuller and Jenny Randles (written by Randles) for the British UFO Research Association titled Mystery of the Circles. According to Randles, the idea that UFOs had something to do with the mystery came from the fact that the first circles appeared in the West Country in the area of Warminster, which had become famous in the 60’s as a UFO hotspot. When we left off, that idea was falling out of favor with researchers, particularly Ian Mrzyglod of the newly formed organization, PROBE, who is quoted from the March 1982, Vol. 2, No. 4, PROBE Report: “…even to suggest that the flattened circles were UFO landing nests is wildly speculative wishful thinking, without any foundation.” After a lull in attention in 1982, things picked up after eight sets of five circles appeared that were made up of one large circl

Within UFOlogy, there are several areas of specialization, such as abductions, landing traces, humanoids, contactees, military encounters, etc. They often have their own specialized literature put out by individual researchers or organizations, and many have come and gone in terms of popular fascination and press coverage. One aspect that has fallen by the wayside is crop circle research, also known as “cereology.” Its early history, and the reasons for it falling out of favor with the press, and even among UFOlogists, is summed up neatly in the 1986 report, Mystery of the Circles, “compiled by” by Paul Fuller and Jenny Randles (Randles is the writer) for the British UFO Association. Of course, their report didn’t put an immediate end to the phenomenon or the activity of researcher/investigators who were focused on it, but it did presage the eventual waning of interest to where very few in the community continue to consider it seriously as having anything to do with UFOs.According to Randles, mystery circles

In this in-depth episode of Podcast UFO, host Martin Willis is joined by Len Filppu, a lifelong experiencer whose 1967 Brockport, New York UFO sighting became a pivotal moment that reshaped his understanding of reality, consciousness, and the unexplained. Len recounts witnessing a low-flying, fiery orange object, accompanied by a smaller white orb, moving silently across the sky—an event corroborated by multiple police officers and dozens of civilian witnesses across western New York. The sighting later inspired the animated short documentary Psychedelic in the Sky, which explores not only the event itself, but the deeper psychological and spiritual impact it had on those involved. Beyond the UFO encounter, Len discusses a series of profound anomalous experiences, including a verified poltergeist incident, altered states of consciousness, and how stigma and ridicule once silenced witnesses for decades. Together, Martin and Len examine how public perception of UFOs has evolved—from mockery in the 1960s to seri

In this special round-robin episode, Podcast UFO host Martin Willis is joined by an exceptional panel to review one of the most consequential years in modern UFO/UAP history. Filmmaker Dean Alioto, Surprise guest, Matt Ford of The Good Trouble Show, UFO Jack, and Allie & Justin, hosts of UAP Society’s UAP News Show, come together to discuss the major strides, controversies, and revelations that shaped the UAP conversation throughout 202 controversies, and revelations that shaped the UAP conversation throughout 2025. Topics covered include: Congressional hearings, whistleblowers, and renewed legislative efforts surrounding UAP disclosure Scientific re-evaluation of historical and modern UAP data Increased civilian and military reporting, including USOs The growing role of academia and independent research groups Media, documentaries, and the shifting public perception of UFOs Where the UAP conversation stands heading into 2026 This wide-ranging discussion brings multiple perspectives together—media, resear

Retired law enforcement officers Dave Rich and Marianne Robb join host Martin Willis for a wide-ranging conversation on why first responders can be uniquely strong UAP/UFO witnesses—and why the professional fallout after reporting can be just as traumatic as the encounter itself. They break down how academy/scenario-based training shapes observation under stress, then pivot into major police-involved cases including the multi-agency “Lumberton” triangle flap (four nights of sightings across multiple counties), RCMP officer Jim Blackwood (flashlight interaction), Lonnie Zamora (Socorro), and Val Johnson (1979)—including the physical damage to his patrol car and the long-term consequences for witnesses who speak publicly. The discussion also highlights the mission of UAPD (UAP-PD): providing a confidential, “safe zone” for active and retired first responders to share UAP/paranormal/cryptid experiences without fear of ridicule or career impact. Dave recounts the 2017 incident that led to UAPD’s formation—an unex