Podcast Ufo

In this episode, host Martin Willis interviews Dr. Irena Scott, who presents groundbreaking new UFO research that redefines Close Encounter (CE) investigations. The 1973 Pascagoula Abduction—often called the most credible and well-documented CE in history—is revealed to have deeper layers than ever known before. On October 11, 1973, shipyard workers Calvin Parker and Charles Hickson were fishing on the Pascagoula River when they reported being taken aboard a craft by strange humanoid beings—an event that captured global attention. But new findings suggest this encounter took place in a nuclear and military zone, raising critical questions: Why them? Why there? Dr. Scott’s research shows that the area was tied to facilities producing nuclear submarines, possibly armed with missiles. This connection places the event among other high-level UAP incidents involving nuclear sites—a pattern that commands scientific respect and government attention.SHOW NOTESSupport the Show & Stay Connected!

In this in-depth interview, host Martin Willis welcomes veteran UFO researcher Donald Schmitt, protégé of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the famed astronomer behind Project Blue Book. Schmitt shares rare personal insights into Hynek’s life, his shift from skeptic to believer, and the behind-the-scenes struggles with government secrecy. They explore pivotal UFO cases including Socorro, Roswell, Pascagoula, Travis Walton, and reveal how Hynek quietly investigated Roswell before its public rediscovery. Schmitt reflects on Hynek’s legacy, his influence on modern UFO research, and what Hynek might think of later landmark encounters such as the Ariel School Incident. A moving conversation about mentorship, truth-seeking, and carrying forward Hynek’s mission to legitimize the scientific study of the UFO phenomenon.SHOW NOTES

By Charles Lear, read by AI (written before AudioBlogs) The history of UFO sightings and alien encounters as portrayed in the popular media is, mostly, separated into distinct periods: modern, from the late 1890’s airship flap followed by World War II “foo fighters” into post-1947 after the Kenneth Arnold report, and ancient interaction pieced together using “evidence” from the time of cave dwelling humans up to the time of the builders of cities and megalithic structures.  UFOs depicted in Byzantine paintings (misinterpreted conventional symbols) the 1561 report from Nuremburg, Germany and the 1566 report from Basel, Switzerland are often thrown in during reviews of UFO history but what about the time in between then and the 1890’s?  It turns out that there are quite a few reports from the period in question and they read like modern reports although they were written before the modern context of alien visitation. CONTINUE>

In this episode, host Martin Willis interviews Stacey Wright, Director of Phoenix MUFON (Mutual UFO Network), about her journey into UFO research and leadership within one of the country’s most active chapters. Stacey shares what sparked her fascination with the phenomenon and offers insight into how MUFON investigates sightings, evaluates evidence, and promotes public understanding. Together, they explore what drives interest in UFOs and UAPs, highlight notable Arizona cases, and discuss the importance of curiosity, critical thinking, and open dialogue in the ongoing search for truth. 

Host Martin Willis sits down with Mitch Randall, developer of the SkyWatch Passive Radar UFO Detector and Research Team member of Harvard’s Galileo Project. The SkyWatch system is designed to definitively answer one of humanity’s biggest questions: Are we alone? Unlike conventional approaches, SkyWatch is a decentralized network of citizen-deployed radar receivers working together to create a real-time nationwide map of UFO flight patterns. Mitch has already developed and deployed a proof-of-concept system in collaboration with the Galileo Project, and now the goal is to expand SkyWatch into a consumer product, enabling anyone to join the network and contribute valuable UFO data.

by UFO History Buff & Author, Charles Lear In the late 1960s, Dr. J. Allen Hynek was a key figure in getting members of the scientific community to take flying saucers/UFOs seriously. He was a prominent astronomer who was involved in the mystery at the very beginning as a consultant for the Air Force’s investigation, which operated for most of its existence as Project Blue Book until its termination in 1969. He was born in Chicago in 1910 and worked and lived in Ohio from 1935 until he became chair of the astronomy department at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, in 1960. In 1973, he founded the Center for UFO Studies, which was based in Chicago. Then, in 1984, after spending his entire life in the Midwest, he rather suddenly moved with his family from Chicago to Scottsdale, Arizona. In this blog, we’ll explore what was going on behind the scenes. Read more →

Author, longtime UFO blogger and researcher Charles Lear joins Martin Willis to discuss his deep dive into UFO history. Lear shares how he first became fascinated by UFOs, what drives his meticulous research, and why he believes healthy skepticism keeps the field honest and grounded. Together, Martin and Charles explore some of the most intriguing historical UFO incidents, uncovering how cultural context and government attitudes shaped public perception. Lear also opens up about what he enjoys most about writing on this mysterious subject and how past cases still echo in today’s UAP discussions. Join us for an insightful, balanced conversation between two passionate voices in UFO research — bridging open-minded inquiry with historical perspective.SHOW NOTESSupport the Show & Stay Connected!

Is the famous “Tic Tac” a home-grown technology? In this deep-dive, Martin Willis sits down with mathematician and technologist Joshua Bertrand to explore the cutting edge—and century-long history—of America’s lighter-than-air programs, vacuum-based aerogels, and the black-budget pathways that may intersect with the Nimitz Incident. Bertrand (B.Math, University of Waterloo; Computer Science honors; former EA/industry engineer) has spent nearly a decade cross-referencing open sources, defense programs, and material-science breakthroughs.SHOW NOTES Support the Show & Stay Connected!

In this exclusive interview, Martin Willis of Podcast UFO speaks with David Marler, Executive Director of the National UFO Historical Records Center (NUFOHRC). Marler has assembled one of the world’s largest collections of UFO books, case files, newspapers, recordings, and government documents—preserving over 75 years of UFO history. We’ll explore: How Marler built his vast UFO archive, The mission of the National UFO Historical Records Center in New Mexico, Why safeguarding these documents is critical for future research, Insights from historic UFO cases hidden in the archives, The importance of making these records accessible to researchers, educators, and the public.SHOW NOTESSupport the Show & Stay Connected!

Join Martin Willis in a groundbreaking conversation with Jensine Andresen, PhD, a scholar whose work bridges religion, philosophy, ethics, and the mysteries of UFO/UAP and extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). In this interview, we explore: What “Acculturation with ETI” means and why it matters for humanity’s future. How UAP and ETI discussions intersect with geopolitics, including the risks and realities tied to nuclear weapons. Why our current data-centric and militarized approach to the phenomenon may blind us to deeper truths. Why Dr. Andresen is adamant the visitors are extraterrestrial—and the theoretical mechanisms she believes could allow them to traverse the vast distances to reach us. The potential for creative engagement with ETI to transform human institutions, ethics, and global society. Dr. Andresen challenges conventional thinking and offers bold perspectives on how contact with ETI could reshape not only our science, but also our politics, spirituality, and collective future.SHOW NOTESSupport t

In this episode, Martin Willis speaks with producer Nugent Cantileno, who shares a remarkable story from his early career as a Fox News intern in 2009. While working on an Apollo 11 documentary, Nugent accidentally came across raw NASA footage that seemed to capture something extraordinary—audio of an astronaut mentioning a UFO and visuals of a perfectly round, fast-moving object crossing Earth’s surface. Nugent describes the moment he realized he wasn’t supposed to see the clip, how his skeptical boss reacted, and his later attempts to track down the same footage online. He also shares his broader thoughts on UFOs, from interdimensional and spiritual interpretations to the role of AI in modern disclosure, plus his own personal sightings. This conversation goes beyond one startling tape—it’s about how personal experience, research, and changing attitudes have shaped Nugent’s perspective on the UFO/UAP mystery.SHOW NOTES

by UFO History Buff & Author, Charles Lear In August 1979, a case out of Minnesota that was chock full of trace evidence, including physical effects displayed by the witness in the aftermath, was investigated by Allen Hendry for the Center for UFO Studies. The incident and the related activity are described two days afterwards in the August 29, 1979, edition of the local Warren, Minnesota, Sheaf.According to the article (page 8 of the pdf) headlined “Deputy Johnson Stunned by UFO Monday Morning,” Marshall County Deputy Sheriff Val Johnson was in his patrol car about 11 miles west of Stephen, Minnesota, headed south on TH 220 just before 1:30 am when he saw a bright light about a mile away, hovering over the road. Thinking it might be an aircraft in distress, he sped up.As he did so, the light came towards him, and as it filled the interior of the car, he heard the sound of glass breaking. He lost consciousness and remembered nothing of about 40 minutes after that. The Warren Sheriff’s office received a 10

This is the last of a three-part series of blogs covering the case of an Italian security guard (with the company Val Bisagno), Piero Fortunato Zanfretta, who reported a number of encounters with UFOs and their occupants.  After the first incident, he described in conscious recall being confronted by “an enormous green, ugly and frightful creature, with undulating skin, no less than ten feet tall.” Under hypnosis the story came out that he was taken up into a craft where he was interrogated and examined by as many as ten creatures “about 10 feet tall, with hairy green skin, yellow triangular eyes and red veins across the forehead” with metal strips over their mouths. He said they told him they were from the “third galaxy,” wanted to talk to the people of Earth, and would return soon in greater numbers. Italian journalist Rino Di Stefano became interested in the case, stuck with it, and wrote a book about it titled The Zanfretta Case, first published in Italian in 1984 and then in English in 2014. The reader c

In the last blog, we looked at the first two UFO and occupant encounters reported by Italian security guard Piero Fortunato Zanfretta. The case was investigated by the Carabinieri (Italian Military Police) and evidence was found in the form of possible landing traces in the first and second instances with the addition of huge footprints in the second. In conscious recall, Zanfretta described encountering “an enormous green, ugly and frightful creature, with undulating skin, no less than ten feet tall.” Under hypnosis after the first instance, he said he was taken to a bright, hot place and examined by “monsters about 10 feet tall, with hairy green skin, yellow triangular eyes and red veins across the forehead” (he also described them having metal strips over their mouths) that told him they were from the “third galaxy,” wanted to talk to the people of Earth, and would return soon in greater numbers. Italian journalist Rino Di Stefano became interested in the case, stuck with it, and wrote a book about it titl

In the last couple of blogs, we looked at the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena 1978 UFO Chronology, which was unusual for the large number of humanoid reports with space suits, helmets and antennas in the descriptions. We also noted that there seemed to have been a flap in Italy in December and that one case listed that month is worthy of individual attention. The principal witness/experiencer was Piero Fortunato Zanfretta, and his story was investigated by Italian journalist Rino Di Stefano, who wrote a book about it that he published in 2014 titled The Zanfretta Case. Read more →

It has been determined by many researchers in the scientific community that during hypnosis, false memories are very likely to be generated, and distinguishing them from real memories is difficult, if not impossible without some means of confirmation. This is, for instance, the conclusion of a report for the U.S. Department of Justice by Martin T. Orne et al. titled “Hypnotically Refreshed Testimony: Enhanced Memory or Tampering with Evidence?” published January 1985 in Issues and Practices in Criminal Justice. With the above in mind, it is helpful for researchers attempting to evaluate a case when a distinction can be made between elements of the report derived from conscious recall and elements derived through the use of hypnosis. A case where this can be easily done is that of Judy Kendell of Zamora, California, thanks to a newspaper article announcing her intention to undergo hypnosis to recover around four hours of missing time, and another article in a different paper after the procedure, which was, app

Coming up on the 50th anniversary of his November 5, 1975 encounter, Travis Walton joins host Martin Willis to reflect on five decades of scrutiny, support, and unanswered questions—and to preview the Skyfire Summit in Sedona, Arizona, October 17–20, 2025. We discuss the original events in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, the aftermath for the logging crew, polygraph tests and media storms, evolving interpretations over the years, and what Travis hopes researchers, experiencers, and the public will take away from this milestone gathering. We also cover Skyfire Summit programming, speakers, and how attendees can participate.Topics:• 1975 timeline & what holds up after 50 years• Crew testimony, polygraphs, and persistent myths• What to expect at Skyfire Summit (Sedona, Oct 17–20, 2025)• Advice to experiencers & the next generation of researchersSHOW NOTESSupport the Show & Stay Connected!

Tim Ventura was unable to make our live show, but filmmaker Dean Alioto stepped in at the last minute. He discussed AI and the future of film and music, then turned to UFO disclosure — covering the September 9 Congressional Hearing witnesses, the video evidence presented, additional testimony, and what it all means for disclosure and beyond. www.AlienPerspectiveMovie.comAmazon Link for Life Beyond Earth: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0FG7R4JRS/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rSupport the Show & Stay Connected! 

Note: Power outage and phone issue, but still worth a listen) In this episode, Martin Willis welcomes one of Australia’s leading ufologists, Bill Chalker. Bill has been investigating UFOs for over five decades, beginning with the remarkable wave of sightings near his hometown of Grafton, New South Wales in the late 1960s. With a science background in chemistry and mathematics, Bill brings a rigorous analytical approach to the UFO mystery. He has served as the Australian representative for APRO, the NSW representative for MUFON, and the coordinator of the long-running UFO Investigation Centre (UFOIC).SHOW NOTESSupport the Show & Stay Connected!

Many people who have more than a passing interest in the UFO subject might be aware that the scene in Steven Spielberg’s 1977 movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, where several UFOs go speeding by the main character’s stalled car, followed by police cars in hot pursuit, was based on a real case. This was the 1966 incident where police officers Dale Spaur and Wilbur “Barney” Neff reportedly chased a single UFO at high speed across the state of Ohio into Pennsylvania, with other officers joining them in the chase. However, another scene in the movie, where a house occupied by a mother and son is flooded with light from a UFO, was also inspired by a real case, but this one is not nearly so well known.The front-page headline of the November 1963 APRO Bulletin is “Family Beseiged [sic] by Discs.” According to the article, on October 21, 1963, at his ranch near Tranca, Argentina, Antonio de Moreno was woken up by a fifteen-year-old employee who told him there seemed to have been an accident at the railway tra