Strange As It Seems

Strange As It Seems

A podcast series about History, Occultism, Espionage, Secret Societies, Conspiracy and High Weirdness. Hosted by Dr. Richard B. Spence and co-host Stephen Austin.

Episodes

September 8, 2025 171 mins

Rick and Stephen delve into the shadowy world of elite secret societies—from the rituals of Bohemian Grove to the exclusivity of the Bilderberg meetings, Council on Foreign Relations, and the imperial ambitions of Cecil Rhodes. 

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Rick and Stephen explore how suppressed or imagined technologies, from Mesmer’s animal magnetism to Tesla’s free energy and Russian Cosmism, illustrate humanity’s recurring drive to uncover secret forces. The discussion ties these examples to Nick Land’s concept of hyperstition, showing how myths and speculative technologies can loop back into reality.

 

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August 8, 2025 143 mins

Rick explores the historical origins of the Illuminati, tracing the rise of Adam Weishaupt’s secret society in 18th-century Bavaria. Along the way, we investigates the Illuminati’s strategies, ideology, and influence—both real and imagined.

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July 25, 2025 112 mins

Rick examines the origins and evolution of The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion, exploring its fabrication, dissemination, and enduring influence as one of history's most destructive pieces of propaganda.

 

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June 20, 2025 112 mins

Rick delves into the origins of the legend of Atlantis, tracing its evolution over centuries into a symbol of lost wisdom, advanced civilizations, and hidden realms.

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May 23, 2025 136 mins

Rick and Stephen examine the origins of Nazi occultism, tracing the ideas, figures, and organizations that influenced Adolf Hitler.

 

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April 17, 2025 148 mins

Rick delves into the dark mystery of the Romanov murders.

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March 27, 2025 126 mins

From brazen heads to influencing machines, Rick and Stephen explore the eerie convergence of techne and the occult.

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March 13, 2025 138 mins

Rick and Stephen explore the possible links between the UFO phenomenon, espionage and psyops.

 

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February 28, 2025 148 mins

"Rick delves into the realm of occult politics by exploring the bizarre story of Clotilde Bersone, French Synarchy and the American "Business Plot."

 

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February 10, 2025 124 mins

Rick recounts the shadowy life of visionary rocketeer and devoted occultist, Jack W. Parsons. More importantly, he reveals Parsons’ ties to espionage—connections that may have ultimately sealed his fate.

 

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January 25, 2025 149 mins

Rick introduces Stephen to Fred L. Crisman.

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Rick gives a brief history of the connection between occult knowledge, psychic research, and intelligence agencies.

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November 13, 2024 130 mins

Rick walks Stephen through a story of political intrigue in the Adirondack Mountains.

 

Original Publication:

Spence, Richard B. "Death in the Adirondacks: Amtorg, Intrigue, and the Dubious Demise of Isaiya Khurgin and Efraim Sklyansky, August 1925." American Communist History, vol. 14, no. 2 (Aug. 2015), pp. 135–158.

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November 6, 2024 152 mins

Rick introduces Stephen to the strange life of James Shelby Downard.

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October 31, 2024 115 mins

In this inaugural (demo) episode of Strange As It Seems, Rick covers his 2017 article "LIGHTS IN THE SKY: A True Tale of Mystery Airships, Spies, and Secret Cults in WWI Utah," while Stephen tries to keep up.

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