The Secret Podcast

The Secret Podcast

Back in 1982 a man named Byron Priess decided it would be a good idea to publish a treasure hunt. He spent a year or so traveling around the country, burying small ceramic boxes two feet underground. He wrote a few poems, and had a friend of his paint some images. The goal was to get the reader to match a poem with a verse, produce a treasure map of sorts, then go dig up the treasures. He thought it would be easy. 40 years later we are finding out he was wrong. So far two treasures have been found. One in Chicago, and one in Cleveland… so at least we know they are real. That’s about all we know for sure. This project started with Byron recruiting a bunch of his friends. Sean and Ted to write some descriptions of strange creatures that Byron’s friend JoEllen sculpted out of clay and cloth, which were photographed by his childhood friend Ben. Then Byron’s friends John Palencar, John Pierard, and Overton Loyd made a bunch of images with the sole purpose of confusing all of us. The project was created by a community of friends, and it is my opinion that a community of friends is the only way to solve it.

Episodes

March 6, 2025 33 mins
Shortly before his passing, JM decided he wanted to start a new podcast. He recorded his first episode, but passed away before he could complete any others.Very few people have heard it, so we decided it might be a nice idea to release his raw audio for all of you to hear. please not this audio is four years old, so a lot of the information is out of date.You'll see what I mean. Enjoy.
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George, Brian Zinn, Andy Abrams, John Jude Palencar, and Kit Palencar discuss fame, infamy, rumors, facts, and go in depth about how Byron Preiss created his treasure hunt called The Secret.
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May 1, 2024 62 mins
Six long years were spent working on this simple little idea, then getting the permission to explore it. Join Brett, Matt, and George as they talk about one small city block in the heart of San Francisco.
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November 20, 2023 11 mins
How the Boston treasure was found in Jason's own words.
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May 5, 2023 44 mins
Nivana vs. Silverchair, Canada vs. St. Louis, 5 vs. 8. Cole and George have a civil conversation while disagreeing on the fundamentals of things which do not matter... and wonder why others can't do the same thing.
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May 1, 2023 66 mins
May is mental health awareness month and in this first of two part series devoted to mental health in the treasure hunting community, George and Rachel talk to a Therapist who specializes in addiction and addiction behaviors. We talk about some of the things we have seen and experienced, in a session which ultimately turns into a therapy session for George. Enjoy. Join this channel to help support the podcast and get access to...
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November 28, 2022
Forty years ago a book titled The Golden Apple tale was released. Sold only by order forms in the back of magazines, only one physical copy is known to exist. For years no one has known who wrote this book, or if the treasure was still available. Today those questions are answered.
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How in the world did George Ward get invited to John Palencar's studio? Join George as he talks with John Palencar about Chicago, Boston, and Cleveland. Three of the solved puzzles from The Secret A Treasure Hunt.
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July 22, 2022 64 mins
Awhile back Cole started a tradition of recording single episodes talking with a single person about what drew them into the hunt, and their experiences along the way. Cole started the 'Evening with' series, and its only fitting that he should have his own.
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April 27, 2022 43 mins
According the the GPR... There is something in the park. It's right under home plate. Is it a casque? It would make sense.Join to podcast as we talk to Alex Sweeny about a trip he recently took with George to Roanoke. They were sure they would come home with a casque, but they didn't... now its your turn to try.
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This week we talk to Ben Asen and Joellen Trilling about the adventures they shared shooting images for Byron Preiss' The Secret Treasure Hunt. MW's Masquerade TRibute Hunt: https://mysteriouswritings.com/the-annual-masquerade-tribute-of-treasure-hunts/ FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- ►FIND US AT: https://12treasures.com ►DISCUSS ON OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qPkxjngHmy ►GET...
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February 13, 2022 111 mins
In this episode we talk to Kit Palencar about the creation of the Tribute Treasure hunt. How he got started, how he created the painting, and what's coming in the future. Will there be a new painting? Will everything change? Will it ever be found? Just a note, people seemed upset about all the cuts in the JJP interview. They seemed to think important details were cut out. So this interview is presented practically uncut.
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George, Matt, Brett, and Cole review the Feature length documentary by James Renner, The Secret of Byron Preiss.... or Bryon Preiss? Look... you aren't going to believe what's in this, just listen to the episode.
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October 27, 2021 107 mins
On 10/23/21 George and Bradley interviewed Ben Asen and Andy Abrams for the first and last New York meetup. This audio was recorded live.
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After years of telling listeners to use reference material from the 80's Cory Gilbert decided to do just that. Inside his World Book Encyclopedia he found direct links to the puzzle, and what may very well be Byron's reference material!
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August 1, 2021 98 mins
Join George, Bradley, Stephen, Ashley, Brody, Brandon, and Chad as they talk about nursery rhymes. Because that is something that adults do. This is how the Boston Solution works. Hopefully it helps you along your search. FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- ►FIND US AT: https://12treasures.com ►DISCUSS ON OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qPkxjngHmy ►GET MERCH: https://12treasures.com/me...
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May 19, 2021 95 mins
Join George, Bradley, Brett and Stephen Poff as they talk about the long lost amphitheater gardens and why we think the casque may not be buried in the Fountain of Youth.
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March 17, 2021 74 mins
Join George and Bradley as they talk with John Jude Palencar, the artist behind the infamous paintings in Byron Preiss' treasure hunt The Secret. Are the cities correct? How did Byron bury Cleveland? Is there a method to this madness? Dive in and find out.
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Woah! One of our listeners actually solved something! That's so cool!! In this episode Brett and George interview recent Great US Treasure Hunt Winner Kristian House, who had never even heard of the hunt before listening to our previous episode with David Steele. How did he solve it? What does it feel like to be a Professional Treasure hunter? Will he buy George an Xbox One? Find out all that and more in this episode!
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