Posts filed under SUM1

Radio & Close Ups Interview #1: Jayni Huddleston "The Journey Within" (Hypnotherapy)

Jayni Huddleston, Los Feliz 2015. Copyright WoTRradio.

Jayni Huddleston, Los Feliz 2015. Copyright WoTRradio.

Jayni is a fully qualified hypnotherapist based in Los Angeles. She treats a huge range of ailments, ranging from the more common issues, such as stress or the giving-up of a bad habit, to more intricate work, such as past-life regressions and spiritual imagery. Her abilities are astounding, and her soothing voice honestly borders on music (as experienced first-hand by the WoTR team).

There are a huge number of misconceptions and mysteries surrounding the topic of hypnotherapy – in fact, the majority of people do not know what it really involves, leading to a great deal of irrational fear and skepticism. Luckily for us, Jayni is here to enlighten us!

Engineer Frank during his therapy session with Jayni, Los Feliz 2015. Copyright WoTRradio.

Engineer Frank during his therapy session with Jayni, Los Feliz 2015. Copyright WoTRradio.

Hypnotherapy is a soothing and safe way to regain control and confidence in life. As Jayni says so herself on her website, “Hypnosis is a natural, effective tool to gain control in your life – losing control is never part of the process.”           

To end with a quote, stolen from JourneyWithJayni.com:

“The only true journey is the journey within.” M. Rilke Rainer.

Here's our latest radio interview with Jayni:

On top of that, here's our Close Up video for you to enjoy!

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel, West of The Rockies, and remember to join us every Sunday, LIVE, at 9pm, right HERE.

Spread the love and spread the word!

Posted on October 24, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

October 21st 2015: "Back To The Future Day"

Back To The Future Day

The Twin Pines Mall, as seen in Back To The Future II.

The Twin Pines Mall, as seen in Back To The Future II.

The Twin Pines Mall, as seen on October 20th 2015 (technically the Puente Hills Mall).

The Twin Pines Mall, as seen on October 20th 2015 (technically the Puente Hills Mall).

So, Back To The Future was released in 1985. And here we are, THIRTY years later: the very time and place that Marty McFly travels to in the second movie (1989). We visited the Puente Hills Mall today, aka. The Twin Pines/Lone Pine Mall, to snap a few pics and fulfill a major sci-fi pilgrimage. There’s one question that has been bouncing around for years now though, and one that can only truly be answered now: how accurate were the BTTF movies? Let’s do a quick before-and-after comparison.

The Levitating Signs

The floating "Hill Valley" sign. Movie still taken from Back To The Future II.

The floating "Hill Valley" sign. Movie still taken from Back To The Future II.

The signs in the movie look super-cool, there’s no arguing that. Highway signs levitate amongst the clouds (corresponding to the “sky highways”), and city signs hover high up above buildings. Unfortunately though, these signs are far from the current truth – as yet, we are still very much driving on solid roads, and our street signs are firmly rooted into the ground. However, one thing cannot be denied: traffic would be so much lighter if we could redirect some common vehicles into the air. It certainly would save me hours of travel every week! That’s wishful thinking for now though.

Hover Boards

The “baddies" (a gang consisting of Griff Tannen, Data, Spike, and Whitey) riding on Hover Boards. From the movie Back To The Future II.

The “baddies" (a gang consisting of Griff Tannen, Data, Spike, and Whitey) riding on Hover Boards. From the movie Back To The Future II.

This is a difficult one. I mean, strictly speaking, we do now have hover boards. But, let’s face it, they are nowhere near as cool as those agile high-speed boards in the movie. Plus, I’m not sure if it counts as a real actualised prediction, given it was only created because of the movie. It’s not like skateboards have become redundant, right? Truth be told though, we do indeed have the technology to make boards hover nowadays, so I guess the movie was right in a way. Have any of you had the privilege of riding a Hover Board yet? p.s. those 2-wheel balance boards totally don’t count.

The Clothing

The "baddies" in their oh-so-fetching outfits. Taken from Back To The Future II.

The "baddies" in their oh-so-fetching outfits. Taken from Back To The Future II.

OK, I think we can all comfortably say that these outfits did not come to be – and thank f*** for that. Admittedly, it probably wouldn’t have been easy to predict that 80s high-waisted jeans, neon party outfits, and clashing geometric patterns would come back into fashion. And in all honesty, a movie set in the future with almost the exact same vehicles and outfits would have been utterly boring; and ironically unbelievable! Still, I’m glad we’re not running around with kitchen pots on our heads and carnival paint all over our faces…

"Holofilm" Advertising

The promotional holo-shark, advertising the "Holofilm," Jaws 19.

The promotional holo-shark, advertising the "Holofilm," Jaws 19.

BTTF 2 predicted interactive holographic movies, as seen in the scene (yeah, I know, that’s weird to read) where Marty is standing in front of the Holomax theatre and gets eaten by a giant holographic cartoon shark. The hologram was advertising Jaws 19 – a movie that clearly didn’t make it (and would have probably been very very boring). As far as movies nowadays go, I guess what we have is pretty much holographic – I mean, we have 3D movies (even 4D), which are almost equivalent to what we see in BTTF. Admittedly, our 3D films look nowhere near as solid and interactive as the shark in BTTF, but I think we have to at least give this one to them. Oh, and don’t give me that “Tupac Hologram” business – yeah, it looked utterly brilliant , but let’s face it, what we saw wasn’t a hologram. In fact, it was a basic glass reflection trick based on a 19th century technique invented by John Pepper: read more about “Pepper’s Ghost” here. You know what would be really cool though? All three Back To The Future movies in 3D.

Flying Cars/The Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor

The fictional 2015 DeLorean, as seen in Back To The Future II.

The fictional 2015 DeLorean, as seen in Back To The Future II.

The "Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor." You can actually go online to find out how to make your own DIY version.

The "Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor." You can actually go online to find out how to make your own DIY version.

Yeah, so as mentioned before, we definitely don’t have flying cars (yet?). Unless the Government is hiding something from us, which is always a possibility (cue for UFO theorists). In terms of energy resources though, I would have honestly hoped that we’d have come up with something more efficient and less pollutive by now. The Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor is essentially a mini-generator that derives its energy from combustible waste material, and was the energy source that powered the DeLorean time machine. OK, so we have hybrid and electric cars nowadays, and many buildings make use of solar energy. But, considering that similar power sources have been used as far back as WWII, it’s truly disappointing that such power generators are not used commonly around the globe nowadays. Shame on us. We had so much hope back then; this is something we should truly work towards.

The Food Hydrator

The dehydrated pizza, as seen in the movie Back To The Future II.

The dehydrated pizza, as seen in the movie Back To The Future II.

The hydrated pizza, looking oh-so-yummy. As seen in Back To The Future II.

The hydrated pizza, looking oh-so-yummy. As seen in Back To The Future II.

In the movie, we encounter something called a, “Hydrator” – a somewhat microwavey-looking device that is able to take a dehydrated food product (in this case, a dehydrated pizza), and rehydrate it into a scrumptious, piping hot meal (seriously, just look at that pizza…). So, do we have anything like that now? Well, we do have some pretty good microwaves nowadays, but that’s not quite it. Regarding dehydrated food though, that is indeed something we have: think space-food here (I’m sure we’ve all seen the freeze-dried ice cream and shrivelled vacuum packs of astronaut food). However, not only is dehydrated space food something that’s been around since the ‘60s, but we certainly don’t have a method of rehydrating it (other than by eating it). Black & Decker, you’ve failed us. Not cool.

Video Calls

Mr. Ito T. Fujitsu, looking less than impressed. Taken from Back To The Future II.

Mr. Ito T. Fujitsu, looking less than impressed. Taken from Back To The Future II.

In the movie, we witness the older version of Marty having a conversation with his co-worker (Needles, played by a somewhat scary looking Flea), followed by his supervisor (Fujitsu). Alas, I think we can safely say that we have video-calling technology nowadays; in fact, many of us probably use applications such as Skype and FaceTime more than we make regular “phone calls.” I know I do. Not only has it become a useful business tool, but it has also created millions of friendships and relationships around the world (cue for “awww”). As well, ahem, as a whole new industry in webcamming… Well done, Back To The Future, you got this one spot on.

Conclusion

OK, so they didn’t get much right. Does it really matter though? Nah. Would it have made the movie any better if it had been accurate? Certainly not. Let’s be honest, the BTTF version of the future was way cooler and more fun than our current version. That’s what sci-fi­ is all about: it’s not fiction for no reason.

Anyway, while we eagerly await the official Back To The Future, here are some extra pictures for you to enjoy:

The McFly family home - though an iconic filming location, this is actually a privately owned residential house. Yes, we're all jealous.

The McFly family home - though an iconic filming location, this is actually a privately owned residential house. Yes, we're all jealous.

The iconic date from Back To The Future 2; after which the movie will officially be a movie about the past. Think about it.

The iconic date from Back To The Future 2; after which the movie will officially be a movie about the past. Think about it.

Doc Brown's van, parked outside the mall, October 20th 2015.

Doc Brown's van, parked outside the mall, October 20th 2015.

A DeLorean, as seen at Comikaze 2014. Supplied by The Hollywood SciFi Museum.

A DeLorean, as seen at Comikaze 2014. Supplied by The Hollywood SciFi Museum.

A view into the DeLorean, as seen at Comikaze 2014. Supplied by The Hollywood SciFi Museum.

A view into the DeLorean, as seen at Comikaze 2014. Supplied by The Hollywood SciFi Museum.

The rear end of the DeLorean, as seen at Comikaze 2014. Supplied by The Hollywood SciFi Museum.

The rear end of the DeLorean, as seen at Comikaze 2014. Supplied by The Hollywood SciFi Museum.

The Hover Board, as seen at Comikaze 2013.

The Hover Board, as seen at Comikaze 2013.

Our very own Engineer Frank, proudly holding a Hover Board. Look at that smile.

Our very own Engineer Frank, proudly holding a Hover Board. Look at that smile.

The Twin Pines Mall sign, re-installed for the upcoming Back To The Future Day. Photo taken October 20th 2015.

The Twin Pines Mall sign, re-installed for the upcoming Back To The Future Day. Photo taken October 20th 2015.

p.s. the 30th Anniversary Back To The Future box set is now on sale! This is for all you hardcore fans (not like that).

If you like our articles and shows, be sure to spread the word!

Posted on October 20, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

OC's Newest Haunted Attraction - "The 17TH Door" - Reaction Video & Interviews!

Last Saturday we teamed up with Haunted OC and headed over to The 17th Door (Tustin), which saw its grand opening on Friday, September 25th . As Orange County’s newest haunted attraction and with Halloween just around the corner, the air was tense and the stakes high – known for its numerous fun parks and attractions, there’s certainly competition in OC. So what’s different about The 17th Door?

Andrew Jacobs (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Wuthering High) - is he praying that he'll survive the night?

Andrew Jacobs (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Wuthering High) - is he praying that he'll survive the night?

First of all, what exactly is it? Not quite haunted house, not quite maze, I think it’s fair to say that it’s something in between; although it’s certainly more than that. An interactive walk-through with a strong (and disturbing) storyline to guide you through, this experience engrosses and intrigues in a way that other haunts do not. The actors interact and address you directly, the props and settings have evidently been thought out in great detail, and the scares are definitely some of the more original that I’ve seen.

Accompanying us was Andrew Jacobs (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Wuthering High), helping us out with promotion and keeping the horror fans happy! For more details and cool pics of this latest attraction, as well as their trailer, check out Haunted OC’s recent article at www.hauntedOC.com.

Here’s a little insight into the world of The 17th Door

Check out these cool photos from the opening weekend of The 17th Door:

Over and out!

Posted on October 2, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

*40th Anniversary* Travis Walton UFO Special w/director Jennifer Stein

Jennifer Stein and Travis Walton with their EBE award at the 2015 EBE Film Festival (held at the International UFO Congress). Photo courtesy of OnWinges Productions.

Jennifer Stein and Travis Walton with their EBE award at the 2015 EBE Film Festival (held at the International UFO Congress). Photo courtesy of OnWinges Productions.

Last week's interview was another blast! (I love this topic...the pun possibilities are endless.) We were lucky enough  to get Jennifer Stein on the show, producer and director of the brand-new documentary, Travis – The True Story of Travis Walton.  We also had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Walton himself back onto WoTR, which we were obviously thrilled about - his story never fails to astound us.

Travis Walton conducting an interview with Sheriff Marlin Gillespie in Holbrook, Arizona, August 2014. Photo courtesy of OnWinges Productions.

Travis Walton conducting an interview with Sheriff Marlin Gillespie in Holbrook, Arizona, August 2014. Photo courtesy of OnWinges Productions.

Travis is somewhat of a legend when it comes to ufology, providing us with an alien abduction story like no other – the evidence and first-hand reports surrounding the case are quite startling, still mystifying researchers worldwide to this day. For anyone that wants a quick catch-up, head over to our first interview with Travis, which was nothing short of fascinating.

It’s no surprise then that filmmaker Jennifer Stein was drawn to this mysterious UFO case - Stein’s production experience spans more than 15 years, whilst her passionate interest in ufology dates back even further. Starting out with her very own UFO event back in 1975, Stein has received several EBE awards to date, and even hosts a cable television show called, “Main Line MUFON” – you can check out some of their engrossing interviews on youtube.

 

We discussed the Travis documentary and the experiences encountered along the way, as well as the Sky Fire Summit, which will host the official premier of the documentary in November. The Summit will be an exclusive, “Travis Walton 40th Anniversary UFO Conference,” commemorating the bizarre event that changed several people’s lives forever – the conference will see various speakers, including the police officer and the investigator that were involved with the case at the time; a great lineup of lectures by numerous UFO experts; and even a sky watch with Ben Hansen

Besides Walton-related things, we also discussed some of Stein's other interests and projects, including Peace In Outer Space, A Crop Circle Journey, and her work with Zecharia Sitchin (her memorial film can be seen here). Curious anecdotes and intriguing stories abound!

This is the teaser for the New Film "Travis: The True Story of Travis Walton". From Jen Stein. Promo produced by Ron James of Ivolve TV. 

Check out the Travis promo & teaser trailer below. If you're intent on watching the full documentary, head over to the OnWinges' Upcoming Screenings page to see whether they'll be heading your way any time soon.

Support OnWinges Productions and catch some of their other projects at onwingesproductions.com. For more information on the SkyFire Summit, head straight to skyfiresummit.com!

Now for the interview, enjoy!

Remember, we're always reachable via TwitterFacebook and email, and also encourage listeners to join us LIVE in the Ustream chat every Sunday at www.wotrradio.com/listenlive! And don't forget: share your comments and questions about our shows in the comments section (below).

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Posted on September 18, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

WoTR talks Elisa Lam with Clyde Lewis on GROUND ZERO

Clyde Lewis, looking ridiculously cool as usual. Photo Courtesy of groundzeromedia.org

Clyde Lewis, looking ridiculously cool as usual. Photo Courtesy of groundzeromedia.org

Yesterday, WoTR had the absolute pleasure of being on Clyde Lewis’ Ground Zero (FM News 101 KXL), turning the tables for the first time and making us the interviewees, something we’re generally not used to. The theme for the night: fore-structuring, synchronicity, and Elisa Lam. Needless to say, it was an intense and fascinating two hours.

We explored some of the inconsistencies of the Lam case, as well as the ominous similarities to the Dark Water storyline (a Japanese horror movie from 2002, with an American remake released in 2005) – the number of “coincidences” that surround the story seems to be never-ending, making this a perfect (and terrifying) example of dark synchronicity. For some great background reading on the topic, check out Ron Patton’s article, “Lam To The Slaughter: Dark History Dark Water.”

For those of you that are not familiar with the Elisa Lam video, you might want to have a quick watch (below) - this footage was captured by the elevator camera, presumably shortly before Lam died; it is truly frightening, and continues to perplex viewers even two years on.

Could Elisa Lam really have killed herself? Was she possessed, murdered, or just depressed? Was she even a real person?

Listen to us explore these ideas and much more – just hit play on the Soundcloud player below!

On October 4th, we’ll be switching things up again, this time interviewing Clyde Lewis on West of The Rockies – guaranteed, it'll be a show that's not to miss!

Be sure to keep up to date by following Clyde on Twitter, and checking out http://www.groundzeromedia.org; and don’t forget, Paranoia Magazine (@paranoiamag) is now the official magazine of Ground Zero!

Posted on September 18, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

DMT: Exploring "The Spirit Molecule" with Rick Strassman

I think of psychedelics as tools...they can be like a hammer: they can break things, or they can drive a nail and build things.
— Dr. Rick Strassman, West of The Rockies interview extract

Rick Strassman – here to open your mind, and probably blow it as well. West of The Rockies’ slogan, as y’all probably know by now, has always been, “Open Your Mind.” Every week we hope to do just that, and every now and then we even surprisingly out-do ourselves.

Rick Strassman, spiritual explorer and psychedelic pioneer. Photo courtesy of rickstrassman.com.

Rick Strassman, spiritual explorer and psychedelic pioneer. Photo courtesy of rickstrassman.com.

WoTR has been covering DMT-related topics for quite a while now, at times just in passing, other times in a little more detail. A fascinating subject, still in its early research stages, it remains a mystery to most of us. For those of you that don’t know, here’s a three-point summary: DMT (N, N-Dimethyltryptamine) is a powerful psychedelic compound, commonly leading to “other world” experiences; it has been used for spiritual and healing purposes by indigenous Amazonians for hundreds of years (in the form of ayahuasca); it is a naturally occurring compound, found in a myriad of plants and animals, including humans (yes, that stuff is floating around inside you!).

Yes, it's true, Strassman really does sign his books upon request! - WoTR's very own signed copy of ,"DMT: The Spirit Molecule."

Yes, it's true, Strassman really does sign his books upon request! - WoTR's very own signed copy of ,"DMT: The Spirit Molecule."

Now, here’s where Dr. Strassman, a psychiatry and psychopharmacology expert, comes into play: he was the first person in the US to perform psychedelic drug studies on humans (that is, following the two-decade ban), detailing the effects of DMT on approximately 60 volunteers over the course of five years. His project is truly visionary, and the study provided us with some seriously thought-provoking results. Coined the "god molecule" or "spirit molecule" by Strassman, due to the experiences that users frequently report, it routinely involves apparent interaction with non-human or god-like beings. What is DMT? What is its purpose? Does it open up a doorway into another realm for us?

To find out more, you should probably read his DMT: The Spitit Molecule and, DMT and The Soul of Prophecy (both available signed, if you order straight from his website). Failing that, you absolutely need to listen to our interview with Dr. Strassman (to the right).

I’m pretty darn sure that that was enough to whet your appetite, so let us now move on to our podcast:

Spread the word on social media, leave us a cheeky review on iTunes, and send us lots of love in general!

Oh, and be sure to contribute via the comments section below, we always appreciate some interaction!

Posted on August 9, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Ben Hansen is back to talk presidents, UFOs and Aliens!

“If there is Disclosure, every President wants to be that President.” - Ben Hansen (interview extract)
Ben, looking rather fetching. Photo courtesy of Ben Hansen.

Ben, looking rather fetching. Photo courtesy of Ben Hansen.

Ben Hansen: all-round great guy, and all-round expert. No, seriously - his interests and expertise stretch a lot further and wider than you might think. With qualifications in Sociology, Criminology and Corrections, and Spanish, as well as certifications as a pilot, radio-operator and SCUBA diver (just to mention a few), Ben really is a well-rounded and fully-equipped guy. It’s no surprise then that we’ve had Ben on the show several times now, usually with a different topic as the focus.

This last Sunday saw us predominantly discussing Ben’s analyses of the President Clinton and the President Obama interviews (taken from the Jimmy Kimmel Show, 2014 and 2015 respectively). Both analyses focus on the question of aliens and potential Government knowledge thereof; and both interviews present us with equally intriguing responses. Ben is incredibly diplomatic and non-biased in his observations, making no claims as to whether the presidents are lying or telling the truth. However, one thing is clear: both presidents answer in an apparently uncomfortable and nervous manner. To find out more, you’ll have to listen to our interview, or even check out Ben’s videos first! (below)

Beyond that, though, we of course discussed the usual UFO business, some good old moon-landing, plus a bit of NASA thrown in (and their seemingly declining vision). We also briefly spoke about the recently-revealed, “Roswell Slide,” originally discovered by Adam Dew, with whom Ben happens to be acquainted.

With that to whet your appetite, we hope you enjoy the interview! (To catch our interviews live, as well as interact with us live on air, be sure to tune in every Sunday, 9pm PDT, at http://www.wotrradio.com/listenlive/ .)

Don’t forget to check out Ben’s

Facebook

Website 

and to follow him on

Twitter @benhansen00 .

PEACE.


Posted on July 14, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Tony Ortega talks Scientology and his new book, "The Unbreakable Miss Lovely"

Tony Ortega. Photo by Bill Wadman. Source: www.billwadman.com

Tony Ortega. Photo by Bill Wadman. Source: www.billwadman.com

Tony Ortega is the go-to guy when it comes to anything Scientology: if you’ve got questions, he probably has the answers. Reporting about Scientology since 1995, he’s pretty much not been out of the loop since – he currently runs The Underground Bunker, a blog that monitors breaking developments in the international world of Scientology.

"The Big Blue" Scientology building in Los Angeles.

"The Big Blue" Scientology building in Los Angeles.

This past May saw the release of Mr. Ortega’s book, “The Unbreakable Miss Lovely,” documenting the story of how Paulette Cooper was harassed by Scientology. Cooper famously wrote, The Scandal of Scientology (1971), following which she experienced years of atrocious torment and harassment by Scientology – at one point, she was even facing 15 years of imprisonment, as well as verging on the brink of suicide. In fact, the Church of Scientology officially launched Operation Freakout in 1997 against Cooper, of which the explicit aim was, "To get P.C. incarcerated in a mental institution or jail, or at least to hit her so hard that she drops her attacks.” Her story is a terrifying one, though definitely not in vain. Now, for the first time, her story can be read in full, thanks to Tony Ortega.

L. Ron Hubbard Way, Los Angeles. Yes, they even named a street after him.

L. Ron Hubbard Way, Los Angeles. Yes, they even named a street after him.

We were lucky enough to catch Ortega for an interview this past Sunday and, needless to say, it was informative and engrossing – though admittedly a type of morbid fascination, it’s a subject that’s nevertheless fascinating, and with Ortega’s encyclopaedic knowledge of Scientology, we were certainly kept on our toes. We talked all kinds of things, including Sea Org; Scientology’s stance on psychiatry; their dwindling numbers (despite their claims of growth); the inhumane treatment of their own members; and of course their personal attacks, both within (most notably on those that try to leave, e.g. Miscavige’s own father) and outside of the organisation (Paulette Cooper, for starters). What’s more important, though, is that people become aware of Scientology and its murky history, and it’s people like Cooper and Ortega that help to spread that information, so cheers to that.

Formerly the executive editor of The Raw Story and The Village Voice, Tony Ortega is currently the executive editor at TheLipTV. Don’t forget to check out:

The Underground Bunker at http://tonyortega.org

his Twitter - @TonyOrtega94 

and his Facebook author-page.

And now for the interview:

Related: Former Scientologist & Sea-Org Member, Lynn Campbell, Talks To WoTR 

Posted on July 1, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Erich von Däniken on UFOs, Aliens and Ancient Civilizations

Erich von Däniken. Promo shot, courtesy of Erich von Däniken.

Erich von Däniken. Promo shot, courtesy of Erich von Däniken.

If you're a conspiracy-enthusiast, a UFO nerd, or have ever listened to Frank speak, even if just once, you've probably heard of Erich von Däniken. He perhaps doesn't require much of an introduction, but here's a brief summary anyway.

Erich is the author of the international best-seller, Chariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past, published in 1968. That was his first book, and he has published at least 18 since, totalling over 65 million copies, spanning a minimum of 32 different languages.

Original title and cover of Chariots of the Gods, first published in 1968.

Original title and cover of Chariots of the Gods, first published in 1968.

He is best known for popularising the paleo-contact/“ancient astronauts” hypothesis, which theorises that intelligent extraterrestrials visited Earth in the distant past, making contact with long-gone civilisations, thus influencing human culture, religion, and, most significantly, technology. Initially inspired by a number of things he had read and studied in the Bible, he went on to re-interpret numerous ancient texts and historical artifacts, presenting ancient history in a completely new light to many a mainstream reader.

From left: Genevieve, Frank, and Erich, at the 2014 Contact in the Desert event, Joshua Tree, CA. 

From left: Genevieve, Frank, and Erich, at the 2014 Contact in the Desert event, Joshua Tree, CA. 

Just the other day, Frank and I were trying to figure out what hashtags to use for one of our online posts concerning von Däniken. I told him to use #history as one, to which he responded, “But what if someone gets all worked up and complains that it’s not real history?” To which I responded: “There’ll always be people complaining. He’s as much an “historian,” in the true sense of the word, as any other.” Yes, there are plenty of people out there claiming that von Däniken is not a real historian, not a real archeologist – and I certainly make no claims as to what I, myself, believe, or what you should believe, regarding his work. The purpose of an historian is to figure out what happened in the past, based on given evidence; similarly, in the case of an archeologist. If this is all that von Däniken is trying to do, albeit more speculatively at times, then I have no qualms with calling him an archeologist or historian. I urge you to always keep an open mind, in regards to anything you hear or read, as we try to do at all times – it is completely up to you what you make of von Däniken’s claims. In fact, I haven’t yet come to a solid conclusion myself. However, please don’t just thoughtlessly brush new ideas aside.

With that said, if you haven’t already listened to our interview with him, then here it is. Enjoy!

 

And the usual – share share share 

Oh, and for those of you that haven't been keeping up-to-date (*tut tut*), we are of course now back on iTunes! Check it.

Posted on June 17, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Best-Selling Author and Conspiracy Expert: Jim Marrs

"I think his [JFK’s] biggest mistake was that he truly believed he was President of the United States."  Jim Marrs, Interview Extract

Handbill circulated one day before John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. (Public Domain)

Handbill circulated one day before John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. (Public Domain)

A day like today, 98 years ago, President John F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts.  Only 46 years later, on November 22, 1963 he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.  Following, were a series of events that would raise serious questions as to who killed President Kennedy and why...these questions remain unanswered to this day.  On Sunday the 10th of May, we had the incredible honor of speaking with Jim Marrs: conspiracy expert, professional journalist, and multiple best-selling author, most notably of Crossfire: The Plot That Killed Kennedy, which went on to reach the New York Times Best Seller List in mid-February 1992.  His book would also serve as a foundation for Oliver Stone's film, JFK (which would be nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director).  Yeah, that movie was based on Jim's book.  Not seen JFK? Well, you definitely should.

The Kennedys aside, though, Mr. Marrs has researched and written about far more than just that - he is an expert on a huge variety of topics, including UFOs and Roswell; the "War on Terror" (and most certainly 9/11); occulted history (see, for example, Our Occulted History); corporate mass-media control; and, most recently, population control.

We talked about a lot. A-lot-a-lot.  I honestly believe that Jim Marrs provided me with the most jam-packed informative two hours of my life (bar that revision session for my finals...).  If you want that same experience (not the college finals), be sure to listen to our interview with Mr. Marrs - the player's right below. If you're a JFK fanatic, a conspiracy buff, or even just vaguely interested in anything, you should definitely tune in for this one and do your own thinking, or, as Jim Marrs himself put it during our interview:

"I'm not asking anyone to believe me, don't believe anything I've said...but just listen to what I've said and then go out and do your own checking and you'll find out what I've told you is true."

And now for the interview. Over and out.

Don't forget to subscribe on iTunes and, as per usual...spread the love!

Posted on May 28, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Robert Perala - Author, Clairvoyant & ET Messenger (and musician!)

A couple of Sundays ago, Robert Perala graced us with his (virtual) presence on West of The Rockies, delivering a fascinating and mind-opening interview. Mr. Perala is a well-known and unique clairvoyant, having experienced paranormal encounters from a young age. A messenger of sorts, Robert has received a wealth of information from extra-terrestrials over time, in turn sharing that information with the world. He describes some of his amazing experiences to us, explaining their message and what their greater purpose is. In essence, it boils down to this: the world is currently a pretty bad place (to say the least), and we need to bring people back together again. Peace and spirituality are at the core of Perala’s motives – alien encounters may not immediately evoke thoughts of peace in most people’s minds, but give this interview a listen, and you may well come to change yours.

“Our job is […] to move, touch and inspire people.” (interview excerpt)

The interview also covers discussion of Plaedians, Grays, Robert’s work with David Icke, and much much more. In fact, he is also a musician, and we had the honour of premiering his song, “Til We Meet Again,” live on the show!

Robert will be MCing this year’s Contact In The Desert event again, as well as holding a lecture titled, “Extraterrestrials and The Divine Intelligence.” If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Contact In The Desert website. If you live in the area (and even if you don’t), you should certainly consider going – it’s a truly great event, with an epic line-up of speakers!

To keep up with Robert, check out these websites:

robertperala.com

theperalareport.com

Once again, a massive shout-out to Susan von Seggern, providing us with ever-amazing interviewees! Hats off to you.

Spread the word and spread the love:

Posted on May 13, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Nuclear Physicist & Ufologist, Stanton Friedman, on WoTR!

Mr. Friedman holding up a photocopy of the Los Angeles Herald-Express from July 8, 1947 - part of his Roswell memorabilia collection. ( © Stanton Friedman)

Mr. Friedman holding up a photocopy of the Los Angeles Herald-Express from July 8, 1947 - part of his Roswell memorabilia collection. ( © Stanton Friedman)

With a Masters in physics, over 50 years of UFO research under his belt, and currently being the record-holder for having spoken more than anyone else at MUFON Symposia, Stanton Friedman is an expert when it comes to UFOs, there's no doubt about it. Most notably, he was the original civilian investigator of the Roswell Incident, an event in UFO history that doesn't exactly require an introduction. He was also one of few that conducted in-depth research into the Betty and Barney Abduction of 1961, having co-authored two books with Kathleen Marden (Betty Hill's niece) to date.

So there's certainly no question here, it was truly an honour to have had Stanton Friedman on our show last Sunday. We covered general ufology and abduction stories, as well as some more intense discussions, such as interstellar travel and alien visitations. We question the intentions of extraterrestrial intelligence (are they really as benign as some of us would like to believe?), the feasibility of them visiting us at all, and (of course) Government knowledge and involvement.

Be sure to check out Mr. Friedman's website, as well as some of the books that he has on sale (he tells us that he always autographs them!). If you're twitter savvy, then also give this man a follow!

Once again, we warmly thank Susan of Contact In The Desert for making this amazing interview possible. Stanton Friedman, alongside a great many other speakers, will be appearing at this year's event. 

And for all you UFO buffs that haven't already checked out the work of MUFON, make sure you visit their website: www.mufon.com

Oh, and of course check out our WoTR interview with Friedman! Just click below.

As usual, help us spread the word! Follow us, tweet us, Facebook us....you know the drill.

Posted on April 23, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Former Scientologist & Sea-Org Member, Lynn Campbell, talks to WoTR

"I can’t believe I was ever a part of that. They…they’re slaves. And they…I don’t know…they’re just asleep, I just wish they would wake up."  Lynn Campbell.

The "Big Blue" Scientology building in Hollywood.

The "Big Blue" Scientology building in Hollywood.

One of the signs outside the "Big Blue" on Sunset.

One of the signs outside the "Big Blue" on Sunset.

Signs posted by Lynn on her shop window.

Signs posted by Lynn on her shop window.

On the 5th of April we had the pleasure of interviewing Lynn Campbell – former Scientologist, current activist, and all-round lovely person. She had been a Scientologist for a number of years, having been introduced to it by her aunt at a young age. From then on, she became engrossed in Scientology and soon joined the new religion alongside her aunt and mother.

However, over time she drifted away from Scientology, this separation having been instigated by the introduction of David Miscavige as the new leader. Slowly, Lynn opened her eyes to what Scientology truly was and what was happening to it. She now operates a hairdressing salon near the big blue Scientology building in Los Angeles, advertising “a free roll of toilet paper with haircut” for all Sea Org Members.

Last Sunday, Lynn joined us on WoTR to answer all our questions, and provide us with a true insight into Scientology. Genuine in her responses, her honesty tells us what it was really like being part of this organization, loving it, and then having to leave it.

Click below to listen!

And be sure to check out Shear Perfection if you’re in Los Angeles, Lynn’s hairdressing salon. It’s on Fountain Ave, adjacent to the big blue Scientology building.

For more information, see these website suggestions (as posted on Lynn's shop-front windows):

forum.exscn.net
tonyortega.org
whyweprotest.net
xenu.net

And remember to support us on social media!


Posted on April 15, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Welcome Astronaut STORY MUSGRAVE to WoTR!

This past Sunday saw a WoTR double-bill Special, commencing with an amazing interview of Dr. Story Musgrave – former NASA astronaut, motivational speaker, family man, and all-round genius. If the seven graduate degrees and TWENTY honorary doctorates are not enough to convince you of this man’s accomplishments, then surely the six NASA spaceflight missions (only the second human to ever have achieved this record) will. Story provides us with an interview like no one has ever done before – interesting, insightful and, most of all, genuinely “out of this world” (no pun intended).

As a firm believer in alien intelligence, he guides us through one of the most rational and non-biased interviews to date – he provides facts without tainting them, and theories without hyping them up. Truly a one-of-a-kind man, we are honoured to have had Astronaut Story Musgrave on West of The Rockies. Check out his interview right here (see below).

Don't forget to watch out for Story Musgrave at this May's Contact In The Desert, where he'll be presenting a lecture, as well as running a workshop! Special thanks go out Susan (of CitD), for once again making an amazing interview possible. Thank you!

And now to our interview - enjoy!

Don't forget to follow us!

Posted on April 8, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

UFOs & Government evidence: Mr. "Marty McFly" gives us a run-down

We were joined on the 1st March by Marty McFly,* UFO researcher and expert on the topic, who provided us with some seriously dumbfounding UFO information (as well as accompanying evidence in the form of Government documents). For all you UFO-fanatics out there, this is what you've been waiting for - actual  documented information concerning UFOs, as released by the US Government. The files were, très unfortunately, taken off the web very soon after (the implications thereof are for you to decide...), but nevertheless, we have some of those documents to show you, all thanks to Marty (thanks Marty!). Of course, you may have your usual doubts: what if these documents are fake? Maybe Marty is tricking us here? Or perhaps the Government released false documents? Maybe they're just inaccurate and outdated? Well, we can't make the decision for you. So have a listen to this WoTR episode, because no one can do that on your behalf.

p.s. We've uploaded some of the relevant documents for you, all in the safest way possible, namely as image files. Scroll through the following photo galleries to view the texts. (Watch this space in the next few days for the second batch of files.)

*name changed for privacy purposes.

Doc No.: 1

Doc No.: 2A

Doc No.: 2B

Doc No.: 3

Doc No.: 4

Doc No.: 5A

Doc No.: 5B

Doc No.: 5C

Doc No.: 6A

Doc No.: 6B

Doc No.: 6C

Posted on March 15, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Greg Ford back on WoTR, blowing our minds again

Greg Ford Pic.jpg

For the past two Sundays, WoTR has had the honour of welcoming back Greg Ford to the show. A lot of you probably remember Greg from our first interview with him – if you want to catch up with that show, click here.

1380013_191661571018657_54559832_n.jpg

To summarise an interview with Greg could never do it justice; however, here are a few points that were covered over the past two weeks: WMDs, namely VX/GF gas, in Syria, sold and re-bought by the US; prison conditions and abuse in Abu Ghraib; 9/11 and Government knowledge prior to the attack; the dangers of ISIS; US involvement in Central America’s unrest. Greg’s political knowledge is beyond extensive, giving us insights that amaze (and horrify) us every time. Needless to say, having him as an interviewee always guarantees an edge-of-the-seat show. This is information everyone should know, so be sure to check out both interviews below.

Part I - 15th February 2015

Part II - 22nd February 2015

Don't forget to follow us on twitter and Facebook.



Posted on February 26, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

WoTR checks out The NAMM Show 2015

NAMM oh NAMM. Where would we be without NAMM? Well, we'd certainly be fifty pens and a bagful of candy poorer. With that amount of promotional merchandise, it would be a sin not to load up on free pens, candy, picks and bags, right? I know at least some of you share my passion for free stuff...

"Well, Hello NAMM!" The Anaheim Convention Centre, 2015.

"Well, Hello NAMM!" The Anaheim Convention Centre, 2015.

That aside though...MUSIC. Obviously that's what we actually went there for. And as usual, NAMM was nothing short of impressive. Highlights included some serious rocking out at the Wood Violins booth (no, really), a hi-tech new gadget by the name of “REVPAD”, and of course the entire ESP Guitars room. No one puts on quite a display like the ESP custom shop.

The amazing ESP Guitars Custom Shop, NAMM 2015

The amazing ESP Guitars Custom Shop, NAMM 2015

Rockin' out at the Wood Violins booth, NAMM 2015

Rockin' out at the Wood Violins booth, NAMM 2015

A little more about the REVPAD, just because we thought it was #dope. I think the general consensus was that this new little gadget completely blew the Ibanez Kaoss-pad-equipped-guitar out of the water (the Ibanez guitar was released last year at NAMM, and honestly, it seemed pretty cool at the time). It’s essentially everything that Ibanez wanted to achieve and more. The REVPAD is small, inconspicuous, intuitive and easy-to-control; you can link a huge array of guitar pedals and effects to it; and to top it off, you can still connect a Kaoss pad (wirelessly, of course) if you really want to. Basically, it's an amazing remote-control, but without the unsightly custom-made guitar that has a massive chunk cut out of it where the Kaoss pad sits. That’s just silly and impractical. Anyway, I’m not here to advertise it (I should have probably demanded sponsorship for this…). Have a look at it for yourself.

(And for the music nerds out there, here’s a longer demo of the REVPAD.)

Brad and Jeff of Drumsmack TV, NAMM 2015.

Brad and Jeff of Drumsmack TV, NAMM 2015.

We also bumped into the guys of Drumsmack TV, a bunch of super nice and funny dudes. If you’re a drum aficionado (and even if not), you should definitely check out their weekly show sometime. They interview some of the best drummers in the business, opening up a whole new scope of music appreciation.

Tré Cool being très cool, NAMM 2015.

Tré Cool being très cool, NAMM 2015.

And while on the topic of drums, Mr Tré Cool of Green Day also made an appearance, patiently ploughing through an autograph session that lasted an hour or five. Seriously, I don’t know how some of these guys do it. It was hot, loud and busy, and there he is, smiling, on his feet for several hours, in a suit. Hats off to you, sir.

A special mention is definitely required for Mr Paul Reed Smith, the very man behind PRS Guitars (and one of only a few people with the ability to turn Frank into an over-excited fangurl). Also, a shout-out to Emil Werstler (Chimaira, Dååth), awesome guitarist and demonstrator at the PRS booth; oh, and Ronnie Radke (Escape The Fate; Falling In Reverse), just because I like his bands. Don’t hate on my emo side. Unfortunately, we did miss out on seeing Dustie Waring (Between The Buried And Me), and Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad; The Devin Townsend Project), due to our awful time-management skills. I was pretty sad about this, pretty sad. I’m including a couple of pictures from last year (see slideshow below), just so I can feel a bit better about it.

Mr P.R.S. and our very own Frank, NAMM 2015.

Mr P.R.S. and our very own Frank, NAMM 2015.

Genevieve with Emil Werstler, in the PRS Room, NAMM 2015.

Genevieve with Emil Werstler, in the PRS Room, NAMM 2015.

Saying "hi" to Ronnie Radke. The man in the background makes this picture. NAMM 2015.

Saying "hi" to Ronnie Radke. The man in the background makes this picture. NAMM 2015.

Overall, it was a fun few days, spent wishing we were rich (or at least famous), surrounded by light-up instruments, sci-fi gadgets, and more neon colours than Design The Skyline could shake a guitar string at (if you need help with that awful reference, click here. Then proceed to looking the band up on Urban Dictionary.) Thank you, NAMM.

Light-up drums by DrumLite, NAMM 2015.

Light-up drums by DrumLite, NAMM 2015.

Lots and lots of neon, Charvel Guitars, NAMM 2015.

Lots and lots of neon, Charvel Guitars, NAMM 2015.

Posted on February 19, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

An Interview with James R. Wright, former 32nd Degree Mason & Whistleblower

This past Sunday, WoTR had the honour of talking to James Robert Wright, former 32nd Degree Mason and current whistleblower on said "fraternal organisation". His insights and revelations are both mind-blowing and terrifying. Having spent several years as a Freemason, eventually working himself up to the position of Special Assistant to the Secretary-General, Wright provides us with an honest and stark view of his experiences, and explains why he ended up leaving.

Posted on February 12, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

Chad Lindberg talks "Ghost Stalkers" on WoTR

"We're going to spend 48 hours isolated in some of the rawest, grittiest haunted locations in the world."

The new paranormal TV show, Ghost Stalkers, has just seen the end of its very first season, and has managed to impress the public. With its innovate new take on the "standard" ghost-hunting routine, this show sees the stars of the program (Chad Lindberg and John E.L. Tenney) each spend a night alone in an haunted location every episode, moving through the building and collecting data. With a premise like that, the show promises more evidence and more scares than your usual ghost adventure.

On this episode of West of The Rockies, we interview Chad Lindberg, grilling him on all aspects of his experience and giving him a chance to clarify any issues or queries that people may have regarding the show. Chad is one of the nicest and sincerest guys you could hope to meet in showbiz, providing us with a genuinely fascinating and honest interview.

Ernie Alonzo (Haunted OC) also joins us on this interview, sharing some of this ghost-hunting experiences, as well as promoting his upcoming event in partnership with Chad.

Check out Chad's past interview on WoTR with Jason Gates (of SyFy's Haunted Collector) and Ernie Alonzo here

If you're a fan of the show and would love to see another season made, then be sure to hit up Destination America, by either writing to them or bugging them on their twitter account: @destamerica

The Ghost Stalkers Twitter account: @ghoststalkers1

Say hi to Chad: @chadlindberg

And now for the interview!

Don't forget to follow "West of The Rockies" on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.

Posted on February 1, 2015 and filed under SUM1.

West of The Rockies @ Comikaze Expo 2014

This picture is a perfect snapshot into the world of ComiKaze - courtesy of Jorge Diaz.

This picture is a perfect snapshot into the world of ComiKaze - courtesy of Jorge Diaz.

Comic conventions really are a different world. Actually, conventions in general are, but this type in particular. (→)

We hit the road on good old All Hallows' Eve (OK, so it's a ten minute drive, but we still hit the road), and braced ourselves for the three days of pop-culture and geek mayhem that is Comikaze. Here's our story.

---

 

Frank fangurling on Brian Pulido.

Frank fangurling on Brian Pulido.

So, Frank has this love for Lady Death. I'm not sure if it's solely platonic, but let's just say it's his favourite comic ever.  We walk into the exhibition hall, and BAM, guess who we first encounter? Brian Pulido at his Lady Death booth. So here is Frank's first chance to nerd-off, and nerd-off he does. In fact, it looks as though it's becoming increasingly difficult for him to hold back his inner fangurl. Honestly though, Brian is a cool guy. Like, totally cool. We chat a bit, buy half of his memorabilia inventory, and try to leave as suavely as possible.

Horror Panel on Friday. From left to right: Ace Marrero, Gabriella Waljs, Jorge Diaz, Christiane Elin, Josh Henaman.

Horror Panel on Friday. From left to right: Ace Marrero, Gabriella Waljs, Jorge Diaz, Christiane Elin, Josh Henaman.

Friday seems to be pretty chill, and we try to appreciate it before the throngs of Saturday march in. We wander around a little, before heading to a panel titled, "DEMONS AND MONSTERS: A SUPERNATURAL HORROR MASH-UP," hosted by our friend, Christiane Elin (Haunted OC). This panel saw Ace Marrero, Jorge Diaz, Gabrielle Walsh & Joshua Henaman talk all things weird and supernatural. Regular WoTR listeners will probably know Jorge and Josh by now. It was certainly nice seeing these guys again, and we even snuck in a couple of Bigfoot comics for Josh to sign.

There was the usual talk, ranging from horror movies to UFOs, but the "Anecdote of the Evening" prize surely goes to Jorge, with his story about a real-life vampire family. No, really. Apparently this family used to frequent the supermarket that Jorge's brother used to work at and, well, let's just say they were really into this vampire thing. They came out only at night, drank each other's blood, and lead incestuous relationships with each other. Yeah.

Camilla D'Errico with the print she signed for WoTR.

Camilla D'Errico with the print she signed for WoTR.

So Friday was chill, Saturday was when mania set in. Highlights include Camilla D'Errico's art, coincidentally stumbling upon the creator of the Hello Kitty zombie t-shirt I'd bought a while ago, seeing DMC doing his new comic thing, and having a cold beer. We also attended another one of Christiane's panels, titled, "PARANORMAL ADVENTURES IN TELEVISION," this time alongside Ben Hansen, Susan Slaughter, and Dana Workman. All three of them have a background in paranormal television, so there was certainly no lack of ghost and UFO stories; of course, most of you already know Ben from past WoTR shows, and I think we can safely say that there's never a boring moment when he's talking (check out a past show here).

Sunday: day of mourning. Alright, not quite so bad, but it's always sad to see a fun event like this wind down. We still had a few tasks to accomplish though, including getting a signed print by J. Scott Campbell (longest queue ever), and attending the Lady Death/Brian Pulido panel ("LADY DEATH 20TH ANNIVERSARY: HOW YOU CAN CREATE & PUBLISH ICONIC CHARACTERS"). We also took this time to talk to a few of the smaller businesses, including the creator of a new interactive type of movie called, "Movie Maze," (download their first movie, The Mechanic, for FREE; at very least check out the ridiculous trailer here), and steampunk comic creator, Alejandro Lee, who impressively writes, draws and colours his own comics (check out his Sally Sprocket & Piston Pete comic). We also stumbled across a geek dating website, soulgeek.com (yep, this is actually a real thing), which we immediately signed up to. OK, we didn't, but in all honesty, I think this is a pretty fun idea. Perhaps some of you may even want to check it out and get back to us about it, yeah?

Anyway, Comikaze - it's been real.

Posted on November 27, 2014 and filed under SUM1.