Western Fringe

We talk about Sedalia's Brotherhood of the White Temple. Topics include: Egyptology, lizard people, hollow Earth, esoteric Christianity, and the CIA's research into Astral projection. Sources: "Found: Page 25 of the CIA's Gateway Report on Astral Projection" by Vice "Apocryphon" by The Sword

We discuss Colorado's theosophical cults — The St. Germain Foundation and later the Church Universal and Triumphant. Helena Blavatsky, Nazi esoterica, the Freemasonic roots of St. Germain, the cults movement to Ouray, Colorado and their groundbreaking religious freedom lawsuit, the rise of the Church Universal and Triumphant, including their headquarters in the 1960s at the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs. Also QAnon guy Michael Flynn and his plagiarized Elizabeth Clare Prophet prayer. Sources: The Secret History of the World by Mark Booth An embarrassing amount of Wikipedia "*******" by Jets to Brazil

[TW: Child abuse, animal mutilation]We talk about the so-called "Satanic panic," Colorado's own history of Satanic Crimes, the modern-day Satanic Temple, and more. Sources: Cults That Kill by Larry Kahaner The Witch Hunt Narrative by Ross Cheit "Survivors Celebrate the End of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation After 27 Years" by The Mighty "The Devil Went Down to Denver: The Satanic Temple, Unbaptisms, and Christian Conservatism" by Colorado Times Recorder "Cry for Judas" by The Mountain Goats

[TW: Child abuse, child sexual abuse] I'm back from the prolonged break with my friend/new cohost Jenna to discuss the 12 Tribes cult and their many child labor-, child abuse-, and child pornography-related scandals, but also their tasty offerings and quaint local cafes. Sources: @DrBlobb's thread FBI Report "STATE PROBES CULT IN CHILD-LABOR SCANDAL – ACTING ON HEELS OF POST REPORT" by NY Post "Protect the Abuser" by Broward Palm Beach New Times "In Germany's Twelve Tribes sect, cameras catch ‘cold and systematic' child-beating" by the Independent "Twelve Tribes sect may have smuggled children to Czech Republic" by Radio Prague International "Man convicted after 'bizarre' child-porn confession" by Prince George Citizen "Investigation Finds Children Working in Factory Packaging Beauty Products Sold at Major Retailers" by Inside Edition "‘They are evil': Ex-Twelve Tribes members describe child abuse, control inside religious cult" by Denver Post "Tribal conflict" by Colorado Springs Indy "Maté Factor's Twelve Tribes community called out by Vice" by Colorado Springs Indy "God's Got It" by Old Crow Medicine Show

[CW: Drug Abuse, Child Abuse, Animal Abuse, Sexual Assault, Racism] We continue our discussion of new age cults and their disturbing offshoot: cults disguised as drug treatment programs for troubled teens. We discuss Synanon, CEDU, The Seed, Straight Inc. and Enthusiastic Sobriety. Sources: Programmed to Kill by Dave McGowan Children of the Beast by William Ramsey Running My Anger: The Legacy of CEDU Surviving CEDU by Liam Scheff Straight, inc - The Truth About Straight from a Survivor Mel Sembler's Unauthorized Biography Cults Disguised as Drug Treatment by Freedom of Mind Colorado's only sober high school suspends operations by the Colorado Springs Gazette D11 charter high school leaders face questions over education materials by L. Ron Hubbard by Colorado Springs Independent Youth Gone Wild: Denver's Teen Sobriety Group and ‘Fun Felonies' by Colorado Times Recorder “Straight Edge” by Minor Threat "Junkie Church" by AJJ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We talk about the life and legacy of Werner Erhard. His run-in with Scientology, est, and the other self-help program you can learn about by listening. Sources: Children of the Beast by William Ramsey Psycho-Cybernetics 2000 by Maxwell Maltz "Landmark Worldwide, the arts community and the big, bizarre business of personal development" by Colorado Springs Independent "James Rowe" by Thin Air Podcast Missing James Brian Rowe The Americans by FX Semi-Tough by Michael Ritchie "Busy Brain" by Cayetana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

[TW: Mass shooting] This episode looks at New Life Church, which waged "spiritual warfare" in Colorado Springs and abroad, worked to evangelize cadets at the Air Force Academy, and dealt with Pastor Ted Haggard's 2006 gay sex scandal. In 2007, both YWAM's base in Arvada and New Life Church were the site of a mass shooting. Sources: Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez Children of the Beast by William Ramsey "Fighting Demons, Raising the Dead, Taking Over the World" by Religion Dispatches "Exodus" by This American Life "Disgraced pastor Haggard admits second relationship with man" by CNN "The Resurrection of Pastor Ted" by Colorado Springs Indpendent "YOUR Columbine" by Denver Post "Pslams 40:2" by The Mountain Goats --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This is a quick bonus episode, featuring a conversation with Jason Cordova of the Crypto Science Society about Demons. Additional Reading: "The Black Monarch Hotel offers spooky decor and an exclusive phantom party" by Colorado Springs Independent (my collab with CSS) "Demons, Furries, and Transgender People Focus of CO Springs Candidate" by Colorado Times Recorder "Demon Brother" by Murder City Devils --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

[TW: Sexual Abuse, Racism, Antisemitism] We look at Youth With a Mission, the international ministry started in 1960 by Loren Cunningham, who also came up with what we call the "Seven Mountain Mandate" with Bill Bright, whose Campus Crusade for Christ sold land to a Christian Identity group that planned a version of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1983. YWAM is also an organization beset with financial and sexual scandals, like a number of evangelical organizations. Sources: Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez Aberration in the Heartland of the Real by Wendy Painting "The Role of Evangelicals in U.S. Imperialism" by Iain Buchanan "Former University Of The Nations CFO Sentenced To 115 Months In Prison For Wire Fraud" "Couple sued for allegedly embezzling nearly $1.2M from Christian organization" by CTV @DrBlobb's thread on YWAM, Mercy Ships @mikita_e's thread on CSA "YWAM is dangerous...I spent 12 years...under the influence" "#YWAMToo: My Sexual Abuse Story" by Rebecca Lujan Loveless "Mission Control" by No Knife --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We discuss the life and work of James Dobson, and Focus on the Family's influence on the military, anti-LGBTQ policies, and conservative politics in America. Sources: Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez "Some Kinda Hate" by Colorado Springs Independent "Vineyard church says it heals, but some say it hurts Concerns raised about 'cult-like' group" by The Baltimore Sun "Christian Billionaire Philanthropist Bill Hwang Charged with ‘Historic' Stock Scam" by Religion Unplugged "Lawsuit Alleges Billionaire's Christian Foundation Engaged in Self-Dealing" by Christianity Today "Hard to Be" by David Bazan --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We take a look at the MK Ultra hypnosis research that was performed at the University of Denver during the early 1950s by Alden Sears. I'm joined by hypnotherapist Melvin Marsh, who talks about modern applications of hypnosis, and what he thinks about the CIA's attempts to create "human robots" using drugs, hypnosis, and other means. Sources: Military Neuroscience and the Coming Age of Neurowarfare by Armin Krishnan "CIA, MKULTRA and the Cover-up of U.S. Germ Warfare in the Korean War" by Jeff Kaye "Unwitting Part in Behavior Tests Fo'r C.I.A. Disclosed by Denver U." "Secret Documents Show a Tortured Prisoner's Descent" "MK Ultra" by Muse --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I got to attend the 2022 MUFON Symposium! I attended field investigator training, heard about the Phoenix Lights from eyewitnesses, and got to chat with J. Allen Hynek's son and Betty Hill's niece. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We talk about transhumanism, Peter Thiel and Elon Musk before jumping into the history of Frozen Dead Guy Days, Nederland's annual festival. Sources: "Grandpa's in the Tuff Shed" "President for Life" by Elmo Keep, The Verge Legends of America "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In honor of the Days of Blood, or Trans Day of Visibility, we are exploring Trinidad's history as the "Sex Change Capital of the World." We talk about the history of trans people, in antiquity and the modern era, and the work of Dr. Stanley Biber and later Dr. Marci Bowers, as they provided gender confirmation surgery to over 6,000 trans people in Trinidad. Sources: Going to Trinidad by Martin J. Smith The Histories by Herodotus Gilgamesh translated by John Gardner The Johns Hopkins Newsletter "My New Vagina Won't Make Me Happy" by Andrea Chu Long "Crying in a Bathroom Stall" by Dyke Drama Further Listening: One From the Vaults --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Robert A. Heinlein, famed sci-fi writer, lived in Colorado Springs in the 1950s. We look at the life of Robert Heinlein, his connections to L. Ron Hubbard and Jack Parsons, the Esalen Institute, and Heinlein's own connections to weird mysticism and the occult. Sources: Robert A Heinlein: In Dialogue With His Century Volume 1: Learning Curive (1907-1948) by William H Patterson Turn Off Your Mind: The Mystic Sixties and the Dark Side of the Age of Aquarius by Gary Lachman Programmed to Kill: The Politics of Serial Murder by David McGowan "The Night They Blew Up The Moon" by Hot Rod Circuit Further Study: "I'M YOUR PUPPET: The Sorcerous Sinema of Kenneth Anger" by Subliminal Jihad "Sons of Sam" Netflix Documentary "Self Improvement" by Heidi Beedle, Colorado Springs Independent --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We talk about the Smaldone crime family. Bloody shootouts in Pueblo during the 1920s, gory gangland killings in Denver in the 30s, weird mob connections to Harry S Truman and Colorado Governor Ralph Carr, among others. Things get weird with mentions of Anton LaVey and Clyde Smaldone's take on "conspiracy theories" surrounding the JFK assassination. Sources: Smaldone: The Untold Story of an American Crime Family by Dick Kreck --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Computer pioneer Seymour Cray died after a traffic accident in Colorado Springs in 1996. His computers were used in a variety of military and intelligence roles, so is it possible that Cray's death was something more than it seems? Possible but not likely. We talk about the life and death of Seymour Cray. Sources: Seymour Cray Biography "Colorado Springs computer firm broadens its reach with first commercial product" - Colorado Springs Gazette "Assassination on X-Mas Eve" by Archers of Loaf --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Is there a network of Deep Underground Military Bases (D.U.M.B.) run by Aliens and Military personnel connected by a secret underground rail network? Probably not. Is there a DUMB at Schriever Space Force Base? Also probably not. Were Air Force and Intelligence types involved with spreading the DUMB conspiracy? You betcha. Also, I talk about two of my favorite buildings in Colorado Springs. Sources: Mirage Men by Mark Pilkington "Nazis, Frauds and Grifters: The Truth about the Lovette-Cunningham Incident" "You Look Like I Need a Drink" by Against Me! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Time to get weird about UFOs. We talk about CU-Boulder's 1969 report on UFOs, historic sightings at F.E. Warren Air Force Base (technically in Wyoming but close enough) and recent UFO sightings in Denver and Colorado Springs, including the 2020 "mystery drones" and mini-flap I covered in Colorado Springs in March 2020. Sources: Operation Trojan Horse by John Keel "Looking at the Bob Lazar story from the perspective of 2018" F.E. Warren 2010 Incident F.E. Warren 2010 Incident UFO sighting Co Springs UFO Waldo Canyon Fire UFO Fox 31 Denver UFO 9 News Breckenridge UFO flap The Drive March 25, 2020 UFOs "Concerning the UFO sighting near Highland, Illinois" by Sufjan Stevens --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Starting in 1975, Colorado was ground zero for the cattle mutilation phenomenon. Today we look at the reporting of two journalists, Dane Edwards of the Brush Banner and Dorothy Aldridge of the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, as they cover the strange phenomenon that still persists today, which the FBI dubbed the result of "natural predator activity." Sources: The Oregonian Denver Public Library Colorado Springs Independent The Black Vault --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The CIA, secretly training a rebel army in Colorado? It's more likely than you think. After World War II, the CIA used Camp Hale to train Tibetan resistance fighters during the late 1950s and early 1960s. One of the instructors, Anthony Poshepny, later became notorious for sketchy conduct during the Vietnam War. Sources: The CIA's Secret War in Tibet by Kenneth Conboy and James Morrison The Shadow Circus: The CIA in Tibet "Agent Provocative" by SF Weekly "Love and Empire: The Dalai Lama, and Arrested Histories of the Tibetan Resistance Army" by Carole McGranahan "Satellite" and "Crash Into Me" by Dave Matthews Band by Heidi Beedle Further Listening: "THE SASQUATCH GAP: Bigfoot, Almasty, and Cold War Cryptozoology" by Subliminal Jihad --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We talk about Camp Hale, the Colorado Army base that was home to the 10th Mountain Division during World War II, but also home to 400 German POWs and the 620th Engineer General Service Company, a misfit unit of Nazi sympathizers. One of those soldiers would go AWOL with 2 German POWs in one of the biggest treason cases of the war. Sources: Something Like Treason by Bill Sonn Colorado Encyclopedia "The War" by Lucero Further Listening: Programmed to Chill: Who Financed Hitler? pt. 2, or, Detroit Krautrock City Programmed to Chill: Spyclopedia #1, William Stephenson pt. 2, or, FBI Foot Guys --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The final installment of the Nuke-O-Rado series, we discuss the Grand Jury investigation into Rocky Flats' alleged environmental crimes, the clean-up effort, and the ongoing legacy of Rocky Flats. We're also joined by Giselle Herzfeld and Usama Khalid of the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center to discuss their efforts regarding Rocky Flats. Sources: Ambushed Grand Jury by Wes McKinley and Caron Balkany My reporting in the Colorado Springs Independent Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center excerpt of "Radiation Suit" by Hot Rod Circuit --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Things get weird in the waning days of Rocky Flats. A UFO sighting, two missing persons cases, and of course continued concerns about the disposal of nuclear waste and the rising rates of cancer for Denver-area residents. It all culminates with a raid on the plant by the FBI. Sources: Dark Side of the Mountain Colorado Bureau of Investigation Brother Tony's Boys by Mike Echols Ambushed Grand Jury by Wes McKinley (there was a website where you could download a free .pdf, which I did a few weeks ago, the page is gone now. Weird.) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode we talk about Colorado's Operation Plowshare projects in Rulison and Rio Blanco. Were they covers for the construction of Deep Underground Military Bases? That makes about as much sense as the stated purpose of natural gas exploration. We also look into how the rise of the Environmental Protection Agency along with local and federal health agency oversight convinced Dow it was time to pass the baton to Rockwell International, who took over in 1975, trying to reform the image of the plant and prove how safe it was while the Jefferson County Health Department conducted damning studies on cancer rates and public sentiment turned against the nuclear weapons plant. Sources: AEC Promo video Archival news clippings (Thanks Pikes Peak Public Library!) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode we take a look Colorado's role in the Manhattan Project with the Uranium mining operations in Uravan and the Uranium refinery in Grand Junction. After World War II, Colorado was chosen as the site for Dow Chemical's plutonium manufacturing plant, Rocky Flats, which had it's first series of accidents in 1957. Sources: Atomic Heritage Foundation Department of Energy Rocky Flats Timeline by Pat Buffer Demon Core Incident Many of the documents I will be citing in this series came from the Office of Legacy Management's website, and it appears those .pdfs aren't available anymore, LOL. If you want to take a look at the source documents feel free to email westernfringe@protonmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app