New episode of Squaring the Strange is out! This week I look into a TikTok rumor of abductions at Target, and then we tackle the Beast! That is, the Mark of the Beast and the Number of the Beast. We talk of pimples and witch-prickers, the 1970s rise of 666 as a taboo...
Media Literacy
My Forgotten ‘Coast to Coast AM’ Appearance
I've been asked a few times if I've ever appeared on "Coast To Coast AM," and always said no. So I was surprised to discover I had, back in 2018. I'd totally forgotten about it. I never talked to Art Bell but if I had I'd have reminded him about his role in the...
Celestia Ward Interviews Richard Wiseman on ‘Hocus Pocus’
My friend and Squaring the Strange co-host Celestia Ward recently interviewed the great Richard Wiseman about his new skeptical comic Hocus Pocus for the Adventures in Poor Taste site... check it out HERE!
‘Big–If True: Adventures in Oddity’ reviewed!
There's a lovely review of my new book Big-If True: Adventures in Oddity at AIPTComics: "The perfect book for anyone that loves diving into mysteries or enjoys a good investigation. It’s a very quick read, easily broken up into chapters, or even chunks at a time....
Skeptical Inquirer article: Psychic Detectives And The Tragedy Of Harley Dilly
I often investigate claims about psychic detectives, and last year I researched claims made by psychics in the tragic case of a missing Ohio boy in late 2020. He went missing without a trace, and several psychics gave information about where he was; what did they say...
Squaring the Strange #144: SLAP Testing Online Rumors
The new episode of Squaring the Strange is out, with folklorist Prof. Jeannie Banks Thomas on how folklore can help people judge questionable online claims. Seemingly legit warnings might just be a rumor or legend, and even folklorists can be fooled about what's what....
Squaring the Strange # 142: Cranks and Crankery!
A recent episode of Squaring the Strange is about CRANKS, and why they really grind our gears. Sit back for a little history of crankery, with emphasis on notable cranks from decades past--and even a few from right now! Check it out!
Quoted in a News Story about the Chupacabra
Looks like Ken Gerhard and I are quoted in a news story about the chupacabra legend.... Check it out HERE! Plus of course you can also read more in my book on the topic!
New Book ‘Big If True’ Reviewed on ‘Adventures in Poor Taste’!
The delightful website Adventures in Poor Taste has a nice review of my new book Big--If True! Check it out HERE!
Quoted in a ‘Cracked’ Article About the Chupacabra!
I'm quoted in a new Cracked article about the chupacabra, and it gives a slightly snarky (but generally good) summary of the monster's cinematic origins: "How A '90s Erotic Thriller Created the 'Chupacabra' Myth. Check it out!