Rebelliously Curious with Chrissy Newton: UFOs, Science, Culture and Futurism

I'm joined by Randy Bostick, PhD, a physicist and former Science Advisor for the U.S. Department of Defense's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, or AARO. Today we'll discuss Randy's time at AARO, the challenges facing UAP investigations within the government, how government and civilian scientists can work together, and so much more. Join us as we get rebelliously curious.

Today, we're joined by Bryce Zabel—award-winning television writer, producer, and journalist, and one of the most respected voices in the UFO and UAP conversation. From creating the cult-classic TV series Dark Skies to co-hosting the popular UFO podcast Need to Know and launching his new podcast Sound, Light, and Frequency, Bryce has spent decades exploring the intersection of media, mystery, and...

In 2016, the idea of a hidden planet lurking far beyond Neptune reignited one of astronomy's biggest mysteries. Since then, the search for "Planet Nine" has captured the imagination of scientists and the public alike—raising profound questions about how our solar system formed, and whether we've overlooked an entire world in our cosmic backyard. Today, I'm joined by Konstantin Batygin, professor o...

Today's guest is Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell, a retired integrative medical doctor, neuropsychiatrist, and psychotherapist whose work has spanned the intersections of mind, brain, and human development. In this conversation, we explore neurodiversity, autism, communication, and the evolving science behind non-speaking autistic individuals. We also examine controversial claims around telepathy, emergi...

In this episode, we focus on China's rapidly evolving role in BCI development with guest Phoenix Peng, CEO and founder of Gestala, from Chinese communist government policy and healthcare integration to questions around data privacy, ethics, and large-scale deployment of BCI technology in schools, hospitals, and industry. We also explore how China's regulatory environment is shaping innovation, wha...

Today's episode sits right at the intersection of mystery, media, and manipulation. We're diving into the strange, often unsettling world of UFOs—or what we now call UAPs—and asking a simple question: what's real, and what have we been led to believe? For decades, stories of unidentified craft, alien encounters, and government secrecy have shaped public imagination. But behind those headlines lies...

Today, we're diving into one of the most fascinating and rapidly evolving frontiers: brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs, but from a European perspective. Joining us is Dr. Martin Schüttler, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at CorTec, the first German company at the forefront of neural interface innovation. From restoring lost function to potentially redefining how we interact with machines—...

Today's episode explores one of the most disturbing intelligence programs of the Cold War: MKUltra. For decades, the Central Intelligence Agency ran secret experiments attempting to understand — and potentially control — the human mind. These programs tested everything from psychological manipulation to drugs like LSD, often without the consent of the people involved. While many people associate M...

Today, we're exploring Indigenous experiences, history, and the ongoing journey toward truth and reconciliation. Our guest is Maeengan Linklater, Anishinaabe, from Lac Seul First Nation in Ontario, with more than 25 years of experience across the non-profit, government, and private sectors, and he is a father, community volunteer, and poet. In this episode, we'll discuss the painful legacy of resi...

From the earliest days of rocketry, progress has always belonged to the scientist willing to think beyond the limits of their time. Long before rockets reached orbit, pioneers like Robert H. Goddard laid the mathematical and experimental foundations that proved spaceflight was even possible. And not long after, figures like Jack Parsons helped turn theory into raw, explosive reality—building the p...

Today, we're talking with Gregg Bishop, author of Project Beta, a leading researcher into UAPs and one of the most infamous disinformation campaigns in UFO history. We'll cover his journey into UAP research, his investigations into Richard Doty and the Paul Bennewitz case, the fallout from the 1989 MUFON conference, and his thoughts on misinformation in today's UAP landscape. If you're curious abo...

Today, we're diving into one of the most fascinating topics, near-death experiences, and one of the deeply human questions of our time: What happens when we come close to death—and why does it change people forever? Joining me is Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova, Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, and a leading researche...

What happens when technology starts to read your mind — or even predict your thoughts before you have them? In this episode, we dive deep into the rapidly evolving frontier of brain–computer interfaces, or BCIs — a technology once confined to science fiction that's now redefining what it means to be human.  Joining me today is Florian Solzbacher, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Blackrock N...

Today, we're exploring the science of breath — ancient practices meeting modern neuroscience. My guest is Amy Kartar, a neuroscientist and breathwork researcher who's uncovering how high-ventilation breathwork, paired with music, can induce profound altered states of consciousness — the kind once only associated with psychedelics, but completely drug-free. We'll talk about how this practice change...

Open-source intelligence provides a unique view into how government media surveillance operates — revealing how agencies can misrepresent information both publicly and internally. These manipulations often serve to create a controlled narrative from the inside out. Anthony Miller joins me to discuss his firsthand experience as an Open-Source Intelligence Analyst, how witnessing this shaped his per...

My guest is Dr. Marina Weiler, a neuroscientist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies, also known as DOPS. DOPS is one of the few academic research units in the world dedicated to exploring questions at the very frontier of science and spirituality—questions like: What happens when we die? Does consciousnes...

Today, we're exploring the frontier of human consciousness with Paul Citarella, Chief Technology Officer at The Monroe Institute—a pioneering organization dedicated to understanding the full spectrum of human awareness. We'll unpack the science, technology, and philosophy behind the Institute's groundbreaking work: from Hemi-Sync® and binaural beats that guide the mind into altered states, to the...

Simulation Hypothesis—the idea that our entire reality might be a sophisticated simulation, much like a video game. Rizwan Virk—or Riz-Won—a true pioneer whose career has spanned computer science at MIT, pioneering work in the video game industry, successful ventures as a startup founder and venture capitalist, professor, and author of The Simulation Hypothesis, joins me on the podcast today to br...

What if you could wake up inside your own dreams—and influence them? That's the world of lucid dreaming—a state where you're not only aware you're dreaming, but can actively shape the dream itself. Today, we're joined by Dr. Garret Yount, PhD, a scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), whose research explores consciousness, healing, and remarkable human experiences. We'll uncover: Wha...

What would you do if I told you an alien spacecraft might be headed toward Earth this November? Sounds like science fiction, right? But according to Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, it could be a scientific fact. Discovered by the ATLAS telescope in Hawaii, 3I/ATLAS is a newly detected interstellar object—only the third ever spotted—zipping through our solar system on a highly unusual trajectory....

Why is the UAP community lacking diversity? Race, representation, and the unexplored dimensions of the UAP conversation are our focus in today's podcast. Our guest is Dr. Stephen C. Finley, Professor and Chair of African & African American Studies at Louisiana State University — a scholar whose work bridges religion, race, philosophy, and the paranormal. Why have Black voices historically been exc...

Today on the show, we're joined by Noland Arbaugh — the first publicly known human to receive Neuralink's brain-computer interface implant. After a diving accident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, Noland volunteered for one of the most experimental technologies of our time. Now, he can control digital devices with his mind. We'll explore the procedure, how the tech works, its ethical im...

In 1978, Grenada's Prime Minister Sir Eric Gairy brought UFOs to the floor of the United Nations—backed by researchers like Jacques Vallée and J. Allen Hynek. Their goal? A global investigation into UAPs. However, despite their efforts, the UN dismissed the initiative, citing political and scientific resistance. Today, as interest in UAPs surges worldwide, we ask: Was Gairy ahead of his time? Shou...

We're diving deep into a bold new frontier at the intersection of brain-computer interfaces and consumer tech. Seriously. Joining us is Kurt Haggstrom, Chief Commercial Officer at Synchron, the pioneering company behind the FDA-authorized Stentrode—a brain-computer interface that's redefining accessibility. With Apple now collaborating with Synchron, what does this mean for the future of human-dev...

Today, we're joined by Marik von Rennenkampff, a former U.S. Department of Defense official and State Department analyst. We explore the science behind UAP classification, why shape data varies across agencies, and what those inconsistencies might reveal. Marik shares insights on national security implications, the growing role of private industry in UAP research, and how to move beyond media hype...