Podcast UFO

In last week’s blog, we looked at the beginning of the modern crop circle phenomenon that first got the attention of the media and UFO researchers in 198o. This was described in the 1986 report compiled by Paul Fuller and Jenny Randles (written by Randles) for the British UFO Research Association titled Mystery of the Circles. According to Randles, the idea that UFOs had something to do with the mystery came from the fact that the first circles appeared in the West Country in the area of Warminster, which had become famous in the 60’s as a UFO hotspot. When we left off, that idea was falling out of favor with researchers, particularly Ian Mrzyglod of the newly formed organization, PROBE, who is quoted from the March 1982, Vol. 2, No. 4, PROBE Report: “…even to suggest that the flattened circles were UFO landing nests is wildly speculative wishful thinking, without any foundation.” After a lull in attention in 1982, things picked up after eight sets of five circles appeared that were made up of one large circle surrounded by four smaller circles at equidistant locations. Prior to this, there had been only single circles or two or three in a row.Playing a large part in the media attention was the fact that the circles appeared in the summer, often called the silly season due to the fact that stories of a less-than-serious nature are used as filler in the midst of what is traditionally a slow news period. And, it did get silly. One example presented by Randles is Daily Express columnist Jean Rook being sent to one of the sites “to come up with a lovely, poetic ode to ‘E.T.,’” the titular alien from the movie. According to Randles, Rook “found physical evidence of his presence in the midst of one of the rings – a poppy.”Randles emphasizes that “serious UFO investigators refused to get involved” and notes that she, herself, refused to appear on BBC and ITV television, even though she had a new book to promote, The Pennine UFO Mystery. Read more →

Within UFOlogy, there are several areas of specialization, such as abductions, landing traces, humanoids, contactees, military encounters, etc. They often have their own specialized literature put out by individual researchers or organizations, and many have come and gone in terms of popular fascination and press coverage. One aspect that has fallen by the wayside is crop circle research, also known as “cereology.” Its early history, and the reasons for it falling out of favor with the press, and even among UFOlogists, is summed up neatly in the 1986 report, Mystery of the Circles, “compiled by” by Paul Fuller and Jenny Randles (Randles is the writer) for the British UFO Association. Of course, their report didn’t put an immediate end to the phenomenon or the activity of researcher/investigators who were focused on it, but it did presage the eventual waning of interest to where very few in the community continue to consider it seriously as having anything to do with UFOs.According to Randles, mystery circles in the British West Country first started getting media attention in August of 1980, but “persistent local rumors” of them appearing in oat, barley, and wheat fields throughout Wiltshire and Hampshire goes back to at least 40 years before that. As of the release of the report, mysterious circles had shown up in fields between May and August for six successive years. Randles points out that the reason BUFORA became involved was because of the appearance of circles in the area of Warminster, which was notorious for a UFO flap in the 1960’s involving an object known as “The Warminster Thing.” She explains that this “created a definite hype which sees these marks regarded as ground traces left by a landing, or hovering, spacecraft.” Read more →

In this in-depth episode of Podcast UFO, host Martin Willis is joined by Len Filppu, a lifelong experiencer whose 1967 Brockport, New York UFO sighting became a pivotal moment that reshaped his understanding of reality, consciousness, and the unexplained. Len recounts witnessing a low-flying, fiery orange object, accompanied by a smaller white orb, moving silently across the sky—an event corroborated by multiple police officers and dozens of civilian witnesses across western New York. The sighting later inspired the animated short documentary Psychedelic in the Sky, which explores not only the event itself, but the deeper psychological and spiritual impact it had on those involved. Beyond the UFO encounter, Len discusses a series of profound anomalous experiences, including a verified poltergeist incident, altered states of consciousness, and how stigma and ridicule once silenced witnesses for decades. Together, Martin and Len examine how public perception of UFOs has evolved—from mockery in the 1960s to serious scientific and academic inquiry today. 

In this special round-robin episode, Podcast UFO host Martin Willis is joined by an exceptional panel to review one of the most consequential years in modern UFO/UAP history. Filmmaker Dean Alioto, Surprise guest, Matt Ford of The Good Trouble Show, UFO Jack, and Allie & Justin, hosts of UAP Society’s UAP News Show, come together to discuss the major strides, controversies, and revelations that shaped the UAP conversation throughout 202 controversies, and revelations that shaped the UAP conversation throughout 2025. Topics covered include: Congressional hearings, whistleblowers, and renewed legislative efforts surrounding UAP disclosure Scientific re-evaluation of historical and modern UAP data Increased civilian and military reporting, including USOs The growing role of academia and independent research groups Media, documentaries, and the shifting public perception of UFOs Where the UAP conversation stands heading into 2026 This wide-ranging discussion brings multiple perspectives together—media, research, filmmaking, and analysis—to assess how far the subject has progressed and what unanswered questions remain. Whether you follow UFOs from a scientific, political, or cultural standpoint, this episode provides a comprehensive look at why 2025 may be remembered as a turning point in UAP history.YouTube Video

Retired law enforcement officers Dave Rich and Marianne Robb join host Martin Willis for a wide-ranging conversation on why first responders can be uniquely strong UAP/UFO witnesses—and why the professional fallout after reporting can be just as traumatic as the encounter itself. They break down how academy/scenario-based training shapes observation under stress, then pivot into major police-involved cases including the multi-agency “Lumberton” triangle flap (four nights of sightings across multiple counties), RCMP officer Jim Blackwood (flashlight interaction), Lonnie Zamora (Socorro), and Val Johnson (1979)—including the physical damage to his patrol car and the long-term consequences for witnesses who speak publicly. The discussion also highlights the mission of UAPD (UAP-PD): providing a confidential, “safe zone” for active and retired first responders to share UAP/paranormal/cryptid experiences without fear of ridicule or career impact. Dave recounts the 2017 incident that led to UAPD’s formation—an unexplained 911 call from an empty school, follow-up investigation steps (video, phone/line checks, audio analysis), and the pressure he faced afterward to stay silent. If you’re a first responder with an experience you’ve kept to yourself, you are not alone—and support exists.SHOW NOTES