In this last full episode of the year before my holiday special, I tackle an alternative view of religion and history with some academic chops that also indulges in a great deal of conspiracy theory: the idea that all religion was actually inspired by the use of hallucinogens.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hi listeners! As a Thanksgiving treat, I'm releasing a patron exclusive minisode relevant to the holiday that I released two years ago on Patreon. Sign up to support the podcast on Patreon and you can get minisodes like this between each release, making this a weekly podcast. In this piece, I discuss the myths surrounding the landing of the Pilgrims and how they have been used as a handy metaphor throughout U.S. history. Some music on this episode, including "Remedy for Melancholy," "Denouement," "Salue," and "Maree," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this coda to my recent series, a capstone to my coverage of this topic generally and a transition to upcoming comics, I look at the syncretism of religious beliefs and UFO mythology, examining man's tendency toward religious experience as a theory of the origins of UFO claims. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy," "daedalus," "Comatose," "daemones," and "Seeker." Also featuring: "Spacial Harvest," "Dragon and Toast," and "Leaving Home," by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the feature-length conclusion to my series on UFO whistleblowers of the past, I look at the discredited Bob Lazar and his long debunked claims, and I show how the same people who promoted his hoax are literally behind David Grusch and his similar claims recently made before Congress. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy," "daemones," "Oneiri," and "Sentinel." Additional music licensed through Blue Dot Sessions under a blanket license active at the time of this episode's publication, including "Cicle DR Valga," "Cicle Vascule," "Access Road 442," "Black Ballots," "The Gran Dias," "Bauxite," "Cobweb Transit," " Matephysik," "Tarte Tatin," "Aloscape 2," "Invernen," and "Brimevil." Also featuring: "Leaving Home," "Spacial Harvest," "Twisting," and "Echoes of Time" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the EXTRA-long second part of my series looking at the lack of credibility of previous UFO "whistleblowers" in order to evaluate the reliability of recent claims made before Congress, I look at Bill Cooper, who went from UFO hoaxer to OG conspiracy wacko.  Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy," "Realness," "Oneiri," "Sentinel," "Chance," "daemones," "Cold War Echo," and "periculum."  Additional music licensed through Blue Dot Sessions under a blanket license active at the time of this episode's publication, including "Cicle DR Valga," "Game Lands," "Cicle Deserrat," "Preston and Carle," "Access Road 214," "Cherry Heath," "Lick Stick," "Invernen," "The Griffiths," "Cicle Gerano," "Delicates," and "Dusting." Also featuring: "Leaving Home" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We haven't had a congressional hearing on UFOs since 1966. Recently, a whistleblower named David Grusch testified before Congress about a government cover-up of the spacecraft and alien bodies they've retrieved. But people have come forward claiming such things before. What can their stories teach us about how trustworthy Grusch's claims may be?  Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy" and "Cold War Echo"   Additional music licensed through Blue Dot Sessions under a blanket license active at the time of this episode's publication, including "Cicle DR Valga, "The Cornice," "Black Ballots," "Tarte Tatin," "Voyager," "Temperance," "Game Lands," "Service Road 237," "Delicates," "Access Road 138," "Curio" and "ZigZag Heart." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a somewhat unorthodox episode, I share some meandering thoughts on modern technology and concerns about its potential harms, looking at some historical examples that may offer insights into the technological misgivings of today.  Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy." Additional music licensed through Blue Dot Sessions under a blanket license active at the time of this episode's publication, including "Black Ballots, "Access Road 442," "Tarte Tatin," "Game Lands," "Cicle Deserrat," and "The Gran Dias." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final installment of my series exploring the legends behind Indiana Jones films, I look at both the reality and the myth of Nazi gold trains, specifically looking at the tragedy behind the Hungarian gold train and the urban legend of a buried Nazi gold train in Poland.  Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "daemones," "Remedy for Melancholy," "Comatose," "July," "Oneiri," "daedalus," "Daylight PON II," and "Sentinel." "Adventure Theme" by Adam Monroe was licensed commercially through Pond5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this standalone episode, I tell the story of the most successful and famous hoax to ever disgrace the field of paleontology, a fraud widely used by Creationists to discredit evolutionary science, but not before providing a robust defense of evolution science and deconstruction of Creationist arguments. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy," "Tumult," "Denouement," "Comatose," "Global Warming," "July," and "daedalus." Also featuring: "Leaving Home" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this new standalone installment of my now long-running series on the lore explored in Indiana Jones films, I look at the fabled crystal skull forgeries, claimed to be Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican artifacts as well as relics of Atlantis endowed with supernatural power. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "daedalus," "Remedy for Melancholy," "Comatose," "daemones," and "Maree." "Adventure Theme" by Adam Monroe was licensed commercially through Pond5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In another episode on myths that drove European conquistadors, I trace the Eurasian legend of the Fountain of Youth to the New World and find that it afterward became a historical myth, erroneously claimed to have been an indigenous American legend and falsely said to have been the object of Ponce de León's voyage to Florida.  Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Nothing (Bonus Track)," "Remedy for Melancholy," "Cold War Echo," "Oneiri," "Denouement," and "Something (Bonus Track)." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this standalone episode, I once again explore a topic central to an Indiana Jones film! In this one, I look at how the rumors of hidden cities of gold animated conquistadors in the 16th century, how such rumors started, and what truth there ever was to them.  Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy," "daemones," "Wake Up," "Seeker," "Daylight PON II," and "daedalus." Also featuring: "Dragon and Toast" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Adventure Theme" by Adam Monroe was licensed commercially through Pond5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, after my dive into Grail lore, I explore the rabbit hole that is the Holy Lance of Longinus, another supposed crucifixion relic whose legend takes the researcher on a strange odyssey through disputed scriptures, apocryphal narratives, myths of classical antiquity, hagiographic fictions, and medieval fantasy, all the way to the delusions of modern conspiracy theory. Please help the show by going to HelloFresh.com/historical16 and use code historical16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy," "daemones," "daedalus," "Interception," and "Daylight PON II." Additional music licensed through Blue Dot Sessions under a blanket license active at the time of this episode's publication, including "Cicle DR Valga," "Invernen," and "Cicle Deserrat." Also featuring: "Leaving Home" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this new episode, once again exploring the legends and myths present in the Indiana Jones films, I look at the legend of the Holy Grail, exploring apocryphal accounts of the crucifixion, medieval Arthurian romances, and the eventual conspiracy beliefs that they inspired. Joining me on this episode is friend and patron of the show Dr. Sean Munger! You can find Dr. Munger's online class on the Grail at SeanMunger.com and check out his blog at GardenOfMemory.net.  Please help the show by going to HelloFresh.com/historical16 and use code historical16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Seeker," "Remedy for Melancholy," "daemones," "Meekness," and "Oecumene Sleeps." Additional music licensed through Blue Dot Sessions under a blanket license active at the time of this episode's publication, including "Rambling" and "An Oddly Formal Dance" by Calumet; "Brer Krille" and "The Gran Dias" by Butterstone; "Cicle DR Valga," "Cicle Vascule," and "Cicle Deserrat" by Cicle Kadde; and "Curio" by Vacant Distillery. "Adventure Theme" by Adam Monroe was licensed commercially through Pond5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this standalone episode, I discuss the black legend of the Order of Assassins, a medieval sect of Islam known for their reliance on infiltration and murder who were misrepresented by other Muslims, misunderstood by Crusaders, and mythologized by Europeans, such that now they have become a staple of fantastical historical fiction and the subject of a massive video game franchise. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/historical16 and use code historical16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Oneiri," "Remedy for Melancholy," "daedalus," "daemones," and "Plague." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the next leg of my journey through the lore and history behind the Indiana Jones films, I explore the historical reality of Thuggee strangler bandits in 19th-century India and refute the myth that they were a blood cult devoted to the worship of Kali. Go to HelloFresh.com/historical50 and use code historical50 for 50% off plus free shipping! Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "daemones," "Remedy for Melancholy," "Low Horizon," "Oneiri," "daedalus," "Salue," and "Run." "Adventure Theme" by Adam Monroe was licensed commercially through Pond5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In another volume of my Encyclopedia Grimoria, my occasional episodes on the history and mythology of magic, I look at the development of traditions that the biblical King Solomon was actually a flying-carpet-riding, magic-ring-wielding wizard and alchemist who bound demons to do his will! It's a weird one.  Go to HelloFresh.com/historical60 and use code historical50 for 50% off plus free shipping! And please help the show by completing this short questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airwave Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "daemones," "Remedy for Melancholy," "Seeker," "Global Warming," "Oneiri," "daedalus," and "Cold War Echo." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is the first in a series of standalone episodes exploring the macguffins and historical mysteries of the Indiana Jones films. I'll be doing several of these, not in a row, leading up to the release of the final Indy film this summer.  In this episode, I discuss the legend of the Ark of the Covenant, theories about its possible resting place, and the claims of a variety of hoaxers and pseudoarchaeologists. I hope you enjoy! Go to HelloFresh.com/historical60 and use code historical60 for 60% off plus free shipping! And please help the show by completing this short questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airwave Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy" and "daemones." Other music, including "Cicle Deserrat" by Cicle Kadde; "Delicates," "Cherry Heath," "Leatherbound," and "Preston and Carle" by Eltham House; "The Gran Dias" by Butterstone; "Palms Down" and "Tarte Tatin" by Confectionery; and "Access Road 442" and "Access Road 214" by Trailhead were licensed through a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of the episode's publication. "Adventure Theme" by Adam Monroe was licensed commercially through Pond5.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode, I talk with expert Dr. Douglas Selvage about the KGB disinformation campaign to convince the world that the U.S. government engineered HIV as a bioweapon and what it can show us about the Covid lab leak hypothesis. Go to HelloFresh.com/historical60 and use code historical60 for 60% off plus free shipping! And please help the show by completing this short questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airwave Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch, which make perfect gifts!  Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness. Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), including "Remedy for Melancholy." Other music, including "Cicle DR Valga" and "Cicle Deserrat" by Cicle Kadde; "Voyager," "Delicates," "Cherry Heath," "Temperance," "Leatherbound," and "Silent Ocean" by Eltham House; "The Gan Dias" and "Brer Krille" by Butterstone; "Lick Stick" by Nursery; "The Crisper" by Confectionery; and "Curio" by Vacant Distillery were licensed through Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of the episode's publication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the story of the most egregious newspaper hoax of modern times: the Hitler Diaries. How did this crude forgery fool experts like the historian Hugh Trevor-Roper? And how did it influence Rupert Murdoch in his development as a purveyor of fake news? Please help the show by completing this short questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airwave Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com sometime before the release of the next episode. Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found!  And check out the show merch! Further support the show by giving a one-time gift at paypal.me/NathanLeviLloyd or finding me on Venmo at @HistoricalBlindness.  Some music on this episode is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0). His tracks include "Remedy for Melancholy," "daedalus," "daemones," "Wake Up," "Mare," "Cold War Echo," and "Sentinel." Additional Music: "Dragon and Toast" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices