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

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—and even our own biology—BCIs are no longer science fiction. In this conversation, we'll explore Martin's journey into the BCI community, what sets Germany's approach apart on the global stage, and how neural technology could intersect with the complex human nervous system. We'll also tackle big-picture questions around privacy, policy, and power: Who owns brain data? Can global standards keep up with innovation? And what happens when this technology moves beyond the lab and into everyday life? Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 MKUltra with experiments in the United States, some of the most controversial cases actually happened in Canada — particularly at the Allan Memorial Institute in Montreal under Dr. Donald Ewen Cameron. His experiments, including techniques known as "depatterning" and "psychic driving," aimed to erase and rebuild aspects of a person's personality. Today, we're going to unpack the Canadian connection to MKUltra, the real victims of these experiments, and how some of these techniques influenced later psychological and military research. We'll also talk about related programs — from intelligence research into ESP, how MKUltra tactics have been used in Guantanamo Bay, to remote viewing projects like the Stargate, which included well‑known remote viewer Joe McMoneagle. And finally, we'll look at the bigger question: how ideas about mind influence, psychological warfare, and emerging technologies might shape the future. Join us as we get rebelliously curious! Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 residential schools, their lasting impact on Indigenous communities, and the work being done to uncover truths, honour survivors, and move toward reconciliation. We'll also touch on lesser-known aspects of this history, including unconventional psychic experiments on Indigenous children at residential schools. Today's conversation invites us to listen, reflect, and think critically about the path forward. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 propulsion systems that would eventually carry humanity beyond Earth. Today, we stand at a similar inflection point. Chemical rockets took us to the Moon, but if humanity is going to reach the stars, we'll need ideas that once again sound impossible—until they aren't. In this episode, we're exploring one of the most fantastic frontiers in modern physics: warp drive theory. Our guest is Harold "Sonny" White, a mechanical and aerospace engineer, and applied physicist an Founder & CEO, Casimir. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 about what's real and what's deliberately hidden in the UAP landscape, this episode is for you. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 researcher at the renowned Division of Perceptual Studies. Today, we explore what near-death experiences are, what people report during them, why these moments are so transformative, and how her research is shaping new approaches to care and support for those who've experienced them. We'll also take a look at how science is evolving to better understand these experiences—and where the field is headed next. Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 Neurotech, one of the world's leading companies in neural interface technology. We'll explore everything from invasive vs. non-invasive BCIs, privacy and "mind data," policy gaps, and the risks of unconscious influence, to the global implications of brain–computer interfaces — including China's growing leadership in the field and past and future funding from government agencies like DARPA. Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 changes the brain, why it could help people process emotional pain, and how centuries-old spiritual traditions are finally being validated by modern science. Get ready to discover the mind's incredible potential — one breath at a time. Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 perspective, and what ultimately led him into UAP research and the creation of his podcast, Fire In The Cosmos. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Fire in the Cosmos Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/fire-in-the-cosmos-formerly-obliterate-the-construct/id1790514005 Fire in the Cosmos Podcast (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-FAVgj-p3QPhs5HdsQIEBA Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/@RebelliouslyCurious Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 consciousness exist beyond the brain? And how do we rigorously study phenomena often dismissed as "paranormal"? With her background in medical sciences and neuroscience, Dr. Weiler brings both a skeptical eye and an open mind to this work. Together, we'll explore how DOPS approaches the scientific study of near-death and out-of-body experiences, the survival of consciousness after death, and even reported cases of reincarnation. This is a conversation that pushes us to the edge of what we know—and what we think we know—about mind, memory, and the mysteries of being human. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/@RebelliouslyCurious Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 ways Monroe integrates neuroscience, spirituality, and cutting-edge technology to expand our understanding of consciousness. Paul will take us behind the scenes of the Institute's research, sharing how these audio technologies are designed, validated, and applied—while exploring questions that touch the very edge of human experience: out-of-body experiences, life after death, and the future of consciousness itself. If you've ever wondered how the brain interacts with sound to unlock hidden states of awareness, or how technology can safely and effectively enhance spiritual exploration, you won't want to miss this conversation. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/@RebelliouslyCurious Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 break down what Simulation is. Hypothesis is. In our conversation, we'll dive into Rizwan's personal journey—what first sparked his curiosity about this mind-bending possibility and why he's now 70% convinced that we are living inside a simulation. We'll unpack the core concepts of the hypothesis, explore its ties to AI, quantum physics, and ancient spiritual traditions, and examine both the skepticism and the far-reaching implications of taking the idea seriously. From questions of free will and consciousness, to the future of AI, to what Sam Altman calls "The Merge"—the potential blending of humans and machines—we'll explore how simulation theory forces us to rethink not just science and technology, but our very understanding of reality. J Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/@RebelliouslyCurious Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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: What lucid dreaming really is—and how it differs from astral projection or out-of-body experiences. Whether anyone can learn to do it. And how the science of "noetic" research is reshaping our understanding of reality itself. Get ready to step into the frontier between science and the subconscious. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/@RebelliouslyCurious Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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. Some scientists believe it's just a rock. But Avi Loeb sees something far more intriguing. In this episode, I sit down with Avi to talk about why he believes 3I/ATLAS might be an intelligently guided probe, how it compares to ʻOumuamua—a mysterious object he famously proposed could be an alien artifact—and what happens if this new visitor suddenly disappears behind the Sun and reappears on a direct course toward Earth. Could this be contact? Is it time to prepare for a conversation with something... not from here? Let's find out. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/@RebelliouslyCurious Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 excluded from mainstream UFO, science, and space research — and while representation is growing, why does it still remain disproportionately low today? How do centuries of exclusion from government programs and systemic gatekeeping in media still shape who gets seen, heard, and believed? And what might we discover if we dared to take African and African American spiritual cosmologies seriously in our search for non-human intelligences? This is not just about visibility. It's about truth, power, and what it takes to rebuild a narrative that reflects all human experiences — not just a select few. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/@RebelliouslyCurious Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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 implications, and how merging with a machine is reshaping his view of identity, ability, consciousness, and human potential. This is a conversation about risk, resilience, and the future of the mind. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/@RebelliouslyCurious Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

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? Should the UN revisit the issue now? And what would it take for global cooperation on this mystery in the skies? I sat down with Jacques Vallee, an astrophysicist, computer scientist, author, and UAP researcher, to discuss the first United Nations meeting he attended in 1978 and the current effects that will one day make this a reality. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/@RebelliouslyCurious Follow Chrissy Newton: Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/