In the first half, guest host Rich Berra (email) welcomed author, book publisher, and adventurer Brad Olsen to discuss lost civilizations, Antarctica, and esoteric knowledge. Olsen, whose travels span all seven continents, shared how he's drawn to large, ancient monuments. "For me, I'm utterly fascinated with the megalithic sites, and my favorites are, by far, the Great Pyramids. There's nothing like them in the world," he said.
Olsen spoke of his experiences in Antarctica, specifically what lies beyond its legendary "ice wall." He clarified, "there's no wall per se," describing instead a series of ice shelves he encountered while collecting samples with his crew. "That ice would be thousands, perhaps many thousands of years old," he noted.
He also explored possible ancient structures in Antarctica. While acknowledging that some formations might be naturally occurring mountains, Olsen emphasized, "the jury is out" on whether they could be remnants of a lost civilization. "There are very pyramidal-shaped structures," he remarked. "I think there is something there." Moreover, he recalled having seen large openings in the ice, described as "several miles wide," which may lead to vast subterranean realms.
The conversation also addressed esoteric thinking—a term Olsen defined as "knowledge held by a select few." According to him, esoteric thinking is tied to hidden histories and the power dynamics surrounding information. He stressed, "This information is usually hoarded," and advocated for an age of transparency. Olsen sees the rise of the internet as facilitating access to deep spiritual knowledge that was previously restricted to the elite.
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In the second half, author, investigator, and mythologist William Henry spoke about ancient Egypt, spirituality, and the intersection of technology and religion. Henry, who has made many appearances on the television series Ancient Aliens, emphasized the transformational power of the pyramids. "They represent the real world," he explained. "Our history revolves around the pyramids." He believes that visiting these ancient structures can trigger deep-seated memories and emotions linked to humanity's past.
Henry explained the pyramids could possibly be up to 50,000 years old and suggested they might hold remnants of a pre-flood civilization. He recounted walking the causeway from the Sphinx to the pyramids, describing the atmosphere as a place filled with a powerful and celebratory energy. Henry also expressed skepticism about recent developments at the Great Pyramid, particularly the hypothesis of hidden chambers beneath the structure. "What [technology] are these images based on?" he asked, stressing the need for transparency.
Henry also discussed the technological singularity—a point where artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence. "We are on the event horizon of the singularity... it's like a black hole," he stated, underscoring the dramatic implications of having AI develop consciousness. Henry suggested that such intelligence could parallel historical accounts of spiritual beings described in religious texts.
He argued that the idea of alien encounters could complement rather than contradict these religious texts. He discussed biblical narratives, such as Jesus stating, "I am from above and you are from below," as potentially indicating a broader cosmic awareness that includes extraterrestrial beings.