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

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 the unknown. In this conversation, we'll dive into the current state of disclosure and Hollywood's role in shaping public perception of the UFO and UAP phenomenon. We'll also discuss Steven Spielberg's film Disclosure Day and the long-standing claims that Spielberg may have been briefed on aspects of the phenomenon through government channels, despite his public statements to the contrary. Bryce also shares the fascinating story of how Spielberg's team reportedly attempted to stop the production Dark Skies during its original run. Finally, we discuss whistleblower David Grusch's first on-camera interview with NewsNation, the unreleased extended interview conducted by Ross Coulthart at Bryce's home, and why that full conversation has yet to air. We'll explore what may still be missing from the public record and what it could mean for the future of disclosure. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQUIu1X47y8 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 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, emerging research on cognition and consciousness, the ethical responsibilities of working with vulnerable populations, and how politics, genetics, and culture are shaping the future of autism research. This is a wide-ranging conversation that challenges assumptions and asks difficult questions about what we really understand — and what we may still be missing — about the human mind. 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/

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/

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 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/

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/

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-device interaction? Why did Apple choose Synchron over competitors like Neuralink? And how close are we to everyday mind-controlled tech? We'll explore the science, ethics, risks, and revolutionary potential of this partnership—from restoring communication for people with paralysis to the deeper implications for data privacy, policy, and the future of the human 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/

Guest Revd Professor David Wilkinson stands at a fascinating crossroads shared by many scientists and theologians. Today, we explore the intersections of religion, astrophysics, and culture. As modern science moves beyond strict materialism into questions of meaning, consciousness, and even the metaphysical, faith and science are no longer at odds—but part of a richer cultural conversation. Professor Wilkinson helps us navigate how science and faith are evolving together—shaped by story, symbol, and the human search for belonging in a vast and mysterious cosmos. Join us as we get rebelliously curious. Watch the YouTube interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJfgX1u1pRQ 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/ Twitter: 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/