By Tim Binnall
Potential catastrophic events which could impact the planet, demonic possession, and paranormal lore from Texas were among the fascinating realms explored this past week on Coast to Coast AM. And, here at the C2C website, we told you about DNA testing aimed at unlocking a gruesome riddle in the Himalayas, a $10,000 bet over the Flat Earth theory that went wildly awry, and a rare glimpse of the Titanic sitting on the ocean floor. Check out our round-up of highlights from the past week ... In Coast You Missed It.
Demonic possession was the focus of a truly chilling edition of the program on Monday night as Archbishop Ron Feyl-Enright revealed insights from his over 30 years of experience performing exorcisms. He explained how instances of genuine possession are extremely rare, but can be discerned when unsettling manifestations such as levitation and the discoloration of the body occur. Feyl-Enright also detailed the process of preparing for an exorcism and recounted one particular ritual which he performed that led to a stay in the hospital for 30 days.
A pair of decidedly different stories from this past week saw DNA testing being used to try and solve mysteries which have perplexed humans for generations. In India, researchers examined the genetic material of ancient human remains found at the gruesome 'Skeleton Lake' in the Himalayas to get a better understanding of the hundreds of individuals who mysteriously perished there centuries ago under unknown circumstances. Meanwhile, it was announced that the results of an environmental DNA test of water samples from Loch Ness will be unveiled next month and it was hinted that there remains a plausible theory for the site's resident 'monster' that the study seemingly could not invalidate.
If the day-to-day disasters and worrisome events featured on the nightly news aren't enough to keep one up at night, there are also potential planetary catastrophes looming over all of us like the sword of Damocles. On Sunday night's program, science reported Bryan Walsh discussed some of the threats which could wipe out life on Earth as we know it should they ever take place. Among the dire hypothetical scenarios that he outlined during his appearance were an asteroid strike and the nightmarish aftermath of such an event, the eruption of a supervolcano, and the outbreak of a nuclear war.
Titanic aficionados were provided a rare treat this week when divers shared breathtaking footage from the first dive to the wreckage of the doomed passenger liner in 14 years. The expedition, which took place earlier this month, saw experts explore the remains of the vessel using a sophisticated submersible manned craft that allowed them to capture the scene with state-of-the-art cameras and 3D scanning technology. Researchers were particularly amazed at how much the ship has deteriorated since it was last examined and mused that we may only be a few decades away from the Titanic vanishing for good.
As one can image, given its considerable size, the state of Texas is brimming with all manner of fantastic paranormal stories and eerie locations. On Thursday night's program, author Tui Snider shared a number of accounts of strange and unusual tales from the Lone Star State, including that of an unnerving spot known as 'Smiley's grave' which is the last resting place of a family that all tragically perished on the same day. She also talked about the legendary 'alien grave' in the town of Aurora as well as a puzzling incident in which she was visiting an infamously haunted hotel and encountered her own doppelganger.
For reasons which defy explanation, this past week seemed to be replete with stories that resided in the realm of the absurd beyond even our usual benchmark for the bizarre. There was an alleged death threat that arose out of a $10,000 bet over whether or not the Earth is flat. A concerned citizen in New Hampshire wrote to his local newspaper arguing that Bigfoot was behind a series of break-ins this summer. And a creepy doll depicting the villainous clown Pennywise somehow floated into the backyard of a New Jersey woman who promptly set the toy on fire in order to ward off any bad karma.
Coast Insiders can check out all this week's shows as well as the last five years of C2C programs in our enormous archive. Not a Coast Insider yet? Sign up today.