Podcast Spotlight: Hysteria 51
I was fortunate enough to get to talk to Hysteria 51 hosts, Brent Hand and John Goforth, about their podcast, their favorite conspiracy theories, and how they strive to take a balanced approach discussing some far-out theories. It’s a fine line to walk, but they’re able to be both entertaining and informative.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Discover Pods: How did you decide to get into podcasting?
BOTH: We’ve been friends for almost 30 years and for a vast majority of those years we’ve been arguing. For one reason or another other friends and acquaintances listen to those arguments and laugh. We always thought it might be fun to turn into a show. We also noticed, what we thought was a hole in the conspiracy/mystery/paranormal genre and that was for well researched shows that were also somewhat funny. We’re not trying to be Scott Aukerman. But it isn’t all fire and Brimstone out there. We’re talking aliens…let’s talk anal probes…they’re funny!
DP: Any conspiracy theories you adamantly believe are true?
BRENT: For me it was how much of MKULTRA and the mind control the US Government experimented with. Drugs, human experimentation, torture. It’s all there and so much is true that it really blew my mind. I was definitely a little more naive to the nefarious ways of the powers that be before I started this show.
JOHN: JFK – I mean, most people don’t realize this but the government even said so! In 1978 the United States House of Representatives Select Committee on Assassinations concluded that he was assassinated as a result of a conspiracy! Man – that thing is like an onion. You can just keep peeling back layers. After we did that episode I felt like I had really earned my tin-foil hat.
DP: How does Hysteria 51 take a more “balanced” approach to discussing far-out theories?
JOHN: We just remember that we’re a comedy show first. While we want to present well researched information, we know that we aren’t going to get everything right or make everyone happy. How can you when your base material is “couple abducted by aliens”? So, we just try to be fair and take swipes at everyone!
BRENT: Also, John and I tend to be one the opposite end from the other at least in the beginning when we dive into a subject. John is the more skeptical one, I am the more open minded and we talk and see if we can meet in the middle. If not, I just assume he is wrong.
DP: How has listener feedback been?
BRENT: Incredibly positive. We started Hysteria Nation, our Facebook discussion group, and it has grown like crazy. Lots of discussion of weekly topics, weird news from around the world, you name it. The only negative listener feedback we’ve really seen has come from folks that weren’t exactly our listeners.
JOHN: Yeah – We did a “Flat Earth Roundtable” and all of the followers of the Flat Earth guys left reviews, ratings, comments, etc. They weren’t exactly flattering. In general, our only detractors have been people looking for a different type of show. There are the folks out there looking for a true UFO / paranormal believer show. Meaning, no matter how outlandish – they’re in. That just isn’t our bag. We’re probably more likely than not to make fun of it (like we did Flat Earth). That’s what makes finding the gems in the rough…the believable ones…so much more fun!
DP: What’s your recording and editing schedule like?
BOTH: We are both incredibly busy and we travel a ton, so we’re also incredibly meticulous when it comes to scheduling. We make sure and record every Saturday we’re in town. We’ll generally do multiple episodes at a time. We refuse to miss an episode so it keeps us on our toes.
DP: What’s the hardest challenge for you as an indie podcaster?
BOTH: The hardest has also been the most fun. Finding our voice, making sure it is unique, and then letting everyone know that hey, here we are – come check us out. It has been incredibly rewarding to meet so many peers and grow along with them and well as grow our audience as we develop the show over time.
DP: What podcasts do you listen to in your spare time?
JOHN: Startup, Ask Science Mike, You Made It Weird, Real Life Sci-Fi, Breakers, Hardcore History, Office Hours with Tim Heidecker, and Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know
BRENT: So many, too many to name them all but highlights are Breakers, Last Podcast on the Left, My Dad wrote a Porno, Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know, Larkspur Underground, and I Just binged A Very Fatal Murder. Absolutely hilarious.
DP: Anything else you’d like to add?
If you’ve never listened to a podcast featuring an angry yet lovable robot hell-bent on world domination…Hysteria 51 is your chance – oh, and there’s a British announcer guy.
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5 Comments
Excellent show! So cool to see them here.
Brent and John are the best!. Cbot is ok too I guess….. lol
Aliens, angry robots and conspiracies… Oh my! Fun show, cool to hear a little behind the scenes from the men behind the microphones. And true, who doesn’t enjoy angry yet lovable robot commentary 🤖
EXCELLENT
Love Brent, John, and Hysteria 51. They really are well researched, and for me a lot more fun to listen to than some other quality pods somewhere in this realm. I’m not naming names. Conspiracy Bot can suck a robot D though, he’s got issues.
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