This week's show is a fun one, as Tui Snider joins AP and guest co-host Stephanie Quick to celebrate the release of her new book Around the World in 80 Graves! Tui, as you might have guessed, is an author and world traveler who has had a lifelong interest in cemeteries. She is also one heck of a story teller, and her most recent book- and this wide-ranging conversation- is a great example of her talent. Weaving together stories of her travels, the people she met along the way, and the various cultures and traditions she encountered, she sets out to prove that cemeteries are for more than just funerals.

This conversation barely scratches the surface of sites and themes covered in her book, but among the topics covered were Highgate Cemetery and Douglas Adams' grave, graves for amputated limbs, and Tui's origin story as a taphophile. A lot of laughs were had along the way, and it was a lighthearted and wholesome chat about a topic usually considered grim and morbid. From symbolism, history, and recounting embarrassing moments to coffee shops around the world, this episode- much like Tui's book- runs the gamut.

Check out Tui's website here: https://tuisnider.com/
...and pre-order her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Around-World-Graves-Tombstones-Transformation-ebook/dp/B0FHYJRJ3J

This week returning guests Stephanie Quick and Professor WHAM join AP for a philosophical deep dive on the works and writings of Michel Foucault, and how the the ideas he talked about could be applied to the subject of UFOlogy. For those unfamiliar with Foucault both Steph and WHAM do a great job of breaking down key concepts and terminology, which opens a wider conversation using examples from UFO narrative history. Such concepts speak to the marginal nature of the subject itself, and especially the common pressures against experiencers in the wider world. Various other themes are explored, such as the attendant paranoia around government and extraterrestrials alike within UFOlogy, power structures in society and culture, and whether the systems we have in place are equipped to address the mystery of the phenomenon.

Stephanie and WHAM bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to this discussion, and a fair amount of humor as well. In addition to the philiosophy discussed, the conversation also gets into science fiction portrayals of aliens, personal notes and experiences, and even Weird Alien Sex!

*Note- there were some issues with the audio at the beginning of the episode, but these are rectified before long into the chat- so please bear with it!

This week on the show writer, strategist, and founder of The Emperor Norton Trust John Lumea joins AP for an in-depth discussion about an obscure but fascinating historical figure- that of Joshua Abraham Norton, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. What began as a campaign on John's part to recognize the Emperor's association with the San Francisco Bay Bridge turned into the current Trust, which seeks to honor the legacy of Norton I through archival materials, advocacy, and John's writings about the man. Norton's impact in the latter part of the 19th century extended far beyond San Francisco and his time, showing the power of eccentricity and force of will to carry one's beliefs and ideas into reality.

In the interview, John gets into the history of Emperor Norton as well as his ideology, which was surprisingly progressive for his time. In the process, he pushes back on some common misconceptions about the Emperor, painting a picture of a benevolent monarch and poignant, albeit unconventional, thinker. Also discussed are the Emperor's spiritual life, his role as a Discordian saint, and how we can apply the Nortonian ideal in today's age.

Keep up with John at The Emperor Norton Trust here: https://emperornortontrust.org/