Something happens at the moment of death. Sometimes the living sense it from miles away. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine 140 years of research into crisis apparitions: who experiences them, what the science says, and what the faith says.

Jesus' most misunderstood prophecy has sent readers down the wrong path for centuries. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the Olivet Discourse: what did Jesus actually predict, and did it happen?

Starting Wednesday, May 6th, Jimmy Akin is teaching Introduction to Parapsychology for the Rhine Education Center—8 weeks of live online classes (Wed, 7–9 PM ET, recordings available) covering the scientific evidence for psychic functioning and survival of bodily death. You'll look at telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, psychokinesis, near-death experiences, apparitions, mediumship, hauntings, poltergeists, reincarnation cases, and the major criticisms of the field—plus how it all fits with the Christian view of the human person. Audit it or take it for a grade. Tuition $225 ($200 for Rhine members). It’s also the required first course for the Rhine’s certificate programs. → RhineEdu.org

There are more mattress stores in the US than McDonald's. They're almost always empty. They cluster suspiciously close together. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli investigate the internet's wildest retail conspiracy theory.

Early Christians were no exception in ancient beliefs in ghosts. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss reports of ghostly encounters in the ancient Church, what theologians thought of them, and how Jimmy would evaluate these cases today.

The story of the exorcism of "Anna Ecklund" in Earling, Iowa, in 1928 as Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli recounted last time was only the beginning. Because there was an account of the exorcism contained in a secret manuscript that was kept private... and Jimmy has a copy. What does it reveal about the real-life Anna Ecklund and about this remarkable case?

In 1928, an exorcism unfolded in a tiny Iowa convent. It inspired a 2016 movie. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the public account and a never-published secret manuscript of the Earling Exorcism. Part 1 of 2.

In 1952, a self-taught philosopher near Palomar Mountain walked into the California desert and claimed to meet a being from Venus. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli investigate the remarkable story of George Adamski, the first UFO contactee.

In 1876, raw meat rained from a clear sky over a Kentucky farm, leaving the whole county and big city newspapers confounded. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli work through the proposed explanations to find the most likely culprit, and there's one part they still can't fully explain.

From 1895 to 1900, a burst of discoveries transformed science's understanding of matter itself. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli trace the full arc of radiation's discovery — from Röntgen's X-rays to Becquerel's uranium rays to Marie Curie naming radioactivity — and examine its dangers, benefits, and significance.

The most controverial book in the Bible is also the perhaps the most mysterious. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the Book of Revelation, the prominent theories for how to interpret it, and what the book actually means.

We regularly give Patrons the opportunity to ask Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli their mysterious questions and make them available exclusively to Patrons first and then later to the whole audience. This time, we have questions on the Shroud of Turin, the Library of Alexandria, the "heavens", and more.

Zodiac hoax—or real killer? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli test 7 “must-explain” clues: the calls, letters, cipher, costume symbol, car-door message, and Stine shirt scrap. Could a multi-person hoax really hold?

Did the Zodiac Killer actually exist? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli analyze the crimes, letters, and evidence behind a bold claim: the Zodiac was a hoax. Are the links real—or carefully constructed?

A historic California inn. A dead owner who never left. Are flying ashtrays, stacking coins, and an unplugged jukebox proof of survival after death? Jimmy Akin interviews investigator Lloyd Auerbach as they examine one of America’s strongest ghost cases.

A Kentucky farmhouse, glowing figures, and bullets that didn’t work—what really happened in 1955? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli assess witness fear, skeptical explanations, and the case for something truly strange in the Kelly–Hopkinsville UFO encounter.

Ancient faiths and modern psi research come together in this course to be taught by Jimmy Akin. The online course, Religion & Parapsychology, will explore how Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and more have grappled with ESP, miracles, and the afterlife—and why serious evidence may challenge both skeptics and believers alike: What if psi research strengthens, rather than weakens, core religious claims about the soul, revelation, and the spiritual world? Visit RhineEdu.org to learn more about Jimmy's dynamic course! https://RhineEdu.Org

It's a fifth Friday, so Jimmy Akin is answering weird questions from Catholic Answers listeners, about topics like Hitler's marriage in the Fuhrerbunker; getting married on a desert island; what demons can posses; how salvation would work in a multiverse; and more.

Do pets reach back after death? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli assess new scientific studies on animal after-death communications. Can warning apparitions, shared sightings, and sensory details offer evidence for animal life after death?

What if your strangest moment carried meaning? On their 400th episode, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli tackle more listener stories of healings, visions, dreams, and UFOs—asking: coincidence, psychology, or something more?

Are Ouija boards really paranormal? Does God know what time it is? And is dark matter real — or is gravity wrong? Continuing his Christmas tradition of spending the holiday with those spending it alone, Jimmy Akin tackles these and many more questions posed by listeners with reason, faith, and curiosity.

For New Year's week, Jimmy Akin is answering more weird questions posed by Cy Kellett, including psychopaths who feel no remorse can be saved; what happened to the saints who rose at the Resurrection; who was Peter's wife; and more!

It's Christmas week so we're bringing you a special weird questions episode where Jimmy Akin answers questions like: Can identical twins share a soul? What happens if you’re excommunicated unfairly? Could a living soul possess someone else? Are demons capable of repentance? Are we insignificant in a vast universe—or still uniquely special? 

Starting in 1960, comic books began advertising mail order pets known as sea monkeys, the brainchild of inventor Harold von Braunhut. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli investigate the whimsical creatures, their creator, and a series of disappointing revelations connected to them.

In 1990, two men in Calvine, Scotland took photos of a strange object in the sky that would become the clearest UFO photos ever. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask what really happened in Calvine, what happened to the two men, and what was the flying object they photographed?

Is lying ever moral? Why did God create Satan—and dinosaurs? What is the eye of Providence? From purgatory to AI ethics, Jimmy Akin fields more questions from fellow pilgrims during his recent Italy pilgrimage.

It's our annual Thanksgiving Weird Questions episode, and this time Cy Kellett is asking Jimmy Akin questions about whether the Holy Spirit has chromosomes, what sacraments angels can perform (if any), whether Zoroaster was a savior before Jesus, and what to make of the sword of St. Michael.

Did the CIA kill JFK? A mysterious woman's testimony at 1985 libel trial apparently indicated CIA agents were in Dallas with operatives and weapons on the night before the assassination. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the credibility of the claims and counter-claims.

After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, theories abounded and some accused CIA agent E. Howard Hunt. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the 1985 lawsuit by Hunt against some of his accusers and what was revealed in the courtroom about the CIA's possible role.

How do science and magic intersect? St. Albert the Great wanted to understand. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli, joined by Dr. Justin Sledge, unpack St. Albert the Great’s mystical side—his writings on magic, alchemy, and the hidden powers of nature.

It's a fifth Friday, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like whether Jesus said he had extraterrestrial sheep, could dogs be guardian angels; whether Jesus had opinions; and more.

For thousands of years, people have sought to communicate with spirits in basically every culture and religion. But is all spirit communication forbidden to Christians? Jimmy Akin gets to the truth of the matter on what the Bible says, what different Christians have held, and what the Church says today.

A mysterious Tennessee farmer who received startling visions of the future no one believed. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli revisit the story of John Hendrix with new information about his incredible claims and their connection to a big event in American history.

Were the Nephilim of Genesis 6 aliens or human-alien hybrids? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli re-visit one of the strangest passages in the Bible to consider some more theories about who they were.

Was Kenneth Arnold’s 1947 sighting evidence of extraterrestrial craft? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli revisit the case, weigh rival explanations, and assess why his measurements still unsettle skeptics.

Are demons real beings or just symbols of evil? Jimmy Akin and Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live tackle questions on their nature, powers, why they fell, and how to resist them. Possession, oppression, obsession—what’s the difference?

Learn more and sign up for the course: https://rhineedu.org/

Are demons liars who can never be trusted? Can possession stem from more than the demonic? Jimmy Akin continues his conversation with Alexander Eth from Glitch Bottle podcast and tackles grimoires, exorcism, Hermetic texts, divine hiddenness, and how the Catholic faith understands magic.

Are demons just fallen angels—or something more? Jimmy Akin joins Alexander Eth of Glitch Bottle to unpack Catholic teaching on magic, exorcism, grimoires, and the “clerical necromantic underworld.” Can holiness itself drive demons out?

From bones turned into art to relics made of game consoles, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli answer questions from participants on their recent Italy pilgrimage on faith, death, relics, simulation theory, saints, and even gelato. The first live recording of Mysterious World with a studio audience!

It's a fifth Friday, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like what we will be doing after the Resurrection; the morality of Catholics colonizing Mars; why Lucifer rebelled; and more.

Could a layperson on a desert island take on the role of a priest? It's time for more listener weird questions with Jimmy Akin and Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live, including topics like aerial toll booths in the afterlife, whether Balaam's donkey had a rational soul, whether God could have become incarnate as multiple races in Middle Earth, and more.

A rural Oklahoma family faced nightly terror—food theft, rock attacks, and prowlers peering in windows. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli weigh Bigfoot vs. bear, hidden motives, and eerie mimicry. Could this siege change what we believe?

Can we sense the future—before it happens? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli confront the scientific chaos sparked by Daryl Bem’s mind-bending 2011 precognition study and unpack the data, the fury, and what it all means.

Fireballs. Scorch marks. Dizzy spells. A haunted house—or something worse? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and paranormal expert Lloyd Auerbach unravel the shocking truth behind a 1980s California mystery.

If Bigfoot exists, what kind of animal would it be? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli analyze eyewitness reports, biological clues, and statistical patterns to sketch the creature's anatomy and behavior.

Gelatinous blobs fell from the sky in Oakville, Washington—then people got sick. Was it rain, jellyfish, or a secret government bioweapon test? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli dissect the evidence and theories.

The 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy has been investigated time and again, but in 2025, the US Congress held new hearings on the latest release of government files. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss whatwas revealed including new testimony from 6 witnesses.

Is Earth alone? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli unpack the Drake Equation’s quest to count alien civilizations. Is 50 million potential galactic neighbors realistic—or just hopeful math?

Telepathy among non-speaking autistic kids? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli unpack the claims from the #1 podcast The Telepathy Tapes, from spelling boards to psychic abilities, how credible are the claims that are made?

For some people who have profound difficulties speaking, alternative communications systems known as Facilitated Communication and Spelling to Communicate have been developed and the results appear miraculous. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the methods, the claimed results, and the controversy surrounding them.

Did the 12th century Irish bishop St. Malachy predict the popes through the end of the world? And did we just get the last one? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the prophecy of the popes, its accuracy, and what light that recent events shed on it.

We regularly give Patrons the opportunity to ask Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli their mysterious questions and make them available exclusively to Patrons first and then later to the whole audience. We have more answers from Patrons' children and then more from the Patrons themselves.

It's a fifth Friday, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like why lunch meat is round but bread is square; how much loot the Magi gave the Holy Family; and more.

While scientists for years have been studying unusual experiences that happen to people as they approach death, they've only just begun studying whether animals have End-of-Life Experiences. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss whether they do, what kinds of experiences they have, and how they compare to human experiences.

What is a year, and how did we learn to track it? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli chart the evolution of calendars, from lunar to Gregorian, and even ponder timekeeping on Mars, with insights from history, religion, and science.

How could a “lost scripture” one day be recognized by Catholics? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli unpack 1 Esdras—its dramatic tale, canonical debates, and what it reveals about faith, history, and unity.

Are near-death experiences compatible with Christianity? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli break down key data, dispel myths about reincarnation and universalism, and highlight Jesus’ unique role in NDEs.

Learn more and sign up for the course: https://rhineedu.org/

Jack the Ripper killed 5 women in 1888 and was never caught and became the most famous serial killer of all time. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the potential suspects and then Jimmy reveals who he thinks the evidence most strongly points toward.

Jack the Ripper’s brief reign of terror gripped 1888 London. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli dissect the five canonical murders, chilling letters, and psychological clues, setting the stage to reveal who the killer might be.

What is parapsychology? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli unravel this misunderstood science—from ESP and PK to life after death—while Jimmy shares the 9 foundational principles that summarize this field of research.

A terrifying 1971 encounter in Fouke, Arkansas left two families rattled and a local legend born. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli break down the facts, theories, and shifting views on Bigfoot in this kickoff to a new look at Sasquatch sightings.

What really happened at the infamous house on Ocean Avenue? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli unfold the unsettling tale as they analyze the chilling events behind the Amityville Horror through the lenses of faith and reason. Get a compelling look at one of America’s most talked-about supernatural cases.

Many Christians believe in the Rapture, a mysterious event in which all sincere believers will suddenly vanish. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the concept of the Rapture, why it is controversial, and what the Bible has to say about it.

The true body count of the Zodiac Killer of the 1960s and 70s may be far higher than previously believed. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli analyze hidden victims, early crimes, and chilling patterns that suggest a longer reign of terror.

Strange things are flying in our skies, and the US government has been studying them for years. What are the 5 observables of UFOs—and the mysterious 6th? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli break down Luis Elizondo’s revelations and the tech that might explain them.

We regularly give Patrons the opportunity to ask Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli their mysterious questions and make them available exclusively to Patrons first and then later to the whole audience. This time first answers questions from Patrons' children and then more from the Patrons themselves..

In this second part of our look at the USS Hornet, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli welcome paranormal expert Loyd Auerbach to discuss his investigation of the reports of apparitions and ghost-like phenomena and what he discovered.

The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Hornet played an important role in WWII, the Cold War, and the Space Race, but there's much more to its story. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the history of this fascinating ship and the mysteries connected with it.

In November 2024, Congress held more UFO hearings, which revealed a secret government program called Immaculate Constellation. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli dscuss what this program is, what it does, and what it all reveals is really happening with UAPs.

To celebrate their 350th regular episode, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at more of listener's mysterious experiences. What have listeners reported, what could explain them, and what does Jimmy make of them?

It's a fifth Friday, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like whether AI is a demonic illusion; Jewish Nazarene Christians; Alfred E. Newman; time travel and the natural law; and more.

Humanity has come a long way in the last few thousand years, but we still have a long way to go. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask, as we continue to progress, is there a way of classifying our civilization and making reasonable predictions? Some scientists have come up with a scale to do just that.

The ancient book The Life of Adam and Eve was popular in ancient times and tells a compelling story. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the second part of the work which tells the story of how Adam and Eve died and what happened after.

Continuing his annual tradition, Jimmy Akin held a marathon 4-hour livestream on his YouTube channel on Christmas Day, hanging out and answering questions for anyone who came by. And now we're sharing it with our podcast audience as well. Merry Christmas!

While Genesis gives a short description of the life of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss another "lost scripture" that tells of their life after the Fall and the hidden secrets of their lives together.

For New Year's week, Jimmy Akin is answering more weird questions posed by Cy Kellett, including whether Just War doctrine applies to a zombie apocalypse; does a transplanted organ transfer baptismal graces; do Time Lords go to heaven; and more!

During Christmas week, we're bringing you another round of weird questions for Jimmy Akin posed by Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live, including time travel and inserting yourself into the Bible, Adam and Eve and belly buttons, lost letters of St. Paul, Jimmy's most wanted lost books of history, and more.

In Japan, 1954, a man arrives at airport customs with a passport from country that doesn't exist. He's arrested, but then vanishes. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask who was the man from Taured and could have come from a parallel world as some claim?

For hundreds of years, the Catholic Church has had a variety rites to expel evil spirits from people who are possessed by them. But in 1614 and again in 1998, the Church published official rites for the procedure, and in this episode Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss what the rites actually say.

We regularly give Patrons the opportunity to ask Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli their mysterious questions and make them available exclusively to Patrons first and then later to the whole audience. This time the questions cover LEGO minifigs; cryptids; tulpas; D.D. Home; AI; language acquisition, and more.

It's a fifth Friday, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like the serpent in the Garden of Eden; Time Lords and Sunday obligation; Adam and the apple; and more weird questions.

The Vatican has said that nothing obstructs the faithful from having a devotion to Medjugorje, but hasn’t specified whether the phenomenon is of supernatural or natural origin. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the arguments for and against and come to their own conclusions.

In 1981, six young people in Medjugorje reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary. In the following 43 years, the Church at all levels has looked at whether they are authentic. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the Vatican's ultimate decision on the apparitions.

The Virgin Mary has reportedly been appearing to 6 young people in Medjugorgje in Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1981. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli begin a 3-part look at what is happening, the Vatican's long-awaited decision on the phenomena, and whether the apparitions are genuinely supernatural.

We're back with more Halloween-related weird questions as Cy Kellet of Catholic Answers Live asks Jimmy Akin about topics like baptizing Frankenstein's monster, poltergeist phenomena, children seeing ghosts, soul-sucking pumpkins, and more!

We're on the verge of Halloween, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners about Halloween topics like Samhain, favorite candies; Dracula; Annabelle; and Addams Family or Munsters; and more.

Pontius Pilate may be the most famous Roman governor because of his role in Jesus' death. But who was he? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look into who Pilate was and competing claims as to whether he was a villain or a saint.

In this "lost scripture" called the Ascension of Isaiah, the prophet gets a tour of the heavens. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss what Isaiah sees, including what sees concerning Jesus, and what it means for us today.

This "lost scripture" focuses on the bibllical prophet Isaiah and contains traditions about Jesus not recorded in the Gospels. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the Ascension of Isaiah, when it was written, what it says, and its relationship to the Bible.

Learn Introduction to Parapsychology and Religious Perspectives on Psi with Jimmy Akin as your instructor! MORE INFORMATION: www.RhineEdu.org

Over the course of years and in dozens of cities across the world, strange tiles with bizarre messages began showing up affixed to streets. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinellil discuss the Toynbee Tiles, the bizarre ideas they convey, and who is behind them.

We continue our examination of the Zodiac killer who terrorized California in the late 60s. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli looks at this extensive correspondence with newspapers and his bizarre claims ask why he wanted so much attention.

The Zodiac Killer struck fear into the heart of San Francisco in the late ‘60s, leaving a trail of cryptic letters, chilling ciphers, and unsolved murders. Who was this self-named killer, and what drove him to taunt the police and the public with his gruesome game? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli delve into the mind of Zodiac to piece together clues that could finally reveal his identity.

We regularly give Patrons the opportunity to ask Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli their mysterious questions and make them available exclusively to Patrons first and then later to the whole audience. This time the questions cover Jesus' suffering; demons protecting us; Adam's wife, Lilith; and more.

It's a fifth Friday, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like mechanical telepathy; NEanderthals in Genesis; aliens in the afterlife; convert popes; and more weird questions.

We've talked about remote viewing, but now Jimmy Akin has taken part in a remote viewing experiment and discusses his experience with Dom Bettinelli. What was his role? What did the study do? And what were the results?

People have lots of questions about guardian angels and they often get posed to Jimmy Akin, so in this episode Jimmy and Dom Bettinelli discuss what the Bible and other ancient Jewish and Christian literature and Church teaching say about guardian angels.

Some believe the ancient Book of Enoch is a book of Scripture and so Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli continue their discussion of the book, focusing on the first known as the Book of the Watchers, which focuses on angels, fallen angels and demons.