Author: Domenico Bettinelli

The Betz Sphere – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

In 1974, the Betz family found a strange metal sphere in the woods near their home which exhibited numerous unusual behaviors. Jimmy and Dom look at the media reports, investigations, and sinister doings that followed before it disappeared from public view for nearly 50 years.

Links for this episode:

Mysterious Headlines

Direct Link to the Episode.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Visitation – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The 5th Doctor ends up in the 18th century facing down aliens who want to make Earth their new home by killing off humanity in a deadly plague. Fr. Cory and Jimmy discuss the story whose premise is like so many other like it.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Mudd’s Women (The Original Series) – The Secrets of Star Trek

In an update to an Old West tale, lovable rogue Harry Mudd is bringing wives to lonely miners through quasi-legal means. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the very Sixties view of relations between men and women and the perhaps surprising way the episode resolves.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Mystery of Hypnosis – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

People have been fascinated by hypnosis for centuries and it’s claimed it can stop smoking, help you lose weight, and even surface memories of childhood trauma, past lives, and alien abductions. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the claims to determine what’s true and what’s not.

Links for this episode:

Mysterious Headlines

Direct Link to the Episode.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Planet of the Ood – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Ood have returned as the Doctor and Donna free them from their servitude. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this 10th Doctor story that brings back the Ood and lays the groundwork for significant events at the end of the season.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Yesteryear – The Secrets of Star Trek

This animated Spock story told us more about his backstory *and* about Vulcan than any Original Series episode. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about how the revelations here continue to echo in Discovery and the way this story confront younger viewers with the death of a pet.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bohemian Grove: Conspiracy? – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

Every year in mid-July, a group of politicians, businessmen, and artists gather at a private campground in California. Critics claim they are a sinister conspiracy. Jimmy and Dom examine their origins, their practices, and their membership and discuss whether it’s sinister or just a party in the woods.

Links for this episode:

Mysterious Headlines

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Revenge of the Cybermen – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The 4th Doctor, Tom Baker, ends his first season with the return of the Cybermen, a solid gold planet, and humanity caught between warring aliens. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the complex story that has multiple antagonists and interesting moral quandaries.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Strange New World (Enterprise) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Archer and crew camp out on their first Earth-like planet, but something’s in the air that’s make the crew behave strangely. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss Archer’s recklessness and T’Pol’s sensible cautiousness, plus the distrust between species that bubbles to the surface.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Joseph Smith, Mormon Prophet – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

Joseph Smith reported receiving divine revelations in the early 1800s, and eventually became the founder of the Mormon religion and his prophecies now influence the lives of millions. Jimmy and Dom consider the evidence concerning Smith’s claims to be a prophet.

Further Resources:

From LDS.org:

Links for this episode:

Mysterious Headlines

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download