The Paracast — The Gold Standard of Paranormal Radio

April 12, 2026 — All Things Paranormal with Maxim W. Furek

·1 hr 50 min·5 clips
Gene Steinberg asks guest Maxim Furek where the modern UFO era began, naming Ray Palmer as the key figure.
The episode begins with host Gene Steinberg and guest co-host Tim Swartz introducing returning guest Maxim W. Furek, a paranormal author. Steinberg immediately poses a question about the origins of the modern UFO era, naming Ray Palmer as a key figure. Furek elaborates on Palmer and Richard Shaver, both born in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and their collaboration on the 'Shaver Mystery,' which claimed Shaver was captured by evil subterranean robots called Deros. Furek reveals the FBI had a dossier blaming Shaver and Palmer for creating the UFO hysteria of the 1940s, not Kenneth Arnold or Roswell. The conversation details Shaver's alleged experiences, with Palmer later stating Shaver was in a mental institution during these events, though they remained friends. Palmer proposed a third theory that Shaver's encounters occurred in the astral plane, which Shaver denied. The hosts and guest discuss the treatment of mental illness in Shaver's time, noting barbaric practices like shock therapy. Furek mentions his books, including 'Coal Region Hoodoo' and 'Paranormal Apocalypse,' which examines eschatology and end-times theories. The episode critiques modern UFO figures like David Grush and Luis Elizondo, highlighting unfulfilled promises of government disclosure. Furek argues the Kecksburg UFO incident is more credible than Roswell due to firsthand accounts. The discussion expands to Bigfoot phenomena, with Furek citing Stan Gordon's documentation in Pennsylvania and theories linking Bigfoot to interdimensional portals. The episode concludes with Furek promoting his upcoming book 'The Scream of the Haunted House' and thanking the hosts for the platform.

As heard by us

A UFO-history discussion that gradually turns toward mortality, kindness, and belief.

The Paracast brings Maxim Furik back for a compact, wide-ranging look at where the modern UFO era may have taken root. Gene Steinberg and Tim Swartz begin with Ray Palmer and Richard Sharpe Shaver, touch on a Berwick, Pennsylvania, connection, and let the discussion expand into…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get a Ray Palmer question that opens onto UFO origins, cults, apocalypse talk, and what to do with the time you have.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Listen to the show on