Speaking of Strange, for 5 Years and Running

Joshua P. Warren's radio program, Speaking of Strange reached its 5th anniversary recently. The anniversary episode included a lengthy interview with actor Gil Gerard, who played Buck Rodgers in both the movie and television program some 25 years ago.

Gerard is one in a long and diverse line of guests that Josh has had on his program over the years. I've heard him interview a politician, a porn star, a UFO expert, a historian who specializes in strange historical parts of North American history, the head of the Church of Satan, a futurist, and much much more. Every interview is done well, is entertaining, and is done a relentless optimism.

After 5 years of bringing a sense of awe and wonder about the world we live in, program host and investigator Josh Warren is still bringing the strange, the weird, and the fantastic to audiences every Saturday night. His program reaches people through his local News Radio 570 WWNC in Asheville, North Carolina, on-line live streaming, and podcast.

I began to fall in love with the program when I heard Josh being interviewed on Coast to Coast AM. He was a great guest, with a delightful sense of story-telling and an ability to hold the listening audience under his spell. They plugged his program, and I began listening to Speaking of Strange on-line. Two years later, I am still a regular listener.

For me, Josh brings to the radio what I loved about Art Bell's time on Coast to Coast AM: a sense of wonder and awe, a conviction that the world is still thrilling, and a desire to believe, tempered by a healthy skepticism.

Bell's successor, George Noory, does great radio. But, for me, many times he fails to tap into a sense of wonder and awe. Rather he tends to tap into a sense of fear and cynicism. Under Noory, the program tends to delve into topics involving conspiracy, politics and war. He even brings politically charged and controversial folks like Alex Jones onto his program fairly regularly.

Honestly, there's already more than enough cynicism and anxiety in the world for me-we are all exposed to it all day long. I enjoy late night talk for the entertainment. I prefer to end my day regarding the world around me with an innocence that is far too easily lost these days. In other words, I like to end my day on a positive note.

Having said that, I don't think for a moment that George Noory is pessimistic. Through his coverage of sensitive political issues, and tragedies around the world, one thing becomes clear: he believes that there is far more good in the world than bad. Noory is a very spiritual and optimistic radio show host. But I get plenty of talk about bad people, and human suffering all day.

For me, Art Bell's exit from regular late night radio left a gap-a need. A need for the innocence and wonder of a child in Mister Wizard's kitchen. A need for a show that operates under the conviction that there is really little to be afraid of, and plenty to be fascinated by. Josh filled that need.

For two years now, I have been listening to Josh Warren and company every Saturday night. And I never miss an episode thanks to the podcasts of all 3 hours of Speaking of Strange. My only regret is that I missed out on 3 years.

5 years and running is a great accomplishment. He clearly has a great niche, and he is sticking with it. So here's to another 5, Josh! You are doing great work, positive work, and helping us to maintain a child-like sense of wonder in a world where it is far too easy to become a cynical adult. Cheers.