Art Bell introduces the July 27th, 1998, episode of Coast to Coast AM, emphasizing the show’s wide reach and announcing a special feature: a night vision scope connected to his studio cam pointing toward Area 51, refreshing every 30 seconds. Art notes the possibility, though not a promise, of capturing something unusual on the camera throughout the night. Whitley Strieber joins the show to discuss environmental issues and the global increase in volcanic activity, particularly Mount Etna, which shows signs of a significant eruption.
Art introduces Whitley Strieber, highlighting his unique experiences with extraterrestrial or extradimensional beings. Whitley is in Los Angeles working on an NBC special based on his book, “Confirmation,” which focuses on hard evidence of UFO experiences, aiming to convince skeptics. The special will air between November and February. Whitley discusses the broader implications of UFO experiences, including implants and other phenomena affecting individuals. He recounts a surgeon’s attempts to remove an implant from his ear, which moved during the procedure, preventing its removal.
Whitley Strieber continues his discussion with Art Bell, sharing details about his implant experience. After experiencing discomfort, Whitley sought medical help, and his wife recorded the procedure where the surgeon discovered a white disc in Whitley’s ear. This unusual discovery was captured on video for an upcoming NBC special. Whitley mentions that the implant occasionally heats up and turns his ear red, which once happened in front of a scientist, leaving him flabbergasted.
Art and Whitley delve into the possible reasons for abductions, with Whitley suggesting that many more people are affected than realize it, particularly those who have experienced severe trauma or near-death experiences. Whitley acknowledges that while imagination plays a role in coping with his experiences, he maintains a clear distinction between fiction and his factual accounts. Art then asks about a significant UFO case that will be part of the upcoming special, a well-documented incident involving many witnesses and official records, promising to reveal more on the show.
Whitley Strieber continues discussing his upcoming NBC special, which features a groundbreaking UFO case involving numerous witnesses who have finally agreed to speak publicly. This special includes high-quality recreations and aims to provide convincing evidence of UFO phenomena. Art Bell then shifts the conversation to the increasing volcanic activity worldwide, noting eruptions and evacuations linked to Mount Etna, Popocatépetl in Mexico, and other volcanoes. They discuss the significance of the millennium change, tying it to astrological ages, particularly the transition from Pisces to Aquarius, symbolizing a new era.
Whitley elaborates on the astrological implications, explaining that the Age of Aquarius, known for freedom and chaos, is beginning. He suggests that humanity will endure challenges before reaching stability. They touch on the recent extreme weather events, such as record temperatures in Vancouver and New Delhi, and the discrepancies in reported temperatures. Whitley also mentions an unusual, lifeless cold area in the Gulf, likely caused by deep ocean water with low oxygen levels, linked to the La Niña phenomenon.
Whitley shares a discovery about a fossil record indicating past climatic changes, setting the scene back to 250 million years ago in what is now the Karoo Desert in South Africa, a rich fossil trove.
Whitley explains that the Karoo fossils reveal an intense extinction event at the end of the Permian period, where 99.9% of all creatures perished due to a significant climatic shift. They discuss the possibility of cyclical extinction events and draw parallels to current climate trends, such as the intensification of ocean circulation. This historical perspective underscores the potential severity of ongoing climate changes, hinting at the need for humanity to adapt wisely to avoid a similar fate.
Art Bell and Whitley Strieber continue their discussion on the broader implications of recent volcanic and seismic activities, highlighting the interconnectedness of these phenomena with climate change and UFO sightings. Whitley mentions that people are instinctively digging and preparing for future events, indicating a sense of impending change. They discuss the concept of “runaway global warming,” with temperature increases signaling significant atmospheric changes. The conversation touches on the synchronicity of global volcanic activity, suggesting a deeper connection with the earth’s interior and possibly the sun’s activity.
Whitley emphasizes the difficulty in predicting such events due to the compartmentalization of scientific disciplines. Art notes the decline in earthquake activity, punctuated by dangerous quakes, and the concentration of UFO sightings in areas of dramatic changes, like Mexico. Whitley recalls a journalist who researched UFOs and volcanoes, highlighting the danger involved. They explore the idea that UFOs might be present during major events, though Whitley doubts they will intervene to save humanity.
The conversation shifts to the new generation of children, some of whom are exceptionally spiritual and connected to the earth, while others seem devoid of empathy. This dichotomy poses a question about the future direction of humanity. Whitley describes encounters with extraordinary children who might hold the key to a better future. They also note a recent wave of UFO activity over Florida, coinciding with environmental disturbances like fires.
Art Bell and Whitley Strieber discuss recent UFO activity in Florida, noting the challenges of observing during widespread fires. They explore the idea that UFOs might appear in areas of special danger or significance, although they doubt these visitors will intervene to save humanity. Whitley describes his perception of the visitors as tough and enigmatic, contrasting with the benign portrayal in movies like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
Whitley recounts a recent, significant encounter on June 6th, where he was fully conscious and engaged in direct communication with a visitor. Unlike previous brief and enigmatic encounters, this one felt like interacting with an ordinary person. He took notes, and the conversation was vocal, not telepathic. Whitley hints at profound answers and meaningful words, some of which seemed hyperdimensional or beyond his understanding at the time. He expresses an intention to detail this encounter in an upcoming book, possibly his last, due to the weight and complexity of the experience.
Art Bell introduces a new feature on his show: a studio cam coupled with a night vision scope that takes a photograph of the northwestern sky every 30 seconds. This setup aims to capture any unusual occurrences in the sky over Pahrump. Art returns to his guest, Whitley Strieber, who recently had a significant encounter on June 6th with a visitor. This encounter, unlike his previous ones, involved direct vocal communication and felt like an interaction with an ordinary person.
Whitley recounts the details of this encounter, which took place in a hotel room in Toronto. He was woken by a knock on the door, thinking it was room service, and when he opened the door, a familiar-looking man walked in. This man, shorter than Whitley, appeared familiar because he resembled someone seen by children and workmen near Whitley’s cabin in upstate New York. The encounter lasted about half an hour, and Whitley took notes to document the experience.
Whitley Strieber continues describing his June 6th encounter with a man who looked like someone in his 70s, with an angular face. This man walked into Whitley’s hotel room in Toronto, looking familiar because children and workmen had previously seen him near Whitley’s cabin in New York. The man, dressed in dark clothes, communicated with Whitley, saying, “Your world as you understand it is breaking up. This cannot continue as it is. The die has already been cast.”
The man used an analogy about a fish in water and an urn being broken, indicating a significant transformation for humanity, akin to creatures first walking out of the ocean. He explained that humanity was about to transition beyond three-dimensional consciousness, becoming self-creators. Art Bell relates this to Dr. Bruce Goldberg’s theory of time travelers preparing humanity for a dimensional shift, aligning with Whitley’s experience.
Whitley mentions that the man referred him to “Forbidden Archeology,” which discusses ancient artifacts suggesting advanced civilizations or time travel. The conversation touches on synchronicity, with Whitley swearing he hadn’t heard Art’s previous show with Dr. Goldberg, yet their experiences remarkably aligned. They discuss evidence from “Forbidden Archeology,” like a fossilized shoe print in Cambrian shale, suggesting mysterious or advanced origins.
Art Bell and Whitley Strieber discuss the possibility of advanced civilizations existing in Earth’s distant past. Whitley believes there was a previous civilization, and he mentions his conversation with Graham Hancock, who has made fascinating discoveries that support this idea. Graham recently returned from a dive in Okinawa, where ancient underwater structures resembling pyramids were found. Art shares plans for a live internet video broadcast from 100 feet underwater off Okinawa, showcasing these structures.
They also discuss the filtering mechanism in the academic community, which often ignores artifacts that don’t fit the conventional narrative. Whitley argues that these anomalies, if acknowledged, would challenge the accepted history of our planet. Art agrees, noting that careers and funding in academia often depend on maintaining the status quo. Whitley emphasizes that many artifacts found over the years contradict the mainstream historical understanding, suggesting a more complex past than acknowledged.
Art returns to the details of Whitley’s June 6th encounter, asking about specific questions Whitley asked the being and the answers he received. Before diving into these details, Art briefly mentions the studio cam’s new night vision feature, which captures live images of the night sky over his house, showcasing the stars and atmospheric changes in the desert.
Art Bell and Whitley Strieber continue discussing Whitley’s encounter in a hotel room, where a visitor conveyed that significant changes were imminent. Whitley interprets the message as a transition from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius, symbolized by water being poured out of an urn. This transition suggests that humanity will soon be on its own, requiring us to sustain the world in new ways.
Whitley felt that an incredible upheaval, a combination of death and rebirth, was coming. He believes humanity will undergo a profound transformation, using our full mental and physical potential to perform extraordinary feats, like walking through time. Art Bell notes the parallel between Whitley’s account and recent discussions on his show, suggesting that these messages may be coming simultaneously from multiple sources, indicating we are not alone.
Whitley shares that the morning after his encounter, he experienced the ability to hear people’s thoughts for about two hours. This ability, which felt like hearing a crowd talking, was disconcerting and uncomfortable. Whitley speculates that it might have been a pathological reaction to the previous night’s events rather than a real phenomenon.
Whitley Strieber continues discussing the aftermath of his encounter, drawing parallels to others like Dannion Brinkley who, after severe physical trauma, became highly psychic. Whitley recounts the experience of hearing people’s thoughts, comparing it to being in a crowd with everyone talking simultaneously. This phenomenon was particularly striking in the noisy hotel lobby.
Whitley shares his approach to these experiences, likening himself to a soldier focused on the present rather than questioning why he was chosen. He reflects on how people might dismiss his experiences as imaginative because of his background as a novelist. However, he believes his writing prefigured his close encounters, suggesting buried memories from his childhood.
Whitley recalls feeling embarrassed by his newfound ability to hear thoughts, particularly those of a woman assisting him in Toronto, whose desire to leave was palpable. This ability faded after a while, but Whitley sees it as a hint of humanity’s future potential. He discusses the synchronicity between his experiences and recent discussions on Art’s show, suggesting that their minds are linked in a larger structure, amplifying the message for receptive listeners.
Whitley emphasizes the sacredness of the human experience, feeling a profound sense of value for all humans. He believes we are special beings, yet nature won’t spare us from its challenges. He stresses that relying on external saviors is misguided, asserting that humanity must face its trials independently.
Whitley Strieber discusses the impact of an upcoming NBC special that explores extraordinary mysteries, including hard evidence supporting the existence of UFOs. He believes that universities are now more open to studying UFOs because of the compelling evidence suggesting a significant discovery. Whitley mentions that some researchers, motivated by potential breakthroughs, aim to uncover new forms of energy and technologies for space travel.
Art Bell opens the floor to audience questions, emphasizing the personal nature of Whitley’s close encounter. Whitley reflects on the notion that humanity’s current trajectory is unsustainable, a theme conveyed during his encounter. He shares the impression that the upheaval is already underway, having started years ago.
An audience member from Fallon, Nevada, asks if Whitley’s visitor provided specific clues about the world coming apart. Whitley responds that the changes are already happening and are irreversible. The caller also inquires about how these changes will manifest, referencing Whitley’s brief ability to hear people’s thoughts after the encounter. Whitley clarifies that this ability was more passive and not something he could control.
Whitley Strieber continues his conversation with Art Bell and callers, elaborating on his encounter and subsequent experiences. He clarifies that hearing people’s thoughts was a passive experience, like hearing background noise, rather than actively reading minds.
A caller from Las Vegas, who has had encounters with similar beings, shares her ongoing experiences and mentions that these beings are now staying at her sister’s house. Whitley relates, mentioning a period when he constantly encountered such beings at his cabin in upstate New York. He notes that recent encounters have been with beings who appear more human, rather than the typical alien forms he used to see.
Another caller from Tennessee expresses amazement at the parallels between Whitley’s experiences and a recent Dreamland program. They discuss the death of Colonel Philip Corso and the connection between his accounts and Whitley’s experiences. Whitley recounts that his recent encounter lasted between 15 to 30 minutes. When the visitor abruptly left, Whitley felt too exhausted to follow and promptly fell back asleep. Upon waking, he felt surprisingly good, despite the unusual encounter.
Whitley Strieber continues the discussion with Art Bell and the audience, reflecting on his past encounters and how they often left him exhausted. However, this latest experience was different, leaving him feeling more certain that something incredible is happening, possibly involving echoes of humanity from the future or distant past.
A caller from Portland asks Whitley about the book “The Starseed Transmissions” and a belief from Hinduism about a period of “non-time” during the universe’s contraction, allowing access to other dimensions. Whitley isn’t familiar with this specific belief but acknowledges the possibility that the real purpose of these encounters might be to elevate humanity closer to the creator. He shares how his close encounters led him to a simple, childlike faith, despite his previous skepticism and scientific orientation.
Whitley speculates that God might seek companionship, and humans, being somewhat separate from divine will, must search for it to develop their personalities and independence. This idea sparks a discussion about the nature of time, with Art mentioning a fax he received suggesting that time is a human invention, only experienced during wakefulness. They ponder if full consciousness might actually be the altered state.
A caller from Philadelphia, a student of physics, introduces the idea that time travel would negate free will, as causality must always move forward. Whitley touches on recent scientific speculations, including those from Stephen Hawking, regarding movement through time.
Whitley Strieber and Art Bell delve deeper into the concept of time travel and its implications. Whitley references Stephen Hawking’s theoretical discussions about the feasibility of time travel, noting that if it were possible, it might eliminate free will, as we would be part of a deterministic machine. A Russian scientist introduced the principle of least action, suggesting that time travelers couldn’t alter significant events due to energy constraints.
Art and Whitley also explore the idea of multiple dimensions, positing that actions in one dimension might affect existence in another. They ponder if time, as experienced by humans, is an invention of consciousness, with no real passage during sleep or altered states. This leads to the notion that full consciousness might be the true altered state.
After a musical interlude, Art addresses technical issues with his website due to internet maintenance. They return to Whitley’s recent close encounter, inviting more audience questions.
A caller from Santa Rosa inquires about the intense fierceness of alien presences, particularly during Whitley’s early encounters with grey beings. Whitley confirms the ferocity of some encounters, describing the fearsome appearance of a grey being with diamond-shaped eyes, which frightened him and his wife. Another friend, who saw the same being, was equally startled, reinforcing the unnerving nature of these encounters.
Whitley Strieber and Art Bell continue the discussion about the challenges and psychological impacts of dealing with alien encounters. Whitley reflects on his own post-traumatic stress disorder and depression resulting from these experiences. He doubts the government’s ability to cope easily with these beings if they are indeed in contact.
Whitley shares an impactful conversation with Colonel Philip Corso, who claimed the military had asked aliens what they could offer humanity, receiving the answer: “A new world if you can make it.” This implies a significant challenge or test for humanity. Whitley reminisces about Corso, who had a profound influence on his life, and reveals Corso never received financial compensation for his book, despite its success.
A caller appreciates the show and shares thoughts on time, referencing the biblical notion that a day for the Lord is like a thousand years for humans. He mentions his belief in spirit guides, stating that in the dimension his guide exists, five years there equates to one day here. This prompts a discussion on the different perceptions of time and its implications.
Whitley and Art consider the interconnectedness of space, time, and thought, suggesting they may not be as separate as we perceive.
Whitley Strieber and Art Bell discuss the profound impact of mental attitudes on our perception of time and reality. Art reiterates that we only perceive the passage of time when fully conscious, suggesting that time might be a human invention. They touch on the warnings about unavoidable earth changes, which could be lessened through a change in collective consciousness and spirituality.
Whitley shares a story about his experience with a medium named Gregory Keane at the Lily Dale Assembly. The medium knew specific details about Whitley’s life, including an incident where his car inexplicably stopped on the highway. The medium claimed that a guardian angel intervened to prevent a potential danger. Whitley humorously tested this by asking the guardian angel to stop the car again, which it did immediately.
Art and Whitley ponder the role of guardian angels, especially considering the many undeserved tragedies people face. They question why some are seemingly protected while others suffer, acknowledging that some mysteries remain beyond human understanding.
A caller from Philadelphia shares thoughts inspired by Terence McKenna, suggesting that extraterrestrial encounters might occur within our minds rather than through physical spacecraft.
Whitley Strieber and Art Bell continue their discussion with a caller who contemplates the nature of infinity and time, suggesting that everything is happening simultaneously in the “now,” and our perception of time is a construct of our consciousness. The caller connects this idea to Whitley’s experience in France, proposing that being outside the body or disconnected from the ego might allow us to perceive this eternal present.
Art then takes a break to describe the remarkable night vision setup that allows viewers to see the stars in the clear desert sky through his studio cam. This setup, slightly east of north and almost straight up, provides a stunning view, demonstrating the low humidity and clear skies of the desert.
Returning to Whitley, Art thanks him for staying on for another hour. They mention Steve Neil, an artist working on special effects for an upcoming project, whose work showcases the difficulty in distinguishing real UFO footage from computer-generated images. Art and Whitley acknowledge the challenge this poses for the UFO community, as advanced technology makes it harder to verify the authenticity of sightings.
A caller from Austin, Texas, recounts vivid dreams of friendly humanoid aliens and their telepathic community, asking about the significance of the harmonic convergence. Whitley and Art note the major world changes that followed the harmonic convergence, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, suggesting a potential connection between the event and these global shifts.
Another caller from Fort Smith, Arkansas, shares that she was told by beings to inform people that they have 24 angels surrounding them at all times. She practices an inclusive spirituality, embracing multiple religious traditions. She explains that the way to access these angels is by asking for their names in a quiet, meditative state. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with these personal guides to find a way back to the creator, noting that some people have seen their angels materialize after seeking their names.
A caller from Fort Smith, Arkansas, shares her experiences with hearing people’s thoughts and receiving guidance from her spirit guides. She describes how this ability can be both a blessing and a burden, causing misunderstandings with friends. Whitley reassures her that such abilities are rare and difficult to control, emphasizing the intrusive nature of hearing others’ thoughts. He reflects on his brief experience with this ability and expresses relief that it faded, as it felt like an intrusion into people’s private lives.
Another caller, identifying as “the six-fingered messiah,” claims to have a significant revelation for humanity. He urges people to be attentive to signs in the sky on August 8th, suggesting that a major revelation is imminent. Art humorously agrees to point his studio cam in that direction.
A different caller shares a vision of time and dimensions coexisting simultaneously, which made sense to her. She recounts seeing a guardian angel’s hand, pondering why some people can perceive other dimensions while others cannot. Whitley suggests that our physical bodies and the gift of free will limit our perception of higher realities. He believes that as humanity evolves, our bodies might reveal greater potential than we currently understand, hinting at a future where we might bridge the gap between our material existence and higher dimensions.
Whitley notes the significant shift in societal acceptance of such phenomena, observing that while many people are open to these ideas, there is still a considerable portion of society that struggles to accept the implications. He reflects on his book “Confirmation,” which faced criticism and limited recognition, suggesting that it presents evidence many find difficult to confront.
A caller from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, asks Whitley about his early experiences, which he initially described as dreamlike. Whitley clarifies that his first encounter, detailed in his book “Communion,” was not a dream but a profoundly real and physically exhausting experience. He emphasizes the distinction between mere dreams and the overwhelming, often physically debilitating nature of genuine encounters.
Art revisits the success of the studio cam setup, which allows viewers to see the stars in the clear desert sky, highlighting its effectiveness and inviting feedback from the audience.