Astray: Recent Episodes
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How far would you go for enlightenment? Westerners have long been drawn to the spiritual mystique of India. While many find what they’re looking for and return home, some vanish without a trace or even end up dead. Astray investigates those who pay the ultimate cost in search of spiritual awakening.
Hi, Astray fans! iHeartPodcasts and host Catherine Townsend are excited to announce Hell and Gone Season 4! The Little Rock Police Department searched an abandoned car in a small residential park. The keys were in the ignition and the car was out of gas as if it had been left running. The car belonged to 18-year-old Ebby Steppach, and she had vanished without a trace. A thrilling true crime that continues to unravel with every clue. Don't just take our word for it, check out the trailer to decide for yourself!
About Hell and Gone: On October 30, 2015, the Little Rock Police Department searched an abandoned car in a small residential park. The keys were in the ignition and the car was out of gas as if it had been left running. The car belonged to 18-year-old Ebby Steppach, and she had vanished without a trace.
It seems like everyone in Arkansas knows about Ebby. They know she disappeared in 2015, and her body was found in a storm drain three years later. They know there have been multiple investigations that have led nowhere. And even though Ebby's case has been one of the most extensively covered cold cases in Arkansas, so much of her life and what really happened to her remain a mystery. Ebby's case has been one of the most extensively covered cold cases in Arkansas, but so much of her life and what really happened to her remain a mystery.
What really happened to Ebby Steppach?
Listen and subscribe to Hell and Gone here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The dangers of Datura revealed, and a different perspective on what it means to seek… and the cost for those of us who do.
Support India during the pandemic by donating to the organizations listed below that were suggested by Astray producer, Ankita Anand. https://fundraisers.giveindia.org/projects/wastepickers-of-pune-call-for-support-in-the-devastating-times-of-covid19 https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid-aid-for-ranchi-india?member=10472615&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer https://www.donatekart.com/Hemkunt-Foundation/Give-Oxygen-Cylinders/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvr6EBhDOARIsAPpqUPHbqctClydjRkIjvTnCA8ms7DZvq2OSxSDLBgq2VBFCLJcnxq0A9J8aAli1EALw_wcB https://www.khalsaaid.org/donate
Guest Experts:
Suzy Singh ~ Therapist, author and international speaker on karma and consciousness
Alberto Roman ~ Shaman // Contemporary Curandero
Astray Production Team:
School of Humans // iHeartRadio
Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer
Ankita Anand ~ Producer
Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer
Tunewelders - Sound Production
Jason Shannon ~ Composer
Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Charlie Marinelli’s story is not surrounded by theories. In a first hand interview, he provides answers about hitting a spiritual edge in India — a journey he barely survived.
Charlie Marinelli: Found Show Notes:
Charlie Marinelli ~ Contact Charlie at charliemarinelli777@gmail.com
Suzy Singh ~ Therapist, author and international speaker on karma and consciousness speaks about Black Magic.
Referenced Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). A New York Times article about the ‘Psychedelic Revolution’ hitting psychiatry.
Astray Production Team:
School of Humans // iHeartRadio
Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer
Ankita Anand ~ Producer
Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer
Tunewelders
Jason Shannon ~ Composer
Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The spiritual edge Charlie Marinelli chased in India the summer of 2019 forced his parents on a desperate race against the clock to try to rescue him.
Charlie Marinelli Show Notes:
Matthew Remski ~ Author, Journalist and Host of the podcast Conspirituality
Astray Production Team:
School of Humans // iHeartRadio
Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer
Ankita Anand ~ Producer
Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer
Tunewelders
Jason Shannon ~ Composer
Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In November 2018, Russell flew to Rishikesh seeking the “next level of spirituality,” but it’s a quest he would never return from.
Russell in Rishikesh Show Notes:
Unidentified Dead Bodies in India Database ~ The database where Russell’s body was found.
Astray Production Team:
School of Humans // iHeartRadio
Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer
Ankita Anand ~ Producer
Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer
Tunewelders
Jason Shannon ~ Composer
Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Beatles saw the holy city of Rishikesh as a fast track to spiritual awakening, guided by the renowned guru, Maharishi. We’ll experience their trip first hand through the stories of someone who was there…But, we’ll also explore other ways gurus use their influence, and it’s not always for good.
Spiritual Bermuda Triangle Show Notes:
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati (Sadhviji) ~ Renowned spiritual leader and motivational speaker. She lives at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India.
Check out her Ted Talk, ‘From Hollywood to Holy Woods.’
Michael Yon ~ Combat correspondent
Richard A. Cooke (aka: Bungalow Bill) ~ Professional photographer and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi devotee, along with the Beatles.
Priyanka Dubey who reported on the predatory allegations against Asaram Bapu in this article for Caravan.
Astray Production Team:
School of Humans // iHeartRadio
Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer
Ankita Anand ~ Producer
Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer
Tunewelders
Jason Shannon ~ Composer
Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Journalist Jonathan Spollen disappeared in Rishikesh, India in 2012, and though there’s still no evidence of his death, what was found where he went missing has raised many questions and keeps this cold case shrouded in mystery.
Jonathan Spollen Show Notes:
Jessica Ravitz ~ Freelance journalist and former senior writer for CNN Digital. Here is her CNN article that features Jonathan Spollen.
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati (Sadhviji) ~ Renowned spiritual leader and motivational speaker. She lives at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India.
BBC article and video featuring police investigator, Kundan Negi. The article is titled, ‘I believe Jonathan is still alive.’
Amanda Vicary ~ True Crime expert and Psychologist
Astray Production Team:
School of Humans // iHeartRadio
Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer
Ankita Anand ~ Producer
Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer
Tunewelders
Jason Shannon ~ Composer
Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did Justin Alexander Shetler - nomad, ninja and epic adventurer - meet his match in India when he disappeared in 2016? Or is a cryptic message in one of his last instagram posts proof that he doesn’t want to be found?
Michael Yon, a former green beret and combat correspondent, who assisted in the investigation to find Justin, offers insight while sharing his own favorite pastime in India: Cannibal Hunting.
Justin Shetler Alexander Show Notes:
Justin Alexander Shetler’s Instagram and Blog: Adventures of Justin
Harley Rustad’s article in ‘Outside Magazine.’ Rustad’s article was hugely helpful in writing this episode. He has a book about Justin Shetler Alexander coming out soon.
Michael Yon ~ Combat correspondent whose hobby is Aghori “cannibal” hunting.
Yon’s Vice article about Gary Stevenson.
Astray Production Team:
School of Humans // iHeartRadio
Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer
Ankita Anand ~ Producer
Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer
Tunewelders
Jason Shannon ~ Composer
Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did Ryan Chambers vanish in India in 2005 due to the influence of the mysterious phenomena, India Syndrome? Or were other forces at play...
India Syndrome is examined by a psychiatric expert in New Delhi, India who assesses whether the cryptic phenomena is a myth or legitimate risk
Ryan Chambers Show Notes:
Dr. Harshit Salian~ Psychiatrist in New Delhi, India
Dr. Willoughby Britton~ Assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University
Link to First Do No Harm: Foundational Competencies for Working Skillfully with Meditation-Related Challenges.
David Hammerbeck ~ Academic and Author
Ryan Chambers, Missing in India Facebook Page ~ Access to Jock Chambers information is listed here. Please contact him with any information you might have on Ryan’s disappearance.
Astray Production Team:
School of Humans // iHeartRadio
Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer
Ankita Anand ~ Producer
Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer
Tunewelders - Sound Production
Jason Shannon ~ Composer
Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“India Syndrome,” a psychosis said to effect Westerners seeking spiritual enlightenment in India, is identified as the cause behind a suicide and a disappearance of two Westerners drawn to India, and led astray there.
India Syndrome Show Notes:
Scott Carney ~ Investigative Journalist, New York Times Bestselling Author and Anthropologist
Jessica Ravitz~ Freelance journalist and former senior writer for CNN Digital.
Ryan Chambers, Missing in India Facebook Page ~ Access to Jock Chambers information is listed here. Please contact him with any information you might have on Ryan’s disappearance.
Astray Production Team:
School of Humans // iHeartRadio
Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer
Ankita Anand ~ Producer
Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer
Tunewelders - Sound Production
Jason Shannon ~ Composer
Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How far would you go for enlightenment? Westerners have long been drawn to the spiritual mystique of India. While many find what they’re looking for and return home, some vanish without a trace or even end up dead. Astray investigates those who pay the ultimate cost in search of spiritual awakening.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.