Rebelliously Curious with Chrissy Newton: UFOs, Science, Culture and Futurism

In 2016, the idea of a hidden planet lurking far beyond Neptune reignited one of astronomy's biggest mysteries. Since then, the search for "Planet Nine" has captured the imagination of scientists and the public alike—raising profound questions about how our solar system formed, and whether we've overlooked an entire world in our cosmic backyard. Today, I'm joined by Konstantin Batygin, professor of planetary science at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and one of the leading architects of the Planet Nine hypothesis.
We discuss the evidence for the theory, the controversy surrounding it, and the new evidence that could be found this year supporting the idea that Planet Nine actually exists! We also discuss what its discovery would mean for astronomy and how it could reshape our understanding of the solar system.
Finally, we explore the line between science and mythology—from cultural Mesopotamian legends like Nibiru and the Anunnaki to what Planet 8's discovery would mean for people who follow Anunnaki folklore. Does this mean Sumerians were right? Join us as we get rebelliously curious.
Join us as we get rebelliously curious.
Watch the YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQUIu1X47y8
Follow Chrissy Newton:
Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ 

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Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com
Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

Today's guest is Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell, a retired integrative medical doctor, neuropsychiatrist, and psychotherapist whose work has spanned the intersections of mind, brain, and human development.
In this conversation, we explore neurodiversity, autism, communication, and the evolving science behind non-speaking autistic individuals. We also examine controversial claims around telepathy, emerging research on cognition and consciousness, the ethical responsibilities of working with vulnerable populations, and how politics, genetics, and culture are shaping the future of autism research.
This is a wide-ranging conversation that challenges assumptions and asks difficult questions about what we really understand — and what we may still be missing — about the human mind.
Join us as we get rebelliously curious.
Follow Chrissy Newton:
Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ 

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton 

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com
Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

In this episode, we focus on China's rapidly evolving role in BCI development with guest Phoenix Peng, CEO and founder of Gestala, from Chinese communist government policy and healthcare integration to questions around data privacy, ethics, and large-scale deployment of BCI technology in schools, hospitals, and industry.
We also explore how China's regulatory environment is shaping innovation, what's currently possible in clinical and consumer settings, and where the line sits between advancement, safety, and oversight in one of the most closely watched tech frontiers in the world.
Join us as we get rebelliously curious.
Follow Chrissy Newton:
Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ 

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton 

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com
Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

Today's episode sits right at the intersection of mystery, media, and manipulation. We're diving into the strange, often unsettling world of UFOs—or what we now call UAPs—and asking a simple question: what's real, and what have we been led to believe?
For decades, stories of unidentified craft, alien encounters, and government secrecy have shaped public imagination. But behind those headlines lies a deeper story—one involving Cold War paranoia, psychological operations, and, at times, deliberate disinformation.
Our guest is Mark Pilkington, author of Mirage Men. Together, we will deconstruct the controversial role of Air Force investigator Richard Doty, and the case of Paul Bennewitz—one of the most troubling examples of how belief, secrecy, and state power can collide.
Along the way, we'll look at how media, including major publications like Life magazine in the 40s and 50s, may have been influenced—subtly or otherwise—by intelligence agencies during a time when information itself was a battlefield. 
So today, we're not just asking whether UFOs are real.
We're asking: who's been shaping the story all along?
Join us as we get rebelliously curious.
Follow Chrissy Newton:
Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ 

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton 

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com
Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/

Today, we're diving into one of the most fascinating and rapidly evolving frontiers: brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs, but from a European perspective.
Joining us is Dr. Martin Schüttler, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at CorTec, the first German company at the forefront of neural interface innovation. From restoring lost function to potentially redefining how we interact with machines—and even our own biology—BCIs are no longer science fiction. In this conversation, we'll explore Martin's journey into the BCI community, what sets Germany's approach apart on the global stage, and how neural technology could intersect with the complex human nervous system.
We'll also tackle big-picture questions around privacy, policy, and power: Who owns brain data? Can global standards keep up with innovation? And what happens when this technology moves beyond the lab and into everyday life?
Join us as we get rebelliously curious.
Follow Chrissy Newton:
Winner of the Canadian Podcast Awards for Best Science Series.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/ 

X: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton 

Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com
Top Canadian Science Podcast: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/canadian_science_podcasts/