Almost Certainly Not

On a lonely stretch of highway in New Hampshire, Betty and Barney Hill’s peaceful road trip home turned into a nightmare that defied explanation. A strange light in the sky. A sudden lapse in time. Fragments of impossible memories—figures with dark, staring eyes, cold metal instruments, a mysterious star map. Were they abducted by beings from beyond our world, or were their minds playing tricks on them? Decades later, their story remains one of the most chilling and controversial UFO encounters ever told. What really happened that night? → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: / almost_certainly_not

In this Almost Certainly Not companion series, we examine each episode's origins, production process, behind-the-scenes, personal thoughts, and most likely go off on some tangents in spite of our best efforts. In this episode, we examine Double Attack: The Maneuvers of Manipulation. Every move is calculated, every sacrifice intentional. Manipulation, like chess, is a game of control—of positioning others without them realizing they’re being played. The most skilled manipulators don’t force; they guide, nudging their pawns forward until checkmate feels like their opponent’s own doing. How does this happen? Why is it so consistent in its method and execution, and where is the line between sympathy for those who suffer from these traits and accountability for the pain they inflict on others? NOTE: The views expressed in "Possibly Not" are part of an extemporaneous discussion, and while we do our best to be as accurate as possible, we are human and will get things wrong. If we are wrong enough we will add clarifications and corrections. CITATIONS The following resources are referenced and summarized within a discussion during the episode. Seto, M. C. (2012, 2017). Pedophilia and Sexual Offending Against Children: Theory, Assessment, and Intervention. American Psychological Association. Langevin, R., Curnoe, S., & Bain, J. (2004). A study of clerics who commit sexual offenses: Are they different from other sex offenders? Child Abuse & Neglect, 28(5), 531-541. Ponseti, J., Bosinski, H. A., & Schiffer, B. (2015). The neurobiology and psychology of pedophilia: Recent advances and challenges. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9, 344. Turner, D., Briken, P., & Schiffer, B. (2019). Are there any biomarkers for pedophilia and sexual child offending? Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 940. Widom, C. S., & Massey, C. (2015). A prospective examination of whether childhood sexual abuse predicts subsequent sexual offending. JAMA Pediatrics, 169(2), e143357. Fasano, F., Malvaso, C., & Maglietta, M. (2020). Pedophilia: Definition, classifications, criminological and neurobiological profiles, and clinical treatments—A complete review. Academia.edu.

Every move is calculated, every sacrifice intentional. Manipulation, like chess, is a game of control—of positioning others without them realizing they’re being played. The most skilled manipulators don’t force; they guide, nudging their pawns forward until checkmate feels like their opponent’s own doing. How does this happen, why is it so consistent in its method and execution and where is the line between sympathy for those who suffer from these traits and accountability for the pain they inflict on others? → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not

In this Almost Certainly Not companion series, we examine each episode's origins, production process, behind-the-scenes, personal thoughts, and most likely go off on some tangents in spite of our best efforts. In this episode, we examine • The Man Who Died Twice: An Arkansas Folktale . In the remote Arkansas hills, the brutal murder of Connie Franklin shocks a small town—until he inexplicably reappears alive, turning the trial of his alleged killers into a surreal mystery of identity, justice, and hidden truths. → Possibly Not is an Almost Certainly Not companion series exclusive to YouTube Membership and Patreon: / almost_certainly_not . → NOTE: The views expressed in "Possibly Not" are part of an extemporaneous discussion and while we do our best to be as accurate as possible, we are human and will get things wrong. If we are wrong enough, we will add clarifications and corrections. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: / almost_certainly_not

In the quiet of 1929 Arkansas, the tale of Connie Franklin gripped the nation. A drifter with a devil-may-care charm, Franklin disappeared just before he was to marry a young farm girl. Soon, whispers of a gruesome murder surfaced, with accounts of violence, betrayal, and a body burned in a fiery pit. As a trial of the accused unfolded, shocking twists and dark secrets blurred the lines between victim and villain, leaving the truth shrouded in uncertainty. Who was Connie Franklin, and what truly happened in those shadowed hills? Sometimes, the dead don’t stay silent. And sometimes, they don’t stay dead. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

In this Almost Certainly Not companion series, we examine each episode's origins, production process, behind-the-scenes, personal thoughts, and most likely go off on some tangents in spite of our best efforts. In this episode, we examine Common Parlance. How often do we pause to examine the words we use, the phrases we repeat, or the idioms that slip into our conversations? From “shouting fire in a crowded theater” to “good fences make good neighbors,” our common expressions are relics of history, reshaped by time and misunderstanding. → Possibly Not is an Almost Certainly Not companion series exclusive to YouTube Membership and Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not. → NOTE: The views expressed in "Possibly Not" are part of an extemporaneous discussion and while we do our best to be as accurate as possible we are human and will get things wrong. If we are wrong enough, we will add clarifications and corrections. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not

How often do we pause to examine the words we use, the phrases we repeat, or the idioms that slip into our conversations? From “shouting fire in a crowded theater” to “good fences make good neighbors,” our common expressions are relics of history, reshaped by time. As we question their evolution, we reflect on how language mirrors our collective thinking, and why rediscovering their roots is not just an act of curiosity, but a journey toward sharper, more profound communication. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Original Article/Script Substack: https://danwlauer.substack.com/p/waiting-to-inhale?r=11vpl1 → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

In this Almost Certainly Not companion series, we examine each episode's origins, production process, behind-the-scenes, personal thoughts, and most likely go off on some tangents in spite of our best efforts. In this episode we examine: Breatharianism—the belief we can live without food—has intrigued skeptics for decades. Devotees claim to have unlocked the secret to longevity, free from physical needs. But when followers are taken in by figureheads who don’t practice what they preach, promises of enlightenment give way to tales of starvation, mystery, and death. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Original Article/Script Substack: https://danwlauer.substack.com/p/waiting-to-inhale?r=11vpl1 → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

Imagine a life without food, where the human body thrives on nothing but air and sunlight. Breatharianism—a belief that we can survive without eating—has fascinated and horrified skeptics for decades. Devotees claim they’ve unlocked the ultimate secret to longevity, shedding their dependence on physical sustenance. But what happens when followers go too far and are fully taken in by the figureheads who don’t practice what they preach? Behind the serene promises of enlightenment lie stories of starvation, mystery, and death. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Original Article/Script Substack: https://danwlauer.substack.com/p/waiting-to-inhale?r=11vpl1 → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

In this Almost Certainly Not companion series, we examine each episode's origins, production process, behind-the-scenes, personal thoughts, and most likely go off on some tangents in spite of our best efforts. In this episode, we examine: Sandra Lynn Johnson-Hughes vanished in the Sierra National Forest in 2020. Her campsite lay abandoned, belongings scattered. Then came strange sightings—hikers glimpsed a disoriented, barefoot figure vanishing into the trees. Weeks passed, and hope faded. But if it wasn't Sandra—who, or what was lurking in the forest? → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not NOTE: The views expressed in "Possibly Not" are part of an extemporaneous discussion, and while we do our best to be as accurate as possible we are human and will get things wrong. If we are wrong enough, we will add clarifications and corrections.

Sandra Lynn Johnson-Hughes vanished without a trace in the dense Sierra National Forest in the summer of 2020. Her campsite was found abandoned, her belongings scattered as if she'd left in a hurry. Then came the sightings—fleeting glimpses by hikers who swore Hughes looked disoriented, barefoot, and bruised. Each time, she vanished into the trees before they could reach her. Weeks passed, and hope waned, until one day, a chilling discovery was made deep in the wilderness—something that changed everything. But if it wasn’t Sandra... then who, or what, had been watching from the woods? → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Original Article/Script Substack: https://danwlauer.substack.com/p/electric-blue → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

On a lonely stretch of highway in New Hampshire, Betty and Barney Hill’s peaceful road trip home turned into a nightmare that defied explanation. A strange light in the sky. A sudden lapse in time. Fragments of impossible memories—figures with dark, staring eyes, cold metal instruments, a mysterious star map. Were they abducted by beings from beyond our world, or were their minds playing tricks on them? Decades later, their story remains one of the most chilling and controversial UFO encounters ever recorded. What really happened that night? → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Post-Meridiem-Unreliable-Madness-Angeles/dp/B0CHL1FY9T "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

Every move is calculated, every sacrifice intentional. Manipulation, like chess, is a game of control—of positioning others without them realizing they’re being played. The most skilled manipulators don’t force; they guide, nudging their pawns forward until checkmate feels like their opponent’s own doing. How does this happen, why is it so consistent in its method and execution and where is the line between sympathy for those who suffer from these traits and accountability for the pain they inflict on others? → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Post-Meridiem-Unreliable-Madness-Angeles/dp/B0CHL1FY9T "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

In the quiet of 1929 Arkansas, the tale of Connie Franklin gripped the nation. A drifter with a devil-may-care charm, Franklin disappeared just before he was to marry a young farm girl. Soon, whispers of a gruesome murder surfaced, with accounts of violence, betrayal, and a body burned in a fiery pit. As a trial of the accused unfolded, shocking twists and dark secrets blurred the lines between victim and villain, leaving the truth shrouded in uncertainty. Who was Connie Franklin, and what truly happened in those shadowed hills? Sometimes, the dead don’t stay silent. And sometimes, they don’t stay dead. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

How often do we pause to examine the words we use, the phrases we repeat, or the idioms that slip into our conversations? From “shouting fire in a crowded theater” to “good fences make good neighbors,” our common expressions are relics of history, reshaped by time. As we question their evolution, we reflect on how language mirrors our collective thinking, and why rediscovering their roots is not just an act of curiosity, but a journey toward sharper, more profound communication. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

The myth of the fearless, lethal soldier collapses under a surprising truth: most soldiers in combat do not shoot to kill. Despite rigorous training, many hesitate to pull the trigger, even when their survival depends on it. This isn’t due to lack of skill or weaponry but a profound psychological barrier against killing, rooted deeply in human nature. Combat studies have revealed that, throughout history—from ancient warriors to modern soldiers—the reluctance to take life persists. Military training has adapted, but the instinct to preserve life challenges assumptions about warfare, revealing the complex human morality laid bare on the battlefield. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Original Article/Script Substack: https://danwlauer.substack.com/p/hold-your-fire → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

In the summer of 1916, the Jersey Shore was rocked by a series of brutal shark attacks that left beachgoers terrified and authorities baffled. Over twelve harrowing days, five people were attacked, four of them fatally, in a rampage that moved from the ocean to a quiet creek inland. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Original Article/Script Substack: https://danwlauer.substack.com/p/we-saw-the-water-turning-red → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

Imagine a life without food, where the human body thrives on nothing but air and sunlight. Breatharianism—a belief that we can survive without eating—has fascinated and horrified skeptics for decades. Devotees claim they’ve unlocked the ultimate secret to longevity, shedding their dependence on physical sustenance. But what happens when followers go too far and are fully taken in by the figureheads who don’t practice what they preach? Behind the serene promises of enlightenment lie stories of starvation, mystery, and death. → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Original Article/Script Substack: https://danwlauer.substack.com/p/waiting-to-inhale?r=11vpl1 → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

Sandra Lynn Johnson-Hughes vanished without a trace in the dense Sierra National Forest in the summer of 2020. Her campsite was found abandoned, her belongings scattered as if she'd left in a hurry. Then came the sightings—fleeting glimpses by hikers who swore Hughes looked disoriented, barefoot, and bruised. Each time, she vanished into the trees before they could reach her. Weeks passed, and hope waned, until one day, a chilling discovery was made deep in the wilderness—something that changed everything. But if it wasn’t Sandra... then who, or what, had been watching from the woods? → Credits, References, Corrections, and More Home: https://almostcertainlynot.com/ → Support Join our Patreon with the link below. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Almost_Certainly_Not → Original Article/Script Substack: https://danwlauer.substack.com/p/electric-blue → Post Meridiem: An Unreliable Memoir of Madness in Los Angeles Dan Lauer has a memoir available on Kindle & Paperback. Amazon: https://a.co/d/a1tPujS "Post Meridiem is an unreliable memoir of events that occurred in Los Angeles County between June and September 2009. From the bewildering cast of a state-run psychiatric hospital to the horrific exhibits of the Museum of the Morbid, Dan Lauer searches for comfort and solace from a severe depression-driven psychotic break from reality in all the wrong places."

THE PLATFORM is an audio play adaptation by author and filmmaker Dan Lauer of Chris Marker's seminal 1967 French film "La Jetée" which serves as the basis for the film "12 Monkeys." The following rules were set for the adaptation by Dan Lauer: He must speak all the dialogueHe may only use sound effects and music included in Final Cut Pro X (no downloads)He may not add anything to the plot to elaborate or clarifyThe final product may not be longer than 25 minutes Watch the original: https://www.amazon.com/Jetee-H%C3%A9l%C3%A8ne-Chatelain-Davos-Hanich/dp/B00E7ND9GI Purchase Dan Lauer's debut memoir POST MERIDIEM: https://www.amazon.com/Post-Meridiem-Unreliable-Madness-Angeles-ebook/dp/B0CC4HQR9R/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Dan Lauer is on threads: https://www.threads.net/@danwlauer