Hi, Astray fans! The podcast, Unreformed: the Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children, follows the stories behind the little-known history of the Industrial School for Negro Children at Mt. Meig’s, a horrific penal institution for children who were accused of infractions as minor as truancy.

About Unreformed: the Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children: In 1968, five Black girls ran away from a reform school in Mount Meigs, Alabama and revealed that it was a modern-day slave camp.

We relive the narrative of five brave women who dared to cross the Color Line in the Jim Crow South to help ignite a federal investigation. We explore the personal histories of former Mt. Meig’s students and whistle blowers. Through interviews with historians, civil rights advocates and as many living survivors as possible, we address the circumstances at Mt. Meigs as a means to reveal and acknowledge this piece of US History.

Listen to Unreformed: the Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!

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When Mangesh Hattikudur (Part-Time Genius, Humans Growing Stuff) set out to do a big, sweeping show on astrology, he didn’t realize the first interview would change the course of his life. But as he tries to put his world back together, he realizes the incredible ways astrology presents itself in modern society: from NASA employees who keep their belief in astrology in the closet, to world leaders who’ve used astrologers to guide foreign policy, to moneyball statisticians who use astrology more than statistics to build baseball teams, to a little shop in India where your fortune was written for you centuries ago, and is waiting for you to come claim it. Over the course of 8 episodes, Mangesh tries to decipher why we keep looking to the stars for answers, and what happens when you don’t believe in astrology, but astrology keeps happening to you. Listen to Skyline Drive on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/867-skyline-drive-104974284/

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Forget Willy Wonka and those heart-shaped Valentine’s boxes. OBSESSIONS: Wild Chocolate. is a totally different beast. Join host Rowan Jacobson as he elbows his way through the rain forest, crash lands into cocaine flyaways, and avoids a few too many anaconda, tagging along with modern-day Lara Crofts as they try to get their hands on some of the world’s most ancient– and expensive– cacao. Listen to OBSESSIONS: Wild Chocolate on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-obsessions-wild-chocolate-103468390/

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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

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 charliemarinelli@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 mdma-psilocybin-molly-mental-health.html">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

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

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.