Ripley’s Believe It or Not! launches new podcast to celebrate 100 years of weirdness

To celebrate 100 years of Robert Ripley’s legacy, Ripley’s is launching a new weekly podcast, officially called “Ripley’s Believe It or Notcast,” featuring interviews with “odd-thorities” from around the world telling strange-but-true-tales.

This new podcast features hosts Ryan Clark and Brent Donaldson as they travel the world to interview experts, celebrities, an authorities on a variety of strange and odd topics.

“While searching for artifacts to exhibit in our Believe It or Not! Odditoriums and stories to tell in Ripley books and online, our editors meet unbelievable experts with unique perspectives we are dying to share,” said Sabrina Sieck, creative content manager for Ripley’s Believe It or Not! “The Believe It or Notcast is now home to those first-person interviews and peculiar tales that are incredibly hard to believe, but undeniably true!”

Every Tuesday, hosts Clark and Donaldson will share stories and answer questions like “How did conjoined twins Chang and Eng father 21 children?”, “Are exorcisms like the movies?”, and “What should you do if you capture Bigfoot?”

Episode One launches on June 11 with a nationwide exploration of “cryptids” – mythological creatures that are believed to exist by some, but have not been recognized by the scientific community. Clark and Donaldson will take a trip to the Florida Everglades, home to Dave Shealy, a man who has dedicated his life to making others aware of the existence of the Skunk Ape. The Ripley’s Believe It or Notcast will also travel to Skamania County, Wash., which could be an ideal home for the mythical Bigfoot – and learn more about laws that have been created to protect these creatures from being hunted.

“We try to give an homage to the past in every episode, but this is a podcast that’s going to appeal to a lot of new listeners, too, not just folks who know about Ripley and his tales,” said Clark.

Future guests on the Notcast include Lonely Planet editor Ben Bucker, who will take listeners to the world’s most off-limits places; Bruce Campbell, horror legend and host of “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” on Travel Channel, as he shares his favorite aspects of the “dark side of strange”; and Father Vincent Lampert, who has performed six official exorcisms and shares his expertise on everything the movies have gotten wrong.

“Strap in, we are taking listeners on a real ride,” adds Clark. “These stories will leave you captivated, maybe even confounded. And the best part? They’re all true. Believe them or not.”

You can preview the Ripley’s Believe It or Notcast now at Ripleys.com.