We conclude the devilish and mysterious story surrounding the disappearance of a group of women involved in a small cult run by new age author Carlos Castaneda. 

Not many are aware that one of the most successful New Age authors, Carlos Castaneda, lead a cult. The women that made up the inner circle of his cult were called “the witches” and five of them disappeared after Castaneda’s death in 1998. In an all too familiar trope, Castaneda’s mythology was built on lies, narcissism, hypocrisy, and abuse, yet the witches remain missing. Did they commit mass suicide, or are they still in control of the cult’s workshops (Tensegrity) and publishing empire?

With Special Guest Mariah Klapatch! 

Theme Music by Matt Glass
https://www.glassbrain.com/Instagram: @astudyofstrange
Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [http://astudyofstrange.substack.com/] Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [http://www.astudyofstrange.com] Hosted by Michael May
[https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3032800411727093354]Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com!
©2025 Convergent Content, LLC   LINKS

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8088.Carlos_Castaneda [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3032800411727093354]

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APXVFG [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3032800411727093354]

https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a60923618/carlos-castaneda-cult-geoffrey-gray/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3032800411727093354]

https://deleuze.cla.purdue.edu/people/carlos-castaneda/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3032800411727093354]

https://www.castaneda.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3032800411727093354]

https://www.amazon.com/Sorcerers-Apprentice-Life-Carlos-Castaneda/dp/1583942068/ref=asc_df_1583942068?mcid=0d8519cc17a73ea982de07dd78440a03&hvocijid=5328905483217033375-1583942068-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5328905483217033375&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-2281435177378&psc=1 [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3032800411727093354]

Tensegrity and the Vanishing Witches PART TWO: The Cult of Carlos Castaneda

Not many are aware that one of the most successful “new age” authors, Carlos Castaneda, lead a cult. The women that made up the inner circle of his cult were called “the witches” and five of them disappeared soon after Castaneda’s death in 1998. In an all too familiar trope, Castaneda’s mythology was built on lies, narcissism, hypocrisy, and abuse, yet the witches remain missing. Did they commit mass suicide, or are they in control of the cult’s workshops (Tensegrity) and publishing empire. 

Theme Music by Matt Glass: https://www.glassbrain.com/

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [http://astudyofstrange.substack.com/]

Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [http://www.astudyofstrange.com]

Hosted by Michael May [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0562071/]

Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com!

©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

LINKS

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8088.Carlos_Castaneda

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APXVFG

https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a60923618/carlos-castaneda-cult-geoffrey-gray/

https://deleuze.cla.purdue.edu/people/carlos-castaneda/

https://www.castaneda.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Sorcerers-Apprentice-Life-Carlos-Castaneda/dp/1583942068/ref=asc_df_1583942068?mcid=0d8519cc17a73ea982de07dd78440a03&hvocijid=5328905483217033375-1583942068-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5328905483217033375&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-2281435177378&psc=1

Tensegrity and the Vanishing Witches: The Cult of Carlos Castaneda PART ONE

What makes an object haunted? These four paintings have strange and mysterious backgrounds, along with claims of supernatural phenomena. #1 The Hands Resist Him [https://stonehamstudios.com/haunted], #2 The Anguished Man [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Anguished_Man], #3 Woman of the Rain [https://www.reddit.com/r/museum/comments/wzf14i/woman_of_the_rain_svetlana_telets_1996/], #4 The Crying Boy [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crying_Boy]

Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/8571656400991337726] Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/8571656400991337726] Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/8571656400991337726] Hosted by Michael May [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0562071/] Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

Four of the World's Most Haunted Paintings

In 1908, something tore through the skies over Siberia and exploded with the force of a thousand Hiroshima bombs. Trees were flattened across 800 square miles, yet no impact crater was ever found. What caused the Tunguska Event? A meteor? A comet? Something stranger?
In this episode, we analyze the science and the some of the wild theories behind the largest cosmic explosion in recorded history, and explore other mysterious blasts from history. 

Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/6188800592896441264] Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/6188800592896441264] Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/6188800592896441264] Hosted by Michael May [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/6188800592896441264] Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

Tunguska: When the Sky Exploded

On April 1, 2014, two young Dutch friends, Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon, tragically disappeared while on vacation in Panama. What began as a day hike turned into a heartbreaking mystery when their remains were discovered weeks later. While the prevailing theory suggests a tragic accident led to their deaths, there are several unexplained and unsettling details. Among these are eerie photographs taken after their disappearance which cannot be explained.   Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/788955932907542348] Instagram: @astudyofstrange Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/788955932907542348] Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/788955932907542348] Hosted by Michael May [https://www.imdb.com] Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com! ©2025 Convergent Content, LLC   LINKS! https://koudekaas.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-disappearance-of-kris-kremers-and_11.html https://www.threads.com/@thescaryfact/post/DCB3CsJtnpP/on-april-8-90-photos-were-taken-between-1-and-4-am-deep-in-the-jungle-on-froons- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_of_Kris_Kremers_and_Lisanne_Froon https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/15rlrrb/kris_kremer_and_lisanne_froon_there_is_no_mystery/ https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/kris-kremers-lisanne-froon-vanished-clues-225178-20241103 https://allthatsinteresting.com/kris-kremers-lisanne-froon

Scary Photos That Can't Be Explained: What Happened to Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon

Jonathan Todd Schwartz was a successful business manager for A-list celebrities and seemingly had it all. However, his life took a dark turn when he stole nearly $5 million from Alanis Morrissette and other clients. Driven by addiction, Schwartz's story is now one of rehabilitation and redemption.

Follow Jonathan https://www.instagram.com/therealjonathanschwartz/

Altus Rehab  [https://altus.rehab/residential-treatment/]

 

Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [http://astudyofstrange.substack.com/]

Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [http://www.astudyofstrange.com]

Hosted by Michael May [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0562071/]

 

Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com!

©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

The Hollywood Manager That Stole Millions From Celebrities | Interview with Jonathan Todd Schwartz

The Mothman, a legendary winged “birdman” with glowing red eyes, was first reported in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1966. Interestingly, similar sightings began this century in Chicago. As far as cryptids go, the myth behind Mothman is more supernatural than zoological, with many believing this creature is a harbinger of doom.
With special guest Oliver Berger!
https://www.instagram.com/oliveraberger/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594]
https://oliveraustinberger.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594]

 

Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3160476341337761175] Instagram: @astudyofstrange
Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3160476341337761175]
Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3160476341337761175]
Hosted by Michael May [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3160476341337761175]

Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com!
©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

 

LINKS

https://www.singularfortean.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://www.singularfortean.com/news/2017/6/10/a-timeline-of-the-chicago-flying-humanoid-sightings-so-far [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://www.singularfortean.com/news/2020/6/23/second-pilot-reports-sighting-of-mothman-at-chicagos-ohare-international-airport [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594]

https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/p/chicago-phantom-sightings-2011-2017.html [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594]

https://ufoclearinghouse.wordpress.com/the-latest-ufo-sightings/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594]

https://www.reddit.com/r/cryptids/comments/1kb1ezz/the_chicago_mothman/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://www.reddit.com/r/cryptids/comments/1bepcqj/recent_mothman_sightings/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://www.reddit.com/r/Cryptozoology/comments/ejial9/the_chicago_mothman_has_been_seen_eight_times/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/2025/04/john-keels-mothman-reports-collection_30.html [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/p/chicago-phantom-sightings-2011-2017.html [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://q985online.com/mothman-sighting-illinois-airport/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://airlinegeeks.com/2020/10/24/spooktober-the-mothman-of-chicago-o-hare/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/unsolved-mysteries-volume-4-episode-5-mothman-revisited [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594] https://unsolved.com/gallery/the-mothman-revisited/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3165124503394184594]

The Chicago Motham | with Oliver Berger

From underwater anomalies to the notorious Hum heard around the world, these eight strange sounds are difficult to explain. 

Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/7373426702468622854] Instagram: @astudyofstrange
Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/7373426702468622854]
Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/7373426702468622854]
Hosted by Michael May [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/7373426702468622854]
Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com!

©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

 

LINKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtEfHnbMWIg [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3160476341337761175]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3k1Qwx9Y0Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuRBM0i8mbI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG3JDTWW2fU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up4BhgfjA2A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPae-2nnsoY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmaxQgAaKns [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3160476341337761175]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Xn6gQmmcY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JArPkrS4LYQ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3160476341337761175]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfa8NscHFnE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4sDyTaVwWY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8zhCjBYY_M [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/3160476341337761175]

8 Strange Sounds That Can't Be Explained

On Easter Sunday, 1937, Veronica Gedeon, her mother, and a boarder were found killed in their New York City apartment. Veronica was a beautiful model, and the press provoked public reaction by publishing her portfolio of sensual photographs. The case had a lasting impact by influencing laws for the criminally insane.

Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]

Instagram: @astudyofstrange
Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]
Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]
Hosted by Michael May [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]

Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com!

©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

Veronica Gedeon And The Easter Murders

A dairy farmer is found dead in a small Vermont town, but was it murder...or an elaborate suicide plot to frame his enemies? The mystery surrounding Orville Gibson's death was a world-wide sensation news story at the time, and remains unsolved to this day, with two prevailing theories. Was he lynched by vengeful neighbors, or did he stage his own death to take down the town that scorned him?

Theme Music by Matt Glass https://www.glassbrain.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/5608530145493330819]

Instagram: @astudyofstrange
Support the Show! astudyofstrange.substack.com/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/5608530145493330819]
Website: www.astudyofstrange.com [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/5608530145493330819]
Hosted by Michael May [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/5608530145493330819]
Email stories, comments, or ideas to astudyofstrange@gmail.com!
©2025 Convergent Content, LLC

 

LINKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DPfA8cqkvo
[https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHBnQRNKkpA [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-twist-in-vermont-farmers-mysterious-1957-death/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]

https://www.truecrimene.com/episodes/episode-62-the-suspicious-death-of-orville-gibson [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]

https://newengland.com/yankee/magazine/the-haunting-case-of-orville-gibson/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]

https://transom.org/2014/murder-memory-in-a-new-england-village-the-story-of-orville-gibson/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]

https://vtdigger.org/2014/11/16/former-judge-explores-newburys-mystery-orville-gibson/ [https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4805158041314074833/2268647333206891919]

Small Town Murder Mystery: Orville Gibson

For lovers of true crime, mysteries, and even outlandish tales of high strangeness, join host Michael May as he and a guest study tales of the unknown each week from unsolved crime to unexplained phenomena. A Study of Strange attempts to debunk common misconceptions and encourages each guest to “play a role” in the storytelling process. Guests include entertainment industry insiders, friends, weirdos, randos, and more! Michael May is a filmmaker and performer known for producing films like GHOSTS OF THE OZARKS, 12 HOUR SHIFT, FUN SIZE HORROR and hosting the true-crime automotive TV shows AUTO/BIOGRAPHY and AUTOBIOGRAPHY: COLD CASES. He obsesses over historical mysteries and loves to bring fascinating stories to life.

Michael May

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