We kick things off with Adam giving us a thumbnail look at who James Shelby Downard was and what inspired Adam to investigate JSD's life. Next, we tackle one enduring mystery of Downard: whether he actually existed or was a fabrication of other conspiracy writers. Adam explains how deeply he investigated this aspect of JSD, taking us step by step through the process of unearthing any of the scant biographical information on JSD, and how satisfied he is with the answers he found. He traces the evolution of Downard's emergence into the esoteric subconscious and how it is fraught with mystery.

Adam explains why some of Downard's most influential work (such as the "King Kill 33" theory) are attributed to co-authors and this segues into a discussion on how some of JSD's writings were profane, homophobic, and outright racist. Looking at some of JSD's theories and observations, we discuss the Fatty Arbuckle scandal of 1921 and how JSD believed that there was ritual magic at work there.

Following that, we dive into the infamous "King Kill 33" theory of the JFK assassination and Adam starts by bringing folks up to speed on what the theory is all about. This segues into discussion on the "mystical toponomy" which is a central theme of Downard's work. Adam then gets deep into symbology and the ties to the King Kill theory surrounding the numbers 3 and 33. He also touches on the Wizard of Oz connections found in the JFK assassination. This leads into us talking about the magical elements which serve as the foundation for the many of Downard's writings and Adam shares with us his take on how extensive the belief and practice of such ritual magic is today.

Next, binnall takes a skeptical look at the ritual magic stories to ponder if they are just an elaborate cover for socially taboo or perverse sexual cravings of the power elite and we get Adam's take on that. Moving on, we cover one of binnall's all-time favorite esoteric stories, rumours of Jack Parsons, atomic testing, and the attempts to create a Homunculus. Adam details how this ties into Aleister Crowley and L. Ron Hubbard who, along with Parsons, were a group known as Babylon Working. He ties this all in with Downard's writings of the three Masonic steps and also how it relates to the Moon landing.

We then discuss the perceived final step of the alchemical orchestration of world events: the Revelation of Method. We get Adam's cautionary take on if he sees present times as part of this final act. Adam also talks about Mae Brussel's "strategy of tension" theory and how it relates to both 911 and the present financial crisis. We also tackle the proverbial elephant in the room of today's political scene: fears for President Obama's safety, which seem to be a recurring unspoken worry in America today.

Clearing up one minor mystery of the book, we find out about the device in the lower right hand corner of the cover: the Dayton Witch. We also find out if Adam ever crossed paths with Downard before his untimely death in 1998. Wrapping up the Downard talk, we discuss his lasting legacy in esoterica in the form of the synchromysticism field of research. Adam then shares an interesting synchronistic story from his days researching Kerry Thornley.

Closing things out, we find out what's next for Adam Gorightly, including a re-issue of his Manson book and upcoming magazine articles, along with an update on his new podcast series, the Untamed Grassy Knoll, which Adam co-hosts with his good friend Vyzygoth.

A self described “crackpot historian”, Adam Gorightly has been chronicling fringe culture and conspiracy politics in an illuminating manner for more than two decades now. An active contributor to the zine revolution of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Adam’s byline was a familiar sight in many cutting-edge magazines of the period where he sharpened his literary teeth penning articles on the paranormal, conspiracies, and fringe culture.

His explorations into these arcane waters eventually led to his first book, published in October 2001,The Shadow Over Santa Susana: Black Magic, Mind Control and the Manson Family Mythos, which has been described as the mother of all Manson family tomes. This was followed in November 2003 by The Prankster and the Conspiracy: The Story of Kerry Thornley and How He Met Oswald and Inspired the Counterculture, the first bio of the legendary counterculture figure, chronicling Thornley’s amazing and tragic life. Adam’s latest offering, The Beast of Adam Gorightly: Collected Rantings 1992–2004, features many articles from Adam’s formative years in the zine scene and onward into the new millennium.

Adam has been a guest on radio talk shows across the U.S., Canada and Ireland including Erskine Overnight, The Richard Syrett Show, The R.U. Sirius Show, The X-Zone with Rob McConnell, From The Grassy Knoll with Vyzygoth, The Blue Rose Report with Miles Lewis, A Closer Look with Michael Corbin, Binnall of America, and Radio Misterioso with Greg Bishop. His articles have appeared in numerous publications such as The Excluded Middle, UFO Magazine, Paranoia, SteamShovel Press, and FourTwoFour, the largest soccer magazine in Great Britain.

His website is www.adamgorightly.com and you can also check out his blog @ gorightly.wordpress.com.

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2 hr 2 min
3.9.09
416
Adam Gorightly