Would we recognize contact with another intelligence—or spend the rest of our lives describing it with the wrong words?
In the first episode of the relaunched Unknown Origin, Bill Van Nort follows four strange reported encounters across Italy, New Zealand, Australia, and Finland. Flowers and a stocking in Tuscany. A paddock flooded with green light. A room that other people cannot see. An encounter in the snow with a troubling aftermath.
These stories open into bigger questions about communication, fear, compassion, faith, and what knowing we are not alone could do to an ordinary human life.
These are reported experiences, not established encounters with extraterrestrials. We distinguish source records, witness accounts, later investigations, and philosophical speculation. Contains discussion of frightening experiences and reported illness.
Watch the cinematic 4K edition: https://youtu.be/RVGow2hjBa8
Which encounter stayed with you—and what would you need to recognize contact? Join the conversation on YouTube or email unknownorigin@epicbmedia.com. Stories, questions, and sponsorship inquiries are welcome.
Support Unknown Origin: join the $5/month Explorer membership for production updates and member polls. Full episodes remain free. https://www.patreon.com/UnknownOriginPodcast
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
Cennina, Italy: Sergio Conti, Flying Saucer Review, Vol. 18 No. 5 (1972), pp. 11–15; source guide: https://podcastufo.com/a-1954-landed-craft-and-humanoid-report-from-cennina-italy/
New Zealand: RNZAF file AIR 244/10/1, Vol. 1 (1959–1983); later journalistic investigation, Finding Mrs Moreland: https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/2018/03/finding-mrs-moreland/
Maureen Puddy, Australia: Keith Basterfield's three-part cold-case research, comparing official forms and later accounts: https://ufos-scientificresearch.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-case-investigation-frankston-vic.html https://ufos-scientificresearch.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-case-investigation-frankston-vic_4.html https://ufos-scientificresearch.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-case-investigation-frankston-vic_880.html
Imjärvi, Finland: Sven-Olof Fredrickson, Finnish Encounter in the Snow, Flying Saucer Review, Vol. 16 No. 4 (1970); Anders Liljegren, The Continuing Story of the Imjärvi Skiers—Part 1, Vol. 26 No. 3 (1980), pp. 15–17; later Swedish account: https://www.ufo.se/index.php?catid=88%3Averklighet&id=1991%3Amysteriet-i-imjaervi&option=com_content&view=article
Records show what was reported; they do not establish extraterrestrial origins. Some sources are later reconstructions or translations, and discrepancies are discussed in the episode.
Written and produced by Bill Van Nort. Narration uses an AI-generated version of the host's voice. © 2026 EpicB Media LLC.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In the first episode of the relaunched Unknown Origin, Bill Van Nort follows four strange reported encounters across Italy, New Zealand, Australia, and Finland. Flowers and a stocking in Tuscany. A paddock flooded with green light. A room that other people cannot see. An encounter in the snow with a troubling aftermath.
These stories open into bigger questions about communication, fear, compassion, faith, and what knowing we are not alone could do to an ordinary human life.
These are reported experiences, not established encounters with extraterrestrials. We distinguish source records, witness accounts, later investigations, and philosophical speculation. Contains discussion of frightening experiences and reported illness.
Watch the cinematic 4K edition: https://youtu.be/RVGow2hjBa8
Which encounter stayed with you—and what would you need to recognize contact? Join the conversation on YouTube or email unknownorigin@epicbmedia.com. Stories, questions, and sponsorship inquiries are welcome.
Support Unknown Origin: join the $5/month Explorer membership for production updates and member polls. Full episodes remain free. https://www.patreon.com/UnknownOriginPodcast
- (00:00) - Before we have a name for it
- (03:49) - The flowers at Cennina
- (10:21) - What did they think we were saying?
- (15:57) - The paddock turned green
- (21:37) - The person inside the secret
- (27:04) - The light that kept up
- (32:10) - The room she couldn't leave
- (38:17) - Something in the snow
- (43:42) - Contact on whose terms?
- (49:21) - The evening after we know
- (55:50) - Who, or what, is God?
- (01:01:10) - The answer that wouldn't finish the story
- (01:07:13) - What we carry back
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
Cennina, Italy: Sergio Conti, Flying Saucer Review, Vol. 18 No. 5 (1972), pp. 11–15; source guide: https://podcastufo.com/a-1954-landed-craft-and-humanoid-report-from-cennina-italy/
New Zealand: RNZAF file AIR 244/10/1, Vol. 1 (1959–1983); later journalistic investigation, Finding Mrs Moreland: https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/2018/03/finding-mrs-moreland/
Maureen Puddy, Australia: Keith Basterfield's three-part cold-case research, comparing official forms and later accounts: https://ufos-scientificresearch.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-case-investigation-frankston-vic.html https://ufos-scientificresearch.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-case-investigation-frankston-vic_4.html https://ufos-scientificresearch.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-case-investigation-frankston-vic_880.html
Imjärvi, Finland: Sven-Olof Fredrickson, Finnish Encounter in the Snow, Flying Saucer Review, Vol. 16 No. 4 (1970); Anders Liljegren, The Continuing Story of the Imjärvi Skiers—Part 1, Vol. 26 No. 3 (1980), pp. 15–17; later Swedish account: https://www.ufo.se/index.php?catid=88%3Averklighet&id=1991%3Amysteriet-i-imjaervi&option=com_content&view=article
Records show what was reported; they do not establish extraterrestrial origins. Some sources are later reconstructions or translations, and discrepancies are discussed in the episode.
Written and produced by Bill Van Nort. Narration uses an AI-generated version of the host's voice. © 2026 EpicB Media LLC.
