Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
UFO skepticism didn’t begin with social media or modern debunkers.
In this in-depth conversation, Andy is joined by writer and researcher Ryan Purkey to explore the life and legacy of Donald H. Menzel, a Harvard astronomer, naval intelligence officer, and one of the most influential figures in shaping how UFOs would be publicly dismissed.
The discussion traces Menzel’s work in World War II cryptography and radar, his post-war intelligence connections, and how early Cold War priorities may have influenced the way UFO sightings were framed, dismissed, and stigmatized.
From early crash retrieval claims to the blurred line between skepticism and strategy, this episode examines why the UFO topic still carries a uniquely high burden of proof and whether today’s debates are shaped by decisions made decades ago.
Timestamps
00:00 – First interview of 2026
03:00 – Meeting Ryan Purkey
06:30 – David Grusch as a UFO entry point
12:00 – 2017 vs 2023: what really changed
18:30 – Who was Donald H. Menzel?
24:30 – Harvard, astronomy, and early computers
32:30 – World War II intelligence and cryptography
41:30 – Radar, UFOs, and early crash theories
50:30 – Skepticism vs debunking
1:02:00 – Eyewitness testimony and belief
1:15:00 – Religion, stigma, and UFO experiences
1:28:00 – The legacy of UFO skepticism
1:38:00 – Why this history still matters
🔥 Support the show & get bonus content:
🛸 YouTube Memberships: youtube.com/channel/UCHw9Lru3EcpRQyM7AI5TlmA/join
🛸 Patreon: patreon.com/c/ThatUFOPodcast
🛸 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/that-ufo-podcast/id1511121397
🛸 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7wnXUAQ3vwdsX1BoyaEvjZ
🛸 Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/ThatUFOPodcast
📲 Connect with the show:
Twitter: @UFOUAPAM
Facebook, Instagram & YouTube: That UFO Podcast
YouTube: YouTube.com/c/ThatUFOPodcast
Email: UFOUAPAM@gmail.com
All links: https://linktr.ee/ufouapam
Official Website: ThatUFOPodcast.com
👍 Don’t forget to subscribe, like & leave a review — it really helps!
Thanks for listening,
Andy
🎵 Music Credits:
"Girl with the Saucer Eyes" – Adam Goldsack → bitly.ws/kvIK
"Goblin Problems" – Sean Cahill → bitly.ws/kvIL
UFO skepticism didn’t begin with social media or modern debunkers.
In this in-depth conversation, Andy is joined by writer and researcher Ryan Purkey to explore the life and legacy of Donald H. Menzel, a Harvard astronomer, naval intelligence officer, and one of the most influential figures in shaping how UFOs would be publicly dismissed.
The discussion traces Menzel’s work in World War II cryptography and radar, his post-war intelligence connections, and how early Cold War priorities may have influenced the way UFO sightings were framed, dismissed, and stigmatized.
From early crash retrieval claims to the blurred line between skepticism and strategy, this episode examines why the UFO topic still carries a uniquely high burden of proof and whether today’s debates are shaped by decisions made decades ago.
Timestamps
00:00 – First interview of 2026
03:00 – Meeting Ryan Purkey
06:30 – David Grusch as a UFO entry point
12:00 – 2017 vs 2023: what really changed
18:30 – Who was Donald H. Menzel?
24:30 – Harvard, astronomy, and early computers
32:30 – World War II intelligence and cryptography
41:30 – Radar, UFOs, and early crash theories
50:30 – Skepticism vs debunking
1:02:00 – Eyewitness testimony and belief
1:15:00 – Religion, stigma, and UFO experiences
1:28:00 – The legacy of UFO skepticism
1:38:00 – Why this history still matters
🔥 Support the show & get bonus content:
🛸 YouTube Memberships: youtube.com/channel/UCHw9Lru3EcpRQyM7AI5TlmA/join
🛸 Patreon: patreon.com/c/ThatUFOPodcast
🛸 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/that-ufo-podcast/id1511121397
🛸 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7wnXUAQ3vwdsX1BoyaEvjZ
🛸 Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/ThatUFOPodcast
📲 Connect with the show:
Twitter: @UFOUAPAM
Facebook, Instagram & YouTube: That UFO Podcast
YouTube: YouTube.com/c/ThatUFOPodcast
Email: UFOUAPAM@gmail.com
All links: https://linktr.ee/ufouapam
Official Website: ThatUFOPodcast.com
👍 Don’t forget to subscribe, like & leave a review — it really helps!
Thanks for listening,
Andy
🎵 Music Credits:
"Girl with the Saucer Eyes" – Adam Goldsack → bitly.ws/kvIK
"Goblin Problems" – Sean Cahill → bitly.ws/kvIL
