Toby Ball

Toby Ball is the host of Strange Arrivals and a co-host of Crime Writers On…. Follow him on Twitter here.

Describe Strange Arrivals in 10 words or less.
Why are UFOs interesting, beyond the real/not debate?

How is this new season different?
Each season has a theme. This season, the theme is how researchers influence the way that UFO encounters are reported and the way the public thinks about UFOs and aliens.

Anything you want to tease about the new season?
This season there’s a bit of a true crime tie-in as we look at a researcher who spectacularly crossed ethical lines in “researching” alien abductions. We also look at a case out of Zimbabwe that has received a lot of attention recently, an older American case that has left a strong imprint on popular culture, and much more.

How are true crime and alien encounters similar? How are they different?
I think the biggest similarity has to do with the unreliability of witness memories. The consequences are definitely bigger in the true crime realm. There’s this idea that witness testimony is reliable, but what we know about how easily memory is corrupted by any number of things actually makes it really unreliable, especially as time goes by. Just because it feels like a real memory, doesn’t mean that it is.

The biggest difference is that crime is without question real and can be investigated using physical evidence. But there’s no real physical evidence of alien encounters. You have stories and sometimes you have poor quality video, but nothing you can hold in your hands. It’s all just speculation.

What’s your favorite thing about making podcasts?
I really enjoy the process of doing a lot of research and conducting a bunch of interviews and then looking at everything we have and trying to figure out how best to tell the story. What is most interesting about it? Who are the compelling people? What questions do we want people to think about in relation to the story? And, of course, how do we make it entertaining - something that people will want to listen to.

What’s your least favorite thing about making podcasts?
Listening to my own voice with headphones. It’s not even close.

What do you think is the best way to help grow a podcast?
Get reviewed on Crime Writers On of course!

Are you a podcast listener?
I end up listening to a LOT of true crime podcasts to review on the show Crime Writers On… But I also have other podcasts that I check out when I have time. I think if you’re in the podcast industry, you really have to listen to podcasts. I don’t think you can create great things in a vacuum.

What’s a podcast you love that everyone already knows about?
If Books Could Kill. It’s both funny and appalling. I guess it’s not surprising that these ultra-popular “thought books” are full of garbage; but to be actually walked through that garbage can be pretty wild.

What’s a podcast you love that not enough people know about?
Alabama Astronaut. It’s about an effort to document the music created in snake handling churches in Appalachia (I heard about it from you!). It’s unique, and a look at a culture that is usually treated with condescension or contempt. And the music is great!

Self-care tip?
Set realistic expectations and be patient. It doesn’t happen overnight. (If you are a celebrity, you can ignore this tip.)

Thanks, Toby!