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Astray

Astray

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How far would you go for enlightenment? Westerners have long been drawn to the spiritual mystique of India. While many find what they’re looking for and return home, some vanish without a trace or even end up dead. Astray investigates those who pay the ultimate cost in search of spiritual awakening.
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Top 10 Astray Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Astray episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Astray for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Astray episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Astray - Ryan Chambers
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03/10/21 • 43 min

Did Ryan Chambers vanish in India in 2005 due to the influence of the mysterious phenomena, India Syndrome? Or were other forces at play...

India Syndrome is examined by a psychiatric expert in New Delhi, India who assesses whether the cryptic phenomena is a myth or legitimate risk

Ryan Chambers Show Notes:

Dr. Harshit Salian ~ Psychiatrist in New Delhi, India

Dr. Willoughby Britton ~ Assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University

Link to First Do No Harm: Foundational Competencies for Working Skillfully with Meditation-Related Challenges.

David Hammerbeck ~ Academic and Author

Ryan Chambers, Missing in India Facebook Page ~ Access to Jock Chambers information is listed here. Please contact him with any information you might have on Ryan’s disappearance.

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders - Sound Production

Jason Shannon ~ Composer

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Astray - Jonathan Spollen
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03/24/21 • 38 min

Journalist Jonathan Spollen disappeared in Rishikesh, India in 2012, and though there’s still no evidence of his death, what was found where he went missing has raised many questions and keeps this cold case shrouded in mystery.

Jonathan Spollen Show Notes:

Jessica Ravitz ~ Freelance journalist and former senior writer for CNN Digital. Here is her CNN article that features Jonathan Spollen.

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati (Sadhviji) ~ Renowned spiritual leader and motivational speaker. She lives at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India.

BBC article and video featuring police investigator, Kundan Negi. The article is titled, ‘I believe Jonathan is still alive.’

Amanda Vicary ~ True Crime expert and Psychologist

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders

Jason Shannon ~ Composer

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Astray - Justin Alexander Shetler
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03/17/21 • 41 min

Did Justin Alexander Shetler - nomad, ninja and epic adventurer - meet his match in India when he disappeared in 2016? Or is a cryptic message in one of his last instagram posts proof that he doesn’t want to be found?

Michael Yon, a former green beret and combat correspondent, who assisted in the investigation to find Justin, offers insight while sharing his own favorite pastime in India: Cannibal Hunting.

Justin Shetler Alexander Show Notes:

Justin Alexander Shetler’s Instagram and Blog: Adventures of Justin

Harley Rustad’s article in ‘Outside Magazine.’ Rustad’s article was hugely helpful in writing this episode. He has a book about Justin Shetler Alexander coming out soon.

Michael Yon ~ Combat correspondent whose hobby is Aghori “cannibal” hunting.

Yon’s Vice article about Gary Stevenson.

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders

Jason Shannon ~ Composer

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Astray - India Syndrome
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03/03/21 • 33 min

“India Syndrome,” a psychosis said to effect Westerners seeking spiritual enlightenment in India, is identified as the cause behind a suicide and a disappearance of two Westerners drawn to India, and led astray there.

India Syndrome Show Notes:

Scott Carney ~ Investigative Journalist, New York Times Bestselling Author and Anthropologist

Jessica Ravitz ~ Freelance journalist and former senior writer for CNN Digital.

Ryan Chambers, Missing in India Facebook Page ~ Access to Jock Chambers information is listed here. Please contact him with any information you might have on Ryan’s disappearance.

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders - Sound Production

Jason Shannon ~ Composer

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Astray - Spiritual Bermuda Triangle
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03/31/21 • 41 min

The Beatles saw the holy city of Rishikesh as a fast track to spiritual awakening, guided by the renowned guru, Maharishi. We’ll experience their trip first hand through the stories of someone who was there...But, we’ll also explore other ways gurus use their influence, and it’s not always for good.

Spiritual Bermuda Triangle Show Notes:

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati (Sadhviji) ~ Renowned spiritual leader and motivational speaker. She lives at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India.

Check out her Ted Talk, ‘From Hollywood to Holy Woods.’

Michael Yon ~ Combat correspondent

Richard A. Cooke (aka: Bungalow Bill) ~ Professional photographer and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi devotee, along with the Beatles.

Priyanka Dubey who reported on the predatory allegations against Asaram Bapu in this article for Caravan.

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders

Jason Shannon ~ Composer

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Astray - Introducing: Sanctum Unmasked
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04/24/23 • 2 min

Hi, Astray Fans! Sanctum Unmasked is the story of how party promotor Damon Lawner founded SNCTM - a members only roving night club that would come to be called ‘the most exclusive celebrity sex club in the world.’

About Sanctum Unmasked: In 2013 a nearly penniless party promotor named Damon Lawner founded SNCTM, a members only roving night club that would come to be called ‘the most exclusive celebrity sex club in the world,’ hosting a who’s who of global rich and famous, and creating an environment for taboo-busting exploration into sexuality for its members. This podcast tells the story of how Lawner built this remarkable cultural institution, and of Lawner’s personal journey of exploration that mirrored the experience he provided for club guests. Wild stories from the nights at the club are given depth and nuance as the deeper themes are explored –BDSM and pain for pleasure, subservience and consent, monogamy, where things went right and where they went wrong. Ultimately it’s a story about breaking down societal barriers and taboos around sexuality, the most private and delicate of our human foibles, and arriving at a deeper, possibly healthier understanding of ourselves.

Listen here and subscribe to Sanctum Unmasked on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Astray - Astray Trailer
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02/03/21 • 3 min

How far would you go for enlightenment? Westerners have long been drawn to the spiritual mystique of India. While many find what they’re looking for and return home, some vanish without a trace or even end up dead. Astray investigates those who pay the ultimate cost in search of spiritual awakening.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Astray - Russell in Rishikesh
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04/07/21 • 36 min

In November 2018, Russell flew to Rishikesh seeking the “next level of spirituality,” but it’s a quest he would never return from.

Russell in Rishikesh Show Notes:

Unidentified Dead Bodies in India Database ~ The database where Russell’s body was found.

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders

Jason Shannon ~ Composer

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Astray - Charlie Marinelli
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04/14/21 • 29 min

The spiritual edge Charlie Marinelli chased in India the summer of 2019 forced his parents on a desperate race against the clock to try to rescue him.

Charlie Marinelli Show Notes:

Matthew Remski ~ Author, Journalist and Host of the podcast Conspirituality

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders

Jason Shannon ~ Composer

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Astray - Seeker Syndrome
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05/12/21 • 34 min

The dangers of Datura revealed, and a different perspective on what it means to seek... and the cost for those of us who do.

Support India during the pandemic by donating to the organizations listed below that were suggested by Astray producer, Ankita Anand.

Guest Experts:

Suzy Singh ~ Therapist, author and international speaker on karma and consciousness

Alberto Roman ~ Shaman // Contemporary Curandero

Astray Production Team:

School of Humans // iHeartRadio

Caroline Slaughter ~ Host, Writer, Producer

Ankita Anand ~ Producer

Gabbie Watts ~ Supervising Producer

Tunewelders - Sound Production

Jason Shannon ~ Composer

Harper Harris ~ Sound Design, Audio Mixer

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Astray have?

Astray currently has 17 episodes available.

What topics does Astray cover?

The podcast is about Society & Culture, True Crime and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Astray?

The episode title 'Spiritual Bermuda Triangle' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Astray?

The average episode length on Astray is 21 minutes.

How often are episodes of Astray released?

Episodes of Astray are typically released every 27 days, 13 hours.

When was the first episode of Astray?

The first episode of Astray was released on Feb 3, 2021.

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