Bohemian Grove. Flat Earth. QAnon. Real-life superheroes. On this #ParanormalTuesday, author Tea Krulos joins Mike and Wendy to talk about American Madness, his book about conspiracy theories and the real people who sometimes take them to violent extremes.
It all started in 2010. Tea was working on his first book, Heroes in the Night, when he received a message from Richard McCaslin, the "Phantom Patriot" who served time in prison for arson after a raid on the Bohemian Grove. A few days later, a manila envelope arrived with a long letter, a hand-drawn autobiographical comic made in prison, and legal documents. Tea knew right away there was a story only he could tell.
The three discuss what's true about the Bohemian Grove (powerful men really do gather in the redwoods for a bizarre ritual in front of an owl) and what isn't. Tea explains how charismatic voices draw people in, how you get in for the penny and end up in for the pound, and why some theories move from intriguing to dangerous. He also recalls joining McCaslin for a peaceful protest outside the Bohemian Club in San Francisco on the tenth anniversary of his raid.
Plus, Tea previews the 2020 Milwaukee Paracon, including a ghost story happy hour and a pop-up death cafe.
Want to experience Milwaukee's darker history firsthand? Take our Bloody Third Ward Ghost Walk.