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Astray

Astray

By: iHeartPodcasts
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Summary

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.2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia Social Sciences Spirituality True Crime
Episodes
  • Dock Ellis: High and Outside [from Very Special Episodes]
    May 13 2026

    In June 1970, Dock Ellis of the Pittsburgh Pirates somehow tossed a no-hitter while tripping on acid. The LSD stunt made him a legend, but it overshadowed a much deeper story: a man who spent the second half of his life searching for redemption, purpose, and a way to help others escape the same darkness that once enveloped him.

    *

    Today's episode was produced in partnership with School of Humans. For School of Humans, Producers are Emilia Brock and Edeliz Perez. Executive Producer is Virginia Prescott.

    Special thanks to American Public Media’s Weekend America, and to Todd Snider.

    - “Dock Ellis: An LSD No-No” from American Public Media
    - “America’s Favorite Pastime” by Todd Snider

    Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason English
    Written by Zaron Burnett
    Story Editor is Virginia Prescott
    Senior Producer is Josh Fisher
    Editing and Sound Design by Jesse Nighswonger
    Mixing and Mastering by Jesse Nighswonger
    Research and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Zaron Burnett
    Original Music by Elise McCoy
    Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla
    Executive Producer is Jason English

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Family Who Vanished Into Siberia for Over 40 Years [from Very Special Episodes]
    May 6 2026

    In 1978, Soviet geologists flying over Siberia spotted something impossible: a family living in total isolation, untouched for decades by the modern world. But when outsiders finally reached their remote cabin, the family’s hidden world began to change forever.

    Special thanks to Rebecca E. Marshall for letting us share clips from her documentary, The Forest in Me. We also want to shout out the film's composer, Xylouris White. You can stream The Forest in Me right now on MUBI.

    Listen to Very Special Episodes wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    51 mins
  • Seeker Syndrome
    May 12 2021

    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.

    • https://fundraisers.giveindia.org/projects/wastepickers-of-pune-call-for-support-in-the-devastating-times-of-covid19
    • https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid-aid-for-ranchi-india?member=10472615&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer
    • https://www.donatekart.com/Hemkunt-Foundation/Give-Oxygen-Cylinders/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvr6EBhDOARIsAPpqUPHbqctClydjRkIjvTnCA8ms7DZvq2OSxSDLBgq2VBFCLJcnxq0A9J8aAli1EALw_wcB
    • https://www.khalsaaid.org/donate


    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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    35 mins
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