Budd Hopkins on TV in the late 80's

Footage from a talk show appearance with Budd Hopkins around the time of the publication of his 1987 book Intruders. Also on stage with Debbie Tomey, the real name of Kathie Davis. The stories told on this show were quite new at the time. That said, it is curious as to how little has been added to the overall pool of knowledge after a quarter of a century.

Also of note: Some audience members are seen wearing HUGE glasses, unlike Budd who has rather normal sized glasses.

  a collection of documentaries on UFO abduction liked HERE  

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Dr. John Mack and Budd Hopkins in conversation

Dr. John Mack and Budd Hopkins in conversation

In loving memory of John E. Mack, M.D. (1929 - 2004) and Budd Hopkins (1931 - 2011), and their profound contribution to the research of one of the most challenging subjects known to mankind.

two options for listening

 One-click audio download HERE 

one hour audio podcast

Legendary Alien Abduction Researchers Budd Hopkins and John Mack, M.D. come together to discuss what they've learned from working with people who report the experience of being abducted by Aliens. Hopkins and Mack rarely appeared together in public forums, this is a rare and heart felt presentation. Originally taped in 1997.

This is an audio transfer from a you-tube video (below). The audio quality is pretty good considering the source, the actual content is excellent.

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video interview with Budd Hopkins from 1997

Two part video interview with Budd Hopkins by Maurizio Baita. Recorded in 1997 in San Marino, Italy. This video shows the thoughtfulness of Budd and his insights. This interview was posted by Open Minds.
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audio conversation with Peter Robbins

Budd and Peter in NYC.

For over 30 years Peter worked closely with Budd Hopkins. This was during a chapter of history where the UFO abduction phenomenon first made it's way into the public's psyche.

Together, Peter and I spend over two-hours in conversation about Budd and his life as an artist and researcher. I have some very rewarding memories of the short time I spent with Budd in 2007 and 2008.

Peter sought out Budd in the late 70's to try to help make sense of his own odd experience. When Peter was a boy on Long Island both he and his sister Helen saw five silver discs hover silently above the neighbors house in full daylight.
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One-click audio download HERE.
Two hours / 23 minutes

We spend most of our time sharing stories about Budd and his research, as well as the supportive and compassionate role he played in the lives of the people who came to him for help. We also discuss the complicated state of UFO research.

It is also important to note that Peter, along with Larry Warren, wrote the definitive book on the Rendlesham Forest/Bentwaters UFO incident in December 1980. The book is titled LEFT AT EAST GATE.

Peter talks more about Budd in these two podcasts. 1) RADIO MYSTERIOSO, 2) OPEN MINDS.

Helen Wheels, as drawn by R.Crumb

Helen was Peter's sister, and she spent time with Budd as a way to help with her own set of life experiences. Helen was a gifted poet, author, actress, horsewoman, naturalist, and gold and platinum record-award winning singer and songwriter. An electrifying stage presence, Helen performed with the Helen Wheels Band. She died in January of 2000.

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confirmation anxiety

Single frame taken from a video of a hypnotic regression 
with Budd Hopkins in 2007. Note the 1234 within the time ount.

There is one story I haven't posted on this blog, until now. It deals with some personal details and to tell it correctly it needed to be a long essay. I've posted it (below) in a PDF reader. The story involves an experience Budd Hopkins calls confirmation anxiety. There may be no clear answer in this essay, but it does tell of my emotions and explorations during a confusing chapter of my life.

Now my point here is just to relate an interesting experience, nothing more.

This story involves a documentary, now on hold. I talk about this project HERE.

Waking Up Simultaneously

A note of thanks to Peter Robbins who played the role of editor on this essay. 

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Hopkins and Mack side by side

One hour of discussion and deep specutlation.

Budd Hopkins and Dr. John Mack share their findings, and their differences. John deals with the multi-dimensional and spiritual aspects, in contrast Budd sees the experience as something more sinister. Video-taped in Boston in 1997.

This busy title graphic doesn't reflect the sparse and level-headed tone of the content.

I am going to editorialize on the state of UFO information and it's visual tone. I need to express my deepest abhorrence to the imagery used to promote videos like this one here, and the one in the post below. I loath the sensationalistic portrayal on DVD boxes, book covers and video title graphics. These slapped together photoshop constructions make my heart sink. I feel a deep "mission" of sorts to try to get this very real subject to be taken seriously, and shabby visuals like these are a pathetic step backwards.

a serious documentary on UFO abduction

This busy title graphic doesn't reflect the sparse and level-headed tone of the film-making.

UFOs: The Secret History is a very serious documentary created for Canadian television. It is shot almost entirely with just a stationary camera and people speaking about the issues surrounding the phenomenon. This is entirely engaging, and a welcome relief compare to the frenetic pace of cable TV documentaries designed for zero attention span.

Budd Hopkins shares his insight from his time researching the phenomenon.

What is most impressive is that there is over 2 hours and 23 minutes of bonus interviews as part of the DVD package, and that's what I've included above. This extra footage features a series of interviews focused entirely on the UFO abduction phenomenon. The video features Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs, Jerome Clark, Dr. Janet Elizabeth Colli, Travis Walton, mythologists, psychologists, and a series of abductees sharing their personal experiences.

I haven't watched the documentary in it's entirety, nor have I watched all of the bonus interviews. But I feel I've seen enough to recommend this long set of conversations. I deeply respect the filmmaker, David Cherniack, for treating the viewer as an grown-up.

The video is available for purchase in three discs, with a total of 290 minutes in length.

soon...

I plan on doing an audio podcast of my time with Budd Hopkins. It might take a while because I actually spent quite a lot of time with him, and to share my memories in any meaningful way I'll need to share a lot, so it might end up being long.

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Budd Hopkins died peacefully today

Budd Hopkins

June 15, 1931 - August 21, 2011

I’m very sad to announce that Budd Hopkins died today, August 21, at 1:35 pm. Budd had been under hospice care for about three weeks, at his home in New York. The combination of liver cancer and pneumonia led to his death. His daughter Grace Hopkins-Lisle and I were with him almost continuously during these past weeks. He was not in any pain throughout any of the process, and he received the best possible care and loving support from those closest to him. Today he gradually slipped away, and simply quietly stopped breathing. He died peacefully and without any struggle, with Grace, Grace’s husband Andrew, and me by his side.

Thanks to all of you for being such strong supporters of this extraordinary man, who has contributed so much to our lives, in so many different ways.

- Leslie Kean

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I just received this sad email from my friend Peter Robbins, I have reprinted it (above) in it's entirety.

I had the honor of meeting Budd as I tried to make some sense out of my life experiences. My most cherished memory was the afternoon I alone with him in his home in New York. I was deeply impressed with his kindness and compassion. The world has lost a pioneering spirit, and a deeply caring soul.