Podcast Summary: Camp Gagnon β Episode: UFO SCAM: Exposing "Alien" Grift | Jordan Sather and Darcy Weir
Introduction
In this compelling episode of Camp Gagnon, host Mark Gagnon engages in an in-depth discussion with guests Jordan Sather and Darcy Weir to unveil the commercialization and potential fraud within the UFO community. Released on March 6, 2025, the episode titled "UFO SCAM: Exposing 'Alien' Grift" delves into how conspiracy theories surrounding UFOs can be manipulated for financial gain, examining the roles of prominent figures and the emergence of cult-like behaviors within the community.
Commercialization and Grift in the UFO Community
Mark Gagnon opens the conversation by highlighting the commercialization of the UFO phenomenon:
Mark Gagnon [00:00]: "The UFO world can be commercialized."
Jordan Sather underscores the financial aspect, revealing the lucrative nature of such conspiracies:
Jordan Sather [00:04]: "I mean, they made upwards of a million plus dollars."
Darcy Weir echoes this sentiment, pointing out the profit-driven motives behind perpetuating UFO narratives:
Darcy Weir [01:20]: "We are uncovering a fraud, a hoax, a really well constructed marketed story that mined all of these conspiracy tropes."
Exposing Corey Goode and David Wilcock
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Corey Goode and David Wilcock, two influential figures accused of orchestrating a grift within the UFO community. Mark Gagnon references the documentary Dark Alliance as a case study demonstrating how the UFO space can be exploited for financial gain and the cultivation of a cult-like following:
Mark Gagnon [04:34]: "I just watched Dark Alliance. It's fascinating and I think is a great case study for how the UFO world in some capacities can be commercialized and how there is potentially a grift happening."
Jordan Sather shares his personal experience working with Corey Goode, detailing financial disputes and exploitation:
Jordan Sather [01:35]: "My cut was 15%. I think the film made million plus dollars too. A bunch of people stopped getting paid, including myself and I think some others. I would venture to guess there's probably about 25 to $30,000 I got out of over the past probably four years."
Darcy Weir adds context to their operations, explaining how Corey and David capitalized on existing conspiracy theories to build a profitable narrative:
Darcy Weir [14:51]: "David was the first one to become prominent in the UFO New Age community... and then Corey Goode, who wasn't really big in the scene yet, had started talking on a chat forum... project Camelot run by Kerry Cassidy and Bill Ryan."
Lawsuits and Legal Battles
As Corey Goode and David Wilcock's ventures grew, internal conflicts and lawsuits emerged. Mark Gagnon discusses the fallout from these disputes, highlighting how legal actions were used to silence critics and former partners:
Darcy Weir [71:37]: "Corey worked with the distribution company to set up a separate bank account to put the royalties from the documentary films into. When that happened, a bunch of people stopped getting paid, including myself and I think some others."
Jordan Sather recounts the financial losses and legal threats faced after departing from Coreyβs group:
Jordan Sather [30:16]: "I would venture to guess there's probably about 25 to $30,000 I got dicked out of over the past probably four years in royalties from doing the Above Majestic film and Cosmic Secret as well."
Role of Mainstream Media and Influencers
The episode explores how mainstream media, such as The New York Times, has influenced the credibility of UFO narratives. Jordan Sather comments on the impact of media coverage in legitimizing fringe theories:
Jordan Sather [33:49]: "In December 2017, of course, we had the New York Times with their articles and their black and white videos that kind of started mainstreaming the UFO issue."
Darcy Weir discusses Gaia TV's role in amplifying these narratives and the subsequent shift towards more sensationalist content:
Darcy Weir [21:09]: "Gaia at the time was going through the peak of its popularity. They were... forming the character of David Wilcock and pushing his story further."
Cult-Like Behaviors and Community Manipulation
The conversation delves into the development of cult-like behaviors within the UFO community, driven by charismatic leaders who exploit their followers' vulnerabilities:
Jordan Sather [27:47]: "But what they're doing is persuading their followers and manipulating their beliefs for financial gain."
Darcy Weir highlights how internal conflicts and lawsuits further fractured the community, fostering an environment of distrust and fragmentation:
Darcy Weir [73:03]: "He confronted Corey Goode at that MUFON conference in 2017... Directly after that conference, he got a cease and desist from Corey's team."
Personal UFO Experiences
Both guests share their own encounters with unidentified phenomena, adding a personal dimension to the discussion:
Darcy Weir [125:01]: "I've had two UFO experiences. When I was living in Australia... Another time it was actually on a flight when I was like 20..."
Jordan Sather describes witnessing unexplained aerial objects that defied conventional explanations:
Jordan Sather [123:20]: "This thing was too high. It was moving like a satellite... a couple of those experiences... I have seen things in the sky."
Avoiding Grifters: Advice for Newcomers
In response to the prevalence of grifters within the UFO community, the guests offer advice on how newcomers can protect themselves:
Darcy Weir [155:40]: "If somebody is mentioning fundraising... it seemed like they were just lining their pockets. That's a real grifter move."
Jordan Sather [162:20]: "Studying neuro linguistic programming, studying logical fallacies, studying persuasion techniques. Very important to kind of defend yourself against that kind of manipulation."
The Future of Disclosure and Technological Influence
Mark Gagnon and his guests speculate on how advancements in technology and increased governmental transparency might lead to genuine disclosure of UFO-related information:
Darcy Weir [142:42]: "As we approach technologically and consciously this singularity... we're going to get disclosure that something else is here that can't be hidden anymore."
Jordan Sather expresses cautious optimism about the potential for a full-fledged disclosure, tempered by skepticism about the motives behind it:
Jordan Sather [134:59]: "I do think there's a force of people behind the scenes... trying to push for a more fuller, open disclosure to truly help humanity."
Conclusion
The episode of Camp Gagnon delivers a critical examination of the UFO community, exposing the commercialization and potential fraud that can thrive within conspiracy-driven spaces. Through the testimonies of Jordan Sather and Darcy Weir, host Mark Gagnon uncovers the intricate web of financial exploitation, legal battles, and cult-like manipulation that undermine genuine inquiries into unexplained phenomena. The discussion serves as a cautionary tale for enthusiasts to remain vigilant, critically assess sources, and discern truth from deception as the UFO discourse continues to evolve and gain mainstream attention.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
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Jordan Sather [01:14]: "If you're out of a job, just call yourself a secret space program whistleblower and you can probably make some money for yourself."
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Darcy Weir [01:20]: "We are uncovering a fraud, a hoax, a really well constructed marketed story that mined all of these conspiracy tropes."
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Jordan Sather [27:47]: "What a lot of these influencers are doing these days is not necessarily the investigation standpoint. But they're making, they're making their stories for entertainment..."
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Darcy Weir [155:40]: "Ascension or the Love and Light fear model where you say an impending doom is coming, but if you follow me and my love towards you and my teachings, it will prevent the doom. That's like number two big time cult move."
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Jordan Sather [162:20]: "Studying neuro linguistic programming, studying logical fallacies, studying persuasion techniques. Very important to kind of defend yourself against that kind of manipulation."
This structured overview captures the essence of the episode, providing a thorough understanding of the discussions on UFO commercialization, fraud, and community dynamics for those who have not listened to the podcast.