Digital Social Hour Podcast: Brandon Fugal — Billionaire Owner of Skinwalker Ranch

Episode: “I Saw It With My Own Eyes” | DSH #1644
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Brandon Fugal
Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this standout episode, host Sean Kelly sits down with Brandon Fugal, commercial real estate mogul and owner of the enigmatic Skinwalker Ranch. Fugal reflects on his transformation from skeptic to "experiencer," the mind-bending phenomena he's witnessed, and the ongoing scientific investigation of the ranch—one of the world’s most high-profile paranormal hotspots. The wide-ranging conversation uncovers Fugal’s personal philosophy, the dangers of the ranch, the evidence being collected, the intersection of science and spirituality, and the scrutiny and skepticism surrounding the project.

Key Discussion Themes and Insights

1. Brandon Fugal’s Introduction and Skinwalker Ranch’s Public Impact

• Fugal was introduced as wrapping up season six of “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch,” the #1 reality docuseries on cable (01:56).
• He acquired Skinwalker Ranch as a skeptic, intending to debunk paranormal claims (02:35).
• “I bought Skinwalker Ranch really as a skeptic...I had grown very critical of any paranormal claims, even religious claims at that point in my life and acquired it fully expecting to debunk the claims...and instead ended up going from a skeptic to not a believer but an experiencer.” (03:59)

2. Firsthand Experiences that Changed Fugal’s Worldview

• After six months of no incidents, Fugal had a dramatic multi-witness daylight UFO encounter on October 14, 2016, which he describes in vivid detail:

  “There was a 50 foot, 40, 50 foot long silver grayish disc like object about 100ft above the mesa, as clear as day, right in front of us…within seconds it changed position in the blink of an eye…then in a moment it was gone. The whole event lasted 20 seconds, was undeniable, witnessed not just by myself, but other credible observers...it changed me from being a skeptic to an experiencer.” (11:26–18:53)

3. Unique Discoveries at Skinwalker Ranch

• Repeatable Anomalies: The most significant discoveries include “repeatable electromagnetic anomalies, GPS malfunction and manipulation, coupled with the appearance of unidentified aerial phenomena.” (08:44)
• Archaeological Evidence: Artifacts on-site date back up to 10,000 years, deepening the ranch’s mystery and hinting at its long-standing significance (09:53).
• LIDAR and Tech: Advanced scanning (LIDAR, ground penetrating radar) is being deployed to examine above and below the property, revealing “something unusual going on in the environment.” (09:11)

4. Dangers and the Amplification of Human Intention

• Phenomena at the ranch can be dangerous; several visitors and staff have become seriously ill or injured, sometimes in direct connection to research activities (19:56–20:58).

  “The ranch appears to amplify intention, consciousness...those who bring that type of intention or attitude most often end up having very negative experiences.” (20:59)

• Fugal advises all visitors, regardless of background, to prepare spiritually and approach “with a spirit of reverence and humility.” (22:10)

5. Nature of the Phenomena: Origins and Theories

• Fugal resists simple explanations: “Is it alien visitation? Is it interdimensional or multidimensional, even time travelers…spiritual in origin?…I would say it’s d. All the above.” (23:00–24:27)
• Theories discussed: portals, stargates, time travel, and manipulation of space-time (26:49, 27:19).

6. Remote Viewing, Intuition, and Scientific Scrutiny

• Fugal declares remote viewing and psychic functioning as real:

  “Do I…believe in it? No, I know it’s real. Psychic functioning is a reality.” (36:58–37:08)

• His team has tested “remote viewing, psychic functioning” via scientific method with credible results (37:53–38:53).
• Spiritual and religious leaders (Native American shamans, a renowned rabbi) have participated in research, with rituals resulting in observable environmental changes (39:14–39:38).

7. Transparency, Criticism, and Motivation

• Fugal is committed to transparency—publicly sharing findings, despite financial and reputational risk.

  “I have invested more than any private individual on the planet over the last decade into frontier science topics and getting the answers...I have zero profit motive, zero motive to sensationalize these topics, to try to conjure up anything that is other than the absolute truth.” (41:51–42:44)

• He acknowledges trolling and accusations of grifting online, noting the investigation’s cost to his reputation and finances (42:48–44:23).
• Emphasizes the importance of skepticism, transparency, and “separating the signal from the noise.” (44:35–46:13)

8. Philosophy, Science, and the Nature of Reality

• Fugal believes in “a divinely constructed, intelligently designed reality,” referencing connections between spirituality, quantum physics, and consciousness (00:56, 34:20).
• Discussion turns to consciousness, reincarnation, and multidimensional existence:

  “I believe what we’re seeing at Skinwalker Ranch and what we’re documenting to some degree attests to the fact that we live in a divinely constructed, intelligently designed reality. And that’s exciting.” (33:18–33:48)

• He values grounding himself in his commercial real estate work: “It would be very easy to lose one’s grip on reality and I think be distracted, to put it mildly.” (28:44–29:39)

9. Final Reflections and Invitation

• Fugal reiterates the collective nature of the mystery: "We're all in this together...I want to share [the answers] with everyone else." (30:11–30:48)
• Viewers are invited to observe the investigation via a 24-hour live stream at skinwalker-ranch.com and to connect with Fugal on social platforms (46:31).

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Transformation:

  “I bought it [Skinwalker Ranch] as a skeptic…I went from a skeptic to not a believer, but an experiencer.” —Brandon Fugal (03:59)

• On the Oct 2016 Sighting:

  “There was a 50 foot…silver grayish disc like object about 100ft above the mesa…in a moment it was gone…the whole event lasted 20 seconds…undeniable, witnessed…by other credible observers.” —Brandon Fugal (17:05)

• On Dangers and Intention:

  “The ranch appears to amplify intention, consciousness…those who bring that type of intention…most often end up having very negative experiences.” —Brandon Fugal (20:59)

• On Transparency & Motivation:

  “I have zero profit motive, zero motive to sensationalize these topics, to try to conjure up anything that is other than the absolute truth.” —Brandon Fugal (42:44)

• On Remote Viewing:

  “Do I…believe in it? No, I know it’s real. Psychic functioning is a reality.” —Brandon Fugal (37:00)

• On Philosophy:

  “We live in a divinely constructed, intelligently designed reality.” —Brandon Fugal (00:56, 34:20)

• On the Search for Meaning:

  “I think we’re right now barely scratching the surface of understanding the nature of our own existence and the rules of engagement relative to our place in the universe. I just want all the answers.” —Brandon Fugal (00:56, 30:41)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:56–02:35] — Fugal’s worldview and introduction to Skinwalker Ranch
• [11:21–18:53] — The pivotal October 2016 UFO encounter
• [08:44–10:42] — Latest scientific anomalies and archaeological discoveries
• [19:56–22:10] — Dangers on the ranch and impact of human intention
• [23:00–24:27] — Range of theories (aliens, interdimensionals, spiritual, time travel)
• [27:19–27:47] — Evidence for time dilation on the ranch
• [36:58–38:53] — Remote viewing, psychic phenomena, and scientific validation
• [41:51–44:23] — Financial transparency, criticism, and Fugal’s motivation
• [46:31–47:29] — How to watch the investigation live and connect with Fugal

Tone & Final Thoughts

Throughout, Fugal is candid, thoughtful, and careful—neither dismissive of skepticism nor seduced by ungrounded speculation. He insists on integrity, favors data over hype, and openly admits being humbled by his experiences. The episode’s tone blends wonder, humility, intellectual curiosity, and firm commitment to transparency.