So Supernatural – CONSPIRACY: Project HAARP

Podcast by Audiochuck | Crime House
Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Yvette Gentile and Racha Pecorero

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the mysteries and conspiracies surrounding Project HAARP, the U.S. military's High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program based in Gakona, Alaska. Yvette and Racha examine claims about weather control, climate modification, mind control, and other wild theories associated with HAARP. The sisters explore how technological advancements might let humanity “play God,” what is actually possible according to science, and why secrecy has led to rampant speculation about HAARP’s true purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Technology and the Weather (03:43–05:20)

• Yvette reminisces about Hawaii’s unpredictable weather and the widespread belief that “the one thing we cannot control in this world, it’s the weather. At least that's what we were always told.” (01:49)
• The discussion introduces modern climate science techniques, like cloud seeding, where chemicals are sprayed to induce rain—a practice over 80 years old.
• Recent scientific proposals (August 2025) include spraying salt into clouds to reflect sunlight and fight global warming, but these experiments face public concern due to their unpredictable impacts.

2. HAARP’s Scientific Origins and Official Purpose (06:25–09:34)

• HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) was created in 1993 for atmospheric research, led by U.S. military agencies (Air Force, Navy, DARPA).
  • "They wanted to see how atmospheric conditions could affect radio waves." (06:25)
• The facility in Gakona, Alaska, was chosen due to its proximity to the unique energy patterns responsible for the aurora borealis.
• Construction and rollout spanned years, with stages in 1994, 1999, and full operation by 2007.

Notable Quote:
"One of the highest parts of the Earth's atmosphere is called the ionosphere… all of these charged particles… may contribute to the beautiful light show known as the aurora borealis."
—Yvette Gentile (06:25)

3. What Did HAARP Actually Do? (09:58–14:12)

• The facility consisted of a large antenna array conducting experiments with radio transmissions, especially to:
  • Improve submarine and long-distance communications via the ionosphere
  • Experiment on weakening portions of the Van Allen Belt to safely allow satellites and spacecraft passage through Earth’s natural radiation rings
  • Fire radio waves at Jupiter and analyze asteroids
  • Attempt to produce artificial auroras
• Many projects were conducted in secrecy; access was highly restricted, and photography was banned—even staff wore “no photos please” buttons.

Memorable Moment:
"The fences were covered all over in no trespassing signs. I mean, it could have basically been Area 51, but for radio waves."
—Racha Pecorero (13:26)

4. Conspiracy Theories Take Hold (14:12–24:32)

• Secrecy bred rumors: sharp rises in climate disasters, earthquakes, and mental health issues were linked by some to HAARP’s activation.
  • "Some critics think that there's a lot more to this story and that HARP may even be responsible." —Racha Pecorero (15:17)
• Author Elana Freeland’s theories suggested HAARP intentionally fueled global warming and was possibly weaponizing weather, all based on anonymous whistleblowers.
• Noteworthy example: The sudden intensification of Hurricane Katrina (2005) became a focal point.
  • "Overnight, Katrina has blown up to a massive Category 5 hurricane. ... No possible way this could happen naturally. ... All of the weather data ... disappeared from the Internet. Like someone, or some entity, scrubbed the data completely.”
    —Racha Pecorero (21:23)

5. Weather as Power & Profit (24:32–28:54)

• Concerns that the government or corporations create climate crises to seize power, expand emergency powers, or profit from disasters (see land grabs post-Lahaina fires).
• Highlight: Cloud bursting as a luxury business ($188,000 to guarantee sunny weddings), which is still far from a sure thing.

Notable Exchange:

• "For me, I would not mess with Mother Nature, rain or shine ... If I did drop six figures on weather modification and it still ended up with the drizzle, y', all, I would be pretty annoyed, to say the least."
  —Yvette Gentile (28:30)

6. More Extreme Claims: Artificial Earthquakes & Mind Control (28:54–41:32)

• Some believe HAARP could trigger earthquakes (e.g., 2010 Chile, 2010 Tibet), correlating mysterious lights/simulated auroras with seismic activity.
• Science refutes these claims: HAARP’s energy output (3.6 megawatts) is minuscule, incapable of influencing weather or causing tremors.
• The 2014 experiment: HAARP created radio frequencies at 7.8 Hz (the Schumann resonance), rumored to influence human brainwaves and possibly feelings, leading to mind control theories.

Notable Section:

• "When people are exposed to the Schumann resonance, it can actually change their mood in a pretty dramatic way. In the right circumstances, properly calibrated radio waves might make someone's depression better or worse." —Yvette Gentile (38:52)

• Edward Snowden’s alleged whistleblowing: Reports claimed Snowden confirmed HAARP’s mind control use, but these originated from a satirical website (Internet Chronicle). No credible evidence exists for this.

7. Science Fights Back: Debunks & Public Outreach (44:31–48:10)

• HAARP was always an international project, with cooperation from the UK, Japan, Norway, and even Russia—making the idea of a secret U.S. "superweapon" unlikely.
• In 2015, military funding ended, and the University of Alaska took over, shifting HAARP's operations to open academic control. The university has increased transparency, hosting public tours and events (photos still not allowed to protect staff privacy).
• Staff sometimes poke fun at conspiracy theorists (e.g., wearing tinfoil hats and “I ❤️ HAARP” signs).

Notable Quote:
"Ultimately, we might never know exactly what HAARP is supposed to do. But one thing is undeniable ... scientists are using the technology to test the limits of what we know about our planet. ... Even if they do come with things we cannot comprehend."
—Yvette Gentile (49:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "If this is true and we really do have a leg up on Mother Nature, then that means we can essentially play God. And with great power comes great responsibility."
  —Yvette Gentile (02:42)
• "Anytime a tragedy happens … people will buy products to keep themselves safe. … So it's possible our political leaders could be using HAARP to create climate change and major storms just to enrich the opportunists who swoop in after tragedies."
  —Racha Pecorero (25:48)
• "If the facility really did have a deep, dark secret, you wouldn't expect government officials to hand their technology over to civilians."
  —Yvette Gentile (44:31)
• "[On conspiracy accusations:] That's exactly what I'd expect the employees to do if they're covering up a dark conspiracy. Poke fun and dismiss all of the allegations against them. But this is also what you do if you were an ordinary scientist just trying to shut down misinformation."
  —Racha Pecorero (48:10)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:43 – Start of main episode discussion
• 09:01 – U.S. Government agencies & HAARP’s creation
• 13:26 – HAARP secrecy described
• 19:26 – Introduction of Elana Freeland's theories
• 21:23 – Trowbridge Ford and Hurricane Katrina cover-up claims
• 25:48 – Profit motives and disasters
• 28:54 – Cloud bursting business
• 31:50 – Earthquake/aurora conspiracy in Chile & Tibet
• 34:16 – Science debunks weather/earthquake powers
• 38:52 – Schumann resonance and possible mind effects
• 41:32 – Snowden mind control satire debunked
• 44:31 – International cooperation, military hand-off to academia
• 47:41 – Staff poke fun at conspiracy theories (tinfoil hats)
• 49:20 – Closing thoughts on the ongoing mystery and wonder of HAARP

Tone and Style

The hosts strike a conversational, skeptical yet open tone—balancing curiosity and humor with critical thinking. They candidly acknowledge the wildness and appeal of conspiracy theories while emphasizing the need for facts, skepticism, and scientific literacy. Racha in particular brings a personal perspective as someone who’s dealt with anxiety/depression, bluntly noting where she finds claims implausible.

Conclusion

While HAARP remains a magnet for speculation and myth, the episode traces the line between hard science and fantastical conspiracy. Yvette and Racha thoroughly unpack both credible science and wild theories, leaving listeners both entertained and a little bit more skeptical. The truth about HAARP, they suggest—even if more mundane than the conspiracies claim—reminds us there’s still so much left to explore in our universe.