A podcast about "conspiracy theories", cryptids, unexplained mysteries and more!

COVID-19 is to blame for the creation of "Hook, Line & Thinker". The pandemic was a point of discussion during the initial interview between Neo Retro's D-Phoenix and the Australian recording artist, Dub FX.

One intriguing topic led to another, and before you could say "take us to your leader", the groundwork was laid for an ongoing series of discussions between the two men.

Recipe for HLT success? Take one world-famous musician (Dub FX), add a nightclub DJ-turned-radio DJ/host from Olympia, WA (home of grunge and Riot Grrrls); mix in a variety of friends and listeners as panel members, then top it off with controversial and speculative subjects. Serve bi-weekly.

Ben Stanford's career is still in catapult-mode these days, and his presence on various projects is required constantly, which is great for a rising star of that magnitude. He talked with D-Phoenix about his departure from the podcast duties around the 2020 holidays; his last official co-host appearance happened on the first episode of the second season aka Bonus Features in January 2021.

Since his exit, D-Phoenix has managed to keep the show progressing into a full roundtable event, with a full cast of panelists. Some of the panelists would make repeat visits on the show, and their names were becoming well-known to the audience.

The podcast's regular and occasional characters include SFC Diggler, a former military man in Eerie, Indiana, and one of the DJs right-hand men; Sponge "Chocolate Thunder" of South Tacoma, Washington; Danny Boy from the New Jersey shores; recording artist Ed Tailorpatch, of Martian Forest Service; Lisa From Minnesota; Doug Next Door in Lacey, WA; Oz, the ex-paranormal investigator from Olympia, WA; recording artist Rory Borealis, of Grays Harbor County, WA; Robin F.P. from SoCal; Sister Foo, of Normal, Alabama, and a handful of others.

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Photo- "Plan 9 From Outer Space", courtesy Valiant Pictures 1959