Oh, and welcome to Psychic Teachers on your host, Samantha Faye.

And I'm Deb Bowen.

And we're so happy to have you here with us this week.

We are introducing to you all a new guest for us and one that I hope could be a returning

guest because we are so excited to read her work and share her research with you.

Our guest this week is Dr. Diana Pasuka.

She's a professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina here in Wilmington.

She's the chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

Her research focuses on religion and technology, including supernatural beliefs,

and its connection to digital technologies and environments.

She's the author of the book we're going to be talking about this hour called American Cosmic,

UFOs, Religion and Technology. Her current projects include edited volumes,

believing in bits, new media, and the supernatural, and post-humanism of the future of Homo sapiens,

which are being co-written and will come out soon. She also works as a history in religious

consultant on many TV and film projects, including the conjuring. But before we bring on our guest,

I just wanted to tell you all a funny little story about how I encountered Diana.

Last May, my oldest daughter, Olivia came home from her confirmation class at church,

and she said she's burst through the door and she was like, Mom, I met someone,

I really want you to meet and I want you to be friends with her. I'm so like, okay,

would you meet? If she said, well, she's smart and into weird stuff like you.

I love that story. I love that story. I love her. I'm not going to just know this poor woman

and say hello. My daughter thinks there should be friends. Can we set up a play date?

...