Stranger Things Inspired By, Part 2: MKUltra, Psychic Spies & the Satanic Panic | The Tipsy Exchange

We're back for part two of our Stranger Things deep dive! Last time, we covered the Montauk Project. This week, we're digging into more of the real history behind the Upside Down, and then we're getting into Season 4 Volume 2. (LA may have watched the second volume without realizing it had come out. Oops.) Spoiler warning: This episode includes full spoilers for Stranger Things Season 4, including both volumes. You've been warned! LA kicks things off with a Soviet housewife who could supposedly move objects with her mind, and how she kick-started a Cold War psychic arms race. Of course, the U.S. wanted in, so it launched its own psychic spy program. It also funded MKUltra, the CIA's search for mind control, which somehow ended with the agency accidentally helping to bring LSD to America. You'll also hear about a notorious Boston mob boss who was one of the test subjects. Berly thinks young Whitey could get it. LA has concerns. Then Berly takes us into Season 4 and the real-life moral panic that inspired Eddie Munson's storyline. We talk about which song would save us from Vecna, our grief over Eddie (R.I.P., and Joseph Quinn, please call us), and the scenes we're furious got left out. Then we get into our Season 5 hopes and theories, including a D&D theory that may or may not make Berly's vampire-loving heart very happy, and a plea to the Duffer Brothers to bring back a certain character and let her flirt shamelessly with Robin. Plus: Erica Sinclair is a queen, Will deserves a win (and a new haircut), and Mr. Clark needs to come back. Along the way, there's a Mindhunter mourning session, a very quiet burp, and a Church Lady that could be summoned by the satanic panic. This week's toast: We skipped the opening toast this time, so we closed with one from our beloved Eddie Munson: "It's forced conformity that's killing the kids. That's the real monster." Cheers to the freaks and weirdos of the world! Tell us what you think! Are you still grieving Eddie? What song would save you from Vecna? And what are your theories for Season 5? (Do you think Kali should come back and flirt with Robin? Because we do.) Tell us in the comments! Please drink responsibly. Support the show The Tipsy Exchange is a comedy podcast where besties Berly and LA pour a drink, raise a toast, and dive into true crime, mysteries, the paranormal, and pop culture, with plenty of tangents along the way. It's like happy hour with your funniest friends. The show is currently on hiatus, but you can find previous episodes at thetipsyexchange.com. If you are a Supernatural fan, you can find Berly and LA's latest project at denimwrappednightmares.com. Special thanks to Fesliyan Studios. Cheers!