Ben Hansen Drops UFO BOMBSHELLS In Rare Podcast Interview
Ben Hansen is widely recognized for his unique career path, moving from a special agent with the FBI to a prominent figure in the world of paranormal investigation and television. With an academic background in sociology and emergency management, he has explored diverse interests, collecting numerous certifications in fields ranging from piloting to falconry.
His work on television and at conferences has made him a familiar name among those interested in UFOs, mysteries, and the unknown. Hansen’s approach combines rigorous research with accessible education, appealing both to dedicated enthusiasts and new audiences intrigued by phenomena that remain unexplained.
Key Takeaways
Ben Hansen blends law enforcement experience with a passion for investigating unexplained events.
He educates and engages the public through television and live appearances.
His broad expertise supports a critical, well-informed approach to the UFO topic.
Ben Hansen: Background and Credentials
Early Life and Academic Achievements
Ben Hansen was born on September 23, 1977, in Utah. He pursued higher education at the University of Utah, graduating with honors with a focus in sociology and a concentration in abnormal psychology. Later, he obtained an executive master's degree in emergency and disaster management from Georgetown University.
Career Highlights and Work Experience
Hansen began his professional journey in law enforcement, serving as an FBI special agent for over six years. After his FBI tenure, he moved into television, leading shows such as Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files (2010–2012) and most recently UFO Witness for Discovery. He has also taken on consulting roles in security, providing training in areas such as active shooter response and firearms for professional organizations and law enforcement.
Beyond television and consulting, Hansen is an active participant in global conferences and lectures, sharing insights from his investigations of UFOs, ghosts, and unusual phenomena.
Licenses, Specializations, and Professional Training
Hansen holds a diverse set of certifications, having earned over 100 in various disciplines. Notably, he is a licensed falconer and has also obtained qualifications in piloting and scuba diving.
His credentials include:
Federal and State Falconry Licenses (trained under an experienced mentor)
Scuba Instructor
EMT and emergency skills certifications
Firearms & Active Violence Instructor
This broad range of training demonstrates his commitment to continuous learning and skill development across multiple fields.
Moving from Federal Agent to Unexplained Phenomena Researcher
Professional Work in Security and Investigation
Ben Hansen began his career with a foundation in law enforcement, including over six years as an FBI special agent. He also holds multiple certifications, such as piloting, scuba diving, and emergency response, which contribute to a diverse professional background. These credentials supported his transition into private security consulting, where he instructs on topics like emergency response and firearms safety.
His investigative mindset, combined with a passion for teaching, allowed him to navigate a variety of roles in both public and private sectors. He often takes on roles consulting and training organizations on active violence scenarios, blending practical experience with academic expertise.
Key Skills and Certifications:
Area Details Law Enforcement FBI Special Agent (6+ years) Emergency Response Certified and Instructor Specialized Skills Piloting, Scuba Diving, Falconry Education Sociology, Abnormal Psychology Consulting Security and Active Threat Training
Entry into Unexplained Phenomena and Broadcasting
Hansen entered the world of unexplained phenomena as an extension of a lifelong curiosity, inspired by early interests in topics like UFOs and influenced by pop culture references. His move into television began as more of a hobby and has developed into a public-facing role as a paranormal investigator and host.
As the landscape of television shifted, he adapted by contributing to series focused on UFOs, mysteries, and paranormal cases, including “Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files” and “UFO Witness.” Although the TV industry presents challenges, he remains active in developing new projects and regularly appears at conferences and lectures to share findings from ongoing research.
His work highlights the balance between research and entertainment, aiming to bring little-known cases to a wider audience while participating in both mainstream and niche documentary-style programming.
TV Appearances and Audience Outreach
Hosting "Real or Hoax? Unusual Mysteries"
Ben Hansen became known for leading the program "Real or Hoax? Unusual Mysteries," which aired from 2010 to 2012. The series focused on investigating claims of paranormal events, from UFO sightings to ghost encounters. Each episode brought together a team to analyze evidence and conduct field experiments, with Hansen coordinating efforts and sharing insights from his law enforcement and investigative background.
Show Elements:
Collaborative investigation team
Use of scientific methods
Field and laboratory analysis
Viewer engagement through social media debates
Lead Presenter on "UFO Investigator"
More recently, Hansen has appeared as the principal host of "UFO Investigator," a series focusing on contemporary cases of unidentified aerial phenomena. The show explores first-hand accounts, features onsite interviews, and examines released government documents related to UFOs. Hansen's experience as an FBI agent is highlighted in his approach to examining evidence, cross-referencing witness reports, and interviewing leading researchers in the field.
Notable Features:
In-depth case studies
Expert interviews and roundtable discussions
Integration of official reports and historical archives
Seminars and Public Speaking Engagements
Beyond television, Hansen is an active participant at industry conferences and public events. He regularly delivers seminars and presentations that cover subjects like investigation techniques, findings from his own research, and developments in UFO phenomena. His appearances encourage open discussion and frequently include question-and-answer sessions, allowing for direct interaction with enthusiasts and professionals.
Key Activities:
Lectures on investigative methods
Panel discussions with peers
Live Q&A sessions with attendees
Event Role Topics Covered Major Conferences Speaker, Panelist UFO research, investigation TV Panels Guest Expert Paranormal phenomena Workshops Instructor Field techniques, safety
Hansen’s work continues to bring broader public awareness to unexplained phenomena and the importance of rigorous investigation.
Distinctive Passions and Pastimes
Falcon Training and Care
Ben Hansen earned both federal and state permits as part of his commitment to the ancient skill of falconry. He completed an apprenticeship under his uncle, gaining hands-on experience in handling and training birds of prey. While his schedule no longer allows him to practice regularly, he describes falconry as both practical and rewarding, offering close interaction with raptors and insight into their natural behaviors.
Key Elements:
Federal and state licensing required
Mentorship/apprenticeship essential
Direct involvement with trapping and training birds
Practical survival applications
Underwater Exploration and Certification
Scuba diving is one of the many areas where Hansen has obtained formal certification. He is driven by a continuous pursuit of knowledge and credentials, and diving has offered him both challenge and adventure. His training allows him to participate in underwater activities, contributing to a wide range of personal and professional skills.
Holds recognized diving certifications
Uses scuba as a way to hone abilities and remain adaptable
Emphasizes the importance of continual learning
Piloting and Aeronautical Proficiency
Hansen has also achieved a pilot’s license, reflecting his interest in aviation and personal growth. He actively seeks instruction and accreditation in areas that spark his curiosity, and flying is one of the certifications he proudly holds. Aviation is part of a much broader pattern in his life: collecting skills and seeking out new learning experiences.
Area Certification Obtained Notable Skills Developed Falconry Yes Animal handling, survival Scuba Diving Yes Underwater navigation Aviation Yes Piloting, aeronautics
Strategy for Investigation and Learning
Classroom Experience and Practical Training
Ben Hansen’s method highlights a strong preference for both teaching and hands-on instruction. He holds over a hundred certifications in a range of fields such as piloting, scuba diving, and emergency medical response. This broad skill set allows him to deliver training on diverse topics—for example, he regularly instructs courses on security, active threat response, and firearms safety for various organizations and law enforcement.
A typical approach includes staying current through continuous education. This habit is not only for personal development but also helps maintain sharp skills relevant to both professional security work and content delivery in media.
Key Elements:
Frequent teaching and lecturing at conferences
Instructs practical courses (e.g., active violence preparation, first responder skills)
Values mentorship, such as apprenticeship experiences in falconry
Navigating Media and Public Understanding
In dealing with news and entertainment around phenomena like UFOs, Hansen identifies a need for deeper, more accurate media literacy. He observes that coverage often focuses on familiar stories or misrepresents topics as “new” when they have been documented for decades.
He prefers a style of content that goes into technical details, drawing from lesser-known cases and historical records beyond the typical highlights. This approach serves both novices just entering the subject and enthusiasts seeking new or underreported information.
Suggestions for Improving Audience Understanding:
Compare media claims against established records
Encourage curiosity in underreported or complex cases
Prefer thorough research over entertainment-driven narratives
Media Challenge Common Outcome Hansen’s Emphasis Repetitive storytelling Overlap in UFO documentaries Focus on new/obscure cases Oversimplification Diluted, entertainment-heavy coverage Technical accuracy, depth
Obstacles in Producing Informative Content
When developing television or documentary projects, Hansen encounters persistent industry challenges. Networks and streaming services tend to avoid risk, resulting in a preference for familiar show formats rather than innovative or in-depth content.
Budget restrictions and market oversaturation make it even harder to launch original concepts. Even when producers and audiences express interest in more detailed or “nuts and bolts” explorations, final products are frequently adjusted to fit established entertainment norms.
Challenges Noted:
High competition for new show pitches due to crowded streaming markets
Network risk aversion limits innovation
Budget constraints affect content development
Table: Content Creation Difficulties
Challenge Effect Budget cuts Limits project scope Preference for "safe" shows Hinders introduction of new formats Oversaturated market Harder to get unique projects approved
Perspectives on the UFO Topic
Recent Developments in UFO Investigation
UFO investigation has seen significant shifts in approach and focus. While historical projects like Blue Book are still referenced, there is a rising interest in uncovering new and less-known cases. Many researchers now look for patterns that might have been overlooked in older files, aiming to bring fresh insights to the field.
A challenge in the current landscape is the saturation of similar narratives. There is a call for more diverse and in-depth case studies, especially involving lesser-known incidents and new types of phenomena, such as spherical objects and plasmoid sightings.
How Media Shapes Understanding and Views
The media plays a large role in forming public attitudes towards UFOs. Stories are often recycled, with networks tending to favor formats that have proven appeal. This means audiences are frequently exposed to repeated themes, rather than novel perspectives.
Factor Impact Entertainment Emphasis on storytelling can overshadow research Familiar Narratives Limits exposure to new or unusual cases Coverage Trends Sudden interest spikes when "new" discoveries are featured, even if similar events occurred in the past
There is room for more balanced coverage, combining compelling stories with factual, less commonly discussed material.
Suggestions for Engaging Documentary Topics
There is strong potential for documentaries that:
Focus on overlooked or newly discovered cases, rather than retelling well-known events.
Highlight repeated patterns in historical records that have not been widely covered.
Educate the audience about ongoing debates, such as how the media sometimes presents old phenomena as new.
Use a blend of deep research and accessible storytelling to reach audiences who are both enthusiasts and newcomers.
Presenting both the technical and human sides of sightings can help demystify the UFO phenomenon while keeping viewers engaged.
