Podcast UFO - What Would Hynek Say Today? UFO Researcher Donald Schmitt Opens Up

In this in-depth interview, host Martin Willis welcomes veteran UFO researcher Donald Schmitt, protégé of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the famed astronomer behind Project Blue Book. Schmitt shares rare personal insights into Hynek’s life, his shift from skeptic to believer, and the behind-the-scenes struggles with government secrecy. They explore pivotal UFO cases including Socorro, Roswell, Pascagoula, and Travis Walton, and reveal how Hynek quietly investigated Roswell before its public rediscovery. Schmitt reflects on Hynek’s legacy, his influence on modern UFO research, and what Hynek might think of later landmark encounters such as the Ariel School Incident. A moving conversation about mentorship, truth-seeking, and carrying forward Hynek’s mission to legitimize the scientific study of the UFO phenomenon.

BIO: Donald Raymond Schmitt is a seven-time best-selling investigative author and a former co-director of The Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) where he also served as Director of Special Investigations for ten years. Presently, he is the Lead Investigator for the world famous International UFO Museum and Research Center (IUFOMRC) in Roswell, NM, where he also serves as an advisor to the executive director. An international lecturer, he has made personal presentations in China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, throughout Europe, the UK, South America, Mexico, Canada, and Russia. His first book, UFO Crash at Roswell co-authored with Kevin D. Randle, was made into the “Golden Globe” nominated movie ROSWELL. He was also an onset advisor for the TV series ROSWELL. His book Witness to Roswell, co-authored with Thomas J. Carey, was the number one selling UFO book in the world for two straight years. The book is currently optioned by Bryce Zabel and Don Most for feature film production. His TV appearances include everyone from Oprah, CBS 48 Hours, Peter Jennings, Larry King Live, Good Morning America, TODAY Show, News Nation, and FOX Nation, to Unsolved Mysteries. He is also the North American representative for the International Coalition for Extraterrestrial Research (ICER) and serves on their executive council. ICER is presently represented by 32 countries and continues to acquire parliamentary support to be recognized by UNESCO, which is part of the United Nations. Presently, he is co-creator of the new TV series Fifth Kind and is working on his 18th book entitled The State VS Roswell. He is also on the faculty of Ubiquity University where he teaches a course on ‘Roswell and Disclosure.’ Schmitt graduated cum laude from Concordia University.