January 3, 1997: Near Death Experiences - Dannion Brinkley

Dannion Brinkley, the man who was clinically dead for 28 minutes after being struck by lightning while talking on the telephone, joins Art Bell fresh from a trip to Egypt with revelations about both the afterlife and the ancient world. Brinkley recounts his two near-death experiences and the panoramic life review that forced him to feel the impact of every interaction he ever had, transforming him from a self-described violent man into a devoted hospice volunteer now in his 18th year of service.

The conversation moves from the deeply personal to the geopolitical as Brinkley describes his meetings with Zahi Hawass on the Giza Plateau. He flatly contradicts Richard C. Hoagland's claims of a secret chamber opening, stating he was present and nothing of the sort occurred. Yet Brinkley expresses absolute certainty that a Hall of Records exists beneath the plateau, one that will rewrite human history and challenge every major institution. He positions himself as a mediator between warring Egyptological factions.

Brinkley's central message is both simple and radical: human beings do not die, religious institutions have built empires on fear, and the baby boomer generation must prepare to care for aging loved ones as government safety nets collapse. Callers push back with biblical challenges, but Brinkley holds firm, offering his scars as evidence.