UFOs have been pulled from darkened movie theaters and late-night talk shows to the unyielding fluorescents and flashbulbs of this country’s capitol.
Congressmen ask sober questions about non-human intelligence (NHI). Military high-ups describe aircraft that should make the Pentagon quiver. Talk of alien bodies does not bring laughter but the question: “Where?” We don’t even call them UFOs. That spooky acronym has been replaced with the more clinical/military — Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP).
Somehow, the UFO world of 2026 feels both closer to “E.T.” and farther away from it than ever.
Into that strange new landscape comes the Tennessee Coalition for UAP Perspective (TCUP) a new Nashville-area group that wants to bring a sober, fact-based approach to UAPs.
Founded by Franklin resident Lisa Puzo Strickland, TCUP brings together Tennessee professionals from science, filmmaking, psychology, and other fields to serve as resources for journalists, lawmakers, and the public.
The Flyer talked with Strickland about why she formed the group, what she thinks is happening in our skies, and why one of TCUP’s first projects tackles an unusual parenting question: How do you talk to your kids about UFOs? — Toby Sells
Memphis Flyer : Why did you start TCUP?
Lisa Strickland: I got my Ph.D. in philosophy and parapsychology in 2022. The reason I chose that specifically was so that I could speak and write about the UAP topic, because I felt like it was such a calling for me.
I’ve never personally had an experience that I am aware of. Certain family members have, but I have not. But I was always very fascinated by this topic until it became a calling for me.
Then one day I got a call from a major television affiliate here in Nashville, and right after that I got another call from a local podcaster. When I asked them how they found me, they both said they Googled “UAP expert in Tennessee.”
I was happy about that, but at the same time, I was a little concerned because not all Google searches are very reliable. The UAP conversation needs to be covered by people who are very in tune with the subject, who are up to date on what’s going on and who have some media understanding so that the topic is not sensationalized.
I wanted a group of people who were deep in their knowledge of the subject but also had an ability to bring the conversation authentically and truthfully, with no sensationalism and no speculation.
MF: You describe this work as a “calling.” Where did that come from?
LS: I grew up in a very strict Baptist school in the heart of Los Angeles, from kindergarten through 12th grade. I would hear Bible stories that, in my young mind, I would say, “That’s so weird. That almost sounds more like an alien.”
I remember hearing the story of Jonah and the whale and thinking, “What if that was a spaceship in the middle of the ocean, and Jonah was actually in a spaceship?”
So, I have had this overall feeling that there was so much more to our reality than what we are normally taught in school since I was a very young girl.
I was the 20-something-year-old girl in Los Angeles who was not going out on Friday night and standing in a long line to get into a bar or party. I was at home watching “The X-Files” and reading every book on UFOs I could get ahold of. I always just knew in my gut that there is more going on that we’re not being told about.
MF: What do you hope TCUP accomplishes?
LS: All we want to do is educate the Tennessee public on the reality of UAP and NHI in an objective manner that is not sensationalist and is not enticing fear.
As more and more information about UAP gets out there, we’re going to start questioning our own personal belief systems. I hope people are willing to test their beliefs and their religions — not to replace those beliefs or religion, but to expand what those beliefs truly mean.
MF: One of TCUP’s first projects is helping parents talk to children about UFOs.
LS: Having that UFO conversation with your child can be a little sticky. Their minds are so absorbent, and they catch things that we don’t even realize they’re catching.
If a child is listening to us talk about UFOs, they’re not just listening to our words. They’re watching our eyes. They’re watching our facial expressions. They’re hearing our vocal tones.
Speak with them calmly and factually. Exercise a little factual restraint. Don’t make things up. You also don’t want to give them too much information. The volume of information depends on the child’s cognitive capacity.
And be careful of their state of mind. If there’s something going on at school that they’re upset about, maybe that’s not the time for this conversation.
Stick with what you truly know. And always encourage curiosity.
