Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Crypto-Kid Radio Show Episode 3: Chad Lewis - Wendigo

 Last night I was joined by my friend Chad Lewis to discuss his research into the mythology and history of the Wendigo.


If you missed the show last night, you can listen to the archived show here.

You can find more info about the radio network I am on here.

You can find more info about Chad here.

You can purchase Chad's book we discussed titled Wendigo Lore: Monsters, Myths, and Madness here 

To interact with me and participate in the weekly after show immediately following the airing of my radio show, you can join the Cryptozoology Discord Server.

I am off next week, but on July 12th I am back and am joined by David Goudsward to discuss sea monsters of the Caribbean. 



Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Crypto-Kid Radio Show Episode 2: Ronald Murphy - Wildman

Last night on the Crypto-Kid Radio Show, my good friend Ronald Murphy joined me to discuss his research into the Wildman archetype and how it relates to Bigfoot.

If you missed the show last night, you can listen to the archived show here.

You can find more info about the radio network I am on here.

You can find more info about Ron here.

You can purchase Ron's book we discussed titled On Wildman: Tracking Bigfoot Through History here. 

To interact with me and participate in the weekly after show immediately following the airing of my radio show, you can join the Cryptozoology Discord Server.

And next week, Chad Lewis will join me to discuss the Wendigo lore of America.  



Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Crypto-Kid Radio Show Episode 1: Jonathan Downes - Owlman

Last night I was joined on my radio show by Jonathan Downes, founder of the Centre for Fortean Zoology and monster hunter extraordinaire. We discussed the organization and his research into the Owlman of Mawnan in the UK. 

If you missed the show last night, you can listen to the archived show here.

You can find more info about the radio network I am on here.

You can find more info about Jon and the CFZ here.

You can purchase Jon's book about the Owlman titled The Owlman and Others here. 

To interact with me and participate in the weekly after show immediately following the airing of my radio show, you can join the Cryptozoology Discord Server.

And next week, Ronald Murphy will join me to discuss the Wildman archetype throughout history. 



Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Changing Perspectives of Cryptozoology Part 5: Stan Gordon

     For years, I have been fascinated in the evolution of cryptozoological thought. There are clear fractures happening in the field, but I don't really see a ton of discussion about it in public. Yet, I have had plenty of personal conversations with a variety of researchers about the changes. So, I decided it would be valuable to the field to ask a variety of researchers, all with different approaches and expertise, the same five questions about the field today. Hopefully, the differences in answers will be valuable information on the diversity of thought in the field.

    For my last interview, I talked to my friend Brian Parsons, you can read that here. For this one, I spoke to the one and only Stan Gordon.

    Stan Gordan is Pennsylvania's premier researcher into the unusual and unexplained. Having been involved in the field for over 60 years, Stan has amassed an incredible number of cases. He has written three books on the unexplained and produced a documentary about the Kecksburg UFO Crash, on which he is the lead authority. He can be found at his website www.stangordon.info

1. What is cryptozoology as you see it?

    Stan: My long journey into this interesting and controversial field of research began just as the term cryptozoology was being introduced to the public. My interest in researching Bigfoot and cryptids, as well as other anomalies, began when I was 10 years old in 1959. I was a kid interested in science and electronics who had heard radio discussions about people claiming to have seen strange creatures, and I was curious to learn if these accounts were true.  

    It was my understanding back in those days that cryptozoology was basically a quest to investigate, document, and search for animals that were not known. Many of the mystery animals reported from land and sea worldwide are likely specimens that have never been catalogued and confirmed by the  scientific community. Years later, researchers from various backgrounds, including some of those who have been trained in the science fields, continue to pursue the ongoing strange reports of creatures that have not been scientifically confirmed.

2. Where do you think cryptozoology is headed in the next few years?

    Stan: My answer to this question is based on discussions that I have had with others who are involved in this field. In speaking with other researchers in the field, they are more open minded and willing to at least listen to witnesses and investigate cases where some high strangeness details are associated with a Bigfoot or other cryptid encounter. 

    There is a growing body of data being gathered by researchers throughout the country and around the world that indicates that some of these mystery beasts act much stranger than normal flesh and blood creatures. In the last few years, many other investigators have now come forward and are discussing some of the same strange details associated with Bigfoot reports that I was writing about in the 1970s. I think we will be hearing more discussions, for example, of strange luminous balls of light being observed in association with Bigfoot encounters or observed in areas that have a long history of Bigfoot sightings.

    With the introduction of the internet, reports of mysterious creature sightings from around the world  are easily accessible. Many of the experienced cryptozoologists of past years are no longer with us. I feel that in the future, there will be new teams of younger researchers that are now getting involved to seek out answers to the continuous reports of Bigfoot, Thunderbirds, water monsters, and more.

3. Who do you think (living or deceased) has had the biggest impact on the state of cryptozoology in today's world?

    Stan: I would have to say that it was the late Ivan Sanderson that influenced myself and others to use a scientific approach to investigating such reports. I was also very interested in the findings of the late John Keel. My investigations of some Pennsylvania strange creature encounters of the late 1960s and early 1970s, turned up some similar details as to what Keel had uncovered during his research and investigations into the Mothman mystery and other strange cases. There are some great researchers out there, such as researcher and author Nick Redfern, who are willing to speak out about the unusual cryptid cases that are taking place that defy easy explanations.

4. What, if any, have been cryptozoology's biggest contributions to modern science?

    Stan: I think that this field has raised the awareness that there may well be undiscovered creatures large and small that need to be confirmed and catalogued for science. It might also encourage those in the science field to take a more serious approach to look into reports of mysterious creatures.

5. Why do you think that paranormal and ufological subjects have been gaining traction within the field of cryptozoology?

    Stan: I feel that the reason that these topics are gaining traction is that more and more cases are surfacing where these two subjects seem to interact, and some UFO and Bigfoot researchers are becoming more open minded and are coming across cases similar to what I have been finding for years. There are similarities and likely some connection with various anomalies associated within the UFO, cryptid and the paranormal field. 

    For decades, many of those involved in the UFO and Bigfoot research community refused to take a serious look into any correlation between the two phenomena. Beginning in 1970 and continuing for many years, I led teams of research specialists including scientists and engineers to investigate UFO, Bigfoot, and cryptid incidents that were reported in Pennsylvania. I began to conduct in-the-field investigations of these cases in 1965 and realized as my investigations increased over the years, that many Bigfoot sightings, just as with UFOs, could be explained as various types of misidentifications.

    There were, however, many very detailed Bigfoot encounters that could not be easily dismissed. Early on, I was of the opinion that Bigfoot was an unknown animal. I was not expecting to be exposed to the strange series of Bigfoot cases that took place during the 1970s. That is when we began documenting numerous Bigfoot encounters that had high strangeness details, and cases when Bigfoot and UFOs were seen together. Those well documented cases changed my perception of what was taking place. 

    There were cases where we observed trails of large footprints with long strides in various ground conditions including heavy snow that just ended abruptly without an explanation. Reports from various witnesses of seeing in daylight a Bigfoot suddenly just vanish and then reappear at another nearby location and a incident with a woman who fired at a Bigfoot with her shotgun only a few feet in front of her. It vanished in a bright flash of light. 

    While I am not suggesting that we are dealing with visitors from another planet, more information  has been surfacing that suggests that we are dealing with a phenomena that has a physical and non-physical component to it. I learned from communicating with some very active Bigfoot researchers in the 1970’s that they had also received similar strange incidents, but they didn’t want to discuss or publish their findings for fear of being ridiculed by fellow investigators. These types of incidents appear to be increasing and are now being discussed seriously on radio and podcast shows. Some well researched books have been published in recent years that are covering these same topics.

6. What is the current focus of your research?

    Stan: One focus of my current research are the sightings of black panthers in the Keystone state. Some of these out of place animal reports occur in the daylight and at close range. Witnesses ,in past years and as recently as 2020, described seeing an animal that looked like what they saw in a zoo. This melanistic version of a jaguar or leopard has been reported for years in areas where they should not exist. Interestingly, such reports have also occurred at locations where Bigfoot sightings were also taking place or in areas that have a history of other mysterious events.

    I am investigating some recent sightings of Thunderbirds as well. I continue to receive reports of other even stranger cryptid as well.

    I am also looking into cases here in Pennsylvania where it appears that a particular geographical location or private property seems to be the focus of repeated paranormal events along with UFO and various types of cryptid activity. Some of these locations have had a long history of strange incidents. Some of the events that have taken place are similar to what have been reported at the Skinwalker ranch in Utah. 

    One more widespread area that is very active is the Chestnut Ridge that spreads through sections of Westmoreland, Fayette, and Indiana counties in Pennsylvania and continues to a few miles outside of Morgantown, West Virginia. Strange incidents are reported yearly but the areas along sections of Westmoreland and Fayette counties are quite active.

    There continue to be reports of small spheres of light or other unusual luminous objects being reported in active Bigfoot locations and some have actually been seen and associated with a Bigfoot encounter.

    I am also obtaining details from eyewitnesses who are describing various strange happenings during their encounters with Bigfoot and other cryptids. In some cases, the cryptids appear startled when they realize they can be seen by the human observers.

    Reports of  odd electromagnetic fields (EMF) disturbances associated with Bigfoot encounters have been reported over the years. There have been cases of UFOs moving low over cars and the vehicle lost power until the object moved away. Although rare, there have been incidents also reported where a Bigfoot walked near a car, and when it did, the vehicle lost power until the creature moved out of the area. Some of these cases occurred in Pennsylvania. I am continuing to research these types of cases as well.

    The more I know about the phenomena the stranger it is. I said years ago, “The phenomena is so strange it protects itself.”


Stan and myself in front of the infamous Mothman Statue. 

Monday, June 7, 2021

Crypto-Kid Radio Show Back On the Air

     After several years off air, I am ecstatic to announce that my Crypto-Kid Radio Show is now coming back! It will be airing live Mondays at 8 pm EST for the summer on the Paranormal King Radio Network. I have some excellent episodes planned for the upcoming weeks. Check back in a few days to see the guest announcement for my first show on June 14th. 

    You can listen to the show here: www.paranormalking.com



Thursday, June 3, 2021

The Changing Perspectives of Cryptozoology Part 4: Brian Parsons

    For years, I have been fascinated in the evolution of cryptozoological thought. There are clear fractures happening in the field, but I don't really see a ton of discussion about it in public. Yet, I have had plenty of personal conversations with a variety of researchers about the changes. So, I decided it would be valuable to the field to ask a variety of researchers, all with different approaches and expertise, the same five questions about the field today. Hopefully, the differences in answers will be valuable information on the diversity of thought in the field.
    My last interview was with writer Sharon Hill and you can read it here. For this interview, I talked to my good friend Brian Parsons. 
    Brian is an Ohio cryptozoologist and paranormal investigator. He has written an excellent series of books on the investigation into the unexplained and hosts the best paranormal news radio show the Paranormal News Insider. He can be found at this link
1. What is cryptozoology as you see it?
    Brian: Avoiding the standard definitions, I see cryptozoology as a set of beliefs in creatures that defy logic, scientific support, or possibility of existing in nature. Many times, cryptozoology is defined using “the search or study of” based on the “ology”, but I feel the strongest aspect is the belief in not just the creatures themselves but also the fact that they could exist despite the overwhelming data against it. Folklore plays a big part in the creatures associated with cryptozoology and folklore depends on belief for survival and not on physical evidence at all. In fact, I feel the lack of evidence fuels the folklore even more and secures more interested parties into attempting to “discover” these creatures that are so elusive (since they often live in the beliefs of the hopeless romantics who seek them). 
    This might seem skeptical, but it is hard to believe in many of the creatures associated with cryptozoology existing in nature when you set aside the logical fallacies that skew the judgment of researchers and field investigators alike. What is even more difficult is to not be a complete skeptic or true believer. Creating a balance in belief is not easy, but a perfect balance should still weigh closer on the skeptical side to help escape many of the things that has held the topic back such as being unscientific, surviving on speculation, and having a lack of objective evidence to support the claims of witnesses. 
2. Where do you think cryptozoology is headed in the next few years?
    Brian: Cryptozoology will continue to evolve based on the creatures that are most popular within it. Bigfoot continues to be the primary driver since varieties of this creature are said to exist on many continents and the creature is easily identifiable by most of the public. Belief in the possibilities of such creatures will not diminish despite the continued lack of evidence and the increase in the technology and use of drones, camera, video technology, etc. In many cases personal accounts (even when they lack evidence or credibility) as well as ambiguous photos, videos, or audio evidence will continue to fuel the belief engine that drives cryptozoology. 
    Example: The Loch Ness Monster is currently seeing decades of popularity despite a lack of evidence as well as the Otago University DNA research project which did not find DNA to support any large creature in the loch. Nessie and other creatures associated with cryptozoology will continue to fuel interest if anecdotal accounts continue to flow in. My prediction could include the “next big thing” will be more flamboyant than a flying humanoid or a Sasquatch/werewolf hybrid and will create a sub-sect of researchers who are “experts” in that arena and maybe even a conference or two (and keep an eye out to see who can publish a book first)! Kidding aside, but cryptozoology is seeing a high popularity probably due to many ghost groups getting bored as well as the distraction of fantasy. I would, however, expect to see many flee this pursuit to investigate the UFO field in the next few years as this topic continues to get worldwide mainstream news attention.
3. Who do you think (living or deceased) has had the biggest impact on the state of cryptozoology in today's world?
    Brian: This is a tough question since cryptozoology has relied on many different people to give it life to those who have helped give it shape over the years. While one can (and should) easily point to either Ivan Sanderson or Bernard Heuvelmans for creating a foundation for cryptozoology one could question who influenced them. Sanderson himself was a follower of Charles Fort who really deserves the credit for creating interest in all things paranormal and challenging many to think outside the scientific boundaries.  
4. What, if any, have been cryptozoology's biggest contributions to modern science?
    Brian: Cryptozoology and science are not exactly bedfellows. Cryptozoology itself is founded on belief and folklore and is considered pseudoscientific since it does not rely on the scientific method. Again, cryptozoology is cemented in belief and the folklore that perpetuates that belief. Many cryptozoologists talk about the coelacanth, giant squid, megamouth shark, okapi, and other creatures that used to exist only in folklore. The problem is scientists (people funded by organizations for scientific research) were the ones who documented these findings and thus took the credit for them, not cryptozoologists, although they have been adopted into cryptozoology lore.  
    The contribution here is that part of cryptozoology gives hope to the flesh and blood creatures that should be extinct and hopefully gives someone motivation to go out and rediscover them or not give up on a creature such as the thylacine or ivory billed woodpecker since they might become the next Laotian rock rat (related to a family of rodents thought extinct for 11 million years rediscovered in 2005) or the aforementioned coelacanth (order of fish that was thought to be extinct for over 65 million years). Every discovery of animals that are thought extinct gives hope, although not credibility, for the more outlandish cryptids to be discovered. 
    My hope is that like an interest in airplanes might lead someone to being an astronaut, an interest in planets might lead them to being an astronomer or physicist, a person interested in cryptids might lead them to being a biologist or zoologist. Animal educating celebrities are fewer than famous physicists these days. Gone are Steve Irwin who was made fun of due to his accent although he pulled more people into the world of animals than anyone. Jack Hanna recently left the Columbus Zoo and public life due to personal illness and all we really have left is Jeff Corwin, Jane Goodall who turned 87 this year, and a few other minor influences. Cryptozoology might be a good enough gateway to get young people interested in animals enough that they want to pursue a legitimate career in helping or helping to understand animals or other aspects of nature.
5. Why do you think that paranormal and ufological subjects have been gaining traction within the field of cryptozoology?
    Brian: Interestingly, my personal pursuit of cryptozoology and UFOs came from research I was doing on extra sensory perception while working primarily in the ghost field. In my opinion we are seeing the continuation of a shift in cryptozoology from belief in Lazarus taxon and longstanding regional folklore to more incredible creatures that defy biology or physics in their makeup. We have gone from Bigfoot (and the many other varieties) and the Loch Ness Monster (and other folkloric lake and ocean monsters) to one-off monsters like Chupacabra, Mothman, dogman, and many other modern day boogeyman stories that have created a loyal following of believers and instant folklore.
    Belief in the more incredible creatures has also laid the foundation for more incredible claims to accompany them. The Bigfoot being an alien hypothesis has been around for decades (see Stan Gordon, Jon-Erik Beckjord, and John Keel for starters). While this camp has been in the minority it gained a lot of traction about ten years ago and even led to an episode of Ancient Aliens being dedicated to the topic which has now made it a popular opinion to many.
    On the flipside of this UFO researchers have included creatures in their witness description lineups since the early days of research. A few decades ago, ghost investigators, cryptozoologists, and Ufologists wouldn’t be caught in the same room together. Now, many of these groups have adopted pursuits in two or all three of the anomalous fields and have also blended techniques and beliefs together at the same time. This cultural shift has also influenced witness testimony which has further solidified the new folklore of every cryptid potentially being a ghost or alien creature hopping from other worlds or dimensions to elude humans on Earth. 
    This could also potentially be influenced by the current rise in comic book culture. Those in the UFO field also know how heavy of an influence comic book culture has been on their field going back to the beginnings of comics (John Carter of Mars, Buck Rogers Flash Gordon, Superman, etc.). Of course, books and movies helped shape the culture of belief in aliens making their way to Earth and we are amid a widespread belief in aliens today thanks in part to movies and television and the current U.S. government’s interest in UAPs. About 40% of the top grossing movies of all time involve aliens as part of their content (although most are part of the MCU, DCEU, Star Wars, and Transformers franchises). We could even point at shows like the X-Files for blending these topics together as well. The once three separate fields have been slowly melting together for decades due to pop culture and belief.



Brian and myself at the 2017 PA Bigfoot Camping Adventure