Doors Of The Universe

Join in as we do another Halloween Reads episode this year featuring Edgar Allan Poe's The Premature Death.

In the last episode I said I'd upload the episode on the Van Meter Monster, and here is that episode. Enjoy as we talk about this Iowa legend!

In this episode the guys bring you a somewhat local legend. A visitor that came to Iowa for one week only. Was it a creature brought to us to confirm the hollow earth theory, or just a really big bat? Either way listen in to hear about this creature that came from the depths of Van Meter coal mines to visit small town Iowa. Bonus you'll get to hear about a very young Sean-Patrick washing dishes at a strip club. So much fine content all coming to you from the best podcast you'll ever listen to during the time you're listening to this podcast.

Originally aired March 19, 2022.

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If you enjoy the podcast please tell your friends, subscribe and follow me on YouTube and all the social media platforms, and give me a rating wherever possible, but especially on Apple Podcasts. It'll really help the podcast grow.

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In this episode we travel to the state in the US where everything is bigger, including their owls, or at least human avian hybrids. We'll talk about the West Texas Owlman and then we'll hop across the Pacific and check out the UK's own Cornish Owlman of Mawnan. Hope you enjoy getting to learn all about the Owlman and it's origins.

Click this link to check out all our socials. https://linktr.ee/dotupodcast

If you'd like to support this podcast financially, you can become a monthly donor at patreon.com/dotupodcast

If you enjoy the podcast please tell your friends, subscribe and follow me on YouTube and all the social media platforms, and give me a rating wherever possible, but especially on Apple Podcasts. It'll really help the podcast grow.

Thanks so much for listening!

Intro Music By :Gustavo Plaza :https://www.fiverr.com/gustavoplaza?source=gig_page&gigs=slug%3Aproduce-your-synth-pop-song%2Cpckg_id%3A1

Check out their band Telefonema :https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dqwjastOiSbSk9W7OAzAL?si=wq8DkMLxQtu84RqOGHWtvA

If you want to learn more about the Owlman these are some of the resources I used.

https://texashillcountry.com/west-texas-owlman-giant/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owlmanhttps://cornishbirdblog.com/the-owlman-of-mawnan-smith/

https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Owlman

https://thehorrorcollection.com/who-or-what-is-the-owlman-of-mawnan-church/

With the Slenderman stabbing being in the news in November of 2025, Aaron felt it would be a good time to reshare this episode from We Don't Talk Politics about Slenderman. Thanks for checking it out and be sure to check out all the original Doors of the Universe podcast episodes!

Click this link to check out all our socials. https://linktr.ee/dotupodcast

If you'd like to support this podcast financially, you can become a monthly donor at patreon.com/dotupodcast.

If you enjoy the podcast please tell your friends, subscribe and follow me on YouTube and all the social media platforms, and give me a rating wherever possible, but especially on Apple Podcasts. It'll really help the podcast grow.

Thanks so much for listening!

Intro Music By :

Gustavo Plaza :

https://www.fiverr.com/gustavoplaza?source=gig_page&gigs=slug%3Aproduce-your-synth-pop-song%2Cpckg_id%3A1

Check out their band Telefonema :

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dqwjastOiSbSk9W7OAzAL?si=wq8DkMLxQtu84RqOGHWtvA

In this special series of episodes that comes out once a year Aaron brings you some of his favorite stories of all things eerie by the master of horror, Edgar Allan Poe. This year Aaron does a reading of The Masque of the Red Death. Sit back, grab a mug of hot apple cider and listen in to this scary tale of where we learn how fortified walls can only provide so much protection.

Click this link to check out all our socials. https://linktr.ee/dotupodcast

If you like to support this podcast financially you can become a monthly donor at patreon.com/dotupodcast.

If you enjoy the podcast please tell your friends, subscribe and follow me on YouTube and all the social media platforms, and give me a rating wherever possible, but especially on Apple Podcasts. It'll really help the podcast grow.

Thanks so much for listening!

Intro Music By : Gustavo Plaza

Gustavo Plaza on Fiverr:

https://www.fiverr.com/gustavoplaza?source=gig_page&gigs=slug%3Aproduce-your-synth-pop-song%2Cpckg_id%3A1

Check out their band Telefonema :https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dqwjastOiSbSk9W7OAzAL?si=wq8DkMLxQtu84RqOGHWtvA

References for this episode:

The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

In this episode Aaron brings an episode out from the We Don't Talk Politics archives and shares an episode around easily one of the top five most well known cryptids, Mothman. Aaron and Sean-Patrick dive into a subject brought up by a listener request. They take you on a journey through the strange world of the Mothman. A popular subject of West Virginian folklore the Mothman made his way in to pop culture back in 2002 with the release of The Mothman Prophecies. Listen to hear about his humble beginnings in Point Pleasant, West Virginia back in 1966. Moth? Man? Dimension Jumper? Alien? Undercover Government Project? Listen in and find out! Click this link to check out all our socials. https://linktr.ee/dotupodcast

If you like to support this podcast financially you can become a monthly donor at patreon.com/dotupodcast.

If you enjoy the podcast please tell your friends, subscribe and follow me on YouTube and all the social media platforms, and give me a rating wherever possible, but especially on Apple Podcasts. It'll really help the podcast grow.

Thanks so much for listening!

Intro Music By :

Gustavo Plaza on Fiverr :

https://www.fiverr.com/gustavoplaza?source=gig_page&gigs=slug%3Aproduce-your-synth-pop-song%2Cpckg_id%3A1

Check out their band Telefonema :

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dqwjastOiSbSk9W7OAzAL?si=wq8DkMLxQtu84RqOGHWtvA

References for this episode:

The Man Called Cold: The Woodrow Derenberger Interview

https://youtu.be/5HxY4suVjSo

In this episode we learn about a Cherokee legend and a Southern US folklore cryptid. Depending on where you hear the story first you might hear it called the Ew'ha or the Wampus Cat. Either way this forest creature is formidable and brings necessary change with it. Somehow Aaron forgot to bring up the fact that it has six legs and occasionally walks on it's hind legs, no big deal, right?

Click this link to check out all our socials. https://linktr.ee/dotupodcast

If you like to support this podcast financially you can become a monthly donor at patreon.com/dotupodcast.

If you enjoy the podcast please tell your friends, subscribe and follow me on YouTube and all the social media platforms, and give me a rating wherever possible, but especially on Apple Podcasts. It'll really help the podcast grow.

Thanks so much for listening!

Intro Music By :

Gustavo Plaza on Fiverr

https://www.fiverr.com/gustavoplaza?source=gig_page&gigs=slug%3Aproduce-your-synth-pop-song%2Cpckg_id%3A1

Check out their band Telefonema :

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dqwjastOiSbSk9W7OAzAL?si=wq8DkMLxQtu84RqOGHWtvABackground

Photo by kello_vision on Unsplash

References for this episode:

Wikipedia - Wampus Cat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wampus_cat

The Wampus Cat Myth Explained: Origins and Sightings

https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/strange-creatures/wampus-cat.htm

Mythical Monsters - The Wampus Cat

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3dnxxPzwZZfZoKODnda5Cn?si=4467486f0aca4b37

Catawampus

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/catawampus

Mountain Lore - Wampus Cat

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uSr2QAfyTBAYV2Qr7ssZX?si=29ff6e6038124b61

Cryptid Wiki - Wampus Cat

https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Wampus_Cat#Description

In this episode, Aaron shares the powerful story of Pat Tillman—son, brother, husband, and NFL player turned Army Ranger. We explore Pat’s remarkable journey, from his early success in athletics and academics to the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding his untimely death while serving in Afghanistan. Join us as we honor the life and legacy of Pat Tillman.

Click this link to check out all our socials. https://linktr.ee/dotupodcast

If you like to support this podcast financially you can become a monthly donor at patreon.com/dotupodcast.

If you enjoy the podcast please tell your friends, subscribe and follow me on YouTube and all the social media platforms, and give me a rating wherever possible, but especially on Apple Podcasts. It'll really help the podcast grow.

Thanks so much for listening!

Intro Music By :Gustavo Plaza on Fiverr :

https://www.fiverr.com/gustavoplaza?source=gig_page&gigs=slug%3Aproduce-your-synth-pop-song%2Cpckg_id%3A1

Check out their band Telefonema :

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dqwjastOiSbSk9W7OAzAL?si=wq8DkMLxQtu84RqOGHWtvA

Background Photo by Wanto Create (@wantto) on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-dessert-with-green-grass-BcnjcRmtQRI

References for this episode:

Pat Tillman Wikipedia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Tillman   

Pat Tillman Foundation  

https://pattillmanfoundation.org/   

After Pat’s Birthday  

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/after-pats-birthday/   

BrainyQuote Patriotism 

https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=Patriotism   

Behind The Bastards -The Bastards Who Killed Pat Tillman 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/06BnRB5uDVX4qV7HluJa1g?si=JNin61rrTxiHBXiR1Ynqsg  

The Rabbit Hole: Conspiracy Theories - Pat Tillman 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0q5TL69MepxtvloNsKEF0E?si=9668a98d39334c42   

History Uncovered - Episode 86 - Inside Pat Tillman’s Death By ‘Friendly Fire’ 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/14KgATu2A9ZvG4Qqm6Dowf?si=20c43eb8b48c4f78   

The Fallen Military Times Army Cpl. Patrick D Tillman 

https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-cpl-patrick-d-tillman/263007   

Pat Tillman’s First Mission

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/PatTillman/pat-tillman-jessica-lynch-jon-krakauer-book-details/story?id=8536693 

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer

Boots On The Ground By Dusk: My Tribute to Pat Tillman by Mary Tillman

Hop in your Outback and get ready as we take a trip to the homeland of Crocodile Dundee to check out this episode's very special cryptid the Euroa Beast. We get to check out this late 1800's cryptid that doesn't have a lot of exposure but is just as worthy of it as any other cryptid. Sit back and enjoy as we talk about this amphibian with the body of a snake/lizard and head of a bulldog that was hunted by a scientifically sanctioned dragon slayer. 

Click this link to check out all our socials. https://linktr.ee/dotupodcast.

If you like to support this podcast financially you can become a monthly donor at patreon.com/dotupodcast.

If you enjoy the podcast please tell your friends, subscribe and follow me on YouTube and all the social media platforms, and give me a rating wherever possible, but especially on Apple Podcasts. It'll really help the podcast grow.

Thanks so much for listening!

References for this episode:

Cryptid Wiki - Euroa Beast

https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Euroa_Beast

Reddit - Cryptozoology

https://www.reddit.com/r/Cryptozoology/comments/14v0edv/euroa_beast/

Malcolm's Musings: Cryptozoology

https://malcolmscryptids.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-trove-of-bunyips.html

Tumblr - shadyufo

https://www.tumblr.com/shadyufo/698868325597495296/cryptids-creatures-of-folklore-day-22-euroa

Honestly? Haunted. Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5o9SKMfhSniFTZ3WSU2Fjg?si=nzw-L8CEQi60m6spBDpOuQ

Background photo by https://unsplash.com/@riegal

Click this link to check out all our socials. https://linktr.ee/dotupodcast

If you like to support this podcast financially you can become a monthly donor at patreon.com/dotupodcast.

If you enjoy the podcast please tell your friends, subscribe and follow me on YouTube and all the social media platforms, and give me a rating wherever possible, but especially on Apple Podcasts. It'll really help the podcast grow.

Thanks so much for listening!

References for this episode:

Fearsome Critters

http://www.lib.lumberwoods.org/fc/hodag.html

Hodag Country Festival

https://www.hodag.com/country-music/

What’s The Hodag Rhinelander, Wisconsin

https://explorerhinelander.com/whats-the-hodag/

The Hodag Wisconsin Historical Society

https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS16353

Hodag Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hodag#:~:text=In%20American%20folklore%2C%20the%20hodag,the%20hands%20of%20their%20masters.

Background photo by https://unsplash.com/@aldebarans