Expanded Perspectives

On this episode of Expanded Perspectives, the guys kick things off with Kyle sharing stories from his recent trip to Alabama and Cam recounting his 4th of July celebrations. They then dive into a series of bizarre sightings, including a person with a recurring encounter with The Hat Man, a mysterious gnome-like creature crossing the road, an Aswang sighting, a possible Bigfoot encounter in East Texas, and more!

After the break, Cam delves into some extraordinary tales of mermaids, giants, and more. Among the myriad of tall tales that have captivated humanity for millennia, mermaid mythology stands out for its unique and varied depictions across cultures. These mythical sea creatures are seen by some as magical and benevolent, while others consider them omens of disaster. Though often dismissed as fictional, historical accounts of mermaid sightings persist, prompting the age-old question: Are mermaids real? The earliest known mermaid folklore originates from Assyria, an ancient civilization in what is now northern Iraq. Dating back to around 1000 BC, the tale tells of the goddess Atargatis, who fell in love with a human shepherd and accidentally killed him. Overcome with shame, she leapt into a lake, intending to transform into a fish forever. However, her beauty could not be hidden, and she emerged with the tail of a fish and the upper body of a human, becoming the first mermaid.

In Asian cultures, mermaids are regarded as wondrous beings. Chinese folklore describes them as shedding tears that turn into pearls and weaving a material as white as frost that never gets wet. These attributes made mermaids highly prized by fishermen, who were nonetheless viewed with disdain for seeking to capture such epitomes of grace and beauty. In more recent centuries, reports of mermaid sightings have surfaced worldwide. During the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, sailors often claimed to encounter mermaids on their long voyages. These sightings were typically attributed to manatees or dugongs, marine mammals that bear some resemblance to the mythical creatures.

Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, modern mermaid sightings continue. In one notable instance, a town in Israel offered a million-dollar reward to anyone who could prove the existence of mermaids after numerous people reported seeing one leaping like a dolphin off the coast. Many folklorists believe that most mermaid sightings are actually misidentified seals. While the existence of mermaids remains unproven, it’s worth noting that many sea creatures known and studied today were once the stuff of legend. So who knows? On your next trip to the sea, you might just be the first to capture a live mermaid on video.

All of this and more on this installment of Expanded Perspectives!

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In this episode of Expanded Perspectives, the hosts dive into Kyle's upcoming family trip to Alabama, the excitement of the College World Series of baseball, and Cam's plans for building a new pool. The conversation takes a thrilling turn when they discuss a South Dakota photographer who, while capturing shots of a Blood Moon, is suddenly charged and knocked down by what appears to be an upright canine!

Next, they explore a chilling account of a witness who encounters a glowing white crawler humanoid and a horned being while driving at night, with hoof prints discovered in the mud the following day.

After the break, Kyle discusses mysterious Phantom aircraft sightings. The intrigue continues with a story about a group of Alaska softball team students on a ferry trip near Kodiak Island, where they witness a huge unknown sea creature hunting a pod of Orcas. Finally, the episode wraps up with a tale of three friends staying at a private home on an island in a South Carolina cypress swamp, where they hear eerie cries for help day and night. What could be behind these strange occurrences? All this and more in this installment of Expanded Perspectives!

In this episode of Expanded Perspectives, the hosts start the show by discussing Kyle's garden, which produces an overwhelming abundance of fresh vegetables. They also chat about their favorite sports and the upcoming Summer Olympics' excitement. The episode turns mysterious when they recount an oil rig worker's eerie encounter with a strangely clothed humanoid with a morbid face in the backwoods of Bossier Parish, Louisiana. Following that, a group of friends and relatives traveling from Southern California to the Navajo reservation in Northern Arizona experience a series of bizarre incidents, which they suspect are related to skinwalkers. Later, a father and son working on a car at night witness several manta ray-shaped creatures flying high in the sky, flapping their wings as if swimming through water. The episode also features a chilling tale of someone who believes they have had multiple encounters with a hellhound.

After the break, Cam shares some unsettling stories of encounters with giant insects. While insects like roaches and spiders are generally seen as disgusting, real-life reports suggest much larger and more terrifying versions exist. From giant beetles attaching themselves to commercial airliners to giant deer-killing centipedes, sightings of these enormous bugs have been reported in the deep forests of the Congo, Amazon, and Vietnam. Tune in to hear about these frightening encounters.

All of this and more on this installment of Expanded Perspectives!

In this episode of Expanded Perspectives, the guys kick things off by discussing the Dallas Stars' recent defeat in the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. Kyle humorously regrets ever expressing his love for the team, as fans have been relentlessly teasing him about their loss. Following this, they delve into a report from San Antonio, Texas, where a humanoid creature with oily, black, and smooth skin was spotted completely naked. Next, they recount the experience of an Alabama college student who encountered a massive pterosaur flying directly over their car while driving down a deserted dirt road in rural Alabama, an event the student is still grappling with. Lastly, they share a story from South Central Pennsylvania, where a person witnessed a small, red-haired creature walking down the middle of a tree-lined road one evening.

After the break, Kyle and Cam bring up some incredible encounters with the Fae. It may come as a surprise to some that fairies are not inherently nature spirits. This modern interpretation—specifically Victorian and New Age—has reduced powerful beings into small, sweet, and innocent creatures, like the stereotypical garden fairy adorned in a flower hat and skirt. However, there is another side to fairies that is far from benign. Just as our homes are sanctuaries for us, landscapes are sacred to fairy folk. Trespassing on their land can have severe and sometimes deadly consequences, depending on the stories you believe. Whether by setting up camp, stepping into a fairy ring, or inadvertently joining one of their gatherings, many unsuspecting mortals have been whisked away or threatened.

Folklore and fairy tales, steeped in the supernatural, are easily manipulated for various purposes. Fairies have been at the center of numerous hoaxes, including the famous Cottingley Fairies, where two young girls nearly convinced the world of their existence. Myths, folklore, and fairy tales have always been vital tools for learning and have frequently been adapted for this purpose. Like human societies, both benevolent and malevolent, fairy folk have their customs and etiquette. If you ever encounter the Faerie Host, Andy Paciorek advises shouting "God Bless you!" and throwing your left shoe at them (though if this fails, you'll have to fight with just one shoe). The general rule is to avoid disturbing fairies if possible. Do not break a fairy ring if you come across one. If you wish to attract a fairy, use something shiny, but place yellow flowers outside your home or have iron objects around to keep them away.

The prominence of certain fairy types varies by region. Northern Britain has hobgoblins, child- and adult-abducting fairies, and fairy royalty. In Scotland, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, described by Andy Paciorek as good and evil fairies, are well-known. In County Durham, the Water Witch lurks by the water's edge, preying on small children. At the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft, it is noted that Cornwall has a variety of fairies, the most prominent being the piskie. The piskie is notorious for causing mischief and mayhem. To fend off piskies, you need iron; otherwise, they will steal anything shiny and play tricks. Here's a tip: not all fairies are benevolent! If you find yourself walking alone at night and hearing a horse's whickering or seeing a strange light ahead, do not follow it. You may end up waylaid and "Puck led." Survivors of such encounters often awaken in a muddy ditch, having been deceived by fairy lights into straying from their path and into trouble.

All of this and more on this installment of Expanded Perspectives!

AG1: If there is one product we had to recommend to elevate your health, it's AG1, and that's why we have partnered with them for so long. So if you want to take ownership of your health, you gotta start with AG1! Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 and 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase exclusively at drinkAG1.com/expanded. 

In this episode of Expanded Perspectives, the hosts kick things off by diving into Kyle's newfound passion for water and his latest gardening endeavors. The excitement ramps up as they discuss the Dallas Stars making it to the Western Conference Final, much to their delight. Kyle then shares a fascinating story about an early listener who offered to pay for Expanded Perspectives Elite with Bitcoin, which they declined. Had they accepted, that Bitcoin would be worth a staggering $4.2 million today.

The episode continues with an intriguing tale from a forest service worker in Montana, who, while studying water runoff from melting snow, stumbles upon an office desk inexplicably placed at the end of a remote trail. The mystery deepens as they ponder its origins and purpose. Listeners are then treated to a bizarre account from a writer who describes an eerie experience involving strange humanoids, lost time, and a missing baby—hinting strongly at an alien abduction.

The episode also features a story about a teenager in Lake Conroe, Texas, who encounters a peculiar, muscular deer with a cow-like head that walks on four legs but resembles a person. Additionally, a young girl recalls seeing the elusive Glimmer Man when she was just five years old in rural Illinois, and several people report sightings of small dinosaurs in south Texas.

 All of this and more on this episode of Expanded Perspectives!

On this episode of Expanded Perspectives, the guys kick things off by discussing Kyle's new water drink, the warming weather, and his thriving garden. Then, they delve into a strange sighting in Merrill, Michigan, where a person’s uncle and friend encountered a bizarre creature resembling an insect-eyed kangaroo-monkey hybrid. What could this mysterious being be? Next, they explore an eerie phenomenon in Ameca, Jalisco, Mexico, where numerous people went missing or drowned mysteriously between 2004 and 2007. Locals discovered that an upright-walking lizard man was allegedly responsible for these disappearances.

After the break, Cam highlights some intriguing encounters between rock musicians and UFOs. Philip Taylor Kramer, the former bassist for Iron Butterfly, vanished on February 12, 1995. His remains were found in 1999 in a Malibu ravine, with authorities ruling his death a "probable suicide." However, Kramer's family disputed this, pointing to his claims of being threatened over his revolutionary technology. Sammy Hagar, former Van Halen lead singer, shares his extraterrestrial experiences in his book "Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock." Hagar describes aliens tapping into his mind via a wireless connection long before such technology existed, even recalling a childhood encounter with a UFO. Jim Sullivan, a talented singer-songwriter, released his debut album U.F.O. in 1969 but mysteriously disappeared in the Southwest desert in 1975 while en route to Nashville. Despite comparisons to folk-rockers like Gene Clark and Joe South, his promising career never took off, leaving his disappearance an enduring mystery.

All of this and more on this installment of Expanded Perspectives!

Welcome to a unique roundtable experience on Expanded Perspectives, where we're thrilled to collaborate with esteemed podcasters and cherished friends: Nate Henry, Luke Rodgers, Tony Merkel, Andy DeNoon, Josh Hooper, and Andrew Saludez! Recognizable from their outstanding podcasts Blurry Creatures, The Confessionals, and Ninjas are Butterflies, this gathering promises an insightful discussion about our respective shows and the eagerly anticipated live event, Squatchella, happening on August 3rd, 2024, at the Fisher Center in the charming city of Nashville, Tennessee.

Blurry Creatures - Blurry Creatures chases down answers for the weird questions and enigmatic creatures that inhabit the fringes between reality, myth, and imagination. Join podcast veterans Nate Henry and Luke Rodgers as they investigate Bigfoot, Ancient Giants, Cryptids, The Nephilim, The Watchers, Ancient Burial Mounds, Forbidden History, Megaliths, Conspiracy Theories, Dogman, Mothman, The UFO Phenomenon, Extraterrestrials, and The Unexplained.

The Confessionals - Tony is a trailblazing creator in the worlds of podcasting and filmmaking. As the host of "The Confessionals Podcast," Tony draws a dedicated audience of tens of thousands of listeners every week. The Confessionals explores the mysteries of high strangeness, from eyewitness cryptid encounters, UFO sightings, abductions, to entities, hauntings, and even the reality of portals and alternate dimensions, making the show a must-listen for those seeking the extraordinary. Tony's passion doesn't end with podcasting. In 2021 he founded Merkel Media, a film and podcast company that has quickly gained acclaim. Under Merkel Media's banner, Tony collaborates with a team of industry veterans to bring captivating stories to life on both the screen and the airwaves. Through each episode of his podcast and every new documentary, Tony is a modern-day explorer of the unexplained, and he's just getting started.

Ninjas are Butterflies - Ninjas Are Butterflies (powered by Sunday Cool Tees) is an outrageous comedy podcast with hosts Josh Hooper and Andy DeNoon. Filled with hilarious guests, conspiracies, captivating stories, and loads of laughter, Ninjas Are Butterflies is your new favorite podcast! New episodes every Friday!

Get ready for the ultimate festival experience! Squatchella is coming to Nashville on August 3rd, and you're invited to an unforgettable event featuring your beloved podcasts! Join us for a day filled with thrilling discussions and the chance to meet your favorite hosts from Expanded Perspectives, Ninjas are Butterflies, The Confessionals, Blurry Creatures, and surprise special guests. This groundbreaking event is the first of its kind, taking place at the prestigious Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on the beautiful campus of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. With its state-of-the-art 150,000-square-foot European-style performance hall boasting 1,727 seats, this venue sets the stage for an epic gathering you won't miss. Mark your calendars! The Members Only presale for Squatchella kicks off on May 8th at 10:00 am CST, exclusively on Expanded Perspectives Elite, the event center, and social media. Tickets are limited, so secure yours early to ensure you don't miss out on this extraordinary experience! 

In this episode of Expanded Perspectives Elite, Kyle and Cam start the show by talking about how the Dallas Stars are currently doing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the recent storms ravaging Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Iowa.  Then, a woman has a bizarre encounter that she had with a real-life entity while at a friend's house. She identified the ghost after looking at a photo of the friend's grandfather. Next, Marty for Pittsburgh calls in with a strange phantom voice that perfectly mimicked his wife's voice even though she was not in the room. Then, a person is visiting his cousin in north Alabama. They decide to go camping nearby. That is when he observes a gaunt and pale humanoid figure. The being was known to the area.

After the break, Kyle brings up some terrifying examples of Alien Abduction. The concept of individuals being forcibly taken from their homes, vehicles, and even schoolyards by enigmatic humanoid entities, then whisked away onto spacecraft where they undergo invasive and menacing procedures, strikes at the core of our understanding of the universe. It's a notion so unsettling that it's often either dismissed outright or sensationalized in media accounts, challenging our very sense of reality. Understandably, the phenomenon of UFO abductions is met with skepticism, given its deeply disturbing nature and its clash with our established beliefs.

Yet, spanning 75 years and likely beyond, many seemingly sincere and rational individuals, without any personal gain, have consistently recounted such harrowing experiences to those willing to lend an ear. What lies behind these reports? Why are there so many? Recent surveys indicate that possibly hundreds of thousands, if not more, could be categorized as abductees or experiencers. Who are these abductors, and what drives their actions? These are the questions that persist, begging for answers.

All of this and more on this installment of Expanded Perspectives Elite!

In this edition of Expanded Perspectives, Kyle takes the helm solo as Cam tends to do business out of town with his spouse. Departing from our usual news segment, we're treated to a captivating array of strange and uncanny tales our listeners share. From sightings of towering owls to the curious disappearance of toys, encounters with triangular UFOs, alleged alien abductions, ethereal sky amoebas, and the spine-chilling tale of the hand beneath the bed, these accounts delve into the realms of the eerie and unexplained.

Following the break, Kyle delves deeper into the intriguing concept of Time Slips. These purported paranormal occurrences suggest individuals or groups traversing through time by supernatural means rather than technological ones. The very nature of such experiences sparks debate about their objective reality. Central to the Time Slip Theory is the notion of time as a fluid, non-linear construct within a single spatial point. Across the globe, people report fleeting glimpses of the past, future, or recurring events, suggesting a tantalizing connection to a dimension beyond our conventional understanding of time.

All of this and more on this installment of Expanded Perspectives!

In this edition of Expanded Perspectives, Kyle and Cam dive into a whirlwind of intriguing experiences and mysterious encounters. Kicking things off, they delve into Kyle's recent adventures amidst the rainy weather, his immersive journey through a Renaissance fair, and their captivating excursion to Jacksonville, Texas. There, they crossed paths with master craftsmen Rob and JJ Lee of Bob Lee Bows, renowned for their unparalleled traditional bow craftsmanship.

As the strange tales unfold, a listener shares a perplexing incident from their shower routine, where a dropped shampoo bottle seemingly defied logic by teleporting from the floor to the sink. Could this be a glitch in the fabric of time, a mere hiccup in reality? The intrigue deepens with a chilling account of a new neighbor with unsettling obsidian eyes, whose transformation defies comprehension, sending shivers down the spine.

After the break, Cam navigates the murky waters of aquatic cryptids, exploring sightings of elusive water-dwelling creatures. From the depths of marine ecosystems to the serene expanses of freshwater habitats, these enigmatic beings blur the line between myth and reality. Delving into the realm where land meets water, they uncover the captivating world of amphibious anomalies. An aquatic cryptid is a creature, either vertebrate or invertebrate, that lives in water for most or all of its life. It may breathe air or extract its oxygen from the water dissolved in it through specialized organs called gills or directly through its skin. Natural environments and the animals that live in them can be categorized as aquatic (water) or terrestrial (land). Amphibians are animals that move readily from water to land and vice versa. The term aquatic can be applied to cryptids living in freshwater (freshwater animals) or saltwater (marine animals). However, the adjective marine is most commonly used for animals that live in saltwater. Join Kyle and Cam on a journey through the uncharted territories of the unexplained, where each twist and turn reveals a new layer of mystery waiting to be unraveled. 

All of this and more on this installment of Expanded Perspectives!