It’s bracket time! In this special episode of Spooky or Not, we’re pitting some of the world’s most legendary cryptids and paranormal creatures against each other in a head-to-head tournament. From Bigfoot and Mothman to Skinwalkers and Black Eyed Kids, we debate who would win in a supernatural showdown. Will your favorite make it to the final round? Fill out your bracket ahead of time using the link in the episode description and play along with us. This one’s all for fun, but fair warning: we’ve got strong opinions. Let the Monster Mayhem begin.

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Monster MAYhem Bracket

In this episode, we journey deep into the woods to explore one of the most iconic legends in cryptid lore: Bigfoot. From ancient indigenous stories to modern-day sightings, we look at the history, theories, and cultural obsession surrounding this elusive creature. We break down the most well-known encounters - including the infamous Patterson-Gimlin footage - and examine casts, hair samples, and even an FBI file. We also dive into wild theories: is Bigfoot a relic hominid, a government cover-up, or something... otherworldly? Whether you're a full-on believer or a skeptic with a soft spot for Harry and the Hendersons, this one's for you.

Monster MAYhem Bracket

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The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization

The FBI Vault - Bigfoot Part 01 (Final)

History.com - Bigfoot was Investigated by the FBI. Here’s what they Found

Smithsonian Magazine - Why Do So Many People Still Want to Believe in Bigfoot? 

American Museum of Natural History - Beyond Bigfoot

LiveScience.com - Is Bigfoot real? 

DiscoveryUK.com - The Patterson-Gimlin Film: Evidence of Bigfoot or Elaborate Hoax?

DavidWalker1964 - Roger Patterson Bigfoot Footage (Youtube)

Squatch Mafia - New Remastered HD Version of the Patterson Gimlin Film (Youtube)

Episodes to get familiar with for Monster MAYhem - coming in May!

The Mapinguari

Krampus

Beyond the Broomstick: Witches and Witchcraft

The Loveland Frogman

Eyes of Darkness: The Haunting Phenomenon of BEK

Poltergeist Pandemonium

Vampires

Werewolves

Curses & Spirits: Inside the Bell Witch Haunting

Korean Legends: Tales of Terror & Tradition

The Chupacabra

Shape-Shifters of the Night: The Skinwalker Legend

Twisted Tinsel: Tales of Dark Elves

The Flatwoods Monster

Legends and Lore: The Jersey Devil Explained

Dark Wings, Deadly Warnings: The Mothman

In this episode, we dig into the chilling legend of the Mothman - the winged, red-eyed creature that terrorized Point Pleasant, West Virginia in the late 1960s. From eerie eyewitness accounts and government cover-up theories to electromagnetic interference and psychic distress, we explore multiple unsettling angles of the story. We also dive into the Mothman’s strange ties to global disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima, questioning whether this creature is a cryptid, a curse, or a cosmic warning. Along the way, we uncover how a once-feared figure became the unlikely mascot of a town, complete with statues, festivals, and cinematic fame. So… is the Mothman a myth, a misidentification, or something much more ominous?

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Spooky or Not Podcast Suggestion Form

Folklife Magazine - An Ode to a Hometown Creature: Mothman of Point Pleasant, West Virginia

WCHS News - Man photographs creature that resembles legendary "Mothman" of Point Pleasant

12WBOY - The Legend of Mothman - Paranormal W.Va.

American Hauntings - Mothman! The Enigma of Point Pleasant

Spooky Appalachia - Encounter with The Mysterious Mothman

Patch - Winged Freak Terrorizes Chicago?

WBEZ Chicago - The case of the Chicago Mothman

ClutchMOV - Wild, Wonderful and Weird: The Mothman

The West Virginia Encyclopedia Online - Mothman

It's Something Wiki - Black Bird of Chernobyl

Vocal Media Fiction - The Mothman who Freaked out Hundreds of People

Unsolved Mysteries with Robert Stack: Season 12, Episode 6 - Mothman (On Youtube)

Unsolved Mysteries: Volume 4, Episode 5 - The Mothman Revisited (On Netflix)

Episodes to get familiar with - More info coming soon: 

The Mapinguari

Krampus

Beyond the Broomstick: Witches and Witchcraft

The Loveland Frogman

Eyes of Darkness: The Haunting Phenomenon of BEK

Poltergeist Pandemonium

Vampires

Werewolves

Curses & Spirits: Inside the Bell Witch Haunting

Korean Legends: Tales of Terror & Tradition

The Chupacabra

Shape-Shifters of the Night: The Skinwalker Legend

Twisted Tinsel: Tales of Dark Elves

The Flatwoods Monster

Legends and Lore: The Jersey Devil Explained

In Part 2 of our Dyatlov Pass investigation, we look into the chilling theories behind the unexplained deaths of nine hikers who vanished into the Ural Mountains in 1959. From avalanches and Soviet cover-ups to infrasound, cold-induced madness, and even cryptid encounters, we unravel each theory to see what holds up—and what falls apart. We also explore a 2021 study that reignited belief in the avalanche theory, and question whether science alone can explain the terror and trauma found at the scene. Through the mystery and madness, we never forget the truth at the heart of this story: nine young people, full of life, who met an end no one can fully explain. This case remains unsolved—but the mountain remembers.

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Dyatlovpass.com - HUGE resource

The Dyatlov Pass Incident: Why the Hiker Deaths Remain a Mystery  (History.com )

Mechanisms of slab avalanche release and impact in the Dyatlov Pass incident in 1959  (Nature.com)

The Mystery of the Dyatlov Pass Incident (Lost In History)

The Dyatlov Pass Incident - Nick Crowley (Youtube )

In this chilling episode we begin our journey into one of the most haunting unsolved mysteries of the 20th century: the Dyatlov Pass Incident. In 1959, nine experienced hikers set out on a trek through the Ural Mountains—only to vanish under strange and terrifying circumstances. Join us as we unravel the background of the hikers, their fateful journey, and the deeply unsettling discoveries made in the aftermath of their disappearance. From the abandoned tent to the mysterious state of the bodies, Part I sets the stage for a story that has baffled the world for decades.

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Email us with your thoughts and any spooky stories you’d like us to read on a future episode - [email protected]

Spooky or Not Podcast Suggestion Form

Dyatlovpass.com - HUGE resource

The Dyatlov Pass Incident: Why the Hiker Deaths Remain a Mystery  (History.com )

The Mystery of the Dyatlov Pass Incident (Lost In History)

The Dyatlov Pass Incident - Nick Crowley (Youtube )

Today we’re heading into the shadows of the Pine Barrens to uncover the truth behind one of America’s oldest cryptid legends. Is the Jersey Devil just a tall tale told to keep kids out of the woods? Or is there something real hiding among the trees?

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Origins and Cultural Impact

Folklore and Historical Context

Jersey Devil and the Pine Barrens

Sightings

On this week’s episode we’re talking glowing eyes, a towering figure, and a chilling mystery that’s become legendary. The story of the Flatwoods Monster is a tale that blends small-town folklore, extraterrestrial intrigue, and a healthy dose of fear. But what really happened that night? Was it an alien visitor, a government cover-up, or just a trick of the imagination? Buckle up, because this one’s a wild ride.

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Flatwoods Monster Wiki

The Flatwoods Monster Official Site

History of the Flatwoods Monster

In this chilling episode, we explore four mysterious UFO encounters that have left military officials and civilians alike scratching their heads. From the strange disappearance of a jet to a helicopter taken over by an otherworldly force, these stories defy explanation. Are these stories part of a government cover-up? A secret mission gone wrong? Or something far more bizarre? Join us as we unwind these spine-tingling tales and attempt to make sense of what happened to those who vanished in the face of the unknown.

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⁠Spooky or Not Podcast Suggestion Form⁠

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UFO Insight - The Little-Known 1949 Norwood UFO Searchlight Encounters

Nick Crowley - The Disappearance of Frederick Valentich

Dark Docs - The Creepy Missing F-89 Pilot - The Kinross UFO Incident

OhioMagazine.com - The Case of Ohio’s Best Documented UFO

Richland County History - UFOs Over Richland County: 1973

Journal of Scientific Exploration- Valentich Disappearance: New Evidence and a New Conclusion

Open Skies Project - The Kinross Incident

History.com - This Air Force Jet Was Scrambled to Intercept a UFO—Then Disappeared

Military Air Shows - Frederick Valentich UFO Incident

In the shadows of holiday folklore we explore the sinister side of a seemingly harmless helper—elves.  They’re not always the jolly toymakers we imagine 

or the elegant creatures of fantasy realms. Some elves are tricksters... and maybe something much, much darker.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf#:~:text=Elves%20appear%20especially%20in%20North,Edda%20and%20the%20Prose%20Edda.&text=In%20medieval%20Germanic%2Dspeaking%20cultures,either%20helping%20or%20hindering%20them

https://www.euclidlibrary.org/content/elves

https://www.britannica.com/topic/elf-mythology

https://www.livescience.com/39689-history-of-elves.html

In this week’s episode of Spooky or Not, we explore one of history’s most chilling and tragic events: the rise and fall of Jim Jones and the People’s Temple, culminating in the Jonestown massacre. With a focus on understanding how this movement began and how ordinary people became entrapped in such a devastating tragedy, we explore Jones’ early ideology, his appeal to marginalized communities, and the promises that drew thousands to follow him. This episode approaches the subject with sensitivity and respect for the victims, offering insight into how such a tragedy could unfold while exploring its lasting legacy. Tune in for a sobering and thoughtful exploration of the People’s Temple and Jonestown—a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the resilience of those who survived.

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Email us with your thoughts and any spooky stories you’d like us to read on a future episode - ⁠[email protected]⁠

⁠https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/jonestown-guyana/⁠

⁠https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/jonestown⁠

⁠https://www.apa.org/monitor/nov03/jonestown⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO8aYSApnng⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW8MbTA2WpM⁠