The Hat Man (Internet) and Draugr (Iceland)

“The Hat Man”

Paranormal investigator Mara Ellison tracks a global wave of identical sleep-paralysis nightmares: a tall, featureless man in a wide-brimmed hat who silently watches victims, radiating pure evil.She calls it internet folklore—until he appears on her own camera in an empty asylum. Now people are dying of sheer terror, and once you learn his name, he learns yours.

He’s already standing behind you.

Draugr

Not ghosts. Not zombies.

A corpse that swells monstrous in the grave, turns blue-black with death-bloat, and rises heavier than any living man could lift. Greedy, hateful, tireless. It guards its hoard with crushed bones and broken necks, rides rooftops until the beams explode, and drives whole valleys mad with terror. Normal weapons glance off it. Fire is slow. And some refuse even ash. In this episode we meet the worst of them: a dead man so stubborn that the living have only one weapon left: the law itself.

One courtroom. One doorway. One final judgment for the restless dead.

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Sources:

• Book: The Secret War by Heidi Hollis (2008) Popularized the "Hat Man" as a demonic entity; draws from radio show reports and early online sightings.
• Book: Darkness Walks: The Shadow People Among Us by Jason Offutt (2009) Collects eyewitness accounts of shadow figures, including Hat Man encounters tied to sleep paralysis.
• Book: Sleep Paralysis: What It Is and How to Stop It by Chris White (2015) Scientific guide with personal stories; debunks supernatural claims while offering prevention tips.
• Documentary: The Nightmare (2015, dir. Rodney Ascher) Explores sleep paralysis hallucinations through interviews and reenactments, featuring shadow intruders.
• Article: "Who is the Hat Man? ‘Shadow people’ and sleep paralysis" (The Week, 2025) Overview of global reports, folklore roots, and the role of online forums like The Hatman Project.
• Article: "Have You Seen 'The Hatman'?" (IFLScience, 2025) Examines cultural influences on hallucinations and consistency in descriptions.
• Primary source Eyrbyggja saga, chapters 30–34 & 51–55 (the entire Þórólfr bægifótr and Fróðá haunting episodes) – Best modern English translations:
  • The Saga of the People of Eyrr (Penguin Classics, 1989, tr. Judy Quinn & Kate Heslop)
  • Eyrbyggja Saga (Penguin Classics, 1972/1989, tr. Hermann Pálsson & Paul Edwards)
• Old Norse text (for reference) Eyrbyggja saga, ed. Einar Ól. Sveinsson & Matthías Þórðarson, Íslenzk fornrit IV (1935) – available free on heimskringla.no and snerpa.is
• Supporting medieval references to draugr and door-court
  • Landnámabók (Sturlubók & Hauksbók redactions) – mentions re-burying walking corpses
  • Grágás (Konungsbók) – early Icelandic laws on dealing with “aptrgǫngumenn” (revenants)
  • Grettis saga, ch. 35 (for comparison of draugr traits)
  • Hilda Roderick Ellis, The Road to Hel (1943) – classic study of Norse undead
  • John Lindow, Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs (2001)
  • Ármann Jakobsson, “The Fear of the Dead in the Íslendingasögur” (in Trolls and Revenants, 2012)

Roswell wasn’t the first.

Dive into six jaw-dropping, rarely-told encounters from 1904–1954:

• U.S. Navy officers tracking glowing red orbs years before airplanes existed
• Mystery airships terrorizing New Zealand in 1909
• A 1941 Missouri crash with bodies… six years before Roswell
• A UFO downing just miles from the first atomic bomb test
• A French worker paralyzed by a landed craft and its pilots
• 10,000 soccer fans watching discs rain “angel hair” over an Italian stadium

These are documented, multi-witness events the history books conveniently forgot.

If these are real, “they” were here long before 1947.

Hit play and have your UFO timeline rewritten in under 90 minutes. 🛸

Sponsor: Topsquatch.com use code FREEYETI for free shipping!

Sources:

• Monthly Weather Review (Mar 1904)
• NICAP report: nicap.org/040228pacific_dir.htm
• UFO Evidence: ufoevidence.org/cases/case640.htm

• Papers Past (1909 NZ newspapers): paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
• Tony Brunt article: hauntedauckland.com/site/the-new-zealand-ufo-wave-of-1909-by-tony-brunt1967
• Ufocus NZ: ufocusnz.org.nz/2020/07/22/the-1909-kelso-airships-of-new-zealand

• “MO41: The Bombshell Before Roswell” – Paul Blake Smith (2015)
• KFVS12 (2021): kfvs12.com/2021/05/26/alleged-ufo-crash-cape-girardeau-area
• Leo Stringfield “UFO Crash/Retrievals” (1991)

• “Trinity: The Best-Kept Secret” – Vallée & Harris (2021)
• NYT (2023): nytimes.com/2023/01/13/us/ufo-new-mexico-congress.html
• 8 News Now series: 8newsnow.com/investigators/breakdown-of-the-history-of-alleged-ufo-crashes

• Patrick Gross file: ufologie.patrickgross.org/1954/10sep1954quarouble.htm
• Aimé Michel “Flying Saucers and the Straight-Line Mystery” (1958)
• Vallée “Passport to Magonia” case #197

• BBC (2014): bbc.com/news/magazine-29342407
• The Florentine (2025): theflorentine.net/2025/10/22/ufos-1954
• La Nazione / Corriere della Sera archives (Oct 1954)

Venture into the misty moors of East Anglia, where a legendary black dog has haunted the night for centuries. In this spine-tingling episode of Yeti To Rumble, we uncover Black Shuck – the glowing-eyed hellhound that's both a death omen and surprising protector.

Explore the 1577 church attacks with lasting scorch marks, the heroic Littleport tale of saving a girl from danger, medieval Wild Hunts, modern sightings, and influences on Hound of the Baskervilles and Harry Potter's Grim.

Demon or guardian? Hosts Mitch and Russell dig into lore, digs, and eerie accounts that keep the legend alive.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your fave platform. Drops Wednesdays– subscribe and rumble!

Episode Sponsor: Top Squatch topsquatch.com use code FREEYETI for free shipping!

Sources:

• Wikipedia - Black Shuck: A comprehensive overview of the ghostly black dog roaming East Anglia's coastline and countryside.
• Discovery UK - Black Shuck: The Devil Dog of English Folklore: Details the legend's prominence, including the 1577 incidents in Bungay and Blythburgh.
• The Suffolk Coast - The Legend of the Bungay Black Dog: Focuses on the 1577 church attack and the dog's role in Suffolk folklore.
• Facebook Group - Norfolk History, Tales, Myths (Post on Black Dogs and Shuck): Community discussion on East Anglian tales of the immense hell-hound.
• The Shoebox - The Black Shuck and The Black Dogs of Norfolk: Describes sightings of the huge, burning-eyed dog in rural Norfolk.
• Terrible Tours - Black Shuck: Cambridge's Demon Dog That Inspired Sherlock: Explores the legend's influence on literature like The Hound of the Baskervilles.
• Tetrapod Zoology - Legend of the Black Dog: Covers Abraham Fleming's 1577 booklet and related stories.
• Reddit - r/Ghosts: The Black Shuck of Norfolk: User-shared legend tying it to Viking and Saxon Wild Hunt beliefs.
• Folklore Thursday - Black Shuck: Proof of Existence Finally Found?: Discusses the 2014 archaeological find of a large dog skeleton in Suffolk.
• BBC News - The Terrifying Story of the 'Hell Hound': Accounts of ferocious black dogs with glowing eyes attacking churches.

#BlackShuck #PhantomDog #CryptidLegends #YetiToRumble @YetiToRumble #paranormal #uap #cyptids #bigfoot #supernatural

Skinwalker Encounters Continued: Grandmothers who whisper “Yenaldlooshi is watching,” dogs that move like rocking horses, and coyotes that keep pace with a pickup—on two legs. In this follow-up deep dive on skinwalkers (Navajo: yee naaldlooshii), we share eight more first-hand encounters from Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, California, and the reservation backcountry. From a grandmother’s lifelong fear and a great-dane-sized black dog with burning yellow eyes, to midnight footsteps on the roof and a medicine man’s blessing, these accounts trace a pattern of dread: intelligent watchers, impossible speed, and that chilling moment when an “animal” seems to know you’ve recognized what it really is.

This episode is brought you by Top Squatch use code FREEYETI for free shipping on all orders www.topsquatch

Sources: see previous episode description

Skinwalkers: — This episode steps carefully into a topic rooted in Navajo (Diné) teachings and often kept private. We outline what “skinwalker” commonly means versus the Diné concept of yee naaldlooshii—a harmful witch opposed to medicine and healing—then explore why this subject isn’t casually discussed with outsiders. From there, we trace how roadside lore and pop-culture touchstones like Skinwalker Ranch grew around the core idea, and we share a slate of eerie modern accounts: the “bulletproof” wolf, a midnight chase near Gallup, a farm besieged by mimics, a hitchhiker with the wrong smile, suburban shadows in New York, and a backcountry voice that sounds a little too familiar. Along the way, we emphasize respect for living communities and sacred lands, note protective traditions at a high level, and add historical context like the 1878 Navajo Witch Purge. Curiosity is welcome; care is required.

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin-walker 
• https://www.legendsofamerica.com/navajo-skinwalkers/
• https://www.legendsofamerica.com/navajo-skinwalkers/ 
• https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/skinwalkers/
• https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/navajo-skinwalker-legend-gains-massive-192501080.html?guccounter=1
• https://www.skinwalkerranch.com/
• https://www.ksl.com/article/50955342/sightings-and-reports-of-skinwalkers-in-utah-throughout-the-years
• https://cvltnation.com/12-people-tell-their-terrifying-encounters-with-navajo-skinwalkers/
• https://www.darkstories.org/post/skin-walker-encounters-13491032
•  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk1AkbS9f1c
• https://x.com/KiingDaave2/status/1982534387737477185?referrer=grok-com
• https://www.wattpad.com/244925288-scary-stories-skinwalker

Lord of the forest: Step into the old-growth hush where paths rearrange themselves and the woods feel…aware. In this solo episode, Russell explores the Leshy—the shapeshifting master of Slavic forests who can guide respectful travelers or bewilder the arrogant. You’ll hear how hunters and herders once bargained for safe passage, why mimicry and lost time are classic calling cards, and the curious counter-charms (inside-out clothes, backward steps) people still swear by. We connect folklore to real ecology—how a spirit story can double as a rulebook for not being a jerk to the forest—and touch on modern claimed encounters that keep the legend breathing. Pack a little humility, mind the trail, and meet the landlord of the green world.

Shoutout to TopSquatch.com for their awesome designs and apparel!

Sources:

• Encyclopedia Britannica
• Wikipedia, “Leshy” (for names/variants, shapeshifting, family terms, calendrical customs; cross-checked where possible). Wikipedia+1
• PBS/Monstrum, “Leshy — The Slavic Lord of the Forest.” (overview of traits and dual role). Described and Captioned Media Program
• Linda J. Ivanits, Russian Folk Belief (context for lower mythology and memorate genres; used here as background). Taylor & Francis+1
• ThoughtCo, “Leshy, Slavic Spirit of the Forest.” (accessible summary; corroborates trickster qualities and protective role). ThoughtCo
• Mae Clair blog post compiling common motifs (inside-out clothing counter-charm; included as a popular retelling, not a primary source). From the Pen of Mae Clair

Under the hum of ranch lights and rumor, the Chupacabra stalks fences, leaves two perfect punctures, and sprints straight into pop culture. Mitch and Russell trace the “goat-sucker” from 1990s Puerto Rico to Texas backroads—separating vampiric lore from veterinary reports, and movie monsters from mange-stricken coyotes. You’ll hear the big early sightings, the DNA tests behind those infamous “bodies,” and why folklore thrives when ecosystems are stressed. Less jump-scare, more truth serum. New episodes every Wednesday—bring your flashlight and your skepticism.

Sources:

• Radford, Benjamin. Tracking the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast in Fact, Fiction, and Folklore. University of New Mexico Press.
  https://unmpress.com/books/tracking-chupacabra
  
  
• Smithsonian Magazine — “The True Story of the Chupacabra” (coverage of Radford’s investigation & DNA results)
  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-true-story-of-the-chupacabra-63699302/
  
  
• National Geographic — reporting on Texas “chupacabra” carcasses & DNA as coyotes/dogs with mange
  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150325-chupacabra-animals-science-texas-myths
  
  
• Skeptical Inquirer — analyses of Puerto Rico cases, Species-influence hypothesis, and canine predation patterns
  https://skepticalinquirer.org/2011/03/the-chupacabra-science-finds-the-real-monster/
  
  
• BBC Mundo — historical overview of reports across Latin America (Spanish)
  https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/06/150612_cultura_chupacabras_historia_mito_lp
  
  
• Texas State University news releases on DNA identifications of “chupacabra” carcasses (various years)
  https://www.txst.edu/newsroom/articles/2014-chupacabra-dna.html
  
  

Journal of Wildlife Diseases — background on sarcoptic mange in canids (mechanisms, appearance)
https://meridian.allenpress.com/jwd/article/50/2/268/78335/Sarcoptic-Mange-in-Wildlife

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

https://www.texasobserver.org/chupacabra-legends-texas/

https://cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/disease/mange#:~:text=Mange%20is%20a%20skin%20disease,gray%20wolves%2C%20and%20red%20wolves.

Nuckelavee (Orkney, Scotland) — Mitch and Russell investigate the infamous skinless horse-demon of the North Sea. We break down first mentions, regional variants, and why islands like Sanday and Stronsay loom so large in the myth. Plus: the Sea Mither, red tides, and how local ecology can spawn enduring monsters. Research-forward, myth-lover approved.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuckelavee Wikipedia
  
• https://folklorescotland.com/nuckelavee/ Folklore Scotland
  
• https://books.google.com/books?id=BBPaAAAAMAAJ ; https://archive.org/details/folkloreoforkney0000marw Google Books+1
  
• https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/briggss-dictionary-of-fairies-katharine-briggs/1147289915 ; Google Books. https://books.google.com/books/about/Briggs_s_Dictionary_of_Fairies.html?id=NqNAEQAAQBAJ Barnes & Noble+1
  
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Mither Wikipedia
  
  https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/the-terrifying-myth-of-orkneys-horse-demon-nuckelavee-607848 The Scotsman
  
  https://www.storiesofscotland.com/podcast/2024/4/26/nuckelavee Stories of Scotland
  
  
• Mack, C. K., & Mack, D. (1999). A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels and Other Subversive Spirits. Google Books

Dive into Australia’s wetlands as Mitch and Russell investigate the bunyip—an eerie creature rooted in Aboriginal lore and echoed in colonial-era sightings. We explore origin stories, reported encounters, and the natural-world explanations (from seals to giant eels) that might lurk beneath the ripples. Expect history, ecology, and a dash of mystery—Yeti To Rumble style.

Sources:

Wikipedia: Bunyip – General overview of the myth, cultural roots, and colonial accounts.

HowStuffWorks – “Does the Bunyip Really Haunt the Australian Wetlands?” – Discussion of natural explanations and folklore background.

American Museum of Natural History – Mutating Myths Exhibit – The “Bunyip skull” and colonial fascination.

Folklore Thursday – “The Bunyip: Australia’s Mysterious Man-eating Swamp Beast” – Detailed 19th-century sightings and Aboriginal lore.

Wikipedia: Edwin Roper Loftus Stocqueler – Artist who helped visualize early Bunyip depictions.

www.Study.com Pictures