Somehow several hours of research and a decently lengthy script led to an 18 minute episode. I'm not sure how that happened unless I really talk that fast.
Continuing on with last episode's Bigfoot / Sasquatch info, this episode we delve into the folkloric Bigfoot creatures that are regional-specific, as well as into theories and ideas about who Bigfoot is and where our most famous cryptid may have come from.
TW: No triggers.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Visit the website at obscureappalachia.com
Sources:
Bigfoot Theories – Washington Bigfoot
The Legend of the Boojum | Balsam Mountains North Carolina Folklore
Grassman | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom
Orange Eyes | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom
Whirling Whimpus | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom
The oldest account of Bigfoot was recorded in 986 AD - Sasquatch Chronicles
Tennessee Wildman | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom
COLUMN: The Tennessee Wildman | East Tennessean
Yeahoh, Yahoo or Bigfoot? - Appalachian History
Whirling Whimpus | Monster Wiki | Fandom
The five strangest theories about Sasquatch
The Bering Land Bridge Theory - Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)
Bering Land Bridge formed surprisingly late during last ice age | NSF - National Science Foundation
Skeptic » eSkeptic » April 12, 2004
These 5 Mythical Animals Turned Out to Be Real | Nature and Wildlife | Discovery
TW: No triggers I can see.
Bigfoot is Appalachia's most well-known cryptid. Probably the entire US, really. How have I made it this long without making an episode about the big, hairy guy himself? Part I of this two parter gives some Bigfoot basics, like a very brief overview on his appearance, his supposed communication methods, and territorial markings believed to be displayed by the Sasquatch. Then I go into a few Appalachian-based Bigfoot sightings. One of which is a full story from the witness, the others are synopses of the encounters. This is overall a research episode, not a story based one. Overall for a cryptid his lore is more cryptozoological rather than paranormal.
I'm eager for next episode when we can talk about some of the absolute insanity that are the theories on his origin.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal stories or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Recommended videos referenced in the episode:
Pennsylvania White Bigfoot - slowed down - YouTube
Primary source for experiences:
Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization - They're so great, y'all. Check them out.
Other sources - Please note many of these sources will carry on to part II:
BFRO Report 73291: Couple's near-miss road-crossing sighting 10 miles south of Trenton
BFRO Report 2435: Several people witness 7 to 8 foot tall creature on an old mining road
BFRO Report 57053: Fisherman has up-close daytime encounter with a hairy hominid near Clayton
BFRO Report 9546: Teens chased by upright running animal near Bradford
Bigfoot Theories – Washington Bigfoot
“A Strange and Frightful Being” – Appalachia’s Folklore Creatures Part 3 - Appalachia Bare
I just wanted to make a lil' year end wrap-up episode for the first full year of Obscure Appalachia. I talk about your favorite episodes, offer some bonus stories, and share my own favorite episodes as well. I also discuss some general thoughts on the near future of the podcast. Please let me know, do you prefer the narrative, research heavy episodes? Or do you prefer the story compilations? Or both, equally? Do you have any interest in watching me in video form do basically the same thing I do now? Lol. Share some thoughts with me.
Thank you all for an incredible first year plus. I have the most amazing listeners. Happy new year to all of you.
TW: None
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Be sure to follow or subscribe so you don't miss upcoming episodes. Also leave me a review if you haven't already, pretty please?
Sources:
This episode completes this round of listener submissions. Just like last time, there's a nice array of different experiences here. I tried to divide them up so each episode wouldn't be one solitary type of encounter. One of my favorite parts of doing these past two episodes has been connecting with y'all. It's so cool to not only get to hear your experiences, but to get to interact with you on a deeper level than I normally do. Unsurprisingly, you guys are really amazing people.
Just like last time, this episode does have adult language. But it also has hauntings, another freaky astral projection experience, a ouija board, and strange... Shadow person... Bigfoot... Cryptids? Ghosts? I love it.
TW: No real triggers here.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia. Feel free to submit questions for these folks and I'll forward them their way.
The improved website is over at obscureappalachia.com. Leave a review there or on your podcast provider for me pretty please? It helps a lot with increasing my reach to new listeners.
To support the podcast visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Stories today are from Mel, Michelle, Anonymous, and Brodie.
Y'all really DELIVERED on telling me about your own personal, paranormal experiences. I'm so honored you trusted me to tell your stories. There's a nice mix of hauntings, unexplained creatures, and cryptids for you to enjoy.
If you'd like to ask the contributors any questions, contact me with those and I'll pass them along.
My apologies that there's some audio artifact in this episode that is driving me absolutely insane. Not sure what is going on with my set-up, but I'm working to fix it for next time. Look forward to volume 2 on December 12th, 2023.
TW: No real triggers this episode, just two f-bombs in the final story.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Bee, Father JP, Karah, Sherry Perry, Christopher Burns, and Earl.
The story of Corpsewood Manor is one of the more intriguing true crime stories, because it does have elements of the occult and the paranormal. I love when we get to do a deep dive into people who march to the beat of their own drummer. There's only so much "they lit up a room" mindset you can take before you want to know who people actually are. It's a shame Dr. Charles Scudder and Joseph Odom didn't have many more years of the life they envisioned when they came to Georgia. The US, and Appalachia, wasn't always the most welcoming of people who were so blatantly different.
What do you think of the paranormal element to the story? Do you think Corpsewood is haunted, or cursed? Do the ghosts of Charles, Joseph, or the dogs still roam the homestead? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.
Send in those paranormal stories of your own to obscureappalachia@gmail.com for inclusion on an upcoming episode. Please include the name you'd like for me to use for you in the story. You may of course stay anonymous.
Listener Note: This episode contains discussion of sexual activity that may not be appropriate with younger ones around.
TW: Murder, animal murder, prejudice and homophobia, drug use, potential sexual activity with a minor.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Corpsewood Manor – Abandoned Southeast
The Corpsewood Manor Murders in North... by Petulla, Amy
The Corpsewood Murders: 40 years later - Atlanta Magazine
The Nine Satanic Sins - Church of Satan
Haunted Horror: The Corpsewood Murders – Queer Paranormal
We're Here, We're Queer, We're Dead - OUT FRONT
Corpsewood Manor – Summerville, Georgia - Atlas Obscura
The Tragic Case of Dr. Charles Lee Scudder, Satanist - Church of Satan
Hey y'all! I'm in need of some more of your personal paranormal experiences, both big and small. Please write those out in as much detail as you can, and e-mail them to obscureappalachia@gmail.com. Please include the name you'd like for me to use for you on the podcast. Thank you!
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
A bit of a departure on format with this one, in such a fun way. This special Halloween episode was the perfect opportunity to do an episode on the Bell Witch. This haunting is infamous in Appalachia, particularly in Tennessee where the story takes place. It's fascinating to have a fairly well-documented in history paranormal story, especially one that is such an intelligent and interactive entity. There are many small variations in this story, so I went with the most commonly told and accepted versions, but there's a lot of nuance in here. Easy for that to happen when this was centuries ago. What do you think about this episode? Let me know. Y'all know I love the feedback. :)
TW:
Brief instance of animal cruelty, physical assault by an entity, murder...? by an entity.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus content visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
TSLA::“Tennessee Myths and Legends"
The Real People of the Bell Witch Legend
Really interesting further reading:
Historian, descendant recount Bell Witch legend | AP News
History of the Bell Witch is a dark tale, but could science explain it?
My experiences with the Bell Witch haunting : Paranormal
"The grinning man", Indrid Cold, is an elusive humanoid entity in Appalachia. Is he connected to Mothman? Is he actually Valiant THOR? We explore these possibilities in this episode as well as Woodrow Derenberger's book and experiences, and Stranger at the Pentagon.
Y'all, I lost brain cells researching for this episode. Get ready for the most cynical thoughts segment yet.
Also, I had some editing help this time around, and the pacing of this episode is much faster than usual. Do you prefer this faster pace, or the usual?
Obscure Appalachia LIVE will be 6:00pm October 29th at Downtown Drafts in Gainesville, Georgia.
TW: Extraterrestrials. Very poor novel writing.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus content visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Woodrow Derenberger and the Legend of Indrid Cold | The Daily Yonder
Indrid Cold | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom
Exploring the Reports of Indrid Cold: A Man Behind the Mystery? – 16% Nation
Wtf is Indrid Cold!?!? : cryptids
(2) Indrid Cold: The Woodrow Derenberger Interview (WITH CAPTIONS) - YouTube
That Charming Man: Indrid Cold Reconsidered, Pt. 1
Fact or Fiction - Valiant Thor
Canine cryptids cover a broad range of dog-like creatures. Whether it's Hell Hound, Dogman, or Werewolves, these creatures have existed in legend for thousands of years. This episode is a compilation of supposedly true experiences and encounters with this phenomena.
Some of these seem more like supernatural/paranormal entities than cryptids, but let me know your thoughts on them.
I'll probably make the audio announcement with the next episode, but Obscure Appalachia will be live onstage, Sunday, October 29th at 6:00pm at Downtown Drafts in Gainesville, Georgia. I'm not sure if any of you are local, but if you are I'd love for you to come out, hear some spooky stories, have some yummy beers and meet me.
TW: Injury and death to wild animals, people... and cryptids.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Today's episode is a bit of a lighter one, focusing on Appalachian folklore. Tons of superstitions, omens, and general haint prevention filtered in to early Appalachian culture via the Scotch-Irish, German, and African settlers. Much of this folklore is still present in the area to this day and greatly influences daily life and belief.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Diamonds in My Coal bucket: Appalachian Word of the Week -- HAINTS
Southern traditions designed to repel haints and spirits
29 Southern superstitions we dare not question
Life Expectancy From Prehistory to 1800 to Today
Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk | Blind Pig and The Acorn
Appalachian Urban Legends: The Scary Truth? – The Heritage Herald
Interesting Weather Lore | Blind Pig and The Acorn
Haints: Ghosts and evil spirits from the old south – Keith Dotson Photography
History of the Gullah Culture - Pawleys Island
We hold our own: protecting hearth and home in the Appalachias – Holy Stones and Iron Bones
Superstition in Southern Appalachia - Smoky Mountain Living
Some Appalachian superstitions - Appalachian History
APPALACHIAN SUPERSTITIONS - The Applewood Manor
Tailypo: Appalachian Ohio native shares spooky folktale this Halloween
Appalachian Folklore, Monsters and Superstitions
The Appalachian Culture & History of the Blue Ridge Mountains - Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide
The Crawler is a lesser known cryptid from Appalachia and beyond that is lanky, pale, and skitters around on hands and feet. This is a story compilation of three peoples' experiences with this cryptid. Some by non-believers in the paranormal, which you know I'm all about.
TW: Animal injury (not graphic or severe), human injury by a cryptid, guns.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Phantoms and Monsters - Real Cryptid Encounter Reports - Fortean Researcher Lon Strickler
Phantoms and Monsters - Real Cryptid Encounter Reports - Fortean Researcher Lon Strickler
I have no idea what that creature was : Paranormal
We went back into the woods and found it again. : Thetruthishere
My long break explained - crawler sighting/hunt : Thetruthishere
David Grusch recently blew the whistle on secret UFO operations in US government. But how did this all begin?
TW: Brief mentions of alcoholism, bodily harm.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Whistleblower testifies U.S. salvaged 'non-human biologics' from UFO crash sites : NPR
UFO congressional hearing: Whistleblower says US concealing 'multi-decade' UFO program | AP News
Here are the 5 most memorable moments from Congress’ UFO hearing
UFO hearing key takeaways: cover-up claims and Pentagon denials | UFOs | The Guardian
UFO hearing key takeaways: What a whistleblower told Congress about UAPs - CBS News
Navy pilots recall "unsettling" 2004 UAP sighting - 60 Minutes - CBS News
The story behind the "Tic Tac" UFO sighting by Navy pilots in 2004 - CBS NewsPentagon Releases UFO Report: Here’s What’s Inside
UFO whistleblower says U.S. recovered nonhuman "biologics" from crash sites - YouTube
UFO Hearing: Whistleblower says people were harmed | NewsNation - YouTube
House hearing on UFOs: Officials and lawmakers push for more government transparency | CNN Politics
360 new UFO cases reported to U.S. intelligence agencies since March 2021
UFO report: US intelligence community releases long-awaited report | CNN Politics
Watch the Pentagon's three declassified UFO videos taken by U.S. Navy pilots - YouTube
READ: US intelligence community's unclassified report on UFOs | CNN Politics
How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously | The New Yorker
Please forgive the not so awesome audio in this announcement, we've had pouring rain all day that loved to act up while the microphone was on.
I have to take a short break while summer vacation is in its midst because parenting and podcasting don't exactly mix. But I'm aiming for a mid-August return for more spooky stories from Appalachia for y'all.
Patrons will still continue to receive bonus content throughout the hiatus.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia to stay abreast of updates and the return of the pod.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
It was fun to go to western Appalachia for this Huntsville episode. Maple Hill Cemetery is so enormous and historical it sounds fun to go even if you disregard the stories of hauntings. And Dead Children's Playground sounds so intriguing.
TW: Brief mentions of death, because it is about a cemetery. Mentions of death by poisoning. Overall a pretty tame episode, trigger wise.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus episodes visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Most Haunted: Maple Hill Cemetery - Our Valley Events
Dead Children's Playground at Maple Hill Cemetery | Huntsville Alabama | Real Haunted Place
Huntsville Ghost Walk offers haunting stories and plenty of history | WHNT.com
(1) Haunted Huntsville - The Dead Children's Playground - YouTube
Hunted Huntsville - EVENT Magazine
Ghosts of the Quarries | Pat Camalliere – The Cora Tozzi Historical Mystery Series
Are ghosts really attracted to limestone? | Tarot Forum
Maple Hill Cemetery (Huntsville, Alabama) - Wikipedia
New cremation burial site coming to Maple Hill Cemetery | rocketcitynow.com
The Moonlight Ride At Maple Hill: A Huntsville Ghost Story | We Are Huntsville
Anthony Robinson, deemed The Shopping Cart Killer, has been linked to at least five murders and a suspected sixth, but he could have countless victims throughout Appalachia and the upper east coast. This case is ongoing, but it's an important one, as more potential victims are still out there.
Anyone with information about this case, or any information about Robinson, including those he met through dating apps, should call Fairfax County PD’s Major Crimes Division at 703-246-7800. Those with anonymous tips can call 1-866-411-TIPS.
TW: Murder, sadism, sexual violence.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the podcast and get bonus content, visit patreon.com/obscureappalachia.
Submit your true paranormal, true crime stories, or love letters to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
ROBINSON Anthony Eugene | Serial Killer Database Wiki | Fandom
'Shopping cart killer' Anthony Robinson linked to 6th death
Anthony Robinson: ‘Shopping cart killer’ linked to death of sixth woman
Missing California woman ID'd as possible victim of 'shopping cart killer,' police say
Insanity defense considered for 'shopping cart killer' suspect | wusa9.com
Alleged ‘Shopping Cart Killer’ appears in court
Sanity evaluation granted for alleged Shopping Cart Killer
Alleged 'Shopping Cart Killer' to be given sanity evaluation
Judge Grants Sanity Evaluation In 'Shopping Cart Killer' Case | Crime | dnronline.com
Anthony Robinson Identified by Virginia Cops as Alleged ‘Shopping Cart Killer’ Serial Killer
Reviewing What We Know So Far About the Alleged "Shopping Cart Killer"
I'd recommend y'all check out the Ghost Hunters episode at Waverly Hills. I know, I know, I suspect TV shows often feel the need to have an experience happen for footage. But at least they're skeptical enough that I feel like it's a good start?
TW: Mentions of suicide, mass casualties from illness.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
Submit your true paranormal or true crime stories to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Y'all, the stories in the last episode were so intriguing I couldn't help but do a part two. Understanding a bit about the theories behind these glitches doesn't help me very much with understanding just how these things can happen. The stories themselves are just so abstract!
TW: Descriptions of accidents and mentions of death.
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
Submit your true paranormal or true crime stories to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Story sources for compilations remain private. However, the following sources were used to learn the theories supporting "glitches":
Quantum immortality - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This episode was pre-recorded, so if you hear some opinions of mine at the end that you swear you've heard before, you have. Glitch in the Matrix events are some of my favorite unexplained events. Not sure you can call them paranormal, but maybe!
TW: Description of vehicle accidents and accidental death. This one is light on triggers, honestly.
You can find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
To support the show and get bonus content visit Patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Submit your true paranormal or true crime stories to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Sources:
Sources for story compilations are kept private to protect those involved. They are occasionally slightly edited only for language or clarity, but never for content.
This is where history buffs find out that I am not one. But that doesn't mean I don't get sucked into the stories of the aftermath. Please forgive the sick voice yet again.
TW: War, mass casualties, brief and vague mention of child abuse (I elected not to go into that one).
Find me on social media at Obscure Appalachia.
Submit your true paranormal or true crime stories to obscureappalachia@gmail.com
Support the podcast and get bonus episodes at Patreon.com/obscureappalachia
Sources:
Battle of Gettysburg - Wikipedia
A Civil War historian walks with the ghosts of Gettysburg – Baltimore Sun
Gettysburg Battle Facts and Summary | American Battlefield Trust
The Haunted History of Gettysburg | Gettysburg Hotel, Gettysburg, PA
Ghosts of Gettysburg | Travel Channel
Ghosts of Gettysburg: The 10 most ghost-heavy, haunted spots - pennlive.com
A 'perfect storm' for the paranormal: touring America's most haunted town | Halloween | The Guardian
GHOSTS OF GETTYSBURG — American Hauntings
Ghosts of the American Civil War - Wikipedia
Reported Encounters With Gettysburg Ghosts
10 Facts: What Everyone Should Know About the Civil War | American Battlefield Trust
National Homestead: The Children’s Orphanage - US Ghost Adventures
Haunted Bridge In Gettysburg Is A Must-See in 2023 - Past Lane Travels