This show was made for you.
You are someone with a healthy interest in the paranormal and just want to learn if there is any truth behind it all. You don’t think every bright light in the night sky is an interstellar craft. You don’t believe every speck of dust reflecting light in a photograph is a ghost. You want to understand the science, you want the evidence, and you don’t want to be dismissed just for wondering if there's something more.
In every episode of this show, we dissect paranormal topics from the perspective of skeptics, believers, and everyone in between. For every topic discussed, I will summarize the history and the science, suggest other resources so you can learn more, and I will discuss why people do and do not believe in the paranormal explanation. I also include interviews with witnesses, experts and enthusiasts. But, at the end of each episode it will always be up to you to decide for yourself.
Are you a Paranormal Optimist?
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This show was made for you.
You are someone with a healthy interest in the paranormal and just want to learn if there is any truth behind it all. You don’t think every bright light in the night sky is an interstellar craft. You don’t believe every speck of dust reflecting light in a photograph is a ghost. You want to understand the science, you want the evidence, and you don’t want to be dismissed just for wondering if there's something more.
In every episode of this show, we dissect paranormal topics from the perspective of skeptics, believers, and everyone in between. For every topic discussed, I will summarize the history and the science, suggest other resources so you can learn more, and I will discuss why people do and do not believe in the paranormal explanation. I also include interviews with witnesses, experts and enthusiasts. But, at the end of each episode it will always be up to you to decide for yourself.
Are you a Paranormal Optimist?
We’ve reached the final chapter of our 3-part Mothman series! In this episode, I’ll share my own theory on what Mothman might be, or maybe still is, if he’s out there today. From there, we’ll zoom out to ask: what do we do with all this lore? We’ll explore why people continue to cling to the legend, how Mothman has spread his wings in pop culture, and even some modern sightings that prove the story isn’t going anywhere.
Find Paranormal Optimist on all your favorite platforms:
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Music:
www.purple-planet.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guhZN8MBfyY&list=RDguhZN8MBfyY&start_radio=1
Sources Cited in Today’s Episode:
DeCoste, S. (n.d.). 2023 Mothman Festival summons economic boom for point pleasant | WOWK 13 news. 13 News. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/mason-county-wv/2023-mothman-festival-summons-economic-boom-for-point-pleasant/
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2025, August 21). Thunderbird. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/thunderbird-mythological-bird
H., S. (n.d.-a). Mothman Myth & How Folklore Overshadowed Real tragedy. Mythfolks. https://www.mythfolks.com/mothman-legend
Harvey, A. (2024, August 1). The Chicago Mothman, the creepy red-eyed humanoid allegedly seen flying throughout the city. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/chicago-mothman
Horowitz, D. (n.d.). Thunderbird (cryptozoology): Research starters: EBSCO research. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/zoology/thunderbird-cryptozoology
Phantoms & Monsters. Phantoms Monsters RSS. (n.d.). https://phantomsandmonsters.com/post/9218168018845603639
SpookySight. (n.d.). Mothman 1966-2024 sightings map by SpookySight · MapHub. MapHub. https://maphub.net/SpookySight/wisconsincaps-mothman-sightings
Terry, J. (2024, July 27). People keep seeing the Mothman in Chicago. VICE. https://www.vice.com/en/article/mothman-sightings-in-chicago
Up-to-date Mothman sighting map: All encounters from 1966 to 2024. spookysight.com. (2024, December 9). https://spookysight.com/updated-mothman-sighting-map
Watts, B. (n.d.). University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Uknowledge Uknowledge. UKnowledge. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1036&context=ltt_etds
Paranormal Optimist
This show was made for you.
You are someone with a healthy interest in the paranormal and just want to learn if there is any truth behind it all. You don’t think every bright light in the night sky is an interstellar craft. You don’t believe every speck of dust reflecting light in a photograph is a ghost. You want to understand the science, you want the evidence, and you don’t want to be dismissed just for wondering if there's something more.
In every episode of this show, we dissect paranormal topics from the perspective of skeptics, believers, and everyone in between. For every topic discussed, I will summarize the history and the science, suggest other resources so you can learn more, and I will discuss why people do and do not believe in the paranormal explanation. I also include interviews with witnesses, experts and enthusiasts. But, at the end of each episode it will always be up to you to decide for yourself.
Are you a Paranormal Optimist?
