This week on Paranormal Optimist, we’re getting into the Halloween spirit with a few eerie stories from friends of the show that blur the line between coincidence and the uncanny. From strange synchronicities to the comfort we find in believing there’s meaning behind life’s chaos, we explore why ordinary moments can sometimes feel otherworldly. Whether it’s evolution, psychology, or something more mysterious, today’s episode asks: when life feels too weird to be random, does it really matter if it’s paranormal or not? Music: www.Purple-Planet.com Find Paranormal Optimist everywhere! https://linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Sources Cited in Today’s Episode: Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). Synchronicity. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/synchronicity

In this episode, we dive into the mystery of 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar object that captured worldwide attention. We talk about its discovery, what scientists determined it to be, and why some still questioned whether it could have been created by intelligent life. The discussion explores why people are drawn to these theories, how science helps separate fact from speculation, and what real evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence might look like. Music: www.Purple-Planet.com Find Paranormal Optimist everywhere! https://linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Sources Cited in Today’s Episode: Astronomers discover third-ever interstellar object: 3i/Atlas. Sci.News: Breaking Science News. (2025, July 3). https://www.sci.news/astronomy/interstellar-object-3i-atlas-14041.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIf%203I/ATLAS’s%20brightness%20stems,to%20the%20Sun%20to%20observe. Fox 32 Chicago. (n.d.). Avi Loeb on new 3I/ATLAS images: ‘It doesn’t look like a typical comet.’ YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiS5-eoa9IE Fuge, L. (2021, May 6). How to recognise an alien spaceship. Cosmos. https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/how-to-recognise-an-alien-spaceship/ Howells, K. (n.d.). What is Comet 3i/Atlas?. The Planetary Society. https://www.planetary.org/articles/what-is-comet-3i-atlas#:~:text=3I/ATLAS%2C%20also%20called%20C,telescope%20in%20Hawai%60i.%20%60 IAU. (n.d.). The International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Center. The NEO Confirmation Page. https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/NEO/toconfirm_tabular.html Loeb, A. (2025, July 27). Did 3i/Atlas Go Viral?. Medium. https://avi-loeb.medium.com/did-3i-atlas-go-viral-20707d5b60fc Mishra, T. (n.d.). “brace for impact”: What would happen if 3i/Atlas Comet actually hits earth? Wion. https://www.wionews.com/photos/-brace-for-impact-what-would-happen-if-3i-atlas-comet-actually-hits-earth-1759399027517 NASA. (2025, October 1). Comet 3i/Atlas - NASA Science. NASA. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/comets/3i-atlas/#:~:text=Discovered%20in%202017%2C%20’Oumuamua%20was,How%20fast%20is%20it%20moving? NASA. (n.d.). Scout: NEOCP hazard assessment. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/scout/#/ The ATLAS Project. (n.d.). Asteroid terrestrial-impact last alert system . ATLAS. https://atlas.fallingstar.com/#:~:text=Asteroid%20Terrestrial%2Dimpact%20Last%20Alert,night%20looking%20for%20moving%20objects.

In this special two-part conversation, we stepped into the world of modern paranormal investigation with Kayla and Jacob of Soluna Investigations. In Part I, we got to know the team behind Soluna.How they prepared for fieldwork, the tools they relied on, and the reasoning that guided their methods. They also shared insights from their time investigating the historic Bruce Mansion in Michigan and raised some fascinating questions about the true nature of ghosts. In Part II, the conversation turns practical as Kayla and Jacob offer advice for those curious about fieldwork. We touch on how to get started and what every investigator should keep in mind. Throughout both parts, they reveal how curiosity, science, and spirituality intertwine in their pursuit of the unknown, giving us a rare look at what drives today’s ghost hunters. Music: www.Purple-Planet.com Find Paranormal Optimist everywhere! https://linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Find and follow Soluna Investigations: https://www.youtube.com/@Soluna.Investigations https://www.tiktok.com/@soluna.investigations?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.facebook.com/soluna.investigations https://www.instagram.com/soluna.investigations/

This episode marks the beginning of a fascinating two-part collaboration with Soluna Investigations. Join me as Kayla and Jacob share how they approach the world of paranormal research—from their investigative prep and favorite tools to the deeper “why” behind their work. Along the way, we revisit their time at Bruce Mansion in Michigan and wrestle with the big question: what is the true nature of a ghost? Thoughtful, grounded, and a little eerie—this one will stay with you. Find Paranormal Optimist on all your favorite platforms: linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Find and follow Soluna Investigations: https://www.youtube.com/@Soluna.Investigations https://www.tiktok.com/@soluna.investigations?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.facebook.com/soluna.investigations https://www.instagram.com/soluna.investigations/ Music: www.purple-planet.com

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: linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast 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

In this part of the Mothman series, we’re hitting pause before falling headfirst into the rabbit hole. Today, we’ll look at why some folks shrug Mothman off as nothing more than a big bird or a big myth — and why others are absolutely convinced he’s something far stranger and maybe even supernatural. It’s skepticism vs. belief, and Mothman is right in the middle. But don’t worry, this isn’t the end of the story. Next time, I’ll share my own theory about what Mothman could really be, dig into why this winged weirdo grabbed the world’s attention, and explore modern sightings, pop culture cameos, and even the way Mothman has been turned into toys and festival mascots. Stick around — things are only getting stranger from here! Find Paranormal Optimist on all your favorite platforms: linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Music credit: www.purple-planet.com Sources Cited in Today’s Episode: Cornell. (n.d.). Sandhill Crane identification, all about birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/id Database : 1966 – 1967, Appalachian Oddity. Appalachian Oddity. (n.d.). https://www.appalachianoddity.org/database-1966-1967/ Enlighten : Who is the Mothman of Point Pleasant. The College of Psychic Studies. (n.d.). https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/enlighten/who-is-the-mothman-of-point-pleasant/ Feres, M., & Feres, M. F. N. (2023, March 27). Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Journal of applied oral science : revista FOB. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10065758/ H., S. (n.d.). Mothman Myth & How Folklore Overshadowed Real tragedy. Mythfolks. https://www.mythfolks.com/mothman-legend New York University. (2020, June 5). NYU shanghai prof finds distance threshold for reliable eyewitness identification. NYU Shanghai. https://shanghai.nyu.edu/news/nyu-shanghai-prof-finds-distance-threshold-reliable-eyewitness-identification#:~:text=Could%20you%20remember%20enough%20about,’%E2%80%9D Raypole, C. (2022, May 2). Mass hysteria: Definition, examples, causes, and more. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/mass-hysteria Schwarz, J. (n.d.). Witnesses’ eyes deceive them when distance is too great. UW News. https://www.washington.edu/news/2005/02/17/witnesses-eyes-deceive-them-when-distance-is-too-great/#:~:text=At%20200%20feet%20you%20would,that%20made%20a%20face%20unrecognizable. Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). Pareidolia. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/pareidolia#:~:text=Pareidolia%20is%20a%20phenomenon%20wherein,friend%20or%20an%20unfamiliar%20foe. The true story behind the mothman of west virginia. US Ghost Adventures. (2022, October 21). https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-stories/31-days-of-halloween/the-true-story-behind-the-mothman-of-west-virginia/#:~:text=Just%20three%20days%20after%20their,Mothman%20started%20to%20take%20shape.

In Part I of our Mothman series, we’re rewinding to 1966 Point Pleasant. And let me warn you, things got weird fast. We’ll unpack what people think they know about this winged wonder, dip into West Virginia’s spooky backstory, and meet characters like Mary Hyre and John Keel, who may or may not have gotten more than they bargained for. Part II will take us further into belief, skepticism, and modern sightings, but for now, let’s begin where the legend truly started. Have a paranormal story to share, an idea for a future episode, or maybe you’d like to be a guest on the show? I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at ParanormalOptimist@gmail.com. Have a story or link to Mothman or Point Pleasant? Please send me an email! Find Paranormal Optimist on all your favorite platforms: linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Music credit: www.purple-planet.com Sources Cited in Today’s Episode: Keel, J. A. (2013). The Mothman prophecies. Tor. Screen Gems & Lakeshore Entertainment. (2002). The Mothman Prophecies [Film]. Mark Pellington. Ocker, J. W. (2023). The United States of cryptids. A tour of American myths and Monsters. Blackstone Publishing. Sergent, D., & Wamsley, J. (2002). Mothman: The facts behind the legend. Mothman Lives Pub. Witkoski, M. (2004). History of west virginia: Research starters: EBSCO research. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/history-west-virginia West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. (2024, April 30). West Virginia Plants & Animals - WVDNR. WVDNR. https://wvdnr.gov/plants-animals/ Reports, W. N., & photo, S. (2025, March 28). Cryptids of west virginia: From Mothman to ogua and beyond. WV News. https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/cryptids-of-west-virginia-from-mothman-to-ogua-and-beyond/article_68e6d0d3-15a9-430d-b067-8dc6c75861b1.html#:~:text=The%20Ogua%20is%20a%20water,local%20festivals%2C%20and%20storytelling%20traditions. O’Neill, C. (2012, January 23). Welcome to the “TNT area,” home of the Mothman. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2012/01/23/145334460/welcome-to-the-tnt-area-home-of-the-mothman Fisher, B. (2020, September 2). Why John Keel?. 6 Degrees of John Keel. https://6degreesofjohnkeel.com/blog/why-john-keel Encyclopedia.com. (2025, September 9). Keel, John A(lva) (1930-). Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/keel-john-alva-1930 Media, T. B. A. (2024, November 25). Mothman myth rooted in Messenger reporter’s work. The Athens Messenger. https://www.athensmessenger.com/news/mothman-myth-rooted-in-messenger-reporters-work/article_eae63596-c338-576c-97b2-3c445379ad1c.html Wikia, C. to T. (n.d.). Mary Hyre. TheMothMan Wikia. https://themothman.fandom.com/wiki/Mary_Hyre

Join Paranormal Optimist this year at Hippie Fest 2025! I will have a table set up on Saturday, September 13th! Come talk to me about everything weird and wonderful! This event is hosted by RiverSide-Gypsy! Check out their page and the event page for more information. Link to the Event Page: Hippie Fest 2025 Follow RiverSide-Gypsy on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/RiverSideGypsy Click here to follow Paranormal Optimist on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Music: www.Purple-Planet.com

It’s another Tuesday and another episode of Paranormal Optimist! This week, we finally get the chance to hear some paranormal experiences! The stories from today’s episode were recorded by friends of the show Jessica, April, and Matt. I for one had no idea what to expect when I opened the show up to the personally paranormal, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Tune it to hear about aliens, shadow people, ghost swimmers, and more! If you’d like to be a guest on the show, suggest an episode, or have a story you’d like to share for the podcast, send me an email at ParanormalOptimist@gmail.com. Music: www.purple-planet.com Click here to follow the show on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Sources Cited in Today’s Episode: Bradford, A., & Gordon, J. (2022, February 8). Empirical evidence: A definition. LiveScience. https://www.livescience.com/21456-empirical-evidence-a-definition.html Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Anecdotal evidence definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anecdotal%20evidence#:~:text=noun,based%20only%20on%20anecdotal%20evidence. Tsang, A. (n.d.). Dismissal & invalidation in relationships: Sage therapy. Sage Therapy: In-person & Online Therapists. https://www.sagetherapy.com/post/dismissal-and-invalidation-insight-on-their-impact-and-significance#:~:text=If%20we%20were%20to%20Google,them%20is%20not%20being%20taken.

We’re back with another episode of Paranormal Optimist! This week, we talk about the haunted history of the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Tune in to hear about thousands of unmarked graves under the feet of pedestrians, prohibition era ghosts who just love to drink, cult ties, human sacrifice, and a ghost who constantly reenacts his own death from the final chapter of his saga of crime. Fun, right? If you’d like to be a guest on the show, suggest an episode, or have a story you’d like to share for the podcast, send me an email at ParanormalOptimist@gmail.com. Music: www.purple-planet.com Click here to follow the show on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Sources Cited in Today’s Episode: Bannos, P. (n.d.). Hidden truths. https://hiddentruths.northwestern.edu/confusion/hidden/cem_in_park.html Bannos, P. (n.d.). Hidden truths. https://hiddentruths.northwestern.edu/couch/tomb.html Bannos, P. (n.d.). Hidden truths. Remaining Vestiges: Frances M. Pearce Memorial. https://hiddentruths.northwestern.edu/evidence/vestiges/pearce.html Bannos, P. (n.d.). Hidden truths: 1998 excavation. (n.d.). https://hiddentruths.northwestern.edu/evidence/excavation.html ChloeAttention: This post is over 3 years old and the information may be out of date.Attention: This post is over 3 years old and the information may be out of date.September 14, & Chloe. (2020, September 14). Exploring history through Chicago’s earliest cemeteries. Chicago Public Library. https://www.chipublib.org/blogs/post/chicagos-earliest-cemeteries/ Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). John Dillinger | Federal Bureau of Investigation. History. https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/john-dillinger Harrington, A. (n.d.). Chicago hauntings: The mysteries of the couch mausoleum in Lincoln Park and who, if anyone, is entombed there. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-hauntings-the-mysteries-of-the-couch-mausoleum-in-lincoln-park-and-who-if-anyone-is-entombed-there/ Innovaxis Marketing. (2021, October 20). John Barleycorn’s Wrigleyville: Chicago Bar Project Review. Chicago Bar Project. https://chibarproject.com/reviews/barleycornwrigleyville/ Jaffe, L. (2015, June 18). In Chicago, eternal rest ain’t so eternal. WBEZ. https://www.wbez.org/curious-city/2015/06/17/in-chicago-eternal-rest-aint-so-eternal John Dillinger lives. America’s Haunted Roadtrip. (2021, August 20). http://americashauntedroadtrip.com/john-dillinger-lives/ Johnson, S. (2020, September 9). Who is John Barleycorn? || gruesome origins & modern retellings. ARCANE ALCHEMY. https://www.arcane-alchemy.com/blog/2020/9/9/who-is-john-barleycorn-gruesome-origins-amp-modern-retellings#:~:text=If%20you%20haven’t%20ever,Song%2C%20give%20it%20a%20listen.&text=The%20story%20of%20John%20Barleycorn,John%20Barleycorn%20is%20even%20older. Selvam, A. (2023, April 17). John Barleycorn’s Lincoln Park Space finds a new tenant after nine years. Eater Chicago. https://chicago.eater.com/2023/4/17/23687129/bad-apple-lincoln-park-john-barleycorn-burgers-prohibition Sobottka, S. (2025, May 29). Biograph Theater. Haunted Houses. https://hauntedhouses.com/illinois/biograph-theater/ US Ghost Adventures. (2025, April 16). Hauntings at the Golden Dagger . Windy City Ghosts. https://windycityghosts.com/hauntings-at-the-golden-dagger/

We’re back again with another episode of Paranormal Optimist! In today’s episode we take a close look at the field of Cryptozoology. Find out why scientists want you to hate it, why you can blame Bigfoot for all your problems in life, and also why it actually might not be the worst thing in the world to study cryptids. If you’d like to be a guest on the show, suggest an episode, or have a story you’d like to share for the podcast, send me an email at ParanormalOptimist@gmail.com. Music: www.purple-planet.com Click here to follow the show on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/Paranormal_Optimist_Podcast Sources Cited in Today’s Episode: 7 legendary cryptids that turned out to be real! | ancient origins. Ancient Origins. (n.d.). https://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/cryptids-0017386 Clark, J., & Coleman, L. (1999). Cryptozoology A to Z. Simon & Schuster. Cryptozoology: EBSCO. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | www.ebsco.com. (n.d.). https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/science/cryptozoology Freeman, R. (2019). Adventures in cryptozoology: Hunting for yetis, Mongolian deathworms and other not-so-mythical monsters. volume 1. Mango Publishing Group. Heuvelmans, B. (1995). On the track of unknown animals: By Bernard Heuvelmans. Kegan Paul International. Loxton, D., & Prothero, D. R. (2015). Abominable science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and other famous cryptids. Columbia University Press. Ocker, J. W. (2023). The United States of Cryptids: A tour of american myths and monsters. Quirk Books. Ptacin, M. (2022, November 4). Loren Coleman and the Radical Field of Cryptozoology. Maine. https://www.themainemag.com/loren-coleman-and-the-radical-field-of-cryptozoology/#close Squonkapalooza. (n.d.). Squonkapalooza. https://squonkapalooza.com/ The ISC Newsletter Collection (international society of cryptozoology) : International Society of Cryptozoology : Free Download, borrow, and streaming. Internet Archive. (1982, January 1). https://archive.org/details/The-ISC-Newsletter-Collection/The%20ISC%20Newsletter%2C%20Vol%201%20No%201%2C%20Spring%201982/ Von, P. (2019, July 9). The lake monster leaves its mark on the Shore Line of Lake Champlain. WPTZ. https://www.mynbc5.com/article/the-lake-monster-leaves-its-mark-on-the-shore-line-of-lake-champlain/28327686