Believing the Bizarre: Paranormal Conspiracies & Myths

The Legend of BigfootYou've heard the whispers, seen the blurry footage, and maybe even felt a chill run down your spine in the deep woods. Yeah, we're talking about Bigfoot – the legendary creature that's captured millions of imaginations worldwide. But what exactly is this beast, and why does it keep evading scientific proof?Let's dive into the lore surrounding this elusive beast. Bigfoot, aka Sasquatch, is a towering, hairy humanoid said to roam the wilderness, leaving behind tales of its existence from the Pacific Northwest to the far corners of the globe. Despite its widespread fame, Bigfoot remains a cryptid, a creature whose existence hasn't been backed up by solid scientific evidence.  It's described as standing anywhere from 7 to 14 feet tall, weighing up to 500 pounds, and covered in shaggy fur. Its face is a blend of ape-like features and human resemblance, adding to the mystique. Known for its bipedal walk and immense strength, encountering Bigfoot is often accompanied by a putrid stench, signaling its presence.  Bigfoot sightings are most commonly reported in wooded areas of the northwestern U.S. and western Canada, although variations of the creature exist in folklore worldwide. Indigenous myths often spoke of hairy, wild men inhabiting the forests long before Bigfoot became a pop culture phenomenon.  Encounters with Bigfoot are characterized by a sense of being watched, accompanied by an eerie stillness in the woods. Witnesses often report hearing howls, grunts, and the sound of rocks being thrown, adding to the spine-chilling nature of the experience. Some claim to have stumbled upon Bigfoot nests or even witnessed the creature vanish into thin air, fueling speculation about its origins.  The history of Bigfoot sightings dates back centuries, with Indigenous cultures and early settlers sharing stories of encounters with giant, hairy beings. In modern times, the term "Bigfoot" gained widespread recognition in 1958, following a series of reported footprints discovered in California's Humboldt County. Since then, numerous sightings, photos, and videos have kept the Bigfoot legend alive.  Despite the lack of concrete proof, interest in Bigfoot persists, fueled by eyewitness accounts, tantalizing clues, and ongoing scientific exploration.Whether Bigfoot is a flesh-and-blood forest creature or a mysterious entity traversing dimensions, one thing's for sure – the allure of this elusive cryptid continues to captivate the human imagination. Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listener Submission Collection: Vol 7This collection includes four listener submissions of haunting stories. Dare to venture down the infamous Clinton Road, where reality blurs and the supernatural reigns. This desolate, winding stretch in northern New Jersey has spawned countless chilling tales - from an unsolved 1983 murder to whispers of occult rituals at the ominous "Ghost Boy Bridge."Prepare to be transported into a realm where phantom vehicles materialize and vanish without a trace, leaving witnesses shaken to their core.Immerse yourself in bone-chilling firsthand accounts that defy rationale. A young man's casual drive is disrupted by mysterious headlights that seem to chase him, only to evaporate into thin air upon nearing the road's end.A fabricated tale about a shadowy figure takes an eerie twist when the very entity manifests behind the storyteller. These gripping narratives will leave you questioning the fragile boundaries between our world and something far more sinister lurking just beyond the veil.From a child's innocent gaze into the abyss that unleashes visions of a hellish inferno, to a faceless entity reminiscent of the Slenderman legend materializing at a woman's bedside - this listener submission collection covers it all. Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/believingthebizarre For updates and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media: https://www.instagram.com/believingthebizarre/ https://www.facebook.com/believingthebizarre/  You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch here: https://believing-the-bizarre.creator-spring.com/ Join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/RFqzeQ8dVM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cardiff Haunting of Pete the PoltergeistIn the bustling streets of Cardiff, Wales, during the 1980s, an unassuming lawn mower repair shop became the stage for an extraordinary series of events. John Matthews, owner of Mower Services, found himself thrust into a world of the paranormal alongside his brother-in-law Fred and friend Ian.What started as a seemingly innocuous day of repairing mowers soon spiraled into an encounter with the supernatural.One afternoon, amidst the clang of metal tools, John and his companions were startled by loud bangs reverberating through their workshop. Investigating the source, they found no culprits, only an eerie quiet after the chaos.As wrenches began to swing on their own and stones seemingly hurled themselves, they realized they were not alone. Thus began their encounter with Pete, the mischievous poltergeist.The phenomenon extended beyond the workshop, infiltrating John's home and even catching the attention of local law enforcement. Witnesses reported objects materializing out of thin air and inexplicable swings in temperature.Despite the strangeness of it all, John and his companions found themselves engaging with Pete, playing games and even making requests that the poltergeist oddly seemed to fulfill.Pete's antics ranged from playful to perplexing, with objects appearing and disappearing at his whim. Yet, amidst the chaos, there was a strange sense of camaraderie between the living and the spectral.Despite the skepticism of some, the Cardiff haunting of Pete the Poltergeist remains a curious footnote in the annals of the paranormal.While the exact nature of Pete's existence may forever elude us, his playful interactions serve as a reminder that even in the most mundane of places, the extraordinary can manifest.Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in 1994, something really weird happened at a little elementary school called Ariel School in Ruwa, Zimbabwe. It was just a normal day at this small rural school with only 62 students.But then, during their morning break time, while the teachers were in a meeting, some of the kids saw something crazy in the sky.They said a flat, disc-shaped thing came down from the sky and landed on a hill nearby. The kids rushed over to the edge of the school to get a closer look. That's when they saw some figures coming out of the craft! But just as quickly as it landed, the disc took off again into the sky.At first, the teachers didn't really believe the kids' story. But the students told their parents, and soon people were investigating this "UFO incident" as they called it. When the kids were asked to draw what they saw, they all drew similar pictures of a silver disc and weird alien-like figures.Even though the students were from different backgrounds, they all described seeing basically the same thing.A professor from Harvard named John Mack looked into it and said the kids' stories seemed really credible. Some of them even said they got telepathic messages from the beings during the encounter!Of course, some people tried to explain it away by saying the kids were just making it up or experiencing mass hysteria. But their individual accounts were so detailed and emotional, it made that theory hard to believe.Not all the kids stuck to the same story though. One student named Dallyn later admitted he made his part up initially. But others like Emma and Salma insisted they vividly remembered the whole experience - it wasn't made up at all.Years later, most of those Ruwa students still haven't changed their story about seeing a real UFO that day. Even though some tried to discredit them, the Ariel School incident is considered one of the best and most mysterious UFO cases ever reported by multiple witnesses.So was it just a child's imagination running wild, or did those Zimbabwe kids actually encounter something from out of this world? That's still up for debate over 25 years later!Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another Creature Feature! These are Listener Submission Collections that are specifically about cryptids and creatures rather than ghosts or aliens. In this third installment, we have a handful of creepy and unsettling encounters with creatures our listeners have bumped into in the dead of night. But, are they believable? Listen now. Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zozo: The Ouija Board DemonZozo, the notorious demon associated with Ouija board encounters, stands out among supernatural entities for its alleged malevolent deeds.From documented cases like Darren Evans' ordeal to historical accounts of terrorized individuals, Zozo's presence looms large in paranormal lore, even inspiring cinematic portrayals such as the possessed character in "The Exorcist."The origins of Zozo trace back roughly two centuries, its name is sometimes spelled as "zoso" or "zozo."Despite variations, the entity's sinister reputation persists, often masquerading under aliases like "mama" to deceive unsuspecting users. Notably, Zozo employs manipulative tactics, luring victims into a false sense of security before unleashing unsettling remarks or moving the planchette away from the goodbye, trapping unwary participants.Warnings abound regarding Ouija board usage, with specific cautions against encountering Zozo or its aliases.The list of precautions includes never insulting spirits, avoiding solo sessions, and refraining from using the board in locations with dark histories. There's a whole list of warnings about never using a Ouija board alone, avoiding places with grim histories, and absolutely not provoking Zozo or any spirit entities. If you do encounter that demon, you're supposed to immediately shut down the session the right way to sever any connection.Of course, some people are skeptics and don't believe Zozo actually exists as a real entity. But the tales about its evil doings are so widespread and detailed, it shows how much this paranormal phenomenon creeps people out and captures our imagination about the unknown.Whether Zozo is a legit malicious force or just an urban legend, the story definitely serves as a cautionary warning about messing with occult stuff you may not fully understand. Steer clear of that demon!Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Exeter UFO IncidentIt was around 3am on September 3rd, 1965. This guy named Norman was hitchhiking home to Exeter, New Hampshire, after visiting his girlfriend in Massachusetts. Just a normal night, right? Well, things took a crazy turn when Norman was walking along Route 50 near a local farm owned by a guy named Mr. Dining.Up ahead, Norman noticed these five red flashing lights hovering over the farm. At first, he thought it was just the police. But as he got closer, he realized it was actually a massive, bright object about 80-90 feet wide just floating above the trees! It had all these pulsating red lights but was completely silent as it moved around erratically.Totally freaked out, Norman ran up to a nearby house, hoping to get help from the people living there. But no one answered, even with this eerie red glow from the object lighting up everything around them.A couple driving by ended up rescuing Norman and taking him straight to the police station to report what he saw.You'd think the cops might not believe such a crazy story. But the officer on duty, Reginald Toland, said he'd actually gotten similar reports recently of UFOs being spotted around town - even one chasing after a woman's car!Another officer, Eugene Bertrand Jr., went with Norman back out to the farm, and they both saw this weird object with pulsating red lights rising up silently from behind the trees.Bertrand quickly called for backup, and more officers arrived to see the phenomenon for themselves, including Patrolman David Hunt.With all these credible sightings, the police alerted the nearby Air Force base about the mysterious object.This Exeter UFO experience led to an insane battle between Norman and the police, fighting for their credibility for years to come.Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you notice if there was a paranormal force controlling you? Is it possible for a vacant space to invite in evil? It's listener submission time again and we have two creepy and unsettling stories for you. Listen now.Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another installment of Cursed Games - the paranormal and creepy games that could certainly lead to unsettling outcomes. In this episode, we dive into four spooky games: Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board, The Answer Man, Three Kings, and Dry Bones. Would you ever play a potentially paranormal game? We even found a few encounter stories to go along with learning these potentially cursed games. Listen now!Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unveiling the Filipino Haunting: Exploring the ManananggalOriginating from ancient Filipino folklore long before the Spanish colonization, the Manananggal is a haunting creature deeply embedded in the country's mythology. The name, derived from the Tagalog word meaning "to separate," represents a sub-type of the Aswang, a broader category encompassing various shape-shifting malevolent entities in local legend.Among the Aswang's repertoire are vampires, weredogs, witches, and the notorious Viscera Sucker, commonly known as the Manananggal.The Manananggal presents a chilling facade, appearing as an ordinary woman during the day, often deceiving those around her with her disguise. However, come nightfall, her true form emerges, marked by grotesque transformations.With bat-like wings sprouting from her arms, elongated tongues, and razor-sharp teeth, she embarks on a gruesome hunt.The most unsettling aspect of her metamorphosis is her ability to separate her upper body from her lower half, allowing her to fly off in search of prey, leaving her legs behind.Feeding on more than just blood like traditional vampires, the Manananggal's diet includes bodily fluids such as phlegm, with a preference for human organs, especially those of unborn babies.Pregnant women become prime targets for this fearsome creature, often falling victim to its insatiable hunger.Despite its terrifying nature, Filipino folklore offers methods of protection against the Manananggal, including the use of ash, garlic, herbs, and salt to ward off its malevolent presence.The legend of the Manananggal serves as a cautionary tale, reflecting societal values and fears. Its origins may stem from a desire to reinforce community bonds and warn against the dangers of vanity and envy.Additionally, the creature's attributes, such as its wings and elongated tongue, may offer explanations for natural phenomena, such as miscarriages and sudden deaths in the night, in the absence of scientific understanding.Personal accounts shared by individuals add layers of authenticity to the folklore surrounding the Manananggal. Tales of encounters with this supernatural being evoke both fear and fascination, highlighting the enduring power of folklore to captivate and terrify.Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordWant to discuss the episode on the day it drops with Tyler and Charlie? Follow on Twitch and check out the extended Twitch streams every Tuesday.Shop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices