Kid Cryptid: Recent Episodes
Shawn Yates
Join a father and son as they explore the folklore and legends surrounding some of the worlds most famous mythological creatures
Here we are at the end of the line. Join Shawn and Elias for one last run as they look into the fiendish mechanics known as Gremlins!
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
Research for this episode from:
http://www.ancientpages.com/2015/09/09/gremlins-highly-mechanical-creatures-in-mythology/
https://www.historynet.com/gremlins.htm
https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2015/07/the-real-gremlins-of-wwii/
From seemingly out of nowhere, Slenderman burst onto the scene. Join Shawn for a crash course in the history of this modern urban legend.
Research for this episode from:
https://techcrunch.com/2014/06/30/the-story-of-slenderman-the-internets-own-monster/
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/slender-man-film-true-story-internet-stabbing-urban-legend-horror-origins-a8508716.html
https://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/just-in/2018-10-31/slender-man-perfect-monster-our-time
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
Walk fast, jog, or run! Try to keep up with Shawn and Elias as they take on everyone's favorite undead: Zombies!
*Episode deals with slightly heavier topics than usual.
Research for this episode from:
https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/history-of-zombies
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/how-america-erased-the-tragic-history-of-the-zombie/412264/
https://www.livescience.com/23892-zombies-real-facts.html
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
If you've ever felt like you're running in circles you've likely got nothing on this week's critter. Join Elias as he chases down the one-way cryptid known as the Sidehill Gouger.
Research for this episode from:
http://mythologicalbeastiesandco.blogspot.com/2010/09/sidehill-gouger.html
http://hoaxes.org/animals/comments/sidehill_gouger
https://monster.fandom.com/wiki/Sidehill_Gouger
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
Keep an eye to the sky and be ready to run as Elias and Shawn to looking for those giant avian terrors: Thunderbirds!
Research for this episode from:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-mythic-child-stealing-thunderbirds-of-illinois.amp
https://www.singularfortean.com/news/2018/3/30/investigator-photographs-giant-bird-40-miles-west-of-chicago
https://www.liveabout.com/the-giant-thunderbird-returns-3862215
https://mythology.net/mythical-creatures/thunderbird/
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
Is that a knock at the door? Don't answer it! Let Shawn tell you why as he explains all about the black eyed children.
https://rare.us/rare-life/black-eyed-children/
https://www.liveabout.com/black-eyed-kids-horror-or-hoax-2594476
https://creepypasta.fandom.com/wiki/Black-Eyed_People
https://sites.psu.edu/urbanlegends/2019/03/29/black-eyed-children/
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
Into the woods we go! But not too deep. Keep a lookout with Shawn and Elias as they take a harmless look at the pukwudgie.
Research for this episode from:
http://www.native-languages.org/pukwudgie.htm
http://spookysouthcoast.com/pukwudgies-myth-or-monster/
http://www.paranormal-encounters.com/wp/what-exactly-is-a-puckwudgie/
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
Put on your running shoes and get behind a tree while Elias takes you on the hunt for the hoop snake!
Research for this episode from:
http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/htmlsite/editors_pick/1925_01-02_pick.html
https://www.australiantraveller.com/australia/detours016-myth-traveller-hoop-snakes/
https://www.al.com/strange-alabama/2012/04/hoop_snakes_are_no_hula_hoops.html
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
Despite having a bit of a cold, Shawn joins Elias on a search for the extremely elusive Ozark Howler.
Research for this episode from:
https://exemplore.com/cryptids/The-Ozark-Howler-Mythical-Beast-or-Elaborate-Hoax
http://ozarkhowler.info/
https://medium.com/@ralph_71655/the-ozark-howler-and-the-black-dogs-of-death-e076f6831fa4
http://www.unlocktheozarks.org/stories/folklore-legends-and-myths/ozark-howler/
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
Sometimes odd happenings wind up being more than just coicedence. Join Shawn as he takes a look at the murders at Hinterkaifeck.
Warning: This episode is a bit darker than the others. Parents may want to screen it first.
Research for this episode from:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hinterkaifeck-memorial
https://defrostingcoldcases.com/case-month-hinterkaifeck/
https://gagersdaily.com/hinterkaifeck-killer-named/
Kid Cryptid Theme by Tom Parsons
You better watch out. You better not cry. Shawn and Elias are prepared to tell you why when Krampus comes to town.
Research for this episode from:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/krampus-could-come-you-holiday-season-180957438/
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/santa-s-horned-helper-fearsome-legend-krampus-christmas-punisher-004799
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2018/12/131217-krampus-christmas-santa-devil/
Kid Cryptid theme by Tom Parsons
Winter festivities are just around the corner. But it's not all fun and games as Elias is happy to share when he talks about the Yule cat.
Research for this episode:
https://www.wilderutopia.com/traditions/folklore/the-yule-cat-monster-of-iceland/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/each-christmas-icelands-yule-cat-takes-fashion-policing-extreme-180961420/
https://www.iizcat.com/post/4373/The-Christmas-Cat-of-Iceland-a-giant-terrifying-cat-that-gobbles-up-children-if-they-039-re-bad
Theme music by Tom Parsons
If it's a quest ye seek, ready your steed and join Shawn and Elias this week as they go hunting for dragons!
Research for this episode from:
https://www.ancient.eu/article/1125/the-dragon-in-ancient-china/
https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons
https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2019/02/a-strange-history-of-real-dragons/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/25559-dragons.html
Music arragned and performed by Tom Parsons
The story has been told nearly everywhere and every when. Join Shawn as he goes looking for hitchhiking ghosts.
Research for this episode from:
http://myths.e2bn.org/mythsandlegends/origins13483-the-hitchhiker.html
https://www.liveabout.com/the-vanishing-hitchhiker-3299345
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
For one wild night a strange creature sent panic through a small West Virginia town. Join Shawn and Elias as they go looking for the Flatwoods Monster.
Research for this episode from:
https://www.history.com/.amp/news/flatwoods-monster-west-virginia
http://bluebookarchive.org/documentation/about_bba.aspx
http://www.wvculture.org/goldenseal/Fall02/legend.html
https://www.roadsideamerica.com/creatures/flatwoods-monster.html
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
Give a listen to our friends at Paudville: https://www.podicongo.com/paudeville.html
Have you ever thought you heard something crying in the woods? Let Elias tell you about the squonk, quite possibly the saddest cryptid of all.
Research for this episode from:
https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Squonk
https://medium.com/@indrachapa/the-teary-squonk-474d350c84a1
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/magical-mythical-beings
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
Can something be a cryptid if it already exists? We think so! Find out how as Shawn and Elias tackle the thylacine!
Research for this episode from
https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/australia-over-time/extinct-animals/the-thylacine/
https://www.britannica.com/animal/thylacine
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/16/australia/tasmanian-tiger-intl-hnk-scli/index.html
https://www.popularmechanics.com/about/a29550570/tasmanian-tiger-sightings/
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2013/09/dingoes-cleared-of-mainland-extinctions/
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
Happy Halloween! Join Shawn for a look at a true holiday icon and just how much it truly ties into the season.
Research for this episode from:
https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/jack-olantern-history
https://www.boston.com/news/history/2014/10/29/the-history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-how-it-all-began-with-a-turnip
https://owlcation.com/humanities/Jack-OLantern-and-His-Many-Cousins-Also-Named-Jack
http://www.hauntedbay.com/history/jol.shtml
Check out our friends at HappyGoLukky: https://www.podicongo.com/happygolukky.html
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
In the spirit of Halloween, Shawn and Elias go looking for the origins of the Headless Horseman and track down the Dullahan.
Research for this episode from:
https://dullahan.com/
https://www.theirishplace.com/heritage/the-dullahan/
http://www.irelandseye.com/paddy3/monstatxti.htm
Visit our friends at the Gigantic Adventures of Jeff and Simon: https://www.podicongo.com/jeffandsimon.html
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
Join Elias for a talk about that wiliest critter of the American West, the Jackalope
Research for this episode from:
https://www.wired.com/2014/05/fantastically-wrong-jackalope/
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-americas/jackalope-0011623
https://allthatsinteresting.com/jackalope
Visit our friends at Amazing Wilidlife! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/amazing-wildlife/id1474472848
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
Join Shawn and Elias as they once again dive into the mysterious ocean depths in search of the Kraken.
http://theconversation.com/the-real-life-origins-of-the-legendary-kraken-52058
http://www.unmuseum.org/kraken.htm
https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-myths-legends-europe/legendary-kraken-00267
https://www.wired.com/2014/09/fantastically-wrong-legend-of-the-kraken/
Vist our friends at Just the Zoo of Us: https://www.justthezooofus.com/
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
In this week's episode, Shawn investigates an unsolved murder and wonders who put Bella in the wych elm?
Research for this episode:
https://crimereads.com/who-put-bella-in-the-wych-elm/
http://mentalfloss.com/article/541525/digital-reconstruction-reveals-face-murder-victim-bella-wych-elm
https://theunredacted.com/the-hagley-woods-mystery-bella-in-the-wych-elm/
Visit our friends from Elderberry Tales at https://www.elderberrytales.com/
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
Join Shawn and Elias as they share their Cryptid Con trip by recounting the tale of the Hopkinsville goblin.
https://www.singularfortean.com/singularjournal/2017/11/6/the-kelly-hopkinsville-goblins
https://www.countryliving.com/life/a44064/eclipseville-hopkinsville-ky-history/
https://www.courierpress.com/story/life/columnists/2017/08/21/history-lesson-goblins-hopkinsville/104796526/
Geraldine Stith’s presentation at Cryptid Con 2019
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
Join Elias for a brief rundown of the vicious and stealthy Australian beast known the drop bear.
https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/mammals/drop-bear/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/australias-real-life-drop-bears.aspx
https://www.greatvaluevacations.com/travel-inspiration/know-before-you-go-australian-drop-bears
Music arranged and performed by Tom Parsons
Ghosts, fairies, or something else entirely? Follow Elias and Shawn into the mines as they talk about the mysterious knockers.
http://www.icysedgwick.com/knockers/
https://www.transceltic.com/cornish/faeries-of-cornish-tin-mines-cousin-jack-and-tommyknockers
https://seeksghosts.blogspot.com/2015/03/cornish-knockers.html
https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A26353596
Music composed and performed by Tom Parsons
In this week's episode, Shawn takes a brief look at the mysterious deaths of several hikers in Dyatlov Pass.
Sometimes what seems like a monster turns out to be something else entirely. Join Shawn and Elias as they take a look at Melon Heads.
Research for this episode from:
http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/the-melon-heads-of-connecticut/
http://www.the13thfloor.tv/2017/04/26/the-frightening-melon-head-legend-from-ohio-michigan-and-connecticut/
https://maps.roadtrippers.com/stories/beware-the-menacing-melon-heads-roaming-rural-michigan
https://www.americas-most-haunted.com/2014/06/10/the-case-for-cryptids-melon-heads/
http://www.damnedct.com/the-melon-heads
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
Join Elias for a brief rundown of the bizarre Bavarian critter known as the wolpertinger
Hiding in shadows of night, Vampires been heroes, villains, and things in between. Join Shawn and Elias as they discuss these blood sucking fiends.
Research for this episode from:
https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/vampire-history
https://www.britannica.com/topic/vampire
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/10/vampires-europe-new-england-halloween-history/
https://www.livescience.com/24374-vampires-real-history.html
Music composed and performed by Tom Parsons
In our first Campfire Compendium, Shawn runs through some background on the classic sleepover legend of Bloody Mary.
Campfire Compendium is the second type of mini-episode we're introducing to fill in space between Kid Cryptid episodes. Dealing more with urban legends and unsolved mysteries, these episodes make for good story telling fodder.
Research for this episode from:
https://allthatsinteresting.com/bloody-mary
http://www.scaryforkids.com/bloody-mary-legend/
https://livescifi.tv/2011/10/bloody-mary-how-to/#gs.tjkfvi
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-I
Kid Cryptid Theme by composed and recorded by Tom Parsons
Experiement gone wrong or creature from worlds beyond? Omen of bad to come or bringer of destruction? Join Shawn and Elias as they talk about Mothman.
Research for this episode from:
https://theportalist.com/4-alleged-mothman-sightings-that-preceded-disasters
https://allthatsinteresting.com/mothman
https://www.prairieghosts.com/moth.html
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
Emerging from the depths of Loch Ness, the creature known as Nessie has captured the imaginations of people for centuries. Join Shawn and Elias as they take a look at the Loch Ness Monster!
Research for this episode from:
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/loch-ness-monster-sighted
http://www.nessie.co.uk/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Loch-Ness-monster-legendary-creature
https://nypost.com/2019/06/04/the-loch-ness-monster-might-be-real-life-dinosaur-scientists-say/
https://www.visitinvernesslochness.com/explore-the-scottish-highlands/loch-ness-myths-and-legends/
https://www.donttakepictures.com/dtp-blog/2017/4/19/the-loch-ness-monster-turns-83-the-story-of-the-surgeons-photograph
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
Wandering along the coasts of Iceland is a strange little creature with a supposed reputation for bothering sheep. But is it everything it seems? Join Shawn and Elias as they take a look at the shore laddie!
Research for this episode from:
https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Shore_Laddie
https://islkynjaverur.weebly.com/fjoumlrulalli.html (with help from Google Translate)
https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC62EV8_maggi-10?guid=0a50359f-4ab8-4a3e-a55e-a796810eafc0
https://grapevine.is/icelandic-culture/art/monster-of-the-month/2016/03/04/9947924/
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
Lurking under the train tracks near Pope Lick Creek is strange creature that has supposedly lured a number of people to their deaths. Join Shawn and Elias as they learn about the Pope Lick Monster. Research for this episode from:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/pope-lick-trestle-bridge
https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Pope_Lick_Monster
https://crypto-para.org/cryptid-db/goat-man/
http://goatweb.com/mythological-symbolic-significance-of-goats/
https://gnosticwarrior.com/goat.html
http://www.louisvilleghs.com/LGHS_MASTER/SUB/Legends/Pope%20Lick/The%20Legend%20of%20Pope%20Lick.html
https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Pope_Lick_Monster
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
Feeding on livestock in the night, this creature burst onto the scene in the mid 90's. Join Shawn and Elias as they explore the panic created by the Chupacabra.
Research for this episode from:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/chupacabra
https://www.livescience.com/24036-chupacabra-facts.html
https://www.csicop.org/si/show/mistaken_memories_of_vampires_pseudohistories_of_the_chupacabra
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1995/12/26/mystery-creature-ravages-puerto-rican-livestock/b7704250-dae0-4fa3-a886-561db637b463/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.4d499cd33542
https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/was_the_nightjar_an_early_chupacabra/
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
Happy tricksters, or vengeful grumps? These little guys might not be as lucky as you think. Join Shawn and Elias as they try to pin down the Leprechaun
Research for this episode from:
https://www.livescience.com/37626-leprechauns.html
https://folklorethursday.com/legends/leprechaun-harmless-hoarder-malevolent-miser/
https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-myths-legends-europe/leprechauns-little-people-irish-folklore-003920
http://bookofrev-semantica.blogspot.com/2007/06/leprechaun.html
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
Terrorizing frigid northern winters, this cryptid hungers for human flesh. Hopefully you're some place warm while Shawn and Elias talk about the Wendigo.
Research for this episode from:
https://www.prairieghosts.com/wendigo.html
https://allthatsinteresting.com/wendigo
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mn-wendigo/
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
For centuries, people have been reporting something strange in Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Is it of demonic origin? Or the last of something prehistoric? Join Shawn and Elias as they examine the Jersey Devil.
Research for this episode from: http://weirdnj.com/stories/jersey-devil/
www.pinelandsalliance.org/history/devil
www.prairieghosts.com/jerseydevil.html
http://theshadowlands.net/jd.htm
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
Large, but stealthy, this hairy creature of may names has lurked in the forests of the world for generations. Join Shawn and Elias as they do their best to tackle the elusive cryptid known as Bigfoot. Research for this episode from:
https://www.manataka.org/page1487.html
https://nu.aeon.co/images/fb911487-7bbe-4752-b655-3c8b0d745801/idea_sized-bigfoot_gimli_patterson.jpg
https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2015/10/an-early-encounter-with-a-bigfoot/
http://www.bigfoot-lives.com/html/roosevelt.html
https://www.oregonlive.com/history/2018/01/1924_bigfoot_battle_on_mt_st_h.html
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons
Werewolves have been with us since the beginning of recorded history. Join Shawn and Elias as they explore this ancient cryptid's beginnings as well as it's surprisng present.
Research for this episode from:
https://www.thoughtco.com/the-werewolf-of-bedburg-2597445
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/werewolf-of-bedburg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiess_of_Kaltenbrun
http://www.philosophyforlife.org/the-good-werewolf/
https://anomalien.com/werewolf-sightings-the-beast-of-bray-road/
Theme music written, composed, and performed for the Kid Cryptid Podcast by Tom Parsons