Digest

This podcast delves into the fascinating world of cryptids, starting with a humorous introduction to the "Cryptid Party" political campaign featuring Bigfoot and Mothman. It then explores the human fascination with hidden objects and the allure of cryptids like Bigfoot, always hiding and waiting to be found. The podcast then dives into the mysterious and terrifying Beast Between the Rivers, a creature said to inhabit the wilderness between Kentucky and Tennessee, with various accounts of sightings, encounters, and alleged attacks. The podcast then shifts to a personal story, recounting Pauline Dawkins' childhood in Canada, marked by frequent moves and a sense of secrecy surrounding her family life. It reveals the shocking truth she learned at age 23 about her family's involvement with the mafia and their years on the run. The podcast continues Pauline's story, detailing her mother's relationship with a church minister, Stan Sears, who became involved in their life and their escape from the mafia. It introduces the concept of "the weird world," a network of communities offering protection to those targeted by organized crime. Finally, the podcast recounts the story of William Squires, a radio host in Pittsburgh, Kansas, who had a close encounter with a UFO in 1952. His detailed report, including a description of the object and its occupants, became one of the first officially investigated UFO cases in the US.

Outlines

00:00:00

Cryptid Party and Hidden Objects

This chapter introduces the "Cryptid Party" political campaign featuring Bigfoot and Mothman, and explores the human fascination with hidden objects and the allure of cryptids.

00:03:23

The Beast Between the Rivers

This chapter delves into the mysterious and terrifying creature known as the Beast Between the Rivers, said to inhabit the wilderness between Kentucky and Tennessee. It explores various accounts of sightings, encounters, and alleged attacks by this bizarre bipedal creature.

00:21:22

Pauline Dawkins' Family Secrets and Escape

This chapter recounts Pauline Dawkins' childhood in Canada, marked by frequent moves and a sense of secrecy surrounding her family life. It reveals the shocking truth she learned at age 23 about her family's involvement with the mafia and their years on the run.

00:24:03

The Mafia, the Weird World, and Stan Sears

This chapter continues Pauline's story, detailing her mother's relationship with a church minister, Stan Sears, who became involved in their life and their escape from the mafia. It introduces the concept of "the weird world," a network of communities offering protection to those targeted by organized crime.

00:41:22

William Squires' UFO Encounter

This chapter recounts the story of William Squires, a radio host in Pittsburgh, Kansas, who had a close encounter with a UFO in 1952. His detailed report, including a description of the object and its occupants, became one of the first officially investigated UFO cases in the US.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the "Cryptid Party" platform, and who are its candidates?

  The Cryptid Party, a fictional political party, advocates for staying hidden and minding their own business. Its candidates are Bigfoot and Mothman.

• What is the Beast Between the Rivers, and what are some of the accounts of its sightings and encounters?

  The Beast Between the Rivers is a mysterious, bipedal creature said to inhabit the wilderness between Kentucky and Tennessee. Accounts include sightings of a wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes, livestock mutilations, and a terrifying encounter with a group of campers.

• What was the secret that Pauline Dawkins learned about her family's past?

  Pauline learned that her family had been on the run from the mafia for 16 years due to her father's involvement in organized crime. They had been targeted by the mob, and Stan Sears, a church minister, had been helping them escape.

• What is "the weird world," and what role did it play in Pauline's life?

  "The weird world" is a network of communities offering protection to those targeted by the mafia. Pauline's mother planned to go inside for protection, and Stan Sears was already living in one of these communities.

• What was the nature of William Squires' UFO encounter, and what evidence supported his claim?

  William Squires, a radio host, encountered a hovering, oval-shaped UFO in a pasture field. He described the object in detail, including its occupants, and the flattened grass in the field provided physical evidence of the UFO's presence.

Show Notes