The Cryptid Keeper

Well friends, we've reached the end of this particular journey together. Please don't worry, we're both okay and planning to create more projects together in the future! But after some long, hard conversations (that have been quite a long time coming) we realized that it's time for this particular one to come to an end. We know it may feel sudden from the outside, but we would not make this decision rashly or without careful consideration. Thank you all so much for joining us for 145 episodes of this show that started with just a couple of friends and a microphone on a living room floor. We never expected it to last this long or come this far. It's been an incredible journey and we're so grateful for all the learning, laughs, and love that have come along the way. Don't think of it as an ending, but as a chance to start fresh with something we can all be proud of together. We hope you'll stick around with us for whatever the next chapter holds. From Alex, Addison, and the whole Cryptid Keeper team: Stay Safe out There.

Will-o-the-wisps, haunted dolls, and big box stores with a ghost problem? Looks like it's time for another listener stories episode! Treat yourself to a buffet of creatures, critters, and stories submitted by out very own Cryptid Keepers (that's all of you)! Our inbox was overflowing with stories yet again, so we decided to put together a collection to share with you all! Gather round the campfire and hear us spin some tales! Or rather, share some pre-spun tales that we put together. NOTE: In this episode, we shared a story from a listener detailing their experience with a giant bird. In their story, they repeatedly refer to it as a Thunderbird. We should have said something on the air, and it was wrong of us not to. White people have a long history of appropriating, bastardizing, and commodifying Native culture, it is not ok to treat important aspects of Native culture as cryptids or behave in a culturally insensitive way while talking about them. It was wrong on this episode, and it has been wrong when we’ve done it in the past. While we have appropriated and behaved insensitively in the past, we do not condone it nor do we wish to further normalize it. We understand that our ignorant behavior hurt people. We are sorry, and we are making a commitment to do better. Thank you to those that reached out, we are immensely grateful. We will do our best not to let you down. Content Warning: Mention of animal death, ghosts, shadow people, death

It's a dark and stormy night, and we're going to call on some voices from the beyond. Just put your fingers on the planchette, clear your mind, ask a question, and hope the wrong thing doesn't answer. This week is all about the world's most controversial board game, the Ouija Board. Derived from the Spirit Boards of olden days, this tool of contacting the dead is now the property of the Hasbro corporation! Join us as we discuss scary Ouija Board stories, the history of the board itself, and how housewives have moved and shaped American culture. Content Warnings: Death, violence, supernatural/demonic elements

Let's go for a swim! Don't worry about that feeling of something brushing up against your feet, it's just algae! OR it's the subject of this week's episode, the Naheulito! Native to Argentina, this little (okay, big) lake monster has made quite a name for itself, inspiring news coverage, hunting parties, and more! Join us as we discuss what kind of creature it might be, the bizarre history of hoaxes and hunts surrounding it, and whether it would be nice to ride on its back and be its best friend.

My my my, this sure is some scary spaghetti! Some menacing manicotti! Some...creepy pasta, if you will? This week we're covering the intersection of internet horror and cryptid culture, a spindly pale humanoid creature so scary it spawned an online horror movement and a subreddit to boot! We're here to discuss Crawlers, a type of unsettling creature made famous by the creepypasta story of The Rake. Join us as we get into the origins of The Rake, the cryptozoological possibility of crawlers, and more than a fair share of spine-tingling sightings. Content Warnings: Body horror, frightening imagery, mention of animal death

She's beauty and she's grace, she'll heal you with her face. This week we're talking about the often-requested Amabie, a mermaid like creature from Japan that protects people from pandemics in a very particular way. Join us as we discuss the story of the Amabie, the first meme, the Amabie challenge, and more! We'll also get into how the Amabie has become a symbol of hope and solidarity in the current moment. CW disease, pandemic

Hippity Hoppity, Pooka's on its way! This week, we're talking about another creature from Irish folklore, the shapeshifting trickster spirit that loves to take the form of a rabbit, horse, and human: The pooka/puca/phouka! If you were wondering what cryptid is good for advice, financial tips, or the most terrifying horseback ride of your life? We've got you covered. CW body horror, animal death

We've got a shell of a show for you this week! We're diving into Indiana waters where the mighty Beast of Busco dwells! A massive snapping turtle and local celebrity with a lot of character, this big old friend is a (potentially dangerous) icon and lake monster like no other! Join us as we talk turtles, sightings, and how the Beast of Busco started a long-running local festival! Content Warnings: Animal death, injury

No need to lose your head! It's just another episode of The Cryptid Keeper! This one takes us back the familiar rolling green hills of Ireland, and the darkness of its faery lore. We're talking about the Dullahan, or the "headless rider" of legend who comes into town at night, bringing death with him. Call us Ichabod Crane because we're very scared but VERY fascinated with the Headless Horseman! Join us as we discuss the endless nightmare fuel of the Dullahan, the Death Coach, and also somehow talk about Emily Dickinson and anime for good measure! Hold onto your heads! Content warning: death, body horror, decapitation, blood, mutilation

Hi there, Keepers. We're back on our regular release schedule, but that doesn't mean the fight for black lives is over, or any of the vital conversations that have been happening. Scroll down in these show notes for some important resources/places to donate. We're keeping it simple this week with a good old giant octopus! Nothing better for your manmade lake than an octopus the size of a horse! Oh, what's that? That's one of the worst things to have in your manmade lake? If you say so. This week's topic is the Oklahoma Octopus, which is absolutely exactly what it sounds like. Join us as we dive into the apparently fairly dangerous waters of three Oklahoma lakes, where there have been whispers of a strange and aggressive tentacled creature for several years. We also take a moment to discuss an incredibly important and often overlooked piece of Oklahoma (and American) history. Content Warnings: Discussion of death, child death RESOURCES: (This is an incomplete list and should be considered a place to start, but we highly encourage you to get involved however you can and look for places to donate/support beyond just this list. Look for local grassroots organizations and community organizers to help out in your communities. Always research organizations before you donate to them, to make sure your money is going to the cause) https://www.theokraproject.com/ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFbCqnPzsY0pSi39i_AjsTpVZpqJ20IOlJoX37N5qOHqN6cA/viewform https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDk1ZaSv_nCqc1wI0KH0ZsOS28FT9tH-BRviA-VUB_Cf-tZg/viewform https://secure.actblue.com/donate/naacp-1 https://blacklivesmatter.com/chapters/ https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor https://www.gofundme.com/f/9v4q2-justice-for-breonna-taylor? https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home/#about https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/ https://bailproject.org/ https://blackoutcollective.org/ https://www.knowyourrightscamp.com/

We're feeling foxy this week, and our new episode is all about kitsune! Join us as we discuss this famous, mischievous, shapeshifting fox spirit in all of its trickery and glory. From magic and murder to romance and noodle soup, the kitsune is a creature full of variety. Let us spin you a "tail" or two (or nine). Content warnings: Murder, animal death, food discussion

While so many of us are stuck at home, Alex and Addison are here with an episode all about creatures that dwell in the home. Normally we cover the spooky and scary, but this week is all about helpful household spirits! From hobs and brownies to domovoy and fire ghosts, we're covering a wide range of domestically based creatures. Some are helpful, some are mischievous, but they all have one thing in common: they're homebodies. So curl up with a blanket and a mug of something nice, and let's stay in.Content Warning: Discussion of pagan rituals

Hey there, Keepers! It's time for another Listener Stories episode. Everything in this episode was made possible by Listeners Like You! From aliens and ghosts to bog witches and shadow people, we're here to share a wild mixed bag of stories (with some tangents in between). Thank you so much to everyone who submitted, whether we read your story on air or not! We'll be back next week with a brand new creature but for now just sit back, dim the lights, and enjoy some spooky stories.Content Warnings: Body horror, death, weight loss/body image issues

Boo! Did we scare you? You look like you've seen a ghost. Or, maybe, like you've HEARD a ghost? This week's subject comes from a german word meaning "noisy ghost" and they sure are. These ghosts aren't your usual wispy apparitions in period dress, poltergeists can be rude, violent, and downright NASTY. Listen to Addison torment Alex and geek out over the Enfield Haunting, the Bell Witch, and the Black Monk of Pontefract, as well as some lesser known ghosties too. Content Warnings: Death, violence, sickness, murder (poisoning, specifically)

This week, special guest and Friend of the Show (and composer of our theme song) Andrew Giotta joins us to discuss the golem, a creature most often described as a humanoid being made from clay. HUGE thank you to Andrew for offering a personal perspective and having a thoughtful conversation with us, ranging from the story of the Golem of Prague to the much more unusual story of "The Clay Boy". We hope you all will join us as well! Content warning for: discussions of antisemitism, death, and animal death

Alex and Addison lit the bat(squatch) signal this week, and this is what we got. He's massive, he's hairy, he may or may not drink blood... We're talking about the Batsquatch! As the name might imply, this is a humanoid bat-like creature that loves caves, volcanoes, and scaring people on deserted roads at night. Join us as we discuss survival tips, bats of all shapes and sizes, and more! Content Warning: Animal death, cattle mutilation

Uh oh...do you feel that? It's a GALAXY WARP! The fabric of space and time is bending, and it's causing podcasts to...switch hosts??? On this day of April Foolery, our friends from Ending Pending have dropped in to host the show for us! They're here to give you a little midweek treat all about the infamous, the creepy, the one and only Goatman! Part man, part goat, all LEGEND. Content Warning: Animal death (18:39-19:15) We'll be back on Sunday with your regularly scheduled episode, and in the meantime enjoy! And Stay Safe out There!

In times of darkness, we all need a little bit of light. Sometimes that light is a metaphor, and sometimes it's a bird that literally glows in the dark. That bird is the Alicanto, a feathered friend with some pretty expensive tastes. Join us as we cover the traits and habits of this beautiful creature, the folklore surrounding it, and how to make a business deal with a bird. Follow the feathers.

Outside, it's very scary, but in here it's spooky with a capital OO. Addison's back to torment Alex, and everyone else, with tales of haunted dolls, cursed teddy bears, etsy listings, and more! It's the promised return of Haunted Dolls, back for Part Two! They just want to play, so sit down with us, turn out the lights, and let's get ghostly! Oh, and we meet possibly the MOST INCREDIBLE HAUNTED DOLL OF ALL TIME. CW demons, ghosts, child death, death

This week, our bodies may be stuck at home, but our minds are traveling to the wild wilderness of the Yukon! This episode is all about the majestic, mysterious, much-debated beast: The Yukon Beaver Eater. Does it eat beavers? IS it a beaver? Let's try to forget about the troubles of the world for an hour and find out for ourselves. Stay safe out there, and stay well. Content warnings: animal death, body horror

In a massive man-made lake in picturesque North Carolina is the biggest Normie known to mankind. He's about 10 feet long, loves to chase boats, and may or may not be coated in toxic waste. This week it's all about Normie, the Lake Norman Monster! Join us as we go over sightings, theories, the possibility of haunted lakes, and much more! And remember: don't stick your arms in catfish mouths unless you're a trained professional!

We're back, baby! Thank you so much to everyone who helped us hit our fundraising goal and make this show weekly again. To start off this brand new podcasting chapter, we're redefining cryptozoology and shaking it all up! From the history of cryptozoology as a field of study to the brave new world of two randoms making a podcast! Join us as we talk about how we categorize cryptids and sort all these buddies, babies, and boys from one another!

A picture's worth a thousand words, but these pictures are worth a thousand screams! This week we're taking a trip into the world of the arts, particularly art with a hidden darkness to it. Whether it's a curse, a ghost child, or a general sense of dread that accompanies looking at it, we covered some of the most infamous haunted paintings in the world. Join us as we talk about the lore of the paintings, where they are now, haunted paintings of ebay, and more! Content Warnings: Death, body horror, illness

Don't expose this podcast to bright lights, don't get it wet, and DON'T feed it after midnight. Just kidding, you know we love a midnight snack. We tempted fate with our episode subject this week, and decided to talk about those mischievous little creatures that love to sabotage wiring and terrorize a town on Christmas: Gremlins! Naturally, we experienced a TON of technical issues with this episode, but we persevered nonetheless. Join us as we discuss the history of gremlins, the kinds of mischief they get into, and their relationship to World War II. Also, spoilers for the 1980s movie, Gremlins. Content warnings for discussion of: Death, plane crashes, war

Pour out a dish of milk, roll out a ball of yarn, and get the cat nip ready! It's time to party! Addison saw Cats in theaters three (3!!!) times, so you know what that means: It's time to talk about werecats. The mysterious, feline cousin of the werewolf, join us as we dive into the rich and varied lore surrounding this creature, and try really hard not to get sidetracked by the musical. MEOW! Content Warnings: human death, animal death, body horror

This week's subject's cries ring through the night, a portent of doom and new podcast episodes. We're a little late this week, but we're here with our first episode of 2020 and it's all about banshees. We're ushering in the new year with a conversation about a mournful spirit with a bad reputation. Join us as we discuss the lore of the banshee, some sightings, her connection to barn owls, and her more sinister sister. Happy New Year! Content warnings for: death, loss, grief, pagan rites and rituals

Check your skies for figures on broomsticks, check your socks for candy, and make sure you have a nice cheese plate out because Alex and Addison are welcoming La Befana into our collective home for this week's episode! Come spend some seasonal good times with us as we learn about Italy's iconic Christmas Witch and all of the wholesomeness and joy she comes to represent. This week we discuss Wintertime Holiday traditions of the past and present, the Pagan concept of The Divine Grandmother, and how we both dream of being simple country mice enjoying oatmeal and cordial. From our family to yours, Happy Holidays and Stay Safe out there! CW for discussions of food and alcohol

Knock knock! Who's there? Bone horse! Bone horse who? Best the bone horse in a battle of wits or LET US IN TO YOUR HOUSE FOR BOOZE AND FOOD. We're here with a seasonal episode this week, talking about the terrifying but fun wintertime tradition of the Mari Lwyd! Join us as we talk about wassail, poetry slams, skeleton horses, and more! Happy Holidays! CW for: alcohol, skeletons

Grab a flashlight, it's dark in these here tunnels! This week we travel deep into the darkness of the underground tunnels of Toronto (and a couple other places) to explore the horrors (and friends) that dwell within! We're talking about the Toronto Tunnel Monster (AKA the Cabbagetown Tunnel Monster) as well as an assortment of other creepy critters that dwell in dark, cramped spaces and may or may not be related! Let's get claustrophobic. CW: Animal death, claustrophobia

We've rolled out the red carpet this week, folks, because a CELEBRITY is in the house! The one, The ONLY (probably) Loch Ness Monster. Join us as we dive into some of the bizarre stories surrounding Nessie, and realize pretty fast that there's more to say about this blurry icon than we can fit in just one episode. We also suffered some small technical issues with this episode, but we hope you'll row out across the murky surface of Loch Ness with us just the same, and have some fun.

It's the spookiest time of the year! So we're back with another round of stories sent to us by listeners with something to share! It's Halloween Listener Stories 2: Electric BOOgaloo! Grab some snacks, a mug of something delicious, and come hang out with us for a little while as we celebrate one of our favorite holidays. Content warnings: Some swears Pet loss/animal death Violence Child death Body horror Discussion of demons/evil spirits

Sorry for the delay on this one, but we're back this week with a Beast of an episode! Follow us to old-timey France as we discuss a mysterious creature that tormented the French countryside, got the attention of the King, and found its way into werewolf lore and our hearts. This week we're discussing: werewolves and hyenas, historical Big Boys, the most kickass teenage French girl since Joan of Arc, and more! Content Warnings: Animal death, child death, violence

On this week's episode we dive deep into the lore of our childhood cartoons for about 15 straight minutes, but THEN! Then, we dive deep under the ice to a mysterious subglacial lake, where danger lurks around every ice shelf. Join us as we discuss Organism 46B! Its name may sound boring and clinical, but it is anything but! This thing's got legs for days and SOMEWHAT devious intentions.

On this podcast, we're brave enough to stand up and say: I love my terrifyingly strong forest wife! Welcome back to The Cryptid Keeper, where this week we're covering a fascinating lady from Scandinavian folklore: The Huldra. Join us as we discuss the importance of manners when dealing with supernatural creatures, ladies with tails, and super-strong women of the woods. If she bends steel with her bare hands, then folks? She's a keeper.

Howl are you? This week's cryptid takes us deep into the Ozarks, where it's known to cause quite a ruckus. We're talking all about the Ozark Howler, an elusive creature with a terrifying cry and some complicated lore! Join us as we discuss the various horrible sounds of nature, truth and lies in the Ozarks, and very fluffy cows. AWOOOOO!

Let's take a lovely stroll along the beach, and not talk to any strange women holding mysterious bundles of cloth! If you do, you might just run into the Nure-Onna, the subject of this week's episode! Part human, part snake, all icon, this watery creature is positively dripping with intrigue. Join us as we discuss snake women, oceanside etiquette, and a few bonus creatures that make up the Nure Onna's super dangerous Girl Squad.

There's nothing more summery than a preserved corpse that may or may not have magical properties or a deep-seated hunger for vengeance, so this week is all about Mummies! We're looking particularly at mummies from a mythology/folklore perspective, as it's difficult to debate the existence of mummies in the literal sense. This episode gets thoughtful, gross, and a little...sexy? Content warnings for: Death, body horror, and violence

Since both of our hosts are a bit out of commission this week, we decided to part the curtain and give you a peek at some of our past Patreon bonus content! This is a Patreon minisode recorded way back in January of this year about the Tizzie-Whizie! Part hedgehog, part bee, all adorable and perfect and valid. Listen as we discuss this lil cutie, as well as a deep dive into Sonic the Hedgehog Lore, common bug misconceptions, and various lakeside legends, all while delving into DEFINITELY inaccurate English accents. Grab a tea and a ginger biscuit and join us.

Since we're both on opposite coasts, your Cryptid Keeper hosts decided to meet in the middle and do a live show in Chicago!!! Pardon our various plosives and various other mishaps that come with live show audio, and come with us! From the Chicago "Mothman", to a mini haunted tour of various creepy sites in the city, to a collection of Listener Stories, we've got a ton of fun for you! Thanks again to everyone who made it out to the show, hopefully this will be the first of many!

Come play with us, listeners! For ever, and ever, and ever... Open up your antique toy chest or head up into that dusty old attic, because this week we're talking about haunted dolls! From Hollywood's Annabelle and Robert the Doll to some lesser-known hidden gems, there is no shortage of creepy little porcelain (or plastic, or wooden, etc) friends out there! Join us as we discuss a wide variety of dolls, sightings, and some information on finding a haunted doll to call your very own!

Be careful walking in the forest, friends! Especially if you smell cigar smoke! You never know what could be chilling in the trees, wearing a cool utility belt and loincloth, ready to pounce! This week we're covering the Kapre, AKA Bigfoot's distant cousin with a penchant for smoking and potentially unsavory behavior. This episode comes with a Content Warning for discussion of: Stalking, possessive/toxic relationships, and kidnapping

It's Summertime, baby! The perfect time for a vacation to the beautiful crystal blue waters of the Bahamas, where absolutely nothing scary is lurking in any elaborate underwater caves. Just kidding, there absolutely is! Join us as we go cave-diving into the murky story of the Lusca, a giant tentacled creature that may or may not be the star of a Syfy original movie or two.

You've heard us talk about angels, and now we're back at it again to talk about the other side of the coin! Join us this week as Alex takes us through demons, covering everything from their cultural variations to exorcisms. And, of course, talk a little bit about Good Omens and David Tennant. CW for discussions of possession, religion, mental illness, exorcism, and death

Alex is out this week, but have no fear! We have a special guest host! Sliding across the forest floor in a giant mortar and pestle, Bailey Meyers (Goosedrunks, Aksys Games) is with us to talk about the most iconic Russian Grandma Witch of all time, Baba Yaga! Join Addison and Bailey as we discuss feminist readings of fairytales, respecting your elders, and witchy modes of transportation. CW on this episode for discussion of alcohol/drinking and child death

He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, and he's no Santa Claus. Check under your bed and keep a nightlight handy because this week's episode is all about The Boogeyman! Known by many names, shapes, and stories across the world, the one thing we can say for sure is that this is One Scary Guy. Join us as we cover sightings, survival tips, and one very intense Disney Channel Original Movie.

It's summertime, it's getting hot and toasty out here, how's about we go for a swim? Let's cool off with a friendly local water monster, the Altamaha-ha! Her friends call her Altie, and you can too if you listen to our episode! We're headed down south to Georgia to discuss sea monster descriptions, sightings, and just how big is too big for a sturgeon to be? She's the Nessie of the American South and we love her!

Careful, this podcast is haunted! This week, Addison continues her theme of Ghosts That Wear a Specific Color by talking about ghosts that fall under the category of: Lady in Red. Join us as we battle the terrible internet in Addison's new apartment, discuss the cultural significance of color, and travel from sexy haunted hotels to tragic haunted castles, all in pursuit of the Lady in Red. Sometimes the scariest ghosts are the Ghosts of Our Pasts. Content Warning on this episode for discussion of: death, domestic violence, and death of an infant

Well, friends, we've made it. We've been recording this silly monster show for 100 episodes. No, we can't believe it either. Join us for a 100th episode celebration full of tv tropes, twists and turns, questions from Listeners Like You, a Live (Indrid) Cold Reading from The Mothman Prophecies, and an unconventional celebration of all the fun we've had together so far. Happy #CryptKeep100! Stay safe out there.

We're crabwalking backwards into your feeds with a brand new episode about a mysterious vampiric creature: the Sigbin! It could be a kangaroo, a bay cat, a hairless bear, or a goat, but all that we know is it's pretty creepy and it wants your blood! Or maybe just the blood of your livestock? Not sure. This episode comes with a Content Warning for: body horror, animal death, and violence.

This week's subject is known as the ugliest cryptid of all time, but don't you dare judge a book by its cover! He is the Squonk, and he speaks for the trees! By which we mean, he weeps for the trees, just cries all the time. Join us this week as we talk about the squonk's haunting origin story, shocking superpowers, and why you should treat the forests with respect!