Podcast Summary
A Podcast About Unexplained Experiences: Two men, Tony and Cody, share their otherworldly experiences and discuss the importance of learning from past mistakes and growing in their audio careers.
The speaker, Tony Merkel, shares a bizarre and otherworldly experience involving the death of a giant and encounters with small gray entities. This experience led him to start a podcast where listeners can share their own unexplained experiences. The speaker also interviews a guest, Cody, who claims to have come through portals and encountered Merkel through the podcast. Cody and Merkel discuss their shared interest in the unexplained and audio production, with Cody having professional experience in the field. Together, they reflect on the importance of learning from past mistakes and opportunities for growth in their respective audio careers. The conversation also touches on Cody's role in growing a production company specializing in true crime TV shows.
Working on murder and death shows: The mental toll: Creative fields dealing with intense subject matter can take a mental toll. Self-care and work-life balance are crucial.
Creating content for murder and death shows can be creatively rewarding but also mentally taxing. The speaker shared his personal experience of working on such shows, describing how the initial excitement gave way to long hours and the constant exposure to disturbing content taking a toll on his mental health. He mentioned how his wife, who also worked in the same field, experienced similar effects. The COVID-19 pandemic and the birth of their child further compounded the situation, leading them to reconsider their career paths. The speaker eventually returned to his roots in paranormal investigations and started freelancing, eventually joining a new production company that focused on less heavy content. Overall, the conversation underscores the importance of self-care and work-life balance, especially in creative fields that deal with intense and potentially distressing subject matter.
Historical sites: Commercialized or Haunted?: Despite initial commercialized perceptions, some historical sites like East State Penitentiary and Trans Allegheny in Pennsylvania and West Virginia respectively, can leave visitors with goosebumps due to their rich history and paranormal activity.
Historical sites, while rich in history, can sometimes feel commercialized and raise suspicions of being tourist traps. The speaker shares her experience at East State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania, which she initially felt was overly commercialized but later had goosebumps due to the dark history and paranormal activity. The speaker also mentions Trans Allegheny in West Virginia, which holds the second largest amount of limestone, a stone known for its conductivity for paranormal activity, and is number two after the Kremlin in Russia. The speaker expresses curiosity about the extensive limestone mining in the area, especially near Oak Ridge, and wonders about the possible experiments being conducted there, with guards present to secure the area.
Legends of Disturbed Cemeteries and Haunted Bodies of Water: The creation of new bodies of water can disturb burial sites, leading to local legends of haunted places and disturbed spirits.
There are numerous legends surrounding disturbed cemeteries and unexplained phenomena around bodies of water, such as Lake Lanier in Georgia. These stories often involve disturbed spirits wreaking havoc and urban legends of women with missing hands. The creation of these lakes, often overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers, has led to the disturbance of many burial sites. The speaker shares personal experiences of growing up with a superstitious grandmother who instilled a fascination with the paranormal. This fascination led the speaker to work on reality TV shows and documentaries focusing on the paranormal and cryptids. The government's involvement in such projects often raises suspicions of hidden secrets. The speaker also mentions the Skinwalker Ranch and its connection to similar stories in the south. These tales have become popular in local lore and have even inspired music and poetry.
Growing up with the Mothman legend in Point Pleasant, West Virginia: The Mothman legend, deeply rooted in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, was believed by many serious people, including law enforcement and community leaders, and was not just idle gossip but based on genuine sightings and experiences.
The speaker grew up in a community where tales of the supernatural, specifically the Mothman legend, were deeply ingrained in their culture. These stories were not just idle gossip but were believed by many serious people, including law enforcement and community leaders. The speaker's family had experienced strange occurrences and warned against saying the Mothman's name. The legend was centered around Point Pleasant, West Virginia, where the speaker's grandparents lived, and the railroad town of Nitro, known for coal mining and the site of many reported sightings. The media may have amplified the stories, but there were also genuine sightings and believers. The speaker's personal experiences and family stories have left a lasting impression on them, and they continue to believe in the Mothman legend.
Growing up with Paranormal Experiences: The speaker shares their personal experiences of growing up in a town with a rich paranormal history and recommends Uncommon Goods for holiday shopping with a 15% discount using the code UNCOMMONGOODS.com/tony. They also recount a childhood memory of a ghost flushing their toilet at midnight.
The speaker grew up in a town with a rich history of paranormal experiences, including a family member who missed being on a collapsing bridge due to being sick, and their own experiences of haunted houses. Another key takeaway is the recommendation of Uncommon Goods as a simple and easy option for holiday gift shopping, with a 15% discount available using the code UNCOMMONGOODS.com/tony. Lastly, the speaker shared a personal memory of growing up next to an airport and experiencing a ghost that would flush the toilet in their house every night at midnight.
Unexplained paranormal activity in multiple homes: The speaker's family experienced frequent and sporadic paranormal occurrences in various homes, with some events leaving them frightened and unable to explain the cause
The speaker's family experienced unexplained paranormal activity in multiple houses they lived in, including hearing voices, seeing glowing animals, and experiencing objects moving on their own. The events were frequent in one house but sporadic in another. The speaker's father, who had a dark past related to a place called Point Pleasant, was particularly affected by these occurrences. The family moved to a new house in LaFollette, where they encountered more strange phenomena, such as handprints appearing on walls and cabinets being opened. The most frightening incident for the speaker occurred when her grandfather saw a bright light outside and claimed that someone was on the patio, but no one was found. Despite the unsettling experiences, the cause of these events remains a mystery.
Childhood experiences with the unknown shape beliefs as adults: Encountering unexplained phenomena during childhood can instill deep-rooted fear and fascination with the unknown, shaping our beliefs and perceptions as adults.
The speaker's childhood experiences in a rural area, including encounters with unexplained phenomena and a sense of isolation, contributed to a lifelong fascination with the supernatural and the unexplained. The speaker's grandmother reported seeing a UFO, and the speaker herself had encounters with red-eyed creatures in the woods near her home. These experiences, along with the local folklore and popular culture influences like The Blair Witch Project, instilled a deep-rooted fear and fascination with the unknown. To this day, the speaker expresses apprehension about venturing into wooded areas and continues to be intrigued by stories of Bigfoot and other mysterious creatures. The speaker's story underscores the power of childhood experiences and the role that they can play in shaping our beliefs and perceptions as adults.
Growing up near paranormal folklore creates unique connections: Hearing stories of Bigfoot around water sources in childhood areas fostered a lifelong fascination and connection to the paranormal.
Growing up in areas with rich paranormal folklore, like the one surrounding Bigfoot in East Tennessee, creates a unique connection to the stories and beliefs that have been passed down for generations. The speaker, who grew up hearing stories of Bigfoot around the lakes and rivers, shares how the topic was always a hot conversation starter in the community, even before it became a part of pop culture. The water sources seemed to be a common thread in the sightings, making it a logical place to look for evidence. The speaker also touches on the various beliefs surrounding Bigfoot, from it being a natural evolutionary step to a paranormal entity. The abundance of water, wildlife, and tourists in the area make it an intriguing place for those seeking answers to these mysteries. The speaker's personal experiences of moving around as a child and encountering various paranormal activities further solidify the significance of these stories in their life.
Exploring the Unknown: A Traveler's Paranormal Adventure: Travel can bring both ordinary and extraordinary experiences, appreciate and explore the unknown.
The speaker had a unique and intriguing travel experience filled with both ordinary and extraordinary moments. However, he enjoyed it more when he was not accompanied by his family during his adolescence. During a recent paranormal investigation for a TV show, they captured an EVP of a little girl's laughter in the Lizzie Borden Hotel. The team also encountered unexplained occurrences such as rocks being thrown and whispers at a prison. Although not everyone on the crew believed in the paranormal, the speaker remained dedicated to seeking out the unexplained. His experiences show that life can offer both the mundane and the mysterious, and it's up to us to appreciate and explore the unknown.
Exploring the unknown with an open mind: An open mind and willingness to explore can lead to unique experiences and potential discoveries, even during paranormal investigations
Having an open mind and a willingness to explore the unknown can lead to unique experiences and potential discoveries, even if not everyone shares the same level of enthusiasm at the outset. The speaker's passion for recording room tone and investigating EVPs during paranormal investigations led to some intriguing findings, despite initial skepticism from others. Additionally, approaching paranormal investigations with respect for personal beliefs and convictions can yield more authentic and effective results. The speaker's upcoming docuseries, "Shadow Appalachia," embodies this approach by incorporating Christian beliefs and avoiding intrusive methods, aiming for a more genuine and potentially more rewarding investigation experience.
Exploring the Unknown: Personal Experiences with the Supernatural: People's experiences and beliefs about the supernatural can vary greatly, and individual encounters may lead to unique interpretations and avoidances.
There isn't a definitive way to communicate with the supernatural, and people's experiences and beliefs can vary greatly. The speaker shares their plans to investigate ancient gods at an ancient site in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, where they believe there will be a high level of paranormal activity. They also discuss their personal experiences with the supernatural, including sleep paralysis and encounters with shadow entities and owls, which they believe may be cursed. The speaker mentions that they have had negative experiences associated with the mention of certain names and entities, leading them to avoid discussing them. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexity and individuality of people's experiences with the unknown and the supernatural.
The speaker's increased openness to the paranormal leads to encounters and family dynamics: The speaker's experiences with the paranormal have grown since becoming more open-minded, leading to encounters with synchronicities and potential paranormal activity. His wife is supportive but not of him bringing entities home, and their son's interest and nightmares add to the complexity of their family dynamics.
The speaker's experiences with the paranormal have increased since becoming more open-minded, leading to encounters with synchronicities and potential paranormal activity. However, his wife is supportive of his interest but not of him bringing any potential entities home. The speaker also shares his past experiences with growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and how he tried to hide his southern accent when he moved away before later returning. The speaker's son, who is only 2 years old, shows an interest in the paranormal, but the speaker is cautious about exposing him to it too much due to his wife's concerns and the child's nightmares. The speaker also shares an anecdote about his son seeing "ghosts" in a cow field and using a "spidey web" to catch them. The speaker's wife suggests that the son's nightmares might be unrelated to the paranormal and more likely due to separation anxiety. Overall, the speaker's experiences with the paranormal and his family's reactions to it create a complex and nuanced exploration of the supernatural and the role it plays in everyday life.
Exploring Mythical Creatures with a Skeptical Son: Parents may introduce mythical creatures to their children, but their beliefs may change as they grow older. Some parents don't mind their children being outcasts for believing in such creatures.
The speaker shares his experience of introducing his son to the belief in mythical creatures like Bigfoot and yetis. He recalls how his son was initially fascinated by these creatures but later questioned their existence. The speaker admits to manipulating his son's beliefs and doesn't care if his son becomes an outcast for believing in such creatures. They discuss the availability of a TV show about Bigfoot versus Yeti on Tubi, and the speaker expresses his excitement about the discovery. Additionally, they discover a synchronicity between the first Mothman news article and National Bigfoot Day both falling on October 21st. The speaker mentions that he doesn't plan his shows with such detail but finds it fascinating when such connections arise.
Meant to happen for a reason: Life events may seem connected, but they often have no direct correlation. Embrace the unexpected and trust that everything will come together in the end.
Even though we may try to change the course of events in our lives, things are meant to happen for a reason and the pieces will eventually come together. Cody shared his personal experiences with this concept, as he's been hesitant to visit a specific location due to a family name associated with it. However, he acknowledged that there might not be a direct correlation between the name and any negative events. Cody also opened up about his work in sound design and encouraged listeners with projects to reach out to him. Despite having the same last name, Cody found a friend with the same name who is a social media guy and an ex-marine. The conversation ended on a light-hearted note with Cody expressing his pride in being an ex-marine and the importance of being a warrior in life.
