Podcast Summary
Paranormal experiences and filmmaking: Derek Hayes' fascination with the paranormal as a child led him to explore cryptids and out-of-place animals, which expanded into a passion for horror films and eventually a career in filmmaking. However, he found the industry unfulfilling and returned to his interest in the paranormal, starting a podcast to share his investigations and stories.
Derek Hayes, the guest on this podcast, developed a fascination with the paranormal at a young age after encountering a black panther in the woods, which led him to explore various cryptids and out-of-place animals. This interest expanded into a passion for horror films and eventually led him to pursue a career in filmmaking. However, he found the film industry to be more business-oriented than creatively fulfilling. Eventually, he returned to his interest in the paranormal and started the Monsters Among Us podcast to share his investigations and stories with others. His experiences and research have led him to believe that there are unexplained phenomena in our world, and his new documentary explores the creepy occurrences in the Borango Triangle in California.
Podcasting as a business: Starting a podcast as a creative outlet can unexpectedly turn into a successful business venture through authentic storytelling, a unique perspective, and the application of business principles
Starting a podcast as a creative outlet can unexpectedly evolve into a successful business venture. The speaker, who began his podcast "Monsters Among Us" as a way to share stories and avoid the business side of filmmaking, found himself learning valuable lessons from his past experience in Hollywood. He applied marketing strategies, storytelling techniques, and a focus on quality to make his podcast stand out. Despite initial nerves and the challenge of finding his unique voice, the podcast grew in popularity. The speaker's wife even joined the team to handle the business aspects, allowing him to focus on the creative side. The podcast's success came from a combination of authentic storytelling, a unique perspective, and the application of business principles learned from the film industry.
Independent Podcasting: Consistent effort, creativity, and passion are essential for building a following in independent podcasting. Stay true to the art form and focus on production with limited resources.
Creating a successful independent podcast requires consistent effort, creativity, and passion. The podcaster in this conversation built a following by being inspired by other indie podcasters and creating engaging content with limited resources. They emphasized the importance of staying true to the art form and not being swayed by the desire for fame or commercial success. The podcaster's background in writing and filmmaking allowed them to focus on the production side of the content and appreciate the creativity that comes from working with limited resources. They also acknowledged the challenges of building a following and the importance of staying consistent, even when download numbers are low. Overall, the conversation highlights the dedication and hard work required to create a successful independent podcast and the unique rewards that come from staying true to the art form.
Determination and unexplained phenomena: The speaker's determination and resourcefulness, shaped by growing up with limited means, led him to explore unexplained phenomena and keep him engaged for years.
The speaker's determination and resourcefulness, developed from growing up with limited means, have been driving forces in his life and continue to shape his experiences and projects, such as his podcast. An unexpected discovery from a listener's story led him to explore a mysterious phenomenon, which he named "the mere men," and he has since received numerous accounts of these strange encounters from around the world. Despite the bizarre nature of these stories, the speaker's curiosity and dedication to uncovering the truth have kept him engaged in this enigma for years. The speaker's background and persistence demonstrate the power of a strong work ethic and the intrigue that can come from unexplained phenomena.
Paranormal Skepticism: A healthy balance of skepticism and open-mindedness is crucial in exploring paranormal phenomena, with thorough research and personal experiences grounding skepticism and maintaining interest.
The podcast host's approach to paranormal phenomena is characterized by a healthy balance of skepticism and open-mindedness. He shared a story about reaching out to an old friend to discuss a potential paranormal encounter, only to discover that the friend's sister had also heard the story. The host expressed his fluctuating beliefs in various paranormal topics, acknowledging that he goes back and forth between skepticism and belief multiple times a year. When asked about his preferences among cryptids, aliens, or ghosts, he expressed a clear interest in aliens, particularly when they've left their spacecraft. The host emphasized the importance of thorough research and personal experiences in grounding his skepticism and maintaining his interest in the paranormal.
Paranormal investigation: Approach unexplained phenomena with a scientific perspective, ground stories in reality through research and evidence, and maintain a skeptical mindset while investigating.
While some people approach the unexplained phenomena in life with a spiritual or religious lens, others prefer a more analytical and scientific perspective. The speaker, Charlie, falls into the latter category, preferring to investigate and debunk potential explanations before accepting the paranormal. He emphasizes the importance of grounding stories in reality through research and evidence, and shares his experience creating a documentary, "Shadows in the Desert," which explores unexplained phenomena in Southern California. The documentary came about due to Charlie's long-held dream of making a movie, and his frequent visits to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where he heard numerous stories of paranormal activity. With the help of his partner, David Flora, they conducted extensive research, raised funds through a Kickstarter campaign, and eventually released the film four years later.
Documentary production challenges, discoveries: Despite unexpected challenges in funding, filming, and distribution, the team discovered intriguing phenomena like ghost lights and petroglyphs during their documentary production.
The production of their documentary faced numerous unexpected challenges, particularly in the areas of funding, filming, and distribution. Despite being funded on the day of the shutdown, they were unable to start filming for 12 days due to the lockdown. The filming took place over three different shoots, and they encountered unexpected costs and a lengthy distribution process. The most surprising aspect of the production, however, was the discovery of ghost lights and petroglyphs in the desert. The ghost lights, or balls of light, are not static as one might expect, but rather zip across the desert at high speeds and seem to have some level of intelligence. The team was unable to witness these phenomena firsthand but spoke to many people who had encountered them. Additionally, they interviewed a Native American elder who shared stories of feeding a Bigfoot-like creature, adding an intriguing native angle to their film. Petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings, were also a focus of their documentary, and they discussed the significance of these symbols and their potential connection to the ghost lights. Overall, the production of their documentary was filled with unexpected challenges and discoveries.
Desert Petroglyphs: Despite ongoing debate, ancient petroglyphs depicting celestial objects and large creatures found in the desert are intriguing discoveries that offer insights into the rich history and potential mysteries of the area.
While exploring the desert, ancient petroglyphs depicting celestial objects and large creatures have been discovered. These drawings, possibly created thousands of years ago, have sparked debate among researchers and locals about their true meaning. Some believe these drawings could be imposing modern beliefs onto ancient art, while others see a connection between the legends and the art. Regardless, the discoveries continue to intrigue and inspire curiosity about the desert's rich history and potential mysteries. The Shadows in the Desert documentary offers a closer look at these fascinating findings and the ongoing debate surrounding their significance.