Beastly Theories

Beastly Theories (Ep. 105) The Wildman of Orford - with Pete Jennings

Join me for episode 105 as I chat with the awesome - Pete Jennings!

Pete is an Author, Folklorist, Historian, Anglo-Saxon Reenactor, Storyteller, and Pagan Activist— as well as an authority on the histories and mysteries of Suffolk!

We talk about the strange legend of the Wildman of Orford. This naked, hairy, man-like beast was netted by fisherman off the nearby coast and kept as an unwilling guest in Orford Castle, a cannibalistic Mermaid that once inhabited a now dried-up pond in Rendlesham Forest, which is also coincidentally the location of Britain’s most celebrated UFO encounter, Anglo-Saxon warrior kings, their barrows and treasures, the terrifying tale of a Black Shuck that terrified the villages of Bungay and Blythburgh and how his upbringing in this Suffolk has inspired a lifelong love and investigation of this mysterious county. 

Pete is a living lexicon of history and folklore as well as an accomplished author - check out his mystical musings and literary endeavours here: http://www.gippeswic.org/books.html

Check out my other beastly endeavours here: https://linktr.ee/beastsof 

Beastly Theories (Ep. 104) Hairy Humanoids - with Andy McGrath

Join me for episode 104, as I chat with.... uh... myself! ;)

I thought that I might use this space to discuss some of the cultural and psychological aspects of cryptozoology and other fringe theorems.

I discuss corroborative cryptids and reports of high strangeness in countries that have a shared ethnicity of culture, and why these background cultures could affect our interpretation of unusual phenomena, more than we'd like to admit.

The reasons why i recently declared the British Bigfoot Long extinct but The Loch Ness monster alive and well...

A few theories about ancient British giants and their modern reimagining as hairy humanoids and Wildmen...

The reasons why our having Bigfoot on the Brain is a stumbling block to  scientific research into this creature and why 'evidence' like sticks and stones does more harm than good when presented without corroboration of other signs of our hairy friends! 

If you have an hour to spare to listen to me ramble on about the cryptozoological conundrums that keep me awake at night, you are welcome to join me.

Check out my books here: https://amzn.eu/d/hoi9t6t

Check out my other beasty endeavours here: https://linktr.ee/beastsof

Beastly Theories (Ep.103) Curious England - with H.E. Bulstrode

Join me for episode 103, as I chat with Author - H.E. Bulstrode.

H.E. shares how growing up in the West Country, a region strewn with ancient monuments and megaliths and steeped in curious carvings and historical curiosities, shaped his interest in the folklore of England.

He shares a few peculiar tales from his best known book series -  'Curious England', which has been described as a: "casual and idiosyncratic guide to some of the folkloric and historical curiosities of rural England..."  and why he thinks that preserving these stories has a socio-cultural importance, that needs to be shared with future generations.

Next , we delve deep into how he came up with his ghoulish idea to 'crowd source'  material for his latest book  - 'Personal Ghost Stories' and the risks involved in choosing creativity over classics, and why many  most authors stick to popular themes for fear of being overlooked by online algorithms! He also shares his passion for Supernatural Fiction, especially Christmas Ghost Stories and why some of the themes of the Yuletide Yarns of yesteryear are so sorely lacking in our world today

He prefers to be out in the field visiting the sites and stories featured in his books and shares three of the most memorable sites he's visited, including an unnerving 'ghostly encounter' he has never quite been able to explain!

Buy H.E. Bulstrode's books, here: https://amzn.eu/d/fTn9d8n 

Check out my other Beastly Endeavours, here: https://linktr.ee/beastsof

Beastly Theories (Ep.102) Mysteries of Mercia - with Hugh Williams

Hugh Williams was born in Worcester at the heart of the Midlands of England. He has spent years researching and exploring the strange and interesting places of the central counties and then telling their stories. An author, public speaker and consultant at the liminal space where history, folklore and the paranormal converge.

We talk Megaliths, their different forms (dolmens, cromlechs, menhirs, etc.) who made them and why; and the peculiar purpose behind the creation of Misericords; as well as their imagery, symbolism and occasional humour. 

We uncover the confusion over the religious origins of the green man and discover why the woodwose could be related to the ancient Greek demi-god - Heracles.

Later, we investigate why so many old buildings like churches and castles are haunted and reveal teh surprising origins of the stone tape theory.

Finally, we talk about one of Hugh's most popular books - Mysteries of Mercia, where he shares his knowledge of this ancient kingdom's myths, legends and folklore. Where was historical Mercia, and what does it have to do with Dragons, Knights, Witches, Mermaids and Wildmen? 

Hugh is truly a lexicon of all things mystery; this was a truly enjoyable chat and well worth a listen!

Find Hugh's books and other projects at: http://www.mysteriesofmercia.com/

Check out my other beastly endeavours at: https://linktr.ee/beastsof

 

Beastly Theories (Ep.101) Investigating the Paranormal - with Ghostess Leanne

Join me for an illuminating chat with Ghostess Leanne - the founding member and vice-chair of the UK Paranormal Society. 

Leanne gives me a deep dive into the fantastical theorems and philosophical formulas that are claimed to prove that the spirits of our nearest and dearest are, in fact, unconventional hangers-on and obstinate overstayers that now sojourn in the land of the living…

We peer into the beliefs and evidence for the existence of ghosts and other ghoulish stowaways that allegedly persist in the world of the living, like – Residuals, Poltergeists, Animus Objects, and Exorcists… and investigate an array of Hi-tech detection devices used to find them!

Even though Leanne has had a few unexplainable experiences, she likes to class herself as an open-minded sceptic with a keen interest in the parapsychological explanations for supernatural experiences and questions if there is a human influence in haunting cases. 

Is there indeed another world alongside our own that lies just behind the hidden veil, or are we living through a retroactive resurgence of ghost hunters and paranormalists similar to that seen during the Vogue of 19th-century Victorian spiritualism?

Check out the UK Paranormal Society here: https://ukparanormalsociety.org/

Check out my other Beastly Endeavours: https://linktr.ee/beastsof

Beastly Theories (Ep.100) The Quest for Loch Ness - with Alan McKenna

Join me for episode 100 as I chat with Loch Ness Exploration founder - Alan McKenna.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZLMY9KeADg5ojhmKeZ6i7?si=5a5b7a26bc4846d6

Watch here: https://youtu.be/pgcXWFVTcME

We discuss our mutual love of movies, our favourite actors - Gene Wilder and Michael Ironside and how the real reason that I married my wife is because she looks like Madeline Kahn from the movie - Young Frankenstein!

We relive our recent adventure during the biggest Loch Ness expedition in 50 years, the pros and cons of Nessie hunting and why the sceptical explanations for Nessie phenomena are sometimes stranger than those of the believers! 

Alan delivers a nerve-racking recollection of his recent nighttime Nessie hunt, which was gatecrashed by a large unseen creature splashing in the shadows, and shares his hopes and plans to capture a future face-to-face encounter with the beast!

Later, Alan hints at soon-to-be-revealed big news on the horizon and lays out his plans for the future of his cryptozoological cooperative - Loch Ness Exploration!

You can find Alan at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/470765477828717/

Check out my other beastly endeavours: https://linktr.ee/beastsof

Support My Work: paypal.me/beastsofbritain

Beastly Theories (Ep.99) Orang Pendek - with Dally Sandradiputra

Join me as I chat with Cryptozoologist, Author, Researcher and expert on Sumatran fauna and flora - Dally Sandradiputra.

Dally has been a field investigator and expedition consultant for many years, working alongside numerous scientists and cryptozoologists to discover evidence of Sumatra's very own diminutive cryptid ape - Orang Pendek ('short person').

Dally recounts his initiation into the mystery, his first attempts to find it, and the feeling of being awestruck and immobilised one day after unexpectedly catching the creature raiding his camp supplies!

We discuss his theories on the probable genus of this gentle being, the successes and failures of past expeditions, how financial incentivisation only leads to tainted eyewitness testimony, and why he believes that the species could be at risk of extinction in the decades to come.

However, Orang Pendek is not the only cryptid on Dally's resume, as he has conducted extensive field investigations into Orang Gadang (Giant Man) sightings (a bigfoot-like creature, similar to Sasquatch), The Cigau (a  large unknown lion-coloured semi-aquatic cat) and even discovered the presence of a cryptic tiger population in an area where they are believed to be extinct, along with researchers Carl Marshall and Richard Freeman, in 2022.

Dally believes that the best way to help Orang Pendek as a species is with international cooperation and incentivised environmental protection initiatives that ensure that the preservation of the species is seen as an asset by local people and government institutions. 

Find Dally at: https://www.instagram.com/dallysandradiputra/

Check out my other Beastly Endeavours: https://linktr.ee/beastsof

Beastly Theories (Ep. 98) Nessie is Back! - with Steve Feltham

Join me as I catch up with legendary Loch Ness local - Steve Feltham!

Watch here: https://youtu.be/i0TR54e5MGA

Steve, who is the Guinness Book of World Records holder of the longest Loch Ness vigil, has spent the last 32 years investigating this mystery and is, in my opinion, the best-placed person to comment on the new resurgence of Nessie-mania.

We talk about the highs and lows of the biggest hunt for Nessie in over half a century, why the media have a vested interest in sensationalizing news about the beast, and the unexpected publication of Chie Kelly's awe-inspiring photos of the monster, snapped at Dores Beach in 2018,  and the soon to be released animation of all 71 photos that are currently being worked upon by photographic experts around the globe!

Steve weighs in on common Monster Imposter theories and why an understanding of the natural phenomena of the loch, as well as the way in which wakes from large cruisers can continue moving up the loch long after these vessels have passed, is essential knowledge to any would-be Nessie spotters hoping to prove the existence of the beast.

Later, we talk about how personal beliefs and philosophies can colour one's experience, influencing the interpretation of unfamiliar phenomena, and especially how the description of Nessie has varied over the years from water horses, giant toads, slugs, camels, giant eels and even elephants, before finally settling on it most enduring and loveable plesiosaur-like effigy.

Finally, Steve shares his hopes for the future of Nessie hunting and why he thinks that legend will live on for hundreds of years to come.

Find Steve at: https://www.nessiehunter.co.uk/

Check out my other Beastly Endeavours here:

https://linktr.ee/beastsof

Beastly Theories (Ep.97) Weird Wildlife - with Cookie!

Join me as I chat British Wildlife with Cookie - field investigator, YouTube, podcaster and all-round animal lover!

We discuss the curious case of Britain's out-of-place animals, like Crocodiles, Capybaras, Porcupines and Rhea birds, that have been witnessed in Britain's wild places and how the people often tear off more than they can chew when it comes to owning exotic pets. 

We review the ever-growing list of invasive animals, such as Rose Ringed Parakeets, Mitten Crabs, Terrapins, Mink and Wallabies that are fast becoming naturalised citizens of our island nation.

Cookie weighs in on the British Big Cat phenomenon, its possible origins and why he believes that a large predator would be easy to track in a country like Britain if it were here. 

Finally, we tackle the tumultuous subject of rewilding, why it is unhealthy to have an ecosystem devoid of large predators, and why he believes that reintroducing wolves, lynx, and bears would not pose a threat to humans.

 

Find Cookie at: 

https://www.youtube.com/@WildlifeWithCookie/featured

https://www.facebook.com/wildlifewithcookie

 

Check out my other beastly Endeavours:

https://linktr.ee/beastsof  

 

Beastly Theories (Ep.96) What Do They Want? - with Dave Emmons

What are UFOs? Are Aliens real? Do people really get abducted? And, most importantly... what do 'They' want?

Join me as I chat with writer, investigator and abductee - Dave Emmons!

Dave shares his mysterious and sometimes harrowing encounters with Aliens and other lifeforms over the past 59 years, his unique insight into the alien agenda, and why he thinks people are abducted.

Check out Dave's books here:

https://hangar1publishing.com/collections/book-catalog/products/they

Check out my Beastly Books, Podcast, Events, TV, Blogs and Merch at: https://linktr.ee/beastsof