34: The Mothman

Explicit content warning

01/29/24 • 44 min

The Mothman is a cryptid often associated with sightings in the Point Pleasant area of West Virginia, USA, in the 1960s. Descriptions of the Mothman vary, but it is generally depicted as a large, winged creature with glowing red eyes. Witnesses claimed it could fly at high speeds and emit a screeching sound. Some reported him as being headless or having two eyes protruding just above the torso with bright red glowing eyes. Specifically, two young couples by the names of Roger and Linda Scarberry and Steve and Mary Mallette were driving down State Route 62 near an abandoned National Guard armory building and power plant. They reportedly saw a dark, very large humanoid figure, with glowing red eyes, standing around 6-7 feet tall, and witnessed it flying after them when they sped off into the night to get away.

The most famous Mothman incident occurred in 1966-1967, leading up to the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant in December 1967, leaving dozens dead. Some believe the Mothman sightings were a premonition or warning of the disaster, although there is no scientific evidence supporting this claim. Additionally, there is no evidence that the Mothman is here to harm us, but some believe it is inherently evil.
In any case, the myth surrounding the Mothman is a fascinating story to hear!!

Stay Spooky, Stay Safe, and Sweet Dreams!!
A huge thank you to Sean!! He makes these episodes amazing!
SOURCES:

An Ode to a Hometown Creature: Mothman of Point Pleasant, West Virginia | Folklife Magazine (si.edu)

List of Mothman references in popular culture | Cryptids and Myths Wiki | Fandom

Welcome To The 'TNT Area,' Home Of The Mothman : The Picture Show : NPR
MOTHMAN FESTIVAl® - HOME

Mothman - Wikipedia
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Stay Spooky, Stay Safe, and Sweet Dreams!!
A huge thank you to Sean!! He makes these episodes amazing!
SOURCES:

An Ode to a Hometown Creature: Mothman of Point Pleasant, West Virginia | Folklife Magazine (si.edu)

List of Mothman references in popular culture | Cryptids and Myths Wiki | Fandom

Welcome To The 'TNT Area,' Home Of The Mothman : The Picture Show : NPR
MOTHMAN FESTIVAl® - HOME

Mothman - Wikipedia
To Stay Up To Date On Future Episodes:
Instagram: InsomniacsThePodcast
Facebook: Insomniacs: The Podcast Discussion Group
Tik Tok: Insomniacs.Pod

To Stay Up To Date On Future Episodes:
Instagram: InsomniacsThePodcast
Facebook: Insomniacs: The Podcast Discussion Group
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Previous Episode

33: Maya Kowalski: CRPS and a Child Welfare System that Failed

Join us this week as we delve into the shocking true story of Maya Kowalski and her family. Drawing parallels to the infamous Gypsy Rose Blanchard case, we discuss the devastating consequences when the system fails to protect vulnerable individuals. However, whereas in Gypsy's case, mandated reporters failed to report and CPS failed to investigate suspicions properly, the system failed Maya in the opposite way. Maya, a young girl suffering from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), finds herself caught in a web of medical misdiagnosis and suspicion. As her parents fight tirelessly for her proper treatment, they are met with skepticism and accusations of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. With each twist and turn, this episode explores the heartbreaking reality of a family torn apart by a flawed system and the desperate battle to prove their innocence.

As we uncover the details of Maya's case, we witness the striking similarities to the Gypsy Rose case. Whereas Gypsy faced doctors and other adults who consistently overlooked or dismissed her signs of abuse, Maya and her parents faced doctors who dismissed their concerns, failed to provide necessary medical care to Maya, and ultimately turned the system against them, accusing Maya's mother, Beata (and later even 10-year-old Maya herself), of fabricating her daughter's illness. The parallels between these two cases highlight the complexities of medical diagnoses and the devastating consequences when the system fails to protect those in need. Prepare to be captivated by this chilling tale of injustice and the fight for truth.
The relentless determination of Maya's mother, Beata, to advocate for her daughter's health is in stark contrast to Dee Dee Blanchard's constant manipulation to the detriment of Gypsy Rose's own health. This infuriating episode sheds light on the dark side of the medical system and the devastating consequences when the truth is overshadowed by suspicion and prejudice.
And, Sean: Thank you for staying up until 1:30 in the morning with me to go through the edits for this episode and pull me out of my spiral. The episode sounds amazing and we couldn't do it without you!
Stay Spooky, Stay Safe, and Sweet Dreams!
SOURCES:
Take Care of Maya (2023). Documentary. Netflix
What happened to Maya Kowalski? The horror story behind Netflix’s hit documentary
Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital: ‘Take Care of Maya’ Trial
The Cut: What Happened to Maya?
Mayo Clinic: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

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Next Episode

35: The Dyatlov Pass Incident- What Really Happened?

In 1959 Soviet Russia, 10 experienced hikers would set out for an expedition of a lifetime through the Ural Mountains. One hiker would soon turn back, disappointed that a knee injury would prevent him from completing the hike. Days later, the remaining 9 hikers would all be dead.
But how?
This is the question that people are STILL asking more than 60 years later. The state of the hiker's camp, when finally found, was baffling- the tent torn open from the inside, clothing scattered, shoes left behind, and 9 sets of footprints heading away from camp- many barefoot.
The strangeness of the camp, however, wouldn't compare to the absolutely bizarre state of the hikers' bodies when they were finally found. What, or who, could have killed the Dyatlov hikers? Was it a simple avalanche? Aliens or an undiscovered cryptid? Or something much more sinister?
Stay spooky, friends, stay safe, and sweet dreams!
And Sean- thank you so much for all the work you put into this episode, even while sick! You're amazing!
SOURCES:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/has-science-solved-history-greatest-adventure-mystery-dyatlov
https://allthatsinteresting.com/dyatlov-pass-incident-solved
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-dyatlov-pass-incident
https://www.history.com/news/dyatlov-pass-incident-soviet-hiker-death-mystery
https://allthatsinteresting.com/dyatlov-pass-incident
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyatlov_Pass_incident

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