the Cryptid Guide

Ballyraven
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What strange things are people seeing and experiencing around the world? From the cryptid hub of the Appalachian Mountains to the far reaches of Antarctica, monsters (and creatures not proven by science) are said to roam. Learn about cryptozoology, folklore, mythical creatures, aliens, and more from your cryptid guide, Ballyraven, an Appalachian illustrator and writer from southern Ohio. Recounting history, sightings, and every bit of lore, she also guides you through it all, no fluff, no AI, no off-topic banter. Formerly the Ballyraven Cryptid Wildlife Protection Agency podcast.

Episodes

  1. Jul 3

    the Crystal Beach Creature

    A TOUR OF LAKE ERIE: Mini Episode 3 A new Bessie variant has hit the waters - this time it has a dog-like head! Was it a legitimate sighting or an advertisement stunt of resorts and amusement parks? The evidence isn't good... TIMELINE 1793: first Lake Erie Monster (LEM) sighted (Sandusky, OH) July 1817: Similar LEM sighted Post July 1817: Similar LEM sighted, but with a few new details Late 1817: A new LEM variant is encountered (Toledo, OH) Early 1892: LEM sighted (somewhere between Buffalo, NY & Toledo, OH) July 1892: LEM follows boat aggressively May 1896: A new LEM variant is encountered (Fort Erie, ON) June 1896: LEM sighted (Woodlawn Beach, NY) Sources http://blog.buffalostories.com/tag/crystal-beach/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Erie#History https://eriecountyohiohistory.org/about/welcome-erie-county/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloop  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_(unit)# https://jet-express.com/blog/history-afloat-exploring-lake-eries-past/ https://monstersofohio.com/2021/11/07/meet-the-monsters-the-lake-erie-monster/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812  https://www.battlefields.org/learn/war-1812/battles/battle-lake-erie  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_(sailing)  https://nmgl.org/lake-erie/  https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Bessie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_(lake_monster) https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/column-lake-monsters Transcript⁠ This episode is sponsored by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Constellation Dive Group⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about the Old Saybrook Blockhead, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven online encyclopedia⁠⁠⁠⁠. Support the show, buy a ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bessie print⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member

    the Crystal Beach Creature

  2. Jul 2

    Lake Erie's Silverscale

    A TOUR OF LAKE ERIE: Mini Episode 2 The Lake Erie Monster is growing larger and a bit more scary... and maybe it left a silvery treasure to recover. TIMELINE 1793: first Lake Erie Monster (LEM) sighted July 1817: Similar LEM sighted Post July 1817: Similar LEM sighted, but with a few new details Late 1817: A new LEM variant is encountered Early 1892: LEM sighted July, 1892: LEM follows boat aggressively Sources http://blog.buffalostories.com/tag/crystal-beach/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Erie#History https://eriecountyohiohistory.org/about/welcome-erie-county/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloop  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_(unit)# https://jet-express.com/blog/history-afloat-exploring-lake-eries-past/ https://monstersofohio.com/2021/11/07/meet-the-monsters-the-lake-erie-monster/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812  https://www.battlefields.org/learn/war-1812/battles/battle-lake-erie  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_(sailing)  https://nmgl.org/lake-erie/  https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Bessie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_(lake_monster) https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/column-lake-monsters Transcript⁠ This episode is sponsored by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Constellation Dive Group⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about the Old Saybrook Blockhead, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven online encyclopedia⁠⁠⁠⁠. Support the show, buy a ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bessie print⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member

  3. Jun 29

    Lake Erie's Ol' Copper

    A TOUR OF LAKE ERIE: Mini Episode 1 The oldest and largest version of the Lake Erie Monster originates in the late 18th century! Three brief, old stories about a serpent of unbelievable size. TIMELINE 1793: first Lake Erie Monster (LEM) sighted July 1817: Similar LEM sighted Post July 1817: Similar LEM sighted, but with a few new details Late 1817: A new LEM variant is encountered (listen to in mini episode #2: Lake Erie's Silverscale) ⁠Transcript⁠ This episode is sponsored by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Constellation Dive Group⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about the Old Saybrook Blockhead, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven online encyclopedia⁠⁠⁠⁠. Support the show, buy a ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bessie print⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member. Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Erie#History https://eriecountyohiohistory.org/about/welcome-erie-county/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloop  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_(unit)# https://jet-express.com/blog/history-afloat-exploring-lake-eries-past/ https://monstersofohio.com/2021/11/07/meet-the-monsters-the-lake-erie-monster/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812  https://www.battlefields.org/learn/war-1812/battles/battle-lake-erie  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_(sailing)  https://nmgl.org/lake-erie/  https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Bessie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_(lake_monster) https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/column-lake-monsters

    Lake Erie's Ol' Copper

  4. Jun 22

    Lake Erie's Cryptid... or Cryptids? Lake Erie Part 1

    Lake Erie has a lot of history - and a lot of cryptid activity! From a "plesiosaur" named Bessie to a foot-biting worm, for over 200 years, stories of strange creatures have plagued the lake, from boat captains and fishermen, to tourists and residents. What are these monsters? What are their stories? You'll have to keep up with us for the next few weeks to learn about them all in this summer road trip special! Transcript SOURCEShttps://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Bessie#Recent_Sightings https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_(lake_monster)#cite_note-3 https://web.archive.org/web/20200220164724/http://web.ncf.ca/bz050/HomePage.bessie.html https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-30-mn-2507-story.html https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/land-water/lake-erie-watershed/Geology+of+Lake+Erie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_sturgeon#Conservation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon#Evolution https://www3.erie.gov/environment/fish-descriptions#Sturgeon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plesiosaur#History_of_discovery

    Lake Erie's Cryptid... or Cryptids? Lake Erie Part 1

  5. Jun 15

    Aliens Abound in Connecticut Part 2: Abductions, Missing Time, and Bulbous-Headed Things

    The strange things in Connecticut continue, with 9 more cases of close contact: Durham, CT 1967: UFO sighting with teleportation/missing time Avon, CT 1967: robot creature seen on side of the road Winsted, CT 1967: large UFO accompanied by three alien entities Winsted, CT 1968: egg-UFO accompanied by a plethora of fish-bowl-headed aliens Westbrook, CT 1971: UFO spotted with figures inside; reported alongside missing time Norwalk, CT 1973: woman teleported into UFO, seeing many human-like aliens Kent, CT 1873: multiple UFO sightings; strange humanoid encounter alongside missing time Hamden, CT 1976: faceless alien encountered Hamden, CT 1976: UFO and two aliens spotted Cheshire, CT 1976: family sees UFO & experiences missing time; claims to be abducted, probed. Continued contact occurs. Also covered is the 1984 Hudson Valley UFO Sightings (Westchester Boomerang) and the Giant Green Whale of Bantam Lake. In this adventure, our cryptid guide, Ballyraven, continues to take us throughout Connecticut to learn about more aliens, more UFOs, and what may be causing them... Transcript This episode is sponsored by the ⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven Patreon⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Constellation Dive Group⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about the Old Saybrook Blockhead, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the ⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven online encyclopedia⁠⁠⁠. Support the show, buy a ⁠⁠⁠OSB print⁠⁠⁠. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member.

    Aliens Abound in Connecticut Part 2: Abductions, Missing Time, and Bulbous-Headed Things

  6. Jun 8

    Aliens Abound in Connecticut Part 1: the Old Saybrook Blockhead

    Strange things have flown over the skies of Connecticut. A bizarre alien hovered in front of a teacher's window. And 9 others touched down between 1957 and 1976. In between, and for long after, hundreds of UFOs were spotted in the small state. In this adventure, our cryptid guide, Ballyraven, will take us to Connecticut to learn about the Old Saybrook Blockhead, cigar-shaped UFOs, and other strange lights seen after dark... Transcript This episode is sponsored by the ⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven Patreon⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Constellation Dive Group⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about the Old Saybrook Blockhead, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the ⁠⁠⁠Ballyraven online encyclopedia⁠⁠⁠. Support the show, buy a ⁠⁠⁠OSB print⁠⁠⁠. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member.

    Aliens Abound in Connecticut Part 1: the Old Saybrook Blockhead

  7. Jun 1

    Giant, Man-Eating Beavers in the Monongahela River

    It's as big as a human and as angry as the hulk! It will fight anything and bite with two large teeth! It will screech and roar like a train! It's.... a giant beaver? An unlikely fearsome critter, the Mon's Man-Eating Beaver, or "Fangmalia", is a strange, kind of funny cryptid from West Virginia and Pennsylvania that is probably a hoax. In this adventure, our cryptid guide, Ballyraven, will take us to the Monongahela River, through some research files, and back in time to examine the Pleistocene's extinct giant beavers, Castoroides, as well as its presence in one of Ohio's caves. Transcript This episode is sponsored by the ⁠⁠Ballyraven Patreon⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Constellation Dive Group⁠⁠. Learn more about Fangmalia, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the ⁠⁠Ballyraven online encyclopedia⁠⁠. Support the show, buy a ⁠⁠Fangmalia print⁠⁠. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member.

    Giant, Man-Eating Beavers in the Monongahela River

  8. May 25

    Tlanuwa: the Little Tennessee River's Great Mythic Hawk

    The Tlanuwa is a mythical bird in Cherokee and Natchez mythology/belief. While it is not a cryptid, its stories and ties to Tennessee have influenced modern cryptozoological tales. In this episode, our guide, Ballyraven, will explain what a Tlanuwa is and cover three stories about it. Transcript This episode is sponsored by the ⁠Ballyraven Patreon⁠ and ⁠Constellation Dive Group⁠. Learn more about the Tlanuwa, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the ⁠Ballyraven online encyclopedia⁠. Support the show, buy a ⁠Tlanuwa print⁠. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member.

    Tlanuwa: the Little Tennessee River's Great Mythic Hawk

  9. May 17

    A UFO is in Niaux Cave

    We're back in the caves with more Paleolithic art! This time, we're taking a deep dive into a painting of a UFO inside Niaux Cave in France. A little younger than the Wounded Man, this one was made in the same era with most of the same tools - though this one needed a bit more spit. Our cryptid guide, Ballyraven, takes us to look at the UFO in Niaux Cave - and get to the bottom of its high strangeness. Transcript This episode is sponsored by the Ballyraven Patreon and Constellation Dive Group. Learn more about the Niaux Cave UFO, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the Ballyraven online encyclopedia. Support the show, buy a sticker. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member.

    A UFO is in Niaux Cave

  10. May 17

    the Wounded Man of Pech-Merle

    Our first ancient alien is found in France, created 20,000 years ago in a cave: it is the Wounded Man, a prehistoric engraving that some claim to be an alien and a UFO. What is this strange cave drawing? Is it a depiction of an alien - or something else? Our cryptid guide, Ballyraven, will take us through Pech-Merle Cave to see the Wounded Man and disciver just what his story is. Transcript This episode is sponsored by the Ballyraven Patreon and Constellation Dive Group. Learn more about the Wounded Man, , see sources, and transcripts by visiting the Ballyraven online encyclopedia. Support the show, buy an Abducted Sticker. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member.

    the Wounded Man of Pech-Merle

  11. May 17

    an Intro to Horizon Cases & Ancient Aliens

    Horizon cases. They may be a mystery you're familiar with. The same qualities that make these stories interesting also make them frustrating, disappointing, or unsatisfying. They are simply unanswerable questions. Join our cryptid guide, Ballyrave, as she teaches us about Horizon Cases and step into a long-gone world of them. Transcript This episode is sponsored by the Ballyraven Patreon and Constellation Dive Group. Learn more about Horizon Cases and Ancient Aliens, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the www.ballyraven.com. Support the show, buy an Abducted Sticker. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member.

    an Intro to Horizon Cases & Ancient Aliens

  12. May 10

    Apple Devil: Marlinton, West Virginia's Little Bigfoot

    In the 1960's, southern West Virginia exploded with reports of small, hairy creatures stealing fruit, destroying fences, and being general nuisances. Known today by many names, these small Bigfoot-type cryptids called Apple Devils haven't been seen since the 90's, but many still believe in them and hope to see them again. Our cryptid guide, Ballyraven, will take us through a sighting in Hillsboro, WV, the outbreak in Marlinton, WV, and on an encounter with an Apple Devil mother. Transcript This episode is sponsored by the Ballyraven Patreon and Constellation Dive Group. Learn more about the Apple Devil, see sources, and transcripts by visiting the Ballyraven online encyclopedia. Support the show, buy an Apple Devil print. Want to listen ad-free? Become a Patreon member.

    Apple Devil: Marlinton, West Virginia's Little Bigfoot
  • 12 Episodes

About

What strange things are people seeing and experiencing around the world? From the cryptid hub of the Appalachian Mountains to the far reaches of Antarctica, monsters (and creatures not proven by science) are said to roam. Learn about cryptozoology, folklore, mythical creatures, aliens, and more from your cryptid guide, Ballyraven, an Appalachian illustrator and writer from southern Ohio. Recounting history, sightings, and every bit of lore, she also guides you through it all, no fluff, no AI, no off-topic banter. Formerly the Ballyraven Cryptid Wildlife Protection Agency podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Ballyraven
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ballyraven
  • Show Website
    the Cryptid Guide