#028 - The Cryptid Files Part 1

Halloween kicks off with a road trip through America’s creepiest local legends, and the first stop is all killer, no filler. If you love cryptids, urban legends, or the kind of spooky stories that make back roads feel a little less safe, this episode is your gateway into a month-long tour of the weirdest creatures hiding in plain sight. Robert Herr, Rowan Michael, and Professor TieDye launch the series by breaking down what a cryptid actually is and then getting straight into the monsters. Pennsylvania’s Goatman sets the tone with brutal origin stories and a reputation for tormenting victims before the kill. Ohio’s Grassman turns the Bigfoot myth into an ambush predator that hides in brush, stares into windows, and lures people out with fake cries for help. Kentucky brings the Hopkinsville Goblins and the Cumberland Dragon, a bizarre mix of old newspaper lore, glowing eyes, webbed tracks, and a dragon that sounds more like a nightmare with a breath weapon than a fairy tale beast. You'll discover why West Virginia has some of the most enduring legends in the country, from the Cherokee-rooted Wampus Cat to the Mothman, the red-eyed harbinger linked to the infamous Silver Bridge collapse. The conversation also digs into the moon-eyed settlers of Appalachia, Florida’s skunk ape, and the unsettling way real sightings, local folklore, and pure panic can blur together until a story feels more real than reality. We break down where these legends come from, why some of them stick for generations, and how internet-era storytelling can take a strange local tale and turn it into a national obsession. Along the way, the hosts compare cryptids to everything from ghillie suits and bush babies to swamp monsters, black dog omens, and “tossed salad man” chaos, making this one part folklore deep dive and one part hilarious campfire horror story. This is the perfect episode if you want creepy lore with personality, smart skepticism without killing the fun, and a preview of the road trip still to come. Start here if you’re ready for spooky season to get properly weird. Follow the show everywhere: https://linkbio.co/spinstatepod Follow us on Social Media: Robert: https://link.me/realrobertherr Ryan:  https://x.com/ryanthomastalks, https://instagram.com/ryanthomastalks Rowan: https://x.com/RowanMicheals Subscribe to the UNSPUN Newsletter: https://unspun.beehiiv.com Eclipse Holsters (Use code ‘RyanThomas’ at checkout):  https://eclipseholsters.com  Get a free 30-day trial to Beehiiv & 20% off your first 3 months: https://www.beehiiv.com/?via=spinstatepod  Join us on PickAx: https://pickax.com