SO EP:678 Born Wild: Koda's Odyssey

Earlier this month, I had the honor of being a featured speaker at the Ozark Mountain Bigfoot Conference in Missouri — and let me tell you, it was an unforgettable weekend. The energy in that room was incredible. I got to spend time with amazing people, hear unbelievable stories, and connect with some of the best minds in Bigfoot research.A few weeks ago, I shared the live Q&A from the VIP dinner the night before the conference, and you guys really seemed to enjoy it.So today, I’m kicking off a brand-new series of episodes featuring the speakers live from the day of the conference.This first episode features my good friend D.A. Roberts — author, investigator, and one of the most passionate voices in the Bigfoot community. And over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing presentations from David Zigan of Bigfoot Forensics, Shane Carpenter, Ryan “RPG” Golembeske, and eventually, my own live presentation from the conference.Now, before you hit play, just a quick heads-up — this was recorded live in a large conference room, so the audio isn’t quite studio quality. You’ll hear a little echo and some background noise from the crowd. I recommend using headphones or earbuds so you don’t miss any of the great talks coming up.So sit back, relax, and enjoy the first installment of my Ozark Mountain Bigfoot Conference Series, recorded live in Missouri. Let’s get started with D.A. Roberts.Get Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our SponsorsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

26 Okt 1h

In this episode, Nona Boss from Florida joins the show at the Ozark Mountain Bigfoot Conference camp out to share her riveting encounters with Bigfoot. Nonna recounts her initial interest sparked by Leonard Nimoy's show 'In Search Of', leading to a life of extraordinary sightings. She details her first Bigfoot encounter in 1986 while snake hunting in the Everglades, a later peaceful daylight sighting in 2022, and other intriguing experiences, including a terrifying rock-throwing incident and mysterious missing time in the North Georgia Mountains.Throughout, Nona discusses the complexities of Bigfoot research, the connection between Bigfoot and other paranormal phenomena, and her balanced perspective between flesh-and-blood and high strangeness theories.The Nonna Boss YouTube ChannelGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our Sponsors00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:20 First Encounter with Bigfoot 03:43 Son's Experience and Family Investigation 06:14 Daytime Sighting and Reflection 08:08 Analyzing the Nighttime Sighting 14:32 Exploring Other Experiences 18:13 The Mysterious Wet Rocks Incident 18:51 A Chilly Hike in Coal Creek 19:51 Interactive Tree Knocking 20:40 The Wall of Fear 22:17 A Strange Encounter in North Georgia Mountains 25:33 Missing Time and UFO Theories 30:12 Reflecting on Bigfoot Experiences 31:37 Exploring the Continuum of Phenomena 34:23 The NBO YouTube ChannelBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

24 Okt 43min

In this special remastered episode of Sasquatch Odyssey, we honor the late Dr. Jeff Meldrum — a man whose dedication, kindness, and scientific curiosity forever changed the way the world views Sasquatch research.There are some people who leave a mark so deep, so genuine, that their absence feels almost impossible to comprehend. For me, one of those people was Dr. Jeff Meldrum.I first met Jeff back in March of 2021, when I was just a fledgling podcaster trying to find my footing. He didn’t have to say yes to being on my show — but he did. Graciously. Humbly. From that moment on, he set the tone for the kind of person I’d come to know him to be.Just a few short years later, I found myself standing beside him on stage, sharing the spotlight with Jeff, Cliff Barackman, and Michael Freeman at a conference in Idaho. It was surreal — the same man I had admired for years was now a colleague, a friend, and a mentor. The last time I saw Jeff was back at the end of July, at the Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We had just finished setting up our booths when I noticed Jeff sitting quietly off to the side. I carried over the plaster casts of the footprints from our property — as I’d done before — hoping to get his thoughts.We sat and talked for a while — about his upcoming retirement, about life, and about the things that still fascinated him most. He joked about trying to convince his wife, Lauren, that he needed more space at home to store his growing collection of casts since he’d be losing his massive lab space at the university.I laughed, but something felt different. Jeff still had that kindness in his eyes, that thoughtful way about him — but there was a quiet heaviness there too.Still, as always, he was generous with his time and his spirit.I had no idea it would be the last time I’d see him.Since his passing, I’ve watched as countless people have shared their memories and tributes — from students and colleagues to lifelong fans around the world.I didn’t rush to do the same, because I needed time. Time to sit with the loss. Time to reflect on what Jeff meant to me, and to this community.So tonight, I want to honor him in the most fitting way I can think of — by going back to where it all began.What you’re about to hear is our very first conversation — fully remastered from the original Sasquatch Odyssey interview that aired back in March of 2021.This is my way of saying thank you, Jeff.For your kindness.For your brilliance.And for the legacy you’ve left behind in the study of Sasquatch — and in the hearts of all of us who were lucky enough to know you.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

22 Okt 54min

In this episode, Fred from Alaska hosts a conversation with special guest Sonny Grant from Juno, Alaska. Sonny, a full Tlingit, shares his deep family history in the region, recounting personal and ancestral stories about sightings of Sasquatch and cannibal giants.The discussion includes detailed accounts from Sonny's youth and his family, including notable encounters in the Knick River Valley, Mount Juno, Thomas Bay, and other locales. Sonny also touches on cultural traditions such as canoe building, and highlights the ways in which these creatures have been a part of Tlingit folklore for generations. Get Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our Sponsors00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:09 Sonny Grant's Background and Early Sightings 01:52 Thomas Bay Expedition 02:53 Encounters and Strange Phenomena 07:02 Cannibal Giants and Family Stories 11:36 Hunting Stories and Sasquatch Nests 15:58 Warrior Clan and Cannibal Giant Battles 20:14 Burning the Cannibal Giant 21:20 Ancient Stories of Cannibal Giants 22:13 Wolf Pack Behavior and Human Encounters 22:45 Sasquatch Sightings and Encounters 30:24 Cultural Significance of Carving and Canoe Building 37:23 Hunting Traditions and Techniques 40:32 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

19 Okt 44min

In this episode, Brian welcomes an anonymous guest who shares his lifelong journey and deep interest in Bigfoot, describing his encounters and interactions. The guest recounts his initial fascination with Sasquatch, beginning with a childhood experience and continuing through various sightings and interactions over the years. He explains how his desire to communicate with Bigfoot led him to seek out shamans and practitioners worldwide, ultimately learning methods from a Nepalese shaman to interact with these beings.The guest distinguishes between gifting and offering, highlighting how spiritual practices have deepened his connection with Bigfoot. Throughout the episode, he offers a unique perspective on the spiritual and physical nature of these creatures, advocating for a deeper connection with nature and universal oneness.Get Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our Sponsors00:00 Introduction and Early Encounters 04:13 The Shaman's Training and First Interactions 08:15 Memorable Bigfoot Sightings 13:42 Spiritual Practices and Deepening Connections 19:20 The Shaman's Teachings and Techniques 24:36 Gifting vs. Offering: Understanding the Difference 27:10 The Essence of Gifting and Offering 29:07 Recent Profound Interactions with Bigfoot 30:02 Understanding Oneness with Nature 33:05 Bigfoot's Spiritual and Physical Nature 36:35 Personal Encounters and Reflections 40:44 Addressing Skepticism and Final ThoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

17 Okt 53min

In this episode, we’re heading deep into the muggy heart of Florida — into the swamps, forests, and backroads most people only see from the safety of an airboat. Out here, under the cover of night and cypress moss, something moves through the shadows. Something big. Something that hundreds of people claim to have seen over the last two centuries — but science still refuses to acknowledge.We’re talking about the Florida Skunk Ape — the Sunshine State’s answer to Bigfoot, and one of the most unsettling mysteries still hiding in America’s wilderness.You might think Florida’s too developed for anything unknown to stay hidden. But across generations, the reports haven’t stopped. Law enforcement officers, hunters, families, and veterans have all described seeing the same thing: a massive, hair-covered figure with glowing red eyes and a smell so strong it made their stomachs turn.These aren’t campfire tales — they’re official reports, eyewitness accounts, and in some cases, physical evidence collected by people who had everything to lose and nothing to gain by speaking up.We’ll explore nearly 200 years of sightings and encounters, from frontier settlers in the early 1800s who described “man-sized monkeys” raiding fishing camps, to the terrifying 1929 incident at the Perky Bat Tower, where something powerful enough to shake a thirty-foot structure drove out every bat inside. We’ll look at the case of two Palm Beach County deputies in the 1970s — both seasoned outdoorsmen — who came face to face with a seven-foot creature while investigating livestock attacks. They even recovered hair samples caught on a barbed wire fence. You’ll also hear about the Vietnam veteran who, in 1977, watched an eight-foot creature emerge from the mangroves behind his home and was so shaken that he cleared thirty feet of brush from around his property just to sleep at night. And then there are the photographs. In 2000, an elderly woman in Sarasota County sent two chilling images to the sheriff’s office, showing what appeared to be a reddish-brown, ape-like creature crouched behind her backyard. The so-called Myakka Photos are still being analyzed and debated over two decades later.We’ll talk about Dave Shealy, the man who’s dedicated his life to proving the Skunk Ape exists — running his Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in the heart of the Everglades. His 2000 video footage of a creature running through the swamp is still one of the most-watched cryptid videos online. But this episode goes deeper than the sightings.We’re asking why so many people — trained law enforcement officers, hunters, and locals — believe they’ve seen something that modern science says shouldn’t exist. We’ll dive into the psychology, the skepticism, the cultural roots of the legend, and even the Seminole people’s stories of Esti Capcaki, the “tall hairy man” that predates European settlement by centuries.By the end of this episode, you’ll feel the humid air, hear the buzz of the swamp at night, and maybe understand why so many Floridians won’t step foot into certain parts of the wilderness after dark. This isn’t just another campfire tale. This is a journey through real encounters, credible witnesses, and the enduring mystery of something hiding out there in the heart of Florida’s wild places.Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode might just make you slow down a little the next time you’re driving through the backroads of the Everglades after sunset — especially if you see a pair of glowing eyes staring back at you from the tree line.This is the episode the swamp doesn’t want you to hear.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

15 Okt 1h 13min

In this episode, Fred recounts two harrowing tales of mysterious and frightening incidents in the wilderness. The first story follows Joseph and Monty as they attempt to repair an old family cabin in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta, only to be terrorized by unseen forces that petrify their dogs and threaten their safety.The second story involves Michael and Spencer, who, while helping a friend on a boating trip near Seward, Alaska, encounter inexplicable screams and a massive, mysterious creature in the forest. Both tales underscore the eerie and often dangerous unknowns of the wilderness.Get Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our Sponsors00:00 Introduction and Warning 00:21 Setting the Scene: The Cabin in the Yukon 01:31 The Work Begins: Repairs and Odd Occurrences 04:19 Unsettling Signs: Dogs' Behavior and Strange Noises 07:28 Night of Terror: Unseen Threats 12:24 Desperate Measures: Defending the Cabin 20:54 Morning After: Assessing the Damage 21:58 A Narrow Escape 22:43 Unsettling Discovery 23:41 The Encounter 26:20 A New Story Begins 28:38 Strange Sounds in the Night 33:04 A Terrifying Sight 38:06 The Aftermath 40:24 Final Thoughts and WarningsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

12 Okt 44min