The confluence of Waffle House and blue spruce set the stage for new breakthroughs in the field of cryptonaturalism. A new cryptid is discovered beneath the blue spruce.

Episode 59: Moon Shadow

10 days ago 17m 19s

Night is Earth’s shadow and many creatures call it home. The moon’s shadow is a different sort of night entirely. Thanks to Nicolette Nuytten for today’s hidden lore, “Water Beetles.” Nicolette works at the library and spends her free time walk

Episode 58: Ghost Flies

24 days ago 19m 56s

What counts as a ghost is, perhaps, open to interpretation. Thanks to Steve Shell for voicing today’s field report. Steve is a co-creator, writer, and voice of the narrator on the Old Gods of Appalachia podcast. Old Gods is entering the homestr

Episode 57: Breakfast

Mar 15th, 2024 16m 10s

An early morning record focusing on starting the day The CryptoNaturalist way. Thanks to Joseph Giglio for today’s hidden lore, “The Sky.” Joseph is currently an MFA student at George Mason University and originally from Buffalo, NY. He has bee

Episode 56: A Walk in the Woods

Mar 1st, 2024 19m 17s

There’s something playing music just down the path, but that isn’t the only worthy mystery beneath the trees. Today’s hidden lore was “The Bone Mother’s Daughter” by Tim Goldstone. Tim Goldstone is based on a true event. He has roamed widely an

Episode 55: Feather Fountain

Feb 15th, 2024 20m 5s

The Feather Fountain is as beautiful as it is deadly and it’s plenty of both. Thanks to Cecil Baldwin for voicing the Stairway Keeper. Cecil has long been one of my favorite voices in podcasting and you can hear him on the show that first inspi

Episode 54: Mirror Falls

Feb 1st, 2024 20m 10s

The mirror falls, like all water, links us to many other versions of ourself. Thanks to Cat Stone for lending her voice to this episode. Hidden lore poetry by Matt Dennison. Matt is the author of Kind Surgery, from Urtica Press (Fr.) and Waitin

Episode 53: The Uneasiness

Jan 15th, 2024 21m 39s

The Uneasiness waits and watches somewhere beyond dark windows. Thanks to Tim Murphy for his hidden lore poem “Wildness Unafraid.” Tim Murphy (he/him) is a disabled, bisexual poet who lives in Portland, Oregon. His writing explores disability a

Episode 52: Mecha-Shrew

Jan 1st, 2024 20m 26s

Rumor has it the mecha-shrew is extinct, but not all rumors are trustworthy. Thanks to Emily Benson for this episode’s hidden lore poem, “On the Question of the Happiness of Clams.” Emily Benson lives in Western New York with her husband and t

Episode 51: Shadow Fly

Dec 15th, 2023 14m 8s

The Shadow Fly drinks from your shadow, which, in turn, drinks from you. Thanks to Hannah Ringler for this episodes hidden lore poem. Hannah Ringler is a poet, parent, and gardener from North Carolina. She is the coordinator for the North Carol

Episode 50: Willow Man

Feb 19th, 2023 21m 30s

All trees talk. Some trees walk. Special thanks to Ellen Weatherford for voicing today’s field report! Ellen is a co-host on the Just the Zoo of Us podcast, a family-friendly show that researches, rates, and reviews wildlife, along with hosting

Episode 49: Waiting Room Loach

Mar 23rd, 2022 21m 46s

Hidden lore poetry by Mia Cong. Mia is an aspiring chef, occasional poet, and current scribe working under the handle theshitpostcalligrapher across all platforms. Still looking through the urban wilds of Toronto Canada for a kitchen to call ho

Episode 48: Brambleberry Scrambler

Jan 4th, 2022 22m 2s

The Brambleberry Scrambler is just on the edge of being real, which is a perfectly lovely place to call home. Hidden Lore poetry by Katelyn Allred. Katelyn is a writer and student currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Her wo

Episode 47: The Fire Feast

Dec 15th, 2021 15m 10s

In this episode, The CryptoNaturalist shares a homemade winter tradition and ponders the importance of making meaning, ritual, and gratitude. Check out Field Guide to the Haunted Forest by Jarod K. Anderson wherever books are sold. Reminder:

Episode 46: Cassandra Logs 3: Doorway Creature

Oct 15th, 2021 13m 55s

Humans once believed that doorways were a separate place – neither one room nor the other, but their own distinct world. Broadly speaking, people don’t believe that anymore, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Reminder: Transcripts of this an

Episode 45: Hello Traveler

Aug 8th, 2021 17m 45s

Thoughts about loving ourselves in an imperfect world in a strange tavern on a dark hill. Thanks to Andrew Collins for the use of his song Farewell my Old Friend. I borrowed it with his permission from a 2020 YouTube performance. I just love An

Episode 44: Cassandra Logs 2: Nameless Fish

May 25th, 2021 14m 40s

Cassandra recalls an old friend and a nameless fish. The CryptoNaturalist is written by Jarod K. Anderson and Leslie J. Anderson. Cassandra is voiced by Leslie J. Anderson. The CryptoNaturalist is voiced by Jarod K. Anderson. Reminder: Transc

Episode 43: Prairie Turtle

May 7th, 2021 17m 30s

Special thanks to Sarah Rhea Werner for reprising her role as Valentina Blackwood. Sarah has so many wonderful projects, including The Write Now Podcast and Girl in Space. Sarah has all sorts of ways to entertain, educate, and inspire you and y

Episode 42: Cassandra Logs 1: Dragons

Mar 2nd, 2021 15m 55s

Welcome to the Cassandra Logs. In this episode, Cassandra visits with a dragon. Reminder: Transcripts of this and every episode are available at cryptonaturalist.com. Exclusive stickers, pins, shirts, and access to bonus content and strange e

Episode 41: Cassandra

Feb 23rd, 2021 16m 45s

The thing about an unexplainable RV is that it’s unexplainable, but let’s give it a shot anyway. Thanks to Fara Tucker for this week’s hidden lore poetry. Fara Tucker is a writer, poet, storyteller, teacher, photographer, former therapist, and

Episode 40: Grandfather Jellyfish

Feb 4th, 2021 17m 40s

A jellyfish is part ghost part flower and part trap. Is it any surprise that some defy explanation? Check out Field Guide to the Haunted Forest by Jarod K. Anderson wherever books are sold. An audio version as well as signed bookplates are com

Episode 39: Bittersweet

Nov 3rd, 2020 17m 5s

The forest. The fire. The guitar in the wind. The covered bridge that has no business being there.Background guitar music was “Three Ravens” by Axletree. Downloaded from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Axletree.Thanks to Meredith Smith for t

Episode 38: Pocket Crab

Oct 16th, 2020 17m 27s

There are many places to hide strange nature. Mountaintop snows. Undersea trenches. In your pocket. Thanks to The Pine Hill Haints for permission to play their song. You should get to know them. Visit thepinehillhaints.com to learn more.Hidden

Episode 37: Obsidian Bat

Sep 18th, 2020 21m 25s

A simple old tale about a RV, a cosmic bat, and a low Earth orbit mosquito.Hidden lore poetry by Patricia Killelea. Patricia Killelea is the author of the poetry collections Counterglow (Urban Farmhouse Press, 2019) and Other Suns (Swan Scythe

Episode 36: Train in the Pines

Aug 19th, 2020 15m 16s

The train in the pines is a great getaway provided you can get there and then get away.Hidden lore poetry by Annie McAndrew. Annie is a writer of speculative fiction from the edge of the Texas Hill Country. She can be found exploring the local