Podcast
Are You Captain Purple
Hosted by Hilliard House Productions · EN
In the summer of 1983, Bedford, Indiana, was visited by a mysterious figure who left food, clothing, and handwritten letters at the doors of those in need. He left his gifts along with what would be his signature - a set of purple spray-painted footprints and called himself Captain Purple. For 43 years, his true identity has remained a mystery—until now?
“Are You Captain Purple?” is an investigative podcast documentary series that revisits this hometown legend with fresh leads, never-before-published notes, and interviews with those who were forever changed by his generosity. Led by Emmy-nominated journalist Nick Storm and Bedford native Derek Ingersoll, the podcast explores not only who Captain Purple was, but why he did what he did—shining a light on the power of kindness, compassion, and community.
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9episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 8: The Man Behind the Mask?
Feb 801:07:58Summary readyThe stunning finale of Are You Captain Purple. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘Heartstrings’ by Indianola featuring Owen Beverly. Want to own a replica of the original Captain Purple Fan Club shirts that Janice Hamilton produced? Check our webstore. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation to keep this reporting alive. Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com
SummaryEp 7: A New Suspect
Feb 800:26:07Tap to summarizeLong missing files regarding Captain Purple are located and a new suspect emerges. Are you Captain Purple? You can be. Check our webstore for Captain Purple shirts. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘I Need Love’ by Mechanical River. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation to support our independent storytelling. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/JB7K5KZYR5DCE Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com
Transcribe →Ep 6: Reincarnation
Feb 100:29:00Tap to summarizeAfter decades without a peep from Captain Purple the character remerges in Bedford in late 2016. Another newspaper reporter takes up the search into the mystery. Nick and Derek get a letter from Captain Purple. Are you Captain Purple? You can be. Check our webstore. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘IKYTYK’ by Quiet Confidence. Source notes for episode 6. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/JB7K5KZYR5DCE Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com
Transcribe →Ep 5: All Roads Lead to XXXXX
Feb 100:31:43Tap to summarizeBedford Police Officer Don Taylor has been named by his former colleagues and others as being the elusive do-gooder. What will he say after 43 years of speculation? Are you Captain Purple? You can be. Check our webstore. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘You’re Never Satisfied’ by Ivory Wire. Source notes for episode 5 are available here. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation to keep this reporting alive. Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com
Transcribe →Ep 4: Love One Another
Feb 100:29:28Tap to summarizeCaptain Purple is being chased by newspaper sports reporter Gary Gosch. The caped do-gooder also leaves a package and a request with the local radio station WBIW, and hangs a massive banner from an old structure along the highway. Nick and Derek make contact with Rosemarie Sylvester, the main Captain Purple reporter from the Bedford Times Mail in 1983, and she offers information no one has ever heard before. Source Notes for episode 4. Want to own a replica of the original Captain Purple Fan Club shirts that Janice Hamilton produced? Check our webstore. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘Testify’ by Los Coast. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation to keep this reporting alive. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/JB7K5KZYR5DCE Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com
Transcribe →Ep 3: All Things on K Street
Feb 100:35:28Tap to summarizeNick and Derek continue their investigation into Captain Purple, the mysterious do-gooder in Bedford, Indiana, from the summer of 1983 that drew national attention. In this episode they revisit the town’s pivot into accepting Captain Purple. They also find an interesting connection into the K Street corridor of the town where a nexus of Captain Purple visits are reported, and they make contact with the widow of former Mayor John Williams. Want to own a replica of the original Captain Purple Fan Club shirts that Janice Hamilton produced? Check our webstore. Source notes for this episode are available here. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘Let it Go’ by Dot Dot Dot Thank you for your support. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/JB7K5KZYR5DCE Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com
Transcribe →Ep 2: The Police Chase the Captain; We Chase the Police
Feb 100:35:47Tap to summarizeThe search for suspects and inconsistencies between a file at the Bedford Police Department in 2025 and the stories of an officer from 1983 have Nick Storm and Derek Ingersoll chasing after the police. In 1983, Bedford was distrustful of the captain, at least until some took a public stand. Nick and Derek track down Richard King, who was visited by Captain Purple in spring of 1983, and hear how that encounter prompted him to come forward in defense of the town’s budding hero. To see source material from this episode check out our series notes on the website. Are You Captain Purple merch is available now on our webstore. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. Radar By EXO. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation to support us. Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com
Transcribe →Ep. 1: The Mysterious Captain Purple
Feb 100:34:43Tap to summarizeBedford, Indiana, 1983. A mysterious person leaves spray painted footprints at the steps of a local church and a letter declaring himself ‘Captain Purple.’ Other similar messages start appearing across the 12 square miles of the small Indiana town. Youth Pastor Harold Neeley recounts finding the letter at the Bedford Free Methodist Church, and the national interest, and fear that followed. Despite the nature of small towns, no one knows who was behind the night time antics of Captain Purple. 2025: Nick Storm and Derek Ingersoll begin their investigation into Captain Purple heading to Bedford, Indiana, to speak with first hand sources from four-decades prior, and they begin to understand why this true story could have much deeper implications. Are You Captain Purple merch is available now on our webstore. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘Words of Caution,’ by Nathan Jacques. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation to keep this reporting alive. ****SPOILERS**** Click here for a look at the I-log report from June 14, 1983 and other source notes from our reporting. Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com Facebook
Transcribe →Trailer - Are you Captain Purple
Jan 400:02:58Tap to summarizeIn the summer of 1983, Bedford, Indiana, was visited by a mysterious figure who left food, clothing, and handwritten letters at the doors of those in need. He left his gifts along with what would be his signature - a set of purple spray-painted footprints and called himself Captain Purple. For 43 years, his true identity has remained a mystery—until now? “Are You Captain Purple?” is an investigative podcast documentary series that revisits this hometown legend with fresh leads, never-before-published notes, and interviews with those who were forever changed by his generosity. Led by Emmy-nominated journalist Nick Storm and Bedford native Derek Ingersoll, the podcast explores not only who Captain Purple was, but why he did what he did—shining a light on the power of kindness, compassion, and community. A podcast like you’ve never heard before: Are You Captain Purple? Launches February 2, 2026. Subscribe now.
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