Bigfoot Collectors Club: Hi, Strangeness – "Waving the Wheat" w/ Steve Berg & Michael McMillian
Original air date: November 19, 2025 | Host: Steve Berg | Guest: Michael McMillian

Overview

This episode is a special "Big Friendsgiving" crossover between Steve Berg’s Hi, Strangeness and the Bigfoot Collectors Club, featuring actor, writer, and podcaster Michael McMillian. The conversation dives into their shared Midwestern roots, the unique weirdness of Kansas (especially Lawrence), a rich exchange of paranormal encounters, personal reflections on the paranormal, and the evolution of belief as both men navigate lives as creative professionals—and as self-proclaimed "semi-pro weirdos." Along the way, they discuss the culture of college towns, the value of community in paranormal circles, and the power of staying curious and open-minded about high strangeness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kansas, Lawrence, and the Roots of Weirdness

[08:19–15:30]

• Berg and McMillian reminisce about growing up in or near Kansas, particularly the college town of Lawrence.
• Lawrence is celebrated for its indie rock scene, progressive vibes, and unique culture—contrasting the conservative Kansas suburbs.
• Iconic landmarks like Mass Street, the Replay Lounge, and the Eldridge Hotel feature heavily as places dense with character—and paranormal lore.
• Both host and guest, almost in unison, confess their “retirement dream” is to live their twilight years in Lawrence.

"Lawrence in the 90s was the coolest place to hang out...the weirdest place I had closest access to." – Michael McMillian [10:06]

• They discuss the city’s resistance to big business and its preservation of local stores, adding a distinct flavor to its identity.

2. Paranormal Lore of Eastern Kansas

[22:21–41:29]

• Eldridge Hotel, Lawrence: A known hotbed of paranormal activity. Both McMillian and Berg share ghost quest experiences and report repeated credible encounters from hotel staff and visitors.
  • Room 506 is described as "a portal to the other side."
  • McMillian recounts capturing blue orbs on camera near this room.

"There’s a photo at the front desk... the elevator doors open and you can see a shadowy figure... ask anyone who works here, 'That’s the Eldridge ghost.'" – Michael McMillian [25:11]

• Stull Cemetery: Known as the "seventh gateway to hell," located just outside Lawrence.
  • McMillian explains the origins of the legend, uncovering its likely 1970s student-driven origins, debunking some of the more outlandish rumors (e.g., the Pope won’t fly over Kansas; U2 refuses to perform there).
  • The hosts note how every college town, it seems, has a local “portal to hell” legend.

"I love urban legends...the Pope would not fly over, not true of course... and U2 wouldn't play in KC because it's Stull." – Steve Berg [31:26]

• Reflections on Regional Hauntings:
  • Discussion of how frontier violence, genocide, and American history fuel the region’s particular type of haunting and urban legend.

3. Kansas UFO Flap and High Strangeness Hotspots

[38:05–42:40]

• Recent attention to Buck Creek Valley, Kansas (cited by Professor Wham), for activity reminiscent of "Skinwalker Ranch"—UFOs, cryptids, high strangeness.
• Debate over the difficulty of researching Midwestern UFO and paranormal history, noting that much is preserved in out-of-print books and local libraries, not online.

"You know this as well as I do... a lot of this stuff is still only published in books...I really need to up my game and get in the library." – Michael McMillian [40:14]

4. Planning a Paranormal Road Trip

[44:07–45:43]

• The two pitch a future paranormal field trip—exploring Buck Creek Valley, the Eldridge Hotel, the Replay Lounge, and Lawrence’s culinary scene.
• They hatch on-air plans to document this adventure, embracing the new DIY nature of content creation.

5. Careers in the Arts, Podcasting, and Their Intersection with Paranormal Fandom

[48:16–62:23, 62:32–65:36]

• McMillian candidly discusses his trajectory from Kansas to Los Angeles and New York via acting school, relating a childhood need to "find the party" elsewhere.
• Honest reflections on the instability of creative work, life fulfillment versus security, and how podcasting (BCC) became an empowering act of creative control.

"...I started it [the podcast] because I was tired of being told yes or no. I wanted a show I could put out without permission every week." – Michael McMillian [57:24]

• Both emphasize the importance and satisfaction found in making projects for oneself—whether or not they reach mainstream success.

6. Evolution of Paranormal Belief

[66:09–77:55]

• McMillian shares his six-year journey as a "semi-pro weirdo," starting as a "nuts-and-bolts" believer (ETs from Zeta Reticuli, physical Bigfoot) evolving into a more agnostic, open, and Jungian view.
  • Finds most compelling stories to be those with elements of "high strangeness."
  • Emphasizes that being open and agnostic is key—certainty is a red flag in this field.

"I used to think of these things as very terrestrial or extraterrestrial or physical, and now I tend to think of them as way more ethereal and more in line with ghosts and the supernatural." – Michael McMillian [70:43]

• Both share skepticism regarding those who claim conclusive answers.

7. Notable Paranormal Experiences (Ghosts & High Strangeness)

[80:00–117:52]

A. The Gruno Theater Ghost, Interlochen, Michigan

• McMillian shares an intense, formative ghost sighting ("Lois," the spirit of a drowned girl) during arts boarding school.
  • A Ouija board session delivered bizarre yet meaningful responses, identifying students by their roles and experiences in the theater.
  • The climactic apparition is described as a pale, full-formed little girl seen simultaneously by Michael and a friend.

"I looked at the window, and just like a Polaroid coming into focus... there was the face of a little girl." – Michael McMillian [88:27]
“Can you see her pigtails?” – Sadie, McMillian’s friend [89:33]

• The experience triggered existential dread, recurring dreams, and a lasting awareness of the reality of such phenomena.

B. The Alien at the Window, Los Angeles

• As an adult, McMillian encountered a classic "gray" alien at his window after his dogs reacted—described as "like an inverted spoon," 3.5-4 feet tall, with an undulating, impossibly thin neck.
• The sighting was verified by testing the silhouette: a neighbor could not reproduce it.

“All I’m seeing is a head shaped like an inverted spoon... no shoulders, just a long, thin neck... classic alien gray.” – Michael McMillian [101:52]

• He reflects on the incident’s lingering strangeness (coincidence with a recent Roswell trip, possible connection to a deceased relative), and how it either could be a literal encounter or a more symbolic, supernatural message.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "There’s Steve Berg DNA on the buttons [of the pinball machines]..." – Michael McMillian [11:16]
• "I have convinced my wife... and my next move will be Lawrence." – Steve Berg [13:53]
• "We call them 'ghost quests' because we don’t want the ghosts to feel like we’re hunting them." – Michael McMillian [27:51]
• "Kind of just moved westward... One thing I want to say is, I think you were absolutely onto something, where the history of the place is part of how mythology and folklore is created." – Steve Berg [35:02]
• "I used to die on the hill for the Patterson-Gimlin film, and now... I've gotten very skeptical." – Michael McMillian [67:57]
• "We're just turning into middle-aged white dudes about Bigfoot on camera." – Michael McMillian [63:29]
• "There’s one thing I can say about crossing the 40 threshold: I truly don’t give a fuck anymore, and it is so nice." – Michael McMillian [59:45]
• "If you know what UFOs are, or what Bigfoot is, I want to see your data." – Steve Berg [76:46]
• "The more I research this, I go, oh, this would be like me trying to explain the most recent Republican debates to my dog." – Michael McMillian [71:19]
• "You gotta go. First off, it’s haunted, and there’s a lot of weird stuff around there." – Steve Berg, on Lawrence, KS [119:13]

Community & The Paranormal Podcasting World

[120:12–122:38]

• Gratitude and fraternity toward fellow podcasters, guests, and listeners.
• Emphasize camaraderie and “finding your people” in a field that sometimes trends toward paranoia or divisiveness.

"It’s just nice to know there are cool, open-minded, fun people in this realm because, you know, there’s some detours you can take off this road of the unexplained that get into some very dark places very quickly." – Michael McMillian [121:42]

Seasonal Closure & Folk Traditions

[124:30–125:23]

• Both wish listeners a happy holiday, advocating for the English tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas.
• McMillian shares a charming childhood belief: "At midnight on Christmas Eve, animals could talk for one minute…try to have a conversation with your pets!"

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [06:24–22:21]: Origins, bonds, and the lore of Lawrence, Kansas
• [22:21–34:15]: Hauntings & portals: Eldridge Hotel, Stull Cemetery, regional legends
• [38:05–41:29]: High strangeness in Buck Creek and challenges of local UFO research
• [48:16–65:36]: Artistic careers, podcasting, personal fulfillment, and creative autonomy
• [66:09–77:55]: The evolution of belief, skepticism, and favorite cryptid lore
• [80:00–117:52]: McMillian’s firsthand ghost and “gray” alien encounters (detailed, chilling stories)
• [124:30–125:23]: Holiday send-off, English ghost story traditions

Final Takeaways

This deeply engaging episode blends banter, nostalgia, firsthand strangeness, and philosophical reflection. It’s a vulnerable glimpse of two creative, open-minded Midwesterners navigating belief and belonging in the paranormal world. Rooted in the specificity of Kansas, but with a message that radiates much further, it’s a testament to what happens when communities—ghostly and otherwise—gather in the spirit of curiosity, fun, and mutual encouragement.

For listeners new and old, “Waving the Wheat” is a quintessential blueprint for how to approach the paranormal: with skepticism, joy, camaraderie, and just a little bit of ghost-hunting gear in your trunk.