Bigfoot Collectors Club – “Neuro-Magical” w/ Drew Edwards

Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Michael McMillan & Riley Bray
Guest: Drew Edwards (Comic writer, “Halloween Man”)

Episode Overview

In this engaging and unusually heartfelt episode, comic book writer Drew Edwards joins Michael and Riley to discuss his lifelong passion for paranormal phenomena, Texas folklore, and his experience living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). The conversation flows from cryptid tales and Texas myths to an intimate exploration of neurodiversity, trauma, and empathy, all filtered through Drew's unique perspective as both a writer and experiencer. The episode delivers classic BCC banter—fun, weird, and personal—culminating in a powerful message about embracing strangeness and stories in all forms.

Main Themes

• Drew’s Paranormal & Comic Origins
• High Strangeness: Cryptids & Haunted Texas
• Empathy, Neurodiversity, and Dissociative Identity
• Personal Stories: Love, Life, and Prophetic Dreams
• The “Neuro-Magical” Experience
• The Power of Rituals, Monsters, and Storytelling

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Welcome to the Clubhouse & Guest Intro

[03:12 – 08:15]

• Michael introduces Drew, lauding his Ringo Award nominations and his series “Halloween Man.”
• Drew shares how his journey into “high strangeness” began with a love for anything involving Bigfoot and how listening to the show came full circle when he recognized Michael from “True Blood.”

Notable Quote:

• “I loves me some high strangeness. It’s one of my all-time favorite topics. Anything with Bigfoot in the title, I’m 100% going to check out.” – Drew ([04:29])

2. Drew Edwards’ Comic Book Roots

[05:37 – 07:34]

• Drew describes “Halloween Man” as “the weird adventures of a zombie superhero and his sexy mad scientist girlfriend” who face everything from Bigfoot and Nessie to Texas legends.
• Upcoming release: 25th anniversary omnibus illustrated by Nicholas Scott.

Notable Quote:

• “Halloween Man is best described as the weird adventures of a zombie superhero and his sexy mad scientist girlfriend as they battle everything from steampunk mummy pirates, vegetarian vampires, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster...” – Drew ([05:45])

3. Where In the World Is Bigfoot? – Maine Sighting Report

[09:01 – 19:39]

• Recap of a recent Bigfoot sighting in Maine: A couple observes a large, brown biped crossing the road, arms swinging oddly, reminiscent of a Naruto run.
• The car ahead (closer to the creature) has not come forward, prompting calls for more witnesses to share.
• Drew jokes about Bigfoot enjoying Maine’s culinary delicacies and points out the subtle classism in witness credibility language.

Notable Quote:

• “Bigfoot is all across this great nation of ours. And most importantly, Bigfoot is in our hearts.” – Drew ([17:36])

4. Drew’s Paranormal Origin Story & Texas Folklore

[22:23 – 31:15]

• Childhood immersion in cryptid books and local Texas folklore sparked Drew’s interest.
• His hometown was the site of a “relatively famous UFO abduction,” complete with Men in Black sightings.
• Fascination with unique Texas culture (“a unique stew of strange”), the Headless Horseman of Texas, and “Carpie,” Austin’s controversial giant carp.

Notable Quotes:

• “Texas is, if it isn’t the weirdest state in the union, it’s in the running… a very unique stew of strange.” – Drew ([27:36])
• “Monsters are never just monsters. Monsters always mean something.” – Drew ([90:12])

Fun Moment:
Drew enthusiastically supports Texas breakfast tacos and concedes: “California takes burritos, and then we can call it.” ([31:11])

5. Local Legends: Headless Horseman & Carpie

[32:18 – 37:57]

• Drew details El Muerto, Texas’s own Headless Horseman, and why regional folklore matters.
• The team reacts to photos and tales of “Carpie,” the monster-size carp pulled from Austin’s Lady Bird Lake, joking about its Lovecraftian aura.

Memorable Moment:
“The guy in the photo… looks rocked. Like he is shaken to his core… as if he gazed into the abyss and the abyss opened and showed him what reality really was!” – Michael ([36:18])

6. Believe It or Bullshit? Rapid Paranormal Quiz

[39:00 – 41:50]

• Drew enthusiastically affirms belief in most cryptids and paranormal phenomena—except the Loveland Frogman.
• Family dynamics influence his stance on Ouija boards and tarot (“My wife will be angry at me. But…”).

7. Prophetic Love & Synchronicity: Drew’s Personal Life

[47:05 – 54:48]

• Drew recounts meeting his wife Jamie—who, uncannily, had dreamed about him for years prior, nickname and all.
• The story involves another Jamie (his ex), Vegas impersonators, and surreal twists—“Only in Vegas!”
• Drew explains Jamie’s identity as a kitchen witch and their world of rituals and subtle magic.

Notable Quote:

• “I used to have dreams about you… The reason why I came up and talked to you at my show is that I’ve been dreaming about you for years now.” – Jamie (via Drew, [51:32])

8. Neuro-Magical: Life With Dissociative Identity Disorder

[59:18 – 88:59]

• Drew opens up about his diagnosis with DID, the inner experience of having an “alter”—a protector born from childhood trauma—and how it overlaps with high strangeness narratives (missing time, feeling “not alone,” unexplained phenomena).
• The term “neuro-magical” emerges to describe the mystical, surreal way his brain processes reality.
• Drew describes therapeutic strategies: co-consciousness, “the ritual of the monster hand,” and the importance of giving his “alter” dream-time.

Notable Quotes & Insights:

• “It sounds remarkably similar to… encountering a cryptid or a ghost… I kind of live in that sort of crossroads between the mundane and the magical.” – Drew ([60:32])
• “My alter is my protector. He’s my guardian. He keeps my void safe.” – Drew ([64:09])
• “What we have now is we call it the ritual of the monster hand… almost always, one of my hands will have longer fingernails. That’s just a little acknowledgement that he’s there, he’s with me.” – Drew ([74:33])
• “I’m never alone… even when I’m completely by myself, I always have the sense that there’s somebody else with me.” – Drew ([82:19])

9. Empathy, Monsters, and High Strangeness

[84:41 – 91:18]

• Drew advocates for empathy when evaluating stories of the unexplained, speaking to the stigma, skepticism, and isolation that often surrounds those experiences.
• The hosts reflect on how sharing strange stories connects people and builds understanding, regardless of objective “truth.”

Notable Quotes:

• “The important thing about unexplained phenomenon—a lot of people get hung up on the wrong word. I think ‘unexplained’ is really important.” – Drew ([85:49])
• “I wish more people would approach stories of high strangeness with empathy.” – Drew ([84:41])
• “Monsters… mean something. That’s probably the core of my life’s work.” – Drew ([90:12])

10. Coda – Halloween Man, Ritual, and Moving Forward

[91:46 – 94:39]

• Drew’s “Halloween Man” omnibus is now widely available (“Barnes & Noble, comic shops, Amazon, even Target or Walmart!”).
• Drew invites listeners to connect with his work and social media for more weirdness and Texas legend-tripping.
• The hosts express gratitude for Drew’s openness and the unique depth he brought to the show.

Notable Quote:
“I feel like I’ve gone from the weird punk rock kid who draws skulls on his binder to the sexy prom queen almost overnight. It’s kind of strange.” – Drew ([92:44])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Guest Introduction: [03:12]
• Comic Book & Paranormal Origins: [05:37]
• Bigfoot Maine Sighting Report: [09:01 – 19:39]
• Texas Folklore and Monsters: [22:38 – 37:57]
• Paranormal Quiz Game: [39:00]
• Personal Story: Prophetic Dreams & Love: [47:05]
• DID & “Neuro-Magical”: [59:18]
• Empathy & High Strangeness: [84:41 – 91:18]
• Where to Find Drew/Halloween Man: [91:46]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “I guess he didn’t listen to those Men in Black because otherwise we wouldn’t be having this conversation, now would we?” – Drew ([25:59])
• “If you want to get into it about barbecue, I’m from Kansas City, and I will go to the mat defending Kansas City.” – Michael ([31:02])
• “Monsters are never just monsters. Monsters always mean something.” – Drew ([90:12])
• “I’m a veritable army of me.” – Drew ([82:11])

Tone & Style

• Conversational, playful, and deeply empathetic
• Hosts maintain trademark banter (“permanent seg,” “Naruto-running Bigfoot”) while moving fluidly into serious personal revelations
• Drew’s openness, humor, and philosophical approach anchor the episode in both rich storytelling and vulnerability

For Further Exploration

• Halloween Man (Red 5 Comics) – Wide retail/comic store distribution
• Drew’s Instagram: @drewhalloween (Art, cryptid tales, punk rock, Texas weirdness)
• BCC clubhouse and bonus content: https://bcc.supercast.com

Final Note:
This episode stands out for its powerful blend of humor, folklore, neurodiversity, and compassion—a testament to the rare magic that happens when personal stories of high strangeness intersect with radical empathy. Whether you’re here for cryptids, comics, or real-life mysteries of the mind, “Neuro-Magical” offers an unpredictable trip into the unknown—with monsters, memories, and meaning at every turn.