Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: Mothman: The Legend Lurking In West Virginia

Date: September 17, 2025

Host: Kennedy
Guest: Abby Hornacek (Fox Nation host, “Parked” and “Ride to Work”)

Overview

In this episode, Kennedy dives into the enduring legend of the Mothman, a mysterious creature allegedly haunting West Virginia since the 1960s. Joined by Fox Nation’s Abby Hornacek, who recently attended the Mothman Festival, they explore the origins of the legend, share eerie eyewitness accounts, discuss ties to local tragedies, and reflect on how folklore shapes and uplifts small town identity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Mothman Legend: Origin & Sightings

• Kennedy introduces Mothman as a “7-foot giant dark creature with glowing red eyes and wide wings that has plagued the southeastern United States for decades now.” (00:12)
• Abby attended the Mothman Festival, visiting significant sites such as the TNT area, described as “the surrounding area where the original sighting of Mothman was.” (01:56)
• The original Mothman sighting involved “two different couples...driving down the road [who] see this big creature, seven-foot, six to seven foot wingspan...eyes glowing red...just took off into the sky.” (02:10)

TNT Area: Haunting Ground

• Abby clarifies the TNT area was used for “explosives...where they made weapons basically for the war effort” during WWII, adding to its eerie reputation. (02:51)
• Kennedy draws a connection between “aliens and extraterrestrial sightings around nuclear facilities, almost like they're guarding them,” suggesting why such strange events might occur in the TNT area. (03:07)

Eyewitness Accounts and Interpretations

• Abby recounts Linda Sigman’s story:
  “She was driving in her car with her boyfriend...they were staring at [a blinking star], as it came out of the clouds it exploded almost like a supernova and then it turned bright red...a figure came out, almost like it was coming from another dimension. And then she saw Mothman perched up on the tree.” (03:39)
• Discussion on whether Mothman is unique to WV: “The only time that people have reported him is in West Virginia, from my knowledge.” (04:21)
• Connects the legend to a real-life tragedy:
  “1967 is when the Silver Bridge collapsed...46 victims...some people claim to have seen Mothman either that day or the day prior. So people think maybe he was either warning them that something bad was gonna happen, or he himself was a bad omen.” (04:28)

Mothman: Omen, Guardian, or Curse?

• Kennedy and Abby contemplate Mothman’s intent:
  • “I like to think he's warning people.” – Abby (04:54)
• Abby brings up a local curse legend:
  “Chief Cornstalk, who was leading the Native Americans...while he was dying, he cursed the land. So people think that Mothman might have come out of that curse.” (06:52)

Men in Black and Extraterrestrial Angle

• The legend’s men in black motif:
  “Mary Hire...was a local journalist that picked up the story...Apparently, these men in black...showed up to her house, basically trying to silence her...they were very fascinated with ordinary objects like a ballpoint pen. So, suggesting that they were aliens, not of this Earth.” (05:47)

The Festival: Community, Tourism, and Meaning

• Kennedy and Abby discuss why the festival endures:
  “It's woven into the history of the town...great driver of tourism...there's a big Mothman statue. People go all out. It draws people, thousands of people from all over the world. And when you're there, it is a very positive energy.” (08:40)
• Abby shares a poignant festival observation:
  “I talked to one gentleman, and he goes, you know what? Mothman is a way to show that you can be whoever you want to be.” (09:10)

Abby’s Adventures & National Parks

• Abby teases her show Parked and visiting various parks:
  “We just went to Great Sand Dunes in Colorado. And we're doing a road trip from New York to Virginia to reshoot Shenandoah National Park.” (10:06)
• Banter about West Virginia’s beauty and friendly locals. (09:34–10:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Abby (on the original sighting):
  “They were so scared, they immediately went and reported it to the police.” (02:31)
• Kennedy (humorous speculation):
  “Maybe another realm, maybe another world, maybe another era in time…traverse wormholes in order to get here and to protect us all…” (03:31)
• Kennedy (on the curse):
  “I spit at the curse three times.” (07:31)
• Abby (on festival sentiment):
  “Mothman is a way to show that you can be whoever you want to be.” (09:10)
• Kennedy (on Mothman invitations):
  “I still think it's a nice thing to RSVP when your host extends the courtesy.” (11:20)
• Abby (on unresponsive guests):
  “You have to at least tell me no. You can't leave it unread because what if I want to invite another guest like you?” (11:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Mothman origins – 00:10–01:45
• Abby describes visiting the TNT Area – 01:56–02:54
• Original sighting story – 02:10–02:31
• Discussing possible supernatural/alien connections – 03:07–03:39
• Linda Sigman’s account – 03:39–04:16
• Silver Bridge tragedy and Mothman’s role – 04:28–04:53
• Curse of Chief Cornstalk – 06:52–07:33
• Abby’s own ghostly experiences – 05:07–05:19
• Mary Hire and ‘men in black’ – 05:43–06:29
• Cultural significance of the festival – 08:28–09:17
• National parks, especially Shenandoah – 10:06–11:07
• Joking about inviting Mothman – 11:08–11:59
• Outro & episode wrap-up – 12:25–13:07

Conclusion

This episode blends spooky folklore, local history, and light-hearted banter as Kennedy and Abby Hornacek demystify Mothman and spotlight the communal power of storytelling. Whether the creature is omen, guardian, or tourist attraction, the legend endures, offering West Virginia residents and visitors both chills and a sense of belonging.

Abby’s Fox Nation special “Mothman: The Man, the Moth, the Legend” is available now. For more of Abby’s adventures, check out “Parked” and “Ride to Work” on Fox Nation.