Monsters Among Us – Season 19, Episode 18: Wendigos, Skinwalkers, Fairies, and a Moose with a Human Face
Release Date: June 12, 2025 | Host: Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios
Introduction
In this spine-tingling episode of Monsters Among Us, host Derek Hayes delves deep into a multitude of paranormal encounters ranging from elusive UFO sightings to encounters with mythical creatures like Wendigos and Skinwalkers. Each story is brought to life through firsthand accounts, providing listeners with a rich tapestry of eerie experiences and supernatural phenomena.
1. UFO Sighting at Lake Warren State Park
Caller: Dalton from South Carolina
Timestamp: [02:39] – [05:31]
Dalton recounts an extraordinary UFO sighting he experienced alongside his cousin, a park ranger, at Lake Warren State Park on a warm summer night. While stargazing from a dock, Dalton observes an unusual underwater light that behaves erratically, moving back and forth like a pinball machine. Initially dismissed as a reflection from passing cars, Dalton insists otherwise, especially when the light intensifies to resemble the moon. A massive white light descends closer before abruptly vanishing, accompanied by an inexplicable sound ripple resembling a speedboat's movement over water.
Dalton: “There was this huge white light. I thought it was the moon the whole time it was that bright. And I'm looking and I'm like, what in the world?”
Derek Hayes connects this account to other regional reports of unidentified submerged objects, noting similarities with sightings off the Pacific coast and Lake Baikal in Russia. Despite thorough research, Derek's team finds minimal corroborating evidence, inviting listeners to share any additional insights about Lake Warren's mysterious occurrences.
2. The Mysterious Mimicry in Indiana
Caller: Cat from Indiana
Timestamp: [09:16] – [13:20]
Cat describes a chilling encounter in her Indiana trailer park where she overheard what sounded like children harassing stray cats. Upon confronting the supposed culprits, only a calm, unnaturally still cat named Socks remains on her porch. This unusual behavior raises suspicions, as Socks typically doesn't exhibit such demeanor, leaving Cat uneasy about the mysterious events at her residence.
Cat: “There's just something wrong about him. I don't know what it was. There's a lot of things that go on at that trailer park. Just weird, weird things.”
Derek Hayes muses on the concept of mimicry in paranormal entities, pondering whether the intelligence behind such actions hints at deeper, concealed motives. He highlights the enigmatic behavior of Socks, suggesting the possibility of the cat being more than it appears.
3. Haunting Presence in Michigan Woods
Caller: Kyle from Michigan
Timestamp: [16:20] – [19:20]
Kyle shares his unsettling experiences while working night shifts at a remote shop near Capac, Michigan. He describes hearing mysterious noises, such as a woman's coughing, and observing ominous shadows lurking around machinery. A colleague’s mention of a Wendigo—a malevolent spirit from Algonquin folklore—adds a layer of indigenous mythology to the mysterious happenings, leading Kyle to feel perpetually watched by restless spirits in the woods.
Kyle: “I always felt like I was being watched. And I felt like it was some kind of old restless spirit in the woods trying to play tricks on me.”
Derek Hayes acknowledges the cultural backdrop of the Wendigo legend, which aligns with Kyle’s geographical location. He speculates on the psychological impact of such persistent feelings of being watched, contemplating whether these experiences are rooted in folklore or represent genuine paranormal activity.
4. Disembodied Dog Barking in Montana
Caller: Chevelle Gilmore from Montana
Timestamp: [19:20] – [22:36]
Chevelle recounts a disturbing incident from her childhood at her grandmother’s house. While downstairs in the basement, she hears incessant dog barking, feeling physical sensations like heat on her ear. Despite her father’s explanations involving visible dogs outside, the mysterious barking continues until it abruptly stops. Additionally, she mentions strange occurrences like shadow people and string pulls without visible causes, heightening the eerie atmosphere of her grandmother’s residence.
Chevelle: “I heard this like dog bark and I got really scared, but I just kind of ignored it.”
Derek Hayes considers mundane explanations such as sound amplifications through various mediums but remains open to the possibility of paranormal influences, especially given the unexplained nature of the string pull events.
5. The Moose with a Human Face in Idaho
Caller: Dee from Idaho
Timestamp: [24:45] – [26:31]
Dee shares a harrowing tale from her high school friend stationed in Alaska. While exploring nature, her friend encounters a moose-like creature with a distorted, almost human face and antlers resembling those of a caribou. The bizarre amalgamation of animal and humanoid features leaves Dee puzzled, as there's no known folklore or cryptid matching this description, suggesting the possibility of an unidentified monster roaming northern North America.
Dee: “It was something with the body of a moose, but it had the face of like a person almost.”
Derek Hayes speculates on possible explanations, such as natural processes affecting a moose’s appearance, but remains open to the existence of undiscovered creatures, vowing to keep an eye out for similar sightings.
6. UFO Encounter in Oregon
Caller: Lumen from Oregon
Timestamp: [27:50] – [30:23]
Lumen narrates her sighting of a peculiar black oblong-shaped aircraft while traveling home with her family. Unlike typical military aircraft, this UFO lacked wings and flashing lights, moving unnaturally slow and low to the ground. Upon investigating with binoculars, the object mysteriously vanished, leaving no trace in the sky. This marked her first UFO sighting, later joined by her grandmother's similar yet unverified experiences.
Lumen: “It was a nice sunny day. Sun was slowly starting to set. I was in a car with my family... It was just this weird black oblong shape.”
Derek Hayes welcomes Lumen into the community of UFO witnesses, sharing camaraderie and the shared experience of witnessing inexplicable aerial phenomena. He encourages her participation in further discussions and storytelling.
7. Encounter with a Fairy-like Humanoid in California
Caller: Jay from California
Timestamp: [31:02] – [36:25]
Jay describes an ethereal encounter as an 8-year-old in Southern California. While observing insects in the grass under a grand oak tree, he spots a slender, humanoid figure resembling a fairy or dryad—creatures from Greek mythology. The being interacts with him in a seemingly benign manner, evoking both awe and a lasting fascination with the fae, eventually influencing his spiritual path toward paganism.
Jay: “It was very strange to me and I've heard a few times from other people with strange experiences that feeling of it doesn't feel shocking or scary like it should.”
Derek Hayes connects Jay’s experience to the mythological dryads, exploring the possibility of real-life manifestations of folklore entities. He references mythical characteristics, such as dryads embodying nature spirits, to provide context for Jay’s vision.
8. 1977 UFO Encounter in Kansas City
Caller: Bessa from Kansas City
Timestamp: [38:11] – [41:01]
Bessa recounts a 1977 UFO sighting witnessed by her mother and uncle while they were driving to pick up her stepfather. As they journey through rural Wisconsin or Michigan, a disc-shaped object with vibrant red and orange hues hovers ominously above tall corn. The object's sudden appearance and hovering behavior leave a lingering mystery, further complicated years later when her mother recalls the event but lacks detailed memories.
Bessa: “She said, do you see that? What is that? What do you think that is?”
Derek Hayes appreciates the corroboration between Bessa and her mother’s accounts, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences in validating paranormal sightings. He expresses intrigue at the colorful and silent nature of the UFO, leaving room for further investigation.
9. Visions and Paranormal Experiences Through Meditation
Caller: Anonymous from Arizona
Timestamp: [41:59] – [50:08]
An anonymous caller details intense and recurring visions linked to meditation practices. From vivid dreams involving her deceased grandmother to waking encounters with a decrepit old woman, the caller explores the intersection of meditation, astral travel, and paranormal manifestations. She grapples with skepticism and spirituality, seeking understanding of these inexplicable experiences that blend lucid dreaming and potential connections to deceased loved ones.
Caller: “She looked like my great grandmother who died 30 years before I was born.”
Derek Hayes acknowledges the complexity of the caller’s experiences, discussing the potential for meditation to open portals to other realms or dimensions. He invites listeners with similar experiences to join the Monsters Among Us Discord Server for community support and further exploration.
10. Locked Doors and Unexplained Entries in Tennessee/California
Caller: Elizabeth from Tennessee/California
Timestamp: [51:38] – [54:03]
Elizabeth shares an eerie incident from her time living in a rented house in California. After leaving the door unlocked briefly while visiting a friend, she returns to find it mysteriously locked despite their assurance of absence. Forced to re-enter through an unlocked window, Elizabeth and her friend are left rattled by the inexplicable security breach, adding to the house's unsettling history.
Elizabeth: “The door's locked. And we specifically left it unlocked. We were both like, what the.”
Derek Hayes reflects on the intrusive nature of supernatural forces, emphasizing the fear associated with lost control over one’s environment. He comforts Elizabeth by highlighting her composed response despite the unnerving situation.
11. Skinwalker-Like Creature Chasing Firefighters in New Mexico
Caller: Rob from New Mexico
Timestamp: [54:57] – [58:31]
Rob relays a story from a friend's father, a fire chief in rural New Mexico, who encountered a Skinwalker—a shape-shifting entity from Native American folklore—while responding to a medical emergency. As the firefighters return from a heart attack call, a coyote-like creature chases their vehicle, displaying unnatural behavior by sprinting backward after performing an unearthly flip. The relentless pursuit and bizarre movements leave the team terrified, intertwining local legends with modern-day encounters.
Rob: “Like, a dog run on its hind legs like that before, especially, like, in a full sprint.”
Derek Hayes contextualizes the encounter within the rich tapestry of Skinwalker legends prevalent in the region. He balances skepticism with openness, acknowledging the cultural significance of such creatures while pondering the reality of the reported behavior.
12. Encounter with a Man Conveying Mysterious Symbols in California
Caller: April from California
Timestamp: [63:29] – [65:49]
April describes a surreal interaction on a bus where a skittish man requests a pen, only to produce a sheet covered in enigmatic symbols—circles with lines, punched holes, and abstract designs. The man’s urgent demeanor and swift departure raise questions about the nature of the symbols, which a clairvoyant friend interprets as exposure to dark forces. The event leaves April feeling irritable and unsettled, prompting her to seek spiritual assistance.
April: “I was like, was this thing good? He kind of shakes his head kind of weird, the way he shook his head kind of, like, really fast.”
Derek Hayes ponders the significance of the symbols and the man's frantic behavior, suggesting multiple interpretations ranging from mental distress to metaphysical exchanges. He invites listeners to explore the deeper meanings behind such cryptic encounters.
13. Encounters with Shadow People
Callers: Multiple
Timestamp: [67:35] – [68:54]
Several callers share their unsettling experiences with shadow people—dark, humanoid figures often reported during sleep paralysis or paranormal encounters. One caller describes waking up to a shadowy figure hovering over them, causing feelings of paralysis and anger until invoking spiritual protection to dispel the entity. These accounts highlight the pervasive nature of shadow people in paranormal lore and their intimidating presence.
Caller: “I just feel a presence go from my bedroom door and to the foot of my bed where my feet were. It went around my feet.”
Derek Hayes explores the psychological and supernatural dimensions of encountering shadow people, discussing possible explanations ranging from sleep disorders to interdimensional beings. He emphasizes the emotional toll these encounters can take on individuals and the importance of community support in addressing such fears.
Conclusion
Throughout this episode, Derek Hayes masterfully weaves together a series of haunting and enigmatic stories, each contributing to the overarching theme of unseen forces and mysterious creatures lurking among us. From UFOs and mythical beings to personal encounters with the paranormal, Monsters Among Us continues to captivate and intrigue its audience with tales that blur the line between reality and the supernatural.
For listeners who have their own stories or wish to delve deeper into these phenomena, Derek encourages participation through calls, voice memos, and community platforms like the Monsters Among Us Discord Server.
Stay Spooky!
Disclaimer: The stories shared in this episode are based on personal accounts and experiences. The views and interpretations expressed by Derek Hayes and the callers are their own and do not necessarily reflect objective reality.