Monsters Among Us: S19 Ep33 - Down on the Farm: Ghosts, Glitches and a Giant Predator

Release Date: August 5, 2025

Host: Derek Hayes
Production: Audioboom Studios

Introduction: Growing Up on the Farm

In this episode, Derek Hayes delves into the eerie and unexplained phenomena that occur on farms. Drawing from his personal experiences working on family farms and a longhorn cattle ranch, Derek sets the stage for an evening filled with ghostly encounters, unexplained glitches, and sightings of giant predators. The theme centers around Paranormal Encounters on the Farm, highlighting stories that intertwine ranching, farming, and supernatural occurrences.

1. Brock's Hovering Airplane Sighting

Guest: Brock from Utah
Timestamp: [03:21] – [04:49]

Brock recounts a midday drive near Idaho or Juniper, where he and his passenger witnessed an airplane hovering inexplicably above a barn. Describing the aircraft as "about three quarters the size of a regular passenger airplane," Brock was baffled as it remained stationary at approximately 100-200 feet above the ground. He shared his confusion and disbelief with his passenger, noting the lack of movement and the surreal nature of the sighting.

Notable Quote:
Brock: "It's a foot below the wall. We both looked at each other, obviously looking for a fox. And then this thing came walking out."
[03:21]

Derek's Insight:
Derek explains that Brock's experience is a common optical illusion known as the parallax effect, where the perceived movement of objects is influenced by the observer's perspective. He shares a personal anecdote of witnessing a similar phenomenon while driving along the 10 Freeway in Ontario, California. Despite the explanation, Derek acknowledges that not all stories in the episode will have logical explanations.

2. Cynthia Catcher's Albino Bigfoot Encounter

Guest: Cynthia Catcher from Indiana
Timestamp: [06:13] – [07:57]

Cynthia tells a chilling story from the 1980s when her family discovered an albino Bigfoot and her baby hiding in a shed on her grandparents' farm in Randolph County, Winchester, Indiana. The mother's leg was trapped in a bear trap, and her father rescued them. Cynthia highlights the uniqueness of the encounter, noting the albinism of the Bigfoots and their apparent association with undetected UFOs in the area.

Notable Quote:
Cynthia Catcher: "What was so unusual about this, guys, is she was an albino bayfoot. That means she was all white with pink eyes and so was the baby."
[06:13]

Derek's Commentary:
Derek engages with the idea that Bigfoot could be extraterrestrial beings transported by UFOs, a theory supported by some researchers. He muses on the intelligence required for such creatures to traverse vast distances yet still fall victim to bear traps, adding a layer of mystery to their existence.

3. Jake's Ghostly Run Through the Barn

Guest: Jake from West Virginia
Timestamp: [11:02] – [14:31]

Jake shares a haunting childhood memory from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. While playing hide and seek near a barn, he witnessed a child dressed in period clothing run through the barn despite the barn door remaining shut and the motion light staying off. This unnerving experience was Jake's first encounter with a ghost, fundamentally changing his perception of the paranormal.

Notable Quote:
Jake: "It walked for probably 60 meters along the bottom of this field... And this thing was wholly unexpected."
[11:12]

Derek's Reflection:
Derek appreciates Jake's calm demeanor during the encounter, noting that separating fear from the experience can help in accepting and understanding paranormal events. He speculates about the identity of the ghost, suggesting that the ability to pass through solid structures indicates a presence preceding the barn's existence.

4. Sarah's Flannel Man and Comforting Spirits

Guest: Sarah from Florida
Timestamp: [16:59] – [20:02]

Sarah recounts multiple encounters with a comforting spirit on her family's former ranch in Central Florida. Her neighbors experienced similar comforting presences, and Sarah herself saw an old man in pajamas watching her, despite there being no one physically present. She connects these appearances to the "Flannel Man" legend, proposing that such spirits might date their attire to their time period, hence the flannel shirts of the 1970s and 80s.

Notable Quote:
Sarah: "Whenever someone mentioned horses, I would kind of raise my hand because it was always... they look to me for comfort."
[16:59]

Derek's Analysis:
Derek links Sarah's experiences to historical attire patterns, suggesting that the flannel shirts signify the era of the haunting spirit. He notes the possibility that the previous owners' spirits, particularly those connected to animal caretaking, continue to watch over the land.

5. Lumen's Encounters with Thomas Knights

Guest: Lumen from Oregon
Timestamp: [22:56] – [27:21]

Lumen shares her lifelong experiences with the spirit of Thomas Knights, a farm manager who died tragically on her family's property in Oregon. From shadowy figures in closets to an eerie Ernie doll that sang by itself, Lumen's encounters intensify over the years. Her cousin also witnessed Thomas leaning against her bed, smoking a cigar, further cementing the presence of this restless spirit.

Notable Quote:
Lumen: "I would just be like, oh, hey, Tom. Which I assumed it was Tom. And I would just ignore him throughout my life in that house."
[22:56]

Derek's Commentary:
Derek empathizes with Lumen's fear and fascination, highlighting the challenges of living with a persistent ghost. He reflects on the possibility that such spirits struggle to let go of their earthly roles, making coexistence with them a difficult endeavor.

6. Sylvia's Horseshoe Hauntings

Guest: Sylvia from North Jersey
Timestamp: [32:11] – [36:05]

Sylvia describes unexplained phenomena in her North Jersey ranch home, including metal banging sounds resembling blacksmith activities and numerous orbs captured in her photographs after remodeling her bedroom. Her experiences are corroborated by her medium friend, who interpreted the presence of numerous horses as spirits protecting against abuse, leading to a successful ritual to release these entities.

Notable Quote:
Sylvia: "Every time someone mentioned horses, I would kind of raise my hand because it was always... a lot of horses are around me."
[32:11]

Derek's Insight:
Derek connects the dots between Sylvia's experiences and local history, suggesting that remnants of a larger estate might be the source of the hauntings. He appreciates the serendipitous alignment of Sylvia's horse-related phenomena with her neighbor's discovery of horseshoes, reinforcing the legitimacy of her encounters.

7. Dom's Giant Black Cat Sighting

Guest: Dom from New Zealand
Timestamp: [36:57] – [40:34]

Originally from the UK, now residing in New Zealand, Dom recounts an encounter with a massive black cat while stalking foxes on his farm in West Yorkshire. The creature, described as 3 feet tall with a thick, bushy tail, walked for over 50 meters before leaping over a dry stone wall, vanishing without a trace. Dom also notes physical evidence of the creature's presence, such as claw marks on trees and a large hare found mysteriously.

Notable Quote:
Dom: "We flashed it up with the rifle and the big candle power sort of flashlight... it was a real big brushy tail."
[37:16]

Derek's Reflection:
Derek discusses the prevalence of big cat sightings in the UK, citing DNA evidence yet acknowledging official denials of breeding populations. He appreciates the tangible evidence Dom presented, although he remains skeptical about the creature's existence.

8. Ty's Haunted Dairy Farm

Guest: Ty from Michigan
Timestamp: [43:20] – [46:53]

Ty shares unsettling experiences from his time working on a dairy farm in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. From observing apparitions under barn doors to hearing disembodied voices yelling orders, Ty's encounters are linked to the death of the farm owner's father. His story includes strange phenomena like moving furniture in the spirit realm and unexplained physical marks.

Notable Quote:
Ty: "Our older brother never told us this until recently... When we drove by that fire, he says, that farmer turned and looked at me and he was wearing a straw hat and his eyes were black."
[62:04]

Derek's Analysis:
Derek examines the historical context of Ty's farm, referencing the infamous murder in the Red Barn in 1827. He draws parallels between Ty's experiences and the tragic legend, pondering the lingering spirits that may haunt such historical sites.

9. Mike's Cowboy Ghost Encounter

Guest: Mike from Oklahoma
Timestamp: [49:12] – [54:39]

Mike narrates a childhood adventure in Moore, Oklahoma, where he and his friends discovered a mound resembling a cowboy in a barren field. Their curiosity led them to witness an apparition resembling a cowboy, which left behind mysterious bootprints after the figure vanished. This encounter spooked his friends and remains a memorable supernatural experience for Mike.

Notable Quote:
Mike: "I saw cross through the top of the barn... What did come out from the back of the bush line was a 3ft tall big black cat."
[49:12]

Derek's Reflection:
Derek entertains theories about the mound being a form of renegade art or a manifestation of the cowboy's lingering spirit. He speculates on the possibility of the cowboy ghost continuing to haunt modern developments where the mound once stood.

10. Tanya's Abandoned Family Farm and Ley Lines

Guest: Tanya from Iowa
Timestamp: [55:18] – [60:20]

Tanya recounts her experiences growing up on her family's 100-year-old farm in rural southeast Iowa. From feeling perpetually watched to witnessing unexplained UFO lights and encountering an Indian warrior spirit, Tanya's stories are deeply intertwined with the land's historical and spiritual significance. She describes how she and a Reiki master cleared negative energies, revealing a protector spirit that now blesses the abandoned property.

Notable Quote:
Tanya: "We had a large dark mass hanging over our home. And out in front of the house is an Indian warrior spirit."
[57:55]

Derek's Commentary:
Derek highlights the connection between Tanya's experiences and the concept of ley lines intersecting her property, which could explain the high paranormal activity. He appreciates the integration of spiritual cleansing in her narrative, emphasizing the ongoing relationship between humans and lingering spirits on farms.

11. Paul's Encounter with a Possessed Farmer

Guest: Paul from Minnesota
Timestamp: [62:04] – [69:04]

Paul shares a disturbing incident from October 7, 1984, when he and his brothers witnessed a large, intense fire in a field near their farm. Despite the extreme dryness of the area, they saw a massive fire extinguish spontaneously with a farmer, sporting a straw hat and black eyes, seemingly communicating non-verbally. The date coincides with the great forest fire of 1910, adding a layer of historical connection to the event.

Notable Quote:
Paul: "The farmer... was wearing a straw hat and his eyes were black."
[66:38]

Derek's Analysis:
Derek ponders the nature of the possessed farmer, considering possibilities from curses to time anomalies. He connects Paul's story to historical events, suggesting that the overlap of dates might indicate residual spirits reacting to past tragedies.

Closing Thoughts and Announcements

Derek wraps up the episode by reflecting on the myriad of supernatural encounters shared by listeners, ranging from comforting spirits to malevolent apparitions. He emphasizes the deep connection between farming environments and paranormal activity, suggesting that these lands hold the memories and energies of past inhabitants.

Shout-Outs and Promotions:

• Acknowledge the show's sponsors, including advertisements for LHH and ZocDoc.
• Announcements about the show's merchandise shop and upcoming Halloween designs by artist Sam Hymer.
• Encouragement for listeners to share their own stories through calls or voice memos, with special mention of the upcoming "Monsters Among Us Junior" segment for younger audiences.

Final Quote:
Derek Hayes: "Whether it's Bigfoot in your nearest state park or your kids during a backyard game of tag, don't let bad socks and blisters ruin the fun."
[20:55]

Conclusion:
The episode of Monsters Among Us masterfully weaves together personal anecdotes, listener call-ins, and historical lore to explore the rich tapestry of paranormal activity on farms. Derek Hayes provides insightful commentary, balancing skepticism with open-mindedness, and invites listeners to ponder the mysteries that linger in the quiet, rural landscapes.

For More Information:
Visit monstersamongus.com and explore additional content in the show notes, including links to referenced stories and supporting materials.

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