Ninjas Are Butterflies

Episode 157 - Real Bigfoot & Dogman Encounters & UFO Coverups w/ Tony Merkel

Released: August 29, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Josh Hooper and Andy DeNoon of Ninjas Are Butterflies welcome Tony Merkel, host of "The Confessionals" podcast, for a sprawling, funny, and at times chilling conversation. Tony shares firsthand and collected accounts of Bigfoot and Dogman encounters, discusses government involvement and cover-ups around UFOs, and dives into the spiritual and supernatural implications of modern paranormal phenomena. With a blend of humor, vulnerability, and curiosity, the hosts and Tony debate deception, the power of testimony, and how to discern truth in a world of wild stories—and wilder realities.

Main Discussion Themes

Tony Merkel’s Origin Story in the Paranormal Podcast Space

• Background: Tony shares his journey from truck driver to paranormal podcast host. He describes a sense of calling and spiritual prompting to start "The Confessionals," leading to an unexpected partnership with Wes Germer of Sasquatch Chronicles.
• Quote: "I was driving my truck one day, and... I really felt the Holy Spirit. Tell me... you're gonna start a podcast, and you're gonna work alongside a guy named Wes Germer from Sasquatch Chronicles." (16:35)

The Evolution of The Confessionals

• The show began focused on Bigfoot but quickly expanded to all realms of the supernatural and unexplained.
• Tony discusses his internal struggle between authenticity and the responsibility to speak boldly about spiritual deception, especially as it relates to the UFO/alien phenomenon.
• Quote: “I felt really convicted that I needed to really start speaking my mind on certain things... especially the UFO stuff and the spiritual aspects of it.” (21:00)

Christian Perspective on Supernatural Phenomena

• Tony, as well as the hosts, reflect on how their journeys into strange topics have been guided by a sense of divine calling, despite the oddity of the subject matter.
• Discussion on how the supernatural realm is real and connected to Christian doctrine.
• Quote: “I really believe the supernatural realm needs exposure. And there's a hunger for people to understand that there's a spiritual world.” (88:24)

Key Segments & Notable Stories

1. The Chris Bledsoe Saga: Spiritual Deception and CE5

(23:32–38:20)

• Topic: Tony runs down the story of Chris Bledsoe, who claims ongoing UFO contact and spiritual experiences with a female entity he believes is the Holy Spirit. Discussion centers around the potential for spiritual deception, especially when new age and government interest collide.
• Key Timestamp:
  • “He has a female deity that is in communication with him, identifying herself as the Holy Spirit.” (30:45)
  • “I just really think Chris just needs to return back to Christ. I don't think he's too far gone from that.” (37:24)
• Debate: The group discusses the dangers of miracles and supernatural signs being detached from Christ-centered theology.

2. Government Cover-Ups & UFO Disclosure

(44:42–52:44)

• Topic: Tony explains his access to insiders exploring the reality and origins of UFO phenomena—suggesting the government is gifted technology by interdimensional, potentially demonic, entities.
• Quote: “It’s being gifted in a way where they… allow you to shoot it down… It’s giving this perception… that we're in control, but it's just like it's being gifted to us.” (47:46)
• Perspective: He outlines a hierarchy of secrecy, with Congress getting bits and pieces but the shadowy organizations controlling the real truths.

3. Dogman Encounters: From Folklore to Firsthand Terror

(61:17–78:33)

• Dogman Origins: Tony traces the folklore and modern sightings of Dogman, relating several accounts, including patterns where children encounter less violent or even playful Dogman entities.
• Dogman Documentary Story (Episode 335, "Dog vs. Dogman")
  • Quote & Story (65:22–74:15): Tony recounts the gripping story of Kyle, who as a teenager had a terrifying, violent encounter with a massive, upright-walking doglike creature while coon hunting in Kentucky.
    • “When he comes around the tree, he realizes that Bo never came back for the fight, and what he was looking at was a dog that was so big that it was holding a coyote... And then it did something that he didn't expect. It stood up on its hind legs.” (69:33)
  • The incident led Tony to produce a documentary, returning to the site for evidence collection.

4. Bigfoot & Paranormal Experiences in the Field

(88:10–106:43)

• Sasquatch & The Missing Man: Tony shares how he and his team uncovered an active missing persons case while searching for evidence at a “Ground Zero” Bigfoot site; strange animal activity and unexplained growls, whistling, and tapping were experienced.
• Quote: “We had tapping, we had whistling. There was something out there that was curious… we heard that growl. It was so deep. And I felt it. Joel felt it.” (94:20)
• More Field Stories: Unexpected phenomena in East Kentucky and Tennessee: unseen charging creatures, animal prints, and bizarre “monkey” or “owl” sounds.

5. Dogman, Nephilim, and Spiritual Hybridity

(78:33–83:15)

• Theorizing on the Dogman’s origins, Tony speculates on links between Dogman, Nephilim, demonic spirits, and ancient biblical narratives. He draws connections from American folklore (Beast of Bray Road saying "Gadara") back to the New Testament accounts of the demoniac among the tombs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Discernment & Deception:
  “At the end of the day… it doesn't matter what you worship—as long as you're not worshiping Christ, it doesn't matter to [the enemy].” – Tony Merkel (26:01)
• On Government Disclosure:
  “There’s darker parts... that do know what’s really going on and they're piecing it out to Congress people. What they know is probably just a tiny fraction of the truth.” – Tony Merkel (49:24)
• On Facing the Supernatural:
  “I thought I was gonna die. Like, this is everything I've wanted, and I don't want it now, you know?” – Tony Merkel, after a night encounter in the Tennessee woods (106:12)
• Biblical Caution:
  “Satan can appear as an angel of light, you know, for real... there are miracles that are performed not through Christ but through the enemy.” – Host 2 (38:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tony Merkel’s Origin Story & Spiritual Calling: 15:30–23:11
• Chris Bledsoe & CE5 Phenomena: 23:32–38:20
• Government Cover-up and UFO Technology Theories: 44:42–52:44
• Dogman Encounters and Documentary: 61:17–78:33
• Dogman/Nephilim Theoretical Connections: 78:33–83:15
• Bigfoot Field Encounters: 88:10–106:43
• Discussion on Biblical Warriors (David), Slingshot Nation, and the Nature of Spiritual Warfare: 55:29–59:44

Tone & Style

• Humorous & Outrageous: The hosts keep the tone light, often self-deprecating and prone to comic digressions, but the conversation remains respectful, even during debates.
• Casual Yet Sincere: Tony Merkel's openness about his faith and his journey gives the discussion depth, while the hosts' fascination with the material provides relatable curiosity.
• Absorbing & Immersive: Vivid storytelling, especially around field encounters at night, pulls listeners in with suspense and palpable fear.

For Further Exploration

• Tony recommends following his work on YouTube ("The Confessionals Podcast").
• The hosts tease a Patreon-only post-show episode discussing Nephilim.
• Notable episodes and documentaries: “Sasquatch and the Missing Man,” “Exhibition Dogman” (available on merkelfilms.com).

Summary for New Listeners

Even if you haven’t listened, this episode encapsulates everything Ninjas Are Butterflies is known for: paranormal mysteries, Christian discernment, wild firsthand accounts, and a barrage of jokes. Tony Merkel offers not just tales of strange creatures and government secrets but also a reflection on the very real spiritual battles underlying the curiosity and fear that draw so many to the world of the unexplained.

For exclusive content, visit Patreon.com/ninjasarebutterflies.