This Strange World

Gavin Berger, Leah Ettinger, and Chris Ashe

The world is a strange place. From creepy conspiracy theories, to weird laws, to terrifying cults, this podcast explores them all. Each week, one of our hosts takes a deep dive into a strange, weird, and random topic, and discusses what they found with the other hosts.

Gavin, Leah, and Chris are three college graduates who started This Strange World as a project for class, but became so interested in learning more about strange topics that they decided to make it for real. Join them on their journey as they try to make sense of This Strange World.

Made in affiliation with High Tops Media

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Cryptids: Former Cryptids Proven Real
Oct 12 2022
Cryptids: Former Cryptids Proven Real
In case you missed last week’s episode, we’re back to finish up our Cryptids season with four bonus episodes for the spooooky month of October. For our second bonus episode (and eleventh true episode) in our Cryptids season, we’re going to talk about some creatures that used to be classified as cryptids, but have been proven to be real! Otherwise known as former cryptids proven real. (Hint: You might not even realize that some of these used to be creatures of legends! Listen to find out!) If you like all things dark, creepy, and strange, check out The Dark Archive, a new podcast featuring TSW’s Gavin Berger, available wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/thedarkarchivepodcast Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://twitter.com/thisstrangepod/ And check out more This Strange World links here: https://linktr.ee/thisstrangeworldpodcast A High Tops Media Podcast You can follow for more High Tops Media content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @hightopsmedia Check out more podcasts on our website https://hightops.media Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Former_Cryptids https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,770931,00.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_peafowl https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/04/01/the-platypus-is-so-weird-that-scientists-thought-the-first-specimen-was-a-hoax/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogzilla https://www.foxnews.com/story/alabama-boy-kills-1051-pound-monster-pig-bigger-than-hogzilla https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/African_Peacock https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Platypus https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Hogzilla https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Giant_Squid
Cryptids: Dragons, River Monsters, and Snakes
Oct 5 2022
Cryptids: Dragons, River Monsters, and Snakes
Surprise! It’s October, also known as “Spooky Season”, so we decided to truly finish off our Cryptids season with four bonus episodes for this very spooky month! For our first bonus episode (and tenth true episode) in our Cryptids season, we’re going to talk about some dragons, river monsters, and snakes! These cryptids didn’t necessarily fit into any other episodes we made, so we decided to make an episode just for them! (Hint: It’s kind of like the Lake Monsters episode, but with river monsters, and also with dragons and snakes.) If you like all things dark, creepy, and strange, check out The Dark Archive, a new podcast featuring TSW’s Gavin Berger, available wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/thedarkarchivepodcast Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://twitter.com/thisstrangepod/ And check out more This Strange World links here: https://linktr.ee/thisstrangeworldpodcast A High Tops Media Podcast You can follow for more High Tops Media content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @hightopsmedia Check out more podcasts on our website https://hightops.media Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Dragons_and_Dragonoids https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Cumberland_Dragon https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:River_Monsters https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Bassigator https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Ahuitzotl https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Snakes https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Tsuchinoko
Cryptids: Supernatural
Aug 31 2022
Cryptids: Supernatural
For our ninth episode in our Cryptids season, we’re going to talk about supernatural cryptids! Supernatural cryptids are described as having anomalous and unexplained abilities, and are often linked with Spirits and Demons. Pretty much any cryptid that can be attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature. (Hint: Did that shadow in the corner of my room just move?) This is the finale of the main part of the season, so we’re going to take a few weeks off, but maybe we’ll be back when it gets a little spookier out… To quote Gavin, “Who’s to say?” If you like all things dark, creepy, and strange, check out The Dark Archive, a new podcast featuring TSW’s Gavin Berger, available wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/thedarkarchivepodcast Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://twitter.com/thisstrangepod/ And check out more This Strange World links here: https://linktr.ee/thisstrangeworldpodcast A High Tops Media Podcast You can follow for more High Tops Media content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @hightopsmedia Check out more podcasts on our website https://hightops.media Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Supernatural https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Wendigo https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Shadow_People https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Baba_Yaga
Cryptids: Feline
Aug 17 2022
Cryptids: Feline
For our seventh episode in our Cryptids season, we’re going to talk about feline cryptids! This is the category for all feline or cat based cryptids. Cats are well-represented in cryptozoology and cryptid cats have been the sole subject of a variety of cryptozoological works. Mystery cats fall into various categories with different possible explanations, including alien big cats, undocumented hybrids and colour morphs, emergent species, possible undescribed species, and theoretical survivals of prehistoric cats. They may also be classified as distinct types, such as spotted lions, dark leopards, or speckled jaguars. (Hint: At least you have nine lives.) If you like all things dark, creepy, and strange, check out The Dark Archive, a new podcast featuring TSW’s Gavin Berger, available wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/thedarkarchivepodcast Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://twitter.com/thisstrangepod/ And check out more This Strange World links here: https://linktr.ee/thisstrangeworldpodcast A High Tops Media Podcast You can follow for more High Tops Media content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @hightopsmedia Check out more podcasts on our website https://hightops.media Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Feline https://cryptidarchives.fandom.com/wiki/Cats_in_cryptozoology https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Fearsome_Critters https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Cactus_Cat https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Sliver_Cat https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Santer https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Wampus_Cat
Cryptids: Atmospheric Beasts
Aug 10 2022
Cryptids: Atmospheric Beasts
For our sixth episode in our Cryptids season, we’re going to talk about atmospheric beasts! Atmospheric Beasts are the strangest of the flying monsters from ufology, cryptozoology, and astrobiology. According to eyewitness reports, these beings are living creatures, but they break all the usual rules that the biologists apply to living organisms. They appear to be able to levitate without any need for wings, as well as their bodies are even depicted in a semi-solid, often partially invisible, state. (Hint: Don’t look up.) If you like all things dark, creepy, and strange, check out The Dark Archive, a new podcast featuring TSW’s Gavin Berger, available wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/thedarkarchivepodcast Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://twitter.com/thisstrangepod/ And check out more This Strange World links here: https://linktr.ee/thisstrangeworldpodcast A High Tops Media Podcast You can follow for more High Tops Media content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @hightopsmedia Check out more podcasts on our website https://hightops.media Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Atmospheric_Beasts https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Atmospheric_Jellyfish https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Air_Rods https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Sky_Serpents
Cryptids: Lake Monsters
Aug 3 2022
Cryptids: Lake Monsters
For our fifth episode in our Cryptids season, we’re going to talk about lake monsters! A lake monster is a purported form of fresh-water or saltwater dwelling megafauna appearing in mythology, rumor, or local folklore. A well known example is the Loch Ness Monster (which we did a previous episode about in June 2021, check it out!). Lake monsters’ depictions are often similar to some sea monsters. Many lake monsters were considered to be dragon like sea serpents in the early sightings, however, most of all lake monster sightings in modern times describe the beasts to have long necks and large bodies with flippers. (Hint: Better watch where you’re swimming this summer!) If you like all things dark, creepy, and strange, check out The Dark Archive, a new podcast featuring TSW’s Gavin Berger, available wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/thedarkarchivepodcast Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://twitter.com/thisstrangepod/ And check out more This Strange World links here: https://linktr.ee/thisstrangeworldpodcast A High Tops Media Podcast You can follow for more High Tops Media content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @hightopsmedia Check out more podcasts on our website https://hightops.media Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Lake_Monsters https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Lizzie https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Thetis_Lake_Monster https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Champ https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Old_Greeny
Cryptids: Poisonous and Venomous
Jul 20 2022
Cryptids: Poisonous and Venomous
For our third episode in our Cryptids season, we’re going to talk about poisonous and venomous cryptids! A poisonous and/or venomous cryptid is a cryptid (such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, plants, etc…) that produces any toxin for predatory or defensive purposes. The poison can be found in the blood, muscles, liver, be processed by specialized glands, or be found in the sap of plants. Not all cryptids are equally toxic for life and in some cases the production of toxins varies depending on the time of year. (Hint: Stay a safe six feet from these cryptids.) If you like all things dark, creepy, and strange, check out The Dark Archive, a new podcast featuring TSW’s Gavin Berger, available wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/thedarkarchivepodcast Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://twitter.com/thisstrangepod/ And check out more This Strange World links here: https://linktr.ee/thisstrangeworldpodcast A High Tops Media Podcast You can follow for more High Tops Media content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @hightopsmedia Check out more podcasts on our website https://hightops.media Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Poisonous_and_Venomous_Cryptids https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Mongolian_Death_Worm https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Basilisk https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/J%27ba_FoFi
Cryptids: Aliens
Jul 13 2022
Cryptids: Aliens
For our second episode in our Cryptids season, we’re going to talk about alien cryptids! Aliens are creatures from space, or any living creatures that are not originally from Earth. They could be anything from simple bacteria to intelligent life. For a cryptid to fall under this category, they typically have to fit at least one of the following descriptions: the ability to speak, and confirms through its dialogue that it is of extraterrestrial origin; is generally thought of as an alien, or has an appearance or traits similar to that of known Alien Cryptids; visit earth in spaceships or flying discs; the witness(es) that saw the cryptid claim it was or refer to it as an alien. (Hint: Something that without a doubt exists in one of those galaxies from the new NASA pics.) If you like all things dark, creepy, and strange, check out The Dark Archive, a new podcast featuring TSW’s Gavin Berger, available wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/thedarkarchivepodcast Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://twitter.com/thisstrangepod/ And check out more This Strange World links here: https://linktr.ee/thisstrangeworldpodcast A High Tops Media Podcast You can follow for more High Tops Media content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @hightopsmedia Check out more podcasts on our website https://hightops.media Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Aliens https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Chupacabra https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Fresno_Nightcrawler https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Wanderlight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhaMrCUDhjk
Cryptids: Humanoids
Jul 6 2022
Cryptids: Humanoids
This Strange World is back with our fourth season! Last season we had the running theme of Bizarre Experiences, but this season we’ve found a new theme…Cryptids! You know, Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, things like that! Every episode this season we are going to be doing a deep dive into a different type of cryptid. Our season premiere starts the season with humanoids, cryptids similar to humans in their anatomy. Some are also thought to be intelligent on a human level since they seem to have evolved in a similar path. Humanoid cryptids typically have the ability to walk upright (biomechanic bipedalism), two eyes (binocular vision), and are typically not quite human (like human mixed with another animal-anthropomorphic). (Hint: It’s like you, but different.) If you like all things dark, creepy, and strange, check out The Dark Archive, a new podcast featuring TSW’s Gavin Berger, available wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/thedarkarchivepodcast Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thisstrangeworldpodcast/ https://twitter.com/thisstrangepod/ And check out more This Strange World links here: https://linktr.ee/thisstrangeworldpodcast A High Tops Media Podcast You can follow for more High Tops Media content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @hightopsmedia Check out more podcasts on our website https://hightops.media Sources https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Humanoids https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Deer_Man https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Ningen https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Cherufe