Pop Goes the Cryptid

On this episode, I’ll talk about how cryptids are attracting plenty of attention, even though no new scientific evidence confirms their existence after all this time. It’s that time of year for cryptids to appear in scary season events. Should you visit a cryptid museum? I have some thoughts about cryptid discourse online. And, I walk through the evolution of the story of the black bird of Chernobyl.

Contents:

* Mainstreaming of cryptids 0:50

* Creepy Cryptid Celebrations - 5:27

* Cryptid museums – 8:00

* The move to digital/visual communication – 13:43

* The black bird of Chernobyl – 19:29

* Closing – 25:53

Links:

“Cryptid” out-trends cryptozoology https://moderncryptozoology.wordpress.com/2022/04/11/cryptid-trends-without-the-zoology/

Cryptid currency https://moderncryptozoology.wordpress.com/2022/05/15/cryptid-currency/

Museum Definition https://icom.museum/en/resources/standards-guidelines/museum-definition/

Cryptid Tourism: The Best Museums, Destinations & Festivals Across America https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/cryptid-tourism-across-america

North American Cryptid Museum https://moderncryptozoology.wordpress.com/2026/07/08/north-american-cryptid-museum/

The Myth of Chernobyl’s Black Bird https://sharonahill.com/the-myth-of-chernobyls-black-bird/

Have a questions about cryptids or cryptozoology? Please leave them in the comments.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sharonahill.substack.com

Hi. Welcome to Pop Goes the Cryptid.

On this first episode of the podcast, I’ll provide an intro to my Pop Cryptid model and run down some of the latest news and examples of pop cryptid culture.

Contents:

* Intro 1:06

* Festivals and Tourism - 6:06

* Mothman Festival 2026 – 16:57

* Mothman Ballet – 18:07

* West Va Paranormal Trail – 18:55

* Frogman Statue – 19:41

* Lake Barkely Beast Fest – 20:47

* Hard Dew contest – 23:57

* Capturing Bigfoot run-up – 28:18

* Closing – 33:29

Links:

Cryptid town festivals

https://moderncryptozoology.wordpress.com/cryptid-town-festivals/

Mothman Festival brings thousands to Point Pleasant nearly 60 years after first sightings

https://wchstv.com/news/local/nearly-60-years-after-first-sightings-mothman-festival-draws-crowds-to-point-pleasant

Cryptid, paranormal fans flock to Point Pleasant for Mothman Festival

https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/mason-county-wv/cryptid-paranormal-fans-flock-to-point-pleasant-for-mothman-festival/

West Virginia Paranormal Trail returns with new location, prizes

https://www.coalvalleynews.com/west-virginia-paranormal-trail-returns-with-new-location-prizes/article_a7c6716c-b403-422d-bb29-7d1db708bec6.html

Mothman ballet to premiere in Charleston

https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/kanawha-county-wv/mothman-ballet-to-premiere-in-charleston/

Loveland Wants a Frogman Statue in Nisbet Park for Its 150th Birthday

https://hoodline.com/2026/09/loveland-wants-a-frogman-statue-in-nisbet-park-for-its-150th-birthday/

Lake Barkley tourism prepares for first ‘Beast Fest’

https://www.kentuckynewera.com/cadiz_record/news/article_bcd25a5b-2217-5a01-8e44-b57df980032e.html

Get ready to submit your best Bigfoot fakery to win $1 million

https://moderncryptozoology.wordpress.com/2026/09/19/get-ready-to-submit-your-best-bigfoot-fakery-to-win-1-million/

The old Bigfoot is dead, long live the idea of Bigfoot

https://sharonahill.com/the-old-bigfoot-is-dead-long-live-the-idea-of-bigfoot/

Long hidden evidence blows up the reality of the Patterson Gimlin Bigfoot film

https://moderncryptozoology.wordpress.com/2026/03/31/long-hidden-evidence-blows-up-the-reality-of-the-patterson-gimlin-bigfoot-film/

Capturing Bigfoot releasing Oct 20: What will the fallout be?

https://moderncryptozoology.wordpress.com/2026/09/10/capturing-bigfoot-releasing-oct-20-what-will-the-fallout-be/

Times are changing for Bigfoot hunters

https://moderncryptozoology.wordpress.com/2026/03/26/times-are-changing-for-bigfoot-hunters/

More Pop Goes the Cryptid content: https://sharonahill.com/pop-goes-the-cryptid/

Modern Cryptozoology: https://moderncryptozoology.wordpress.com/

Questions and Comments: https://sharonahill.com/contact-me/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sharonahill.substack.com

The common association of the giant squid as the source animal of the kraken myth is oversimplified and erroneous. Giant squid were known by sailors and not seen as monsters.

For the written post, head to: Why the giant squid is not the kraken, or a cryptid

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sharonahill.substack.com