Cryptid Conference Founder Shares Bigfoot Investigation Stories

If you're looking for a podcast episode that dives deep into the world of cryptids and the paranormal, there's a recent one on YouTube that's worth checking out. The Unholy Podcast, hosted by Doug Owen, features a fascinating conversation with Michael O'Connor, founder of Paranormal Productions and co-organizer of Jersey's annual Cryptid and Paranormal Conference. O'Connor has spent years investigating Bigfoot, the Jersey Devil, and all sorts of unexplained phenomena throughout the Northeast, and his stories are genuinely compelling. One of the most intriguing parts of the interview is when O'Connor shares the experience that really hooked him on this work. Back in 2014, after attending a Judas Priest concert with his wife and brother, he was driving home on the Hamburg Turnpike in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Right across from the Pompton Reform Church, he saw what appeared to be a person standing in the middle of the road with his arms folded, almost daring him to stop. Fearing a robbery attempt, O'Connor hit the accelerator and drove right through what he describes as a figure with no legs. His wife confirmed she saw the same thing. That encounter sent him down the path of ghost hunting and eventually led him to join BFRO expeditions in search of Sasquatch. Speaking of BFRO, O'Connor breaks down what these expeditions actually look like for anyone unfamiliar. They're typically four-day camping trips where investigators spend daytime hours scouting for footprints, especially near rivers and after rainfall, and nighttime hours searching the woods with red headlamps to avoid spooking any potential Sasquatch. The Pine Barrens in New Jersey apparently have a strong track record for sightings, and O'Connor mentions that investigators have found impressive size 18 footprints there, complete with casts showing tiny leaf impressions. Eric Spinner is credited with casting one of those remarkable tracks. The Pine Barrens make sense as a hotspot given the abundance of cranberries, blueberries, and deer, plus a notable lack of black bears, which means less competition for food sources. O'Connor also touches on something that often confuses people in New Jersey: the difference between the Jersey Devil and gray foxes. He explains that gray foxes are tree-dwelling creatures common in Middlesex County, and their terrifying screeching sounds often get mistaken for the legendary Jersey Devil. It's a good reminder that knowing your local wildlife is essential before jumping to cryptid conclusions. Perhaps the most exciting detail is O'Connor's mention of a howl he recorded during one of his expeditions. He's familiar with every type of howl out there, from owls to coyotes to fisher cats, and this particular recording doesn't match anything identifiable. He's planning to send it to professionals for analysis, which could potentially be significant evidence if it turns out to be something unknown. The conversation also touches on the history of Sasquatch research, including the inclusion of Sasquatch in the 1975 Washington State Army Field Manual and the DNA evidence that was found, both of which helped spark O'Connor's interest in the subject. He also recommends Theodore Roosevelt's "The Wilderness Hunter" as essential reading for anyone interested in the topic. For anyone who loves hearing firsthand accounts from seasoned investigators, this episode is a must-watch. O'Connor's blend of paranormal and cryptid research makes for a unique perspective, and his willingness to share both his successes and his mistakes, like the time he accidentally put a DNA sample in a plastic bag instead of a paper envelope, makes him relatable and trustworthy.