Blog Layout

157 – Monsters Among Us: Cryptids and More with Linda Godfrey

Mike Huberty • August 15, 2017

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Linda Godfrey, the author who first brought the world’s attention to the Beast of Bray Road in the early 1990s.   We interviewed her all the way back in Episode 51 , brought her to our cryptid round table in Episode 67,  and couldn’t wait to get her back to discuss her latest book,   Monsters Among Us.  I mean, of course we’re going to love Linda!

linda godfrey
Linda Godfrey
  1. She’s from right down the road from where we all grew up.
  2. She co-authored the book  Weird Wisconsin  which is sadly out-of-print but it was the Fortean Bible of America’s Dairyland in the 90s.
  3. She is a great storyteller who keeps things believable. I don’t have to mention that there’s a trend in this field to just jump and exaggerate outrageous details to juice up a paranormal story. Linda das managed to keep a good deal of her journalistic integrity for over a quarter of a century, now that’s something to be proud of!

To kick off the show, Wendy and I use our trashed voices to talk a little about our musical weekend, including a show at a haunted club in Middleton, Wisconsin , the Wisconsin State Fair, and an afternoon show on the Sugar River (which has its own UFO sightings and ghost stories)  and then Wendy also tells a couple highlights from her trip to the Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas at the beginning of August. Including her two favorite cosplayers as Captain Kirk and Mister Spock!

Then, Allison from Milwaukee Ghosts joins Linda and I for a discussion about the latest news about the Beast of Bray Road, her favorite new cryptid stories,  a little Native American lore from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and even a cryptic preview of what she’s working on right now!

YOu’re going to want to get more info on Linda by checking out her blog  and get the latest on the Chicago Mothman, dogmen, werewolves, skin walkers, bipedal canines, and more at her Twitter feed (@lindasgodfrey).

Considering that our first interview with Linda about her book, American Monsters , inspired our EP of the same name, we knew that another conversation with her would spark some musical creativity.  Her titles just lend very well to tracks laden with symbolism. When we thought about “Monsters Among Us”, we thought about our neighbors. Your neighbors seem like they’re great people and you have fun with them, you have them over for a barbecue, and you really like them.  But then you see what they write about on Facebook. You see what kind of beliefs they have and in today’s Internet and political climate, it seemed that writing a song about how people that usually like each other as neighbors who connect through their locations or families or sports teams, might hate each other if they knew all about each other’s political beliefs.

Are other people’s differing beliefs in this world of outrage, forces for and against political correctness, and fake clickbait so offensive that we discount how they are when you’re hanging out with them in person. So we thought that lent itself to an interesting song idea, “The Psychopath Next Door”.

Watching through the windows
Peeking through the cracks
Waiting for their moment
So don’t you turn your back.

They act like they’re your friends,
But don’t you be a cuck,
They’re worshipping the Devil,
And it’s your soul they’ll suck

Sometimes the truth
Is just a metaphor
To think I barbecued with
The psychopath next door

The monsters live among us,
I see plenty everyday.
I don’t know who I can trust.
So I’ll send you all away.

So I don’t want no bumperstickers,
And I don’t want no big red hats.
I’m so sick of disagreeing,
So I’ll just hang out with my cats.

Sometimes the truth
Is just a metaphor
To think I barbecued with
The psychopath next door

Sometimes the truth
Is just a metaphor
To think I barbecued with
The psychopath next door

Jazz and Voodoo
February 9, 2025
Explore the birthplace of jazz and the history of voodoo in New Orleans. Discover how music and mysticism shaped the city's unique cultural fusion.
By Mike Huberty January 30, 2025
Join us for a haunting night of history, spirits, and spirits! Experience Chicago's most notorious gangster history on this unique Valentine's Day pub crawl that combines chilling tales, craft cocktails, and unforgettable sites from the city's bloody past. Event Details: Date: Friday, February 14th, 2025 and Saturday, February 15th, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM Starting Location: Chicago Oven Grinder (1850 N Lincoln Ave) Tour Highlights: - Start your evening at the historic Chicago Oven Grinder, built from the remnants of a building that once housed Al Capone's lookout spot - Visit the original site of the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre, where seven men met their tragic end in 1929 - See the Biograph Theater, where legendary gangster John Dillinger had his final showdown with the FBI 
By Mike Huberty January 27, 2025
Lake Geneva Winter Ghost Walk - Winterfest Special Tour Experience the haunted history of Lake Geneva in its most atmospheric season during this special 45-minute Winterfest walking tour. Tour Details - Date: January 31, 2025 - Duration: 45 minutes - Times: 6, 7, 8, 9pm - Price: $12 per person - Meet at: Lake Geneva Public Library (918 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147)
A ghostly photo of a child looking downward
January 13, 2025
Master essential ghost hunting techniques with expert tips on equipment, safety, and investigation methods. Start your paranormal journey like a pro today.
Haunted in Illinois
January 13, 2025
Discover Illinois' eeriest locations, from Chicago's infamous Resurrection Mary to Aurora's haunted roundhouse. Explore real ghost stories and paranormal hotspots.
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
By Scott Markus December 20, 2024
Explore Chicago's most haunted burial ground, where the mysterious Madonna of Bachelors Grove still walks. Uncover century-old paranormal encounters and ghostly tales.
Vampire lore in French Quarter, New Orleans
December 20, 2024
Uncover centuries of vampire lore in New Orleans, from blood-curdling tales of the French Quarter to haunting legends of immortal beings that still captivate the city today.
los angeles stars and benches
December 1, 2024
Explore California's most haunted places, from eerie hotels to ghost towns. Discover chilling stories and paranormal activity at top spooky locations. Join our California Ghost Tours if you dare!
By Cassie Carpenter November 29, 2024
Paranormal Investigations at The Oman House in Los Angeles
By Mike Huberty November 25, 2024
🍺 👻 Unearth the supernatural side of Waukesha's historic taverns! Step into a world where history meets mystery on our exclusive three-hour haunted pub crawl through downtown Waukesha. This uniquely crafted experience blends spine-tingling paranormal investigation with the warm ambiance of historic Wisconsin taverns. Your Supernatural Adventure Includes: VIP access to 2-3 of Waukesha's most haunted pubs Exclusive entry to off-limits areas normally closed to the public 45 minutes at each location for: Professional-guided paranormal investigations Chilling tales of supernatural encounters Time to enjoy your favorite spirits (the liquid kind!) Fascinating historical commentary between venues  What Makes This Tour Special: As you walk the historic streets between venues, our expert guides will weave tales of Waukesha's rich past, connecting the supernatural experiences of today with the city's colorful history. Each carefully selected pub holds its own collection of unexplained phenomena, witnessed by staff and patrons alike. Whether you're a skeptic, believer, history buff, or simply looking for an extraordinary afternoon, this tour offers a perfect blend of socializing and supernatural exploration. Come discover why these establishments continue to attract visitors from both this world and the next.
More Posts
Share by: