Real Bigfoot & Dogman Encounters & UFO Coverups w/ Tony Merkel | EP.157 | Ninjas Are Butterflies

In an engaging discussion, Tony Merkel, host of "The Confessionals," shares his journey from a truck driver to a renowned podcaster exploring supernatural phenomena. He delves into intriguing stories, including his own experiences with Bigfoot and Dogman, emphasizing the spiritual and supernatural elements often overlooked in such encounters. Tony discusses the potential government involvement and the spiritual deception surrounding UFOs and extraterrestrial encounters, highlighting the need for discernment. He also touches on the biblical connections to these phenomena, suggesting a deeper, often sinister, spiritual reality at play.

• Tony Merkel discusses the inception of his podcast, "The Confessionals," and the inspiration behind its name.
• The podcast features people sharing intimate stories, akin to confessions, leading to the show's title.
• Tony reflects on his previous career as a truck driver and how it influenced the podcast's development.

"I was driving a tractor trailer down the highway and I was like, what am I going to do with this show? What am I going to call it? I'm like, I'm having people come on and tell their stories. They're sharing something intimate with me. They're confessing the confessionals."

• The name reflects the intimate nature of the stories shared on the podcast, emphasizing personal revelations.

• Tony transitioned from being a truck driver to a podcast host, illustrating a significant career change.
• His journey involved various jobs, including coaching college basketball and driving different types of trucks.

"I started driving CDL when I was 21. Wow. I just started I think I started on school buses and I kind of went back and forth between that and straight trucks."

• Tony's diverse career background contributed to his unique perspective and approach to podcasting.

• Tony discusses his involvement in conferences, specifically mentioning Blurcon and discussions on Nephilim.
• He references interactions with other speakers and the variety of topics covered at these events.

"Yeah. Uh we're doing a roundtable discussion on Nephilim, I think. Me, the Blurry Boys, and Troy Brewer."

• Tony's participation in these events highlights his engagement with broader discussions on supernatural and paranormal topics.

• The conversation explores the importance of confession both biblically and in podcasting.
• It touches upon the discomfort and complexities associated with coerced confessions and false accusations.

"I would say biblically, yes. Podcasting, yes."

• The discussion underscores the multifaceted nature of confession and its implications in various domains.

• Tony shares his spiritual journey and how it influenced his podcasting career.
• He describes a moment of divine inspiration that led him to start "The Confessionals."

"I really felt the Holy Spirit tell me uh I was driving down Germantown Pike and said, 'You're going to start a podcast and uh you're going to work alongside a guy named Wes Gurmer from Sasquatch Chronicles.'"

• This revelation marked a turning point in Tony's life, steering him towards a new path.

• The podcast has evolved over time, incorporating a wide range of paranormal and supernatural topics.
• Tony discusses his decision to address controversial topics, such as UFOs and spiritual experiences.

"The more I learned though, the more I learned about everything as far as the the depths of the this this realm of um supernatural realm, uh the more I I couldn't help but connect some dots."

• Tony's willingness to explore diverse topics reflects the podcast's dynamic nature and his commitment to authenticity.

• Tony emphasizes the importance of faith and discernment when discussing paranormal and supernatural phenomena.
• He highlights the potential for deception and the need to remain grounded in spiritual convictions.

"I really just had this conviction that if I don't if I don't follow this conviction, I'm not going to be able to live with myself."

• This conviction drives Tony's approach to podcasting, ensuring that his content aligns with his beliefs.

• The discussion touches upon Chris Bledsoe's experiences with UFOs and the spiritual interpretations surrounding them.
• Tony expresses concern over the potential for these experiences to mislead others.

"I believe he's had these experiences. I really I don't think he's setting out to deceive the world. I think he is deceived."

• Tony's analysis of Bledsoe's experiences underscores the complexity of interpreting paranormal phenomena within a spiritual framework.

• The discussion begins with an account of a man who was allegedly abducted, with multiple witnesses corroborating the event.
• His son witnessed beings in the woods while hiding and had no memory of the abduction when he returned.
• This event initiated ongoing interactions with these beings, including visits to their home.

"His son went to go look for his dad because his dad kind of just was gone. And uh his son saw something completely different than what his dad saw."

• This quote highlights the differing experiences of the father and son during the alleged abduction, emphasizing the mysterious nature of the event.

• The conversation touches on spiritual warfare and unusual occurrences in the home environment.
• The speaker mentions using prayer as a method of protection against these experiences.
• A complex story involving interactions with a female entity identifying as the Holy Spirit is discussed.

"I go through a lot of spiritual warfare and we've had some weird things happen in our house."

• This quote illustrates the speaker's personal experiences with spiritual warfare and their reliance on prayer for protection.

• The man involved in the abduction story reportedly experienced healing from Crohn's disease after his encounter.
• He also received prophecies about future events and gained a following that gathers for spiritual experiences.

"He was healed of his Crohn's disease as well from this encounter."

• This quote suggests a miraculous healing attributed to the encounter, adding a layer of intrigue to the story.

• Skepticism arises around the authenticity of the man's experiences, with questions about the nature of the beings involved.
• The government, including politicians and NASA, has shown interest in the man's story, conducting studies and witnessing events.

"His story got out, right? And then he just started getting visits from like politicians, government officials, NASA."

• This quote indicates the level of interest and investigation from government bodies into the man's experiences.

• Concerns are expressed about spiritual deception, with references to biblical texts about angels and demons.
• The rise of the New Age movement and its potential dangers are discussed, alongside a call for discernment.

"I really think that Chris just needs to return back to Christ."

• This quote reflects the speaker's opinion on the need for spiritual discernment and a return to traditional Christian beliefs.

• The conversation delves into the cultural shift towards spiritual exploration due to a perceived spiritual starvation.
• The influence of social media platforms like TikTok on the spiritual interests of younger generations is noted.

"They're spiritually starving and they're eating whatever tastes good, whatever gives them immediate results."

• This quote captures the idea of a cultural and spiritual hunger leading people to explore various spiritual paths.

• The role of the government in exploring and understanding these phenomena is questioned.
• The discussion suggests that some government entities may be aware of the true nature of these events, while others are still investigating.

"I think there's darker parts. The people who are feeding them information, I think those people or the ones they work for are the ones that do know what's really going on."

• This quote suggests a division within government entities regarding the knowledge and understanding of these phenomena.

• The overarching theme emphasizes the need for spiritual discernment in navigating these complex and potentially deceptive experiences.
• The conversation concludes with a call for individuals to seek truth and maintain a focus on traditional spiritual values.

"I think it's all pointing back to taking humanity away from their gaze on Christ."

• This quote summarizes the speaker's belief that these phenomena are part of a larger spiritual battle aimed at distracting people from their faith.

• Discussion on the symbolism of David and the concept of "ruddy" as vibrant or full of life, suggesting David's youthful energy and readiness for battle.
• Exploration of the idea that God uses individuals' inherent traits for divine purposes, transforming potential weaknesses into strengths.

"I just picture him as a scrawny teenager... a skinny teenager that knew how to throw a stone."

• This quote reflects the perception of David as a young, seemingly unimposing figure who possessed the skill and courage to defeat Goliath.

"The word ruddy is like can be translated like vibrant or full of life."

• The term "ruddy" is interpreted as a symbol of David's vitality and spirited nature, aligning with his role as a passionate warrior.

• The Bible's intricate composition over 1500 years by diverse authors is emphasized, highlighting its unified message and the continuous revelation it offers to readers.
• The story of the monk seeking understanding of a Leviticus passage illustrates the depth and mystery of biblical interpretation.

"This whole book that we're talking about points to one man... over 1500 years these the authors didn't know each other."

• This emphasizes the Bible's cohesive narrative centered around a singular divine purpose despite its complex origins.

"He just stood there and he started weeping and crying aloud... saying, 'I need Moses to tell me what this scripture from Leviticus means.'"

• The monk's quest for understanding underscores the profound and often elusive nature of biblical texts.

• The Dog Man is described as a cryptid similar to a werewolf, with stories suggesting its existence and interactions with humans, particularly children.
• Theories about the Dog Man's origins, including connections to supernatural or metaphysical phenomena, are explored.

"It sounds like a werewolf... it's not a werewolf, it's the dog man."

• This distinction highlights the unique characteristics attributed to the Dog Man, differentiating it from traditional werewolf lore.

"He said there was an upright standing dog inside the cabin."

• An account of a childhood encounter with a Dog Man, suggesting a pattern of non-violent interactions with children.

• A detailed recounting of an investigative journey to uncover the truth behind Dog Man sightings, including personal experiences and local legends.
• The investigation involves physical exploration and considerations of the Dog Man as a metaphysical entity.

"He sees this, he freezes and this dog sees him... it stood up on its hind legs."

• A vivid description of an encounter with a Dog Man, illustrating the fear and awe it inspires.

"The idea is to go find the collar... obviously I want to find a dog man."

• The goal of the investigation is both to gather tangible evidence and to explore the broader mystery of the Dog Man.

• The conversation delves into the origins of demons, linking them to the spirits of the Nephilim and suggesting possible connections to the Dog Man.
• Theories propose that supernatural abilities and beastiality among the Nephilim could have led to the creation of entities like the Dog Man.

"Is it possible that you have Nephilim offspring... and do they have the ability to also create supernaturally?"

• This speculation considers the potential for Nephilim to produce supernatural offspring, contributing to the Dog Man mythos.

"When these things die and they become demons, what do they look like?"

• The question explores the idea of demons retaining physical forms from their earthly existence, linking to the appearance of the Dog Man.

• Historical sightings of the Beast of Bray Road, an upright walking canine, are recounted, with connections drawn to biblical and demonic themes.
• The mention of "Gdara" by the Beast of Bray Road ties it to biblical narratives, suggesting a possible link to demonic origins.

"There was a guy who was working a cemetery... it said the word Gdara to him."

• This account from 1936 adds a historical dimension to the Dog Man legend, with the mention of "Gdara" hinting at deeper biblical connections.

"It's almost like he's trying to find the tombs again... where maybe his descendants or he."

• The narrative suggests the Dog Man's actions are driven by a search for ancestral or demonic lineage, reinforcing its supernatural associations.

• The narrative begins with Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee, where he falls asleep on a boat amidst a storm.
• The storm is perceived as unusual, even by seasoned fishermen who are Jesus' disciples, indicating its severity and supernatural nature.
• Jesus calms the storm, which is seen as a demonstration of his power and mission.

"There was something different about this storm that they were so terrified and scared that they were going to die."

• The disciples' fear highlights the unusual nature of the storm, suggesting a supernatural element.

"He curses the storm. The storm stops and he continues to march forward."

• Jesus' authority over nature is emphasized, showcasing his divine mission.

• The storm is interpreted as a supernatural event, possibly orchestrated by demonic forces to impede Jesus' mission.
• Jesus' journey across the sea is seen as a strategic move against enemy spiritual territories.

"I think that storm was a supernatural storm that was being used to keep the Messiah from approaching their banks, their enemy encampment."

• The storm is viewed as a spiritual obstacle, highlighting the conflict between divine and demonic forces.

• Upon reaching the other side, Jesus encounters a demonized man, leading to a significant spiritual confrontation.
• The narrative includes the casting of demons into a herd of pigs, symbolizing Jesus' authority over evil spirits.

"He casts this legion into the 2,000 pigs."

• The expulsion of demons into pigs underscores Jesus' power over demonic entities.

• The discussion emphasizes a supernatural worldview, encouraging a holistic reading of biblical narratives.
• The interconnectedness of biblical stories is highlighted, promoting a deeper understanding of spiritual themes.

"I do operate with this supernatural worldview. And I do find that the more I read scripture today, the more I see things like that."

• The speaker advocates for a perspective that recognizes the spiritual dimensions of biblical events.

• The conversation shifts to Bigfoot and other supernatural experiences, exploring personal encounters and investigations.
• The speaker recounts various expeditions and mysterious occurrences, blending folklore with personal narratives.

"We did a documentary out in Washington State called Sasquatch and the Missing Man."

• The documentary serves as an exploration of mysterious phenomena, blending storytelling with investigation.

"We hear something bipedily walking in the woods behind the camera like maybe 20 30 ft away."

• The account of hearing unexplained sounds in the woods adds to the mystery and intrigue of the investigation.

• The discussion touches on government involvement in unexplained phenomena, hinting at secrecy and cover-ups.
• The narrative includes experiences of encountering mysterious creatures and sounds, suggesting a broader conspiracy.

"On the picture there's a gate going across this trail going in there and it says federal property, no trespassing."

• The sudden restriction of access to certain areas implies potential government interest in controlling information about unexplained phenomena.

• The speaker shares personal reflections on the thrill and fear of exploring the unknown.
• The adventures are portrayed as both terrifying and exhilarating, reflecting a deep curiosity about the supernatural.

"I just for me, I'm I I like the adventure of it. And that's that's why I do it."

• The speaker's motivation is rooted in a passion for adventure and a desire to uncover hidden mysteries.