After a short hiatus, Paranormal Optimist is back and diving into one of the most controversial figures in UFO history: Bob Lazar. In 1989, Lazar claimed he worked on reverse-engineering alien technology at a secret government site linked to Area 51. In the over 35 years since, the debate over his story has never really stopped.

In this episode, I look at where Lazar’s story came from, why it was so easy to believe, and the major issues that make it hard to fully trust. Why does his story still resonate decades later, and what does it reveal about the future of believe in extraterrestrial life?

Whether you are an optimist, skeptic, or still undecided, let’s dig in. 👽

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Sources Cited in Today’s Episode:

Friedman, S. T. (2012). UFOs: Real or imagined?: A scientific investigation. Rosen Pub.

Radford, B. (2012, September 27). Area 51: Secrets, yes; aliens, no. LiveScience. https://www.livescience.com/23514-area-51.html

Prothero, D. R., Callahan, T. D., & Shermer, M. (2018). UFOs, chemtrails, and aliens what science says. Indiana University Press.

the Editors of Publications International, Ltd. (2023, November 22). Bob Lazar, UFO Hoaxster. HowStuffWorks Science. https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/bob-lazar.htm

McMillan, T. (2024, July 27). Bob Lazar says the FBI raided him to seize area 51’s alien fuel. the truth is weirder. VICE. https://www.vice.com/en/article/bob-lazar-says-the-fbi-raided-him-to-seize-area-51s-alien-fuel-the-truth-is-weirder/

Thornicroft, C. (2022, June 12). The Lazar Tape (1991). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=142P9RKCqCs

8 Now News Las Vegas. (n.d.). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GRjgBVw9Pk

Darlington, D. (2024). Area 51 the dreamland chronicles. Holt Paperbacks.

National Geographic. (n.d.). Where is area 51? the history behind the most mysterious military base in the U.S. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/area-51-aliens-ufos-real-history#:~:text=While%20no%20proof%20of%20aliens,are%20a%20top%2Dsecret%20mystery.

Area 51 | description, history, map, & facts | britannica. Britannica. (n.d.). https://www.britannica.com/place/Area-51

This week on Paranormal Optimist, we’re getting into the Halloween spirit with a few eerie stories from friends of the show that blur the line between coincidence and the uncanny. From strange synchronicities to the comfort we find in believing there’s meaning behind life’s chaos, we explore why ordinary moments can sometimes feel otherworldly. Whether it’s evolution, psychology, or something more mysterious, today’s episode asks: when life feels too weird to be random, does it really matter if it’s paranormal or not?

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Sources Cited in Today’s Episode:

Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). Synchronicity. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/synchronicity

In this special two-part conversation, we stepped into the world of modern paranormal investigation with Kayla and Jacob of Soluna Investigations. In Part I, we got to know the team behind Soluna.How they prepared for fieldwork, the tools they relied on, and the reasoning that guided their methods. They also shared insights from their time investigating the historic Bruce Mansion in Michigan and raised some fascinating questions about the true nature of ghosts.

In Part II, the conversation turns practical as Kayla and Jacob offer advice for those curious about fieldwork. We touch on how to get started and what every investigator should keep in mind. Throughout both parts, they reveal how curiosity, science, and spirituality intertwine in their pursuit of the unknown, giving us a rare look at what drives today’s ghost hunters.

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This episode marks the beginning of a fascinating two-part collaboration with Soluna Investigations. Join me as Kayla and Jacob share how they approach the world of paranormal research—from their investigative prep and favorite tools to the deeper “why” behind their work. Along the way, we revisit their time at Bruce Mansion in Michigan and wrestle with the big question: what is the true nature of a ghost? Thoughtful, grounded, and a little eerie—this one will stay with you.

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We’ve reached the final chapter of our 3-part Mothman series! In this episode, I’ll share my own theory on what Mothman might be, or maybe still is, if he’s out there today. From there, we’ll zoom out to ask: what do we do with all this lore? We’ll explore why people continue to cling to the legend, how Mothman has spread his wings in pop culture, and even some modern sightings that prove the story isn’t going anywhere.

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Music:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guhZN8MBfyY&list=RDguhZN8MBfyY&start_radio=1

Sources Cited in Today’s Episode:

DeCoste, S. (n.d.). 2023 Mothman Festival summons economic boom for point pleasant | WOWK 13 news. 13 News. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/mason-county-wv/2023-mothman-festival-summons-economic-boom-for-point-pleasant/

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2025, August 21). Thunderbird. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/thunderbird-mythological-bird

H., S. (n.d.-a). Mothman Myth & How Folklore Overshadowed Real tragedy. Mythfolks. https://www.mythfolks.com/mothman-legend

Harvey, A. (2024, August 1). The Chicago Mothman, the creepy red-eyed humanoid allegedly seen flying throughout the city. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/chicago-mothman

Horowitz, D. (n.d.). Thunderbird (cryptozoology): Research starters: EBSCO research. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/zoology/thunderbird-cryptozoology

Phantoms & Monsters. Phantoms Monsters RSS. (n.d.). https://phantomsandmonsters.com/post/9218168018845603639

SpookySight. (n.d.). Mothman 1966-2024 sightings map by SpookySight · MapHub. MapHub. https://maphub.net/SpookySight/wisconsincaps-mothman-sightings

Terry, J. (2024, July 27). People keep seeing the Mothman in Chicago. VICE. https://www.vice.com/en/article/mothman-sightings-in-chicago

Up-to-date Mothman sighting map: All encounters from 1966 to 2024. spookysight.com. (2024, December 9). https://spookysight.com/updated-mothman-sighting-map

Watts, B. (n.d.). University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Uknowledge Uknowledge. UKnowledge. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1036&context=ltt_etds

In this part of the Mothman series, we’re hitting pause before falling headfirst into the rabbit hole. Today, we’ll look at why some folks shrug Mothman off as nothing more than a big bird or a big myth — and why others are absolutely convinced he’s something far stranger and maybe even supernatural. It’s skepticism vs. belief, and Mothman is right in the middle.

But don’t worry, this isn’t the end of the story. Next time, I’ll share my own theory about what Mothman could really be, dig into why this winged weirdo grabbed the world’s attention, and explore modern sightings, pop culture cameos, and even the way Mothman has been turned into toys and festival mascots.

Stick around — things are only getting stranger from here!

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Music credit: www.purple-planet.com

Sources Cited in Today’s Episode:

Cornell. (n.d.). Sandhill Crane identification, all about birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/id

Database : 1966 – 1967, Appalachian Oddity. Appalachian Oddity. (n.d.). https://www.appalachianoddity.org/database-1966-1967/

Enlighten : Who is the Mothman of Point Pleasant. The College of Psychic Studies. (n.d.). https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/enlighten/who-is-the-mothman-of-point-pleasant/

Feres, M., & Feres, M. F. N. (2023, March 27). Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Journal of applied oral science : revista FOB. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10065758/

H., S. (n.d.). Mothman Myth & How Folklore Overshadowed Real tragedy. Mythfolks. https://www.mythfolks.com/mothman-legend

New York University. (2020, June 5). NYU shanghai prof finds distance threshold for reliable eyewitness identification. NYU Shanghai. https://shanghai.nyu.edu/news/nyu-shanghai-prof-finds-distance-threshold-reliable-eyewitness-identification#:~:text=Could%20you%20remember%20enough%20about,’%E2%80%9D

Raypole, C. (2022, May 2). Mass hysteria: Definition, examples, causes, and more. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/mass-hysteria

Schwarz, J. (n.d.). Witnesses’ eyes deceive them when distance is too great. UW News. https://www.washington.edu/news/2005/02/17/witnesses-eyes-deceive-them-when-distance-is-too-great/#:~:text=At%20200%20feet%20you%20would,that%20made%20a%20face%20unrecognizable.

Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). Pareidolia. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/pareidolia#:~:text=Pareidolia%20is%20a%20phenomenon%20wherein,friend%20or%20an%20unfamiliar%20foe.

The true story behind the mothman of west virginia. US Ghost Adventures. (2022, October 21). https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-stories/31-days-of-halloween/the-true-story-behind-the-mothman-of-west-virginia/#:~:text=Just%20three%20days%20after%20their,Mothman%20started%20to%20take%20shape.

In Part I of our Mothman series, we’re rewinding to 1966 Point Pleasant. And let me warn you, things got weird fast. We’ll unpack what people think they know about this winged wonder, dip into West Virginia’s spooky backstory, and meet characters like Mary Hyre and John Keel, who may or may not have gotten more than they bargained for. Part II will take us further into belief, skepticism, and modern sightings, but for now, let’s begin where the legend truly started.

Have a paranormal story to share, an idea for a future episode, or maybe you’d like to be a guest on the show? I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at ParanormalOptimist@gmail.com.

Have a story or link to Mothman or Point Pleasant? Please send me an email!

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Music credit: www.purple-planet.com

Sources Cited in Today’s Episode:

Keel, J. A. (2013). The Mothman prophecies. Tor.

Screen Gems & Lakeshore Entertainment. (2002). The Mothman Prophecies [Film]. Mark Pellington.

Ocker, J. W. (2023). The United States of cryptids. A tour of American myths and Monsters. Blackstone Publishing.

Sergent, D., & Wamsley, J. (2002). Mothman: The facts behind the legend. Mothman Lives Pub.

Witkoski, M. (2004). History of west virginia: Research starters: EBSCO research. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/history-west-virginia

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. (2024, April 30). West Virginia Plants & Animals - WVDNR. WVDNR. https://wvdnr.gov/plants-animals/

Reports, W. N., & photo, S. (2025, March 28). Cryptids of west virginia: From Mothman to ogua and beyond. WV News. https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/cryptids-of-west-virginia-from-mothman-to-ogua-and-beyond/article_68e6d0d3-15a9-430d-b067-8dc6c75861b1.html#:~:text=The%20Ogua%20is%20a%20water,local%20festivals%2C%20and%20storytelling%20traditions.

O’Neill, C. (2012, January 23). Welcome to the “TNT area,” home of the Mothman. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2012/01/23/145334460/welcome-to-the-tnt-area-home-of-the-mothman

Fisher, B. (2020, September 2). Why John Keel?. 6 Degrees of John Keel. https://6degreesofjohnkeel.com/blog/why-john-keel

Encyclopedia.com. (2025, September 9). Keel, John A(lva) (1930-). Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/keel-john-alva-1930

Media, T. B. A. (2024, November 25). Mothman myth rooted in Messenger reporter’s work. The Athens Messenger. https://www.athensmessenger.com/news/mothman-myth-rooted-in-messenger-reporters-work/article_eae63596-c338-576c-97b2-3c445379ad1c.html

Wikia, C. to T. (n.d.). Mary Hyre. TheMothMan Wikia. https://themothman.fandom.com/wiki/Mary_Hyre

Welcome back to another episode of Paranormal Optimist! This week brings you Vol. 2 of Personally Paranormal. The stories from today’s episode come from friends of the show Jessica and Matt (special guest appearance by April!!). I could never thank this group of people enough for their support on this insane project of mine! In summary, they are the best. Tune in today to hear about more shadow people, ghost burglars, and… Leprechauns?

If you’d like to be a guest on the show, suggest an episode, or have a story you’d like to share for the podcast, send me an email at ParanormalOptimist@gmail.com.

Also! Come join Paranormal Optimist at Hippie Fest 2025 on Saturday, September 13th! Come chat with me about everything wonderful and weird. Links below for more info!

Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/173LPDEnqB/

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