Season 20, ep. #39
Beyond Bigfoot: Encounters from Gatlinburg
What happens when you invite people at a Bigfoot conference to sit down and tell you about their experiences? You hear stories that reach well beyond the woods.
Sandman and co-host Eric take ParaReality to the 8th Annual Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference, held on July 25, 2026, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains. In this second installment of our four-part convention series, attendees share encounters that left them frightened, curious, and searching for answers.
Danny recalls a bass fishing trip with his son in Florida, where sudden silence gave way to unfamiliar whoops and the sounds of falling trees. Dustin shares another Florida fishing account, describing an overpowering odor, a large figure partly concealed by the tree line, and an unexpected interaction involving one of his fish.
Amanda recounts several weeks of unsettling experiences in her apartment, including her boyfriend’s reports of seeing her somewhere she wasn’t and her own vivid memory of a dark figure standing at the foot of the bed.
A guest who wishes to remain anonymous shares separate accounts involving a reported saucer-shaped object, a fast-moving light, scratching along a camper, and loud movement in the woods. Her interview is presented as audio only to respect her request for anonymity.
We also speak with James about Let’s Go Squatchin’, a game combining virtual cryptid clues with real-world exploration. Returning storyteller Nate closes our interviews with mysterious metallic noises near an old propane tank—and a thoughtful, humorous distinction between what he suspects caused them and what he would like the explanation to be.
Throughout the episode, Sandman reflects on the details, considers possible explanations, and leaves unresolved questions open. These are personal accounts shared in the witnesses’ own words, offering listeners an opportunity to consider what they remember and how those experiences affected them.
The episode closes with an important update for ParaReality: Sandman has left the Evergreen Podcast Network and moved the show back to Spreaker, returning to independent podcasting with greater control over its content and presentation. For now, episodes distributed through podcast apps will be audio only. Video versions, including this episode, will be available exclusively on the ParaReality1 YouTube channel.
Join Sandman and Eric in Gatlinburg for another collection of strange encounters and memorable conversations.
Turn On, Tune In, & Find Out!
Encounters in Gatlinburg