The Unexplainers

In this episode of The Unexplainers, John and Rhys dive into one of Scotland’s strangest UFO encounters: the 1979 Dechmont Woods incident involving forestry worker Robert Taylor. They recount Taylor’s terrifying experience with a silent, hat-shaped craft, spiked rolling spheres that grabbed his trousers, and the baffling physical evidence that left police and doctors stumped—complete with ground marks, torn clothing, and no conventional explanation.From there, the pair segue into the life and legacy of Charles Fort, the “godfather of weird” whose obsessive cataloguing of strange phenomena—rains of frogs, mysterious lights in the sky, and other “damned facts” science tried to ignore—helped shape modern paranormal investigation, science fiction, and the Fortean Times.

In this episode of The Unexplainers, John and Rhys kick off a new chapter as they announce the show is joining The Sonar Network in 2026. From there, things get wonderfully strange.First, John unveils the chilling mystery of the Arthur’s Seat coffins: 17 tiny wooden coffins discovered on a hillside above Edinburgh in 1836, each containing a carved figurine in miniature burial clothes. Were they witchcraft? Memorials to lost sailors? Or a secret tribute to the 17 known victims of Burke and Hare, Edinburgh’s most infamous body-snatching serial killers?Then Rhys segues into the world of Tulpas—mentally created entities that, with enough focus and belief, start to feel autonomous. We meet Tibetan explorers, Reddit Tulpamancers, and a blue, 18th‑century, cider-fuelled road-digging Tulpa named Ian. Along the way, John and Rhys riff on:Theories behind the Arthur’s Seat coffins and why some of them vanishedHow toy soldiers may have been repurposed into the coffin figuresThe strange overlap between imaginary friends, dissociation, and creativityOnline Tulpa communities and claims of Tulpas helping with things like math testsCursed dolls, estate sales, voodoo-ish finds in Newport, and the perils of cheap ciderRidiculous (and slightly disturbing) Tulpa ideas: wooden Burt Reynolds, shit-octopuses, and moreIf you’ve ever wondered where imagination ends and reality begins—or if your inner voice is maybe a bit too independent—this one’s for you.Support & LinksWe’re now part of The Sonar Network – go check out the other comedy shows there.Support the show on Patreon (link in the show notes).Got a Tulpa, cursed doll story, or your own theory about the Arthur’s Seat coffins?Tell us what your Tulpa looks likeOr confess your worst snakebite/scrumpy decision

Get the good stuff here:https://www.patreon.com/unexrebirth

In this episode, we journey down two of the world’s most haunted roads, Chicago’s infamous Archer Avenue, home to the ghostly hitchhiker Resurrection Mary, and Britain’s eerie Stocksbridge Bypass, where phantom monks and spectral children haunt the night. Between tales of chilling encounters, playful banter, and a few skeptical laughs, our hosts explore why roads, rather than old houses, so often capture the imagination of ghost hunters and folklore fans. Tune in for supernatural stories, personal confessions, and a few surprises lurking by the roadside.Get the good stuff here:https://www.patreon.com/unexrebirth

Dive into the mysteries of Woodchester Mansion, one of Britain’s most haunted locations, as we explore chilling ghost stories, paranormal investigations, and urban legends. Discover tales of poltergeists, phantom soldiers, spectral sightings, and supernatural myths, plus the infamous chapel hauntings and Victorian oddities. Then, relive the hysteria of the 1980s and 1990s Satanic Panic, as we dissect the notorious "Law Enforcement Guide to Satanic Cults" VHS. This episode covers media madness, cult conspiracies, Satanic rituals, pop culture paranoia, and the bizarre intersection of police training tapes, heavy metal music, and society’s obsession with the occult. For fans of ghost stories, cult lore, supernatural facts, and skeptical humor, this is your ultimate paranormal podcast destination.Get the good stuff here:https://www.patreon.com/unexrebirth

In this episode of "The Unexplainers," the hosts dive into both humorous and eerie tales, beginning with small talk about animals and paranormal encounters. The main focus is the chilling history of Clapham Woods in Sussex, renowned for its UFO sightings, disappearing animals, mysterious footprints, and cult rumors. The hosts review historic cases and local legends, including the bizarre disappearance of Reverend Snelling and the strange effects on both humans and dogs in the woods. The conversation shifts to internet conspiracy theories, including the satirical Rubik’s Cube time travel hypothesis, and other popular time travel legends such as John Titor and the Montauk Project. The team reflect on how fringe theories become mainstream, mixing skepticism with fun and skepticism.Get the good stuff here:https://www.patreon.com/unexrebirth

In this episode, podcast hosts Rhys Waters and John Rutledge dive into the mysteries of Nova Scotia’s Cape Sable, bringing tales of the legendary serpent and bizarre sea monster encounters in the Atlantic waters. Eyewitnesses like Eisner Penny, Keith Ross, Rodney Ross, and Edgar Nickerson recount terrifying fog-shrouded experiences with massive creatures featuring tusks, barnacles, and snake-like skin near fishing boats in 1976 and 1997. The episode explores the tough life of fishermen in lobster-rich regions, touches on drug trafficking, and delves into the skepticism and credibility around paranormal stories. Shifting to the West Midlands, England, the podcast recounts Jessie Rustenberg’s 1954 UFO sighting with blonde, Nordic aliens in blue suits—tying in Pleiadians, the concept of greys and Roswell abductions, and sci-fi influences like Mothman and the Flatwoods Monster.Get the good stuff here:https://www.patreon.com/unexrebirth