Exploring the Unexplained: Insights from Matthew Orton on the Drunken Cryptids Podcast

Matthew Orton's Journey into the Paranormal

Matthew Orton, host of the "Dunken Cryptids" podcast, recently joined Ti King for an in-depth discussion on a past episode of the ARKAST podcast. They explored his personal history with unexplained phenomena, the dramatic creation of his show, and his theories on various paranormal subjects.

Orton traced his fascination with the supernatural back to his childhood in Utah, near the Uinta Mountains. Bigfoot was a common topic in his household. He shared significant early experiences, including his mother’s sightings and the discovery of a mysterious footprint near Hellhole Lake in 1992. "It wasn't a full complete footprint," Orton explained, "It almost looked like it was like the ball of his foot, like he was sprinting."

Military Encounters and Their Impact

His time in the military provided another defining—albeit terrifying—encounter. While stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Orton described a night when he and his fellow soldiers felt stalked. As they were on guard duty, they heard strange noises coming from the pitch-black woods. Orton admitted, "...that night in those woods was probably the most scared I've ever been."

The Birth of the Drunken Cryptids Podcast

The origin of the "Drunken Cryptids" podcast was quite unconventional. After recounting paranormal stories at a local bar, a bartender encouraged him to share them more broadly. "Matthew, you just start a podcast," she told him. Orton recalled his initial unfamiliarity with the medium: "I went, 'What's a podcast?'"

The show launched with the help of his friend Maddie. However, tragedy struck just two months later when Maddie passed away suddenly. Orton openly discussed his struggles during that time and even considered abandoning the project. It was his friend Tommy who reassured him, saying, "[Tommy] used to do stuff for radio shows, and I want to get involved." Tommy's support was transformative. Within a week, he had Orton on various platforms. "I was blown away," Orton said, emphasizing, "I would not be today if it wasn't for Tommy on that side."

Paranormal Encounters and Theories

The conversation navigated various paranormal topics. When discussing Shadow People, Orton made an intriguing distinction between fleeting figures and those that seem more aware. "I consider them... 'Peeping Toms'... They run away," he said, contrasting them with the "intelligent ones" that seem to acknowledge your presence. "They're letting you know, yeah, I see you. Yeah. And you see me, what's up?" Host Ti King shared his own childhood sighting of a hatted figure and was surprised when Orton mentioned the detail: "...how ridiculous it was going to be if I had to tell you that he was wearing a hat."

Arkansas: The Overlooked Paranormal Hotspot

Orton also shared his theory that Arkansas is an overlooked hotspot for paranormal activity. This may be due to its unique geology. "Arkansas's full. I mean, you can go dig in my backyard and dig up quartz," he noted. "Throughout history... quartz has always been used as a magical... element... the theory is it traps energy."

Caution in the Paranormal Community

Regarding research in the field, Orton urged caution against accepting absolute claims. "Anybody in the paranormal world or the crypto world goes, 'I'm an expert.' Go ahead and just turn them off and move right on past them," he advised. He highlighted that many encounters are often fleeting, lasting only 15 to 20 seconds, which contributes to a lack of clear evidence. "Most of your encounters that people have... By the time I get [the camera], it's gone," Orton observed.

Future Endeavors in the Paranormal Field

At the time of the recording, Orton discussed several exciting future endeavors. These included a planned appearance on the Tubi series "Searching for Sasquatch," a potential research expedition to Portlock, Alaska, upcoming speaking engagements, and the development of a "Little Cryptids" podcast aimed at children.

Conclusion: A Compelling Journey into the Unexplained

The extensive discussion on the ARKAST episode provided listeners with a compelling look into Matthew Orton's lifelong engagement with the unexplained. His work on the podcast, Drunken Cryptids, continues to explore a range of intriguing paranormal topics.

Catch the episode of the ARKAST Podcast with Matthew Orton here.