Night Letters Podcast - Episode 10: Cryptids and Fantastic Beasts
Release Date: First episode of 2026
Hosts: Iris & Ellen
Episode Length: ~64 minutes
Release Schedule: Every other Wednesday at 10:00 PM on all major platforms
Episode Summary
In this magical first episode of the year, Iris and Ellen dive deep into the world of cryptids and fantastic beasts, exploring why these mysterious creatures continue to captivate us from childhood into adulthood. They discuss the difference between cryptids (beings whose existence is debated, like Bigfoot and Mothman) and fantastic beasts (purely legendary creatures from myth and folklore, like dragons and unicorns), and why these beings remain culturally significant.
Key Topics Discussed
Defining Cryptids vs. Fantastic Beasts
Personal Connections to Fantasy
Iris's lifelong obsession with Bigfoot and childhood experiences in Big Sur
Ellen's childhood love of unicorns, fairies, and illustrated guidebooks
How fantasy provided escape and connection to magic during difficult childhoods
The role of climbing trees, wild spaces, and imagination in childhood development
The Dark Watchers of Big Sur:
Iris shares her favorite local cryptid, The Dark Watchers. Tall, thin, dark silhouettes seen on ridge lines wearing wide-brimmed hats and cloaks. Stories span from indigenous peoples (Esselen, Chumash) through Spanish settlers to modern times. Referenced by poet Robinson Jeffers (Such Counsels You Gave Me) and John Steinbeck wrote of the Watchers.Steinbecks son, Thomas and Benjamin Brode wrote "In Search of the Dark Watchers", an illustrated book of paintings of Big Sur/the Los Padres with hidden watchers. Viewed as benevolent guardians and threshold watchers of liminal spaces.
Cultural Significance:
Why we exile fantasy as we "mature" in Western culture (vs. other cultures that maintain myth)
How cryptids often appear during times of cultural upheaval or natural disasters
The connection between land-based cryptids and our relationship with nature
Cryptids as balancing forces and protectors of the natural world
Shadow Work and Trauma:
Ellen shares a vulnerable story about childhood shame around fantasy play with unicorns
How banishing fantasy sends it to "shadow territory" rather than eliminating it
The grief around losing healthy fantasy connections from childhood to adulthood
Why we've sanitized language (replacing "monster" with "cryptid")
Archetypes and Co-Creation:
How our associations with mythical creatures reveal more about us than the creatures themselves
The concept of collective consciousness creating entities (like Mothman)
Using cryptids and fantastic beasts for personal shadow work and self-discovery
The power of myth to represent complex feelings and abstract concepts
Quantum Possibilities:
Discussion of multi-dimensional existence and why we might not see these creatures
The fish-in-water analogy: beings existing in dimensions we can't perceive
How quantum physics is validating concepts once dismissed as fantasy
Reflection Prompts:
Find a fantastic beast or cryptid that delights you and one that scares you—write down your associations with each
Create your own personal cryptid/fantastic beast combining your shadow and light elements
Consider what childhood fantasies you've exiled and whether they're calling to be reclaimed
Unexpected Recommendation: My Little Pony series (for restoring childhood fantasy faith)
Connect with the Hosts
Both Iris and Ellen are artists who incorporate mythical creatures and cryptids into their tattoo work and art. Follow their Instagram stories for cryptid art shares and consider commissioning your own personal cryptid or fantastic beast tattoo design.
Iris: @wildiris.tattoo and @hey.irisbrooke Ellen: @wayfinder_ink and @ellenwalker___
Next Episode: Two weeks
Listen at: 10:00 PM for the full Night Letters experience

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