In this episode, we’re joined by the crew from Dark Docent as we dive into some of the strangest secret projects ever attempted by the United States government—experiments where animals were considered as tools of espionage and warfare.

To kick things off, we crack open Penguins in Space Hazy Pale Ale from KCBC (Kings County Brewers Collective) in Brooklyn, New York. The can artwork features penguins suited up with futuristic weapons and spacecraft—an absurd concept at first glance, but one that oddly mirrors the kinds of ideas we explore in today’s episode.

From there, Corey presents two bizarre and very real government experiments that attempted to use animals in unconventional ways.

First, we look at Project Acoustic Kitty, a Cold War–era CIA operation that tried to turn a house cat into a mobile listening device for espionage purposes.

Next, we examine Project X-Ray, a World War II plan that involved attaching incendiary devices to bats with the idea of releasing them over enemy territory.

As Corey walks through each project, the conversation turns into a lively discussion about the creativity, desperation, and sometimes unbelievable thinking behind these secret government programs. What sounds like satire or science fiction turns out to be real history.

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Helltown wasn't always known as Helltown. At one point it was a prosperous town along the Cuyahoga River. It was growing and busy. But like many other places, with the introduction of the railroad, the town began to suffer.

The government saw this as a perfect opportunity. They swooped in and bought out all the homes, turning into a giant state park. But with this came the birth of dozens of urban legends.

From satanic churches to haunted buses. Even mutated animals (Ever hear of the peninsula python?) An absolute paranormal hotspot.

Oh, and don't worry we found a perfect beer pair. Join us as we have Voodoo Ranger (Imperial) from New Belgium Brewing. Crack a cold one and join us for this wild tale.

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In this episode of Kraken Cans Cast, we welcome our friend David J. Hardie from Cryptid Empire for a deep dive into one of the most mysterious legends in American folklore — the Mothman.

David is an artist, author, and cryptid researcher whose work blends Appalachian folklore, detailed study, and bold original designs. We kick things off with how he first stepped into the world of cryptids before diving into his book, Appalachian Cryptids and Creatures — the inspiration behind it and the themes that shape his storytelling.

From there, we head straight to Point Pleasant.

David shares stories from his multiple visits to West Virginia, his experiences spending time in Point Pleasant, and the theories he’s developing as he finishes the illustrations for his upcoming Mothman book set to debut this spring/summer. We explore who — or what — the Mothman might really be, and why the legend still grips people decades later.

We also talk about his journey as a creator — including the moment he got a major boost when Danny Trejo bought one of his shirts and snapped a photo with him. And yes… we discuss how the Mothman Museum might as well be the unofficial “David J. Hardie warehouse” with how quickly his designs move through their shop.

To close things out, we run David through a cryptid showdown — a rapid-fire “who would win” battle between legendary creatures like the Fresno Nightcrawlers, Flatwoods Monster, Michigan Dogman, Batsquatch, the Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp… and of course, the Mothman. Chaos may or may not ensue.

🍺 Beer of the Episode: Mosaic Archives from Elder Pine Brewing & Blending Co. (6% West Coast IPA)

We paired this beer with today’s episode because we’re digging into David’s “archives” of Mothman research, artwork, and upcoming projects. Just like a brewing and blending company carefully layers batches to create something unique and intentional, David layers folklore, history, and artistic vision into his work. It felt like the perfect match.

If you’re into cryptids, Appalachian folklore, original art, and deep Mothman theory — this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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