Dive into the shimmering realm of unicorns in this magical episode of Mythical Beasts Unleashed with guest kid guest hosts Addison and Liam! From ancient seals in the Indus Valley to medieval tapestries and modern pop culture icons, uncover how these one-horned wonders have captivated hearts for thousands of years. We'll trot through tales of their healing horns, fierce battles with lions, and symbolic roles in heraldry—like being Scotland's national animal. Explore theories on real animals (think rhinos and narwhals) that sparked the legends, plus quirky facts like fake "unicorn bones" in museums and their omens in Asian folklore. Whether you're a young dreamer or a lore enthusiast, join us for a sparkling journey that celebrates purity, power, and a dash of whimsy. Who knows—you might spot a rainbow after listening!

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Sources:

• Unicorn | Legend, History, & Facts | Britannica - Covers ancient Mesopotamian artworks, Greek accounts, and medieval symbolism.
• Unicorns – a brief history - St Neots Museum - Explores Indus Valley origins, medieval lore, and fake horns like narwhal tusks.
• The Legend and History of the Unicorn - by Steph Rae Moran - Details Ctesias' early descriptions, symbolic meanings, and evolution in folklore.
• What's the origin of the unicorn myth? - Live Science - Discusses Indus Valley imagery, possible real animal inspirations like rhinos, and global myths.
• Unicorn - Wikipedia - Comprehensive overview of Greek natural history accounts, biblical references, and cultural enemies like lions.

The Shadows Among Us: Unveiling the Men in Black

Dive into the eerie origins of the Men in Black, shadowy figures who have haunted UFO witnesses since the 1940s. This episode explores real historical accounts, from the 1947 Maury Island hoax to chilling encounters documented by ufologists like John Keel and Albert Bender, blending conspiracy theories with declassified insights. Discover how these enigmatic enforcers—often described as pale, robotic men in black suits—allegedly suppress extraterrestrial secrets through intimidation and bizarre phenomena.

Sponsor: Topsquatch.com use code FREEYETI for free shipping

Sources:

• Gray Barker, They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers (1956) – Introduces MIB through Bender's story. Available via archives like WVU Libraries: news.lib.wvu.edu
• Albert K. Bender, Flying Saucers and the Three Men (1962) – Primary account of his encounter. Discussed in Bridgeport Library: bportlibrary.org
• John A. Keel, The Mothman Prophecies (1975) – Details MIB in Point Pleasant. Available on Amazon: amazon.com
• FBI Declassified Files on Maury Island – Primary government records. Accessible via HistoryLink: historylink.org
• Jenny Randles, The Truth Behind Men in Black (1997) – Analyzes cases like Hopkins. PDF available: pub.deadnet.se

Deep in the Brazilian Amazon, something huge, red-haired, and reeking of death still walks on backward feet. Locals call it the Mapinguari: one eye, impenetrable skin, and a screaming vertical mouth in its stomach. First written about in 1542, it has terrified people ever since (hunters, rubber tappers, miners, even indigenous elders who say it was once a shaman cursed for revealing forbidden knowledge). Bullets don’t kill it. Only fire and deep water keep it away. Tonight we bring you the clearest sightings, the scariest recordings, and the chilling indigenous origin story no one outside Acre has ever heard.

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Announcements: Mitch is launching a new podcast "The Gamers Council" soon to be available everywhere you get podcasts

Sources:

Historical / Early Written Sources

1. Pero de Magalhães Gandavo – História da Província Santa Cruz (1576) – first European use of “mapinguari”
2. João Daniel – Tesouro Descoberto no Máximo Rio Amazonas (written 1757–1776, published 1975) – earliest detailed Jesuit description
3. Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira – Viagem Filosófica pelas Capitanias do Grão-Pará… (1783–1792, published excerpts 1971–1974) – first scientific expedition mention

1. Terri Vale de Aquino – “O Mapinguari: um estudo etnográfico entre os Kaxinawá” (Master’s thesis, Universidade Federal do Acre, 1995)
2. Angelika Gebhart-Sayer – “The Cosmos Encoiled: Indian Cosmos and Shamanic Transformations among the Kaxinawá” (in Shamanism, History and the State, 1996)
3. Elsje Lagrou – A Fluidez da Forma (2007) – chapter on the Mapinguari as transformed shaman

1. David C. Oren – various articles:
   • “Did Ground Sloths Survive to the Present?” Cryptozoology 12 (1993)
   • Interview in Veja magazine (June 17, 1998)
   • “O Mapinguari” in Revista do Museu Goeldi (1994–2000 internal reports)
2. Glenn Shepard Jr. – “Sloth Man: The Mapinguari and the Giant Ground Sloth Hypothesis” (blog post & academic talks, 2001–2010)

1. Stefano Varese – Salt of the Mountain: Campa Cosmology (on Boraro in Peru/Colombia, 2002)
2. Fernando Santos-Granero – “The Enemy Within: Cannibals and Sorcerers in the Amazon” (on Boraro and similar beings, 2009)
3. Peter Rivière – Individual and Society in Guiana (1984) – on Didiman/Yurokon in the Guianas

1. Cândido, M. – Na Planície Amazônica (1997) – classic collection of caboclo testimonies
2. Bruce Means & David Oren – chapters in Lost Animals (2020) – short, accessible summary with sources