What happens when researchers try to bring scientific rigor to one of the most controversial areas of paranormal research?
In this episode of Beyond the Human, we’re joined by James Waldo, a member of the North American Wood Ape Conservancy (NAWAC) and a podcaster with Seven Ages Research Associates, for an in-depth conversation about the search for Sasquatch and other cryptohominids.
Waldo discusses how he first became interested in cryptozoology and eventually became involved with NAWAC, including what the organization is, who participates in its research, and what it’s actually like to take part in an operation in the field.
We also explore how NAWAC’s goals have evolved over the course of its research, from its original objective of obtaining a wood ape specimen to its current projects and investigations. Waldo shares some of the Conservancy’s most significant findings from Area X and elsewhere, as well as the reactions their work has received from academic researchers, paranormal enthusiasts, and the broader public.
In one of the most compelling parts of the conversation, Waldo reflects on his own experiences researching Sasquatch and addresses one of the central debates within cryptohominid research: if these creatures are biological organisms, why hasn't a specimen been recovered?
Finally, we discuss a question at the heart of Beyond the Human: how can we bridge the divide between academic researchers and the popular researchers who investigate the paranormal outside of traditional institutions? And what would it take to create a more rigorous, productive conversation between the two?
From field research and cryptozoology to anthropology, science, and the boundaries of paranormal research, this conversation explores what it means to seriously investigate a phenomenon that remains deeply contested—and what researchers can learn from one another along the way.
Show Notes:
North American Wood Ape Conservancy
Seven Ages Research Associates
