Episodes

Monday Dec 01, 2025
Bob Strain Interview - Part 2
Monday Dec 01, 2025
Monday Dec 01, 2025
We continue our conversation with Bob Strain, accompanying him through his first trip to Area X, his views on nature conservancy and it's impact on the wood ape, his thoughts on teamwork, and much more.

Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
Bob Strain Interview - Part 1
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
Long time wood ape researcher and NAWAC member Bob Strain sits down with us for a look at how he became involved in this phenomenon.

Friday Apr 26, 2024
Apes Among Us Episode 17: A Conversation With Alton Higgins Part 2
Friday Apr 26, 2024
Friday Apr 26, 2024
Join hosts Paul and James for Part 2 of an in-depth conversation with Alton Higgins, the Patriarch of the NAWAC. We discuss a wide range of topics from Alton's background, his introduction to the topic of Bigfoot, and his many adventures in the field chasing this elusive animal with the NAWAC.

Friday Apr 19, 2024
Apes Among Us Episode 16: A Conversation With Alton Higgins Part 1
Friday Apr 19, 2024
Friday Apr 19, 2024
In this long overdue episode, join hosts Paul and James for Part 1 of an in-depth conversation with Alton Higgins, the Patriarch of the NAWAC. We discuss a wide range of topics from Alton's background, his introduction to the topic of Bigfoot, and his many adventures in the field chasing this elusive animal with the NAWAC.

Sunday Feb 27, 2022
Planet of the Mystery Apes, Chapter 2: Asia’s Almasty
Sunday Feb 27, 2022
Sunday Feb 27, 2022
In a region that was once the running grounds of the Mongol hordes, khans, and warlords, stretching from the Caucasus to Mongolia and the borders of China, there in remote corners supposedly resides an enigmatic, wild, man-like species, generally known as "Almasty." Join hosts Matt Pruitt and Daryl Colyer as they interview archaeologist Paul Bowman, Jr. for a fascinating discussion about the Almasty, Asia's mystery ape.

Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Musings: Technology, Science, and the Pursuit
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Hosts Daryl Colyer and Matt Pruitt have a one-on-one conversation that covers a range of topics related to the NAWAC and its efforts, including: the conclusion of the 2021 summer operation in Area X; applying conventional wildlife photography practices to the pursuit of the wood ape; the value of images; visual acuity in apes; testing the hominoid hypothesis; type I and type II errors; and why the pursuit matters.

Sunday Dec 27, 2020
Exploring Alternative Paths to Discovery
Sunday Dec 27, 2020
Sunday Dec 27, 2020
Hosts Matt Pruitt and Daryl Colyer explore various alternatives to specimen collection in this new episode. A few updates regarding the summer operation and Hadrian's Wall are covered in the introduction, followed by a discussion with NAWAC member and professional archaeologist Paul Bowman Jr. about the likelihood of finding the bones of a wood ape. A roundtable segment follows, focused on the tranquilization or sedation of a wood ape. The roundtable features NAWAC members Travis Lawrence, Paul Bowman Jr., and Oklahoma-based veterinarian Jeff Hammond.

Monday Jul 20, 2020
Hadrian's Wall: An Area X Update
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Monday Jul 20, 2020
In this episode, join Matt and Daryl for an update on the North American Wood Ape Conservancy's field work in Area X. Guests include NAWAC Chairman Mike Mayes and Bud Mellicker, who have just returned from deploying an extensive camera-trap array dubbed "Hadrian's Wall" by the NAWAC. Also, Dusty Haithcoat returns, along with his friend Ashlee, to talk about their visual encounter with a big gray sasquatch on the periphery of our base camp at the end of May.

Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
Planet of the Mystery Apes, Chapter 1: South Africa’s Otang
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
In this episode, host Matt Pruitt speaks with acclaimed South African wildlife researcher and author Gareth Patterson about his groundbreaking work with lions, elephants, and his recently revealed years of research into an as-yet-unstudied hominoid called the otang. This is the first installment of a new series on Apes Among Us called “The Planet of the Mystery Apes”.
Gareth’s new book about the otang — Beyond The Secret Elephants — is available in Kindle format at Amazon. Read more about Gareth at his website, garethpatterson.com

Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
Variance: 2019 Field Operation Recap
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
Join hosts Brandon, Matt, and Brian for their recap of the NAWAC’s 2019 summer field study, Operation Variance. While at the NAWAC’s Annual Strategic Retreat in February, the guys talked to a number of NAWAC members who had notable wood ape encounters. NAWAC Chairman Mike Mayes joins for an engaging Roundtable discussion. Also, Brian talks with NAWAC Board Member Ed Harrison about the approach the group will be taking in 2020, utilizing new technological resources.

