Bigfoot Researcher Denton Explains Watchers and Speakers Concept on Typical Skeptic Podcast
Posted Monday, July 13, 2026
By Squatchable.com staff
So there's this wild interview that recently popped up on YouTube featuring one of the most dedicated Sasquatch researchers out there, Darrell Denton, also known as the "Tennessee Bigfoot Guy." The conversation happened on the ColeyUFO channel during a Friday night collab with Rob from Typical Skeptic Podcast, and let me tell you, the things Darrell shared are exactly the kind of insights that make this whole field so fascinating.
Darrell has been knee-deep in Sasquatch research for years, and during the interview he opened up about what his daily life actually looks like as someone who's devoted to understanding these elusive beings. The guy gets roughly a hundred messages a month from people all across the country who are experiencing something strange on their property or in their area. We're talking about folks hearing screams, seeing creatures peering through their windows at night, or having their animals bothered by something they can't explain. That's an incredible volume of reports, and it really speaks to how widespread these encounters are.
One of the most interesting parts of the interview was when Darrell talked about a recent trip he took. He drove about 700 miles to Pennsylvania to visit a family who had been reaching out to him for over six months. What he found there was a family group of Sasquatch living on their property. Now here's where things get really intriguing, according to Darrell. He doesn't view them as aggressive or threatening. Instead, he refers to them as "the watchers and the peakers" because their behavior is more about observing and trying to figure out who you are. They're assessing whether you're someone they can trust.
This lines up with what many longtime researchers have reported over the years. Sasquatch are widely described as highly intelligent beings with complex social structures, including family groups that maintain territories across generations. The idea that they "interview" humans before deciding whether to reveal themselves is a common thread in witness testimony going back decades. Darrell mentioned that once these beings decide they want to connect with you, it's not something you can just walk away from. It's a long-term relationship, almost like a commitment that unfolds over time.
He also touched on something that every researcher should take seriously. There are dangerous individuals out there, and he strongly advises against going into the woods alone at night hoping to find them. His reasoning is solid. You don't find Sasquatch, they find you. And they have this uncanny ability to read your energy and intentions. If you're carrying fear or negative vibes, you're not going to have a positive encounter. This matches up with countless accounts from witnesses who say the experience only happened when they were in a calm, peaceful state of mind.
Back in the day, from around 2012 to 2018, Darrell ran multiple field teams. He'd have three people on one team and two on another, responding to calls in his region. The volume of reports was so heavy that covering all the territory became nearly impossible. Even now, he tries to refer people to trusted contacts in their area when he can't make the trip himself. It's a logistical challenge that anyone doing serious field work can relate to.
What really stands out about Darrell's approach is his emphasis on respect and reciprocity. He talks about a mutual exchange where you do things for them and they do things for you. That's a perspective shared by many Indigenous traditions across North America, where Sasquatch are viewed as spiritual beings or guardians of the forest who maintain a relationship with certain people or families. The idea of a symbiotic connection rather than a hunt-and-capture dynamic is something that serious researchers have been advocating for years.
The interview is worth checking out for anyone who wants to hear firsthand from someone who's been in the field, responding to real reports, and building relationships with witnesses across multiple states. Darrell brings a grounded, experienced perspective that cuts through a lot of the noise you find online. He doesn't sensationalize. He just tells you what he's seen and what he's learned from the people he works with.
Definitely worth a watch if you're into hearing from researchers who are actually doing the work.