Crypto Punkologist Kenny Irish Talks Bigfoot and Children's Books

So there's this interview floating around on YouTube that's worth checking out if you've got even a passing interest in the world of cryptids and the people who dedicate their lives to studying them. The host, Shauna from Geeks Paranormal, sits down with Kenny W. Irish — better known as "The Cryptopunkologist" — and the conversation is a refreshingly honest look at what it actually means to live and breathe this stuff. Kenny's got a pretty unique backstory. He's a member of the New York Bigfoot Society, founded by a guy named Gary who also runs the Tri City New York Paranormal Society. But here's the thing that makes Kenny stand out — he's not out there tromping through the woods at 2 AM with a thermal scope. He's more about the legends, the lore, the storytelling side of things. And honestly? That perspective is often overlooked in a community that tends to focus heavily on footprint casts and audio analysis. The nickname "Cryptopunkologist" wasn't something he gave himself, and he's pretty vocal about how he doesn't believe in people slapping nicknames on themselves. It came from Gary during a radio show prep session — basically a mashup of his love for punk and hardcore music and his lifelong obsession with cryptozoology. Kenny grew up on Motown before discovering punk, and his very first monster love was Lou Ferrigno's Incredible Hulk. Three years old, losing his mind every time the transformation happened. That's the kind of origin story that tells you everything you need to know about where his passion comes from. What really got my attention was when he talked about writing young reader chapter books about cryptids. He's sitting in this space alongside heavyweights like Ken Gerard and Lyle Blackburn, and he's smart enough to know he needs something to make him stand out. The nickname did that for him, even if it pulled him into a spotlight he wasn't entirely comfortable with. He mentions how he deliberately stayed out of the cryptozoology community for years — joined groups, kept his head down, didn't write books or do podcasts — because he didn't want drama. And when he finally did step into the public eye around 2019 or 2020, he found exactly the kind of drama he was trying to avoid. He also drops this gem about how there's just as much drama in the children's book publishing world as there is in the paranormal community. Take that however you want. One of the most interesting things he says is about his approach to the whole field. He's not an educator — he's an entertainer. He wants people to have fun with folklore and legends, to be entertained by the subject matter. If someone happens to learn something along the way, great. But that's not the primary goal. It's a stance that probably ruffles some feathers in more academic circles, but it's also a reminder that not everyone who loves this stuff needs to be running a research organization or publishing peer-reviewed papers. Sometimes loving the mystery is enough. The full interview is worth a watch if you want to hear Kenny talk more about his books, his philosophy on the community, and how he balances his punk rock roots with his passion for the unknown. It's a laid-back conversation that feels more like two people geeking out about monsters than a formal sit-down, which is honestly the best way to absorb this kind of content. Check it out when you get a chance — it's a good one for a late-night listen.