About this episode
Joe’s encounters don’t just blur the line between myth and reality, they obliterate it. In this episode, he recounts the night he came face-to-face with a Dogman and made a split-second decision that ended the creature’s life, an act that still follows him years later. But that moment was only one chapter in a much larger pattern that includes repeated Bigfoot encounters, territorial aggression in the woods, and intelligent creatures that seemed to understand weapons, intent, and fear. Joe describes behavior that goes far beyond animals, strategic movements, government intimidation displays, and moments that felt deliberately personal. As the stories stack up, a disturbing question emerges: what happens after you cross the line from witness to participant? This conversation explores the cost of survival, the reality of predatory entities in the wilderness, and why some encounters don’t end when you leave the woods, they follow you home. Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference! If you’re able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay’s GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890 Become a member for ad-free listening , extra shows , and exclusive access to our social media app : theconfessionalspodcast.com/join The Confessionals Social Network App: Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrh Google Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZ The Counter Series Available NOW: The Counter (YouTube): WATCH HERE The Counter (Full Episode): WATCH HERE Tony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.com If you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved : Click Here Bigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream Here The Meadow Project: Stream Here Merkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.com My New YouTube Channel Merkel IRL: @merkelIRL My First Sermon: Unseen Battles SPONSORS SIMPLISAFE TODAY: simplisafe.com/confessionals GHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tony CONNECT WITH US Website : www.theconfessionalspodcast.com Email : contact@theconfessionalspodcast.com MAILING ADDRESS: Merkel Media 257 N. Calderwood St., #301 Alcoa, TN 37701 SOCIAL MEDIA Subscribe to our YouTube : https://bit.ly/2TlREaI Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/theconfessionals/ Discord: https://discord.gg/KDn4D2uw7h Show Instagram: theconfessionalspodcast Tony's Instagram: tonymerkelofficial Facebook : www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcas Twitter : @TConfessionals Tony's Twitter : @tony_merkel Produced by : @jack_theproducer OUTRO MUSIC Tony Merkel - The Forest Woke