Dr. W.J. (Bill) Brendle has spent a lifetime pursuing the mysteries that refuse ordinary explanations. A paranormal scholar and historian of the unseen, his fascination with cryptids, witchcraft, and what he calls “realms of high strangeness” began in childhood after personal encounters that defied rational understanding. That spark grew into a lifelong drive to seek answers, test experiences, and study the forces that shape human belief.

Brendle holds a Ph.D. in Metaphysics with a specialization in parapsychology. He is a cryptozoologist, paranormal investigator, and practicing folk-magick witch. His path has also made him an accomplished outdoorsman — a perspective that deepens his research into cryptids and the landscapes where such legends are said to roam. As a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and a long-time student of occult traditions, he has studied and practiced disciplines ranging from Tarot and scrying to esoteric Masonry and ceremonial magick.

This breadth of experience allows him to approach the unexplained with both lived practice and historical research, offering readers a unique perspective on folklore, witchcraft, UFO phenomena, and other intersections of culture and mystery.

He is the author of The Cryptids & Monsters of North Carolina and The Witches, The Hunters, and The Devil’s Scapegoats: The Truth Behind the Witch Trials. He is also the writer, producer, and co-host of the 4 Ever Paranormal podcast, where stories of the strange are brought to life with atmosphere, scholarship, and an eye toward truth.