The Confessionals

Today’s live show dives headfirst into the uncomfortable question no one wants to ask: what happens when artificial intelligence starts consuming more power than the system can handle? As AI data centers explode in size and demand, our already fragile power grid is being pushed to the breaking point, raising serious concerns about rolling blackouts, energy rationing, rising costs, and who ultimately gets prioritized when electricity becomes scarce. We’ll explore how this race for computational dominance could quietly reshape daily life, strain communities, and usher in a very real dystopian future where human needs come second to machines—and whether there’s an off-ramp before the lights go out. 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 Tony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.com If you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved: Click Here My New YouTube Channel Merkel IRL: @merkelIRL My First Sermon: Unseen Battles Bigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream Here The Meadow Project: Stream Here Merkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.com SPONSORS SIMPLISAFE TODAY: simplisafe.com/confessionals GHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tony CONNECT WITH US Website: www.theconfessionalspodcast.com Email: [email protected] 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

Retired Alaska State Trooper Richie joins Tony to recount decades of high-strangeness encounters spanning the Arctic and Appalachia. He describes driving through a dome-like anomaly on Alaska’s Dalton Highway where temperatures plunged sixty degrees instantly, along with years of policing inside the Alaska Triangle, an area known for UFOs, Bigfoot, and ancient Native warnings about giant people and underground little people. After moving to Kentucky, Richie encountered massive footprints, wood knocks, forest structures, and a small humanoid being running at impossible speed in broad daylight. He also shares firsthand experiences with demonic manifestations, a clear angelic visitation, and a mysterious woman who appeared to emit light before vanishing. This is a sober, firsthand account from a veteran lawman reporting what he witnessed, while theorizing what he thinks it might be. 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: [email protected] 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 Joel Thomas - Walking In My Skin YouTube | Apple | Spotify

Strange activity is intensifying across East Tennessee, and longtime locals are starting to connect the dots. In this conversation, Tony sits down with Stephen Watson of Arcane Discoveries to explore why the Cherokee National Forest and surrounding mountains may function as a seasonal corridor for cryptids and paranormal phenomena. Stephen shares firsthand accounts of Bigfoot encounters, closed campgrounds plagued by rock-throwing and vocalizations, mysterious orbs, and unexplained handprints left on homes. He also recounts sightings tied to Dogman territory, a massive blonde Bigfoot moving at impossible speed, a black panther encounter, and a rare face-to-face meeting with what he believes was a red wolf. As the conversation unfolds, physical encounters give way to deeper questions about portals, vibration, and supernatural intelligence, suggesting these phenomena may be far more connected than anyone wants to admit. 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: [email protected] Stephen Watson: Instagram 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 - Static In The Pines

In Episode 464: The Bigfoot, The Witch, and The Dogman we are joined by Erick Szilagyi from the uNcomfortable podcast. Erick was connected to me by Joel from VanTesla, who has been a guest on Erick's show several times. Erick comes to the table with many experiences to share, but it was his experience with a witch that kicks off the show. Erick was just beginning his podcast and got connected to a witch who was willing join his show for a conversation. Erick decided to meet up with her in person to record, and that meeting turned into dinner plus more. What then ensues Erick describes as one of the most bizarre nights of his life. From Bigfoot coming close to their location, unexplainable vocalizations, unnatural hyper-sexualized tensions, to dogman guarding the witch and the witch herself physically transforming before Erick's eyes! Needless to say, he has a jaw-dropping story. Following the initial episode, we decided to do an Overtime segment for members that lasted almost three hours! Erick shares all his other experiences and they are just as bizarre as the first hour, including a story that is so personally sensitive for him that we can't speak or even hint about it publicly. 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: [email protected] 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 Joel Thomas - ShutUp N Drive YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify

This conversation features Tony and Vlad exploring the unseen mechanics of spiritual warfare and the idea that many supernatural encounters and spiritual struggles begin not with intentional invitation but with unrecognized access. Through personal testimonies, deliverance theology, experiences with darkness, and reflections on trauma, unforgiveness, fear, and compromise, they explain how “open doors” function spiritually and why manifestations often surface long after access has already been granted. Their dialogue weaves together encounters in the woods, church-related warfare, inherited and environmental influences, and the concept of legal spiritual ground, presenting darkness as operating methodically rather than randomly and emphasizing discernment, responsibility, and the necessity of identifying and closing doors before they escalate into deeper conflict. 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: [email protected] Vladimir's YouTube Channel: God's Voice Today 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 Joel Thomas - Photosynthesis YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify