Paranormal Expert Enlightened Audiences At Library Talk

Chatham got a taste of the unknown last Thursday when Ronny LeBlanc spoke at Eldredge Public Library. Sharing stories and evidence of Bigfoot, UFOs and orbs, LeBlanc captured the attention and imaginations of his guests.

Author of the “Monsterland” duology, TV host on Discovery’s “Expedition Bigfoot” and “Paranormal Caught on Camera,” as well as a contributor in a new upcoming History Channel series, Leblanc is one of the foremost figures in modern-day paranormal studies.

LeBlanc’s passion for the paranormal has taken on a life of its own over the years, leading him down paths he never imagined. A former film student at Vanguard University, LeBlanc never dreamed of being seen on the silver screen.

“I never wanted to be in front of the camera,” recalled LeBlanc. “I always anticipated that I would be directing something, or writing something. So to have this kind of go in this direction was a bit of a surprise.”

Another thing LeBlanc never expected to be was an author. He shared the story of his encounter with a witch in a bookstore he was visiting during a work trip. She sensed his passion for the paranormal and had a premonition that he would use his extensive knowledge to make a book. Despite LeBlanc’s original hesitation to believe her prediction, a few years later, he found himself engrossed in the creation of the first “Monsterland.”

Based on this encounter, as well as the tales of his childhood brushes with the spooky and inexplicable, it would appear even to the most jaded skeptic that LeBlanc is a sort of supernatural magnet. Whether or not that is the case, he is certainly exceptionally open to the unknown, emphasizing the importance of suspending one’s disbelief when it comes to encountering and discussing the paranormal. “Put [your skepticism] aside and keep an open mind,” he advised. “Some of the things that have happened to me and other people sound a lot like science fiction.”

This mindset has allowed LeBlanc’s understanding of what Bigfoot may be to evolve and transform. “Originally, I set out looking for an undiscovered primate,” said LeBlanc. At this point, many people wonder, if it’s not an unknown primate, what is Sasquatch? This is a question researchers have been investigating for decades. “What ends up happening is, as you go down this rabbit hole… you start to find out some things, from researchers who have been doing this for 20, 30, 40, 50 years, that started off looking for an ape and then came to the conclusion that [Bigfoot] is something else,” said LeBlanc.

Focusing a large part of his presentation on tying Bigfoot encounters in with other paranormal activity, the location of military bases, and UFO sightings, LeBlanc presented guests with his increasingly popular theory: Bigfoot is in fact an alien or other kind of interdimensional being. “You would be amazed how many people have had experiences with Bigfoot, with UFOs,” mused LeBlanc, “It sheds light on the fact that there is more going on than we really understand.”

Presenting stories, myths, and images from as far back as pre-colonial America all the way up to modern day, LeBlanc’s discussion engaged audiences all while challenging what they had previously believed.