S5 E20: The Butterfly People of Joplin, Missouri

This week on That Would Be Rad, we’re heading into the heart of a real-life catastrophe and the enduring mystery it birthed: The Butterfly People of Joplin, Missouri.
On May 22, 2011, an EF5 tornado tore through Joplin—one of the deadliest and costliest in U.S. history. In the storm’s wake, survivors (especially children) began telling eerily similar stories: glowing, winged figures who shielded them from debris, guided them to safety, and then vanished.
From roadside rescues and ditch-side miracles to a teenager who later found butterflies drawn to her like a living halo, we unpack the most compelling accounts—plus the city’s response, including the Butterfly Effect: Dreams Take Flight mural that turned grief into symbol and story.

We dig into everything from firsthand narratives and angel folklore to deeper frameworks like the Third Man Factor (the “mysterious helper” reported by mountaineers and disaster survivors), and we trace parallels in other crises and legends.
And at the end, Woody and Tyler lay out their theories—are these guardian angels, trauma-born protectors of the mind, something paranormal… or a combination that says as much about us as it does about the unknown?

Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or just fascinated by how humans find meaning in the unexplainable, this episode blends chills, heart, and hope in classic RAD fashion.
So dim the lights, listen for the wind, and join us as we step into the storm—and the stories that refuse to let go.

Mentioned in this episode:
– The 2011 Joplin EF5 tornado (context & timeline)– Children’s “butterfly people” encounters: car flips, ditch shelters, open-field protection– The Morgan family “green rug” mystery & the brown-haired figure– The church basement rescue by “six large men”– Emily Huddleston’s recovery and the butterflies that “wouldn’t leave her alone”– Butterfly Effect: Dreams Take Flight mural (community remembrance)– The Third Man Factor & disaster-helper parallels

Got a story like this? We’d love to hear it—send us your experience (anonymous is fine).

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SHOW INFO:
Hosts & Producers: Woody Brown & Tyler BenceRecorded At: Midnight Radio StudiosSound Wizardry: Woody Brown (Sound Design, Editing, & Music) & Tyler Bence (Mixing, Mastering, & Art Design)Outro Jam: “Ghost Story” by The Modern Society

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