MonsterTalk
420 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.1K ratingsMonsterTalk: The Science Show About Monsters is a free audio podcast that critically examines the science behind cryptozoological (and legendary) creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or werewolves.
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Episodes
257 - The First Ghosts
July 25, 2022 07:00 - 1 hourWe are joined by the incomparable Dr. Irving Finkel to discuss the oldest recorded stories of ghosts in human history. Pliny the Younger - Wikipedia The tale of Athenodorus and the chained ghost How to write cuneiform (video with Dr. Finkel) By Dr. Irving Finkel: The First Ghosts The Ark Before Noah Dr. Finkel teaches how to play The Royal Game of Ur (youtube) PDF of UR rules A replica of the game of Ur A quite expensive version of the game of Ur from the British Museum Can’t get enough o...
256 - Monsters of Wales
July 11, 2022 07:00 - 57 minutesColl "C.C.J." Ellis joins us to talk about the monsters and folklore of Wales. Their book Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts will be out soon and is available for pre-order. Wales is on the western side of the island of Great Britain, and part of the United Kingdom. Despite its size, it survives on a diet mostly composed of krill. Monsters in the book are varied, but include: Dragons, beasts, the fair folk, and spirits. There are many stories, and many gorgeous illustrations. I didn't want ...
255 - Tom Slick: Millionaire Monster Hunter
June 27, 2022 07:00 - 1 hourBrought to you by DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT! A look at the fascinating and adventurous life of millionaire Tom Slick. Inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, science enthusiast, paranormal investigator, and - of course - monster hunter! Southwest Research Institute (1947) - independent and nonprofit applied research and development (R&D) organization. Institute of Inventive Research (defunct) - an applied science and innovation incubator (in a barn at ESSAR) - closed in 57 - Mind Science Ins...
Introducing The Cryptid Club
June 22, 2022 04:00 - 19 minutesMike Brumm (author) and Jeff Mack (illustrator) bring young readers a new series about an intrepid gang of kid investigators dealing with the remarkably bizarre appearance of cryptids in their world. Book one of the new series is subtitled Bigfoot Takes the Field and I'm joined by author Mike Brumm to discuss the book and its origin. This is not some dry academic book about debunking bigfoot, nor is it a breathless account of hunting monsters. Instead it's a delightful and silly fantasy w...
Going Nuclear - Introducing Wild Thing S3
June 15, 2022 04:00 - 33 minutesA conversation with Laura Krantz about season 3 of her show Wild Thing. It's not monsters, but it's science, history, and the topic has a ton of overlap with Blake's personal life history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
254 - Piranha!
June 13, 2022 07:00 - 1 hourBe sure and check out DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT! We're excited to talk with paleontologist Matthew Kolmann about a fish whose legendary ferocity ranks with the shark and the barracuda - the piranha! Are they capable of turning an animal into a skeleton in minutes? No. But they're still wicked cool. And don't worry - we manage to throw in some cryptid stories too! Content Warning: We do talk a bit about testicles being bitten off by fish. Teddy Roosevelt's book about his trip to South America, ...
253 - Yeti Stories You've Never Heard Before - with Eric Mortensen
May 30, 2022 07:00 - 1 hourYou've probably heard lots of yeti stories but often the ones that make it through the filter of newspapers, documentaries, and books shave off the weirdest (and sometimes most important) aspects of these tales. Can you really understand the Yeti if you don't even get the full story? We're joined by Eric Mortensen who relates some stories he's collected first-hand in his research and they will likely surprise you. From invisible cities to magic armpit stones, this isn't the yeti from MonsterQ...
252 - Intimate Alien with David Halperin
May 16, 2022 07:00 - 1 hourUFOs don't seem to be real - yet they're observed and experienced and have become integrated into cultures around the world. Author David Halperin's book Intimate Alien gives a deep and thoughtful survey of this weird topic and integrates it with biographical elements to tell a story of meaning and mystery. Links for further reading: David's website: http://www.davidhalperin.net/ David's Book (Publisher site) David's Book - Amazon Affiliate Link Additional Links: The Shaver Mysteries (From ...
251 - DOATS: Communion
May 02, 2022 07:00 - 1 hourWe take a look at the 1989 film Communion based on the 1987 paperback by Whitley Strieber. Part of our "deBased on a True Story" series. (affiliate links) Can’t get enough of monsters? If you’ve enjoyed this episode and want to listen to more from MonsterTalk, click here! Want to talk about a monster we haven’t talked about before? Send us an email! Catch MonsterTalk on All Your Favorite Podcasting Sites Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn Follow MonsterTalk on Facebook | Twitte...
250 - The Owls Are What They Seem
April 18, 2022 07:00 - 1 hourSince ancient times up until today, we humans have used many different animals to represent our beliefs. One such animal is the owl—from the Greek goddess Athena’s favored animal, to harbingers of death in African and Native American narratives, to bringers of luck and prosperity in Asian cultures. In this episode of MonsterTalk, Blake and Karen welcome the Owl Research Institute’s Director of Communications Lauren Smith to share interesting facts about owls. Owl Links (Science): The Owl Rese...
249 - Comic Books & Monsters
April 04, 2022 07:00 - 1 hourThis episode is a wide-ranging discussion of comic books and monsters with professor Richard Harrison of Mt. Royal University in Alberta, Canada. Superhero Life Lessons - MRU article about comics curriculum A Contract with God by Will Eisner (Amz Link) Comics and Sequential Art: Principles and Practices from the Legendary Cartoonist by Will Eisner The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America (Amz Affiliate Link) Seduction of the Innocent by Frank Wertham (The boo...
248 - Reptile Myths
March 21, 2022 07:00 - 1 hourBlake and Karen are joined by Joshua Emms of the The New Mexico Herpetological Society to discuss reptile myths and legends. Footage of Sandhill Cranes (via Mr. Emms) Sandhill Crane Mothman Prophecies (Amz Affiliate Link) Gila Monsters Horned Toad Hoop Snake Joint Snake The Giant Gila Monster (trailer) Catch MonsterTalk on All Your Favorite Podcasting Sites Apple Podcasts| Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn Follow MonsterTalk on Facebook| Twitter| YouTube Support Love the show? Consider su...
247 - The Amityville Horror
March 07, 2022 08:00 - 1 hourWe take a look at the incredible horror franchise based on The Amityville Horror. Real tragedy compounded by alleged hoaxing forms the basis of films, sequels, books, and a lot of dollars. You can watch this interview on our YouTube channel. The 1979 film (Amazon Affiliate Link) The 2005 remake (Amz) And a bunch of other movies, spin-offs, books, etc. (Also Amz) Can’t get enough of monsters? If you’ve enjoyed this episode and want to listen to more from MonsterTalk , click here! Want to tal...
246 - The Exorcist
February 21, 2022 08:00 - 1 hourBlake, Karen and Matt continue their series looking at the true stories behind popular horror movies alleged to be based on fact. This week we cover The Exorcist and discuss the novel, the film, and the many spin-offs and sequels. Passing of "Roland Doe." (The Guardian) Seytan: The Turkish Exorcist The Exorcist (Amz Affiliate Link to MANY choices/versions/sequels/spin-offs) MonsterTalk YouTube The Exorcist novel (Amz Affiliate Link) Can’t get enough of monsters? If you’ve enjoyed this episo...
245 - deBased on a True Story: The Changeling (1980)
February 07, 2022 08:00 - 1 hourBlake, Karen and Matt dig into the alleged true story behind 1980s ghostly chiller The Changeling. A great spooky ghost story - but is there anything to the claims that it was based on a true story? Fantastic research article from Denver Library's Katie Rudolph: A Denver House that inspired a Horror Film Part 2 of her research Can’t get enough of monsters? If you’ve enjoyed this episode and want to listen to more from MonsterTalk Radio, click here! Want to talk about a monster we haven’t ta...
244 - The Hills Have Eyes / The Legend of Sawney Bean
January 24, 2022 08:00 - 56 minutesWhile Blake recovers from COVID, we'll take a listen to the MonsterTalk series "DeBased on a True Story." The audio isn't quite up to our regular quality, but we hope you enjoy the content. This episode deals with the legend behind the 1977 Wes Craven film The Hills Have Eyes. If you'd prefer to watch this episode you can catch it on our YouTube channel. A lot of our research materials have disappeared from the web since we recorded this, but I'll come back to shore up the notes when I ca...
243 - Basilisks are Over-Powered (Explicit)
January 10, 2022 08:00 - 1 hourKaren and Blake discuss the myths and legends of the Basilisk (and the Cockatrice). The conversation includes ancient legends, medieval legends, alchemy, a whole lot of bird sex, A.I. and information hazards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Hairy Hands of Devon
December 27, 2021 11:46 - 1 hour(AKA - The Hairy Hands of Dartmoor, The Unseen Hands) The legend of the Hairy Hands is set in Postbridge, Dartmoor. The road is now known as the B3212. Since 1921, the road has been the locale of a legendary menace - a pair of powerful unseen hairy hands that occasionally drives people to their death. But where did this story come from? And is it true? Blake discusses his research into the case with Karen, and he thinks he's figured this one out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...
242 - The Hairy Hands of Devon
December 27, 2021 11:46 - 1 hour(AKA - The Hairy Hands of Dartmoor, The Unseen Hands) The legend of the Hairy Hands is set in Postbridge, Dartmoor. The road is now known as the B3212. Since 1921, the road has been the locale of a legendary menace - a pair of powerful unseen hairy hands that occasionally drives people to their death. But where did this story come from? And is it true? Blake discusses his research into the case with Karen, and he thinks he's figured this one out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...
In a Dim Room - Christmas Special 2021
December 27, 2021 02:54 - 15 minutesA reading of "In a Dim Room" by Lord Dunsany. A ghost story for Christmas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
241 - Monster Theory
December 13, 2021 08:00 - 1 hourWe talk with Dr. Jeffrey Weinstock (Central Michigan University) about "Monster Theory" and his new volume which collects a panoply of essays on this interesting topic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
242 - Frankenstein and Mermaids
November 29, 2021 08:00 - 1 hourIn this episode of MonsterTalk Radio, Blake and Karen have David Farnell of Fukuoka University on the show to talk about Frankenstein and the novel’s—and the monster’s—impact on pop culture, as well as how the definition of what a monster is and how monsters are perceived have evolved through literature. David has published numerous papers on monsters and monsters in literature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
240 - Frankenstein and Mermaids
November 29, 2021 08:00 - 1 hourIn this episode of MonsterTalk Radio, Blake and Karen have David Farnell of Fukuoka University on the show to talk about Frankenstein and the novel’s—and the monster’s—impact on pop culture, as well as how the definition of what a monster is and how monsters are perceived have evolved through literature. David has published numerous papers on monsters and monsters in literature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
239 - Monsterology with Stephen Asma
November 15, 2021 08:00 - 1 hourWhen we think about monsters, the number one reaction most people will have is fear. Why is that and where does it come from? How do our brains process the concept of monsters, our gut reactions to them, and about where we stand with all of that? In this episode of MonsterTalk, Blake sits down with author, professor, and artist, Stephen Asma to delve into how monsters evolved with us as humans culturally, how our imaginations play a role in it, and how our minds wrap themselves around our bel...
238 - The Grand Guignol
November 01, 2021 07:00 - 1 hourA look at the brief but influential "life" of the Grand Guignol theater, a Paris stage venue that specialized in gore and terror. We interview Professor Richard Hand, who has co-authored four volumes about this amazing little production company that for a brief while made much of true-crime and visceral nightmarish plots to present gore, horror and terror to Paris audiences. With less than 300 seats but with thousands of performances, the screams that came from its stage still echo through th...
237 - Lord Dufferin's Ghost
October 18, 2021 07:00 - 1 hourWe're joined by the Spooky Science Sisters to talk about one of our favorite ghost stories, the psychic/omen/folklore/horror story that has haunted Karen and me since we were kids - the tale of Lord Dufferin and his encounter with the beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
236 - Carnivorous Plants
October 04, 2021 10:29 - 1 hourHere on MonsterTalk, we stretch the idea of what a monster might be in all sorts of interesting ways. In this episode, Blake and Karen dive into the world of monstrous plants, with Peter D’Amato as their guide. Having grown them for over 40 years, Peter D’Amato is the authority on carnivorous plants. He also authored the book, The Savage Garden: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants, which has been reprinted over 25 times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
235 - Hungarian Goulish: The Elizabeth Bathory Mystery
September 20, 2021 07:00 - 1 hourWas Elizabeth Bathory the most vicious serial killer of all time? We're joined by historian Kayla of Historical AF to talk about the facts behind the brutal legend of the blood countess. [EXPLICIT WARNING] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
234: Toby Ball - Strange Arrivals S2
September 06, 2021 07:00 - 1 hourBlake and Karen speak with Toby Ball, author and host of the Strange Arrivals, a podcast that presents a historical UFO event within a social and scientific context. They deep dive not just on the UFO phenomenon, but also on ufology, aspects of which Blake has strong feelings about, as he ardently shows throughout this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chaosium and the Malleus Monstrorum
August 23, 2021 11:50 - 1 hourIn this episode, we’re talking with Mike Mason of Chaosium, the gaming company that makes the role-playing system Call of Cthulhu. Mike is here to talk about the newest version of Chaosium’s monstrous bestiary, which is called the Malleus Monstrorum, for the seventh edition of the classic game ecosystem based on the works of HP Lovecraft, and all kinds of Lovecraft-adjacent horror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus - Chaosium and The Malleus Monstrorum
August 23, 2021 11:37 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBWe're making big changes in MonsterTalk, joining up with the AirWave podcasting network. This should mean more regular release schedules! Karen and I have been banking content and I've been working my arse off with behind-the-scenes administrative work. So our next regular episode is about UFOs and I'm excited about it because there is a lot of really interesting stuff to be said about what's happening in that part of our culture right now. But for now? Let's relax and just talk monst...
8/1/2021 - MonsterTalk Live - 8 pm ET
August 01, 2021 21:50Hey folks, we'll be doing another "MonsterTalk Live" event tonight, discussing psychic mediums. You can catch it at our YouTube channel and participate in the chat. Hope to see you there! 8/1/2021 - 8 pm ET - http://youtube.com/monstertalk -Blake
233 - Bigfoot: America's Abominable Snowman
August 01, 2021 01:11 - 1 hourOn July 18, 2021 the AiPT SciPhiFest Conference included a 45 min segment of my interview with author and comic-book artist Stephen R. Bissette (who is probably best known for his work on the Alan Moore run of the DC comic Swamp Thing). The interview is about Stephen's book CRYPTID CINEMA (http://bit.ly/CryptidCinema) with a special focus on the little-known touring film used by Roger Patterson to promote (and profit from) his famous alleged Bigfoot film. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
232 - Bacteria
July 23, 2021 12:46 - 1 hourThey're everywhere. They're inside you. You can't escape them - and can't live without them: Bacteria! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
AIPT Presents SciPhi Fest 2021
July 18, 2021 02:17 - 3 minutesThe online convention starts at 10 am and I'll be participating in a couple of ways if you're interested. At noon, I've got a special interview with Stephen R. Bissette. You might know him as a key artist on Alan Moore's run of Swamp Thing in the 80s - but if you've been subscribing to BIG FOOTAGE the Patreon bonus cast, you'll know him as the author of CRYPTID CINEMA. I'll also be on at 3:30 pm with Jeb Card to discuss conspiracies and comics. https://bit.ly/SciPhiFest2021 Learn more about...
231 - Asian Monsters with Sapphire Sandalo
July 07, 2021 02:14 - 59 minutesSapphire Sandalo is the host of the web series Stories with Sapphire. She's a writer, animator, podcaster, TV personality, and part-time university instructor. Her series tells stories with distinctive music and animation and has a strong representation of many monsters, ghosts and creatures that come from Asian folklore from multiple cultures and stories submitted by her audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Progress Report - June 23, 2021
June 23, 2021 14:27Hey there MonsterTalkers. We're not dead and I'm not on vacation. I'm happy to report that I've got a new job and have spent the past couple of weeks working on a software project that is nearing its first release. In the meantime Karen and I have been recording interviews, but those require edits and I haven't had time to get everything done to my level of satisfaction. But episodes are coming! I should be able to get our next one out this weekend and another by the end of the month. ...
230 - Otter King & Other Things
May 31, 2021 00:21 - 1 hourKaren and Blake are joined by the hosts of MonsterFuzz, Eamonn O'Neill and Rob Billington, to discuss monsters and folklore of Ireland. Well, that's what we were supposed to talk about but we wandered a bit because it was obvious we all loved talking about monsters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
229 - Watertown 2: Eclectic Boo-Galoo
May 20, 2021 17:46 - 1 hourBlake Smith has uncovered the uncropped "Watertown Ghosts" photo, lost to the public for more than fifty years, plus more discoveries about this famous alleged ghost photo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
228 - The Curious Case of the Creeping Coffins
April 26, 2021 20:58 - 1 hourDid coffins mysteriously move in a crypt in Barbados? Is there a natural explanation? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
227 - Bigfoot and the Paranormal
March 31, 2021 13:35 - 1 hourWhy are so many "weird" aspects to Bigfoot reports missing from the cryptozoology books? Authors Tim Renner and Josh Cutchins examine the hidden "high strangeness" in Bigfoot Lore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
226 - Usborne book of UFOs
March 20, 2021 20:12 - 1 hourWe are joined by entertainer Jon Culshaw to talk about the influential children's book UFOs, (affiliate link) part of the Usborne "World of the Unknown" series that was recently reissued. Jon brings his love of the mysterious and his uncanny ability to do voice impressions as we talk about how UFOs were presented in the 1970s, the wonders of space, and - of course - Doctor Who. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
225 - Thylacines and Pademelons
March 01, 2021 20:44 - 30 minutesBlake and Karen are joined again by Matt Baxter to talk about the latest Thylacine claims from the TAGOA. The photos dropped last night (US Time) and sadly don't meet up with the hype - but there's still much to talk about with this story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MTL014 - DOATS: The Hills Have Eyes
March 01, 2021 03:06 - 1 hourdeBased on a True Story continues with the Wes Craven film The Hills Have Eyes (affiliate link). Allegedly the film was inspired by the "true" story of the Scot cannibal, Sawney Bean! But is that story even true? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gamer news from D&D Alum Peter Bebergal
February 23, 2021 18:06When we talked about the occult influences on rock music, Peter Bebergal mentioned he was working on a book that collected the "Appendix N" of Gary Gygax into a volume where you could read key stories that influenced the development of the game. Well, that day has come. (Book Link) Appendix N is now on sale! We don't get any money from this and I haven't read it - but as a gamer and fan of his other writing I expect this will be a wonderful anthology with useful framing material from ...
MTL013 - Strange Arrivals with Toby Ball
February 15, 2021 13:29 - 1 hourAn interview with Toby Ball about his investigative podcast Strange Arrivals. Season one of Strange Arrivals is a deep look into the foundational UFO abduction case of Betty and Barney Hill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MTL012 - Women in Paranormal Research
February 07, 2021 13:00 - 1 hourWe were joined by paranormal investigator Allison Jornlin on 6/21/2020 for a discussion of women paranormal researchers. A lot of interesting historically significant figures are largely unknown today because they were limited by gender constraints during their time and we were happy to bring some of them to public attention by discussing Allison's research on this topic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
224 - Coral Castle Roundtable
February 01, 2021 00:09 - 1 hourKaren and Blake are joined by Mat Baxter to discuss the mysterious story of Florida's 20th Century Megalith site - Coral Castle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MTL011 - DeBased on a True Story: The Changeling
January 31, 2021 13:00 - 1 hourWe kick off a recurring series on the facts behind popular horror films - deBased on a True Story - with the 1980 ghost-story classic The Changeling. Blake and Karen are joined by Mat Baxter. Originally streamed as part of MonsterTalk Live 6-7-2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MTL0101 - Cicada 3301 - with Jerry Drake
January 29, 2021 13:25 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBDo you like puzzles? Were you captivated when you heard how England used a crossword puzzle to recruit code-breakers during WWII? Then join us on this episode of MonsterTalk Live where we talked with return-guest Dr. Jerry Drake to discuss the mystery of Cicada 3301. This episode streamed live May 31, 2020 during our MonsterTalk Live series.