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PODCAST

MonsterTalk

MonsterTalk: 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. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

science natural sciences

All Episodes

39:17

S05E31 - From Loup Garou to Rougarou (pt 2) with...

MonsterTalk ·

2026/05/18

This is part two of our conversation with Kyle Crosby, creator and host of Louisiana Dread. In Part 1, we covered the history of the Acadians and how they carried the loup-garou legend from France to the bayous of Louisiana. Now, in Part 2, Kyle walks us through the transformation of the loup-garou into the Rougarou - from strict werewolf to all-purpose shapeshifting boogeyman - and takes us on a tour of Louisiana's other legendary creatures, from the Axeman of New Orleans to the feu follet to the

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38:02

S05E30 - From Loup Garou to Rougarou with Louisiana...

MonsterTalk ·

2026/05/11

This is part one of a two-part conversation. Blake and Karen are joined by Kyle Crosby, filmmaker, historian, and founder of Louisiana Dread, a multimedia project dedicated to documenting the dark history, folklore, and culture of the Pelican State. Kyle is a native of Larose, Louisiana, who grew up in Lafourche Parish and on Grand Isle. He spent years working in the film industry before returning home to preserve the stories he felt were being lost to time. Through his popular YouTube channel and

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45:00

S05E29 - Science of the Supernatural with Melissa Maffeo

MonsterTalk ·

2026/05/04

Neuroscientist Dr. Melissa Maffeo joins Blake and Karen to discuss her new book Science of the Supernatural: Critical Thinking for the Mind and Brain (Cambridge University Press, 2026). Melissa is an associate teaching professor of psychology at Wake Forest University, where she also serves as Associate Director of the Neuroscience Program.In this episode, Melissa talks about using paranormal topics as an accessible entry point for teaching psychology and neuroscience, and shares her view that most

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50:36

FLASHBACK BONUS: S01E069 The Key to the Legend of the...

MonsterTalk ·

2026/05/01

To announce (and celebrate) the Spanish language release of Chet Van Duzer's beautiful and informative book on map monsters, I'm re-releasing episode S01E69!Grab your copy in Spanish here:SPANISH LANGUAGE : Monstruos marinos en mapas medievales y renacentistas by Chet Van DuzerOr snag it in English here:Sea Monsters on Medeival and Renaissance MapsExtensive show notes here!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be

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70:07

S05E28 The Cottingley Fairies

MonsterTalk ·

2026/04/27

Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss the strange case of the Cottingley Fairies. https://www.monstertalk.org/?p=2706Hosts: Karen Stollznow, Blake SmithGuest: Matt BaxterIn this episode, the MonsterTalk crew tackles one of the most famous photographic hoaxes in history - the Cottingley Fairies. In 1917, two young cousins in West Yorkshire produced five photographs that appeared to show real fairies dancing in the garden behind their home. What began as a bit of childhood mischief

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52:32

S05E27 - Monsters: Myths, Legends, and Real...

MonsterTalk ·

2026/04/20

🎙️ Blake and Karen welcome back author and paranormal investigator Richard Estep to discuss his new book from Visible Ink Press, Monsters: Myths, Legends, and Real Encounters. Richard is a paramedic, clinical educator, and the author of more than 30 books on the paranormal, true crime, and history. Karen wrote the foreword for this one - and donated her fee to Doctors Without Borders. 👏Extended show notes available at Our Website.Become a supporter of this podcast:

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35:05

S05E26 Haunted Cemeteries

MonsterTalk ·

2026/04/13

In Part 2 of our chat with folklorist Chris Woodyard we talk about the lore of haunted cemeteries.Find Chris on BlueSky, FaceBook, and our back catalog!Chris also partners with Dr. Simon Young on the Boggart & Banshee podcast!Extended notes at https://monstertalk.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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42:45

S05E25 - Headless Motorcyclist Ghosts

MonsterTalk ·

2026/04/06

In part 1 of our chat with folklorist Chris Woodyard, we discuss haunted roads and headless motorcycle ghosts.Find Chris on BlueSky, FaceBook, and our back catalog!Chris also partners with Dr. Simon Young on the Boggart & Banshee podcast!Extended notes at https://monstertalk.org Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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54:48

S05E24 - ParaMormonal Activity with Steve Cuno

MonsterTalk ·

2026/03/30

We talk with Karen's friend, author and Ex-Mormon, Steve Cuno about paranormal ideas in the Mormon religion. Steve Cuno: Behind the Mormon Curtain: Selling Sex in America’s Holy City“It’s Not About the Sex” My Ass: Confessions of an Ex-Mormon, Ex-Polygamist, Ex-Wife David W. Patten and Mormon Bigfoot:Reddit ThreadBetween Pulpit and Pew: The Supernatural World in Mormon History and FolkloreBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product

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40:31

S05E23 - The Stately Ghosts of England (pt2)

MonsterTalk ·

2026/03/23

Part two of our discussion of the interesting made-for-TV film The Stately Ghosts of England(1965). Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter and this is a continuation of part 1. The film stars Margaret Rutherford, her husband Stringer Davis, and celebrity clairvoyant Tom Corbett.Extended notes at http://monstertalk.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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37:02

S05E22 - The Stately Ghosts of England (pt1)

MonsterTalk ·

2026/03/16

Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss the 1965 made-for-TV film The Stately Ghosts of England. The film stars Margaret Rutherford, her husband Stringer Davis, and celebrity clairvoyant Tom Corbett.Extended show notes available at MonsterTalk.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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57:12

BONUS: Weirdumentary with Gary Rhodes

MonsterTalk ·

2026/03/08

I'm excited to be posting this BONUS content - an interview with film historian Gary D. Rhodes. Gary is joining me to talk about his newest book Weirdumentary: Ancient Aliens, Fallacious Prophecies, and Mysterious Monsters from 1970s Documentaries. I can't overstate how enjoyable this book was and how likely listeners to MonsterTalk and In ReSearch Of... are to be equally thrilled with it.extended episode notes available on our website. Become a supporter of this podcast:

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55:55

S05E21 - Dragons & Trolls of the Marsh

MonsterTalk ·

2026/03/01

We are delighted to talk with Dr. Christopher Beatty about his research into Dragonflies. From ancient times these insects have been the subject of wonder, fear and misinformation. Let's keep the wonder but get rid of some of the other stuff as we dive in on a creature whose lifecycle, morphology, and effectiveness as a hunter elevate its place in the lore of humanity.Why this title for the episode? Tune in and find out.Petroglyphs of Dragonflies 1000y/o (Atlas Obscura)Dragonflies in Japan - Akitsu

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52:11

S05E20 - Cults, Corps, and the Culinary with...

MonsterTalk ·

2026/02/22

We're joined by Christina Ward of Feral House publishing to talk about the intersection of food, culture, belief, control, and the weird as she tells us about two of her recent projects: American Advertising Cookbooks and Holy Food.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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48:02

S05E19 A Season of Madness - Old World Carnival with...

MonsterTalk ·

2026/02/16

Host of Bone & Sickle, Al Ridenour joins us to talk about the traditions of European Carnival season. It's the subject of his latest book, A Season of Madness.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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41:21

S05E18 - America Bewitched with Owen Davies (part 2)

MonsterTalk ·

2026/02/09

In part two of our two-part interview with Owen Davies, we continue the discussion of witches and witch prosecutions with thoughtful considerations of the meaning of witch and how it can be an identity or an accusation. Be sure and catch both parts of this fascinating chat. Some related viewing/reading:A curious case of Black Magic in NorfolkBlake's article about the "PA Hex Hollow" murders (Skeptoid #996)Books by Owen*:Grimoires: A History of Magic BooksPopular Magic: Cunning-folk in English

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33:39

S05E17 - America Bewitched with Owen Davies (part 1)

MonsterTalk ·

2026/02/01

In part one of our two-part interview with Owen Davies, we discuss the history of witch trials, accusations, murder, and other troubles bubbling up from post-Salem accusations in America. In part two, next week, we will continue the discussion with thoughtful considerations of the meaning of witch and how it can be an identity or an accusation. Be sure and catch both parts of this fascinating chat. Some related viewing/reading:A curious case of Black Magic in NorfolkBlake's article about the "PA

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48:07

S05E16 Greenland Sharks with Greg Skomal

MonsterTalk ·

2026/01/26

We are joined by author and researcher Greg Skomal to talk about the mysterious and long-lived Greenland Shark. Books by Greg:Chasing Shadows: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Great White Shark - Greg's book about Great Whites The Shark Handbook 3rd Edition: The Essential Guide for Understanding the Sharks of the World by Greg SkomalThe Great White Shark HandbookAdditional online reading:Greenland SharkCookie Cutter Shark Ommatokoita - the eye parasite endemic to Greenland SharksNew paper on the

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50:35

S05E15 Ghosted with Alice Vernon

MonsterTalk ·

2026/01/19

In this episode we talk with Dr. Alice Vernon about her fascinating look at the history of ghost hunting and psychical research, from the late 19th century to today.Ghosted: A History of Ghost Hunting, and Why We Keep Looking (Affiliate Link)Night Terrors: Troubled Sleep and the Stories we Tell About ItGhostwatch (wikipedia) - (our previous coverage)The Society for Psychical Research (UK)Most Haunted (wikipedia)The Haunting of Borley Rectory - the text of this critical book appears to be on the

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39:52

S05E14 The Case of the Missing Thunderbird Photo

MonsterTalk ·

2026/01/12

Blake and Karen discuss the legendary photo said to capture 19th century cowboys or soldiers with a giant bird or pterosaur.SHOW NOTE LINKS:The original Tombstone Epitaph article about the winged creatureKarl Shuker's blogged several times on the Thunderbird Photo and wrote a eulogy for Mark Chovinsky, author of a thorough Strange Magazine article about the Thunderbird photo.Ivan T. Sanderson figures into the story prominently. Kevin J. Guhl has written an extensive article about this.I think all

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105 results

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