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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.

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All Episodes

53:15

S04E20 - Understand Japan's Dan Da Dan [Explicit]

MonsterTalk ·

2025/02/17

We're joined by Dr. Justin Mullis to get a better understanding of the incredibly lore-dense anime series Dan Da Dan.Justin's academia profileLegend of MomotaroSome links recommended by Justin:This is a really good video about the history of the Flatwoods Monster in Japanese video games. Highly recommended.This is the Religious Dispatches article about koro.Here's the Japan Today interview with the current editor of MU magazine.And here's the MU magazine article I mentioned about Turbo Granny (in

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42:13

S04E18 - Grave Rubbers from CyberSpace!

MonsterTalk ·

2025/02/03

Cemeteries Cleaning and Grave Rubbing - Karen and Blake are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss the ethics and best practices around maintaining and preserving graveyards. Links for Grave Rubbers from CyberSpace:The article that inspired this conversation (via The Conversation)Ken Feder (friend of the show and emeritus professor of archaeology) sent along this helpful article about grave preservation.The woman with the pink foam (Kaeli Mae McEwen - aka "Clean Girl") has a site where she sells the

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42:26

S04E17 The Ghost of Ticonderoga with Joseph Gagne

MonsterTalk ·

2025/01/27

This week we're welcoming back historian Dr Joseph Gagne to tell us about a ghost story that straddles North America and Scotland. He was last with us to tell us about the legend of La Corriveau in episode 181. Appearances of the Dead: A Cultural History of Ghosts by Ronald C. Finucane - mentioned by Joseph as his introduction to this story. This is an affiliate link and the book is out of print, so be advised it's PRICEY.But wait! You can read it for free at Archive.org.Joseph asked me to be sure

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48:56

S04E16 - The Houdini Seance and Arthur Ford,...

MonsterTalk ·

2025/01/20

Today we're discussing the strange story of The Houdini Seance and Arthur Ford the Spiritualist. The last Houdini Seance (1936) - Audio + Story Bess Houdini Arthur Ford - Spiritualist Arthur Ford - Obituary The Houdini Code The Bishop James Pike Was Pike Seance Hoax?The Skeptics Dictionary: Arthur FordBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

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56:44

S04E09 - THEM! and The Monster from Newark

MonsterTalk ·

2024/12/02

We're delighted to celebrate Thanksgiving with the return of Dr. Brian Regal. He's here to talk about a favorite monster film, and announce the release of his autobiography, The Monster from Newark.Links: Brian's autobiography - The Monster From Newark (affiliate link)Karen's anthology of skeptics having weird experiences:Would You Believe It? (affiliate link)Lucky Dragon No 5 (wiki)Castle Bravo test & "maru" ship (wiki)List of Giant Ant Movies List of Giant Monster MoviesThe Pet (1921)The

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45:32

S03E53 Vampires with Professor Nick Groom

MonsterTalk ·

2024/09/30

In this episode we look at the history of the Vampire in folklore and literature with professor Nick Groom - aka "The Prof of Goth."Links related to Professor Groom:The Vampire: A New History by Nick Groom (affiliate link)Nick Groom - University of Macau faculty page - NickGroom@um.edu.mo University of Exeter faculty page - N.Groom@exeter.ac.uk Times Literary Supplement - articles by Nick GroomAuthor's page at Simon & SchusterInterview with The One Ring about Groom's Tolkien scholarshipArticles

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49:01

S03E52 Viral Ghost Photos

MonsterTalk ·

2024/09/23

Karen and her husband Matt are back from visiting Australia and in this episode we discuss some viral ghost photos. The photos will be in the show notes, and we will cross-post a version of this on our YouTube page with image inserts. Karen's new book BITCH is on sale now. Blake's recent article about mind viruses seems to be backed up by an even more recent article confirming that clinical evidence doesn't support a "mind virus" explanation for idea spread. This episode brought to you by Factor

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35:08

S03E51 Operation Mindf*ck part 2 - with Adam Gorightly

MonsterTalk ·

2024/09/16

Part two of our two-part talk with author Adam Gorightly about his research into the very strange history of Discordianism and The Illuminati. If you have never heard of Operation Mindf*ck, then you didn’t listen to part 1 – so get back over there!Due to the chance that I might have failed to bleep out an “F-bomb” somewhere, I’m labeling this explicit. LINKS:Adam Gorightly Books (affiliate)Historia Discordia (affiliate)Illuminati (wiki)INWO game (SJGAMES) and Board Game Geek reviewCan’t Get You Out

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34:34

S03E50 Operation Mindf*ck part 1 - with Adam Gorightly

MonsterTalk ·

2024/09/09

Part one of our two-part talk with author Adam Gorightly about his research into the very strange history of Discordianism and The Illuminati. If you have never heard of Operation Mindf*ck, get ready for a ride.LINKS:Adam Gorightly Books (affiliate) Historia Discordia (affiliate) Illuminati (wiki) INWO game (SJGAMES) and Board Game Geek review Can't Get You Out Of My Head (Youtube) JFK Movie (affiliate link) The famous Playboy Illuminati Letter Barkun - A Culture of Conspiracy 60s Counter

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31:20

S03E48 Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf: pt 1

MonsterTalk ·

2024/08/26

In this episode Blake talks with Richard Hatem (Mothman Prophecies, Titans, Under Siege 2) about his new podcast.Additional Links:Spiricom via Encyclopedia.comSpiricom - by Kenny Biddle via Skeptical InquirerRecording of a Spiricom Session (YouTube)This episode brought to you by Factor Meals - use our link or code MonsterTalk50 to 50% off your first order!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

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44:21

S03E44 - Monstrum Talk with Dr. Emily Zarka

MonsterTalk ·

2024/07/29

We're excited to bring you an interview with Dr. Emily Zarka, host of PBS's Monstrum series on the humanities web channel Storied.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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55:36

S03E43 - Ancient Werewolves

MonsterTalk ·

2024/07/22

Werewolves are an ancient idea, but the meaning and beliefs around the concept have changed over time. How were they viewed in the classical world and even earlier? Find out in this week's episode as we interview Dr. Tanika Koosmen.Dr. Koosmen's thesis at Newcastle online archive The werewolf story in Satyricon Some movies mentioned: Van Helsing (2004) Deep Rising (1998) Interesting terms: Versipellis - In Roman mythology and literature, a "versipellis" is literally a "skin changer" and referred to

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45:54

S03E41 - The Real Swamp Monster

MonsterTalk ·

2024/07/08

We're joined by mosquito and disease expert Dr. Louisa Messenger of the Las Vegas PARAVEC lab. It turns out that gators and snakes aren't the big danger in a swamp. And this monster isn't constrained to swamps. In fact, it's probably in your own backyard.Mosquito problem in Las Vegas How to fight Mosquitos Dr. Messenger's Lab website Additional Reading: History of antimalarial drugs Modern use of Quinine The Color Mauve History of Malaria Lyle Blackburn's Sinister Swamps (affiliate link) Theodore

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38:52

S03E39 - What the *BLEEP* is up with Zimbabwe Goblins?

MonsterTalk ·

2024/06/24

We answer a listener question that takes us down some interesting rabbit holes and face to face with the apparently never-ending tendrils of the Satanic Panic.Photo of Tokoloshe statue courtesy Peter Aller. Lots of show notes for this one: South Africa’s Occult Crimes Unit: How Apartheid shaped South African attitudes toward Paganism and the Occult Dr. Kobus Jonker More on "Donker" Jonker What is a Sangoma? Wikipedia: Tokoloshe A sample of The Daily Sun coverage of Tokoloshe The SAPS Occult Unit

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50:32

S03E38 - Scary Query: Cassowary

MonsterTalk ·

2024/06/17

The US Library of Congress says the Cassowary is the world's "Most Dangerous Bird!?" But is it? We talked with biologist Steven Portugal to find out. Steven Portugal's search for the Cassowary trip Cassowary (Wiki) Darren Naish on the 2023 Cassowary Florida Relocation Event Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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37:49

S03E37 - Werewolf Research V

MonsterTalk ·

2024/06/10

Blake and Karen discuss some recent werewolf projects, and what to do with all this research material accrued since this project started in 2011. Wolf-related MonsterTalk (previous episodes) Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 Jay Smith’s historical research on hyenas and French wolf attacks. (Behind a paywall, but you may be able to get free access at your local public or university libraries. Be sure and check with a librarian.) Scott Lilienfeld (et al) book on Psychology Myths mentioned

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55:06

S03E36 - Remembering Ray Garton [Explicit]

MonsterTalk ·

2024/06/03

Friend of the show Ray Garton, author of many horror books including In a Dark Place, passed away April 21, 2024 of lung cancer. This show is largely a rebroadcast of episode #039 from 2011. Ray was one of the first and most prominent people who worked with Ed and Lorraine Warren who then went on to call them out for their duplicity. He wouldn't be the only one either, as we covered in The Warren Omission a few years later. Content Warning: Many of the alleged events that Ray wrote about for the

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38:32

S03E35 - Ghostwatch

MonsterTalk ·

2024/05/27

We take a look at the 1992 BBC Halloween tv special, Ghostwatch.Ghostwatch (streaming Affiliate Link) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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37:27

S03E34 British Lions and Tasmanian Tigers

MonsterTalk ·

2024/05/20

This week we take a look at some recent news stories that fall within our bailiwick. We've got big cats, big-not-really-cats, and some UFO data to discuss. (with Matt Baxter.)Note - check out the articles for images of the "Thylacine", especially the Reddit thread and Galante's video. Tasmanian Tiger: Forrest Galante's YT Video Coverage in Newsweek Reddit readers have a go at the photos Alien Big Cat in UK BBC says DNA confirms big cat in UK Local news coverage 2023 article with similar

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35:37

S03E33 - Behind The Science of Monsters

MonsterTalk ·

2024/05/13

This week we're going to take a quick peek behind the curtains as to how THE SCIENCE OF MONSTERS came to be published by MonsterHouse, and what you can find inside. Sales of the book directly help the show, and all of that is explained during our MonsterTalking. The Science of Monsters - paperback & kindle The many lives of Joe Nickell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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