MonsterTalk

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

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Satan...

S03E38 - Scary Query: Cassowary

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ou...

S03E37 - Werewolf Research V

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Blake and Karen discuss some recent werewolf projects, and what to do with all this research material accrued since this project started in 2011.  W...

S03E36 - Remembering Ray Garton [Explicit]

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

S03E35 - Ghostwatch

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We take a look at the 1992 BBC Halloween tv special, Ghostwatch. Ghostwatch (streaming Affiliate Link)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www...

S03E34 British Lions and Tasmanian Tigers

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 dis...

S03E33 - Behind The Science of Monsters

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 c...

S03E32 - Late Night with the Devil

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss the new horror film Late Night with the Devil (AMZ affiliate link), a fictional work that draws ...

S03E31 - The Myth of Disenchantment

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we talk with professor Jason Josephson-Storm about the concept of Disenchantment, why it's an important and influential concept, and ...

S03E30 - Bone Stacks of Mt. St. Helens

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is Bigfoot making peculiar stacks of bones in the forests of Mt. St. Helens? Archaeologist Andy White joins us to discuss the hypothesis that was the...

S03E29 - Three Mini Mysteries

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Karen and Blake discuss three little mysteries they've run across while doing research that didn't quite warrant an individual episode, and which migh...

S03E28 - Legend Tripping: Devil's Tower

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt and Karen report back from their trip to Devil's Tower, Wyoming. reuters debunk traced to Facebook Satirical Post Watch CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE T...

S03E27 - BigFootage [Explicit]

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode contains some adult language.] This is the story of the search for Bigfoot as conducted by the NORTH AMERICAN WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER. ...

S03E26 - The Science of Weird Sh*t [explicit]

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to have Professor Chris French back to introduce his brand new book, The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure The Paranormal (Af...

S03E25 - The Black Monk of Pontefract

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We catch up with Richard Estep and Bil Bungay, co-authors of The Black Monk of Pontefract: The World's Most Violent and Relentless Poltergeist to talk...

S03E24 - Celebrity UFO Encounters

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Blake, Karen and Matt Baxter discuss celebrity UFO encounters. Why are they so popular? Why do we care? Some examples: John Lennon Olivia N...

S03E23 - REVIEW: The Secret History of Bigfoot:

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Blake and Karen discuss The Secret History of Bigfoot by John O'Connor.  The Secret History of Bigfoot (affiliate link) NYT Book Review Trey the Expl...

S03E22 - Are Our Phones Listening To Us?

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are lots of things to read about this on the Internet and you will not find a definitive answer, I'm afraid. My conclusions are based on parsim...

S03E21 - Connecticut Cryptids

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A lighthearted discussion of the cryptids of Connecticut with the author and illustrator of  Connecticut Cryptids: A Field Guide to the Weird & W...

S03E20 - House of the Unholy (pt 2)

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We conclude our two-part look at Boleskine House, on the shores of Loch Ness. Matt Baxter joins Karen and Blake to wrap up this investigation. Links ...

S03E19 - House of the Unholy (pt 1)

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of a 2-part look at Boleskine House, the little house on the shores of Loch Ness that allegedly once hosted an infamous ceremony attempt by Mr....

S03E18 - The Goblins of Wikipedia

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Blake wraps up his seven year deep dive into the Kelly-Hopkinsville Goblins case by taking a look at the many myths and misconceptions still enshrined...

S03E17 - Maximum PG Effort

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A look at Blake's ongoing research into the missing history of the Patterson-Gimlin film.  This is pre-publication and the raw data is not ready to s...

S03E16 - The Toronto Tunnel Monster

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In 1979 a man named Ernest encountered a mysterious creature in a tunnel in the Cabbagetown neighborhood of Toronto. Now, four decades on, we're joine...

S03E15 - The Dall-E Lament

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with the multi-talented Miles Greb about AI Art in the first part of what will likely be several episodes this year touching on "artificial in...

S03E14 - 2023 Weird in Review

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A 2023 end-of-year weird story roundup and some lighthearted chatting with Blake, Karen and Matt.  Links to coverage follow: UAP Hearings Colorado B...

S03E13 - A Ghost Story For Christmas

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Once again we have Ghost Stories for Christmas in the tradition of the BBC's MR James inspired intermittent television series. John Charrington's Wedd...

S03E12 - Remembering IN SEARCH OF with Joe Nickell

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Joe Nickell recalls his experiences working on the Season 4 episode of In Search Of… dealing with The Shroud of Turin. note: if you also subscr...

S03E11 - The Exorcist Effect part 2

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for a continuing discussion of Joe Laycock and Eric Harrelson's new book, The Exorcist Effect.  In this part we will discuss the legacy of Ed...

S03E10 - The Exorcist Effect part 1

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by Joseph Laycock and Eric Harrelson to discuss their new book THE EXORCIST EFFECT.  This book is a great deep-dive into how fiction and...

S03E09 - Cheesman Park

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There's a park in Denver that is home to some macabre legends - and some of those legends are based in fact! Matt Baxter joins us to talk of the stran...

S03E08 - Hunt the Wampus

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Blake and Karen discuss their trip to JSU, and begin a conversation about the enigmatic Wampus Cat. Show Notes: Wampus Cat in Potterverse Wampus Cat (...

S03E07 - Hogzilla part 2

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our discussion of feral hogs as monsters with Dr. John Mayer. He was a forensic investigator on three alleged giant hog cases. Join us as...

S03E06 - Hogzilla part 1

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the biology of feral hogs and how their morphology changes when farm pigs go hog wild. Our guest is Dr. John J. Mayer who has spent more t...

S03E05 - The Imitation Gang

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

[Content Warning] Hey we're back again with Dr. Brian Sharpless to talk about more of his new book - which is now available everywhere books are sold:...

S03E04 - Haunted Cars

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Buckle up as Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss haunted automobiles and creepy highway adjacent stuff like cursed vehicles.  Spooky...

S03E03 - UFOs over Italy with Massimo Polidoro

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by psychologist, writer, journalist, television personality, and co-founder and executive director of the Italian Committee for the Inves...

S03E02 - Parapsychology with Chris French

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris French joins us to talk about his career, his upcoming book, and why he says that Parapsychology is not pseudoscience. Robert Morris (Parapsych...

S03E01 - IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Krantz is back to talk about her new young-adult non-fiction book, IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?  This gorgeous book is built from her research on seas...

311 - S2E50 - Legends of Whitby

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Klimovitz returns to talk to us more about the legends and folklore around Whitby, the town where Dracula comes to England in Bram Stoker'...

310 - S02E49 - Georgia Cryptids Part 2

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A continuation of our look at Georgia Cryptids, excerpted from a DragonCon 2023 presentation. In this episode we take a deeper look at Altie, plus dis...

S02E48 - 309 - The Case of the Georgia Werewolf

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did a European-trained Werewolf haunt late 1800's Georgia? Blake and Karen discuss the case of the Georgia Werewolf. Sheep Ranching in Georgia Red Wo...

308 - Altie History Part 1: An Interview with Rick Spears

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Blake and Karen interview Georgia paleo-artist Rick Spears and discuss his iconic sculpture depicting the local "estuary monster" that inspired the pi...

307 - S02E46 - MonsterTalking 8-27-2023

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Catching up on what we've been working on, what's up next, where you can see Blake talk at DragonCon this next weekend, and other big news relative to...

306 - S2E45 - The Truth About Dowsing

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're seeking the truth about the strange but pervasive idea that people can use sticks or rods to mysteriously locate things. Water is oft...

305 - S02E44 - The Women in Black

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Woodyard returns to tell us all about the strange and mysterious phenomenon of The Women in Black that erupted in the United States at the end o...

304 - Omens

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the next two episodes we'll be in conversation with Chris Woodyard, an author and researcher whose work will likely be of interest to many of our ...

303 - Necrophilia [EXPLICIT]

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome back Dr. Brian Sharpless to discuss his exciting new book (due in October) called Monsters on the Couch. The book looks at some of our mos...

302 - Ghost in the Machine part 2

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Part two of our look at time travel stories involving old computers covers the strange and twisted tale of John Titor - aka TimeTravel_0 - a self-desc...

301 - The Ghost in the Machine (part 1)

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 1984 a group of people living in Dodleston, England, began to receive strange messages on a BBC Micro personal computer. Then things got weird... ...

300 - Animals that Return

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Sugg joins us again to discuss the weird story of Bobbie the Wonder Dog (aka Silverton Bobbie) - a dog that took a trip of more than 2500 mile...

299 - Hausgeister!

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion with artist and author Florian Schafer on his newest book about German house spirits. Links for this episode: Hausgeister: Household Spir...

298 - Richard Estep

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Estep is a paramedic by day, paranormal investigator by night. Author of Grifters, Frauds, and Crooks: True Stories of American Corruption, he...

297 - Ants

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're delighted to talk today with Professor Jack Longino of the University of Utah as he discusses ants! Can you help Karen & Matt out of a toug...

296 - Mick West vs the UFOs: Part 2

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I've replaced the intro on our audio distribution system but the system apparently caches the file and it may take some time for the corrected audio t...

295 - Mick West vs The UFOs: Part 1

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mick West joins us to talk about trying to solve UFO mysteries while keeping his cool. Mick is the author of Escaping the Rabbit Hole: How to Debunk ...

294 - Incorruptibles

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A look at the "incorruptible" corpses of Catholic saints and a discussion of how they got this way - with Elizabeth Harper. Wilhelmina Lancaster (new ...

293 - DOATS: The Possession (2012)

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A look at the 2012 film The Possession which is allegedly based on the "true story" surrounding a wine cabinet and a creature from Jewish folklore kno...

292 - Deja Vu

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Karen and Blake talk with Professor James Giordano from the departments of Neurology and Biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center about th...

291 - Montauk & Stranger Things (EXPLICIT)

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

291 - Montauk & Stranger Things (explicit) aka The Philadelphia Experiment pt 3 We take a deep dive into the absolute whackadoodle world of "The M...

290 - The Believer with Sarah Krasnostein

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Author Sarah Krasnostein joins us to discuss her book The Believer: Encounters with the Beginning, the End, and our Place in the Middle. The Believer ...

289 - The Myrtles: Part 2 - Send The Made-Up

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Myrtles Part 2: Send the Made-Up Continuing our look at the many ghostly legends surrounding the Louisiana plantation-turned-bed-and-breakfast, Th...

288 - The Myrtles: Part 1 (Dread & Breakfast)

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A look at the many ghostly legends surrounding the Louisiana plantation-turned-bed-and-breakfast, The Myrtles. The Myrtles Whiskey Rebellion Ghostland...

FTA66 - The Zombie Antpocalypse

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

WHAT IF YOUR WILL WERE NOT YOUR OWN? What if your mind were being controlled by something other than your own volition? This isn’t an imaginary scen...

287 - The Demon House of Gary, Indiana

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Baxter joins Blake & Karen to discuss the case of the allegedly "demon haunted" house of Gary, Indiana. There will be a companion video to t...

286 - Strange Arrivals S3 with Toby Ball

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We chat with podcaster and writer Toby Ball about season 3 of his show Strange Arrivals, which just began dropping new episodes. Discussed in this epi...

285 - The Entity (DOATS)

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From our YouTube collection, we bring you a podcast version of our coverage of the 1983 horror/thriller The Entity. CONTENT WARNING: Discusses sexual ...

284 - Mr. Savalas' Wild Ride

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've recently been looking at ghostly hitchhiker legends and in this episode Karen brings us a creepy tale from her childhood that is both a strange ...

283 - Mud Flood and the Tartarian Empire

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by Karl Mamer (The Conspiracy Skeptic Podcast) to talk about one of the weirder alt-histories out there in the monster-adjacent world of ...

282 - Hellmouths and Hell Gates

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Al Ridenour (author & podcaster) joins us to discuss his research into Hellmouths and hell gates. Al's Book - Krampus and the Old Dark Christmas A...

281 - The Dover Demon - Solved?

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to be the premier venue for Joe Nickell's latest research on the case of the Dover Demon.  The Dover Demon (Wikipedia) W. Halden Blackm...

280 - The Philadelphia Experiment : Part 2

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are delighted to be joined again by David Halperin to discuss part-2 of the convoluted but fascinating history of The Philadelphia Experiment. You ...

279 - The Philadelphia Experiment : Part 1

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This story includes the topic of suicide. If you or anyone you love is struggling with thoughts of self-harm please contact your country's suicide pre...

278 - The Walsingham Ghost

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to chat with Cian Gill, host of Wide Atlantic Weird, about the spooky story of The Walsingham Ghost. It's a tale that scared both Cian a...

277 - Jeff Kripal & The Superhumanities pt 2

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of a 2-part interview with Dr. Jeff Kripal of Rice University’s Religious Studies dept. He’s the author of several books that cover topics ...

276 - Jeff Kripal & The Super Humanities

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of a 2-part interview with Dr. Jeff Kripal of Rice University's Religious Studies dept. He's the author of several books that cover topics over...

275 - Beast Hunter Pat Spain

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pat Spain joins us to talk about his new book series.  Host of NatGeo's Beast Hunter series, Pat has collected gripping tales of travel, terror, and ...

274 - Investigating Pop Psychology

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An interview with Dr. Stephen Hupp, lead editor on the new volume Investigating Pop Psychology: Pseudoscience, Fringe Science, and Controversies co-e...

Christmas Ghost Story #010 - The Signal-Man

24 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Apologies for my voice - but despite a nasty cold I've done my best to bring you a spooky Christmas Ghost Story - this time from the mind of Charles D...

273 - The Bloodsucking Catfish - Candiru (Explicit)

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by ichthyologist Dr. Nathan K. Lujan to discuss the legendary vampire catfish of the Amazon, the candiru! Explicit Tag on this one for fr...

272 - The Peculiar Platypus Part 2

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our discussion of the platypus with Dr. Gilad Bino. In part 2 we explore the features that make them unique. Their extremely sensitive bi...

271 - The Peculiar Platypus

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The platypus is a fascinating creature from the family called monotremes. There is a lot left to be discovered about these animals and in part 1 we he...

270 - Ghost Hunting in Deadwood

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by MonsterTalk family member Matt Baxter (Karen's husband and host of Ask a Paranormal Investigator) to talk about his investigation of a...

269 - Fun Ruiners

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In a departure from our normal format, Blake and Karen discuss how science ruins all the fun of some very popular Sci-Fi/Horror tropes.  Alternate ...

268 - The Most Haunted City in America

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Karen and Blake discuss "the most haunted city in America," Savannah, Georgia. Links: Behind the Bird Girl Statue The Hamilton-Turner Inn The Haunted...

267: What the Dickens?

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You may know Charles Dickens used ghosts in A Christmas Carol - but did you know his work also included many other weird and quasi-paranormal elements...

Introducing MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark, and Mysterious Stories

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A hiker terrorized for days by two unknown figures… A man stalked through the woods while camping, who barely escaped with his life… two cops who ...

Introducing I HEAR FEAR

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nothing is as terrifying as the sounds we hear in the dark. The slow creak of a door opening late at night... or a whisper in a room when you thought ...

266 - Fisher's Ghost (Part 2)

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our look at the Australian legend of Fisher's Ghost, and how the community has responded to the story over the next two centuries. Offici...

Bonus >> Horrified: American Monsters

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I had the opportunity to talk with game designer Mike Mulvihill about his cryptid-focused version of the cooperative board-game HORRIFIED. (affiliate...

265 - Fisher's Ghost (part 1)

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Karen takes us down under to discover the tale of FISHER'S GHOST. Murder, intrigue, and the supernatural await in part 1. Show Notes: Official legend ...

264 - Ghost Tourism

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/monstertalk and get on your way to being your best self.Beco...

263 - Tarot (Part 2)

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

S02E02 - We continue our discussion of Tarot with some (hopefully interesting) digressions into Kabbalah and more. This episode is brought to you by B...

262 - Tarot (part 1)

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

MonsterTalk begins its second season and its weekly release schedule with a look at the surprisingly mundane origin of the Tarot deck and how the prac...

261 - Bernard's Beasts with Darren Naish

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Darren Naish joins us to catch us up on his latest project - a series of dawings and descriptions based on the cryptids of Bernard Heuvelmans! (Patreo...

260 - Giant Turtles and Protofestivals

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by folklorist and anthropologist Dr. John Gutowski, a professor at Saint Xavier, to discuss the Beast of Busco and the festivals such cre...

259 - The Battle Over America's Origin Story

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Brian Regal joins us again (actually his 6th appearance!) to discuss his latest work, The Battle Over America's Origin Story.  We know Columbus d...

258 - The Winchester Mystery House

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

258 - The Winchester Mystery House 258_Monstertalk_Patreon.mp3 Karen and Blake are joined by Matthew Baxter to tell the true story of Sara Winchester ...

257 - The First Ghosts

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by the incomparable Dr. Irving Finkel to discuss the oldest recorded stories of ghosts in human history.  Pliny the Younger - Wikipedia...

256 - Monsters of Wales

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Coll "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 i...