MonsterTalk

255 - Tom Slick: Millionaire Monster Hunter

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brought to you by DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT! A look at the fascinating and adventurous life of millionaire Tom Slick. Inventor, entrepreneur, philanthro...

Introducing The Cryptid Club

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Brumm (author) and Jeff Mack (illustrator) bring young readers a new series about an intrepid gang of kid investigators dealing with the remarkab...

Going Nuclear - Introducing Wild Thing S3

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A 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 over...

254 - Piranha!

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Be sure and check out DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT! We're excited to talk with paleontologist Matthew Kolmann about a fish whose legendary ferocity ranks wi...

253 - Yeti Stories You've Never Heard Before - with Eric Mortensen

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You'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 we...

252 - Intimate Alien with David Halperin

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

UFOs 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 b...

251 - DOATS: Communion

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We 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 ...

250 - The Owls Are What They Seem

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Since 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 g...

249 - Comic Books & Monsters

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is a wide-ranging discussion of comic books and monsters with professor Richard Harrison of Mt. Royal University in Alberta, Canada. Supe...

248 - Reptile Myths

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Blake and Karen are joined by Joshua Emms of the The New Mexico Herpetological Society to discuss reptile myths and legends. Footage of Sandhill Cran...

247 - The Amityville Horror

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We take a look at the incredible horror franchise based on The Amityville Horror. Real tragedy compounded by alleged hoaxing forms the basis of films,...

246 - The Exorcist

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Blake, 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 ...

245 - deBased on a True Story: The Changeling (1980)

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Blake, Karen and Matt dig into the alleged true story behind 1980s ghostly chiller The Changeling.  A great spooky ghost story - but is there anythin...

244 - The Hills Have Eyes / The Legend of Sawney Bean

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While 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 qua...

243 - Basilisks are Over-Powered (Explicit)

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Karen and Blake discuss the myths and legends of the Basilisk (and the Cockatrice). The conversation includes ancient legends, medieval legends, alche...

242 - The Hairy Hands of Devon

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

(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 B321...

In a Dim Room - Christmas Special 2021

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A reading of "In a Dim Room" by Lord Dunsany. A ghost story for Christmas.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monster...

241 - Monster Theory

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with Dr. Jeffrey Weinstock (Central Michigan University) about "Monster Theory" and his new volume which collects a panoply of essays on this ...

240 - Frankenstein and Mermaids

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of MonsterTalk Radio, Blake and Karen have David Farnell of Fukuoka University on the show to talk about Frankenstein and the novel’...

239 - Monsterology with Stephen Asma

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When 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 proces...

238 - The Grand Guignol

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A look at the brief but influential "life" of the Grand Guignol theater, a Paris stage venue that specialized in gore and terror. We interview Profess...

237 - Lord Dufferin's Ghost

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We'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 Ka...

236 - Carnivorous Plants

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Here 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 w...

235 - Hungarian Goulish: The Elizabeth Bathory Mystery

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Was 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 ...

234: Toby Ball - Strange Arrivals S2

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Blake 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 scie...

Chaosium and the Malleus Monstrorum

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 t...

233 - Bigfoot: America's Abominable Snowman

01 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On 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...

232 - Bacteria

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

They're everywhere. They're inside you. You can't escape them - and can't live without them: Bacteria!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www....

AIPT Presents SciPhi Fest 2021

18 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The 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 S...

231 - Asian Monsters with Sapphire Sandalo

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sapphire Sandalo is the host of the web series Stories with Sapphire. She's a writer, animator, podcaster, TV personality, and part-time university in...

230 - Otter King & Other Things

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Karen 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 w...

229 - Watertown 2: Eclectic Boo-Galoo

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Blake Smith has uncovered the uncropped "Watertown Ghosts" photo, lost to the public for more than fifty years, plus more discoveries about this famou...

228 - The Curious Case of the Creeping Coffins

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Did coffins mysteriously move in a crypt in Barbados? Is there a natural explanation?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podc...

227 - Bigfoot and the Paranormal

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Why are so many "weird" aspects to Bigfoot reports missing from the cryptozoology books? Authors Tim Renner and Josh Cutchins examine the hidden "high...

226 - Usborne book of UFOs

20 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by entertainer Jon Culshaw to talk about the influential children's book UFOs, (affiliate link) part of the Usborne "World of the Unknow...

225 - Thylacines and Pademelons

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Blake 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 ...

MTL014 - DOATS: The Hills Have Eyes

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

deBased 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 ...

MTL013 - Strange Arrivals with Toby Ball

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An interview with Toby Ball about his investigative podcast Strange Arrivals. Season one of Strange Arrivals is a deep look into the foundational UFO ...

MTL012 - Women in Paranormal Research

07 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We were joined by paranormal investigator Allison Jornlin on 6/21/2020 for a discussion of women paranormal researchers. A lot of interesting historic...

224 - Coral Castle Roundtable

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Karen and Blake are joined by Mat Baxter to discuss the mysterious story of Florida's 20th Century Megalith site - Coral Castle.Become a supporter of ...

MTL011 - DeBased on a True Story: The Changeling

31 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We 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. ...

MTL010 - Cicada 3301 - with Jerry Drake

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do 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...

MonsterTalk end of year message - 2020

31 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We bid farewell to 2020 and hope for a better and brighter 2021.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267...

223 - The Loveland Frog

26 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Haupt joins us to discuss the case of The Loveland Frog.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523...

Christmas Ghost Story #008 - The Upper Berth

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Blake Smith reads the Francis Marion Crawford ghost story THE UPPER BERTH.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monster...

Wild Thing 2: Space Invaders

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Blake and Karen talk with Laura Krantz, host of the podcast Wild Thing, about season two of her show which deals with UFOs, SETI, and features intervi...

221 - They Are Already Here - with Sarah Scoles

29 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author Sarah Scoles joins us to discuss her amazing book They Are Already Here: UFO Culture and Why We See Saucers. It's a terrific ride through UFO c...

220 - Monster Manual

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Roll for initiative as Karen and Blake discuss the history of roleplaying games and the Monster Manual with Jon Peterson.Become a supporter of this po...

219 - The Usborne book of Ghosts - Christopher Maynard

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for a very Halloween themed look at a book which was deeply influential on Karen and Blake. Usborne's WORLD OF THE UNKNOWN: GHOSTS authored by...

Introducing: On The Offensive

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Karen's latest book is available at Amazon and wherever books are sold. Support MonsterTalk by using the affiliate ad link: bit dot ly forward-slash O...

218 - Season of the Witch

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Bebergal returns (previously on episode #180 with his book Strange Frequencies) to discuss magic, witchcraft, and the occult and how those thin...

217 - The Unidentified

11 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Colin Dickey returns to MonsterTalk to discuss his new book "The Unidentified" which deals with fringe culture, paranormal beliefs, alternative religi...

Sample: BigFootage - Night of the Demon

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A sample of the Patreon bonus feature BigFootage. In episode 5 I discuss the Bigfoot slasher "video nasty" called Night of the Demon (1983).Become a s...

216 - Invasive Species

19 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A look at invasive species, focusing especially on the cane toad: its biology, its impact, and efforts to control it in Australia and the US. With Dr....

215 - Chinese Ghosts

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by Ph.D. student Minwen Huang, who shares with us the history of the literary genre of Chinese Ghosts called Zhiguai, and how such being...

214 - Talos Another Tale of Gods and Robots

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

MonsterTalk Classic interviews return with a look at robots and automata of the ancient classical world. Adrienne Mayor joins us to talk about her boo...

MTL - Dr. Kiki - Aliens and Monsters

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of monsters and aliens of sci-fi and horror with "Dr. Kiki" Kirsten Sanford of THIS WEEK IN SCIENCE and DR KIKI'S SCIENCE HOUR.Become a s...

MTL - Conspiracy Theory with Ashley Landrum (remastered)

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of conspiracy theory with professor Ashley Landrum of Texas Tech. QAnon and other contemporary conspiracy.Become a supporter of this podc...

MTL007 - Banacheck (remastered)

21 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We got to sit down and talk with the mentalist, magician and skeptic Banachek. You may know him as the creator of Penn & Teller's famous "bullet c...

MTL006 - Speak of the Devil (remastered)

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our May 3, 2020 interview with Joe Laycock and his spouse and co-conspirator Natasha Mikles is here for you. Talking about his book, Speak of the Devi...

MTL005 - Skinwalker Ranch TV - Sara Head (remastered)

07 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Once again we welcome Sara Head from ArchyFantasies on to talk about the strange television show The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch. Is it good? (Spoilers...

MTL004 - Black Eyed Kids - with Jerry Drake (remastered)

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jerry Drake returns to talk BEKs and other strangeness. A MonsterTalk Live recording. Explicit Tag.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spr...

213 - Ghosts and Sociology

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We interview Dr. David Aveline about his new project studying people who see or experience ghosts. He's just getting started, but it's a really inter...

MTL002 - Listener Questions

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the March 29th episode, Karen and Blake hang out and take listener questions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/m...

MTL003 - Douglas Tait - acting, makeup and monsters

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Actor Douglas Tait joins us to talk about playing monsters in film. Douglas has played Bigfoot more than any other actor. Doug was born on December 17...

MTL001 - Brian Sharpless - 22MAR2020

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

[EXPLICIT] Audio from 22MAR2020 MonsterTalk Live with Dr. Brian Sharpless, discussing real world psychology and monsters. Remastered to reduce distort...

212 - We Believe in Dinosaurs

25 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Karen and Blake discuss the new film We Believe in Dinosaurs with filmmaker Clayton Brown (who co-directed with Monica Long Ross) and paleontologist D...

#211 - The Screaming Skulls

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today Karen and Blake discuss "Screaming Skulls" - a surprisingly common yet particularly English kind of haunting. Karen has a new short story based ...

Spooktator Presents: Hellier (Haylier)

29 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's Blake here! I made a little cameo over at Hayley Stevens' podcast The Spooktator, joining Jeb Card (In ReSearch Of) to talk about the paranormal ...

210 - Going Viral: The Covid19 Monster

15 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

[Reminder: This was recorded in the early days of the pandemic of 2020. Please refer to the CDC for the latest and most accurate information about CO...

209 - Strange But True

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by author Kathryn Hulick, author of the new book "Strange but True: 10 of the World's Greatest Mysteries Explained." The book introduces...

208 - Monsters in the Media

22 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome Dr. James Mueller, associate dean of Journalism at the University of North Texas, in a discussion of how to read historical (and current) n...

207 - The Guyra Ghost

01 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Stollznow tells us about the 1921 Australian events known as The Guyra Ghost. (Concurrent with her Fortean Times piece in Jan 2020 edition)Becom...

#206 - Magic: Wicca and Witchcraft

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by Rebecca Fox, who has been both a witch and a science & skepticism advocate, to discuss the history of modern witchcraft.Become a ...

#205 - Burial Practice Makes Perfect

29 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tana Owens Orman joins us to discuss burial practices. Victorians, mummies, space, tombs, legends and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https:/...

Christmas Special 2019

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A reading of The Night Wire by H. F. Arnold.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some pro...

204 - Joe vs the Sea Monsters

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by veteran monster investigator Joe Nickell (of CSI) to discuss three historic sea monster cases he thinks he's solved. Classic monsters ...

#203 - Will O' The Wisp

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we look at Will O' The Wisp, Ghost Lights, Ball Lightning and all manner of glowing monstrous and bizarre lucent phenomena. Joining us f...

202 - Monstrous with Carlyn Beccia

29 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Carlyn Beccia has written a new book for kids that combines Monsters and Science! Monstrous: The Lore, Gore and Science Behind Your Favorite Monsters ...

#201 - Serial Killers

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Discussion is on serial killers, their motivations, their methodologies and how to balance fascination with the macabre with keeping the victims rathe...

Introducing "IN RESEARCH OF"

05 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is a sample episode of our new show In reSearch Of, which I'm co-hosting with Jeb Card. I hope you'll consider subscribing. I'm planning to kee...

200 - In Search Of...

05 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A look back at the highly influential television show In Search Of... which was hosted by Leonard Nimoy. Features remembrances from Steven Novella, L...

#199 - We Never Play Ouija Bored

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is the Ouija Board a tool for talking to the dead? Or is it just a game from Hasbro? We dig into the history of Talking Boards with Robert Murch! LIN...

#198 - The Grotesque 10

01 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a follow-up to our episode on Gargoyles, photographer and author Mathew M. Duman has produced a new book visiting ten American campuses with gothic...

The Frighteners

11 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What is it like to be an ordained minister who loves the macabre? We talk with author Peter Laws to find out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https...

What Makes US Tick

09 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ticks, Lyme disease, exsanguinated cows and other fun with Dr. Danielle Tufts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mon...

Thomas Jefferson: Monster Hunter

29 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The shocking true story of our nation's first president cryptozoologist.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monsterta...

The Mapinguari Is Not The Territory

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Are the legends of the Mapinguari based on sightings of a Giant Sloth? Dr. Richard A. Fariña helps us compare the lore to the fossil record.Become a ...

The Shaver Mysteries (Part 2)

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In part two of our Shaver Mystery coverage, we look at the influence of Ray Palmer and Richard Shaver on Science Fiction, UFOlogy, and the cultural fr...

The Shaver Mysteries (Part 1)

18 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of MonsterTalk, we get a brief overview of the history of Hollow Earth theories and start our deep dive into the topic of The Shaver M...

The Zana Problem

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

MonsterTalk revisits the story of Zana, the alleged Almasti wild woman of Abkhazia who was the subject of Bryan Sykes DNA research in his book The Nat...

Dragons

27 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Where do Dragons come from — and why do so many cultures have them? Learn about the origins of Dragon legends with Eric Mortensen of Guilford Colleg...

Ghosts of the White House

16 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

An interview with White House historian Lindsay Chervinsky (of the White House Historical Association) about the ghostly legends of the White House. R...

Larry Blamire

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Larry Blamire, the talented writer, artist and director of the indy homage to 50’s cinema, The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra joins us to talk monsters. H...

Monsters of the Mythos

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

H.P. Lovecraft Literary Crossover! I’m joined by Chris Lackey and Chad Fifer of the incredible H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast to talk monsters of t...

Disputin’ Rasputin

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

An illuminating discussion about the Russian Monk, Rasputin, by author Douglas Smith. We’ll be discussing the myths and facts about Rasputin as desc...

Hitler’s Monsters

03 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In MonsterTalk episode # 187, we talk about the role of the supernatural and occult in Nazi Germany. Our guest is author Dr. Eric Kurlander, author of...

Humans as Monsters

29 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In MonsterTalk episode # 186 we talk with Dr. David D. Perlmutter, dean of the College of Media & Communications at Texas Tech University in Lubb...

The Resurrection of Bob Lazar(us)

09 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A new UFO/Area-51 documentary by Jeremy Corbell (see Hunt for the Skinwalker mentioned in MonsterTalk Patreon Bonus Episode 001) has been very succes...

Ghost Hunting Gear

09 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

  In this episode of MonsterTalk, Karen and Blake are joined by Mathew Baxter (paranormal investigator, lecturer, magician and Karen’s husband) to ...