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.
Episodes
May 3, 2026 • 45 mins
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...
In this episode, Melissa talks about using paranormal topics as an accessible entry point for...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
May 1, 2026 • 50 mins
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 Duzer
Or snag it in English here:
Sea Monsters on Medeival and Renaissance Maps
Extensive show notes here!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.co...
Grab your copy in Spanish here:
SPANISH LANGUAGE : Monstruos marinos en mapas medievales y renacentistas by Chet Van Duzer
Or snag it in English here:
Sea Monsters on Medeival and Renaissance Maps
Extensive show notes here!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.co...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
April 26, 2026 • 70 mins
Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss the strange case of the Cottingley Fairies.
https://www.monstertalk.org/?p=2706
Hosts: Karen Stollznow, Blake Smith
Guest: Matt Baxter
In 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 ga...
https://www.monstertalk.org/?p=2706
Hosts: Karen Stollznow, Blake Smith
Guest: Matt Baxter
In 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 ga...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
April 19, 2026 • 52 mins
🎙️ 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...
Extended show notes available at Our Website...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
April 12, 2026 • 35 mins
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.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.
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.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
April 5, 2026 • 42 mins
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 reve...
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 reve...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
March 29, 2026 • 54 mins
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 Thread
Between Pulpit and Pew: The Supernatural World in Mormon History and Folklore
Become a supporter of this podcast: https:/...
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 Thread
Between Pulpit and Pew: The Supernatural World in Mormon History and Folklore
Become a supporter of this podcast: https:/...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
March 22, 2026 • 40 mins
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.org
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product li...
Extended notes at http://monstertalk.org
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product li...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
March 15, 2026 • 37 mins
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.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.
Extended show notes available at 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.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
March 8, 2026 • 57 mins
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 web...
extended episode notes available on our web...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
March 1, 2026 • 55 mins
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...
Why this title for the episode? Tune in and find out.
Petroglyphs...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
February 22, 2026 • 52 mins
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.
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.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
February 15, 2026 • 48 mins
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.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
February 8, 2026 • 41 mins
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 Norfolk
Blake's article about the "PA Hex Hollow" murders (Skeptoid #996)
Books by Owen*:
Grimoires:...
Some related viewing/reading:
A curious case of Black Magic in Norfolk
Blake's article about the "PA Hex Hollow" murders (Skeptoid #996)
Books by Owen*:
Grimoires:...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
February 1, 2026 • 33 mins
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 c...
Some related viewing/reading:
A c...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
January 25, 2026 • 48 mins
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 Skomal
The Great White Shark Handbook
Additional online reading:
Greenland Shark
Cookie Cutter Shark
Ommatokoit...
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 Skomal
The Great White Shark Handbook
Additional online reading:
Greenland Shark
Cookie Cutter Shark
Ommatokoit...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
January 18, 2026 • 50 mins
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 It
Ghostwatch (wikipedia) - (our previous coverage)
The Society for Psychical Research (UK)
Most Haunted (wikipedia)
The Haunting of Borl...
Ghosted: A History of Ghost Hunting, and Why We Keep Looking (Affiliate Link)
Night Terrors: Troubled Sleep and the Stories we Tell About It
Ghostwatch (wikipedia) - (our previous coverage)
The Society for Psychical Research (UK)
Most Haunted (wikipedia)
The Haunting of Borl...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
January 11, 2026 • 39 mins
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 creature
Karl 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. Ke...
SHOW NOTE LINKS:
The original Tombstone Epitaph article about the winged creature
Karl 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. Ke...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
January 4, 2026 • 45 mins
We talk with journalist Lana Hall about her piece The Dead Mall Society, which details her journey to decaying malls in the Toronto area in search of Liminal Spaces.
Liminality (Wikipedia)
Victor Turner: Liminality and Communitas (PDF)
The Liminality Project (blog)
Liminal Space (Wikipedia)
The Backrooms CreepyPasta (Wikipedia)
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product ...
Liminality (Wikipedia)
Victor Turner: Liminality and Communitas (PDF)
The Liminality Project (blog)
Liminal Space (Wikipedia)
The Backrooms CreepyPasta (Wikipedia)
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
December 28, 2025 • 51 mins
Friend of the show Dr. Joe Laycock returns to talk about LIZARD PEOPLE with us. He also has a new book: The Penguin Book of Cults
Joe's Books:
Penguin Book of Cults (publisher) (amazon affiliate link)
The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief (affiliate link)
Other topics of discussion:
Shadow Kingdom
Brotherhood of the White Temple
Shaver Mysteries
Kull
Dark Shadows (Soap Opera) "Leviathan" storyline
The Naga who wanted to b...
Joe's Books:
Penguin Book of Cults (publisher) (amazon affiliate link)
The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief (affiliate link)
Other topics of discussion:
Shadow Kingdom
Brotherhood of the White Temple
Shaver Mysteries
Kull
Dark Shadows (Soap Opera) "Leviathan" storyline
The Naga who wanted to b...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Post Run High features conversations with high-performing founders, athletes, artists, health and science experts, and leaders about what it really takes to succeed. Through honest, post-movement conversations, guests share how they’ve navigated challenges, built resilience, and used movement as a tool for clarity, discipline, and growth. Each episode explores the mindset behind performance — what keeps people going when things get hard — and offers tangible advice listeners can apply in their everyday lives.
Buck Sexton breaks down the latest headlines with a fresh and honest perspective! He speaks truth to power, and cuts through the liberal nonsense coming from the mainstream media. Interact with Buck by emailing him at teambuck@iheartmedia.com
Stop doomscrolling. Start decoding the tech rewiring your week - and your world. The Interface is the BBC's fiercely informed, fast and funny take on how tech is changing everything. Hosted by journalists Tom Germain, Karen Hao, and Nicky Woolf, each episode unpacks week-by-week the unfolding story of how technology is shaping all our futures. No guests. No jargon. Just three sharp voices debating the tech news stories that matter - whether they shook a government, broke the internet, or quietly tipped the balance of power. As TikTok shifts geopolitics, Trump drives digital shockwaves, Elon Musk expands his space-internet empire and AI reroutes the routines of everyday life - the trio ask: what world are the tech titans building for us? And do we want to live in it?