

MonsterTalk
Blake Smith
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
Mentioned books

Feb 7, 2022 • 58min
245 - deBased on a True Story: The Changeling (1980)
Blake, Karen and Matt dig into the alleged true story behind 1980s ghostly chiller The Changeling. A great spooky ghost story - but is there anything to the claims that it was based on a true story? Fantastic research article from Denver Library's Katie Rudolph: A Denver House that inspired a Horror Film Part 2 of her research Can’t get enough of monsters? If you’ve enjoyed this episode and want to listen to more from MonsterTalk Radio, click here! Want to talk about a monster we haven’t talked about before? Send us an email! Catch MonsterTalk on All Your Favorite Podcasting Sites Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn Follow MonsterTalk Radio on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Support Love the show? Consider supporting MonsterTalk Radio on Patreon! Interested in Advertising with us? Contact sales@advertisecast.com!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Jan 24, 2022 • 53min
244 - The Hills Have Eyes / The Legend of Sawney Bean
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 quality, but we hope you enjoy the content. This episode deals with the legend behind the 1977 Wes Craven film The Hills Have Eyes. If you'd prefer to watch this episode you can catch it on our YouTube channel. A lot of our research materials have disappeared from the web since we recorded this, but I'll come back to shore up the notes when I can dig up some better references. Fortean Time article on the search for Sawney Bean Sawney Bean the Scottish Cannibal Retelling of Sawney Bean Sawney Bean (Wikipedia) Catch MonsterTalk Radio on All Your Favorite Podcasting Sites Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn Follow MonsterTalk Radio on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Support Love the show? Consider supporting MonsterTalk Radio on Patreon! Interested in Advertising with us? Contact sales@advertisecast.com!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Jan 10, 2022 • 1h 10min
243 - Basilisks are Over-Powered (Explicit)
Karen and Blake discuss the myths and legends of the Basilisk (and the Cockatrice). The conversation includes ancient legends, medieval legends, alchemy, a whole lot of bird sex, A.I. and information hazards.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Dec 27, 2021 • 1h 13min
242 - The Hairy Hands of Devon
(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 B3212. Since 1921, the road has been the locale of a legendary menace - a pair of powerful unseen hairy hands that occasionally drives people to their death. But where did this story come from? And is it true? Blake discusses his research into the case with Karen, and he thinks he's figured this one out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Dec 27, 2021 • 14min
In a Dim Room - Christmas Special 2021
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/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Dec 13, 2021 • 59min
241 - Monster Theory
We talk with Dr. Jeffrey Weinstock (Central Michigan University) about "Monster Theory" and his new volume which collects a panoply of essays on this interesting topic. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Nov 29, 2021 • 1h 8min
240 - Frankenstein and Mermaids
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’s—and the monster’s—impact on pop culture, as well as how the definition of what a monster is and how monsters are perceived have evolved through literature. David has published numerous papers on monsters and monsters in literature.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Nov 15, 2021 • 59min
239 - Monsterology with Stephen Asma
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 process the concept of monsters, our gut reactions to them, and about where we stand with all of that? In this episode of MonsterTalk, Blake sits down with author, professor, and artist, Stephen Asma to delve into how monsters evolved with us as humans culturally, how our imaginations play a role in it, and how our minds wrap themselves around our beliefs—among many other things.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Nov 1, 2021 • 1h 16min
238 - The Grand Guignol
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 Professor Richard Hand, who has co-authored four volumes about this amazing little production company that for a brief while made much of true-crime and visceral nightmarish plots to present gore, horror and terror to Paris audiences. With less than 300 seats but with thousands of performances, the screams that came from its stage still echo through the world of theater to this very day.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Oct 18, 2021 • 1h 6min
237 - Lord Dufferin's Ghost
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 Karen and me since we were kids - the tale of Lord Dufferin and his encounter with the beyond. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.