

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

Apr 14, 2025 • 48min
S04E28 The Victor Hotel Ghost
Matt & Karen went out for a little getaway weekend to Victor, Colorado and ended up investigating the allegedly haunted Victor Hotel. Did Eddie die in the hotel elevator? Was Matt caught in embarrassing circumstances? Find out inside!The show notes here won't show the images so you'll need to hop over to our episode webpage to see them.https://www.monstertalk.org/s04e28-the-victor-hotel-ghost/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Apr 7, 2025 • 52min
S04E27 - Jewish Mysticism and Dybbuks with Peter Bebergal
We're excited to welcome back Peter Bebergal. This time we're talking about mysticism and dybbuks. Be sure and check out the links below including the upcoming talk Peter is giving April 14th for The Last Tuesday Society.Peter on Jewish Boston podcastAll the Haunts Be Ours (affiliate link) 15-Disk Horror CollectionThe Ibbur from Jewish mysticismPeter will be talking monster culture for The Last Tuesday Society on April 14th at 3 pm ET - check it outGrab all of Peter's Books at Amazon and support this show!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Mar 31, 2025 • 55min
S04E26 - A Natural History of Sea Serpents with Adrian Shine
We're delighted to get to talk with Adrian Shine, who has worked for decades to raise awareness about Loch Ness and investigated the legendary creature said to inhabit the dark waters of that deep Scottish lake. He's written a new book about Sea Monsters and their connection to the Loch Ness Mystery which releases April 1st, 2025. A Natural History of Sea Monsters (affiliate link)The Loch Ness CentreIn the intro you hear a clip of IN SEARCH OF from S01E20 - which features a young Adrian. Check out In Research Of's coverage with guest Daniel Loxton here.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Mar 24, 2025 • 32min
S04E25 - Demon Sex in Medieval Times PT 2
We're back with part 2 of our interview with Dr. Eleanor Janega to discuss Demons in Medieval Europe - and a lot of that has to do with sexy sex. So… another EXPLICIT tag! Eleanor's Blog Going-MedievalEleanor's book The Once and Future SexThe Apocalypse Tapestry of Angers (The Guardian)The Apocalypse Tapestry (Wikipedia)YouTube videos with Eleanor Monty Summers translation of the Malleus Maleficarum (AMZ affiliate link)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Mar 16, 2025 • 29min
S04E24 Demon Sex in Medieval Times
We're joined by the engaging historian Dr. Eleanor Janega to talk about how the people of Europe considered demonic sex during the medieval period of history. This episode is in two parts, and both are explicit. Presenter on the History Hit channel - https://www.historyhit.com/ Blog - https://going-medieval.com/ Medievalist, author, blogs about medieval history, pop culture, and swearing Author of: The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in SocietyArticle: “On sex with demons” - https://going-medieval.com/2020/07/30/on-sex-with-demons/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Mar 10, 2025 • 17min
S04E23 Remembering Joe Nickell
A brief remembrance of our friend, Joe Nickell. (December 1, 1944 – March 4, 2025)Joe Nickell's extraordinary life came to an end on Tuesday, March 4th and we're posting this brief remembrance this week instead of our regular episode.Check out Joe's many "personas."The Science of Monsters: Tracking the Real-Life CreaturesArchive episodes with JoeThe sourtoe cocktailBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Mar 3, 2025 • 57min
S04E22 Women in the Paranormal
We're joined by Allison Jornlin (paranormalwomen.com) to talk about the footprint of women in the field of parapsychology and paranormal investigation. We most recently talked with Allison during "the dark times" on our COVID-era MonsterTalk Live series.She also covered the Chicago Mothman flap with us back in 2018!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Feb 24, 2025 • 48min
S04E21 The Cave of the Winds
Is the cave of the winds near Manitou Springs, CO HAUNTED!? Matt Baxter has investigated and he joins us to talk about what he found.Related Links:Spooky Science Sisters - Roanoke episode with KarenIn Research Of… The Lost Colony - Blake & Jeb Card discuss the In Search Of… episode about Roanoke.Eclectic Shopping options in Manitou SpringsThe history of Manitou SpringsThe Cave of the Winds (Official Site)The Manitou (1978 film)Manitou - the spiritBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Feb 17, 2025 • 53min
S04E20 - Understand Japan's Dan Da Dan [Explicit]
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 Japanese).The book on Japanese mountain witches I mentioned.And here's an article by Japanese folklorist and manga translator Zack Davisson on Dandadan. Additional: Dan Da Dan (Netflix)Karen's book Missed Conceptions is mentioned in the episode - get it here.And her latest book too: Bitch: The Journey of a WordBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Feb 10, 2025 • 41min
S04E19 - Monsters of the Heart
As Valentine's day bears down upon us, we turn to the monsters whose origins lie in passion, betrayal, and tragedy. If love is the strongest human emotion, surely rage at betrayal is its nightmarish mirror - and such emotions are embodied in a variety of creatures around the world and throughout history.Content Warning - this episode contains stories of child death, suicide, murder, and other unplesantness. And also some discussion of candy. So there's that.Don't forget to pick up Karen's latest Book: Bitch: The Journey of a WordBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.