MonsterTalk

We're excited to bring you an interview with Dr. Emily Zarka, host of PBS's Monstrum series on the humanities web channel Storied.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Werewolves are an ancient idea, but the meaning and beliefs around the concept have changed over time. How were they viewed in the classical world and even earlier? Find out in this week's episode as we interview Dr. Tanika Koosmen. Dr. Koosmen's thesis at Newcastle online archive The werewolf story in Satyricon Some movies mentioned: Van Helsing (2004) Deep Rising (1998) Interesting terms: Versipellis - In Roman mythology and literature, a "versipellis" is literally a "skin changer" and referred to someone who could change their skin or shape, similar to a shapeshifter. The term is derived from "versus" (changed) and "pellis" (skin). Episode art by Team Smith (my kids worked together on this one)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

We welcome back Dr. Justin Mullis to tell us about the interesting connection he found between Cryptozoology and the Godzilla franchise. He just appeared at G-Fest in Chicago where he spoke on this topic. Justin's profile at Academia.Edu Justin visiting with Cian at The Lost World Podcast talking Kong Skull Island Justin writes for AIPT in NYC The Impossible Archive podcast Justin discussing "little people" with Cian Gill Thanks to Stephen & William Smith for this week's episode art.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

We're joined by mosquito and disease expert Dr. Louisa Messenger of the Las Vegas PARAVEC lab. It turns out that gators and snakes aren't the big danger in a swamp. And this monster isn't constrained to swamps. In fact, it's probably in your own backyard. Mosquito problem in Las Vegas How to fight Mosquitos Dr. Messenger's Lab website Additional Reading: History of antimalarial drugs Modern use of Quinine The Color Mauve History of Malaria Lyle Blackburn's Sinister Swamps (affiliate link) Theodore Sturgeon's IT!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Karen Stollznow and Matt Baxter recount their journey to solve the mystery of the ghost lights of Silver Cliff Cemetery, in Colorado. Silver Cliff Cemetery Prisoner's Cinema History Colorado Karen's book Haunting America (Amz affiliate link) Announcing the release of Karen's latest title:  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.

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 Satanic Panic. Photo of Tokoloshe statue courtesy Peter Aller. Lots of show notes for this one: South Africa’s Occult Crimes Unit: How Apartheid shaped South African attitudes toward Paganism and the Occult Dr. Kobus Jonker More on "Donker" Jonker What is a Sangoma? Wikipedia: Tokoloshe A sample of The Daily Sun coverage of Tokoloshe The SAPS Occult Unit was never truly disbanded? How Apartheid shaped SA attitudes about Paganism and the Occult Article about the 666 Gangs and the Occult Task Force Frighteningly familiar SA Police web page about spotting Occult in kids 1999 article about failures of the Occult Task forceBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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 out. Steven Portugal's search for the Cassowary trip Cassowary (Wiki) Darren Naish on the 2023 Cassowary Florida Relocation EventBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Blake and Karen discuss some recent werewolf projects, and what to do with all this research material accrued since this project started in 2011.  Wolf-related MonsterTalk (previous episodes) Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 Jay Smith’s historical research on hyenas and French wolf attacks. (Behind a paywall, but you may be able to get free access at your local public or university libraries. Be sure and check with a librarian.) Scott Lilienfeld (et al) book on Psychology Myths mentioned regarding full moon The Werewolf of Livonia Blake's Werewolf BibliographyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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 a rebroadcast of episode #039 from 2011. Ray was one of the first and most prominent people who worked with Ed and Lorraine Warren who then went on to call them out for their duplicity. He wouldn't be the only one either, as we covered in The Warren Omission a few years later. Content Warning: Many of the alleged events that Ray wrote about for the Warrens involved sexual and physical trauma, and this episode needs the explicit tag due to discussion of that content. Ray Garton's Amazon Author page (affiliate link) Ray's ObituaryBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

We take a look at the 1992 BBC Halloween tv special, Ghostwatch. Ghostwatch (streaming 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.