

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

Nov 13, 2023 • 38min
S03E07 - Hogzilla part 2
We continue our discussion of feral hogs as monsters with Dr. John Mayer. He was a forensic investigator on three alleged giant hog cases. Join us as we root around for the facts perhaps left unexcavated by the media at the time. (Sausage?) Links for Part 2 Brucellosis Pseudo-Rabies Rhonda Shearer's site on media & giant pig stories. MonsterQuest tackles giant pigs (full episode) MonsterPig A list of notable pigs - Wikipedia In the media: Razorback (1984) - Amz affiliate linkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Nov 6, 2023 • 36min
S03E06 - Hogzilla part 1
Learn about the biology of feral hogs and how their morphology changes when farm pigs go hog wild. Our guest is Dr. John J. Mayer who has spent more than five decades studying pig morphology, and who investigated several famous allegedly monstrous feral pig kills in the mid 2000s. In part one of this interview, we will look into pig biology and discuss the facts and myths around these animals. Next week we will look into the specific news stories around the "giant feral hog" craze of the first decade of the 21st century. Dr. Mayer's webpage USDA Guide to Feral Hogs Pigs have been domesticated since 8,000 BCE Religions that eschew the chewing of pigs The Feral Pig time-bomb Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Oct 30, 2023 • 41min
S03E05 - The Imitation Gang
[Content Warning] Hey we're back again with Dr. Brian Sharpless to talk about more of his new book - which is now available everywhere books are sold: MONSTERS ON THE COUCH - the real psychological disorders behind your favorite movies! This one gets a content warning because many of the things that people with these psychological disorders have gotten up to has been quite disturbing and might not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised. Show Notes: Brian's Book MONSTERS ON THE COUCH (Amz affiliate link) Brian's Website Movies mentioned (affiliate links): The Thing (John Carpenter) Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) It Follows Additional: The Irish Changeling Murder Capgras Syndrome (NIH) Fregoli Syndrome (Wikipedia)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Oct 23, 2023 • 41min
S03E04 - Haunted Cars
Buckle up as Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss haunted automobiles and creepy highway adjacent stuff like cursed vehicles. Spooky stories abound and check the show notes for lots of links. WARNING: This episode does contain brief discussion of suicide and murder. As we always like to mention, if you're having troubling thoughts related to self harm please seek help. You don't have to struggle alone - in the USA you can call 988 any time and get real help immediately from people who care. The Wraith Christine Maximum Overdrive The Manitou Link back to Telly Savalas episode The Hitchhiker (TZ) James Dean's Little Bastard | Jason Colavito on this topic The Golden Eagle (allegedly very cursed murder car) A famous British "ghost car" crash The ghost in the back seat (Blake's research) The Hairy HandsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Oct 16, 2023 • 41min
S03E03 - UFOs over Italy with Massimo Polidoro
We're joined by psychologist, writer, journalist, television personality, and co-founder and executive director of the Italian Committee for the Investigation of Claims of the Pseudosciences (CICAP), Massimo Polidoro to discuss the 1954 Florence "Soccer" mass sighting of UFOs. BBC article: “The day UFOs stopped play” The unlikely story that this case inspired David Bowie Pwdre Ser (Star Jelly)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Oct 9, 2023 • 39min
S03E02 - Parapsychology with Chris French
Chris French joins us to talk about his career, his upcoming book, and why he says that Parapsychology is not pseudoscience. Robert Morris (Parapsychology) Uncanny Tour Uncanny BBC RadioBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Oct 2, 2023 • 35min
S03E01 - IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?
Laura Krantz is back to talk about her new young-adult non-fiction book, IS ANYBODY OUT THERE? This gorgeous book is built from her research on season 2 of her podcast WILD THING. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Sep 25, 2023 • 59min
311 - S2E50 - Legends of Whitby
Christopher Klimovitz returns to talk to us more about the legends and folklore around Whitby, the town where Dracula comes to England in Bram Stoker's famous novel. Christopher previously talked with us back in #179 about folklore of the Balkans Dracula (full novel) Lych-Wake Dirge https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyke-Wake_Dirge Monty Python - Four Yorkshire Men Whitby's Connection to Dracula The Night Frankenstein was Born The Wreck of the Dmitry (inspiration for The Demeter in Dracula)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Sep 18, 2023 • 29min
310 - S02E49 - Georgia Cryptids Part 2
A continuation of our look at Georgia Cryptids, excerpted from a DragonCon 2023 presentation. In this episode we take a deeper look at Altie, plus discuss Bigfoot, Aliens, and Hogzilla. 2011 Creative Loafing story featuring Blake Smith & Rick Spears Hogzilla and other giant pigs Georgia Martian Moon Monkey Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Sep 11, 2023 • 33min
S02E48 - 309 - The Case of the Georgia Werewolf
Did a European-trained Werewolf haunt late 1800's Georgia? Blake and Karen discuss the case of the Georgia Werewolf. Sheep Ranching in Georgia Red Wolf range today (and historically) Grave of the GA Werewolf (Don't legend trip here - it's private land) Ghostly re-telling of the Emily Burt story Same story - from Week in Weird Georgia Ghosts by Nancy Roberts(affiliate Link) Nancy Roberts Amazon author page(affiliate Link) The Kennesaw House (allegedly haunted location in Marietta, GA) 2017 film loosely based on this story - LYCAN (affiliate Link)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.