The StickyBeak

Monika O'Hanlon

In this weekly series, journalist Monika O'Hanlon speaks with extraordinary people and delves into interesting topics and historical events. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. He Spent 30,000 Hours in Virtual Reality — Is This the Future of Love?

    7 HRS AGO

    He Spent 30,000 Hours in Virtual Reality — Is This the Future of Love?

    Virtual reality isn’t just for gaming anymore—it’s transforming the way we live, connect, and even love. In this episode of The StickyBeak, I explore how VR is blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds in ways we never imagined. Virtual reality isn’t just for gaming anymore. It’s changing how we socialise, form relationships, experience intimacy — and even how some people live their entire lives. In this episode of The StickyBeak, we explore what happens when the lines between the physical world and the digital world start to blur. First, I speak with Starh, a virtual reality enthusiast who has spent more than 30,000 hours inside VR over the past seven years. He doesn’t just game in VR — he socialises, builds relationships, and even sleeps there. For him, virtual reality isn’t an escape from real life — it is real life. We talk about VRChat, digital identity, online relationships, and what happens when your primary community exists in a headset. Then, I sit down with Philipp Fussenegger, founder of Cybrothel — the world’s first AI brothel. We discuss how virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and immersive technology are reshaping the sex industry, redefining companionship, and challenging our ideas about intimacy and connection in a digital age. Is virtual reality enhancing human connection — or replacing it? Are VR relationships real relationships? And what does the future of love and sex look like in the metaverse? This episode dives deep into virtual reality relationships, digital intimacy, AI companionship, and the future of human connection. Thank you so much to Starh and Philipp for sharing their experiences. You can follow Philipp on Instagram @philipp_fussenegger Check out Cybrothel on Instagram @cybrothel 🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week! Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜 Got an Idea for the Podcast? I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message. EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast TIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcast FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  2. The Castrati: The Dark Secret Behind Opera’s Most Extraordinary Voices

    31 MAR

    The Castrati: The Dark Secret Behind Opera’s Most Extraordinary Voices

    For centuries, Europe’s most celebrated opera singers had voices that sounded almost supernatural — powerful, soaring, and unlike anything audiences had ever heard before. They were known as the castrati. From the sacred choirs of the Vatican to the grand opera houses of Europe, these singers became some of the biggest celebrities of the 17th and 18th centuries. Kings invited them to royal courts. Fans travelled across countries just to hear them perform. Some became astonishingly wealthy and famous. But behind those extraordinary voices was a secret far darker than most audiences realised. In this episode of The StickyBeak, Monika O’Hanlon explores the strange and unsettling history of the castrati — how the practice began in Renaissance Italy, why thousands of boys were drawn into the system, and how a handful rose to become global superstars like Farinelli. You’ll also hear about the last surviving castrato, Alessandro Moreschi, whose early 1900s recordings remain the only surviving example of what these voices actually sounded like. It’s a story about music, fame, ambition… and the uncomfortable lengths societies will sometimes go to in pursuit of beauty. This episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown. https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/ 🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week! Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜 Got an Idea for the Podcast? I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message. EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast TIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcast FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  3. The “Lesbian Vampire Killer”: The Murder That Shocked Australia

    24 MAR

    The “Lesbian Vampire Killer”: The Murder That Shocked Australia

    In October 1989, a brutal killing on the banks of the Brisbane River shocked Queensland. Within days, newspapers around the world were running the same chilling headline: “The Lesbian Vampire Killer.” But how did a tragic crime become a global media sensation? In this episode of The StickyBeak, Monika O’Hanlon revisits the infamous case of Tracey Wigginton and the murder of Edward Baldock — exploring the events of that night, the rumours that followed, and the headlines that turned a shocking crime into one of Australia’s most sensationalised stories. This episode looks beyond the label to examine how media narratives can shape public perception — and how some headlines take on a life of their own. Listener discretion advised. This episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown. https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/ 🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week! Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜 Got an Idea for the Podcast? I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message. EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast TIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcast FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  4. Crop Circles: Aliens, Hoaxes… or Proof We’re Not Alone?

    17 MAR

    Crop Circles: Aliens, Hoaxes… or Proof We’re Not Alone?

    Crop circles have appeared overnight for decades — vast geometric patterns pressed into fields, from rural England to regional Australia. Perfect spirals. Massive fractals. Designs so precise they seem almost impossible. Are they proof of alien life? Elaborate hoaxes? Or something far more human? In this episode of The StickyBeak, Mon explores the UFO sightings, the famous Stonehenge formation that stunned the world, and the quiet confessions that changed everything. Because even if crop circles are made by human hands… the mystery surrounding them refuses to disappear. Aliens, hoaxers, mass belief — and the enduring question: are we alone? This episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown. https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/ 🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week! Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜 Got an Idea for the Podcast? I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message. EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast TIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcast FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    19 min
  5. Isadora Duncan: The Tragic Life of a Dance Pioneer

    10 MAR

    Isadora Duncan: The Tragic Life of a Dance Pioneer

    Isadora Duncan changed the world of dance forever. Revered as the mother of modern dance, Isadora Duncan rejected rigid ballet tradition and created a radical new style built on freedom, emotion, and natural movement. She became an international sensation — admired, criticized, and endlessly talked about. But behind the fame was a life marked by heartbreak, scandal, controversy, and profound personal tragedy. In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life of Isadora Duncan — from her rise to global stardom to the deeply personal losses that shaped her art. And we examine the shocking final chapter that cemented her place in history. This is the tragic life of a dance pioneer — and the night that changed everything. A HUGE thank you to listener James for requesting this episode. Check out his IG here: @jstrakertroublemaker This episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown. https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/ 🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week! Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜 Got an Idea for the Podcast? I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message. EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast TIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcast FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  6. The 27 Club: Why Do Icons Keep Dying at 27?

    3 MAR

    The 27 Club: Why Do Icons Keep Dying at 27?

    The 27 Club has fascinated the world for decades. Why did icons like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and Brian Jones all die at 27? Coincidence — or something more? In this episode, we unpack the origins of the 27 Club and separate fact from folklore. From the white lighter myth to Saturn return astrology, from crossroads legends to Illuminati and ritual sacrifice claims — where did these theories come from, and do they hold up? We also explore the role of fame, addiction, industry pressure and the psychology behind why we’re so drawn to this number. Is the 27 Club real — or is it a story we’ve built around tragedy? Listen now and decide for yourself. This episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown. https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/ 🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week! Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜 Got an Idea for the Podcast? I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message. EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast TIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcast FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  7. She Fell in Love With a Roller Coaster

    24 FEB

    She Fell in Love With a Roller Coaster

    What does it mean to fall in love with an object? In this episode of The StickyBeak, we explore objectophilia — a rare and often misunderstood orientation where people form deep romantic relationships with objects. From the woman who married the Berlin Wall to a modern-day objectophile in a committed relationship with a roller coaster, this documentary-style episode unpacks love, attachment, psychology, and stigma. Is it fetish? Is it identity? Or is it something more complex? A curious, nuanced look at one of the most unusual love stories you’ve never fully understood. Thank you so much to GaLooping for sharing her experiences. You can find her on Instagram here: @gigantischpropeller Listen to her music on Suno here: @galooping1 This episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown. https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/ 🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week! Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜 Got an Idea for the Podcast? I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message. EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast TIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcast FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  8. Take a Date With Me — Your Interactive Podcast Adventure

    17 FEB

    Take a Date With Me — Your Interactive Podcast Adventure

    Go behind the scenes of The StickyBeak in this wild, interactive podcast episode! I’m revisiting the craziest, funniest, and most jaw-dropping moments from past shows, answering your burning listener questions, and sharing the weirdest, most unexpected stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Perfect for fans of interactive, hilarious, and unforgettable podcasts! This episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown. https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/ 🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week! Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜 Got an Idea for the Podcast? I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message. EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast TIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcast FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
73 Ratings

About

In this weekly series, journalist Monika O'Hanlon speaks with extraordinary people and delves into interesting topics and historical events. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Monika O'Hanlon
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    132
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2020, Monika O'Hanlon, All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    The StickyBeak

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