MonsterTalk

4.8 (147)
NATURAL SCIENCES
UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

2 DAYS AGO

S04E08 CryptidCon 20244

Thanks to your generous support I was able to make it to CryptidCon 2024 and this is a chat with Karen and me, reporting on day one. I'll be heading out later today for the five and a half hour drive back home but this has been delightful and you're sure to hear more from the connections I made and the ideas I heard while immersing myself in the cryptid community once more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

43 min
5 DAYS AGO

GoFundMe - Van Repair Emergency

I'm sorry to come to you with hat in hand, but our family vehicle's water pump just went out a day before I was to head up to Kentucky to go to CryptidCon. If just 10% of our listeners would donate $1 it would absolutely cover this repair and restore my confidence in heading out of town. I hate to ask but I don't know any other way to come up with the money on such short notice. So if you enjoy the show and want to hear more cryptid content in particular, please check the show notes and consider giving a buck or two to help me get our family vehicle repaired. Thanks so much for ANY consideration you give this request. https://gofund.me/95e85c4a Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

1 min
18 NOV

S04E07 Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose

Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss the 2023 film Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose, based on the story of Gef, the talking mongoose at the heart of the story. Visit our original coverage of Gef in episode #67 Watch the film (Amazon affiliate link) A list of the clever things a mongoose might say... The Haunting of Alma Fielding - a recent book about Nandor Fodor's investigation of an alleged psychic (Affiliate Link) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

46 min
11 NOV

S04E06 Griffinology

We're joined by author and professor Anne McClannan to discuss her new book Griffinology. These monsters are visually easily recognized - but how much do you know about their history? Links: Griffinology is available directly from University of Chicago Press. Coupon code UCPNEW is good through Dec 2024 for 30% off - which brings the price down to $28 off its regular cover price of $40! Griffins (wikipedia) Here is a link to some Griffins in ancient artwork. The artwork in Griffinology is a stunning and impressive selection of such examples. PopSci article on plausibility of Griffin/Fossil Connection Additional: The Leucrotta (per Reddit) The same beast per D&D Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

43 min
4 NOV

S04E05 Real Vampires with Joe Laycock

We managed to catch up with Joe Laycock for ONE MORE VAMPIRE EPISODE! This time we're having a look at the world of people who believe they are really vampires. Some drink blood, some drink energy, most embrace vampire gaming. Joe wrote Vampires Today: The Truth About Modern Vampirism In fact, Joe has written a lot of books that will be of interest to you guys! And I'm so excited about Joe's current research - which you'll hear about at the end. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

43 min
28 OCT

S04E04 (EXPLICIT) MonsterTalk Live Halloween 2024 - Vampires in Media

Blake and Karen are joined again by Matt Baxter to talk about vampires in books, film, tv, and comics! This episode is EXPLICIT and contains adult language. We talk about a ton of topics in this one and too many shows and movies to list - but I'll try and post a list when I get time to all the things referenced over at this episode's page on MonsterTalk.org - Thanks for your patience! You can watch this video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vBNyYz6y0M Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

1h 7m
21 OCT

S04E03 - Jiangshi - "Hopping Vampires?"

We’re joined by researcher Katarzyna “Kasia” Ancuta to learn more about the Chinese creature known as the Jiangshi – but more famous in the West as “Hopping Vampires.” It turns out that their history is being complicated by their appearances in pop-culture! Jiangshi Movies: (affiliate links) Encounters of the Spooky Kind Mr. Vampire Rigor Mortis The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires Additional Reading: The Hun and Po soul Scared Stiff: Jiangshi and Chinese Vampires – from the Palgrave Handbook of Vampires Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling (wiki) The Shibian (The Animated Corpse) by Pu Songling (project gutenberg) Penanggal (pen-nan-gal) Manananggal (Mana nan gal) Pop (Thai Ghost) – wiki Krasue (Thai version of Manananggal) “pop krasue” in episode audio – sounds like “pi-krasue” Previous Episodes Related: Chinese Ghosts Mr. Vampire is available on DVD and Blu-Ray now, but you might have to track down an import. Or you can watch it streaming on The Criterion Channel. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

53 min
14 OCT

S04E02 The Pathologies of Vampirism with Dr. Brian Sharpless

We're delighted to have Brian Sharpless (Monsters on the Couch) back with us to discuss some of the Psychology elements of vampirism, as well as some of his favorite historical cases. Be sure and grab his book if you're at all interested in the intersection of monsters and Psychology. Show Notes: Monsters on the Couch Renfield Syndrome (wikipedia) 2005 Romanian Vampire case (The Guardian) Richard Chase - Serial Killer (wikipedia) Mercy Brown vampire case (wikipedia) Vlad the Impaler (wikipedia) Example of Vlad's violence on the Turks (wikipedia) Elizabeth Bathory (wikipedia) Hungarian Ghoulish - MT 235 Be sure and check out Karen's new book Bitch: The Journey of a Word from Cambridge University Press! Our show uses Amazon affiliate links to help raise funds to support our research and outreach. Title card image courtesy Brian Sharpless - walkway where alleged vampire Jure Grando was most likely buried Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

45 min

See All (415)

TRAILER

Introducing: On The Offensive

Karen's latest book is available at Amazon and wherever books are sold. Support MonsterTalk by using the affiliate ad link: bit dot ly forward-slash OnTheOffensive Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

22/10/2020

•

2 min

4.8

out of 5

147 Ratings

A Must-Listen Show

15 Jan

KRS_Sven

Simply a must-listen for any fans of monsters, cryptids and bizarre stories as well as the empirical evidence that surrounds them. Any discussion of these topics needs to happen through a lens of reason while also embracing the fact that we often want things to be real that we know are (or probably are) myth.
Monster Talk

12/02/2021

Gary_1969

I love this show! Blake and Karen are great. An absolute must listen for fans of the weird and wonderful. And puns!
not bad

08/05/2023

dialectic coma

interesting show but brought down a bit by frequent ads, short length and inconsistent audio quality. worth a listen, room for improvement, hosts both seem nice
Can be nice

21/05/2021

MaryH1nge

Yes

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.