MonsterTalk - podcast cover

MonsterTalk

Blake Smithwww.spreaker.com
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.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Chaosium and the Malleus Monstrorum

In this episode, we’re talking with Mike Mason of Chaosium, the gaming company that makes the role-playing system Call of Cthulhu. Mike is here to talk about the newest version of Chaosium’s monstrous bestiary, which is called the Malleus Monstrorum, for the seventh edition of the classic game ecosystem based on the works of HP Lovecraft, and all kinds of Lovecraft-adjacent horror. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support ....

Aug 23, 20211 hr 12 min

233 - Bigfoot: America's Abominable Snowman

On July 18, 2021 the AiPT SciPhiFest Conference included a 45 min segment of my interview with author and comic-book artist Stephen R. Bissette (who is probably best known for his work on the Alan Moore run of the DC comic Swamp Thing). The interview is about Stephen's book CRYPTID CINEMA (http://bit.ly/CryptidCinema) with a special focus on the little-known touring film used by Roger Patterson to promote (and profit from) his famous alleged Bigfoot film. Become a supporter of this podcast: http...

Aug 01, 20211 hr 28 minSeason 1Ep. 233

232 - Bacteria

They're everywhere. They're inside you. You can't escape them - and can't live without them: Bacteria! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Jul 23, 20211 hr 8 minSeason 1Ep. 232

AIPT Presents SciPhi Fest 2021

The online convention starts at 10 am and I'll be participating in a couple of ways if you're interested. At noon, I've got a special interview with Stephen R. Bissette. You might know him as a key artist on Alan Moore's run of Swamp Thing in the 80s - but if you've been subscribing to BIG FOOTAGE the Patreon bonus cast, you'll know him as the author of CRYPTID CINEMA. I'll also be on at 3:30 pm with Jeb Card to discuss conspiracies and comics. https://bit.ly/SciPhiFest2021 Become a supporter of...

Jul 18, 20212 min

231 - Asian Monsters with Sapphire Sandalo

Sapphire Sandalo is the host of the web series Stories with Sapphire. She's a writer, animator, podcaster, TV personality, and part-time university instructor. Her series tells stories with distinctive music and animation and has a strong representation of many monsters, ghosts and creatures that come from Asian folklore from multiple cultures and stories submitted by her audience. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support ....

Jul 07, 202156 minSeason 1Ep. 231

230 - Otter King & Other Things

Karen and Blake are joined by the hosts of MonsterFuzz, Eamonn O'Neill and Rob Billington, to discuss monsters and folklore of Ireland. Well, that's what we were supposed to talk about but we wandered a bit because it was obvious we all loved talking about monsters. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support ....

May 31, 20211 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 230

229 - Watertown 2: Eclectic Boo-Galoo

Blake Smith has uncovered the uncropped "Watertown Ghosts" photo, lost to the public for more than fifty years, plus more discoveries about this famous alleged ghost photo. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

May 20, 202157 minSeason 1Ep. 229

228 - The Curious Case of the Creeping Coffins

Did coffins mysteriously move in a crypt in Barbados? Is there a natural explanation? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Apr 26, 20211 hr 30 minSeason 1Ep. 228

227 - Bigfoot and the Paranormal

Why are so many "weird" aspects to Bigfoot reports missing from the cryptozoology books? Authors Tim Renner and Josh Cutchins examine the hidden "high strangeness" in Bigfoot Lore. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Mar 31, 20211 hr 31 minSeason 1Ep. 227

226 - Usborne book of UFOs

We are joined by entertainer Jon Culshaw to talk about the influential children's book UFOs, (affiliate link) part of the Usborne "World of the Unknown" series that was recently reissued. Jon brings his love of the mysterious and his uncanny ability to do voice impressions as we talk about how UFOs were presented in the 1970s, the wonders of space, and - of course - Doctor Who. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support ....

Mar 20, 20211 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 226

225 - Thylacines and Pademelons

Blake and Karen are joined again by Matt Baxter to talk about the latest Thylacine claims from the TAGOA. The photos dropped last night (US Time) and sadly don't meet up with the hype - but there's still much to talk about with this story. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Mar 01, 202127 minSeason 1Ep. 225

MTL014 - DOATS: The Hills Have Eyes

deBased on a True Story continues with the Wes Craven film The Hills Have Eyes (affiliate link). Allegedly the film was inspired by the "true" story of the Scot cannibal, Sawney Bean! But is that story even true? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Mar 01, 20211 hr 4 minEp. 14

MTL013 - Strange Arrivals with Toby Ball

An interview with Toby Ball about his investigative podcast Strange Arrivals. Season one of Strange Arrivals is a deep look into the foundational UFO abduction case of Betty and Barney Hill. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Feb 15, 20211 hr 10 minEp. 13

MTL012 - Women in Paranormal Research

We were joined by paranormal investigator Allison Jornlin on 6/21/2020 for a discussion of women paranormal researchers. A lot of interesting historically significant figures are largely unknown today because they were limited by gender constraints during their time and we were happy to bring some of them to public attention by discussing Allison's research on this topic. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support ....

Feb 07, 20211 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 12

224 - Coral Castle Roundtable

Karen and Blake are joined by Mat Baxter to discuss the mysterious story of Florida's 20th Century Megalith site - Coral Castle. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Feb 01, 20211 hr 7 minSeason 1Ep. 224

MTL011 - DeBased on a True Story: The Changeling

We kick off a recurring series on the facts behind popular horror films - deBased on a True Story - with the 1980 ghost-story classic The Changeling. Blake and Karen are joined by Mat Baxter. Originally streamed as part of MonsterTalk Live 6-7-2020. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Jan 31, 20211 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 11

MTL010 - Cicada 3301 - with Jerry Drake

Do you like puzzles? Were you captivated when you heard how England used a crossword puzzle to recruit code-breakers during WWII? Then join us on this episode of MonsterTalk Live where we talked with return-guest Dr. Jerry Drake to discuss the mystery of Cicada 3301. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support ....

Jan 29, 20211 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 10

MonsterTalk end of year message - 2020

We bid farewell to 2020 and hope for a better and brighter 2021. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Dec 31, 20203 min

223 - The Loveland Frog

Ryan Haupt joins us to discuss the case of The Loveland Frog. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Dec 26, 20201 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 223

Christmas Ghost Story #008 - The Upper Berth

Blake Smith reads the Francis Marion Crawford ghost story THE UPPER BERTH. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Dec 24, 202050 minEp. 8

Wild Thing 2: Space Invaders

Blake and Karen talk with Laura Krantz, host of the podcast Wild Thing, about season two of her show which deals with UFOs, SETI, and features interviews with scientists and researchers looking into these topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Dec 14, 202049 minSeason 1Ep. 222

221 - They Are Already Here - with Sarah Scoles

Author Sarah Scoles joins us to discuss her amazing book They Are Already Here: UFO Culture and Why We See Saucers. It's a terrific ride through UFO culture and the fallout from the 2017 New York Times front-page article about the US Government Program to examine unidentified objects in the sky. AATIP, TTSA, UAPs plus Mac & Me! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support ....

Nov 29, 202047 minSeason 1Ep. 221

220 - Monster Manual

Roll for initiative as Karen and Blake discuss the history of roleplaying games and the Monster Manual with Jon Peterson. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Nov 12, 20201 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 220

219 - The Usborne book of Ghosts - Christopher Maynard

Join us for a very Halloween themed look at a book which was deeply influential on Karen and Blake. Usborne's WORLD OF THE UNKNOWN: GHOSTS authored by our very special guest, Christopher Maynard. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Oct 31, 20201 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 219

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 .

Oct 22, 20202 min

218 - Season of the Witch

Peter Bebergal returns (previously on episode #180 with his book Strange Frequencies) to discuss magic, witchcraft, and the occult and how those things impacted the world of Rock & Roll music. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Oct 19, 20201 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 218

217 - The Unidentified

Colin Dickey returns to MonsterTalk to discuss his new book "The Unidentified" which deals with fringe culture, paranormal beliefs, alternative religions and the landscape of the paranormal. Bigfoot, UFOs, Mt. Shasta, Atlantis and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Oct 11, 202059 minSeason 1Ep. 217

Sample: BigFootage - Night of the Demon

A sample of the Patreon bonus feature BigFootage. In episode 5 I discuss the Bigfoot slasher "video nasty" called Night of the Demon (1983). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Oct 02, 202011 min

216 - Invasive Species

A look at invasive species, focusing especially on the cane toad: its biology, its impact, and efforts to control it in Australia and the US. With Dr. Steven Johnson of UFL. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Sep 19, 20201 hrSeason 1Ep. 216

215 - Chinese Ghosts

We are joined by Ph.D. student Minwen Huang, who shares with us the history of the literary genre of Chinese Ghosts called Zhiguai, and how such beings (and literature) are viewed from ancient times to the present. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support .

Sep 02, 20201 hrSeason 1Ep. 215
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast