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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.
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19 JAN 2026 · In this episode we talk with https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/english/staff-profiles/listing/profile/amv/ about her fascinating look at the history of ghost hunting and psychical research, from the late 19th century to today.
https://amzn.to/4qXfDbl
https://amzn.to/3Np23iE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostwatch (wikipedia) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/s03e35-104982677
https://www.spr.ac.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Haunted
http://www.harrypricewebsite.co.uk/Borley/PriceatBorley/HBR/hbr-contents.htm - the text of this critical book appears to be on the Harry Price website. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Supporters Club
Explicit
Transcribed
19 JAN 2026 · This is an experiment! I'm trying to see if I can post commercial free versions of the show exclusively for Supporters Club. Please bear with me as I give this a try.
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In this episode we talk with https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/english/staff-profiles/listing/profile/amv/ about her fascinating look at the history of ghost hunting and psychical research, from the late 19th century to today.
https://amzn.to/4qXfDbl
https://amzn.to/3Np23iE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostwatch (wikipedia) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/s03e35-104982677
https://www.spr.ac.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Haunted
http://www.harrypricewebsite.co.uk/Borley/PriceatBorley/HBR/hbr-contents.htm - the text of this critical book appears to be on the Harry Price website. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Transcribed
12 JAN 2026 · Blake and Karen discuss the legendary photo said to capture 19th century cowboys or soldiers with a giant bird or pterosaur.
SHOW NOTE LINKS:
The original https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn95060905/1890-04-26/ed-1/?sp=3&r=0.619,0.248,0.383,0.413,0 about the winged creature
Karl Shuker's https://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2021/01/elucidating-two-civil-war-pterodactyl.html https://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2014/11/seeking-missing-thunderbird-photograph.html https://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2020/10/exposing-truly-batty-example-of-fake.html on the Thunderbird Photo and wrote a https://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2020/10/when-i-interviewed-mark-chorvinsky.html, author of a http://www.strangemag.com/strangemag/strange21/thunderbird21/thunderbird1_21.htmlhttp://www.strangemag.com/strangemag/strange21/thunderbird21/thunderbird1_21.htmlhttp://www.strangemag.com/strangemag/strange21/thunderbird21/thunderbird1_21.html about the Thunderbird photo.
Ivan T. Sanderson figures into the story prominently. https://thunderbirdphoto.com/f/the-ivan-t-sanderson-files-origin-of-the-thunderbird-photo
I think all the researchers - the serious researchers - are converging on the "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_memory" hypothesis to explain this story.
However, https://www.reddit.com/r/Cryptozoology/comments/11fom00/the_thunderbird_photo_is_a_lost_photograph/ about the photo https://www.reddit.com/r/Cryptozoology/comments/1kxu82j/the_thunderbird_photo_isnt_lost_mediait_simply/#lightbox.
Some of the online photos were promotional photos for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreakyLinks TV show. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Transcribed
5 JAN 2026 · We talk with https://www.lanahallwrites.com/aboutabout her piece https://hazlitt.net/longreads/dead-mall-societyhttps://hazlitt.net/longreads/dead-mall-society which details her journey to decaying malls in the Toronto area in search of Liminal Spaces.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liminality
https://faculty.trinity.edu/mbrown/whatisreligion/PDF%20readings/TurnerVictor-%20Liminality%20and%20Communitas.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.theliminalityproject.org/the-liminality-primer/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liminal_space_%28aesthetic%29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Backroomshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Backroomshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Backrooms Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Transcribed
29 DEC 2025 · Friend of the show Dr. Joe Laycock returns to talk about LIZARD PEOPLE with us. He also has a new book: The Penguin Book of Cults
Joe's Books:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771266/the-penguin-book-of-cults-by-edited-by-joseph-p-laycock/ (publisher) (https://amzn.to/4jpliVe)
https://amzn.to/4q17vGT (affiliate link)
Other topics of discussion:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shadow_Kingdom
https://brotherhoodofthewhitetemple.com/
https://www.monstertalk.org/flashback-shaver-mysteries-super-cut/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kull_the_Conqueror
https://darkshadows.fandom.com/wiki/Leviathan
https://kotharianlightning.ca/2022/07/24/a-naga-ordained/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpent_Men
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aum_Shinrikyo
https://skeptoid.com/episodes/531
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlXBB1EYkTwYYT7nCd6tK9hWlWuEp7uIx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_(1983_miniseries) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Transcribed
22 DEC 2025 · It took a minute but I finally managed to read one of these "live" to my own family for the holidays. This is such an evocative story that I wanted to add a little art to the mix. I really want to put together a slow but detailed "animated gif" that goes through the cycles of the print as described in the tale - and maybe I'll get around to that at some point.
But for now here is some really nice artwork that captures the ideas of the tale in gothic majesty.
This piece is by Catherine Gogerty. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CGxuefwnaiT/)
In 1986, the BBC ran a series featuring Robert Powell reading ghost stories. The episode featuring The Mezzotint included creepy illustrations such as this:
I've been unable to track that series down, but the illustration is quite chilling. Artist Richard Svensson produced this remarkable and evocative work - https://www.lulu.com/shop/richard-svensson/spectres-of-m-r-james/paperback/product-22300580.html?page=1&pageSize=4. Some previews from that set look really great https://www.deviantart.com/tomb-of-nephren-ka/journal/M-R-James-Book-552999269.
Finally - UK artist Rich Johnson has https://www.richjohnson.co.uk/drawing/mr-james that generally aspire to haunt without beating you over the head with explicitness. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Transcribed
15 DEC 2025 · Blake and Karen visit again with Colorado author of paranormal and true crime, Richard Estep. https://amzn.to/48CR1yj
discussed in this episode:
https://amzn.to/4582Lqe
https://amzn.to/4582Lqe
https://amzn.to/3Ytalbk
https://amzn.to/4q72MTB (pre-order for Feb 2026 Richard's memoir of being a paramedic)
https://amzn.to/4q8ImcS (pre-order March 2026)
Additional Links:https://amzn.to/48U0HDF (affiliate)
https://amzn.to/3MxuDOp by Sean O'Connor (affiliate)
https://amzn.to/4oZapdVbook that Karen remembered from her youth
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002p1v6 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Transcribed
8 DEC 2025 · Episode Summary: In this episode, hosts Blake Smith and Dr. Karen Stollznow catch up on recent headlines and new literature. First, Blake discusses a "ripped from the headlines" update regarding the 2014 Slender Man stabbing case. We revisit the tragic story of Morgan Geyser, her recent escape from a halfway house, and the media’s handling of the mental health and transgender aspects of the story.
Later, Karen reviews a pre-publication copy of the upcoming book https://www.spr.ac.uk/HauntedHouse by Caitlin Blackwell Baines. Does the book provide a blueprint for creating ghosts, or is it a cultural tour of famous haunts? Karen breaks down the architectural history, the folklore, and where the book lands on the spectrum of skepticism.
Key Topics
• Shout-outs for the Cryptid and Godzilla Advent calendars.
• Slenderman Segment:
• Recap of the 2014 Waukesha stabbing (https://www.monstertalk.org/086-slenderman-tulpas/).
• Morgan Geyser’s conditional release and subsequent escape attempt.
• A critical look at the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison%E2%80%93industrial_complex, mental health care in the US, and the current moral panic surrounding transgender individuals in media coverage.
• Book Review Segment: https://www.spr.ac.uk/HauntedHouse (Coming April 2026).
• A review of the book for the Society for Psychical Research (SPR).
• Analysis of the Myrtles Plantation, Borley Rectory, and the Winchester Mystery House. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Transcribed
2 DEC 2025 · FLASHBACKWe're looking back at October 5, 2011 this week and an interview with https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/parksville-bc/valerius-geist-11961662(February 2, 1938 – July 6, 2021) about the myths and reality of wolves. How dangerous are they? There's complexity and nuance here. Some people fiercely believe wolves are just peaceful misunderstood beautiful animals that would not hurt a person. Others believe they're fierce and dangerous predators. Internet debates will happen but history - and Valerius Geist - suggest using extreme caution if you find yourself in close proximity to these beautiful predators in the wild. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoNfBRF1P7E
----FLASHBACK----
ON NOVEMBER 8, 2005 Canadian geological engineering student Kenton Carnegie went for a walk. He told people that he’d be back by 5 pm. When he hadn’t returned by 7 pm, a search party went out and discovered his remains in the woods. In this episode of Monstertalk (a follow-up to https://www.monstertalk.org/041-the-big-bad-wolf/), we interview professor Valerius Geist about the true cause of Kenton Carnegie’s death. Some people thought he was killed by a bear, but more likely he was killed by a myth.Todd Svarckopf confronting a habituated wolf, four days before the Kenton Joel Carnegie wolf attack. (Photo by Chris van Gelder at North Point Landing Saskatchewan)Further Reading
- https://web.archive.org/web/20120301085745/http://rliv.com/wolf/GeistWhenDangerous.pdf (by Valerius Geist)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenton_Joel_Carnegie_wolf_attack
Music
- https://www.amazon.com/Our-Breath-Shall-Intermix/dp/B0011D1NK6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1317782860&sr=1-1 by Symbion Project (used with permission)
- https://www.amazon.com/Le-Fe%CC%81tichisme-Dans-Lamour/dp/B0012O7S6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1317778525&sr=1-1 by Symbion Project (used with permission)
Monstertalk Theme: Monster by Peach Stealing Monkeys Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Transcribed
24 NOV 2025 · We're joined by Sydney Davidson - student of Dr. Jeb Card (https://patreon.com/inresearchof) - to discuss her research into Frogmen Festivals, and to discuss monster festivals and some of the reasons people report they attend. (And it's not all about the plushies and t-shirts.)
https://tetzoo.com/blog/2020/1/12/lore-of-the-loveland-frog
https://www.monstertalk.org/s03e31-the-myth-of-disenchantment/
https://frogmanfestival.org/
https://amzn.to/48c0dZ1 (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.
Supporters Club
Explicit
Transcribed
19 JAN 2026 · This is an experiment! I'm trying to see if I can post commercial free versions of the show exclusively for Supporters Club. Please bear with me as I give this a try.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this episode we talk with https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/english/staff-profiles/listing/profile/amv/ about her fascinating look at the history of ghost hunting and psychical research, from the late 19th century to today.
https://amzn.to/4qXfDbl
https://amzn.to/3Np23iE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostwatch (wikipedia) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/s03e35-104982677
https://www.spr.ac.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Haunted
http://www.harrypricewebsite.co.uk/Borley/PriceatBorley/HBR/hbr-contents.htm - the text of this critical book appears to be on the Harry Price website. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
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.
Information
| Author | Blake Smith |
| Organization | Blake Smith |
| Categories | Science , Natural Sciences , Society & Culture |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| doctoratlantis@gmail.com |
Copyright 2026 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company
