MonsterTalk

We're delighted to get to talk with Adrian Shine, who has worked for decades to raise awareness about Loch Ness and investigated the legendary creature said to inhabit the dark waters of that deep Scottish lake. He's written a new book about Sea Monsters and their connection to the Loch Ness Mystery which releases April 1st, 2025. A Natural History of Sea Monsters (affiliate link) The Loch Ness Centre In the intro you hear a clip of IN SEARCH OF from S01E20 - which features a young Adrian. Check out In Research Of's coverage with guest Daniel Loxton here. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

We're back with part 2 of our interview with Dr. Eleanor Janega to discuss Demons in Medieval Europe - and a lot of that has to do with sexy sex. So… another EXPLICIT tag! Eleanor's Blog Going-Medieval Eleanor's book The Once and Future Sex The Apocalypse Tapestry of Angers (The Guardian) The Apocalypse Tapestry (Wikipedia) YouTube videos with Eleanor Monty Summers translation of the Malleus Maleficarum (AMZ affiliate link) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

We're joined by the engaging historian Dr. Eleanor Janega to talk about how the people of Europe considered demonic sex during the medieval period of history. This episode is in two parts, and both are explicit. Presenter on the History Hit channel - https://www.historyhit.com/ Blog - https://going-medieval.com/ Medievalist, author, blogs about medieval history, pop culture, and swearing Author of: The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society Article: “On sex with demons” - https://going-medieval.com/2020/07/30/on-sex-with-demons/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

A brief remembrance of our friend, Joe Nickell. (December 1, 1944 – March 4, 2025) Joe Nickell's extraordinary life came to an end on Tuesday, March 4th and we're posting this brief remembrance this week instead of our regular episode. Check out Joe's many "personas." The Science of Monsters: Tracking the Real-Life Creatures Archive episodes with Joe The sourtoe cocktail Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

We're joined by Allison Jornlin (paranormalwomen.com) to talk about the footprint of women in the field of parapsychology and paranormal investigation. We most recently talked with Allison during "the dark times" on our COVID-era MonsterTalk Live series. She also covered the Chicago Mothman flap with us back in 2018! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Is the cave of the winds near Manitou Springs, CO HAUNTED!? Matt Baxter has investigated and he joins us to talk about what he found. Related Links: Spooky Science Sisters - Roanoke episode with Karen In Research Of… The Lost Colony - Blake & Jeb Card discuss the In Search Of… episode about Roanoke. Eclectic Shopping options in Manitou Springs The history of Manitou Springs The Cave of the Winds (Official Site) The Manitou (1978 film) Manitou - the spirit Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

We're joined by Dr. Justin Mullis to get a better understanding of the incredibly lore-dense anime series Dan Da Dan. Justin's academia profile Legend of Momotaro Some links recommended by Justin: This is a really good video about the history of the Flatwoods Monster in Japanese video games. Highly recommended. This is the Religious Dispatches article about koro. Here's the Japan Today interview with the current editor of MU magazine.And here's the MU magazine article I mentioned about Turbo Granny (in Japanese). The book on Japanese mountain witches I mentioned. And here's an article by Japanese folklorist and manga translator Zack Davisson on Dandadan. Additional: Dan Da Dan (Netflix) Karen's book Missed Conceptions is mentioned in the episode - get it here. And her latest book too: Bitch: The Journey of a Word Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

As Valentine's day bears down upon us, we turn to the monsters whose origins lie in passion, betrayal, and tragedy. If love is the strongest human emotion, surely rage at betrayal is its nightmarish mirror - and such emotions are embodied in a variety of creatures around the world and throughout history. Content Warning - this episode contains stories of child death, suicide, murder, and other unplesantness. And also some discussion of candy. So there's that. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Cemeteries Cleaning and Grave Rubbing - Karen and Blake are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss the ethics and best practices around maintaining and preserving graveyards. Links for Grave Rubbers from CyberSpace: The article that inspired this conversation (via The Conversation) Ken Feder (friend of the show and emeritus professor of archaeology) sent along this helpful article about grave preservation. The woman with the pink foam (Kaeli Mae McEwen - aka "Clean Girl") has a site where she sells the stuff. In Atlanta - at historic Oakland Cemetery - they have community cleaning projects. They list this under an article titled "Pro Team Field Notes on Scrubbing the Surface" Thoughts on Grave Rubbing from a blogger. Additional Links: Since we mentioned The Conversation, by coincidence Jeb Card got interviewed about his paranormal course at University of Ohio - check it! Karen's book Bitch: The Journey of a Word is out now - grab a copy! (affiliate link) Don't forget to grab a copy of Joe Nickell's The Science of Monsters: Tracking the Real-Life Creatures - every sale helps MonsterTalk! (affiliate link) And if you want to meet me at sea in the Bermuda Triangle, sign up for the Skeptoid Adventure - there's still a few cabins left! (as of 2/1/2025) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

This week we're welcoming back historian Dr Joseph Gagne to tell us about a ghost story that straddles North America and Scotland. He was last with us to tell us about the legend of La Corriveau in episode 181. Appearances of the Dead: A Cultural History of Ghosts by Ronald C. Finucane - mentioned by Joseph as his introduction to this story. This is an affiliate link and the book is out of print, so be advised it's PRICEY. But wait! You can read it for free at Archive.org. Joseph asked me to be sure and share links to: Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales Du Québec Also to his blog: Curieuse Nouvelle France And of course the official site of Fort Ticonderoga Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Today we're discussing the strange story of The Houdini Seance and Arthur Ford the Spiritualist. The last Houdini Seance (1936) - Audio + Story Bess Houdini Arthur Ford - Spiritualist Arthur Ford - Obituary The Houdini Code The Bishop James Pike Was Pike Seance Hoax? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

In the mountains of North Georgia on a spooky civil war battlefield there is a legend of a green eyed monster. This is not that story. This is the story of the new festival set up to commemorate the monster, but also bring people and revenue to this rural southern town. We'll be talking with Nate Tucker and Dillan Whisenant about their experience kicking off the first Green Eyes Festival of Chicamauga, Georgia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chickamauga https://www.greeneyesfestival.com/ Phil's Primetime Pizza Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

This is the audio from our 2024 livestream (http://youtube.com/monstertalk). If you saw that live, this is the same audio without the moving picture bits. If you didn't see it but want to see our mugs waggin' synchronously to our voices, you can find this particular episode here. Otherwise - happy new year! We'll be back next week talking about how to make a successful monster festival with some guys who just did it for the Green Eyes Festival. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

We're joined by fellow podcaster and friend of the show, Andy Driscoll, to introduce a peculiar region in Massachusetts said to be home to concentrated high strangeness. We'll definitely be coming back to deep dive in these swamps for more details on particular claims but Andy gives us a great "hometown" introduction to this fascinating area. Video Segment with Jeff Bellanger introducing the topic (CBS News) The popular podcast Lore's coverage during their first season (2015) Pukwudgie Maushop Dighton Rock Larry Kusche Obituary and his Wiki Page More with Andy Driscoll: The Old Colony Cast (YouTube) or Apple Podcasts Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

One of the most "Christmas Ghost Story" ghost stories for Christmas that I've ever come across. Smee tells of a night of holiday revelry turned chilling and mysterious by the appearance of an unexpected attendee at the festivities. You can read along with the ebook by purchasing it here. (affiliate Link) Read more about A. M. Burrage if you like. (Wikipedia) Art for this episode is by one of my progeny. -B Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

We're excited to have Laura Krantz back to talk about her latest book - a youth-focused look at how to distinguish between magical and scientific thinking: Do You Believe in Magic? Laura's very entertaining and informative podcasts: LINK Laura's other writings (affiliate LINK) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

An interview with writer, researcher and podcaster Aaron Gulyas - host of the UFO themed history podcast The Saucer Life. Gulyas is also the author of many books (affiliate link) including some likely to be of particular interest to MT listeners: Extraterrestrials and the American Zeitgeist: Alien Contact Tales Since the 1950s Conspiracy Theories: The Roots, Themes and Propagation of Paranoid Political and Cultural Narratives ----- If you like the 1970s In Search Of... why not check out our sister show In reSearch Of... Blake (and his wife Kathleen) will be participating in the 2025 "Skeptoid Bermuda Triangle Adventure" - details here if you want to come along and explore Robert the Doll, the Bimini Wall, or to look for the missing planes of Flight 19... Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

We welcome back Chris Woodyard to discuss the very odd story of the Wollaton Gnomes - a 1979 reported sighting of little men in little cars by a group of children in a British park. Chris & Simon's podcast Boggarts & Banshees (Apple Podcasts) Transcript of the gnome witness children's Interview (courtesy Simon Young) Wollaton Hall (wiki) Blog by Frank Earp, who claims to have investigated the gnomes contemporary to the events. Laughing Gnome (1967) David Bowie song The Original Fairy Investigation Society (wiki) The reborn Fairy Investigation Society (facebook) Fairy Census One Fairy Census Two George Harrison's Friar Park (and gnomes) Gnomes (wiki) Garden Gnomes (wiki) Kabouter (wiki) Klabautermann (wiki) Paracelsus book about various spirits (wiki) Tom Clark Gnomes (retail site) Books (Affiliate Links): Gnomes by Wil Huygen The Wollaton Gnomes: A Nottingham Fairy Mystery by Dr. Simon Young (and others) A is for Arsenic - by Chris Woodyard Other books by Chris Woodyard ======== Got a show suggestion? Fill out this form: https://bit.ly/MTsuggestions Want to buy someone a subscription to the commercial-free Patreon version of the show? Gift Subscriptions Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

We're delighted to celebrate Thanksgiving with the return of Dr. Brian Regal. He's here to talk about a favorite monster film, and announce the release of his autobiography, The Monster from Newark. Links: The Monster From Newark (affiliate link)Would You Believe It? (affiliate link)Lucky Dragon No 5 (wiki)Castle Bravo test & "maru" ship (wiki)List of Giant Ant MoviesList of Giant Monster MoviesThe Pet (1921)The Lost World (1925)Reptilicus MST3K Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

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.