Monstertalk

This is part two of our two part look at Dragons and how these mythical beasts are being used to promote Creationism. Our guest is Dr. Philip Senter and he's the author of a new book about this topic.  We use the word bullsh!t a lot in this episode so I slapped an explicit tag on - but I don't think it's too explicit otherwise. Get Dr. Senter's book here: The Real Story of Dinosaurs and DragonsNews story about Mokele Mbembe being compromised by CreationistsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

This is part one of our two part look at Dragons and how these mythical beasts are being used to promote Creationism. Our guest is Dr. Philip Senter and he's the author of a new book about this topic.Get Dr. Senter's book here: The Real Story of Dinosaurs and DragonsRead more about "The Dragon of Bologna"Another Book about fake historical zoological specimens The National Center for Science Education has long been a source for how to take action to combat the injection of Creationist material into public education.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Matt & Karen went out for a little getaway weekend to Victor, Colorado and ended up investigating the allegedly haunted Victor Hotel. Did Eddie die in the hotel elevator? Was Matt caught in embarrassing circumstances? Find out inside!The show notes here won't show the images so you'll need to hop over to our episode webpage to see them.https://www.monstertalk.org/s04e28-the-victor-hotel-ghost/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

We're excited to welcome back Peter Bebergal. This time we're talking about mysticism and dybbuks. Be sure and check out the links below including the upcoming talk Peter is giving April 14th for The Last Tuesday Society.Peter on Jewish Boston podcastAll the Haunts Be Ours (affiliate link) 15-Disk Horror CollectionThe Ibbur from Jewish mysticismPeter will be talking monster culture for The Last Tuesday Society on April 14th at 3 pm ET - check it outGrab all of Peter's Books at Amazon and support this show!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

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 CentreIn 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-MedievalEleanor's book The Once and Future SexThe 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 SocietyArticle: “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 CreaturesArchive episodes with JoeThe sourtoe cocktailBecome 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 KarenIn Research Of… The Lost Colony - Blake & Jeb Card discuss the In Search Of… episode about Roanoke.Eclectic Shopping options in Manitou SpringsThe history of Manitou SpringsThe Cave of the Winds (Official Site)The Manitou (1978 film)Manitou - the spiritBecome 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 profileLegend of MomotaroSome 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 WordBecome 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:

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 QuébecAlso to his blog: Curieuse Nouvelle FranceAnd 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?The Skeptics Dictionary: Arthur FordBecome 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_Chickamaugahttps://www.greeneyesfestival.com/Phil's Primetime PizzaBecome 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)PukwudgieMaushopDighton RockLarry Kusche Obituary and his Wiki PageMore with Andy Driscoll:The Old Colony Cast (YouTube) or Apple PodcastsBecome 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. -BBecome 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:  LINKLaura's other writings (affiliate LINK)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.