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MonsterTalk

Blake Smith
Cryptozoology
Bigfoot
Folklore
Ufos
Loch Ness Monster
Paranormal Investigation
Vampires
Witchcraft
Ghosts
Cryptids
Satanic Panic
Archaeology
Dogman
Monsters
Mosquitoes
Ghost Hunting
Anomalistic Psychology
Ghost Stories
The Black Monk Of Pontefract
Cryptidcon

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: www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes489Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural SciencesSociety & Culture

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Artwork for MonsterTalk

Latest Episodes

🎙️ Blake and Karen welcome back author and paranormal investigator Richard Estep to discuss his new book from Visible Ink Press, Monsters: Myths, Legends, and Real Encounters. Richard is a paramedic, clinical educator, and the author of more than 30... more

In Part 2 of our chat with folklorist Chris Woodyard we talk about the lore of haunted cemeteries.Find Chris on BlueSky, FaceBook, and our back catalog!Chris also partners with Dr. Simon Young on the Boggart & Banshee podcast!

Extended notes at http... more

In part 1 of our chat with folklorist Chris Woodyard, we discuss haunted roads and headless motorcycle ghosts.

Find Chris on BlueSky, FaceBook, and our back catalog!Chris also partners with Dr. Simon Young on the Boggart & Banshee podcast!

Extended ... more

We talk with Karen's friend, author and Ex-Mormon, Steve Cuno about paranormal ideas in the Mormon religion.

Steve Cuno:

Behind the Mormon Curtain: Selling Sex in America’s Holy City

“It’s Not About the Sex” My Ass: Confessions of an Ex-Mormon, E... more

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Recent Guests

Chris Woodyard
Folklorist and author specializing in ghost lore and Victorian death
Author, Haunted Ohio series
Episode: S05E26 Haunted Cemeteries
Steve Cuno
Portland-based author, columnist, and the award-winning mind behind books like Behind the Mormon Curtain, Selling Sex in America's Holy City
Author, Journalist
Episode: S05E24 - ParaMormonal Activity with Steve Cuno
Gary D. Rhodes
Filmmaker and professor of media production at Oklahoma Baptist University; expert on Bela Lugosi and early horror cinema
Oklahoma Baptist University
Episode: BONUS: Weirdumentary with Gary Rhodes
Christopher Beatty
Evolutionary ecologist; visiting scholar at Stanford University; research associate at the American Museum of Natural History
Stanford University; American Museum of Natural History
Episode: S05E21 - Dragons & Trolls of the Marsh
Christina Ward
Food historian, writer, and master food preserver
Feral House
Episode: S05E20 - Cults, Corps, and the Culinary with Christina Ward
Al Ridenour
Cultural historian, folklorist, and author known for his work on Krampus and Old World Carnival traditions.
Bone & Sickle Podcast
Episode: S05E19 A Season of Madness - Old World Carnival with Al Ridenour
Owen Davies
Historian focusing on witchcraft and magic
Episode: S05E18 - America Bewitched with Owen Davies (part 2)
Greg Skomal
Shark expert and researcher
Episode: S05E16 Greenland Sharks with Greg Skomal
Alice Vernon
British academic author and lecturer, specializing in creative writing, 19th century literature and cultural history
Bristol University
Episode: S05E15 Ghosted with Alice Vernon

Hosts

Blake Smith
Host of discussions integrating scientific perspectives with cultural narratives regarding monsters and folklore.
Karen Stollznow
Co-host and contributor exploring themes of skepticism and the human experience concerning legendary subjects.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Most insightful long running show about the weird.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    electricrain
    3 months ago
  • Excellent pod cast just finished my first listen thru of all the episodes and im starting from the start again!

    Podchaser
    5
    John Smith
    5 months ago
  • It's a science show that uses monsters

    A show that uses the lure of monsters to teach something about science.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IRateThings!MikeDropBoom!
    Canada10 months ago
  • It was a great podcast until they started getting into religious bigotry --claiming that science and religion are in opposition, when in actuality they are not.

    It's clear they have a deep bias against religion and religious people of all types. It's quite disrespectful, if not surprising. Sooner or later, all closeted bigots out themselves. This was just their turn.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    MGAC21
    a year ago
  • The most insidious hate speech...

    ...is speech masked in the guise of concern. Pretending to know the minds and motivations of the multitudes involved is hubris. No one is free of bias. When you are *certain* you are in the right, just remember that is likely what every other person believes about themselves as well. Please stick to monsters and puns, too many shows are spoiled by poorly qualified politicized opinions. Always careful to not offend anyone except people that you may not agree with, and then you call them ter... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    AdamlWard
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the podcast is recognized for its thoughtful analysis of cultural narratives surrounding monsters as well as its fun and light-hearted presentation of otherwise serious subjects.
The hosts are seen as knowledgeable and entertaining, with a strong ability to connect with guests while exploring complex topics intriguingly.
Some feedback highlights a dissonance regarding the presentation of critical views, with a small fraction expressing discomfort with how beliefs are addressed.
Listeners often commend the show's ability to integrate humor with factual discussions of paranormal phenomena, providing both entertainment and education.
Listeners appreciate the show's unique blend of skepticism and respect for folklore, emphasizing its educational value and engaging discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S05E25 - Headless Motorcyclist Ghosts
Q: Tell us a bit about why this particular type of road ghost has become so popular over the years and the decades.
Woodyard explains that headless motorcyclists tap into dramatic, solitary, heroic imagery and common road experiences, like accidents and fatal losses, which makes the legend compelling and easy to localize on specific bridges or roads. The format echoes broader folklore motifs adapted to modern transportation, helping the story endure by remaining visually striking and emotionally resonant.
BONUS: Weirdumentary with Gary Rhodes
Q: But can you talk a little bit about your other interests before we get into the weirdumentaries? You've done a lot of work on Bela Lugosi and early horror cinema.
Rhodes describes his broad scholarly and filmmaking background, bridging academic analysis with popular culture writing for outlets like USA Today and Washington Post, and explains how the field has always connected documentary aesthetics with entertainment, setting up his focus on Weirdumentary.
S05E19 A Season of Madness - Old World Carnival with Al Ridenour
Q: What role do masks play in Carnival?
Masks serve as a means of concealment and expression during Carnival, creating a license for people to engage in behaviors that may typically be taboo.
S05E19 A Season of Madness - Old World Carnival with Al Ridenour
Q: What connections exist between the carnival season and historical festivals?
There are strong connections to ancient Roman festivals, with customs resembling modern Carnival festivities appearing throughout the empire, particularly in the celebrations following the harvest season.
S05E19 A Season of Madness - Old World Carnival with Al Ridenour
Q: What is Carnival in the European tradition? How is that different from the American conception?
Carnival in the European tradition involves more historical and folkloric customs, looking at the chaotic and anarchic traditions, rather than just the superficial rides and parties associated with the American conception.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About MonsterTalk

What is MonsterTalk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content emphasizes a unique intersection of science and folklore, exploring the cultural narratives surrounding legendary creatures and cryptids. Episodes frequently feature expert guests from various fields such as history, linguistics, and environmental science, providing scholarly insights into myths and legends, while discussing social implications like misogyny or mental health. The show appears to showcase a blend of curiosity and skepticism, respecting the beliefs of individuals while grounding discussions in critical thinking and factual examination. This makes it particularly valuable for audience members interested in a rational approach to supernatural themes.

Where can I find podcast stats for MonsterTalk?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for MonsterTalk. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to MonsterTalk and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does MonsterTalk get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for MonsterTalk, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for MonsterTalk?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for MonsterTalk, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does MonsterTalk have?

To see how many followers or subscribers MonsterTalk has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to MonsterTalk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with MonsterTalk:

1. In Research Of
2. Skeptoid
3. Astonishing Legends
4. Our Fake History
5. The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

How many episodes of MonsterTalk are there?

MonsterTalk launched 17 years ago and published 489 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact MonsterTalk?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for MonsterTalk?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for MonsterTalk from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for MonsterTalk?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of MonsterTalk. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on MonsterTalk?

Recent guests on MonsterTalk include:

1. Chris Woodyard
2. Steve Cuno
3. Gary D. Rhodes
4. Christopher Beatty
5. Christina Ward
6. Al Ridenour
7. Owen Davies
8. Greg Skomal

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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