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MonsterTalk

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes508Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for MonsterTalk

Latest Episodes

⚠️Content Warning: This episode contains sustained discussion of animal injury and death, including the killing of working animals, animals shot after escaping, and graphic period newspaper accounts.⚠️

Blake and Karen discuss Circus Train Wrecks as... more

Blake welcomes back Dr. Brian Regal - historian of science, technology, and medicine, and now Professor Emeritus at Kean University - to talk about his final academic book, Darwin and the Monsters: The Long History of Cryptozoology. Regal has been a ... more

⚠️ Content AdvisoryThis episode includes an extended discussion of a televised paranormal investigation in which a crew treated an alleged spirit-box recording about a sexual assault as cause for celebration. The hosts address the claim and the ethic... more

Blake and Karen are joined by Dr. Ben Dodds, author of Myths and Memories of the Black Death to discover more about a disease which forever changed world history when it swept across Europe in the 1300s.

The conversation runs from the mechanics of t... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Benjamin Dodds
Author of Myths and Memories of the Black Death
Durham University (historian)
Episode: ☠️S05E42 - THE BLACK DEATH🐀
Lee Weiss
Independent researcher focusing on cattle mutilations
Independent researcher
Episode: 🐂S05E39 - Cattle Mutilations: Part 1🛸
Joseph Gagné
French-Canadian historian and researcher focusing on lake monsters and Champlain region
Rabaska (journal) / academic researcher
Episode: 🦕 S05E38 - Champ Across the Border
Matthew Baxter
Karen Stollznow's partner, contributed research
Episode: S05E36 - The Chinnery Backseat Ghost
Eric Zsebenyi
Academic researcher specializing in Rakshasas
Episode: S05E34 - Rakshasas
Kyle Crosby
Filmmaker, historian, and cultural advocate
Louisiana Dread
Episode: S05E31 - From Loup Garou to Rougarou (pt 2) with Louisiana Dread's Kyle Crosby
Melissa Maffeo
Neuroscientist and Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Episode: S05E29 - Science of the Supernatural with Melissa Maffeo
Chet Van Duzer
Writer and researcher; invited research scholar at the John Carter Brown Library in Rhode Island
John Carter Brown Library
Episode: FLASHBACK BONUS: S01E069 The Key to the Legend of the Map Monsters
Matt Baxter
Guest on Monster Talk episode about Cottingley Fairies
Episode: S05E28 The Cottingley Fairies

Hosts

Blake Smith
Host of MonsterTalk; long-time presenter with a focus on skeptical, evidence-based discussion of monsters and folklore.
Karen Stollznow
Co-host with a background in folklore, linguistics, and skeptical inquiry; frequently guides discussions with rigorous analysis and approachable storytelling.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • MonsterTalk hits the sweet spot.

    Somehow, despite the fact that MonsterTalk started in 2009, it wasn’t on my radar until I heard Blake on Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf in August 2025. I enjoyed that talk so much that I checked out the then-current episode of MT, and 3–4 others from the back catalog. I was immediately hooked, signed up for their Patreon shortly thereafter, and just recently completed listening to the entire back catalog.

    Since grade school, I’ve been interested in ghosts, monsters, and the unexplained, a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ChrisBrainard
    United Statesa month ago
  • More sneering than sceptical

    This podcast is becoming increasingly more sneering than sceptical.

    Ridicule has replaced research and presumption is favoured over fact. I’m a sceptic but find little to no productive discussion here anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bizzylizzy1605
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Most insightful long running show about the weird.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    electricrain
    7 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
    9 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!
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Long-time fans appreciate the mix of rigorous analysis and entertaining storytelling.
Some listeners feel recent episodes lean toward skepticism over belief, which has been polarizing for a subset of fans.
Listeners praise the hosts' respectful, curious approach to paranormal topics.
Guests are consistently high-caliber experts across science, history, and folklore.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

☠️S05E42 - THE BLACK DEATH🐀
Q: What are the main symptoms and how quickly could the disease prove fatal?
Symptoms included buboes, high fever, coughing blood, and rapid progression to death within 24 hours to a few days in severe cases, with septicemic forms causing even faster fatalities.
☠️S05E42 - THE BLACK DEATH🐀
Q: How long did the Black Death last in Europe and how did its spread unfold across continents?
It arrived in Europe in 1347 and persisted through the 1350s with repeated outbreaks that continued into the 17th and 18th centuries, spreading gradually across Europe and affecting parts of Africa and Asia.
🐂S05E40 - Cattle Mutilations: Part 2🛸
Q: What is your take on how much of the cattle mutilation phenomenon can be explained by natural predation versus conspiracy theories?
Natural predation and decomposition, along with weather and scavenger activity, can explain many of the more graphic wounds; however, the lingering belief in conspiracies persists due to media framing and the uncanny, pattern-rich nature of some cases.
🦕 S05E38 - Champ Across the Border
Q: Why did Champ become popular in the United States, but never really catch on in Quebec or in Canada in general?
The guest suggests economic incentives, such as festivals and tourism tied to Champ on the American side, plus a stronger US media presence, which helped Champ become a regional icon there while Quebec's audience and media landscape did not entrench the legend in the same way.
🐂S05E39 - Cattle Mutilations: Part 1🛸
Q: Could you set us up for part 2 and explain how these theories explode nationally?
Part 2 will continue the examination, focusing on the spread of conspiracy theories, media amplification, and the integration of UFO and alien narratives with government and meat-industry concerns, culminating in the Linda Moulton Howe documentary and its impact.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About MonsterTalk

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

A science-forward show that investigates monsters, cryptids, and legendary phenomena through skeptical inquiry, historical context, and expert interviews. Episodes frequently blend folklore, biology, and media analysis to unpack how claims arise, how evidence is evaluated, and how sensational narratives spread. Notable strengths include rigorous skepticism paired with curiosity, high-quality guests from archaeology, neuroscience, history, and folklore, and an approachable style that makes complex science accessible. It's particularly notable for revisiting classic cases with contemporary methods and for fostering thoughtful discussion about how culture shapes belief without dismissing listeners' interests.

For potential guests or sponsors,... more

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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. Historical Blindness
4. Skeptics with a K
5. Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

How many episodes of MonsterTalk are there?

MonsterTalk launched 17 years ago and published 508 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?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for MonsterTalk?

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What guests have appeared on MonsterTalk?

Recent guests on MonsterTalk include:

1. Dr. Benjamin Dodds
2. Lee Weiss
3. Joseph Gagné
4. Matthew Baxter
5. Eric Zsebenyi
6. Kyle Crosby
7. Melissa Maffeo
8. Chet Van Duzer

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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