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MonsterTalk

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes505Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesSociety & CultureScience

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Artwork for MonsterTalk

Latest Episodes

Blake and Karen welcome back paranormal investigator Matthew Baxter to sift through the latest government UAP release - the so-called PURSUE document dump - and work out what, if anything, is actually in it. Baxter took on the job of reading the pape... more

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains frank discussion of animal death, carcass predation, and graphic descriptions of animal mutilation. Listener discretion is advised.

Blake and Karen continue their conversation with religious studies scholar ... more

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of animal injuries and death. Both parts carry an explicit tag.⚠️

Blake and Karen welcome Lee Weiss, a religious studies scholar whose deep dive into the FBI's declassified cattle mutilat... more

Champ Across the Border: Blake and Karen welcome back historian Dr. Joseph Gagné, a specialist in New France and the French colonial period of North America, to talk about Champ - the famous monster of Lake Champlain. Most of the lake sits between Ne... more

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Recent Guests

Lee Weiss
Religious studies scholar specializing in animal mutilations
Author/Researcher
Episode: 🐂S05E40 - Cattle Mutilations: Part 2🛸
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, founder of Louisiana Dread
Louisiana Dread
Episode: S05E30 - From Loup Garou to Rougarou 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
Richard Estep
Author, paramedic, paranormal investigator
Visible Ink Press (books) / Paranormal investigator
Episode: S05E27 - Monsters: Myths, Legends, and Real Encounters with Richard Estep
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

Hosts

Blake Smith
Host of MonsterTalk with a science-focused approach to cryptids and folklore; often leads interviews with researchers and authors.
Karen Stollznow
Co-host known for skeptical yet respectful interviewing style, bridging science and folklore.

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 States7 days 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 Kingdoma month ago
  • Most insightful long running show about the weird.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    electricrain
    6 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
    8 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.

Some critics note occasional harshness toward beliefs, while many appreciate balanced skepticism.
Audience generally views guests as credible and topic-appropriate, with strong production and thoughtful questions.
Praises the entertaining yet informative approach to monsters and folklore.
Listeners praise the show for scientific rigor blended with engaging storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

🐂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.
S05E35 The Newby Church Specter
Q: What about the camera and exposure methods—could this be an accident or a deliberate hoax using long or double exposure techniques?
The hosts and Matt discuss long exposures, the possibility of double exposures with specific cameras like the Rollei Cord IV, and how lens cap techniques or staged movement could create translucent apparitions; consensus leans toward a staged, deliberate fabrication rather than a genuine spirit photo.
S05E35 The Newby Church Specter
Q: Matt, do you want to give us a little bit of a kind of background on why this photograph was taken? Do we even know?
Matt explains that Reverend Kenneth Lord likely photographed the interior for personal reasons, postcards, and Christmas cards, with some accounts claiming multiple photos were taken around the time he became vicar; the exact intent remains partially documented and later sources conflict on dates.

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 exploration of monsters, folklore, and the paranormal that emphasizes critical thinking, empirical inquiry, and the cultural context of legendary creatures. Episodes pair skeptical, evidence-based discussion with deep dives into history, folklore, anthropology, and psychology, often featuring researchers, folklorists, and scientists who illuminate how myths arise, persist, and influence culture. Noteworthy is the consistent balance between science and storytelling, a welcoming attitude toward believers while maintaining rigorous scrutiny, and a catalog of diverse experts spanning biology, cartography, archaeology, and humanities that keeps conversations fresh and interdisciplinary.

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?

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What are the audience demographics for MonsterTalk?

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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. Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf
4. Expanded Perspectives
5. Astonishing Legends

How many episodes of MonsterTalk are there?

MonsterTalk launched 17 years ago and published 505 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?

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What guests have appeared on MonsterTalk?

Recent guests on MonsterTalk include:

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

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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