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MonsterTalk

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes516Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for MonsterTalk

Latest Episodes

Blake and Karen interview Marq Evans, directory of the new documentary Capturing Bigfoot - a new film that hits streaming October 20th, 2026 and features stunning new evidence that the Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot Film may depict a person in a suit!

Thi... more

Blake and Karen welcome historian Dr. Amy Laurel Fluker of Youngstown State University to discuss Haunted by Memory, an annotated anthology of ghost stories drawn from the newspapers, veterans' papers, and periodicals of the Civil War generation. The... more

An interview with forensic anthropologist Evan Bird, creator of The Corpse Review.

Extended show notes at Monstertalk.org

Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Some product links may be ... more

In this episode, Blake and Karen welcome Dr. Kristin LaFollette, Associate Professor of English at the University of Southern Indiana, to discuss her new book, *Rehumanizing People of the Past: Bioarchaeology, Medical Museums and Archives, and the Hu... more

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Recent Guests

Amy Laurel Fluker
Historian of 19th-century America who studies Civil War memory and commemoration
Youngstown State University
Episode: S06E02 👻 Haunted by Memory: Ghost Stories of the American Civil War
Evan Bird
Forensic anthropologist, creator of The Corpse Review
The Corpse Review / New Jersey Medical Examiner's Office
Episode: S06E01 💀Taphonomy and All That Rot🧛
Kristin LaFollette
Associate Professor of English at the University of Southern Indiana; author of Rehumanizing People of the Past
University of Southern Indiana
Episode: S05E50 💀 REHUMANIZING PEOPLE OF THE PAST
Daniel Alan Jones
Cryptozoology researcher
Texas Cryptozoology Network
Episode: S05E49 - 🌀 Cryptozoology Today with Daniel Alan Jones
Hayley Stevens
Paranormal researcher and skeptic
The Spooktator / Hayley is a Ghost blog
Episode: S05E46 FLASHBACK: England's Most Haunted Village
Brian Regal
Emeritus historian of the history of science, technology and medicine at Kean University
Kean University
Episode: 🐺 S05E44 - Darwin and the Monsters (with Dr. Brian Regal)
Matt Baxter
Special guest star describing his and Karen's investigation into Denver's Peabody-Whitehead Mansion
Independent researcher / investigator affiliated with MonsterTalk episode
Episode: 🏚️ S05E43 - The Peabody-Whitehead Mansion
Dr. Benjamin Dodds
Author of Myths and Memories of the Black Death
Durham University (historian)
Episode: ☠️S05E42 - THE BLACK DEATH🐀
Lee Weiss
Religious studies scholar specializing in animal mutilations
Author/Researcher
Episode: 🐂S05E40 - Cattle Mutilations: Part 2🛸

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
  • Great Balance

    As someone who loves folklore and think these stories have enormous social import and value—but also a skeptic—I feel like this show strikes a fantastic balance between understanding and acknowledging these stories while also keeping feet glued solidly to earth.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ReadDeep
    United Statesa month ago
  • AI episode icons suck

    Good show, but using AI to make terribly generic episode icons sucks. Looks like the menus at the local bars.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Torgo the White
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States3 months 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 Kingdom4 months ago
  • Most insightful long running show about the weird.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    electricrain
    9 months 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.

S06E02 👻 Haunted by Memory: Ghost Stories of the American Civil War
Q: What did your research show about how white supremacists exploited supernatural fear and how Black Americans read and resisted those threats?
Fluker explains that the Ku Klux Klan masqueraded as Confederate ghosts to terrorize Black people, often claiming they had died at Shiloh. She argues that the publication and repetition of these accounts reinforced racist stereotypes and made ghost lore a tool of white supremacy.
S06E02 👻 Haunted by Memory: Ghost Stories of the American Civil War
Q: What is it like to navigate the challenge of treating newspaper ghost stories as folklore and historical sources?
Fluker says folklore scholars have moved beyond dismissing press-generated stories as fake lore. She checked named people, units, and regiments against military records, finding that many details had a basis in reality even though she could not verify supernatural experiences.
S06E01 💀Taphonomy and All That Rot🧛
Q: What distinguishes a forensic anthropologist from a medical examiner or pathologist?
A forensic anthropologist focuses on the skeleton and skeletal trauma, age, sex estimation, ancestry, and identification from remains, while a medical examiner primarily determines cause and manner of death through medical examination and pathology.
S06E01 💀Taphonomy and All That Rot🧛
Q: How do environmental conditions influence decomposition and the timeline of events after death?
Factors such as body size, clothing, room temperature, burial depth, weather, and insect activity all shape the rate and pattern of decomposition, making the postmortem interval variable and context-dependent.
S06E01 💀Taphonomy and All That Rot🧛
Q: What is taphonomy and why is it important to both paleontologists and forensic scientists?
Taphonomy is the study of the processes that affect an organism from death to discovery, including biostratinomy and diagenesis; it explains how remains decompose, are transported, preserved, or altered by environmental factors, which helps scientists interpret evidence in both fossils and forensic cases.

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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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. Skeptoid
2. Astonishing Legends
3. The Cryptonaut Podcast
4. Lore
5. Skeptics with a K

How many episodes of MonsterTalk are there?

MonsterTalk launched 17 years ago and published 516 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. Amy Laurel Fluker
2. Evan Bird
3. Kristin LaFollette
4. Daniel Alan Jones
5. Hayley Stevens
6. Brian Regal
7. Matt Baxter
8. Dr. Benjamin Dodds

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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