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Artwork for Wild Thing

Wild Thing

Foxtopus Ink
Bigfoot
Sasquatch
Patterson-Gimlin Film
Nuclear Energy
Erotica
Harry & the Hendersons
Literature
Publishing
Colorado
Cryptozoology
Amazon
Astrobiology
Extraterrestrial Life
SETI
NASA
Mars
Ufos
Anthropology
Gorilla
Venus

Wild Thing is a long-form, narrative podcast about the obsessions that capture our imaginations. This sound-rich and deeply reported show examines the relationship between science and society—that point where scientific inquiry collides with our very human desire to find answers, even when there are none. Whether it's seeking out Sasquatch, looking skyward for extraterrestrial life, or probing the... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes56Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Wild Thing

Latest Episodes

The 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film has long been considered some of the best proof of Bigfoot's existence. But now, a new documentary provides evidence that the film might be a big fake. We hear from Marq Evans and Tamir Ardon—the director and producer o... more

YouTube

In the 1990s, a teenager named David Hahn set out to earn his Atomic Energy Merit Badge. For a science whiz like him, the requirements were too easy, so he decided to make his own challenge: build a nuclear reactor in his own backyard. Journalist Ken... more

YouTube

Most people consider Three Mile Island to be American’s worst nuclear accident. But the actual legacy of that incident is much more complex than than many of us realize, as historian Natasha Zaretsky, author of Radiation Nation, points out.

*Season ... more

YouTube

In this bonus episode, we hear from author Richard Rhodes. His best known book, The Making of the Atomic Bomb, won a Pulitzer Prize. It's about the Manhattan Project, but as Rhodes explains, there's a lot of history leading up to that moment, startin... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Marq Evans
Director of Capturing Bigfoot and documentary filmmaker.
Episode: The Patterson-Gimlin Film: Bigfoot or Big Fake?—S1 Bonus Interview
Tamir Ardon
Producer of Capturing Bigfoot.
Episode: The Patterson-Gimlin Film: Bigfoot or Big Fake?—S1 Bonus Interview
Ken Silverstein
Investigative journalist and author
Author of The Radioactive Boy Scout
Episode: Homemade Reactors with Ken Silverstein—S3 Bonus Interview
Natasha Zaretsky
Professor of history at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; author of Radiation Nation
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Episode: The Legacy of Three Mile Island with Natasha Zaretsky—S3 Bonus Interview
Richard Rhodes
Author, The Making of the Atomic Bomb
Author/Historian
Episode: Atomic History with Richard Rhodes—S3 Bonus Interview
Sarah Robey
Assistant Professor of History at Idaho State University; author of Atomic Americans, Citizens in a Nuclear State
Idaho State University
Episode: Transparency and Trust with Sarah Robey—S3 Bonus Interview
Laura Krantz
Journalist and author specializing in the unknown and unexplained; host of Wild Thing
Wild Thing (podcast)
Episode: Introducing AAA's Via
Ramzi Fawaz
Associate Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison; author of The New Mutants, Superheroes and the Radical Imagination of American Comics
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: Mutants—S3 Bonus Episode
Jeremy Dauber
Professor at Columbia University; author and scholar referenced on the history of American comics
Columbia University
Episode: Mutants—S3 Bonus Episode

Host

Laura Krantz
Host of Wild Thing; deep-dive investigative journalist who guides long-form discussions across science and culture topics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 4.6k ratings
  • Great podcast!

    I have been listening to the podcast since its inception, and recently re-listened to all three seasons. Very interesting and enjoyable 👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Btown Bill
    United States2 months ago
  • Would recommend

    Season 1 is still one of my favorite things ever ☺️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    look.to.the.future
    Switzerland6 months ago
  • Sasquatch

    Heard you on Sasquatch chronicles and wish I’d I’d have known about you a lot earlier. Great show been binge listening ever since!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Given- up
    United States6 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Heard you on Sasquatch Chronicles, enjoyed the podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    myHoney5
    United States6 months ago
  • Great

    Sasquatch chronicles introduced me to Wild Things.

    Great podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    28473637
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High production value and thoughtful questioning.
Great range of topics and experts, from science to culture.
Some listeners want deeper critique of controversial claims.
Engaging, investigative storytelling with strong guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#244
United States/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Patterson-Gimlin Film: Bigfoot or Big Fake?—S1 Bonus Interview
Q: Do either of you think Bigfoot is real?
Ardon and Evans say they are unsure whether Bigfoot exists today, noting that modern cameras make its continued presence harder to accept, while acknowledging the persistence of similar stories across cultures.
The Patterson-Gimlin Film: Bigfoot or Big Fake?—S1 Bonus Interview
Q: Can you give me a sense of who this guy was, what he was like?
Evans describes Roger Patterson as an ambitious rodeo rider, filmmaker and inventor who disliked working for others, pursued Bigfoot with conviction, and had both significant talents and personal flaws.
Homemade Reactors with Ken Silverstein—S3 Bonus Interview
Q: What lessons does Silverstein draw from Hahn's story?
Silverstein suggests the enduring naivete about technology as a solution to every problem, the need for skepticism and oversight, and the possibility that early talents can be redirected into productive paths with proper support.
Homemade Reactors with Ken Silverstein—S3 Bonus Interview
Q: How did Hahn get caught, and what happened after?
He was arrested while trying to steal car parts; his car contained a taped toolbox with nuclear-related components. After authorities learned of his backyard lab, they involved the EPA and revealed the spread of radiation, leading to safety interventions.
Homemade Reactors with Ken Silverstein—S3 Bonus Interview
Q: How did Hahn's fascination with nuclear energy evolve into actual experiments?
As Hahn progressed from curiosity to experimentation, he collected materials, built makeshift labs, and pursued dangerous projects like attempting to enhance radioactive material by manipulating it, all while receiving encouragement and not recognizing the risks.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Wild Thing

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

This series blends rigorous reporting with immersive storytelling to explore science's messy relationship with society. Across topics like cryptozoology, space, and nuclear history, it probes how knowledge, belief, and culture collide—and why people are drawn to the unknown. Listeners can expect long-form conversations with researchers, historians, artists, and scientists that illuminate how discoveries shape public discourse, policy, and everyday life. A standout is the host's patient curiosity and willingness to challenge assumptions, creating thoughtful, narrative-driven explorations rather than hot takes.

Noteworthy strengths include deep archival context, expert guests spanning academia and culture, and a consistently sound design tha... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Wild Thing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wild Thing:

1. Sasquatch Chronicles
2. Bigfoot and Beyond with Cliff and Bobo
3. Sasquatch Odyssey
4. Bigfoot Society
5. Bigfoot Eyewitness Radio

How many episodes of Wild Thing are there?

Wild Thing launched 8 years ago and published 56 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Wild Thing?

Recent guests on Wild Thing include:

1. Marq Evans
2. Tamir Ardon
3. Ken Silverstein
4. Natasha Zaretsky
5. Richard Rhodes
6. Sarah Robey
7. Laura Krantz
8. Ramzi Fawaz

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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