Stay ConnectedMonsterTalk: 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.
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I'm excited to be posting this BONUS content - an interview with film historian Gary D. Rhodes. Gary is joining me to talk about his newest book Weirdumentary: Ancient Aliens, Fallacious Prophecies, and Mysterious Monsters from 1970s Documentaries. I can't overstate how enjoyable this book was and how likely listeners to MonsterTalk and In ReSearch Of... are to be equally thrilled with it.
extended episode notes available on our website.
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We are delighted to talk with Dr. Christopher Beatty about his research into Dragonflies. From ancient times these insects have been the subject of wonder, fear and misinformation. Let's keep the wonder but get rid of some of the other stuff as we dive in on a creature whose lifecycle, morphology, and effectiveness as a hunter elevate its place in the lore of humanity.
Why this title for the episode? Tune in and find out.
Petroglyphs of Dragonflies 1000y/o (Atlas Obscura)
Dragonflies in Japan - Akitsu Shima
Dragonfly Helmet (Japanese)
Those are from a class of helmets called Kiwari Kabuto - amazing variety
Some cool electronica I used to listen to back in "the day" from an album named after dragonflies: Odonata by Amethystium
Good lord - has it been 25 years?? Tempus fugit.
Additional note from Dr. Beatty:
"I’m the past-president of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas, a group that promotes public awareness, as well as research and conservation of dragonflies. We are open to anyone with interest in odonates, and membership is quite inexpensive ($15/year).
We have an annual meeting, which for 2026 will be taking place in Hot Springs, North Carolina, in the last week of June. Info on the meeting can be found here:https://www.dragonflysocietyamericas.org/hotsprings2026."
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We're joined by Christina Ward of Feral House publishing to talk about the intersection of food, culture, belief, control, and the weird as she tells us about two of her recent projects:
American Advertising Cookbooks and Holy Food.
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Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Host of Bone & Sickle, Al Ridenour joins us to talk about the traditions of European Carnival season. It's the subject of his latest book, A Season of Madness.
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In part two of our two-part interview with Owen Davies, we continue the discussion of witches and witch prosecutions with thoughtful considerations of the meaning of witch and how it can be an identity or an accusation. Be sure and catch both parts of this fascinating chat.
Some related viewing/reading:
A curious case of Black Magic in Norfolk
Blake's article about the "PA Hex Hollow" murders (Skeptoid #996)
Books by Owen*:
Grimoires: A History of Magic Books
Popular Magic: Cunning-folk in English History
Magic: A Very Short Introduction
Folklore: A journey through the past and present (with Ceri Houlbrook)
The Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and Magic
America Bewitched: The Story of Witchcraft After Salem
*We use Amazon affiliate links for books when available
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
In part one of our two-part interview with Owen Davies, we discuss the history of witch trials, accusations, murder, and other troubles bubbling up from post-Salem accusations in America. In part two, next week, we will continue the discussion with thoughtful considerations of the meaning of witch and how it can be an identity or an accusation. Be sure and catch both parts of this fascinating chat.
Some related viewing/reading:
A curious case of Black Magic in Norfolk
Blake's article about the "PA Hex Hollow" murders (Skeptoid #996)
Books by Owen*:
Grimoires: A History of Magic Books
Popular Magic: Cunning-folk in English History
Magic: A Very Short Introduction
Folklore: A journey through the past and present (with Ceri Houlbrook)
The Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and Magic
America Bewitched: The Story of Witchcraft After Salem
*We use Amazon affiliate links for books when available
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
We are joined by author and researcher Greg Skomal to talk about the mysterious and long-lived Greenland Shark.
Books by Greg:
Chasing Shadows: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Great White Shark - Greg's book about Great Whites
The Shark Handbook 3rd Edition: The Essential Guide for Understanding the Sharks of the World by Greg Skomal
The Great White Shark Handbook
Additional online reading:
Greenland Shark
Cookie Cutter Shark
Ommatokoita - the eye parasite endemic to Greenland Sharks
New paper on the visual system of Greenland Sharks (Jan 2026) suggests the parasites don't make the sharks blind, despite longstanding belief that they must.
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Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
In this episode we talk with Dr. Alice Vernon about her fascinating look at the history of ghost hunting and psychical research, from the late 19th century to today.
Ghosted: A History of Ghost Hunting, and Why We Keep Looking (Affiliate Link)
Night Terrors: Troubled Sleep and the Stories we Tell About It
Ghostwatch (wikipedia) - (our previous coverage)
The Society for Psychical Research (UK)
Most Haunted (wikipedia)
The Haunting of Borley Rectory - the text of this critical book appears to be on the Harry Price website.
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Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
Blake and Karen discuss the legendary photo said to capture 19th century cowboys or soldiers with a giant bird or pterosaur.
SHOW NOTE LINKS:
The original Tombstone Epitaph article about the winged creature
Karl Shuker's blogged several times on the Thunderbird Photo and wrote a eulogy for Mark Chovinsky, author of a thorough Strange Magazine article about the Thunderbird photo.
Ivan T. Sanderson figures into the story prominently. Kevin J. Guhl has written an extensive article about this.
I think all the researchers - the serious researchers - are converging on the "False Memory" hypothesis to explain this story.
However, debates about the photo continue.
Some of the online photos were promotional photos for Freaky Links TV show.
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Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
We talk with journalist Lana Hall about her piece The Dead Mall Society, which details her journey to decaying malls in the Toronto area in search of Liminal Spaces.
Liminality (Wikipedia)
Victor Turner: Liminality and Communitas (PDF)
The Liminality Project (blog)
Liminal Space (Wikipedia)
The Backrooms CreepyPasta (Wikipedia)
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
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