MonsterTalk

Blake Smith

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.

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504 episodes
Updated Monday
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Episodes504

Newest first

Oct 27, 2025 · 50 min
S05E04 Haunting America Revisited
This week on MonsterTalk, Blake and Karen are joined by Matthew Baxter to revisit Karen’s classic investigation book https://amzn.to/47rNfWEhttps://amzn.to/47rNfWE— newly re-released in paperback just in time for Halloween 🎃. Together they discuss how...
Oct 21, 2025 · 44 min
S05E03 So Much for the Show Me State
UAPs, “Disclosure,” and the Influence Machine 🔦🛰️ This episode looks at the latest UAP theater around Rep. Eric Burlison’s congressional presentation of the “Hellfire vs. orb” video, how it intersects with long-running media and funding networks...
Oct 13, 2025 · 46 min
S05E02 Autocannibalism Is Not The Answer
This week Blake Smith and Karen Stollznow are joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Brian A. Sharpless, author of https://amzn.to/4ojAvZa, to discuss cannibalism—what it is, why humans have done it, and how the taboo shows up in archaeology, medicine,...
Oct 6, 2025 · 43 min
S05E01 - Think of the Children!
🎙 MonsterTalk — The Cult of Moloch Show Notes · Hosts: Blake Smith & Karen Stollznow In this episode, Blake Smith and Karen Stollznow explore the history, mythology, and propaganda surrounding the idea of the Cult of Moloch—a figure long...
Sep 29, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
S04E46 - SciCom and Science Comedy with Brian Malow
We finish up Season 4 of MonsterTalk, not with a bang - but a chuckle, as we welcome https://sciencecomedian.com/ to talk about using humor and science to entertain. https://sciencecomedian.com/
Sep 22, 2025 · 47 min
S04E45 - Resurrecting Dire Wolves and Moa Bad Ideas
We discuss the sketchy "science by press release" of Colossal Biosciences and the controversies lurking in the history of its lead scientist. Have they resurrected dire wolves? No. Definitely not. If only overblown celebrity endorsed hype was the only...
Sep 15, 2025 · 57 min
S04E44 Ghost Hunting 1975
We take a look at a fascinating slice of paranormal history in the form of a 1975 BBC documentary The Ghost Hunters. How much has changed in paranormal research since 1975? Not much, after a fashion… Anybody know something about these plastic pub...
Sep 8, 2025 · 43 min
S04E43 - Big Foot and Van Meter
Blake catches Karen up on his current research projects: The four-wall tour dates of the PGF, and a contextual look at the Van Meter Visitor. Neither of these projects are finished but he is excited to share what he's been working on....
Sep 1, 2025 · 34 min
S04E42 You Don't Know Jackalopes
Blake is joined by regular contributor Matt Baxter, and special guest Kara Van Hoose from the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife to discuss the (not that mysterious) outbreak of "tentacle bunnies" in Colorado this summer. ...
Aug 25, 2025 · 58 min
S04E41 Karen and Matt in Scotland
Karen and Matt are back from their book tour in the UK and they got to have some real MonsterTalk moments! Loch Ness, Boleskine House and more plus Blake wrestles with gremlins! More photos will be available on Patreon:...
Aug 18, 2025 · 2 hr 50 min
Flashback: Shaver Mystery Super-cut
It's Hollow Earth, UFOs, the birth of Sci-Fi, and more wierdshit than you can believe as we present a super-cut of our 2-part interview with Jerry Drake and Jeb Card about one of the foundational stories of "weirdshitology" in a new ginormous single...
Aug 11, 2025 · 43 min
S04E40 - Catching Up: UK Edition
Karen and Matt check in from the UK! Karen is on tour promoting her new book https://amzn.to/3UiKvoB (affiliate link) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-024-02488-4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borley_Rectory Mentioned for future coverage (but...
Aug 4, 2025 · 50 min
S04E39 - Are Magpies Monsters?
A fascinating chat about Australian Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) with https://www.grainnecleary.com/ in which we talk about the role of stories in creating monsters, the role of citizen science, and lots of cool biology facts about these birds. Not...
Jul 28, 2025 · 28 min
S04E38 - Revisiting Robert the Doll
Blake recounts his recent visit to see Robert the Doll, and his findings after a deep dive into newspapers and other literature. Patrons get follow-up info from the girl who was the subject of the "true doll haunting" from episode #114! ...
Jul 21, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Flashback: Demon Dolls
Flashback to October 2016! Updated content on Robert coming soon.In this week’s episode of MonsterTalk, we talk about demonic or evil dolls, and look into the history of one of America’s most famous creepy playthings: http://robertthedoll.org/. Our...
Jul 13, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min
Flashback: Alien Intrusion and the UTH
Flashback to January 2018: In this episode of MonsterTalk, we return to discussion of the Ultraterrestrial Hypothesis (UTH) and what seems to be its growing influence in paranormal circles. It’s been used to explain UFOs, mothman, bigfoot, fairies,...
Jul 7, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Flashback: Zombies, Cults & Demons
FLASHBACK to December 2013: A FAMILIAR VOICE returns to MonsterTalk as Dr. Karen Stollznow joins us to discuss her (then new) book, https://amzn.to/3xgyeDb. Items of Interest https://amzn.to/37wFznL...
Jun 30, 2025 · 57 min
Flashback: Doctor Atlantis - with Ken Feder
Flashback to May 2015: IS THERE A LOST CITY somewhere that formed the basis of the legend of Atlantis? Dr. Kenny Feder returns, not to praise Atlantis, but to bury it. Kenny Feder: Selected Works...
Jun 23, 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
Flashback: The Warren Omission
We will be playing some episodes from our archives for a few weeks this Summer - let's kick it off with this classic from October 2013! THE WARREN OMISSION.WAS THE STORY OF The Conjuring the true story of how Ed and Lorraine Warren fought demonic...
Jun 16, 2025 · 47 min
S04E37 High Weirdness with Erik Davis
We're joined by Erik Davis to discuss his book High Weirdness - a history of psychedelics and counterculture as a triptych embodied with three prominent figures: Terrence McKenna, Philip K. Dick, and Robert Anton Wilson. From Blade Runner to the...

MonsterTalk

Support the show

S05E04 Haunting America Revisited

S05E03 So Much for the Show Me State

S05E02 Autocannibalism Is Not The Answer

S05E01 - Think of the Children!

S04E46 - SciCom and Science Comedy with Brian Malow

S04E45 - Resurrecting Dire Wolves and Moa Bad Ideas

S04E44 Ghost Hunting 1975

S04E43 - Big Foot and Van Meter

S04E42 You Don't Know Jackalopes

S04E41 Karen and Matt in Scotland

Flashback: Shaver Mystery Super-cut

S04E40 - Catching Up: UK Edition

S04E39 - Are Magpies Monsters?

S04E38 - Revisiting Robert the Doll

Flashback: Demon Dolls

Flashback: Alien Intrusion and the UTH

Flashback: Zombies, Cults & Demons

Flashback: Doctor Atlantis - with Ken Feder

Flashback: The Warren Omission

S04E37 High Weirdness with Erik Davis