S05E33 – The Devil Went Down to Devon

Hosts: Blake Smith, Karen StollznowSpecial Co-Host: Matt Baxter On the morning of February 9, 1855, residents across south Devon, England, discovered strange hoof-shaped tracks in the snow. The prints – about 4 inches long, 3 inches wide, and spaced roughly 8 inches apart in single file – appeared to have been left by a biped with a donkey-like hoof. Reports came in […]

S05E32 – Monsters of the Deep with Dr. Darren Naish

Guest: Dr. Darren NaishHosts: Blake Smith & Dr. Karen Stollznow 📝 Episode Summary Darren joins Blake and Karen to discuss his new article in Geology Today, which grew out of his work on the Monsters of the Deep museum exhibition. The exhibition originally opened at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Cornwall in 2020, traveled to two additional venues, and […]

S05E30 – From Loup Garou to Rougarou (pt 1) with Louisiana Dread’s Kyle Crosby

🎙️ Episode Introduction This is part one of a two-part conversation. Blake and Karen are joined by Kyle Crosby, filmmaker, historian, and founder of Louisiana Dread, a multimedia project dedicated to documenting the dark history, folklore, and culture of the Pelican State. Kyle is a native of Larose, Louisiana, who grew up in Lafourche Parish and on Grand Isle. He […]

S05E29 – Science of the Supernatural with Melissa MaffeoS05E29

🎙️ Episode Summary Neuroscientist Dr. Melissa Maffeo joins Blake and Karen to discuss her new book Science of the Supernatural: Critical Thinking for the Mind and Brain (Cambridge University Press, 2026). Melissa is an associate teaching professor of psychology at Wake Forest University, where she also serves as Associate Director of the Neuroscience Program. In this episode, Melissa talks about […]

S05E28 The Cottingley Fairies

Hosts: Karen Stollznow, Blake SmithGuest: Matt Baxter In this episode, the MonsterTalk crew tackles one of the most famous photographic hoaxes in history – the Cottingley Fairies. In 1917, two young cousins in West Yorkshire produced five photographs that appeared to show real fairies dancing in the garden behind their home. What began as a bit of childhood mischief spiraled into a […]

S05E26 – Haunted Cemeteries with Chris Woodyard

In Part 2 of our chat with folklorist Chris Woodyard we talk about the lore of haunted cemeteries. Find Chris on BlueSky, FaceBook, and our back catalog! Chris also partners with Dr. Simon Young on the Boggart & Banshee podcast! Mentioned in this episode: Allegedly haunted Woodland Cemetery, Cincinnati OH Bachelor’s Grove and the famous “Madonna” photo from 1991. (Sad […]

S05E25 – Headless Motorcyclist Ghosts

In part 1 of our chat with folklorist Chris Woodyard, we discuss haunted roads and headless motorcycle ghosts.Find Chris on BlueSky, FaceBook, and our back catalog! Chris also partners with Dr. Simon Young on the Boggart & Banshee podcast! Mentioned in the episode: Silver Cliff Cemetery in Colorado Resurrection Mary (Chicago) Dr. Simon Young’s FAIRY CENSUS (Chris’s podcasting partner) Third […]

S05E24 – ParaMormonal Activity with Steve Cuno

We talk with Karen’s friend, author and Ex-Mormon Steve Cuno about paranormal ideas in the Mormon religion.  Steve Cuno:  Behind the Mormon Curtain: Selling Sex in America’s Holy City “It’s Not About the Sex” My Ass: Confessions of an Ex-Mormon, Ex-Polygamist, Ex-Wife  David W. Patten and Mormon Bigfoot: Reddit Thread Between Pulpit and Pew: The Supernatural World in Mormon History […]