MonsterTalk

April 3, 2019

#187 – HITLER’S MONSTERS

In MonsterTalk episode # 187, we talk about the role of the supernatural and occult in Nazi Germany. Our guest is author Dr. Eric Kurlander, author of the book Hitler’s Monsters, which chronicles the rise of the Nazis and their strange relationship with the occult including fringe theories, Border Science, astrology, homeopathy, and even Nostradamus. Related material Ariosophy Anthroposophy Aryans Theosophy Volkish ideology […]

Regular Episode 21 sec read

March 28, 2019

#186 – HUMANS AS MONSTERS

In MonsterTalk episode # 186 we talk with Dr. David D. Perlmutter, dean of the College of Media & Communications at Texas Tech University in Lubbock about the ways that humans can become monsters, and the ways that humans turn other humans into monsters. We discuss war crimes both recent and ancient, serial killers, and more. We reference his book, Visions of War. This […]

Regular Episode 24 sec read

March 8, 2019

#185 – THE RESURRECTION OF BOB LAZAR(US)

A new UFO/Area-51 documentary by Jeremy Corbell (see Hunt for the Skinwalker mentioned in MonsterTalk Patreon Bonus Episode 001) has been very successful. Blake and Karen discuss the documentary and the legend of Bob Lazar. Some of Lazar’s personal history deals with adult topics, so I’m putting an explicit tag on this episode. WARNING: Adult subject matter in this episode. Listener discretion advised. Related […]

Regular Episode 25 sec read

March 1, 2019

#184 – GHOST HUNTING GEAR

In this episode of MonsterTalk, Karen and Blake are joined by Mathew Baxter (paranormal investigator, lecturer, magician and Karen’s husband) to talk about ghost hunting gear used by amateur investigators. WARNING: I’m linking to some examples below, but we absolutely see no evidence that these tools are efficacious in investigating the ghosts & paranormal. The links to stores are informational — […]

Regular Episode 50 sec read

February 22, 2019

#183 – MONSTROUS MEDICINE: DISEASE

What is a disease? We’re joined by science writer Mike McRae, author of Unwell: What Makes a Disease a Disease? to discuss the history of the whole concept of diseases which turn out to have a large, often hidden, social component. For US audiences, be advised that Mike’s book is not available directly in the US. You’ll need to order it through […]

Regular Episode 25 sec read

January 31, 2019

Patreon Bonus 001: SKINWALKER RANCH DRESSING

This is Patreon Bonus content edited slightly for the regular MonsterTalk feed. (Expect more of this content thanks to the generous support of our Patrons.) This episode is a deep dive into the Skinwalker Ranch mystery and a discussion of the new documentary, Hunt for the Skinwalker. Dr. Jeb Card (Spooky Archaeology) joins me for the discussion. Things Mentioned Bloodsucking Witchcraft (book) Out There (book) Sun Myung Moon […]

Patreon Exclusive 44 sec read

January 30, 2019

#182 – TEACHING WITH MONSTERS

(above) Geology professor Thor Hansen (left) and English professor Bruce Beasley (right) pose for a portrait in Beasley’s office in the Humanities building. (Photo by Caleb Galbreath) In episode 182 of MonsterTalk, we are delighted to introduce Dr. Thor Hansen to listeners. For several years he’s been teaching a course at Western Washington University that uses monsters to teach science. I think you’re going […]

Regular Episode 44 sec read

December 24, 2018

Christmas Special #006: THE MONKEY’S PAW

For the Annual MonsterTalk Christmas Special, Blake Smith reads The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs. Music

A Christmas Ghost Story 8 sec read

December 24, 2018

#181 – LA CORRIVEAU

In this episode of MonsterTalk, we’re joined by historian Joseph Gagne to discuss the many legends and interesting facts about one of Quebec’s most legendary historical figures. Witch? Murderer? Whatever she was in life, her story has seeded hundreds of legends and fictions. The Plains of Abraham where La Corriveau was gibbeted. Photo by Joseph Gagne, used with permission. Related Material The segment of […]

Regular Episode 23 sec read

December 19, 2018

#180 – GHOSTS, GEARS, GADGETS AND GOLEMS

Peter Bebergal studied religion and culture at Harvard Divinity School, and is the author of the new book Strange Frequencies, which chronicles many of the ways people have sought to use technology to transcend the mundane to reach the numinous. We talk about the ways people have used (and continue to use) technology in fringe research, art, entertainment, and in pursuit […]

Regular Episode 49 sec read