This episode of Matt Talks Media skates straight from medieval paranoia to modern sports analytics.

Dr. Matt Dorr explores the history and origins of the Malleus Maleficarum, the infamous 15th-century text that fueled witch hunts across Europe. We unpack how this ominous book shaped fear, authority, and media narratives long before the digital age.

Dr. Nolan Meditz shifts the ice under our feet with a deep dive into the rise of hockey blogs, particularly those that specialized in breaking down NHL salary caps. From fan-driven analysis to influencing mainstream coverage, we look at how blogging communities reshaped hockey discourse.

Music featured in this episode:

Scepter of Eligos https://scepterofeligos.bandcamp.com/

Soul Annihilation https://soulannihilation.bandcamp.com/

From medieval manuals to cap-space spreadsheets, this episode traces how texts shape power, panic, and fandom.