MonsterTalk

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!

Extended notes at https://monstertalk.org

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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!

Extended notes at https://monstertalk.org 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

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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 and Folklore

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Part two of our discussion of the interesting made-for-TV film The Stately Ghosts of England(1965). Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter and this is a continuation of part 1. The film stars Margaret Rutherford, her husband Stringer Davis, and celebrity clairvoyant Tom Corbett.

Extended notes at http://monstertalk.org

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

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Blake and Karen are joined by Matt Baxter to discuss the 1965 made-for-TV film The Stately Ghosts of England. The film stars Margaret Rutherford, her husband Stringer Davis, and celebrity clairvoyant Tom Corbett.

Extended show notes available at MonsterTalk.org

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.

Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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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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.