MonsterTalk

In part one of our two-part interview with Owen Davies, we discuss the history of witch trials, accusations, murder, and other troubles bubbling up from post-Salem accusations in America. In part two, next week, we will continue the discussion 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

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We are joined by author and researcher Greg Skomal to talk about the mysterious and long-lived Greenland Shark. 

Books by Greg:
Chasing Shadows: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Great White Shark - Greg's book about Great Whites 

The Shark Handbook 3rd Edition: The Essential Guide for Understanding the Sharks of the World by Greg Skomal

The Great White Shark Handbook

Additional online reading:

Greenland Shark

Cookie Cutter Shark 

Ommatokoita - the eye parasite endemic to Greenland Sharks

New paper on the visual system of Greenland Sharks (Jan 2026) suggests the parasites don't make the sharks blind, despite longstanding belief that they must. 

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In this episode we talk with Dr. Alice Vernon about her fascinating look at the history of ghost hunting and psychical research, from the late 19th century to today.

Ghosted: A History of Ghost Hunting, and Why We Keep Looking (Affiliate Link)

Night Terrors: Troubled Sleep and the Stories we Tell About It

Ghostwatch (wikipedia) - (our previous coverage)

The Society for Psychical Research (UK)

Most Haunted (wikipedia)

The Haunting of Borley Rectory - the text of this critical book appears to be on the Harry Price website.

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Blake and Karen discuss the legendary photo said to capture 19th century cowboys or soldiers with a giant bird or pterosaur.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

The original Tombstone Epitaph article about the winged creature

Karl Shuker's blogged several times on the Thunderbird Photo and wrote a eulogy for Mark Chovinsky, author of a thorough Strange Magazine article about the Thunderbird photo.

Ivan T. Sanderson figures into the story prominently.  Kevin J. Guhl has written an extensive article about this.

I think all the researchers - the serious researchers - are converging on the "False Memory" hypothesis to explain this story. 

However, debates about the photo continue.

Some of the online photos were promotional photos for Freaky Links TV show.

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We talk with journalist Lana Hall about her piece The Dead Mall Society, which details her journey to decaying malls in the Toronto area in search of Liminal Spaces.

Liminality (Wikipedia)

Victor Turner: Liminality and Communitas (PDF)

The Liminality Project (blog)

Liminal Space (Wikipedia)

The Backrooms CreepyPasta (Wikipedia)

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Friend of the show Dr. Joe Laycock returns to talk about LIZARD PEOPLE with us. He also has a new book: The Penguin Book of Cults

Joe's Books:
Penguin Book of Cults (publisher) (amazon affiliate link)
The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief (affiliate link)

Other topics of discussion:
Shadow Kingdom
Brotherhood of the White Temple
Shaver Mysteries
Kull
Dark Shadows (Soap Opera) "Leviathan" storyline
The Naga who wanted to be a priest
Serpent People
Aum Shenrikyo Japanese death cult
Skeptoid looks at famous rumor that Aum Shenrikyo had a nuclear bomb
The Secret Rulers of the World - Jon Ronson (YouTube)
V - the Mini Series

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It took a minute but I finally managed to read one of these "live" to my own family for the holidays. This is such an evocative story that I wanted to add a little art to the mix. I really want to put together a slow but detailed "animated gif" that goes through the cycles of the print as described in the tale - and maybe I'll get around to that at some point.

But for now here is some really nice artwork that captures the ideas of the tale in gothic majesty. 

This piece is by Catherine Gogerty. (link to her work)
In 1986, the BBC ran a series featuring Robert Powell reading ghost stories. The episode featuring The Mezzotint included creepy illustrations such as this:
I've been unable to track that series down, but the illustration is quite chilling. Artist Richard Svensson produced this remarkable and evocative work - which is available in his self-published collection of M. R. James inspired images. Some previews from that set look really great over at DeviantArt.
Finally - UK artist Rich Johnson has a lovely set of James inspired images that generally aspire to haunt without beating you over the head with explicitness.

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Blake and Karen visit again with Colorado author of paranormal and true crime, Richard Estep. Richard's Books

discussed in this episode:
Ghostly Encounters

The Horrors of Fox Hollow Farm

Mothman: Sightings and Investigations of the Iconic Flying Cryptid

Help is on the Way (pre-order for Feb 2026 Richard's memoir of being a paramedic)

Monsters: Myths, Legends and Real Encounters (pre-order March 2026)

Additional Links:The Hamlyn Book of Ghosts (affiliate)

The Haunting of Borley Rectory: The Story of a Ghost Story by Sean O'Connor (affiliate)

The World's Greatest Ghosts book that Karen remembered from her youth

BBC's 2025 Ghost Story for Christmas







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Episode Summary: In this episode, hosts Blake Smith and Dr. Karen Stollznow catch up on recent headlines and new literature. First, Blake discusses a "ripped from the headlines" update regarding the 2014 Slender Man stabbing case. We revisit the tragic story of Morgan Geyser, her recent escape from a halfway house, and the media’s handling of the mental health and transgender aspects of the story.

Later, Karen reviews a pre-publication copy of the upcoming book How to Build a Haunted House: The History of a Cultural Obsession by Caitlin Blackwell Baines. Does the book provide a blueprint for creating ghosts, or is it a cultural tour of famous haunts? Karen breaks down the architectural history, the folklore, and where the book lands on the spectrum of skepticism.

Key Topics
• Shout-outs for the Cryptid and Godzilla Advent calendars.
• Slenderman Segment:
    • Recap of the 2014 Waukesha stabbing (MonsterTalk Ep #86).
    • Morgan Geyser’s conditional release and subsequent escape attempt.
    • A critical look at the prison industrial complex, mental health care in the US, and the current moral panic surrounding transgender individuals in media coverage.

• Book Review Segment: How to Build a Haunted House (Coming April 2026).
    • A review of the book for the Society for Psychical Research (SPR).
    • Analysis of the Myrtles Plantation, Borley Rectory, and the Winchester Mystery House.

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FLASHBACKWe're looking back at October 5, 2011 this week and an interview with Valerius Geist (February 2, 1938 – July 6, 2021) about the myths and reality of wolves.  How dangerous are they? There's complexity and nuance here.  Some people fiercely believe wolves are just peaceful misunderstood beautiful animals that would not hurt a person.  Others believe they're fierce and dangerous predators.  Internet debates will happen but history - and Valerius Geist - suggest using extreme caution if you find yourself in close proximity to these beautiful predators in the wild. MonsterTalk Live (Disco Edition)

----FLASHBACK----

ON NOVEMBER 8, 2005 Canadian geological engineering student Kenton Carnegie went for a walk. He told people that he’d be back by 5 pm. When he hadn’t returned by 7 pm, a search party went out and discovered his remains in the woods. In this episode of Monstertalk (a follow-up to last week’s), we interview professor Valerius Geist about the true cause of Kenton Carnegie’s death. Some people thought he was killed by a bear, but more likely he was killed by a myth.Todd Svarckopf confronting a habituated wolf, four days before the Kenton Joel Carnegie wolf attack. (Photo by Chris van Gelder at North Point Landing Saskatchewan)Further Reading

• When do wolves become dangerous to humans? (by Valerius Geist)
• The Kenton Carnegie Wolf Attack on Wikipedia

Music

• Our Breath Shall Intermix by Symbion Project (used with permission)
• Le Fétichisme Dans L’amour by Symbion Project (used with permission)

Monstertalk Theme: Monster by Peach Stealing Monkeys

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