MonsterTalk is an audio podcast that was originally presented by the Skeptics Society's Skeptic magazine but broke ties in 2019. Since 2019 it has been an independent podcast under the "Monster House, LLC" banner.[1][2] The show critically examines the science behind cryptozoological creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and werewolves. It is hosted by Blake Smith and Karen Stollznow, and produced by Blake Smith.[3] In 2012, MonsterTalk was awarded the Parsec Award for the "Best Fact Behind the Fiction Podcast".[4]
| MonsterTalk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Blake Smith Karen Stollznow |
| Genre | Science, interview |
| Created by | Blake Smith |
| Language | English |
| Length | 45–80 minutes |
| Production | |
| Production | Blake Smith |
| Publication | |
| Original release | July 2, 2009 |
| Provider | Monster House, LLC |
| Related | |
| Website | https://www.monstertalk.org/ |
History
editThe first episode was released on July 2, 2009, and featured an interview with NYU Professor Todd Disotell about the attempted use of DNA evidence in cryptozoologists' search for Bigfoot.[5]
MonsterTalk interviews scientists and investigators that research cryptozoological claims. The show has covered an extensive array of monsters and cryptids, including zombies,[6] demons,[7][8] ninjas,[9] the Mothman,[10] Cthulhu,[11] the Skookum cast,[12] the Patterson–Gimlin film,[13] the Minnesota Iceman,[14] the Chupacabra;[2] and extinct animals such as pterosaurs,[15] plesiosaurs,[16] and the thylacine.[17]
Guests of the show have included Phil Plait,[18] Professor PZ Myers,[11] Steven Novella,[19] magician James Randi,[20] author Brian Regal,[21] writer and illustrator Daniel Loxton,[22] and investigator Joe Nickell.[10]
In the media
editIn 2011, Curt Holman conducted an interview with MonsterTalk's producer, Blake Smith, for an article in Creative Loafing.[23] Ghostly Talk radio interviewed the Monster Talk crew in 2009.[24] Blake Smith and Karen Stollznow were also interviewed on the podcast/radio show Skeptically Speaking on May 7, 2010.[25] MonsterTalk is rebroadcast on WPRR in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[26]
Awards
editMonsterTalk was nominated for a Parsec Award in 2010[27] and again in 2011.[28]
MonsterTalk won the 2012 Parsec Award for "Best Fact Behind the Fiction Podcast", for programs that "explore the facts that influence the fictions—the science, history, culture, and mythology that inspire these stories."[29]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Monster Talk". Skeptic Magazine. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- ^ a b Ross-Flanigan, Nancy (October 29, 2010). "Scary chupacabras monster is as much victim as villain". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on July 30, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Transcript for Bigfoot DNA". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
- ^ "2012 Parsec Awards Winners & Finalists » Parsec Awards". www.parsecawards.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Bigfoot DNA". MonsterTalk. Skeptic Magazine. July 2, 2009. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for The Zombie Autopsies". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Demons, Ghosts and Gary Indiana". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Zombies, Cults, and Demons". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Unmasking the Ninja". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ a b "Bringing Light to a Moth". MonsterTalk. Skeptic Magazine. May 26, 2010. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ a b "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Cthulhu Rises". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Is The Skookum Fair Dinkum?". MonsterTalk. Skeptic Magazine. March 16, 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- ^ "Anatomy of a Beast". MonsterTalk. Skeptic Magazine. July 27, 2009. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for The Iceman Goeth". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Dr. Dave Martill & Pterosaurs". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for The Plesiosaur Hypothesis". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Resurrecting the Extinct". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "They Came From Outer Space!". MonsterTalk. Skeptic Magazine. December 9, 2009. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- ^ "Getting into the Spirit of Things". MonsterTalk. Skeptic Magazine. March 3, 2010. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ "The Columbus Poltergeist featuring James Randi". MonsterTalk. Skeptic Magazine. July 21, 2010. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- ^ "Searching For Sasquatch". MonsterTalk. Skeptic Magazine. June 8, 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- ^ "Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Return of the Revenge of the Son of the Bride of MonsterTalk". www.skeptic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Blake Smith busts mythic beasts on MonsterTalk". Creative Loafing Atlanta. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Karen Stollznow, Ben Radford, and Blake Smith From Monster Talk Join Us. Carlisle Bergquist Explains 10 Billion Beats". Ghost Talk. 2009-09-13. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- ^ Schell, Desiree (May 7, 2010). "#58 Cryptozoology 101". Skeptically Speaking. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ WPRR Program: MonsterTalk Public Reality Radio. accessed July 26, 2011.
- ^ "MonsterTalk Podcast Celebrates Anniversary with Parsec Nomination", Skeptical Inquirer, vol. 34, no. 6, Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, p. 8, Nov–Dec 2010, archived from the original on 2012-10-12, retrieved July 28, 2011
- ^ "2011 Parsec Award Nominees". Parsec Awards. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
- ^ "2012 Parsec Awards Winners & Finalists". Parsec Awards. Retrieved September 5, 2012.