May 2, 2018

#154 – THE CHICAGO MOTHMAN—SITE SEEING

Allison Jornlin is a paranormal researcher and host of The Otherside podcast. She’s been diligently researching the recent (2017–present) Chicago Mothman sightings as popularized on Lon Strickler’s Phantoms and Monsters website and book. You can find all of Allison’s on-site video recordings from her Mothman research on YouTube. Of Interest Melrose Park Photo Two Red Lights Miller Park (2nd account on the page) — No basketball hoop […]

Regular Episode 6 min read
April 18, 2018

#153 – SPOUTING OFF ABOUT GARGOYLES

We’re getting our minds in the gutter this week but hopefully won’t leave you drained as we climb into the nooks and crevices of Yale University’s gargoyles and grotesques with photographer and author Mathew Duman, author of An Education in the Grotesque: The Gargoyles of Yale University. Image copyright Mathew M. Duman Image copyright Mathew M. Duman Image copyright Mathew M. […]

Regular Episode 5 min read
March 28, 2018

#152 – RAMPAGE: A HUGE CROC

In the new movie Rampage, a giant mutant crocodile joins up with a giant ape and a giant wolf to destroy Chicago. But this is not the first giant croc to hit the big screen. Lake Placid (1999) and Alligator (1980) are just two of the many horror films that pit giant crocodilians against puny humans. The fossil record tells us that giant crocs did once roam […]

Regular Episode 6 min read
March 14, 2018

#151 – THE GREAT BEAST 666

In this episode of MonsterTalk, we complete our discussion about Western Esotericism with John L. Crow. In this final part we talk about the life of occultist Aleister Crowley, a man some called The Wickedest Man on Earth. Of Interest The Wickedest Man in the World—Masters of Darkness (2002) Contemporary newspaper articles on Crowley Aleister Crowley (Wikipedia) Thelema (Wikipedia) The Plymouth Brethren (Wikipedia) The Book of […]

Regular Episode 5 min read
February 28, 2018

#150 – MAGIC: SPIRITUALISM AND THEOSOPHY, PART II

In this episode of MonsterTalk, we continue our discussion about Western Esotericism with John L. Crow. In part two, we talk about the origins of Theosophy, the nature of secret and occult societies in this era, and the groundwork that led to the rise of magical orders in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Theosophy figures into the modern Western conception […]

Regular Episode 4 min read
February 14, 2018

#149 – WINCHESTER’S CATHEDRAL

The Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling Victorian mansion in San Jose, California. It is a famous piece of American architectural history, yet nearly every story commonly told about its mysterious history is likely untrue. In this episode of MonsterTalk, we are joined by Colin Dickey, author of the fantastic book Ghostland to discuss the case of the Winchester house and some of […]

Regular Episode 6 min read
January 31, 2018

#148 – MAGIC: SPIRITUALISM AND THEOSOPHY, PART I

The 19th century saw the rise of a variety of secret and secretive movements. Freemasons, Spiritualists, Theosophy and Esoteric Orders give rise to a variety of mystic-themed groups whose influence lurks under the mainstream themes of the 19th century. In this episode of MonsterTalk, we talk with religious studies scholar John L. Crow about the birth of these movements and how they influenced […]

Regular Episode 6 min read
January 17, 2018

#147 – ALIEN INTRUSION AND THE ULTRATERRESTRIAL HYPOTHESIS

In this episode of MonsterTalk, we return to discussion of the Ultraterrestrial Hypothesis (UTH) and what seems to be its growing influence in paranormal circles. It’s been used to explain UFOs, mothman, bigfoot, fairies, dogman, ghosts and many other phenomena which defy scientific demonstrability. Now it crops up again in a new film event titled Alien Intrusion which turned out to be a […]

Regular Episode 6 min read
January 3, 2018

#146 – THE TAIL OF THE LIZARD MAN

In this episode of MonsterTalk, we creep narratively into the swamps of South Carolina as we talk of the strange lizard man who is alleged to live in the swamps outside Bishopville. Lyle Blackburn leads our expedition as he recounts the story as told in his book Lizard Man: The True Story of the Bishopville Monster. Lyle previously joined us for episode […]

Regular Episode 6 min read