We're joined by Matt Baxter to watch and discuss another vintage BBC look at the paranormal - this time in the form of an allegedly haunted chest of drawers. Check the links and watch it yourself if you've got 12 mins to spare. What do you think of our takes?Additional Links:BBC Archive Clip - A Haunted Chest of DrawersAGT: Special Head (levitation trick)The Indian Rope Trick - Penn & Teller documentary about the history of the trickDavid Berglas - Magician and Skeptical InvestigatorMassimo Polidoro - modern skeptical investigatorTony Cornell - British Parapsychologist and antiquarianBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
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1:02:26
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1:02:26
S05E06 Monster Manual & Mamer
We're joined by host of the Conspiracy Skeptic Podcast, Karl Mamer. Karl's working on a new book in his series of skeptically themed books of lists (The Skeptic's Book of Lists, The Conspiracy Skeptic's Book of Lists) and has been looking into the origins of demons & devils in Dungeons & Dragons.Further Reading:Deities & DemigodsBBC: The Great 1980s D&D PanicMichael Stackpole and the Pulling Report (counter to B.A.D.D.)The composite D&D title card is based on the work of David C. Sutherland III.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
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55:04
S05E05 Why I don't believe in... BIGFOOT
In this episode, I talk about why I don't believe in Bigfoot and the core of my basis of doubt. This is part of a new intermittent series wherein we'll be looking at why a lot of monster stories fall apart when you attack them with Occam's Razor and other similarly sharp tools.The clip in the intro is from In Search Of... Season 1, Episode 5. If you want to hear A LOT more about that episode, check out this episode of In ReSearch Of.... Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
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21:20
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21:20
S05E04 Haunting America Revisited
This week on MonsterTalk, Blake and Karen are joined by Matthew Baxter to revisit Karen’s classic investigation book Haunting America — newly re-released in paperback just in time for Halloween 🎃. Together they discuss how the book began as a project for the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF), the fieldwork behind its famous cases, and the updated edition’s new conclusion and color photos.👻 Topics discussed:• Origins of Haunting America — conceived at the JREF as a skeptical investigation anthology.• Behind-the-scenes stories from Karen and Matt’s fieldwork across the U.S.• Visits to legendary “haunted” sites including: 🏠 The Myrtles Plantation — tracing the truth behind the tale of “Chloe.” 🏥 Waverly Hills Sanatorium — separating tuberculosis history from ghost folklore. 🔫 Winchester Mystery House — examining Sarah Winchester’s real story vs. myth.• Working with the JREF and Tim Farley (“What’s the Harm?”) on skeptical outreach.• Revisiting historic ghost claims through the historical method rather than gadgets and TV tropes.• Comparing early 2000s ghost hunting culture with modern media portrayals.• The enduring folklore vs. fact tension in places like the Stanley Hotel, Amityville, and Lizzie Borden House.• The value of myth-busting as a form of respect for real history and real people.🕯️ About the new edition:• Now in paperback with color photographs and updated research.• Includes follow-up findings on the Myrtles Plantation and San Antonio Railroad “ghost tracks.”• Adds a new concluding chapter reflecting on skepticism and folklore after a decade of investigations.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
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50:30
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50:30
S05E03 So Much for the Show Me State
UAPs, “Disclosure,” and the Influence Machine 🔦🛰️This episode looks at the latest UAP theater around Rep. Eric Burlison’s congressional presentation of the “Hellfire vs. orb” video, how it intersects with long-running media and funding networks (Skinwalker Ranch/NIDS/Las Vegas circle), and why skepticism and provenance still matter. We discuss the hearing, witness line-up, and the ecosystem that amplifies these claims—along with grounded, testable explanations where available.With Matt Baxter.🎥 Primary Items from the Episode• Eric Burlison’s Congressional Presentation of Video (with George Knapp testimony)• Eric Burlison’s UAP DISCLOSURE ACT🧪 Skeptical Takes & Analysis• Mick West’s take — It’s a balloon again• Hank Green’s take — Seriously — it’s just a balloon🎧 Related Listening from the Episode• Strange Arrivals podcast• Toby Ball’s visits to MonsterTalk📚 Books & Authors Mentioned• Sarah Scoles — They Are Already Here• Sarah’s visits to MonsterTalk🧩 Quick Reference: Acronyms, Players, and Context• AATIP — Pentagon program often associated with Luis Elizondo• TTSA — To The Stars Academy (Tom DeLonge, Hal Puthoff): company, Tom DeLonge, Harold Puthoff• UAP — Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (newer terminology): overview• UFO — Unidentified Flying Object (classic term with cultural baggage): background• Robert Bigelow — hotelier, space entrepreneur, longtime funder in the anomaly space: bio📰 Key Reporting That Shifted the Conversation• The New York Times story that broke AATIP publicly: read• The 2020 follow-up from two of the authors (Kean & Blumenthal): readBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.
MonsterTalk: The Science Show About Monsters is a free audio podcast that critically examines the science behind cryptozoological (and legendary) creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or werewolves. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.
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