MonsterTalk

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 creatureKarl 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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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 CultsJoe'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 KingdomBrotherhood of the White TempleShaver MysteriesKullDark Shadows (Soap Opera) "Leviathan" storylineThe Naga who wanted to be a priestSerpent PeopleAum Shenrikyo Japanese death cultSkeptoid looks at famous rumor that Aum Shenrikyo had a nuclear bombThe Secret Rulers of the World - Jon Ronson (YouTube)V - the Mini SeriesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.

Blake and Karen visit again with Colorado author of paranormal and true crime, Richard Estep. Richard's Booksdiscussed in this episode:Ghostly EncountersThe Horrors of Fox Hollow FarmMothman: Sightings and Investigations of the Iconic Flying CryptidHelp 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 youthBBC's 2025 Ghost Story for ChristmasBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/monstertalk--6267523/support.Some product links may be affiliated with Amazon revenue sharing.