View source for MonsterTalk

{{Short description|Skeptical podcast}}
{{Primary sources|date = June 2013}}
{{Infobox Podcast
| title = MonsterTalk
| image = File:MonsterTalk.png
| genre = [[Science]], interview
| length = 45–80 minutes
| language = English
| host = Blake Smith <br />[[Karen Stollznow]]
| production = Blake Smith
| creator = Blake Smith
| provider = Monster House, LLC
| began = {{start date|2009|07|02}}
| website = https://www.monstertalk.org/
}}
'''''MonsterTalk''''' is an [[audio podcast]] that was originally presented by the [[Skeptics Society]]'s ''[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic]]'' magazine but broke ties in 2019. Since 2019 it has been an independent podcast under the "Monster House, LLC" banner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/ |title=Monster Talk|publisher=[[Skeptic Magazine]]|date=2008-10-28|accessdate=2011-07-22}}</ref><ref name="UMich"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/09/07/02/transcript/|title=Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Transcript for Bigfoot DNA|website=www.skeptic.com|access-date=2018-01-23}}</ref>  In 2012, ''MonsterTalk'' was awarded the [[Parsec Award]] for the "Best Fact Behind the Fiction Podcast".<ref>{{Cite web|title = 2012 Parsec Awards Winners & Finalists » Parsec Awards|url = http://www.parsecawards.com/past-awards/2012-parsec-awards-winners-finalists/|website = www.parsecawards.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref>
==History==
The 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/09/07/02/ |title=Bigfoot DNA|work=MonsterTalk|publisher=Skeptic Magazine|date=July 2, 2009|accessdate=2011-07-22}}</ref>
''MonsterTalk'' interviews scientists and investigators that research cryptozoological claims. The show has covered an extensive array of monsters and cryptids, including [[zombies]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for The Zombie Autopsies|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/11/05/11/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref> [[demons]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Demons, Ghosts and Gary Indiana|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/14/02/26/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Zombies, Cults, and Demons|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/13/12/25/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref> [[ninjas]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Unmasking the Ninja|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/11/01/26/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref> the [[Mothman]],<ref name="Mothman"/> [[Cthulhu]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Cthulhu Rises|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/10/06/16/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref> the [[Skookum cast]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/11/03/16/ |title=Is The Skookum Fair Dinkum?|work=MonsterTalk|publisher=Skeptic Magazine|date=March 16, 2011|accessdate=2011-07-22}}</ref> the [[Patterson–Gimlin film]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/09/07/27/ |title=Anatomy of a Beast|work=MonsterTalk|publisher=Skeptic Magazine|date=July 27, 2009|accessdate=2011-07-22}}</ref> the [[Minnesota Iceman]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for The Iceman Goeth|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/10/12/01/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref> the [[Chupacabra]];<ref name="UMich">{{cite web | url=http://ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=8051 | author=Ross-Flanigan, Nancy | title=Scary chupacabras monster is as much victim as villain | publisher=[[University of Michigan]] | date=October 29, 2010 | accessdate=July 27, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730175712/http://ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=8051 | archive-date=July 30, 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and extinct animals such as [[pterosaurs]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Dr. Dave Martill & Pterosaurs|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/09/10/12/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref> [[plesiosaurs]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for The Plesiosaur Hypothesis|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/09/08/24/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref> and the [[thylacine]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Resurrecting the Extinct|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/11/03/30/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref>
Guests of the show have included [[Phil Plait]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/09/12/09/ |title=They Came From Outer Space!|work=MonsterTalk|publisher=Skeptic Magazine|date=December 9, 2009|accessdate=2011-07-22}}</ref> Professor [[PZ Myers]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Steven Novella]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/10/03/03/|title=Getting into the Spirit of Things|work=MonsterTalk|publisher=Skeptic Magazine|date=March 3, 2010|accessdate=2011-07-27}}</ref> magician [[James Randi]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/10/07/21/ |title=The Columbus Poltergeist featuring James Randi|work=MonsterTalk|publisher=Skeptic Magazine|date=July 21, 2010|accessdate=2011-07-22}}</ref> author [[Brian Regal]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/11/06/08/|title=Searching For Sasquatch|publisher=Skeptic Magazine|work=MonsterTalk|date=June 8, 2011|accessdate=2011-07-22}}</ref> writer and illustrator [[Daniel Loxton]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Skeptic » Podcasts » MonsterTalk » Episode Notes for Return of the Revenge of the Son of the Bride of MonsterTalk|url = http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/13/07/31/|website = www.skeptic.com|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref> and investigator [[Joe Nickell]].<ref name="Mothman">{{cite web|url=http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/10/05/26/|title=Bringing Light to a Moth|work=MonsterTalk|publisher=Skeptic Magazine|date=May 26, 2010|accessdate=2011-07-27}}</ref>
==In the media==
In 2011, Curt Holman conducted an interview with ''MonsterTalk''{{'}}s producer, Blake Smith, for an article in ''[[Creative Loafing (Atlanta)|Creative Loafing]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Blake Smith busts mythic beasts on ''MonsterTalk''|url = https://creativeloafing.com/content-196384-cover-story---blake-smith-busts-mythic-beasts-on|website = Creative Loafing Atlanta|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref>  Ghostly Talk radio interviewed the Monster Talk crew in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ghostlytalk.planetparanormal.com/?p=126
|title=Karen Stollznow, Ben Radford, and Blake Smith From Monster Talk Join Us. Carlisle Bergquist Explains 10 Billion Beats.|publisher=Ghost Talk |date=2009-09-13 |accessdate=2011-07-22}}</ref> Blake Smith and Karen Stollznow were also interviewed on the podcast/radio show ''Skeptically Speaking'' on May 7, 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://skepticallyspeaking.ca/episodes/58-cryptozoology-101 | title=#58 Cryptozoology 101 | work=Skeptically Speaking | author=Schell, Desiree | date=May 7, 2010 | accessdate=July 26, 2011 }}</ref> ''MonsterTalk'' is rebroadcast on [[WPRR (AM)|WPRR]] in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]].<ref>[http://www.publicrealityradio.org/programs/monstertalk WPRR Program: MonsterTalk] Public Reality Radio. accessed July 26, 2011.</ref>
[[File:Blake Smith Marietta GA 20180306.jpg|thumb|right|Co-host Blake Smith speaking in March 2018]]
==Awards==
''MonsterTalk'' was nominated for a [[Parsec Award]] in 2010<ref name="SI_34_6">{{citation | url=http://business.highbeam.com/5799/article-1G1-239813689/monstertalk-podcast-celebrates-anniversary-parsec-nomination | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012015934/http://business.highbeam.com/5799/article-1G1-239813689/monstertalk-podcast-celebrates-anniversary-parsec-nomination | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-10-12 | title=MonsterTalk Podcast Celebrates Anniversary with Parsec Nomination | work=[[Skeptical Inquirer]] | publisher=[[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]] | date=Nov–Dec 2010 | volume=34 | issue=6 | page=8 | accessdate=July 28, 2011 }}</ref> and again in 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.parsecawards.com/2011-parsec-awards/nominees/ | title=2011 Parsec Award Nominees | publisher=Parsec Awards | accessdate=July 28, 2011 }}</ref>
''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."<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Parsec Awards Winners & Finalists|url=http://www.parsecawards.com/2012-parsec-awards/2012-parsec-awards-winners-finalists/|publisher=Parsec Awards|accessdate=September 5, 2012}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|''Skeptic'' (U.S. magazine)]]
* [[The Skeptics Society]]
* [[Cryptozoology]]
* [[Cryptids]]
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.monstertalk.org/}}
{{Skeptical podcasts}}
[[Category:2009 podcast debuts]]
[[Category:Scientific skepticism mass media]]
[[Category:Audio podcasts]]
[[Category:Science podcasts]]
[[Category:American podcasts]]
[[Category:Independent podcasts]]