Shows
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 3.7 - "Human Monstrosity", a talk with Rafiki JenkinsUniversity of Georgia professor, Rafiki Jenkins, joins Doc and Mike to discuss the origins of human monstrosity (can a human be monstrous?) and how horror fictions presents and complicates history and American culture. We hope you have a fortunate Friday the 13th! Jerry Rafiki Jenkins is Assistant Director of the Institute for African American Studies at the University of Georgia. Rafiki holds a doctorate in Literature from the University of California, San Diego, and his research focuses on Black speculative fiction and film, with an emphasis on horror, and future human studies. Rafiki is...2025-06-1359 minThe Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 3.6 - "The Death of the Author", a talk with Renee FoxHow awful is your favorite author? Did you once love the works of a film director and the ideals they expressed, but, to your dismay, they turned out to be a lout? How does their badness change their art? Do texts belong to the author once they're released into the world? In this episode, Doc and Mike talk with the Co-Director of the Center for Monsters Studies, Renee Fox, about the concept of the "death of the author" and how texts and art can take on their own life, beyond the creator's intentions or control, long after p...2025-03-1859 minThe Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 3.5 - The GolemIn this episode, Mike and Doc explore the origins of our favorite lump of animated clay, the GOLEM (pronounced GOAL-EM, not GAUL-UHM)! Protector of Jewish communities, the golem is a powerful ally, but you have to be very specific with your instructions, as it will carry out the task you give it with lethal literality. Enter, if you dare, and learn about the history of the golem, the monster's ties to Freudian psychoanalysis, and how the monster carries on its legacy in today's fantasy and science fiction. About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our...2025-02-111h 08The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 3.4 - So You've Decided to Sell Your Soul: Tips for a Buyer's MarketIt's...uh...live! Join Mike and Doc as they record their podcast on THE DEVIL in front of a live audience at UC Santa Cruz Center for Monsters Studies' 2024 Festival of Monsters! We also have video evidence that Mike and Doc are not actually ghosts that haunt your smarphones! Watch the podcast here: https://youtu.be/5yFNEpWMwEk About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but...2024-12-1058 minThe Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 3.3 - Interview with Pete DocterMike and Doc interview Oscar-winning director, animator, writer and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, Pete Docter! Docter wrote and directed some of your favorite Pixar movies including Inside Out, Up, Soul, and, discussed in detail here in the interview, Monsters, Inc. About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get o...2024-11-081h 03The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 3.2 - Witches! Part 2Witches! Part deux! Mike and Doc continue to stir their bubbling cauldron, discussing the North Berwick Witch Trials in 16th century Scotland, the witches of Macbeth and other popular representations of witchcraft. This episode is dedicated to the late actor, Dame Maggie Smith, whose lengendary career spanned seven decades and included a famous turn as Minerva McGonagall a witch/professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter film series. About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on...2024-10-011h 00
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 3.1 - Witches! Part 1Witches! Mike and Doc confront an all-time favorite monster—with roots as ancient as the werewolf—and delve into the very nature of magic as they explore this terrifying monster. About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imagination starts to bleed over into...2024-09-0352 min
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 2.8 - FrankensteinFRANKENSTEIN! In the Season Two closing episode, Doc and Mike take on the most iconic monster around and learn a lot about the changes the Creature has undergone in the last 200 years. About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imagination starts to bl...2024-04-241h 02
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 2.7 - Interview with Jeffrey Jerome Cohen!This episode features a hard-hitting interview with the creator of monster studies, Jeffrey Jerome Cohen! The guys get into the nitty gritty with one of the greatest minds in the field! About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imagination starts to bleed o...2024-03-1342 min
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 2.6 - OgopogoEpisode 2.6 Ogopogo Switching it up! This week Mike is interviewed by Doc about the mysterious and ancient lake monster, the Ogopogo! About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imagination starts to bleed over into the real world? What are the effects of monsters on r...2024-02-1556 min
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 2.5 - Interview with Haden BlackmanEpisode 2.5 Interview with Haden Blackman In a first, Doc and Mike do an interview! Their guest is Haden Blackman, author of the video game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and The North American Field Guide to Monsters! About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imag...2024-01-181h 00
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 2.4 - Vampires (Part 2)Episode 2.4 Vampires part 2 VAMPIRES! Among all monsters, this is the one that has seized our collective imaginations by the throat! Join Mike and Doc as they explore the cultural history of these seductive bloodsuckers and discover them lurking in some of the darkness corners of our social unconscious! About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But wha...2023-12-1355 min
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 2.3 - VampiresEpisode 2.3 Vampires VAMPIRES! Among all monsters, this is the one that has seized our collective imaginations by the throat! Join Mike and Doc as they explore the cultural history of these seductive bloodsuckers and discover them lurking in some of the darkness corners of our social unconscious! About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what hap...2023-11-0852 min
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 2.2 - Werewolves (part 2)Episode 2.2 Werewolves, Part 2 Doc and Mike sink their teeth into one of the planet's oldest and most popular monsters, and uncover many astonishing secrets about the man-beasts! Tune in for the new and improved second season! About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imagination s...2023-10-121h 07
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 2.1 - Werewolves (part 1)Episode 2.1 Werewolves, Part I Doc and Mike sink their teeth into one of the planet's oldest and most popular monsters, and uncover many astonishing secrets about the man-beasts! Tune in for the new and improved second season! About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous i...2023-09-1350 min
The Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 7 - TrollsEpisode 1.7. Trolls When it comes to the worst monsters we can imagine, trolls are serious contenders. What are the origins and permutations of these Nordic nightmares? About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imagination starts to bleed over i...2022-08-1623 minThe Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 6 - Dragons (part 3)Episode 1.6. Dragons part 3 As one of the oldest and most compelling monsters in human history, the dragon needs a lot of air time to get justice done. Mike and Michael bring home the draconic mini-series with this episode. About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters g...2022-08-0927 minThe Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 5 - Dragons (part 2)Episode 1.5. Dragons, part 2 There’s way too much in the way of dragons to complete a discussion in a single episode! Join Mike and Michael as they confront the legendary serpent and its astonishing cultural contexts! About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, wh...2022-08-0213 minThe Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 4 - Dragons (part 1)Episode 1.4. Dragons, part 1 The ever-popular dragon has dominated monster culture since ancient times. What compels us about these serpentine beasts that they still command our fear and attention? About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imagination starts t...2022-07-2619 minThe Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 3 - La LloronaEpisode 1.3. La Llorona Michael and Mike face down the scariest of Mexican monsters, fearlessly exploring her heritage and progeny. About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imagination starts to bleed over into the real world? What are the e...2022-07-1917 minThe Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 2 - GhostsEpisode 1.2. Ghosts In this haunted episode, Mike and Michael take on the most ubiquitous of all monsters, and confront the phantom messages they carry. About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of control, when the monstrous imagination starts to bleed over into the r...2022-07-1227 minThe Show Where They Talk About MonstersThe Show Where They Talk About Monsters: Episode 1 - ZombiesEpisode 1.1. Zombies The conversation that started it all! Michael and Mike talk zombies, from their Haitian origins to their most recent appearances, with all the strange changes they have undergone and what that says about us. About this podcast: MONSTERS! They haunt our days and chill our dreaming nights, to paraphrase Emily Dickinson. There's not a population on earth that does not have its own unique monster stories to tell to frighten, but also to instruct on the nature of good and evil, right and wrong. But what happens when monsters get out of...2022-07-0522 min