Monstrum

Why isn’t Korea’s most famous monster really all that scary? From mischievous tricksters to modern movie demons, dokkaebi evolved through centuries of folklore, Confucian values, and pop culture—culminating in K-Pop Demon Hunters.

Bats have long been symbols of death and darkness. But why? Their rise as Halloween’s spookiest icon traces back to ancient Celtic traditions, revealing how these harmless creatures turned into something far more evil. Join us under the Congress Street Bridge in Austin as we unravel the spooky myths, vampire lore, and Halloween history that turned these sky puppies into creatures of the night!

Ever wake up exhausted, like something drained the life out of you? The Boo Hag—a terrifying figure from Gullah Geechee folklore—might be to blame. This episode explores how a skinless monster became a powerful symbol of cultural memory, survival, and the legacy of oral storytelling in the African diaspora.

With zebra legs, a giraffe tongue, and a unicorn’s reputation, the okapi sounds made-up—but it’s very real (and very cute). Once mistaken for a myth, this forest-dweller proves that not all monsters are imaginary… and some might just be hiding in plain sight.

What makes a monster? From folklore to horror films, monsters reveal cultural fears, moral lessons, and human desires. Let's talk about what creatures like vampires, werewolves, and Krampus teach us about ourselves—and how monster theory helps us trace the line between humanity and the unknown.

How did Van Helsing go from academic in Dracula to action hero icon? This episode explores his evolution from Victorian scholar to monster-hunting legend, unpacking his role in the novel, pop culture legacy, and why he remains the ultimate supernatural slayer.

Between 1764 and 1767, a mysterious creature terrorized the French countryside, leaving over 100 dead. Was it a monstrous wolf, a cryptid, or something more sinister? This is the chilling true story of the Beast of Gévaudan — a real-life horror that still haunts history.

Lore of the ghostly whale skeleton, Bake-kujira, brings an ominous twist to stories of the revered marine giants in Japan. The entity is an omen of misfortune that emerged during the rise of industrial whaling in the 20th century. Is it a simple ghost story, or a warning of ecological collapse? And is Bake-kujira’s legend as relevant now as ever?

In 1952, a terrifying creature was spotted in Flatwoods, West Virginia — a 10 feet tall creature with glowing eyes, a spade-shaped head, and cloaked in a metal skirt. Was it an alien, a Cold War experiment, or mass hysteria?

Why do vampires shift from terrifying to seductive and back again? Let's explore the long history of the vampire’s transformation—from monstrous fiend to gothic heartthrob—and what it says about our fears, desires, and identity. Sexy… scary… sexy… scary… it’s a cycle centuries in the making.

Countless people claim to have seen the Hat Man—a shadowy figure in a wide-brimmed hat—while experiencing sleep paralysis, bringing on an overwhelming sense of dread. Why do so many people, throughout time and across different cultures, report the same eerie encounter? Is it a neurological glitch or something more?

A grainy 2007 video from Fresno, California, sparked an internet phenomenon—the Fresno Nightcrawlers. From cryptid lore to viral fame, this video explores how a 20-second clip turned into a legend, inspiring countless theories, debates, and even adorable merchandise.