Monstrum
2025
The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn't afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster for each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature and film.
Where to Watch Monstrum • 2025
14 Episodes
- How This Thing Became a Modern BigfootE1
How This Thing Became a Modern BigfootA 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. - Why Are So Many People Seeing The Hat Man?E2
Why Are So Many People Seeing The Hat Man?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? - Why Does A Ghost Whale Terrorize The Japanese Coast?E3
Why Does A Ghost Whale Terrorize The Japanese Coast?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? - Why Did Vampires Become Sexy?E4
Why Did Vampires Become Sexy?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. - The Terrifying Reign of the Beast of GevaudanE5
The Terrifying Reign of the Beast of GevaudanBetween 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. - The Most Puzzling UFO Case of the 20th CenturyE6
The Most Puzzling UFO Case of the 20th CenturyIn 1952, a terrifying creature was spotted in Flatwoods, West Virginia — a 10-foot-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?In 1952, a terrifying creature was spotted in Flatwoods, West Virginia — a 10-foot-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? - Real Life Monster Hunters Are More Hardcore Than FictionE7
Real Life Monster Hunters Are More Hardcore Than FictionHow 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. - The Disturbing Reasons We Invent MonstersE8
The Disturbing Reasons We Invent MonstersWhat 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. - These Mythical Monsters Turned Out To Be RealE9
These Mythical Monsters Turned Out To Be RealWith 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. - The Cursed Monster Born From SlaveryE10
The Cursed Monster Born From SlaveryEver 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. - The Deep Halloween Lore You Probably Don’t KnowE11
The Deep Halloween Lore You Probably Don’t KnowBats 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! - A Monster Expert Breaks Down KPop Demon HuntersE12
A Monster Expert Breaks Down KPop Demon HuntersWhy 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 KPop Demon Hunters. - A Monster Expert's Take on Mascot HorrorE13
A Monster Expert's Take on Mascot HorrorMascot horror twists cheerful childhood icons into unsettling threats. Let’s look at how Five Nights at Freddy’s sparked a wave of creepy mascots, fan-made worlds, corporate irony, and horror reboots of nostalgic characters. - Meet The Pacific Northwest’s Most Mysterious KillerE14
Meet The Pacific Northwest’s Most Mysterious KillerYou never see it—until it’s too late. The 19th-century lumberjack legend of the Hidebehind and other shadowy beings across cultures play on humanity’s fear of unseen monsters. Why are invisible threats so terrifying, and what do they reveal about the human mind?
