Monster Lore Tour

94: Kanaima - The Evils That Cat-Men Do

Tonight, the Monster Lore Team explores the darkest rain forests in search of the darkest shaman of the Amazon basin, the Kanaima. These black sorcerers often appear in jaguar form. Are they men, monsters, or both. This  one gets darker than dark, so buckle up. 
 
References:
The two Primary Sources:
Dark Shamans Kanaima and the Poetics of Violent Death - Neil L. Whitehead | Hikikomori Feral - Academia.edu
https://www.academia.edu/49284713/Dark_Shamans_Kanaima_and_the_Poetics_of_Violent_Death_Neil_L_Whitehead
 
Taryl Janick’s A return to dark shamans: kanaima & the cosmology of threat. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
 
Other references:
Shapori & Irariwë & Hekura spirits:  Shamanic Battleground: Magic, Sorcery, and Warrior Shamanism in Venezuela | Zeljko Jokic - Academia.edu
https://www.academia.edu/16340376/Shamanic_Battleground_Magic_Sorcery_and_Warrior_Shamanism_in_Venezuela
 
Tiger shapeshifters: Penard, Frederick Paul, and Arthur Philip Penard. De menschetende Aanbidders der Zonneslang. 3 vols. Paramaribo: H. B. Heyde, 1907.
 
Therianthropes & ayahuasca visions: Hancock, G. (2007). Supernatural: meetings with the ancient teachers of mankind. The Disinformation Company

BONUS: Krampus Ruins Christmas Special (oh wait, that's MOZ again)

Oh, Oh, Oh No!!! Join us for this very special Christmas ruination special as MOZ digs Krampus out by the roots so we can get to the heart of the lore surrounding this most foul fiend, the still beating heart of a demon that may be lurking in the shadows outside your window as you listen along with the Monster Lore Tour. 

93. Interview: Stu vs. Chindi - Staring Down the Beast

Meet Stu, ex-soldier and military intelligence who, when freshly back from the battlefield, stared into the eyes of a Chindi and traveled through the abyss he glimpsed therein to find the light on the other side. You might want to bring a friend. This ride is gonna get scary.
itsgettingweird@aol.com
 
 
 

Side Trail 92: The Thanksgiving Origin Story

Join us for this holiday special Side Trail where we wrap up our discussion about turtle monsters from Episode 92, tell the tale of Turtle vs. Turkey, and conclude with the original Thanksgiving origin story that started it all. Come on along for this feast of turkey lore for this monstrous holiday special.
References:
- https://www.ladbible.com/news/tourist-woman-sea-turtle-attack-20220829
- https://greekreporter.com/2024/07/19/sea-turtle-attack-greece/
- https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/culture/how-the-turkey-got-his-beard/article_8b5de290-4532-549d-8837-fe5acaa54c2b.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalchiuhtotolin
- https://krazybear.com/native-american-legends/native-american-legend-turkey-the-peace-eagle/
 

92. TURTLEZILLA!!!

Join us on a journey through space and time as MOZ seeks to discover the nature and origins of the world’s most giant turtle monsters. I should’ve brought my floaties!
References:
This episode’s primary source: Eberhart, G.M. (2002). Mysterious creatures: a guide to cryptozoology. ABC- CLIO, Inc, CA
Turtle dreams and symbolism: Zolar (1963). Zolar’s Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Dreams. Simon & Schuster, NY, p384
Chonkosaurus: https://www.bing.com/search?q=chonkosaurus%20attacks%20kayakers%20MSN.com&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&lq=0&pq=chonkosaurus%20attacks%20kayakers%20msn.com&sc=0-37&sk=&cvid=8E7B49CCABE341DE862B3765AB81C8CD
Turtle Symbolism: Hull, R.F.C. (1974) C.G. Jung Dreams. Princeton University Press, NY, p231
Giant turtle accounts: The Natural History of Pliny. Translated by Bostock and H.T. Biley
https://archive.org/details/naturalhistoryof11855plin
 More gigantic turtle accounts: Gould, C. (1995). Mythical monsters. Semate, London, p74-76
Kashyapa or Turtle Man: Campbell, J. (1973). The hero with a thousand faces. Bollingen/Princeton, NJ, p178’
Ao: Ao (turtle) – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ao_(turtle)
The Dragon Turtle: Bane, T. (2016). Encyclopedia of beasts and monsters in myth, legend and folklore. Mcfarland & Co, p328
Wu un: Werner E.T.C (1994). Myths and legends of China. Dover, NY, p324
Glooskap: Leland, C.G. (1884). The Algonquin legends of New England: or, myths and folk lore of the Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot tribes.
Lu Dja Lako, Strong Toad & Sggeargert: Bane, T. (2016). Encyclopedia of beasts and monsters in myth, legend and folklore. Mcfarland & Co.
Oquao: Mysterious Creatures of Colonial America | Historical Society of Pennsylvania
https://hsp.org/blogs/hidden-histories/mysterious-creatures-of-colonial-america
Kappa: Frydman, J. (2022). Japanese myths: a guide to gods, heroes and spirits.   Thames & Hudson, p183-194
More Kappa facts Ashkenazi, M. (2003). Handbook of Japanese mythology. Bloomsbury Academic, p195-196
Best Defense: Frigiola, H. (2019). Monsters and mythical creatures: from around the world. Schiffer Publishing, PA, p181
Kappa evolution: Musharbash, Y., & Presterudstuen, G.H. (2014). Monster anthropology in Australasia and beyond. Academia.edu, p17
 

Side Trail 91 - A 3-For Weirdoween Side Trail Special

Join us for our special Halloween Side Trail release. This Side Trail comes in three parts:
1- Three Books: MOZ gives Bone the Tarot Pratchett treatment....
2- Three Faces: Come along as we visit the "Hill of Death" and discuss the Three-Faced Corleck Head....
3- Three Interlopers: We welcome the newest member of the Interstellar Interlopers Club, 3I/Atlas, to the MLT Space Weirdness Hall of Fame.
 
References:
Three-Faces:
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/corleck-head-a-spooky-three-faced-celtic-sculpture-found-on-the-hill-of-death-in-ireland-and-it-may-have-been-connected-to-human-sacrifice-1-900-years-ago
https://nigelborrington.com/2015/05/28/the-number-three-in-pagan-mythology-triple-deity-sculpture/
Three Interlopers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPLwBU9G_Xw
 
 

91. Halloween Ghost Stories Special 2025

Join us as Jeremy leads MOZ and Bone through a plethora of ghost stories, covering all of the ways in which you may be haunted.
 
References:
The New Hampshire Patriot – Thursday Oct 1, 1885: https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ndnp/nhd/batch_nhd_hale_ver01/data/sn84020381/0054286865A/1885100101/1139.pdf
The Home Advocate (Farmerville, LA) – Friday Oct 2, 1885:
https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ndnp/lu/batch_lu_oddish_ver01/data/sn88064297/00295878642/1885100201/0123.pdf
The Herald, Big Stone City, SD – Friday Oct 2 1885
https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ndnp/sdhi/batch_sdhi_cayman_ver01/data/sn00065152/00279523362/1885100201/0540.pdf
Witch of Endor: https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ndnp/mohi/batch_mohi_felice_ver01/data/sn89066620/00200292273/1905050401/0119.pdf
River Falls Journal, River Falls, Wis. – Thursday Oct 29, 1885: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn85033255/1885-10-29/ed-1/?sp=3&q=ghost&st=image&r=0.524,0.86,0.355,0.139,0
The Hawaiian gazette (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]), Tuesday November 3, 1885: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83025121/1885-11-03/ed-1/?sp=4&q=ghost&r=0.301,0.032,0.216,0.085,0
Detroit evening times (Detroit, Mich), March 5, 1944: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn88063294/1944-03-05/ed-1/?sp=66&q=poltergeist&r=0.478,0.895,0.222,0.087,0
Detroit evening times (Detroit, Mich), July 12, 1942: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn88063294/1942-07-12/ed-1/?sp=79&q=poltergeist&r=-0.188,0.297,0.845,0.332,0
Buzzfeed: https://www.buzzfeed.com/dannicaramirez/inexplicably-bizarre-stories-november
Oct 1, 1885 A SENATOR'S GHOST STORY:
https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ndnp/ndhi/batch_ndhi_hazen_ver01/data/sn85042405/00212478714/1885100101/0817.pdf
 

90: Side Trail Compilation - More Skinwalker Lore; Call Her Mint Jelly, Cuz Ruth's on the Lam; US Files Lava Tube Edition

A compilation of Side Trails 87, 88 & 89.
Side Trail 87:
MOZ dives ever deeper into the lore of the Skin....walkers. Follow along if you dare!
References:
O’Brien, C. (99). Stalking the Tricksters: Shapeshifters, Skinwalkers, Dark Adepts, and 2012. Adventures Unlimited Press, Ill, p117-118.
 
Side Trail 88:
In this Side Trail excursion, we discuss the seven escapes of Winnie Ruth Judd, and the ultimate conclusion to her tragic saga.
- Jana Bommersbach’s book was the primary source for Ruth’s story overall: Bommersbach, Jana. The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd: The Truth About an American Crime Legend Revealed at Last. Simon & Schuster, 1992.
 
Side Trail 89:
Jeremy shares his most recent personal paranormal happening in this special US Files Edition. He and three friends were in a much visited magma tube outside of Flagstaff when something very strange happened. Was that a Tommy they heard Knocking? Come on in and listen for yourself....

89: Were-Leopards - Parts Lion, Parts Tiger, Parts Man, Oh My!!!

Tonight the MLT crew dive deep into the feline gloom as the MLT tour bus heads from the jungles of Africa to their counterparts in South America in search of Big Cat shapeshifters. Were-leopards and Jaguar Shaman beware, as MOZ attempts to totally Velma this mystery and gets all jinkies with it. 
Endless gratitude to Mr. Tim Leavy @ https://www.timleavy.com/ for crafting us the greatest theme song in the paranormal realms.
References:
Primary Source:
Hurn, S. (2017). Anthropology and cryptozoology: exploring encounters with mysterious creatures. Routledge, NY
 
This episode primarily discusses the anthropological work and findings of Michael Heniese (the Naga tiger-men), Sharon Merz (siyawesi bush beings), Martin T. Walsh & Helle V. Goldman (the Zanzibar Leopard), all from the above book (edited by Samantha Hurn).
 
Legends and Myths of the Aboriginal Indians of British Guiana (1880)
sacred-texts.com
 
Intro quote on jaguar sorcery:
Also sacred-texts.com: Myths and Legends of the Bantu, Chapter 1
 
!Tigre Capiango:
Steiger, B. (1999). The werewolf book: the encyclopedia of shapeshifting beings. Farmington, Michigan: Visible Ink Press, p281
 
Sinaa:
Bane, T. (2016). Encyclopedia of beasts and monsters in myth, legend and folklore. Mcfarland & Co, p918
 
Pelton discussing R.S. Rattray’s leopard shapeshifting:
Pelton, Robert D.  (1980, 1989). The Trickster in West Africa: a study of mythic irony and sacred delight, University of California Press, p56
 
Were-crocs were-leopards comparison:
Merz S. (2018). Crocodiles are the souls of the community: an analysis of human-animal relations in northwestern Benin. University of Exeter, p214-15
 
Lokshvara & Tara:
Thurman, Robert A.E (1995). Essential Tibetan Buddhism. Castle Books, NJ, p5
 
Barack Obama’s “Big Dream”:
Warner, Marina (2013). Stranger Magic: Charmed states and the Arabian Nights. Chatto & Windus, London, p155
 
Black Elk’s “Big Dream”:
Neihardt, J.G. (2004). Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux. University of Nebraska Press, p160
 

88: Winnie Ruth Judd - Is She the Victim or the Crime?

In this true crime thriller we deep dive into the most famous, and most infamous, murder case in the history of the State of Arizona. Was Winnie Ruth Judd a cold-blooded killer? Or was she the victim of a conspiracy most heinous? Come on along as we explore the case that brought the City of Phoenix to the brink, and almost pushed the newly flourishing city over the edge.
 
References:
- Chronicling America was the source for all historic newspaper references: https://www.loc.gov/collections/chronicling-america/
- Jana Bommersbach’s book was the primary source for Ruth’s story overall: Bommersbach, Jana. The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd: The Truth About an American Crime Legend Revealed at Last. Simon & Schuster, 1992.
- And, of course, there’s a bit of the Wiki in there somewhere:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnie_Ruth_Judd