PBS
Kasogonagá: Sky Deity and Absolute Cutie
A sky deity falling from the sky sounds bad, right? Not if it’s the Kasogonagá! From the mythology of the Toba peoples of South America, this god of lightning, thunder, and rain appears as a small, hairy anteater-like creature and needs...
PBS
Pontianak: The Vengeful, Violent Vampiric Ghost of Southeast Asia
The pontianak, or kuntilanak, has long been a staple of Malay horror. In addition to serving as an allegory for the tension between traditional and modern cultural and spiritual practices, these monsters gave name to a real city. In this...
PBS
How Gargoyles Became Monsters
Before these stoney grotesques became monsters they were just water spouts. We still adorn our buildings with the carvings and sculptures of the frightening, funny, and exaggerated forms—but why? Learn all about the strange history of...
PBS
The Original Urban Legend: Spring-heeled Jack
19th century London and the hunting ground of Spring-Heeled Jack. The fire-breathing, wall-leaping, claw-wielding devil attacked women in their homes and in the streets, terrorizing England for more than 50 years. Learn how Spring-Heeled...
PBS
The Fatal Song of the Sirens
This episode explains how sirens appeared in ancient history, from literature to art, and looks at how the half human half bird creatures became more commonly associated with mermaids. From Ancient Greek legends to Medieval bestiaries,...
PBS
Bunyip: Australia’s Mysterious Amphibian Monster
Originating in the stories and beliefs of the southeastern Indigenous peoples of Australia, accounts of the bunyip are widely varied. This episode uses Aboriginal stories, historical records, and fossils to explore the bunyip legend, and...
PBS
Jorōgumo: The Deadly Spider Woman from Yokai Lore
Although able to appear as a beautiful young woman, the jorōgumo is really a deadly spider monster in disguise. This episode dives into the fascinating world of yōkai and the long history of beautiful women and spiders in Japanese...
PBS
Slender Man: How The Internet Created a Monster
Dr. Zarka explains the timeline of this Internet folklore sensation, examining how unlike so many other monster origins stories, we know exactly when and why this one was created. From Creepypasta to video games, horror movies to...
PBS
Jinn: The Ancient Arabian Shapeshifters
Jinn is a popular character in fiction and their origins continue to influence Islamic cultures today. From the Qur’an to The Thousand and One Nights, the story of Aladdin to I Dream of Jeannie and everything in between—the jinn are more...
PBS
How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse (with Dr. Z)
In this special episode, Dr. Zarka shows you what’s inside her “go bag,” a kit of survival supplies she keeps on hand at all times. In this episode you’ll find out how the horror genre can inspire real-world preparedness and take a look...
PBS
The Dark Origins of Hansel and Gretel
Hansel and Gretel is one of the most famous fairy tales of the Western world, and contains one of the most notorious witches. In this episode you’ll learn about witch trials in Germany, the role famine and poverty play in creating...
PBS
Leshy: The Slavic Lord of the Forest
He can grow higher than the trees, or smaller than a blade of grass. Both demon and deity, guardian and antagonist, the Leshy is rooted deep in the cultural and religious history of the Slavic people.
PBS
Manananggal: The Flying, Disembodied, Blood Sucking Nightmare
One of the Phillipine’s most dangerous and bizarre aswangs, the viscera-sucking, self-segmenting monster hunts at night. A beautiful woman by day, this creature detaches its upper torso and grows wings after sunset. An intestine-dangling...
PBS
Blame the Tokoloshe! South Africa’s Most Notorious Goblin
Connected to witchcraft, sexual predation, and mischief, the tokoloshe is a dominant myth in South Africa. There are different kinds of tokoloshe/tikoloshe, but one thing remains the same in all versions of the monster: they cause havoc...
PBS
Cyclops: The Origin Story of this Terrifying One-Eyed Giant
In this episode, you’ll hear all about Homer’s Polyphemus and Hesiod’s one-eyed blacksmiths, but also a little about the role paleontology has played in creating monsters. Join Dr. Zarka and special guests Kallie Moore and Blake de...
PBS
Windigo: The Flesh-Eating Monster of Native American Legend
Explore the symbolic interpretations of the windigo with Dr. Zarka as she explains how this Native American legend can teach us about the spiritual beliefs and social values of the early indigenous peoples of North America.
PBS
El Chupacabras, a Modern Mystery
Did you know there are two different types of chupacabras? Or that these bloodsucking monsters only starting popping up 25 years ago? Sightings of el chupacabras, the “goatsucker,” began in Puerto Rico in 1994 for a very real reason—the...
Great Big Story
Building a Secret World for Seahorses
Join Roger Hansen, known as the Seahorse Whisperer, on his incredible journey of studying and conserving seahorses in Southern California. Explore the rare beauty of these fascinating creatures and learn about Roger's dedication to their...
Great Big Story
Joe Nickell, The Truth Behind Paranormal Mysteries
Follow Joe Nickell, a seasoned paranormal investigator, as he debunks myths of ghosts, UFOs, and monsters with scientific inquiry.
Brave Wilderness
SPIKED by Sharpest Lizard on Earth! (Thorny Devil)
On this adventure I’m in Western Australia tracking down the sharpest lizard in the world! Covered from head to tail with spikes as sharp as a rose thorn. I’m going to put it to the test and see if it’s sharp enough to draw blood!
Wonderscape
The Remarkable Intelligence of Octopuses
Discover the remarkable intelligence and adaptability of octopuses in this engaging video. Witness their intriguing behaviors in a marine lab, including nocturnal escapades, clever escapes, and unique interactions with humans, all...
Wonderscape
Slithering Marvels: Unveiling the World of Snakes
Explore the fascinating world of snakes, from the giant Anaconda to the tiny Bramini blind snake. Learn about their diverse habitats, the fear of snakes (Ophidiophobia), and their ecological roles. Discover how some snakes can glide and...
Curated Video
Exploring the World of Fossils: Uncovering Ancient Life Through Paleontology
Fossils are the preserved remains of plants or animals from long ago, such as dinosaurs, that have turned into stone over time. They can be found in various locations like mountains, underwater, and even underground. Fossil discoveries,...
Curated Video
Discovery of Ancient Lizard Fossils in South America Sheds Light on Survival and Distribution
Scientists in South America have discovered fossils of an ancient lizard-like reptile that lived longer than previously believed. The fossils, found in Argentina, belong to a new type of Sphenodontian, a family of primitive reptiles that...