Episodes
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monstras After Dark: Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Thousands of years ago the Maya sacrificed several adults and children in a cave. Left where their bodies fell, archaeologists have put together how they all died and why...
This episode is all about caves! Brenda talks about why she hates and loves caves and why this one in particular is so fascinating.
Reminder this episode is from our patreon series, which was recorded earlier this year. We also chose to release two of Brenda's in a row but usually we do switch off!
Monday Sep 26, 2022
Brujeria
Monday Sep 26, 2022
Monday Sep 26, 2022
When most people hear the word witch or think about witchcraft they picture large pots of unknown substances brewing, pointy hats and brooms. But in Latin America witchcraft, or brujeria, comes in all sorts of beautiful and terrifying manners. Think chocolate potions and dried herbs.
We tackle some of the different types of brujeria in Latin America, but this episode is just the tip of the iceberg...
TW: mutilation, child kidnapping, domestic violence
Music by Patrick Mullens
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Show Notes:
El Chocolate, una pocima de brujas
Rooting Contemporary Latinx Witchcraft Narratives in the Latin American Past
Were There Witch hunts in South America?
Into the Cave of Chiles Witches
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Dogs of Latin America
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Monday Nov 09, 2020
15,000 years ago dogs accompanied the first human settlers across the Bering Strait. These dogs flourished alongside the incredible civilizations Indigenous people built across North, Central, and South America.
Although those ancient dog breeds have all but disappeared their legacy remains in the form of myth, folklore, and archeological evidence.
In this episode we take a quick jaunt back in time and talk about the different dog breeds that once existed and the way ancient Mesoamerican people utilized their canine companions.
TW: dog eating (yes includes a few jokes sorry, but nothing too graphic)
Music by Patrick Mullens, Graham-Makes, & Lightning sound effect
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Monday Jul 20, 2020
Parícutin: When Hell Opened Up
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Monday Jul 20, 2020
77 years ago in the quiet town of Parícutin, Mexico, a farmer encountered a fissure that began spewing ash and sulfur. Pretty soon, that fissure grew into a volcano that buried the entire town in lava. In this episode, we explore the the day hell opened up and examine the folklore and myths that the Parícutin volcano gave birth to.
TW: hell, satan, cooked babies (fictional, not real ones)
If you want to try the tongue twister at the end of the episode, here it is: El pueblo de Parangaricutirimícuaro se va a desparangaricutirimicuarizar. Quien logre desparangaricutirimicuarizarlo primero será un gran desparangaricutirimicuarizador.
Music by Patrick Mullens
Wednesday May 27, 2020
El Cucuy
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Wednesday May 27, 2020
In this episode we explore the creepy world of El Cucuy, a Mexican monster with very strong European ties and origins. Listen to how this shape shifting monster has been terrifying children for centuries...
Theme song by Patrick Mullens
Music Credits: Lullaby Music Box, Door opening, footsteps, vocals by Alicia Calvo
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Disease: The Cocoliztli epidemics & The Fall of the Incan Empire
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Starting around 1545 a series of epidemics decimated the already ravaged Indigenous population of "New Spain" or present day Mexico. It is the worst epidemic in Mexico's history. The mysterious illness still baffles modern researchers. We continue our exploration of disease and it's affects on the Indigenous populations by exploring how small pox was partially responsible for bringing down the Incan Empire. And how from that destruction a world ending myth was born...
TW: disease, epidemics, horrifying symptoms, The Spanish (as usual), & conquistadores
Theme song by Patrick Mullens
Saturday Feb 29, 2020
Curanderos
Saturday Feb 29, 2020
Saturday Feb 29, 2020
Healers have always been coveted for their extensive knowledge in how to relieve pain and cure ailments. Curanderos, a combination of Indigenous and Spanish practices, have been an integral part of Latinx/Latin American culture. In this month's episode we try to uncover some of those practices, along with their origins.
TW: mention of broken bones, sickness, and GOOP
Theme song by Patrick Mullens
Sunday Sep 22, 2019
La Malinche
Sunday Sep 22, 2019
Sunday Sep 22, 2019
Traitor or victim? You decide! On this episode we talk about La Malinche one of Mexican history's most infamous women. She's been immortalized as the traitor who helped the Conquistadors bring down the mighty Aztec Empire.
TW: child murder, murder, Hernan Cortez, betrayal
Theme song by Patrick Mullens
Sunday Jan 13, 2019
Santa Muerte
Sunday Jan 13, 2019
Sunday Jan 13, 2019
Can we worship death? In this first part of a two part episode we ask that question and several others. We begin by exploring the story of Mark Kilroy and his ritualistic murder. Was Mark Kilroy's murderers really Santa Muerte worshipers? Find out.
Warnings: Sodomy, murder, dismemberment, satanism, narcos, and human sacrifice
Theme song by Patrick Mullens
Other songs by Timbre
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
Day of the Dead
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
This episode examines Day of the Dead, now a popular celebration in the US (kind of), we explore its origins and modern interpretations. And yes we know it's not quite a monster but we do talk about colonialism and isn't that the true monster?
Warnings: death, after life, dog eating, cultural appropriation
This episode is also dedicated to Orquidea's great aunt Luz who passed away earlier this year.
Theme song by Patrick Mullens