Monstras

Hello! We are announcing that we are taking a bit of an extended break. Both of us have been quite busy lately (ugh responsibilities) and are tired. We have been working on this awesome project for a few years now but felt we were losing some steam. This break is meant to rejuvenate us! We love talking about monsters and would like to continue in the future. Thank you to everyone who has listened to us! We seriously appreciate every single listener and supporter of this podcast! We still cannot believe people were interested in what we had to say. Special shout out to all of our Patreon supporters, who have really been amazing to us. We will keep you posted on our social media channels and Brenda will continue to post on those once in a while. Hasta luego Monstras!

In 1996 the future of the townspeople of Varginha, Brazil changed when a group of young girls claimed to have witnessed a very stinky alien! Brenda dives into the story of the supposed alien crash that occurred in Varginha and turned the town into the Roswell of Latin America. Merry Christmas and hopefully you all avoided a visit from an alien! _____________________________________________________ As a reminder this episode was recorded earlier in the year and comes from our patreon only series Monstras After Dark. Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok - Store

In the Andes there is a legend of a man, usually a gringo, who wanders the streets at night looking for its next meal. He attacks solitary travelers with a knife dismembering them and consuming their fat for sustenance. In this episode Orquidea describes the eerie legend of the Pishtaco and dissects its origins. ___________________________________________________________ As a reminder this episode was recorded earlier in the year and comes from our Patreon only series Monstras After Dark. Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok - Store

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!

We are on a 3 month break! But during that break we will be publishing some of our Monstras After Dark episodes, which are normally exclusive to our Patreon subscribers. If you enjoy this extra content please consider subscribing. ______________ In this episode of Monstras After Dark Brenda explores the different stories that exist about vagina dentata in Latin America. Beware: Orquidea is blushing throughout the episode. Also we talk a lot about vaginas and man eating vaginas, so this is definitely a PG-13 episode! Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok - Store

Legends of small creatures that roam the forest have persisted amongst various cultures for centuries. In Latin America these small creatures are called Duendes and they are often described as mysterious and mischievous creatures. With their pointy ears, small stature and backwards feet they can be pretty non-threatening, at least until you hear some of the stories....   TW: Kidnapping, stalking and a small mention of SA in regards to the legend of the Sisimite   Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok - Store Show Notes: Good, Evil or Mischievous: The Legend of Latin America's Duende Aluxes and Chaneques: mythological creatures from Mexico  El Duende Mythological Creature in El Salvador  

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 Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok Show Notes: El Chocolate, una pocima de brujas Young Brujas Rooting Contemporary Latinx Witchcraft Narratives in the Latin American Past Were There Witch hunts in South America? Into the Cave of Chiles Witches  

In the final installment of our summer long campaign to gross ourselves out, we examine one of the world's worst serial killers. Evidence points to this man killing upwards of 179+ children in Colombia. Please heed the trigger warnings! TW: child murder, child death, child mutilation, murderer, serial killer, true crime, and just not great stuff   Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok Show Notes: Biography of Luis Garavito LA Times Article The Worst Serial Killer in History

Our summer of danger continues with the true and horrifying tale of Las Poquianchis. These four sisters, in partnership with the local authorities, went on to become, "Mexico's most feared women serial killers"     Tw: murder, rape, infanticide, human sex trafficking, please proceed with caution Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok Show Notes: Las Poquianchis   

Summer is here and so is the heat! Open windows can be spotted all throughout any neighborhood, letting in the cool outside breeze. No one ever thinks of who or what might take that open window as an invitation...   Florencio Fernandez was a serial killer. Born in the town of Monteros, Tucuman, Argentina, he went on to brutally kill 15 women. Many of his victims had bite indentations on their neck.   But what does the evidence say? Is Florencio Fernandez an innocent man, or a brutal vampiric serial murderer?   Welcome to our three episode series on true crime called Verano Peligroso, or Dangerous Summer!    Tw: blood, murder, true crime Music by Patrick Mullens  Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok Show Notes:  La Gaceta Diario Uno La Nacion The Argentine Window Vampire  

The one legged woman that haunts the forest, tearing and consuming the flesh men dumb enough to mess with nature - La Patasola can be found in Colombia or Ecuador hopping around on one foot. We tell you how a regular woman became the protector of the forest... Tw: infidelity, murder, child murder,  Music by Patrick Mullens & DylanTheFish Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok Show Notes:  Patasola Song La Patasola Cultura El Rincon Colombiano USC Folklore Archives Curse of Patasola (the movie that looked bad)

After a night of hard partying and drinking you wake up in a tub full of melted ice. Startled you stand up, only to notice a weird pulling sensation on your back. You lift up your shirt and you see a fresh and gnarly scar going up the side of your torso!  Have you heard of this urban legend before? Well we explore it's origins but also the real story behind people's organs going missing.... Tw: torture, exploitation of the poor, animal black market trade Music by Patrick Mullens  Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon - TikTok Show Notes:  The great kidney snatch myth The Organ Detective: A Career Spent Uncovering A Hidden Global Market in Human Flesh Black Market Jaguar Parts The video of the weird nipple guy

El Silbón terrorizes the drunk and angry men of los llanos in Colombia and Venezuela. If you hear a faint whistle it is too late, get ready to have your bones removed from your flesh and stuffed into a bag.  Tw: patricide, torture, murder, and a hint of attempted cannibalism Music by Patrick Mullens & Julius_Galla Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon   Show Notes:  The Whistle Man Story (yes the restaurant) Astonishing Legends PBS Video The Wild Hunt

What happens if a child dies before it's baptized? Besides toiling away in the sheer agony of limbo, they can instead manifest as a Douen! These tiny creatures live in the forests of Trinidad and Tobago, causing mischief and sometimes a little bit of horror... TW: babies, baby death, & general mischief  Music by Patrick Mullens & Setuniman Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon Show Notes:  Story by Joanna Jadoo Cryptid Wiki A Douen Epistemology: Caribbean Memory and Digital Archive Douen Islands Project by Jeannine Murray-Román

What do you get when you mix a cult, Nazis, pedophilia and a close relationship with a dictator?  In 1961, Paul Schafer left Belgium to escape accusations of sexually abusing more than 30 children. Chile at the time was a hot spot for ex-Nazis fleeing the end of WWII and so he decided to make a new home there and name it Colonia Dignidad.  Along with 280 other Europeans he became the leader of this cloistered, odd, and torturous colony. In this month's episode find out all of Colonia Dignidad's dirty secrets... TW: pedophilia (as already mentioned), Nazis, torture, genital mutilation (not detailed), and abuse    Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon Show Notes:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ-VXChWMrM Lazaro, Juan. "La tenebrosa Colonia Dignidad de Paul Schaefer; Juicio por violaciones sexuales y derechos humanos enfrenta ex nazi en Chile." El Diario La Prensa, Mar 27, 2005, pp. 16 "Torture documents unearthed." National Catholic Reporter, vol. 41, no. 41, 23 Sept. 2005, p. 8.    

For Halloween we bring you some creepy stories by Albert and Jae from Coffee and Chisme. Inspired by Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction tv show, we invite you to listen and try to figure out which story is true and which one is fake. The truth is revealed at the end of the episode!  Make sure to listen to our stories on the Espooky Tales podcast on October 29th! You can also listen to their stories on Coffee and Chisme's podcast dropping on October 27th.    Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon Show Notes:  Station wagon 

Why is the Amazon rainforest named after a tribe of warrior women from Greek myth? When Columbus embarked on his journey to the Indies in 1492 he arrived in the "New World" with preconceived notions of what he would find there - including monsters.  Did Columbus and other explorers really encounter sirens, mermaids, and cannibals? Find out in this months' episode!    Tw: Cannibalism (so much), penis disfiguration, and Columbus Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram - Patreon Show Notes:  From Amazons to Zombies - An Indigenous People's History of the United States   

The opossum is a strange creature that baffled the earliest colonizers exploring Latin America. Little did they know that the little creature had cemented itself into local folklore. We explore how the Tlacuache brought fire, mezcal, and joy to humanity.  TW: limp bizcuit   Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram Show Notes:  How El Tlacuache Stole Mezcal from the Demons Los Mitos del Tlacuache Handbook of Hispanic Cultures  

Spoiler free! We got a special screening of the movie Escape Room: Tournament of Champions. Check out the movie trailer!  We briefly go over the history of escape rooms, what we thought of the movie, and also feature a fantastic interview with Javi Kallback, a Latina Escape Room expert and creator from New Hampshire!   Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram   Show Notes:  Portsmouth Escape Room Brief History of Escape Rooms Crimson Room - Escape Room Game (that you can still play!)

Tales have persisted for over a century of a mysterious creature that lurks in the forests of the Dominican Republic. Both beautiful and deadly, her backwards feet lead men astray. But was her story created by one man, or was it a tale created before colonization...   Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram Show Notes:  Poem - From "La Ciguapa Speaks" by Marianela Medrano-Marra, PhD  

Sihuehuet was a woman whose beauty and charm ensnared a prince's heart. But her avarice, lust, and thirst for power transforms her into La Siguanaba, a horrific horse faced woman who lurks beside rivers, luring men and children to their deaths.  What does this story tell us about women's role in society? And what does this 400 year old story tell us about the past, Indigeneity, and colonization? Find out the secrets of La Siguanaba in this episode!    Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram Show Notes:  Tradición oral salvadoreña: Mestizaje, religión y valores Leyenda de la Siguanaba   

In this episode we dive into the origins of La Virgen de Guadalupe and her rise in popularity in Europe and then Mexico. Was La Virgen a tool for colonization? Is she a figure of female oppression? We explore that and more!  TW: rape (one single mention in regards to La Virgen), Catholicism, religion, and of course colonization  Theme song by Patrick Mullens

For the holiday season we torture ourselves by reviewing Santa Claus Vs The Devil (1960) with special guest Ze.  It features Santa Claus, Merlin, Vulcan, & and an array of cute children! The movie was released in Mexico in 1959 and was directed by Rene Cardona and co-written with Adolfo Torres Portillo.  You can watch the movie for free here. 

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  Twitter - Facebook - Website - Instagram Show Notes:  A History of Dogs in the Early Americas America's First Dogs Vanished...  

Happy Halloween! We explore spooky tales about a woman who dances with the devil and a priest who hears a dead man's confession. With special guests Coffee+Chisme! Tw: horny ghosts, death, & Satan Music by Patrick MullensTwitter - Facebook - Website 

We review What we do in the Shadows! A show about four lame vampire roommates living together with their overworked and underappreciated familiar.  This is not a spoiler free review, we do go over major plot points.  Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website Show Notes:  Harvey Guillen/Guillermo AMA Latinas & Latinos on TV - Book Runaways Topher: Example we mentioned in the episode    

An aging military general guilty of genocide comes face to face with his past misdeeds in the shape of an Indigenous dark haired woman...   We review the powerful 2019 movie La Llorona by Jayro Bustamante, which premiered on Shudder on Thursday, August 6th.  If you want to listen to our short spoiler free final thoughts you can forward to 49:30.    Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website Show Notes:  Movie Trailer La Llorona de Los Cafetales Music Video Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America

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 Twitter - Facebook - Website Show Notes:  Map of Volcanoes in Mexico Video of Paricutin Eruption Paricutin Buried Church  Someone Successfully Saying the Tongue Twister!

The word goth often conjures up images of people dressed all in black, with black hair, black lipstick, and pale skin. But goth culture has crossed borders and this subculture has attracted people from all over the world, including Latin America and Los Angeles. In this episode we interview Professor Desirée A. Martín, who gives us an overview of what Latinx goth is, its origins, and more!  For more information about Desirée A. Martín, please check out her book here.  Theme Music by Patrick Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website    

This week we review and discuss the first episode of the new Penny Dreadful series, City of Angels. This series is a dark fantasy set in 1930's Los Angeles and centers on a Latinx family. It features Mexican folklore, music, and culture prominently along with our favorite scythe wielding mythological figure... We recommend watching the episode before listening, which you can find for free on Amazon.  Theme music by Patrick Mullens TW: Nazi's, racism, murder, the LA river, and spoilers!  Check out our new website! Penny Dreadful Wiki Synopsis

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

In this episode we explore Guillermo de Toro's first feature length film, Cronos. Originally released in 1993, it stars Federico Luppi, Margarita Isabel, Tamara Shanath, Claudio Brook and a very young Ron Perlman!  Just a warning: there are massive spoilers and some body horror mentioned. 

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

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

Who was Juana Barraza? And what made her go from a promising career as a Luchadora to one of Mexico's most infamous serial killers?  We take a glimpse at her childhood and possible motivations behind her gruesome crimes.  TW: serial murder, rape (mentioned, no detail), machismo, three beers  Theme song by Patrick Mullens

This month we bring you a two part episode on the Mataviejitas, one of Mexico's most infamous serial killers. In this first part we explore the murders, police ineptitude, and we take a brief look at Mexico's LGBTQ history.  TW: murder of elders, serial murder, violence, and untrue and outdated beliefs about the trans community Theme song by Patrick Mullens

No new episode this month, but we will be back in 2020 with TWO new episodes in January.  Happy New Year, Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo! Thank you to all our listeners for being amazing, and we are looking forward to a great 2020 (hopefully).   

A Werewolf in Argentina? A Guaraní legend, the Lobison is a half man half beast creature that loves to consume dead flesh. Find out where he loves to hang out by listening to this episode!  TW: war, dead bodies, dog (?) attacks Theme song by Patrick Mullens

Happy Halloween! Our favorite holiday is here along with our one year anniversary of this podcast. Celebrate with us by listening to us talk about some haunted places in Latin America, including Casa Matusita in Peru, Lima and Linea A in Argentina.  Review the podcast and get a shout out!  TW: witch burning, child murder, torn limbs, blood

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 Other music by Tri-Tachyon

Well we did it. We went ahead and watched the Syfy made for tv movie Chupacabra vs The Alamo. We review it and we have strong opinions about it.  Spoilers up ahead, so be warned.  Theme song by Patrick Mullens

The Chupacabra is a fascinating cryptid whose origin story began in Puerto Rico and quickly spread worldwide. It continues to capture people's imagination with sightings still being reported today. Join us this episode as we explore the origins of this elusive goat sucking creature.  TW: vampires, animal death, mange, colonialism, and of course aliens Theme song by Patrick Mullens Other music by Alexander Nakarada  

Attention demon dog lovers, this episode tackles a tale from El Salvador, El Cadejo, a special dog with glowing red eyes and a taste for human souls.  Theme Song by Patrick Mullens TW: evil dogs, furries, soul stealing, dog attacks, and some talk of dog eating (historical, as if that somehow makes it better, but its brief) Show notes: El Cadejo Brewery, El Kadejo Movie, Werewolf Bar Mitzvah, El Cadejo Book (source)

This month we are releasing a bonus episode on "The Curse of La Llorona" currently in theaters now. Does this movie accurately portray the mythos of La Llorona, Curanderos, and Latinxs? Or does it fall short?  SPOILER ALERT!! Do not listen if you do not want the movie spoiled.  Theme Song by Patrick Mullens TW: crying woman, child murder, death, and spoilers

Did you know that right across the border in Tijuana existed an amazing, rich, and incredible resort? Patronized by some of the biggest celebrities at the time, Agua Caliente was so incredible that it was the inspiration for Las Vegas! Even though it only existed for a short amount of time, Agua Caliente has left us with some legendary stories, including one about a headless ballerina... TW: Suicide, alcohol, beheading, random train sounds, and rich people.  Theme song by Patrick Mullens Story excerpt at the beginning by Paul J. Vanderwood, "Agua Caliente Resort and Casino" Music from the beginning is Carioca by the Gerry Mulligan Quartet.  

This is part II of our Santa Muerte series! Our last one on Santa Muerte, as much as we like talking about her. We get to talking about the Catholic Church and the history of Santa Muerte. Orquidea also interviews Professor William Calvo Quiros from the University of Michigan who will shine his expert light on Santa Muerte and his followers.  Warnings: death, transphobia, Catholic church, a burp Theme song: Patrick Mullens Beginning song: By haniebal  If you want to skip the interview it starts at 33:15 and ends 51:15  

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

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 

Aliens are monsters?! Depends on who you ask! We tackle the Ancient Aliens nonsense and we're both not happy about it.  Warnings: Aliens and Alien sex  Theme Song by Patrick Mullens

We're taking a look at the undead this week! Traveling to Haiti we will be exploring the origins of the zombie and how its grown into the brain eating phenom-nom it is today. Warnings: cannibalism, slavery, murder  Theme Song by Patrick Mullens  

We invite you to listen to the first episode of Monstras, a podcast that explores the folklore and history surrounding popular monsters from Latin America. Our debut episode features La Llorona also known as the "wailing woman."   Warnings: Suicide, murder, child death Story by Maria Gavia Theme Song by Patrick Mullens Music: The sonata (Piano loop) by ShadyDave and guitar by memz