PODCAST · society
Monstras
by Brenda and Orquidea
Brenda Salguero and Dr. Orquidea Morales use their expertise and experiences, to explore the world of Latin American and Latinx folklore, horror, and monsters
Episodes
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Love & Horror: Interview w/ Palmira Muniz
In our final episode of the season we interview Palmira Muniz, an award-winning filmmaker, writer, media consultant, creative producer, and comedian who brings a unique lens to her work as a fat, queer, Afro-Boricua storyteller from Anaheim, CA, with roots in the Bronx.
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Love & Horror: Latinas Make Horror
This season we have focused on Latinas in horror the ways they're stereotyped but also how they embody monstrousness. In this episode we talk about those behind the cameras!
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Love & Horror: Wednesday
Who doesn't love the norm breaking weirdos known as the Addams Family? In this episode we talk about them but specifically their dark and broody daughter, Wednesday!
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Love & Horror: Vamps
Who doesn't love a sexy vampire? In this episode we talk about one of the most common tropes of Latinas in the media - the vampire!
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Love & Horror: Final Girls
In this episode we focus on the final girl! One of the most common horror tropes.
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Love & Horror: Monstras Love Horror
We are back! After a very long break we have decided to come back with a 6 episode season. This season focuses on the relationship of Latines and horror.
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We are taking a break!
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...
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Monstras After Dark: The Varginha UFO incident
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...
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Monstras After Dark: El Pishtaco
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...
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Monstras After Dark: Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
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...
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Monstras After Dark: Vagina Dentata
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...
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Duendes
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…
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Brujeria
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…
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Verano Peligroso: Luis Garavito
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,...
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Verano Peligroso: Las Poquianchis
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…
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Verano Peligroso: The Window Vampire
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,...
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La Patasola
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…
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The Black Market Organ Trade
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…
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El Silbón
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…
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The Douen
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...
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Colonia Dignidad
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…
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Fact or Fiction: Halloween Special 2021
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…
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Monsters in the Americas
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…
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El Tlacuache
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...
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Movie Review: Escape Room Tournament of Champions
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...
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La Ciguapa
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…
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La Siguanaba
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...
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La Virgen de Guadalupe
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,...
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Movie Review: Santa Claus Vs The Devil
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...
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Dogs of Latin America
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…
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Halloween Special: Featuring Coffee+Chisme
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 Mullens Twitter - Facebook - Website
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Show Review: What we do in the Shadows
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...
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Movie Review: La Llorona 2019 by Jayro Bustamante
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…
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Parícutin: When Hell Opened Up
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...
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Interview: Latinx Goths with Professor Desirée A. Martín
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...
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Show Review: Penny Dreadful City of Angels
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...
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El Cucuy
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,...
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Movie Review: Cronos
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.
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Disease: The Cocoliztli epidemics & The Fall of the Incan Empire
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…
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Curanderos
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,...
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Mataviejitas Part II
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...
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Mataviejitas Part I
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...
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Special Note
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).
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El Lobison
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
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Haunted Places
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…
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La Malinche
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...
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Movie Review: Chupacabra vs The Alamo
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
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La Chupacabra
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,...
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El Cadejo
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...
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Movie Review: The Curse of La Llorona
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…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Monstras have?
Monstras currently has 57 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Monstras about?
Brenda Salguero and Dr. Orquidea Morales use their expertise and experiences, to explore the world of Latin American and Latinx folklore, horror, and monsters
How often does Monstras release new episodes?
Monstras has 57 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Monstras?
You can listen to Monstras on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Monstras?
Monstras is created and hosted by Brenda and Orquidea.
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