The StickyBeak

At several points in our deep past, humanity came dangerously close to disappearing altogether. Using the latest genetic research, this episode explores the moments when our ancestors were reduced to astonishingly small numbers — and how scientists uncovered these ancient population crashes hidden inside our DNA. From dramatic climate shifts to evolutionary bottlenecks, this is the story of how cl...

For centuries, the legend of Vagina Dentata —the “toothed vagina”—has terrified and fascinated cultures around the world. Tales of flesh-shredding femmes fatales and man-eating wombs aren’t just scary stories—they reveal deep truths about power, sexuality, fear, and control . In this episode of The StickyBeak , we dive into the origins of Vagina Dentata , from ancient myths and cautionary folklore...

What is it really like to be a real-life vampire? In this episode of The StickyBeak , I sit down with Madame X, a self-identifying vampire, to explore a world that most of us know only through folklore, horror films and pop culture. Who are the people who identify as vampires? What does being a vampire actually mean in modern life? And what might surprise us about a community that exists far beyon...

The 27 Club has fascinated the world for decades. Why did icons like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and Brian Jones all die at 27? Coincidence — or something more? In this episode, we unpack the origins of the 27 Club and separate fact from folklore. From the white lighter myth to Saturn return astrology, from crossroads legends to Illuminati and ritual sacrif...

Crop circles have appeared overnight for decades — vast geometric patterns pressed into fields, from rural England to regional Australia. Perfect spirals. Massive fractals. Designs so precise they seem almost impossible. Are they proof of alien life? Elaborate hoaxes? Or something far more human? In this episode of The StickyBeak , Mon explores the UFO sightings, the famous Stonehenge formation th...

Isadora Duncan changed the world of dance forever. Revered as the mother of modern dance, Isadora Duncan rejected rigid ballet tradition and created a radical new style built on freedom, emotion, and natural movement. She became an international sensation — admired, criticized, and endlessly talked about. But behind the fame was a life marked by heartbreak, scandal, controversy, and profound perso...

For centuries, Europe’s most celebrated opera singers had voices that sounded almost supernatural — powerful, soaring, and unlike anything audiences had ever heard before. They were known as the  castrati . From the sacred choirs of the Vatican to the grand opera houses of Europe, these singers became some of the biggest celebrities of the 17th and 18th centuries. Kings invited them to royal...

In October 1989, a brutal killing on the banks of the Brisbane River shocked Queensland. Within days, newspapers around the world were running the same chilling headline:  “The Lesbian Vampire Killer.” But how did a tragic crime become a global media sensation? In this episode of  The StickyBeak , Monika O’Hanlon revisits the infamous case of Tracey Wigginton and the murder of Edward Bal...

What happens when one of Switzerland’s oldest traditions begins to change? Schwingen , also known as  Swiss wrestling , is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most beloved sporting traditions. Wrestlers compete in a sawdust-covered ring, wearing traditional clothing and following rituals passed down through generations. In this documentary-style episode of  The StickyBeak , Mon explores the&...

What does it mean to fall in love with an object — and can an object become the focus of a genuine romantic relationship? In this episode of  The StickyBeak , we dive into  objectophilia , also known as  objectum sexuality (OS)  — a rare and often misunderstood phenomenon in which people experience romantic, emotional or sexual attraction to inanimate objects. From the woman wh...

Faces painted black and white. Faygo flying through the air. A chant of  “woop woop”  echoing through the crowd. But beyond the chaos and the headlines lies a subculture built on belonging, identity, and community. In this episode of  The StickyBeak , Monika O’Hanlon dives into the misunderstood world of Juggalos — exploring the origins of Insane Clown Posse, the mythos of the Dark...

What happens when women become the clients — and men become the product? In this episode of  The StickyBeak , Monika O’Hanlon goes behind the scenes of  Her Confidant , Australia’s first male escort agency, founded by Anna Grosman. While conversations about sex work often focus on female sex workers, male escorts and the women who hire them offer a fascinating and rarely explored perspec...

What if one of the most recognisable faces in first aid was based on a real person? In this episode of  The StickyBeak , we’re diving into the surprisingly strange and fascinating story behind  Resusci Anne , the CPR training mannequin used to teach generations of people how to perform  cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) . You might know her as the “resuscitation doll” or the woman...

What if your most meaningful romantic or sexual relationship wasn't with another person—but with yourself? In this episode of  The StickyBeak , Mon explores  autosexuality  and  autoromanticism —identities where romantic or sexual attraction is directed inward rather than toward others. While these identities are often misunderstood, they offer a fascinating perspective on love...

Salt is something most of us sprinkle on our chips without giving it a second thought. But what if I told you this humble white crystal helped shape empires, start wars, build trade routes and change the course of human history? In this episode of  The StickyBeak , we're diving into the fascinating history of salt and uncovering why it was once one of the most valuable commodities on Earth. L...

What does it take to become  India's first and only female sumo wrestler ? This week on  The StickyBeak , we're revisiting one of the podcast's most memorable early episodes: an inspiring conversation with  Hetal Dave , the trailblazer who broke barriers to become India's first female sumo wrestler. Growing up in Mumbai, Hetal pursued a sport traditionally dominated by men and went...

Have you ever wondered why the world's most prestigious restaurant awards are called  Michelin Stars ? It all begins with a tyre company... and one of the world's most recognisable mascots. Long before he became an advertising icon, the  Michelin Man  — also known as  Bibendum  — was helping motorists discover new places to visit. What started as a simple travel guide desi...

In the early 1980s, one of the most chaotic toy crazes in history took hold:  Cabbage Patch Kids . These weren’t ordinary dolls. Each one came with a name, a “birth certificate,” and official adoption papers — turning a children’s toy into something that felt strangely personal, almost like a real child. What followed was unprecedented. Parents fought in department stores during the Christmas...

What is it like to step inside the last tent boxing show in the world? In this episode of The StickyBeak, Monika travels to Nambour on Queensland's Sunshine Coast to experience the legendary Fred Brophy's Boxing Troupe — a uniquely Australian attraction that has been entertaining crowds for generations. Part history podcast, part documentary, and part personal adventure, this episode explores the...

This week on The StickyBeak, we're revisiting one of our most fascinating and talked-about episodes: the surprising history of glory holes. While many people associate glory holes with modern adult culture, their story stretches much further back than you might expect. From their mysterious origins and underground history to the myths, legends, and social forces that helped shape them, this episod...

Why do we celebrate Pride Month? Where did Pride begin? And how did a protest become one of the world's biggest celebrations of LGBTQ+ identity and culture? In this special Pride Month episode of  The StickyBeak , Monika explores the fascinating history of Pride, from the pivotal events that sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement to the colourful traditions and symbols that have become par...

Before the sashes, strippers, and wild party antics, hens nights had deep cultural and historical roots. In this episode of The StickyBeak , Monika O’Hanlon explores the fascinating history of hens nights — from ancient Greek rituals and goddess worship to today’s modern bachelorette parties. Discover how pre-wedding traditions have evolved across cultures, including sacred dances, symbolic hair o...

Drag queens have long dominated mainstream drag culture — from  RuPaul’s Drag Race  to club nights, brunches, and bingo shows. But Drag Kings have always been part of drag history too… they’ve just rarely been given the spotlight. In this episode of  The StickyBeak , Monika explores the hidden history and modern resurgence of Drag Kings — performers who have been challenging gender...

This week on  The StickyBeak , we dive into the shocking history of the guillotine — one of the most infamous execution machines ever created. Born out of the chaos of the French Revolution, the guillotine was designed as a “humane” method of execution. But what followed was anything but simple. It quickly became a symbol of terror, justice, and mass public spectacle, used to carry out e...

Ever wondered if animals can really communicate with humans on a psychic level? In this fascinating episode of  The StickyBeak , Mon sits down with Cynthia, a professional pet psychic and animal communicator, to explore the strange world of pet telepathy, energy reading, and the hidden thoughts of our furry companions. Can pet psychics really read your pet’s mind? Are animals trying to tell u...