The StickyBeak

What drives someone to collect the darkest objects imaginable? In this episode of  The StickyBeak , I sit down with  Nick Bowman , a collector of the macabre — and some of the artefacts we discuss genuinely caught me off guard. From rare death-related objects to controversial items involving human remains, this is a conversation that goes far beyond shock value. Nick is thoughtful, open,...

From ancient Minoan boob-lifters to bullet bras, biohazard lingerie, and a surprisingly famous handkerchief hack — this episode dives chest-first into the strange, political, and occasionally ridiculous  history of the bra . Host  Monika O’Hanlon  unhooks the truth behind corsets and control, wartime steel rationing, Wonderbra marketing stunts, feminist myths, and bras designed to d...

What if the most meaningful romantic or sexual connection you could have… was with yourself? In this episode of  The StickyBeak , Mon explores  autosexuality and autoromanticism  — identities where attraction and intimacy are self-directed. Hear from  Ghia Vitale  as she shares what self-romance really looks like, the misconceptions she faces, and how these identities chal...

This week on  The StickyBeak w e’re unwrapping the  weird, wild, and wonderful  origins of the holidays. Ever wondered where Santa really came from — or what people in Iceland, Italy, and Venezuela get up to this time of year? Get ready for sleigh rides through history, myth, and a few festive surprises. 🎅 Discover how Saint Nicholas became the jolly Santa we know today. 🌍 Peek in...

This Confessional dives into one listener’s terrifying brush with the paranormal — from strange noises to a haunting that escalates fast. A gripping, spine-tingling tale for fans of ghost stories and real-life supernatural encounters. New Confessions every Monday! Got a confession to make? Lighten your load and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPb...

In this episode of  The StickyBeak , I head to Nambour, a town on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to experience  Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe  — the  last tent boxing show in the world . Part documentary, part personal adventure, this story explores the gritty history of tent boxing, Fred’s carnival upbringing, and what really happens inside a travelling boxing tent. With real...

An anonymous storyteller reveals a chaotic, brutally honest confession you won’t see coming. New Confessions every Monday! Got a confession to make? Lighten your load and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform ! 🦜 or... contact me here: EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM : @thestickybeakpodcast TIKTOK: @th...

In the early 1980s, a strange little craze was born — not in a hospital, but in a  cabbage patch . These dolls came with names, birth certificates, and adoption papers… and they sparked absolute chaos. Parents brawled in department stores, priests called them ungodly, and conspiracy theorists went wild. But behind the madness lies a story you probably haven’t heard: claims of stolen art, a so...

A listener steps into The StickyBeak Confessional with a story they’ve never dared to tell — until now. New Confessions every Monday! Got a confession to make? Lighten the load and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform ! 🦜 or... contact me here: EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com INSTAGRAM : @thestickybeakpodcast T...

Drag queens have long owned the spotlight — from  RuPaul’s Drag Race  to brunches, bingos, and club nights. But there’s another side of drag that’s just as bold, creative, and culturally vital… and it’s been overlooked for far too long. This week on  The StickyBeak , Monika dives into the world of  Drag Kings  — performers who’ve been bending gender, challenging norms, and...

What would you do for money? Have you ever found yourself in a job you never expected — something outside your comfort zone, judged by others, or simply too well-paid to turn down? This week on  The StickyBeak , Monika sits down with  Zane Robinson , known in the gay adult film world as  Elliot Finn — a straight man who unexpectedly became a star in gay adult films, and the self-pro...

What really happens when you die? It’s a question that’s puzzled humanity for centuries — and for the  Hare Krishna movement  (formally known as the  International Society for Krishna Consciousness , or  ISKCON ), the answer is rooted in a deeply spiritual philosophy about the soul, karma, and reincarnation. In this episode of  The StickyBeak , Mon sits down with  Bha...

What really happens when you carry a baby for someone else? This week on  The StickyBeak , we dive into the emotional, ethical, and legal realities of  surrogacy  — through the story of Yessenia, a U.S. surrogate and content creator. From  medical risks  and  legal grey zones  to  celebrity surrogacy scandals  and  the ethics of creating families ,...

Can you really live without food? Some people say yes. Followers of  Breatharianism  believe humans can survive on nothing but  air, sunlight, and “life energy.”  It’s a movement that blurs the line between spirituality and science—and sparks intense debate. In this episode of  The StickyBeak , Monika O’Hanlon speaks with  Jerome Shaw , a Breatharian advocate, to unco...

In the Victorian era,  mourning wasn’t just an emotion — it was a way of life.  From  black veils and funeral etiquette to  hair jewellery  and  post-mortem photography , grief became an art form — and death, a thriving industry. In this episode of  The StickyBeak , Monika O’Hanlon dives into the  darkly fascinating world of Victorian mourning culture  ...

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...

Herpes is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — sexually transmitted infections in the world. In Australia, around  1 in 8 sexually active adults  has genital herpes… and the real number is likely much higher. So why is there still so much  shame and stigma  around something so ordinary? And what does  living with herpes actually look like today? In this episod...

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Mark Gardener, AKA the “Accidental Exorcist.” Mark shares how he found himself in the unexpected world of exorcism, what his work entails, and the fascinating—and sometimes chilling—stories from his unique career. As we touch on some heavier topics, including a discussion about suicide, if you're not feeling up to it, maybe skip this episode. And if you feel...

There’s an hour of the day when cheaters creep in. A place where people go to chase their wildest desires. And an eight-second rule that can totally change the course of someone’s life—maybe even  end  it. Today, we’re stepping inside one of Europe’s largest brothels with Catherine De Noire—a woman who’s seen it  all . You might already recognize h...

This week on The StickyBeak we'r revisiting an episode with the one and only, Arron Jones, AKA The Rockstar Magician. We cover everything from why Arron became a magician to how the magic industry works, as well as some pretty wild stories - on that note if there are kids around, I'd recommend wearing headphones or saving this episode for a bit later. This is truly a magical conversation, you're g...

Things are getting a little spooky today, because we’re going to hear from a real life GHOST HUNTER! That’s right, I was lucky enough to chat with the lovely Lauren – who actually taught me so much. She explains things really well and has also documented some pretty creepy situations.  Find Lauren on social media here... INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/hauntinglauren/ YOUTUBE: https://ww...

This episode was a special listener request from Ryan in New South Wales — and we’re diving into  the fascinating origins of the Frisbee ! 🥏 From backyard games to global phenomenon, discover  how this simple flying disc came to capture the hearts of millions , the surprising history behind its invention, and the quirky stories that made it iconic. Whether you’re a casual player, a spor...

I’ve got a bit of an interesting one for you today. I’m speaking with Adam from Grave Line tours in LA. We do go into lots of detail in the ep but basically it’s a murder tour. And it’s one of those things which I feel a bit weird about… But a the same time, I consume true crime content. So it’s a bit of a funny one, and we do speak about the ethics of running this sort of business, but I’ll...

Mermaids have captivated human imagination for millennia. These mysterious beings, half-human and half-fish, have appeared in the myths and legends of cultures around the world, from the ancient seas of Mesopotamia to the icy waters of the North Atlantic. But where did these stories come from? What inspired our ancestors to create such enchanting and sometimes terrifying beings?  Th...

I’ve got a really fascinating one for you this week, it’s a conversation with Cynthia, who’s a pet psychic. It's such an interesting chat, I learnt SO much. Thank you to Cynthia for coming on the pod! You can follow her here: Instagram: TikTok: @lilmisspetpsychic Instagram: @lilmisspetpsychic @nydognanny This episode was brought to you by Tüt , toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because ev...