Parasite Master of Puppets, Part One | S1E4

Episode Summary:

Welcome to Mutant Hollow, the show where creepy-crawlies meet speculative science and the apocalypse gets… uncomfortably plausible. In Parasite: Master of Puppets, Part One, we dive deep into the world of parasitic puppet-masters, starting with three spine-crawling heavyweights:

• The zombie snail (Leucochloridium paradoxum), whose tentacles pulsate like disco worms to attract hungry birds.
• The horsehair worm, turning innocent crickets into suicidal swimmers.
• The infamous castrating barnacle, a tiny marine invader that rewrites crab biology and reproduction for its own gain.

Join Amber and Stacy for plenty of gagging noises, laughs to mask the horror, and a “Will It Zombie?!” segment where we rate each parasite’s potential to spark a full-on zombie apocalypse. This is Part One of our three-part parasite series—and the first to feature our fan-favorite Will It Zombie scale. If you like weird science, mind-control organisms, and imagining what happens if nature gets even weirder… this one’s for you.

Podcast Description:

Mutant Hollow blends spooky science, horror-comedy, and apocalypse speculation, exploring real infectious agents, folklore, and speculative scenarios. Hosted by Amber (sensationalist microbiologist) and Stacy (rational creature doctor), the show brings cutting-edge science and dark humor together in episodes that are as educational as they are unsettling.

Tags:

parasites zombie snail horsehair worm castrating barnacle parasitology infectious disease pathogens apocalypse zombie apocalypse speculative science biology science communication weird nature parasite master of puppets mutant hollow mind control parasites will it zombie