The minds behind the monsters…
Floaties for Krakens officially launched on Thursday August 31st, 2023 by a small team of two; a storyteller who had a dream, and a graphic designer who helped paint the picture. As of March 13th, 2024 the Floaties team welcomed a brand new Head Video Producer & Editor to the squad. Sure we may be a tiny group, but so are gremlins and they’re pretty tough.
The Floaties Team
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Camille Maria Acosta
~ FOUNDER, PRODUCER, & PODCAST HOST ~
Camille Maria Acosta is a Folklorist, Storyteller, and Monster Researcher originally from the border town of El Paso, Texas. She pursued Performance Studies with a BA in Theatre from Western Kentucky University before completing her MA in Folk Studies from the same institution. Within this program, she truly delved into the world of Chicanx/Mexican-American folk art research, legend telling communication, foodways exploration, as well as aiming to include more Hispanic diversity in the world of folk studies and performance studies in general. Acosta's research focuses on the beauty of Latinx horror, and how monsters are mirrors guiding us toward our own brilliance; our own truth.
What is Camille’s favorite color? - The color the sky makes after a storm; pinkish, bluish, lavender. Oh, and also yellow.
What is Camille’s favorite dish? - Vegan soy tacos on corn tortillas with homemade salsa, aguacate, onions, and a Dr. Pepper.
What is Camille’s jam right now? - Parachute by Hayley Williams
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Natalie Hedberg
~ GRAPHIC DESIGNER & IN-HOUSE ARTIST ~
Natalie Hedberg is currently a Master's student at The University of Alabama, in Communication Studies. Her research focuses on girlie fandom cultures surrounding popular music, specifically K-pop. She got her Bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University in Advertising and Graphic Design in 2019. In between working on her thesis and coaching for the Alabama Forensics Council, Natalie enjoys watching Run! BTS re-runs, beading friendship bracelets, and designing stationery for her Etsy store.
What is Natalie’s favorite color? - PINK!
What is Natalie’s favorite dish? - Soon Veggie Ramen with Vegetable Dumplings and a Diet Coke.
What is Natalie’s jam right now? - D-Day by Agust D :’)
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Michael Cosman
~ HEAD VIDEO PRODUCER & EDITOR ~
Michael Cosman was born in El Paso, TX. With a degree in Filmmaking at The Los Angeles Film School, Michael studies and continues to grow in the film industry by working on major films, commercials and short films. He has the knowledge and creative mindset to dive deep into storytelling to unravel the little details of everything film. If he is not helping create a story in the film industry he most definitely is watching them. He is no stranger to the horror genre and everything spooky which is why his love for horror movies continues to grow. In his spare time, Michael enjoys working on his side profession as a photographer and playing video games with his friends while his dog Shadow watches cheering him on.
What is Michael’s favorite color? - Forest Green
What is Michael’s favorite Dish? - Fettucine Alfredo
What is Michael’s jam right now? - Back on 74 by Jungle (buuuuut also the Sweeney Todd album with Josh Groban!)
Art by Eliah (they/she) ; find them at @sunmossart
Do you have a question for Camille?
Meet the Host: Camille
Education
Western Kentucky University • MA in Folk Studies | August 2019 – May 2021
Western Kentucky University • BA in Theatre/ Minor in Musical Theatre | August 2015 – May 2017
El Paso Community College • 2 Year Transfer in Performance Studies | August 2013 - May 2015
Professional Experience
Folklife Specialist for the State of Kentucky • Kentucky Folklife Program/ Western Kentucky University Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology; Bowling Green, Kentucky | April 2023 – Present
LearningMate; (Remote) • Part Time Subject Matter Expert and Curriculum Designer for Speech and Debate Courses | August 2022 – September 2022
Folk Arts Special Projects Community Liaison/ Documentarian • New Mexico Arts Folk Arts Program; Santa Fe, New Mexico (Remote) | September 2021 – July 2022
Full time Program Support Assistant AFC Peter Bartis Paid Intern • American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress; Washington, DC (Remote due to Covid-19) | July 2021 – September 2021
Speech & Debate Interpretation Coach • Western Kentucky University; Bowling Green, KY | August 2017 - May 2018; August 2019 - May 2021
Speech & Debate Director • El Sol Science & Arts Academy; Santa Ana, CA | August 2018 - May 2019
Publications
Teaching with Monsters: From Whimsy to Shadow • Journal of Folklore & Education • Guest Editor | August 31st, 2026
Podcasting with Monsters • Contemporary Legend (the journal of the International Society for Contemporary Legend Research) • Series 4 - Monsters, Creatures, & Cryptids | April 17th 2026
Landlines: San Luis Valley: Journey into the American West • Spector Books • Author | December 9th, 2025
La Llorona; Picante pero Sabroso• WKU Folk Studies Master’s Thesis • Author | Spring of 2021
Projects & Appearances
Pepperonia 2 • Dream Planets • WKU Short Film • Feature | Winter 2026
Episode 66: Folklife and Community Scholars • KyArtsCast Podcast • Guest | May 29th, 2026
Harbringer of Hope: How Mothman Became a Lighthouse for the Othered • Mid Atlantic Arts • Blog Post • Author | October 2025
Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall • WKU PBS • Kentucky Folklife Program • Historical Documentary • Producer | May 2025
Generational Trauma & Why it’s Folklore • Folkwise • Twitch Stream • YouTube • Guest | May 6th, 2025
Curating Mexican American Heritage through Folklore • Unity Magazine• Hispanic Heritage Month Edition No. 121 • Feature | September 2024
Permission to Wail • BorderLore • Culture & Heritage • Feature | June 20th, 2024
Interview with Camille Acosta from Floaties for Krakens • Folkwise • Twitch Stream • YouTube • Guest | December 2023
Traitor, Ghost, Feminine Icon: Reclaiming the Stories of La Llorona• De Los• L.A. Times • Feature | October 16th, 2023
Scariest Monsters in the World • Tubi Original Documentary • Feature | 2023
Scariest Monsters in America • Tubi Original Documentary • Feature | 2022
La Llorona; Picante pero Sabroso • New Mexico Arts Folk Arts Program • Narrative Documentary • Writer & Producer | 2022
Public Speaking & Teaching
Latine Monster Educator/Guest Lecturer | 2023 - Present
Western Kentucky University
Folklore & The Media
Art 310 Elementary Education
Intro to Folklore
Supernatural Folklore
History 102
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Expressive Culture of Death
Undergraduate Honors Seminar: “Monsters and Monstrosity”
Feels-Work for Krakens: How Caring about Monsters Reminds Us to Care about Ourselves • Folkwise Con • Virtual Presentation | July 2026
Diversifying Folklore Practice and Education: Sharing and Creating Inclusive Folklore Pedagogy • American Folklore Society Conference • Panel Speaker | 2024
"Feels-work for Folklorists" - A Live Episode Performance of the Floaties for Krakens Podcast • American Folklore Society Conference • Presenter | 2024
Floaties for Krakens: How a Folklore Podcast about Monsters Battles the Stigma of Mental Health • American Folklore Society Conference • Presenter | 2023
La Llorona, Picante Pero Sabroso: The Mexican Horror Legend as a Story of Survival and a Reclamation of the Monster • American Folklore Society Conference • Presenter | 2023
They Tried to Bury Us, They Didn’t Know We Were Seeds: A Folk Art Response to Tragedy in Chuco Town • American Folklore Society Conference • Presenter | 2022
La Llorona and Other Tales We Tell • Silver City Museum • Guest Speaker & Documentary Presenter | 2021
Speech & Debate Director/Coach | 2017 - 2022
Western Kentucky University • Bowling Green, KY
El Sol Arts & Science Academy Elementary & Middle School • Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana Unified School District • Santa Ana, CA
American Heritage Schools Palm Beach Campus • Remote
Awards & Recognitions
Emmy Award Winner • Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall • WKU PBS • Kentucky Folklife Program • Historical Documentary • Producer | July 2026
Kelly Autism Program WKU Award • WKU Neurodiversity Faculty & Staff Alliance • Communications Officer | 2026
People’s Choice Podcast Awards Finalist • People’s Choice Podcast Awards • Floaties for Krakens Podcast • Finalist| 2024
All American Award • American Forensics Association • Winner | 2017
Top Speaker Award • National Forensics Association • 7th Place | 2017
Interpretation Award • Western Kentucky University Forensics • Winner | 2017
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Nomination • El Paso Community College | 2014 & 2015