Talking Scared
Neil McRobertConversations with the biggest names in horror fiction. A podcast for horror readers who want to know where their favourite stories came from . . . and what frightens the people who wrote them.
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 351 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
This week’s episode shows what a good haunted house can do.
Deena Helm is a mixed American-Palestinian author, who’s
debut novel, Our Cut of Salt, puts all the power of the Gothic to use in
framing the occupation and oppression of Palestine. It take... more
Home is where the horror is this week, with Chris Panatier and Worry Box!
This latest offering from Panatier’s uniquely strange mind is a complete revision of the haunted house as we know it. It’s a house that means well, but understands little. Cou... more
There are big books and big books. This week we cover a HUGE book.
China Miéville is the guest. The award-winning author of Perdido Street Station, Embassytown, The City & the City, and other modern speculative classics – and he’s back with a book t... more
James Tynion IV is a modern master of the horror comic. He’s the maniac behind so many contemporary classic series, but perhaps none are such
pop-culture behemoths as Something is Killing the Children.
I mean… with a title like that, how could it fa... more
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Reviews
- The WORST podcast for your never-ending TBR...
I absolutely LOVE Talking Scared. Neil's knowledge of the genre really shines during his conversations, and his questions are both thought provoking and insightful. I also love that spoilers are kept to absolute minimum. If you love horror lit, Talking Scared is an absolute MUST.
Audible5Jamie Cassidy
United States25 days ago - Best of its kind
Neil really has put together such an essential listening experience. Superb interviews with such an apparent passion and verve for horror & weird fiction. The podcast has switched me onto so many great authors and great book. Love the Dark Tower deep dives too, excellent stuff.
Apple Podcasts5cwhaggarty
United Kingdom2 months ago - Brilliant!
I didn’t realise that horror has become such a wide and varied genre. But thanks to Neil and his brilliant and thoughtfully presented podcast, my TBR pile has increased exponentially. I’m thoroughly enjoying going through the back catalogue of episodes, discovering new titles and authors. What a (darkly) wonderful podcast!
Apple Podcasts5Woolfie 70United Kingdom2 months ago - Podcast best
Amazing podcast book talks about he talks writing and how writing makes books interesting and inspiring listening
Apple Podcasts5mary ann appigneyUnited States3 months ago - King of Ashes
I really like Talking Scared. Not being hugely widely read in the horror genre, I really enjoy discovering new authors after hearing them interviewed. Neil’s own book, Good Boy, is also excellent, especially for dog lovers like me.
Apple Podcasts5Hammer HarvUnited Kingdom3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #116 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #71 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #170 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #192 | Canada/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #199 |  Australia/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #82 |  Ireland/Arts/Books |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Scared
What is Talking Scared about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show features in-depth conversations with prominent horror authors and creators, digging into craft, influence, and the realities of writing dark fiction. Episodes span folk horror, cosmic horror, literary analysis, and the ethics of art, with recurring attention to narrative structure, research processes, and the cultural resonance of fear. A standout quality is the host's prep and thoughtful, respectful interviewing style that often surfaces nuanced reasoning behind genre-bending works and authorial choices. The mix of celebrated names and rising voices makes it a strong fit for listeners who crave thoughtful, literary horror discussions and book recommendations across subgenres.
Where can I find podcast stats for Talking Scared?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Talking Scared. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Talking Scared and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Talking Scared get?
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What are the audience demographics for Talking Scared?
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How many subscribers and views does Talking Scared have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Talking Scared has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to Talking Scared?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Scared:
1. The Kingcast
2. Books in the Freezer - A Horror Fiction Podcast
3. The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast
4. Anna Rose Reads - The Podcast
5. This Is Horror Podcast
How many episodes of Talking Scared are there?
Talking Scared launched 6 years ago and published 351 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Talking Scared?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Talking Scared?
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Talking Scared?
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What guests have appeared on Talking Scared?
Recent guests on Talking Scared include:
1. Deena Helm
2. China Miéville
3. James Tynion IV
4. Chuck Wendig
5. Natasha Pulley
6. Ben Bradford
7. Liam Higginson
8. Annie Jacobsen
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.