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Artwork for Talking Scared

Talking Scared

Neil McRobert
Horror Literature
The Haunting Of Hill House
Horror Fiction
Where the Dead Wait
Shirley Jackson
That Light Sublime
The Haunting Of Velkwood
C.S. Humble
Cannibalism
Western Genre
Ghost Story
Climate Change
Speculative Fiction
Violence
Survival Horror
Arctic Exploration
Psychological Horror
Gwendolyn Kiste
The Angel Of Indian Lake
Vampires

Conversations 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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes290Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooksSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Talking Scared

Latest Episodes

Time for a classic haunted house.

I’m on a short break from the show, to recoup, read without pressure and generally try not to implode. So we’re heading into the vault for some older conversations that new listeners may have missed and long-termers... more

Here be dragons!

I’m celebrating Halloween week on Talking Scared with the very cream of the bucket list. Joe Hill is finally on the show!

The author of Heart Shaped Box, NOS4A2, “The Black Phone” and Lock & Key is back with his first novel in near... more

In our fifth Let Us Palaver, Nat and I dally a little longer in ‘Salem’s Lot to hunt down a few more vamps and follow up some threads mentioned in the main episode.

This is where we get spoilery, so this is just for those who have been to the Tower ... more

‘Salem’s Lot is FIFTY years old this month. Hellfire, how did that happen? We’re gonna celebrate the bloodsucking and small town shenanigans for all they are worth!!

But some of you know that the Lot sits just to one side of the Path of the Beam – s... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Joe Hill
Crown Prince of horror fiction, author of Heart Shaped Box, Nos4A2, Lock & Key, The Black Phone, and King Sorrow.
Episode: 260 – Joe Hill & The One About the Dragon
Joe Lansdale
Elder statesman of Outlaw Horror and a writer whose stories are grotesque but grounded in raw humanity.
Episode: 259 – Joe Lansdale & Our Desperate Need to Be Less Dumb
Ben Leonberg
Writer, director, cinematographer, and professional dog dad
Episode: Off Book #12 – Ben Leonberg and Good Boy
Neil McRobert
Author of Good Boy
Wild Hunt Books
Episode: 258 – Neil McRobert & My Four-Legged Ode to Bravery & Joy
Michael Wehunt
Author known for his short story collections and his novel The October Film Haunt
Independent Author
Episode: 255 – Michael Wehunt & What If A Horror Film Broke Into Your House?
Philip Fracassi
Horror author known for his works that blend traditional horror elements with deep emotional complexity.
Episode: 254 – Philip Fracassi & The Fresh Young Heart of Old-School Horror
Keith Rosson
Author of 'Coffin Moon' and 'The Fever House Duology'
Episode: 253 – Keith Rosson & The Real V-Word
JT Mollner
Writer-director of Strange Darling and screenwriter of the new adaptation of Stephen King's The Long Walk
Episode: Off Book #11 – JT Mollner & The Long Walk
Kailee Pedersen
Author of Sacrificial Animals
Episode: 251 – Kailee Pedersen and The Silence of the Foxes

Host

Neil McRobert
Neil McRobert is the knowledgeable and engaging host, known for his deep understanding and love of the horror genre. He facilitates meaningful conversations with authors, exploring their crafts and the thematic elements in their works.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 957 ratings
  • New here and not going anywhere.

    On episode 30 thanks to a recommendation on Reddit. As someone pursuing a Ph.D. in gothic literature, Neil and his work are complementary and wonderfully apropos! Episode 122 was my entryway and met all my expectations—if only it had been twice as long!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    H. P. Squigly
    United States25 days ago
  • Smart. Well produced. Worth your time and attention.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    R H
    2 months ago
  • Transformational discussions on the horror genre

    This is a blow your socks off amazing podcast that brings back the exhilarating feeling I had as a teenager when I rescued a water-swollen, coverless copy of “The Stand” out of a bin and did not sleep for nearly a week.

    Thank you Neil for your intelligence, your sensitivity, your humor and your empathy. I have never heard anyone who thinks about and lauds authors the way you do. Just brilliant!

    This podcast celebrates and legitimizes the love so many of us have for the horror genre - a love th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    prusarn
    United States3 months ago
  • My favourite podcast

    I could listen to Neil talk about horror stories all day, I always think that the sign of a good podcast is if you want to join in the conversation at some quiet country pub. I’d honestly get a round in for Neil and Nat just to geek out about SK books for a couple of hours. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lshaky12345
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Keep talking!

    Obviously the interviews are the meat, but my favorite lately has been the deep dive into Stephen King. And Neil — if you are reading this, I would be ALL ABOUT you and Nat talking about Steinbeck! But you need to work in Cannery Row, because that is my favorite!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crowyhead
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners rave about the insightful and engaging conversations, often praising the host's knowledge and depth of understanding regarding horror and literature.
The podcast is noted for its ability to celebrate and legitimize the love of the horror genre, providing a community for fans and aspiring writers alike.
Many appreciate the diverse array of guests, expressing that the discussions promote greater awareness of horror fiction and provoke thought about societal issues.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#157
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#88
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#227
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#215
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#94
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#120
Singapore/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

260 – Joe Hill & The One About the Dragon
Q: Is this all just fun game playing, or are you working towards the inheritance of your dad's world building?
It's neither; it's about how my books talk to each other through stories and share a conversation in the realm of fiction.
260 – Joe Hill & The One About the Dragon
Q: Was it an intentional survey of the state of things? Or did that theme emerge gradually?
That theme emerged organically from the story as it developed, beginning with a humorous take on a Friends-like group of characters entangled in horror.
260 – Joe Hill & The One About the Dragon
Q: Can you give us a short intro to the mad premise of King Sorrow?
King Sorrow is about six college friends who accidentally summon a dragon that creates both immediate danger and deeper moral dilemmas as they navigate through their relationships over the next 25 years.
258 – Neil McRobert & My Four-Legged Ode to Bravery & Joy
Q: Will you share the influences behind your writing of Good Boy?
Influences include a mix of personal experiences and fascination with folklore, particularly relating to monstrous figures, as well as insights from other horror writers like Stephen King.
258 – Neil McRobert & My Four-Legged Ode to Bravery & Joy
Q: Can you start off by telling us about Good Boy?
Good Boy is a novella that is part of the Northern Weird project, set in a small town plagued by children going missing, and it focuses on the bond between a man and his dog that helps combat this evil.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Scared

What is Talking Scared about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations center around the intricacies and nuances of horror fiction, often highlighting the experiences and insights of prominent authors in the genre. Topics frequently explore themes of violence, identity, trauma, and societal issues through the lens of both classic and contemporary works. The content is enriched with detailed discussions about significant literary figures, adaptations of popular horror narratives, and the emotional undercurrents driving characters and plots. Unique to this series is the blend of respectful author interviews and deep literary analysis, making it an essential listening experience for both avid horror fans and aspiring writers seeking inspiration.

The podcast's strong emphasis on community and recomme... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking Scared?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Scared:

1. The Kingcast
2. The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast
3. Books in the Freezer - A Horror Fiction Podcast
4. Colors of the Dark
5. This Is Horror Podcast

How many episodes of Talking Scared are there?

Talking Scared launched 5 years ago and published 290 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Talking Scared?

Recent guests on Talking Scared include:

1. Joe Hill
2. Joe Lansdale
3. Ben Leonberg
4. Neil McRobert
5. Michael Wehunt
6. Philip Fracassi
7. Keith Rosson
8. JT Mollner

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.

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