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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
Carrie
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

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 weeklyEpisodes293Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureArtsBooks

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Artwork for Talking Scared

Latest Episodes

Jeff VanderMeer and I did not fall out!!

This is a myth that has arisen since Jeff came on the show back in 2021, to discuss his eco-espionage crisis thriller, Hummingbird Salamander.

Well, this trip back to the Vault will hopefully dispel that rum... more

Revisiting a true highlight this week!

Will Dean’s The Last Thing to Burn is one of very few 10/10 books i've ever featured on this podcast. It’s a flawless study of isolation, survival, exploitation and the most toxic of masculinities – all about a... more

This flashback episode takes us to early 2021, when I was joined by Courtney Summers – the boundary-pushing author of dark YA fictions for a corrective lesson.

Courtney came on the show to discuss The Project, a novel of sinister elite cults, evil c... more

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

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Recent Guests

Courtney Summers
Author known for boundary-pushing narratives in young adult fiction.
Episode: [From the Vault] Courtney Summers & The Master of the Bitch
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
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 973 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 States2 months ago
  • Smart. Well produced. Worth your time and attention.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    R H
    3 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
#201
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#135
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#188
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#111
Israel/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#148
Spain/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#160
Austria/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[From the Vault] Will Dean & The Two Faces of Off-Grid Living
Q: If you had a single piece of advice for a fledgling author, what would it be?
Dean advises that aspiring authors should fully commit to writing, sacrifice other distractions, and continuously work on their craft, without worrying about external accolades.
[From the Vault] Will Dean & The Two Faces of Off-Grid Living
Q: Is there any talk of adapting this for a film?
There are discussions about adapting the book into a movie, but it is out of Dean's control.
[From the Vault] Will Dean & The Two Faces of Off-Grid Living
Q: What inspired you to write 'The Last Thing to Burn'?
Will Dean states that he typically starts with a landscape or situation he envisions and describes how he imagined a woman trapped in a small farm cottage, which inspired the story.
[From the Vault] Tananarive Due & Black Girls Doing Magical Things
Q: How has the conversation around diversity in horror evolved?
Due notes that while there has been progress in recognizing diverse voices, the challenge remains that many publishers still follow old paradigms and overlook new talent, indicating a sector-wide need for change.
[From the Vault] Tananarive Due & Black Girls Doing Magical Things
Q: What themes do you explore in your fiction?
Due discusses the recurring theme of crisis in her stories, often reflecting the Black experience and concerns over societal issues, and emphasizes how personal and universal fears are intertwined in her writing.

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. Colors of the Dark
4. Books in the Freezer - A Horror Fiction Podcast
5. Kingslingers | A Dark Tower Podcast

How many episodes of Talking Scared are there?

Talking Scared launched 5 years ago and published 293 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. Courtney Summers
2. Joe Hill
3. Joe Lansdale
4. Ben Leonberg
5. Neil McRobert
6. Michael Wehunt
7. Philip Fracassi
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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