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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
Speculative Fiction
Climate Change
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 weeklyEpisodes296Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksSociety & CultureArts

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Artwork for Talking Scared

Latest Episodes

It: Welcome to Derry has just reached its Season One conclusion and the

theories are flying as to where the show will go next.

I have something like an answer for you. Maybe. Perhaps. Cos the creators, Andy and Barbara Muschietti, are on Talking Sca... more

Welcome to the now sixth annual State of the Horror Nation.

This is the mega-episode, in which I gather a darkly-inclined supergroup of horror fans and commentators—a horror cabinet, if you will—to cast their informed eyes and minds over the year’s ... more

It’s all about memory this week.

Remember that time literary superstar Carmen Maria Machado came on the show? No? Well here’s your chance to catch up on what you missed.

Carmen spoke to me about Her Body and Other Parties and In the Dream House – t... more

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

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Carmen Maria Machado
Seminal contemporary author, known for works like Her Body and Other Parties and In the Dream House
Episode: [From the Vault] Carmen Maria Machado & Passing Literary Kidney Stones
Jeff VanderMeer
Author of the Southern Reach series, including the acclaimed book Annihilation
Episode: [From the Vault] Jeff VanderMeer and Our First On-Air Murder
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

Host

Neil McRobert
Host of the horror literature podcast, known for engaging discussions and insightful interviews with prominent authors in the horror genre.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 973 ratings
  • Fab horror podcast

    Smart, funny, insightful, and a constant source of inspiration - if you’re a horror fan, or just love stories, you’ll adore these episodes led by author Neil, as he chats with all the best horror folk around.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doc Forbes
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • 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
    4 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 States4 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 Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The host is recognized for his excellent interview skills, creating a welcoming atmosphere for in-depth exploration of complex topics.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful, nuanced discussions about horror literature and the insights provided by guests who are established authors.
Many fans mention the podcast's ability to introduce them to new authors and works in the horror genre, amplifying their reading lists.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#183
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#125
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#159
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#208
Israel/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#245
Norway/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Off Book #13 – Welcome to Derry, with Andy & Barbara Muschietti
Q: Do you think those were the trappers?
Those are possibilities as the narrative unfolds, but we must wait for further developments in the story.
Off Book #13 – Welcome to Derry, with Andy & Barbara Muschietti
Q: What's your relationship with the source material, Barbara? Are you a fan of the book before you came to adapt it?
We grew up in a house where reading was encouraged, and Stephen King's "It" was a seminal part of our childhood.
Off Book #13 – Welcome to Derry, with Andy & Barbara Muschietti
Q: Did it feel like a risk at any point?
We never think of the risks; we follow our instincts and the fact that Stephen King allowed us to expand the story was all we needed.
Off Book #13 – Welcome to Derry, with Andy & Barbara Muschietti
Q: How do you feel about the reception to what is out in the world these first five episodes? Are you pleased?
We are incredibly pleased and it's gratifying to see the audience's positive reaction after four years of hard work.
[From the Vault] Jeff VanderMeer and Our First On-Air Murder
Q: What truly scares you?
I have a phobia of cockroaches because when I lived in Fiji, there was a small cockroach that would burrow into your ear. And I would wake up some mornings with this crunching sound in my ear. It's horrifying to me.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Scared

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

Focusing on the realm of horror fiction, this series engages in deep conversations with renowned authors, exploring their works, inspirations, and the intricacies of writing within the genre. The discussions cover a diverse array of topics such as psychological horror, societal commentary, and environmental themes, often weaving personal anecdotes with broader narrative explorations. Listeners can expect insightful content on both classic and contemporary horror literature, with episodes that intertwine critical examination and appreciation of the genre's evolution, making it appealing to avid readers and aspiring writers alike. Additionally, the dynamic between the host and guests fosters a rich environment of camaraderie and respect, prov... 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. Faculty of Horror

How many episodes of Talking Scared are there?

Talking Scared launched 5 years ago and published 296 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. Carmen Maria Machado
2. Jeff VanderMeer
3. Courtney Summers
4. Joe Hill
5. Joe Lansdale
6. Ben Leonberg
7. Neil McRobert
8. Michael Wehunt

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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