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 | 355 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Happy Whalefall Weekend!
Brian Duffield’s incredible adaptation of Daniel Kraus’ novel is now in cinemas. I was lucky enough to see an early screening and even luckier to get time with Brian and Daniel to talk about how the hell they made something ... more
In Solace House, Will Maclean takes us back to the 90s for a drug-fuelled trip through some mindbending architecture. It’s a chance to get nostalgic for a more innocent time, when the clothes were baggy, the music was better, and you could spend a su... more
This episode needs no attempt at a witty introduction. Stephen King is back to talk about Other Worlds Than These – the concluding volume of The Talisman saga, begun with Peter Straub 45 years ago.
We keep it spoiler-free, but we talk about Jack Saw... more
Leaning into absolute high geekery this week – with Kyle Winkler’s novel of how family game night can go badly wrong!
The Ship of Death is about a cursed (and I mean CURSED!) tabletop role-playing game and the unlucky couple who choose to play it. O... more
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Reviews
- New favorite show!
Absolutely devoured the back catalogue and will be subscribing to the patreon for more. Great guests, insightful questions, and fascinating discussions.
Apple Podcasts5Byliamfrank
United States2 months ago - 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 CassidyUnited States2 months 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 Kingdom3 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
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #49 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #136 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #53 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #88 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #134 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #210 | Canada/Arts |
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. The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast
3. Books in the Freezer - A Horror Fiction Podcast
4. Anna Rose Reads - The Podcast
5. The Evolution of Horror
How many episodes of Talking Scared are there?
Talking Scared launched 6 years ago and published 355 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?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Talking Scared from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Talking Scared?
Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Talking Scared. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.
What guests have appeared on Talking Scared?
Recent guests on Talking Scared include:
1. Will Maclean
2. Stephen King
3. Kyle Winkler
4. Deena Helm
5. Chris Panatier
6. China Miéville
7. James Tynion IV
8. Chuck Wendig
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.