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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
Violence
Climate Change
Speculative Fiction
Survival Horror
Arctic Exploration
Psychological Horror
Gwendolyn Kiste
The Angel Of Indian Lake
Cosmic Horror

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 weeklyEpisodes256Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & CultureBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Talking Scared

Latest Episodes

Send in the clowns!

In this Off Book episode I talk to Eli Craig, director of cult-classic Tucker and Dale vs Evil, and the man who put Clown in a Cornfield up on the big screen.

After crowbarring my way into his press day, I asked him what drew hi... more

Let’s get grim and dark with Lord Grimdark!

Perhaps the greatest benefit of having a book podcast like mine is the opportunity to speak to my very favourite authors. I’ve been reading Joe Abercrombie’s violent, world-weary dark fantasy for TWENTY ye... more

Brian Keene has written so many damn books!

…and I had never read any of them.

This absolute horror faux-pas (and my embarrassment) is the reason that it’s taken so long to get Brian on the show. But I set a week aside and read as many Keene books ... more

I’ve been looking forward to releasing this one…

Nat Cassidy comes to Talk Scared about When the Wolf Comes Home, his new novel that I –and people like me – are already calling out as one of the Best Books of the Year™.

It’s a shaggy, undisciplined... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Kyle McConaghy
One half of the directing/writing duo behind 'Dead Mail'
Episode: Off Book #8 – Kyle McConaghy & Dead Mail
Katherine Arden
Author of The Warm Hands of Ghosts
Author
Episode: 234 – Katherine Arden & The Devil’s Train Timetable
Tariq Ashkanani
A writer whose fiction often transports the reader to the haunted middle of the United States.
Author of The Midnight King
Episode: 233 – Tariq Ashkanani & Bloodstained Hands Across the Ocean
Wendy Dalrymple
Author of Cozy Romances and Crazy Florida Gothic
Episode: 232 – Punk Goes Horror, with William Sterling, Wendy Dalrymple & Brian McAauley
Brian McCauley
Author known for his genre-savvy slashers
Episode: 232 – Punk Goes Horror, with William Sterling, Wendy Dalrymple & Brian McAauley
Chris Panettier
Tower Newbie and insightful reader of the Dark Tower series
Episode: Let Us Palaver #2 — The Drawing of the Three Debrief
Alex Grecian
Author of 'Red Rabbit' and 'Rose of Jericho'
Episode: 230 – Alex Grecian & Weirdos in the West
Augustina Bazterrica
Argentinian author known for her work in horror and dystopian fiction.
N/A
Episode: 229 – Agustina Bazterrica & The Wicked Nuns of Oz
Sophie White
Author of Where I End
Episode: 228 – Sophie White & An Island of Formless Dread

Host

Neil McRobert
Host renowned for insightful interviews with authors, focusing on their works and the nuances of horror fiction. His engaging style invites guests to share detailed reflections on their creative processes.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 870 ratings
  • About

    K Arden is talking about S F Jones’s and now her last incredible book. Neil McRobert is talking too, he’s good at it, also listening and reading. He is an

    Intelligent, honest and big hearted host. The greats of his podcasts subject matter all come here and there is great mutual respect and very good conversations occur.

    Thankyou Neil

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    another another simon
    United States25 days ago
  • Fanboy

    I absolutely adore this show! Neil is such a thoughtful and generous host. He clearly knows and loves his subject matter, and his passion and excitement are infectious. He treats his guests with respect and kindness, and he always does his homework to prepare insightful questions. His recommendations are always delightful. I highly recommend the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JoshuaLPeugh
    United Statesa month ago
  • Phenomenal

    Love this podcast. Neil knows his horror! Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ritter Fan
    United Statesa month ago
  • In-depth insights into top shelf horror writing

    I came across Neil’s podcast around two years ago, and first listen was a panel discussion on Peter Straub’s Ghost Story. Through that I discovered John Langan, re-discovered my love for Paul Tremblay, and got deep insights into the challenging trilogy that SGJ’s My Heart is a Chainsaw slasher opus represented. Neil is wise beyond his years and his insights into the craft are original and thought provoking. Highly recommend this prolific top-tier horror podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    clidgard
    Australia2 months ago
  • Must Listen

    Love this podcast so much. Always look forward to the next episode. Neil is great!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Royhobbs88
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The warm and inviting atmosphere fostered by the host is frequently noted, as it creates a sense of community among horror literature enthusiasts.
Listeners praise the podcast for its engaging discussions and the quality of interviews with authors, highlighting how these conversations offer deep insights into horror fiction.
Some listeners express a desire for less focus on politics within discussions, indicating a preference for content rooted in literature and storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#195
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#240
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#148
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#210
Germany/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#153
Indonesia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#179
Ireland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

235 – Nat Cassidy & Emotional Doomsday Prepping
Q: What is the significance of the werewolf as a metaphor for fatherhood in your book?
Nat explains that the werewolf symbolizes the mercurial nature of fear and describes how both childhood and adult fears are explored through the characters' dynamics.
236 – Brian Keene & Living in the Splatter
Q: What is the last thing that you encountered that scared you?
That really, really disturbed me. I'm going to give it to Day of the Door by Laurel Hightower.
236 – Brian Keene & Living in the Splatter
Q: How do you feel now?
You know, I do consider myself a centrist, but I think that word, its definition is changing.
236 – Brian Keene & Living in the Splatter
Q: What do you want to be?
I just want to be a writer. I mean, I've been called part of the next wave of Splatterpunk myself, JF. Gonzalez, Rath. And I'm totally okay with that.
236 – Brian Keene & Living in the Splatter
Q: Why did you pick those three books as the introduction to your work?
They are... I mean, I've written almost 50 books at this point in my career. I've been doing it 30 years. And those three are ones that don't make me cringe.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Scared

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

Conversations predominantly focus on horror fiction, with engaging discussions featuring authors who share insights into their creative processes and the intricacies of their narratives. Listeners can anticipate explorations of themes like psychological horror, societal issues reflected in literature, and the intersection of personal experiences with storytelling, often revealing the darker aspects of human nature. There is a unique emphasis on the connections between literature and broader cultural discussions, with many episodes revolving around well-known works such as the Dark Tower series and other significant horror literature.

The podcast stands out due to its commitment to creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere while tackling compl... more

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How many listeners does Talking Scared get?

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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. Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast

How many episodes of Talking Scared are there?

Talking Scared launched 5 years ago and published 256 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. Kyle McConaghy
2. Katherine Arden
3. Tariq Ashkanani
4. Wendy Dalrymple
5. Brian McCauley
6. Chris Panettier
7. Alex Grecian
8. Augustina Bazterrica

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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