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Artwork for The Scares That Shaped Us

The Scares That Shaped Us

Matthew Jackson
Stephen King
Folk Horror
The Stand
Invasion Of the Body Snatchers
The Small Hours
The Amityville Horror
Night Of the Living Dead
The Wicker Man
The Thing
I Saw the TV Glow
Horror
Anne Rice
Poltergeist
Dark Shadows
The Shining
The Woman In Black
Jack Cady
The Red Sacrament
Eraserhead
Demonic Possession

A podcast about horror writers and the stories that made them. Join host Matthew Jackson as he talks to some of the biggest names in horror about the scary stories that built their imaginations, from movies to books and everything in between.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes86Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsFilm InterviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for The Scares That Shaped Us

Latest Episodes

Gwendolyn Kiste returns! The multi Stoker Award-winning author of Reluctant Immortals and The Haunting of Velkwood is back on the show this week to talk about her new novella In These Gilded Ghostly Hearts, how she came to write a horror sequel to Th... more

Jonathan Janz, author of Children of the Dark and Veil, joins the show this week! We talk about the re-release of his cult classic book Marla, the relationship between writing and coaching basketball, and we dig deep into one of the greatest horror n... more

Bram Stoker Award-winning author Cynthia Pelayo returns to the show this week! We caught up with her about her new novel, It Came From Neverland, talked about her upcoming anthology Something Followed Us Home, and dug into the Edgar Allan Poe classic... more

On August 6, we went live on a YouTube for a special episode with our original Friend of the Show, Clay McLeod Chapman! Now that episode's in the main feed! We talk about Clay's new book Devil Inside, dig into his five favorite possession horror movi... 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

Paul Tremblay
Bram Stoker award-winning author
Episode: Episode 82: "The Intoxicated" with Paul Tremblay
Aoife Josie Clements
Author of Persona; composer/musician
Little Puss Press (Persona)
Episode: Episode 81: Eraserhead with Aoife Josie Clements
Sara Hinkley
Costume designer and author of The Red Sacrament
Independent author and designer
Episode: Episode 80: Sleepy Hollow (1999) with Sara Hinkley
David Demchuk
Horror writer and author of Red X (and Bone Mother)
Author
Episode: Episode 79: Dark Shadows with David Demchuk
Emily Hughes
Writer and editor, Darker Times
Darker Times
Episode: Episode 78: Poltergeist with Emily Hughes
CJ Leede
Acclaimed horror author
Author of Headlights, Maeve Fly, American Rapture
Episode: Episode 77: The Shining with CJ Leede
Johanna van Veen
Author
Poison Pin Press
Episode: Episode 76: The Woman in Black with Johanna van Veen
Cynthia Gomez
Author of Muneca
Author / Writer
Episode: Episode 75: Rosemary's Baby with Cynthia Gomez
Sarah Gailey
Speculative fiction author of The Echo Wife, Just Like Home, Spread Me, Make Me Better
Episode: Episode 74: The Thief of Always with Sarah Gailey

Host

Matthew Jackson
Host of The Scares That Shaped Us

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 52 ratings
  • What??

    No ‘Halloween’ or ‘Exorcist III’?? Classics I tell you, classics. You know what to do.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Castermt
    United States2 months ago
  • Witty & Fun!

    This is a really fun show with great guests, a charming host, and insightful perspectives. i love all the book and movie recommendations and can’t wait for more fun each week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LJS in the ATX
    United States8 months ago
  • Good show, lots of filler

    Good show, great guests, great concept, great topics. Be prepared: they never start discussing the actual topic until 25-30 minutes into the show on average.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    c.rib
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love This

    Great show. Great concept. Great host. Great guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ritter Fan
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great listen

    It’s always fun to listen to creators and experts nerd out on what they are passionate about. Even though I wasn’t familiar with some of the books, authors and films that were discussed, it made me want to check them out.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bpoff3
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise The show's blend of literary and film discussions.
Positive sentiment around the show's professional tone and depth of craft analysis.
Some listeners note the pacing can be slow before topic-focused discussion begins.
Fans appreciate deep dives into classic and contemporary horror works.
Reviews highlight engaging guests and a host with a charming delivery.

Top Books Podcasts

The Book Review
The Book ReviewThe New York Times
The Book Club
The Book ClubGoalhanger
Poetry Unbound
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Selected Shorts
Selected ShortsSymphony Space
Myths and Legends
Myths and LegendsJason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod
Fantasy Fangirls
Fantasy FangirlsFantasy Fangirls

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 81: Eraserhead with Aoife Josie Clements
Q: Where did the book begin for you, and how did your own journey with trans identity influence the narrative?
The book grew from a period in my early 20s when I was transitioning, financially constrained, and processing identity; I used it as a way to explore different perspectives through characters that could argue with each other, mirroring the inner debate I was having.
Episode 81: Eraserhead with Aoife Josie Clements
Q: For anyone out there listening who doesn't know, would you mind offering us a little taste of what you can expect when you open Persona?
Persona is a psychological horror about a young trans woman who discovers disturbing adult material about herself, then sinks into a dark internet rabbit hole to uncover its origins, all while living in a constricted, isolated space.
Episode 80: Sleepy Hollow (1999) with Sara Hinkley
Q: How do you see your background in costume design informing your writing process?
Establishing character through costume helps me make characters legible on the page; details of clothing convey status, money, and personality, informing how I write a character's choices and arc.
Episode 80: Sleepy Hollow (1999) with Sara Hinkley
Q: What do you remember about your first experience with Sleepy Hollow?
I've loved the movie from the start; as a costume designer it left a lasting imprint because of Colleen Atwood's period costumes and Burton's tonal control, which balanced fairy tale aesthetics with historical grounding.
Episode 42: The Stand with Christopher Golden and Brian Keene
Q: What moments from The Stand do you think will continue to resonate for readers?
Moments like the Lincoln Tunnel, the hand of God, and the communal faith in each other are timeless because they speak to human resilience and ethical choices under apocalyptic pressure.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Scares That Shaped Us

What is The Scares That Shaped Us about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers horror writers and the stories that inspired them, often delving into how films, books, and cultural moments shape craft. Episodes spotlight deep dives into specific works, plus discussions on writing process, genre boundaries, and the author's personal experiences. A notable strength is the host's ability to blend literary analysis with behind-the-scenes storytelling, guest anecdotes, and live audience Q&A, which keeps conversations vivid and book- and film-forward. The format tends to attract listeners who love literary horror, film history, and craft-focused interviews with a tilt toward gothic, folk, and possession-themed storytelling.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Scares That Shaped Us?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Scares That Shaped Us:

1. Talking Scared
2. The ARC Party
3. Anna Rose Reads - The Podcast
4. This Is Horror Podcast
5. Books in the Freezer - A Horror Fiction Podcast

How many episodes of The Scares That Shaped Us are there?

The Scares That Shaped Us launched 2 years ago and published 86 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 The Scares That Shaped Us?

Recent guests on The Scares That Shaped Us include:

1. Paul Tremblay
2. Aoife Josie Clements
3. Sara Hinkley
4. David Demchuk
5. Emily Hughes
6. CJ Leede
7. Johanna van Veen
8. Cynthia Gomez

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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