Rephonic
Artwork for Horror Joy
Horror
Algernon Blackwood
Kit-Bag
Nosferatu
Hollywood
Patriarchy
Intersex Issues
Tuberculosis
Coralie Fargeat
Olga Tokarczuk
Aging
Female Beauty Standards
Misogyny
Body Horror
Murder
Severance
Nightmare Soup
Criminal Law
First Word On Horror
Something Is Killing the Children

Horror Joy is a podcast by two university professors who take a deep dive into horror in hopes of finding joy lurking in the shadows.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes58Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmBooksArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Horror Joy

Latest Episodes

In this episode of 'Horror Joy,' hosts Brian and Jeff delve into the appeal of found footage horror and are joined by author Michael Wehunt to explore these themes.

They discuss Wehunt's debut novel, 'The October Film Haunt,' which blends subgenres... more

In this episode of Horror Joy’ Meet Your Maker series, Jeff and Brian welcome author Chris Dileo to discuss his new book, Empty Devils (Cabelo Books, 2025), and his deeply personal relationship with horror. Dileo emphasizes that reading is a process ... more

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Jeff and Brian sit down with Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman, directors of the upcoming found footage horror film 'Man Finds Tape,' releasing on December 5th.

The conversation covers the joy to be found in horror... more

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian and Jeff welcome acclaimed author Gwendolyn Kiste, a multiple Bram Stoker Award winner, to discuss her novel 'The Haunting of Velkwood.'

They explore the synergistic relationship between horror and joy, emp... more

Key Facts

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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

Peter Hall
Writer and director, known for his work in horror
Episode: Man Finds Tape with directors Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman
Paul Gandersman
Writer and director of the horror genre
Episode: Man Finds Tape with directors Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman
Gwendolyn Kiste
Multiple time Bram Stoker Award-winning author
Episode: Gwendolyn Kiste on Meet Your Maker
Kayli Scholz
Horror author living and writing in Florida.
Episode: Kayli Scholz on Meet Your Maker
Anthony Cousins
Co-writer and director of the 2023 found footage horror film Frogman
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: Frogman with Director Anthony Cousins
Alan Good
One of the editors and founder of Malarkey Books
Malarkey Books
Episode: Lauren Bolger and Alan Good on Meet Your Maker
Lauren Bolger
Horror author published by Malarkey Books
Malarkey Books
Episode: Lauren Bolger and Alan Good on Meet Your Maker
Nick Medina
Author of Sisters of the Lost Nation and The Whistler
Episode: Nick Medina on Meet Your Maker
Matthew Trifan
Emergency physician and author of 'The Fever Called Living, Tales of Supernatural Horror'
Episode: Matthew Trifan on Meet Your Maker

Hosts

Brian Onishi
Co-host of discussions surrounding the horror genre, emphasizing the connections between horror and joy.
Jeff Stoyanoff
Co-host who engages in critical dialogues on horror narratives and their emotional impacts.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 53 ratings
  • Joyful Discussions

    A great podcast, wherein Brian & Jeffery deconstruct your favorite horror films and books without—wait for it—sucking the JOY out of them. History, context, engaging guests. Top tier listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    poejunior
    United States5 months ago
  • Passion is on full display

    Every episode is worthwhile because of your excitement and insight! Awesome show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NestorSkip
    United States7 months ago
  • Love the premise

    Will keep it short- I’ve been searching for a podcast on this topic all year. Excited for more eps!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katbelvin
    United Statesa year ago
  • The feeling inspired by dark stories

    This awesome podcast focuses on the catharsis we receive from exploring subjects that are otherwise difficult to talk about, or even identify sometimes. It's excellent in its approach, with each host bringing something unique to the table. 

    Horror serves the same function and shares the same beats as comedy; this podcast could be especially enjoyable for scaredy-cats 😽 who don't want to watch scary movies, but do enjoy discussions of culture, politics, and the metaphysical, as the hosts do a g... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SpaceHippyArtMonkey
    United Statesa year ago
  • Entertaining and inspiring perpectives

    Horror joy presents an intellectual and amusing discussion of horror and the joy it can elicit. The depth of their analysis and rapport between the professors challenges the listener to explore their own perspective. I am eagerly anticipating the next episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vanderlyle1716
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful analysis and discussions around horror films and literature, often highlighting the unique combination of joy and horror.
The podcast is noted for its insightful commentary on societal issues reflected in horror, making it appealing even for those outside the genre enthusiast circle.
Feedback frequently points out the podcast's ability to elicit intellectual curiosity and emotional reflection on complex themes in horror.
Many reviews commend the engaging interactions between hosts, suggesting that their rapport adds depth to the dialogues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#194
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#209
Sweden/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nosferatu and "First Word on Horror" with Philip Gelatt
Q: What were you trying to accomplish with 'First Word on Horror'?
Philip expresses the goal of diving into the lives and works of horror writers, revealing how their personal experiences intertwine with their fiction to provide deeper insight into the genre.
Nosferatu and "First Word on Horror" with Philip Gelatt
Q: What's the relationship between joy and horror for you?
Philip describes a complicated relationship where as a child, he saw horror purely as frightening, but as he grew older, he found joy and even a specific thrill in the experience of fear and creating horror.
Buffalo, Confession, Vampire - An Interview with Stephen Graham Jones
Q: How do you see community in horror and how does it impact storytelling?
Stephen discusses the importance of community in horror storytelling, emphasizing that decisions made in horror scenarios often reflect on one's relationship to the community they belong to.
Buffalo, Confession, Vampire - An Interview with Stephen Graham Jones
Q: What do you think about the relationship between joy and horror?
Stephen believes that there is definitely joy in horror and explains how joy often involves a return to something, relating it to feelings experienced in horror storytelling.
The Professor is In - Revisiting a Year of Horror Joy with Kevin Wetmore, Jr.
Q: What does elevated horror mean?
The term elevated horror implies a hierarchy that diminishes traditional horror, which often portrays complex societal fears through storytelling.

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 Horror Joy

What is Horror Joy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on the exploration of horror as a genre and its profound connection to joy, as discussed by informed hosts who are university professors. Episodes feature conversations with various authors and filmmakers who share their insights into the horror genre, personal anecdotes, and the cathartic aspects of horror storytelling. The unique perspective of examining the joy that can be found within horror narratives distinguishes this offering from other podcasts, making it appealing to both avid horror fans and those curious about the deeper themes within the genre. Listeners can expect a blend of intellectual discussions, cultural critique, and engaging storytelling through the lens of established creators in horror literature a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Horror Joy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Horror Joy:

1. Straight White American Jesus
2. Conspirituality
3. The Lawfare Podcast
4. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
5. If Books Could Kill

How many episodes of Horror Joy are there?

Horror Joy launched 2 years ago and published 58 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 Horror Joy?

Recent guests on Horror Joy include:

1. Peter Hall
2. Paul Gandersman
3. Gwendolyn Kiste
4. Kayli Scholz
5. Anthony Cousins
6. Alan Good
7. Lauren Bolger
8. Nick Medina

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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