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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
Violence
Climate Change
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 weeklyEpisodes295Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksSociety & CultureArts

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Artwork for Talking Scared

Latest Episodes

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

Revisiting a true highlight this week!

Will Dean’s The Last Thing to Burn is one of very few 10/10 books i've ever featured on this podcast. It’s a flawless study of isolation, survival, exploitation and the most toxic of masculinities – all about a... more

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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
Neil McRobert is the knowledgeable and engaging host, known for his deep understanding and love of the horror genre. He facilitates meaningful conversations with authors, exploring their crafts and the thematic elements in their works.

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 Kingdoma month 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
    3 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.

Listeners rave about the insightful and engaging conversations, often praising the host's knowledge and depth of understanding regarding horror and literature.
The podcast is noted for its ability to celebrate and legitimize the love of the horror genre, providing a community for fans and aspiring writers alike.
Many appreciate the diverse array of guests, expressing that the discussions promote greater awareness of horror fiction and provoke thought about societal issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#138
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#152
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#213
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#86
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#126
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#150
Singapore/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[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.
[From the Vault] Jeff VanderMeer and Our First On-Air Murder
Q: What was your gateway to horror?
In part, it was the darker stories of Angela Carter and kind of the gothic quality of them. So that would be one answer and the other would just be the small press magazines of the late 80s and early 1990s.
[From the Vault] Jeff VanderMeer and Our First On-Air Murder
Q: If you could recommend one book to our listeners, what would it be and why?
I think I'm gonna pick The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnaut, who is an Australian writer, and it is about this kind of mythical creature who then called The Rain Heron that can change the weather. It's not so much about the cruelty of that, but it's definitely got horrific elements at the same time that it's got these mythic elements.
[From the Vault] Jeff VanderMeer and Our First On-Air Murder
Q: Tell me, do you have hope or just despair?
I do feel like the question is, with all due respect, irrelevant, because this is a sliding scale of damage. Anything we can do to stop it, to turn things around will prevent some damage. Are we at the point where we might see widespread collapse of civilization?
[From the Vault] Will Dean & The Two Faces of Off-Grid Living
Q: If you had a single piece of advice for a fledgling author, what would it be?
Dean advises that aspiring authors should fully commit to writing, sacrifice other distractions, and continuously work on their craft, without worrying about external accolades.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Scared

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

Conversations center around the intricacies and nuances of horror fiction, often highlighting the experiences and insights of prominent authors in the genre. Topics frequently explore themes of violence, identity, trauma, and societal issues through the lens of both classic and contemporary works. The content is enriched with detailed discussions about significant literary figures, adaptations of popular horror narratives, and the emotional undercurrents driving characters and plots. Unique to this series is the blend of respectful author interviews and deep literary analysis, making it an essential listening experience for both avid horror fans and aspiring writers seeking inspiration.

The podcast's strong emphasis on community and recomme... 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. The Evolution of Horror
5. Colors of the Dark

How many episodes of Talking Scared are there?

Talking Scared launched 5 years ago and published 295 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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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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