The Scares That Shaped Us
Episodes
Episode 67: "Fabulous Beasts" with Eric LaRocca
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Eric LaRocca returns! This week on the show, we're talking to Eric about his wonderful new novel Wretch, and digging deep into Priya Sharma's ...
Episode 66: Tales of Edgar Allan Poe with Annie Neugebauer
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's Episode 66! Just 600 more to go until we hit horror's favorite number! This week, Matthew welcomes celebrated author Annie Neugebauer to ...
Episode 65: "The Penance" with Johnny Compton
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Johnny Compton returns! The author of The Spite House and Devils Kill Devils joins the pod for the second time to talk about his new novel, Dead First...
Episode 64: Return to Oz with Alex Woodroe
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're joined by Alex Woodroe, author and editor-in-chief of Tenebrous Press! We chat about her new book, The Night Ship, how she views ...
Episode 63: The Omen with John Adams and Toby Poser
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We're back! For our first regular episode of 2026, we're talking to two of my favorite horror filmmakers, John Adams and Toby Poser of Adams F...
Episode 62: The Best Horror Movies of 2025 with Matt Donato
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year! For our first episode of 2026, we're finishing up our Best of 2025 wrap-up with a discussion on the best horror movies of the past...
Episode 61: The Best Horror Books of 2025 with Sadie Hartmann
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's our final show of 2025, and we're using it to look back on the best horror books we read this year. Joining us this week we've got Mo...
Episode 60: Christmas Evil with C. Robert Cargill
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's Christmas time! C. Robert Cargill returns! Based on a brief conversation we had back during Fantastic Fest, Cargill was kind enough to stop b...
Episode 59: Invasion Of the Body Snatchers (1978) with Clay McLeod Chapman
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's Clay McLeod Chapman time once again! Our friend of the show returns for his fourth (!!!) visit to talk about his new book Shiny Happy People,...
Episode 58: Stand by Me and Aliens with Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's our first two-story episode! Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman, writers and directors behind the new horror film Man Finds Tape, join the show t...
Episode 57: Gremlins with Chris Panatier
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Panatier, author of The Redemption of Morgan Bright, joins the show this week to talk about his new book, Shitshow, and we dig into the festive ...
Episode 56: The Films of Jan Svankmajer with Jess Hagemann
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jess Hagemann, who wrote one of the best horror novels of the year with Mother-Eating: A Documentary, joins the show this week to talk about her book ...
Episode 55: I Am Legend with Jonathan Maberry
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bram Stoker-winning writer and editor Jonathan Maberry joins the show this week! We talk about his NecroTek and Joe Ledger series, blending genres, ed...
Episode 54: "Dread" with Nathan Ballingrud
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nathan Ballingrud, author of North American Lake Monsters and The Lunar Gothic Trilogy, joins the show this week! We talk about Nathan's latest bo...
Episode 53: Monsters (1988) with Trevor Henderson
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trevor Henderson, legendary internet monster-maker and creator of the Scarewaves series, joins the show for our Halloween episode! We talk about Trevo...
Episode 52: "The Tell-Tale Heart" with Ally Malinenko
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ally Malinenko, author of middle-grade horror novels like Ghost Girl and This Appearing House, joins the show this week! We talk about her new novel B...
Episode 51: Let's Scare Jessica to Death with Bob Pastorella
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This Is Horror co-host Bob Pastorella joins the show this week to talk about his new vampire novel The Small Hours! We talk Texas horror, Dracula, mer...
Episode 50: The Stand (Chapter 38) with C. Robert Cargill
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
C. Robert Cargill, screenwriter behind movies like Sinister and The Black Phone and author of books like Sea of Rust and Day Zero, joins the show this...
Episode 49: A Nightmare on Elm Street with Neil McRobert
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Neil McRobert, host of Talking Scared, joins us this week for a horror lit podcast crossover to talk about his debut novella, Good Boy! We discuss Nei...
Episode 48: Where the Sidewalk Ends with Becky Spratford
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Becky Spratford, librarian, critic, and all-around horror lit icon, joins the show this week! We talk about her new book Why I Love Horror, editing a ...
Episode 47: The Tommyknockers with Keith Rosson
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keith Rosson, author of the Fever House duology, joins the show this week to talk about his new vampire novel, Coffin Moon! We discuss his approach to...
Episode 46: The Amityville Horror with Rachel Harrison
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Harrison returns! We talk about her amazing new novel, Play Nice, infamous houses, and of course, dive into all things The Amityville Horror! W...
Episode 45: "The Night We Buried Road Dog" with John Langan
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bram Stoker Award-winning legend John Langan joins the show this week! We talk about his new collection, Lost in the Dark and Other Excursions, crafti...
Episode 44: Skeleton Crew with Clay McLeod Chapman
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's our one-year anniversary! To celebrate, we brought back our original guest, Clay McLeod Chapman, to talk about his new short story collection...
Episode 43: The Others with Isabel Cañas
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrated historical horror author Isabel Cañas joins the show this week to talk about her new novel, The Possession of Alba Diaz. We talk about the...
Episode 42: The Stand with Christopher Golden and Brian Keene
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's our first-ever double-bill on the podcast! Christopher Golden and Brian Keene are on the show this week to talk all things The Stand, from th...
Episode 41: The Last Unicorn with Gretchen Felker-Martin
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gretchen Felker-Martin, the celebrated author of Manhunt and Cuckoo, joins the show this week! We talk about her new novel Black Flame, suppressed fil...
Episode 40: Creepshow with Daniel Kraus
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Kraus, celebrated author of books like Whalefall and much more, returns to the show this week in celebration of his new novel Angel Down! We ta...
Episode 39: "The Raft" with Wendy N. Wagner
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author and Nightmare magazine editor Wendy N. Wagner joins the show this week to talk about her new novel Girl in the Creek, and to dive into one of S...
Episode 38: Quatermass and the Pit with Paul Tremblay
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Tremblay, the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of A Head Full of Ghosts, Horror Movie, and more, joins the show this week to talk about his new m...
Episode 37: "A Fish Story" with Stephen Graham Jones
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Graham Jones returns for his third visit to the show! We talk about Stephen's latest double-feature book release, Killer on the Road/The B...
Episode 36: Splatterhouse with Valkyrie Loughcrewe
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Valkyrie Loughcrewe, one of horror's most exciting rising voices, joins us this week to talk about their new books Decrepit Ritual and Puppet'...
Episode 35: Suspiria (2018) with Valentina Rojas
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Valentina Rojas joins the show to talk about her amazing debut novella, A Feast of Putrid Delights! We talk about how the book came togethe...
Episode 34: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with Josh Rountree
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Texas-based author Josh Rountree joins the show! We talk about his new book, The Unkillable Frank Lightning, and we take on the most famous...
Episode 33: Nightmare Ned with Sam Rebelein
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, The Scares That Shaped Us takes on video games for the very first time. Sam Rebelein, celebrated author of Edenville, stops by to talk abou...
Episode 32: "The Masks" with Gwendolyn Kiste
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bram Stoker Award-winning author Gwendolyn Kiste, author of Reluctant Immortals and The Haunting of Velkwood, joins the show this week! We talk about ...
Episode 31: From Dusk Till Dawn with Michael David Wilson
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Michael David Wilson, founder of This Is Horror, stops by the show to talk about his new novel Daddy's Boy, and we take a deep dive into Robert Ro...
Episode 30: The Cell with Caitlin Starling
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Caitlin Starling, author of The Luminous Dead and The Death of Jane Lawrence, stops by the show this week to talk about her amazing new horror-fantasy...
Episode 29: Night Shift with Christopher Golden
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christopher Golden stops by the show this week to talk about his new novel, The Night Birds, and to dive into our first Stephen King title. Gather you...
Episode 28: The Great and Secret Show with Todd Keisling
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Todd Keisling, author of Devil's Creek and Scanlines, joins the show this week to talk about his new novel, The Sundowner's Dance, and to take...
Episode 27: Faces of Death with Joshua Chaplinsky
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joshua Chaplinsky joins the show this week to talk about his latest book, Letters to the Purple Satin Killer, writing a different kind of serial kille...
Episode 26: Swan Song with Chuck Wendig
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chuck Wendig, author of horror hits like The Book of Accidents and Black River Orchard, stops by the show this week! We talk about his latest novel, T...
Episode 25: Poltergeist with Ronald Malfi
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's our 25th episode and we're taking on one of the most influential horror movies ever, Poltergeist. Ronald Malfi joins the show to talk abo...
Episode 24: Event Horizon with L.P. Hernandez
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The author of In The Valley of the Headless Men and No Gods Only Chaos L.P. Hernandez stopped by the show this week to talk about his writing, his new...
Episode 23: "The Burr Woman" with Nat Cassidy
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When The Wolf Comes Home author Nat Cassidy stops by the show this week to talk about his new book, monsters, the genius of Terminator 2, and a very c...
Episode 22: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark with Erika T. Wurth
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Erika T. Wurth joins the show this week to talk about her amazing new novel The Haunting of Room 904 and Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark! We talk ab...
Episode 21: Near Dark with Stephen Graham Jones
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Graham Jones makes his triumphant return to the show this week to talk about his amazing new novel, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, and Kathryn Big...
Episode 20: "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" with Cynthia Pelayo
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bram Stoker Award-winning author Cynthia Pelayo joins the show this week to talk about her latest book, fairy tales, true crime, and Joyce Carol Oates...
Episode 19: The Gate with Max Booth III
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ghoulish Books founder, author, and Ghoulish Book Festival host Max Booth stops by the show this week to talk about their books, editing a new trans h...
Episode 18: "Sweets to the Sweet" with Johnny Compton
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Johnny Compton, the author of novels like The Spite House and Devils Kill Devils, joins us for our first-ever dive into the wicked imagination of Robe...
Episode 17: Wes Craven's New Nightmare with Adam Cesare
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The author of Clown in a Cornfield and Influencer, Adam Cesare, joins the show this week for our first-ever Wes Craven episode! We talk about Adam'...
Episode 16: "Mirror, Mirror" with Virginia Feito
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Virginia Feito joins the show to kick off our February and promote her new novel, the much buzzed-about Victorian Psycho. We talk about the origins of...
Episode 15: Junji Ito's Tomie with Kailee Pedersen
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kailee Pedersen, author of one of the best horror debuts I've ever read, joins the show this week to talk about her incredible book, Sacrificial A...
Episode 14: "In The Hills, The Cities" with Zac Thompson
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Comics writer Zac Thompson joins us this week for our second consecutive episode devoted to the work of Clive Barker! We talk about Zac's comics, ...
Episode 13: Hellraiser with Eric LaRocca
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's our first-ever Clive Barker episode, and we can't think of a better guest for that than Eric LaRocca. In this episode, we discuss Eric...
Episode 12: "The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles" with Grady Hendrix
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For our first regular interview episode of 2025, the great Grady Hendrix is here to talk about one of his favorite formative horror stories, Margaret ...
Episode 11: The Best of 2024 with Gabino Iglesias and Russell Falcon
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year! In this special double-sized episode of the show, Matthew is diving in to the best horror stories of 2024 with two very special guests...
Episode 10: Black Christmas with Clay McLeod Chapman
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Merry (Black) Christmas! The great Clay McLeod Chapman returns this week as our first-ever second-time to guess, to fulfill a promise he made in our v...
Episode 9: House on Haunted Hill (1999) with Sofia Ajram
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sofia Ajram joins the show this week to talk about her fantastic debut novella Coup de Grace, and to have a millennial blast with 1999's House on ...
Episode 8: Arthur Machen's "The White People" with Gemma Files
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the finest horror writers alive, Gemma Files, is on the show this week! We talk about the inspirations for her short fiction, her latest collec...
Episode 7: Twilight Zone: The Movie with Josh Malerman
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a super-sized episode as Josh Malerman joins the show to talk about Incidents Around the House, 10 years of publishing horror, the unique way...
Episode 6: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark with BJ Colangelo
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Halloween! It's a special Halloween edition of the show this week, as we're joined by writer/director/producer/critic/podcaster/awesome ...
Episode 5: Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood with Stephen Graham Jones
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Big episode this week! The great Stephen Graham Jones stopped by to do what you always hope you'll get to do with Stephen Graham Jones: Talk about...
Episode 4: The Lost Boys with Hailey Piper
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The great Hailey Piper joins The Scares That Shaped Us! We talked about her amazing new vampire novel, All The Hearts You Eat, writing about coastal t...
Episode 3: Jaws with Rachel Harrison
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's Rachel Harrison week on The Scares That Shaped Us! The author behind novels like The Return, Cackle, Such Sharp Teeth, and Black Sheep joins ...
Episode 2: "The Invaders" with Daniel Kraus
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, Horror Fans!And we're back! It's Episode 2 and we've got a good one for you! Our guest this week is Daniel Kraus, celebrated author...
Episode 1: Session 9 with Clay McLeod Chapman
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, horror fans!It's Launch Day! Episode 1, featuring Clay McLeod Chapman, is now available to listeners. We talk about Clay's chosen forma...