Talking Scared Podcast

If you hate AI you might like this week's episode.

@justinkey.bsky.social joins me to discuss his new medical techno-dystopia THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD.

We cover the horrors of med school, what Justin has learned about character from his work in psychiatry, and the evils of screens!

I want you to close your eyes and picture the scissors.

We don't talk enough about the genital horror in Lars Von Trier's ANTICHRIST!

Will the creepy fuck ever just go away!!

I finally, FINALLY(!) saw Life of Chuck.

It made me long for a time when more movies were like that. Honey-toned and running at the right pace, with characters that matter and an earnest attempt to make you feel.

@mikeflanaganfilm.com delivered. Chiwetel Ejiofor & Matt Lillard broke my heart.

If you hate AI you'll love this week's episode.

My exact feelings too! But on this most recent reread I really really enjoyed it.

You have all my very best wishes. I hope the hours of nonsense we shared helped alleviate the stress for a while.

Yes I did. Not so much a kid, but an immature 30 year old with a backpack full of dreams!

Thrilled to start the week with some good news! Many congrats to Good Boy by @talkscaredpod.bsky.social making the prelim ballot for the Stoker Awards 🖤🦇

WTF Did I Just Watch? – 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Talking Scared Get more from Talking Scared on Patreon

Latest Patreon Bonus - in which I manage to spend 35 minutes enthusiastically reviewing a 95 minute movie.

In 20 minutes we'll be recording the deep dive into The Talisman episode and Nat and I will find out what Chris thought of Wolf.

Worlds tremble on this.

Oh absolutely. I'll say it again - the best novel I've read in the last twenty years.

Neil hurriedly trying to remember what his rankings were :)

Number 1 is a stunner.

It's so good. I was charmed and moved by it.

Picture of my lazy ass dog lying in her bed giving me puppy eyes whilst I work to keep her in food and plushies

Lulu earning her keep as usual.

Yeah me too. There are problems putting it there, but better than the anticlimax of reaching the tower at the end of the project and then having this weird coda.

It's a divisive book, but I love it. Have you ever reached Wolf and the Sunlight Gardener home before? If not, keep going till you get there.

Time for an update on the 2026 Dark Tower readalong schedule...

The plan (approx) is:

January 27th – The Talisman
March 17th – Black House
May – Wind Through the Keyhole
August – Wolves of the Calla
October – Hearts in Atlantis
December – ???

Hope you join us for the journey.

The new episode is all about about defending against the braindead!

@courtneysummers.bsky.social joins me to chat about the definitive reissue of her 2012 novel THIS IS NOT A TEST.

We cover optimism and despair, suicidal protagonists, teen dialogue and, of course, zombies!!

All podcast places

Hey - we're releasing The Talisman at the end of this month, and then it'll be Black House in March. If you're asking about core books from the series itself - Wind Through the Keyhole, probably April/May

Hey, Steve blurbed it - that'll do for me. Thanks for the shout out though Alex.

Thanks for supporting. I hope you enjoy it.

Got @johnlangan.bsky.social's new collection after @talkscaredpod.bsky.social's Best of 2025 ep and 😳 Ever get that feeling something’s about to grab your foot when you get out of bed? Terrified even while telling yourself it’s irrational? Yeah. I checked under the bed after reading the title story.

Talking Scared 2026 begins!!

Kristi DeMeester talks us through the curses, spells and hypocritical prayers in her new witchy novel: DARK SISTERS. We discuss purity culture, noughties cruelty, and her childhood in the fundamentalist church.

Wherever you get podcasts.

Also, fans of @talkscaredpod.bsky.social can join the Talking Scared TBR and read along with books featured on the podcast.

app.thestorygraph.com/reading_chal...

I will watch this tomorrow! I can only imagine it adds extra poignancy.

Oh my dear god. I'm ill but that just healed my soul.

It’s wonderful isn’t it. I found the hints of potential truth so exciting. It felt like a journey of dark exploration.

Me alegra que lo hayas disfrutado. Feliz año nuevo.