The Horror Heals Podcast

Send us Fan MailAsh from Dead Puppy Studios makes human-skin masks, special effects, creepy props and the occasional skin lamp. Ash has also worked as a scare actor, including a memorable turn as a Southern cannibal grandma. Naturally, Kendall and Corey had to know more.But, Ash’s relationship with horror started in a very different place. For much of Ash’s life, scary movies and haunted attractions weren’t fun. They were genuinely frightening. After experiencing trauma and anxiety, horror could feel like one more thing to avoid. Just a few years ago, Ash had a panic attack inside a Halloween Horror Nights attraction and had to be escorted out.Then, Ash made a choice: go back inside. In Part 1 of our conversation, Ash talks about that remarkable evolution from being terrified by horror to creating it, and how controlled scares became an unexpected part of healing. We also get into scare acting, the psychology of haunted attractions, moving to Salem, launching Dead Puppy Studios and learning to channel difficult emotions into art.Plus, we learn how those wonderfully disturbing human-skin masks are actually made. It’s funny, candid, creepy and right at the heart of why we created this podcast.Horror Heals: Where the things that scare us can also save us.Come back next week for Part 2 with Ash.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when you grow up loving horror in the town that gave us "Night of the Living Dead?"Filmmaker and actor Robert Oppel joins Kendall for a trip through Pittsburgh horror history, beginning with George Romero, "Dawn of the Dead" and the Monroeville Mall. Robert remembers being so obsessed with Dawn that he recorded the Goblin soundtrack from the movie onto cassette, dialogue included, then walked around the actual mall listening to it on his Walkman.That kid eventually found his way into the movies himself.Robert talks about landing a role in "Children of the Living Dead," getting killed and coming back as a zombie, working on a movie with Tom Savini and later telling Savini that he played Brad in the film. Savini’s response: “You tell people that?”Robert also shares how his mother and grandmother encouraged his fascination with movies, the magic of watching actual film run through a projector and how those early experiences helped push him toward acting and directing.The conversation also turns personal. Robert discusses making Uncle Bob, his documentary about his uncle and namesake, Robert Oppel, who famously streaked across the stage during the 1974 Academy Awards and was murdered five years later. His uncle’s story also intersects with San Francisco counterculture, John Waters, Divine and the city’s art scene.It is a conversation about horror fandom, family, creativity and what can happen when the movies you obsess over as a kid become part of what you do with your life.And when Kendall asks Robert to name his favorite Final Person, he goes straight back to where it all began: "Night of the Living Dead."Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailTimothy Waldron wanted to be a scream queen. The problem? People in the film industry kept telling her it wasn’t going to happen.She had other plans. Timothy joins Corey for a funny, candid and occasionally very bloody conversation about carving out her own place in indie horror as a trans actress. She talks about discovering horror as a kid, her obsession with Sarah Michelle Gellar in I Know What You Did Last Summer and why Helen Shivers helped teach her to be a fighter.Timothy also gets into the pressure she faced to adopt a more traditionally feminine stage name and why she refused. Her name is Timothy Waldron. She knows exactly who she is, and Hollywood doesn’t get to rename her.The conversation goes from there to working with Horror Heals alum Debbie Rochon, learning acting on the job, trans representation in horror, her love of practical effects and why she tells directors not to hold back when it’s time to kill her character. No off-camera death, please. Timothy wants the blood, the prosthetics and the whole damn thing.She also explains why every scream she gives on camera is real and where all that emotion comes from. Naturally, Corey has to put that scream to the test.Timothy also previews Slaughter at Camp Swinelake, The Yellow Balloon: Curse of Vincent Farrow and La Suicida.And there’s one more reason Corey is excited about this episode: it’s his birthday episode. Huge thanks to Timothy for creating some killer social media content to help Horror Heals celebrate and spread the word.Follow Timothy on Instagram: @timothywaldronofficialIf you enjoy Horror Heals, give Corey a cheap birthday present and share this episode with another horror fan.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhat do donor conception, horror movies, therapy, and horror conventions possibly have in common? More than you might think.In this special crossover episode of Horror Heals and Family Twist, Corey and Kendall welcome psychologist, author, and donor-conceived advocate Dr. Jamie Marich for a conversation that goes far beyond scary movies.Jamie shares how discovering they were donor-conceived sparked a journey of identity and healing, then explains why horror has always been a source of comfort rather than fear. Together, they explore why anxious people are often drawn to horror, how frightening stories can help us process real-life emotions, and why horror fans create some of the most accepting communities anywhere.The conversation also dives into childhood horror memories, raising the next generation of horror fans, favorite franchises from The Exorcist to Hereditary and Terrifier, and the surprising parallels between horror conventions and DNA surprise gatherings.Whether you came here through Horror Heals or Family Twist, this episode reminds us that healing often begins when we find people who understand our story.In this episode: Jamie's donor conception journey  Why people with anxiety often love horror  Horror as emotional regulation and exposure therapy  What psychology can teach us about scary movies  Why horror conventions feel like family  Raising horror-loving kids  Favorite horror films, franchises and final people  Why identity, healing and horror belong in the same conversation Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailOn the surface, Demon Twink is exactly what the title promises: a stylish, campy queer horror film packed with demons, dark humor and a deal with the devil. Underneath, it is something much deeper.Filmmaker Steven George joins Corey to talk about creating horror that entertains while exploring identity, aging, love, chosen family and the emotional baggage we all carry. Along the way, they discuss why horror has always been a safe place for people to process fear, grief and the parts of themselves they once tried to hide.The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Steven reveals that he is also an adoptee, leading to a heartfelt discussion that bridges the worlds of Horror Heals and our sister podcast, Family Twist. It is a reminder that whether we are talking about horror movies or family secrets, the stories that scare us often have the greatest power to heal.If you love independent horror, queer filmmaking and conversations that go beyond the surface, this episode is for you.About Steven GeorgeSteven George is an award-winning filmmaker and writer whose acclaimed horror short Demon Twink blends supernatural horror, camp, romance and queer storytelling into a bold and emotionally resonant experience. His work explores identity, belonging and the complexities of human connection while celebrating horror's unique ability to entertain, challenge and heal. Steven is currently developing Demon Twink into a feature film.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhat if horror isn't about escaping reality, but facing it?Author Alex Grass joins Horror Heals to discuss his new short story collection, Infernal Tramps, a wildly imaginative blend of unsettling, darkly funny and deeply human horror.Our conversation goes far beyond the page. Alex opens up about recovery, why honesty is essential to healing, and how horror gives us permission to confront the fears we'd rather keep buried. We also dive into growing up on a steady diet of HBO horror, Stephen King's influence, why The Thing remains one of the greatest horror films ever made and how life's hardest experiences often become the richest storytelling.Along the way, Alex shares hilarious stories about writing, one-star reviews, the changing perception of horror and why getting readers just a little uncomfortable is one of the greatest compliments a horror author can receive.Whether you're a lifelong horror reader or looking for your next disturbing read, this is a conversation filled with laughs, insight and plenty of reasons to embrace the dark.Learn more about Alex and Infernal Tramps.About Alex GrassAlex Grass is the author of several works of horror and dark fiction, including his newest collection, Infernal Tramps. His stories blend psychological horror, dark humor and the surreal, exploring the strange corners of human nature while never losing sight of the characters at their center. Drawing inspiration from classic horror, literary fiction and life's darker moments, Alex has built a reputation for creating stories that linger long after the final page.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailCan a horror movie become part of your wellness routine? For artist Heather Wagner, it already has.Living with an arthritis-like condition affecting her hands, Heather discovered that creating art while watching horror films became much more than a hobby. Sculpting twisted trees, haunted cemeteries and her signature "soulmate" ghosts helps keep her hands moving, quiets her mind and turns creativity into a form of healing.Heather also takes us back to where it all began: Saturday mornings watching The Munsters, The Addams Family and The Twilight Zone with her dad, discovering Stephen King as a kid and falling in love with the nostalgia that still makes horror feel like home decades later.This is a conversation about creativity, family memories and the surprising ways horror continues to comfort us long after the credits roll.If you're in New England, you can also see Heather's work during the Lowell Folk Festival weekend at Hive Public Market. Check out the festival schedule here.About Heather WagnerHeather Wagner is a New England artist whose handcrafted wire sculptures, haunted cemetery scenes and whimsical ghost creations celebrate her lifelong love of classic horror. Drawing inspiration from vintage monster movies, Halloween and gothic storytelling, she creates one-of-a-kind pieces that blend spooky charm with heartfelt meaning. Her work regularly appears at horror markets, oddities events and festivals throughout New England.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhen we launched Horror Heals, there was one guest we knew we had to have: Adrienne King.Best known as Alice Hardy, the original final girl from Friday the 13th, Adrienne gave horror one of its most unforgettable survivors. But her most remarkable story happened after the cameras stopped rolling.Following the film's release, Adrienne endured years of trauma after being stalked, leading her to step away from acting and disappear from the horror community for decades. When she finally attended her first horror convention, everything changed. The fans she thought had forgotten her became the community that helped her heal.Today, Adrienne has become a source of hope for countless people navigating trauma, grief and life's darkest moments.This conversation was one of our very first episodes, and after nearly two years of Horror Heals, we wanted to revisit it. We've remixed and tightened the interview to focus on the heart of Adrienne's journey and the reason this podcast exists.You'll also hear why Alice Hardy has always been Kendall's favorite final person and why the Friday the 13th family became part of our own found family after Kendall's DNA reunion changed our lives forever.If you've never listened to Horror Heals, this is the perfect place to begin. And if you've been with us from the start, thank you for helping make this community what it is.About Adrienne KingAdrienne King is an actor, artist and advocate best known for portraying Alice Hardy in the original Friday the 13th. Through convention appearances, artwork and countless one-on-one conversations with fans, she continues to remind people that surviving is only the beginning. Healing is the chapter that follows.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhat if the thing that scares us most isn't lurking in the shadows?Filmmaker Shal Ngo joins Corey and Kendall for a conversation that starts with horror movies and ends somewhere much deeper. They explore why fear can be healing, how horror creates space for empathy, and why understanding the monster might tell us more about ourselves than the monster ever could.Shal discusses making Control Freak, balancing practical effects with psychological dread, and building stories around anxiety, identity, and the pressure to hold everything together. The conversation wanders through The Shining, The Thing, Midsommar, horror conventions, childhood fears, and the strange comfort of sharing scary stories with strangers.Along the way, they ask a bigger question: in a world that often feels overwhelming, can horror help us find our humanity instead of losing it?Plus, Shal reveals his favorite final person in horror, shares an incredible hidden detail about The Thing that many fans have never noticed, and previews the terrifying ideas already taking shape for his next films.Guest BioShal Ngo is a writer and filmmaker whose work blends psychological storytelling, striking visual style, and deeply human themes. His horror feature Control Freak explores anxiety, identity, and body horror through the story of a woman whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel. His work pushes genre storytelling into emotionally rich territory, proving that the best horror lingers long after the credits roll.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailHappy 100th Birthday, Mel Brooks!To celebrate one of the greatest storytellers of all time, we're opening up the Horror Heals vault and sharing one of Corey's favorite interviews.Long before Horror Heals, Corey had the chance to spend an hour with the legendary Mel Brooks. While the conversation covers Mel's remarkable career, horror fans know his impact goes far beyond comedy. From the timeless Young Frankenstein to producing David Cronenberg's The Fly through Brooksfilms, Mel helped shape horror history while reminding us that fear and laughter often go hand in hand.Whether you've loved Mel for decades or you're discovering his work for the first time, we hope you'll enjoy this conversation with a man whose influence spans generations of filmmakers, comedians, and horror fans alike.Happy 100th, Mel. Thanks for everything.#MelBrooks #YoungFrankenstein #TheFly #HorrorHeals #HorrorComedy #ClassicHorror #UniversalMonsters #HorrorPodcast #MovieLegends #BrooksfilmsThank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailDoug Jones has spent four decades bringing some of the most unforgettable characters in film and television to life. From Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy to Hocus Pocus, The Shape of Water, and Star Trek: Discovery, his performances have helped define modern fantasy and horror.But who is the man beneath the makeup?This week on Horror Heals, Corey sits down with Doug Jones and filmmaker Derek Maki, executive producer of the upcoming documentary Get Me Doug Jones, which celebrates Doug's remarkable career and the kindness that has made him beloved by fans and fellow actors alike.Doug shares the origin of the famous "Doug Hug," memories from The Shape of Water, working with Guillermo del Toro, becoming Saru on Star Trek: Discovery, and why conventions remain one of the most rewarding parts of his career. Derek explains why he felt compelled to make a documentary about a performer many consider the Lon Chaney of our time and reveals some of the incredible voices participating in the film.Along the way, we talk about horror fandom, imposter syndrome, screen-used props, favorite final people, and why sometimes the people behind the monsters are the ones who leave the biggest impression.You'll also hear about the Kickstarter campaign helping bring Get Me Doug Jones to theaters and some of the amazing rewards available to supporters.About Doug JonesDoug Jones is an Emmy-nominated actor whose credits include The Shape of Water, Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, Hocus Pocus, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and Star Trek: Discovery. Known for his extraordinary physical performances and emotional depth, he has become one of the most respected actors in genre entertainment.About Derek MakiDerek Maki is an award-winning actor, director, and producer. His film Instant Dads earned numerous accolades, and he currently serves as executive producer of Get Me Doug Jones, a documentary chronicling the life and career of one of genre cinema's most beloved performers. Derek has worked alongside Doug Jones for nearly two decades, managing convention appearances and helping connect Doug with fans around the world.Learn more and support the documentary at GetMeDougJones.com, and support the Kickstarter! Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhat if the hardest people to face aren't the monsters? They're family.This week on Horror Heals, Kendall sits down with actor, writer, and producer Rae Jones to celebrate Soul Sisters, a Halloween-set horror short that proves family reunions can be every bit as terrifying as the darkest haunted house.The film follows three estranged sisters who come together hoping to reconnect, exchange gifts, and put the past behind them. Instead, old wounds reopen, trust is tested, and long-buried trauma collides with dark humor and horror in ways that feel both unsettling and surprisingly relatable.The conversation quickly becomes personal. Kendall shares how his own adoption journey and relationships with half-siblings unexpectedly mirrored some of the emotions at the heart of Soul Sisters, leading to a thoughtful discussion about fractured families, giving people grace, and the stories we inherit from the people who raised us and the people we find later in life.It's also a celebration of independent horror and the incredible women bringing fresh voices to the genre.Rae Jones is an actor, writer, and producer passionate about telling character-driven horror stories that blend emotion, humor, and suspense.She stars alongside Kamaria Williams, actor, filmmaker, and Horror Heals alum whose previous appearance quickly became one of our favorite conversations about representation, creativity, and finding community through horror. Kamaria continues to champion diverse voices both in front of and behind the camera.Rounding out the trio is Amber Watson, whose performance helps ground the film's emotional core while navigating the complicated dynamics of sisters trying to reconnect after years apart.Along the way, Kendall and Rae celebrate practical effects, haunted attractions, horror dates, final girls, and why scary movies have a unique ability to help us process grief, trauma, and the complicated relationships that shape who we become.Because every family has secrets. Some are just a little deadlier than others.Is horror good for mental wellness?Of corpse it is.In this episode:The inspiration behind Soul SistersThree sisters, one Halloween, and a reunion gone terribly wrongFamily trauma, half-siblings, and found familyWhy horror and comedy belong togetherIndependent filmmaking and women in horrorHorror as catharsis, connection, and communityWhy the monsters we fear most sometimes share our last nameThank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailLet's do the Time Warp.This week, Corey speaks with filmmaker Linus O'Brien, director of Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror and son of Richard O'Brien, for a conversation that feels like hanging out in the lobby after a midnight screening.They talk about Tim Curry's impossible-to-replicate charisma, the magic of Frank-N-Furter, growing up around Rocky Horror, and how a movie that was never supposed to become a phenomenon somehow found millions of people who desperately needed it.For Corey and Kendall, Rocky Horror isn't just a favorite movie. It's part of their story. Their first Halloween together involved weeks of building screen-accurate Eddie and Frank-N-Furter costumes, homemade makeup, a leather jacket sacrificed in the name of authenticity, and a second- and third-place finish at a midnight screening costume contest. More than twenty years later, they still have a Rocky Horror display in their TV room.Because that's what Rocky does. It stays with you.Whether you discovered it in a theater, at a convention, through friends who handed you a bag of props, or by sneaking a VHS tape when nobody was looking, Rocky Horror has always been about finding your people and celebrating what makes you different.And because audience participation is mandatory, there may be a little surprise waiting in this episode that we think the Rocky faithful will appreciate. So grab your fishnets, your toast, your newspapers, and maybe a squirt gun. It's astounding.Of corpse it is.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailIn part two of our conversation with Spooky Kisses, the discussion shifts from haunted attractions and horror conventions to something even more interesting: the people who make these communities feel like home.We talk about why horror fans are some of the most loyal and passionate people you'll ever meet, the friendships that form inside haunt casts, and why so many scare actors describe their haunted attraction family as exactly that, a family.Along the way, we discuss iconic haunts like Pennhurst Asylum, Haunted Overload, Field of Screams, and The Darkness, plus Terrifier, The Ring, horror conventions, creepy wells, grave robbers, chainsaw scares, and the surprising number of nurses and healthcare professionals who spend their free time terrifying strangers.Spooky Kisses also shares her plans for the future of her show, her dream of bringing celebrities through haunted attractions, and why she believes horror can appeal to far more than just die-hard haunt fans.Most importantly, we explore one of the themes that keeps coming up on Horror Heals: sometimes the people who feel like outsiders everywhere else find acceptance, belonging, and community through horror.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when horror fans sit down and just start talking?In part one of our conversation with Spooky Kisses, we go everywhere, haunted attractions, horror conventions, scare acting, creepy abandoned places, terrifying childhood memories of secretly watching The Exorcist, and why horror fans always seem to find each other.We talk about iconic haunts like Pennhurst Asylum, Haunted Overload, and The Darkness, plus Corey’s old journalism days working with haunted attractions in St. Louis.There’s also a surprising amount of conversation about Terrifier 3, creepy wells from The Ring, grave robbers in Pennsylvania, and one unforgettable family photo with Kane Hodder.But underneath all the horror nerding out, this episode also gets into something bigger: why horror spaces can feel so welcoming to outsiders, weird kids, healthcare workers, neurodivergent people, and anyone looking for a place to belong.Because sometimes haunted houses and horror conventions really do become a second family.Part 2 next week! Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when the internet stops feeling like entertainment and starts feeling like a nightmare?On this episode of Horror Heals, Corey and Kendall talk with filmmaker Zack Ogle about his unsettling indie horror film It Needs Eyes, a story about isolation, disturbing online imagery, unreliable reality, and the strange emotional pull of internet rabbit holes.Zack discusses how growing up online shaped the film, from creepy internet lore and disturbing viral videos to the way social media and AI are changing how we process fear, truth, and human connection. The conversation also explores horror as emotional release, the psychology of ambiguous endings, found footage influences, and why horror audiences often seek out stories that make them deeply uncomfortable.Corey and Kendall also talk with Zack about taking the film on a grassroots national theater tour instead of relying on the traditional festival-to-streaming path, creating a more personal connection between filmmakers and horror fans across the country.If you’ve ever gone down a late-night internet rabbit hole, watched something you immediately regretted, or found comfort in horror’s ability to externalize anxiety, this episode will probably hit close to home.It Needs Eyes is currently touring theaters nationwide.Horror Heals asks: Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is. Zack Ogle BioZack Ogle is an indie filmmaker, writer, and director whose work blends psychological horror, surreal imagery, and internet-age anxiety into deeply unsettling cinematic experiences. He is the co-creator and director of It Needs Eyes, an award-winning horror thriller that premiered on the festival circuit before launching a grassroots national theater tour.Inspired by internet folklore, found footage horror, online subcultures, and the emotional realities of growing up chronically online, Zack’s filmmaking explores fear, identity, obsession, and the blurry line between reality and perception. His work often combines experimental visuals, dream logic, and emotionally grounded characters to create horror that feels both intimate and deeply unnerving.In addition to directing, Zack is passionate about independent film distribution and building direct connections with horror audiences through live screenings, Q&As, and community-driven events. Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailHorror fans don’t just consume stories.A lot of us create because of them.In this episode of Horror Heals, Corey sits down with horror-inspired artist Christian Baloga for a deeply personal conversation about fear, trauma, creativity, and why horror has always felt like home for outsiders and survivors.Before the interview, Kendall reflects on the unique emotional honesty found in horror-inspired art, from paintings and tattoos to sculptures, masks, and mixed media creations. Horror fans often take fear, grief, anxiety, loneliness, and trauma and transform them into something tangible, beautiful, disturbing, and healing all at once.And Christian embodies that completely.Known for his gothic, horror-inspired artwork, Christian creates intensely personal pieces using unconventional materials including human hair and his own blood. His work has even been featured by Ripley's Believe It or Not!, which acquired several of his intricate life-sized hair sculptures.But beneath the striking imagery is something deeply human.Christian opens up about growing up with a difficult childhood, finding comfort in horror films and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and how horror became a safe way to process emotions that otherwise felt impossible to face directly.There’s one quote from this episode that perfectly captures the spirit of Horror Heals:“Horror is that one genre that lets you metabolize anxiety instead of suppressing it.” Corey and Christian also talk about: Why horror endings felt comforting during childhood  Using creativity as survival and emotional release  Working with hair and blood as artistic mediums  Horror movies as a bonding experience in relationships  Tattoos, cemeteries, gothic aesthetics, and self-expression  Why horror fans are often some of the most emotionally expressive people This is a shorter episode, but it’s one of the most heartfelt conversations we’ve had about horror, art, and what it means to turn pain into creation.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.ABOUT CHRISTIAN BALOGAChristian Baloga is a Pennsylvania-based artist whose work blends horror, gothic imagery, sculpture, photography, jewelry, tattoo experimentation, and mixed media art into deeply personal creations rooted in identity, emotion, and survival.Using unconventional materials including human hair and blood, Christian creates work that is both unsettling and intimate, exploring the connection between the body, memory, fear, and healing. His intricate sculptures have been acquired by Ripley's Believe It or Not!, and his art continues to resonate with horror fans drawn to deeply emotional and original work.Learn more at Christian Baloga’s WebsiteThank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhat if horror isn’t just entertainment, but a tool for survival?In this episode of Horror Heals, Corey sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Lana Holmes to explore how horror movies mirror real-life trauma, resilience, and mental health.From hiding behind the couch as a kid to integrating horror into her clinical work, Dr. Holmes shares how the genre can help people process fear, build coping strategies, and better understand themselves.Corey and Dr. Holmes dig into the psychology behind the “final girl,” why taking the threat seriously matters both on screen and in real life, and how horror can prepare us for moments of uncertainty, chaos, and change.They also explore: Why people connect with villains like Freddy and Jason  How horror helped some people navigate the pandemic  The real meaning behind horror “rules”  Why horror is one of the most creative storytelling spaces today  How trauma shows up in films like Halloween and ScreamIf you’ve ever wondered why horror sticks with you, or why it sometimes feels strangely empowering, this conversation will change the way you see the genre.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.ABOUT DR. LANA HOLMESDr. Lana Holmes is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Inclusive Therapy & Wellness, where she specializes in trauma, anxiety, and depression. Her work focuses on supporting individuals from marginalized and underrepresented communities, creating a space that is affirming, culturally responsive, and grounded in real-world experiences.A self-described pop culture enthusiast and lifelong horror fan, Dr. Holmes incorporates media, including horror films, into her clinical approach to help clients better understand fear, survival, and resilience. Her perspective blends deep clinical expertise with a genuine love of storytelling, making complex psychological concepts accessible and relatable.Learn more: https://www.inclusivetherapywellness.com/lanaThank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when horror, art, and real-life trauma all collide?In this episode, we sit down with Whit Hertford, known to horror fans as Jacob from A Nightmare on Elm Street 5 and to movie lovers as the kid who gets shocked in Jurassic Park. But this conversation goes way beyond film credits.Whit opens up about losing his father at age 10 and how creativity became his way of processing grief, long before he had the language for it. From acting and writing to abstract painting and even cooking, he shares how art has served as a constant, grounding force through life’s hardest moments.We also dive into: His experiences as a child actor in the horror world  Why horror fans and conventions feel like true community  The surprising healing power of abstract art  His current creative work, including a dark, surreal film project inspired by Eraserhead Shakespeare, storytelling, and why deeper meaning evolves with age This is one of those conversations that starts with horror, but quickly becomes something much bigger, about identity, loss, creativity, and finding your way forward.If you’ve ever used movies, art, or storytelling to cope with something difficult, this episode will hit home.Because at the end of the day… is horror good for mental wellness?Of corpse it is.Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.