The Night Crew Podcast

The succubus has been turned into a Halloween costume, a video game boss, and a punchline — but the original version? She's older than vampires, older than werewolves, older than the word demon itself. Tonight, the Night Crew launches a brand-new series on the world's oldest night-predator, and we start where every good monster story starts: at the very beginning. In Episode 1 of the Succubi series, Brad Ricks traces the figure of Lilith from her ancient Mesopotamian roots — the Lilitu, those wind-spirit demons carved into clay tablets four thousand years ago — through her transformation into the most famous demoness in Western folklore. We dig into the Alphabet of Ben Sira, the medieval text that gave us Lilith as Adam's defiant first wife. We meet her demon-daughters, the Lilim, and unpack the unsettling logic behind why ancient cultures believed they visited men in their sleep. And we ask the bigger question: why did Lilith survive? Why is she still recognizable today, when so many other ancient demons are forgotten? This is a deep dive into the origins, the lore, the protective amulets that are still in use today, and the reasons folklore scholars consider Lilith the proto-succubus from which an entire global mythology eventually grew. Part 1 of 4. Topics covered: the Mesopotamian Lilitu • the Burney Relief and the Queen of the Night • Lilith as Adam's first wife • the Alphabet of Ben Sira • the three angels Senoy, Sansenoy, and Semangelof • protective amulets for newborns • the Lilim (Lilith's demon-daughters) • the four queens of demons in Kabbalistic tradition • why some traditions say Lilith hunts men who sleep face-up • the universal human fear of vulnerability during sleep. Get signed copies of Brad's novels and merch at https://www.bradricks.com. Night Crew 3: Hunting Ground is coming. Follow Brad on Facebook or join his Facebook Group: Brad Ricks’s Book Crypt and TikTok at BradRicksAuthor. Subscribe, rate, and share to support the show.   SEO Tags / Keywords succubus, succubi, Lilith, Lilim, Lilitu, demonology, folklore podcast, horror podcast, night demons, Alphabet of Ben Sira, Adam and Lilith, Mesopotamian demons, Burney Relief, Queen of the Night, Jewish folklore, sleep paralysis, Brad Ricks, Night Crew Podcast, paranormal, occult, demon mythology, ancient demons, Kabbalah, four queens of demons, Samael, demon wife, biblical demons, horror author, supernatural folklore, female demons Hashtags: #Succubus #Lilith #SuccubusLore #DemonLore #JewishFolklore #MesopotamianMythology #DarkFolklore #OccultHorror #NightDemons #MonsterLore #SupernaturalLegends #Mythology #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #AncientDemons #SleepParalysis #CreepyLegends #Folklore #LilithMythology

n this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with Danielle Muething, the narrator of The Night Crew 2, for a deep dive into the world of horror audiobook narration. They talk about how Danielle got started as a professional actor turned audiobook narrator, what it takes to voice a full cast of characters, how she builds fear and tension using only her voice, and what it’s like bringing monsters, succubi, hunters, and vampires to life in audio form. The conversation also explores voice acting, audiobook production, horror narration, character accents, disturbing scenes, favorite monsters, and Danielle’s own work as an author. If you love horror fiction, audiobooks, voice actors, indie horror, vampire stories, monster hunters, and behind-the-scenes conversations about how dark stories get made, this is a must-listen episode. It’s funny, insightful, and packed with creepy bookish goodness for horror fans and writers alike.   Danielle's Links: Website: https://www.daniellemuething.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmnarrates Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellemuething   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daniellemuething     Hashtags: #DanielleMuething #TheNightCrewPodcast #NightCrew2 #BradRicks #HorrorPodcast #AudiobookNarrator #AudiobookNarration #VoiceActor #VoiceActing #HorrorAudiobooks #IndieHorror #Vampires #MonsterHunters #HorrorBooks #AudiobookLife #AuthorInterview #NarratorInterview #DarkFiction #HorrorCommunity #BookPodcast

In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with S.E. Howard for a fun, insightful, and creepy conversation about her journey from paranormal romance to psychological horror, the craft of writing unsettling fiction, and her chilling latest novel, What Lies Unseen. They talk about haunted abilities, communicating with the dead, building dread, writing believable fear, surviving the messy middle of a manuscript, and why horror gives writers the freedom to break every rule. Sara also shares the inspiration behind The Vessel, her love of ghost stories, supernatural horror, psychological suspense, and even dives into terrifying cryptids like the Not Deer. If you love indie horror authors, author interviews, haunted house fiction, ghost novels, dark fiction, occult horror, and behind-the-scenes conversations about the writing life, this episode is packed with everything that makes horror fans hit play. Plus: spiders, swearing, creepy folklore, and enough laughs to make the darkness even more fun. Links: Website: https://www.sehoward.com/ Facebook and Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/sehoward.author/ Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/s-e-howard Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20459698.S_E_Howard     Hashtags: #SEHoward #WhatLiesUnseen #TheVessel #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #HorrorPodcast #PsychologicalHorror #SupernaturalHorror #GhostStory #HauntedHouse #IndieHorror #IndieAuthor #AuthorInterview #DarkFiction #OccultHorror #ParanormalHorror #Cryptids #NotDeer #HorrorBooks #WomenInHorror

What happens when hunger becomes something far worse than survival? In this chilling episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks dives deep into the terrifying legend of the Wendigo, one of the most haunting creatures in Native American and First Nations folklore. This episode explores the Algonquin origins of the Wendigo myth, its connection to winter, isolation, cannibalism, and the horrifying idea of endless, unsatisfied hunger. Brad also unpacks the lore surrounding Wendigo psychosis, the creature’s terrifying appearance, how it hunts, and what folklore says you’d have to do to survive an encounter. From dark folklore and cryptid legends to horror history, monster lore, and the Wendigo’s influence on books, movies, and horror games, this is a must-listen for fans of creepy legends, supernatural horror, mythological monsters, and true folklore deep dives. If you love stories about the things waiting in the woods, this episode is for you. Hashtags: #Wendigo #TheWendigo #NativeAmericanFolklore #FirstNationsFolklore #AlgonquinLegend #Cryptid #MonsterLore #Folklore #DarkFolklore #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #SupernaturalHorror #Mythology #UrbanLegends #HorrorStories #CreatureFeature #CryptidLore #ScaryStories #HorrorCommunity

In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with Ali Toothman to talk about her writing journey, her emotionally raw revenge horror novel Libby Lives, and how horror became both an escape and a form of healing. Ali opens up about starting with poetry and flash fiction, battling imposter syndrome, navigating the indie horror world, and why writing dark, violent, and psychologically intense stories can be deeply cathartic. They also dive into psychological horror, revenge horror, indie publishing, audiobooks, author life, and the growing excitement around ShiverCon. Plus, Ali talks favorite monsters, the Rougarou, dark romance, reading across genres, and the reality of building a career in the horror community. All great topics for fans of indie horror authors, women in horror, psychological thrillers, extreme horror, bookish podcasts, and behind-the-scenes conversations with rising voices in the genre.   Ali's links: Website: https://alitoothmanauthor.bigcartel.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CYurFvP7o/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alis.booknook TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alitoothmanhorror Threads: https://www.threads.com/@alis.booknook       Hashtags: #AliToothman #LibbyLives #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #HorrorPodcast #IndieHorror #IndieAuthor #WomenInHorror #RevengeHorror #PsychologicalHorror #PsychologicalThriller #ExtremeHorror #HorrorBooks #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AuthorLife #ShiverCon #Rougarou

Is The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde secretly a werewolf story? In this chilling episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks heads into Victorian London, gothic horror, and the dark psychology of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novella to explore the beast hiding beneath respectability. From duality, transformation horror, and the fear of the monster within, this episode connects Jekyll and Hyde to the same primal terror that drives werewolf mythology, the Rougarou, and the Skinwalker. If you love classic horror literature, monster lore, gothic fiction, psychological horror, and spooky deep dives into the undead and unnatural, this one’s for you. Hashtags: #DrJekyllAndMrHyde #JekyllAndHyde #RobertLouisStevenson #VictorianHorror #GothicHorror #ClassicHorror #HorrorPodcast #MonsterLore #WerewolfLore #WerewolfMythology #TransformationHorror #PsychologicalHorror #DarkLiterature #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #BookPodcast #HorrorBooks #LiteraryHorror #MonsterStories #SpookyPodcast

Tonight on the Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks heads deep into the dark legends of the American Southwest to explore the terrifying myth of the Skinwalker. Rooted in Navajo folklore, the Skinwalker is not your typical monster — it’s a shape-shifting witch tied to taboo, fear, voice mimicry, and stories so disturbing they make the classic werewolf legend feel almost safe. From the meaning of yee naaldlooshii to the eerie encounters reported across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, this episode dives into one of the most chilling supernatural legends in horror history. We also dig into Skinwalker Ranch, modern paranormal claims, Native legend versus internet creepypasta, and why this creature continues to haunt the imagination of horror fans everywhere. If you love cryptids, werewolves, folklore, paranormal stories, Native American legends, horror podcasts, and monster lore, this episode is for you. Subscribe, leave a review, and stay tuned for more nightmare fuel from The Night Crew Podcast. Keywords/Hashtags: #Skinwalker #Skinwalkers #NavajoLegend #YeeNaaldlooshii #SkinwalkerRanch #Werewolf #Cryptids #ParanormalPodcast #HorrorPodcast #MonsterLore #Folklore #NativeAmericanLegend #Supernatural #ScaryStories #BradRicks #NightCrewPodcast

What happens when French werewolf legends cross the Atlantic and sink into the Louisiana swamp? They become the Rougarou. In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks continues the werewolf deep dive, moving from the Beast of Gévaudan and the Beast of Bray Road into Cajun country to explore the terrifying legend of the Rougarou (also spelled Loup-Garou or Roux-Ga-Roux) — Louisiana’s cursed wolf-man of the bayou. This isn’t just another werewolf story. The Rougarou isn’t created by a bite. It isn’t ruled by the full moon. Instead, it’s born from broken Catholic vows, skipped Lent, ignored confession, and moral failure. According to Cajun folklore, the curse lasts 101 days — and the only way to break it may be to pass it on. In this episode, we explore: The French Loup-Garou origins of the Rougarou How Catholic morality shaped Cajun monster legends Why the swamp environment changed the werewolf myth 101-day curse lore and blood-passing traditions Silver bullets vs. prayer vs. endurance The eerie “counting compulsion” folklore Modern Louisiana Rougarou sightings and oral traditions Why the Rougarou still endures in Cajun culture Unlike European werewolves that rampage, the Rougarou stalks. It watches from the tree line. It lets the swamp trap you before it ever shows its teeth. This episode blends werewolf mythology, Louisiana folklore, Cajun legend, Catholic superstition, swamp horror, and American cryptid history into one atmospheric deep dive. If you’re fascinated by werewolves, the Rougarou legend, Louisiana ghost stories, Cajun horror folklore, or monster myths rooted in religion and consequence — this is one you don’t want to miss. Because in Louisiana… The dark doesn’t howl. It waits. 🎧 Press play — and try to stay good. 101 days is a long time.   Rougarou legend, Louisiana Rougarou, Cajun werewolf, Loup Garou folklore, Rougarou curse 101 days, Cajun monster stories, Louisiana swamp legend, Catholic werewolf myth, Rougarou origins France, French werewolf Louisiana, bayou monster folklore, American werewolf legends, Louisiana cryptid, Cajun folklore podcast, Brad Ricks Night Crew Podcast, werewolf mythology explained, swamp horror legend 🔥 Hashtags: #NightCrewPodcast #Rougarou #LouisianaFolklore #CajunLegend #WerewolfMythology #LoupGarou #SwampHorror #CryptidLore #AmericanFolklore #MonsterMyth #BayouLegends #HorrorPodcast #BradRicks

What connects 18th-century France, rural Wisconsin, and the swamps of Louisiana? A wolf that walks like a man. In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks traces the chilling lineage of werewolf lore from the documented terror of the Beast of Gévaudan to modern sightings of the Beast of Bray Road, uncovering how the French Loupgarou (Loup-Garou) legend migrated across the Atlantic and evolved into the American Rougarou. We dive into: The real historical attacks in 1760s France that left nearly 100 dead French werewolf trials and executions The royal hunts ordered by King Louis XV Silver bullet legends and wolf-hybrid theories The migration of the Loupgarou myth into Louisiana folklore Eyewitness accounts of Wisconsin’s upright wolf creature Cryptid reports investigated by journalist Linda Godfrey Why humans consistently describe a wolf that stands on two legs Was the Beast of Gévaudan just a large wolf? A wolf-dog hybrid? A serial killer mythologized? Is the Beast of Bray Road a misidentified animal — or something older buried in the human psyche? This episode explores the intersection of history, folklore, cryptozoology, and psychology — examining why the werewolf archetype refuses to die and how monster legends migrate, adapt, and survive. If you’re fascinated by werewolf mythology, French folklore, cryptid sightings, the Rougarou legend, or the darker side of documented history, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Because sometimes monsters don’t disappear. They migrate. 🎧 Press play… and don’t stop on Bray Road after dark.   Beast of Gévaudan, Beast of Bray Road, Loupgarou, Loup Garou, Rougarou legend, werewolf mythology, French werewolf trials, 18th century France wolf attacks, Wisconsin cryptid, Bray Road sightings, Linda Godfrey Beast of Bray Road, Louisiana Rougarou folklore, werewolf history podcast, cryptid investigation, upright wolf creature, real werewolf cases, European werewolf legends, American cryptids, Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks horror podcast #NightCrewPodcast #BeastOfGevaudan #BeastOfBrayRoad #WerewolfLegend #Loupgarou #Rougarou #CryptidLore #WerewolfHistory #FolklorePodcast #MonsterMythology #Cryptozoology #HorrorPodcast #BradRicks

🕯️ Episode Description: In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with horror author Blaine Daigle, a Louisiana-born writer whose work blends Southern Gothic dread, folk horror, and deeply human fear. The conversation centers on Blaine’s latest novel, Porcelain Lullaby, a chilling story of two estranged brothers, a haunted past, and an abandoned orphanage hiding the truth beneath its porcelain surface. Blaine talks about growing up surrounded by Louisiana folklore, haunted plantations, bayous, and the legend of the Rougarou, and how that cultural atmosphere shaped his love of horror. He breaks down his writing process, the myth of rigid word-count rules, and why finishing a book matters more than writing it “perfectly.” The discussion dives deep into themes of grief, mental health versus the supernatural, sibling bonds, and the fear of losing control. Blaine explains how Porcelain Lullaby became a culmination of everything he’s written so far, blending classic horror imagery—creepy dolls, orphanages, cracked facades—with modern emotional weight. Brad and Blaine also talk shop: balancing teaching with writing, handling negative reviews, why horror authors shouldn’t fear tropes, the importance of editors, and why monsters like werewolves and vampires endure as metaphors for identity, repression, and transformation. If you love Southern Gothic horror, folk horror, psychological dread, or thoughtful conversations about the craft of writing scary stories, this episode is for you. 🎧 Press play… and don’t trust anything that looks too perfect on the surface. 🔗 Guest Links: Website: https://www.blainedaigle.com/ Socials: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086562623387 https://www.instagram.com/blainedaigleauthor/     🔍 SEO Keywords: Blaine Daigle, Porcelain Lullaby, Southern Gothic horror, folk horror podcast, Rougarou folklore, Louisiana horror, haunted orphanage horror, psychological horror novels, horror author interview, Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks, writing horror fiction, indie horror authors, doll horror, supernatural vs mental health horror, grief in horror fiction, horror writing advice 🔥 Hashtags: #NightCrewPodcast #BlaineDaigle #PorcelainLullaby #SouthernGothic #FolkHorror #HorrorPodcast #IndieHorror #Rougarou #HauntedOrphanage #PsychologicalHorror #HorrorAuthors #WritingHorror #MonsterLore #LouisianaHorror

🐺 Episode Description (SEO + Vibes): From yak hair and spirit gum to latex nightmares and CGI abs, Hollywood’s obsession with werewolves has been messy, painful, and absolutely unforgettable. In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks howls his way through the full cinematic history of the werewolf — from Lon Chaney Jr.’s tragic Wolf Man and 1950s teenage angst, through the gooey practical-effects glory of the 1980s, into modern pack politics, shirtless rebrands, and digital fur. This episode explores how werewolves evolved from cursed monsters into cultural mirrors, reflecting everything from puberty and rage to identity, belonging, and creative transformation. Along the way, we dive into legendary films like The Wolf Man, An American Werewolf in London, The Howling, Ginger Snaps, Teen Wolf, Twilight, and more — breaking down how each era got the werewolf it deserved. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes horror stories from makeup chairs, why practical effects still beat CGI, how Hollywood itself is basically a full moon factory, and why the werewolf remains cinema’s most honest monster. So grab your silver popcorn bucket, check your reflection, and listen close — because when the credits roll, the beast might already be in you. 🎧 Press play… and try not to howl. 🔍 SEO Keywords: werewolf movies, Hollywood werewolves, werewolf transformation scenes, The Wolf Man 1941, An American Werewolf in London, Ginger Snaps, The Howling, Teen Wolf, Twilight werewolves, practical effects horror, werewolf makeup effects, lycanthropy in film, horror movie history, monster movie podcast, Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks, creature feature horror, werewolf lore, horror film analysis, classic monster movies 🔥 Hashtags: #NightCrewPodcast #WerewolfMovies #HollywoodHairballs #MonsterMovies #HorrorPodcast #CreatureFeatures #Lycanthropy #HorrorFilmHistory #PracticalEffects #WolfMan #WerewolfTransformation #ClassicHorror #ModernHorror #MonsterLore #BradRicks

What happens when indie horror fiction collides with slashers, cosmic dread, board game design, and one of the most terrifying monsters ever put on television? In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, horror author and game designer Jon Cohn joins host Brad Ricks for a deep-dive conversation into the art, anxiety, and obsession behind modern horror storytelling. Jon talks about: Growing up on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and why The Gentlemen remain one of the most original horror monsters ever created Why Chucky is the most adaptable slasher villain in horror history Writing slashers that evolve into cosmic horror nightmares Turning folk horror, anxiety, and OCD into powerful storytelling fuel Why finishing the thing is the most important advice for aspiring writers The indie horror community, conventions, and why they feel like family His upcoming novel Creed Falls Massacres—where two different horror apocalypses collide in one small town Jon's Socials https://www.joncohnauthor.com/ https://www.facebook.com/joncohnauthor https://www.instagram.com/joncohnauthor https://www.tiktok.com/@joncohnauthor Hashtags: #HorrorPodcast #IndieHorror #JonCohn #BuffyTheVampireSlayer #SlasherHorror #CosmicHorror #HorrorAuthors #WritingPodcast #MonsterTalk #TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorCommunity #Chucky #FinalGirls #HorrorBooks SEO Keywords (backend / description stuffing-friendly): indie horror podcast, horror author interview, Jon Cohn interview, slasher horror discussion, cosmic horror fiction, Buffy monsters explained, horror writing advice, indie horror books, Night Crew Podcast, horror fandom podcast

💀 Episode Description: On this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad sits down with horror author Jack Finn, whose work twists folklore, ancient monsters, and reimagined legends into something entirely his own. From The Seven Deaths of Prince Vlad to his upcoming Culling of the House of Boars, Jack’s take on vampires, werewolves, and pre-Christian folklore is anything but traditional. Jack talks about growing up on creature features, discovering that he was a horror fan long before he realized it, and how Romanian folklore (and trips to Transylvania) shaped his writing. He walks through the origins of the Strigoi, why he prefers monsters who aren’t the real villains, and why humans—especially in wartime—are often far scarier than anything supernatural. Brad and Jack break down folk horror from both the European and American perspectives, discuss writing process, finding your narrative voice, killing beloved characters, and the strange Google searches that come with being a horror author. Jack also talks about his duology The Wolves of Kalinin, his new title’s release from Crystal Lake Publishing, and how his military deployments shaped the emotional realism at the heart of his stories. A thoughtful, folklore-rich, monster-deep conversation you won’t want to miss. 🎧 Press play… if you dare. 🕸️ Show Notes / Topics Covered: 🧛 Jack’s Origin Story & First Novel Always wanted to write but lacked time/confidence Trips to Romania → inspiration for The Seven Deaths of Prince Vlad Reframing Dracula as the hero and Van Helsing as the villain Early success on KDP → picked up by a small press 📚 Books & Series Discussed The Seven Deaths of Prince Vlad The Wolves of Kalinin duology New release: Culling of the House of Boars (Strigoi/ancient vampire origin myth) Upcoming Crystal Lake Publishing release (He Who’s Done Evil) How each book pushes folklore, history, and monster myth in new ways 👹 Folk Horror, Ancient Beasts & Monster Philosophy Why folklore inspires him more than modern demonology The appeal of monsters that predate modern civilization European folk horror vs. American folk horror (Nevill, Brom, Brogden, Barnett, etc.) Why the creature is rarely the real villain in his work Viewing monsters from their perspective, not the victim’s 🧠 Writing Process, Craft & Career Lessons A pure pantser—stories begin with one vivid scene in the woods How outdoor hiking/kayaking fuels story ideas Finding your unique author voice The curse of the “new shiny idea” while drafting Why editors make you better—and why authors need thick skin “Kill your darlings” and why beloved characters must sometimes die 🎖️ Real-World Experience Deploying to Afghanistan three times Human cruelty vs. supernatural horror Bringing wartime realism into monster fiction 🎬 Influences & Horror Favorites Saturday creature features Return of the Living Dead, The Ritual, The Witch, Cabin in the Woods Gerald Brom, Adam Nevill, David Barnett, James Brogden Fascination with ancient deities, old gods, forgotten lore 🎣 What Scares Jack? The woods The unknown The ancient world beneath our modern one And, most of all… people 🔗 Guest Links: Website: www.therealjackfinn.com Socials: @therealjackfinn (Instagram, Twitter/X, BlueSky, Facebook) Books available on Amazon + Crystal Lake Publishing (All links to be added in show notes) 🔥 Keywords: Jack Finn, Culling of the House of Boars, Wolves of Kalinin, Seven Deaths of Prince Vlad, Strigoi folklore, Romanian vampire lore, folk horror, ancient gods horror, folklore horror, monster mythology, Brad Ricks, The Night Crew Podcast, Crystal Lake Publishing, horror author interview, forest horror, pre-Christian myth, creature features, Eastern European folklore, werewolf fiction, vampire reimagining, horror writing advice 🧛 Hashtags: #TheNightCrewPodcast #JackFinn #FolkHorror #VampireLore #Strigoi #HorrorPodcast #IndieHorror #AuthorInterview #CrystalLakePublishing #MonsterLore #WerewolfFiction #AncientGods #HorrorCommunity #WritingHorror #FolkloreFiction

💀 Episode Description: This week on The Night Crew Podcast, Brad sits down with horror author P.D. Alleva — the mind behind Golem, Jiggly Spot, The Rose, and his newest four-book gothic saga, The Sleepy Hollow Incident. Pour a drink and settle in, because this conversation goes everywhere: B-movie gore, psychological horror, demonic bargains, the madness of line-editing, and why humanity itself might be the scariest monster of all. P.D. dives deep into the long, twisted history behind The Sleepy Hollow Incident, the demon at its heart, and how a “man in black” stalked the story through multiple decades and drafts. He talks about using his background as a psychologist to craft authentic, damaged, terrifying characters — and why his vampire-esque servant Wren might be his favorite creation ever. Brad and P.D. also dig into the 80s classics (The Howling, The Lost Boys, American Werewolf in London), silent horror, Frankenstein, Pink Floyd soundtracks, and the true monsters found in the human mind. Whether you’re into gothic atmosphere, extreme horror, psychological depth, or Sleepy Hollow lore, this episode is packed. 🎧 Press play… if you dare. 🕸️ Show Notes / Topics Covered: 🎭 P.D.’s Origin Story Writing since second grade First full novel at age 12 From novelist → psychologist → novelist again Why editing used to terrify him 📚 P.D.’s Books & Worlds Indifference The Rose (alien vampires!) Jiggly Spot — grindhouse insanity Gollum — psychological horror The Sleepy Hollow Incident — four-book gothic supernatural saga Why he chose rapid-release How Wren, the Nosferatu-esque servant, stole the show 👹 Horror Deep Dive Favorite monsters: Frankenstein, vampires, werewolves Why Frankenstein remains unmatched 80s horror influence (Return of the Living Dead, Fright Night, The Lost Boys) Silent films & pairing Nosferatu with Pink Floyd Human psychology as the real horror 🧠 Writing, Craft & Psychology Using clinical insight to build believable villains Why humanity scares him more than demons The beauty of line editing Studying craft by reading other authors How he balances pantsing with structure 🎧 P.D.’s Ongoing Work Substack serials (Girl on a Mission, Cat Fight, The Hypnotist) His daughter’s horror/sci-fi newsletter Limited edition hardcovers for The Sleepy Hollow Incident 🔗 Guest Links: Website: https://pdalleva.com Substack: https://pdsalternativefiction.substack.com Books: Available on Amazon Socials: https://www.facebook.com/pdallevaauthor/ https://www.instagram.com/pdalleva_author/ https://www.tiktok.com/@pds_alternative_fiction?_t=ZT-8zSB91nQHOQ&_r=1 https://twitter.com/PdallevaAuthor   🔥 Keywords: P.D. Alleva, Sleepy Hollow Incident, Jiggly Spot, Golem, The Rose Series, psychological horror, gothic horror, demonic possession, Sleepy Hollow books, horror author interview, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks, monster lore, extreme horror, vampire fiction, Frankenstein analysis, psychological thriller, writing craft, horror writing 🧛 Hashtags: #TheNightCrewPodcast #PDAlleva #SleepyHollowIncident #HorrorPodcast #HorrorAuthor #PsychologicalHorror #GothicHorror #MonsterLore #JigglySpot #TheRoseSeries #IndieHorror #AuthorInterview #ExtremeHorror #HorrorCommunity #WritingHorror

🩸 Episode Description: In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad sits down with horror author and podcaster Bryan W. Alaspa, the creative force behind Devoured, The Witch of November, and the chilling audio drama When the Night Comes Out. Bryan opens up about a lifetime obsession with monsters — from Jaws and Godzilla to Lovecraft’s cosmic horrors — and how those early fascinations shaped his writing career. He talks about the long creative journey behind his kaiju-inspired novels, why editing feels like “an exorcism,” and how his collaboration with voice actor Allie James revived the spirit of old-time radio horror for a new generation. Together, Brad and Bryan dig into the craft of writing fear, the balancing act between imagination and research, and the unshakable truth that every good story starts with taking the leap off that creative cliff. If you love Cthulhu myths, kaiju carnage, and the eerie nostalgia of late-night monster movies, this one’s a must-listen. 🎧 Press play — and remember… when the night comes out, the monsters aren’t far behind. 👹 Topics Covered: Bryan’s early influences: Jaws, Universal Monsters, and Saturday-night horror hosts How Devoured became a Midwestern kaiju story The real legend behind The Witch of November and the Edmund Fitzgerald Creating When the Night Comes Out with narrator Allie James The struggles of editing, self-publishing, and working with small presses Why Cthulhu still haunts his imagination Writing advice for aspiring authors (“Just brain dump the first draft!”) 🔗 Guest Links: 📚 Website: www.bryanwalaspa.com 📖 The Witch of November — Out now on Amazon 🎧 Podcast: When the Night Comes Out (available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube) 📚 Follow Bryan on Amazon and social media for updates 🕷️ Keywords & SEO Tags: Bryan Alaspa, The Witch of November, Devoured, When the Night Comes Out, Kaiju horror, Lovecraftian horror, Cthulhu, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks, author interview, horror fiction, old-time radio, cosmic horror, creature feature, monster stories, indie horror, horror writing advice, supernatural thriller 💀 Hashtags: #TheNightCrewPodcast #BryanAlaspa #WhenTheNightComesOut #HorrorPodcast #HorrorAuthor #Kaiju #Cthulhu #LovecraftianHorror #IndieHorror #MonsterLore #TheWitchOfNovember #Devoured #HorrorCommunity #WritingHorror #CosmicHorror #AuthorInterview

In this special episode of The Night Crew Podcast, author Brad Ricks pulls back the curtain on his latest horror novel The Night Crew 2: Bloodlust, launching November 14. If The Night Crew Book 1 was about discovering the darkness, Bloodlust is about living in it. Brad dives deep into the evolution of Michael White, a soldier-turned-hunter-turned-monster who now fights to control the hunger burning inside him. Expect: 🧛 A darker continuation — from vampire revenge to the struggle of addiction, power, and redemption. 🔥 New creatures & ancient wars — succubi, supernatural hierarchies, and a coming conflict that’s been simmering for millennia. ⚔️ Escalation over repetition — Book 1 taught the rules; Bloodlust breaks them. 🌙 Atmospheric New Orleans — gas-lit alleys, haunted jazz, and crimson reflections in Bourbon Street rain. 💀 Themes of humanity vs monster — How much of yourself can you lose before there’s nothing left worth saving? Brad also discusses how writing a sequel means raising every stake — in blood, emotion, and consequence. Bloodlust moves like a fever dream — part horror, part redemption, all heart. 🩸 The Night Crew 2: Bloodlust drops November 14 Pre-order signed copies at BradRicks.com Buy it on Amazon: https://getbook.at/NightCrew2 🎧 Follow Brad on TikTok & Facebook → @BradRicksAuthor 📌 Keywords & Hashtags Keywords: The Night Crew 2 Bloodlust, Brad Ricks, vampire thriller, New Orleans horror, dark fantasy series, vampire addiction metaphor, monster fiction, urban fantasy series, succubus lore, supernatural war, horror novel 2025 Hashtags: #TheNightCrew #Bloodlust #BradRicks #HorrorPodcast #VampireFiction #UrbanFantasy #DarkHorror #MonsterHunters #NewOrleansHorror #SupernaturalThriller #HorrorSeries #AddictionMetaphor #SuccubusLore #BookRelease #AuthorInterview

🔍 Episode Description: In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with multi-genre author and paranormal investigator Pamela K. Kinney to talk about her lifetime of writing—spanning poetry, horror fiction, and bestselling true-ghost books—and her love of all things supernatural. Pamela shares: 👻 From Poems to Paranormal Bestsellers – Starting with poetry at 17 and evolving into acclaimed non-fiction like Haunted Virginia, Virginia’s Haunted Historic Triangle, and the upcoming Paranormal Appalachian Trail. 🐺 Monsters of Choice – Why werewolves, dogmen, and shapeshifters fascinate her, from classic transformations (American Werewolf in London, The Howling, Dog Soldiers) to cryptids like the Werewolf of Henrico. ✍️ Fiction & Process – How she balances being a “pantser” with meticulous notes, weaves Powhatan legends and demonology into dark fantasy (Demon Memories trilogy), and brings eerie places like Nowhere Land to life. 🕯️ Real-Life Investigations – Using EMF meters, ghost boxes, and first-hand paranormal research to capture ghostly voices and mysterious phenomena for her non-fiction books. 🎬 Adapting the Supernatural – From urban legends like the axe-wielding Bunny Man to unique takes on werewolves inspired by Whitley Strieber’s The Wolfen. Pamela also dives into: Handling one-star reviews and staying positive. Traveling for book research and conventions like StokerCon and AuthorCon. Writing through edits and knowing when to set a draft aside. 🔗 Connect with Pamela K. Kinney Website: PamelaKKinney.com FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100027533719941&ref=hl#  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamelak.kinney_author/   Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/pamelakkinney.bsky.social   By the time you hear this, Pamela’s latest supernatural novel Nowhere Land will be out—a dark fantasy with psychic powers and haunted landscapes perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson and Stranger Things.   🧛‍♂️ Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out The Night Crew novel series wherever you get your monster-hunting fiction. Stay creepy, friends. keywords Pamela Kinney, writing journey, ghost stories, non-fiction, research, creative process, book reviews, werewolves, hobbies, reader engagement Hashtags #PamelaKKinney #TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #HauntedVirginia #HauntedAppalachia #ParanormalInvestigator #GhostStories #Werewolves #Dogman #Shapeshifters #BunnyMan #Cryptids #ParanormalResearch #DarkFantasy #NowhereLand #DemonMemories #AmericanWerewolfInLondon #TheHowling #DogSoldiers #UrbanLegends #HorrorFiction #SupernaturalMystery #MonsterLore #BradRicks

🩸 Episode Description The moon is full, the snow is red, and the beast is staring back from the glass. In this introspective horror episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks takes listeners on a haunting exploration of lycanthropy—the legend of the werewolf—as both a monster story and a mirror for the human condition. From ancient Greek curses to modern psychology, this episode dives deep into how the werewolf myth reveals the primal truth about rage, guilt, hunger, and the dark instincts we try to suppress. You’ll discover: 🌕 Origins of the Curse – The story of King Lycaon and how the first werewolf became a punishment for moral corruption. 🧠 The Psychology of Transformation – Carl Jung’s “shadow self” and the idea that the beast within us is just our repressed humanity clawing its way out. 🩸 Clinical Lycanthropy – Real-world cases where people believed they were turning into animals, and how modern neuroscience explains it. 🐺 The Wolf in Culture – From medieval trials to Hollywood icons like The Wolf Man, An American Werewolf in London, Ginger Snaps, and Underworld. 🔮 Symbolism of the Moon & the Mirror – Why every generation redefines the werewolf as a reflection of fear, desire, and identity. If vampires are about seduction and control, werewolves are about release—the primal scream we keep caged beneath civility. Because maybe lycanthropy isn’t a curse... it’s a confession. 🎧 Tune in for horror storytelling, mythology, psychology, and a chilling reminder that sometimes the scariest monsters are the ones in the mirror. 🔗 Connect with Brad Ricks: Website & signed books: BradRicks.com Facebook & TikTok: @BradRicksAuthor The Night Crew Book 2: Bloodlust — available now for pre-order 📌 Keywords & Hashtags Keywords: lycanthropy, werewolf psychology, Carl Jung shadow self, clinical lycanthropy, werewolf transformation, werewolf myths, horror podcast, Brad Ricks, The Night Crew, monster psychology, werewolf legend, ancient werewolves, horror storytelling, Jungian horror Hashtags: #HorrorPodcast #Werewolves #Lycanthropy #PsychologyOfHorror #BradRicks #TheNightCrewPodcast #MonsterLore #ShadowSelf #CarlJung #HorrorMythology #WerewolfStories #FullMoonFever #DarkPsychology #HorrorFans #HorrorAnalysis

🩸 Episode Description On this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with Viggy Parr Hampton—author, podcaster, and epidemiologist—to explore the dark science and creative sparks behind her chilling fiction and hit horror shows. Viggy shares how she: 🧬 Writes Science-Driven Horror – From her debut A Cold Night for Alligators (a rogue epidemiologist chasing a mysterious outbreak into a haunted theme park) to Much Too Vulgar and The Rotting Room, she blends disease, biology, and supernatural suspense. 🩸 Finds Beauty in the Macabre – Why body horror fascinates her and how real-life research on neurobiology, lobotomies, and contagion shapes her stories. ✍️ Builds Worlds Fast – With six completed novels, she reveals how writing during lunch breaks and nap times built her career, why she prefers “pantsing” over strict outlines, and how she found her authentic voice. 🎧 Hosts Hit Podcasts – Horror, Humor, Hunger and Tag Team Tales of Terror, where she interviews horror authors, exorcists, and mediums while cooking up recipes inspired by books. 👻 Chooses Her Favorite Monster – A shapeshifter in the spirit of John Carpenter’s The Thing and Pennywise—an alien, cosmic, contagion-like terror that embodies fear itself. Along the way, Viggy talks about: Childhood horror obsessions like Night of the Living Dead and Tales from the Crypt. Why the unknown is scarier than any visible monster. Literary influences from Stephen King to her high-school English teacher turned award-winning author Garth Greenwell. Building resilience through rejection and finding readers who make every story worth writing. 🔗 Connect with Viggy Parr Hampton Website: viggyhampton.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555649969988   Instagram, Threads, & TikTok: @viggyparrhampton Podcast: Horror, Humor, Hunger (all major podcast platforms) Whether you love body horror, cosmic monsters, or insider tips on writing and podcasting, this conversation is packed with inspiration, craft secrets, and nightmare fuel. 🧛‍♂️ Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out The Night Crew novel series wherever you get your monster-hunting fiction. Stay creepy, friends. Viggy's Bio: Viggy Parr Hampton, MPH is an epidemiologist, content marketing strategist, host of the podcast “Horror Humor Hunger,” and the author of A Cold Night for Alligators, Much Too Vulgar, and The Rotting Room. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. keywords Viggy Parr Hampton, horror writing, podcasting, A Cold Night for Alligators, The Rotting Room, Much Too Vulgar, writing process, literary influences, horror monsters, inspiration   Hashtags   #HorrorPodcast #ViggyParrHampton #BodyHorror #Shapeshifters #JohnCarpenterTheThing #Pennywise #IndieAuthor #WomenInHorror #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #MuchTooVulgar #TheRottingRoom #AColdNightForAlligators #HorrorHumorHunger #CosmicHorror #WritingProcess #PodcastInterview #DarkFiction #MonsterLore #BookRecommendations

🔍 Episode Description: In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks sits down with horror author Edmund Stone—the creative mind behind Tent Revival, Soul Mirror, and multiple dark short story collections, as well as the layout and formatting wizard for The Night Crew novels. Together they dive deep into: The Evolution of a Horror Writer – From early poems and shorts (2017’s Hush My Little Baby, Blue’s Blood and Love) to the cinematic, monster-filled chaos of Tent Revival and the deeply personal, emotionally charged Soul Mirror. Writing Process & Daily Grind – How Edmund writes before sunrise, balances a day job in occupational therapy with weekend boat captain adventures, and thrives as a 100% pantser (no outlines allowed). Origins & Inspirations – From small-town character studies and old mining stories to a mysterious “mixed parts” box and cryptid obsessions that shaped Tent Revival and Soul Mirror. Influences & Literary Heroes – Clive Barker, Edgar Allan Poe, Lovecraftian creatures (even if he claims not to be a huge Lovecraft fan), and the avant-garde side of horror. Favorite Monster – Think deep-sea terror meets cosmic dread: a kraken/Cthulhu hybrid that can strike from anywhere. Wisdom for Writers – Persistence as a superpower, embracing the flow state, and trusting your first draft to teach you the story. Along the way, Edmund shares funny behind-the-scenes convention stories (including TBRCon antics), the origin of his dedicated fan group The Edmund Stoners, and what it’s like to see readers react—good, bad, and baffling—to his books. 🔗 Find Edmund Stone online: Website & newsletter: edmundstonehorror.com Amazon author page & Crystal Lake Publishing catalog https://linktr.ee/edmundstoneauthor Facebook group: The Edmund Stoners Whether you love cosmic horror, small-town mysteries, or creature features that belong on the big screen, this episode will feed your dark imagination and make you rethink what lurks beneath the water.   🧛‍♂️ Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out The Night Crew novel series wherever you get your monster-hunting fiction. Stay creepy, friends. keywords Edmond Stone, horror writing, writing process, character development, literary influences, book reviews, aspiring authors, horror genre, inspiration, collaboration   Hashtags   #TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #IndieAuthor #CosmicHorror #TentRevival #SoulMirror #EdmundStone #BradRicks #WritingProcess #Kraken #Cthulhu

🔍 Episode Description: On this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks sits down with author EM Otero—a writer who blends mecha sci-fi, cosmic horror, and blood-soaked folklore into unforgettable stories. Eric takes us deep into: Genre-Bending Fiction – From his breakout mecha-cosmic horror novel The Howling Between Worlds (soon to be a sound-enhanced audiobook) to the evolutionary vampire novella Night Hunters and his haunting story collection What the Witch Moth Brings. Unique Monsters & Mythology – Why he reimagines vampires as a hidden branch of human evolution and how he fuses cultural legends with grounded science to create fresh horror. Craft & Process – How a developmental editor shaped his first book, why he’s proudly a pantser, and the night-owl writing sessions that fuel his imagination. Real-Life Gothic Inspirations – From tending century-old graves in a veteran cemetery to discovering forgotten epitaphs, Eric’s day job sounds straight out of a supernatural novel. Literary Influences & Dreams – Laird Barron, Brian Lumley, Hideaki Anno, and a deep love for unexpected horror in fantasy worlds. They also geek out about vampires—from Lost Boys and The Passage to Empire of the Vampire, The Strain, and the evolution of vampire cinema from 80s leather-and-motorcycles to grimdark epics. Eric’s key advice for aspiring authors: skip the MFA, skip the rigid outlines—just read widely and write bravely. Bio: EM Otero is a Puerto Rican author and lover of all things weird. When he isnt writing he is living the busy life of a husband and father. While working outside or hiking, he loves to take pictures of plants, insects, and anything else he finds interesting or strange. He loves showing his daughter and wife the curious things in nature.   His writing is inspired by our weird world, robot anime, horror stories, and science.   🔗 Connect with Eric M. Otero: Website: Emoteroauthor.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHowlingBetweenWorlds/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.m._otero/ TikTok: @em.otero Patreon (exclusive stories & sneak peeks): https://www.patreon.com/EmOtero Whether you love cosmic mecha horror, evolutionary vampires, or the gothic quiet of old cemeteries, this conversation is packed with creative fuel and midnight chills.   🧛‍♂️ Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out The Night Crew novel series wherever you get your monster-hunting fiction. Stay creepy, friends. keywords Eric Otero, writing, horror, vampires, developmental editing, cultural influences, inspiration, cemetery, writing process, literary influences   Hashtags #HorrorPodcast #MechaHorror #CosmicHorror #VampireLore #IndieAuthors #WritingProcess #BradRicks #EricMOtero #TheNightCrewPodcast #AuthorInterview

🩸 Episode Description Welcome to The Night Crew Podcast, where shadows breathe and monsters listen. In this moon-drenched episode, host Brad Ricks takes you on a chilling hunt for one of horror’s oldest, hairiest legends: the werewolf. From the first eerie howl to the silver bullet finale, discover: 🌕 Ancient Origins – King Lycaon’s curse in ancient Greece and Norse wolf-coat warriors who fought like beasts. 🏰 Dark Middle Ages – Gruesome true accounts like the Beast of Gévaudan and the bloody werewolf trials of Peter Stumpf. 🔬 Science & Myth – Rabies, rare disorders, and moonlit superstition that shaped clinical lycanthropy. 🎥 Pop Culture Evolution – From The Wolf Man (1941) to An American Werewolf in London, Teen Wolf, Underworld, and modern reinventions in gaming and streaming. 🐺 The Inner Beast – Why this creature still reflects our fear of losing control and our secret desire for wild freedom. Packed with vivid storytelling—from a spine-tingling forest prologue to deep dives into history and film—this episode is part horror story, part cultural archaeology, and 100% nightmare fuel. 🔗 Stay connected: Signed books & updates: BradRicks.com Follow Brad on Facebook & TikTok: @BradRicksAuthor Lock the door, load the silver bullets, and press play—because the hunt begins now.   #WerewolfHistory #MonsterMythology #HorrorPodcast #Lycanthropy #BradRicks #NightCrewPodcast #HorrorMovies #FullMoon

📖 Episode Description In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad sits down with horror author Shannon Bradner to talk about her journey from childhood stories inspired by her grandmother to publishing dark, twisted tales on Godless and with Baynum Books Press. Shannon opens up about: Her early love of reading and how it sparked her passion for writing. The grind of balancing night shifts with writing time. Why editing is her most dreaded part of the process. Inspirations behind her chilling stories like One Night at Clyde’s, Songs to Dismember You By, and My Dad Is a Maniac. Her favorite horror creature (spoiler: she’s a vampire fan, but definitely not the sparkling kind). Her influences, from Stephen King and Clive Barker to Rachel Harrison and Chad Lutzke. Upcoming releases, including her short story collection Filthorama (December) and a secret novella project in the works. Along the way, Brad and Shannon also swap stories about The Lost Boys, zombie flicks, Fright Night (original vs. remake), and why practical effects still matter in horror. If you love indie horror, dark humor, and authors who keep the genre alive with grit and passion, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss. Follow Shannon Bradner: 📚 Find Shannon’s work on Godless and through Baynam Books Press, and follow her on Instagram at @murder_shan_wrote. #HorrorPodcast #Splatterpunk #IndieHorror #Vampires #AuthorInterview #TheNightCrew   keywords writing, horror, self-publishing, Godless, inspiration, editing, literary influences, vampires, practical effects, upcoming projects

🔍 Episode Description: In this fun and cryptid-filled episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks is joined by horror author Ross Killey for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, monsters, and that one time a tree started shaking in the Indiana woods. Ross discusses his journey from outlining stories during security shifts to publishing werewolf horror comedies and zombie tales in Vietnam. You’ll hear all about his books—Full Moon Highway, Stuck to a Monster, and Nightmare Jungle—as well as the inspiration behind his wild and weird horror concepts. The duo nerds out about Bigfoot (Ross’s favorite monster), horror movie recommendations (including the Blair Witch creator’s Sasquatch film Exists), the joys and pains of outlining, and the tragic sacrifices of Warhammer painting in exchange for writing time. Stick around for Ross’s top cryptid book picks, including Dweller by Jeff Strand and The Mountain King by Rick Hautala—plus a hilarious story about the one time Ross might’ve almost met Bigfoot in the wild. 📚 Topics Covered: Ross’s path to becoming a published author How Stuck to a Monster was inspired by conjoined twins and YouTube Cryptids as writing fuel: why Bigfoot reigns supreme Horror comedy and writing for the horror fan Balancing dad life with writing life Warhammer, Airsoft, and the death of hobbies Found footage horror gems: Exists and Willow Creek The elusive art of outlining and creative procrastination Bigfoot sightings in Indiana? You decide...   Cryptid Book Recommendations: 📚 Dweller by Jeff Strand 📚 The Mountain King by Rick Hautala Follow Ross Killey: 📸 Instagram: @rosskilley_author 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ross.killey.3 📚 His books are available on Amazon   🧛‍♂️ Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out The Night Crew novel series wherever you get your monster-hunting fiction. Stay creepy, friends. keywords   Ross Kelly, author, writing journey, horror fiction, cryptids, Sasquatch, Bigfoot, writing process, inspiration, horror comedy   #TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview #RossKilley

📄 Episode Description: In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks welcomes indie horror author Zach Ellenberger for a wide-ranging and hilarious conversation about writing, folklore, and how music and history collide with monsters. Zach—author of Potato Kingdom and dozens of eerie short stories—shares how his love of history, horror, and punk music shaped his storytelling voice. The two talk about cryptids, creepy facts from history, Slavic and Native American folklore, and why the Wendigo tops Zach’s list of terrifying monsters. Plus, he reveals his process for mixing fact with fiction to ground his horror stories in real-world dread. You’ll also hear about his comedy storytelling podcast Party Bonus, which combines improv, sketch writing, and mad-lib chaos to hilarious effect. And yes, they absolutely talk about bad signatures, the dancing plague of 1518, and what it’s like being part of the indie horror world. 📚 Topics Covered: Zach’s origins in music and how songwriting sharpened his writing voice How he blends history with horror in his fiction Using real events (like the dancing plague of 1518) to inspire terrifying stories The Wendigo, Koshchei the Deathless, and underrated folklore monsters The writing challenge of “middle act syndrome” How short stories helped build his storytelling discipline 🎧 Also Mentioned: Zach’s first novel: Potato Kingdom His Wendigo-inspired short story The Resurrectionist Favorite literary influences: Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, Robert Louis Stevenson Upcoming anthology collaborations with indie authors like Jerry Blaze and Carrietta Dorsch Party Bonus podcast – A mix of improv fiction, sketch comedy, and storytelling games 👹 Favorite Monster: The Wendigo Cannibalistic forest creature rooted in Native American folklore A haunting blend of human hunger, transformation, and icy isolation See also: The Ritual (film), early Supernatural episodes, and Our Father’s Burden (novel)   🔗 Where to Find Zach: 🌐 ZachEllenberger.weebly.com 📘 Amazon & Smashwords (Search: “Zach Ellenberger”) 🎙️ Party Bonus podcast (Spotify, Apple, etc.) 🎬 Socials via his Linktree (user to provide)   🧛 Don’t Forget: If you enjoyed the show, follow, rate, and review The Night Crew Podcast. And check out Zach’s work—especially if you love horror that digs its claws into real-world history. keywords   writing, author, historical fiction, horror, indie authors, storytelling, folklore, collaboration, creative process, literary influences   #TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview #ZechEllenberger

In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, horror author and host Brad Ricks takes listeners on a cinematic coffin crawl through the history of vampires on the silver screen. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🎥 Silent beginnings: Nosferatu (1922) — Count Orlok’s plague-ridden nightmare and Bram Stoker’s widow’s lawsuit. 🦇 Universal era: Bela Lugosi’s Dracula (1931) — the cape, the accent, and the birth of the sexy vampire. 💉 Hammer Horror: Christopher Lee’s blood-soaked Dracula, cleavage, and technicolor gore. 🎶 1970s experimentation: Blackula, lesbian vampires, and disco-era bloodsuckers. 🎸 1980s cool factor: The Lost Boys, Fright Night, and Near Dark. 🕯️ 1990s Gothic revival: Coppola’s Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, and From Dusk Till Dawn. 🗡️ Action-horror hybrids: Wesley Snipes in Blade and the Underworld saga. 📺 TV fangs: Buffy, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries. ✨ Twilight & beyond: Sparkly abstinent vampires vs. HBO’s blood-soaked camp. 🎭 Modern reboots: Eggers’ Nosferatu, Renfield, Abigail, and the vampire “renaissance.” Why It Matters: Vampires in film reflect our fears, desires, rebellion, and immortality fantasies. From rat-faced nightmares to romantic heroes, they never truly die — they just reinvent themselves. 📚 Grab signed copies of Brad’s books → BradRicks.com 📲 Follow Brad on TikTok & Facebook → @BradRicksAuthor

Episode Description: In this special birthday episode of The Night Crew Podcast, the tables turn as Brad Ricks hands over the mic and becomes the interviewee! Guest host and spooky book club leader Courtney DeGuire steps in to dig deep into Brad’s writing journey, his vampire-fueled inspirations, and the wild story behind his first short story about... well, let’s just say it involves cannibalism and a confused teacher. Brad opens up about: His earliest horror writing moments (including a disturbing chicken-flavored revelation) His transition from music to novels during COVID The creation of The Night Crew and how a world of bloody, no-sparkle vampires was born Why he hates vampire romance tropes How To Hell With Hallmark went from a joke to a fan-favorite Christmas slasher Navigating indie publishing, marketing woes, and why community matters What makes horror truly scary (hint: creaky floorboards and husband-shaped jump scares) Courtney and Brad also geek out over classic horror novels, favorite vampire movies (yes, The Lost Boys wins), and Brad reveals the secret sauce behind his writing routine. And yes, bourbon is involved. 🎂 It’s a birthday celebration, horror fan confession, and behind-the-scenes author chat all rolled into one bloody good episode.   🔍 Show Notes: 📚 Books Mentioned: The Night Crew The Night Crew 2 (Coming November) Fear Not the Dead To Hell With Hallmark Classics: Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Stand 🎬 Vampire Movie Faves: The Lost Boys 30 Days of Night Blade Interview with the Vampire (with some side-eye) 🧛‍♂️ Want more bloody horror? Visit Brad’s site to grab signed books: https://www.bradricks.com Follow him on Facebook for updates, events, and awkward vampire memes.

New Orleans: jazz, gumbo… and vampires? In Episode 6 of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks takes you deep into the mist-shrouded alleyways and blood-soaked lore of one of America’s most haunted cities—New Orleans. From the eerie legend of the Casket Girls to the mysterious, possibly immortal Jacques Saint Germain, and even a modern-day vampire subculture, this episode explores why the Big Easy is the unofficial vampire capital of the United States. We’ll visit real-world locations steeped in shadow, unravel centuries-old legends, and pay homage to Anne Rice, the queen of modern vampire fiction. Whether you believe or not, by the end of this episode, you’ll think twice before knocking on the attic shutters of the Ursuline Convent. So grab your garlic, your beignets, and maybe a blessed crucifix—this one's gonna be bloody good. 📝 Show Notes: In this episode: 🦇 Why New Orleans Is Perfect for Vampires Gothic architecture, voodoo, graveyard fog, and a city that embraces the macabre 🧳 The Casket Girls Women brought to New France in the 1700s with coffin-shaped trunks, whispered to have brought something unholy with them 🧛‍♂️ Jacques Saint Germain The charming 1900s French Quarter resident who never ate, only drank... red 🏚 The Carter Brothers 1930s blood-draining killers whose bodies mysteriously vanished after execution 🩸 Modern Vampire Subculture Meet real-life sanguinarians and psychic vampires in today’s New Orleans—including NOVA (New Orleans Vampire Association) 📖 Anne Rice’s Undying Legacy From Interview with the Vampire to the Garden District, how one author gave the undead a home 🗺️ Spooky Spots to Visit in NOLA Ursuline Convent Bourbon Orleans Hotel Boutique du Vampyre Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar 🧛 Explore More: 📚 Brad Ricks Novels ➡️ BradRicks.com – Get signed copies & join the newsletter 📱 Follow Brad on Socials TikTok & Facebook: @BradRicksAuthor 📖 Coming Soon: The Night Crew 2: Bloodlust — Set in New Orleans and releasing this November! 🕯 Favorite Quote from the Episode: “New Orleans doesn’t just have vampire stories. It is a vampire story.” 🔔 Don’t Forget: If you loved this eerie, funny, and fang-filled episode, make sure to follow, review, and share The Night Crew Podcast. Whether you’re Team Lestat, Team Louis, or just in it for the po’boys, there’s always a seat at the vampire’s table in New Orleans.

📄 Episode Description: n this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks sits down with horror author and screenwriter BD Prince, whose darkly twisted imagination takes center stage. From writing humorous greeting cards and jokes for Joan Rivers to creating gut-wrenching horror fiction, BD Prince shares his unique journey from comedy to the macabre. We dive deep into his creative process, his award-winning screenplay Boondocks, and how he juggles a day job with his passion for storytelling. BD opens up about the careful balance between scares and laughs, the haunting inspiration behind his stories, and what makes clowns the most terrifying monster of all (yes, he even drops the actual name for the fear of clowns!). If you’re a fan of psychological horror, creepy circus lore, or just want to hear how a worm farm can scar a child for life and become a great horror story, this one’s for you. Oh—and his short story collection drops in September, so don’t miss that teaser. 🔎 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: BD Prince’s journey from comedy writer to horror author The delicate dance between horror and humor Why clowns are more terrifying than vampires Real-life inspirations behind terrifying tales Writing discipline, creative routines, and time management A sneak peek into his upcoming releases and spooky short stories The disturbing story behind Boondocks—now an award-winning screenplay How “wiggle room” turned into a nightmare (literally)   🧛‍♂️ Favorite Horror Creature: BD names clowns as his current top monster—and explains why they’re way creepier than you think.   🎪 Special Mentions: Boondocks – Winner of Best Long Format Screenplay at Imaginarium 2025 Upcoming short story collection (September release) Eye for an Eye – BD’s favorite published work so far Dark Drafts & Books and Brews appearances The eerie phrase “clown seeds” (yes, that’s a thing now)   🔗 Connect with BD Prince: Website: BDPrince.com (redirects to Amazon author page) Signed copies: GhastlyPress.com Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryan.prince.52 Twitter: https://x.com/ClownPrinceB TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clownprinceb Threads: https://www.threads.com/@clownprinceb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clownprinceb   📚 Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, share it with your horror-loving friends, and follow The Night Crew Podcast wherever you listen! Find host Brad Ricks and his books at BradRicks.com or follow on Facebook and TikTok: @BradRicksAuthor Keywords writing, horror, comedy, inspiration, storytelling, screenwriting, novels, time management, creativity, monsters #clownbprince #TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview

Think you know how to kill a vampire? Think again. In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks goes full Van Helsing, guiding you through the wild, weird, and often hilarious ways vampires are destroyed around the world. From Romania’s classic stake-through-the-heart to the Philippines’ terrifying Manananggal-slaying tactics, we tour vampire-killing lore across 27 countries (and one very smart Transylvanian grandma). We’re talking garlic, rice, mirrors, sacred mantras, flying heads, vampire snakes, fireflies, and chicken blood. It’s practical. It’s gruesome. It’s global. Whether you’re a folklore buff, horror lover, or prepping for your next supernatural encounter, this episode has the tools you need to stay undead-free. 🧛‍♀️ Because you never know when a vampire will knock once at your door… 📝 Show Notes: In this episode: 🧄 Vampire-Slaying 101: Why killing a vampire isn’t one-size-fits-all 🌍 International Methods of Vampicide: Europe: Romania’s Strigoi, Bulgaria’s iron stakes, Greece’s door-knocking undead Asia: Hopping vampires (China), fetus hunters (Philippines), flying heads (Japan & Malaysia) Africa: Tree-dwelling Asanbosam, bloodsucking fireflies, and noble nail-biting vampires Americas: Aztec witch-vamps, Caribbean fireballs, Brazilian were-vamps, and more Arctic Vampires?! Yes. Soul-stealing fog monsters in Inuit myths 🎬 Pop Culture Vampires: Buffy, Blade, Lestat, Edward, and Dracula’s many deaths 🧳 Your Ultimate Vampire Survival Kit: Garlic ✅ Rice ✅ Machete ✅ Bell ✅ Salt ✅ Mirror ✅ Sarcasm ✅ 🔮 Why So Many Cultures Have Vampire Myths: Death, disease, misogyny, and metaphors with fangs 🧛‍♂️ Survival Tips Recap: Never answer a knock on the first try Keep rice and salt nearby Don't sleep near a window in the Philippines Question fireflies and grandmas If you hear wings at night, grab the garlic and start praying 📚 Related Links: ✍️ Books by Brad Ricks ➡️ BradRicks.com for signed copies and newsletter ➡️ Available wherever books are sold 📱 Follow Brad Ricks TikTok & Facebook: @BradRicksAuthor 🔔 Don’t Forget: If you laughed, squirmed, or learned something new about fireball vampires and rice-obsessed spirits, be sure to follow, rate, and share the show. The Night Crew is always watching… and maybe counting grains of rice. keywords vampires, vampire slaying, folklore, horror, mythology, cultural significance, vampire legends, vampire survival, pop culture, vampire myths  

📄 Episode Description: In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks sits down with horror author Joe Scipione—creator of the Mr. Nightmare series—for a deep dive into the creative chaos of writing monsters, aliens, and haunted middle-school trauma. From his long road to publication, to accidentally getting punched in the face on Bourbon Street, Joe shares the inspiration behind his stories, what scares him, and how a fly helped inspire him. You’ll hear all about his upcoming projects (including Until Sunrise and Project Vega), his love of aliens, why the Alien movie franchise still slaps, and what it’s like juggling horror with history, harmonicas, and parenting. Whether you're a fellow writer, a fan of cosmic horror, or just want to know why Joe refuses to watch Nightmare on Elm Street, this episode is equal parts funny, inspiring, and full of the creepy-crawly stuff we love. 📝 Show Notes: 🖋️ About Joe Scipione Author of Mr. Nightmare, Never Dead, The Gods Among Them, and more Represented by Wicked House Publishing and also self-publishes select works Website: https://www.joescipione.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/joe-scipione-Author-100087319013756 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@joescipione0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joescipione0 🧛 Don’t Forget: If you enjoyed this interview, leave a 5-star review, follow the show, and share it with a fellow horror nerd. For more author interviews and deep dives into vampire legends and other creepy creatures, tune in every Monday. 🎤 Bonus Quote: "I wrote Mr. Nightmare 20 minutes at a time while my daughter was on school breaks. It was the fastest book I’ve ever written—and the one people won’t stop talking about." 📚 Related Links: 🧛‍♂️ Order The Night Crew Book 1 ➡️ BradRicks.com for signed copies ➡️ Also available wherever books are sold 🧠 Follow Brad Ricks TikTok / Facebook: @BradRicksAuthor Newsletter sign-up at BradRicks.com Keywords horror, writing, Joe Scipione, Mr. Nightmare, podcast, author interview, inspiration, literary influences, alien movies, horror genre #joescipione #TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview

In Episode 2 of The Night Crew Podcast, we sink our teeth into one of the most iconic—and undead—figures in horror history: Dracula. From the brutal legacy of Vlad the Impaler to the shadowy genius of Bram Stoker, this episode peels back the coffin lid to explore how Dracula went from medieval warlord to literary legend to pop culture icon. We dive into gory historical tales (yes, there will be impalement), dissect the Victorian fears hidden in the pages of Dracula, and trace the count’s ever-evolving presence on screens big and small—from Bela Lugosi to Hotel Transylvania. Whether you’re a fan of gothic horror, historical bloodbaths, or just curious about how a 15th-century prince became Halloween royalty, this one’s for you. 📚 Related Links: 🧛‍♂️ Order The Night Crew Book 1 ➡️ BradRicks.com for signed copies ➡️ Also available wherever books are sold 🧠 Follow Brad Ricks TikTok / Facebook: @BradRicksAuthor Newsletter sign-up at BradRicks.com 🔔 Don’t Forget: If you enjoyed the episode, follow the show, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your fellow horror fans. The Night Crew is just getting started…

Welcome to the very first episode of The Night Crew Podcast, where things that go bump in the night get their time in the spotlight. Host and author Brad Ricks kicks off the vampire series with a fang-tastic overview of bloodsuckers throughout history and across the globe. From ancient Eastern European folklore to fetus-hunting monsters from the Philippines (yes, really), we explore where vampires come from, why they terrify us, and how they became the sexy, brooding icons of pop culture. Whether you're team Dracula, team Edward, or just into weird vampire facts, this episode serves up history, horror, and a hearty bite of humor. 🧛‍♂️ Grab your garlic and settle in—the Night Crew is clocking in. 📚 Related Links: 🧛‍♀️ Get Your Copy of The Night Crew Book 1 ➡️ Signed copies at BradRicks.com ➡️ Also available wherever books are sold 🧠 Follow Brad Ricks TikTok / Facebook: @BradRicksAuthor Newsletter signup at BradRicks.com 🔔 Don’t Forget: If you liked the episode, follow, rate, and share the podcast. The monsters are just getting started…

This is a preview of things to come on the next few episodes of The Night Crew Podcast.