Kindergeist

This episode covers Xanthe's feature PhD documentary about British teens making a ballet horror film (directed by 16-year-old Nia Matthews) and a big update from Zakia. GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e807cf7d1 Follow Kindergeist: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KindergeistPod IG: https://instagram.com/kindergeistpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kindergeistpod Site: https://kindergeistpod.weebly.c...

Today we discuss the cult classic musical TEEN WITCH (1989) with the marvelous British Filipino filmmaker JED SHEPHERD (Host, Dashcam)! We cover monsters in the Philippines, his upcoming FMV horror game GHOSTS, an in-house exorcist, the '80s, crushes, diaries, our personal experiences with psychics, his advice to young horror filmmakers and more! Follow Kindergeist: Twitter: https://twitter.co...

Today we're joined by the stellar Karla Mallett, Professor of Italian and Mediterranean Studies and Chair of Dept of Middle East Studies at the University of Michigan. We discuss religion's influence in Japan's RINGU and Saudi Arabia's MADAYEN, the American Ring remake, her Religion and Horror class, the Halaloween Film Festival, Muslim Horror in different regions, J-Horror is emo,...

It's only Zakia and Xanthe this week as they talk about Xanthe's favorite movie... PSYCHO (1960). They discuss the mental health themes, getting married at the Bates Motel, nepo babies, the tram tour at Universal Studios, Olivia Rodrigo's VAMPIRE music video, stealing money, Robert Pattinson (again...) and more! Follow Kindergeist: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KindergeistPod IG: https:...

Today from Colorado and Japan, we're joined by Avery and Cayla of the organization, BLOOM Military Teens. We chat how military movies are horror movies, haunted areas in their towns, stereotypes in Netflix's SPACE FORCE, the challenges of moving and maintaining friendships, managing mental health and more! Follow BLOOM Military Teens: IG: https://www.instagram.com/bloommilitaryteens/ TikTo...

Today we visit the Land of Oz with the knowledgable David Weiner (IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS trilogy on Shudder) as he chose the film, RETURN TO OZ! This is a must listen for aspiring young journalists, as he also shares the time he interviewed Oliver Stone, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, how he was selected to direct IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS, sharing horror with his son and more! Follow David: IG: https:...

This week we welcome the wise and radiant Judy Prince-Neeb to chat the BUNNICULA books and TV special, the importance of libraries and children's horror literature, romance novels, why young people have incredible minds, if Bella and Edward's relationship in TWILIGHT is toxic, separating the art from the artist and much more! Follow Judy: IG: https://instagram.com/judyapneeb Twitter: https...

Zachary's back with his video game reviews on the original FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S (his first time playing), the new teaser trailer of the movie from Blumhouse, RAINBOW FRIENDS on Roblox, WILLY'S WONDERLAND, the dangers of online gaming as a kid, starting middle school, Zachary's greatest fears, Chuck E. Cheese, haunted mazes in LA, scary animatronics and more! Follow Kindergeist:...

This ep is stuffed with insight from our guest Colin Buckingham, an actor, writer, producer and model who chose the explore the horrors of the rom-com, 50 FIRST DATES (2004). We also cover the horror of disability representation, the appropriate age gap in high school dating, healing and therapy before making films about personal trauma, recognizing bad dating habits and accepting the bare minimum...

From Austin, Texas, we're joined by director/writer Emily Hagins (SORRY ABOUT THE DEMON, COIN HEIST)! We discuss her journey of making her first feature film PATHOGEN, making MY SUCKY TEEN ROMANCE as a response to TWILIGHT, being a teen filmmaker, learning lessons about finding your voice, choosing film over college, advice to kids who want to direct their first film, academic research about h...

We get groovy this week with film critic and essayist, Logan-Ashley Kisner! We discuss how the EVIL DEAD franchise is heavily trans coded, Morgan Davies in EVIL DEAD RISE and that wild third act Deadite, Ash Williams as a trans man, Zakia's first time watching ARMY OF DARKNESS, transgender horror film history, Logan's trans horror film recommendations for kids and more! Follow Logan-Ashley...

In the season 4 premiere, we are joined by the lovely Amie Donald, who portrays the title character in the Blumhouse film, M3GAN. She shares what it was like behind the scenes, doing her own stunts, her dancing roots, how she feels about AI and more! Follow Amie: https://www.instagram.com/amiedonald_nz/ Follow Kindergeist: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KindergeistPod IG: https://instagram.com/kinde...

In the season three finale, we are joined by actor, director, producer and kid-at-heart: Josh Ruben! We discuss his latest films, BLOOD RELATIVES and A WOUNDED FAWN, his disdain for angry white men, passion for werewolves, what a producer does, choosing kindness in the face of hatred, #MeToo, general life advice to kids, his interest in directing a horror movie for kids, and more! Follow Josh: IG:...

For the holiday season, Zakia and Xanthe review the Christmas horror episode of TALES FROM THE CRYPTKEEPER, "IT'S FOR YOU" (S3E11) and the true crime Netflix documentary, CAPTURING THE KILLER NURSE, about the serial killer Charles Cullen. We also cover abuse happening at Zakia's school, what she would do if a loved one was a killer, if documentaries are fact or fiction, prank calling stories, gett...

And now for something different, Zakia and Xanthe speak with Francesca O'Hop about horror in k-pop music videos from groups VIXX, Cross Gene, Dreamcatcher, Purple Kiss and more. We also cover neurodivergence in the horror genre, the zombie movie that was produced just to promote a song, stereotypes of the "dark side" of k-pop idol training programs, BTS and South Korea military service and then so...

Don't think RATATOUILLE is a horror movie? Think again. Zakia and Xanthe re-watch it and discover several elements that make it horror. We also cover who would be cast in a live-action version, the Brazilian rip-off RATATOING, McRib on Thanksgiving, rat representation in media, feminism and female misogyny, the horror of Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD, Zakia's cooking phase, Disney's empathy...

Zakia's back! She & Xanthe speak with Steve & Sean of the Mostly Horror Podcast. It's our longest episode yet, but rich with fun and valuable discussion on HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN and the original ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?. We also chat about Ryan Murphy's DAHMER, if you can separate the art from the artist, sleepovers at haunted locations, what their Boggart w...

Today Zachary and Xanthe interview two guests: an alien named E from the planet Zorgon and improviser/bystander intervention advocate Melissa G from Ontario, Canada! We discuss what E's species is like, intergalactic tourism, if alien representation in films is accurate, the importance of bystander intervention training and voting, advice for kids who want to start doing improv comedy and more! Fo...

This week it's only Zachary and Xanthe! We review Chapter 1 of the popular kids horror video game Poppy Playtime, Zachary's predictions for the upcoming film adaptation, his thoughts on the controversy Huggy Wuggy has with parents, what to do when you get too scared playing it and more! Huggy Wuggy news clip: https://youtu.be/1NwgkwNHXW4 Poppy Playtime: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1721470/P...

Today our guest is 15-year-old LA based actor... the wonderful Jake Getman! Zakia, Xanthe and Zachary ask him about PARANORMAN (2012), his absolute fear of anything spooky, how to handle acting in scary scenes, being home schooled, the trauma of Haunted Hayride, Top Gun: Maverick and more! Follow Jake: IG: https://www.instagram.com/jakegetman/ Follow Kindergeist: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kinde...

Joining us today is the fab Neil Fraser, a multi award winning poster and key artist from Scotland in the UK. In this episode we discuss THE WITCHES (1990), when Roald Dahl visited his class, the representation of witches in the past versus today, if the comedy of Mr. Bean endures, his advice to aspiring artists and more! He has worked on over 60 productions to date and has clients including Shudd...

Joining us today is the marvelous Nylah Mondesir, a 13-year-old actress, model and student body president of her middle school. We unpack THE BLACK PHONE, why she feels it's educational for young audiences and parents, child abuse, bullying, kidnapping, her advice for aspiring child actors and more. Follow Nylah: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nylahsodope/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nylahmonde...

Today we welcome fifth grader Zachary Ponce (AKA Zakia's brother), who recently joined us at Kindergeist as a guest co-host and contributor. We chat THE ADDAMS FAMILY, his love for Netflix's ALL OF US ARE DEAD, his greatest fears, the meaning of family and more. Follow Kindergeist: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KindergeistPod IG: https://instagram.com/kindergeistpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@...

It's the season two finale! Zakia and Xanthe answer your questions, as listed below: 1. Favorite horror writers of all time and why? 2. What’s your favorite horror theme of all time? 3. What age is it appropriate for kids to watch rated-R horror films? 4. What are your top entry level horrors for younger kids and older kids? 5. What kind of horror would you like to see more of in the entertainment...

Today we have the regal Prince Jackson, owner of the GoodKnight Life podcast network, Host of the award-winning Knight Light Podcast: A Horror Movie Podcast on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network, and cast member in the upcoming Mental Health and Horror documentary. We chat about the stop motion film CORALINE, parenting as a horror fan, his gateway horror selects, how to wean yourself into the g...