the Mentally Oddcast

Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cros s are two fine authors who write together and separately. We laugh through an entire episode as we talk about sources of trauma, Christopher Moore, collaborative process, family hoosefudge, what to do when your artistic heros turn out to be MAGA assholes, and why Elon Musk sucks for stealing Grok from its rightful place.  Also a MadLib and a really cool story a...

This week, two passionate political activists (Wednes and Michael) talk about what's happening in America. And most of it is not very nice. We talk Ai in D&D, Bezos, Kaepernik, space aliens, and why disabled people often feel like a burden to those they love. We parse how peasants were convinced to go fight for their feudal lords, and how we determine the monetary worth of a human (spoiler ale...

This week, Rhiannon and Wednes discuss the what happens when fascists buy up all the good TV, parasocial relationships, and whether Ryan Murphy is losing his shine for even us die-hards. Also Etsy, killer bees, Jenny Gump, and the dangers and possible benefits of humanizing murderers. Also VJs, adult diagnoses, trauma copes, and when to call it "domestic violence." TW for discussions on Domestic V...

This week, we talk with Carolyn, a fellow ND podcaster and creative. We talk about the how and why (and maybe why NOT) of getting a diagnosis in adulthood. We parse authentic personality vs masking, why readers have more empathy, and how psychology has been failing women for generations. Also music and a capella, trump camps, solo singing vs ensembles, a mad lib, and some kickass music after the o...

This week, Bob Pondillo discusses screenwriting and novelisations, the horrors of Catholicism, and media history from radio to TV and the Hayes Code to cartoon skirts on animals. We talk depression and work output, the socratic method vs the woke mind virus, and why it's important to speak your mind on big issues. Also film production, offense in media, jobs as identity, and why well-meaning peopl...

This week, we talk Daddy Doms, House Eternum , and what you might not suspect is true of the kink community. Millicent the dog makes an unplanned appearance, and we explain what's going on with the Dexter franchise. Also what it's like to be disabled or to need mental health care when you're American and not rich--and how those things might be even more difficult when you're any sort of minority....

This week, Wednes talks sleep disorders with painter, sculptor, and dream curator Brian MacGrego r. We parse whether ocean creatures only seem alien because we're on land, and whether or not art ought to be confrontational all the time. Also, Geiger, Dragon's Lair, Pet Sematary 2, and trigger warnings. While we avoided most political talk, we did parse whether having quiet conversations with our o...

This week, Patrick Freivald and Wednes parse whether neurodivergence as a concept is even real--or if we're all on a spectrum of one sort or another. We discuss anthropology and how ND conditions may increase one's value to the tribe. Also fight-or-flight, writing and publishing, Rod Serling, why celebrating differences is essential, and city horror versus country horror.

This week, we talk international travel, music, and autism with Mimi U. She's a self-proclaimed pop-idol with a love of anime, J-pop, and smiling. We discuss whether autism can be a gift, a superpower, or a PitA. Also tips for living with intrusive thoughts, media portrayals of autism, and how anime and horror both have problematic fans. 

The Mentally Oddcast returns for a sixth season with Rev Josh Hosler. We talk religion and society, and why a god can be a source of mockery and doubt as well as hope and community. We parse whether depression and anxiety are really 'disorders' or logical reactions to a world that sucks. Also familial estrangement, the art of listening, and Josh's history in music, radio, and being a youth counsel...

This week Wednes matches wits (and witty barbs) with Frankie --cutest kid in elementary school and award-winning writer with the medal to prove it. We talk about the perils of marketing with Zuckerbots afoot. Wednes learns what a Literary Death Match is, and we both realize we named characters after each other in our debut novels (even though we hadn't talked in decades at the time). We share chil...

This week's guest, Cat Voleur, wears many hats and tackles a variety of issues in her life and work. We talk movie tie-in novels and Graveyard Shark in general. Also representation, horror and comedy, politics, non-fiction, and of course, a MadLib. The ep concludes with a killer short story you will not want to miss.

This week has lots of movie talk--especially B movies and horror movies. Wednes and author Eric Mille r disagree about The Mist, agree on Matheson and BSG, and parse whether all demons are bad or if some just have bad press. Miller shares his journey of seeking help for depression, navigating a world where rejections are common, and his own bouts with impostor syndrome. Plus his first MadLib, Hall...

This week, Wednes and David-Jack speak frankly and angrily about propaganda and contemporary politics. We also talk borderline disorder, trauma, horror movies of the 90s, and how we can receive love even when we don't feel worthy of it. Also representation, why "Hell is other people," and how we might eat differently if we could communicate with animals. TW for suicidal ideation and planning.&nbsp...

This week Wednes speaks with gender-fluid author of sci-fi, spec-fic, and the perpetually weird. We opine on the importance of support systems, when gender dysphoria shows up later in life, and the mandela effect. We also talk zombies, publishing, and Conrad Veidt. Also TWs and why anyone opposing them can eff off, plus what qualifies as 'weird fiction," and TT talks about their book: Loading the...

TW for discussions of an active shooter situation and frank anti-fash talk. Find more from Chloe Spencer here. Chloe Spencer is an author, advocate, and game developer in the great state of Minnesota. We talk MAGAboys, PTSD and treatments that help, what makes a good game, and dating via text and app. We also discuss why victim-blaming is for cowards, which horror character resonates with Wednes t...

This week we talk about the benefits of embedded journalism, escaping the fundamentalist mindset, wtf happened at cbs, Anxiety, idiot plots marketing kids, and how awesome it is being married to a "wife guy."  We also talk RFK jr and other shameless MAGAboys, and why meta wants you to believe everyone is terrible. Also, poor people helping each other, being bi, and what we do about women who...

Jack of all trades and master of some, Ryan Lieske shares his experiences with depression, films, podcasting, and overcoming his fear of mental health meds. TW for suicidal ideation. We also talk horror comedy, gen AI, opium dens, and why MAGAboys think saying "you have cats" is some kind of insult. We also talk zombies, environment, and how kids intuitively engage in art therapy. We also parse TV...

Riley ODell lives with (and advocates for) Autism and ADHD. This week, we talk about the value of satire, how autism and ADHD can impact productivity, and why some ND people love horror so much. We also parse The Simpsons as a measure of class and economy, and whether or not anyone should have to "earn a living." We end with a MadLib followed by a banger or a short story that is not for sensitive...

This week, the E mpress of Tawnlandia and I discuss our horror beginnings, cozy fiction, genres Wednes doesn't write in, and why gets left out of yt feminism. We also talk "What is a Safe Space" and how the people who think they don't need them actually may need them the most. Plus hot chicks we like, community outreach, and Wednes learns a zillion things about piloting and airplanes.

Known as Mothshade to his peers, David A Hill is a passionate writer of fantasy, dark science fiction, and an array of TTRPGs. We talk about what makes a horror movie and horror in general. Plus living with a stutter, coping tools for anxiety, and what publishers mean when they say "doesn't meet our needs." Also zombies, breakdowns, secret spilling, and Wednes learns a whole bunch about RPG cultur...

Known by his stage name, Jarrett Lennon has appeared in beloved shows like Cheers and Freaks & Geeks, as well as the haunting Short Cuts. We talk about improv, acting, and what it's like when you succeed without trying as a kid. How ADHD can actually help you accomplish things, and why acting can be a coping tool for autism. Jarett debunks a few rumors of Hollywood dicketry, and helps parse th...

This week 411Mania reviewer and new author Bryan Krystopowitz schools host Wednesday Lee Friday on the finer points of action movies with small budgets, the perils of affordable stunt work, and why representation is such a touchy topic in film. We also talk about why adult friendships are hard, why JD Vance should be ridden out of town on a rail, and we parse whether Sharknado movies are really be...

This week, we talk with Sheldon Higdon about his new book and writing career. We discuss how Stephen King impacted our work as young writers, the perils of psyche meds...and the perils of living without them. Also movie scores as writing music, writing about family, living with the same name as a popular character, and classic zombie lore. 

How does being an unwanted child impact a person? Is there really an AI Authors Guild? What's it like getting doxxed? We talk about all of that--plus we call out Wellbutrin and Bill Burr. We talk politics, (ep was recorded a day after Charlie Kirk's killing) weed strains, were-panthers, MAGA trolls, and Zooskeeping. TW for suicide, DV, SA, and animal tragedy.  Find more from Jaime Johnesee he...