The Ghoul Guides Association

Join Mary and Lauren as we delve into the mysterious and underground depths of the Cult of Mithras. Who is this ancient Roman God? What’s the deal with the bull? And are the rumours true about a London Mithraeum? (Also...what's a Mithraeum?) Find out all this and more in this episode of the Ghoul Guides Association. If you get to 27 minutes and feel like we suddenly skipped a section: there was an...

In this episode of the Ghoul Guides Association Lauren introduces us to the Wild Hunt. Join us as we delve into the history of the supernatural hunt, talk about some of the mythical and historical leaders, and find out what makes the Wild Hunt Gothic. NOTE: Due to some technical nightmares that eventually led to a whole new laptop, we've had to use the single audio track from the video for this on...

So You Don't Like Horror is your guide to the movies you can't watch. This Ghoul Guides podcast brings together one horror fan (Mary) and one scaredy cat (Lauren) as we discuss recent horror releases. As well as reviewing some of the horror offerings from September, this episode also spotlights the siren horror of Robert Wiene, Lauren shares some of her own scaredy cat friendly podcasts and spooky...

Of course we had to review this one: Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Mary Shelley's Gothic classic, starring Oscar Issacs and Jacob Elordi, is now in cinemas and streaming on Netflix, so we share our thoughts and feelings about the film.

Ghouls, it's Halloween! And we've got some more spooky reading recommendations for you, this time all on the theme of cultishness and corruption.

Mary reviews The Long Walk, the latest and final instalment of The Conjuring franchise and streaming anthology V/H/S Halloween, as well as a horror comedy retrospective.

In this review episode Mary takes us through some of C. J. Cookes’ novels starting with her suitably spooky The Lighthouse Witches - and make sure you watch till the end to discover more witchy books to read this Halloween season. Let us know in the comments if you’ve read any of these books, or if you have your own witch books to recommend! SUPPORT THE GHOUL GUIDES! If you enjoyed this video then...

Two PhD students head to hell to bring back their supervisor? This had our name written all over it. In this episode Lauren reviews R.F Kuang's latest novel, Katabasis, discusses what makes dark academia dark, and if hell really is a university campus.

So You Don't Like Horror is your guide to the movies you can't watch - featuring one horror fan (Mary) and one scaredy cat (Lauren). Join us as we discuss recent horror releases from August 2025. This episode also features some nuclear nightmares in Mary's retrospectives, some picks from Lauren, and our Audience Recommends with film suggestions from you!.Want to send us a horror film recommendatio...

Mary unearths the vampire - exploring the vampire’s Eastern European origins, metaphorical and economic vampirism, and two essential Gothic vampire texts: Polidori’s The Vampyre and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

In this episode, Lauren takes Mary into the barbarous world of the Gothic Wars - discussing who exactly were the Ostrogoths and Visigoths, and what happened to them after they sacked Rome.*** DISCLAIMER: Lauren’s autistic brain struggles to remember that 300 means 4th century, and with directions. If you’re thinking ‘she means the Eastern, not Western’ or ‘she said 5th century but then 534?’. We k...

In this episode Lauren and Mary dive into the dark world of moral panics, unearthing the long history of moral panics and what links historical Satanic panics to the recent Labubu craze. Prefer video? https://youtu.be/qRiDK5aWqQc00:00 Intro06:16 Who is Pazuzu?11:19 Who is Labubu?32:39 What is a moral panic?1:01:22 Case Study 1 - Medieval Blood Libel1:17:40 Case Study 2 - Witch Panic1:18:07 Case St...

Our review of Wednesday Season Two so far, and what to read if you're looking for more dark academia or Gothic nostalgia!

So You Don't Like Horror is your guide to the movies you can't watch. Join the Ghoul Guides in our new show which brings together one horror fan (Mary) and one scaredy cat (Lauren) as we discuss recent horror releases. This episode also features some devilish retrospectives as we explore two Faustian classic, some picks from Lauren, and our new section Audience Recommends. Want to send us a horror...

Special guest Dr Kathleen Hudson joins us for a discussion of the latest instalment in the British zombie franchise, 28 Years Later. Prefer video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNO2ZeNIlIk The Ghoul Guides Association, is a show where Dr Lauren Nixon and Dr Mary Going discuss all things Gothic (or more accurately, why all things are Gothic.) Join the Ghoul Guides as they explore the history of v...

In this review episode, Lauren discusses Asako Yuzuki's bestselling novel BUTTER, and talks us through what she thought of the novel as well as recommending some books to read if you want more. Prefer video? https://youtu.be/cV9dHay0-R8 The Ghoul Guides Association, is a show where Dr Lauren Nixon and Dr Mary Going discuss all things Gothic (or more accurately, why all things are Gothic.) Join the...

In this episode Lauren uncovers the mystery of Pteridomania (aka "Fern Fever") and delves into the weird and wonderful world of this Victorian-era craze. Prefer video? Watch on Youtube! SUPPORT THE GHOUL GUIDES! If you enjoyed this video then why not subscribe to our channel? We love hearing from you so do like this video and leave us a comment telling us what you liked, and let us know if you hav...

So, You Don't Like Horror is your guide to the movies you can't watch. Join the Ghoul Guides in our new show which brings together one horror fan (Mary) and one scaredy cat (Lauren) as we discuss recent horror releases. Mary's films this month are The Ugly Stepsister, Final Destination: Bloodlines and Dangerous Animals and we also have a retrospective on two Mexican horror films and La...

In this review episode, Lauren discusses the recent Netflix series SIRENS, and talks us through what she thought of the show as well as recommending some books to read if you want more. Prefer video? Watch on YouTube .The Ghoul Guides Association, is a show where Dr Lauren Nixon and Dr Mary Going discuss all things Gothic (or more accurately, why all things are Gothic.) Join the Ghoul Guides as th...

In this episode, Lauren and Mary review Robert Eggers' NOSFERATU (2025), and discuss the horror film in relation to the 1922 original NOSFERATU: A SYMPHONY OF HORROR (dir. F. W. Murnau). NOTE - Lauren accidentally recorded the whole epsiode on her laptop mic rather than the pod mic, so apologies for poor audio. Prefer video? Check out our Youtube . The Ghoul Guides Association, is a show where...

In our new monthly series, Mary tells us all about the horror film she's watched recently that Lauren is to scared to sit through. In this month's epsiode we have Presence (2025), Companion (2025), Y2K (2024), Sinners (2025) and a Bong Joon Ho Retrospective. Want to watch instead? https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhoulGuides

Meet Lauren and Mary: two strangers on the internet with PhDs and a love of all things Gothic, history and pop culture. Join us.

We're back on our bullshit for more deconstruction of the medieval concept of chivalry went from men on horses with stick to an ideology that was at the heart of Britain's construction of national identity and masculinity in the 1700s: and why Mary Shelley was not a fan. Prefer video? Catch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36rABipJ0c8ItQ6qDI6HgQ ------------ The Ghoul Guide...

Join us for the first episode of a two-parter all about chivalry and the Gothic. Here, Lauren discusses the 12th century origins of chivalry, King Arthur, and how it ends up being Gothic - and we may also touch on the 2001 film classic A Knight's Tale (trust us, it's relevant!) - The Ghoul Guides Association is a show where Dr Lauren Nixon and Dr Mary Going discuss all things Gothic (or mo...

In the final, somewhat delayed episode of our series on the Gothic history of withcraft in the Western World, Mary looks at how witches and witchcraft have evolved in the post modern era and Lauren goes on a rant about mass produced etsy tshirts.