Horror Humor Hunger

Did you know that Savannah is the Most Haunted City in America? For good reason, too! In this episode, I’m joined by Brett and Crystal of the Scary Savannah and Beyond Podcast to talk about some of the haunted history and terrifying experiences unique to Savannah! Connect with Brett and Crystal: https://www.scarysavannahandbeyond.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9L1S7eyJBRMZHpkSP1vJC...

Let’s face it--most of us don’t know that much about alligators, and what we think we know (run in a zigzag because alligators are aggressive) is a myth. In this episode, we’re going to do some myth-busting with expert naturalist Shannon Matzke. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this! Fun links: https://news.ncsu.edu/2022/10/alligators-exposed-to-pfas-show-autoimmune-effects/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAllig...

It’s hard to love a novel if you can’t engage with the characters. Even though they’re fictional, the characters in a book still have personalities, psychologies, motivations, and needs that are worth unpacking. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Camille Holiner discusses trauma-bonding, self-esteem, personal growth, and family dynamics as they relate to the characters in A Cold Night for...

Anyone else like to do wild things and film it for YouTube? No? Just my special guest? In this episode, my wonderful husband Ryan joins us for a discussion of youthful shenanigans, urban exploring, and the horror (and humor!) of getting into trouble--inspired by a pair of characters in my debut novel! Order your copy of my debut horror-thriller novel, A Cold Night for Alligators : https://viggyham...

Horror author Z.C. Krol is back to discuss his journey to publication, the horror genre at large, and why we like to scare people so much. You can find Z.C.'s novella Disseverment on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Disseverment/dp/B0C78KNVJQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YE2ZCGERHTIO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xNp0gUQHvWWwTtKSmj7OHrB7iuYYV3JPBOoa6WVm17b93U9Vp9_cDUvDB26E3GcL5Snx60c5qKg5n7oLVmLNAHqAc4Eyp4a...

Welcome to a brand-new season of Horror Humor Hunger! This season is all about my debut horror-thriller, A COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS. Tune in for a tasty teaser of the book, then a discussion with a special guest about my inspiration and publication journey! Order your copy of my debut horror-thriller novel, A Cold Night for Alligators : https://viggyhampton.com/book/ Sound effects courtesy of Pix...

Season 5 is coming soon--and it’s inspired by my debut novel, A Cold Night for Alligators . We’ll have an excerpt from the book, plus interviews from fascinating guests ranging from a wildlife naturalist to a fantasy funeral director--and of course, we’ll end with a delicious recipe from baker extraordinaire, Becky Parr of PerfectSlice Bakeware.  You can preorder the digital copy of the book now,...

When I think canned laughter, I think sitcoms and TV dinners. Join me and recipe genius Becky Parr as we reinterpret the classic TV dinner in a healthier, more nutritious, and--dare I say--more delicious way! Recipe below. Links: You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81133260 “Ultra-Processed People” by Chris van Tulleken: https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Pr...

If you have no idea what a ‘sex witch’ is, you’re not alone--but you’re about to find out. My very special guest, Olivia LaRue, is a practicing sex witch, legal madame, and certified sex therapist. Join us as we discuss the spooky--and humorous--side of her work, from the terrifyingly paranormal to the hilariously goofy! Sound effects courtesy of Pixabay Keep up with Horror Humor Hunger: - Instagr...

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Harker Jones, an editor, writer, and screenwriter with years of experience. Join us as we discuss failing forward, self-publishing, writing for the screen versus print, creative collaboration, movie adaptations, and paranormal experiences. You can find Harker Jones on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/harker_j/ and Twitter/X https://twi...

A huge part of understanding history is learning more about the people who came before us--and sometimes, that means delving into the paranormal. Join me and my very special guest, Dr. Kristy Sumner of Soul Sisters Paranormal, as we discuss ghostly investigations, historic preservation, paranormal tourism, and more! Links Soul Sisters Paranormal: https://www.soulsistersparanormal.com The Historic...

Is anybody else creeped out by old technology? Even if you’re not, join us for a discussion of all things electronic. We also touch on the moviegoing experience, audiophiles, and what makes visual media scary. Links you might enjoy: More information about William Castle and the 4-D moviegoing experience: https://collider.com/william-castle-horror-showman/ Scary movie study: https://www.cbsnews.com...

Have you ever thought very hard about laughter? Laughter can express everything from delight to fear, and it can have physiological implications, as well. It’s also often contagious--which helps explain the canned laugh tracks we all know and (maybe) love. In this episode, Dr. Camille Holiner and I break down the meaning of laughter, the role of groupthink in how films, TV, and books are received,...

When you really think about it, any industry can be creepy! Join me and my special guest Katherine as we dissect the true story behind “The Laff Box” (it was a real thing!), why something mysterious can also feel sinister, how nonverbal communication like emojis has evolved over time, and several other industries with concealed histories (spoiler alert: glitter is so much more interesting than you...

We’re kicking things off with my short story “The Laff Box,” which you can also read here: https://vmp22.medium.com/the-laff-box-7bafde9f9008?sk=0598af7d7231964db1d80ad0e8b4fa04 This story is a (hopefully obviously) fictionalized retelling of the real-life Charley Douglass and his Laff Box. Enjoy! Sound effects courtesy of Pixabay. Keep up with Horror Humor Hunger: - Instagram : @horrorhumorhunger...

This season is inspired by my short story “The Laff Box”, which offers a fictionalized history of the famous ‘Laff Box’, the real-life machine behind all those canned sitcom laughs of the late 20th century. In subsequent episodes, we’ll discuss everything from the nature of laughter to the engineering of spooky electronics. Plus, I’m very lucky this season to be joined by several new and very spec...

We’ve made it to the end of another season, which means it’s time to feed you! I hope you’re hungry for one of my mom, Becky Parr’s, newest creations inspired by “Grandma Ruth’s U.P. Truck Stop.” These Diner Pancake Sandwiches are easy, beautiful, and, of course, delicious. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did! Recipe: Diner Stuffed Pancake Sandwiches Ingredients 2 cups pancake mix (Bisquick is...

Northern Michigan, as the short story suggests, is a beautiful place, but it’s also very unique--some might even say weird. In this episode, we’ll talk to two very special guests and native Michiganders who can tell us firsthand what small town Northern Michigan is really like--the wild, the wonderful, and the weird. You can find the book Ryan mentions about the Mio Pig Murders here: https://www.a...

Dealing with grief and trauma is never easy, and people have developed so many different coping mechanisms. In this episode, Dr. Camille Holiner and I break down the grief process, how to heal after a traumatic event, the psychological nature of humanity, and more. Keep up with Horror Humor Hunger: - Instagram : @horrorhumorhungerpodcast - Viggy's Instagram : @viggyparrhampton - Twitter : @HH...

I know we just talked about the possibilities of artificial intelligence, but hey--things move so fast in the tech world that a part two to this conversation is necessary. My lovely husband Ryan, a computer engineer, is back to discuss some of the new things he’s learned about AI--and trust me, it definitely brings the horror! The two articles we reference most heavily for our conversation are lin...

Grandma Ruth’s robots sound terrifying--but are they actually possible? In this episode, my lovely husband Ryan, a computer engineer, talks us through artificial intelligence and the possibility that these robots could--or could not--actually exist, and what that could mean for humanity at large. This is part one of our two-part series on AI and robots! If you want to read more about the Vanderbil...

Is a humanoid robot human at all? Should the dead stay dead? If you bring someone back mechanically, what fills the void? These are the kinds of questions my special guest and I will grapple with as we discuss the inspiration behind and meaning of my short story featured in episode 1, “Grandma Ruth’s U.P. Truck Stop.” If you want to listen to some creepy animatronics reprogrammed to play classic s...

Welcome back for Season 3! This season will focus on my short story “Grandma Ruth’s U.P. Truck Stop.” In this story, graduating University of Michigan engineering student Rachel Regal gets a letter from her hometown letting her know her uncle has passed. However, when she returns home for the funeral, there’s something off about the small town she knows so well--but at least she has Grandma Ruth,...

For Season 3, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming--meaning this season is all about another one of my original short stories. This particular story, which was inspired by The Stepford Wives , is called Grandma Ruth’s U.P. Truck Stop--U.P. as in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It’s creepy, it’s atmospheric, and, I hope, it will make you think. Mark your calendars for October 3--I hop...

When you hear ‘alien,' you probably think of a little green man with giant black eyes flying around in a saucer-shaped UFO--but what if aliens really exist, and they’ve visited this planet before? What if they live among us right now? In this episode, we’ll talk to two special guests who have very different opinions about the possibility of alien life and its connection to humans here on Eart...