Horror Humor Hunger

“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” --Cesar A. Cruz Art holds a very important place in our society--it can disturb, it can comfort, it can intrigue, it can horrify--and everything in between. Join me and my two special guests, who are both accomplished artists, as we break down the intersection of art and horror. You can see a selection of my paintings here: https://vi...

A home is usually the biggest purchase any of us will ever make, so it can be terrifying when things go wrong. In this episode, my friend Katherine Vantosh and I break down the horror and humor of all things home--from haunted houses to bad flips to considerations for renovations. You can find the Paradox of Choice TED Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6XEQIsCoM Want to learn more about...

Camping is a national pastime; there’s something about marshmallows roasting over an open fire after a long day of hiking that just hits the spot, right? Well… not always. Not everyone can be a happy camper. In this episode, we’ll hear from two very special guests who have had markedly different experiences while camping. Ranging from the adventurous to the hilarious to the terrifying, these stori...

It’s safe to say dating today is very different compared to dating a few decades ago. The introduction of smartphones and dating apps has radically changed how we meet people--and not always for the better. Today’s special guest, Dr. Camille Holiner, and I both met our husbands on dating apps, and we’re here to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the dating process. We also have a bonus mys...

Horror isn’t confined to books and movies--there’s also the in-between space, where audio and visual elements combine to make something new and interesting. That’s exactly what today’s special guests, Winslow Swan and Crimson McKenzie, set out to explore with their audiovisual horror offering, Doorway to Nightmare. While Doorway to Nightmare started out as a passion project just for them, it has b...

For this episode, I want to take you to the movies! But not just any movies--we’re here to talk all about turkeys, which are those movies that are so bad they’re delightfully good. I’m joined by two special guests, Movie Miss and Drive-In Dave, the wonderful co-hosts of the ‘Let’s Talk Turkeys' podcast, who share their wealth of expertise about these fabulous films. As you listen (or maybe wa...

“Jelly is so close to human flesh. That is why it’s delightful for us, because it’s made out of gelatin. It starts off quivering, then there’s a sort of lustrous motion as it dissolves in the mouth. There’s something rather fleshy about it, which I think is wonderful.” --Sam Bompas Jelly, with its creepy, wobbly, wiggly appearance, inspired me to write my newest novel, It Must Be Jelly , about a k...

What makes a work of literature ‘great?' Why are some books upheld as paragons of cultural and social critique while others are dismissed as ‘junk food’? Why is horror so often relegated to the junk food category? In this episode, special guest and horror author Z.C. Krol helps us answer these questions and many others. We explore the concept of splatterpunk, how much is too much in horror, a...

Everybody’s favorite guilty pleasure isn’t always so benign. Reality TV can easily turn into a horror show, blurring the lines between what is really real and what is unreal. Join us as we unpack the nuances of reality TV, what it means for us as a culture, and how it can slide so quickly into true horror. Here are a few of the shows we mention: Unreal, Rock of Love, The Bachelor, The Real Housewi...

Happy Mother’s Day! Special guest clinical psychologist Dr. Camille Holiner breaks down ‘mommy issues’ as we discuss why moms can be so darn scary. We’ll also hear from two very important moms who have some scary (and funny!) stories to tell about the reality of being a mother. This episode’s recipe is ICE CREAM PIE, because mothers can be cold, and they come in so many different flavors! Mom’s Co...

I couldn't wait until October to get back into podcasting with Season 2, so I'd like to announce Hot Ghoul Summer! What is Hot Ghoul Summer? Throughout the summer, I'll be releasing episodes about interesting topics that don't fit neatly into a season. Things like the wonderful world of aliens, the horrors of reality TV, the terror and hilarity of camping, and the intersection...

Expert bakeware inventor and recipe developer Becky Parr joins us again to share the recipe she created inspired by this season’s featured short story, ‘The Leak’! This Meatball Sub Casserole is sure to feed your fears! You can find the full recipe here: https://vmp22.medium.com/the-meatball-sub-casserole-that-will-feed-your-fears-f9ec4195281b?sk=ee0aa90c1025bc114e9c3b568603ef9b Keep up with Horro...

Did last week’s episode leave you hanging? Fear not--here’s Part Two of the Mysterious Moist Ghost saga. We'll finally (maybe?) solve this mystery! For a full breakdown (with photos and spoilers!) of this story, check out my article on Medium at: https://vmp22.medium.com/the-mysterious-very-moist-ghost-and-the-diabetic-schnoodle-fa21da54e8e2?sk=bb057b62d29539a62418e2acd2dea54d Keep up with Ho...

Fictional stories can be scary, that’s for sure--but what about a real-life ghost right across the street? In this episode, we’ll hear Part One of the Mysterious Moist Ghost that terrorized my parents in their new home. A Medium article was mentioned in the episode, but to avoid spoiling the rest of the story, that article won’t be posted until next week when Part Two airs! Don’t worry, though--I...

What is it about psychological horror that is so perpetually terrifying? Clinical psychologist Dr. Camille Tobolowsky helps us break down the connection between mental health and horror both in the story ‘The Leak’ and in other horror media. Want another taste of psychological horror? Check out  https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/g34287899/psychological-horror-movies/ , as well as the movies...

Why is ‘The Leak’ scary--or not [make sure you've listened to Episode 1!]? Host Viggy Hampton and special guest Becky Parr discuss the true events that inspired the story, why it’s scary (or not), how consuming horror can be a cathartic experience--and so much more. Atlas Obscura article about MTA water barrier testing: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/subways-flood-without-rain Chicago...

In this original short story by Viggy Parr Hampton, societal pariah Andrew Ferenc finds himself trapped in a subway station during a water barrier test. The barrier is leaking, but that’s not the worst part—he quickly realizes he’s not alone in the dark. You can read the full story here:  The Leak Keep up with Horror Humor Hunger: - Instagram : @horrorhumorhungerpodcast - Viggy's Instagram :...

In Horror Humor Hunger, host and horror author Viggy Parr Hampton will scare you, make you laugh, and then feed you. Each season presents an original short story, followed by interviews with experts, discussion about the themes of the story and the nature of horror, and a custom-crafted recipe inspired by the story. This season features a short story called 'The Leak', a real-life ghost...