The Dark Mind Podcast

In this episode of The Dark Mind Podcast, I sit down with author Caleb Jones to dissect the disturbing technological and psychological terrain of his new novel, The Eliza Test. We explore the book’s chilling premise: a team of scientists uploads mental illnesses—starting with borderline personality disorder—into a sentient AI designed to simulate and respond to therapy. But when consciousness meet...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with author, producer, and journalist Tamika Thompson to explore her genre-defying short story collection Unshod, Cackling and Naked. From beauty pageants to beast transformations, from societal collapse to personal revenge, Thompson’s work challenges what horror can do—and who it can empower. We discuss creature features, unreliable narrators, body horror, an...

What happens when trauma doesn’t end—it mutates? In this episode, I sit down with S.E. Howard, whose debut novel The Vessel strips away pretense to expose the raw aftermath of abduction, memory loss, and survival. We talk sex work, shame, emotional fragmentation—and why the scariest parts of horror aren’t always supernatural. This one’s for listeners who want more than surface-level horror. It’s a...

In this episode, I sit down once again with author Andrew Adams to dive deep into his chilling new novel, Son of a Serial Killer. We explore the terrifying legacy of fictional killer Brock Blackwood, and his troubled (and possibly hallucinating) son, Glenn Overton—a man slowly unraveling under the weight of routine, trauma, and maybe something supernatural. Andrew and I discuss everything from inh...

In this episode, I sit down once again with author and poet Stephanie Parent to explore her haunting and deeply personal poetry collection, Cinder Girl Grows Wings. We discuss the visceral power of free verse, the symbolic structure of the collection—from Kindling to Phoenix—and how themes of girlhood, desire, BDSM, and body image are woven through her work with gothic sensitivity and raw emotiona...

Today’s guest is  Matthew R. Corr , author of the retro-inspired horror novel  Camp 1985  and creator of the ever-expanding Slasherverse  series. What begins as a tongue-in-cheek sendup of influencer culture quickly descends into something far more sinister—and emotionally resonant. We dive deep into how Corr blends analog horror tropes with modern anxieties, explores identity and mental health th...

In this episode, host Vincent Midgard is joined by author, podcaster, and epidemiologist Viggy Parr Hampton to discuss her haunting new novel The Rotting Room. Together, they explore the disturbing intersection of religious ritual, bodily decay, and psychological trauma in a cloistered convent where silence reigns and something sinister festers beneath the surface. Viggy shares how her background...

In this episode, we sit down with Tiffany Koplin—curator, community builder, and indie horror champion—to explore the thriving world of self-published horror fiction. From her roots at Half Price Books to her leadership of the 63,000-member Books of Horror community, Tiffany shares how a passion for the genre turned into a full-blown movement. We dive into her creation of the Indie Author Book Bra...

In this unsettling and unforgettable episode, acclaimed author Eric LaRocca joins host Vincent Midgard to delve into his haunting new novel At Dark I Become Loathsome—a disturbing tale of grief, ritual rebirth, and self-destruction. LaRocca discusses the real-life burial therapy practices that inspired the story, the claustrophobic horror of confronting mortality, and his fascination with the grot...

In this visceral and thought-provoking episode, extreme horror author Lesley Camphouse joins Vincent Midgard to dive deep into her latest novel, Eternal Wives. They unpack the brutal cult at the heart of the story, discuss how real-world influences like Sister Wives and reformed communities helped shape its terrifying world, and explore how horror can push boundaries without losing narrative integ...

Nick Roberts joins Vincent on  The Dark Mind Podcast  to discuss his blistering short story collection  Nocturnal by Nature . They explore the fine line between intensity and excess in horror, how addiction and recovery fuel Nick’s storytelling, and why he believes horror should hit hard—or not at all. From body horror and psychological claustrophobia to giallo influences and moral collapse, this...

In this episode, Vincent sits down with author and artist Chris Panatier to discuss his haunting novel, The Redemption of Morgan Bright — a psychological horror story that explores identity, grief, institutional abuse, and the terrifying blur between reality and delusion. Recorded just after their meeting at the Ghoulish Book Festival, the conversation dives deep into the novel’s inspirations, inc...

In this episode, author Mark Towse returns for a chaotic, hilarious, and deeply insightful conversation about his revised and expanded horror-comedy One Last Shindig.  We talk cranky old folks, creeping dread, and the art of pulling the floor out from under readers when they least expect it. Mark opens up about finding creative balance, grief and legacy, the catharsis of writing terrifying things,...

In this episode returning guest Christy Aldridge joins Vince on the show to discuss her haunting new novel—a slow-burn supernatural creature feature with deep emotional resonance.  The story follows Joe, a man with a traumatic childhood who’s trying to build a better life with his fiancée and stepdaughter—only to be haunted by the return of his monstrous imaginary friend, Boo. They dive into the t...

Poet Nathaniel Blackhelm joins Vince to discuss his latest collection, Lothario—a bold and reflective work that navigates the terrain of midlife, identity, and the surreal beauty of being human.  In this conversation, we unpack the archetype of the Lothario, the friction between cultural identities, and the role of lust, humor, and self-worth in shaping how we live and love.  Blackhelm speaks cand...

In this episode, acclaimed author Philip Fracassi joins us to talk about his gripping new novel, The Third Rule of Time Travel. We dive deep into the emotional and psychological layers of time travel, the haunting consequences of reliving the past, and the blurred lines between science and corporate ambition. Fracassi unpacks the complex dynamics between his characters—especially the fragile trust...

Author M.J. Mars joins Vince for a deep dive into her chilling short story collection, We’ve Already Gone Too Far.  In this engaging conversation, she explores the layers of horror, psychological tension, and the emotional complexities that drive her characters.  From urban legends and internal fears to the eerie balance between myth and reality, M.J. shares the inspirations behind her stories and...

Emily Bennett is an Academy-recognized screenwriter and FANGORIA Chainsaw Award-winning director whose work has captivated audiences at top genre festivals including Sitges, Fantastic Fest, Brooklyn Horror, and Fantasia.  In this episode, Emily joins us to talk about her recent short film Accidental Stars, her debut feature Alone With You—starring Barbara Crampton and produced by Untapped Producti...

In this episode, Vincent Midgard sits down with author Matt Micheli to dive deep into his provocative and supernatural horror novel, Pornageddon. The story follows Roy, a devoted family man struggling with his own addiction to the adult industry’s hottest starlet, Abella Jane—whose meteoric rise seems to trigger chaos, destruction, and brutal murders. As Roy begins to see visions of those he must...

In this episode, I sit down with Josh Mendoza to discuss his debut novel, Shadow of the Eternal Watcher, a gripping blend of noir, sci-fi, and horror. We dive into the mind of his protagonist, Duster Raines—a troubled PI haunted by his past, entangled in a high-stakes mystery, and discovering a reality-bending ability that forces him to confront his own dark reflection. Mendoza shares insights int...

In this episode, I sit down with horror writer and reviewer Mona Kabbani to dive deep into her novel The Color of Blood. We explore the psychological and cosmic horror elements of the story, particularly through the lens of Void, a character with the haunting ability to see the colors of people’s souls. Mona shares insights into his artistic inspirations, the moral dilemmas of his actions, and the...

In this episode, Vince sits down with author Sabrina Voerman to dive into the dark and immersive world of  Song of the Sea , the third book in the  Blood Bound  series. They discuss the haunting mythology of sirens, the treacherous power struggles within Nikolai’s family, and the deeper themes of greed, survival, and morality woven throughout the novel. Sabrina shares her insights on crafting mora...

In this episode, author Caleb Jones joins Vince on the show to discuss his new psychological horror novel, Red Hill Paradise, a chilling exploration of isolation, parenthood, and the unsettling secrets hidden within the woods. Caleb shares the inspiration behind the novel, the challenges of writing horror that taps into real-life anxieties, and how his own experiences shaped the story. They delve...

In this episode, filmmaker Alessia Devecchi joins Vince on the show to discuss her haunting short film Toska, delving into its themes of emotional pain, obsession, and visual storytelling. She reflects on her journey from writing to filmmaking, comparing Toska with her previous work Crow in terms of style and tone. Alessia also explores the metaphorical significance of the monster in Toska, the co...

Award-winning horror author Ronald Malfi joins Vince on the show to discuss his highly anticipated novel, Senseless. In this fascinating conversation, Malfi delves into the novel’s intricate themes of grief, moral ambiguity, and the intertwining of multiple storylines, offering insight into the emotional complexity of his characters—Renney, Alan, and Maureen—and how their personal traumas shape th...