The Ghoul Guides Association

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.

Beware what goes bump in the night - or what they want you to *think* does, anyway. This time, Lauren talks about the origins of Nocturnal Ritual Fantasy, the colonial import of fear, and American witch panics including, of course, the Salem Witch Trials. 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 ar...

In the second episode of our miniseries on witches and witchcraft, we turn to early modern witch hunts as Mary takes us through the Christian foundations for persecuting witches and discusses some notable publications and witch trials. Who were the Pendle witches? What is the Malleus Maleficarum? And just what does King James VI and I have to do with witches. Join us to find out. The Ghoul Guides...

You love the Gothic, we love the Gothic but what do we actually mean when we call something Gothic? That it's dark and devilish? That it's camp and supernatural? That it's responsible for triggering the fall of the Roman Empire? In this first Lore Dump - our new minisode format - Lauren explains exactly how Gothic came to be as we know it today and the many meanings of the term. The Gh...

In the first episode of our miniseries on witches and witchcraft, Lauren takes us back to the pre-Christian origins of witchcraft and explores some of the most interesting examples of witches (or goddesses?) in Ancient Greece and Rome. Prefer video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy6rwmtsFLU The Ghoul Guides Association, is a show where Dr Lauren Nixon and Dr Mary Going discuss all things Gothic...

As requested by one of our esteemed members of the association (aka, a listener) Mary and Lauren recommend their favourite early and contemporary Gothic novels to add to your TBR pile. Note - Lauren says Adolphus throughout this episode. She's wrong. She means Alphonsus.

In this episode we'll be unboxing the Dibbuk box to explore the history of dybbuk possessions and to talk about where exactly the box fits in. Come for the popular tale of Jewish folkore, stay for the unboxing of a 21st century legend - its amazing what you can find on ebay! LINKS 2004 article “A Box Full of Bad Luck: Haunted Wine Cabinet Goes to Highest Bidder” - https://forward.com/israel/62...

Do you know who started the world's best (or worst) secret society? Want to know the origin story of the mysterious group eventually known as the Illuminati? Join us as in this episode we deep dive into the OG Bavarian Illuminati founded in 1776. 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 Got...

Have you seen Nicolas Flamel? Legendary alchemist and French scribe apparently in possession of the Philosopher's stone? If you do see him, let him know that we'd love to have him on the show. And if you haven't heard of him, then join us in this episode as we discuss the history of alchemy and Rosicrucianism, find out what treats are revealed to you if you are successful enough to dis...

This week we're talking about the real fever you can't sweat out: Dancing Plagues! What exactly is a dancing plague or a dancing epidemic? What are the causes (demonic possession, a contagious disease, or something else?) and, perhaps most importantly, what's the cure? Join us as we explore the history and theories of dancing plagues, discuss what makes them Gothic, and try our best no...

Join us as Mary delves into her recent ghost-hunting vacation in York. The city claims to be home to 1000 ghosts, so did we encounter any? And where are the best Gothic or spooky places to visit in York? Listen to find out - and don't forget to comment with your favourite spooky place to visit! The Ghoul Guides Association, is a show where Dr Lauren Nixon and Dr Mary Going discuss all things G...