the Mentally Oddcast

Tamara Thorne's first novel was published in 1991, and since then she has written many more, including international bestsellers Brimstone, Haunted, Bad Things, Moonfall, and Eternity . A lifelong lover of ghost stories, she is currently working on several collaborations with Alistair Cross, including the next installment in The Ravencrest Saga , as well as The Spiral Sea , the next Old Wives’ Tal...

David Kempf has written over fifty short stories, many with horror themes. He’s won several writing awards and is a frequent contributor to the British website Masters of Horror U.K. He has written two children's books, four plays, two short story collections, and produced several short films and audio drama podcasts. David was a contributing author to More Modern Myth-makers (from Crystal Lake Pu...

Chapin Lennon is an activist and advocate who lives with dwarfism and is trans-masc. They are especially passionate about disability history and representation.  We talk Peter Dinklage and Billy Barty, fetishists, representation--and what to do should some maniac treat you as if you're "good luck." Plus Foul Play, The Greatest Showman, and The Station Agent. A full transcript of this ep can b...

Alistair Cross was born in the western United States and began penning his own stories by the age of eight. First published in 2012, Alistair has since released several more novels. In 2012, he joined forces with international bestselling author, Tamara Thorne, and as Thorne & Cross, they write the successful Gothic series, The Ravencrest Saga. Alistair is currently at work on the seventh book...

Briana Cox was born and raised in Tullahoma, TN — a town inexplicably found on state maps. (It just got a Publix!) She is the oldest of seven children and a first-generation academic with degrees in cognitive linguistics, Japanese language, and speech-language pathology. In 2019, she became a fellow with the TN Playwrights Studio and has been writing stageplays and low-budget film scripts ever sin...

Bert is an author and editor who has always been one to read anything put in front of him, a passion he still enjoys, reading in all genres. He has recently been published in multiple anthologies of flash fiction as well as in a magazine dedicated to supporting children with special needs. He also has multiple non-fiction and fiction pieces accepted for future publication. When not writing, he is...

Kody Boye Is a young adult horror, fantasy, and science-fiction author currently residing In the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. When not writing, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and pestering his many cats. www.kodyboye.com www.youtube.com/@KodyBoyeBooks We talk Shark movies, advocacy, Kody's HIV diagnosis, and why he avoids Mary Sues. Also generational trauma, YA fiction, and how bipol...

Author Stefan Petrucha's work has sold several million copies worldwide, with over twenty novels to his name, including original works such as Ripper and Dead Mann Walking , and licensed prose novels like Spider-Man: Forever Young and Deadpool: Paws for Marvel . He's also written hundreds of graphic novels, spanning iconic franchises such as The X-Files, Beowulf, Mickey Mouse, and Nancy Drew . His...

This week's guest, Carson Fredriksen, is a neurodivergent writer from Calgary, Alberta, who often enjoys rummaging through his dark, albeit unique, imagination to enhance his mundane life. His previous short stories have appeared in such online publications as CommuterLit, Rooster Republic Press, and Howling Wolf Press. In 2022, his short story (Your Biggest Fans) was named an ‘Honourable Mention’...

A transcript of this episode can be found here. Skye Spectrum is a multi-talented artist and activist. Zi is proud to be part of the Ypsi / Ann Arbor Michigan LGBTQIA+ community.  Where you can see either Kevin or Skye on The Trans Narrative Podcast or locally around town associated with The Neighborhood Theatre Group.  Active with two choirs, the Chalice Singers from the Unitarian Unive...

Three Michigan educators discuss the incoming regime (recorded in late November). Actionable tips on local organizing, resistance, "weaponizing empathy," School of choice, Title IX, and more. A full transcript of this episode can be found here . 

We know people are struggling with their sobriety and mental health. This week, guests Chris, Matt, and Denise (all sober folk with stories to tell and expertise to share) all discuss what works, what doesn't, and how the heck people are supposed to hold themselves together when their own government wants to tear us apart.  A full transcript of this episode can be found here.   Substance...

Thinking about gun ownership but don't know the first thing about it? Wednesday Lee Friday talks with ammosexual J Grant (LOL) and martial artist Mel Hynes about how to choose the right gun for you, what training you should expect to do, the four pillars of gun safety, and why John Wick is so friggin' awesome. Also self-defense vs home protection, the NRA, survivalists, and a Mad Lib. Relevant Lin...

Author, Editor, and hedge witch Nora Peevy explains why she doesn't write to an audience. We talk the many shades of witchcraft, how stress and anxiety impact writing schedules (I was shocked, honestly), and why so many girls with ADHD in the 70's and 80's were undiagnosed. Also slush piles, industry drama, and flesh-eating turtles. Nora's book For the Sake of Brigid , is available now.  A tr...

Gnelfs author and editor Sidney Williams and Wednesday Lee Friday talk influences, introverts, Gnelfs, and Salem's Lot. We name-drop our publisher, and discuss the ways we acknowledge or avoid the need for help with mental health issues. Plus self-doubt, writer's block, horror aesthetics, convention stories, and a Mad Lib. A transcript of this episode can be found below.

Wednesday Lee Friday talks with Robin Zabiegalski about body dysmorphia, depression and anxiety. We discuss sex writing and education, recovery and medication, why your diagnosis matters, and the consistent Call of the Void. TW for suicide and addiction/recovery/  Robin Zabiegalski (they/them) is a queer, non-binary writer and editor with several years of experience in digital media. Their sp...

Violet Fawkes is a sex writer, dildo designer, podcaster, and person living with neurodivergence. We discuss the impact of horror scores on fear, the intricacies and philosophies of dildo design (seriously), and how labels and stigma can keep some people from seeking mental health treatment.  We also talk about what compels us to do what we do, and why happiness is kind of a lousy goal in the...

Author, reviewer, publisher, and entertaining cat J.C. Macek III discusses the line between professionalism and self-preservation, drawing lines in the industry, and why AI is an affront to the concept of the humanities. We also talk 70's horror, true crime as portrayed in his novel The Black Dahlia , Hitchcock, anthologies , and I explain my video series on DIY Fleshlights . J.C. Maçek III is the...

This week the Neurodivergent Rebel joins us to discuss their book detailing how bosses and employees can create better environments for neurodivergent people in the workplace. We also talk scary movies, medical care in America, how demographics can influence care. Wednes tells about her lesbian lizard collection and we spend time opining on why dating can be a lot more fun when you're already cuff...

That's right, we landed an interview with the guy who does Y acht Rock ...the podcast. Hollywood Steve Huey talks about his history with anxiety and his path to getting treatment for PTSD. He also regales us with tales of Yacht or Nacht , being in Pirates of the Caribbean, and body-oriented therapy. Just for funsies, we talk Zappa, Velicipastor, how comedic actors get the shaft at Oscar time, and...

This week, Wednes learns about the transfemme nonbinary experience via Nikki Mariotti . They reveal their journey of discovery and transformation--and it's dope. We also talk Fiddler on the Roof, Aliens, sarcasm, and what happens when you need the police but you aren't confident that they'll actually help you. Also violins, the word enby, honorifics, guitar, and of course, pronouns--verbs and adje...

We take a deep dive into pedagogy as Musician and Educator Roger Humphrey tells us about how music has helped him and his students build confidence, cope with tragedy and loss, and the permissions that being a musician gives. Also, process versus results, weird versus foreign, and tablature versus standard notation.  Find Roger here! A transcript of this ep can be found here. 

This week, we talk with actress and singer Kailin Kenerly. Kailin lives with PTSD and bi-polar disorder, and shares her experiences with self-harm, relationship violence and its aftermath, and what happens when police are better at protecting property than protecting women. We talk about why the demographic of your therapist matters, my moment of sociopoliitcal shame, and the difference between nu...

Maddie is a trauma survivor, artist, and person living with neurodivergence. She's also a socialist, a service industry worker, and a damn interesting chick. We talk about using horror to manage anxiety, why shame is probably not the best motivator, and how fear and anger make some people mean. Also, depression and creativity, how art and math play off each other, a little bit of lib-talk, and a M...

Adam Millard is the author of 29 novels, 13 novellas, and more than 200 short stories. Probably best known for his post-apocalyptic and comedy-horror fiction, Adam also writes fantasy/horror for children and Bizarro fiction for several publishers. His work has been translated for the German, Russian, and Spanish markets. He lives in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, UK, with his wife, Dawn, and her cats, whic...