the Mentally Oddcast

Our 50th episode features sci-fi/horror novelist, publisher, and podcast pioneer Scott Sigler. We talk the pro and cons of ADHD, King Kong, and parse ChatGPT for language creation. We also discuss AI ethics, a drug called caffeine, and close with a 1990's radiodrama that Scott and I made with some friends way back in undergrad. And of course, there's a MadLib. 

Michael Allen Rose talk horror and comedy, writing and art, and the remarkable resilience of the weird kid. We examine the changeable nature of success, wonder what the hell is wrong with Snoop Dogg, and opine on why humans make art in the first place. Also, the value of kindness, Jason Vorhees and Roy, and Wednes explains why she has a lifeaversary.

This week, we talk horror and comedy, women in television--behind the scenes, and examine why only 12-15% of TV comedy is written by women. Also, neurodivergence in media, why autistic folk don't understand liars, caving, code switching, and what I'd do with a giant grant. 

This week we get way political as we air our grievances with the rise of fascism in America--and share some ideas for resistance and collective action. Also, separating art from artists, writing as therapy, open carry dildos, and the rerelease of A Stabbing for Sadie . Find more from M Kelly Peach here.  

Pat Green and WLF talk consent and allyship, why grammar nazis kinda suck, plotters versus pantsers, why we need storytellers, and inspiration. TW for discussions of religious abuse, suicide, and sexual assault.

TW for discussion on DV, SA, and suicide.  This week, discussion with Pandem Buckner includes Disney, horror movies, consent, shelter work, and the fact that there are no white people in the bible. Also rage toward education, depression, ADHD, and we accidentally invent the concept of propaganda. Find more from Pandem Buckner here . 

Amanda Morin is a special education and accessibility advocate who specializes in neurodiversity-affirming learning environments. We talk horror movies, labels vs stigma and the value of diagnoses. Also depression vs burnout, the "crip trope" and her work with Noggin. Fina Amanda at www.amandamorin.com

Season four kicks off with actor and editor of Resilient Brainforest (and a bunch of other stuff) Jonathan Harford. We talk about how ADD has affected our creative projects--and how we navigate the pitfalls now. Plus AI, how horror and comedy are more alike than we notice. Wednes talks lesbian lizards and learns about Cookie Clicker, Exquisite Monster , and a movie called Krisha. 

This week's guest is neither a horror guy nor neurodivergent. He lends his perspectives on TV production, neurotypical creativity, the early days of the internet, and Elon Musk. There's a live song, and a spirited discussion on whether or not suffering is required to make impactful art. Also The Last Broadcast, psychedelic therapy, and a Mad Lib. Find more from Vann Weller here . See The Last Broa...

Sumiko Saulson is a Bram Stoker Award® Finalist for Poetry for The Rat King (2022, Dooky Zines) and Melancholia (2024, Bludgeoned Girls Press ). Elgin Award Nominee (2022). 2018 Afrosurrealist Writers Award, and 2021 Ladies of Horror Readers Choice Award winner. Their novel Somnalia: The Metamorphoses of Flynn Keahi is available on Mocha Memoirs Press . This week, we talk scary movies, church v st...

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.