There Might Be Cupcakes Podcast

In which Carla reads again from her novel-in-progress, Watching the Detectives. And they were all rich. Rich in looks, rich in opportunity, rich in already wasted opportunities, rich in network, and rich in funds. And rich in frustrations, many of which they could not even name. --Carla Pettigrew Hufstedler, Watching the Detectives   Promo: Rebel Girls Book Club Podcast Referenced This Episode: Ep...

In which Carla tells two stories that explain finding cupcakes in dark places: one is her story, one is Leonard Cohen's. Referenced reading: The Flame, by Leonard Cohen: his full acceptance speech for the Prince of Asturias Award, on October 21, 2011, from which I quoted in this episode, begins on page 267. https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9781250234797 Leonard Cohen at Apple Music: https://geo.music.a...

In which Carla reads a Turkish folktale about a boy who goes on a quest to find out what fear is. Sources: Story: "The Boy Who Found Fear At Last", collected first by Ignaz Kunos, from the Olive Fairy Book, Andrew Lang: https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780486219080 Theme song and stinger: “Comadreamers I” by Haunted Me, off their Pleasure album, used with permission   How to Support Cupcakes: Audible:...

In which Carla investigates why the place in Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale is called Gilead. Books referenced:  The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood: https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780385490818 The Testaments by Margaret Atwood: https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780385543781 The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood and Renee Nault: https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780385539241   So...

In which Carla further explores the Three Mothers horror movie series--Suspiria, Inferno, and Mother of Tears--as started in the episode Elegant Nastiness, by examining Luca Guadagnino's 2018 remake of Suspiria, taking a fresh look at Suspiria's influence, the fairy tale "Little Snow White", and taking a deep dive into the themes of identity, sleep and dreams, and, of course, motherhood. Sources:...

In which Carla interviews horror author Mike Bockoven, creator of FantasticLand (2016) and Pack (2018).   Mike Bockoven: Facebook: http://facebook.com/BockovenBooks Twitter: @mikebockoven Instagram: @mikebockoven FantasticLand: https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9781510709447 Pack: https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9781543680904   Theme song and stinger: “Comadreamers I” by Haunted Me, off their Pleasure album...

In which Carla dives deep into the mythology of the Three Mothers, Maters Suspirioum, Mater Tenebrarum, and Mater Lacrymarum of the Dario Argento and Luca Guadgnino horror movies, and explores dance and architecture as spellwork, as well as a tie-in to Disney and the fairy tales of the Grimm Brothers. Book referenced: Horror! 333 Movies to Scare You to Death by James Harriott and Kim Newman: https...

In which Carla celebrates episode 50 by answering the questions of the Proust Questionnaire.   Reading suggestion: Vanity Fair’s Proust Questionnaire: 101 Luminairies Ponder Love, Death, Happiness, and the Meaning of Life: https://amzn.to/3rtPTEO   Referenced Episodes: This Girl Just Had A Bad Date A Different World  Family Trees My writing: Bonnie and Charlie: Casey Anthony and Bonnie MacNara My...

In which Carla talks about where she has been--in complex PTSD therapy and in major EDS flareup--and reviews the very best books she has read this year, in therapy and, of course, for fun. Much horror and true crime was enjoyed. Referenced Episodes: This Girl Just Had A Bad Date A Different World The Mill Girl Recommended Reading: CPTSD: Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on...

In which Carla celebrates two lives well lived, one in letters, one in play, both in finding and making cupcakes. Both lives have anniversaries in January: Mary Oliver, and Carla's younger brother, Eric.   Source for Mary Oliver’s reading her poem “Wild Geese”: https://soundcloud.com/brainpicker/mary-oliver-reads-wild-geese ( https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/09/24/mary-oliver-reads-wild-geese/)...

In which Carla revisits the Victorian Christmas tradition of scary stories at Christmas by reading two classics of the era--and, in doing so, explores the not-well-known genesis of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, to boot. Things get silly and eerie in turn. Come sit by the fire and enjoy some cupcakes and wassail. Related and Referenced Episode: 32: What the Dickens   Theme song and stinger: “Comadrea...

In which Carla reads Jennifer McMahon's short story "The Mill Girl", released especially for Halloween 2018. "The Mill Girl" copyright 2018 Jennifer McMahon, published by Penguin Random House Official Site for Jennifer McMahon: https://jennifer-mcmahon.com Recommended reading: Promise Not to Tell https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780061143311 Island of Lost Girls https://bookshop.org/a/6560/97800614458...

In which Carla talks about how the past always informs the present...especially the traumatic past. RAINN: About Sexual Assault https://www.rainn.org/about-sexual -assault | Types of Sexual Violence https://www.rainn.org/types-sexual -violence | Laws in Your State  https://apps.rainn.org/policy/ | Help Someone You Care About  https://www.rainn.org/articles/help-someone-you-care-about | Self-Care A...

In which Carla explains what it was like to grow up as a '70's kid with Cosby as "America's Dad", especially as a survivor of violent sexual assault.   RAINN: About Sexual Assault https://www.rainn.org/about-sexual -assault | Types of Sexual Violence https://www.rainn.org/types-sexual -violence | Laws in Your State  https://apps.rainn.org/policy/ | Help Someone You Care About  https://www.rainn.or...

In which Carla shares the beginning of an amazing and frightening book series. Recommended reading: The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert  Series order: 1. The Hazel Wood https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9781250147936 2. The Night Country https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9781250246073 3. Tales From the Hinterland https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9781250302724 Melissa Albert: Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author...

In which Carla deconstructs one of her post-grad psychology papers and explores one of her favorite research topics: people who offend in pairs and murder as a team.   Recommended reading from this episode: Deadly Innocence https://amzn.to/2NFW4XW Invisible Darkness https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780988015296 Karla: A Pact with the Devil https://amzn.to/3quiIRy Aftermath: An Inspector Banks Novel by...

In which Carla reads to you fairy tales and folklore all about losing one’s grip.   Recommended reading from this episode: The Haunters and the Haunted, ed. Ernest Rhys  https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9781603120951 The Complete Fairy Tales Grimm  https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9781607103134 Gregory Maguire: Mirror, Mirror https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780060988654 Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister https:...

In which Carla faces down the shame that can come from POTS’ symptoms.   Other episodes about Chronic Illness: 12: Driving, Dancing, and Pizza Hut 30: A Zebra with No Spoons   TheMighty.com: 21 People Describe What Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Feels Like https://themighty.com/2016/03/what-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-feels-like/   Theme song and stinger: “Comadreamers I”...

In which Carla introduces a series about Vixens, a very special plantation, and ghosts in its hollow.   http://sbc.edu   Referenced reading: Mary Oliver https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780395850879 Mary Lee Settle https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780393057324 Molly Haskell https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780595140404 Sally Miller Gearhart https://amzn.to/2ZAaV8H   Music: Doctor Turtle, “His Last Share of th...

In which Carla lets you know where she's been and where she's going.   Referenced reading: Written in Blood: A True Story of Murder and a Deadly 16-Year-Old Secret That Tore a Family Apart by Diane Fanning https://amzn.to/2ZBYCcb Under Cover of the Night: A True Story of Sex, Greed and Murder by Diane Fanning https://amzn.to/3bqzZoh All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell https://bookshop.org/a/6560...

In which Carla furthers explores what it means to be an introvert using horror, My So-Called Life, knitting, lists (always lists), music, and John Carpenter v. Rob Zombie. Also marshmallows under the broiler.   Suggested reading: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780307352156   How to Support Cupcakes: Audible: https://www....

In which Carla and Eli Sirota discuss their own past and healing eating disorders, and the layers of stigma for men with eating disorders in seeking treatment. Suggested reading material: Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780142415573 Eli's podcast: The Not-So-Crazy Podcast of Blizzard the Wizard and Eli https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-not-so-crazy-podcast-o...

In which Carla proves that life is what happens when you're making other plans (John Lennon was right), and, instead of recording an interview, records EVPs instead.   Suggested reading material: Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death by Deborah Blum https://bookshop.org/a/6560/9780143038955 The Ghosts of Charlottesville and Lynchburg by L. B. Taylor h...

...aka, True Boo, Part Two. In which Carla experiences voices, the movement of objects, footsteps and more in two of her own homes--and proves herself to be a glutton for punishment by deliberately traveling to two more haunted locations.   Website entry with more information and photographs: https://www.theremightbecupcakes.com/episode-4-bump-in-the-night/ Theme song and stinger: “Comadreamers I”...

In which Carla realizes she has been haunted, one way or another, her entire life--and that may not necessarily be a bad thing.   Website entry, with more information and my photographs: Episode 3: Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long Legged Beasties…: https://www.theremightbecupcakes.com/episode-3-ghoulies/   Theme song and stinger: “Comadreamers I” by Haunted Me, off their Pleasure album, used with pe...