It’s our third annual Halloween special, and this year we invited librarian, author, and cosbrarian extraordinaire Liz Gotauco to read two classics from Alvin Schwartz’s notorious collection. Liz gives “The Hook” a modern twist, then serves up “Just Delicious,” a grim little tale with perfect spooky-season karma.

Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter… and sometimes, on holidays, banned kids’ books that scared whole generations. 

Things To Listen For:

• Liz’s updated campfire retelling of “The Hook” and why the lesson still lands
• “Just Delicious” and the very satisfying definition of “poetic justice”
• Why horror helps us process anxiety, culture wars, and, yes, book bans
• A quick tour of folklore’s… weirder side, from double princes to ghost weddings
• Real talk from a working librarian about displays, complaints, and pushback

Why was Scary Stories banned?
Schwartz’s collections got challenged for graphic scares, nightmare fuel illustrations, and “unsuitable” themes for kids. That mix of folklore, morality tales, and gallows humor made adults nervous… and young readers feel deliciously brave.

Guest Book Plug: Liz Gotauco — F*cked Up Fairy Tales: Sinful Cinderellas, Prince Alarmings, and Other Timeless Classics
If you loved Liz’s spooky reads, grab her new collection of adult-forward folklore retellings. It’s smart, bawdy, and deeply rooted in the original weirdness of global fairy tales.
• Book: Bookshop — Fcked Up Fairy Tales* (supports indies)
Bookshop
• Audiobook: Audible — narrated by Liz with a killer cast
Audible.com

Banworthy to Bingeworthy
We’re sharing the love with a few shows our listeners will vibe with:

• It’s Been a Minute (NPR): The trends you can’t escape, plus who’s pulling the strings behind them. Smart, timely, and quietly subversive.
• The Blueprint with Jen Psaki (MSNBC): Weekly conversations with Democratic strategists and change-makers on how to win again, with real policy and organizing talk.
• The Last Appeal (Dateline): Life-and-death stakes meet meticulous reporting in a wrongful-conviction case you won’t forget.

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Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts
to help other scary book people find us!

Disclaimer
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. In this Halloween special we reference and perform portions of “The Hook” and “Just Delicious,” with credit to the original author and the folklore sources he compiled. The original works remain fully owned by their copyright holders. If you’d like to experience the full collections, we encourage you to purchase them from your favorite bookseller.

Topics Covered:
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Alvin Schwartz, Halloween Special, The Hook, Just Delicious, urban legends, ghost stories, folklore, librarians, book banning, censorship, banned books, literary analysis, comedy podcast, horror, campfire stories, final girl, poetic justice, Moms for Liberty

The Director plans to humiliate Bernard in front of thousands of workers… until his own secret explodes in public. Meanwhile, Linda makes her shocking return, John calls someone “father” in a world where that word doesn’t exist, and the whole society short-circuits from embarrassment.

Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter—we don’t read ahead, so you’re discovering the story with us.

Things To Listen For:

• The Director’s moral meltdown in front of 4,000 employees
• Bernard’s revenge plot paying off in spectacular, awkward fashion
• John’s “My father!” moment—pure chaos
• Jennifer’s take on why you can’t remove humanity from humans
• Robot’s reflection on shame, family, and why parenthood became obscene
• Beowulf’s “Good News” segment that goes from science… to stool softeners

Why was Brave New World banned?
Huxley’s world of manufactured people and banned emotions hits too close to home. This chapter shows why—because the moment you erase love, guilt, and family, society stops being human.

New to Banned Camp? Start anywhere—each episode stands alone while building on the story.

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

• It’s Been a Minute (NPR) – Smart, funny conversations unpacking pop culture and big ideas behind today’s trends.
• The Last Appeal (Dateline NBC) – True crime meets social justice as Lester Holt investigates death row cases with chilling twists.
• The Blueprint with Jen Psaki (MSNBC) – Candid, in-depth interviews with the people shaping politics and culture today.
• Good News for Lefties – Beowulf Rochlen’s uplifting look at progressive wins that prove empathy still has a pulse.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts
to help other scary book people find us!

Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.

The material used from the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.

This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Aldous Huxley, his estate, or the publishers of Brave New World. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered:
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, Chapter 10, Bernard Marx, Linda, John the Savage, the Director, Henry Foster, societal control, shame, family, humanity, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

Lenina crashes on a Soma holiday while Bernard hatches a plan... and John breaks into her room in a lovesick spiral that’s equal parts Shakespearean and creepy. Robot fact-checks the chaos, Jennifer calls out Huxley’s lazy racism, and Dan coins “the shark rule” for slur warnings. 

Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter—we don’t read ahead, so you’re discovering the story with us.

Things to Listen For

• Bernard pulls bureaucratic strings to bring John and Linda back to London.
• Jennifer and Dan stop the show to unpack Huxley’s use of octoroon—and create the “shark-sound” content warning rule.
• Robot clarifies the racial slur with historical context and dry precision.
• John sneaks into Lenina’s room, sniffs her clothes, and wrestles with desire vs. decency.
• Jennifer insists John’s restraint is the real rebellion; Dan… gets weirdly good at guessing underwear scenes.

Why Was Brave New World Banned?

Huxley’s dystopia has been banned for sexual content, drug use, and “anti-family values.” This chapter hits every nerve—lust, control, and what happens when pleasure replaces morality. It’s the moment censors love to clutch their pearls over.

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

If you liked this episode, check out our promo-swap friends:

• It’s Been a Minute (NPR) – Smart, funny dissections of the culture we can’t stop talking about.
• The Last Appeal (Dateline NBC) – True-crime meets justice reform; real stakes, real storytelling.
• The Blueprint with Jen Psaki (MSNBC) – Progressives mapping a saner future.
• Good News for Lefties – Daily doses of hopeful headlines in a dark timeline.

Rate, Review & Follow

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts
to help other Scary Book People find us!

Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley for criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment under fair use.
We strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the novel in full.

Banned Camp is not affiliated with Huxley or his publishers. Any monetization is independent of the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, Chapter 9, John the Savage, Lenina Crowne, Bernard Marks, Mustafa Mond, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast

In this emotional finale to Chapter 8, Jennifer and Dan follow John the Savage through the painful moment that defines him. Rejected by his tribe for being different, stoned and bleeding under the moonlight, John realizes he belongs nowhere — not in the World State, not in the Reservation.
 When Bernard finally offers him and Linda a chance to go “home,” the stage is set for the book’s biggest collision: idealism meets reality.

Things to Listen For

• The Kiva ceremony and John’s brutal exclusion (“Not for you, white hair”).
• Bernard’s half-sincere offer to take John and Linda to London.
• Dan’s pitch for “John’s Underground Bookstore.”
• The first appearance of “O brave new world, that has such people in it!”

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

When dystopia gets too heavy, switch gears with these standout listens:

🎧 It’s Been a Minute (NPR) – Smart, funny, human conversations that help make sense of what everyone’s obsessing over.
🎧 The Last Appeal (Dateline NBC) – Lester Holt investigates the case of Robert Roberson, a Texas man facing execution despite mounting evidence of innocence.
🎧 The Blueprint with Jen Psaki (MSNBC) – Thoughtful political conversations about how Democrats plan to rebuild — and who’s actually getting it done.

Rate, Review & Follow

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us.

Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair-use guidelines. Some sections may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing, but we always stay true to the author’s intent and encourage listeners to purchase the book in full.

The material used from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and society. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here
to experience the book in its entirety.

This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Aldous Huxley, his estate, or the publishers of Brave New World. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, John the Savage, Linda, Bernard Marx, Lenina, exile, identity, loneliness, banned books, dystopia, Robot, Beowulf Rochlen, Jimmy Carter story, NPR, It’s Been a Minute, Dateline, Lester Holt, The Last Appeal, The Blueprint, Jen Psaki

In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan continue Chapter 8 of Brave New World, where John discovers a tattered copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare — and it changes his life forever. 

Things to Listen For

• The scene where he tries to stab Pope — and what it reveals about Huxley’s view of violence and emotion.
• Jennifer arguing that reading is what makes us dangerous and human.
• The transition from blood to pottery — creation as redemption.

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

After a chapter of violence and heartbreak, treat your ears to something uplifting:

🎧 It’s Been a Minute from NPR – sharp, funny conversations about culture and news that actually feel human.
🎧 The Last Appeal from Dateline NBC – Lester Holt investigates the case of Robert Roberson, a Texas man on death row as new evidence suggests his innocence.
🎧 The Jen Psaki Podcast from MSNBC – smart, grounded political talk with a dose of humor and heart.

Rate, Review & Follow

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us.

Featured clip includes “It’s Corn – Songify This ft. Tariq and Recess Therapy” by Schmoyoho, available on the Schmoyoho YouTube Channel.

All rights and copyrights belong to their respective owners and are used here for entertainment and educational purposes under fair use guidelines.

Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair-use guidelines. Some sections may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing, but we always stay true to the author’s intent and encourage listeners to purchase the book in full.

The material used from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and society. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here
to experience the book in its entirety.

This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Aldous Huxley, his estate, or the publishers of Brave New World. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, John the Savage, Linda, Pope, Bernard Marx, Lenina, Shakespeare, pottery, violence, reading, art as therapy, coming-of-age, banned books, NPR, It’s Been a Minute, Dateline, Lester Holt, The Last Appeal, The Jen Psaki Podcast

hey scary book people — happy sunday. our hosting provider glitched last week, and a bunch of you didn’t get the full episode (or it cut out halfway through). so we pulled together a quick ten-minute highlight to get you caught up before tuesday’s new chapter.

this mini-episode hits the key moments from last week’s brave new world — the chaos, the heartbreak, and yes, the weird singing part that didn’t make much sense anyway.

thanks for hanging with us and keeping the banned-book spirit alive. see you tuesday for the next full episode of banned camp: banned books, comedy, and free speech vs. censorship.

In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan unpack Chapter 8 of Brave New World, where John the Savage’s backstory finally comes to light.
Raised by his mother Linda in the Savage Reservation, John grows up between two worlds — neither accepted by the locals nor able to forget the stories his mother tells about the “civilized” one she came from. 

Things to Listen For

• John’s childhood memories and his uneasy bond with Linda.
• Linda’s shame, addiction, and the brutality of motherhood in exile.
• Jennifer’s analysis of empathy as rebellion.

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

When dystopia gets too dark, balance it with these:

🎧 It’s Been a Minute from NPR — sharp, funny, and human conversations about culture, politics, and the news that shapes both.
🎧 The Last Appeal from Dateline NBC — Lester Holt investigates the story of Robert Roberson, a Texas man on death row as new evidence challenges everything.
🎧 The Jen Psaki Podcast from MSNBC — thoughtful talk that brings clarity and humor to the week’s biggest political stories.

Rate, Review & Follow

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us.

Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair-use guidelines. Some sections may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing, but we always stay true to the author’s intent and encourage listeners to purchase the book in full.

The material used from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and society. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here
to experience the book in its entirety.

This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Aldous Huxley, his estate, or the publishers of Brave New World. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, John the Savage, Linda, Bernard Marx, Lenina, trauma, addiction, motherhood, empathy, memory, Shakespeare, banned books, dystopia, NPR, It’s Been a Minute, Dateline, Lester Holt, The Last Appeal, The Jen Psaki Podcast

In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan tackle Chapter 7.3 of Brave New World, where Bernard and Lenina finally meet Linda — the woman who vanished years ago from the Director’s life. What they find isn’t a romantic reunion story but a tragedy wrapped in tequila, dust, and lost teeth.

Things To Listen For

• Linda’s shocking reappearance — the missing teeth, the booze, the heartbreak.
• Lenina’s horror at everything “unclean” — including empathy itself.
• Robot’s clarification that peyotl isn’t a trendy energy drink.
• Dan’s Wisconsin lesson on “farmer-style nose-blowing.”

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

Need a break from dust, booze, and dystopia? Check out Good News for Lefties — a hopeful, progressive news show that reminds you not everything is falling apart.

And for true-crime listeners, Dateline’s The Last Appeal with Lester Holt examines the case of Robert Roberson, a man facing execution despite mounting evidence of innocence. A haunting, urgent story unfolding in real time.

Rate, Review & Follow

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us.

Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. To ensure the best listening experience, some sections may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing. However, we always stay true to the author’s intent and encourage listeners to purchase the book in full.

The material used from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here
to experience the book in its entirety.

This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Aldous Huxley, his estate, or the publishers of Brave New World. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, Bernard Marx, Lenina, Linda, John the Savage, Savage Reservation, Soma, civilization, sterilization, motherhood, fast fashion, empathy, abortion, dystopia, banned books, Good News for Lefties, Lester Holt, Dateline, The Last Appeal

In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan finish Chapter 7 of Brave New World—and things get weird fast. The reservation’s drums, dances, and whips turn into a full-blown spectacle of blood, snakes, and sacrifice. Lenina, off her Soma for the first time, spirals into panic, while Bernard watches with equal parts horror and fascination.

Things To Listen For

• Lenina’s first true breakdown without Soma.
• The drums, dancing, and ritual whipping that horrify both readers and listeners.
• Jennifer’s take on Huxley’s ongoing roast of organized religion.

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

After all that blood and symbolism, you deserve something hopeful.
Check out Good News for Lefties — a smart, progressive news show that proves the future isn’t all dystopia.

And if you want a true-crime story with real-world stakes, listen to Dateline’s The Last Appeal with Lester Holt — an urgent investigation into a Texas man on death row who may be innocent.

Rate, Review & Follow

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us.

Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair-use guidelines. To ensure the best listening experience, some sections may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing. However, we always stay true to the author’s intent and encourage listeners to purchase the book in full.

The material used from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here
to experience the book in its entirety.

This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Aldous Huxley, his estate, or the publishers of Brave New World. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, Bernard Marx, Lenina, John the Savage, Linda, the Director, Savage Reservation, religion satire, ritual violence, Soma withdrawal, dystopia, banned books, Good News for Lefties, Dateline, Lester Holt, The Last Appeal

In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan reach Chapter 7 of Brave New World, where Bernard and Lenina finally arrive at the Savage Reservation — and instantly regret it. Lenina hates the smells, the dust, and the people; Bernard tries to stay philosophical, and Robot ends up the only one keeping his composure.

The two witness poverty, age, motherhood, and death — everything their sanitized society has erased. Jennifer defends the locals’ dignity while Dan compares Lenina to a modern influencer who just lost her Wi-Fi and her Soma. They also tackle a listener email about racial slurs Huxley uses in the text, turning it into a candid discussion on language and ignorance. By the time an old man totters down the ladder and Lenina realizes she’s run out of Soma, chaos is guaranteed.

Things to Listen For

• Bernard and Lenina’s first impressions of the Savage Reservation.
• The clash between comfort and authenticity — why Lenina can’t handle “real life.”
• The debate over natural aging, youth culture, and “vampire billionaires.”

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

Need a break from dystopia? Tune into Good News for Lefties, a hopeful, progressive news show that reminds you the future isn’t all bad.
And if you’re into gripping real-world storytelling, check out Lester Holt’s new Dateline original, The Last Appeal — a haunting investigation into justice, truth, and whether an innocent man might be put to death.

Rate, Review & Follow

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us.

Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair-use guidelines. To ensure the best listening experience, some sections may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing. However, we always stay true to the author’s intent and encourage listeners to purchase the book in full.

The material used from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here
to experience the book in its entirety.

This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Aldous Huxley, his estate, or the publishers of Brave New World. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, Bernard Marx, Lenina, Savage Reservation, Malpais, hypnopaedia, Soma, aging, race and language, banned books