For Part 11, The Let's Talk Horror miniseries (under Let's Talk Media) dives into the divisive 2013 remake of Stephen King’s Carrie.

The episode offers a nuanced take, asserting that while the film was likely unnecessary—a point even Stephen King questioned - it is not an awful movie, but rather a mixed bag.

The episode outlines the film's attempts to update the classic tale, analyzing where these efforts succeeded and where they failed, comparing the modern version to the 1976 original film.

• Visual and Budgetary Shift: Vedant focuses on how the 2013 version is very cinematic and polished resembling a contemporary horror film like The Conjuring, contrasting sharply with the very raw" and voyeuristic feel of the 1976 original
• Character Modernization: A look at the updated interpretations, including Chloë Grace Moretz’s Carrie being more realistic and a lot more sympathetic, and Julianne Moore’s Margaret White, who is depicted as psychologically broken rather than cartoonishly evil.
• Sue Snell: She's more active and sympathetic in this version.
• Modern Logic Failures: Critiques focus on the effectiveness of the cyberbullying addition and the inconsistencies of placing the story in a modern setting.
• Thematic Disruption: An analysis of the climax, arguing that because Carrie is presented as fully in control of her powers and seemingly enjoying killing her classmates, the film shifts the narrative into a "revenge fantasy" rather than the society creates monsters narrative of the 1976 original
• The tonal variation feels disjointed

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For Part 10, Let's Talk Horror (a mini-series under Let's Talk Media) dives into Hot Fuzz (2007), the second film in the Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy, directed by Edgar Wright and co-written with Simon Pegg.

The movie is best described as taking a quiet English town and turning it into a Michael Bay film. Highly disciplined London super cop Nicholas Angel, who takes his job very seriously and has an arrest record 400% above average, is transferred to the ultra-laid-back village of Sandford. Unsettled by a series of mysterious deaths disguised as accidents, Angel must investigate the dark secrets of the seemingly peaceful community alongside his sidekick Danny.

Take a deep-dive into this film that expertly blends action parody, buddy cop satire, folk horror, and slasher elements. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating to help boost the show! Follow us on Instagram @letstalkmediava.

Welcome back to Let's Talk Horror, the special miniseries from Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri exploring the dark and scary side of media.

In this chilling Part 9, host Vedant Akhauri interviews author Lance Marwood about his debut novel, the chilling supernatural thriller, The Charale (published March 1, 2025, by V13 Press). The Charale dives into the intersection of supernatural and cosmic horror, blending occultish elements with generational trauma.

The novel centers on Michael Abney, a struggling writer, and his young son, Gordon. The horror begins when Gordon starts seeing mysterious apparitions and subsequently becomes non-verbal. As their relationship deteriorates, Michael reaches out to his mother, who is forced to reveal a dark family curse.

The curse originated generations prior with Michael’s great-grandfather, Steven Abney, a man who was indoctrinated into a cult inspired by the concept of Thuggee. Steven made a pact with an ancient Indian entity, setting in motion a devastating cycle that demands a due or payment.

If the entity does not receive what it is owed, it simply moves onto the next of kin. This entity has been linked to the mysterious deaths of various men across the family's history.

Lance Marwood discusses how his own unconventional background - including his mother’s upbringing in India and the ghost stories he was raised on - inspired the novel and its central figure, the Churel (a word for a female ghost or witch in Indian folklore).

We explore:

• The book's visceral themes, including the recurring motif of the voice.
• Why this story is ultimately a dark, challenging look at what happens when human beings make decisions that haunt their descendants.

If you're looking for a dark story that is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach, listen in to discover the terrifying scope of this family's curse.

You can find Lance Marwood's book, The Cherale, on Amazon or order the E-book or paperback through your local bookstore via the Ingram Spark Distribution.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating to help boost the show! Follow us on Instagram @letstalkmediava

Welcome to this episode of Let's Talk Horror, a miniseries focusing on media in the horror landscape! For Part 8, we are joined by author and television veteran Eric Rogers, who discusses the wild ride behind his new novella, The Dryer - published by The Evil Cookie Publishing.

The novella, published June 6, 2025, is described as high concept and high fun. This Stephen-King inspired story follows a young couple, Tim and Mary, who buy a used dryer that surprisingly produces oranges. Their attempt to start a business quickly spirals into chaos when the supply fails to meet the growing demand. Eric explains that the horror is twofold: A body horror element involving the wife's addiction to the fruit and the greater, real-world scary circumstances revolving around human greed and consumerism.

Here's the cool part - Eric first wrote The Dryer over 20 years ago (around 2002), then dusted it off and found publication with indie publisher Evil Cookie.

Eric shares the writing process and the differences between serving many masters in a television writer's room and the freedom of being the "master of your universe" when writing a novella.

Eric has had a prolific career working in television, film, and comic book writer. His produced credits include:

• Futurama
• NYPD Blue
• Polly Pocket on Netflix
• Brickleberry
• Uglydolls
• Stretch Armstrong
• Wander Over Yonder
• Kingdom Builders
• Teen Titans Go!
• Littlest Pet Shot
• S.M.A.S.H
  

He most recently served as the Creator, Executive Producer, and Show Runner of ANGRY BIRDS: MYSTERY ISLAND for Amazon Prime/Amazon Kids+, Titmouse Inc., and Rovio, which aired on Prime Video worldwide in 2024.
He's also the Co-Creator, Executive Producer, and Show Runner for the sci-fi/comedy series, MICRONAUTS, from Hasbro Studios (premiere TBD), as well as Creator, Executive Producer, and Show Runner for Netflix’s SKYLANDERS ACADEMY. He's also a 2011 Writer’s Guild of America Award nominee for my FUTURAMA script, "The Silence Of The Clamps."

The Dryer is currently available on Amazon and Kindle. You can follow Erig Rogers on Twitter/X @EricRogersHere, Instagram @eric_rogers_here, and on LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating to help boost the show and stick around for future episodes. Follow Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri on Instagram @letstalkmediava for updates and extras.

What if the deepest parts of ourselves—our shame, our fears, and our unspoken pain—are not threats to be avoided, but rather portals to wholeness?

In Episode 7 of Let's Talk Horror - a mini series of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri interviews depth psychologist and best-selling author Melissa Kim Corter about her latest book, Apothecary for the Afflicted: Shadow Work for Invisible Wounds.

In this book, Melissa teaches you about the shadow, how to work with it, and the importance of facing inner darkness using Jungian Psychology and analogies from Grimms' Fairy Tales. As you work with the materials, you will discover supportive shadow-work practice to soften resistance when difficult emotions, feelings, and sensations rise to the surface.

This marks Melissa’s return to the podcast, following a previous discussion on using horror and thriller films as psychotherapy.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The Shadow and Jungian Psychology: A deep dive into the Jungian concept of the shadow, including the myths of the shadow, and why our hidden pain haunts us until we listen.
• A Unique Fusion: How the book offers a unique combination of psychology, Grimms' Fairy Tales, and shadow work.
• The Power of Story: How Melissa pairs afflictions and invisible wounds with certain dark fairy tales, breaking down the retelling and analyzing the psychology behind them.
• Symbolic Themes: Analyzing stirring and symbolic chapter titles, such as "She who is thrown into darkness" or "She who has been cut to pieces".
• Individuation and Division: Using fairy tales, such as "The Robber Bridegroom," to explore themes of inner division (symbolic dismemberment) and the psychic process of individuation - the movement toward wholeness.
• Tools for Transformation: How the book guides readers to create a "darkness journal"—an essential tool for uncovering blind spots using only a notebook and an open heart.
• The Writing Journey: Melissa shares the pivotal experience of writing the book, which required her to confront her own childhood memories, including growing up around intense and macabre real-life occurrences on a haunted road.
• Vulnerability in Collaboration: The emotional process of receiving contributions (forwards) from Dr. Cydni Brannen (Ph.D) and Dr. Stacy Shelby, as well as illustrator Stephanie Wicker-Campbell, and how vulnerability is essential to receive the gift of their words.
• Overcoming Fear: Practical advice for listeners who are hesitant or scared of confronting their inner darkness, explaining that the ego often misinterprets the process as a threat.
• The Long-Term Benefit: Why the longer you run from your pain, the worse it gets. Using the "beach ball" analogy to illustrate how unresolved issues grow and intensify until they are integrated and released.

You can find Melissa Kim Corter's book, Apothecary for the Afflicted: Shadow Work for Invisible Wounds, at her website melissacorter.com or through major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating to help boost the show and stick around for future episodes.Follow Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri on Instagram @letstalkmediava for updates and extras.

#ShadowWork #DepthPsychology #JungianPsychology #FairyTales #Healing #MediaPodcast #MentalHealth #ApothecaryForTheAfflicted

Welcome to Let's Talk Horror, the special miniseries from Let's Talk Media exploring the dark and scary side of media, including monsters, myths, and metaphors.

For Part 6, we dive into the feature film debut of long-time YouTube critic Chris Stuckmann: Shelby Oaks. This film is Executive Produced by Mike Flanagan; Story by Samantha Elizabeth and Chris Stuckmann; Written by Chris Stuckmann; Produced by Aaron B. Koontz, Cameron Burns, Ashleigh Snead, and Chris Stuckmann

This film centers on a 12-year-old cold case stemming from the early days of internet fame on YouTube. The amateur ghost hunting crew, the Paranormal Paranoids, vanished after documenting their final investigation in the mysterious abandoned town of Shelby Oaks, Ohio. One of them, Riley Brennan, disappeared without a trace. Riley's older sister, Mia Brennan (Camille Sullivan), has spent 12 years obsessed with finding Riley, and a fresh lead sends her on a dramatic path to uncover the truth.

Discover why Shelby Oaks, while technically impressive, is a flawed yet important first effort for Chris Stuckmann - best suited for a casual viewing on services like Shutter. Regardless, it's a poignant milestone and reminder to support independent filmmakers.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating to help boost the show and to stick around for future episodes!You can follow @letstalkmediava on Instagram

Welcome to Let's Talk Horror, the miniseries from Let's Talk Media! For Part 5, we dive into the dark and witchy world of The Craft (1996), the original classic that fundamentally redefined what teen horror could look like.

More than just a movie about witches using spells, The Craft is a powerful coming-of-Age story, a cautionary Tale, and a supernatural Thriller centered on female friendship, identity, and the intoxicating pull of revenge fantasies.

We explore how the coven - comprised of new girl Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney) and the troubled outsiders Bonnie (Neve Campbell), Rochelle (Rachel True), and Nancy (Fairuza Balk) - use witchcraft to channel their pain, leading to spiraling consequences reminiscent of The Monkey’s Paw.

This episode discusses:

• The film's iconic 90s Alt Rock and Gothic styling
• Why this film has achieved such a big Cult Classic following
• The frightening climax
• Mixed feelings on the love interest Chris Hooker (Skeet Ulrich)
• Feminist critiques of how the final act’s sudden shift undermines the message of sisterhood.
• The film’s enduring legacy and influence on media like Charmed, Practical Magic, and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
• Recommended pairings ofThe Craft with Carrie (1976), Jennifer’s Body, and Tragedy Girls.

Look forward to a future episode dedicated solely to reviewing the sequel, The Craft Legacy.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses themes of self-Harm and suicidal Ideation as mentioned within the film. If you or anyone you know needs help, please remember that help is always always available, and call your local mental health crisis hotline.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating to boost the show! You can follow us on Instagram @letstalkmediava#TheCraft #TeenHorror #Witches #90sMovie #CultClassic #Supernatural #NeveCampbell #FairuzaBalk #RobinTunney #RachelTrue #SkeetUlrich #HorrorPodcast #ComingofAge #RevengeFantasy #FilmPodcast

Welcome to Let's Talk Horror, a miniseries presented by Let's Talk Media! In this special episode, we dive into the darkly comedic and deeply resonant film, Friendship.

Host Vedant Akhauri and guest Tess Chang unpack why this movie - a blend of comedy, drama, and psychological horror - struck such a chord.

Friendship follows reclusive man Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson), who forms an unexpected friendship with his charismatic new neighbor, Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd). This dynamic quickly goes off the rails as Craig's intense obsession grows, reflecting the real-life male loneliness epidemic.

We discuss the brilliant acting, the improv collaboration between Robinson and the director, Andrew DeYoung, and the universal themes of friendship breakup and mental spiraling.

We also discuss:

• The relationship dynamics between Craig and his wife Tammy (Kate Mara) and their teenage son (Jack Dylan Grazer).
• The unexpected anti-humor and cringey humor, including the scene where Craig puts soap in his mouth
• The terrifying sewer scene and Tammy's confusing reaction.
• The trip that ends at Subway after interacting with a toad.
• Trying to understand the ending

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating! For updates and extras, follow us on Instagram at @letstalkmediava

Welcome back to Let's Talk Horror, the special miniseries presented by Let's Talk Media. For Part 3, we're diving into Kaneto Shindō's classic 1964 film, Onibaba.

Set in medieval, war-torn Japan, this unsettling film is an earthly masterpiece and is arguably one of the most physically felt horror movies ever made.

Onibaba centers on two unnamed women surviving off violence, desire, and hunger in an isolated sea of reeds. The older woman, the mother-in-law, fears abandonment when the younger woman begins an affair with Hachi. Driven by this fear, the mother-in-law steals a demon mask and uses it to terrify her daughter-in-law.

Vedant Akhauri is joined by visual artist Sam Sundius, a transdisciplinary artist examining memory and its relationship to the body. Sam's work explores cognitive fidelity and white patriarchal control.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• The film's visceral core themes: hunger, desire, jealousy, and lust.
• How the claustrophobic setting of the isolated sea of reeds heightens psychological distress.
• he patriarchal economy that forces the abandoned women to kill samurai and trade goods for meager rations.
• The mask's connection to the Hannya mask archetype of the Noh theater, representing the jealous woman.
• The explicit body horror of the mask fusing to the mother-in-law's face.
• The reveal of the disfiguration, which looks like radiation burns, linking the film to the cultural devastation caused by the atomic bombs.
• How Onibaba resists easy moral interpretations, finding horror within oppressive societal norms.
• Analyzing the film’s shocking, ambiguous, and nihilistic ending.

Check out Sam's work at samsundius.com. If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating! For updates and extras, follow us on Instagram at @letstalkmediava

Let's Talk Media presents Let's Talk Horror, a special Halloween miniseries exploring the monsters, myths, and metaphors that haunt our screens and our daily lives.

Dive deep into one of the most iconic horror films and debut novels of all time! Let's Talk Horror Part 2 tackles Stephen King's Carrie, exploring the novel's origin, its structure, the classic 1976 film adaptation from director Brian De Palma, and its profound impact on pop culture.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• The novel's origins, Stephen King's initial rejection, and its unique structure as an epistolary novel using fake documents and testimonials.
• Detailed analysis of the 1976 film, including casting Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie (who thought the film was a black comedy).
• Key religious symbolism, including the Last Supper imagery and the crucifixion parallels in Margaret White's death scene.
• The profound cultural significance and metaphorical reading of the story, especially regarding female sexuality and marginalization.
• Why Sissy Spacek's Oscar-nominated performance as the sympathetic victim/villain remains chillingly relevant, continuing to resonate with marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community.
• Comparing the novel and film's endings
• Behind-the-scenes trivia, including the technical difficulties of the final grave shot and De Palma’s use of split-screen effects
• We explore the intense production lore, the cinematic techniques (including long shots and Psycho homages), and the detailed symbolism of color coding
• A brief exploration of the catastrophic Broadway musical, 1999's sequel The Rage: Carrie 2, the 2013 film adaptation (which future episodes aim to explore in-depth), and the future TV show adaptation by Mike Flanigan

Follow the podcast on Instagram @letstalkmediava. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating to help us grow.