The Dark Mind Podcast

J. Paul Roe joins us to discuss his literary journey and creative process.
We explore the themes of simulation theory and techno-capitalist futures found in his novel “The Game State.”
Roe explains how the concept of reality as a game influences his writing and characters.
We talk about AI religion, faith, and the philosophical questions driving his work.
Roe shares how his military experience shapes the story's worldview and protagonist’s struggles.
Marketing, neuro-linguistic programming, and persuasive storytelling play a major role in his creative approach.
Roe reveals the challenges and rewards of indie publishing and measuring success beyond awards.
We hear about his passion for board games, animal husbandry, and translating his universe into tabletop game mods.
Roe highlights the importance of discipline, creative fulfillment, and embracing diverse artistic pursuits.
The episode closes with insights on community, Patreon, and the power of connecting with readers.

https://www.jpaulroe.com
https://www.instagram.com/jp_designs_it_all
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15113880.J_Paul_Roe
https://www.jpaulroe.com/store
https://www.patreon.com/jpaulroe
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jproe
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arcane-fiction/augmented-reality-comic-adaptation-j-paul-roe
https://www.jpaulroe.com/contact

The Dark Mind Podcast Patreon: patreon.com/thedarkmindpodcast

Briana N. Cox and Kailee Pedersen join the show to discuss their debut horror novels.
We explore themes of home, economic precarity, and body horror through the lens of queer and BIPOC identity.
Briana shares how "Indigent" transforms urban gentrification and addiction into visceral, psychological horror.
Kailee unveils the mythic and operatic roots of "Sacrificial Animals" set on a Nebraska farm, unraveling family trauma and supernatural possibility.
Both authors reflect on writing truthfully about marginalization without reducing it to a trend or symbol.
We dig into their personal backgrounds, influences from cognitive science and opera, and the creative power of alienation.
Our conversation reveals how landscape, language, and myth structure their approach to horror.
Listeners get insights into scene edits, professional challenges, and the drive to bring authentic voices to dark fiction.
Tune in for a nuanced, candid exploration of horror, identity, and literary ambition.

Briana Cox:

briana-n-cox-writer.carrd.co
https://briannajcox.com
https://instagram.com/pedroparo2
https://linktr.ee/briana.n.cox
https://graveside-press.com/indigent-by-briana-n-cox
https://ko-fi.com/briana_n_cox

Kailee Pedersen:

https://kaileepedersen.com
https://instagram.com/kailee_pedersen
https://threads.net/@kailee_pedersen
https://blueskyweb.xyz/user/kaileepedersen.bsky.social
https://twitter.com/KaileePedersen
https://audible.com/pd/Sacrificial-Animals-Audiobook/B0CGRXFC5L

Peter Caffrey joins the show to discuss his novel, The Ballad of Seven Bastards.

We dive into the splatter western genre and how it explores moral ambiguity and violence.

Peter shares how the Western setting exposes truths about manipulation and greed that modern stories can’t.

He describes his struggle with structure and how a unique approach helped bring the novel together.

We talk about origins, voice, and rewriting until the story feels right.

Peter discusses his decision to shelve the book while the genre surged in popularity, focusing on authenticity over trends.

We discuss his characters—none truly redeemable, but all deeply human.

We explore the necessity of grotesque honesty in fiction and why avoiding standard horror tropes keeps his writing surprising.

Peter unpacks the role of humor, both as a defense and an ingredient for deepening dread.

He shares darkly comic stories and how real-life struggles with illness shaped his outlook and fiction.

Peter talks about compartmentalization, survival, and how his experience with cancer changed his attitude toward suffering, both real and fictional.

He explains how fiction, unlike journalism, creates individual truth for the reader.

The episode ends with thoughts on individuality, creativity, and the joys of making readers uncomfortable in the best way.

Website https://petercaffrey.com

Twitter/X: https://x.com/p_caffrey?lang=en

Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/100077415820994/

Facebook (Author Page - Alternative): https://www.facebook.com/p/Peter-Caffrey-Author-61564582937618/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNYsWRAybvM/ (posts found, profile link not directly provided)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18772593.Peter_Caffrey

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Peter-Caffrey/author/B07MSBW6ZV

Amazon - The Ballad of Seven Bastards: https://www.amazon.com/Ballad-Seven-Bastards-Peter-Caffrey-ebook/dp/B0FF6DDZXC

ThriftBooks: https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/peter-caffrey/5486829/

Godless.com: https://godless.com/products/fucked-up-bedtime-stories-episode-5-legs-eleven-by-peter-caffrey-godless-exclusives

Christa Carmen returns to The Dark Mind Podcast for a dive into psychological horror.
We discuss her new novel, How to Fake a Haunting, and the devastating effects of addiction.
Christa shares insight into creating multidimensional characters and blurring the line between reality and fiction.
We explore toxic relationships, gaslighting, and the thrill of staging hauntings.
Christa reflects on humor, dread, and motherhood in dark fiction.
Stories of recovery, trauma, and haunted spaces take center stage in this conversation.
Plus, we chat about her inspiration, subgenres in horror, and her latest projects.
Don’t miss this engaging episode packed with depth, darkness, and unexpected moments of humor.

Website, Booksellers, Interviews, and Social Media:

https://www.christacarmen.com
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15179583.Christa_Carmen
https://www.amazon.com/Christa-Carmen/e/B07HMKGLTL
https://x.com/christaqua
https://www.instagram.com/christaqua/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/christaqua
https://www.substack.com/@christacarmen
https://christacarmen.com/books.aspx
https://bookshop.org/contributors/christa-carmen
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/christa+carmen
https://www.christacarmen.com/events.aspx
https://christacarmen.com/fiction.aspx
https://www.christacarmen.com/interviews.aspx
https://www.christacarmen.com/contact.aspx
https://www.christacarmen.com/about.aspx
https://www.christacarmen.com/media-02.aspx
https://oceanstatestories.org/q-a-with-award-winning-westerly-writer-christa-carmen/
https://rkbwrites.com/2024/01/author-interview-christa-carmen/
https://aspiringauthor.com/interview-author-christa-carmen/
https://www.bramstokerawards.com/works-of-superior-achievement/2022-long-fiction/

In this immersive episode of The Dark Mind Podcast, Vincent welcomes independent filmmaker Danny Stygion back to the show for a deep dive into his latest projects: the brutal horror thriller "One Last Trip" and the provocative documentary "Dominatrices." Stygion shares the personal experiences and influences behind his films, from tense camping trips in the Sam Houston National Forest to nuanced explorations of BDSM subculture. The conversation traverses the challenges of micro-budget indie filmmaking, the psychological dynamics of survival horror, and the responsibility of portraying marginalized communities with accuracy and empathy.

Listeners will enjoy behind-the-scenes anecdotes about casting, improvisation, and dealing with real life tensions during filming, while also discovering how Stygion balances fear, humor, and authenticity in his storytelling. The episode journeys from the raw wilderness of cinematic horror to the ritualistic environments of professional dungeons, featuring stories both shocking and insightful from Stygion’s featured dominatrices. Finally, the discussion spotlights Stygion’s upcoming works on haunted Galveston locales, synthesizer obsessives, and a modern take on the Faust legend, promising more adventures in the darker edges of art and life.

Official Website:

https://www.stygion.com

Contact Page:

https://www.stygion.com/contact/

IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13631763/

Instagram (Sinical Magazine):

https://www.instagram.com/sinicalmag

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@dannystygion

Facebook (Sinical Magazine):

https://www.facebook.com/sinicalmag

LinkedIn (Danny Stygion):

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-stygion-712126105

Twitter/X (Sinical Magazine):

https://www.x.com/sinicalmag

Amazon Prime Video (streaming films):

https://www.amazon.com/prime-video

Tubi (streaming films):

https://www.tubi.tv/

Vudu (streaming films):

https://www.vudu.com/

MagCloud (print magazines):

http://www.magcloud.com/browse/magazine/162779

CanvasRebel interview:

https://canvasrebel.com/meet-danny-stygion/

ShoutoutHTX interview:

https://shoutouthtx.com/meet-danny-stygion-photographer-magazine-publisher-filmmaker/

In this immersive episode of The Dark Mind Podcast, Vincent welcomes independent filmmaker Danny Stygion back to the show for a deep dive into his latest projects: the brutal horror thriller "One Last Trip" and the provocative documentary "Dominatrices." Stygion shares the personal experiences and influences behind his films, from tense camping trips in the Sam Houston National Forest to nuanced explorations of BDSM subculture. The conversation traverses the challenges of micro-budget indie filmmaking, the psychological dynamics of survival horror, and the responsibility of portraying marginalized communities with accuracy and empathy.

Listeners will enjoy behind-the-scenes anecdotes about casting, improvisation, and dealing with real life tensions during filming, while also discovering how Stygion balances fear, humor, and authenticity in his storytelling. The episode journeys from the raw wilderness of cinematic horror to the ritualistic environments of professional dungeons, featuring stories both shocking and insightful from Stygion’s featured dominatrices. Finally, the discussion spotlights Stygion’s upcoming works on haunted Galveston locales, synthesizer obsessives, and a modern take on the Faust legend, promising more adventures in the darker edges of art and life.

Official Website:

https://www.stygion.com

Contact Page:

https://www.stygion.com/contact/

IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13631763/

Instagram (Sinical Magazine):

https://www.instagram.com/sinicalmag

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@dannystygion

Facebook (Sinical Magazine):

https://www.facebook.com/sinicalmag

LinkedIn (Danny Stygion):

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-stygion-712126105

Twitter/X (Sinical Magazine):

https://www.x.com/sinicalmag

Amazon Prime Video (streaming films):

https://www.amazon.com/prime-video

Tubi (streaming films):

https://www.tubi.tv/

Vudu (streaming films):

https://www.vudu.com/

MagCloud (print magazines):

http://www.magcloud.com/browse/magazine/162779

CanvasRebel interview:

https://canvasrebel.com/meet-danny-stygion/

ShoutoutHTX interview:

https://shoutouthtx.com/meet-danny-stygion-photographer-magazine-publisher-filmmaker/

About the Author:
Clare Castleberry is a Southern Gothic and transgressive horror author known for blending dark feminine energy, psychological depth, and taboo-breaking themes in her fiction and nonfiction. With an MLIS from Louisiana State University, she draws deeply from the gothic atmosphere of Louisiana and personal experiences. Her writing explores the intersection of power, survival, abuse, and the supernatural, with stories rich in dysfunctional family dynamics and layered social commentary.

Episode Highlights:

• Clare discusses her novels Lisette and Journeys Through Fear, delving into Southern Gothic motifs, personal folklore, and explorations of the occult.

• Lisette features a woman caught in a codependent and abusive relationship with supernatural elements, blending horror, sex work destigmatization, and feminist themes.

• Clare reflects on confronting taboos and personal trauma, her own paranormal experiences detailed in Journeys Through Fear, and her developing philosophy around surrender, control, and the unknown.

• She also reads a vivid, atmospheric excerpt from Lisette and shares insights into her writing process, inspirations, and upcoming events.

Connect with Clare Castleberry:

• All Official Links: allmylinks.com/femmebionic

• Instagram: @femmebionic007

• Twitter/X: @femmebionic

• Goodreads: Profile & Reviews

• Substack: Clare’s Little Black Book

• Support/Tip jar: Ko-fi: clarecastleberry

Purchase Clare's Books:

• Amazon Author Page (all titles): Clare Castleberry on Amazon

  • Lisette (Kindle)

  • Journeys Through Fear

  • Azalea House

  • Forbidden Gardens

  • Dark Feminine Energy: Tales of Vengeance

• Wide Retailer Link for Second Skin: Books2Read

• Goodreads Book Pages: Forbidden Gardens

Upcoming Appearances:

• Signing at Louisiana Book Festival (Nov 1): Azalea House, Forbidden Gardens, Dark Feminine Energy, Second Skin—and illustrated stickers.

• StokerCon 2026 in Pittsburgh (planned).

Stay updated:

• Clare recommends following her on Substack for news and appearance updates.

Selected Books & Themes:

• Lisette: Gothic horror, codependency, power, supernatural folklore, sex work

• Journeys Through Fear: Experiencer manifesto, personal paranormal encounters, metaphysical philosophy

• Dark Feminine Energy: Revenge, transformation, shadow self, feminism

• Azalea House / Forbidden Gardens: Southern Gothic, taboo relationships, haunting, trauma

Quotes from the Episode:

• "I don’t really show the light without the dark, and I don’t really like to show the dark without a little bit of light."

• "Sometimes we attract certain people in our lives to give us a lesson. Don’t ignore those early red flags or they’ll come back to bite you in the ass."

• "For me, it’s really just like a lot of cultural commentary. The genre doesn’t really matter all that much, whether it’s nonfiction or erotic or … Southern Gothic sexy paranormal stuff. There you go. That’s my genre."

Episode Summary:
Join us for a deep dive into existential horror, identity, and cosmic weirdness with Erik McHatton—author of "Straw World and Other Echoes from the Void," published by Undertaker Books. We talk about defying traditional storytelling, searching for meaning in the Void, and crafting literary horror that lingers long after the last page.

Guest Information:

• Erik McHatton – Author of Straw World and Other Echoes from the Void

Find Erik McHatton Online:

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/ErikMcHattonx
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikmchattoninstagram
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-mchatton-232937139linkedin
• Author Linktree: https://linktr.ee/erikmchattonx

Official Website/Blog:

• Undertaker Books author page: https://undertakerbooks.com/blogs/news/dark-matters-new-cosmic-horror-from-the-voidundertakerbooks
• Book page on Undertaker Books: https://undertakerbooks.com/products/straw-world-and-other-echoes-from-the-voidundertakerbooks
• Additional blog feature: https://theblogwithoutaface.com/2025/09/04/straw-world-a-love-letter-to-the-void/theblogwithoutaface

Where to Buy Erik McHatton’s Books:

• Undertaker Books: https://undertakerbooks.com/products/straw-world-and-other-echoes-from-the-voidundertakerbooks
• Godless: https://godless.com/collections/undertaker-booksgodless
• Amazon UK (pre-order/release): https://amazon.co.ukfantasy-hive

Learn more:

• Cosmic Horror Monthly features: https://cosmichorrormonthly.com/tag/erik-mchatton/cosmichorrormonthly
• Author interview: https://ivygrimes.substack.com/p/interview-with-erik-mchattonivygrimes.substack

Show Notes Highlights:

• Existential horror and metafiction themes
• The “Void” as central motif
• Ecological entropy and grief
• Unconventional story structure

In this episode, Daniel Volpe discusses his latest novel “Slaughterhouse Moan,” exploring themes of horror, depravity, and redemption. He shares insights into his creative process, the evolution of his writing, and the personal experiences that shape his work.

Keywords

Daniel Volpe, Slaughterhouse Moan, horror, depravity, redemption, creative process, writing evolution

Takeaways

“Slaughterhouse Moan” is described as Volpe's most depraved work.

The novel started as a short story called “My Beauties.”

Volpe draws inspiration from real-life farming struggles.

The book explores themes of isolation and economic insecurity.

Volpe emphasizes story over gratuitous content.

He believes in redemption for most characters.

Volpe's writing retreats are crucial for his creative process.

The novel is set in 2003, reflecting Volpe's own high school years.

Volpe aims to entertain and provide an escape for readers.

He sees vengeance as a recurring theme in his work.

Sound bites

"Slaughterhouse Moan is my most depraved work."

"It started as a short story called My Beauties."

"I draw inspiration from real-life farming struggles."

"Isolation and economic insecurity are key themes."

"I emphasize story over gratuitous content."

"I believe in redemption for most characters."

"Writing retreats are crucial for my creative process."

"The novel is set in 2003, reflecting my high school years."

"I aim to entertain and provide an escape for readers."

"Vengeance is a recurring theme in my work."

Daniel Volpe's Social Media and Website:

Website: www.danielvolpeauthor.com

Twitter: @DanielVolpeAuthor

Instagram: @DanielVolpeAuthor

Facebook: Daniel Volpe Author

Upcoming Personal Appearances:

HorrorCon 2023: www.horrorcon2023.com

Book Signing at Dark Delicacies: www.darkdel.com

Guest Speaker at the Horror Writers Association Conference: www.horror.org

Author Jessica McHugh joins Vince on the show to discuss her novel "Pins," inspired by her own experiences in the club scene. This episode explores the emotional, gritty, and glamorous world behind the book, with discussion spanning blackout poetry, the power of sisterhood, storytelling craft, and new horror projects.

Highlights

• "Pins": Real-life inspiration, re-release by Madness Heart Press, and the struggle of protagonist Birdie amidst violence, spectacle, and survival.
• Themes: Dark humor, grit, sexuality, and empowerment.
• Music as Motif: Use of “Rocket Man” and other songs as emotional anchors for the main character.
• Blackout Poetry: Jessica's ongoing commissions and upcoming horror-themed blackout collection based on "Wuthering Heights."
• Recent & Upcoming: Contributions to "Howl" (Black Spot Books), "The Rack 2," and the Gardening Guidebooks trilogy.

Connect with Jessica McHugh

• Website: mchughniverse.commchughniverse
• Instagram: @thejessmchughinstagram+1
• Twitter/X: @mchughjessx