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Writer Nicole Davis grew up afraid of haunted houses, but not necessarily because of what might jump out at her. She didn’t trust the people inside them.

Nicole grew up adopted in rural Alabama, at the end of a road where anyone showing up had a reason to be there. Kids came down specifically to mess with her family. Wild dogs roamed farther back on their property. News of an escaped murderer left her terrified that someone could be outside her window. And she never knew what kind of mood her father would be in when he came home.

Then there was evangelical Christianity. Nicole grew up with Hell Houses, Rapture movies and the very real fear that if she didn’t do everything exactly right, she could die and spend eternity in hell.

She tells us that was scarier than The Exorcist. We’ll forgive her. Somewhere in all that fear, horror became a source of comfort.

Stephen King gave Nicole an escape. Freddy Krueger was terrifying, but at least Freddy was predictable. He had rules. The movie ended. The book closed. When real life could change without warning, fictional horror gave Nicole a place where she knew where the danger was coming from.

That relationship with fear followed her into adulthood. Home invasion movies such as The Strangers still scare the hell out of her. The Descent managed to ruin something she once loved: exploring caves. Pennywise helped make sure clowns were permanently off the list.

We also talk about horror’s long history of portraying adoptees as the dangerous outsider, the “bad seed” whose mysterious biology might eventually turn them against the family that took them in. As an adoptee herself, Nicole has some thoughts.

And that’s where Horror Heals collides with our other podcast, Family Twist. Nicole’s adoption story, childhood and love of horror are so tangled together that separating them would almost miss the point.

In Part 1, we talk Stephen King, Freddy Krueger, Pennywise, The Strangers, The Descent, rural horror, Hell Houses, adoption trauma, abandonment, childhood anxiety and why sometimes knowing where the monster is can make it a whole lot less frightening.

Part 2 is coming next week.

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

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In Part 1 with Ash from Dead Puppy Studios, we heard how someone once terrified of horror ended up making human-skin masks and scaring the hell out of people for fun. Part 2 gets even more personal, with a lot of laughs along the way.

Ash talks about finding a home in Salem and a horror community where the people who might look scary to outsiders are often some of the warmest and most welcoming people in the room. It’s a place where, as Ash puts it, the “weirdos and queerdos” can show up exactly as themselves.

We also get into the stigmas that still surround mental health and horror fandom, and why Ash believes scary movies can give us a safe place to deal with anger, fear and trauma. Then we geek out over the movies themselves, including Midsommar, The Purge, Saw, Rob Zombie’s Firefly family and why some horror movies deserve more credit for what they’re saying underneath all that blood.

Ash also answers our favorite final-person question, offers a few potentially controversial horror opinions and introduces us to the true mastermind behind Dead Puppy Studios: Zombie, the company’s Cat Executive Officer.

He came up with the name. He contributes no money. He refuses to work the booth. Typical management. Listen to Part 2 with Ash from Dead Puppy Studios on Horror Heals.

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

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Ash from Dead Puppy Studios makes human-skin masks, special effects, creepy props and the occasional skin lamp. Ash has also worked as a scare actor, including a memorable turn as a Southern cannibal grandma. Naturally, Kendall and Corey had to know more.

But, Ash’s relationship with horror started in a very different place. For much of Ash’s life, scary movies and haunted attractions weren’t fun. They were genuinely frightening. After experiencing trauma and anxiety, horror could feel like one more thing to avoid. Just a few years ago, Ash had a panic attack inside a Halloween Horror Nights attraction and had to be escorted out.

Then, Ash made a choice: go back inside. In Part 1 of our conversation, Ash talks about that remarkable evolution from being terrified by horror to creating it, and how controlled scares became an unexpected part of healing. We also get into scare acting, the psychology of haunted attractions, moving to Salem, launching Dead Puppy Studios and learning to channel difficult emotions into art.

Plus, we learn how those wonderfully disturbing human-skin masks are actually made. It’s funny, candid, creepy and right at the heart of why we created this podcast.

Horror Heals: Where the things that scare us can also save us.

Come back next week for Part 2 with Ash.

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

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What happens when you grow up loving horror in the town that gave us "Night of the Living Dead?"

Filmmaker and actor Robert Oppel joins Kendall for a trip through Pittsburgh horror history, beginning with George Romero, "Dawn of the Dead" and the Monroeville Mall. Robert remembers being so obsessed with Dawn that he recorded the Goblin soundtrack from the movie onto cassette, dialogue included, then walked around the actual mall listening to it on his Walkman.

That kid eventually found his way into the movies himself.

Robert talks about landing a role in "Children of the Living Dead," getting killed and coming back as a zombie, working on a movie with Tom Savini and later telling Savini that he played Brad in the film. Savini’s response: “You tell people that?”

Robert also shares how his mother and grandmother encouraged his fascination with movies, the magic of watching actual film run through a projector and how those early experiences helped push him toward acting and directing.

The conversation also turns personal. Robert discusses making Uncle Bob, his documentary about his uncle and namesake, Robert Oppel, who famously streaked across the stage during the 1974 Academy Awards and was murdered five years later. His uncle’s story also intersects with San Francisco counterculture, John Waters, Divine and the city’s art scene.

It is a conversation about horror fandom, family, creativity and what can happen when the movies you obsess over as a kid become part of what you do with your life.

And when Kendall asks Robert to name his favorite Final Person, he goes straight back to where it all began: "Night of the Living Dead."

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

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Timothy Waldron wanted to be a scream queen. The problem? People in the film industry kept telling her it wasn’t going to happen.

She had other plans. Timothy joins Corey for a funny, candid and occasionally very bloody conversation about carving out her own place in indie horror as a trans actress. She talks about discovering horror as a kid, her obsession with Sarah Michelle Gellar in I Know What You Did Last Summer and why Helen Shivers helped teach her to be a fighter.

Timothy also gets into the pressure she faced to adopt a more traditionally feminine stage name and why she refused. Her name is Timothy Waldron. She knows exactly who she is, and Hollywood doesn’t get to rename her.

The conversation goes from there to working with Horror Heals alum Debbie Rochon, learning acting on the job, trans representation in horror, her love of practical effects and why she tells directors not to hold back when it’s time to kill her character. No off-camera death, please. Timothy wants the blood, the prosthetics and the whole damn thing.

She also explains why every scream she gives on camera is real and where all that emotion comes from. Naturally, Corey has to put that scream to the test.

Timothy also previews Slaughter at Camp Swinelake, The Yellow Balloon: Curse of Vincent Farrow and La Suicida.

And there’s one more reason Corey is excited about this episode: it’s his birthday episode. Huge thanks to Timothy for creating some killer social media content to help Horror Heals celebrate and spread the word.

Follow Timothy on Instagram: @timothywaldronofficial

If you enjoy Horror Heals, give Corey a cheap birthday present and share this episode with another horror fan.

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

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What do donor conception, horror movies, therapy, and horror conventions possibly have in common? More than you might think.

In this special crossover episode of Horror Heals and Family Twist, Corey and Kendall welcome psychologist, author, and donor-conceived advocate Dr. Jamie Marich for a conversation that goes far beyond scary movies.

Jamie shares how discovering they were donor-conceived sparked a journey of identity and healing, then explains why horror has always been a source of comfort rather than fear. Together, they explore why anxious people are often drawn to horror, how frightening stories can help us process real-life emotions, and why horror fans create some of the most accepting communities anywhere.

The conversation also dives into childhood horror memories, raising the next generation of horror fans, favorite franchises from The Exorcist to Hereditary and Terrifier, and the surprising parallels between horror conventions and DNA surprise gatherings.

Whether you came here through Horror Heals or Family Twist, this episode reminds us that healing often begins when we find people who understand our story.

In this episode:

•  Jamie's donor conception journey 
•  Why people with anxiety often love horror 
•  Horror as emotional regulation and exposure therapy 
•  What psychology can teach us about scary movies 
•  Why horror conventions feel like family 
•  Raising horror-loving kids 
•  Favorite horror films, franchises and final people 
•  Why identity, healing and horror belong in the same conversation 

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

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On the surface, Demon Twink is exactly what the title promises: a stylish, campy queer horror film packed with demons, dark humor and a deal with the devil. Underneath, it is something much deeper.

Filmmaker Steven George joins Corey to talk about creating horror that entertains while exploring identity, aging, love, chosen family and the emotional baggage we all carry. Along the way, they discuss why horror has always been a safe place for people to process fear, grief and the parts of themselves they once tried to hide.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Steven reveals that he is also an adoptee, leading to a heartfelt discussion that bridges the worlds of Horror Heals and our sister podcast, Family Twist. It is a reminder that whether we are talking about horror movies or family secrets, the stories that scare us often have the greatest power to heal.

If you love independent horror, queer filmmaking and conversations that go beyond the surface, this episode is for you.

About Steven George

Steven George is an award-winning filmmaker and writer whose acclaimed horror short Demon Twink blends supernatural horror, camp, romance and queer storytelling into a bold and emotionally resonant experience. His work explores identity, belonging and the complexities of human connection while celebrating horror's unique ability to entertain, challenge and heal. Steven is currently developing Demon Twink into a feature film.

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

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What if horror isn't about escaping reality, but facing it?

Author Alex Grass joins Horror Heals to discuss his new short story collection, Infernal Tramps, a wildly imaginative blend of unsettling, darkly funny and deeply human horror.

Our conversation goes far beyond the page. Alex opens up about recovery, why honesty is essential to healing, and how horror gives us permission to confront the fears we'd rather keep buried. We also dive into growing up on a steady diet of HBO horror, Stephen King's influence, why The Thing remains one of the greatest horror films ever made and how life's hardest experiences often become the richest storytelling.

Along the way, Alex shares hilarious stories about writing, one-star reviews, the changing perception of horror and why getting readers just a little uncomfortable is one of the greatest compliments a horror author can receive.

Whether you're a lifelong horror reader or looking for your next disturbing read, this is a conversation filled with laughs, insight and plenty of reasons to embrace the dark.

Learn more about Alex and Infernal Tramps.

About Alex Grass

Alex Grass is the author of several works of horror and dark fiction, including his newest collection, Infernal Tramps. His stories blend psychological horror, dark humor and the surreal, exploring the strange corners of human nature while never losing sight of the characters at their center. Drawing inspiration from classic horror, literary fiction and life's darker moments, Alex has built a reputation for creating stories that linger long after the final page.

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

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Can a horror movie become part of your wellness routine? For artist Heather Wagner, it already has.

Living with an arthritis-like condition affecting her hands, Heather discovered that creating art while watching horror films became much more than a hobby. Sculpting twisted trees, haunted cemeteries and her signature "soulmate" ghosts helps keep her hands moving, quiets her mind and turns creativity into a form of healing.

Heather also takes us back to where it all began: Saturday mornings watching The Munsters, The Addams Family and The Twilight Zone with her dad, discovering Stephen King as a kid and falling in love with the nostalgia that still makes horror feel like home decades later.

This is a conversation about creativity, family memories and the surprising ways horror continues to comfort us long after the credits roll.

If you're in New England, you can also see Heather's work during the Lowell Folk Festival weekend at Hive Public Market. Check out the festival schedule here.

About Heather Wagner

Heather Wagner is a New England artist whose handcrafted wire sculptures, haunted cemetery scenes and whimsical ghost creations celebrate her lifelong love of classic horror. Drawing inspiration from vintage monster movies, Halloween and gothic storytelling, she creates one-of-a-kind pieces that blend spooky charm with heartfelt meaning. Her work regularly appears at horror markets, oddities events and festivals throughout New England.

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

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When we launched Horror Heals, there was one guest we knew we had to have: Adrienne King.

Best known as Alice Hardy, the original final girl from Friday the 13th, Adrienne gave horror one of its most unforgettable survivors. But her most remarkable story happened after the cameras stopped rolling.

Following the film's release, Adrienne endured years of trauma after being stalked, leading her to step away from acting and disappear from the horror community for decades. When she finally attended her first horror convention, everything changed. The fans she thought had forgotten her became the community that helped her heal.

Today, Adrienne has become a source of hope for countless people navigating trauma, grief and life's darkest moments.

This conversation was one of our very first episodes, and after nearly two years of Horror Heals, we wanted to revisit it. We've remixed and tightened the interview to focus on the heart of Adrienne's journey and the reason this podcast exists.

You'll also hear why Alice Hardy has always been Kendall's favorite final person and why the Friday the 13th family became part of our own found family after Kendall's DNA reunion changed our lives forever.

If you've never listened to Horror Heals, this is the perfect place to begin. And if you've been with us from the start, thank you for helping make this community what it is.

About Adrienne King

Adrienne King is an actor, artist and advocate best known for portraying Alice Hardy in the original Friday the 13th. Through convention appearances, artwork and countless one-on-one conversations with fans, she continues to remind people that surviving is only the beginning. Healing is the chapter that follows.

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals. 

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by Mosaic Multimedia LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.