the Mentally Oddcast

Alistair Cross was born in the western United States and began penning his own stories by the age of eight. First published in 2012, Alistair has since released several more novels. In 2012, he joined forces with international bestselling author, Tamara Thorne, and as Thorne & Cross, they write the successful Gothic series, The Ravencrest Saga. Alistair is currently at work on the seventh book in his bestselling Vampires of Crimson Cove series as well as an upcoming release in the Ravencrest Saga with Tamara Thorne.

We talk fiction, cookies, moms, bullies, sobriety, police, UHC, stalkers, addiction, and sobriety. Also, the Ravencrest Saga, the value of community, and why we love technology. An unedited transcript of this episode can be found here. 

Briana Cox was born and raised in Tullahoma, TN — a town inexplicably found on state maps. (It just got a Publix!) She is the oldest of seven children and a first-generation academic with degrees in cognitive linguistics, Japanese language, and speech-language pathology. In 2019, she became a fellow with the TN Playwrights Studio and has been writing stageplays and low-budget film scripts ever since. She has been featured on the 2024 Next List for emerging screenwriters and has placed in the Academy Nicholl fellowship. Stay abreast of Briana’s projects on Instagram. 

This week, we talk horror movies and representation, how media consumption is a political act, and the perils of pitching while disabled. Also, microaggressions, intentionality in casting, autism, and a MadLib. An original transcript of this episode can be found here. 

Bert is an author and editor who has always been one to read anything put in front of him, a passion he still enjoys, reading in all genres.

He has recently been published in multiple anthologies of flash fiction as well as in a magazine dedicated to supporting children with special needs. He also has multiple non-fiction and fiction pieces accepted for future publication. When not writing, he is active as a martial arts instructor, software developer, an amateur chef, and a strong proponent for disability rights and empowerment of women.

We talk bullying and ableism, Alice Cooper and charity anthologies, Evil Dead, audiobooks, and Edens' work. And of course there's a Madlib.

https://linktr.ee/bertedens

Kody Boye Is a young adult horror, fantasy, and science-fiction author currently residing In the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. When not writing, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and pestering his many cats.

www.kodyboye.com

www.youtube.com/@KodyBoyeBooks

We talk Shark movies, advocacy, Kody's HIV diagnosis, and why he avoids Mary Sues. Also generational trauma, YA fiction, and how bipolar disorder impacts work output. TW suicide. 

A complete transcript can be accessed here. 

Author Stefan Petrucha's work has sold several million copies worldwide, with over twenty novels to his name, including original works such as Ripperand Dead Mann Walking, and licensed prose novels like Spider-Man: Forever Young and Deadpool: Paws for Marvel. He's also written hundreds of graphic novels, spanning iconic franchises such as The X-Files, Beowulf, Mickey Mouse, and Nancy Drew. His latest, an effort of seven years, is the original science fiction epic, The Stars Within, on sale now.

We talk mental health, redemption and voting, zombies, Frankenstein, and schizophrenic episodes. Plus the Hessius Mann books, writing in general, and a MadLib. 

This week's guest, Carson Fredriksen, is a neurodivergent writer from Calgary, Alberta, who often enjoys rummaging through his dark, albeit unique, imagination to enhance his mundane life. His previous short stories have appeared in such online publications as CommuterLit, Rooster Republic Press, and Howling Wolf Press. In 2022, his short story (Your Biggest Fans) was named an ‘Honourable Mention’ in Tales from the MoonlitPath’s Halloween challenge. A full transcript can be found here. 

More from Carson Fredriksen here and here. Check out a free short story from him here. We talk Autism for service workers, B-shark movies, how families inspire horror stories, and Carson offers advice for aspiring writers with autism. 

A transcript of this episode can be found here.

Skye Spectrum is a multi-talented artist and activist. Zi is proud to be part of the Ypsi / Ann Arbor Michigan LGBTQIA+ community.  Where you can see either Kevin or Skye on The Trans Narrative Podcast or locally around town associated with The Neighborhood Theatre Group.  Active with two choirs, the Chalice Singers from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor and Measure for Measure, a men’s choral group out of drag as Kevin. To see all that Skye Spectrum (or Kevin Skye Werner) is showcasing, check out skyerainbow.com or the YouTube channel Skye Rainbow Productions.

This week, we talk trans rights and trans wrongs. The fash takeover of America, Disney's bad call, Stonewall the musical, and Skye describes their visit from Homeland Security. 

Three Michigan educators discuss the incoming regime (recorded in late November). Actionable tips on local organizing, resistance, "weaponizing empathy," School of choice, Title IX, and more. A full transcript of this episode can be found here. 

We know people are struggling with their sobriety and mental health. This week, guests Chris, Matt, and Denise (all sober folk with stories to tell and expertise to share) all discuss what works, what doesn't, and how the heck people are supposed to hold themselves together when their own government wants to tear us apart. 

A full transcript of this episode can be found here. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Helpline 

Alcoholics Anonymous Virtual Meeting Directory 

Harriet Lerner

Thinking about gun ownership but don't know the first thing about it? Wednesday Lee Friday talks with ammosexual J Grant (LOL) and martial artist Mel Hynes about how to choose the right gun for you, what training you should expect to do, the four pillars of gun safety, and why John Wick is so friggin' awesome. Also self-defense vs home protection, the NRA, survivalists, and a Mad Lib. Relevant Links:

Failure to Fire

Urban Survival with J Grant.

Two Lumps

A full transcript of this ep can be found here.