The Scares That Shaped Us

About The Scares That Shaped Us

A podcast about horror writers and the stories that made them. Join host Matthew Jackson as he talks to some of the biggest names in horror about the scary stories that built their imaginations, from movies to books and everything in between.

Publisher

Matthew Jackson

Category

arts · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

28 Aug 2024

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

91 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Episode 91: I Spit On Your Grave with Madeline Blondeau

   Madeline Blondeau joins the show this week! We talk about her excellent debut novel Penitents from Ghoulish Books, taking inspiration from New French Extremity films, writing multiple perspectives without breaking chapters, and much more. And of course, we dig into 1970s rape revenge classic I Spit On Your Grave! - Penitents is available now (https://ghoulish.rip/product/penitents/)! - Subscribe to Pop Heist (https://popheist.com/products) for more of Matthew's writing! - Follow the show on BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/scaresshapedus.bsky.social) and Facebook (https://facebook.com/scaresshapedus)! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Episode 90: Aura with Ito Romo

   Ito Romo, the writer behind the epic vampire novella Filth Eaters, joins the show this week! We talk about the ten-year process of writing the book, research, creating a fully realized world with a short page count, and more, all wrapped up in a discussion of Carlos Fuentes' haunting book Aura! - Filth Eaters is available now (https://store.deepvellum.org/products/filth-eaters)! - Subscribe to Pop Heist (https://popheist.com/products) for more of Matthew's writing! - Follow the show on BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/scaresshapedus.bsky.social) and Facebook (https://facebook.com/scaresshapedus)! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com

3. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Episode 89: "Time Enough at Last" with Chloe Lauter

   Chloe Lauter, author of the fierce debut The Flayed Man, joins the show this week! We talk about the genesis of the book, her take on vampires, and much more, all while we discuss the Twilight Zone classic "Time Enough At Last!" - The Flayed Man is available now (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/817565/the-flayed-man-by-chloe-lauter/)! - Check out Chloe's website (https://www.chloelauter.com/)! - Subscribe to Pop Heist (https://popheist.com/products) for more of Matthew's writing! - Follow the show on BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/scaresshapedus.bsky.social) and Facebook (https://facebook.com/scaresshapedus)! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com

Who has been a guest on The Scares That Shaped Us

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Valkyrie Loughcrewe
• Valentina Rojas
• Josh Rountree
• Sam Rebelein
• Gwendolyn Kiste

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

1,366

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

16 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

36 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

37

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

51

Contact The Scares That Shaped Us

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about The Scares That Shaped Us