Fear is one of the most powerful human emotions, one that shapes our choices, culture, and even how we seek pleasure. But if we spend most of our lives avoiding it, why do we go out of our way to feel scared for fun?
In this episode, Emily Paulsen talks with Jeff Beach, artist, photographer, and extra in the cult horror classic It Follows, about what draws us to horror and how fear becomes both art and entertainment. From his accidental entry into the world of film to his years photographing haunted houses, Jeff offers a behind-the-scenes look at how horror is made, and why it lingers long after the credits roll.
Their conversation explores what makes something truly frightening, the psychology behind why we keep coming back for more, and how creative expression can transform fear into fascination.
Together, they look at what horror reveals about imagination, consequence, and the way we confront what haunts us, on and off the screen.
Key Takeaways:
The pull of fear: Horror gives us a safe space to explore danger, consequence, and the unknown, without real-life risk.
Behind the curtain: Seeing how horror is made doesn’t erase the fear; it deepens the respect for the craft and creativity behind it.
The psychology of unease: What truly scares us is rarely the monster, it’s anticipation, imagination, and what might happen next.
Shared fear as connection: Watching horror together creates a kind of community, fear becomes something we face side by side.
Creativity in the dark: The horror genre offers endless room for expression, allowing artists to channel fear into meaning, humor, and beauty.
Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.
Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com
Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman
The guest on this episode, Jeff Beach is a mixed media artist and photographer based in Toledo, Ohio, whose work explores the surreal, the cosmic, and the beautifully strange. A lifelong movie lover and self-described creative experimenter, Jeff brings an artist’s eye to everything he does, from his psychedelic paintings to his appearance in the cult horror film It Follows.
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: @digitalbeach