Welcome to “Into the Darkness” where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode. I’m your host, Will.
The horror community is filled with amazing and talented creators, actors/actresses, authors/storytellers, podcast hosts, paranormal investigators, horror movie fans, filmmakers, and more.
If you love horror, this is the place for you. If you want to explore the depths of horror culture, join me as we step into the darkness.
All content for Into the Darkness: Exploring Horror is the property of Will Soto and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Welcome to “Into the Darkness” where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode. I’m your host, Will.
The horror community is filled with amazing and talented creators, actors/actresses, authors/storytellers, podcast hosts, paranormal investigators, horror movie fans, filmmakers, and more.
If you love horror, this is the place for you. If you want to explore the depths of horror culture, join me as we step into the darkness.
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Caitlin Grant, host of the terrific horror movie podcast, "Plug It Up!"
In this episode, we discuss monstrous motherhood and feminine rage, pay homage to a few terrific FMC performances, and more!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find "Plug It Up" on social media:
IG: @plugituppod
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guests, Gina and Kathryn, co-hosts of a terrific podcast, "I Scream, You Scream."
In this episode, we discuss everything related to paranormal podcasting--including the joys and struggles of hosting a new show, haunted houses, researching for an episode, and more!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find "I Scream, You Scream" on social media:
IG: @iscreamyouscreampod
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Shelby Novak, host of one of my all-time favorite podcasts, Scare You to Sleep!
In this episode, we discuss Shelby's journey in horror podcasting, her influences, handling criticism, and more!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Shelby Novak on social media:
IG/Threads: @shelbybnovak
Find "Scare You to Sleep" on social media:
IG/Threads: @scareyoutosleep
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, V.S. Lawrence, author of a terrific horror novel, 80's Ghosts AND THE UPCOMING NOVEL, With Friends Like These (which releases on April 15, 2025)!
In this episode, we discuss everything V.S' journey into horror writing, her influences, publishing, and her upcoming novel!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find V.S. Lawrence on social media:
IG/Threads: vslawrence.author
Find "80's Ghosts" on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/80s-Ghosts-V-S-Lawrence-ebook/dp/B0D1KCGMFW
PREORDER "WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE":
https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Like-These-V-S-Lawrence-ebook/dp/B0DXQGWFVT?ref_=ast_author_mpb
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Amanda, co-host of a terrific (and one of my favorite) podcast--Drinking the Koolaid!
In this episode, we discuss everything related to paranormal podcasting--including favorite and least favorite stories to tell (cryptids!), her spooky origin story, and more!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Amanda on social media:
IG: @amandamandashow
Find "Drinking the Koolaid" on social media:
IG: @drinkingthekoolaidpod
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Anastasia Garcia, author of the "Frights to Tell at Night" book series for young readers.
In this episode, we discuss writing for a younger audience, global influences and folklore in horror writing, Anastasia's horror influences growing up, and more!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Anastasia Garcia on social media:
IG/Threads: @anastasiawrites
Find the "Frights to Tell at Night" book series on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anastasia-Garcia/author/B0BYT7Z3GX?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=f7e7bc5d-11bc-4901-badb-43250aa572d4
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Tara Marie, co-host of two terrific shows--3 Spooked Girls, and Social Seance Society!
In this episode, we discuss everything related to true crime--ethical research and storytelling, centering victims, avoiding exploitation in true crime podcasting, and more!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS:
0:34: Introduction
13:15: Ethics in True Crime Podcasting
25:48: Ethical Storytelling in True Crime Podcasting
39:00: New Projects!
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Tara on social media:
IG/Threads: @spooky_sleuth
Find 3 Spooked Girls on social media:
IG/Threads: @3spookedgirls
Find Social Seance Society on social media:
IG/Threads: @socialseancepod
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Erika Wurth, author of the soon-to-be-released novel, "The Haunting of Room 904"! I had a chance to read this a few months ago, and it is a terrific story!
In this episode, we discuss writing with the reader in mind, the priority of diversity in storytelling, and the significance of race and identity!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS:
0:34: Introduction
15:00 - Handing Criticism and Feedback on Your Writing
31:22 - Prioritizing Diversity in Your Writing
38:26 - Advice for Aspiring Writers
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Erika Wurth on social media:
IG/Threads: @erikatwurth
Find "The Haunting of Room 904" on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Room-904-Novel/dp/1250908590
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Shawn Brooks, author of a terrific Japanese folk horror novel, "Under the Amber Wave"
In this episode, we discuss Japanese folk horror, the joy of writing, Shawn's writing process, and more!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS:
0:34: Introduction
17:10: The Joy of Writing
27:40: Favorite and Least Favorite Aspects of Storytelling
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Shawn Brooks on social media:
IG/Threads: @shawnbroookswrites
Find "Under the Amber Wave" on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Under-Amber-Wave-Black-Novel/dp/4991367190
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Josh Bell, host of a terrific horror movie review podcast, "Real Reel Talk - Horror."
In this episode, we discuss the impact of slashers in the horror genre, the influence of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the state of modern horror movies!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS:
0:34: Introduction
21:02 – The Impact of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
36:57 – The State of Modern Horror
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Josh Bell on social media:
IG/Threads: @realreeltalk
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Will, a paranormal investigator and founder of WTCW Paranormal!
In this episode, we explore all things paranormal investigating, including documenting evidence of the paranormal, the truth about ghost-hunting equipment, and his scariest investigation!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS:
0:40: Introduction
18:30 – Documenting Paranormal Evidence
29:46 – Ouija Boards and PI Equipment
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find "WTCW Paranormal" on social media:
IG: @wtcwparanormal
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Isaac, a paranormal investigator and show host of "Hidden in the Shadows Paranormal"!
In this episode, we explore all things paranormal investigating, including Isaac's approach to PI and his history with the paranormal!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find "Hidden in the Shadows Paranormal" on social media:
IG: @hiddenintheshadowspodcast AND @hiddenintheshadowsparanormal
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Jonathan Wickremasinghe-Kuhn, an aspiring screenwriter!
In this episode, we explore all things screenwriting including the challenges of screenwriting, the allure of horror, and Jonathan's dream project!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS:
0:35: Introduction
20:37: The Path to Screenwriting
34:17: The Art of Showing, Not Telling
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Jonathan Wickremasinghe-Kuhn on social media:
IG: @uscscreenwriter
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Sydney, host of the terrific "Hello, Sidney" Podcast and NEW co-host of "Knight Light" Podcast!
In this episode, we explore solo-hosting a horror movie review podcast, discuss the recent Halloween trilogy, the impact of “Psycho,” and more!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS:
0:34: Solo Hosting a Horror Podcast and Horror Origin Stories
16:24: Exploring the Recent Halloween Trilogy (2018-2022)
29:02: Favorite Horror Subgenres and the Impact of Psycho (1960)
38:31: The Movie Theater Experience
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find "The Hello, Sidney Podcast" on social media:
IG/TikTok: @horror_chronicles
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Jesse, host of "Cult Cinema Circle"!
In this episode, we explore cult horror films, discuss the classic 80s cult horror class, "Night of the Demons," and show appreciation for practical effects/makeup vs CGI!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Cult Cinema Circle on social media:
IG: @cultcinemacircle
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guests, Matt and Hannah, co-hosts of one of my favorite horror movie podcasts, "Horror Hour with the Hanna's"!
In this episode, we explore mental health depictions in horror films, specifically in Smile and Smile 2! Do horror movies do a good job of depicting mental health accurately?
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS
1:10: Introduction
12:05: Mental Health in Horror (Smile vs. Smile 2)
30:18: Correcting Mental Health Depictions in Horror Movies
45:08: Tone and Subgenre as Interpretive Devices in Horror Movies
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Horror Hour with the Hanna's on social media:
IG: @horrorhourwiththehannas
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Nick Roberts, author of a terrific (and truly scary) novel, "The Exorcist's House"!
In this episode, they explore Nick's writing influences, how to build tension in your writing, handling criticism and critique, and more!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS
0:34: Introduction
9:55: Upcoming Novel
19:51: Writing Influences and Building Tension in Your Writing
36:13: Handling Criticism and Critique
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Nick Roberts on IG:
IG: @spookywv
Website: https://www.nickrobertsauthor.com/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nick-Roberts/author/B084QG2HB4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1737088238&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Natalia Rose Wolfman, author of "The Woods", which she published in 2019 when she was just 16 years old!
In this episode, they explore publishing at a young age, ageism and diversity in the publishing industry, and the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing!
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS
0:34: Introduction
8:39: Ageism in the Publishing Industry
24;57: Horror Movie Influences
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find N.R. Wolfman on IG:
IG: @nr_wolfman
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Alfonso Zavala, a horror movie aficionado, who has an interesting and compelling theory regarding horror icon Michael Myers!
In this episode, Alfonso explains the importance of guardianship in horror, and more specifically how a certain character in the Halloween franchise acts as a guardian to Michael Myers
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS
0:34: Introduction
9:07: What is "Guardianship in Horror"?
26:29: The Significance of Michael Myers' guardian
41:31: The "official" Halloween franchise canon
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Alfonso Zavala on IG:
IG: @alfonso.zavala.90038
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to "Into the Darkness," where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode!
In this episode, Will is joined by special guest, Courtney Reece, host of a terrific new show, Jaunty Haunts!
In this episode, Courtney tells listeners about her unique ability to see ghosts, how she discovered she could see them, and offers some helpful tips to help exorcise the ghosts from Will's (very) haunted home.
This was a terrific conversation that you won’t want to miss!
CHAPTERS
0:34: Introduction to Jaunty Haunts and Courtney's ability to see ghosts!
9:03: Exploring Will's haunted house!
22:19: Differentiating between ghosts and demons!
32:46: A ghost "knocking" is bad news...
Find "Into the Darkness" on social media:
IG: @exploringhorrorpod
Find Jaunty Haunts on IG:
IG: @jauntyhauntspod
Intro/Outro Music:
Soulsweeper by ItsWatR
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to “Into the Darkness” where we explore horror culture and fandom in every episode. I’m your host, Will.
The horror community is filled with amazing and talented creators, actors/actresses, authors/storytellers, podcast hosts, paranormal investigators, horror movie fans, filmmakers, and more.
If you love horror, this is the place for you. If you want to explore the depths of horror culture, join me as we step into the darkness.