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After a surprise bout of pneumonia rudely interrupted my vacation, I returned to the Nightmare Engine podcast with renewed energy and a very special guest—Denise Guay, also known as DM Guay—to dive into the wonderfully bizarre world of horror comedy. Denise, whose early influences came from her mother’s unexpected love for humor and scares, shared her expert insights on how movies like Shaun of the Dead and Tucker and Dale vs. Evil masterfully balance laughs with screams. Our lively conversation explores horror comedy not just as a quirky genre mashup, but as the perfect entry point for those hesitant to tackle the full-on frights of traditional horror.

We also reflected on personal boundaries in horror, like my own visceral reaction to body horror and the irrational fears we all carry—yes, even something as mundane as trains. Horror fiction, much like Stephen King’s works, often provides a safe space to confront our deepest anxieties. I even shared a ghostly encounter of my own, a night at the haunted Emily Morgan Hotel where the line between reality and fiction blurred in eerie ways.

From there, the episode takes a wild turn as Denise and I talk about our visit to a Bigfoot convention in Ohio, where the legendary cryptid came to life through art, folklore, and enthusiastic theories. We also explored the parallels between horror storytelling and real-world tech advancements, like Elon Musk’s neural implants, and how these innovations inspire both creativity and ethical dilemmas in the genre.

I wrapped up the episode by inviting listeners to visit my website for more horror storytelling adventures, including my latest project, Scare Mail. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the genre or just curious to dip your toes into the strange and spooky, this episode promises a delightful mix of humor, fear, and the unknown.

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