The Spooky Scholars Podcast

Ashe Woodward
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FILM HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The horror podcast where we discuss the BIG questions of spooky literature and film: What's the symbolism of slime? Is there a zombie zeitgeist? What's your weapon choice to survive a slasher? Anyone can summarize and review a movie but there's SO much more to horror than the list of shrills and kills. Horror is the genre pushing boundaries and takes society to task with monsters and mayhem, slashing and sex/gender play. Horror is EXTRA, and you need a friend (or podcast host) to ask, "WTF did I just watch?" Let's slice open the underbelly of horror and get schooled in spooky!

  1. 5D AGO

    6 Degrees of Spooky: Kevin Bacon Horror

    Kevin Bacon may not be the quintessential horror star but he does love horror and has quite a few great horror titles to his name. In this special episode we're following the name of Kevin Bacon down a trail of horror movies in the game, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon: Horror Edition. We're trying to get from horror movies ONLY to a Kevin Bacon horror in six steps. AND! We try to see how many degress THIS SHOW is from Kevin Bacon - and (HINT HINT) it's LESS than 6! *This episode may contian spoilers for: Satan's School for Girls (1973) Stir of Echoes (1999) Hauntology (2024)

    19 min

  2. MAR 11

    Radical Reading with Paul Cram

    Reading is political. Horror is political. So we put these lovebirds together in this episode where I look at the true reasons for book bans, the importance of censorship but also freedom of expression in the horror community. I'm joined by Paul Cram, an actor with several horror credits who is in it for the art of the story. Learn about what inspires his art and how his search for community led him to create The Men Who Read Book Club, a non-fiction book club that has brought him to connect with men who are invested in discussions about masculinity, queerness, the darker things in life, but also friendship and support. *This episode may contain spoilers for: The Soviet Sleep Experiment (2019) The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)

    45 min

  3. MAR 4

    Fascism in Fantasy with Alex Mell-Taylor

    While you might not think that fantasy would be a genre that does a great job of  depicting the dangers of fascism, it does. You might not think that Disney has a hand in this, but again, you’d be wrong. Here to tell us how and why all this works is writer and speaker, Alex Mell-Taylor. Alex is a fascinating thinker who puts these cultural concerns together for us and brings us examples from film to prove it––something she does regularly on her blog, Alex Has Opinions.  Together we talk about fantasy, dystopia and horror and how film and stories are working together to get us to think more critically about modern affairs. Alex also encourages us to turn to community as the balm for many of the concerns about culture war and, frankly, real actual wars that are happening already or approaching.  *This episode contains spoilers for: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)I Saw the TV Glow (2024)

    48 min

  4. FEB 25

    Tales from the Script with Alan Katz Pt. 2

    In this Part Two of Two with Alan Katz, the writer and co-creator of the iconic Cryptkeeper from "Tales from the Crypt" television series, we’re focusing on a little more of Alan’s experience with the film industry, especially it’s gate-cryptkeeping . Alan tells us why he thinks horror lovers are the "sweetest" and "healthiest" people (aww, thanks!) and we get some REALLY good news about what's coming soon for us 'Crypt-lovers. And if you learn anything horrible in today’s episode, you can say a quick thanks by following the show, and leaving a 5-star review. *And if you’re ready to step up your horror game, we'd love to have you in the Community of Corpses on Patreon (Patreon.com/spookyscholars ) where you can grab your freebies, discounts and fearsome friends who are ready to talk horror any time. Spookyscholars.com

    26 min

  5. FEB 18

    Tales from the Script with Alan Katz Pt.1

    Alan Katz, writer for the TV show, Tales from The Crypt and co-creator of the Cryptkeeper himself joins me for Part One of his horror storytelling journey. We'll get some background on how the Cryptkeeper came to be but also how Alan has found the best way to continue to bring his dark stories to us once again! This is part one of a two-part series. *There are no spoilers in this episode!!

    40 min

  6. FEB 11

    Romantic Remakes and ‘Killer’ Sex

    It's Val-o-ween and we're looking at one of the most sex-filled horror subgenres -the slasher - and, specifically,the remake. Remakes often get a bad rap, but we'll look at a study that helps us navigate how remakes force us to wear our "hearts on our sleeves" and teach us to see these reimaginings of our favourites as less about corporate greed and more of a love letter to the original. Sex, love letters, and corporate greed? Sounds like a perfect Valentine's Day episode to me! *This episode contains spoilers for: House of Wax(1953) House of Wax (2005) My Bloody Valentine(1981) My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009) Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)

    23 min

  7. FEB 4

    Cold Blooded Comedy: Canadian Vampires

    Back for more Canadian horror? I knew you would be. This time we're looking at how Canadians (sometimes) use their famous wit in horror movies - though it's not often. But when we do, we like it.. vampy. For some reason, Canadians have looked to the sub-sub....SUB-genre of 'the vampire comedy' as the bridge to the gap between our intellectual horror and our silly side. *This episode may contain spoilers for: Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter (2001) Suck 2009 Rufus 2012 Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2023)

    22 min

  8. JAN 28

    Monster Musicals: The Horrors of Being a Rock God

    As far as horror goes, "musical" may not be on the top of your mind as a favourite sub genre. But horror and the mainstream (Read Joker: Folie à Deux) are still making modern musicals, so what gives? Musicals, let's face it, are cheesy - though we do love the camp & queerness. But, mix that with horror and you have the recipe for how horror is, yet again, a vehicle for the full spectrum of emotions like cringe or awkwardness. And in the case of rock horror musicals, it's also a great metaphor for the horrors of the rock and roll experience in the music industry. *This episode contains spoilers for: Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) Studio 666 (2022) The Lure (2015) Suck (2009)

    22 min
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    About

    The horror podcast where we discuss the BIG questions of spooky literature and film: What's the symbolism of slime? Is there a zombie zeitgeist? What's your weapon choice to survive a slasher? Anyone can summarize and review a movie but there's SO much more to horror than the list of shrills and kills. Horror is the genre pushing boundaries and takes society to task with monsters and mayhem, slashing and sex/gender play. Horror is EXTRA, and you need a friend (or podcast host) to ask, "WTF did I just watch?" Let's slice open the underbelly of horror and get schooled in spooky!

    Information

    • Creator
      Ashe Woodward
    • Years Active
      2022 - 2025
    • Episodes
      71
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © Ashe Woodward
    • Show Website
      The Spooky Scholars Podcast

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