The Scares That Shaped Us

Matthew Jackson
  • 4.9 (13)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 65: "The Penance" with Johnny Compton

    Johnny Compton returns! The author of The Spite House and Devils Kill Devils joins the pod for the second time to talk about his new novel, Dead First! We get into writing horror noir, Johnny's favorite crime writers, and much more, all in the middle of a terrific discussion on Saki's chilling short story "The Penance." - Check out Johnny's website for updates on everything he's got coming up. - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Matthew Jackson Produced by Matthew and Lyndsay Jackson Logo and Web Design by Lyndsay Jackson Music by Dmytro Kuvalin

    58 min

  2. FEB 4

    Episode 64: Return to Oz with Alex Woodroe

    This week, we're joined by Alex Woodroe, author and editor-in-chief of Tenebrous Press! We chat about her new book, The Night Ship, how she views "New Weird Horror" at this stage in her career, and much more. And of course, we dive into the dark fantastic of Return to Oz! - Check out the Tenebrous Press website! - Head to Alex's website for updates on everything she's got going on! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Matthew Jackson Produced by Matthew and Lyndsay Jackson Logo and Web Design by Lyndsay Jackson Music by Dmytro Kuvalin

    57 min

  3. JAN 21

    Episode 63: The Omen with John Adams and Toby Poser

    We're back! For our first regular episode of 2026, we're talking to two of my favorite horror filmmakers, John Adams and Toby Poser of Adams Family Films! We dig into the making of their new film Mother of Flies, discuss the process of writing and directing as a family, and much more, and then we dive deep into 1976's The Omen and its sequels! - Mother of Flies hits Shudder January 23! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Matthew Jackson Produced by Matthew and Lyndsay Jackson Logo and Web Design by Lyndsay Jackson Music by Dmytro Kuvalin

    50 min

  4. JAN 7

    Episode 62: The Best Horror Movies of 2025 with Matt Donato

    Happy New Year! For our first episode of 2026, we're finishing up our Best of 2025 wrap-up with a discussion on the best horror movies of the past year. We're joined by Matt Donato, one of the finest horror critics on the web, and while we touch on a lot of the expected hits, you'll also hear about some horror films that deserve more attention. It's a great chat! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Check out Matt's Linktree for info on everything he does! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Matthew Jackson Produced by Matthew and Lyndsay Jackson Logo and Web Design by Lyndsay Jackson Music by Dmytro Kuvalin

    1h 3m

  5. 12/31/2025

    Episode 61: The Best Horror Books of 2025 with Sadie Hartmann

    It's our final show of 2025, and we're using it to look back on the best horror books we read this year. Joining us this week we've got Mother Horror herself, Sadie Hartmann! We talk with Sadie about her latest book, Feral and Hysterical, and we dig into the best horror books of the year. You'll get a lot of cool book recommendations in this episode! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Check out Sadie's socials for everything she has going on! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Matthew Jackson Produced by Matthew and Lyndsay Jackson Logo and Web Design by Lyndsay Jackson Music by Dmytro Kuvalin

    1h 12m
  6. Episode 60: Christmas Evil with C. Robert Cargill

    12/24/2025

    Episode 60: Christmas Evil with C. Robert Cargill

    It's Christmas time! C. Robert Cargill returns! Based on a brief conversation we had back during Fantastic Fest, Cargill was kind enough to stop by for the second time this year to talk Black Phone 2 spoilers and to unpack a fascinating take he has on 1980's Christmas Evil! It's killer Santa time on The Scares That Shaped Us! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Black Phone 2 is available now! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Matthew Jackson Produced by Matthew and Lyndsay Jackson Logo and Web Design by Lyndsay Jackson Music by Dmytro Kuvalin

    53 min
  7. Episode 59: Invasion Of the Body Snatchers (1978) with Clay McLeod Chapman

    12/10/2025

    Episode 59: Invasion Of the Body Snatchers (1978) with Clay McLeod Chapman

    It's Clay McLeod Chapman time once again! Our friend of the show returns for his fourth (!!!) visit to talk about his new book Shiny Happy People, everything he's got coming up in 2026, and of course, we dig deep into 1978's amazing Invasion of the Body Snatchers! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Shiny Happy People is available now wherever books are sold! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Matthew Jackson Produced by Matthew and Lyndsay Jackson Logo and Web Design by Lyndsay Jackson Music by Dmytro Kuvalin

    1h 13m
  8. Episode 58: Stand by Me and Aliens with Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman

    12/03/2025

    Episode 58: Stand by Me and Aliens with Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman

    It's our first two-story episode! Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman, writers and directors behind the new horror film Man Finds Tape, join the show this week. We talk about making a fake documentary horror film, Texas inspirations, playing with found footage, and much more. Plus, we dig into Rob Reiner's Stand By Me and James Cameron's Aliens! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Man Finds Tape is in select theaters and on VOD December 5! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook! - Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Matthew Jackson Produced by Matthew and Lyndsay Jackson Logo and Web Design by Lyndsay Jackson Music by Dmytro Kuvalin

    57 min
See All (65)

4.9
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Jackson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Scares That Shaped Us

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