The Dark Mind Podcast

Vincent Midgard
The Dark Mind Podcast

Join your intrepid host, Vincent Midgard, as he interviews writers and filmmakers who produce works in dark literature and film, including horror, noir, gothic, as well as nonfiction and documentaries on dark subject matter. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vincent4635/support

  1. Andrew Najberg

    -3 J

    Andrew Najberg

    Andrew Najberg is a versatile author known for his debut novel The Mobius Door (Wicked House Publishing, 2023), Gollitok (Wicked House Publishing, 2023) and The Neverborn Thief (Olive-Ridley Press, 2024). He also penned the poetry collection The Goats Have Taken Over the Barracks (Finishing Line Press, 2021). He joins Vince on the show to discuss his new collection of short stories entitled "In Those Fading Stars."  They discuss the themes and inspirations behind the stories, including the blending of genres, the exploration of consciousness, and the impact of technology on society.  They also touch on the topics of dystopian sci-fi, the nature of human consciousness compared to artificial intelligence, and the future of consumerism and cryptocurrency. The conversation covers various themes related to science fiction and storytelling.  Some of the main themes include the use of science and technology in storytelling, the exploration of space and colonization, the impact of trauma and grief, the concept of housing in the future, and the potential of technology to offer hope in dire situations.  Najberg also discusses his personal health and wellness practices and shares information about his other upcoming books. Website: https://andrewnajberg.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewNajbergAuthor/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CBNGGV9H X: https://x.com/AndrewNajberg?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewnajberg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andrew.najberg --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vincent4635/support

    1 h 37 min
  2. David Simms

    15 OCT.

    David Simms

    David Simms resides in the scenic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his family and a pack of furry companions, having escaped the hustle and bustle of New Jersey and Massachusetts. By day, he juggles roles as a psychology and special education teacher, a college English instructor, a counselor, and a music therapist. When the sun sets, David transforms into a ghost tour guide and lead guitarist for Slushpile, a band he co-founded alongside bestselling authors as part of the Killer Thriller Band. David has delivered workshops across multiple states, focusing on innovative methods such as using music to enhance learning, encouraging teens to write creatively, and offering strategies to help teachers combat burnout. His diverse career includes a variety of published works, ranging from short stories in anthologies like Terrible Beauty, Traps!, and Darkness Rising to academic papers on music therapy and creative writing for adolescents. He joins Vince on the show to discuss his novel Pierce the Veil, a psychological thriller that challenges preconceived notions of the afterlife. The story follows Boone, a man who was clinically dead for 23 hours and wakes up to find people obsessed with discovering whether he saw the other side. The conversation explores why people are fascinated with the afterlife and the fear of the unknown. They also discuss the use of in medias res to create a dramatic opening, the research behind cryonics and near-death experiences, and the character of the Priest and the secretive Brotherhood. The discussion touches on the hyper-religiosity of Boone’s fiancée, Megan, and her obsession with him remembering a vision of the afterlife. The conversation delves into the consequences of fame and the desire for attention, as well as the portrayal of evangelical atheists in the story. It also explores the dynamics of talk shows and the need for people to be comforted and deceived. The chapter highlights the cinematic elements of the book and the potential for a screenplay adaptation. The emotional struggles of the priest character are examined, emphasizing his desire for acceptance and the conflict between his religious beliefs and personal desires. In the final part of the conversation, David Simms and Vincent Midgard discuss themes of trauma, repressed memories, and the power of the unconscious mind. They explore the concepts of the id, ego, and superego, and how they influence decision-making processes. They also touch on the use of trauma in conditioning and embedding commands. David shares his hopes for the future, including getting his books into the hands of more readers and potentially seeing his work adapted for the screen. Website: https://davidsimmsmuse.com Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Simms/author/B00G2KJR9W?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsimms_muse/ #davidsimms #piercetheveil #fearthereaper #indieauthor --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vincent4635/support

    1 h 24 min
  3. Candace Nola

    1 OCT.

    Candace Nola

    Candace Nola is an acclaimed author, editor, and publisher who has earned multiple awards for her contributions to horror, dark fantasy, and splatterpunk. Candace joins Vince on the show to discuss her new short story collection "Demons in My Bloodstream" and the inspiration behind the stories. The collection covers a range of dark and disturbing themes, from a young man's struggle with color blindness to a couple's desperate attempt to bring their dead baby back to life. Nola explores the emotions of sadness, desperation, and evil in her stories, creating a compelling and horrifying reading experience. She draws inspiration from her own experiences, her children, and her fascination with true crime. The settings of the stories, such as traveling carnivals, add to the neo-noir atmosphere. The conversation covers various themes, including power dynamics, suburban sociopaths, the influence of childhood on behavior, the role of empathy in storytelling, the importance of libraries, and the evolution of the indie press "Uncomfortably Dark." Candace Nola discusses her journey as an indie horror author and publisher, as well as her editing service for indie authors. She shares her experiences with building a supportive indie horror community and the challenges of finding affordable editing services. Candace also talks about her writing process and how she avoids outside influences to maintain her creativity. She emphasizes the importance of staying focused on her passion for writing and not getting caught up in online drama. The conversation concludes with a phone call from one of Candace's daughters, who praises her mother's work and shares her favorite book. Website: https://www.candacenolaauthor.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnola.author/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Candace-Nola/author/B07YYW4T7N?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Uncomfortably Dark Website: https://www.uncomfortablydark.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candace.nola.10/ X: https://x.com/candace_nola Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=12231330 #candacenola #uncomfortablydark #demonsinmybloodstream #indiehorror #indiepress #splatterpunk --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vincent4635/support

    1 h 22 min
  4. Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar

    17 SEPT.

    Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar

    Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar is a Pennsylvania-based writer specializing in horror and suspense. She holds a Doctorate in Education with a focus on Literacy from the University of Delaware, alongside an MFA in Creative Writing from Wilkes University. In addition to her work as an associate professor of English, her creative writing has appeared in over forty literary publications, including journals, magazines, and anthologies. On this episode, Cassandra joins Vince to discuss her latest short story collection, Keeper of Corpses. The collection is divided into four sections based on the seasons, with each story exploring different themes and emotions tied to the changing times of year. During the conversation, she reveals the influence of Greek mythology on both her name and a character in one of the stories, as well as her use of body horror throughout the collection. The discussion also touches on her creative process and how real-life experiences have inspired several of her works. Cassandra shares her journey as a horror writer, discussing how she revisited and updated the haunted doll trope in her story “A Gift for Avery.” She also mentions her novel Darkness There Is Something More and her upcoming horror novella. In addition to her writing, Cassandra reflects on her experience as a tenured professor, emphasizing the importance of teaching, helping students see their progress, and applying their skills in the real world. She addresses the mental health challenges faced in academia and recounts her experiences with extreme events, such as participating in zombie 5Ks and enduring blizzards, alongside her methods for handling problem students. Overall, the conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the inspirations behind Cassandra’s horror stories and the rewards and challenges of being both a writer and an educator. Website: https://cassandraosullivansachar.com Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Cassandra-OSullivan-Sachar/author/B0BNJNZZ3Y?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cosachar/ #cassandraosullivansachar #keeperofcorpses #darknesstherebutsomethingmore --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vincent4635/support

    1 h 24 min
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À propos

Join your intrepid host, Vincent Midgard, as he interviews writers and filmmakers who produce works in dark literature and film, including horror, noir, gothic, as well as nonfiction and documentaries on dark subject matter. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vincent4635/support

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