These shows are a good time, y’all!
I started listening to tons of horror podcasts after starting my first one. Because this pandemic gave us all a little time, many of us started our own shows and found out it’s a fun way of meeting other nerds. Specifically, nerds that we don’t usually hear from in the overwhelming white landscape that is horror. This is why I loved putting together the previous two lists of POC Horror Podcasts You Should Check Out. If you enjoyed this list, or this list, then the list below is probably for you! Friendly reminder that none of these shows are on a network so word of mouth is how they get listeners.
Image by Madelyn Hernandez
Host: Wi-Moto Nyoka
How would you describe your podcast?
A radio-dramatic podcast that celebrates and produces short horror stories by BIPOC authors. We release three episodes a month, and our season runs from September – May.
What made you start your show?
I wanted to find my tribe, other horror authors, podcasters, and makers.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
No. I knew we were out there, and I started this to have a way of reaching out and hanging out.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Be nice, it’s a small community.
Image by Paige Ellens / Plastik Olives
Hosts: AyCe M and Rih J
How would you describe your podcast?
Rih: We discuss horror films and all creepy, spooky, and weird media from a black and queer, anti-Prohibitionist lens aiming to create a community of spooky stoners! We put out episodes at least three times a month, weekly or semi-weekly!
What made you start your show?
Rih: We wanted to discuss horror films that we believe to be under-appreciated and/or that we just loved and burn a little Lucifer’s Arugula along with it to combat a few stigmas at once. Especially because of horror and pot’s inherent negative connotations in the mainstream especially when associating with Black and brown people! Getting to know others over some good bud and a messed-up film is our main motivation! The goal is always to have fun and learn something new or gain a new perspective along the way.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Rih: Wasn’t surprised, but surprised at how quickly and easily getting to know more became once I really found people! I knew my people were out there, I just hadn’t had the right places to look! It’s been lovely to see this community grow both within my own life and in the media itself!
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Rih: Have fun! There’s really no wrong way to do it, and there are never too many Black and brown people doing anything. But we especially need to come through in the horror and true crime spaces! Your voice, thoughts, and ideas are worthy and deserve to be shared ten times over.
Espooky Tales
Image by Totsi Digital
Hosts: Cristina Lumague and MJ
How would you describe your podcast?
Cristina: Spooky stories, legends, myths, haunted places, all things spooky with a focus on Latin America.
What made you start your show?
Cristina: I had been listening to spooky podcasts for a while and it seemed like many were talking about the same stories, but none were about Latin American stories. I searched for some, found two, and got all caught up with them. I figured I’ll make my own, surely others were looking for this type of podcast since I was.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Cristina: I was! Like many that start listening, I started listening to the mainstream, more popular stuff, the podcasts that the apps recommend and they’re very white, especially five years ago when I started looking into podcasts. It wasn’t until making Espooky Tales and getting on Twitter that I met so many POC horror creators.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Cristina: Do it! Join the dark side. We have cookies. Haha, no but seriously, do it, it’s so fun. It’s such a welcoming community that’s full of amazing, supportive and creative people.
Fuck You, Hexed
Image by Brian Demarest
Hosts: Anthony and Jerome (Drunk Anthony)
How would you describe your podcast?
I would describe it as a place where I discuss different types of horror content ranging from movies, comics, folk tales, and the things that traumatized me as a kid. I try to post Monday night or Tuesday once Jerome has released me.
What made you start your show?
Due to the pandemic, I had the opportunity to listen to so many horror podcasts that brought me so much joy. Someway somehow I ended up becoming friends with people like Sharai and Trent (Nightmare on Fierce Street), J.P., Reneé, and Travis (The Pod Mortem), Jazz and Kat (Girl, That’s Scary), Miguel_Myers_ATX (My Horror Confessional), and so so so many more. I saw my friends having so much fun talking about horror, and I decided I needed to get me some of that. I wanted to talk spooky shit and go into detail about the horror I really enjoy.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Oh not at all, I am here today because of POC horror content creators! Slash Her, Brother Ghoulish, Bobby Likes It Spooky, Homies of Horror, Shaken Not Scared. I could keep going.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
If you make something you enjoy listening to you’ve won 90% of the battle. That’s, like, a lot.
My Horror Confessional
Image by Cap’n Mikey
Host: Miguel Myers ATx
How would you describe your podcast?
I have a guest come on and “confess” their sin of not having watched a classic horror movie (defined as at least 20 years old). They then watch it for the show and we discuss it, their history with horror, and so much more. At the end of the show if I feel they have truly repented I will “absolve” them of their horror movie sin. Shows come out weekly on Friday.
What made you start your show?
I was inspired by seeing other POC podcasters doing what I wanted to do. I didn’t have a circle around me who wanted to do it with me, so I did it myself.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
No, not that they existed, but that there were so many! There still aren’t enough, but I started following one, then I found another and another. Now I’ve crafted a little POC horror corner for myself online.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Please do it, your voice matters! I’m here because of the POC podcasters before me. They inspired me to bet on myself. The hardest thing to do is to get started, after that, you will pick it up along the way, and if you have any questions reach out to me!
Slash Her
Image by @alchemist.and.druid
Hosts: Adrian Rae and Stormy
How would you describe your podcast?
Adrian: We like to say we take a delusional look into the art of horror because we’re unfiltered and speak from the heart! We release episodes weekly! Every Friday!
What made you start your show?
Adrian: We both felt a bit stuck during the start of the pandemic, and both turned to watching horror as comfort. We have always talked about starting a podcast together so it felt right!
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Adrian: We were! We did not frequent the online horror community much before the show. I think as a POC I tend to enter any space hesitantly. It was amazing to be welcomed with open arms.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Adrian: I would say walk in with your chest out! This world needs more POC voices and representation. If you enter the horror halls of content creation, just know you have a team of support behind you.
Windsor Film Club
Image by @Jero0601
Hosts: Madison Fairchild, Reyna Cervantes, Steph Cozza
How would you describe your podcast?
Reyna: A celebration of the underappreciated or just plain weird in the world of cinema! Episodes drop bi-weekly,
What made you start your show?
Reyna: I had initially come to Madison (my co-host) with the idea of a podcast focusing on the movies you normally don’t see covered on most horror/cult film podcasts. From there we brought in Steph and things took off! I think we found our niche in covering the weirder films that people tend to not even hear of. For myself, it’s provided a great outlet to discover movies I’ve never seen and then use the pod as a way of telling people “Hey, this kicks ass and you should check it out!”
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Reyna: For me, I wasn’t surprised. POC and voices like myself have always been here and around, it is just now that people are starting to take notice. Honestly, that’s a beautiful thing and I will always support horror and content that comes from POC voices because that perspective is undervalued and extremely important.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Reyna: Honestly? Just go out and do it. There’s always room for more and your voice is more important than you think. You deserve to be heard!
Let me know if you have become a fan of any of the shows highlighted on these lists at @misssharai.