You Need To Be Following and Listening To These POC Horror Podcasts
Sharai Bohannon
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As a Black horror podcaster, one of the things I love is listening to other POC horror podcasts. We all love the genre (despite the racial stereotypes and lack of POC-led movies) and are excited to see people who look like us in this predominantly white space. Most of our podcasts are hard to find because we lack support and are not on any networks where most people would think to look for our shows. We usually find our listeners via word of mouth and social media. Here are nine shows that you can binge during this long winter.
Bloody Broads
Hosts: Bhavna Sharma and Jamie Howard
How would you describe your podcast?
We’re a bi-weekly horror podcast that deep dives into all the hidden and not-so-hidden themes with a critical lens.
What made you start your show?
Bhavna: I had been wanting to start a horror podcast for a while, but didn’t want to do it on my own. I wanted to dive deeper than the ones out there, and particularly about representation. One day I saw a tweet by Jamie saying she could talk for hours about how the true theme of The Shining was alcoholism. I replied with “SAME!” and a beautiful podcast was born.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Bhavna: I was very surprised to find out how big the community of POC horror content creators was. As an avid horror fan, I had no idea the community was so huge, as most of the horror content that came across my timeline was super mainstream, or white. It’s part of what motivated me to become a content creator myself.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Bhavna: Join us!!! One of us! One of us! We need more voices out there! You have a unique perspective, and it deserves to be heard! So if you’re thinking about starting a podcast, or jumping into the horror scene in general, I’d say just do it. You won’t regret it.
Brother Ghoulish’s Tomb
Host: Ryan W. Kinney
How would you describe your podcast?
I would describe Brother Ghoulish’s Tomb as a look into the horror genre through a QPOC lens. Through the reviews, short stories, and features I share, I’m celebrating what I believe the genre does right and issuing commentary on what could use some work.
What made you start your show?
I started Brother Ghoulish’s Tomb right at the beginning of lockdown because I had so much extra time on my hands. As a lifelong horror fan and writer, I was excited to create a space like a podcast to share my passions.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
I was surprised! Most POC people I’d encountered before starting my show were not into horror at all.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Do it. Yes, everyone and their mama is starting a podcast, but that’s a good thing. It’s YOUR voice and perspective, especially as a POC, that’ll set you apart. If you’re reading this, it’s not too late to join our spooky little family.
Destination 180°
Hosts: Aj Dickens and Jonne Winfree
How would you describe your podcast?
Aj: A weekly horror movie review podcast.
What made you start your show?
Aj: At the time I noticed there weren’t many POC podcasts, I was ready to share my perspective.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Aj: YES!!! This is the exact reason I started the show!
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Aj: Just start. Even if it isn’t “exactly” what you “expect” it to be based on what you see others doing. Just keep going until you find your thing and go with it. Everyone is so supportive, someone is going to feel it.
Homies of Horror
Hosts: Erika Nichols and Roshane Lawrence
How would you describe your podcast?
Erika: We like to say that we’re two friends, hanging out with microphones, talking about horror movies. We want it to feel like you’re chilling with us and just tuning into our conversation. We like to have a balance between more casual and lighthearted banter, and more in-depth analysis and review.
What made you start your show?
Erika: I started to get into podcasts toward the beginning of the pandemic. I remember feeling so creatively stifled, and I wanted to have an outlet and something to look forward to. It was important to me that I chose something to talk about that I was passionate about. I proposed this idea to Roshane, mainly because we are good friends with a mutual obsession for horror, and we both love dissecting films. He was immediately down, and from there it all just kind of took off. We did a practice episode to see if we felt like it was a good fit, and we had the podcasting bug right away.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Erika: Yeah. I think POC characters in horror for so long had been relegated to sidekicks, or jokes, or victims. So, sometimes you can feel like maybe other POC don’t enjoy those films as much as you do. We were ecstatic to join the space and see so many other content creators who looked like us, and enjoyed these movies but were also down to put a critical lens on them. As more and more stories within the genre come about that are focused on characters of color, we are dying to hear other POC content creators’ thoughts and see things from their perspective, and we hope others feel the same.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Erika: I’d say just jump into it. Get yourself some equipment, record an episode, and see how you feel. The most important thing is that you have fun. If it doesn’t feel fun, or you’re not passionate about it, then maybe it’s not for you. Which is totally okay. But if you do it and enjoy yourself, then you’ve found a great hobby and a very welcoming community. It’s so important that we add our voices and perspective to this genre. If you have something to say and add to the discussion, please do it because I promise you that you will find yourself an audience!
Midnight Social Distortion
Host: Mark O. Estes
How would you describe your podcast?
I describe it as a look at horror through Black gay eyes.
What made you start your show?
I’d always wanted to do a podcast before they became mainstream. I loved podcasts and the medium, but I didn’t know where to start and if I had the equipment and space to begin. But once I found other black horror content creators, I wanted to become a part of that world and try to focus on gay themes in horror. Namely, Black gay themes.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
It was them who encouraged me to start my podcast. Podcasts were the way that I discovered other black horror fans. My first Black horror podcast ever was Girls Will Be Ghouls that was hosted by Ashlee Blackwell and Zena Dixon. Listening to them I found out about other black horror fans across the nation (and world) and it started my journey into collecting, curating, celebrating, and studying more black horror studies. So it was inevitable that I would eventually try to do my own spin on black horror podcasting, it was just trying to find out what angle to tackle the subject from.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
It’s all about supporting each other. This isn’t a race to who is the best, or who knows the most. It’s about amplifying our voices in a genre that we love and want to see more representation in and if we build a sense of community, we can be a united voice in the horror community.
Nightmare on 5th Street: A horror movie podcast
Hosts: Dalia De León and Alma De León-Clarke
How would you describe your podcast?
Co-hosts and sisters Alma and Dalia discuss a different horror movie each week. We’re a recap show with tons of spoilers and lots of opinions. Cult classics, foreign, ghost stories, and cheesy 80s horror are just some of the genres we love to discuss. Expect spoilers and tons of NSFW content because we turn off the filter for this one.
What made you start your show?
Dalia: Alma and I love all things horror and love horror movies of all types. We grew up watching horror and continued to do so because we love the theatrics and the escapism. Horror has been a big part of our lives in entertainment and coping with our personal lives. It’s a wonderful way to forget all your shit while being entertained in ridiculous, over-the-top ways. Meeting once a week to watch a movie and then record has been an amazing way for Alma and me not only to socialize but also to meet other cool people.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Dalia: Yes! We were looking and couldn’t find anything out there. So we thought let’s do it and be that content we’re looking for. From that came the opportunity to find all these other amazing POC creators. POC in horror is not pushed as heavily (or at all) as other creators so how were we supposed to find everyone? We need to change that because there are some fun, amazing, creative horror creators that, hello, just happen to be POC.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Dalia: Do it! There are beautiful, creative, amazingly supportive people in the horror community. We cheer each other on, promote each other, have fun, and it’s just awesome being a part of this awesome group of people.
Pod Mortem: A Horror Podcast
Hosts: Travis Hunter, Reneé Hunter Vasquez and John Paul Vasquez
How would you describe your podcast?
Travis: Pod Mortem is a podcast dedicated to bringing our listeners’ scene-by-scene reviews of horror films. Each episode is filled with commentary, trivia, and a ridiculous amount of laughter! We do our best to keep the show as casual and conversational as it is interesting and informative.
What made you start your show?
Reneé: I have always been a horror fan and so have John Paul and Travis. John Paul had been trying to get the two of us to start a podcast for a long time. We thought about TV shows, like Game of Thrones. When we decided on horror, Travis was immediately on board. We started to get more serious about the planning, but when the pandemic hit in 2020, we suddenly had the time. The uncertainty, confusion, and fear of everything going on led us to finally pull the trigger. For me, it was an incredible outlet during such a scary time.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Reneé: I wouldn’t say I was surprised, I was more thrilled. I always knew we were out here, even though we, unfortunately, don’t always get the recognition that our counterparts do. Meeting other POC horror content creators has been one of the highlights of this journey.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Reneé: Do it!! The support system is amazing. There is a wonderful community here and there is room for you!
Rise From the Dead Podcast
Host: Ash Caldwell
How would you describe your podcast?
A fun, easy-going show where I and the horror family can discuss lesser-known horror gems and decide if the film should “rise from the dead or stay buried.”
What made you start your show?
I’m a cohost on Kill the Dead podcast. Being on the show helped me further my podcast dreams and create my own show. I’m always that go-to person for movies and I just happen to know a lot of hidden gems and where to find them.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
I’ve always known there were some POC content creators, but after I’ve started my podcast journey, I’ve discovered so many more amazing creators that I now call family.
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Go for it! Follow your dreams! This journey has been nothing but amazing and truly a blessing! Podcasting helped me out of a dark place and I am forever grateful. I’ve met soo many amazing people that I now call my family.
Shaken Not Scared
Hosts: Erick Perez and Vivi Balcazar
What made you start your show?
Erick: We have an ever-growing horror movie watchlist and are avid listeners of different podcasts from true crime to ghost stories, comic book movie news, and other genres. We were already having these conversations about horror outside of the show so adding a mic wasn’t too different.
Were you surprised to find other POC horror content creators after you started your show? Why, or why not?
Erick: We weren’t surprised at all! Horror is for everyone and always should be! What we were surprised to see was how little POC horror content creators and films were among the “big” names. Really makes you want to go out there and yell “We’re here too!”
What is one thing you would want to say to POC thinking about joining the horror podcast community?
Erick: Sure there may be 101 other horror podcasts out there with better audio, better video, better artwork, better numbers, better whatever, but you know what they don’t have is your opinion, your voice, and your insight so let them be heard!
Make sure to follow, listen, and support all of these content creators! Drop me a line at @misssharai if I missed your favorite DIY POC Horror Podcasters this round.
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