Penn State Altoona professors host podcast on Appalachian folk horror

The logo for the Horror Joy podcast, featuring a skull speaking into a microphone

Penn State Altoona faculty members Brian Onishi, associate professor of philosophy, and Jeff Stoyanoff, assistant professor of English and women's, gender, and sexuality studies, released a new episode of their podcast, "Horror Joy," titled "Vampires: Dracula, Salem's Lot, and Midnight Mass."

Credit: Jason Long, Spring Dam Designs

ALTOONA, Pa. — Penn State Altoona faculty members Brian Onishi, associate professor of philosophy, and Jeff Stoyanoff, assistant professor of English and women's, gender, and sexuality studies, released a new episode of their podcast, “Horror Joy,” titled “Appalachian Folk Horror: ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and ‘Old Gods of Appalachia.’”

Sometimes, the most terrifying monsters aren't lurking in the shadows, but in the very heart of our world. In this episode of “Horror Joy,” the hosts delve into the eerie world of folk horror, where ancient myths and environmental fears intertwine.

The episode explores the following topics:

  • The Appalachian Nightmare: How the exploitation of the Appalachian landscape has given rise to terrifying folklore and real-world consequences.
  • “The Blair Witch Project”: The unsettling power of place and the psychological terror of the woods.
  • “Old Gods of Appalachia”: The ancient evil lurking beneath the surface of the Kentucky hills.

The episode is now available online. Learn more about the "Horror Joy" podcast.

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