Let’s face it--most of us don’t know that much about alligators, and what we think we know (run in a zigzag because alligators are aggressive) is a myth. In this episode, we’re going to do some myth-busting with expert naturalist Shannon Matzke. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this! Fun links: https://news.ncsu.edu/2022/10/alligators-exposed-to-pf…

It’s hard to love a novel if you can’t engage with the characters. Even though they’re fictional, the characters in a book still have personalities, psychologies, motivations, and needs that are worth unpacking. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Camille Holiner discusses trauma-bonding, self-esteem, personal growth, and family dynamics as …

Anyone else like to do wild things and film it for YouTube? No? Just my special guest? In this episode, my wonderful husband Ryan joins us for a discussion of youthful shenanigans, urban exploring, and the horror (and humor!) of getting into trouble--inspired by a pair of characters in my debut novel! Order your copy of my debut horror-thriller nov…

Horror author Z.C. Krol is back to discuss his journey to publication, the horror genre at large, and why we like to scare people so much. You can find Z.C.'s novella Disseverment on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Disseverment/dp/B0C78KNVJQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YE2ZCGERHTIO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xNp0gUQHvWWwTtKSmj7OHrB7iuYYV3JPBOoa6WVm17b93U9Vp9_cDU…

Welcome to a brand-new season of Horror Humor Hunger! This season is all about my debut horror-thriller, A COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS. Tune in for a tasty teaser of the book, then a discussion with a special guest about my inspiration and publication journey! Order your copy of my debut horror-thriller novel, A Cold Night for Alligators: https://vig…

Season 5 is coming soon--and it’s inspired by my debut novel, A Cold Night for Alligators. We’ll have an excerpt from the book, plus interviews from fascinating guests ranging from a wildlife naturalist to a fantasy funeral director--and of course, we’ll end with a delicious recipe from baker extraordinaire, Becky Parr of PerfectSlice Bakeware. You…

When I think canned laughter, I think sitcoms and TV dinners. Join me and recipe genius Becky Parr as we reinterpret the classic TV dinner in a healthier, more nutritious, and--dare I say--more delicious way! Recipe below. Links: You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81133260 “Ultra-Processed People” by C…

If you have no idea what a ‘sex witch’ is, you’re not alone--but you’re about to find out. My very special guest, Olivia LaRue, is a practicing sex witch, legal madame, and certified sex therapist. Join us as we discuss the spooky--and humorous--side of her work, from the terrifyingly paranormal to the hilariously goofy! Sound effects courtesy of P…

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Harker Jones, an editor, writer, and screenwriter with years of experience. Join us as we discuss failing forward, self-publishing, writing for the screen versus print, creative collaboration, movie adaptations, and paranormal experiences. You can find Harker Jones on Instagram https://www…

A huge part of understanding history is learning more about the people who came before us--and sometimes, that means delving into the paranormal. Join me and my very special guest, Dr. Kristy Sumner of Soul Sisters Paranormal, as we discuss ghostly investigations, historic preservation, paranormal tourism, and more! Links Soul Sisters Paranormal: h…

Is anybody else creeped out by old technology? Even if you’re not, join us for a discussion of all things electronic. We also touch on the moviegoing experience, audiophiles, and what makes visual media scary. Links you might enjoy: More information about William Castle and the 4-D moviegoing experience: https://collider.com/william-castle-horror-s…

Have you ever thought very hard about laughter? Laughter can express everything from delight to fear, and it can have physiological implications, as well. It’s also often contagious--which helps explain the canned laugh tracks we all know and (maybe) love. In this episode, Dr. Camille Holiner and I break down the meaning of laughter, the role of gr…

When you really think about it, any industry can be creepy! Join me and my special guest Katherine as we dissect the true story behind “The Laff Box” (it was a real thing!), why something mysterious can also feel sinister, how nonverbal communication like emojis has evolved over time, and several other industries with concealed histories (spoiler a…

We’re kicking things off with my short story “The Laff Box,” which you can also read here: https://vmp22.medium.com/the-laff-box-7bafde9f9008?sk=0598af7d7231964db1d80ad0e8b4fa04 This story is a (hopefully obviously) fictionalized retelling of the real-life Charley Douglass and his Laff Box. Enjoy! Sound effects courtesy of Pixabay. Keep up with Hor…

This season is inspired by my short story “The Laff Box”, which offers a fictionalized history of the famous ‘Laff Box’, the real-life machine behind all those canned sitcom laughs of the late 20th century. In subsequent episodes, we’ll discuss everything from the nature of laughter to the engineering of spooky electronics. Plus, I’m very lucky thi…

We’ve made it to the end of another season, which means it’s time to feed you! I hope you’re hungry for one of my mom, Becky Parr’s, newest creations inspired by “Grandma Ruth’s U.P. Truck Stop.” These Diner Pancake Sandwiches are easy, beautiful, and, of course, delicious. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did! Recipe: Diner Stuffed Pancake Sand…

Northern Michigan, as the short story suggests, is a beautiful place, but it’s also very unique--some might even say weird. In this episode, we’ll talk to two very special guests and native Michiganders who can tell us firsthand what small town Northern Michigan is really like--the wild, the wonderful, and the weird. You can find the book Ryan ment…

Dealing with grief and trauma is never easy, and people have developed so many different coping mechanisms. In this episode, Dr. Camille Holiner and I break down the grief process, how to heal after a traumatic event, the psychological nature of humanity, and more. Keep up with Horror Humor Hunger: - Instagram: @horrorhumorhungerpodcast - Viggy's I…

I know we just talked about the possibilities of artificial intelligence, but hey--things move so fast in the tech world that a part two to this conversation is necessary. My lovely husband Ryan, a computer engineer, is back to discuss some of the new things he’s learned about AI--and trust me, it definitely brings the horror! The two articles we r…

Grandma Ruth’s robots sound terrifying--but are they actually possible? In this episode, my lovely husband Ryan, a computer engineer, talks us through artificial intelligence and the possibility that these robots could--or could not--actually exist, and what that could mean for humanity at large. This is part one of our two-part series on AI and ro…

Is a humanoid robot human at all? Should the dead stay dead? If you bring someone back mechanically, what fills the void? These are the kinds of questions my special guest and I will grapple with as we discuss the inspiration behind and meaning of my short story featured in episode 1, “Grandma Ruth’s U.P. Truck Stop.” If you want to listen to some …

Welcome back for Season 3! This season will focus on my short story “Grandma Ruth’s U.P. Truck Stop.” In this story, graduating University of Michigan engineering student Rachel Regal gets a letter from her hometown letting her know her uncle has passed. However, when she returns home for the funeral, there’s something off about the small town she …

For Season 3, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming--meaning this season is all about another one of my original short stories. This particular story, which was inspired by The Stepford Wives, is called Grandma Ruth’s U.P. Truck Stop--U.P. as in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It’s creepy, it’s atmospheric, and, I hope, it will make yo…

When you hear ‘alien,' you probably think of a little green man with giant black eyes flying around in a saucer-shaped UFO--but what if aliens really exist, and they’ve visited this planet before? What if they live among us right now? In this episode, we’ll talk to two special guests who have very different opinions about the possibility of alien l…

“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” --Cesar A. Cruz Art holds a very important place in our society--it can disturb, it can comfort, it can intrigue, it can horrify--and everything in between. Join me and my two special guests, who are both accomplished artists, as we break down the intersection of art and horror. You ca…

A home is usually the biggest purchase any of us will ever make, so it can be terrifying when things go wrong. In this episode, my friend Katherine Vantosh and I break down the horror and humor of all things home--from haunted houses to bad flips to considerations for renovations. You can find the Paradox of Choice TED Talk here: https://www.youtub…

Camping is a national pastime; there’s something about marshmallows roasting over an open fire after a long day of hiking that just hits the spot, right? Well… not always. Not everyone can be a happy camper. In this episode, we’ll hear from two very special guests who have had markedly different experiences while camping. Ranging from the adventuro…

It’s safe to say dating today is very different compared to dating a few decades ago. The introduction of smartphones and dating apps has radically changed how we meet people--and not always for the better. Today’s special guest, Dr. Camille Holiner, and I both met our husbands on dating apps, and we’re here to discuss the good, the bad, and the ug…

Horror isn’t confined to books and movies--there’s also the in-between space, where audio and visual elements combine to make something new and interesting. That’s exactly what today’s special guests, Winslow Swan and Crimson McKenzie, set out to explore with their audiovisual horror offering, Doorway to Nightmare. While Doorway to Nightmare starte…

For this episode, I want to take you to the movies! But not just any movies--we’re here to talk all about turkeys, which are those movies that are so bad they’re delightfully good. I’m joined by two special guests, Movie Miss and Drive-In Dave, the wonderful co-hosts of the ‘Let’s Talk Turkeys' podcast, who share their wealth of expertise about the…

“Jelly is so close to human flesh. That is why it’s delightful for us, because it’s made out of gelatin. It starts off quivering, then there’s a sort of lustrous motion as it dissolves in the mouth. There’s something rather fleshy about it, which I think is wonderful.” --Sam Bompas Jelly, with its creepy, wobbly, wiggly appearance, inspired me to w…

What makes a work of literature ‘great?' Why are some books upheld as paragons of cultural and social critique while others are dismissed as ‘junk food’? Why is horror so often relegated to the junk food category? In this episode, special guest and horror author Z.C. Krol helps us answer these questions and many others. We explore the concept of sp…

Everybody’s favorite guilty pleasure isn’t always so benign. Reality TV can easily turn into a horror show, blurring the lines between what is really real and what is unreal. Join us as we unpack the nuances of reality TV, what it means for us as a culture, and how it can slide so quickly into true horror. Here are a few of the shows we mention: Un…

Happy Mother’s Day! Special guest clinical psychologist Dr. Camille Holiner breaks down ‘mommy issues’ as we discuss why moms can be so darn scary. We’ll also hear from two very important moms who have some scary (and funny!) stories to tell about the reality of being a mother. This episode’s recipe is ICE CREAM PIE, because mothers can be cold, an…

I couldn't wait until October to get back into podcasting with Season 2, so I'd like to announce Hot Ghoul Summer! What is Hot Ghoul Summer? Throughout the summer, I'll be releasing episodes about interesting topics that don't fit neatly into a season. Things like the wonderful world of aliens, the horrors of reality TV, the terror and hilarity of …

Expert bakeware inventor and recipe developer Becky Parr joins us again to share the recipe she created inspired by this season’s featured short story, ‘The Leak’! This Meatball Sub Casserole is sure to feed your fears! You can find the full recipe here: https://vmp22.medium.com/the-meatball-sub-casserole-that-will-feed-your-fears-f9ec4195281b?sk=e…

Did last week’s episode leave you hanging? Fear not--here’s Part Two of the Mysterious Moist Ghost saga. We'll finally (maybe?) solve this mystery! For a full breakdown (with photos and spoilers!) of this story, check out my article on Medium at: https://vmp22.medium.com/the-mysterious-very-moist-ghost-and-the-diabetic-schnoodle-fa21da54e8e2?sk=bb0…

Fictional stories can be scary, that’s for sure--but what about a real-life ghost right across the street? In this episode, we’ll hear Part One of the Mysterious Moist Ghost that terrorized my parents in their new home. A Medium article was mentioned in the episode, but to avoid spoiling the rest of the story, that article won’t be posted until nex…

What is it about psychological horror that is so perpetually terrifying? Clinical psychologist Dr. Camille Tobolowsky helps us break down the connection between mental health and horror both in the story ‘The Leak’ and in other horror media. Want another taste of psychological horror? Check out https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/g34287899/psy…

Why is ‘The Leak’ scary--or not [make sure you've listened to Episode 1!]? Host Viggy Hampton and special guest Becky Parr discuss the true events that inspired the story, why it’s scary (or not), how consuming horror can be a cathartic experience--and so much more. Atlas Obscura article about MTA water barrier testing: https://www.atlasobscura.com…

In this original short story by Viggy Parr Hampton, societal pariah Andrew Ferenc finds himself trapped in a subway station during a water barrier test. The barrier is leaking, but that’s not the worst part—he quickly realizes he’s not alone in the dark. You can read the full story here: The Leak Keep up with Horror Humor Hunger: - Instagram: @horr…

In Horror Humor Hunger, host and horror author Viggy Parr Hampton will scare you, make you laugh, and then feed you. Each season presents an original short story, followed by interviews with experts, discussion about the themes of the story and the nature of horror, and a custom-crafted recipe inspired by the story. This season features a short sto…