the Mentally Oddcast

This week, we talk with Sheldon Higdon about his new book and writing career. We discuss how Stephen King impacted our work as young writers, the perils of psyche meds...and the perils of living without them. Also movie scores as writing music, writing about family, living with the same name as a popular character, and classic zombie lore. 

How does being an unwanted child impact a person? Is there really an AI Authors Guild? What's it like getting doxxed? We talk about all of that--plus we call out Wellbutrin and Bill Burr. We talk politics, (ep was recorded a day after Charlie Kirk's killing) weed strains, were-panthers, MAGA trolls, and Zooskeeping. TW for suicide, DV, SA, and animal tragedy. 

Find more from Jaime Johnesee here. 

Our 50th episode features sci-fi/horror novelist, publisher, and podcast pioneer Scott Sigler. We talk the pro and cons of ADHD, King Kong, and parse ChatGPT for language creation. We also discuss AI ethics, a drug called caffeine, and close with a 1990's radiodrama that Scott and I made with some friends way back in undergrad. And of course, there's a MadLib. 

Michael Allen Rose talk horror and comedy, writing and art, and the remarkable resilience of the weird kid. We examine the changeable nature of success, wonder what the hell is wrong with Snoop Dogg, and opine on why humans make art in the first place. Also, the value of kindness, Jason Vorhees and Roy, and Wednes explains why she has a lifeaversary.

This week, we talk horror and comedy, women in television--behind the scenes, and examine why only 12-15% of TV comedy is written by women. Also, neurodivergence in media, why autistic folk don't understand liars, caving, code switching, and what I'd do with a giant grant. 

This week we get way political as we air our grievances with the rise of fascism in America--and share some ideas for resistance and collective action. Also, separating art from artists, writing as therapy, open carry dildos, and the rerelease of A Stabbing for Sadie. Find more from M Kelly Peach here. 

Pat Green and WLF talk consent and allyship, why grammar nazis kinda suck, plotters versus pantsers, why we need storytellers, and inspiration.

TW for discussions of religious abuse, suicide, and sexual assault.

TW for discussion on DV, SA, and suicide. 

This week, discussion with Pandem Buckner includes Disney, horror movies, consent, shelter work, and the fact that there are no white people in the bible. Also rage toward education, depression, ADHD, and we accidentally invent the concept of propaganda. Find more from Pandem Buckner here. 

Amanda Morin is a special education and accessibility advocate who specializes in neurodiversity-affirming learning environments. We talk horror movies, labels vs stigma and the value of diagnoses. Also depression vs burnout, the "crip trope" and her work with Noggin. Fina Amanda at www.amandamorin.com

Season four kicks off with actor and editor of Resilient Brainforest (and a bunch of other stuff) Jonathan Harford. We talk about how ADD has affected our creative projects--and how we navigate the pitfalls now. Plus AI, how horror and comedy are more alike than we notice. Wednes talks lesbian lizards and learns about Cookie Clicker, Exquisite Monster, and a movie called Krisha. 

Chapin Lennon is an activist and advocate who lives with dwarfism and is trans-masc. They are especially passionate about disability history and representation.  We talk Peter Dinklage and Billy Barty, fetishists, representation--and what to do should some maniac treat you as if you're "good luck." Plus Foul Play, The Greatest Showman, and The Station Agent.

A full transcript of this ep can be found here.