#222 - Defy Doubt & Decode Monsters with Dr. Emily Zarka

In this episode Nick and Dr. Emily Zarka discuss her journey from childhood fascination with horror to her scholarly career. Emily highlights her web series "Monstrum," which aims to make academic insights on monsters accessible, drawing parallels to Anthony Bourdain's storytelling. They explore how monsters reflect societal fears, the evolution of figures like vampires, and the impact of technology on horror narratives. Discover how she found her passion, why monsters hold deep meaning, and how horror can have a cathartic element. From her PhD in British romantic literature with an emphasis on the Gothic to pitching a hit YouTube show, Emily’s story inspires resilience and creativity.

You can find Monstrum on YouTube ( ⁨@pbsstoried⁩ ), online (pbs.org), and the PBS History Channel. You can find Dr. Emily Zarka online (dremilyzarka.com).

00:00:00 | Intro to horror/monsters
00:03:54 | The start of Monstrum
00:11:29 | Monsters and a career in academia
00:15:42 | The cathartic element to horror
00:18:10 | Which monsters stick around and why?
00:28:15 | The rise of digital folklore
00:32:15 | The story of Slenderman
00:39:31 | Monstrum creation process
00:49:13 | Horror in the age of VR and AI

04/16/2025