Shows
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 66: Tales of Edgar Allan Poe with Annie NeugebauerIt's Episode 66! Just 600 more to go until we hit horror's favorite number! This week, Matthew welcomes celebrated author Annie Neugebauer to talk about her amazing new collection, You Have to Let Them Bleed, and we dig deep into the many tales of misunderstood horror master Edgar Allan Poe. We cover everything from "The Raven" to "The Fall of the House of Usher" to "The Black Cat" in this one, so Poe-heads strap in!- You Have to Let Them Bleed arrives March 17 from Bad Hand Books.- Check out Annie's website for updates on everything s...
2026-03-0451 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 65: "The Penance" with Johnny ComptonJohnny Compton returns! The author of The Spite House and Devils Kill Devils joins the pod for the second time to talk about his new novel, Dead First! We get into writing horror noir, Johnny's favorite crime writers, and much more, all in the middle of a terrific discussion on Saki's chilling short story "The Penance."- Check out Johnny's website for updates on everything he's got coming up. - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Ma...
2026-02-1858 minThe Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 64: Return to Oz with Alex WoodroeThis week, we're joined by Alex Woodroe, author and editor-in-chief of Tenebrous Press! We chat about her new book, The Night Ship, how she views "New Weird Horror" at this stage in her career, and much more. And of course, we dive into the dark fantastic of Return to Oz!- Check out the Tenebrous Press website!- Head to Alex's website for updates on everything she's got going on!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want...
2026-02-0456 minThe Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 63: The Omen with John Adams and Toby PoserWe're back! For our first regular episode of 2026, we're talking to two of my favorite horror filmmakers, John Adams and Toby Poser of Adams Family Films! We dig into the making of their new film Mother of Flies, discuss the process of writing and directing as a family, and much more, and then we dive deep into 1976's The Omen and its sequels!- Mother of Flies hits Shudder January 23! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to as...
2026-01-2149 minThe Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 62: The Best Horror Movies of 2025 with Matt DonatoHappy New Year! For our first episode of 2026, we're finishing up our Best of 2025 wrap-up with a discussion on the best horror movies of the past year. We're joined by Matt Donato, one of the finest horror critics on the web, and while we touch on a lot of the expected hits, you'll also hear about some horror films that deserve more attention. It's a great chat! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Check out Matt's Linktree for info on everything he does!- Follow the show on ...
2026-01-071h 02The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 61: The Best Horror Books of 2025 with Sadie HartmannIt's our final show of 2025, and we're using it to look back on the best horror books we read this year. Joining us this week we've got Mother Horror herself, Sadie Hartmann! We talk with Sadie about her latest book, Feral and Hysterical, and we dig into the best horror books of the year. You'll get a lot of cool book recommendations in this episode!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Check out Sadie's socials for everything she has going on!- Follow the show on BlueSky and ...
2025-12-311h 11
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 60: Christmas Evil with C. Robert CargillIt's Christmas time! C. Robert Cargill returns! Based on a brief conversation we had back during Fantastic Fest, Cargill was kind enough to stop by for the second time this year to talk Black Phone 2 spoilers and to unpack a fascinating take he has on 1980's Christmas Evil! It's killer Santa time on The Scares That Shaped Us!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Black Phone 2 is available now! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a reco...
2025-12-2452 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 59: Invasion Of the Body Snatchers (1978) with Clay McLeod ChapmanIt's Clay McLeod Chapman time once again! Our friend of the show returns for his fourth (!!!) visit to talk about his new book Shiny Happy People, everything he's got coming up in 2026, and of course, we dig deep into 1978's amazing Invasion of the Body Snatchers!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Shiny Happy People is available now wherever books are sold! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email...
2025-12-101h 13
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 58: Stand by Me and Aliens with Peter Hall and Paul GandersmanIt's our first two-story episode! Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman, writers and directors behind the new horror film Man Finds Tape, join the show this week. We talk about making a fake documentary horror film, Texas inspirations, playing with found footage, and much more. Plus, we dig into Rob Reiner's Stand By Me and James Cameron's Aliens! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Man Finds Tape is in select theaters and on VOD December 5! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want...
2025-12-0356 minThe Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 57: Gremlins with Chris PanatierChris Panatier, author of The Redemption of Morgan Bright, joins the show this week to talk about his new book, Shitshow, and we dig into the festive madness that is Gremlins, as well as the stealth masterpiece that is Gremlins 2: The New Batch. We also talk about Dublin Dr. Pepper, because Central Texas boys know. - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Pick up Shitshow from Sobelo Books! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a...
2025-11-261h 02
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 56: The Films of Jan Svankmajer with Jess HagemannJess Hagemann, who wrote one of the best horror novels of the year with Mother-Eating: A Documentary, joins the show this week to talk about her book and the historical deep dive that inspired it. Then we dig deep into the surreal, often disturbing short films of the great Jan Svankmajer! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Pick up Mother-Eating from Ghoulish Books! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else...
2025-11-1957 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 55: I Am Legend with Jonathan MaberryBram Stoker-winning writer and editor Jonathan Maberry joins the show this week! We talk about his NecroTek and Joe Ledger series, blending genres, editing Weird Tales, and more as we dive into a discussion of Richard Matheson's post-apocalyptic classic I Am Legend.- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness.- Visit Jonathan's website for updates on everything he's doing. - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.comH...
2025-11-121h 03The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 54: "Dread" with Nathan BallingrudNathan Ballingrud, author of North American Lake Monsters and The Lunar Gothic Trilogy, joins the show this week! We talk about Nathan's latest book, Cathedral of the Drowned, the importance of taking notes in his writing process, taking inspiration from classic pulp artists, and much more while we dive into one of Clive Barker's best short stories, "Dread." - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Cathedral of the Drowned is available now! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a questi...
2025-11-0556 minThe Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 53: Monsters (1988) with Trevor HendersonTrevor Henderson, legendary internet monster-maker and creator of the Scarewaves series, joins the show for our Halloween episode! We talk about Trevor's many creature designs, writing for a middle grade audience, and much more while digging into the classic syndicated TV series Monsters! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness, including a new essay on John Carpenter's Halloween every day this month!- Check out Trevor's Linktree to find him all over the web!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a questi...
2025-10-2959 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 52: "The Tell-Tale Heart" with Ally MalinenkoAlly Malinenko, author of middle-grade horror novels like Ghost Girl and This Appearing House, joins the show this week! We talk about her new novel Broken Dolls, writing for young readers, approaching horror as children, and of course, Edgar Allan Poe's legendary short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart"!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness, including a new essay on John Carpenter's Halloween every day this month!- Broken Dolls is available now!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a...
2025-10-221h 02
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 51: Let's Scare Jessica to Death with Bob PastorellaThis Is Horror co-host Bob Pastorella joins the show this week to talk about his new vampire novel The Small Hours! We talk Texas horror, Dracula, merging the crime and horror genres, and much more as we dive into Bob's work and its connection to a 1970s vampire classic, Let's Scare Jessica to Death!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness, including a new essay on John Carpenter's Halloween every day this month!- The Small Hours is available now from Ghoulish Books!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Fac...
2025-10-151h 12The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 50: The Stand (Chapter 38) with C. Robert CargillC. Robert Cargill, screenwriter behind movies like Sinister and The Black Phone and author of books like Sea of Rust and Day Zero, joins the show this week! We talk about his new movie Black Phone 2, his collaboration with Scott Derrickson, and much more. Then, we dive into a very particular portion of Stephen King's The Stand, and how it shaped Cargill as a writer!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness, including a new essay on John Carpenter's Halloween every day this month!- Black Phone 2 is in theaters October 17! ...
2025-10-081h 09
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 49: A Nightmare on Elm Street with Neil McRobertNeil McRobert, host of Talking Scared, joins us this week for a horror lit podcast crossover to talk about his debut novella, Good Boy! We discuss Neil's writing process, our shared love for dogs, and more, then we dive into Wes Craven's legendary slasher classic A Nightmare on Elm Street!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness, including a new essay on John Carpenter's Halloween every day this month!- Check out Talking Scared, and order Good Boy! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want t...
2025-10-011h 21The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 48: Where the Sidewalk Ends with Becky SpratfordBecky Spratford, librarian, critic, and all-around horror lit icon, joins the show this week! We talk about her new book Why I Love Horror, editing a wide array of bestselling genre authors, and more, and then we dive into a discussion of Shel Silverstein's Where The Sidewalk Ends! Is it horror? Maybe. Does it serve as a springboard for young horror fans? Absolutely!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness!- Check out Becky's blog for more on all the work she does!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Fa...
2025-09-241h 25The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 47: The Tommyknockers with Keith RossonKeith Rosson, author of the Fever House duology, joins the show this week to talk about his new vampire novel, Coffin Moon! We discuss his approach to vampire fiction, his writing process, and then we dig deep into a discussion of Stephen King's The Tommyknockers! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness!- Check out Keith's website for his books and links to his social media!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: sc...
2025-09-1755 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 46: The Amityville Horror with Rachel HarrisonRachel Harrison returns! We talk about her amazing new novel, Play Nice, infamous houses, and of course, dive into all things The Amityville Horror! We're talking about everything from the real events to the possible hoax to the pop culture franchise that's evolved from it all, and much more!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness!- Check out Rachel's website and follow her on socials!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: sc...
2025-09-101h 11The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 45: "The Night We Buried Road Dog" with John LanganBram Stoker Award-winning legend John Langan joins the show this week! We talk about his new collection, Lost in the Dark and Other Excursions, crafting short fiction, building a story over years, and more. We also dig deep into an excellent Jack Cady story, "The Night We Buried Road Dog." It's a great way to kick off Spooky Season!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness!- Check out John's blog!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a reco...
2025-09-031h 03The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 44: Skeleton Crew with Clay McLeod ChapmanIt's our one-year anniversary! To celebrate, we brought back our original guest, Clay McLeod Chapman, to talk about his new short story collection Acquired Taste! We dig into why short fiction appeals to Clay, how he works to craft shorter works, and we dig into Stephen King's classic collection, Skeleton Crew! Plus, Matthew makes an announcement!- Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness!- Follow Clay on BlueSky and Instagram! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a reco...
2025-08-271h 14The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 43: The Others with Isabel CañasCelebrated historical horror author Isabel Cañas joins the show this week to talk about her new novel, The Possession of Alba Diaz. We talk about the book's origins, Isabel's fascination with history, and more, and then we dive into an exploration of 2002's The Others! - Check out Isabel's website and sign up for her newsletter! - Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.comHosted by Matthew JacksonProdu...
2025-08-201h 11
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 42: The Stand with Christopher Golden and Brian KeeneIt's our first-ever double-bill on the podcast! Christopher Golden and Brian Keene are on the show this week to talk all things The Stand, from their first encounters with Stephen King's epic to their work editing the massive new anthology The End of the World as We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King's The Stand! Strap in, Constant Readers, it's a fun ride. - Be sure to find Christopher and Brian on social media, and pre-order The End of the World as We Know It!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!...
2025-08-131h 13
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 41: The Last Unicorn with Gretchen Felker-MartinGretchen Felker-Martin, the celebrated author of Manhunt and Cuckoo, joins the show this week! We talk about her new novel Black Flame, suppressed film history, writing about fascism in a time of fascism, and more. Then, we dig into the influence of The Last Unicorn on Gretchen's life and work. What's a fantasy movie doing on a horror podcast? You're about to find out!- Be sure to find Gretchen on BlueSky and Instagram, and check out her Patreon!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a ques...
2025-08-0651 minThe Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 40: Creepshow with Daniel KrausDaniel Kraus, celebrated author of books like Whalefall and much more, returns to the show this week in celebration of his new novel Angel Down! We talk about the book's unique style, writing World War I, and much more before pivoting to a discussion of the classic collaboration between George A. Romero and Stephen King, 1982's Creepshow!- Check out Daniel's website for updates on everything he has coming up, including Angel Down events!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a re...
2025-07-301h 10The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 39: "The Raft" with Wendy N. WagnerAuthor and Nightmare magazine editor Wendy N. Wagner joins the show this week to talk about her new novel Girl in the Creek, and to dive into one of Stephen King's most famous short stories, "The Raft." We talk about what Wendy looks for in short fiction, our shared rural childhoods, the inherent spookiness of lakes, and much more! Plus, Matthew's got a story up at Fangoria!- Check out Wendy's website and be sure to follow her on socials!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a que...
2025-07-231h 12
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 38: Quatermass and the Pit with Paul TremblayPaul Tremblay, the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of A Head Full of Ghosts, Horror Movie, and more, joins the show this week to talk about his new middle-grade horror novel, Another! We discuss the horror of kids in crisis, why teaching during the pandemic drove this novel, and of course, we dive deep into the Hammer Horror classic Quatermass and the PIt!- Check out Paul's website and be sure to follow him on socials!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offe...
2025-07-161h 04
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 37: "A Fish Story" with Stephen Graham JonesStephen Graham Jones returns for his third visit to the show! We talk about Stephen's latest double-feature book release, Killer on the Road/The Babysitter Lives, along with writing short fiction, what Stephen does when he's stuck on a project, and of course, Gene Wolfe's haunting "A Fish Story."It's also possible that the Mothman interrupted our communications at one point. We love cryptids.- Check out Stephen's website for everything he's got going on. - Check out Matthew's original short story on Ko-fi, with all proceeds going to the Transgender Law Center!
2025-07-091h 06
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 36: Splatterhouse with Valkyrie LoughcreweValkyrie Loughcrewe, one of horror's most exciting rising voices, joins us this week to talk about their new books Decrepit Ritual and Puppet's Banquet, and to dig into Splatterhouse, an '80s arcade game with a surprising amount of lore attached. Plus, we talk about tarot, music, gore, and much more! SHOW NOTES:- Find Val on Instagram!- Check out Matthew's original short story on Ko-fi, with all proceeds going to the Transgender Law Center!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a qu...
2025-06-2554 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 35: Suspiria (2018) with Valentina RojasThis week, Valentina Rojas joins the show to talk about her amazing debut novella, A Feast of Putrid Delights! We talk about how the book came together, co-working on Twitch, co-editing a short story anthology, and more, before diving in to this week's story, Luca Guadagnino's 2018 re-imagining of Suspiria!SHOW NOTES:- Find Valentina on Instagram!- Pick up A Feast of Putrid Delights right now from Ghoulish!- Check out Matthew's original short story on Ko-fi, with all proceeds going to the Transgender Law Center!- Follow the s...
2025-06-181h 07
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 34: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with Josh RountreeThis week, Texas-based author Josh Rountree joins the show! We talk about his new book, The Unkillable Frank Lightning, and we take on the most famous Texas horror movie of all time, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Josh's website!- Check out Matthew's original short story on Ko-fi, with all proceeds going to the Transgender Law Center!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com
2025-06-111h 01
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 33: Nightmare Ned with Sam RebeleinThis week, The Scares That Shaped Us takes on video games for the very first time. Sam Rebelein, celebrated author of Edenville, stops by to talk about his latest book, The Poorly Made and Other Things, and to dive into a somewhat forgotten piece of 1990s PC weirdness, Nightmare Ned!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Sam's website!- Check out Matthew's original short story on Ko-fi, with all proceeds going to the Transgender Law Center!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a quest...
2025-06-0459 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 32: "The Masks" with Gwendolyn KisteBram Stoker Award-winning author Gwendolyn Kiste, author of Reluctant Immortals and The Haunting of Velkwood, joins the show this week! We talk about how The Haunting of Velkwood took shape, classic horror movies, and of course, an episode of The Twilight Zone called "The Masks"!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Gwendolyn's website!- Check out Matthew's original short story on Ko-fi, with all proceeds going to the Transgender Law Center!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else...
2025-05-2854 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 31: From Dusk Till Dawn with Michael David WilsonMichael David Wilson, founder of This Is Horror, stops by the show to talk about his new novel Daddy's Boy, and we take a deep dive into Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's horror Western, From Dusk Till Dawn!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Michael's website for info on Daddy's Boy, and be sure to visit This Is Horror!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.comHosted by Matthew Jack...
2025-05-211h 11
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 30: The Cell with Caitlin StarlingCaitlin Starling, author of The Luminous Dead and The Death of Jane Lawrence, stops by the show this week to talk about her amazing new horror-fantasy novel, The Starving Saints! We talk about how Caitlin wrote the book, how she blended genres, and of course, we take a deep dive into The Cell!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Caitlin's website, and be sure to preorder The Starving Saints!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gma...
2025-05-1456 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 29: Night Shift with Christopher GoldenChristopher Golden stops by the show this week to talk about his new novel, The Night Birds, and to dive into our first Stephen King title. Gather your corn children and your giant rats, we're talking about 1978's Night Shift!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Chris's website for links to everything he's got going on, and be sure to pick up The Night Birds!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com
2025-05-071h 02
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 28: The Great and Secret Show with Todd KeislingTodd Keisling, author of Devil's Creek and Scanlines, joins the show this week to talk about his new novel, The Sundowner's Dance, and to take on our third Clive Barker story! This time we're talking a complete novel as Todd and Matthew dig into the dark strangeness of The Great and Secret Show!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Todd's website for links to everything he's got going on, and be sure to pick up The Sundowner's Dance!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a que...
2025-04-301h 05
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 27: Faces of Death with Joshua ChaplinskyJoshua Chaplinsky joins the show this week to talk about his latest book, Letters to the Purple Satin Killer, writing a different kind of serial killer story, his horror journey, and the infamous Faces of Death! SHOW NOTES:- Head to Joshua's website for links to everything he's got going on, and go pick up Letters to the Purple Satin Killer!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.comHoste...
2025-04-2358 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 26: Swan Song with Chuck WendigChuck Wendig, author of horror hits like The Book of Accidents and Black River Orchard, stops by the show this week! We talk about his latest novel, The Staircase in the Woods, and dive deep into the apocalypse of Robert McCammon's epic genre classic, Swan Song! Can stories about nuclear devastation actually be comforting? We're gonna find out!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Chuck's website for links to everything he's got going on!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Some...
2025-04-161h 05
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 25: Poltergeist with Ronald MalfiIt's our 25th episode and we're taking on one of the most influential horror movies ever, Poltergeist. Ronald Malfi joins the show to talk about the film's influence on his work, his new novel Senseless, and more!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Ronald's website for links to everything he's got going on!- Follow the show on BlueSky and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.comHosted by Matthew JacksonProd...
2025-04-0959 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 24: Event Horizon with L.P. HernandezThe author of In The Valley of the Headless Men and No Gods Only Chaos L.P. Hernandez stopped by the show this week to talk about his writing, his new publishing venture Sobelo Books, and the sci-fi horror favorite Event Horizon! We talk about the movie's gore, visual effects, cosmic horror, and how the ideas at the core of this film changed L.P.'s imagination forever. We also talk about how long you'd realistically take to string up a disemboweled man. Also, Tombstone rules.SHOW NOTES:- Head to L.P.'s website...
2025-04-021h 00
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 23: "The Burr Woman" with Nat CassidyWhen The Wolf Comes Home author Nat Cassidy stops by the show this week to talk about his new book, monsters, the genius of Terminator 2, and a very creepy story from his childhood called "The Burr Woman." It's a good time, including some fun (and not so fun) stories from our childhood. SHOW NOTES:- Head to Nat's website for more on his books and everything he's got going on!- Follow the show on BlueSky, Twitter, and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Ema...
2025-03-261h 15
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 22: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark with Erika T. WurthErika T. Wurth joins the show this week to talk about her amazing new novel The Haunting of Room 904 and Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark! We talk about ghost stories, haunted objects, horror in academia, writing process, and much more. It's a good time!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Erika's website for more on her books and everything she's got going on!- Follow the show on BlueSky, Twitter, and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: scaresthatshapeduspodcast@gmail.com
2025-03-191h 15
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 21: Near Dark with Stephen Graham JonesStephen Graham Jones makes his triumphant return to the show this week to talk about his amazing new novel, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, and Kathryn Bigelow's vampire classic, Near Dark. We discuss how Stephen crafted his own approach to vampires, how Near Dark holds up, what the vampire means in a contemporary fiction context, and much more.SHOW NOTES:- Head to Stephen's website for links to his socials and updates on everything he's up to!- Follow the show on BlueSky, Twitter, and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a ques...
2025-03-1256 minThe Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 20: "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" with Cynthia PelayoBram Stoker Award-winning author Cynthia Pelayo joins the show this week to talk about her latest book, fairy tales, true crime, and Joyce Carol Oates' legendary short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" It's one of the most formative horror (yes, it's horror) stories of the 20th century, and we get deep into its meaning and power. Enjoy!SHOW NOTES:- Head to Cynthia's website for links to her socials and updates on everything she's up to!- Follow the show on BlueSky, Twitter, and Facebook!- Want to...
2025-03-051h 00
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 19: The Gate with Max Booth IIIGhoulish Books founder, author, and Ghoulish Book Festival host Max Booth stops by the show this week to talk about their books, editing a new trans horror anthology, writing about bones, and much more as we tackle a classic of 1980s kid horror, The Gate!SHOW NOTES:- Head to the Ghoulish Books website for info on everything Max has going on, including Ghoulish Book Festival on March 14 & 15!- Follow the show on BlueSky, Twitter, and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a recommendation? Something else? Email us: sca...
2025-02-261h 10
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 16: "Mirror, Mirror" with Virginia FeitoVirginia Feito joins the show to kick off our February and promote her new novel, the much buzzed-about Victorian Psycho. We talk about the origins of the book, its inevitable comparisons, adapting the book to film, and Virginia's chosen story, the Amazing Stories episode "Mirror, Mirror," directed by Martin Scorsese. Mirrors: They're Scary!SHOW NOTES:- Victorian Psycho is available now!- Visit Virginia's website for info on everything she's up to!- Follow the show on BlueSky, Twitter, and Facebook!- Want to ask Matthew a question? Offer a rec...
2025-02-0557 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 15: Junji Ito's Tomie with Kailee PedersenKailee Pedersen, author of one of the best horror debuts I've ever read, joins the show this week to talk about her incredible book, Sacrificial Animals, and her love of Junji Ito's early horror manga classic Tomie! Plus, Matthew recommends Horror in the High Desert and The Lady and Her Monsters!SHOW NOTES:- Sacrificial Animals is available now, and Pastorale is coming soon from Burnside Press!- Visit Kailee's website for links to all of her social media!- Follow the show on BlueSky, Twitter, and Facebook!- Want...
2025-01-2956 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 14: "In The Hills, The Cities" with Zac ThompsonComics writer Zac Thompson joins us this week for our second consecutive episode devoted to the work of Clive Barker! We talk about Zac's comics, particularly his current eco-horror series Into the Unbeing, and tackle Barker's "In The Hills, The Cities," the impact of The Books of Blood, climate change, writing through the darkness, and much more.SHOW NOTES:- Into the Unbeing Part One is available 1/28! Part Two #1 arrives 2/12!- Follow Zac on BlueSky and Instagram!- Follow the show on BlueSky, Twitter, and Facebook!- Want to ask Ma...
2025-01-221h 05
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 13: Hellraiser with Eric LaRoccaIt's our first-ever Clive Barker episode, and we can't think of a better guest for that than Eric LaRocca. In this episode, we discuss Eric's new book At Dark, I Become Loathsome, the impact Barker had on his life and work, the secret knowledge of The Hellbound Heart and Hellraiser, writing about depraved humans with sensitivity and care, and much more!SHOW NOTES:- Pre-order At Dark, I Become Loathsome!- Check out Eric's website and follow him on BlueSky and Twitter!- Check out everything Anna Rose Reads has going o...
2025-01-151h 16
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 12: "The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles" with Grady HendrixFor our first regular interview episode of 2025, the great Grady Hendrix is here to talk about one of his favorite formative horror stories, Margaret St. Clair's 1951 short weird tale "The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles." Along the way we talk about his new novel, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, the importance of backstory in his fiction, the emotional content behind big concepts, and much more. Plus, stay tuned to the end for the reveal of our next guest!SHOW NOTES:- Pre-order Witchcraft for Wayward Girls!- Head to Grady's website for a...
2025-01-081h 05
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 11: The Best of 2024 with Gabino Iglesias and Russell FalconHappy New Year! In this special double-sized episode of the show, Matthew is diving in to the best horror stories of 2024 with two very special guests. First, Gabino Iglesias joins us to talk the best horror books of the year, and then Russell Falcon stops by to talk about the best horror movies of 2024. So, if you're trying to catch up on the year in horror, this is a fantastic place to get the best of the page and the screen.SHOW NOTES:- Follow Gabino on BlueSky and Twitter!- Follow Russell o...
2025-01-012h 47
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 10: Black Christmas with Clay McLeod ChapmanMerry (Black) Christmas! The great Clay McLeod Chapman returns this week as our first-ever second-time to guess, to fulfill a promise he made in our very first episode and discuss the immortal Black Christmas on this, its 50th anniversary. We talk about Clay's new book Wake Up and Open Your Eyes, the film's very upsetting phone calls, Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, that ending, Halloween, and so much more. Plus, hear why Clay has pledged to be the last-ever guest this podcast has (a long, long time from now), and stick around to the end for a message from Matthew...
2024-12-181h 44
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 9: House on Haunted Hill (1999) with Sofia AjramSofia Ajram joins the show this week to talk about her fantastic debut novella Coup de Grace, and to have a millennial blast with 1999's House on Haunted Hill. We cover everything from our love of tiny coffins to Geoffrey Rush's impossibly thin mustache to Sofia's first experience with the film as part of his school-age movie nights. It's a blast!SHOW NOTES:- Coup de Grace is available now!- Follow Sofia on BlueSky and Twitter, and visit his website!- Follow the show on BlueSky, Twitter, and Facebook!...
2024-12-041h 06
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 8: Arthur Machen's "The White People" with Gemma FilesOne of the finest horror writers alive, Gemma Files, is on the show this week! We talk about the inspirations for her short fiction, her latest collection Blood from the Air, and Arthur Machen's legendary story "The White People," an essential piece of weird fiction. It all comes together for a long chat about influences, inspiration, feeling like you're part of a secret world, and much more.SHOW NOTES:- Get Blood from the Air now!- Follow Gemma on Twitter and BlueSky!- Check out No Darkness But Ours!...
2024-11-201h 11
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 7: Twilight Zone: The Movie with Josh MalermanIt's a super-sized episode as Josh Malerman joins the show to talk about Incidents Around the House, 10 years of publishing horror, the unique way he promotes his books, and of course, Twilight Zone: The Movie. It's the first anthology we've covered on the show, and it's a hell of a chat about a fascinating project.SHOW NOTES:- Get Incidents Around the House now!- Follow Josh on Twitter!- Head to Josh's website for more cool stuff, including an entire free novel.- Follow the show on Twitter, Bl...
2024-11-061h 24
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 6: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark with BJ ColangeloHappy Halloween! It's a special Halloween edition of the show this week, as we're joined by writer/director/producer/critic/podcaster/awesome person BJ Colangelo to talk about a cornerstone of kid horror in the 1980s and 1990s: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about what these classic tales taught BJ about horror storytelling, the value of exposing kids to horror stories, and of course, our favorite Halloween memories, from trick-or-treating to the legendary costumes in our families.SHOW NOTES:- Order BJ and Harmony...
2024-10-301h 25
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 5: Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood with Stephen Graham JonesBig episode this week! The great Stephen Graham Jones stopped by to do what you always hope you'll get to do with Stephen Graham Jones: Talk about slashers. We tackled Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, how it shaped Stephen's approach to slashers and horror storytelling in general, how he'd teach this movie in a writing class, and of course, snakes. Because we're country boys, and country boys talk about snakes.SHOW NOTES:- Several of Stephen's earlier works are out new thanks to a re-release from Open Road Media!- Yo...
2024-10-231h 10
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 4: The Lost Boys with Hailey PiperThe great Hailey Piper joins The Scares That Shaped Us! We talked about her amazing new vampire novel, All The Hearts You Eat, writing about coastal towns, the influence of Twin Peaks, and more.Then, we turn to Hailey's chosen story, Joel Schumacher's 1987 vampire classic The Lost Boys! What role does sincerity play in horror media? How do you figure out vampire rules in the '80s? Is Grandpa the best character in the whole movie? We find out together!Plus, hear my recommendations for reading and watching here in the first half of October!
2024-10-091h 06
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 3: Jaws with Rachel HarrisonIt's Rachel Harrison week on The Scares That Shaped Us! The author behind novels like The Return, Cackle, Such Sharp Teeth, and Black Sheep joins the show to discuss her latest novel, So Thirsty, working through different horror subgenres, and balancing planning with spontaneity when working on a book.After chatting about Rachel's current work, we pivot to a discussion of Steven Spielberg's immortal classic Jaws, Rachel's childhood (and adulthood) fear of the water, which member of the shark-hunting trio we most identify with, and much more. What's the scariest scene in Jaws? Could we survive shark...
2024-09-2558 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 2: "The Invaders" with Daniel KrausHello, Horror Fans!And we're back! It's Episode 2 and we've got a good one for you! Our guest this week is Daniel Kraus, celebrated author of books like Rotters, Scowler, The Living Dead, and the amazing Whalefall. For Daniel's formative horror story, we're digging into "The Invaders," a 1961 episode of The Twilight Zone starring Agnes Moorehead as a poor woman who has some very unwelcome guests. Plus, we talk about single-location horror, the timelessness of The Twilight Zone, horror for kids, and of course his new book with George A. Romero, Pay The Piper. Plus, w...
2024-09-1144 min
The Scares That Shaped UsEpisode 1: Session 9 with Clay McLeod ChapmanHello, horror fans!It's Launch Day! Episode 1, featuring Clay McLeod Chapman, is now available to listeners. We talk about Clay's chosen formative horror story, Session 9, ambiguity in horror, the terror of well-produced audio, and which horror author could best pull off a James Brown-style performance. Plus, how many times can Clay write a story about another writer and get away with it, and what's the deal with Paul Tremblay?Show notes:Session 9 isn't streaming anywhere at the moment, but it is available to rent and buy if you'd like to get in on this...
2024-08-281h 25
M J Farrier another way?Social Media part 2, The Rise of the Cult within barefoot hoof careOur most gritty podcast to date by far, Matthew Jackson and Mark Johnson tackle the emotive and divisive subject of what can almost also be described as a dictatorship emerging within barefoot hoof care.With some incredulous claims and absolute statements, intermingling with actually some, very good advice. Matthew and Mark share their thoughts and opinions on how the Cult are utilising social media to influence and gain momentum.For once this podcast does contain some "MODERATE LANGUAGE" only driven by their mutual passion for the equine world and the special place as farriers th...
2024-05-2246 minM J Farrier another way?Collaboration with Matthew Jackson and mark JohnsonCollaboration in hoofcare, Is it a good thing or is it a bad thing? Its a bit of a follow on from our last episode as Mark gets very excited about some conversations he's been having and WOW! Matthew brings a whole new crossover dimension from his current world of hospitality. The learning curves and the fresh thinking keeps coming so if you can spare less than an hour this time? Pull up a chair or keep your eyes on the road and we hope you enjoy and grab a useful thought along the way.
2024-02-1152 min
Trailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaFighting the battle of the inbox - Lee Matthew Jackson - S38-E08Does your inbox own you rather than you owning it? Over the last six months I've been changing my relationship with my inboxes to get back control of my time, productivity and worklife balance. It's an ongoing battle, and one I feel I am winning. In this episode I share what I've done so far, why, and what the benefits have been.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/fighting-the-battle-of-the-inbox
2021-02-2418 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaProductivity is not about doing more - Lee Matthew Jackson - S38-E07Productivity is addictive and too much of a good thing can be bad for you. This week I share how I became addicted to productivity and lost sight of my why. In a refreshingly honest look at myself, I call out my ego, share changes in my life and the amazing impact it’s had on the business.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/productivity-is-not-about-doing-more/
2021-02-1721 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow to break bad habits - Lee Matthew Jackson - S38-E06A bad habit can be the limiting factor in your success. It could be something as simple as a tendency to procrastinate or an addiction to sugar that prevents you from being successful on your quest for happiness and growth.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-break-bad-habits/
2021-02-1015 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaWhy I am quitting social media - Lee Matthew Jackson - S38-E05I am quitting social media. In this episode I explore the reasons why and how I will be showing up online in the future.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/why-i-am-quitting-social-media/
2021-02-0327 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow much it costs to run a web design agency - Lee Matthew Jackson - S38-E04Knowing how much things cost is essential to the profitability and growth of your agency. Many agency owners quote on web projects without a clear understanding of their business costs or how that relates to the project they are quoting on.
Full show notes here: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-much-it-costs-to-run-a-web-design-agency/
2021-01-2827 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow to run a lean agency - Lee Matthew Jackson - S38-E03The last 12 months have forced business owners around the world to find new ways of delivering their products and services. For many this has lead to significant savings leaning on technology to help build leaner more efficient business models.
Full show notes here : https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-run-a-lean-agency/
2021-01-2123 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaOpen source software for web designers - Lee Matthew Jackson - S38-E02Proprietary software can get expensive and even the biggest commercial players are not always the best. Over the last 22 years I’ve used open source software either due to my budget or my love for the open source community.
Full show notes here - https://agencytrailblazer.com/open-source-software-for-web-designers/
2021-01-1428 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the drama9 productivity tools for your web design agency - Lee Matthew Jackson - S38-E01Improved productivity is essential for any web design agency to grow and flourish. Poor communication and business workflows may be OK at the beginning but they will begin to erode the quality of your output and rob you and your team of countless hours.
Full show notes here - https://agencytrailblazer.com/9-productivity-tools-for-your-web-design-agency/
2021-01-0720 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaWhat I am grateful for this Christmas 2020 - Lee Matthew Jackson - S37-E10Whilst 2020 has been a difficult year, there have still been things I can be grateful for. In our Christmas Special, I’d like to share with you some Christmas memories and some of the positives we’ve experienced from 2020.
Full show notes here: https://agencytrailblazer.com/what-i-am-grateful-for-this-christmas-2020/
2020-12-2320 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaSetting goals and how to achieve them - Lee Matthew Jackson - S37-E09Another new year is on the horizon, so let’s look at how we set goals for our business that are achievable and satisfying. As creatives we are very driven yet so often feel we’ve not met our true potential. This internal struggle erodes the joy we have in our achievements and leaves us feeling like we need to do more.
Full show notes here - https://agencytrailblazer.com/setting-goals-and-how-to-achieve-them/
2020-12-1609 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaDealing with rejection - Lee Matthew Jackson - S37-E08There is no worse feeling than your proposal being rejected by a prospective client. All those hours spent on it can't be recovered. 😭 The excitement you may have felt about the project dashed in an instant.
Full show note: https://agencytrailblazer.com/dealing-with-rejection/
2020-12-0910 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaWhat to ask during website discovery - Lee Matthew Jackson - S37-E07Ever wondered what questions to ask during a basic website discovery? Worried you might not capture everything you need to put together a winning proposal? In this episode I share the essential questions we use for our initial website discovery. This helps us to collate enough information to create an accurate reverse brief and to establish a reasonable budget.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/what-to-ask-during-website-discovery
2020-12-0216 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow to be productive during lockdown - Lee Matthew Jackson - S37-E05For those folks used to the office environment, life has been turned upside down. No take out coffee, no chatting at the water cooler, no podcast on the commute and no cheesy banter being thrown across the room. Seeing the virtual head and shoulders of those you've grown close to over the years is not the same as being together.
Here in the UK we are going through our second nationwide lockdown. I'll be honest with you... I am finding this one really difficult. I miss my team and getting work done is often more of a...
2020-11-1812 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow to start a web design business - Lee Matthew Jackson - S37-E04You might be doing it all wrong! Hear me out. Did your design hobby become a business because people started offering you money for your services? This is how many web design agencies were born, including my own and that is where the problem begins.
In this episode I will share with you some essentials for starting right. Set up your web design business for success with firm a foundation and with a clear strategy
Full show notes - https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-start-a-web-design-business
2020-11-1113 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow to set boundaries (and why it is important) - Lee Matthew Jackson - S37-E03Have you found yourself responding to emails late at night before bed? Do clients email you at the weekend expecting results first thing Monday? If these or similar scenarios ring true, then you have a boundary issue that could be affecting your health, your business, and your family life.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-set-boundaries-and-why-it-is-important
2020-11-0411 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaAre you wasting time on social media? - Lee Matthew Jackson - S37-E01Over the last five years we've grown a huge content library and spend countless hours writing, recording and showing up online. When it came to growing the team to help us support all that we do we suddenly realised that we had no measurement for success. How could we employ somebody when we'd have no way of measuring their effectiveness.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/are-you-wasting-time-on-social-media
2020-10-2213 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow to manage client expectations - Lee Matthew Jackson - S36-E07So often our clients expect the world from us. Over time a line can be crossed and you find yourself at the beck and call providing help and support for things that are far outside your remit. What's worse is you may even be doing this free of charge in order to keep your client happy.
Full show notes - https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-manage-client-expectations
2020-10-0714 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow I discovered my niches (Story time) - Lee Matthew Jackson - S36-E06Your niche is not always obvious and it can take time to develop the experience, understanding and passion for a particular demographic. I share with you two occasions where I discovered my niche and how.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-i-discovered-my-niches-story-time/
2020-09-3017 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow to stop working for free - Lee Matthew Jackson - S36-E04There are many ways you may be working for free. Some are by choice, others are not so obvious. In this episode we explore ways you could be devaluing your service and missing out on opportunities to charge for your expertise.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-stop-working-for-free/
2020-09-1625 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaDo you really need more leads? - Lee Matthew Jackson - S36-E03"How do I generate more leads"? This is a common question in our community. In most circumstances I'd suggest you don't need more leads, you need better leads and a better nurture and conversion process.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/do-you-really-need-more-leads/
2020-09-0922 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaFake it till you make it? - Lee Matthew Jackson - S36-E02You've heard the phrase "fake it till you make it"? Many agencies take this and feel they have to project an image of a large, vibrant, successful and global business that is going places. Others in the agency space try to establish themselves as authorities whilst they are struggling with the very things they teach.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/fake-it-till-you-make-it/
2020-09-0217 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaManaging debt in your agency - Lee Matthew Jackson - S36-E01Back in the late 00s, my agency at the time was struggling through the global recession. Our model included print management which would leave us responsible for paying printers long before our clients paid their final invoices. Throw into the mix clients disappearing, staff cost, rent, rates etc and you can see how quickly debt can form in your business.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/managing-debt-in-your-agency
2020-08-2616 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow to build your audience (and why you need to) - Lee Matthew Jackson - S35-E08In order to build influence, generate leads and grow our agencies need to build an audience. An audience is a group of people that are aware of you and whom consume your content.
As you build your platform and attract your ideal customers (your audience) you will find you begin to generate leads to your services and sales to your products.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-build-your-audience-and-why-you-need-to/
2020-08-1920 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaWhat would you do differently? - Lee Matthew Jackson - S35-E07If you had to start your business from scratch, what would you do differently? What would you do again that worked? Having been in business you will have learned what works and what doesn't. These are valuable lessons that we can apply to an imaginary fresh start. Let's go on a journey of starting our business from scratch and see if there is anything from it you can use to make change in your business today.
2020-08-1315 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaSigns you should slow down (And how to do it) - Lee Matthew Jackson - S35-E06I have burned out multiple times running my agencies. Why? Because I ignored the signs and kept pushing forward. I put deadlines, clients and my own pride before my health and mental well-being.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/signs-you-should-slow-down-and-how-to-do-it
2020-08-0515 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow I landed my first client - Lee Matthew Jackson - S35-E03As a teenager, I knew I wanted to be in business. My world was very small being the small UK town I live in so my game plan was to serve my local community as a web designer.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-i-landed-my-first-client
2020-07-1514 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaRunning an agency with depression - Lee Matthew Jackson - S35-E02I’ve been battling with my mental health many year. I’ve had a range of support including medication to keep me on track but things are still hard. Getting up in the morning is still an effort. A throw away comment from someone can still send me spiralling for days.
Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/running-an-agency-with-depression
2020-07-0816 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaOutcome driven websites - Lee Matthew Jackson - S34-E08The website is often seen as a checkbox on a long list of mundane and irrelevant marketing activities. It tends to become an online "calling card" with little to no thought on what it should actually do for the website owner. As agency owners we have an awesome opportunity to help build websites that help people achieve their objectives and we can do that from the wealth of experience we've had getting it right and learning from when we got it wrong.
2020-06-2414 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaWebsite discovery framework - Lee Matthew Jackson S34-E07Avoiding misunderstandings and ensuring you get everything down during the discovery process can be a nightmare! To help facilitate productive discovery sessions, we developed a framework that we've used on countless projects to ensure we capture as much as possible without missing the important elements.
Full show notes:
https://agencytrailblazer.com/website-discovery-framework/
2020-06-1713 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaConnect with your ideal audience - Lee Matthew Jackson - S34-E05We all have a personal brand, even if we don't fully understand what that is or what it looks like. Through networking, through attending events and through showing up online, I've developed a personal brand that attracts the right type of clients to the businesses I am a part of. For me it was accidental and as I try to become more intentional it made sense to connect with Nicole Osborne.
Nicole suggested a 5 day challenge to help unpack my personal brand more, and within minute we figured it would make sense to bring...
2020-06-0329 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaHow to launch a turnkey website business - Matthew Rodela -S24-E03With the cost of entry for web builds plummeting, how can you possibly compete in your niche? Matthew shares how to launch a turnkey website within your niche to help capture those who cannot afford custom builds. This gives people who want to work with you an experience of your services, and helps them continue to do business.
He shares with us the common mistakes he faced when launching a turnkey website business as well as valuable lessons he learned along the way. We go from inspection, to initial build, beta launch, growth and...
2018-12-1742 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaAgency Life Series - Matthew Glover - Littlefish Creative Agency - S22-E06Meet Matthew Glover from Littlefish Creative Agency. Littlefish Creative is an exciting full-service creative agency based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Although specialising in branding, the agency works across all creative disciplines including illustration, video production, photography and more. Fanatic about design, Littlefish started off small but has big ambitions and is fast growing in reputation, client base and global presence, boasting clients across the UK and UAE.
Full show notes here: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/agencylife-series-matthew-glover-littlefish-creative-agency/
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2018-09-2812 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaWordPress Hosting - Brian Jackson - S07-E02Lee grills Brian Jackson from Kinsta all about WordPress hosting from the perspective of a web agency. OH an it is our 50th full episode! Boom :)
Recommended themes/plugins
My Theme Shop Recommended theme resource. Well coded, lightweight had has used https://mythemeshop.com/
WP Subscribe Pro https://mythemeshop.com/plugins/wp-subscribe-pro/
Beaver Builder (Lee's recommendation... again) http://leejacksondev.com/beaverbuilder
Easy Digital Downloads Can be used as a good alternative for E-commerce too. https://easydigitaldownloads.com/
Resources
2016-11-0750 minTrailblazer FM: WordPress without the dramaSpeeding Up WordPress - Brian Jackson - S04-E06Meet Brian LEE Jackson from KeyCDN. Enjoy as he unpacks his top tips for speeding up WordPress, and these tips totally work because we have put them all to the test before making this podcast live! The podcast website is currently ZIPPING! Top 3 Speed
Tips:
1. Get a CDN (Example: http://leejacksondev.com/keycdn)
2. Optimise Your Images (Example: https://optimus.io/en/)
3. Control where JS/CSS is called (Plugin: https://tomasz-dobrzynski.com/wordpress-gonzales)
Speed Up WordPress Blogs: Speed Up WordPress: https://www.keycdn.com/blog/speed-up...
2016-06-2046 min