Penn State Altoona professors celebrate one year of ‘Horror Joy’ podcasts

ALTOONA, Pa. - Penn State Altoona faculty members Brian Onishi, associate professor of philosophy, and Jeff Stoyanoff, assistant professor of English and of women's, gender and sexuality studies, ave released a new episode of their podcast, "Horror Joy." In the episode titled "The Professor is In: Revisiting a Year of Horror Joy with Kevin Wetmore, Jr.," Onishi and Stoyanoff reflect on their first year of celebrating the emotional and intellectual joys of horror in films and television.

They discuss their favorite moments, memorable interviews with horror genre figures like Paul Tremblay, S. Trimble and Stephen Graham Jones, and the impact of films like "Jaws," "The Blair Witch Project," and "Silence of the Lambs."

The episode features an in-depth conversation with Professor Kevin Wetmore, who shares his insights on the communal and personal joys of the horror genre, the evolving nature of the genre post-9/11, and the significance of the "final girl" trope. Wetmore also discusses his work in theater and medieval literature, emphasizing how the horror genre brings people together and helps them confront their deepest fears.

The full episode can be accessed on podcast providers or on Red Circle. Learn more about the "Horror Joy" podcast online.