In this episode of Streamin’ Demons, Jo and Amelie dig deep into Barry S2E3: trauma, storytelling, and rewriting reality. From war monologues to abuse revelations, this one’s raw. Amelie shares a powerful personal story of surviving a street attack—and what it means to be believed. Jo and Amelie debate whether fiction helps or hurts when truth is too sharp to handle.

👀 Watch/listen here: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell
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🧠 KEY MOMENTS

 * Opening Chaos – Jo and Amelie spiral into existential musings on writing, lies, and trauma.
 * Main Plot – Barry rewrites his first kill… but whose truth is it?
 * Character Study – Sally’s past confronts her. Is she a victim? A liar? Both?
 * Jo’s Big Take – Veterans are discarded. Writing your truth might just destroy you.
 * Amelie’s Reflection – A raw, personal story of being attacked in public and abandoned by bystanders.
 * WTF Moment – “Please strangle me.” Sally goes full method and it’s deeply uncomfortable.

Barry S2E3 Breakdown: Rewritten Pasts, Real Pain & Braveheart Lies

Jo dives into the strange and science-meets-spiritual world of the paranormal with Dr. Heather Leigh Carroll‑Landon, a researcher and ghost investigator who blends metaphysical studies with boots-on-the-ground evidence. From seeing spirits as a child to using fidget spinners as ghost tools, Heather brings decades of personal experience, academic study, and wild stories.

She opens up about a powerful dream where a spirit warned her of a health crisis—and how that dream may have saved her life. Jo and Heather also unpack the creep factor of the Hat Man, why this shadowy figure shows up in multiple cultures, and how locations like ghost towns, petroglyph sites, and even ley lines might be tied to paranormal energy.

This episode is equal parts goosebumps and grounding. Whether you’re a believer or just paranormal-curious, you’ll walk away with chills and new questions.

KEY MOMENTS:

 * Opening riff – A Coke Zero wardrobe malfunction kicks things off
 * Personal story – Dr Heather shares a dream-visitation from a spirit during a major health scare
 * Guest’s big insight – Paranormal research needs rigor, data, and respect
 * Behind-the-scenes moment – A mysterious miner appears to a museum guest—no one was there
 * Why it matters – How belief, intention, and repeatable methods bridge science and spirit

👉 https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell
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Dr. Heather Leigh Landon on Ghosts, Science & the Shadowy Hat Man | What’s Kraken Interview

Jo and Amelie dig into DIE’CED: Reloaded, the blood-soaked, synth-drenched slasher from writer/director Jeremy Rudd. With 1987 Seattle vibes, practical gore effects, and a killer clown with a motive, the film channels the best of classic horror without falling into “just a list of kills” territory.

Along the way, Jo shares highlights from his interview with Rudd, behind-the-scenes details on bringing Benny the Clown to life, and why this indie debut feels like a lost VHS gem.

Then the duo swaps stories from Gen Con 2025 — from being mowed down in Tower of Gaxx to killing replicants in Blade Runner, decapitating snake priests in Mörk Borg, dodging slow-moving convention crowds, and hunting for the perfect hotel. Expect sarcasm, survival tips, and a few public service announcements for Lyft.

🎥 DIE’CED: Reloaded hits theaters August 8 and VOD August 12.
🎧 Hear Jo’s full interview with Jeremy Rudd (click on our linktree for more info!)
📍 More episodes: https://linktr.ee/EmptyHell

We are Amazon Affiliates. If you click an Amazon link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Key Moments:

 * 00:01 – IE’CED: Reloaded intro… and immediate Gen Con derailment
 * 01:22 – Killing replicants in Blade Runner (and paying the price)
 * 01:55 – Mörk Borg mischief: rope, head puppets, and snake temples
 * 02:13 – Favorite games at Gen Con — and charity carnage in Tower of Gaxx
 * 06:16 – Con crowd control, stroller bans, and scooter survival tips
 * 12:02 – The economics (and expense) of 72,000 gamers in Indianapolis
 * 16:33 – Interview with Jeremy Rudd on making DIE’CED: Reloaded
 * 18:03 – The plot: Benny the Clown’s bloody return to 1987 Seattle
 * 20:21 – Nailing the 80s aesthetic without modern distractions
 * 22:01 – Why Benny isn’t just “Art the Clown 2.0”
 * 27:49 – Strong writing and directing from a single creative vision
 * 28:43 – Practical effects, tight runtime, and an EPIC vibe
 * 33:14 – Extended logline read: the full VHS-back-cover treatment
 * 37:50 – A horror fan’s date-night recommendation
 * 39:48 – Jo’s almost-Pulitzer news and him realizing he said STRIKE instead of EPIC the entire review! Watch him die inside as he realizes he botched all hopes that Epic will ever pick up his book for a movie.

DIE’CED: Reloaded Review + Gen Con Mayhem | Streamin’ Demons

Jeremy Rudd — writer, director, actor, and all-around horror craftsman — joins Jo to talk about his debut feature DIE’CED: Reloaded. What started as a pandemic-fueled love letter to 80s slashers became a viral short, caught the eye of Dread Central & Epic Pictures, and is now a blood-soaked, Seattle-set horror romp hitting theaters August 8th and VOD August 12th.

From building a “final girl” you can root for, to designing Benny the Clown’s creepy scarecrow look, Jeremy shares how he recreated the VHS-era horror feel while adding modern twists. Jo and Jeremy dig into the art of proof-of-concept filmmaking, the thrill of practical effects, and why the 80s were the perfect hunting ground for Benny’s rampage.

There’s talk of sequels, advice to the younger self (“keep the grind alive”), and why a first-time director can still swing an EPIC-level scare.
🎥 Watch DIE’CED: Reloaded in theaters August 8 or on VOD August 12 — and keep your eyes peeled for that sequel.

https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell

As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases — if you use an Amazon link from us, we may get a commission.

Key Moments:

 * Opening riff: Jo spots the Seattle 80s setting on the poster and is instantly hooked.
 * Jeremy’s inspiration: 80s slashers on repeat during the pandemic lead to creating his own throwback killer.
 * Proof of concept win: The short film goes viral, catching Dread Central & Epic Pictures’ attention.
 * Benny the Clown’s look: A creepy mix of clown face and scarecrow body.
 * Filming in the past: Dial phones, vintage Airbnbs, and a no-smartphone rule on set.
 * Practical effects love: Makeup over CGI for a grittier, real horror feel.
 * The sequel tease: More depth for Benny and the final girl.
 * Jeremy’s advice: Keep going, stay focused, and push through the potholes.

Jeremy Rudd on 80s Slasher Horror & DIE’CED: Reloaded | What’s Kraken

Emma joined me this week to talk all about Wiltshire UK, or more precise, the mystery and legends of Stonehenge.

We discussed the many theories of what Stonehenge is, Is it a clock? Was it built for Human Sacrifice, or just a burial area.

We talked about the possibility of Elementals, and the animal protectors of the stones.

Emma told me stories about Levitating soldiers, strange noises and perhaps residual conversations from WW1.

We finished off discussing the Warminster thing, UFO’s and audio phenomena, and the creation of the Wiltshire Ghost Directory

S1 E30 Emma Heard Lover of the weird, unusual and strange! Blogger and professional copywriter. 

Jo & Amelie break down Fantastic Four: First Steps—family sacrifice, cosmic chaos & what the trailers didn’t tell you. Spoilers ahead, you’ve been warned!

Key Moments

 * Opening chaos – Jo sets the tone with a salty welcome and love for the theater experience
 * Motherhood truth bomb – Amelie shares emotional insight on Sue’s pregnancy and watching her own pregnancy struggle echoed on screen
 * Behind‑the‑scenes joke – Jo’s “Uncle Ben/Aunt 'Not from Spiderman'” Halloween costume tale—wild, cringe, unforgettable
 * Character breakdown – Jo and Amelie analyze how Johnny, Reed, and the writing/directing choices impact dynamics
 * Why it matters – & Doomsday plug – We argue the whole film felt like a long commercial for Doomsday, less about Fantastic Four, more about future set‑up

We’re Amazon Affiliates—if you spot an Amazon link in the show description and click through or use it, we do get a small commission.

Check out more at https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell

Fantastic Four Breakdown: Family Feels, Galactus & Full Spoilers | Streamin’ Demons

You read that right—JD BARKER is in the Kraken lair. Jo sits down with the international bestselling author of Dracul, Forsaken, and The Fourth Monkey to talk horror, publishing, and why chasing fear is the real writer’s journey. JD opens up about how Dracula changed his life at a garage sale, nearly getting buried alive in hay bales as a kid (yes, really), and why he writes in Scrivener, on typewriters, and even legal pads—all to tap into a different voice.

This episode goes deep on indie vs. traditional publishing, why JD launched his own Simon & Schuster imprint, and the real haunted island that inspired his new book Something I Keep Upstairs. [https://amzn.to/4eZbv67]Bonus? He gives killer advice for aspiring writers and shares the unbelievable moment he was handed Bram Stoker’s actual notes.

🎧 Listen up, horror nerds. This one’s your love letter.

🟣 All our links: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell
🛒 We’re Amazon Affiliates: Clicking and buying through our Amazon links helps support the show—thank you!

⏱️ KEY MOMENTS

 * 00:13 – JD Barker is HERE: Jo freaks out (appropriately)
 * 01:36 – The garage sale Dracula that changed JD’s life
 * 02:25 – “That was a job interview”: How JD got the Dracul deal
 * 04:06 – Revisiting Forsaken: Cringe or career-launcher?
 * 05:54 – Something I Keep Upstairs: The haunted island is real
 * 10:34 – Childhood trauma: buried in hay, haunted forever
 * 13:04 – Gen X horror hits different (yes, even Halloween 3)
 * 17:02 – Why JD writes in Scrivener, typewriter, and legal pads
 * 21:17 – Total creative control: How JD got his own imprint
 * 23:08 – Indie vs. traditional: royalties, rights, and regrets
 * 24:32 – Advice to younger JD: “I needed the fumbles”
 * 25:43 – Where to find him (and yes, his site is 🔥). https://jdbarker.com/

Dracula, Typewriters & Childhood Scares: JD Barker on Writing Fear & Owning His Publishing Empire

Pat Fitzhugh is a renowned torchbearer of Southern folklore, illuminating the shadowy corners of history with his masterful research, writing, and storytelling. He has spent nearly five decades unraveling one of America’s most enduring and mysterious supernatural cases The Bell Witch.

Pat grew up listening to the Bell Witch Stories, told by his mother.

We spoke about apparitions appearing on photographs, eerie sensations within the Bell Witch caves, and filming rabbits, that disappeared on the film.

I learnt not to remove pebbles from the Bell Witch Caves, and the question got asked about if there was a portal on the site of the Bell Witch Farm.

Pat spoke about the possible infatuation between Professor Richard Powell, and then discussed about how the Blair Witch project and The Bell Witch get confused with each other

S1 E29 Pat Fitzhugh - Author, Bell Witch Researcher and Paranormal Adventurer

Jo and Amelie dive into Season 2, Episode 2 of Barry, dissecting the fine line between acting and authenticity. From Barry’s haunting question—“Am I evil?”—to Sally’s deeply personal moment about surviving an abusive marriage, this episode packs an emotional punch. The hosts also share laughs and sharp insights about go-go dancing in Prague, career frustrations, and what it means to feel trapped by your own success.

Jo gets raw about the aftermath of divorce, while Amelie opens up about identity, ambition, and being seen. It’s honest. It’s hilarious. It’s heart-wrenching. This is Streamin' Demons at its most real.

🎧 Link to everything: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell

🛒 We are Amazon Affiliates! If we mention a product and you buy it through our link, we might earn some cash—thank you!

🔑 KEY MOMENTS:

 * 00:45 – Go-go dancer stories and body image in the nightlife scene
 * 06:10 – “Am I evil?” Barry’s existential spiral
 * 14:00 – Sally’s struggle with being typecast
 * 21:00 – Jo opens up about divorce and the emotional toll of separation
 * 26:00 – Fuchs begins his betrayal arc
 * 29:00 – Gene’s reconnection attempt with his son—bittersweet and revealing
 * 34:00 – Sally’s painful confession about past abuse
 * 37:00 – Barry’s botched hit and emotional unraveling
 * 40:00 – Roommate scene: the double life of Barry

Barry Season 2, Ep 2: The Power of "No," Go-Go Dancers, & the Pain of Moving On

Dr. Jo sits down with award-winning author and lifelong educator Dr. Randy Overbeck to talk about his chilling and thought-provoking Haunted Shores Mystery Series. These aren’t your average ghost stories—each novel dives into real societal issues like racial injustice, human trafficking, migrant abuse, and Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), all wrapped in meticulously researched, historically-set mysteries.

They dig into how a background in education shapes narrative depth, why setting a book in 1998 means saying goodbye to Google, and how a haunted athletic office kickstarts a story of justice from beyond the grave. Plus: why authenticity matters, how his characters evolve across books, and how his five-year-old character with ghost sight ups the emotional ante.

This one is for the mystery lovers, the educators, the history nerds, and the folks who believe fiction can shine a flashlight on the things we try to forget.

📘 Randy’s books & podcast: authorrandyoverbeck.com [https://authorrandyoverbeck.com/]
📖 Get Red Shadows at Saugatuck on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IJyQfR
📲 All our links + more: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell
🛒 We are Amazon Affiliates! If you click this link and buy, we may earn a commission. Thanks for keeping the ghosts well-fed and the podcast alive.

Dr. Randy Overbeck on Haunted Mysteries & Hidden History | What’s Kraken

Streamin' Demons is your bi-weekly guide through the vast world of streaming entertainment. Join host Jo Szewczyk and special guests as they dive deep into three carefully selected titles - from the latest releases to hidden gems and everything in between. Each 30-45 minute episode features unfiltered reviews, engaging discussions, and authentic reactions that help you decide what to watch next. Whether you're a casual viewer or a dedicated binge-watcher, our candid conversations and expert insights will keep you informed and entertained. Subscribe now to join our growing community of streaming enthusiasts!

🎬 New episodes every other week ⏱️ Quick, focused 30-45 minute format 👥 Featured guests and expert perspectives 📺 Coverage across all major streaming platforms

Streamin' Demons

Join bestselling author Jo Szewczyk in What’s Kraken?, Empty Hell’s signature interview series where raw, unfiltered conversations cut through the noise. In just 20 minutes, Jo—known for his dark narrative hit Surviving Gen X—dives deep with creators, artists, and the voices shaping culture, politics, and entertainment today.

From filmmakers to musicians, writers to activists, comedians to elected officials—What’s Kraken? brings you the stories, struggles, and process behind the people changing the world around us. No scripts. No pretense. Just real talk with real people.

Subscribe now and join our growing community of entertainment enthusiasts. New episodes drop regularly on our YouTube channel and everywhere you get your podcasts!

What's Kraken with Jo Szewczyk

Surviving Gen X

Welcome to the SIPA Paranormal Chronicles, a Weekly Podcast for believers, skeptics, and everyone in between.

Launched by an Ottawa based paranormal team SIPA - Scientific Investigation of Paranormal Activity

Join our enthusiastic host, Lee, as he attempts to unveil a new layer of the mysterious, from chilling tales of ghosts to traditional concepts of the afterlife, From the complex world of demonology to the intriguing world of reincarnation, and from the mysterious world of Cryptids to the Intergalactic world of UFO’s and Extraterrestrials.

Our episodes will be rich with content designed to intrigue and inform and will hopefully unravel some of the mysteries that have captivated humanity for centuries.

Guests include paranormal researchers, seasoned ghost hunters, mediums and ordinary individuals with extraordinary experiences.

Listeners are invited to share their own paranormal experiences, which may even become topics of future episodes. Contact us at:

https://www.facebook.com/people/SIPA-Canada/61559002901355/

So, grab your headphones, settle in, and prepare for an adventure that challenges what you think you know about the paranormal, one ghostly chronicle at a time!

Jo

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