Without Kalid, Joe takes on solo hosting duties and is joined by author, translator and speaker Xueting C. Ni to talk Chinese genre fiction and the myths, legends and creatures behind the 1987 film, A Chinese Ghost Story (directed by Ching Siu-tung) and its subsequent sequels and remakes, including the more recent The Enchanting Phantom.

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠ [https://patreon.com/user?u=95818956&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]

Featured Guest:

Xueting C. Ni [https://snowpavilion.co.uk/about-xueting-ni/] is a writer, speaker and translator with a focus on promoting and discussing Chinese culture. She has has written for a myriad of publications and has written non-fiction books on Chinese Myths as well as collected and translated collections of Chinese science fiction & horror stories. Find links to her work on her website here [https://snowpavilion.co.uk/category/blog5/]!

References:

https://snowpavilion.co.uk/sinophagia/

Sinopticon: A Celebration of Chinese Science Fiction [https://snowpavilion.co.uk/sinopticon-a-celebration-of-chinese-science-fiction/]

From Kuan Yin to Chairman Mao: an Essential Guide to Chinese Deities [https://snowpavilion.co.uk/from-kuan-yin-to-chairman-mao-an-essential-guide-to-chinese-deities/]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bound_(1996_film)


https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-sleepless-nuzo-onoh/7026300


https://mydramalist.com/757781-kill-my-sins


113. Spirits, Demons & Jiangshi from 'A Chinese Ghost Story' w/Xueting C. Ni

This episode, Kalid and Joe hop into the world of magic, illusions and Clive Barker! We're chatting about the 1995 horror flick, Lord of Illusions!

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠ [https://patreon.com/user?u=95818956&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]

References:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyZVD_qZrRU&ab_channel=paliazzar


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poker_Face_(TV_series)


https://sarahjmaas.com/a-court-of-thorns-roses-series/


https://portagebeer.com/saunawater


112. Nix from 'Lord of Illusions'

This episode, Kalid and Joe are joined by actor and writer Dominic Burgess to follow up our 2022 conversation on Gremlins , with new conversation on Gremlins 2: The New Batch!

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠ [https://patreon.com/user?u=95818956&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]

Featured Guest:

Dominic Burgess [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1941237/] is an actor, writer, cat-lover and fan of all kinds of awesome geeky things. He's been featured in numerous projects such as SyFy's The Magicians, Star Trek: Picard, The Good Place, Feud: Bette & Joan, Dr. Death, Our Flag Means Death, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and Palm Royale. You can follow Dominic on Instagram @domincburgess1 [https://www.instagram.com/dominicburgess1/?hl=en].

References:

Gremlins 2: Looking back at the gloriously meta sequel [https://www.scifinow.co.uk/dvd-and-bluray/gremlins-2-looking-back-at-the-gloriously-meta-sequel/] - SciFi Now

Rebel Scum Con [https://rebelscumconventions.com/] (Dallas)

MindsEye [https://mindseye.game/] (video game)

The Gremlins Museum [https://www.gremlns.com/]

Andre 3000 - 7 Piano Sketches [https://genius.com/albums/Andre-3000/7-piano-sketches]

Dark Winds [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Winds] (AMC)

Andor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andor_(TV_series)]Season 2

The Last of Us [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_of_Us_(TV_series)]

Lego - Shire Hobbit Set [https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-shire-10354?ef_id=CjwKCAjw24vBBhABEiwANFG7y8DfgfyqXukv5_KIglnlD-hpS1YliaGLEyoTj32nWStmCqMShdqwgBoCD6QQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!790!3!742438253712!e!!g!!lego%20the%20lord%20of%20the%20rings%20the%20shire!22380449181!177656826696&cmp=KAC-INI-GOOGUS-GO-US_GL-EN-RE-PS-BUY-ESCAPE-ICONS-SHOP-BP-MM-ALL-CIDNA00000-EXCLUSIVE-10354_THE_LORD_OF_THE_RINGS_THE_SHIRE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22380449181&gbraid=0AAAAADESMXKsiEzfMuQIPjQxqAufACWjQ&gclid=CjwKCAjw24vBBhABEiwANFG7y8DfgfyqXukv5_KIglnlD-hpS1YliaGLEyoTj32nWStmCqMShdqwgBoCD6QQAvD_BwE]

111. The New Batch from 'Gremlins 2' w/Dominic Burgess

This episode, Kalid and Joe are joined by audiobook narrator, voice actor and author Shiromi Arserio to dig into Jim Henson’s 1986 classic, Labyrinth. 

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠ [https://patreon.com/user?u=95818956&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]

Featured Guest:

Shiromi Arserio [https://www.shiromispeaks.com/] is an award-winning audiobook narrator, voice actor and author. At this point, she has narrated nearly 300 audiobooks. She is particularly known as an 'accent chameleon' in her work. She has just written her first novel, a fantasy story titled The Order of Grimm [https://www.shiromispeaks.com/author] with a sequel on the way. Follow Shiromi on Instagram @Shiromi.arserio [https://www.instagram.com/shiromi.arserio/] and be sure to visit her website [https://www.shiromispeaks.com/] to stay up to date on all her works

References:

Sinners [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinners_(2025_film)]

Death of a Unicorn [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_a_Unicorn]

The Afterparty [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Afterparty_(TV_series)] (Apple TV +)

Sestia: The Five Queendoms, Book 3 [https://www.amazon.com/Sestia-Five-Queendoms-Book-3/dp/B0DLCRDZD5] (audiobook narrated by Shiromi Arserio)

110. Puppets & Goblins from 'Labyrinth' w/Shiromi Arserio

This episode, Kalid and Joe are joined by our very own artist & fellow geek, Jim Tandberg, to dive into the seminal 80s anime classic, Akira.

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠ [https://patreon.com/user?u=95818956&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]

Featured Guest:

Jim Tandberg is a local Twin Cities artist, resident artist for this podcast, and a geek at heart. He counts himself as a member of countless fandoms, but often gravitates towards comics, manga, anime, model building and Dungeons & Dragons. You can see his latest art pieces⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.artstation.com/tequilagundam]. Follow Jim on Instagram @⁠⁠Jimstagram2⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/jimstgram02/].

References:

Documentary The Encampments [https://www.watermelonpictures.com/films/the-encampments]

Free Geek Twin Cities Is Reducing Waste and Bringing Tech to Communities in Need [https://twincitiesgeek.com/2025/04/free-geek-twin-cities-is-reducing-waste-and-bringing-tech-to-communities-in-need/] - Twin Cities Geek

The Order of the Grimm [https://www.amazon.com/Order-Grimm-Shiromi-Arserio/dp/B0DPPF9GFG] by Shiromi Arserio

Haley Bonar - Goldar [https://graveface.bandcamp.com/album/golder]

Bandcamp [https://bandcamp.com/]


109. Shima Tetsuo from 'Akira' w/Jim Tandberg

This episode, Kalid and Joe  dive into Scott Derrickson's 2025 film, The Gorge, now streaming on Apple TV+ !

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠ [https://patreon.com/user?u=95818956&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]


References:

The Gorge Pitch Meeting [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT4W_dkxicU]

Framestore - The Gorge [https://www.framestore.com/work/gorge]

The Gorge: Joao Sita (VFX Supervisor), Martin Macrae (Head of Art Department) and Nicholas Tripodi (Head of Animation) – Framestore [https://www.artofvfx.com/the-gorge-joao-sita-vfx-supervisor-martin-macrae-head-of-art-department-and-nick-tripodi-head-of-animation-framestore/] - Art of VFX

PAID IN MEMORIES [https://shop.jessiereyez.com/products/paid-in-memories-cd?srsltid=AfmBOorYk3kU31quz6QfXebKl0e1zM3jGbHvLpp8evoJoVIgex3bXL2A] from Jessie Reyaz

The Sea Beast [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sea_Beast_(2022_film)] (2022) on Netflix

108. The Hollow Men from "The Gorge"

This episode, Kalid and Joe are joined by regular guest host, Nicole Praska, as well as comedian/actor, Andy Assaf, who played Cravensworth's Monster on the final season of What We Do in the Shadows! We all chat about Andy's role in the series as well as all the macabre and monster-y fun the show has brought us over the years.

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠ [https://patreon.com/user?u=95818956&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]

Featured Guests:

Andy Assaf [https://www.secondcity.com/people/andy-assaf] is an improviser, sketch comedian, actor and filmmaker from Montreal. He’s performed with The Montreal Improv Theatre and Second City and tours with his improv duo, Frank Mythic. Most recently, he was on the final season of What We Do in the Shadows as Cravensworth’s Monster. Find him on Instagram @sweetandysour [https://www.instagram.com/sweetandysour/?hl=en].

Wife of the podcast and real-life scientist, Nicole Praska, is our recurring ‘ghost host’ who always brings a new perspective to our topics. She currently co-hosts the semi-regular Star Trek podcast,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Deep Space Love⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-space-love/id1560838543]!

References:

Joe Pera Talks With You [https://www.adultswim.com/videos/joe-pera-talks-with-you]

Mickey 17 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_17]

Paradise [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_(2025_TV_series)] (Hulu)

Doppelganger [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelganger_(1993_film)]

David Tennant Does a Podcast with... [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-tennant-does-a-podcast-with/id1450005207]

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage [https://www.amazon.com/Serial-Killers-Guide-Marriage/dp/B0CN1JCNPD#:~:text=Amazon.com%3A%20A%20Serial%20Killer's,%2C%20Kyle%20Soller%2C%20Wildfire%3A%20Books] by Asia Mackay, narrated by Georgia Tennant & Kyle Soller

Common Side Effects

107. What They Did in the Shadows w/Andy Assaf & Nicole Praska

This episode, Kalid and Joe take a trip back to 1985 to dive into Tobe Hooper’s 1985 cult-classic, Lifeforce!

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

Support us on Patreon! [https://patreon.com/frankenpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

References:


https://www.slashfilm.com/541076/lifeforce-oral-history/


https://theasc.com/articles/eerie-effects-for-lifeforce


Mo [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_(TV_series)] (on Netflix)

Gideon the Ninth [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_the_Ninth] by Tamsyn Muir

The Wild Robot [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wild_Robot]

Deep Space Love [https://www.podpage.com/deep-space-love/] podcast

106. Space Vampires from 'Lifeforce'

This episode, Kalid and Joe are joined by editor, movie-buff and friend of the podcast, Erik Kollasch, to chat about James Gunn’s 2006 directorial debut, Slither!

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠ [https://patreon.com/user?u=95818956&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]

Featured Guest:

Erik Kollasch⁠ [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6981100/] is an editor and cinephile based out of Los Angeles, CA. He is currently working on editing the feature-length documentary about the Sri Lankan born musician/artist, Jay Princce, called “Where I'm From,” You can follow Erik on Instagram ⁠@ekollasch⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/ekollasch/?hl=en].

References:

'Slither': Meet the CG Parasites [https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/slither-meet-cg-parasites#:~:text=The%20many%20creature%20shots%20were,Invisible%20Pictures%20and%20Switch%20Studios] - AWN

Practical-ly Perfect: Celebrating Todd Masters’ Ambitious Special Effects in SLITHER (2006) [https://dailydead.com/practical-ly-perfect-celebrating-todd-masters-ambitious-special-effects-in-slither/] - Daily Dead

Ink & Pixel: Slither [https://www.joblo.com/ink-pixel-slither-321/] - JoBlo

Bad Bunny (álbum) -  DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS [https://open.spotify.com/album/5K79FLRUCSysQnVESLcTdb]

Love Lies Bleeding [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Lies_Bleeding_(2024_film)]

Companion [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_(film)]

Common Side Effects [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Side_Effects]

Kate McCarthy - The Hicks Happy Hour [https://independentshortsawards.com/2024/10/01/the-hicks-happy-hour/]


105. The Long One from 'Slither' w/Erik Kollasch

This episode, Kalid and Joe are celebrating the life of visionary filmmaker, David Lynch! We specifically dig into his debut film, Eraserhead, and its deformed infant creature affectionately known as Spike.

*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/jimhallmusic], and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/synthkid]!

*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!

*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!

⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠ [https://patreon.com/user?u=95818956&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]

References:

Eraserhead: 10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About David Lynch's Surreal Masterpiece [https://screenrant.com/eraserhead-david-lynch-surreal-masterpiece-facts-trivia/] - Screnrant

More Than David’s Daughter: An Interview with Jennifer Lynch [https://www.vice.com/en/article/more-than-davids-daughter-an-interview-with-jennifer-lynch/] - Vice

I See Myself: Eraserhead [https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/3295-i-see-myself-eraserhead?srsltid=AfmBOor4HTVyaFyWBj0ur31z8N_MlkWHq9Jza5Vd0k5LFXd9j3vY5PsA] - Criterion (excerpt from Chris Rodley’s book Lynch on Lynch)

Nemahsis [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemahsis] (Palestinian/Canadian singer/songwriter)

A Cheetah Hunting in Slow Motion [https://open.spotify.com/album/1aUHNQpRl05kj8WrokDDPl] - Chloe George 

PTSD Radio [https://kodansha.us/series/ptsd-radio/] By Masaaki Nakayama

Dog Man the Movie [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_Man_(film)]


104. Spike from 'Eraserhread'

Kalid and Joe discuss creature-features, monsters, supernatural beasts, aliens and the like from all corners of pop. culture.

Joe Praska

Shows