Gnelfs [https://a.co/d/al78ZsG]author and [https://a.co/d/91ASOWn] editor Sidney Williams [http://facebook.com/SidneyWilliamsBooks] and Wednesday Lee Friday talk influences, introverts, Gnelfs, and Salem's Lot. We name-drop our publisher, and discuss the ways we acknowledge or avoid the need for help with mental health issues. Plus self-doubt, writer's block, horror aesthetics, convention stories, and a Mad Lib.


A transcript of this episode can be found below.


Guest: Author & Editor Sidney Williams 

Wednesday Lee Friday talks with Robin Zabiegalski [https://www.robinzabiegalski.com/] about body dysmorphia, depression and anxiety. We discuss sex writing and education, recovery and medication, why your diagnosis matters, and the consistent Call of the Void. TW for suicide and addiction/recovery/ 

Robin Zabiegalski [https://www.instagram.com/robinzabiegalski/](they/them) is a queer, non-binary writer and editor with several years of experience in digital media. Their specialties include: sexual health, sexuality, relationships, mental health, LGBTQIA+ issues, and wellness. Robin's work has been published in Insider, Health Digest, Glam, The Establishment, The Tempest, Heavy.com, The Inquisitr and several other digital publications.

A transcript of this episode can be found here [https://sometimeshilarioushorror.blogspot.com/2024/10/mentally-oddcast-transcript-robin.html]. 

Guest: Editor, Sex Writer, and Ju Jitsu Instructor Robin Zabiegalski

Violet Fawkes is a sex writer, [https://www.patreon.com/violetfawkesofficial] dildo designer, podcaster, and person [https://violetfawkes.com/] living with neurodivergence. We discuss the impact of horror scores on fear, the intricacies and philosophies of dildo design (seriously), and how labels and stigma can keep some people from seeking mental health treatment. 

We also talk about what compels us to do what we do, and why happiness is kind of a lousy goal in the long term. Plus narcissism, sociopathy, medication...and a whole bunch of talk about sex writing.

A transcript of this episode can be found here [https://sometimeshilarioushorror.blogspot.com/2024/10/mentally-oddcast-transcript-violet.html]. 

Guest: Sex Writer and Designer Violet Fawkes 

Author, reviewer, publisher, and entertaining cat J.C. Macek III discusses the line between professionalism and self-preservation, drawing lines in the industry, and why AI is an affront to the concept of the humanities. We also talk 70's horror, true crime as portrayed in his novel The Black Dahlia [https://a.co/d/7D1b0oH], Hitchcock, anthologies [https://a.co/d/1HksFdW], and I explain my video series on DIY Fleshlights [https://www.womens-health.com/homemade-diy-fleshlight-pocket-pussy].

J.C. Maçek III is the editor and curator of Symptom of the Universe: A Horror Tribute to Black Sabbath, the author of the hit true crime novel The Black Dahlia(2024) and the producer of the 2018 film [CARGO], starring Ron Thompson of American Pop fame, as well as the author of the film’s tie-in novel.

His other novels include The Antagonist and Seven Days to Die. More recently, the author has found success in shorter stories and novellas, though novels are still his primary focus. An experienced and prolific entertainment journalist and celebrity interviewer, he has written thousands of articles, reviews, and interviews. In addition to his work in Symptom of the Universe: A Horror Tribute to Black Sabbath, he also appears in the anthologies Confessions from the Think Tank, Weird Fiction Quarterly, Flapping Doodles, Nature Triumphs, and many new upcoming anthologies.

He resides in Southern California with his wife, family and a veritable ZOO of pets.

A transcript of this episode can be found here [https://sometimeshilarioushorror.blogspot.com/2024/09/mentally-oddcast-transcript-jc-macek.html].

Guest: Author and Publisher J.C. Macek III 

This week the Neurodivergent Rebel [https://neurodivergentrebel.com/about/]joins us to discuss their book [https://books2read.com/neurodiversity-rising/]detailing how bosses and employees can create better environments for neurodivergent people in the workplace. We also talk scary movies, medical care in America, how demographics can influence care. Wednes tells about her lesbian lizard collection and we spend time opining on why dating can be a lot more fun when you're already cuffed. 

A transcript of this episode can be found here. [https://sometimeshilarioushorror.blogspot.com/] 

Guest: Author and Advocate Lyric Rivera--The Neurodivergent Rebel 

That's right, we landed an interview with the guy who does Yacht Rock [https://www.youtube.com/@HunterStair]...the podcast. Hollywood Steve Huey talks about his history with anxiety and his path to getting treatment for PTSD. He also regales us with tales of Yacht or Nacht [https://open.spotify.com/show/0dyW8Lu03naH4ZPy2pblJG], being in Pirates of the Caribbean, and body-oriented therapy. Just for funsies, we talk Zappa, Velicipastor, how comedic actors get the shaft at Oscar time, and why the PMRC is still pretty irritating today. 

A transcript of this episode can be found here. [https://sometimeshilarioushorror.blogspot.com/2024/09/mentally-oddcast-transcript-hollywood.html]

Guest: Actor and Podcaster Hollywood Steve Huey

This week, Wednes learns about the transfemme nonbinary experience via Nikki Mariotti [https://www.youtube.com/@nikkimariotti5496]. They reveal their journey of discovery and transformation--and it's dope. We also talk Fiddler on the Roof, Aliens, sarcasm, and what happens when you need the police but you aren't confident that they'll actually help you. Also violins, the word enby, honorifics, guitar, and of course, pronouns--verbs and adjectives--because Mad Lib!! 

A transcript of this episode can be found here. [https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7751277550533673479/2920991666122461188] 

Guest: Musician Nikki Mariotti 

We take a deep dive into pedagogy as Musician and Educator Roger Humphrey tells us about how music has helped him and his students build confidence, cope with tragedy and loss, and the permissions that being a musician gives. Also, process versus results, weird versus foreign, and tablature versus standard notation. 

Find Roger here! [http://rogerhumphrey.com]

A transcript of this ep can be found here.  [https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7751277550533673479/4741460412007364363]

Guest: Guitarist and Music Instructor Roger Humphrey 

This week, we talk with actress and singer Kailin Kenerly. Kailin lives with PTSD and bi-polar disorder, and shares her experiences with self-harm, relationship violence and its aftermath, and what happens when police are better at protecting property than protecting women. We talk about why the demographic of your therapist matters, my moment of sociopoliitcal shame, and the difference between nurturing and co-dependency. 

We also talk musical theatre, Night of the Living Dead, and how lucky i feel that the internet didn't exist yet when I was in undergrad. 

A transcript of this episode can be found here.  [https://sometimeshilarioushorror.blogspot.com/2024/08/mentally-oddcast-transcript-kailin.html]

Guest: Performer Kailin Kenerly 

Maddie is a trauma survivor, artist, and person living with neurodivergence. She's also a socialist, a service industry worker, and a damn interesting chick. We talk about using horror to manage anxiety, why shame is probably not the best motivator, and how fear and anger make some people mean.
Also, depression and creativity, how art and math play off each other, a little bit of lib-talk, and a MadLib. 

Find a transcript of this episode here. [https://sometimeshilarioushorror.blogspot.com/2024/08/mentally-oddcast-transcript-maddie.html] 

Guest: Mathematical Artist: Maddie 

Brought to you by Sometimes Hilarious Horror, the Mentally Oddcast features creatives discussing how mental illness, addiction, neurodivergence, and the impact of trauma informs & inspires their art. New eps every Wednesday! CW/TW for discussions on suicide, addiction, abuse, SA. 

Host Wednesday Lee Friday is the owner/EiC of Sometimes Hilarious Horror magazine, a quarterly horror lit mag for lovers of dark comedy. She's the author of A Stabbing for Sadie, Kiss Me Like You Love Me, The Finster Effect, and multiple short story collections. 

Intro/Outtro music by Peter Alway

SHH’s Mentally Oddcast