In this mini recap of Episode 46: Slashers, we stab our way back through masks, myths, and the psychology of fear—revisiting our night at Reed’s Local with Jesse and Alana from Slasher Sauces and Melissa from Reed’s. From Avondale barstools to basement banter, we trace the science behind serial killers and why their numbers have fallen since the blood-soaked heyday of the 1980s.
Along the way, we unravel the strange relationship between horror and humanity: why predators fascinate us, how cameras and algorithms now watch the watchers, and whether a creature like the Predator counts as a slasher—or just the ultimate hunter. We answer listener questions about Prey and Us, share what we’ve been watching, and peek ahead to the paranoia of The Thing. It’s part science, part cinema, and part curiosity about why fear still feels so good.
Links from Reed’s and Slasher Sauces
Reed’s Local October Events—Go pick up a copy of the Reed’s Zine!
Links for Horror House
Check out what the RHR crew is creating:
Joe:
Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!
Chicago Writers Association Podcast:
Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in Fiction
Joe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.
Georgia:
Printmaking Class at Promise You ArtHouse on November 11th. Click here for Details or scan the QR code in image to register!
It’s science for Weirdos
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Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!
Future Events:
Joe will be reading November 1st at Printer’s Row Wine, Chicago, IL at 2pm.
6 writers, 10 minutes each, with intermission wine bar open, poetry and prose.
Guild Literary Complex is presenting a Halloween-ish event featuring seven Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories authors: Jotham Austin II, Bendi Barrett, Tina Jenkins Bell, Priya Chand, Aleco Julius, Sahar Mustafah, and K.A. Roy. That’s almost 37% of the lineup. We’ll have copies of the book available for purchase.
November 1, 5:30pm
Experimental Station
6100 S. Blackstone Ave., Chicago, IL 60637
Upcoming Episodes
Episode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of Paranoia
Guests: Todd Thyberg (Angel Bomb) and Bill Halliar
We descend into Antarctic isolation to explore the horror of imitation and distrust—how The Thing still shapes our understanding of identity, contagion, and fear.
Episode 48 – Perception vs. Perspective
Guest: Katie Lichte-Mullenix
Is your brain lying to you? An investigation into perception, illusion, and the neuroscience behind how reality is built—and sometimes betrayed—by our senses.
Episode 49 – The Heart of a Superhero
Guest: Rengasayee (Sai) Veeraraghavan
We crack open the anatomy of heroism—where courage, biology, and myth converge to forge the modern superhero.
Episode 50 – Gremlins and Holiday Science
Guest: Chris Guzman
A festive dive into creature chaos, thermodynamics, and why Gremlins might secretly be the smartest holiday movie ever made.
Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday Movies
Guests: The whole Rabbit Hole crew (and whoever wants to celebrate two great seasons!)
Pull on your pajamas, pour a drink, and join us for a cozy season-ender filled with laughter, reflection, and hints of what’s brewing for Season 3.
Links, Resources, and Topics Mentioned in mini and/or full episode:
Links
Decline in serial killings since the 1980s “golden age” due to improved forensics, DNA analysis, interagency cooperation, and digital surveillance.
Antonio Reyes Case (2020) – Charged in connection with six Southwest Side murders; an example of modern investigation closing long-cycle cases.
Film & Genre References
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) – Subway scene as example of how audience behavior (then vs. now) reflects changing social surveillance.
Predator (1987) – Reframed as a “hunter’s slasher”; exploring the crossover between sci-fi and horror tropes.
Prey (2022) – Highlighted as one of the strongest modern entries in the Predator franchise.
Us (2019, dir. Jordan Peele)– Debated as psychological horror vs. traditional slasher.
Cabin in the Woods (2012) – A recommended starting point for new horror fans; deconstructs and celebrates slasher conventions.
Halloween (1978, dir. John Carpenter) – Discussed as essential viewing and the proper place to start the series.
Books & Other Media
End of the World as We Know It (anthology set in Stephen King’s The Stand) – Joe’s current read; explores pandemic storytelling and shared universes.
Only Murders in the Building (Series) – Georgia and Joe’s current watch
Bullet Train (2022) – Nick recently watched
Peacemaker (Series) – Nick recently watched
Frankenstein (2025, dir. Guillermo del Toro: limited release / Netflix November 7)
Images from the Crew
If we missed anything, comment or email us and we’ll get the info to you!
Love Y'all! Don’t forget to Rate the show!
