Kiersten White (New York Times bestselling author of Hide and Mister Magic) joins Rachel Redd on Talking Horror to explore why horror is the ultimate tool for navigating religious trauma, from the "invisible" God of a high-control childhood to the cathartic power of a cursed children’s show.

In this episode, Kiersten and Rachel dive into:

• Religious trauma and the "sucky foundation" of being raised in a high-control Mormon environment.
• Dismantling purity culture and the process of "healing the shit out of" trauma through fiction.
• Why Mister Magic serves as a "holy grail" for survivors seeking to reclaim their identity from toxic beliefs.
• The millennial horror of Hide: sacrificing the next generation for a measly $50,000 and the "unlikability" of human desperation.
• Giving Lucy Westenra her groove back: reclaiming Dracula’s most tragic victim through a queer, feminist lens.
• The "T-shirt book deal" and the secrets to writing for iconic franchises like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Wars.
• The real star of the show: Kimberly, the 40-pound, "opportunistic omnivore" tortoise living in Kiersten’s backyard.

Whether you're a "self-proclaimed chicken" who loves scary stories, an author navigating the "murky areas" of different genres, or a survivor looking for the hope and catharsis hidden in the dark, this one is for you.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Intro: Does horror still scare a professional horror writer?
• 01:47 — Why horror? Taking control of childhood fears.
• 03:16 — Forbidden stories: Growing up in a high-control religious environment.
• 08:33 — The "Twilight" effect and accidentally starting a career in YA.
• 10:50 — Writing for teens vs. adults: Hope vs. "we’re on our own".
• 13:39 — Re-imaginings: Having a creative conversation with Dracula and Frankenstein.
• 18:02 — The "Sunnydale" T-shirt deal and pitching a Ben Solo novel.
• 23:49 — Balancing ADHD, humor, and darkness across different "cookie jars".
• 29:09 — Hide: Greek myths, reality TV, and the horror of the American system.
• 36:50 — Religious Trauma: Why Mister Magic is for the people "crying in the DMs".
• 47:25 — Reclaiming Lucy Westenra: Why the men in Dracula are the real villains.
• 54:26 — The Fox and the Devil: Forensic science, world fairs, and joyful queerness.
• 1:08:17 — Meet Kimberly: The dinosaur-sized tortoise in the backyard.
• 1:10:06 — Upcoming projects: Graphic novels and Wild and Wicked.

Follow the Guest (Kiersten White):

• Website: kierstenwhite.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkierstenwhite

Follow Talking Horror Podcast:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelreddreads/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelredd

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