How to Train Your Scaredy Cat

How to Train Your Scaredy Cat

Author: Hack or Slash September 18, 2025 Duration: 42:23

Scaredy cats aren't a problem to fix. They're future horror fans waiting on the right guide. In this Hack or Slash University elective, Kris teams up with our Dean of the Damned Chel to lay out a practical, compassionate playbook for bringing non-horror friends into the fold without trauma-bonding them to a bad first watch.


Mentioned in the Episode

Spooky Season

Join the (New)Blood Drive

Be True to Your Ghoul 101: Welcome to Hack or Slash University!

Mentioned in the Episode

How to Train Your Scaredy Cat: Ways to help your non-horror friends fall in love with horror too


Support the Show

We've launched our Patreon to have a place for listener support to help keep our show going. We are accepting support in the form of small monthly donations from our audience. The proceeds we gain from Patreon are put towards ongoing website fees, funding for new content, and equipment upgrades. In return, our patrons enjoy bonus content, early access, live streams, and exclusive channels in our Discord server.

Support the Show on Patreon

We're building a community where our listeners and horror fans as a whole can connect and share the ideas, movies, games, experiences, and stories they are most passionate about. Our community is completely free and powered by Discord, which you can access from both a web browser and mobile app. We're looking forward to your arrival!

Join our Discord Server


Contact Us

You can connect with us by creepin' on us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, @HackorSlash. You can also share your opinions with us by leaving us an audio message on our website, hackorslash.live.


Special Thanks

We want to give a special thanks to these patrons for continuing to make this show possible


Music Credits

"Hack or Slash" by Daniel Stapleton

 


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens among friends after the credits roll on a scary movie, debating everything from the practical effects to the final girl's choices. Hack or Slash-A Horror Movie Review Podcast captures that exact feeling. Every episode gathers a panel of dedicated horror fans to dig into the genre, from timeless classics to the latest releases haunting theaters and streaming services. The discussion is built on a simple but effective premise: determining if a film is a "hack," meaning it's a forgettable waste of your time, or a "slash," signifying it's absolutely killer entertainment. You'll hear thoughtful comparisons between original films and their modern remakes, deep dives into what makes new releases tick, and passionate debates that celebrate the incredible breadth of horror. This podcast operates on the firm belief that horror is for everyone, whether you're a seasoned veteran who knows every franchise deep-cut or a newcomer just figuring out which flavor of fear you enjoy most. The conversations are accessible, enthusiastic, and designed to make you think differently about the movies that scare us. Tune in for a weekly dose of analysis, recommendations, and that shared understanding that comes from loving a genre where a good scare is always the goal.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Hack or Slash - A Horror Movie Review Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Slasher Digest FM | Slasher Digest FM | 2025 Spooky Season Wrap Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:02
We're looking back at this year's Spooky Season and everything that made Hack or Slash University come alive: the watch parties, the 31 Days challenge, the chaos, the community, and the pure horror-loving joy that carrie…
417: The Phantom of the Opera (1925) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
This week we're unraveling the legacy of The Phantom of the Opera (1925). We analyze Lon Chaney's iconic performance, investigate the film's influence on gothic horror, and dive into the film's technical feats. This epis…
Our Favorite Horror Movies Set on Halloween Night [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:26
We're closing out spooky season with the ultimate guide to horror movies set on Halloween night. From Halloween and Trick 'r Treat to Terrifier 2, Haunt, and Hocus Pocus, we're breaking down the films that make October 3…
416: Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:46
This week we're celebrating the night he came home with Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998). We discuss the film's portrayal of Lori Strode's trauma, analyze the impact of its Scream-inspired elements, and evaluate the…
Untangling the Halloween Franchise: Every Timeline Explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:26
Over four decades, Halloween has rewritten its own history more times than Michael Myers has cheated death. In this bonus episode, we break down every continuity, from Carpenter's 1978 classic to the Blumhouse trilogy, a…
415: Black Phone 2 (2025) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:28
This week we're answering the call of Black Phone 2 (2025). We examine the emotional depth of its characters, analyze the effectiveness of its supernatural elements, and critique the film's cinematography and dream seque…
We Survived Halloween Horror Nights 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:53
We traded movie screens for fog machines to relive our night at Halloween Horror Nights 2025. From the haunted thrills of Terrifier and Legacy of Voorhees to the infamous fried pickles and cursed pizza fries, we break do…
414: The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:39
This week we're diving into The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005). We analyze the film's balance between legal drama and horror, unpack Jennifer Carpenter's performance, and examine the lasting impact of its ambiguous ending…
413: The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:37
This week we're checking out The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025). We evaluate the film's attempt at expanding the lore, assess its overall pacing, and dissect the effectiveness of its horror elements. In this episode's b-sid…
Slasher Digest FM: October Previews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:26
This week we're diving into the heart of spooky season with a special community-focused update from Slasher Digest FM. We explore upcoming activities within our community, October's lineup of horror film reviews, and spe…