Culture Beats

What's Fueling the Rise of Indie Horror?

The blockbuster success of the movies “Obsession” and “Backrooms” has sparked a conversation about why indie horror movies are beginning to dominate the industry. Filmmaker Joseph Mbah, director of the new supernatural thriller “Whispers Bind,” weighs in on this growing phenomenon.  Connect with Joseph at @joseph_mbah  You can reach me at chrisbournea@gmail.com

Can Podcasts Bring Back the Glory Days of Radio? with Sair Kaufman

Can fanbases overlap? Actor and playwright-turned-podcaster Sair Kaufman explores the unlikely intersection of Broadway aficionados and Dungeons and Dragons fans with the new musical podcast, The Reality Shaper. We discuss the genesis of this unique idea, as well as the potential for podcasts to bring back the glory days of radio.  Find out more about The Reality Shaper podcast at Therealityshaper.com [http://www.therealityshaper.com/]  You can reach me at chrisbournea@gmail.com [chrisbournea@gmail.com]

Confessions of a Hollywood Screenwriter Turned Novelist

A lot of authors want to break into Hollywood. Kay A. Oliver did it in reverse: She started out as a director and screenwriter, then transitioned into writing novels. Oliver is the author of the psychological thrillers, “Fear Struck” and “Blood Seed.”  I hope you enjoy this conversation with Oliver in which, among other things, we talk about the fine line between “horror” and “thriller,” how to find a good manuscript editor, and the status of women in Hollywood.  For more information about Oliver and her work, as well as writing tips, visit https://kayaoliver.com/ [https://kayaoliver.com/]  You can reach me at chrisbournea@gmail.com

A Father’s Parting Advice to His 21-Year-Old Son

I hope you enjoy this conversation with my longtime friend and fellow journalist, Charles Farmer.  We talk about his new book, “Time to Let the Little Boys Go: A Father’s Blueprint to His Son on Surviving Life Alone,” [https://www.amazon.com/TIME-LET-LITTLE-BOYS-Blueprint/dp/B0GVPV2Q9S/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DGCQWY3YZRFK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dxCBLKoDrpq56GQwegPK31yswCV8cytX9Eg-7LZlVvkY_TPLlZI9T9yA8dVCgP8UXtrjP1LpVA6HDn_LUFj5-9vBQuRHr1Iz6KfRRVM91ZhHPGQO9svY6Yahh4a-teqFTiJ1GUMq9iObGHJj8-RSNIEua4_vzAg9K3MwgHXl0n0jOMxfpMg2gCfPvkdI3Kqg8fmS8b1vPUeIpeLxwd46weRzaPqV4a_36qf0JZlL_DA.tVvoJWaPh-70DvlWnhmuEYTuul4hXEs5iMUoxJiI-QI&dib_tag=se&keywords=time+to+let+the+little+boys+go&qid=1777840891&sprefix=time+to+let+the%2Caps%2C1144&sr=8-1] a touching memoir about the advice his father gave him before passing away when Charles was just 21 years old.  We also reminisce about the glory days of working alongside each other in the Black Press at the newspapers the Call and Post and the Columbus Post in Ohio.  You can reach Charles Farmer at https://www.facebook.com/charles.farmer.351 [https://www.facebook.com/charles.farmer.351]  You can reach me at chrisbournea@gmail.com

How To Generate Ideas That Sell with Author Robert Gaines

I hope you enjoy this conversation with Robert Gaines, author of “Scintilla,” which he describes as a practical, psychology-driven guide for anyone who wants to generate business, product or service ideas.  For more information about Robert and his book, visit his website at  https://freetimemastermind.com/ [https://freetimemastermind.com/]  You can reach me at chrisbournea@gmail.com