Send us Fan Mail

What happens when the internet stops feeling like entertainment and starts feeling like a nightmare?

On this episode of Horror Heals, Corey and Kendall talk with filmmaker Zack Ogle about his unsettling indie horror film It Needs Eyes, a story about isolation, disturbing online imagery, unreliable reality, and the strange emotional pull of internet rabbit holes.

Zack discusses how growing up online shaped the film, from creepy internet lore and disturbing viral videos to the way social media and AI are changing how we process fear, truth, and human connection. The conversation also explores horror as emotional release, the psychology of ambiguous endings, found footage influences, and why horror audiences often seek out stories that make them deeply uncomfortable.

Corey and Kendall also talk with Zack about taking the film on a grassroots national theater tour instead of relying on the traditional festival-to-streaming path, creating a more personal connection between filmmakers and horror fans across the country.

If you’ve ever gone down a late-night internet rabbit hole, watched something you immediately regretted, or found comfort in horror’s ability to externalize anxiety, this episode will probably hit close to home.

It Needs Eyes is currently touring theaters nationwide.

Horror Heals asks: Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Zack Ogle Bio

Zack Ogle is an indie filmmaker, writer, and director whose work blends psychological horror, surreal imagery, and internet-age anxiety into deeply unsettling cinematic experiences. He is the co-creator and director of It Needs Eyes, an award-winning horror thriller that premiered on the festival circuit before launching a grassroots national theater tour.

Inspired by internet folklore, found footage horror, online subcultures, and the emotional realities of growing up chronically online, Zack’s filmmaking explores fear, identity, obsession, and the blurry line between reality and perception. His work often combines experimental visuals, dream logic, and emotionally grounded characters to create horror that feels both intimate and deeply unnerving.

In addition to directing, Zack is passionate about independent film distribution and building direct connections with horror audiences through live screenings, Q&As, and community-driven events.

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals.

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by How the Cow Ate the Cabbage LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan Mail

Horror fans don’t just consume stories.

A lot of us create because of them.

In this episode of Horror Heals, Corey sits down with horror-inspired artist Christian Baloga for a deeply personal conversation about fear, trauma, creativity, and why horror has always felt like home for outsiders and survivors.

Before the interview, Kendall reflects on the unique emotional honesty found in horror-inspired art, from paintings and tattoos to sculptures, masks, and mixed media creations. Horror fans often take fear, grief, anxiety, loneliness, and trauma and transform them into something tangible, beautiful, disturbing, and healing all at once.

And Christian embodies that completely.

Known for his gothic, horror-inspired artwork, Christian creates intensely personal pieces using unconventional materials including human hair and his own blood. His work has even been featured by Ripley's Believe It or Not!, which acquired several of his intricate life-sized hair sculptures.

But beneath the striking imagery is something deeply human.

Christian opens up about growing up with a difficult childhood, finding comfort in horror films and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and how horror became a safe way to process emotions that otherwise felt impossible to face directly.

There’s one quote from this episode that perfectly captures the spirit of Horror Heals:

“Horror is that one genre that lets you metabolize anxiety instead of suppressing it.”

Corey and Christian also talk about:

• Why horror endings felt comforting during childhood
• Using creativity as survival and emotional release
• Working with hair and blood as artistic mediums
• Horror movies as a bonding experience in relationships
• Tattoos, cemeteries, gothic aesthetics, and self-expression
• Why horror fans are often some of the most emotionally expressive people

This is a shorter episode, but it’s one of the most heartfelt conversations we’ve had about horror, art, and what it means to turn pain into creation.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

ABOUT CHRISTIAN BALOGA

Christian Baloga is a Pennsylvania-based artist whose work blends horror, gothic imagery, sculpture, photography, jewelry, tattoo experimentation, and mixed media art into deeply personal creations rooted in identity, emotion, and survival.

Using unconventional materials including human hair and blood, Christian creates work that is both unsettling and intimate, exploring the connection between the body, memory, fear, and healing. His intricate sculptures have been acquired by Ripley's Believe It or Not!, and his art continues to resonate with horror fans drawn to deeply emotional and original work.

Learn more at Christian Baloga’s Website

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals.

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by How the Cow Ate the Cabbage LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

Send us Fan Mail

What if horror isn’t just entertainment, but a tool for survival?

In this episode of Horror Heals, Corey sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Lana Holmes to explore how horror movies mirror real-life trauma, resilience, and mental health.

From hiding behind the couch as a kid to integrating horror into her clinical work, Dr. Holmes shares how the genre can help people process fear, build coping strategies, and better understand themselves.

Corey and Dr. Holmes dig into the psychology behind the “final girl,” why taking the threat seriously matters both on screen and in real life, and how horror can prepare us for moments of uncertainty, chaos, and change.

They also explore:

• Why people connect with villains like Freddy and Jason
• How horror helped some people navigate the pandemic
• The real meaning behind horror “rules”
• Why horror is one of the most creative storytelling spaces today
• How trauma shows up in films like Halloween and Scream

If you’ve ever wondered why horror sticks with you, or why it sometimes feels strangely empowering, this conversation will change the way you see the genre.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.

ABOUT DR. LANA HOLMES

Dr. Lana Holmes is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Inclusive Therapy & Wellness, where she specializes in trauma, anxiety, and depression. Her work focuses on supporting individuals from marginalized and underrepresented communities, creating a space that is affirming, culturally responsive, and grounded in real-world experiences.

A self-described pop culture enthusiast and lifelong horror fan, Dr. Holmes incorporates media, including horror films, into her clinical approach to help clients better understand fear, survival, and resilience. Her perspective blends deep clinical expertise with a genuine love of storytelling, making complex psychological concepts accessible and relatable.

Learn more: https://www.inclusivetherapywellness.com/lana

Thank you for listening to Horror Heals.

Share the show with someone who loves horror and someone who needs a little healing.

If you want to support our guests, check the show notes for links to their work, conventions, and fundraising pages.

You can also listen to our sister podcast Family Twist, a show about DNA surprises, identity, and the families we find along the way.

Horror Heals is produced by How the Cow Ate the Cabbage LLC.

Is horror good for mental wellness? Of corpse it is.