We continue our series looking back at some of the most noteworthy horror movies of 2025 (#2025stillalive) by discussing the latest feature from Josh Ruben (of Werewolves Within). HEART EYES is a rather lightweight film with an ambitious goal: to make a film that is both a romantic comedy and a slasher. Although the balance is sometimes a bit off, the film impressively succeeds at being funny, charming, suspenseful, and fun. We're joined by returning guests, novelists Nick Medina and Christina Henry, to discuss what works and doesn't about this unique cocktail as well as what the film might entice us to think about in this age of trivial social media sentiments and our tendencies to romanticize dangerous things.

Also featuring friend of the show Andrew Nelson in a Patron-only segment discussing STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 5, this is a fun and breezy conversation that we really hope you'll enjoy.

3:28 - Upcoming works from Christina Henry and Nick Medina

7:10 - Whatcha Watchin' / Readin' / Listenin' To

Patron Only Segment: STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 5

22:00 - HEART EYES

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We have another special interview episode for you today for something that's not directly horror-related, but definitely falls within our framework of examining what scares us to find what saves us. Recently, Nathan was invited to host an author discussion at Troubadour Booksellers in Charlotte with author and pastor Greg Jarrell, whose book OUR TRESPASSES: WHITE CHURCHES AND THE TAKING OF AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOODS paints a sobering portrait of the ways that "race, geography, policy, and religion have created haunted landscapes in Charlotte, North Carolina, and throughout the United States." The conversation was so strong, Nathan invited Jarrell to share his book with us on the show.

As was observed of Jarrell's work, he "brings receipts" for a conversation that is compelling, challenging, and thought-provoking about the moral gravity of having displaced and devalued our neighbors, both systematically and ideologically. Offering substantive research and thoughtful analysis, Jarrell provides not only an insightful portrait of how we got here, but what avenues might be open to us for lasting change.

We hope you'll check out Greg Jarrell's book and we hope you enjoy this conversation!

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Our lookback series at some of the best films of 2025 (#2025stillalive) continues this week with the sequel to Scott Derrickson's 2021 film The Black Phone. Picking up 4 years after the events of the first film, BLACK PHONE 2 tells a decisively scarier and more spiritually conscious story about Gwen and Finn making their way to a Christian camp in the mountains to confront the mysterious, haunting, lingering power of The Grabber. It's a film of disarming potency, with both a strong emotional and spiritual resonance, making it one of the strongest films of Derrickson's career.

We're joined by FoG favorites Steven Beckley and Blake Collier, as well as welcoming a new guest to the show: long-time FoG community member Abby Dewsnap. Also featuring a Patron-only segment where we discuss STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 4 (with yet another first-time guest Josh Raugh), this is a hearty and heart-filled episode that we really hope you enjoy!

5:09 - Two Questions with Abby Dewsnap

Patron Only Segment: STRANGER THINGS, Season 5, Episode 4

11:48 - BLACK PHONE 2

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