In which Tod and Claire discuss HP Lovecraft's The Nameless City , which was first published in the November, 1921 issue of The Wolverine . Please know that this is a horror podcast, and may not be suitable for everyone, especially if you have problems with claustrophobia and the 20th Century plunder of archeological sites. We talked about John Shirley's Lovecraft Alive! from Hippocampus Press and you should buy it and read it. We also mentioned "The Austin Frog" which is mor...
Jul 02, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 38
HP Lovecraft's The The Nameless City , which was first published in the November, 1921 issue of The Wolverine , as read by Tod Beardsley in July of 2023. Please know that this is a horror podcast, and may not be suitable for everyone. This story in particular contains depictions of amateur, penetrative archeology by an imperialistic foreigner; various supernatural winds and sandstorms; claustrophobia and sightless spelunking; a very frightened camel who presumably dies alone in the desert; ...
Jul 01, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In which Tod and Claire discuss The Unnamable, a short story by HP Lovecraft, first published in the July, 1925 issue of Weird Tales . Please know that this is a horror podcast, and may not be suitable for everyone. This is especially true if you have feelings about Cotton Mather. We discussed the Magnalia Christi Americana by Cotton Mather, not the "Christos Magnalia Americana" which is probably the cursed version. We also played a little of Modular Sessions 9, by Mark Jenkins, and yo...
Jun 24, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In which Tod reads HP Lovecraft's The Unnamable , first published in the July, 1925 issue of Weird Tales . Please know that this is a horror podcast, and may not be suitable for everyone. This story in particular contains depictions of the supernatural and spectral, as well as puritanism and religiosity, an 18th Century hanging, improvised burial rites, New England architecture, and a madness inflicted on a young boy after a terrible discovery. If these topics are likely to upset you, pleas...
May 04, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 35
In which Tod and Claire discuss The Horror at Red Hook by HP Lovecraft, which was first published in the January, 1927 issue of Weird Tales . Please note, this is a horror podcast, so it might not be for everyone. We swear some in this episode, but more importantly, we talk, at length, about Lovecraft's unabashed racism and nativism, as well as discuss many scenes of police brutality. This is, near as we can tell, the worst story we've read so far on the podcast, when it comes to both ...
Apr 18, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In which Tod reads The Horror at Red Hook by HP Lovecraft, which was first published in the January, 1927 issue of Weird Tales . Please note, this is a horror podcast, so it might not be suitable for everyone. Specifically, this story is concerned with Lovecraft's xenophobia regarding the immigrant population of Brooklyn, New York, as well as descriptions of post-traumatic stress disorder, police harassment, kidnapping, murder, and man-smuggling, as well as some poorly enunciated Latin, Gre...
Mar 29, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 33
LIVE and UNEDITED! This is the raw export of the Februrary 15, 2023 live from London Lovecraft Festival discussion of HP Lovecraft's Herbert West -- Reanimator . We have not listened to this episode, at all, and is cut straight from our mighty podcasting deck to your mp3 player. It might just be an hour of unintelligible nonsense. You have been warned. The next episode will almost certainly be an edited, and possibly re-recorded version of this episode. Note, this is a horror podcast, it&ap...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In which Tod reads Herbert West -- Reanimator by HP Lovecraft, first published in serial form in the first six issues of Home Brew , from February through July of 1922. Please note, this is a horror podcast, and it might not be for everyone. Tonights story is, as you might have guessed from the title, primarily concerned with the scientific pursuit of reanimation of the dead. It also touches on murder, grotesque experimentation, an indescribable reptile, the death of a child, and some unkind des...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In which Tod and Claire discuss The Hound , by HP Lovecraft, which was first published in the February, 1924 issue of Weird Tales . This episode is a little swearier than most, so kids, don't say these words in school. The other, usual content warnings apply, including subjects of drug use, suicide, and assorted gothery. You can read about the real-life unnamable museum in the The Washington Post, or head over to Boadgamegeek to check out Cthulhu: Death May Die . But most importantly, you c...
Jan 28, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In which Tod reads The Hound by HP Lovecraft, which was first published in the February, 1924 issue of Weird Tales magazine. As this is a horror podcast, it might not be suitable for all listeners. The story that follows contains graphic depictions of grave robbery, a violent attack by an unseen, supernatural being, suicidal thoughts and plans, a suspicion of madness, and the quest to feel something, anything, in the face of crushing ennui. It’s really quite goth. If these subjects are likely to...
Jan 16, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Note: This espisode was originally published December 11, 2022 Tod and Claire discuss Azathoth , which was first published in the Winter, 1938 issue of Leaves . Note, this is a horror podcast, and may not be suitable for all listeners. This discussion of Azathoth is mostly centered around a shocking revelation about the nature of the cosmos and the origin of Azathoth, thanks entirely to The Prophetess Claire. Unless you are well-grounded in your perception of reality, please avoid this episode i...
Jan 15, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Note: This episode was originally published November 22, 2022 In which Tod reads Azathoth, which was first published in the Winter, 1938 issue of Leaves . A discussion of this story will follow. While this reading isn’t particularly scary, do note, that this is a horror podcast, and may not be suitable for all listeners. This very short story touches on nihilism, urbanization, a longing for the natural world, innocence lost, and an out of body experience. If any of these topics are likely to ups...
Jan 15, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode, Claire and I discuss "The Curse of Yig" by By H. P. Lovecraft and Zealia Bishop, first published in the November, 1929 issue of Weird Tales . We have a whole bunch of trigger warnings for this, the primary being, if you're a sufferer of ophidiophobia, the fear of snakes, you will definitely want to skip this one. We also talk about an implied fictional rape, some wistful wishing for fictional euthanasia, actual Nazis (because apparently you can't talk about a...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 26
For tonight's episode, I'll be reading "The Curse of Yig," by HP Lovecraft and Zealia Bishop, which was first published in the November, 1929 issue of Weird Tales. This reading includes, first and foremost, some unkind descriptions and misunderstandings of traditional Native American and Central American culture, as well as the displacement of those people by white American settlers. However, the most obviously racist terms used by Lovecraft and Bishop to describe American In...
Oct 29, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Please be aware, this story contains visions, portents, and omens regarding the end of days; mass hypnosis; and a mispronunciation of the word "tenebrous." If you feel you might be unduly disturbed by these elements, then please skip this episode. Also: We're going to be in Providence, Rhode Island, for NecronomiCon ! Come say hi and hang out with us! Follow the show on Mastodon at https://defcon.social/@podsothoth . You can text us now. Why? That’s between you and your Elder God....
Aug 13, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 24
For tonight's episode, you'll hear the prose poem, " Nyarlathotep ," which was first published in the November, 1920 issue of The United Amateur. Analysis, explorations, and jaunty banter will follow later, in episode 24. Please be aware, this story contains visions, portents, and omens regarding the end of days; mass hypnosis; and a mispronunciation of the word "tenebrous." If you feel you might be unduly disturbed by these elements, then please skip this episode. ...
Jul 03, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In which Tod and Claire discuss Episode 21, "Dagon," by HP Lovecraft, first published in the 1919 issue of The Vagrant, and Tod edits this in a hotel room, his very first hotel edit since starting the show. Absolutely critical to understanding some of this episode is gazing upon the work of Gustave Doré, most notably, that crazy vase , which I hope to see some morning this week when I'm in San Francisco. Also, read up on Piltdown Man , as I'm sure we got some facts wrong. Hey...
Jun 06, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Tonight's episode is a reading of HP Lovecraft's Dagon, which was first published in the 1919 issue of "The Vagrant," and later republished in the October 1923 issue of "Weird Tales." Please be aware: this story contains depictions morphine addiction, suicidal thoughts, the odor of rotten fish, Piltdown man, and an unkind characterization of Pacific Islander religion. If any of these are likely to unduly bother you, please stop listening now. Note, I expect to have ...
May 28, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In this episode, Claire and I will be talking about The Book by H.P. Lovecraft, first published in the 1938 in the journal Leaves. Please note, this is a horror podcast, so it might not be suitable for all listeners. If stories involving witchcraft, creepy books, assorted deviltry, getting unpinned from time and space, or the Mariko Aoki phenomenon are the sorts of things that bother you, you might want to skip this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know, either by writing in t...
Apr 23, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode, I'll be reading The Book by H.P. Lovecraft, first published in the 1938 in the journal Leaves. Please note, this is a horror podcast, so it might not be suitable for all listeners. If stories involving witchcraft, creepy books, assorted deviltry, and getting unpinned from time and space are the sorts of things that bother you, you might want to skip this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know, either by writing in to [email protected] , or tell your ...
Apr 22, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Claire and Tod talk about how THEY BLEW IT ALL UP DAMN THEM! in Memory, by HP Lovecraft, a bit of flash fiction first published in 1923. Catch the gripping 3 minute reading in the prior episode. Oh, and happy HPL Birthday! Lovecraft was born on this day precisely 131 years ago. As always, follow the show on Mastodon at https://defcon.social/@podsothoth , or write to us directly at [email protected]. You can text us now. Why? That’s between you and your Elder God. Support the show Like the ...
Aug 20, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 18
As this is an odd numbered episode, I'll be reading a short selection. Tonight, it's "Memory," by HP Lovecraft, first published the May, 1923 issue of The National Amateur . Note, this is a horror podcast, so if you have problems with demons, genies, gray toads, and time-blasted architecture, this might not be the podcast for you. As always, follow the show on Mastodon at https://defcon.social/@podsothoth or email us at [email protected]. You can text us now. Why? That’...
Aug 03, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In which Tod and Claire discuss The Dreams in the Witch House , by HP Lovecraft, which was first published in the July, 1933 issue of Weird Tales . Please be forewarned, this is a horror podcast, involving witchcraft, devil worship, badly pronounced German texts, small-town superstition, hybrid rat things, extraspacial and extratemporal experiences, child sacrifice, insomnia, and gristly murder. If these are the sorts of things that bother you, you might want to skip this episode. If you enjoyed...
Jul 27, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this episode, I'll be reading The Dreams in the Witch House, by H.P. Lovecraft, first published in the July, 1933 issue of Weird Tales. Please note, this is a horror podcast, so it might not be suitable for all listeners. If stories involving witchcraft, devil worship, badly pronounced Polish surnames, small-town superstition, hybrid rat things, extraspacial and extratemporal experiences, child sacrifice, insomnia, and gristly murder are the sorts of things that bother you, you might wan...
Mar 05, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In which Tod and Claire discuss The Doom that Came to Sarnath , by HP Lovecraft, which was first published in the June, 1920 issue of The Scot . Please be forewarned, this is a horror podcast, so it may not be suitable for all listeners. If you feel that you would be unduly disturbed by crypto-racist descriptions of subhuman people, accounts of wanton revelry, great water-lizards, and difficult to pronounce fantasy place names, then you should skip this episode. If you enjoyed this reading, plea...
Dec 08, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In which Tod Beardsley reads The Doom that Came to Sarnath , by HP Lovecraft, which was first published in the June, 1920 issue of The Scot. Please be forewarned, this is a horror podcast, so it may not be suitable for all listeners. If you feel that you would be unduly disturbed by crypto-racist descriptions of subhuman people, accounts of wanton revelry, great water-lizards, and difficult to pronounce fantasy place names, then you should skip this episode. This episode uses the ambience sounds...
Nov 23, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this episode, Claire and I recorded in the Big Bend area with fancy new equipment, so hopefully sound quality will be much better than the last discussion! We discuss Cool Air , by HP Lovecraft, first published in the March, 1928 issue of Tales of Magic and Mystery . Please note, this is a horror podcast, and may not be suitable for everyone. This story, and discussion, contains references to scientific necromancy, alternative medicine, some untoward descriptions of Spaniards, and some amateu...
Nov 19, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this episode, I will be reading Cool Air , by HP Lovecraft, first published in the March, 1928 issue of Tales of Magic and Mystery . Please note, this is a horror podcast, and may not be suitable for everyone. This story contains references to scientific necromancy, alternative medicine, some untoward descriptions of Spaniards, and some amateur mechanical engineering. If these topics may upset you, please stop listening now. If you have any thoughts on Cool Air, feel free to email them to us ...
Oct 18, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this episode, Claire and Tod discuss H.P. Lovecraft's The Thing on the Doorstep , first published in the January, 1937 issue of Weird Tales . This episode contains references to misogyny, trans gender issues, necromancy, a forced commitment to a sanitarium, and Innsmouth-hate. If these topics might disturb you, you are encouraged to skip this episode. If you'd like to get in touch with us, you can write to us at [email protected] , or follow the show on Mastodon at https://def...
Sep 18, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In which Tod reads The Thing on the Doorstep, first published in the January, 1937 issue of Weird Tales . Tonight's reading involves themes of hypnotism, necromancy, misogyny, cuckolding, and insanity. If these subject bother you, you might want to skip this episode. Like the episode? Hate it? Let it be known either way on Mastodon at https://defcon.social/@podsothoth or write to the show at [email protected] . You can text us now. Why? That’s between you and your Elder God. Support t...
Aug 08, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 9
