FSS 57: Pat Gonder, "Good Boy," Horror Movies & Pet Ghost Stories
Release Date: 10/31/2025
FSS 57: Pat Gonder, "Good Boy," Horror Movies & Pet Ghost Stories
The Fantastic Story Society
It’s Halloween season, and the Fantastic Story Society is diving deep into the world of horror with Dr. Patrick Gonder — retired professor, horror scholar, and lifelong student of the strange. Together, we discuss the remarkable new film Good Boy, a ghost story told entirely from the perspective of a dog. Patrick shares insights into how the film’s unique storytelling perspective shifts horror conventions, why animals make such fascinating protagonists, and how camera work shapes audience emotion. The conversation also spans other standout horror films like Weapons, Longlegs, The...
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FSS 56: Conversation with Chad Lewis, Paranormal Author-Researcher: Van Meter Visitor & more!
The Fantastic Story Society
Chad Lewis is a researcher, author, and lecturer on topics of the strange and unusual. His background is in the field of Psychology. He did his Bachelor and Master degree work in the field- but for nearly 30 years he's traveled the globe in search of unique and bizarre stories and history.
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FSS New Season Preview & Madison's Beast of Bray Road, a D&D Adventure
The Fantastic Story Society
Wisconsin is home to Dungeons & Dragons and also home to a famous cryptid known as the Beast of Bray Road. The WI Historical Society created an event that celebrates both. Check out our adventure as we 'hunt the beast' down State Street in Madison, WI.
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FSS: Hallowwen Special, "Famously Haunted: Hollywood" Tubi Documentary Reaction
The Fantastic Story Society
One of our co-hosts, Scott, was recently featured on the Tube documentary, Famously Haunted Hollywood. We go over the stories featured in the documentary: The Black Dahlia, The Manson Murders, Comedy Store, Peg Entwhistle, The Cecil Hotel.
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FSS 53: Chicago Ghost Tour Guide Tony Szabelski Talks Haunted Lincoln Park
The Fantastic Story Society
Tony Szabelski is a flat-out Chicago ghost tour guru. He leads tours over 300 times a year throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. Perhaps his favorite area is Lincoln Park, essentially a forgotten cemetery, full of ghost stories. Take a tour at AmericanGhostWalks.com
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FSS 52: Michael Alexander's Life in Music, Side Hustles & a Helluva Ghost Story
The Fantastic Story Society
Michael Alexander is always hustling within the creative field. He's a musician with history as a performer/songwriter, booker, venue owner and now a manager. Of course, creatives often utilize side hustles and Mike loves his sports cards. Plus, an intense ghost story
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FSS 51: Comedy Night! Yakov Smirnoff, USSR to Hollywood to the White House
The Fantastic Story Society
Yakov Smirnoff started out as a comic in Soviet Russia before coming to America and taking the comedy world by storm. He went from stage to the big screen and eventually to the White House as a Reagan speech writer.
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FSS 50: Faun Mann, from Military Broadcasting to True Crime Documentaries
The Fantastic Story Society
Faun Mann got her production start while in Korea working in radio & TV for the military. Once she was stateside, she knew she wanted to get into television, where she's been ever since. Currently, she's working within the popular genre of true crime.
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FSS: Paranormal European Travel - Ireland legends & Faery Lore Above Knockma Hill & at Kilkea Castle & the Hellfire Club
The Fantastic Story Society
Scott (and his wife Wendy) fill Max in on their adventure across the Emerald Isle, discussing the haunted hot spots and legendary tales they discovered along the way... also the adventures of driving on the other side of the road.
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FSS BONUS Episode! Talking Horror Movies & Haunted Chicago with Jackson Schreiber
The Fantastic Story Society
Big thanks to the horror blog wonderfullyweirdandhorrifying.com for making this conversation happen. What did you think of "Hereditary?"
info_outlineIt’s Halloween season, and the Fantastic Story Society is diving deep into the world of horror with Dr. Patrick Gonder — retired professor, horror scholar, and lifelong student of the strange. Together, we discuss the remarkable new film Good Boy, a ghost story told entirely from the perspective of a dog. Patrick shares insights into how the film’s unique storytelling perspective shifts horror conventions, why animals make such fascinating protagonists, and how camera work shapes audience emotion. The conversation also spans other standout horror films like Weapons, Longlegs, The Changeling, and Trick ’r Treat, plus personal ghost encounters and spine-tingling folklore from the Philippines. This episode is packed with movie talk, folklore, filmmaking lessons, and genuine chills — the perfect companion for spooky season.
We explore:
🐕 What happens when man’s best friend becomes the witness to terror
🎞️ The challenges of storytelling through cinematography
💀 Why movies like Weapons, The Changeling, and Trick ’r Treat stay timeless
👻 Real-life ghost stories from Patrick’s time living above a funeral home
0:00 – Intro: It’s Horror Season at the Fantastic Story Society
2:00 – Introducing Horror Scholar Dr. Patrick Gonder
3:20 – Teaching the Art of Horror & Comic Books
5:20 – Trailer Reaction: Good Boy – A Ghost Story Told by a Dog
8:00 – The Dog’s Perspective: Emotion, Loyalty & Limited Dialogue
11:00 – How They Made Good Boy (and Why You Shouldn’t Watch the Featurette First)
15:00 – The Visual Language of Horror – Cinematography & Storytelling
17:00 – Recent Standout Horror Films: Weapons, Longlegs, Sinners
20:40 – What Makes a Horror Movie Great? Emotion, Relationships & Atmosphere
23:40 – Revisiting the “Is Silence of the Lambs Horror?” Debate
24:20 – Patrick’s Annual Halloween Watchlist
27:00 – Filipino Horror, Monsters, and the Manananggal
31:00 – Zombie Fatigue and Fresh Scares (Last Train to Busan, Slither)
32:30 – Max’s Writing & Filmmaking Retreats – Helping Writers Create
37:00 – True Ghost Stories: Dogs, Spirits & Strange House Energy
44:00 – Life Above a Funeral Home – Patrick’s Exorcist Experience
48:00 – “The Dog Named No” – A Perfectly Creepy Story