Zombie Book Club

Eight million people showed up, and many on the internet called it pointless. We don't buy the nihilism; but we also don't pretend a permitted Saturday rally is the same thing as disrupting power. This episode, we dig into what No Kings actually does well (making dissent visible, connecting you to neighbors and organizations, being the tip of a much larger iceberg), and what it doesn't do on its own. We talk Montgomery bus boycott logic, general strike groundwork, mutual aid, and how movements win by targeting pocketbooks and prestige. Paperwork is the unsexy engine of real organizing.Then Dan takes us to Granby, Colorado, and the story of Marvin Heemeyer; a welder who spent 18 months secretly armoring a bulldozer in a shed, then spent two hours demolishing 13 buildings before dying alone in a basement. It's a story about how local capital weaponizes the law, what happens when every legal avenue closes, and why the internet's folk hero version of KillDozer conveniently strips out the part where the people who cheered for it would have sided with the Docheffs in todays political landscape.Links InfoNo Kings / Protest OrganizingNoKings.org — find or host events, training resources: https://www.nokings.orgMobilize with No Kings — volunteer and event finder: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/Indivisible (lead No Kings organizer): https://indivisible.org50501 Movement (coined "No Kings"): https://www.fiftyfifty.one/MoveOn: https://front.moveon.orgACLU: https://www.aclu.orgNonviolent Resistance ResearchErica Chenoweth's 3.5% Rule explainer — Harvard Kennedy School: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/advocacy-social-movements/35-rule-understanding-what-makes-protestWhy Civil Resistance Works (Chenoweth & Stephan, 2011) — Columbia University PressCrowd Counting Consortium: https://ash.harvard.edu/programs/crowd-counting-consortium/KillDozer / Marvin HeemeyerWikipedia — Marvin Heemeyer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_HeemeyerSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

4/12/26 • 65:38

Alice B. Sullivan is back, and this time she brought the apocalypse with her. We're celebrating the release of Tomorrow Never Came, Book 2 in her Aftermath series, and digging into everything that makes it tick; the virus science behind goners and vectors, infected animals that will haunt your nightmares, and get into the messy, beautiful question at the heart of this book: how far do you bend your morals before you don't recognize yourself anymore?We also pull back the curtain on Alice's wildly fun Facebook "choose your own adventure" apocalypse, what it's like to write fast and and how reader expectations (and the occasional one-star review) shape the way we talk about genre fiction. If you love post-apocalyptic thrillers, slow-burn relationships, lesbian zombie novels, and dogs that never die under any circumstance; this one's for you.Guest & Relevant LinksAlice B. Sullivan — Contact & SocialsWebsite: https://alicebsullivan.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceBSullivan01Newsletter: https://alicebsullivan.com/newsletter-signup/Alice's Books — AmazonTomorrow Never Came (Aftermath #2): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRKHX4Z2Yesterday's Gone (Aftermath #1): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK75RB5SFull Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Alice-B.-Sullivan/author/B09BX4BRR7Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

4/5/26 • 82:41

The heart of this bonus episode is writing craft and writer mental health. Dan breaks down why it wasn’t “writer’s block” so much as an emotional block, what it feels like to stare at the page and produce nothing but an ellipsis, and how he rebuilt momentum with a routine, a weekly word-count goal, and permission to skip ahead to the scenes that actually matter. We also swap notes on writing books that help, revision realities, and the long game of finishing a zombie novel without hating what you make.We talk about coping in a nonstop political news cycle, why social media can turn into both therapy and trauma, and how roasting trolls on Threads becomes a pressure release when everything feels unreal. We also highlight a creator we’ve been following who baits bad-faith DMs into accidental lessons on history and feminism.Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

3/29/26 • 51:14

Fifteen years after its release, Zone One by Colson Whitehead hits differently. We dig into the novel's fractured, nonlinear structure; where corporate-funded sweeper crews reclaim a zombie-plagued Manhattan, and unpack why Whitehead uses the apocalypse not as an ending, but as a mirror. From skels and stragglers to Post-Apocalyptic Stress Disorder, we explore how the book blurs the line between the living and the already dehumanized, and what it means that most of our book club didn't even finish it.We talk about the racist hidden meaning buried in Mark Spitz's nickname, the novel's unflinching critique of capitalism and "post-racial" mythmaking published during Obama's first term, and why the scariest thing in the book isn't zombies; it's everyone rushing to rebuild the exact world that made people disposable in the first place. If catastrophe forces a reset, shouldn't we be building toward something better?Colson WhiteheadOfficial site: colsonwhitehead.comZone One — relevant linksInterview Magazine interview (source used in episode): interviewmagazine.com/culture/colson-whitehead-zone-oneZone One on Goodreads: goodreads.comGradeSaver study guide: gradesaver.com/zone-oneSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

3/22/26 • 86:28

We invited zombie author Sarah Lyons Fleming back to Zombie Book Club to tackle the most skipped-over survival problem in the genre: waste management. From bucket toilet setups and compost toilets to venting methane and humanure composting, Sarah brings the same practical, prepper-brained logic she builds into her fiction; because a believable survivor community has to solve what comes in and what goes out.We critique the worst toilet solutions in zombie TV, shout out the books that actually get it right, and put Sarah through a gauntlet of Poo-Pocalypse scenarios; including being trapped in a public bathroom with zombies and a very urgent biological need. Whether you're a writer, a zombie fan, or just someone who has finally started appreciating modern plumbing, this one will change how you look at every post-apocalyptic story you've ever loved.👤 Guest Contact & Links — Sarah Lyons FlemingWebsite: sarahlyonsfleming.comFacebook: facebook.com/SarahLyonsFlemingAmazon Author Page: amazon.com/stores/author/B00DXFM03OAudible: audible.com/author/Sarah-Lyons-Fleming/B00DXFM03O🔗 Links Relevant to Topics DiscussedHistory of TV Bathrooms (EW/CNN): ew.com/tv/watch-evolution-of-tv-bathrooms-cnn-history-sitcom/Zombie Ass: Toilet of the Dead trailer: imdb.com/video/embed/vi571654937/Zombie Poop Recipe (Instructables): instructables.com/ZOMBIE-POOP/Reddit thread — Do Zombies Poop? (r/thewalkingdead): reddit.com/r/thewalkingdead/comments/137mkv/do_zombies_poop/The Zombie Poop Song: youtube.com/watch?v=cRtmc7hCMQ8Sarah's book series in order: bookseriesinorder.com/sarah-lyons-fleming/Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

3/15/26 • 83:02

Meta just patented an AI that keeps your social media account posting, liking, and DMing after you die, and we have questions. A lot of them. We dig into the Necro Feed™ and what it really means when a corporation trains a language model on your entire digital life, then deploys it to simulate you indefinitely; with your family, your followers, and anyone willing to engage. We trace the booming grief tech industry (death bots, ghost bots, etc) from its more sincere corner cases to the obvious business incentive hiding in plain sight: more engagement, more data, more 'active users', and who exactly profits when your grief never gets to reach its conclusion.Then we get real. Why are we still on Facebook, and what would it actually take to leave? We walk through our own tangled reasons for staying; local groups, family, the diner that only updates its hours on its page — and map out realistic exit strategies: Patreon, newsletters, owning your own corner of the internet. We share hard-won lessons from moving audiences across platforms, why it's always harder than it looks, and why your voice (in life and in death) should belong to you, not an algorithm designed to monetize your memory.Relevant LinksMeta Patent & CoverageBusiness Insider — Meta AI/LLM bot patent: https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-granted-patent-for-ai-llm-bot-dead-paused-accounts-2026-2Malwarebytes — Legal analysis of the patent: https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/ai/2026/02/meta-patents-ai-that-could-keep-you-posting-from-beyond-the-graveReddit thread (r/technology): https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1r6n7es/meta_patents_ai_that_takes_over_a_dead_persons/Previous Zombie Book Club Episodes ReferencedEp. 13 — Billionaire Bunkers: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124392/episodes/13186425Ep. 27 — Mark Zuckerberg is building a $270M bunker to escape the ZombdeerPocalypse: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124392/episodes/14304244Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

3/8/26 • 68:31

What if the zombie apocalypse looked like a group hug? Pluribus imagines a world where 99.9% of humanity has joined a blissful, all-knowing hive mind, and only 13 people are left to decide whether individuality is worth fighting for. We're joined by media scholar and Texas Tech professor Dr. David D. Perlmutter to unpack why this "happy horde" story is more unsettling than any brain-eater we've encountered: from the alien signal and government hubris that started it all, to the strikingly different choices made by survivors like Carol, Manousos, Koumba, and Kusimayu; each a window into what humans value when civilization quietly dissolves around them.Together we dig into the show's deeper provocations: Is the hive a form of colonization? A euthanasia of the species dressed up as harmony? And why does the collective feel so uncomfortably like AI; endlessly accommodating, hungry for prompts, incapable of genuine creation? Whether Pluribus qualifies as a zombie narrative at all turns out to be one of its sharpest questions. By the end, we're not asking how to survive the apocalypse, we're asking whether a life without art, love, risk, and the friction of being yourself is a life worth saving.Guest Contact & Relevant LinksDr. David D. PerlmutterWebsite: davidperlmutter-research.comTexas Tech Faculty Page: depts.ttu.edu/comc/faculty/dperlmutterSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

3/1/26 • 79:56

Dia VanGunten joins us to crack open Pink Zombie Rose, her decade in the making magical realism series where zombies don't eat brains; they walk off the job, listen to trees, and fall in love. Structured like a tarot deck, Pink Zombie Rose: Major Arcana is a rhizomatic, genre-defying mashup of queer love stories, Cotard's delusion, anti-capitalist rage, and prose so alive it hurts. Dia reads from "Sweetest Kill", a glitter factory that sells sentiment while poisoning the earth, and we dig into the real history behind the fiction: enclosures, anatomy theaters, and the radical power of simply putting your hands in your pockets and stopping.We also get into the making of Major Arcana and its collaboration with illustrator Beppi, the confrontational magic of writing in second person, what the Detroit auto industry has to do with the undead, and Dia's upcoming comic project Little Gores.Guest LinksDia VanGuntenWebsite: diavangunten.comInstagram: @pinkzombieroseBlueSky: @pinkzombieroseLinktree (all links): linktr.ee/diavanguntenSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

2/22/26 • 108:43

This week indie comics creators Laurie Calcaterra (Path of the Pale Rider) and Brandon Starocci (Avalon Comic) join us to unpack Boner Temple™; our affectionate nickname (stolen from Wicked Words Book Club) for the newest entry in the 28 Years Later saga "The Bone Temple". Through Spike’s childlike perspective, we examine how spectacle becomes belief, belief becomes control, and why Sir Jimmy Crystal’s myth collapses the moment doubt enters the room. We also debate the film’s moral center: a doctor honoring the dead, an infected alpha learning restraint, and whether survival means curing humanity or redefining it.From hybrid theory and infected carriers to the soundtrack, psychology, and franchise endgame predictions, this episode balances horror analysis with big-picture storytelling. We also tackle box office fatigue, marketing misfires, and why word-of-mouth might decide the trilogy’s fate.Guest Links:Laurie CalcaterraInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriecalcaterraComic: Path of the Pale Rider — https://www.pathofthepalerider.comIssue 8 Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pathofthepalerider/path-of-the-pale-rider-issues-1-8Brandon StarocciInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonstarocci Avalon Comic Website: https://avaloncomic.comAvalon Comic Socials: https://www.instagram.com/avaloncomicSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

2/15/26 • 90:32

In this episode of Zombie Book Club, we sit down with writer and death doula Sara Wuillermin of Bury Me in New Jersey Community to explore the emotional and human heart of 28 Years Later, a film that uses its post-apocalyptic world not just to terrify, but to ask what it means to grieve, to love, and to carry loss forward in community. From Spike’s perilous journey to save his ailing mother to the rituals communities invent to honor their dead, we unpack how zombie stories reflect real-world grief, shared resilience, and the surprising spaces where care and resistance intersect.We talk about how death doula work and mutual aid reshape our understanding of “survival,” how potlucks, Signal groups, and ordinary solidarity can be tools of connection. Whether you’re here for deep takes on grief, film, or community care, this conversation makes room for both the pain and tenderness of living in a world shaped by loss.Guest InfoBury Me in New Jersey Community Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bury_me_in_nj Website / Podcast info: https://burymeinnj.com Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

2/8/26 • 76:54

What if the best survival manual for a zombie apocalypse was written tens of thousands of years ago into our biology? This week on Zombie Book Club, we’re joined by Andie from Ancestral Habits to explore how our Paleolithic past still shapes the way humans cooperate, address unfairness, care for the vulnerable, and rebuild after collapse. From egalitarian small groups and complementary cognition to food sharing, justice, and ritual, we unpack why humans aren’t wired for lone-wolf survival, and never have been.Using zombies as a pressure test, we talk through real post-collapse questions: how groups of 25 might organize, why cooperation often outperforms violence, how circadian rhythms and time perception reset without modern schedules, and what archaeology could someday reveal about us through our bones, teeth, and fire pits. The core takeaway? You’re not broken; your environment changed faster than your evolution. And under stress, humans tend to rediscover connection, fairness, and shared value.Guest Contact & Relevant LinksAndie – Ancestral HabitsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ancestralhabitsSubstack: https://ancestralhabits.substack.comTopics & References DiscussedCivilized to Death by Christopher Ryan: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Civilized-to-Death/Christopher-Ryan/9781451659115Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

2/1/26 • 80:40

What happens when a Brooklyn drag show collides with a glitter-dusted zombie outbreak? We dig into Queens of the Dead; from rhinestoned drills and throwing axe gags to a soundtrack that slides from Romero-esque synths into club heat. We talk cast highlights; Nina West’s grounding presence, Margaret Cho’s physical comedy, Katie O’Brien’s steady cool, Jack Haven’s scene-stealing Kelsey; and why names, pronouns, and chosen family matter. Under the glitter, the film is a community survival manual. Leadership shifts by need, not title. Drag isn’t costume; it’s equipment. Code-switching becomes a life-saving disguise as queens “drag up” as first responders to move through a hostile city. Representation isn’t a footnote—anxiety, addiction, and reconciliation arcs sit alongside gore, proving a zombie movie can do heart without losing bite. We close with what this homage borrows from Romero’s DNA—satire, memory, and a maybe-open ending—while staking out its own space as a cult-classic contender made by and for queer audiences.Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

1/29/26 • 50:31

In this emotionally charged episode of Zombie Book Club, Dan and Leah unpack We Bury The Dead; a quiet, haunting zombie film that prioritizes grief, moral ambiguity, and empathy over action - and use it as a springboard to examine the real-world toll of trauma. We explore how the film’s focus on loss, PTSD, and complex grief resonates with collective experiences of institutional brutality, and why facing sorrow is an act of radical care in a world that often demands we numb ourselves.A significant portion of our conversation expands into the present moment: the recent fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renée Nicole Good by an ICE agent during immigration enforcement in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, and the nationwide protests, public outcry, and political fallout that followed. We connect these events with PTSD, moral injury, and the psychological impacts of witnessing or surviving state violence, and we offer grounded ways to stay present, support community healing, and take meaningful action when systems (from law enforcement to immigration enforcement) fail those they claim to protect.Relevant LinksWe Bury The Dead (film info & credits)IMDb: We Bury the Dead on IMDbIce Isn't The Gestapo - by @Ashleytheebarronesshttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/4x4KM_QESTwSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

1/25/26 • 70:32

On this double date edition of Zombie Book Club, we sit down with married indie filmmakers Erin Áine and Kyle Valle of Big Squid Productions, the creative duo behind the cosplay-meets-zombie feature ZombieCON Vol. 1. From their Studio City meet-cute to a decade-long journey of crowdfunding, micro-crew shoots, DIY effects, and relentless post-production, Erin and Kyle share the unvarnished story of how a wild concept about assholes turning into zombies became a crowd-pleasing indie with an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score.Erin and Kyle offer a behind-the-scenes window into set life, stunt safety, DVD extras, and the bold, futuristic ideas waiting in Volume 2 and beyond. Whether you’re a horror fan, indie creator, or just love a good story about passion and perseverance, this episode is a bloody, funny, heartfelt ride.Guest Contact & Relevant LinksOfficial Film Website:ZombieCON Vol. 1: https://zombieconvol1.comBig Squid Productions: https://bigsquidproductions.comSocial Media (Guests):ZombieCON Vol. 1 Instagram: @zombieconmovieBig Squid Productions Instagram: @bigsquidfilmsErin Áine Instagram: @Erin_AineKyle Valle Instagram: @kykyv71Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

1/18/26 • 79:49

In this episode we sit down with Rebecca Cuthbertson to talk about her debut novel Waves of Undead. Set on the surf‑soaked cliffs of Tofino, the story blends a tsunami and zombie outbreak with a gritty but sometimes hilarious take on the genre. Rebecca walks us through the twin‑bond of Anna and Paul, the multi‑POV structure that gives the narrative a cinematic pulse, and her own activism at the Fairy Creek blockade which informed the novel’s environmental undercurrents.She also shares about the realities of writing while caring for a toddler, the challenges of indie publishing, and the joy of seeing readers connect with a story that respects both nature and the horror genre. Whether you’re a fan of grounded zombie fiction or just love a good coastal thriller, this conversation offers plenty of fresh takes on the genre and some laughs along the way.Author Links:Rebeccas website - https://rcuthbertsonwrites.com/Buy 'Waves of Undead' - LinkSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

1/11/26 • 72:19

The horde keeps growing, and so does the heart. We’re kicking off season four by turning our loose, joyful shenanighans into a real book club you can actually join; slow reads, inclusive picks, live conversation, and clear values that put people first. Think of it like building a survivor camp together: strong walls, warm fires, and a shared map for what we read and why it matters.Here’s what’s new: four to five community reads a year at a humane pace; monthly author spotlights that dive into craft, worldbuilding, and big topics like mutual aid and the economics of survival; and casual dead episodes for experiments, movie talk, and small acts of preparedness. Patreon becomes our free home base for polls, voting, and book discussions where you can speak your mind as we read along. Also perks like early bonus episodes, stickers, and a zombie art calendar for paid members.Join us June 12 - 14th at Living Dead Weekend! If you're going, let us know and we can plan a meetup. Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

1/4/26 • 39:22

Texas Solves the outbreak in 5 minutes, sorry New York.In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Perlmutter, professor of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University, to dissect how societies record—and eventually lose—their histories when the grid goes dark. From ancient clay tablets to floppy disks, we explore why the very mediums we trust to preserve culture can become our Achilles’ heel. Dr. Perlmutter breaks down the role of teachers, archivists, and storytellers in a crisis, weighs the ethics of propaganda versus transparent messaging, and shows how decentralized decision‑making keep military units cohesive when supply lines crumble.Links relevant to the episode topicsDr. David Perlmutter's bio: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/faculty/faculty/dperlmutter.phpThe Last of Us analysis (why it resonates with real‑world apocalypse thinking): https://writersblockmagazine.com/2023/05/23/the-last-of-us-love-and-humanity-in-a-post-apocalyptic-world“Apocalypse software” – building resilient local intranets and offline digital libraries: https://apocalypse.support/7_level_7_early_digital_civilization/s_4_local_isplike_services.htmlÖtzi the Ice Man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tziCollapse OS’ an Open Source Operating System for the Post-Apocalypse: https://www.vice.com/en/article/collapse-os-is-an-open-source-operating-system-for-the-post-apocalypse/Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

12/28/25 • 104:40

We join special guest Jack Callaghan for a deep dive into the unlikely heroics of Eugene from The Walking Dead and the eerie rural mystery of his upcoming novel Wyrd Water. After a quick chat about Jack’s creative pivot from the stalled Zombie Nerd series to this 1979‑set folk‑horror tale, the conversation turns to Eugene’s evolution; from a self‑proclaimed “coward with a mullet” to the logistical mastermind who saves Alexandria with sabotaged ammunition.Together they explore why brains beats brawn in apocalyptic storytelling, how flawed characters can anchor thriving communities, and what makes Wyrd Water so mysterious.LinksJack Callaghan on Instagram - @JackCallaghanAuthorWyrd Water - Buy now on Ingram SparkSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

12/21/25 • 78:33

Join us for an unforgettable conversation with award‑winning author Kate L. Mary, the mastermind behind the Broken World saga and many others. Kate walks us through the genesis of her slow‑burn apocalypse, explaining why she chose a stripper‑protagonist to humanize the chaos and how the fan‑favorite character Angus evolved from a wild catalyst into the emotional core of his own series. She also shares the hurdles she faced in traditional publishing—being told “no market for zombies”—and how self‑publishing empowered her to let readers decide the fate of her world.Beyond the zombies, Kate delves into the deeper social themes woven throughout her books: deconstructing evangelical conservatism, championing queer, trans, and disability representation, and confronting reproductive‑rights oppression. She talks candidly about balancing mental‑health needs with creativity and the therapeutic power of dystopian storytelling.Relevant Episode Links:Kate L. Mary's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zombieauthormomAuthor Website - https://katelmary.comSuggested Reading Order - https://katelmary.com/reading-orderBroken World (book 1) - Amazon LinkSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

12/14/25 • 96:18

We’re rolling out a “Human‑Creators‑First” policy and explaining why our podcast will now prioritize authors who write their own stories and use human‑made cover art. In this bonus episode we unpack the hidden costs of AI‑generated covers—from unpaid training data to the erosion of artists’ livelihoods—and share concrete alternatives: finding independent cover illustrators, responsibly using stock assets, and leveraging skill‑sharing networks.If you’re an indie author feeling pressured by AI tools, DM us and we’ll connect you with resources and real‑world help.Contact information & relevant linksInstagram – cover artist Karl Dahmer: https://instagram.com/dahmerartInstagram – author Ross Killey: https://instagram.com/rosskilley_authorShutterstock AI Contributor Fund article: https://petapixel.com/2023/07/12/shutterstock-may-have-paid-out-over-4-million-from-its-ai-contributor-fund/XPiks blog on Shutterstock payouts: https://xpiksapp.com/blog/how-much-shutterstock-pays-contributors/Toolify AI news on AI‑powered book covers: https://www.toolify.ai/ai-news/aipowered-book-covers-the-ethical-dilemma-for-indie-authors-3626920#bar5RNZ story on NZ Book Awards AI‑cover ban: https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/books/top-writers-ruled-out-of-nz-book-awards-due-to-ai-coversNPR coverage of 70+ authors’ open letter (2025): https://www.npr.org/2025/07/03/nx-s1-5454736/more-than-70-writers-send-open-letter-about-ai-to-literary-publishersSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

12/11/25 • 22:29

In this episode we break down the anatomy of a zombie bite and translate forensic‑style bite‑risk data into a practical “survival wardrobe.” By mapping where bites most often land—forearms, hands and lower legs—we prioritize protecting the extremities first, then layer outward for weather and mobility. Plus, we discuss low‑tech hacks like duct‑taped DIY bracers.We also pull in real‑world analogues: forensic pathology shows defensive wounds concentrate on the forearms , police self‑defence manuals echo the same patterns , and CDC dog‑bite statistics illustrate how bite incidence clusters on exposed limbs. Those indirect sources justify our bite‑risk percentages and guide the material matrix that ranks denim, leather, Kevlar, silk, nylon and others for durability, weight, breathability and bite resistance. Whether you’re scavenging, fighting, or just staying mobile, this episode equips you with a data‑backed checklist to stay alive in the apocalypse.Related LinksForensic Pathology, by Vincent J.M. DiMaioA paper published on the NIH website about Animal and Human Bite WoundsZombie Stories that include forearm armorAmong The Dead : Part One : Shadow of Death by Ryan ColleyReturn by Alice B. SullivanLast Man Standing: The Complete Trilogy by Keith TaylorSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

12/7/25 • 83:22

Using Deepa Iyer’s Social‑Change Ecosystem framework, we match each of its ten roles—Weaver, Experimenter, Frontline Responder, Visionary, Builder, Caregiver, Healer, Disruptor, Storyteller, and Guide—to iconic characters from The Walking Dead. From Glenn’s bridge‑building hustle to Michonne’s charter writing chronicles, we show how those archetypes keep hope, logistics, and morale alive when the dead rise.Check out Deepa Iyer's framework to name your own apocalypse strength, spot gaps in your crew, and pair complementary roles. Let us know your archetype, and let’s turn the zombie apocalypse into organized community action.Framework & resource links mentioned in the episodeSocial Change Map (home of the ecosystem): https://www.socialchangemap.com/home/step-1Deepa Iyer’s Instagram post referenced in the show notes: https://www.instagram.com/deepaviyer/?hl=enSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

11/30/25 • 68:14

We dive into BBC’s In The Flesh, the gritty British drama that uses “Partially Deceased Syndrome” as a razor‑sharp metaphor for identity, conformity and the politics of “passing”. From Kieren Walker’s quiet grief to the radical undead sect that rejects the cure, we unpack how the series blends horror, queer allegory and social critique, weighing the strengths of season 1 against the uneven twists of season 2.Our longtime friend OllieEatsBrains joins the chair to share life updates—moving across the country, new job, recent adoption, and the launch of the MAZE comic Kickstarter. Ollie explains why the story shifted from prose to graphic form, highlights artist Fede’s striking style, and teases the next chapter of the MAZE universe, tying the comic’s themes of label‑rebellion back to the zombie‑politics of In The Flesh.Contact & relevant linksOllieEatsBrainsOllieEatsBrains website: https://ollieeatsbrains.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ollieeatsbrains/Epizode with Ollie talking about M.A.Z.E.: Epizode 58 Carrd bio (central hub for all socials): https://ollieeatsbrains.carrd.coMAZE Kickstarter (official campaign page): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ollieeatsbrains/maze-1-staken-not-stirredIn The FleshIn The Flesh Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Flesh_(TV_series)BBC programme page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b042ckssIMDb entry: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2480514/Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

11/23/25 • 71:41

We’re buzzing with anticipation for Tina Romero’s upcoming queer‑zombie film Queens of the Dead! From the moment we caught the first trailer; a glitter‑soaked Neon lit warehouse rave gone horribly right, we’ve been dissecting the film’s bold premise, the promise of sequined power tools and six‑inch heeled zombies, and the way Tina Romero’s DJ‑nightlife roots could translate into kinetic, club‑ready choreography. We can’t wait to see how the all‑star drag lineup; Margaret Cho, Nina West, Dominique Jackson, Katie O’Brien and more, turns a typical zombie apocalypse into a celebration of chosen family, joy, and creative survival.We're also challenging listeners to join our “Boycott the Machine” holiday push—support indie, BIPOC and local business and starve the giants who are supporting blatant fascism.The film is now streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, and Plex; rottentomatoes.comRotten Tomatoes gives the movie a 92 % critic score, praising its “glam‑gore” aesthetic and heartfelt humor fandango.comSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

11/16/25 • 59:27

In this episode we sit down with Sarah Lyons Fleming, the brilliant mind behind the Until the End of the World series (as well as her other series; City and Cascadia), which feels more like a well‑stocked pantry than a barren wasteland. She enthralls us with the gritty logistics of life after the collapse, cozy survival, acorn flour, and how community‑first storytelling can outshine lone‑wolf power fantasies.Beyond the gore, Sarah shares how she weaves LGBTQIA+, women‑centered, and neurodivergent characters into the fabric of a post‑apocalypse, and reveals just how many cans of beans are hidden under her bed.Relevant LinksSarah's Official website: https://www.sarahlyonsfleming.com/Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SarahLyonsFleming/Amazon author storefront (for all titles): https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sarah-Lyons-FlemingSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

11/9/25 • 92:51

The undead gather for the inaugural ZombieWeen 2025 showdown, where the court of the apocalypse crowns a new monarch of the undead. Leah and Dan usher listeners into a night of witty banter, improvised challenges, and razor‑sharp satire—all framed by a Jeopardy‑style board that pits “Zombie Survival 101,” “Horror Tropes,” “Apocalypse Etiquette,” “Zombie Blockbusters,” and “Dating While Undead” against one another. Contestants—including returning royalty Laurie, the reigning king Sylvester, and challengers Alice B. Sullivan and Jack Callaghan—battle for the coveted Throne of the Undead while the audience votes for the fan‑favorite “Zombesties Choice Award.”Vote here!Special GuestsLaurie Calcaterra – Path of the Pale Riderhttps://www.pathofthepalerider.comhttps://instagram.com/path_of_the_pale_riderSylvester Barzey – Planet Deadhttps://sylvesterbarzey.com/https://instagram.com/sylvesterbarzey_authorJack Callaghan – Zombie Nerd and the Half‑Term Harrowinghttps://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Nerd-Half-Term-Harrowing-Callaghan/https://instagram.com/jackcallaghanauthorAlice B. Sullivan – Elementary Undeadhttps://alicebsullivan.comhttps://instagram.com/zombieauthor_alicebsullivan/Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

11/2/25 • 100:56

We crack open Resident Evil (2002) to expose Umbrella Corp’s playbook: a secret underground lab, an AI “Red Queen” that chooses lethal containment over humanity, and a virus that turns a research facility into an underground tomb. By mapping the film’s thrills onto today’s corporate landscape, we explore how shareholder‑driven incentives, corporate personhood, and profit‑first logic can become a real‑world horror story—​a corporate psychopath that “kills” for efficiency.From the legal roots of corporate personhood (the 14th Amendment) to the documentary The Corporation that diagnoses corporations as psychopaths, we discuss how the Red Queen’s logic is a cautionary AI‑governance tale and a mirror of unchecked corporate power. We finish with concrete steps: building mutual‑aid networks, supporting cooperatives, and demanding transparency to “shoot the corporate head” before the next outbreak.Relevant LinksWikipedia – Resident Evil (2002 film) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_Evil_(film)NPR – “When Did Companies Become People?” – https://www.npr.org/2014/07/28/335288388/when-did-companies-become-people-excavating-the-legal-evolutionThe Corporation documentary official site – https://thecorporation.com/Beagle Freedom Project – https://bfp.org/Leah’s Etsy shop (Sunset Cloud Parade) – https://www.etsy.com/shop/SunsetCloudParadeSupport the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

10/26/25 • 92:33

The plan for this episode was simple: fire zombies, protest frogs, and a life update. What we got was a quiet living room, two handheld mics, and the kind of day that makes everything else feel small. Our old boy Nero, a once-feral, endlessly loving dog who shaped our routines and taught us patience, took a sharp turn. We walked into the ER carrying an 80lb dog like a duffle bag and left with a simple truth: sometimes love is mercy, and mercy means letting go.If this resonates, tell us about a pet who left this world and the ritual that helped you say goodbye.Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

10/19/25 • 22:41

Can a film adaptation ever capture the quiet ache of its source? In this crossover with Wicked Words Book Club, we dissect Isaac Marion’s Warm Bodies and its sleek, sanitized movie version, tracing the emotional, ideological, and tonal shifts that split page and screen. We celebrate the bits that land, like visual metaphors of zombified liminality and clever sight gags, and lament the simplifications that undercut weight: interchangeable bonies, narrative shortcuts, and a romance that skips its own gritty labor.Did the adaptation elevate or erode the zombie genre? Tune in and decide with us.Contact & LinksWicked Words Book ClubWebsite / Blog: Wicked-Words.com Spotify: Wicked Words Book Club Instagram: @wickedwordsbc Discord: https://discord.gg/J5DF983yMg Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

10/12/25 • 98:36

Join us for a smart, irreverent dive into Aquarium of the Dead with marine biologist and festival fanatic Jacob Quijas. We map undead tropes onto real marine science—waves, buoyancy, detritivores, keystone species—and even speculate: can the ocean digest zombies faster than we expect and would their bones become coral?Then we dive in to the movie: shark mix-ups, roaring octopi, and what Aquarium of the Dead gets hilariously wrong about marine life and systems. Along the way, Jacob’s wisdom about eating down the food chain, building communities under pressure, and finding science in the absurd will have you laughing, learning, and maybe even rethinking your next seaside horror flick.Jacob QuijasInstagram — @vivalafestivapodcastViva La Festiva Podcast — https://tr.ee/prdMZjTMeJMovie / Topic Links Aquarium of the Dead (2021) — Wikipedia page with production notes  Trailer on YouTube Support the showZombie Book Club LinksJoin us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClubJoin the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CBZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

10/5/25 • 78:03