Podsothoth: A Lovecraft Book Club

Huge Success, LLC

Podsothoth is a horror and comedy podcast dedicated to the works (and foibles) of H.P. Lovecraft, hosted by recovering goth and internet D-lister celebrity, Tod Beardsley. Every Lovecraft story will be covered over two episodes each. First, Tod will read the story with minimal production, and ideal for people who just want to hear Lovecraft's words. This is the horror part. Following each story is a discussion of, about, and around that story, and have plenty of jokes and giggles. This is the comedy part. Follow the show at https://defcon.social/@podsothoth, or email the show at hideous@podsothoth.club. Other media may crawl out from the chaos iN ThE ineffAbLE fUTUrE, beyOnD tHe KEn OF MAN OR BEAST ALIKE AND IN A TIME OF THE GREAT RETURN OF THE OLD ONES, WHO WILL F'THAGN R'YL'EHHHHH IA IA!!!!!

read less
ArtsArts

Episodes

34: The Horror at Red Hook (Discussion)
Apr 18 2023
34: The Horror at Red Hook (Discussion)
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 the story and the barely concealed subtext. We're glad to have had the opportunity to discuss it, and of course, the portrayal of Detective Malone in the Tell No Tales staging of The Atrocities at Arkham was an absolute delight. But, boy oh boy, that source material is not great.In any event, speaking of Tell No Tales, you should follow them on whatever social media they use these days, as well as our other new friend of the show, Screen Rebels. Our mission now is to get both West End London theater companies to come to Providence for NecronomiCON 2024 and perform for American audiences in Lovecraft's home town! Let's make this happen!Now for the links mentioned in the show:Nocturne, the vampire bar that might be owned by the band Massive Attack, is described here. It's really pretty neat. Go there if you have a chance.Nethack, the greatest video game ever made, is currently on display at New York's Museum of Modern Art. You too can dance with succubi and incubi.Read the 1902 edition of Encyclopedia Britannica, if you want to delve into history.Alternatively, you can read a 2018 Norwegian Refuge Council report on present-day Yezidis and the recurring genocide they've been suffering since forever. They are real people and definitely not devil worshippers.For lighter listening, catch our ad on Greatest Generation episode 455. It's toward the end, but really, you should listen to the whole episode.And here's how I learned how to pronounce Pascoag.Claire mentioned the Magnificent Mile in reference to Chicago, and I only mention this is because Tod will be in Chicago in the middle of May, 2023 for a secret hacker conference. If you want to hang out, drop us a line at @podsothoth@defcon.social or hideous@podsothoth.club.Support the showLike the show? Say so with money! Or just hang out with us on Mastodon, at @podsothoth@defcon.social. Or email us at hideous@podsothoth.club. Best thing? Rate us (positively!) in your favorite podcast app. That helps other people find the show!
33: The Horror At Red Hook
Mar 29 2023
33: The Horror At Red Hook
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, Greek, Hebrew, and Rhode Islander fragments. Finally, the most egregiously racist descriptions of the varied people mentioned in this story have been omitted or replaced.If any of this sounds like it is likely to disturb or offend you, you are urged to skip this episode.For ambience, we have several tracks: Relaxing Meadow with Ambient Nature Sounds, Wildflowers, and Mountain View - 8 Hours  by Calmed by Nature,  Open Window New York City Soundscape at Night (Midtown Manhattan City Sounds) 4k by Nomadic Ambience,  Creaky Wooden Pirate Ship on the High Seas in a Thunderstorm by an unknown provider (it's since been deleted from YouTube, sadly), and Dark Tomb - | Cave Sounds | 45 Minutes by The Guild of Ambience. It's so much soundscape! Too much? Let us know on Mastodon at @podsothoth@defcon.social, or by email at hideous@podsothoth.club. If you do write, we may read your missive on the podcast, so any hints about proper noun pronunciation would be appreciated.Support the showLike the show? Say so with money! Or just hang out with us on Mastodon, at @podsothoth@defcon.social. Or email us at hideous@podsothoth.club. Best thing? Rate us (positively!) in your favorite podcast app. That helps other people find the show!
31: Herbert West -- Reanimator
Feb 10 2023
31: Herbert West -- Reanimator
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 descriptions of Italian, Polish, and African Americans.Certain specific terms in the text have been slightly altered or omitted in the reading to be slightly less unkind.Our next episode will feature a discussion of this story, and it will be recorded live at the Drayton Arms Theater in Greater London. I sincerely hope you can join us there when we record; tickets can be secured for a very modest fee. Just search the Internet for the London Lovecraft Festival. The festival will run from Februrary 13th to 19th, 2023, and this show will be recorded on Wednesday, Februrary 15th, at 9pm. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at hideous@podsothoth.club, or follow us on Mastodon at @podsothoth@defcon.social. We'll see you soon in London!Ambience: Science Lab with Bubbling LiquidsSupport the showLike the show? Say so with money! Or just hang out with us on Mastodon, at @podsothoth@defcon.social. Or email us at hideous@podsothoth.club. Best thing? Rate us (positively!) in your favorite podcast app. That helps other people find the show!
30: The Hound (Discussion)
Jan 28 2023
30: The Hound (Discussion)
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 can head over to https://bit.ly/podsothoth-tickets to get your tickets to our upcoming London show on Februray 15, 2023! It's a couple clicks from there, but they're only £12, which is not even 15 dollars in real money. Also, we expect it to be a pretty Covid-safe event -- judging by ticket sales so far, I'm pretty certain you can keep a 2 meter distance from other audience members. You can read up on the festival and other things going on that week at https://londonlovecraft.com, and I urge you to do so -- especially Reanimator: The Bloody Musical on February 14th, which we'll be at as well!As always, you can follow the show on Mastodon at https://defcon.social/@podsothoth or email us at hideous@podsothoth.club. We're no longer on Twitter, and never have been on Facebook. If you want to dive into Mastodon, head over to https://joinmastodon.org/ and pick an instance! It's like the FidoNET BBSes of the 1980s! It's k-rad!Support the showLike the show? Say so with money! Or just hang out with us on Mastodon, at @podsothoth@defcon.social. Or email us at hideous@podsothoth.club. Best thing? Rate us (positively!) in your favorite podcast app. That helps other people find the show!