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Discussion thread: WHAT IS CREEPY? episode is published! (Patreon)

Published:
2025-10-03 22:08:59
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Let's call it Serpopyschology. And let's kick off Spooktober 2025.

In this episode with Dr. Frank McAndrew, we chat: dates that give you the willies, Weary Willie the Clown, haunted dolls, college goths, dark alleyways, evolutionary neurobiology, what NOT to get Oprah, the line between horror and comedy, the phobia of balloons, dating tips, and why you should re-evaluate your bathmat.

Did you know there was a field of study on what makes something creepy? Now you do. Let's discuss below!

Also I'm posting this two days late because Wednesday was your podmother, Jarrett's 40th birthday and we have a bunch of family in town to celebrate him. We're forcing him to perform a musical he's been working on and y'all, it's so good.

Also in other Ward household live show news: save the date for Monday, Nov 17 in NYC! I'll send the pre-sale link just for Patrons next week! I am nervous, and I hope it's fun.

Okay onward with Spooktober!

-Your Podfather

Files

Serpopsychology (WHAT'S CREEPY?) with Dr. Frank McAndrew - alie ward

Are you creepy? How would you know? What's "creepy" as opposed to scary or eerie? We talk to the pioneer of this research, Serpopsychologist Dr. Frank McAndrew, a professor emeritus at Knox College. We chat: dates that give you the willies, Weary Willie the Clown, haunted dolls, college goths, dark

Comments

Smiley Kylie (she/her)

Loved this episode!! Especially loved the emphasis on the importance on accepting diversity 💕 Thanks for sharing! Hope Jarrett’s birthday was so fun!!

Clayton Rudiger

Also when do we get to see the musical? 👀

Alie Ward

Thank you!! He's doing a private show in a small theater for his family and friends on Sunday to workshop a show he's been writing. I watched the full rehearsal on his birthday and it's so good. I was like, weeping. I'm so excited for him to put it up publicly!

Alie Ward

I'm hoping he'll start to put it up in LA theaters in the next few months! I'm making him apply to Fringe Festivals, too!

Katie Hammond

Very interesting episode! It's wild that this field of study is so young. I wish I'd thought of it during question-asking time, but I wonder about the expert's thoughts on the book "Creepology: Self Defense for Your Social Life". It's on my reading recommendation list for anyone interested in learning self defense.

Manish Agarwal

Really enjoyed this chat: it was the most informative start to Spooky Season! 🎃👻🤡🧛🏻‍♀️

Helen Langille

What a fun listen! I also recently learned that there isn’t really an equivalent word in French - there are phrases or combinations that can evoke the sense, but no direct translation. It was a fun chat with a French teacher

Alie Ward

Is that because the French embrace being creepy! I love that about them!

Alie Ward

Yay!! I think Frank is just so charming.

Teale Vee

I love Dr Frank - he’s awesome, funny and so knowledgeable. Loved the question he hadn’t thought about! We are always learning.

Dave Brewer

Growing up in the 60s and 70s, I don’t remember clowns being creepy. I know I’m an N of one, but there were kids shows with clown hosts (nationally, Bozo, regionally, J. P. Patches in Seattle). My first experience with clowns being creepy was in the 80s, so I suggest this one might be more cultural than visceral. The ologist even mentioned John Wayne Gacy as the turning point. A wonderful episode. Thanks Alie and Frank!

Jmo

just listening to the episode now and I'm so glad Creepypasta made it in there!! I'm more familiar with the video form that came around with YouTube & early adult swim. for those interested, my favs are alantutorial (find a playlist in order), unedited footage of a bear, and too many cooks.

GoodSoup

Dr. Frank was my professor (quite a few years ago)!! So incredibly cool to hear him on Ologies.