In this episode of the Horror Heals podcast, Corey and Kendall are joined by the talented horror author Rachel M. Martens, who has made a career out of writing stories that not only thrill, but also serve as a therapeutic outlet. From childhood favorites like Scooby-Doo to deep dives into the gothic classics, Rachel’s love for horror has been a consistent thread throughout her life, and it's one that has helped her process trauma, overcome personal struggles, and ultimately find her voice as a writer.

Rachel shares how writing horror has been a method of healing, helping her transform painful experiences into powerful, haunting tales that resonate with readers. She takes us on a journey through her writing process, including the influence of Edgar Allen Poe and classic gothic horror, and how her characters evolve as they battle their own demons. We also discuss her Poe series, which blends psychological horror with deeply personal themes of PTSD, depression, and healing, creating a world where the darkness isn't something to shy away from, but something that empowers.

Throughout this conversation, Rachel’s passion for horror as a tool for mental wellness is clear. She explains how horror, whether through books, movies, or writing, allows us to confront our fears in a controlled space, providing us with the strength to face what’s lurking in the shadows of our own lives.

If you’re a fan of horror or just want to hear more about how creative expression can help us heal, this episode is a must-listen!

Guest Bio: Rachel M. Martens

Rachel M. Martens is a talented horror author whose work delves deep into the shadows of the human experience, blending gothic horror with psychological thrillers. Her passion for horror, which began in childhood, has shaped both her writing and her personal journey of healing. Drawing inspiration from classic figures like Edgar Allan Poe and the works of gothic horror legends, Rachel’s stories explore themes of trauma, grief, PTSD, and the strength found in confronting darkness head-on.

Rachel is the author of the Poe series, a gothic thriller that brings to life the terrifying and empowering world of a young woman battling a family curse, all while grappling with her own emotional scars. Her writing is not just a creative outlet but a form of catharsis, allowing her to process personal struggles and offer readers a sense of empowerment through powerful endings and haunting tales.

As an active member of the horror community, Rachel has embraced the camaraderie found at conventions and events, connecting with fans and fellow authors alike. With each book, she continues to inspire those who turn to horror for both entertainment and healing, proving that sometimes, the scariest stories hold the most transformative power.

This week on Horror Heals, we’re serving glamour, gore, and a whole lot of gratitude with none other than the high priestess of horror drag herself—Peaches Christ! 🎃👑💋

From her locker full of Fangoria centerfolds to commanding the San Francisco Symphony stage as Pinhead with fla-tits (you read that right), Peaches takes us on a full-throttle ride through her haunted, hilarious, and heartfelt journey. Along the way, we summon the spirits of John Waters, Divine, Elvira, Tim Curry, Heather Langenkamp, Adrienne King, Amanda Wyss, and Chloris Leachman—yes, all in one episode.

✨ Topics we sink our fangs into:

• Catholic schoolgirl horror and the bedroom that got a priest to do a blessing
• How Wes Craven and horror legends inspired survival and identity
• Peaches’ horror-soaked drag origin story—from Elvira to Frank-N-Furter
• Behind-the-scenes tea on meeting Tim Curry, working with Cassandra Peterson, and that iconic elevator moment with Nancy & Tina
• The legacy of Rocky Horror Picture Show, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th
• Building chosen family through drag and the power of celebration over cruelty
• Creating immersive horror experiences like Terror Vault
• Why horror drag is finally breaking into the mainstream (hi, Boulay Brothers!)
• Hope, horror, and being loud in a world that’s trying to silence us

🎤 Plus: A tribute to Nancy Thompson, a love letter to Adrienne King, and one very rogue moment with Chloris Leachman that involves a wig and a lap.

This episode is a lovefest to horror, queerness, drag, and the radical act of being exactly who you are—even when the world tells you not to. So don your fiercest wig, light your cult candles, and get ready to feel seen, slayed, and celebrated.

🩸 Episode Trigger Warning: We talk about bullying, religious trauma, political rhetoric, and safety for queer and trans communities in today’s climate—with love, strength, and dark humor.

Peaches Christ is the cult movie queen, horror hostess, drag icon, and all-around underground legend whose work has helped redefine the intersections of horror, queerness, and theatrical spectacle. Known for her long-running Midnight Mass movie series in San Francisco, Peaches has spent decades paying reverent, riotous tribute to cult classics and the queer creatives behind them.

She’s the mastermind behind immersive horror experiences like Terror Vault, the writer-director of the beloved horror-comedy All About Evil, and a celebrated performer who’s taken the stage everywhere from haunted attractions to highbrow symphony halls (often in Cenobite couture).

A drag mother to icons like Jinkx Monsoon and Bob the Drag Queen, Peaches is also a champion of horror’s healing power, creating space for misfits, Final Girls, and everyone in between to feel seen—and fabulous.

From her early days as a horror-obsessed Catholic school kid to rubbing elbows (and elevator rides) with Elvira, Tim Curry, John Waters, Heather Langenkamp, and Adrienne King, Peaches’ story is proof that when you embrace the strange, the world gets a whole lot more beautiful.

• 💻 Website: peacheschrist.com
• 🧛 Instagram: @thepeacheschrist
• 🩸 Twitter/X:

Is it possible for a witch to change the world? If you're Borah!, the answer is a wickedly enthusiastic YES.

In this enchanting episode of Horror Heals, we sit down with Salem’s spellbinding star, Borah! — the beloved persona of Brian Sims, who has become a mainstay in the spooky streets of Salem and a symbol of joy, healing, and self-expression for thousands.

We talk about:

• How a viral German witch dance sparked the creation of Borah!
• Moving to Salem and discovering a deeper connection to self and community
• What it's like officiating weddings (and divorce parties!) as a fabulous witch
• The healing power of horror, Halloween, and embracing your weirdness
• Stories of fans and strangers whose lives have been touched by Borah!'s presence
• Ghosts, haunted places, abandoned resorts — and why we love them
• And yes… why Jamie Lee Curtis needs to come on Horror Heals 🧡

Whether you’ve seen Borah! twirling through the Halloween streets of Salem, judging costume contests at cons, or spreading joy online, this episode is a celebration of the magic that happens when you fully become you.

Don’t miss this one — it’s warm, funny, heartfelt, and just a little witchy.

Guest Bio:

🧹 Meet Borah! (aka Brian Sims)

Borah! is the high-heeled, high-spirited witch alter ego of Brian Sims — a performer, creator, and community figure based in Salem, Massachusetts. What started as a Halloween witch dance in 2016 has evolved into a year-round celebration of spooky joy, inclusion, and personal expression. Borah! is a regular fixture at cons like Silver Scream and Spooky Empire, a judge of costume contests, an officiant of wonderfully weird weddings, and a source of healing and laughter for thousands who encounter them in person and online.

Borah!’s mission? To remind everyone that it's okay to be different, weird, and wildly yourself — and that sometimes, the best magic is just being seen and celebrated.

Follow Borah! on Instagram: @salemsblackhatsociety