When a zombie named 'R' rescues a living girl instead of devouring her, everything shifts. Told through R’s reflective, darkly witty inner monologue, Warm Bodies challenges our assumptions of life, death, and what it means to feel. As R consumes Perry’s brain and begins to access memories, he forges a strange intimacy with Perry’s consciousness—raising the question: whose identity is really influencing R’s journey?

In this crossover episode, we join Sara and Greg from Wicked Words Bookclub Podcast dive deep into Isaac Marion’s bold reimagining of the zombie mythos. We examine how the mirrored, stagnating societies of zombies at an airport and humans in a stadium reflect each other, how R’s transformations mirror emotional rebirth, and whether love alone can shake entire systems.

Contact / Social Media for Wicked Words Bookclub + Relevant Links

Wicked Words / Wicked Words Bookclub

• Website: wicked-words.com
• Podcast (Spotify): Wicked Words Book Club
• Instagram: @WickedWordsBC
• Threads: @wickedwordsbc

Isaac Marion (author of Warm Bodies)

• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Marion
• Website: isaacmarion.com

ZOMBIE BOOK CLUB GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

This episode digs into how the Trump Administration has rolled back decades of clean energy progress—through sweeping executive orders, budget cuts, and cancelled programs—and how those moves are hitting communities of color, the poor, and Indigenous Nations the hardest. Leah shares her own loss of work in environmental justice, and we break down what that means in real terms: higher energy bills, fewer clean-energy jobs, loss of protections, and more pollution in the places that already bear the worst burdens.

Relevant Information and Links:

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is terminating the $7 billion “Solar for All” program — a key initiative intended to bring solar access to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/epa-considers-ending-solar-for-all-program-funding/
• There is also a broader regulatory rollback: dozens of Biden-era environmental, climate, and clean air protections are being dismantled or suspended.
  https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EELP-Environmental-and-Energy-Executive-Orders-Jan.-2025.pdf
• What’s Left of Federal Environmental Justice
• Wiring the Divide: The Impact of Redlining on Electric Infrastructure
• Race: The Power of an Illusion

ZOMBIE BOOK CLUB GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

Jason Strutz joins us on Zombie Book Club Ep 113 to talk about Returned, his medieval horror graphic novel where the undead aren’t just monsters — they’re souls trapped in bodies that have turned violent, forced to watch as loved ones try to bring them back. When warrior Vale dies and becomes one such undead, her partner Hal and their son Ragno must navigate the horror, the betrayal, and the slim chance of redemption.

We dive into how Jason’s own life — from caring for a parent with frontotemporal dementia to balancing art with fatherhood — inspired the emotional core of Returned. We also talk about his creative process, the unique zombie mythos he’s built, and what comes next in the Kickstarter rollout.

Guest Links:

• Website: strutzart.com
• Comic/Webcomic Website: ReturnedComic.com
• Kickstarter: Returned – Part One & Two of Four
• Instagram: @strutzart
• Facebook: StrutzArt page

ZOMBIE BOOK CLUB GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

In this episode, we bring you face-to-face with acclaimed author Alice B. Sullivan, as we crack open The Collapse: Book 0 in her Aftermath series. Alice takes us behind the scenes of how a character backstory written in just three whirlwind weeks during the pandemic became a full-blown prequel, introducing young Sadie and her fearless Yorkshire Terrier, Trooper. Prepare to reframe your assumptions about apocalypse pets—Alice argues small dogs are more than liabilities, they’re surprising survival assets.

We also dig into the ethical trenches: from the ethical dilemma of shielding children from hard truths, to the moral weight of utilitarian “preservation” communities—and why sometimes, protecting what you love overrides survival logic. Plus, Alice teases what’s next in the Aftermath universe. Whether you’re a dog lover, zombie fiction fan, or fascinated by human resilience, this episode will make you reconsider who—or what—you’d save when society collapses.

Guest Contact

• Website: alicebsullivan.com
• Facebook: Alice B. Sullivan
• Instagram: @zombieauthor_alicebsullivan
• Goodreads: author page: Alice B. Sullivan
• Buy Alices Books: Amazon

ZOMBIE BOOK CLUB GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

Join us as we dive into “The Dead‑Weight Resistance” with returning guest Jo Salazar, author of The Dead Weight and its thrilling sequel. We explore Quinn’s journey in post-apocalyptic St. Louis—her fight for healthcare, her emotional trauma, and the chance to redefine herself when no one knows her past. Jo shares how stepping away from social work into full-time writing has changed her life, and what drew her to themes of identity and moral complexity in the zombie genre.

This episode is packed with insights into character building, feminist storytelling, and indie publishing. We also get juicy details on new characters like Archer, Hira, and Amy, and updates on The Dead Weight book 3. Whether you love gritty apocalypse stories or smart, morally gray protagonists, this chat with Jo is a must-listen.

Find & Follow Jo Salazar

• Website: JoSalazarWriting.com
• Instagram: @jo_salazar
• TikTok: @jo_salazar

Where to Buy

• The Dead Weight
• The Dead Weight: Resistance

ZOMBIE BOOK CLUB GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

The tension was palpable as we welcomed comic creators Laurie Calcaterra and Brandon Starocci to the Summerween Slamdown - a bare-knuckle brawl between frenemies that would determine the fate of Laurie's zombie crown and Brandon's prized mustache. What began as online beef culminated in this explosive showdown, judged by none other than 2024 Zombie-ween king and horror author Sylvester Barzey.

Contact & Social Links for Guests & Related Authors

Elevator Pitch

• R. Cuthbertson: @rcuthbertson.writes
  • Waves of Undead

Guests

• Laurie Calcaterra: @LaurieCalcaterra
  • Path of the Pale Rider
• Brandon Starocci: @brandonstarocci
  • Avalon Comic

Judge

• Sylvester Barzey: @sylvesterbarzey
  • SylvesterBarzey.com

ZOMBIE BOOK CLUB GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

In this provocative and poignant episode, we sit down with author KQ Watson to explore her short story Wheelchair Seating for the Apocalypse. Far from your average survival tale, this narrative focuses on a wheelchair user who chooses to opt out of enduring a zombie-infested world—prompting a powerful and compassionate exploration of autonomy, dignity, and the underrepresented voices in apocalyptic fiction.

We dive into the ethics of medical aid in dying, ableist tropes in horror, and what it means to grant agency to those who refuse to “survive.” Amid the weighty themes, KQ shares unlikely passions—from The Dark Crystal’s eerie magic to satanic death metal for sober listeners—and reveals what writing about a fallen angel, cookie dough, and last meals say about confronting the end of everything.

Contact & Social Media for KQ Watson

• Carrd: kqwatson.carrd.co
• Instagram: @kq_watson
• TikTok: @kq_watson

Music & Show Recommendations from KQ Watson

• The Gears by Dethklok
• To Tame the Temporal Shrew - Rishloo
• Memento Mori - Will Wood
• Baphomet - Zeal & Ardor
• Dead Set - Tv Show
• Threads - nuclear apocalypse (Full Movie)

ZOMBIE BOOK CLUB GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

In this special “get to know us” episode, Dan and Leah pull back the curtain on the Zombie Book Club. From meeting on ICQ in the internet’s dark ages to building a zombie-obsessed home in Vermont, they share their origin story, their love for all things undead, and why they use the apocalypse as a lens to talk about capitalism, climate collapse, and representation. You’ll hear about Dan’s zombie novel-in-progress, Leah’s creepy-cool zombie crowns, and the barking dogs that would absolutely blow their cover in a real outbreak.

They answer listener-submitted questions both thoughtful and ridiculous — from “Who’s the better cook?” to “Do zombies pick their noses?” — and feature an indie horror gem, Dead Awake: Collapse by Rob Ulitski. Whether you’re here for thoughtful apocalypse analysis or absurd competitions like the Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Cluck Challenge, you’re invited to join the found-family energy of the ZomBestie community. Grab a snack, your favorite blunt object, and hit play.

Elevator Pitch:

• Rob Ulitski: Dead Awake: Collapse:

Our Next Read:

• KQ Watson: Wheelchair Seating for the Apocalypse

ZOMBIE BOOK CLUB GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com