Brain Burrow: Digging Deep into Psychology and Horror

- Season 1

(2021)

An overview of the show: a meshing of psychology and horror.

Jennifer talks about her experiences with narcissists, her approaches to dealing with day-to-day stress, and the one thing that makes her squirm.

Do you struggle when your outward-facing "mask" doesn't match your internal feelings? What happens when symptoms of depression make it difficult to innovate? Lydia exposes her vulnerable side to talk about her journey in the film industry.

What is confidence? What are symptoms of low confidence? How can one cultivate their confidence? In this Premiere PsyCOACHING episode of Brain Burrow, Mark D Valenti gives a succinct overview of the concept of "Confidence." Mark ties it back to human motivation and drive. And yes, of course, he references horror films.

Cortney shares her unique perspective on humanity, positive visualization, and inner healing.

How do you cope with disappointment? A true "look behind the mask" discussion with David Howard Thornton, the man who stalks us as Art the Clown in Terrifier and Terrifier 2. In this "Digging Deep" segment of Brain Burrow, David shares some of his struggles, his self-reflections, and his wisdom on coping with disappointment.

Do you self-sabotage? Do you struggle with perfection paralysis? Amelia talks about her struggles with self-sabotage and perfection paralysis. She also talks about self-reflection, self-improvement, and her intrinsic motivation.

When can fear cripple you? A lighthearted and authentic discussion with actor, writer, and director, Hannah Fierman. In this "Digging Deep" segment of Brain Burrow, Hannah talks about her desire to collaborate with others and her intrinsic motivation to create. She also explores some of her own fears and personal growth during pandemics and lockdowns.

Is it possible to label "pessimism" as a positive trait? Find out in this candid conversation with cult actor, Genoveva Rossi. Genoveva is also an award-winning actress of film and theatre, published model, tarot reader, personal trainer, writer, and director. She appears in the Zack Snyder film, Army of the Dead.

How do you regain "control" when you feel you have none? How do you challenge yourself...to look outside yourself? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, find out how Mindy Dougherty persevered through struggles with depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Her ultimate message is one of hope: she talks about stepping outside one's own emotions and using mind mapping to look to the future and positivity. Mindy is an actor, writer, US Army Veteran, and Resilient Warrior. Connect with Mindy across all social media at Feed My City.

Do you ever struggle with confidence? How do you push yourself to move forward in uncomfortable situations? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, David E. McMahon shares his vulnerable perspective on self-confidence, his challenges with the current culture of Indie filmmaking, and his use of acting as a tool to boost self-esteem.

How do you feel when you see others bullied? How do you maintain your sense of stability when life gets stressful? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, Crystal Cleveland shares her thoughts on defending others, the importance of community, and the path to self-realization. She also talks about women in horror and the perils of romanticizing relationships.

How important is loyalty? How do you feel when you are betrayed? How do you persevere whenever you feel hopeless? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, Destiny Soria shares her raw perspective about her struggles, betrayals, and her ultimate satisfaction with following her passions...no matter how many times she feels down. Ultimately an uplifting story. She also talks about her empowering evolution from passivity to communicating her needs through radical candor. Destiny is an acclaimed actor, director, and dancer and has been making waves from Texas to ...

Have you ever experienced dark times? Are you sometimes your own worst critic? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, Bianca Crespo shares her vulnerabilities about her darkest times and how she channeled that energy into art. She shares about her rough experiences in Los Angeles and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people. She also talks about the importance of disconnecting from social media.

Do you have trouble asserting your needs? How do you handle it if you feel someone is wasting your time? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor and director Roger Conners shares his perspective on film making, his experiences with learning from disappointment, and advice on asserting one's worth. After appearing in an array of independent horror films he was dubbed as being horrors first "Scream Queer", a spin on the classic term "Scream Queen".

Do you struggle with focusing on resentment instead of looking to the future? How might you unstick yourself when you feel mired in stagnation? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor, writer, and director Debra Lamb shares about her rise from humble beginnings, how she pushes through stagnation, and her motivation to leave a legacy. Debra talks about her focus on the positives and her approach to leaving time for herself to recharge.

Do you like to take risks? Or do you sit back and let the world pass you by? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor G. Larry Butler talks about his experiences with taking calculated risks. He also talks about living his life to the fullest...with no regrets.

What makes you happy? How do you feel when you help others? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, we take a peek behind the monster as actor Steve Hansen talks about his desire to help others and his hope for humanity. He shares an important (and timely) bit of advice for the audience. Steve Hansen is an actor and enjoys playing monsters and madmen. According to Steve, "Some know me as 'Nameless' Others just don't know yet."

Do you ever struggle with anxiety? How do you get out of your own head so you can realize your full potential? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor Dilynn Fawn Harvey shares about her struggles with anxiety, her advice on navigating stress, and the importance of putting family first.

Do you sometimes find yourself stuck in draining arguments? How do you refocus circular conversations back to your core motivation? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, director Monte Light talks about the challenges of multi-tasking, his strategies to simplify his life, and the art of stepping away from arguments. Monte Light is a director, writer, and producer. Through his film company, American Courtyard Productions, Light's work has been recognized by Toronto Wildsound Film Festival, Las Vegas Film Festival, and Austin Film Festival. He lives in Los ...

What if you knew the day you were going to die? What would you change about the way you live? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor Danielle Harris shares her perspective on living a regret-less life, finding balance in structure and freedom, and changes she would make if she knew her death day.

Do you sometimes find it difficult to accept help from others? Do you have a delegation dilemma? In this Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, writer and director Tony Mardon talks about the importance of accepting help from others...even if you don't always feel you deserve it.

Have you experienced trauma in your life? How do you heal and grow? In this raw Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor Crystal Loverro shares about her unique journey of trauma, continuous healing, and personal growth. Crystal's message is one of self-affirmation, challenging oneself, and following through with your dreams. (Note: this powerful interview includes sensitive references to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Crystal Loverro is a working actor, producer, model, and martial artist. Crystal graduated from ...

Do you ever feel you are out of options? Do you feel like you've lost control of your life? In this insightful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor and producer Kelli Maroney shares her perspective on infusing gratitude in her life and her crucial practice of choosing positivity over negativity. Kelli stresses that recognizing her own autonomy is vital to her satisfaction. Kelli made her film debut as the 'Spirit Bunny' "Cindy Carr" in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). Kelli achieved her greatest enduring cult popularity with her turn as "Samantha" in Night ...

Do you ever keep pushing forward with a project...even if you know you should stop? Why is it so hard to start over, even when you know it is the right thing? In this heartwarming Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, director and actor John Reign reveals the story of his colorful life. From his time running away from home, to living on the California streets, to creating his inspirational film, "Finding Purpose: The Road to Redemption," John is a true free spirit. John also digs deep and shares about the most influential person in his life...his brother.

Are you stagnant? Or are you constantly mutating...evolving? How do you maintain your core values in a world of constant negativity? In this raw Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, director and actor Debbie Rochon talks about the importance of being true to oneself. Debbie shares her perspective on adopting the "loner" mantle and navigating the world of exploitation and misogyny. She promotes the idea of strength in individualism.

Are you an introvert? Does the thought of social interaction give you the heebie-jeebies? What do you do if your success depends on your ability to interact? In this lighthearted Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor and podcast host Jo Gonsalves shares her experiences with social anxiety and her strategies to overcome it. Jo talks about her passion for her creative work and her desire to help people connect.

Are you ever afraid to show others your work? Does fear of rejection prevent you from taking risks? In this enjoyable Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, author and screenwriter Michael Haberfelner talks about his approach to diversifying his interests to avoid boredom. He also shares his strategy to "put himself out there" and not allow fear of judgment to prevent him from taking risks and embracing life. Michael Haberfelner is known for his work on There's No Such Thing as Zombies (2018) and A Killer Conversation (2014). He is the author of the novel, Bauliche ...

Are you sometimes afraid to give your all? What stops you from reaching your full potential? In this uplifting Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor, producer, and writer Felissa Rose shares her intensely positive outlook on life - one that incorporates an infectious philosophy of "living big" and always investing 100% into activities. She talks about feeling recharged from connecting with others and the choice to make one's own reality.

Are you comfortable with...you? Are you constantly trying to define yourself at the expense of accepting yourself? In this inspirational Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, writer, artist, and actor Anthony Saint Thomas talks about his journey to accepting himself as Anthony Saint Thomas. Self-described as a "Hard Nerd," Anthony shares about his internal conflict identifying as an artist in one of the toughest neighborhoods in New Jersey. Anthony is a creative individual with varied interests. He is a published author with titles such as A Series of Left Hand Turns, ...

Do you ever wonder if you are doing what you are "supposed" to do? How do you know you aren't "wasting" your life? In this raw Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor, producer, and acrobat Helene Udy talks about the life-changing events that infused her with a sense of humility and gratitude. She is inspirational in her discussion about her mission to connect disconnected humanity. Helene's motto: "Nothing is meaningful except for the meaning you choose to give it."

Do you wish things were different in your life? What is stopping you from taking action? In this delightful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor Lisa Wilcox shares her perspective on staying true to her roots, the disturbing trends in online bullying, and the act of "telling your brain what to do."

Do you sometimes feel like you need to let off steam? How do you release it? In this insightful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor, director, and writer L.C. Holt shares about the power of the creative process and the need to find interests to maintain "sanity." He talks about his "obsession" with creating art and describes his "different wiring." His inspiration: "The key to happiness is to always have something to look forward to."

Are you your own worst critic? Do you over-analyze your actions? In this thoughtful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor and special education paraprofessional Gwen Ruhoff shares about her diverse history in acting and in mental health. She reflects on her approach to enjoying life. Hint: Calm down.

What is something that you've always wanted to do? What is stopping you from doing it? In this inspirational Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor and model Bonnie Ann talks about her "unconventional" life and her approach to living a life without limits. She candidly shares about her critical health-related incident and her moment of clarity.

Are you a follower of the status quo? What stops you from becoming a positive disruptor? In this inspirational Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, filmmaker and visual artist Patrick Smith talks about his desire to continuously subvert expectations and challenge the status quo. He subscribes to the idea that horror and humor are interconnected in their approach to evoking emotion from the audience...and challenge their expectations. He talks about his personal goal to "say no" and focus on the interests and projects that align with his values and goals. His motto: "...

What legacy will you leave behind? How will people know you existed? In this insightful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, filmmaker and writer Chris Alexander shares about his incredible life journey and fascination with Strange Cinema. He talks about the pivotal moment when he lost his innocence...his recognition that life is finite. He is continuously learning and leaving artistic bread crumbs for future generations to contemplate. Chris Alexander is a Canadian director, producer, writer and music composer known for such films as Necropolis: Legion, Blood for ...

Are you a wounded monster? In this powerful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor Bill Oberst, Jr. candidly talks about his life lessons. He shares the concept that we are all wounded monsters and that he relishes the opportunities to play them on screen. He talks about his approach to hoping for failure and constantly challenging himself to succeed. In one particularly heartfelt segment, Bill talks about his experiences with books and the realization that he is connected to all of humanity.

How do you feel when people criticize you? Zoe loves it. In this raw Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, director/filmmaker/musician Zoe Kavanagh talks about her approach to life: keep driving toward a goal. She shares her enthusiasm in reading negative reviews about her films and her approach to harnessing the power of criticism.

Do you have a tendency to sugar coat? Are you afraid to use radical candor? In this candid Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, director and producer Todd Braley talks about his experiences giving radical candor to friends, colleagues, and family members. He has a purposeful strategy that combines "caring deeply" and "challenging directly." During the podcast interview, Todd shares, "If you want sugar coating...I am not the guy." Todd Braley is a director and producer, known for You Like to Draw? (2020), Me, a Rapist? (2012) and Liar (2013).

In this delightful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor, writer, and producer Naomi Grossman shares about her influential childhood and "sneaking sitcoms" from her unsuspecting parents. Naomi talks about her purpose-driven life and the need to balance the idea of "letting things happen." Naomi Grossman was a 2018 Primetime Emmy nominee for "Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama" for her role in Ctrl Alt Delete.

Do you set aside time to keep your brain active? In this insightful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, I had a chance to chat with Helen Larimore, Marketing Manager at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Helen shares her perspective on living life as a "weirdo" and "wax enthusiast." She digs deep and talks about her own journey to establish trust within an established team. She talks about some of her delightfully insane marketing ploys that involve Danny Trejo and Jimmy Kimmel. Her advice to the listener: Keep your brain active.

In this thought-provoking Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, director/producer/actor Chase Dudley talks about the importance of forgoing labels and truly recognizing the hidden strengths, perspectives, and skill sets of individuals. As a self-described "awkward kid," Chase talks about how films inspired his creativity and drive. He also shares about his business partnership with his wife and the way they balance.