Discover The Terror cover art

Discover The Terror

Discover The Terror

By: Maximilian Schmidt
Listen for free

LIMITED TIME OFFER | £0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Premium Plus auto-renews at £8.99/mo after 3 months. Terms apply.

About this listen

 Welcome… to Discover the Terror! Your ghoulish host, Maximilian Schmidt and Zombaby co-host, Herbert, will lead you hand-in-hand through the dark corridors of hell, exploring some of horror’s most intriguing voices, both rising talents and established icons. But horror isn’t just fiction. It’s real. In addition to artists and filmmakers, Maximilian speaks with individuals immersed in the worlds of the supernatural, the paranormal, and the uncanny. Psychics, explorers, survivors… anyone with a story soaked in terror is welcome in Maximilian’s chair. This show exists to unpack and digest the subjects we’re too afraid to face. To ask: Why is humankind so obsessed with horror, and yet so repelled by it? Horror is the most universal genre. And fear is the most universal feeling. These are two abstract, unending forces that Maximilian and his guests dive into, headfirst, in every episode. With Discover the Terror, the unknown becomes known… or at least, a little less unknowable. Maximilian Schmidt is a devoted student of horror, a writer and director unafraid to confront the most complex, unsettling aspects of human nature and the physical body. His mission: to tell and uncover honest stories that focus on outsiders, “freaks,” and the beautifully dark corners of humanity. Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Michael J. Epstein & Sofia Casiola: Horror, DIY, Distribution

    Michael J. Epstein & Sofia Casiola: Horror, DIY, Distribution
    Jan 10 2026
    Discover the Terror host Maximilian Schmidt (and Herbert, your ghoulish co-host) welcomes indie horror power duo Michael J. Epstein and Sofia Casiola of Launchover Productions — filmmakers known for bold, DIY genre work and offbeat horror storytelling. In this episode, Michael and Sofia share how they went from Boston’s music scene to building a cult indie filmography through micro-budget features, music videos, and festival runs. We dive into the making of Blood of the Tribbids, the challenge of modernizing exploitation horror, why horror is inherently political, and what it takes to survive independent film distribution without losing your rights. They also break down the origin story of the mockumentary/slasher double feature The Once and Future Smash and End Zone 2, built from real horror convention culture — plus their new found-footage projects including Final Transmissions and an experimental feature shot using the eerie lo-fi Fisher-Price PXL 2000 camera. If you’re into indie horror, DIY filmmaking, found footage, horror comedy, festival strategy, and the real behind-the-scenes of getting films made and released, this episode is for you.
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Inside the Mind of a Horror Writer: Hailey Hudson on Fear, Childhood & Creativity

    Inside the Mind of a Horror Writer: Hailey Hudson on Fear, Childhood & Creativity
    Dec 12 2025
    Award-winning horror writer Hailey Hudson joins Maximilian Schmidt and Herbert to explore childhood fear, imagination, creative courage, and why horror is one of the last communal rituals we share. From Spirited Away nightmares to cannibalism lore, Creepypasta origins, and the psychology of terror, Haley reveals how fear shapes storytelling — and why reclaiming your inner child is the key to great art. We explore:• The first moment she ever felt fear• Why kids experience terror so intensely• How imagination becomes a survival tool• Rediscovering creativity through acting and creature work• Writing horror scripts like Everything Eater and Call of the Cougar• Creepypasta, found footage, cannibalism lore, and the internet’s impact on horror• Why you don’t need anyone to greenlight your creativity If you love horror, psychology, storytelling, or the weirdness of the human condition — this is your episode. 04:10 The First Time She Truly Felt Fear 10:20 Stuck in the In-Between: Fear, Silence & Not Asking for Help14:30 Childhood as Cosmic Horror19:45 Courage the Cowardly Dog, Closets & Hellmouths24:30 Are We More Afraid as Kids or Adults?30:10 Goosebumps, Spirited Away & Early Horror Imprints36:00 Why Horror Grabs Us for Life42:30 Reawakening the Inner Child: Acting, Creatures & Play49:00 Everything Eater: Domestic Horror & Trapped Relationships55:30 Call of the Cougar: Cannibalism, Hubris & Frontier Terror1:02:30 Religion, Algorithms & the Internet as New God1:09:30 Creepypasta, Let’s Plays & Horror as Community1:16:30 Fear as Play & Why We Love Being Scared Together1:21:30 You Don’t Need a Greenlight: Haley’s Advice to Creators
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • How to Break Into Horror: Filmmaking Lessons w/ Jay Goldberg

    How to Break Into Horror: Filmmaking Lessons w/ Jay Goldberg
    Nov 28 2025
    Step inside the blood-soaked world of writer/producer Jay Goldberg, the horror mind behind Stay Out of the F*ing Attic**, Glorious, and Creeping Death. In this episode of Discover the Terror, host Max Miller-Schmidt and co-host Herbert dive deep into indie horror filmmaking, practical effects, cosmic horror, and what it really takes to survive in the modern horror landscape. Jay shares how growing up in New Jersey shaped his voice, why he loves mixing horror and comedy, and how movies like Jaws, The Descent, Saw, and Donnie Darko influenced his approach to worldbuilding. From Nazi experiments in a haunted attic to a cosmic god behind a glory hole voiced by J.K. Simmons, Jay breaks down how to build bold concepts, unforgettable monsters, and emotionally grounded characters on a budget. If you’re a horror fan, screenwriter, director, producer, or film student, you’ll get real talk on festivals, script contests, financing, working with Shudder and Dark Sky, and why persistence and community matter more than connections. Jay also shares powerful advice for emerging filmmakers: how to build a script library, find your crew, and create a film that is undeniably you. In this episode, we cover: How Stay Out of the F**ing Attic* went from wild title to fully realized horror feature The making of Glorious and crafting a cosmic horror story in a single bathroom set Why practical effects artists are the sculptors of our nightmares How parenthood changes what scares you on screen The difference between gore with purpose vs. empty shock value Real-world advice on writing, producing, and getting your horror films made If you love indie horror, creature features, cosmic horror, and character-driven scares, this episode of Discover the Terror is for you. 01:15 – The Story Behind “Stay Out of the F*ing Attic”** 05:40 – Censorship, Shudder, and Making Nazi Monsters 10:18 – Practical Effects as Horror Artistry 14:52 – Growing Up in Jersey & Creative Influence 19:10 – Breaking Into the Industry 23:35 – The $75K Metamorphosis Short & Loving Practical FX 26:50 – Writing a Zombie Titanic & Early Contest Success 30:30 – The Art of Horror: Why Practical FX Matters 34:45 – The Gore Philosophy 38:20 – Building Glorious: Cosmic Horror in a Bathroom 42:30 – Why J.K. Simmons Said Yes 46:40 – Directing Dynamics with Rebecca McKendry 51:25 – Writing Slasher Variations & Subverting Tropes 55:00 – Survival Themes & Human Extremes 58:40 – Horror as a Parent 1:03:10 – Are Strangers or Ourselves Scarier? 1:06:45 – Experimental Horror’s Rise 1:10:20 – The State of Indie Horror & Microbudgets 1:14:40 – Building Worlds, Not Just Scares 1:19:00 – The High of Filmmaking 1:22:30 – Jay’s Writing Process & Music 1:26:55 – Using Lawsuit Money to Make His First Film 1:31:20 – Helping New Filmmakers & Paying It Forward 1:36:00 – Creeping Death and First Features 1:41:25 – The Truth About Script Libraries 1:45:40 – Finding Your Audience & Voice 1:50:28 – The Realities of Production & “Movie Gods” 1:55:10 – Final Advice for Filmmakers
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
No reviews yet