Free Daily Podcast Summary
Matriarchs of Horror: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Sandra Rose Salathe
A podcast that explores the genre of horror through a feminist lens. Each episode dives into horror films, books, and cultural moments to examine how the genre reflects women’s fears, desires, and resistance to patriarchal power.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 3 weeks ago32 min
When Folklore Is Weaponized Against Women
Hello, Matriarchs! The Brooklyn Horror Film Festival kicked off last week, and I was fortunate enough to catch some truly incredible screenings. This year’s lineup features an exciting selection of films directed by women, including one that quickly became a personal favorite: Ópi, the debut feature from today’s guest, filmmaker Marta Giec.Her film is an eerie exploration of generational trauma, female rage, and the oppressive forces of patriarchy, weaving folklore and horror together. I’m really thrilled Marta was able to take some time out of her busy festival schedule to join me on the podcast. We get into all kinds of juicy topics, including the creepy (and true!) inspiration behind her filmmaking, the importance of women supporting women, and how the patriarchy has a way of revealing itself in the most unexpected places.
- Oct 13, 202634 min
The Trad Wife Effect
Hello, Matriarchs! Today we're going down the perplexing rabbit hole that is trad wife culture. I've been dying to do an episode on this topic, but struggled to find an angle that feels nuanced enough rather than recycled. I'm joined by author Sarah Langan whose new horror novel, 'Trad Wife' explores that exact distinction, where we try and figure out how a lifestyle, that was once restrictive to women, has suddenly become so culturally appealing. We also discuss the state of journalism and the ways media institutions can fail the very people they're supposed to serve. Also, here the link to my Nov. 2nd event: https://qedastoria.com/products/the-body-is-political
- Oct 7, 202641 min
Witches, Sluts & Bitches: A History of the "Dangerous Woman"
What makes a woman monstrous?For centuries, women who refused to behave the way society expected them to have been labeled either a witch, or a slut, or even a bitch, and get roped into being monsters. And horror has been particularly fascinated with turning those anxieties into something literal.In this episode, I’m joined by Eleanor Johnson, whose new book Monstrous Bitch, examines the long, complicated history of the “dangerous woman," from the monstrous women of mythology and folklore to the witches and vampires we so often see on screen. We also talk about what happens when women actually embrace the monster and whether being called a “monstrous woman” might sometimes be the most interesting place to be.
- Sep 23, 202618 min
Milicent Patrick
Hello, Matriarchs! Today, I want to do something a little different. If you followed me on TikTok before I started this podcast, you might remember that I used to regularly spotlight women throughout horror history whose work had been forgotten or overlooked. Those women were the original Matriarchs, in my opinion. In fact, that series is where the name for this podcast came from. So I thought I would bring it back. And our first Matriarch has one hell of a story. And if you’re a horror fan like me, you absolutely know her work. You just might not know her name.
- Sep 12, 202625 min
The Female Director Problem Hollywood Refuses to Fix
Hello, Matriarchs!The topic of today’s episode is something that has been weighing on my mind a lot lately. Because despite all the progress we’ve supposedly made when it comes to gender equality, Hollywood still has a massive problem with actually giving women opportunities behind the camera.According to an annual study from USC Annenberg, women directed just 8% of the films that reached the domestic box office in 2025. And when you narrow that down to horror, somehow it gets even more depressing. Of those films, only two were horror: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, directed by Emma Tammi and I Know What You Did Last Summer, directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.And just to pour some salt into an already disgusting, infected wound, several major studios didn’t hire a single woman to direct one of their top films that year. This is exactly why festivals like Etheria, which specifically champion women filmmakers working in horror and sci-fi, are so important.So for today’s episode, I’m joined by director Vivian Owen, whose short film Do Not Rewind is featured in this year’s lineup. We talked about the film, the women who inspired her, and, of course, Hollywood’s ongoing problem with actually putting women behind the lens.
- Aug 12, 202632 min
Who Decides What Women Are Allowed to Desire?
Hello, Matriarchs! This week's episode includes a recycled conversation with Haley Piper because it coincides with the release of Jane Shoenbrun's latest film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. In this episode I unpack the complicated relationship between female fantasy, desire, and shame, and how horror has long played a role in judging women for what they want. From forbidden fantasies to the ways women’s sexuality has historically been policed, I'm asking a bigger question: Who decided what women are allowed to desire in the first place?
- Aug 5, 202638 min
The Curse of Inheritance
Hello, Matriarchs!This week, author Cynthia Gomez joins the podcast to discuss her new novel, Muñeca which is a haunting exploration of identity, class, race, and the price women pay for inheriting legacies they never chose. We also dive into what it means to be third-generation Mexican American, the complexities of navigating two cultures at once, and the feeling of existing in a cultural limbo where you're never quite "enough" of either.
- Jul 28, 202638 min
Horror's Long History of Villainizing Single Mothers
Hello, Matriarchs! Single mothers have long occupied a complicated place in horror, often portrayed as unstable or even monstrous. In this new episode, I unpack the history of the "single mom" trope, exploring how the genre has used motherhood and societal fears to shape some of its most memorable characters.Later I'm joined by author Emma Cleary to discuss her creepy debut novel, After Birth. We dive into postpartum horror, the pressures of modern motherhood, and why maternal fears make such fertile ground for the genre. See what I did there?! Whether you're a horror fan or just fascinated by the cultural anxieties horror reflects back at us, this episode is for you.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Matriarchs of Horror in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Matriarchs of Horror daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Matriarchs of Horror as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Matriarchs of Horror podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Matriarchs of Horror product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Sandra Rose Salathe.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Matriarchs of Horror release new episodes?
Matriarchs of Horror publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Matriarchs of Horror cover?
Matriarchs of Horror covers topics including History, Film, TV & Film. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Matriarchs of Horror summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.