DOM Ep377 - Paul & Cody from the "Haunted Ozark Theater" podcast (Pt 1)

In this engaging first part of a two-part episode, Joe from Dawn of Mantis welcomes Paul and Cody from the Haunted Ozark Theater Podcast, celebrating their passion for horror films and their impressive 30-episode journey. The conversation dives deep into their personal connections to horror—Cody shares how he idolized Jason Voorhees from childhood, even wearing a hockey mask to school and being kicked out for scaring kids, while Paul recounts watching terrifying films like The Exorcist and American Werewolf in London as a young child under his father’s guidance, who used exposure therapy to help him overcome fear. Both guests emphasize the emotional and psychological value of horror, framing it as a tool for confronting fear and a medium for bonding with loved ones. They passionately discuss their favorite films, with Sam highlighting Christine for its car-centric horror and deep personal connection, Cody praising Trick or Treat for capturing the spirit of Halloween, and both expressing admiration for modern icons like Art the Clown and Pennywise. The episode also touches on the importance of appreciating all horror films, even flawed ones, and the generational power of shared experiences like trick-or-treating and movie nights.