Whiskey Morgue Podcast

Episode 23 - The Making of The Mean One with Steven LaMorte

Christmas might be over, but the chaos lives on.
In this episode of The Whiskey Morgue Podcast, Mike is joined by director and producer Steven LaMorte to talk about Christmas Chaos: The Making of The Mean One, a behind-the-scenes look at turning a viral Hallmark-horror trailer into a full-blown feature.
From bootstrapping a production with almost no budget—building caves in living rooms to racing through post-production in mere days, Steven breaks down the creative chaos, unexpected viral success, and personal stakes of making the film. It’s a masterclass in DIY filmmaking, creative perseverance, and how a twisted holiday idea caught fire at exactly the right moment.  
First watch The Mean One, and then give The Making of The Mean One a watch.
Stay Spooky!
 
Christmas Chaos: The Making of The Mean One - Watch on Prime Video
 
Follow Steven: @stevenlarmorte 
Follow The Mean One: @themeanonemovie
 
 
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#themeanone #stevenlamorte #podcastinterview #horrorpodcast #davidhowardthorton #thegrinch #horrorcommunity #horrorpodcast #documentary #indiefilm 

Episode 22 - Filmland Spirits

On this episode of Whiskey Morgue, Mike cracks open Moonlight Mayhem bourbon with the minds behind Filmland Spirits — Charlie Flint and Steve Canepa.
We dig into how Film Land blends whiskey culture with cinematic nostalgia, why the story and the liquid have to speak the same language, and which horror tropes they’d happily bury six feet under in the spirits world.
The conversation dives into their blending philosophy, behind-the-scenes “director’s commentary” moments, and the pulp art and vintage movie posters that shaped the brand’s aesthetic. Along the way, we talk favorite werewolf movies and tease the next “feature presentation” coming in 2026.
Pour a drink, dim the lights, and step into Filmland.
 
Get Free Shipping on 2 or more bottles this holiday season:
Visit: www.filmlandspirits.com
Promo code: HOLIDAY25 
 
 
Follow on Instagram: @filmlandspirits
Learn More: www.filmlandspirits.com
 
 
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Episode 21 - Richard T. Wilson, Author of Halloween Girl

On this episode of The Whiskey Morgue, Mike is joined by Richard T. Wilson, writer and creator of Halloween Girl and founder of Mad Shelley Comics.
They dive into Richard’s path from Emmy-winning educational programming to horror storytelling, exploring how grief, identity, and catharsis shaped the evolution of Charlotte and the expanding world of Halloween Girl Book 3: Gods and Monsters. 
Richard reflects on the series’ origins as a short film—one that notably marked Lauren LaVera’s (of the Terrifier franchise) first acting gig—and discusses the shift from screenwriting to comics.
The conversation also hits on possessed-toy horror, arachnophobia, and the personal losses that informed the story’s emotional core, all while sipping on some Angel’s Envy, one of Richard’s favorites. 
Stay Spooky!
 
Get your copy of: Halloween Girl
Follow: @madshelleycomics 
Watch: Under the Flowers
Learn more about: Outreach Arts and Maple Ave
 
 
 
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#madshelleycomics  #halloweengirl #horrorcomics #horrorpodcast #indiewriters #indiecomic #ruemorgue #angelsenvy 

Episode 20 - Find Familiar Spirits with Justin Ware

This week on The Whiskey Morgue Podcast, I sit down with Justin Ware — producer and co-founder of Find Familiar Spirits, the creative force behind the fantasy-inspired Quest’s End and the hauntingly immersive Macabre Spirits.
We dive into how Justin and Matthew Lillard built entire worlds around their whiskies, blending storytelling, art, and community into every bottle. From the origins of Dawn of the Unbound Gods to collaborations with horror-rockers Ice Nine Kills, we also explore how fandom plays a central role in shaping their growing universe — where drinkers become part of the story itself. Whether you’re a D&D fan or a horror lover, this episode proves that the magic happens when creativity, authenticity, and craft collide.Stay Spooky!
 
Check out: Find Familiar Spirits
 
Follow: @macabrespirits             @questsendwhiskey
Watch: Find Familiar Spirits on YouTube
 
 
 
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#matthewlillard #macabrespirits #findfamiliarspirits #horrorpodcast #whiskeypodcast #podcastinterview #whiskeyreview #bourbonreview 

Episode 19 - Sips and Treats with Whiskey Mutant | Halloween Special

This week, I’m joined by my friend Eric, the Whiskey Mutant for our first ever Halloween special as we dive mask-first into Halloween III: Season of the Witch — the black sheep of the franchise that ditched Michael for Celtic curses, killer masks, and pure 80s weirdness.
Join us, as we pair Halloween treats with whiskey and get as unhinged as frisky Tom Atkins with a six-pack and a theory.
 
Happy Halloween! 
 
 
Follow: @whiskeymutant
 
 
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#halloween #halloween3 #seasonofthewitch #willettwhiskey #willett #tomatkins #halloweenspecial #fourroses #fourrosesbourbon #halloweensnacks #snacks #whiskeypodcast #whiskeyreview #horrorpodcast 

Episode 18 - United States of Bourbon

This week, Mike shares a few pours with The United States of Bourbon —
Mitch Gerads (Eisner Award–winning DC Comics artist),
Brandon Boone (World Soundtrack Award–winning composer), and
Graham Rowat (actor and acclaimed narrator).
 
They do a deep dive into how art, music, and storytelling collide over a good pour.
They share how the series came to life through their shared roots in the NoSleep Podcast community, the creative freedom that comes from collaboration, and the distilleries that left a lasting impression — from Peerless and its resident cat, Rye, to the legendary “Bill Murray barrel” at Woodford.
Along the way, Mitch talks comics and branding, Brandon reflects on his award-winning soundtracks, and Graham brings his signature storytelling flair to the conversation. It’s an episode full of laughs, creativity, and Taylor Swift references. 
 
Watch episodes of: United States of Bourbon
Listen to: The NoSleep Podcast
 
Check out: @usofbourbon                   @mitchgerads                    @growat                   @brandonboonemusic   
 
 
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 #dccomics #slaytheprincess #nosleep #nosleeppodcast #bourbonpursuit #pursuitunited #bourbonreview #whiskeypodcast #horrorpodcast #bourbon

Episode 17 - Producer & Director, Steven LaMorte

In this episode, Mike sits down with award-winning filmmaker Steven LaMorte to talk about his horror parodies The Mean One and Screamboat, starring David Howard Thornton.
With a few epic pours of Heaven Hill Distillery in hand, they dive into Steven’s early storytelling roots, his jump from working with Sony and WWE into horror, and how he balances camp, gore, and humor on screen. They also dig into the “party watch” appeal of his films, the value of practical effects, and the twisted fun of giving childhood classics a sinister edge without losing the magic.
Expect plenty of drinks, laughs, and stories about Steven’s Nonna’s legendary Italian cooking.
Oh yeah, Screamboat is now streaming on Peacock!
 
Check out: @stevenlamorte  
and: @screamboatmovie  
 
 
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#screamboat #themeanone #stevenlamorte #fuzzonthelens #indiehorror #director #Davidhowardthorton #heavenhill #heavenhilldistillery #whiskeyreview #podcastinterview #horrorpodcast #whiskeypodcast

Episode 16 - Chris Dudley of Underoath

Season 2 of The Whiskey Morgue Podcast kicks off with Chris Dudley of Underoath! We talk about the band’s Three Chord bourbon release, the making of their new album The Place After This One, and how recording in a cottage brought them back to their roots. Chris also dives into his passion for film scoring, from his work on Plastic Men to the movies that inspire him, plus we trade thoughts on some of our recent horror watches. 
 
Check out: @chrisunderoath
and: @underoath
 
 
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#underoath #chrisdudley #threechord #threechordbourbon #whiskeypodcast #whiskeyreview #horrorpodcast #podcastinterview #moviereviews #artistinterview #rarecharacter 

Episode 15 - Zack Lovitz of Terror Racks Video

On this episode, I’m joined by my super pal Zack from Terror Racks Video to dissect the glorious mess that is Jason Goes to Hell.
We dive into everything from the legal tangle that kept “Friday the 13th” off the title, to Jason’s supernatural body-hopping side quest that split fans harder than a pole through a camper. We show some love to the tense, trap-filled opening, and debate whether Creighton Duke is an unsung horror icon or just plain bizarre.
Zack, our resident Youngstown expert, tries to make sense of the greatest cinematic mystery the city’s ever seen: why Jason Voorhees’ corpse ends up in their morgue. We also unpack the film’s deeper lore—Jason’s Deadite ties, the bloodline twist, and the tease of Freddy vs. Jason.
For drinks, we went full FRyeDay the 13th with heavy hitters: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye and Blackened x Willett. Whether you love it or loathe it, this one’s a blood-splattered detour worth revisiting.
Stay Spooky! 
 
Check out: @terrorracksvideo 
and: @burialrite_ad
Listen to: @neighbordanmetal
 
 
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#jasongoestohell #jasonvoorhees #fridaythe13th #horrorpodcast #whiskeypodcast #whiskeyreview #moviereview #jackdaniels #willett #vhs #physicalmedia #vhsreview #videostore

Episode 14, Part 2 - Producer & Director, Jamie Root

In Part II of this episode, I’m joined by director and cinematographer Jamie Root of JFR Media, whose horror credits include Terrifier 2 & 3, STREAM, and Screamboat. We dive into Jamie’s path through the genre, the organized chaos of working with blood, prosthetics, and passionate creatives, and the unique challenges of being a steady hand behind the camera when things get wild.
Jamie shares behind-the-scenes stories from Terrifier, including working with David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown), navigating complex stunts and FX-heavy scenes like the brutal shower sequence, and what it takes to keep continuity when the gore starts flying. We also dig into her time filming STREAM during the pandemic, wrangling a hotel full of horror legends, and what’s ahead for the franchise. Plus, we talk about her latest work on the new horror-comedy, Screamboat.
Of course, it wouldn’t be The Whiskey Morgue without a pour—Jamie takes on some high proof sips with Angel’s Envy Rum Finished Rye and Lucky 7 Holiday Toast. Along the way, she shares her dream horror franchise to work on, thoughts on the direction of Terrifier 4, and the story behind her Degrassi-themed sightseeing trip in Toronto.
I definitely woke up with a hangover and a sore jaw from laughing so hard during my conversation with Jamie. Be sure to check out all of her incredible work, and if you’re in upstate New York this September, don’t miss the Scare-A-Con Horror Convention and Film Festival in Syracuse—Jamie’s helping bring it all to life.
Stay Spooky!
 
Follow: @jfroot            @jfr_media
Check out the movies: @terrifierfranchise                                    @officialterrifier3                                    @streamfranchise                                    @screamboatmovie
 
Learn more: www.jfrmedia.com
 
 
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#terrifier #streammovie #damienleone #arttheclown #davidhowardthorton #screamboat #horrorpodcast #podcastinterview #indiehorror #filminteview #terrifier3 #AngelsEnvy #Lucky7