Episode 107

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Published on:

14th Jul 2025

My Brain Doesn't Geist Quite Right | Movie Night | Poltergeist (1982) | The Articulate Coven

In this conversation, Ashley and Joel discuss the excitement surrounding the upcoming All Saint's Day Anne Rice event, the challenges of purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster. They also find time for a discussion about the classic horror film Poltergeist, exploring its themes, character dynamics, and the influence of Steven Spielberg on its production. 

In this conversation, the hosts explore the film's emotional depth, particularly in family dynamics, and the representation of women in horror. They discuss the nature of hauntings, the film's notorious curse, and the significant role of music and sound design. The conversation also highlights Zelda Rubenstein's impactful role and advocacy, and the childhood fears embodied in the film. Ultimately, they reflect on the legacy of Poltergeist and its lasting influence on the horror genre.

WANNA TAKE A VAMPIRE TOUR WITH US IN NEW ORLEANS THIS NOVEMBER? https://www.patreon.com/posts/wanna-take-tour-132076903?

What's Next for the Articulate Coven?

All dates are for Patron availability, regular podcast apps & YouTube has the episode a day later.

July 13th: Movie Night - Poltergeist (1982)

July 20th: Book Club - Blackwood Farm Part 4 - Chapter 41-52

July 27th: Articulate Coven LIVESTREAM 2pm CST 3pm EST.

August 3rd: Book Club - Blood Canticle Part 1 - Epigraph - Chapter 10

August 10th: Movie Night - Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

August 17th: Book Club - Blood Canticle Part 2 - Chapters 11 - 21

August 24th: Movie Night - The Howling (1981)

August 31st: Book Club - Blood Canticle Part 3 - Chapters 22-31

September 7th: Movie Night - Teen Witch (1989)

September 14th: Special Guest Episode

September 21st: Joel's Birthday Livestream

NEW MERCH!! "We Will Call It Sin When We Cannot Profit From It" and "Abracasazerac" are up now! http://articulatecoven.com/merch

Thank you to Patron, Toby Krstevski

Book your rooms for Anne Rice’s Celebration of Life on our room block, 

Sheraton Hotel New Orleans

500 Canal Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

Articulate Coven Podcast Room Block: October 29 - November 1, 2025 (with ability to extend below pricing 2 days before or after)

Standard King: $179 + 16.75% tax + $3 city fee per room, per night

Standard 2 Double Bed $189 + 16.75% tax + $3 city fee per room, per night

Link to book: https://book.passkey.com/e/51017010

If you haven’t already, please respond to our poll on whether or not you’re attending the weekend: 

https://www.patreon.com/posts/are-you-joining-125055937

If you like Anne Rice and her vampires or witches enough to read this, then you like them enough to join our cult...I mean Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/articulatecoven/ 

If Facebook isn’t your thing, we also have a Discord: https://articulatecoven.com/discord or follow us on Threads, Bluesky, TikTok or Instagram @articulatecovenpod

This episode & all of our videos are made possible by our Patrons.

Thank you to our Fledglings: Sharlien, Gaica, Amiee DiBrango, Heather Heise, Mel Rosina, Sarah Louise, Mimi, Holly Robertson, The Shermanator, Casey Forester, Natalie Perkins, GrumpyOldBob56, Tristan Floyd, Kristi Bartels, Mélissa Bouchard and Amber Dawn Jennings.

Thank you to our Makers: Gabbi Necklen, Angela Stephenson, Mendi Raftery, Mandy Taylor, Judith Tigner, Dani Moreira, Derek Lord, Brittany Cavness, Toby Krstevski, Dorothy Johnson, Nicole Mazza, Periwinkle000, Karyn L., OnHerPeriods, Stephanie Deal, Aly Galloway, Kevin, ComixFan, Cortney, Gertzy Zee, Tammy Issac, Dani Dunziellas, Katen, Michelle Smith, Jessica Sargent, Lucia Grey and Patrick Garrone.

Thank to Children of the Millenia: Madame Mère, Catherine Thurmond, Loriann O'Malia, Donny Kanone, Jennifer Morgan, Danielle Rupino, Jolee, Mandy B., Stephen Dean, Zach, Cassandra Silvia, Brat Prince Bran, Tanea and Natalie W.

and Our Eternal Gratitude to Queen of the Damned, Nancee Ward.

Get episodes & videos on our Patreon, a week earlier than YouTube. http://articulatecoven.com/join

Chapters

00:00 Ticketmaster Troubles and Event Excitement

03:00 The Anne Rice Celebration: A Community Gathering

06:01 Reflections on Ticket Prices and Accessibility

09:02 The Anticipation of a Live Event

10:04 Poltergeist: A Movie Night Discussion

14:55 The Impact of Spielberg on Poltergeist

18:01 The Insular Nature of Poltergeist's Storytelling

21:08 Character Dynamics and Family Relationships

24:02 The Horror Elements and Their Execution

29:58 The Legacy of Poltergeist and Its Cast

42:48 The Emotional Depth of Family Dynamics

45:09 Women Empowerment and Representation

46:50 Exploring the Nature of Hauntings

50:50 The Curse of Poltergeist: Behind the Scenes

55:30 The Impact of Music and Sound Design

01:01:36 Zelda Rubenstein's Role and Advocacy

01:05:51 The Plan to Rescue Carol Anne

01:09:45 The Clown and the Closet: Childhood Fears

01:12:08 The Ending: Consequences and Reflections

01:15:58 Legacy of Poltergeist and Its Influence

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About the Podcast

The Articulate Coven: Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire & Immortal Universe After Show
Unofficial Podcast & Community for Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, Mayfair Witches and Immortal Universe from AMC
The unofficial podcast and fan community for Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, Anne Rice’s Talamasca & Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe as brought to you by AMC.

Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat and his Coven of the Articulate are some of the most loved vampires in literary history. This show covers the books, the films and the ongoing tv series from AMC, Anne and Christopher Rice that gives us a peak at their world. We’ll cover the Interview with the Vampire series starring Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid and from creator and show runner, Rolin Jones. We’ll also cover the Mayfair Witches series starring Alexandra Daddaro, Jack Huston, Tongaya Charisa and from the show runner and executive producer, Esta Spalding. As well as whatever other Anne Rice created properties AMC wants to produce in the future!

Join us, if you would travel the Savage Garden as one of the Coven of the Articulate!
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About your hosts

Joel Sharpton

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FROM HIS BEGINNINGS IN SMALL-MARKET RADIO WHERE HE STARTED IN 2004, and hosted a weekday show on Retro Radio, the Peach 99.3, to his burgeoning podcast empire and production service, Pro Podcasting Services, and the 1000+ blog entries he's written in between, Joel's never had a problem getting his message across.

Now Owner/Chief Editing Officer of ProPodcastingServices.com Joel is helping podcasters, authors and more spread their messages and amplify their voices. Joel has had the opportunity to speak at several podcast conferences from coast to coast about producing, editing, and voice over work. He has also spoken at high schools and colleges with young entrepreneurs interested in these fields as well as small business lunch and learn events.

Father of four and the lucky husband of one, Joel loves discussing his kids and wife with anyone who will listen. With the family, he likes discussing Marvel Superheroes, great music and whatever the latest project is he's hatched in the studio.

An NBA fan since birth, an Apple user since 2008, blogger since 2003, and podcaster since 2012, Joel is an open book, mostly now in audio form.

Ashley Wright Ihler

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Ashley is a proud nerd, happy to be living in this timeline where she gets new Star Wars, Marvel, Game of Thrones, and Vampire Chronicles content all at the same time! This truly IS a magical place. When not snuggled under a comfy blanket with Maggie and Gomez (the goodest dogs in the world), Ashley can be found making merry with her awesome husband Brett at the Joint Theatre and Coffeehouse where she performs professionally with the Joint Venture and Improv Little Rock during weekly comedy improv shows. She also dabbles in stand up and would have a blog if she weren't such a procrastinator.