ALTOONA, Pa. — Penn State Altoona faculty members Brian Onishi, associate professor of philosophy, and Jeff Stoyanoff, assistant professor of English and women's, gender, and sexuality studies, released a new episode of their podcast, "Horror Joy," titled "A Horror Joy Christmas: Black Christmas and The Kit-Bag by Algernon Blackwood."

The episode is described as follows: "In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we are caught in a mood of anticipation. We anticipate visits from family, a festive meal, and presents to be opened. We also look forward to the celebration of the incarnation of a god in human flesh, whose death brings about one of the greatest ghost stories ever told. Rephrased, the story of Christmas is already a kind of horror narrative."

Discussion topics include the following:

• Algernon Blackwood's "The Kit-Bag": A disturbing tale of anticipation and dread.
• "Black Christmas": This iconic slasher film reimagines the holiday season as a time of terror.
• The Horror of Consumerism: How the holiday season can become a source of stress and anxiety.
• Loneliness at the Holidays: How the holiday season increases the chances for loneliness, and how the slasher magnifies this loneliness.

The full episode can be accessed on podcast providers or on Red Circle. Learn more about the "Horror Joy" podcast.