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Episode 6

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Published on:

31st Oct 2025

Vampires in Pop Culture: Why We Can't Let the Undead Go

Welcome, my ghoulish loves!

In this final episode of Dark Thirst, I'm diving into pop culture's undying obsession with vampires. From the sensual chaos of True Blood to the glittering restraint of Twilight, and from Coppola's lavish Dracula to Eggers' haunting Nosferatu, I explore how every vampire revival mirrors what's happening in society. From our fears, desires, and shifting ideals of beauty. What do these immortal beings say about us and the times we live in?

After centuries of fascination, it's clear, we don't just crave the vampire. We crave what they promise.

*Listener Discretion is Strongly Advised*

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Sources & References:

Auerbach, Nina. Our Vampires, Ourselves. University of Chicago Press, 1995.

Gelder, Ken. Reading the Vampire. Routledge, 1994.

Skal, David J. Hollywood Gothic: The Tangled Web of Dracula from Novel to Stage to Screen. Faber & Faber, 1990.

Anatol, Giselle Liza. Bringing Light to Twilight: Perspectives on a Pop Culture Phenomenon. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.

Weinstock, Jeffrey Andrew. The Vampire Film: Undead Cinema. Wallflower Press, 2012.

Additional references:

Include contemporary film criticism from The Guardian, Le Monde, IndieWire, and Rotten Tomatoes (2024–2025).

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Apple Podcast:

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https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA

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About the Podcast

Beauty Unlocked the podcast
Buckle up and get ready as I delve into a variety of topics regarding physical beauty.

We'll take a look at our society's obsession with physical beauty and the consequences these impossible beauty standards have had on us.
Let's face it; this fascination regarding physical beauty and body image isn't a recent phenomenon; it has been around for centuries, crossing borders, and has affected men and women alike.
The realization of this podcast has come about by my own experiences having to deal with society's perverse notion of physical "perfection" and researching an array of topics that have intrigued me over the years.
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About your host

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Carissa Vikis

Hey there!
I'm Carissa, host, content creator, and producer of the indie podcast Beauty Unlocked.
Growing up, I was frequently compared and criticized for my looks and weight. This started the vicious cycle of being self-critical and loathing my body. I knew I wasn't the only one suffering from society's ridiculous notion of what "we should look like." I started digging deeper and researching various topics, and the rest is h(er)story!
Beauty Unlocked The Podcast aims to educate and bring awareness of our society's obsession with physical beauty and the emotional consequences these impossible beauty standards have. Beauty Unlocked's social media platform showcases not only my work but that of other artists, illustrators, and fellow podcasters that I admire and that share a similar message of inspiration, empowerment, positivity, and raising awareness on a variety of social issues.