Mailbag: Happy New Year!

Dear podcast listener, Welcome to Before Sunset! If you'd like to support our work, please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps  Sincerely, Deanna & Brigid You can find out more about Deanna and her work at https://www.deannakoretsky.com/ This episode contains a conversation that touches on torture, abusive relationships, and racism. We want safety for you.  If you need help please consider the resources below and take care.  Suicide prevention resources: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html  Info on grooming: https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs  https://www.preventingexploitationtoolkit.org.uk/home/what-is-exploitation/grooming/  https://caage.org/help-for-victims-of-adult-grooming/ https://womenagainstcrime.com/how-to-identify-grooming-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-it/  United States: https://www.thehotline.org/ “Internet usage can be monitored and is impossible to erase completely. If you’re concerned your internet usage might be monitored, call us at 800.799.SAFE (7233)” Canada: https://www.sheltersafe.ca/  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html  UK https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/#section-1  -Credits- Music by Patrick Hornig Thank you to HBO Max, NBC Peacock, and the CW for our source.  Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki - Follow the pod -  @dearvampdiaries on Twitter and Instagram  Email us at [email protected]

Dear podcast listener, Welcome to Do Not Go Gentle! If you'd like to support our work, please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps  Sincerely, Anusha & Brigid Find Anusha at itsmeanusha on Instagram This episode contains a conversation that touches on torture, drug addiction, eugenics/genocide, and racism. We want safety for you.  If you need help please consider the resources below and take care.  Suicide prevention resources: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html  Info on grooming: https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs  https://www.preventingexploitationtoolkit.org.uk/home/what-is-exploitation/grooming/  https://caage.org/help-for-victims-of-adult-grooming/ https://womenagainstcrime.com/how-to-identify-grooming-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-it/  United States: https://www.thehotline.org/ “Internet usage can be monitored and is impossible to erase completely. If you’re concerned your internet usage might be monitored, call us at 800.799.SAFE (7233)” Canada: https://www.sheltersafe.ca/  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html  UK https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/#section-1  -Credits- Music by Patrick Hornig Thank you to HBO Max and the CW for our source.  Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki - Follow the pod -  @dearvampdiaries on Twitter and Instagram  Email us at [email protected]

Dear podcast listener, We are back! Welcome to 2026. Thank you to our amazing listeners who wrote in. If you'd like to include you in a potential future mailbag too, let us know if we can read your email on the pod: [email protected] If you'd like to support our work, please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps If you'd like to learn more about the incredible Janelle Gray, visit www.janellegray.com.  Sincerely, Janelle & Brigid This episode contains conversations that touch on toxic relationships, gaslighting, the Confederacy, adoption, and complex parental/family issues. We want safety for you.  If you need help please consider the resources below and take care.  Suicide prevention resources: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html  Info on grooming: https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs  https://www.preventingexploitationtoolkit.org.uk/home/what-is-exploitation/grooming/  https://caage.org/help-for-victims-of-adult-grooming/ https://womenagainstcrime.com/how-to-identify-grooming-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-it/  United States: https://www.thehotline.org/ “Internet usage can be monitored and is impossible to erase completely. If you’re concerned your internet usage might be monitored, call us at 800.799.SAFE (7233)” Canada: https://www.sheltersafe.ca/  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html  UK https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/#section-1  -Credits- Music by Patrick Hornig Thank you to HBO Max and the CW for our source.  Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki - Follow the pod -  @dearvampdiaries on Twitter and Instagram  Email us at [email protected]

Dear podcast listener, Welcome to Heart of Darkness! If you'd like to support our work, please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps  Sincerely, Janelle & Brigid This episode contains conversations that touch on torture. We want safety for you.  If you need help please consider the resources below and take care.  Suicide prevention resources: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html  Info on grooming: https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs  https://www.preventingexploitationtoolkit.org.uk/home/what-is-exploitation/grooming/  https://caage.org/help-for-victims-of-adult-grooming/ https://womenagainstcrime.com/how-to-identify-grooming-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-it/  United States: https://www.thehotline.org/ “Internet usage can be monitored and is impossible to erase completely. If you’re concerned your internet usage might be monitored, call us at 800.799.SAFE (7233)” Canada: https://www.sheltersafe.ca/  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html  UK https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/#section-1  -Credits- Music by Patrick Hornig Thank you to HBO Max and the CW for our source.  Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki - Follow the pod -  @dearvampdiaries on Twitter and Instagram  Email us at [email protected]

Dear podcast listener, Welcome to The Murder of One! Please excuse our audio issues. If you'd like to support our work, please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps  Brigid's mic had some issues on this one, it's not your earphones. Sorry for the intermittent clicking!  Sincerely, Christina & Brigid This episode contains conversations that touch on torture. We want safety for you.  If you need help please consider the resources below and take care.  Suicide prevention resources: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html  Info on grooming: https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs  https://www.preventingexploitationtoolkit.org.uk/home/what-is-exploitation/grooming/  https://caage.org/help-for-victims-of-adult-grooming/ https://womenagainstcrime.com/how-to-identify-grooming-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-it/  United States: https://www.thehotline.org/ “Internet usage can be monitored and is impossible to erase completely. If you’re concerned your internet usage might be monitored, call us at 800.799.SAFE (7233)” Canada: https://www.sheltersafe.ca/  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html  UK https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/#section-1  -Credits- Music by Patrick Hornig Thank you to HBO Max and the CW for our source.  Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki - Follow the pod -  @dearvampdiaries on Twitter and Instagram  Email us at [email protected]

Dear listeners, Happy Holidaaaaays! Please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps  Sincerely, DVD Cast -Credits- Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki - Follow the pod -  @dearvampdiaries on Twitter and Instagram  Email us at [email protected]

Dear podcast listener, Welcome to an all-TVDU-spoiler-INCLUSIVE conversation with the incredible Dr. Kendra R. Parker! If you are doing a spoiler-free re-watch, come back and listen to this episode once you've consumed all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries. You can find out more about Kendra's work at her website:  http://www.kendrarparker.com/ If you'd like to support the podcast's work, please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps  Sincerely, Brigid   Kendra R. Parker's website: http://www.kendrarparker.com/   PARKER, K. R. (2020). Black female vampires in African American women’s novels, 1977-2011: She bites back. LEXINGTON BOOKS.   PARKER, K. R. (2025) Understanding Octavia E. Butler. University of South Carolina Press.   Bishop, R.S. (1990). Mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom, vol. 6, no. 3, 1990, pp. ix-xi. https://scenicregional.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mirrors-Windows-and-Sliding-Glass-Doors.pdf    Jones, Charisse, and Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America (Harper Collins, 2003), 124.   Movies with Black Vampires Blacula  Scream, Blacula Scream Vampire in Brooklyn Vamp (with Grace Jones)  Vampires vs. The Bronx Blade   Movies Mentioned Ghost with Whoopi Goldberg, Demi Moore, and Patrick Swayze   Secondary SourcesMitchell, Koritha. “Identifying White Mediocrity and Know-Your-Place Aggression: a Form of Self-Care,” African American Review 51, no. 4 (January 1, 2018): 253. Thomas, Ebony Elizabeth. The Dark Fantastic: Race and the Imagination from Harry Potter to the Hunger Games, 116.    Johnson, K. Murry (2012). “A Slaves Tale.” Image of Emeralds and Chocolate. Johnson & Franklin, LLC.   Jackson, Monica (2004). “The Ultimate Diet.” Dark Thirst, edited by Angela C. Allen, Pocket Books, pp. 3-37.   Farmer, A. D. (2018). “Archiving While Black”. African American Intellectual Historical Society. https://www.aaihs.org/archiving-while-black/   Books/Stories Massey, Brandon. Dark Corner. Dark Corner Publishing, 2017. The Black Girl Survives in This One, edited by  Desiree S. Evans and Saraciea J. Fennell, Macmillan, 2024.   Thank you to HBO Max and the CW for our source material.  Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki ...

Dear podcast listener, Welcome to Break On Through!  If you'd like to support our work, please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps  Brigid's mic had some issues on this one, it's not your earphones. Sorry for the intermittent clicking!  Sincerely, Gaby & Brigid This episode contains conversations that touch on predatory/grooming behavior, suicide, disordered eating, restraining orders, and sexual assault.  We want safety for you.  If you need help please consider the resources below and take care.  Suicide prevention resources: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html  Info on grooming: https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs  https://www.preventingexploitationtoolkit.org.uk/home/what-is-exploitation/grooming/  https://caage.org/help-for-victims-of-adult-grooming/ https://womenagainstcrime.com/how-to-identify-grooming-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-it/  United States: https://www.thehotline.org/ “Internet usage can be monitored and is impossible to erase completely. If you’re concerned your internet usage might be monitored, call us at 800.799.SAFE (7233)” Canada: https://www.sheltersafe.ca/  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html  UK https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/#section-1  -Credits- Music by Patrick Hornig Thank you to HBO Max and the CW for our source.  Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki - Follow the pod -  @dearvampdiaries on Twitter and Instagram  Email us at [email protected]

Dear podcast listener, Welcome to 1912!  If you'd like to support our work, please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps  For more about Janelle: https://janellegray.wixsite.com/janelle , https://janellegray.wixsite.com/allagrayarea and https://www.echoesofthestruggle.com/  Sincerely, Janelle & Brigid This episode contains conversations that touch on grooming, disordered eating, restraining orders, and sexual assault.  We want safety for you.  If you need help please consider the resources below and take care.  Suicide prevention resources: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html  Info on grooming: https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs  https://www.preventingexploitationtoolkit.org.uk/home/what-is-exploitation/grooming/  https://caage.org/help-for-victims-of-adult-grooming/ https://womenagainstcrime.com/how-to-identify-grooming-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-it/  United States: https://www.thehotline.org/ “Internet usage can be monitored and is impossible to erase completely. If you’re concerned your internet usage might be monitored, call us at 800.799.SAFE (7233)” Canada: https://www.sheltersafe.ca/  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html  UK https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/#section-1  -Credits- Music by Patrick Hornig Thank you to HBO Max and the CW for our source.  Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki - Follow the pod -  @dearvampdiaries on Twitter and Instagram  Email us at [email protected]

Dear podcast listener, Welcome to All My Children!  If you'd like to support our work, please consider donating to our pod so we can keep going! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dearvamps  For more about Janelle: https://janellegray.wixsite.com/janelle , https://janellegray.wixsite.com/allagrayarea and https://www.echoesofthestruggle.com/  Citations for this episode:  Hudson, Dale M. Vampires, Race, and Transnational Hollywoods. Edinburgh, UK: Edinburgh University Press Ltd, 2018. Hughey, Matthew W. “Cinethetic Racism: White Redemption and Black Stereotypes in ‘Magical Negro’ Films.” Social Problems 56, no. 3 (2009): 543–77. https://doi.org/10.1525/sp.2009.56.3.543. Sincerely, Janelle & Brigid This episode contains conversations that touch on death of a parent, racism, and kidnapping.  We want safety for you.  If you need help please consider the resources below and take care.  Suicide prevention resources: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html  Info on grooming: https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs  https://www.preventingexploitationtoolkit.org.uk/home/what-is-exploitation/grooming/  https://caage.org/help-for-victims-of-adult-grooming/ https://womenagainstcrime.com/how-to-identify-grooming-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-it/  United States: https://www.thehotline.org/ “Internet usage can be monitored and is impossible to erase completely. If you’re concerned your internet usage might be monitored, call us at 800.799.SAFE (7233)” Canada: https://www.sheltersafe.ca/  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html  UK https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/#section-1  -Credits- Music by Patrick Hornig Thank you to HBO Max and the CW for our source.  Editing by Brigid Artwork by Nikki - Follow the pod -