{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The United States Department of Nerds Podcast","title":"Into the Heart of the Unknown: Mark Berton Talks Cryptid Horror, Government Secrets & AROUGHCOUNE","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/4e50cad7\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3459,"description":"🎙️ USDN PODCAST INTERVIEW — MARK BERTON\n\nInto the Heart of the Unknown: Cryptid Horror, Conspiracies & AROUGHCOUNE\n\nAuthor and former journalist Mark Berton joins the United States Department of Nerds Podcast to discuss Aroughcoune, a chilling cryptid horror novel that blends secret government experimentation, survival horror, Indigenous folklore, and ethical consequences rooted in reality.\nSet in the wilderness of Western Pennsylvania, Aroughcoune explores what happens when science pushes too far — and when ancient knowledge collides with modern secrecy.\n\nIn this episode, we discuss:\nThe real-world inspiration behind Aroughcoune\nCryptids born from government experiments\nJournalism’s influence on believable horror\nSurvival horror in isolated environments\nFolklore as a counterbalance to science\nEthics, secrecy, and consequences\nWhat’s next for Mark Berton\nThis isn’t just horror — it’s horror that feels possible.\n\n🔗 FEATURED LINKS\n🌐 Official Websites\nhttps://www.markberton.com\nhttps://www.roswellpublishing.co.uk\n📘 Facebook\nhttps://www.facebook.com/markbertonauthor\n📸 Instagram\nhttps://www.instagram.com/FrogElixir\n🧵 Threads\nhttps://www.threads.net/@FrogElixir\n🦋 Bluesky\nhttps://bsky.app/profile/markberton.com\n\n🎧 USDN PODCAST\nExploring the strange, the dangerous, and the unknown.\nThe USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.\n\n#USDNPodcast,#MarkBerton,#Aroughcoune,#CryptidHorror,#IndieHorror,#HorrorAuthors,#FolkHorror,#CreatureHorror,#ConspiracyFiction,#WeirdHorror,#IndieBooks,#PodcastInterview,#HorrorCommunity,#SupernaturalFiction","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/jK77dc0vRU6rdQe3lGzQeHxWXmC-iqPIYcsRvu3WnRw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xMDE0/NzI5MzBlZGRiOGQ2/MzFlNGI2NzJiMzc2/MTczOC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}