{"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 BERTONInto the Heart of the Unknown: Cryptid Horror, Conspiracies & AROUGHCOUNEAuthor 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.Set in the wilderness of Western Pennsylvania, Aroughcoune explores what happens when science pushes too far — and when ancient knowledge collides with modern secrecy.In this episode, we discuss:The real-world inspiration behind AroughcouneCryptids born from government experimentsJournalism’s influence on believable horrorSurvival horror in isolated environmentsFolklore as a counterbalance to scienceEthics, secrecy, and consequencesWhat’s next for Mark BertonThis isn’t just horror — it’s horror that feels possible.🔗 FEATURED LINKS🌐 Official Websites https://www.markberton.com https://www.roswellpublishing.co.uk📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/markbertonauthor📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/FrogElixir🧵 Threads https://www.threads.net/@FrogElixir🦋 Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/markberton.com🎧 USDN PODCAST Exploring the strange, the dangerous, and the unknown. The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.#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}