In this emotionally charged episode of Zombie Book Club, Dan and Leah unpack We Bury The Dead; a quiet, haunting zombie film that prioritizes grief, moral ambiguity, and empathy over action - and use it as a springboard to examine the real-world toll of trauma. We explore how the film’s focus on loss, PTSD, and complex grief resonates with collective experiences of institutional brutality, and why facing sorrow is an act of radical care in a world that often demands we numb ourselves.

A significant portion of our conversation expands into the present moment: the recent fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renée Nicole Good by an ICE agent during immigration enforcement in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, and the nationwide protests, public outcry, and political fallout that followed. We connect these events with PTSD, moral injury, and the psychological impacts of witnessing or surviving state violence, and we offer grounded ways to stay present, support community healing, and take meaningful action when systems (from law enforcement to immigration enforcement) fail those they claim to protect.

Relevant Links

• We Bury The Dead (film info & credits)
  • IMDb: We Bury the Dead on IMDb
• Ice Isn't The Gestapo - by @Ashleytheebarroness
  • https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4x4KM_QESTw

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Zombie Book Club Links

• Join us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClub
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• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

On this double date edition of Zombie Book Club, we sit down with married indie filmmakers Erin Áine and Kyle Valle of Big Squid Productions, the creative duo behind the cosplay-meets-zombie feature ZombieCON Vol. 1. From their Studio City meet-cute to a decade-long journey of crowdfunding, micro-crew shoots, DIY effects, and relentless post-production, Erin and Kyle share the unvarnished story of how a wild concept about assholes turning into zombies became a crowd-pleasing indie with an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Erin and Kyle offer a behind-the-scenes window into set life, stunt safety, DVD extras, and the bold, futuristic ideas waiting in Volume 2 and beyond. Whether you’re a horror fan, indie creator, or just love a good story about passion and perseverance, this episode is a bloody, funny, heartfelt ride.

Guest Contact & Relevant Links

• Official Film Website:
  • ZombieCON Vol. 1: https://zombieconvol1.com
  • Big Squid Productions: https://bigsquidproductions.com
• Social Media (Guests):
  • ZombieCON Vol. 1 Instagram: @zombieconmovie
  • Big Squid Productions Instagram: @bigsquidfilms
  • Erin Áine Instagram: @Erin_Aine
  • Kyle Valle Instagram: @kykyv71

Support the show

Zombie Book Club Links

• Join us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClub
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

In this episode we sit down with Rebecca Cuthbertson to talk about her debut novel Waves of Undead. Set on the surf‑soaked cliffs of Tofino, the story blends a tsunami and zombie outbreak with a gritty but sometimes hilarious take on the genre. Rebecca walks us through the twin‑bond of Anna and Paul, the multi‑POV structure that gives the narrative a cinematic pulse, and her own activism at the Fairy Creek blockade which informed the novel’s environmental undercurrents.

She also shares about the realities of writing while caring for a toddler, the challenges of indie publishing, and the joy of seeing readers connect with a story that respects both nature and the horror genre. Whether you’re a fan of grounded zombie fiction or just love a good coastal thriller, this conversation offers plenty of fresh takes on the genre and some laughs along the way.

Author Links:

• Rebeccas website - https://rcuthbertsonwrites.com/
• Buy 'Waves of Undead' - Link

Come join our Zombie Survivor camp on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClub

Support the show

Zombie Book Club Links

• Join us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClub
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com