Interview with Southern Gothic Podcast
Southern Gothic delves into the haunting legends, folklore, and ghostly stories of the American South. Co-created by siblings Brandon and Bryanne Schexnayder, the show combines immersive storytelling, meticulous historical research, and expertly crafted audio soundscapes to bring these eerie tales to life. From the infamous Bell Witch of Tennessee to the haunted halls of Waverly Hills Sanatorium, each episode uncovers the darker side of Southern history in vivid detail.
Where are you from? What is your background?
I am New Orleans born and raised, but then moved up to Tennessee for college and started out my career as a recording engineer in studios up on Music Row. Between all them ghost stories I heard growing up down in the swamp, and all the storytelling songwriters I met up here in Nashville, I got educated pretty quick on not only how to spin a good yarn but also entertain folks while doing it.
What inspired you to do podcasting, specifically about historical subjects, folklore, and ghosts?
First and foremost, I am an audio engineer. That is the craft I have been obsessed with since I was in my teens. Then, when podcasting became a thing, I knew it was a space for me to get extra creative and push storytelling boundaries. As for the ghosts, well, it has just been a longtime interest—so when it came time to podcast, I knew it would be a good fit.
What was the first thing about ghosts you remember seeing or hearing about?
I was absolutely obsessed with reruns of the old TV show In Search Of. It had everything from the Loch Ness Monster to poltergeists in it, and I ate it up! Probably wasn’t even ten years old when I first started watching that. By the time I was in middle school, I got really into Anne Rice—which looking back now is way too young, ha!
What performer or artist/writer inspires you the most?
When it comes to podcasting, no show will ever beat the early episodes of Radiolab. They were so experimental and well done, it was absolutely groundbreaking.
What other areas of art are you involved in?
I still do a lot of music. In fact, I do about 90% of the music and sound effects for Southern Gothic. Also, in the past year, I have moved into storytelling live in front of an audience. Haven’t added in any visual elements yet, but the experience of interacting with folks in that way has absolutely changed the way I tell stories.
Do you think your environment, where you live, has an effect on the type of art you create?
Absolutely, hands down! The entire vibe of my show comes from my roots down in New Orleans. I’ve always wanted it to feel like you are entering a swamp when you listen to Southern Gothic, and that really comes from my own sense of place.
How much research goes into every episode?
It depends on how complex a story is, but it is a pretty tedious process, as we always try to find something new to add to a story that hasn’t been found before. That being said, I think an average show requires about 15–20 hours of research.
What do you think popular culture will be like in ten years?
Oh man, I’m about to turn 40 and I already feel lost! Judging by the way trends seem to go in circles though, I bet kids start dressing like they were on Saved by the Bell or some ’90s retro stuff, haha.
What other things would you like to explore as a podcast?
I have a million ideas for how to tell stories in a new and creative way, but honestly, right now I am really focusing on what I am doing with Southern Gothic and trying to polish that into the best it can possibly be. In the past, I have gotten a little too idea-happy and would make things “good enough,” then jump ship before they were great. I think this project is worth sticking with for a little longer.
What projects are you working on now?
I also do the audio production for a few other podcasts like One Strange Thing and Southern Fried True Crime. Between those and Southern Gothic, I’m pretty damn busy.
