Podcast
The Tainted Love Podcast
Hosted by DeVaughn Taylor & Zoë Rose Smith · EN
A podcast focusing on romance, relationships & eroticism within our favorite horror movies! The show is a mixture of film analysis and anecdotes from our personal dating history, highlighting the twisted beauty of the psychosexual horror sub-genre. Hosted by Zoë Rose Smith & DeVaughn Taylor
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Wild at Heart (1990) // COUPLE GOALS
Mar 12, 202501:30:58Tap to summarizePaint your toes and grab you snakeskin jacket because we're going dancin' with Lula & Sailor as we discuss Wild at Heart, directed by the recently passed icon David Lynch. Zobo & Daddy discuss the lengths you go for love, the idea of soulmates, and combating the challenges of life with love over violence. Plus sexy dirty talk over cigarettes and Willem Dafoe! This episode is hotter than Georgia asphaltStalk Zoë on social media:InstagramBlueskyTwitterWebsiteStalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →Excision (2012) // CUMMING-OF-AGE
Feb 26, 202501:35:49Tap to summarizeWelcome back Tainted Lovers, it's time to revert back to those confusing teenage years as we discuss Excision directed by Richard Bates Jr. While discussing sexual & romantic topics, coming-of-age is an important sub-genre to tackle! Zobo & Daddy profile Pauline; a brilliantly flawed character that wants to embrace her true self, but is constantly let down by the adults around her. We discuss losing our virginities, complicated relationships with your parentsmother-daughter relationships, and sex on your period among other topics. Enjoy!Stalk Zoë on social media:InstagramBlueskyTwitterWebsiteStalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →Hellraiser (1987) // TOXIC AS HELL
Feb 12, 202502:04:23Tap to summarizeWhether you're enjoying couple goals or having a shamlessly slutty time being single, we're wishing a happy Valentine's Day to all the Tainted Lovers out there! Zoë & DeVaughn had to bring out the big guns/hooks for this week as we're discussing Hellraiser directed by kinky icon Clive Barker. You know the classic tale of desire and haman nature's primal desire for experience. At the center of this ouzzle are the ultimate in toxic couples, Frank & Julia vying for sexual power in their tumultuous relationship. Topics include infidelity, when to introduce your kinks to your partner, and how much pain we enjoy with our pleasure. We hope this episode on the erotic horror masterpiece gets you as wet as Frank in flesh form!Stalk Zoë on social media:InstagramBlueskyTwitterWebsiteStalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →
Pillow Talk With the Anti-Lover Boys Behind HEART EYES (2025) // Phillip Murphy, Michael Kennedy, Christopher Landon, and Josh Reuben
Feb 7, 202500:28:02Tap to summarizeWelcome to Pillow Talk, our interview series where we talk to creatives making films dealing with subjects related to Tainted Love (sex, romance, relationships). DeVaughn got to sit down with the crew behind Heart Eyes! We discuss their dislike of Valentine's Day, the film's unique tone, and what it means to be apart of the holiday slashers canon. SPOILERS start at the 00:20:42 mark after the outro music!Stalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →Nekromantik (1988) // MATCH MY FREAK
Jan 29, 202501:30:28Tap to summarizeTrigger warnings: necrophilia, rape Hello lovers, it's time to get real fereal in this episode! Zoë & DeVaughn dive into Nekromantik directed by Jörg Buttgereit. This surprisingly romantic film revolves around our first throuple, well kinda of if you include the corpse. How does a unique couple willing to have sex with dead bodies together go sour? Breaches of trust, emotional manipulation, and many more topics are in bed with us for this one. Enjoy our journey into one of life's most gnarly taboos!Stalk Zoë on social media:InstagramBlueskyTwitterWebsiteStalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →
Pillow Talk With Actor/Writer Amanda Jane Stern (PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT)
Jan 22, 202500:41:08Tap to summarizeWelcome to Pillow Talk, our interview series where we talk to creatives making films dealing with subjects related to Tainted Love (sex, romance, relationships). Since the main feed is biweekly, we'll drop these episodes during our off weeks from time to time!First up, Amanda Jane Stern is in our virtual bed to discuss her erotic thriller Perfectly Good Moment, which you can watch for free on Tubi! Amanda and DeVaughn chat the recent erotic thriller resurgence, filming with intimacy coordinators, and the film's place in "good for her" horror. SPOILERS for the film from the 00:27:38 timecode onwards!Stalk Amanda on social media:LinksWatch Perfeclty Good MomentStalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →Spring (2015) // COUPLE GOALS
Jan 15, 202501:45:24Tap to summarizeYou got the darker side of relationships in our first episode, now it's time to get sappy with us! We're discussing Spring (2015) directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorehead, about a man who escapes to Italy to avoid his personal trauma and ends up falling love with a beautiful woman...who's also a centuries old Eldritch Monster. Can a romance that happens by circumstance be real love or do you just listen to your body? This film is mainly your classic walk & talk style romance, with a mythical body horror twist. Enjoy! Stalk Zoë on social media:InstagramBlueskyTwitterWebsiteStalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →Resurrection (2022) // TOXIC AS HELL
Jan 1, 202501:21:28Tap to summarizeTrigger Warnings: abusive relationshipsWelcome to the first official episode of Tainted Love and we're kicking things off on a bleak note! We're taking a look at Resurrection (2022) directed by Andrew Semans, following a woman who's sent into an emotional spiral when her former abuser re-enters her life. We discuss the power this kind of trauma can have on someone and spill into other ares of their life such as family and work. The dynamic between Margaret and David is a complicated one, perfect to discuss here. Is this film cathartic for abusive survivors? You tell us!Stalk Zoë on social media:InstagramBlueskyTwitterWebsiteStalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →Speed Date The Tainted Lovers!
Dec 18, 202401:10:26Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Tainted Love podcast! This show will be discussing sex, love, and relationships within our favorite genre movies. In this premiere episode, hosts Zoë Rose Smith & DeVaughn Taylor introduce themselves and give a break down of the show's format & segments. After that, the pair take turns asking each other questions ranging from dating icks to problematic horror crushes and much more. We hope you enjoy our vibe from across the room, consensual kisses for all!Stalk Zoë on social media:InstagramBlueskyTwitterWebsiteStalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →This Is Tainted Love // TRAILER
Dec 15, 202400:01:32Tap to summarizeWelcome to Tainted Love, a psychosexual horror podcast. Join co-hosts Zoë Rose Smith (Ghouls Magazine, Our Bloody Obsession) and DeVaughn Taylor (Specter Cinema Club, The Pod and the Pendulum). Here's a little trailer of us breaking down the show and its segments. Our "speed dating" pilot will premiere December 18th, 2024. Hit that follow/subscribe button to get the episode in your feed as soon as it drops. Consensual kisses for all, talk soon!Stalk Zoë on social media:InstagramBlueskyTwitterWebsiteStalk DeVaughn on social media:BlueskyTwitterLetterboxdInstagramStalk the pod on social media:BlueskyInstagramOriginal theme done by Harper Smith
Transcribe →