Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago

---

Best-selling children’s author R.L. Stine shares all the devious dirt on his over 30 years of writing Goosebumps, plus hauntingly hilarious stories from his inadvertent rise to becoming the king of middle grade horror. Chatting with the Chicago Tribune’s Chris Borrelli at the historic Music Box Theatre, Stine reminisces on his Ohio childhood and favorite comedians of the ‘50s, then looks ahead by dropping the scary scoop on the many forthcoming film and TV adaptations of his books.

SHOW NOTES:

Read the podcast transcript.

Suggested rating: PG

PHOTO: R.L. Stine and Chris Borrelli on stage at the Music Box Theatre at the Chicago Humanities Fall Festival in 2024.



READ:

R.L. Stine, Goosebumps

R.L. Stine, Fear Street

R.L. Stine, Stinetinglers

R.L. Stine, Shark Night

R.L. Stine, The Graveyard Club #1

R.L. Stine in the New York Times, R.L. Stine’s Favorite Halloween Books Will Give Your Kids Goosebumps



WATCH:

Goosebumps on Disney+

Twilight Zone: A Stop at Willoughby



Production assistance by River Williams and Preston O'ffill

Podcast edited and mixed by Alisa Rosenthal

Podcast story editing by Alexandra Quinn

Podcast copy assistance from Katherine Kermgard and Beyza Ozer

Additional podcast assistance from David Vish



Subscribe: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chicago-humanities-tapes/id1534976656

Donate now to support programs like this: chicagohumanities.org/donate

Explore upcoming events: chicagohumanities.org



Instagram • TikTok • Twitter • Facebook • LinkedIn



IQTKKZVX9EQLWGBI