Author Kate Pentecost Talks Horror, Writing Novels & Building New Worlds
Mad Props with Chris Schnabel
06/08/26
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Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel welcomes author Kate Pentecost for the first installment of the Comicpalooza interview series, recorded at Comicpalooza.
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Kate Pentecost is the author of Elysium Girls and That Dark Infinity, known for blending fantasy, horror, mythology, and unforgettable storytelling. During this live conversation from Comicpalooza, Kate discusses her journey into writing, the publishing industry, horror storytelling, creative inspiration, gaming concepts, music, and the future of interactive storytelling.
The conversation explores:
• Growing up with a passion for writing
• Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing
• Young adult fantasy and horror fiction
• Video games as narrative experiences
• Health, wellness, and personal growth
Chris and Kate also discuss Ready Player One, horror films, abandoned locations, theater, music, storytelling across different mediums, and why creators should continue exploring new forms of artistic expression.
Follow Kate Pentecost
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17712741.Kate_Pentecost
IG: https://www.instagram.com/katepentecost/
Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod
Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
Epsiode shot by William Cornell
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro
01:42 – Ranking Fictional Musicians Tier List
18:22 – Kate Pentecost Joins the Show at Comicpalooza
19:28 – Kate's History with Comicpalooza
20:01 – From Rural Texas to Published Author
21:20 – Publishing During the 2020 Lockdown
22:31 – Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing
23:55 – Discovering a Passion for Writing
25:01 – Music's Influence on Creativity
26:14 – Alternate Reality Games & Interactive Storytelling
27:11 – Video Games as Modern Storytelling
28:25 – Geocaching, Real World Narratives & ARG Concepts
30:25 – Trying New Creative Mediums
32:48 – Music, Family & Artistic Exploration
34:07 – Theater, Live Performance & Audience Energy
35:24 – The Future of Movie Theaters and Shared Experiences
38:49 – Where Communities Gather in the Modern World
40:26 – Urban Exploration & Creative Inspiration
42:01 – Chris Shares the History of Mad Props
49:09 – Horror Fiction, Suspense & Favorite Horror Stories
54:25 – Health, Wellness & Personal Growth
59:21 – Kate's Upcoming Southern Gothic Horror Project
1:00:02 – Final Plugs
Previous Episode
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel welcomes legendary voice actress Catherine Cavadini, best known as the voice of Blossom from The Powerpuff Girls, for a conversation about animation, voice acting, conventions, and the lasting legacy of one of Cartoon Network's most iconic series.
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Catherine shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of Cartoon Network, working with creator Craig McCracken, recording alongside Tara Strong and E.G. Daily, and helping bring one of animation's most beloved superheroes to life.
The conversation explores Catherine's journey into voice acting, how she accidentally discovered the industry, the evolution of animation and video games, convention experiences, fan interactions, performance capture technology, and the changing landscape of voiceover work.
Topics include:
• Becoming Blossom in The Powerpuff Girls
• The golden era of Cartoon Network
• Working with Craig McCracken and the original cast
• Voice acting conventions and meeting fans
• Recording animation in the 1990s vs. today
• Home studios and remote voice acting
• The evolution of voice acting careers
• Advice for aspiring voice actors
Whether you're a fan of The Powerpuff Girls, Cartoon Network, animation history, video games, voice acting, or behind-the-scenes stories from some of your favorite cartoons, this episode offers a fascinating look inside one of the industry's most recognizable careers.
Follow Catherine Cavadini
Instagram: @catherinecavadini
https://catherinecavadini.com/
Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod
Sketching Up!
https://www.youtube.com/@sketchinguppodcast/
Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
YouTube: @Chris.Schnabel
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction
01:42 – Sketching Up: Underrated Cartoon Network Shows
22:48 – Catherine Cavadini Joins the Show
25:56 – Fan Interactions, Autism Advocacy & Convention Culture
35:49 – Celebrity Casting vs. Professional Voice Actors
40:44 – How Catherine Accidentally Found Voice Acting
43:17 – Landing the Role of Blossom
46:38 – The Golden Era of Cartoon Network
49:31 – Discovering the Lasting Impact of The Powerpuff Girls
50:28 – Modern Voice Acting and Video Games
53:26 – Home Studios, COVID Changes & Remote Recording
54:55 – Performance Capture and Acting Beyond the Voice
57:50 – Teaching Voice Acting and Advice for New Talent
Next Episode
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Check out Montana Dog Food Co. https://montanadogfoodco.com/
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary voice actor, animator, and creator Sam Marin for a deep dive into his career in animation, his journey with Regular Show, and his creative projects beyond Cartoon Network.
Known as the voices of Benson, Pops, and Muscle Man on the beloved Cartoon Network series Regular Show, Sam shares how he met creator J.G. Quintel at CalArts, how the original student films evolved into one of the most iconic animated shows of the 2010s, and what it was like returning to these characters for Regular Show: The Lost Tapes.
Chris and Sam also discuss the art of voice acting, working alongside legendary performers like Mark Hamill, creating original animated projects, the changing entertainment industry, social media’s influence on creators, film festivals, collecting vinyl records, classic movies, and why making personal art still matters.
Topics include:
• The creation of Regular Show and working with J.G. Quintel
• Finding the voices of Benson, Pops, and Muscle Man
• The return of Regular Show: The Lost Tapes
• The future of animation and storytelling
Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb
Follow Sam:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_marin_drawings
Pig in a Wig:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hsCSGluI_8
Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod
Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
YouTube: @Chris.Schnabel
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
01:03 - Cartoon character coworker tier list before the interview
13:58 - Meeting Sam Marin & discovering Regular Show
15:30 - CalArts, J.G. Quintel & the origins of Regular Show
17:03 - Mark Hamill, Skips & iconic cartoon voices
20:55 - Creating the voice of Benson
21:43 - The origins of Pops and Muscle Man
23:25 - Returning for Regular Show: The Lost Tapes
28:14 - Sam’s puppet and animation projects
36:15 - Music, vinyl records & artistic hobbies
43:16 - Collecting records, comics & nostalgic media
48:07 - Upcoming projects including Pig in a Wig
52:26 - Fan Expo appearances and meeting fans
53:59 - Back to the Future, conventions & movie nostalgia
58:50 - Final thoughts
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