Crystal Gray is not your typical horror podcaster. With a sharp wit, a love for the genre’s quirks, and a voice that feels like a late-night chat with your funniest friend, she brings something fresh to the world of horror commentary. Her podcast, “Ghost Ninja Raccoon”, is a space where Black culture meets horror fandom, blending humor, authenticity, and just the right amount of creepiness to keep listeners coming back for more.
Gray launched “Ghost Ninja Raccoon” after growing weary of horror podcasts that missed the mark. “I’d hear hosts miss key plot points, talk over each other, or ramble about their dogs and bosses,” she said. “I figured I could do this better. Accurate, funny, and focused on the movie.” What she created is part horror review, part sharp storytelling, all filtered through her unapologetically blunt, slightly crass humor.
Her podcast, “Ghost Ninja Raccoon”, is as bold and offbeat as its name suggests. Born from a conversation about a raccoon that scaled a skyscraper in Minnesota, Gray spun the moment into a wild tale of a ninja spirit transferring into the animal mid-battle. For her, it is more than just a quirky name. It represents rebirth and courage, a reminder to shed old skins and be brave enough to climb new heights, or at least buildings.
Her episodes are built to be “weird, kooky and a little creepy,” the kind of 45-minute escape perfect for anyone stressed, anxious, or simply needing a laugh. She outlines the essentials, plot points, characters, and setting, but delivers them as if chatting with a friend over drinks.
As a Black woman in horror, Gray is intentional about highlighting Black films monthly, not just in February. “This podcast is for us,” she said, comparing it to this year’s Super Bowl halftime show. “If you like it, welcome. If not, there are literally a bajillion other options.”
Looking ahead, she envisions live shows, movie screenings, and even Black-themed horror merch. “I want a T-shirt with Sanaa Lathan from ‘Alien vs. Predator’, a Black woman who was not a victim but kicked butt.”
For Gray, horror is joy and community. “I love finding small films with passion and talent behind them,” she said. “If listeners leave every episode feeling like they had fun, I have done my job.” “Ghost Ninja Raccoon” might be spooky by design, but at its heart, it is Gray’s love letter to horror and a reminder that even in the creepiest stories, there is room to laugh. New episodes can be heard on Spotify.
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