Phobia Trivia | Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast #353

Welcome to the episode that gave Microsoft Word’s spellchecker a stroke. Hey gang, for our last episode of October, we’re going to have a little group therapy with Phobia Trivia. All sorts of fears are going to be popping up today.

When you’re done facing your fears, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

Book of the Week

The Book of Phobias and Manias

Phobias and manias are deeply personal experiences, and among the most common anxiety disorders of our time, but they are also clues to our shared past. The award-winning author Kate Summerscale uses rich and riveting case studies to trace the origins of our obsessions, unearthing a history of human strangeness, from the middle ages to the present day, and a wealth of explanations for some of our most powerful aversions and desires.

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Episode Transcript/Quiz

Episode Intro

I hope you’ve enjoyed this month’s horror-themed trivia. It was a little extra long, as we had five Wednesdays in October this year. If there’s a horror-themed episode you think I should tackle in 2026, let me know.

This is episode 353 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. I’m your brave little boy and host, Brian Rollins. Now let’s take a deep breath and confront our fears.

The Dorky Round

Triskaidekaphobia had led many builders to leave what floor off of many high rises?
a. The number thirteen
I suffer from Acrophobia, especially on ladders. What is it?
a. The fear of heights
If you have arachnophobia, what do you fear?
a. Spiders and all of Episode 349 of this show.
You probably needed to stay clear of last week’s episode if you have Ophidiophobia, the fear of what?
a. The fear of snakes
Hyrdophobic people tend to stay clear of what?
a. Water. Typically pools, ponds, lakes, etc.
Megalophobia would keep you away from the Titanic or the Empire State Building. What is that fear?
a. The fear of large objects.
Robert Langdon from the Davinci Code has claustrophobia, what is it?
a. Fear of confined spaces
Vampires might just suffer from extreme Heliophobia, the fear of what?
a. The fear of sunlight
The preacher in Footloose might have suffered from Chorophobia, which is what fear?
a. Fear of dancing
Frankenstein’s monster had severe Pyrophobia, the fear of what?
a. The fear of fire

The Geeky Round

Many authoritarian governments use Xenophobia as a tool to manipulate the masses. What’s that fear?
a. The fear of foreigners or strangers.
Here’s one for the horror fans, what’s Hemophobia?
a. The fear of blood
Listed as one of the most common fears, what is Glossophobia?
a. The fear of speaking in public
Elurophobia is the fear of what household pets?
a. It’s the fear of cats.
Tippi Hedron’s character, Melanie Daniels, definitely has Ornithophobia, the fear of what?
a. The fear of birds
Nascar drivers and fans definitely don’t suffer from Tachophobia, the fear of what?
a. The fear of speed
Night lights help people with Achluophobia, the fear of what?
a. Fear of darkness
You could join a sorority to deal with your Androphobia, which is what fear?
a. Fear of men
In China and other Asian cultures, it’s not 13 that people fear, but they can have Tetraphobia, the fear of what number?
a. The number four
Some people get special shirts for their dogs (or medicate them) due to their pets’ Tonitrophobia, the fear of what?
a. The fear of Thunder

The Nerdy Round

Andy Weir, author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary doesn’t travel much because of his Pteromerhanophobia, which is what fear?
a. The fear of flying
Prior to the 2000s, very few people would have Nomophobia, the fear of what?
a. The fear of being without your mobile phone
It would suck to be a sailor with Thalassophobia, the fear of what?
a. Fear of the sea
It’s not a case of the Mondays, I’ve got Ergophobia, which is the fear of what?
a. Fear of work
Coulrophobia makes people avoid the circus. What’s coulrophobia?
a. Fear of clowns
Introverts probably won’t suffer from autophobia, which is the fear of what?
a. The fear of being alone
You can use a vampire’s Alliumphobia to stop them. What is that phobia?
a. Fear of garlic
Cruella De Ville definitely didn’t suffer from Doraphobia, the fear of what?
a. Fear of animal fur or skins
Verminophobia isn’t the fear of mice and rats, but the fear of what?
a. It’s the fear of germs.
If many of these apply to you, maybe you have Panphobia, the fear of what?
a. The fear of everything.

Episode Conclusion

We made it. Good job. What’s a fear that makes you freeze up? Let me know in comments or on social media. Me? Heights is my number one fear. Have a great Halloween this Friday. Be safe and responsible. I want to see you back here next week.

Speaking of next week, we’re back to non-horror trivia. Here’s a clue for what to expect:

In which pantheon will you find Osiris, Isis, and Anubis?

I’m fulfilling my promise of more mythological trivia. This is a personal favorite. See you back here on Wednesday, gang.

This was the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. If you’d like to help support the show and get extra stuff, consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/dorkygeekynerdy.

This podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Brian Rollins. If you love audiobooks or are looking to have a book turned into an audiobook, contact me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.

The theme music is Punchfunk by the band, Punchfunk. Listen to all their music on Spotify.

Thanks for listening.