Monsters vs Business: Nicholas Tana talks ‘Corporate Zombie Survival Guide’
“I wanted to reframe that horror with humor, using the zombie apocalypse as a survival manual for staying human in a dehumanizing world.”
How can one find the surprising connections between the business world and, well, zombies? One man—who serves as both a multi-hyphen artist and business leader—answers that question in his Corporate Zombie Survival Guide.
We interviewed the author, Nicholas Tana, who has served in roles on both sides of the business fence—in both the corporate world as well as the entertainment industry. This includes his time working for ESPN and GE, as well as being an award-winning writer, director, producer, musician, and even an actor.
He’s also creator of the horror comedy movie Hell’s Kitty (now both on Tubi and on Amazon) and a frequent contributor to The Horror Zine.
As someone who has had worked both in entertainments as well as the corporate world, Tana has seen a surprising comparison between the rules of surviving a zombie apocalypse and succeeding in business.
Monster Complex talks with Tana about his Corporate Zombie Survival Guide. The discussion includes what inspired him to combine the ideas of zombies with business, how his teaching is being shared as a website AND a podcast AND an upcoming book, plus how much this is actually about real business (and not a joke)...
“I want to change the way the world does business,” Tana says. “First, by helping people to survive the cutthroat, post-apocalyptic corporate landscape. Second, I want to teach people to thrive so that they can live a more fulfilling life; eventually, taking back the world from the corporate zombies.”
Monster Complex® sometimes uses affiliate links. (At no additional charge to you. Relax.)
Interview: Nicholas Tana and Corporate Zombie Survival Guide
Which side did you start with—zombies or business? What inspired you to bring both sides together?
I started with business—though it often felt like working with zombies. After years in corporate environments, from ESPN to Disney, I saw firsthand how passion and creativity can slowly drain out of people until they’re just going through the motions.
The “zombie apocalypse” became a perfect metaphor for modern work culture: automation, burnout, bureaucracy—all turning people into the walking dead. I wanted to reframe that horror with humor, using the zombie apocalypse as a survival manual for staying human in a dehumanizing world.
How much is this actually teaching me real business (as opposed to being a parody or joke)?
It’s definitely funny—but it’s not a joke. The Corporate Zombie Survival Guide uses satire to make serious ideas more digestible.
I cover real business concepts like leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and creative problem-solving—just through the lens of a zombie apocalypse. The idea is to help people recognize toxic systems, build resilience, and rediscover purpose at work.
If traditional business books teach you how to climb the ladder, mine teaches you how to survive when the ladder collapses and the office turns into a wasteland.
What are you a fan of when you think “zombie” story?
I’ve always loved stories where the undead reveal something about the living. Night of the Living Dead set the tone for social commentary. The Last of Us brought emotion and humanity back into the genre.
And Shaun of the Dead proved you can laugh while everything’s falling apart—which is kind of my philosophy.
I’m also a fan of The Walking Dead and Zombieland.
But I like when the monsters are metaphors—reflections of our fears, our conformity, or our disconnection from each other. That’s what makes zombie stories timeless: they show us what happens when we stop thinking, feeling, and dreaming.
So this is a website AND a podcast AND an upcoming book... how wide do you plan to cast this net?
Oh, it’s definitely the beginning of something bigger. The Corporate Zombie Survival universe is expanding faster than an outbreak in a crowded office.
Right now, we’ve got the blog with regular articles, the book on the way, the newsletter growing by the hundreds, and a podcast/vodcast series coming soon with interviews from business leaders, creatives, and survivors from all walks of life.
The goal isn’t just to entertain—it’s to build a community of conscious professionals who share insights, stories, and survival strategies for the modern workplace. Think of it as part social movement, part creative rebellion, and part therapy session for anyone who’s ever wanted to bite back at burnout.
Find Nicholas Tana and Corporate Zombie Survival online
More from Monster Complex
Best Zombie Books: 50 Great Zombie Novels from Colson Whitehead, Seanan McGuire, more
Army of the Dead Director Zack Snyder: Zombies Are Perfect For Social Commentary
70+ Zombie Book Series—from Justina Ireland, Diana Rowland, Manel Loureiro, and more!
Anna and the Apocalypse: Go behind the scenes of the holiday zombie musical
Complete Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. Book Series by Kevin J. Anderson In Order
Little Monsters (2019): The zombie comedy where allergies are scarier than zombies (not a complaint)
Zombie detective Dead Jack: Interview with horror author James Aquilone
Army of Darkness (1993): How the zombie comedy went so far from its origins
Zombie Q&A—Jonathan Maberry: “Zombie Stories Are Not About Zombies”
Return of the Living Dead: What idea did the zombie comedy movie invent?
Zombies or vampires? Richard Matheson’s legendary novel I AM LEGEND is about both.
Dead Alive AKA Braindead (1992): Zombie comedy one of the goriest movies ever made
Zombie Q&A—Isaac Marion: “George Romero tried to touch on the humanity of the zombies.”
Exclusive interview with the creator of indie comic book Halloween Man, starring a misunderstood monster superhero dealing with zombies, the Headless Horseman, and a criminal mastermind!