Grounded Geeks

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for both the comic series and TV show called Paper Girls. What would your 12-year-old self think of you right now in your life? This is one of the questions we answer for ourselves in this episode as we compare and talk about Paper Girls, the comics and the new TV show now streaming on Amazon Prime. We also cover wibbly wobbly stuff like time travel too, so don't worry. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Part 2 of our discussion of Love, Death & Robots Volume 3. This time we discuss three different episodes titled, "Bad Travelling," "The Very Pulse of the Machine," and "Mason's Rats." All of these episodes had us thinking about life as we DON'T know it. And by life, we mean what constitutes a living thing? Can artificial intelligence be living? What kind of creatures live in the deep ocean that wouldn't necessarily meet the definition of life? In the future, how will animals evolve in ways that we can barely imagine? So many questions and not nearly enough answers, but join us for the conversation anyway. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SPOILERS for the Netflix show, The Umbrella Academy season 3. Naturally on this episode we had to discuss the unraveling of spacetime, what is real or not, whether a bad deed is worth it if it's for the greater good, and...you get to hear Lena's cat, Raya, meowing in the background. We hope you find it more endearing than Aman did. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SPOILERS in this episode for Marvel's latest movie, Thor: Love and Thunder. Alright buckle up, fellow geeks because on this episode we talk about Greek gods, witches, vampires (briefly), grief, our purpose in life, and how Marvel villains continue to be right. And never forget: Don't meet your heroes. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We're taking a small break this week (mostly because we're human and we're tired), HOWEVER, in light of the recent news about Wakanda Forever at San Diego Comic Con, we're diving into the Grounded Geeks vault to bring you an episode we did in 2016 about Black Panther. Since Black Panther, the MCU movie did not exist at the time of this recording, this episode focuses specifically on the comic book character that Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote and developed. Hope you enjoy it and we'll be back with new episodes next week! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for Ms. Marvel, streaming on Disney+. It finally happened. Our absolute favorite comic book series got turned into a LIVE ACTION TV SERIES. Welcome to the world of Ms. Marvel, folks! This show honestly means everything to us as Pakistani/Muslim Americans who grew up as the children of immigrants. Not only did we get to see a character who looked like us, talked like us, said Bismillah like us, but the show also took time to look at family traditions and the history of the formation of Pakistan in 1947. The fact that a Brown girl from New Jersey made us feel so many things is just…a marvel. She made us feel at home. ❤️ SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SPOILERS in this episode for season 3 of The Boys, streaming on Amazon Prime. So in addition to having daddy issues, the Boys also have a whole lot of toxic masculinity issues, superiority complexes, inferiority complexes, and unrequited love. We also talked a ton about corporations and corruption, celebrities and their tone-deafness, and January 6. Oh and the patriarchy still sucks. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode about Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2, which did not disappoint! There were many outcomes we didn't agree with, but as per usual, the show gave us plenty to discuss, including but not limited to: untimely deaths, the four horsemen of the apocalypse, the importance of teaching your kids empathy, and breaking the cycle of abuse. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for the Disney+ series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. A lot has happened recently. Obi-Wan and Darth Vader had another epic light saber duel, little Leia proved that she was born to be a commander at the age of 10, and the fight for good over evil never seems to end. This episode naturally had us also talking about the extremist Empire, which reminded us of the Supreme Court of the United States and its recent ruling concerning abortion rights. Besides that, we also touched on Shakespeare, the Odyssey, and balance in the universe. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We did an episode on Fleabag! Lena essentially forced Aman to watch it and then he binged it and we had a wonderful conversation about feminism, spirituality, Deadpool, the bloody partriarchy, and the horrors of adulting. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SPOILERS in this episode for Our Flag Means Death, a fairly new show streaming on HBO Max. If you watched Our Flag Means Death thinking you'd just be getting a comedy about a bunch of wannabe pirates, you would be wrong—but also not alone. Not only is Stede Bonnet (the main character) based on a real life person, but he actually sailed and plundered with the infamous pirate Blackbeard. This show has comedy, romance, and even some truth about pirates. And at some point we also talk about the Iran Hostage Crisis. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for Stranger Things (Season 4, Volume 1). We talked about the lack of racism on the show, that line about the Internet, bullying (and how we got triggered by it), the multifaceted personalities of the Stranger Things kids, and (once again) the ongoing struggle against the patriarchy. It is truly neverending! Oh and we maybe have a possible theory for how the show might end? Who knows. (And you should especially tune in to hear Aman's kid making adorable baby noises in the beginning). SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Love, Death & Robots is back with Volume 3! So naturally, we have SPOILERS, but only for three of the episodes titled, "Three Robots: Exit Strategies," "Night of the Mini Dead," and "Swarm." All of these episodes reminded us that the end is nigh and the only ones in the entire universe who can save us from ourselves...is us. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Alright folks, on this episode we talk about time travel, we talk multiverses, dimensions, Elon Musk, the future of Marvel's business model, and the very gendered terms of sorcery vs. witchcraft. So what are you waiting for? Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for the movie, Everything Everywhere All At Once. This movie was quite frankly bonkers and we could not love it more. Not only did it give us an excuse to gush over Michelle Yeoh (truly a goddess) but we also got to talk about the multiverse, chaos theory, family relationships, bagels, and motherhood. We can't wait to rewatch this one. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for the Disney+ series, Moon Knight. Once again Marvel has given us a million things to talk about, from mental health issues to the importance of representation to Egyptian mythology to why the hell aren't they planning more Moon Knight?! Oh and we talked a lot about the brilliance of Oscar Isaac, May Calamawy, and Ethan Hawke. Lots to discuss. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ramadan Mubarak! This week we have a very special episode that we did in collaboration with the Quarantined Comics podcast. We discuss a new graphic novel titled "Squire" by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh. If you're into girls with swords, commentary about racism, empires (both past and present), and oppression, then this is the book for you! And go follow Quarantined Comics if you don't already: https://www.qtdcomics.com SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SPOILERS in this episode for the Oscar-nominated (Best International Feature, Best Documentary, Best Animated) movie called "Flee." This isn't a film about robots or superheroes flying around in capes. It's not science fiction or fantasy. It's actually much bigger than that. It's about one man, his family, and his memories of how they were forced to navigate the world as refugees—told through his voice and using mostly animation. Naturally we talked about the current refugee crises around the world, police brutality, a brief history of the Soviets in Afghanistan, and identity. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On this episode we discuss mass inequality, labor movements, Cossacks, revolutions across Ukraine and Russia, and…Jeff Bezos. All thanks to a graphic novel titled “Makhno: Ukrainian Freedom Fighter” by Philippe Thirault and illustrated by Roberto Zaghi. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What is a soul? What is the truth? Does the truth even matter if you can't tell the difference between that and a lie? On this episode we talk about the Apple TV+ movie, Swan Song (which includes LOTS of spoilers) and honestly we have a lot more questions than answers on this episode. Sorry....but also you try tackling some of the biggest philosophical questions in human history! SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SO MANY SPOILERS in this episode for the HBO show, Peacemaker. Buckle up, everyone, because we are about to unpack all the layers to Peacemaker...including but not limited to racism, sexism, white nationalism, climate change, political correctness, and of course childhood trauma and mental health. You can't have superheroes without mental health issues. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for the new movie titled, The Batman. You really can't have any conversation about Batman without talking about childhood trauma, mental health, the Proud Boys(?), and investigative skills. That's exactly what we cover on this episode—and more. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SPOILERS in this episode for the Pixar movie, Turning Red. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by your emotions recently, then this is the movie for you. It's got everything: Asian representation, boy bands, the discussion of feminine hygiene(!), puberty, emotions, immigrant backgrounds, and of course…generational trauma. Yay! SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Roughly a month ago, when we were first discussing how we wanted to cover the Apple TV+ show, Foundation, on this podcast, never in a million years did we think we would be comparing it to Russia's current invasion of Ukraine. But sadly this is where we are and there are a surprising number of parallels that we can see in both the TV show and the book and what's currently happening in Russia and Ukraine. For anyone who is a fan of science fiction as well as a student of international relations and political science, then Isaac Asimov should be required reading for you. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SPOILERS in this episode for the Apple TV+ show, See. Have you ever wondered what the world would look like if everyone…was blind? If you have, then you should check out the TV show, See, streaming on Apple TV+. Or if you just want to watch Jason Momoa being yet another badass warrior, then this show is for you too. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for the movie Encanto. Ok so we know we don't talk about Bruno, but we kinda had to talk about Bruno. And magic and family and magical realism and feeling like an outsider and generational trauma. At some point we also talked about innovation in storytelling and The Godfather. There was A LOT to unpack all thanks to Encanto's many wonderfully complex layers. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The Book of Boba Fett...The Chapter of Boba Fett within the Book of the Mandalorian? Whatever you want to call it, we finally got a chance to discuss the latest Disney+ show! And we had lots to unpack, from character development to the pope (again) to racism in Hollywood (also again) to how history keeps on repeating itself. Unpack with us! SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We finally talked about The Witcher! Aside from the monsters and magic, we also talk about medieval geopolitics, how our perception of time changes throughout our lives, the origin of banking, oppression...in genral, and a brief tangent about the Knights Templar and some king of France. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Season 3 of Grounded Geeks! We actually came back yaaaay! We're kicking off this season by talking about NOT the latest Marvel movie, Eternals. We get into the history of language, Greek and Roman gods, our personal thoughts on Sersi and Ikarus, and whether the truth will actually set us free. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We're kicking off 2022 by diving into…the Matrix. What is real? What is not? And does any of it even matter? Besides (obviously) going into the philosophical questions posed by The Matrix Resurrections, in this episode we also talk about the evolution of CGI in movies, the point of Agent Smith, Plato and Aristotle, electrons and neutrons, the Harry Potter reunion special, and so much more. Is this podcast even real? Who knows. Oh and side note: we are taking a quick break (not for five years this time, we promise!) and you'll see us back here in February. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3KElFcK --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

HUGE MAJOR SPOILERS for Spider-Man: No Way Home in this episode! You've been warned. So for those who HAVE seen the movie, get ready for an episode where not only do we talk about the awesomeness of Spider-Man but the brilliance of good villains. It is known that Willem Defoe and Alfred Molina are gems that we must treasure forever and ever. We also dabble a bit in quantum physics and religion and specifically Jinn in Islam. What? We have to cover all these things when we're talking about the multiverse. Happy New Year folks!

HUGE SPOILERS in this episode for the Disney+ show, Hawkeye. This episode is a bit all over the place, but essentially if you wanna hear us gush about a TV show where we didn't reallyyyy have that many expectations, then this is it. Other things we rave about: The Yelena/Kate banter, Florence Pugh, the history of Russian accents portrayed on screen, Laura Barton, and a big shout out to LARPers and cosplayers everywhere

Welcome to our holiday special! Naturally the only trilogy worth talking about at all is the one…the only…Lord of the Rings. We figured we'd keep things light and fun this week and take time to gush about one of the most wonderful fantasy stories ever. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3nKvCeF --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for the Netflix live-action series, Cowboy Bebop. If you want to go on a fun space western ride, then Cowboy Bebop is for you. If you also just want to see John Cho being sexy then this show is also for you. We spend some time talking about how the live-action compares to the anime, how the characters have been expanded upon, and also whether our future could look anything like the Bebop universe in a few centuries. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3FSWhMQ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Part 2 of us dissecting the Netflix anthology series titled Love, Death, and Robots! This time we discuss three episodes that focus on human body modification and what that means for society and the future. Buckle up because things get real philosophical in this one. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/32gCHw2 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow geeks! We hope you're having a lovely time with your friends and/or family. But if you want to take a quick break from them, check out this short and sweet episode where we look back on what we've covered so far and pick one geeky thing we're grateful for this year. And as always, thank YOU for listening to Grounded Geeks. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3GOKaBF --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We did it. We finally did an episode on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings! Since the movie's been out for longer than two months, we're not sure if we need to put a spoilers disclaimer here? But yeah you can safely there are spoilers in this episode. In this episode, we talk quite a bit about whether Marvel was able to bring to life the "legend" of the ten rings, whether this movie helped in the fight for Asian representation, and the gift that is Tony Leung. SHOW NOTES: --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to another Superhero Smorgasbord episode! In light of the UN Climate Change Conference that is coming to an end this week—and also the horrifying impact of climate change itself—we figured we'd ask ourselves who we would want to send to COP26. Naturally, Captain Planet was one of our choices, but there were some other interesting ones thrown in there too. Not only did we talk about how they would tackle climate change (and this particular conference), but we also happened to go off on a couple tangents about Facebook and international law. You're gonna love it. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3fFdEG4 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What happens when you bring some of the world's best anime creators into the Star Wars universe? Something beautiful called Star Wars: Visions. In this anthology series, (now streaming on Disney+) we came across wandering strangers, a rock band, twins born into the dark side, lightsaber-smiths, and of course Jedis and Siths. In terms of real world topics, we touch on the role women have played historically in the Star Wars universe and climate change. (Y'all we can't NOT talk about climate change because it's that freaking critical). None of the episodes in Star Wars: Visions are what you would expect them to be. They're way better. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3ruQrMi --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for the movie Dune (2021). If you haven't seen this movie, we're warning you...it's epic. We got the chance to talk about colonialism, the feudal system in the context of an intergalactic empire, spice (both from the movie and real world spices that enrich all of our lives), and the inspiration Frank Herbert got from the Arabic language and Islam. It was a lot of unpack. We also complained about how Dune Part Two hasn't been greenlit yet, but that changed this week. Hooray! SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/358PdyR --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS for the biggest TV show on Netflix right now, Squid Game. Oh man...what can we say about this show that was wildly entertaining and yet also broke our hearts at the same time (marbles anyone? *sob*). Not only do we discuss our favorite characters and scenes, we also talk about some of the plot holes and the increasingly depressing wealth gaps there are in society. Oh and ample time is dedicated to discussing the character of Ali Abdul (duh) including what we loved about him—and what sadly made him a token. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3fFHfiD --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for the Disney+ series titled What If...? If you need a refresher on Kang the Conqueror and his whole deal with the multiverse and timelines and all that jazz, then we've got the episode for you. Not only do we talk about major themes from the show—such as grief and the impact of our choices—but we also talk about the role theoretical physics plays in the lives of these beloved comic book characters. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/33FVnG6 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

A conversation between a proper Star Wars fan (a.k.a. Aman) and someone who has no idea what they're talking about (Lena) focusing specifically on the new Disney+ series, Star Wars: The Bad Batch. We cover everything from the ethics of cloning to Nazi Germany. Also why do the Empire's prisons suck so much? SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3AhJvpO --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

SPOILERS in this episode for a new show streaming on Hulu called Reservation Dogs, which is about four Native American teens growing up on—and trying to leave—a reservation in Oklahoma. Brought to us by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, it's the perfect mix of coming-of-age drama and dark comedy. Not only is the show hilarious and incredibly entertaining, it's also a great way to learn more about all the things we should have learned in U.S. history textbooks. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3AknTcd --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We have some exciting news: Aman is now a father! Yaaaay [cue confetti, balloons, flowers] and in honor of this joyous occasion, we wanted to do another Superhero Smorgasbord episode focusing this time on fatherhood. We each share which superhero we think is the best dad—and the worst. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3KtsEF1 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This episode is slightly related to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, but it's not our official take on it (more on that later). What we DO talk about though is how streaming services are changing the world—whether we like it or not. Is it a bad thing? Is it good? Only time will tell. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3nK8wEX --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Be warned that this episode is a long one. But we wanted to take some time to reflect on 9/11 twenty years later and talk about how that day (when Aman was 15 years old and Lena was 12) and the many days after affected us. We asked each other questions that we've never asked one another before and of course, we also discuss how the geek world was affected by 9/11. SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/33FWeXk --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS for the TV series (based on a comic book) called Raising Dion. Well they're not really spoilers since this show came out in 2019. But if you haven't seen it, then don't listen to this episode! Raising Dion brought up a ton of real world themes for us to talk about like toxic masculinity, respecting people's boundaries, racism, the CDC's total lack of clear messaging to the public, and so much more. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for the movie, The Green Knight. In this episode, we cover the hero's journey, Arthurian legend, brown people in medieval knight stories, Bridgerton, and so much more. We hated the movie right after we saw it, but the more we think and talk about it, the more we're realizing that maybe there's more to it than we first thought? SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Love, Death, and Robots. It's what the future holds and also the name of an anthology series on Netflix. This week, we focus on the robots—specifically artificial intelligence—and talk about three episodes (titled Automated Customer Service, When the Yogurt Took Over, and Three Robots) that show us what could be our near-future, mid-future, and post-apocolyptic future. But essentially, all you need to know is that the robots are taking over. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

MAJOR SPOILERS in this episode for the movie, The Suicide Squad (not to be confused with Suicide Squad, which came out in 2016). We talk about whether this movie is a sequel or a reboot (it's neither) and there's lots of discussion about American imperialism, the Monroe Doctrine, the Iran-Contra Affair, and of course the heart and soul of the movie: King Shark. SHOW NOTES: groundedgeeks.medium.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app