Hip Squared

In this episode of Hip Squared, John talks about Dragon Quest XI, the newest installment of one of the most influential and longest running Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) ever made. Each game has been designed by Yuji Horii, with art by Akira Toriyama (of Dragon Ball fame) and music composed by Koichi Sugiyama. This trio has helped guide RPGs from the 8-bit Nintendo (Famicom) days all the way up into the present. Hear John nerd out, and Troy figure out just why the hell this game is such a big deal in the first place.Then Troy takes us to another world of fantasy with Avatar: The Last Airbender. Now on Netflix. This animated show was created for Nickelodeon in 2005 by Michael DiMartino and Brian Konietzko. With head writer Aaron Ehasz, they sculpted a world based on ancient Asian fantasy, martial arts, fantastic creatures and an epic adventure for kids, teens and everyone. Ehasz also helped create the Dragon Prince with Justin Richmond, another animated fantasy (this time with a medieval European theme). The Dragon Prince was the focus of Hip Squared Season 2 Episode 4.Episode art by Akira Toriyama.Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Please share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, Troy talks about the game Animal Crossing for the Nintendo Switch. This game blends sandbox style style gameplay with an emphasis on hanging out with friends and strangers. The player manages their home and island, including its residents, while trading resources and hanging out with their real-life buddies. In this time of social distancing and self quarantine, its social aspect has become more important than ever.Then John talks about the app Seek by iNaturalist. Seek encourages the user to find different species wherever they go to identify and record them. This free app also gathers data for iNaturalist about where species exist and whether they’re cultivated or wild. It includes a gameification element, promoting the user to new levels as they find more and more species. It’s an excellent way to get people to explore outside and interact with nature.Produced by Maplex Monk. This is our first episode since social distancing began, so special thanks to Maple for all his hard work.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like American Fantastic on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.

Live Episode recoreded at OPEN Community Arts Center

This episode of Hip Squared is a crossover with Armchair Apocrypha! Andrew and Rachel join John in American Fantastic Studio, and Troy talks to John too.First, John talks about Chapo Trap House, a scathing political satire podcast, along with their book, The Chapo Guide to Revolution: A Manifesto Against Logic, Facts and Reason. This podcast is hilariously entertaining, but nearly nihilistic in its outlook. It’s also very left-wing. The members of the podcast are extremely profane, and their book is too. If you’d like a political podcast from a very different perspective, they’re well worth a listen.Then Andrew talks about the recent Hearthstone controversy. Ng Wai Chung won a Hearthstone tournament and used his platform to voice his support for the Hong Kong protests against Beijing. Blizzard, who has a heavy footprint in China, took away the player’s winnings. After a fierce protest, his suspension was reduced to six months. This new video game controversy reflects a defiant political perspective expressed in an old fashioned way.Rachel talks about the podcast My Favorite Murder. This is a comedy true crime podcast starring Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Karen and Georgia talk about some of the most infamous murders in history, including some with happy endings, at least when a case is solved. Their humor leavens the heavy subject matter. If you’re a fan of true crime, or just want to see why this is the most popular podcast genre, this is a good show to start with.Last but not least, Troy talks about the self-published novel Redirected by Pat Burton. This book is written by a teacher about a teacher that wakes up from a coma and loses his memory. He slowly unravels a mystery about a secret government program, and learns an agent has been sent to track him. It’s a slow-boiling thriller and an impressive debut.Produced by Maplex Monk.Make sure to listen to John on the episode of Armchair Apocrypha titled American Apocrypha. John talks about the 19th and 20th century feminist, journalist and adventurer Nelly Bly (as featured in The Lost Journals of Nelly Bly: Clash of the Kaiju written by John), Andrew discusses a mysterious talking mongoose on the Isle of Man, and Rachael delves into the sordid history of The Peoples' Temple and Jonestown. Follow Absinthe Activism Arts on Facebook and subscribe to Armchair Apocrypha to keep listening!Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like American Fantastic on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, John and Troy finish season 2 with two topics that aren’t video games, but are related to video games.First, John talks about the Angry Video Game Nerd, a long-running web series about a very angry nerd whose profanity ridden rants describe the most frustrating moments of retro video games. Also known as James Rolfe, the AVGN helped establish some of the basic foundations of online video game reviews, and grew in popularity with Youtube. His Youtube channel, website and production company, Cinemassacre, also produce and releases multiple other series focusing on wide-ranging topics from classic board games to movies. Check ‘em out!Then, Troy talks about the Witcher book series by Andrzej Sapkowski. This series focuses on Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter in a world of high fantasy. The books are collections of stories, and don’t take place within any kind of heavy continuity. Instead, they are episodes of Geralt’s life and career. These stories have been adapted into a very popular video game series, especially The Witcher III, winner of multiple Game of the Year awards. A new Netflix show based on The Witcher is also in development.Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like American Fantastic on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we delve deep into the past and present of American industry. First, Troy talks about the film American Factory. This Netflix documentary is about a Chinese auto parts factory that opens in a defunct General Motors plant. It focuses on the clash of Chinese and American cultures in terms of individualism, collectivism and hard work. It’s the first film released by Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company.Then John talks about the novel Oil!, the basis for the film There Will be Blood. Oil! tells the story of Bunny, the son of an oil magnate who rose from the working class. Bunny struggles with his loyalty to his family and his passion for the worker’s struggle of the early 20th century. From Hollywood excess to Russian bolshevism, Oil! is an American epic that casts a cynical eye on global capitalism and the efforts to resist it.Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like American Fantastic on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

THE BREADWINNER WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY MORGAN TRUE BLUMIn this episode, John and Troy divide and conquer two worlds of fantasy! Instead of speaking to each other through the entire episode, they welcome guests, one creator and one devotee, to tell us what they know and feel about the art they’ve been making and experiencing.John talks to his wife, Kelly, about her love of the Dungeons & Dragons Twitch TV show Critical Role, available on Youtube (Kelly also spoke to us in the debut episode of Season 2). Critical Role features a group of voice actors playing D&D together, led by their Dungeon Master, Matt Mercer. Kelly is especially attracted to the diversity of the cast, including three women, something missing from many other otherwise beloved role-playing game podcasts and shows. For an internet show, the production value is high—its space in L.A., and their sponsorships from DNDBeyond and Dragonforge all help. With a camera on the DM, and two others showing each side of the table, plus live player stats, the viewer will likely understand what the hell is going on in this show better than in their own campaign! With humor, high quality and “the feels”, Critical Role is an excellent show for fans of role-playing games, fantasy and long-form content (weekly shows are often four to five hours long). Roll for initiative…Then Troy speaks to the writer Morgan True Blum, writer of the historical fantasy novel The Breadwinner. This self-published novel tells the story of Pasha Chevalsky, a Russian immigrant to New York in the 1920s, forced to flee the Soviets. With a gentle heart, Pasha struggles to help provide for his family, and has to join a street gang, the Breadwinners, to survive. In the midst of this grim, dark existence a bright flame illuminates Pasha’s world in the form of a mythical firebird (look, it’s right on the cover). This leads to a series of strange adventures connected to the fringes of New York, including a gypsy (Romani) circus and an eccentric, Staccato Nimbus. Staccato helps bridge Pasha’s world to a new one—one that Staccato claims Pasha is heir to. The Breadwinner is a strong achievement for a self-published novelist, and is just the beginning for Morgan True Blum. The second volume of this series, The Glassblower, is coming soon.Thanks so much to Kelly Shiflet and Morgan True Blum for being such wonderful guests!Recorded and produced by John Beechem and Troy Kremer. Edited by Maplex Monk. Special thanks to Maple for stitching this episode together from all the recordings we sent him.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we balance the high and low brows of science fiction. Troy talks about Foundation, the first book in the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. This recommended beach read became Troy’s portal into a galactic empire on the edge of collapse. It also helped form some basic sci-fi conventions, especially for stories set in outer space. The story focuses on a visionary prophet who marries science and mysticism to guide civilization into a less dark future.Then John talks about Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future, a Canadian-American sci-fi television series from the late 80s. Like a low-budget live-action cartoon, this series has a rough around the edges production style with lots of lasers and explosions. It’s a story of good and evil about humanity’s bravest survivors. Struggling to be a beacon for good on Earth, Captain Power and his Soldiers of the Future are beset on all sides by CGI monsters, dastardly villains and hostile robots. It can now be seen on Night Flight TV.Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we put the our bike pedals to the metal, and ride through the eye of the hurricane. First, John talks about Paper Girls, an Image comic book series written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Cliff Chiang. It’s about a group of 12 year-old girls who deliver papers every morning in suburban Cleveland only to get embroiled in a conflict between two time-travelling factions. Part coming of age story and part action-packed sci-fi adventure, this story entertains and enlightens panel by panel.Then Troy talks about the performance of Hamilton he went to see at the Kentucky Center in Louisville. Now that more people are finally able to see this historical (in more ways than one) Broadway show , it’s pistols at dawn for lovers of hip-hop and musicals. Troy explains how the sets, costumes, dance and music come together, albeit in less mind-blowing than when Lin Manuel Miranda revolutionary Broadway was brand new. We also talk a little about In the Heights, Miranda’s first critical hit, and speculate on what his next musical offering may be about.Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on iTunes and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we celebrate our Independence Day with two All-American entries into pop-culture. First, John talks about GI Joe: The Movie (1987). This animated feature length film is about America’s top fighting force in their struggle against Cobra and a secret reptilian civilization bent on taking over the world. As a spectacle, this movie is over the top sci-fi fun, and an excellent example of 1980s animation. Then Troy talks about Hello, Dolly!, an archetypal specimen of the American musical. First performed on Broadway in 1964, this musical comedy is about a matchmaker named Dolly who tries to find a match for a lonely “half a millionaire”. Written by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart, Hello, Dolly! was ground-breaking for its songs that actually move the plot forward, laying the groundwork for story-based musicals that were to follow. Troy recently attended a performance starring Betty Buckley, who also played the role of the gym teacher in the movie Carrie. Produced by Maplex Monk. Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we enter two realms of magic and adventure. First, John talks about Baldur’s Gate, a series of PC role-playing games released in the late 90’s and early 2000’s by Black Isle Studios. These games revolutionized Dungeons & Dragons by letting players pause and issue commands to all their characters, allowing real-time gameplay instead of turn-based combat. Gorgeous hand-painted isometric graphics, music, sound and voice-acting lent the game rich detail and charm. This makes Baldur’s Gate John’s favorite computer role-playing game ever.Then Troy tells us about Planescape: Torment, another Black Isle Studio D&D computer game developed with the same engine that gave Baldur’s Gate its distinctive gameplay and visual style. Instead of a traditional fantasy setting, this game takes place in a dark underworld populated by the dead and other entities. The player takes the role of the Nameless One, a zombie with no memories of his former life. Alongside his companion Mort, a floating, wise-cracking skull, they must solve the mystery of their own existence. With metaphysical philosophy and dark humor woven throughout, this game is a distinct volume in the C-RPG canon.Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we beam into two different sci-fi worlds. Troy talks about the recent Netflix series, Love, Death and Robots. This is an anthology series with 18 different stories that are about 10 to 20 minutes long. As you may have guessed from the title, each episode involves love, death and/or robots. Each episode also has its own animation style. Troy warns us that some of the episodes can be intensely sad, but that didn’t take away from his enjoyment of the series. John says that for his own emotional well-being, he wouldn’t want to end on one that’s a “downer”. Listen for some specifics about a few different episodes. If you enjoy anthology series and sci-fi, this may be one for you. Then John talks about the novel Star Trek Section 31: Rogue written by Andy Mangels and Michael A. Martin. This novel follows the Next Generation crew of the Enterprise on a diplomatic mission to the planet Chiaros IV. Seemingly in the midst of an election to choose to become a part of the Federation or Romulan Star Empire, this world soon becomes the setting of espionage and adventure. Did these last two sentences make little sense to you? We get it. That’s why John breaks it down for the initiated and uninitiated alike. The novel draws parallels between the Star Trek universe and our own world’s rule bending and rule breaking intelligence agencies. Dive into this book at warp speed if you’re a Star Trek fan or like science fiction spy stories. Produced by Maplex Monk. Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we peek into the past and step into the future. John gains a new appreciation of the early era of the Beatles by watching the film A Hard Day’s Night. Released in 1964 at the height of Beatlemania, this musical comedy follows a fictional version of the fab four as they take a train from London to Liverpool, run from mobs of screaming fans, and perform some of their biggest hits. They also help create the form of what would someday become the music video: their own music playing as their antics showcase and celebrate their personalities. For anybody with even a mild appreciation of the Beatles and those interested in the early evolution of the music video, this film is very entertaining and extremely enlightening. Then Troy talks about the novel Artemis by Andy Weir. Weir is best known for his novel The Martian, about a man who must survive after being marooned on Mars, adapted into a hit movie starring Matt Damon in 2015. In his sophomore novel, Weir focuses instead on a moon colony, and a smuggler, Jazz, who operates within its complex system of technology and commerce. Instead of focusing on another white male character, Jazz is a Muslim but not devout, one who disappoints her father but lives to fulfill her own dreams. Troy’s verdict is that it’s not quite as good as The Martian, but still very good and well worth a read for fans of science-fiction, especially those who enjoy speculative technology. Produced by Maplex Monk. Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we walk through the neighborhoods of a couple different podcasts. Troy tells us about The Walk, a 1st person podcast that adds a new twist to the audio genre. Instead of experiencing a story being told to the listener, The Walk makes the listener the main character. Everything the listener hears reflects what’s happening to them in the story. Troy tells us what works and what doesn’t work with this new form. John talks about two paranormal podcasts, Mysterious Universe and Astonishing Legends. Both of these tell “true” stories of the strange and supernatural, with the personalities of the hosts infused throughout. Mysterious Universe is an Australian podcast with two hosts that have a darkly funny sense of humor. Astonishing Legends is an American podcast by an older pair of gentlemen who are more genial, and present a profanity-free experience. John recommends both. Produced by Maplex Monk. Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we drop the needle on some excellent music we’ve experienced in the last couple years. John talks about a couple musicians in the orbit of Louisville hip-hop artist and producer, Dr. Dundiff. First, John talks about Otis Jr., a soulful, earnest singer whose melodies are laid over the Dr. Dundiff’s beats. Then, John goes into Touch AC and his darkly comic album death. Last but not least, John gets into Dr. Dundiff’s own music, talking about his sharp humor and grandiosity presented by his rhymes. Troy talks about concert he went to by Anderson East, a rock musician influenced by gospel and country. He also talks about the Madison Theater in Covington, KY, a classic movie theater that’s since been turned into a music venue. The best (well, only) concert he’s been to in years, Troy was impressed by East’s vocals and passion. A good night on the town, to say the very least.. Produced by Maplex Monk. Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, we dig into the green earth as we adventure into the wilderness and tend a humble farm. First, Troy talks about the PC game Stardew Valley designed by Eric Barone. This loveable and satisfying farming sim has simple, charming gameplay. After inheriting their uncle's farm, the player must tend to it however they see fit—whether keeping it small and tidy, or expanding as far as their efforts take them. Troy describes how his gameplay style differs from his wife Abby's (beware of cave monsters) and John imagines how a video game farm could inspire a real-life vegetable garden.Then John talks about Wildwood, a children's adventure novel written by Colin Meloy (also the lead singer of the Decemberists) and illustrated by Carson Ellis. This married pair weave a story that begins in Portland, Oregon but soon moves into the Impassable wilderness, a wild and magical forest just outside the city. When Prue's baby brother is kidnapped by crows and taken into these woods, she and her friend Curtis embark on an adventure to rescue him. Including talking, anthropomorphic animals, forest magic and a complicated tale. John recommends this book for both children and adults who enjoy young adult literature. It's also the first book of a trilogy.Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! You can now subscribe to Hip Squared on Apple Podcasts (please subscribe, rate, and review). To help the show, you can share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

In this episode of Hip Squared, enter a dark world of adventure and mystery. First, John talks about The Stranger Things soundtrack, composed by Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon of the band survive. Their haunting synth melodies create a perfectly creepy soundtrack for the Netflix show, and are also excellent albums on their own. Including the soundtrack for Stranger Things Season 2, three volumes have been released. John also talks about the Stranger Things mobile game, a retro throwback to old school 8-bit and 16-bit adventure games like The Legend of Zelda.Then Troy reviews the 3rd and final season of A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix. Based on a children’s book series, the show wraps up as you would expect from the title. With strong performances by Neal Patrick Harris and the three child stars, the show still has a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion.Maplex Monk is on the ones and twos.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Please share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.

Wolverin: The Long Night/Nixonland

The Dragon Prince In this episode of Hip Squared, we balance the realms of science and fantasy. First, John talks about The Dragon Prince, an animated series on Netflix made by part of the team responsible for Avatar: The Last Airbender. Created by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond, it tells the story of a pair of human princes and a rogue elf that must keep the last egg of the dragons safe to prevent a war. Its excellent animation and quality story-telling make it a series worth watching.Then Troy illuminates us with information about the kilogram and how scientists have redefined it. He breaks down how its new measurement is tied to the speed of light and the atomic make-up of different elements. Troy explains these details in a way that’s rich but easily understood.Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Please share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Toodles…

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukka! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Solstice! Fearsome Festivus! It’s the holidays, and Hip Squared is celebrating with our very first Christmas special (sorry other holidays, maybe next year). Kelly Shiflet comes back to talk about the He-Man & She-Ra Christmas Special from 1985 (available for free on Youtube). This is the tale of Orko, one of He-Man’s sidekicks, who accidentally travels to Earth to learn about Christmas. She-Ra helps him return with the children he meets, and then she joins He-Man and their friends in a battle against Skeletor and Horde Prime to save Christmas and Eternia. Kelly also talks about the Rankin Bass Christmas specials of the 1960s and 70s including Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Then John talks about The Kinks’ “Father Christmas”, a rock song from 1978 about a department store Santa who is mugged by a group of kids. They tell him to give him his money, and to save his toys “for all the little rich boys”. This song attacks the season’s over-consumption, but also contains a message of compassion and generosity for the poor. Then John talks about Santa Claus: the Movie, a 1985 film starring Dudley Moore and John Lithgow. It’s about an elf who leaves the North Pole and meets an evil toy-maker (played by Moore and Lithgow respectively). The toy-maker wants to use Christmas magic for evil, and plans his own Christmas 2. Can Santa and his friends save Christmas? Of course they can. Finally, Troy talks to us about the Great British Bake-Off (or Baking show as it’s known in America). He talks about the humor and gentleness of the show. Then he describes the newest Christmas specials, including the current season of the Great American Baking Show and Great British Bake-Off holiday specials starring some of its former contestants. Listen for some splendid flavors. This episode has no soggy bottom! Maplex Monk is on the boards. Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Please share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.

Sigiled Paladin by Greg Staples In this episode of Hip Squared, the dynamic duo are at it again. First, John talks about books by bipolar authors about being bipolar. He focuses on two books in particular, Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michaelangelo and Me by Ellen Forney and An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison. As someone who lives with bipolar, John is able to connect to these works on a deep level.Then Troy describes the very best Magic: The Gathering art. Originally designed as a way to take up time while setting up a game of Dungeons and Dragons, Magic: The Gathering is now a gaming juggernaut in its own right. After its debut, the game soon became well known for the art included in each card. Troy describes some of his favorite images from the series. Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Please share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Toodles…

Hip Squared is back for a spookifying good time! John talks about Hammer horror films, popular British horror movies mostly made from the late 50’s to the early 70’s. Many starred Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, including Dracula A.D. 1972. John also talks about a good resource for the history of horror movies, Cinemassacre’s Monster Madness.Then Troy talks about Innistrad, a horror themed setting for Magic the Gathering. He describes its story and atmosphere, including its second set about Eldritch horror. Troy and John also talk about H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulu Mythos. Produced by Maplex Monk.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Please share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.

John and Troy talk about the Dungeons and Dragons podast The Adventure Zone and the Netflix film Ibiza. Maplex Monk joins in the conversation.

Hip Squared triumphantly returns for Season 2! Featuring hosts John Beechem, Troy Kremer and very special guest, Kelly Shiflet. Kelly is a Louisville artist and John’s wife (you can also hear her on the American Fantastic Radio Hour, ep. 7). Together, they talk about the #MeToo movement and its fall-out, including Aziz Ansari, Louis C.K. and too many other male celebrities. Kelly also talks about her savage vengeance against an anonymous, sexist Final Fantasy XI player many years ago.Then the trio stir up even more controversy talking about the recent cancellation of the new Roseanne show in the aftermath of her racist tweet. After soundly condemning Roseanne, and agreeing with the decision to cancel her show, they share memories of watching the old series growing up and what it meant to them. Maplex Monk runs the boards.Thanks for listening to Hip Squared! Please share this episode with a friend (or enemy), like us on Facebook, share us on social media and become a member on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.Toodles…

Hip Squared Season 0 Episode 0 Season 2 of Hip Squared is almost here! In the meantime, listen to Hip Squared Episode 0, Hip Cubed. That's right, we've unlocked the third brother, Thomas Beechem, and he's taken us out of our 2-dimensional realm and brought us into the meat-space. [This episode was recorded without the help of our producer, so the audio quality is rougher than usual--though it still very listenable]In this episode, we talk about the documentary GLOW (the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling), and the Netflix series GLOW that it helped inspire. John and Thomas wax nostalgic about memories of pro wrestling from their childhood, and together they school Troy on the finer nuances of a figure-four leg-lock (in a matter of speaking). John tells us all about women's pro-wrestling, its depiction in the media and the brothers relate this to pro wrestling's larger place in pop-culture.Then Troy brings us on a web-slinging adventure through the streets of New York with Spider-Man: Homecoming, one of Marvel Studio's less-talked about, but more expertly made films, also the first Spider-Man movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The brothers also get into comic book movies as a genre, and the societal critiques implicitly offered by big super-hero sagas like Civil War.To support our audio production, please follow American Fantastic on Facebook, share this episode on social media, and consider becoming a member of American Fantastic on Patreon.Thanks for listening! Toodles...

John and Troy wrap up Season 1 in a tight little bow. Introducing Gaia, John's daughter in her very first podcast. John explains how the demands of fatherhood and mandatory overtime necessitates the need for between season break, and also takes about plans for the future of Hip Squared. Troy talks about Twitch TV, a video-game streaming service where spectators watch people play video games. From people who are professional video game players to those who play to entertain, Twitch showcases people who stream video games and provide commentary, including streamers like CohhCarnage and many others. John talks about Aziz Ansari and his new Netflix show, Master of None. Aziz Ansari is a comedian who performs stand-up and became famous as an actor for his role of Tom Haveford in Parks and Recreation. His new show Master of None is in its 2nd season on Netflix. Master of None is about Dev, a fictionalized version of Aziz, and his struggles with love and life in New York. Aziz is also a prolific stand-up comedian with his own Netflix special , and has also published a book about dating and digital technology called Modern Romance, written with sociologist Eric Klinenberg. Maplex Monk runs the boards.

Welcome to episode 16 of Hip Squared! Troy tells us about crafting a strandbeest, a walking wind creature engineered to amuse as it ambles along at its own pace. John continues white-knuckling through his mandatory over-time shifts, power-napping in his car during lunch breaks. Then John talks about the new Gorillaz album, Humanz. Gorillaz is a band and multi-media phenomenon that includes a group of made-up cartoon characters that make music and go on adventures together. With a twisted sci-fi aesthetic, diverse musical influences and a collection of well-crafted music videos, Gorillaz have been entertaining their audiences for years. John and Troy talk about their music and madness. Next, Troy talks about going to the theatre during his trip to London. He speaks about the play adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, originally a book about a young man with a mental condition that vaguely resembles autism. The play puts the audience into the main character's perspective with often disorienting results. He also talks about seeing Othello at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, an indoor playhouse lit only by candle-light. Maplex Monk twists the knobs.

Peer into the future as we as we talk about pop-culture's present and past! John and Troy talk about the intersection of digital technology and (the lack of) privacy. Then John talks about Mystery Science Theater 3000, a long-running T.V. that celebrates the worst of cinema, recently resurrected on Netflix. Created by Joel Hodgson and now hosted by Jonah Rey, this show screens old movies with a group of people riffing jokes as the movie plays. With a comedic sci-fi premise, practical effects and puppets, MST3K is a beloved nerd franchise whose return was crowd-funded on Kickstarter. In another realm of cinema, Troy takes us back to Italy in the 1960's and the pinnacle of the Spaghetti Western, Sergio Leone's "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". Part 3 of Troy's 3 part series about the movie posters on his apartment walls, we round out our discussion of classic American cinema with one of the most iconic Westerns of all time. Introducing the archetype of the gritty anti-hero, Leone and Eastwood created one of the most memorable and influential movies of the 20th century. Including memorable music and performances, this film stands the test of time, and then some. Maplex Monk presses all the right buttons.

Troy comes back from his first international reporting trip (and fiance visit) for Episode 14 of Hip Squared. In addition to experiences in Spain and London, he also talks about The Shawshank Redemption, the subject of the second of three movie posters that adorn his walls. This film is based on a novella by Stephen King, and is one of the most beloved films of the 90's and all time. John talks about Dragonlance, one of the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons, and the realm of many of John's favorite stories from his childhood. Fantasy paper-back pulp that sometimes reached majestic heights, Dragonlance could also be experienced as a table-top RPG, and video games and even a film, some of varying quality. Maplex Monk is on the pings and pongs.

Hip Squared has baked more than a dozen tasty tidbits into lucky episode 13! First, John describes his failure to get into a Donald Trump rally in Louisville, KY, but also his success in exercising his 1st amendment rights with a number of other vocal protesters. Then, he talks about Samurai Jack, a cartoon created by Genndy Tartakovsky for Cartoon Network, now back for its 5th season after a 12 year absence. Samurai Jack is an action packed and highly stylized animated series about an all-powerful demon, Aku, and the only man who can defeat him. Next, in the first of a three part series about movies whose posters adorn his apartment walls, Troy talks about 12 Angry Men. Originally a made for TV movie, 12 Angry Men has since been adapted into a play, feature film, another made for TV movie, and countless amateur productions. It takes place in one room, the juror's room, and follows every member of a jury charged with deciding the fate of a young man accused of murder. Including themes about justice, race, right and wrong, 12 Angry Men is a mirror reflected at America, and one worth looking into. Maplex Monk is on the bleeps and bloops.

Hop into your nearest portal, and come into another world with Hip Squared Episode 12! John talks about Stephen King's strange and gripping fantasy saga, The Dark Tower Series, a story that involves the Gunslinger, Roland, and his obsessive for the tower's secrets, among them many parallel dimensions, including our own. All seven books were penned by Stephen King, one of the world's best-selling and most talented horror and fantasy writers. They're now being adapted into a movie starring Idris Elba as the Gunslinger, and the saga was also adapted into a series of audiobooks, all magnificently read and performed by Frank Muller. Troy pulls us into the digital wonderland of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the latest game in one of Nintendo's most beloved series, now out on the Nintendo Switch. Instead of the gameplay (though we tread lightly on that too) we focus on the new Zelda's gorgeous and immersive atmosphere, its cell-shaded, fantastical art style, and we compare it not only to its companion games on other Nintendo systems, but to all kinds of games that rely on the charm of their environments for part of their appeal. Maplex Monk is on the ones and twos.

John and Troy are back with a meta-podcast! That's right, a podcasts about podcasts. First, Troy and John talk about River City Revue, a literary reading at the Bardstown in Louisville, KY that John participated in. Ashley Taylor hosted the event, and also featured Michael Baumann and Kelly Morris. Then, Troy talks about the beloved history podcast hosted by Dan Carlin, Hardcore History, a show about all the weird, terrible, and wonderful things that have happened. And John talks about two shows featuring the McElroy family, My Brother, My Brother, and Me and Sawbones. The McElroy's include Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy and Griffin McElroy, plus Justin's wife Sidney. MBMBaM is a show that feautes all three brothers, with goofy advice and lots of witty ad-libbing. It's recently been turned into a streaming T.V. Show on Seeso. And Sawbones is a show about bizarre and funny medical history, including Sidney McElroy, a doctor.

Two very different kinds of nerds are exhibited in episode 10. John talks about a couple of comic books. Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson is about a feminist summer-camp with a group of girls who get caught up in all kinds of super-natural shenanigans. And Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai is a classic, black and white comic, still being published, about an anthropomorphic rabbit samurai in a world of anthropomorphic beings. Troy talks about a fairly recent musical which has become very popular to perform, All Shook Up, combining Elvis and Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. It was recently performed by Northern Kentucky University.

Welcome to Hip Squared Episode 9! John talks about the gritty neo-Western Hell or High Water, earning Jeff Bridges an Oscar nomination, and Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special, a new comedy out on Netflix. And Troy talks about Factorio, a computer strategy game about gathering resources to build bigger and bigger machines, described as a "game for engineers".

Plug in your Earbuds of Entertainment +1 as John tells us about the mobile game, Symphony of the Origin, a Japanese role-playing game that pulls its user into a world of adventure. And Troy talks about Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything", a book about the world and science that anybody can understand.

John and Troy host their saddest podcast ever. Troy introduces us to Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, a series of children's books about a group of hard-luck siblings that's been turned into a new Netflix show starring Neil Patrick Harris. John talks about two books dealing with America's heroin and opiate epidemic, one fiction and one one non-fiction. Sam Quinones' Dreamland is a book that documents the prescription opiate epidemic and how this intertwines with a massive influx of black tar heroin from a small village in Mexico. Don Winslow's The Power of the Dog is a crime thriller about a former CIA agent and Vietnam War veteran who joins the DEA to fight in the drug war in Mexico. Dry your tears and enjoy this episode!

Hip Squared was away last week so John could help welcome his daughter Gaia into the world, but now they're back with a vengeance! John and Troy talk about the sci-fi noir radio drama podcast "A Night Called Tomorrow", written by James Urbaniak (of Venture Bros. fame) and produced by Howl. A very different but also quite good sci-fi show, Netflix's Voltron: A Legendary Defender, produced by Dreamworks, is the next topic of conversation. And Troy catches us up on the Chicago production of Hamilton, Wayne Brady's somewhat controversial casting as Aaron Burr, and Hamilton productions since Lin-Manuel Miranda retired from the starring role.

roy catches us up on the Magic: The Gathering Grand Prix in Louisville, talk about Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ), a video game speed run supporting the Prevent Cancer Foundation. John touches on his first experience as a Dungeon Master in Dungeons & Dragons and then praises two very different BBC productions. The first is A Bit of Fry and Laurie, a late 80's sketch comedy show with Steven Fry and Hugh Laurie, and next is a compelling radio adaption of Homer's The Odyssey.

John and Troy talk about a magical Christmas in Spain, the good and bad about mobile games including Pokemon Go, Super Mario Run, Sonic Dash and Hearthstone, the Magic the Gathing card game and the Magic: The Gathering Grand Prix in Louisville, KY, from January 6th-8th (in 2017).

John and Troy talk about the new Disney movie Moana with music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the upcoming Blade Runner movie sequel, Ni no Kuni: Curse of the White Witch, a J-RPG with art by Studio Ghibli, the movie Arrival about a linguist helping the world deal with an alien invasion, and a mega board-game involving sixty people playing Watch the Skies, a game about world governments dealing with aliens from outer space,

John and Troy talk about the new dryer Troy adult-ed for Christmas, laundry rooms in American sitcoms, The Imitation Game, a movie about computer pioneer Alan Turing starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and Sleepwalk With Me with Mike Birbiglia about his own life as a struggling stand-up comedian dealing with a rare sleeping disorder (which is funnier than might think from its description).

Episode 1 of American Fantastic's pop-culture podcast, Hip Squared, celebrating everything from the mainstream to the underground, weird, new, old and local, hosted by John Beechem and Troy Kremer.John and Troy introduce each other to you, and talk about video games, the game-ification of society, and the 1982 high-school T.V. show Square Pegs.