Listen Stephen, Stephen Listen

Heavy topics:A loner young man who becomes radicalized, you know, for a change“We are doomed to repeat the mistakes of previous generations” is maybe what Stephen was going for, but....This is a 1 to 1 metaphor about addictionThe lighter side:This book is what’s the phrase *checks notes* EXTREMELY GAYChristine did nothing wrongA lil smoochAn exciting new flavor of overbearing mother and bumbling dadLillie makes the Best Freud JokeRecommendations:Songs about evil and/or dangerous transportation that simply slap: Satan is My Motor by CAKE, Survival Car by Fountains of Wayne, Bat Out of Hell by MeatloafSupernatural episode “Route 666” aka RACIST TRUCKQueer Theory in 80s and 90s Action Movies video essay by Renegade Cutvideo essay by Renegade CutAny of the Tim Burton directed or produced Batman moviesGone Home video gameFollow us on twitter: @Listen_StephenEmail us: listenstephenpod@gmail.comSupport the show at: patreon.com/listenstephenFollow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrotOur intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics:We really, really, REALLY hate Ben RichardsWhoooo boy there is so much racism and misogyny hereSex work is just a part of this world and is totally unremarkable unless my wife does itA man’s sense of self and ego are more important than anything else in his lifeThe YMCA basement scene! No thanks!The lighter side:Stephen King's Beard From When He Was Going Through ItThe explosives thing is real dumbWe had to read the word pudenda with our very own eyeballsRecommendations:Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick, Bright: The Apotheosis of Lazy World Building video essay by Lindsay Ellis, The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsFollow us on twitter: @Listen_StephenEmail us: listenstephenpod@gmail.comSupport the show at: patreon.com/listenstephenFollow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrotOur intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics:Get in loser, we’re getting existentially traumatizedDisplacement of griefTHE. LEECHES!Teddy’s anger and his relationship with his dadStud City has some… troubling implicationsThe lighter side:Real 1960s childhood sad boi hoursGordie, you and Chris are absolutely in love and you’re so fucking valid.Hemingway and Faulkner… you wish my dudeWhat do we have to do to get invited to this damn secret society?“If this woman giving birth in my taxi had been screaming hysterically instead of breathing weirdly, I wouldn’t have crashed the car.” Sure my dude.David’s wife sure is… there…Recommendations:Eighth Grade, Over the Garden Wall tv mini-series, Harry Potter series, Wuthering Heights or any other gothic Romance, Crimson Peak, any Sherlock Holmes novel.Follow us on twitter: @Listen_StephenEmail us: listenstephenpod@gmail.comSupport the show at: patreon.com/listenstephenFollow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrotOur intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics:Red is not a sympathetic narrator, he is a barely remorseful murdererThe horror and failure of the American prison systemNazis, the Holocaust, and the deaths of millionsTodd and Dussander’s toxic relationship ruined them bothThe lighter side:In which we learn why Margot hates Adam SandlerEVERYONE is doing crime in this prison, can you believeFellas, is it gay to break your parole and run away to Mexico to run a hotel with your friend whose companionship helped you cope with prison?In which we meet Stephen’s worst parents everTodd is a unit. Absolutely in awe at the size of this terrible lad.Dussander is old and gross, Todd is mad about it, and we laugh at him for it.Recommendations:Orange is the New Black, Exhibit A (both on Netflix)The Lord of the Rings by JRR TolkienWell I guess SOMEBODY had to read Trigger Warning video by Jenny NicholsonWhat Happened After My 13-Year-Old Son Joined the Alt-Right from the WashingtonianFollow us on twitter: @Listen_StephenEmail us: listenstephenpod@gmail.comSupport the show at: patreon.com/listenstephenFollow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrotOur intro song is by Lena Orsa

In which we discuss the most overdone costumes and offer alternatives, give you some ideas for pair costumes that AREN'T the Grady twins, and tell you the funniest, sexiest, and of course the scariest costumes of all.Follow us on twitter: @Listen_StephenEmail us: listenstephenpod@gmail.comSupport the show at: patreon.com/listenstephenFollow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrotOur intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics:Eating disorders, addiction, control, and inertiaEVERYONE in this book is anxious about somethingDonna's maternal transgression is punished by losing her sonHot take: addiction is badThe lighter side:Tad is a sexy lampDog actors are bad at being badKeep your sneeze kink off our podcast, Lillian38 YEARS OLD??? HELLO???Recommendations:Russian Doll tv series, Sawbones episode 160: "Frankenberry Stool," "Stay Sexy and Don't Get Murdered" by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, and anything written by Carrie Fisher.Follow us on twitter: @Listen_StephenEmail us: listenstephenpod@gmail.comSupport the show at: patreon.com/listenstephenFollow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrotOur intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics:Four and a half years in a coma…. No ThanksStephen’s writing about women, based on the intersection of religious fanaticism and motherhoodThe argument that serial killers are often abuse victims is one put forth by the serial killersNazis, Hitler, Trump, and how to actually create political changeThe lighter side:A fatal hotdog mistakeThe Dead Zone could’ve been more of a Fun Zone“Hell yeah I’d kill Hitler!”Everyone is SUPER down with psychics for some gd reasonSkepticism as the plot demandsRecommendations:  Castle Rock on Hulu, Broadchurch season 1, “Hope Chest” by Garth NixFollow us on twitter: @Listen_StephenEmail us: listenstephenpod@gmail.comSupport the show at: patreon.com/listenstephenFollow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrotOur intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics: There are SO MANY horrible deaths McVries is a problematic fave to put it lightly Stephen brings race into this AGAIN when will he stop. The lighter side: Lillie's Hot Beach Reads™ Raw hamburger?? Hello??? That watermelon sounds so good Jahoobies Don't be a coward, let's be gay. Recommendations: 1984 by George Orwell, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and The Maze Runner films. Follow us on twitter: @Listen_Stephen Email us: listenstephenpod@gmail.com Support the show at: patreon.com/listenstephen Follow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrot Our intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics:Stephen does not have a nuanced grasp of how to do Native American representation and we REALLY wish he would stop trying.Charlie's mom gets very murdered. Thanks, we hate it.The monstrous feminine, spooky little girls, and the destruction of the familyThe lighter side:In the battle between the dangers of harboring a psychic fugitive vs the civil liberties of a pontificating man, who will win? (It's the dude of course it's the dude you shouldn't be surprised at this point)Orcs, balrogs, and trolls are DIFFERENTMiss Honey is the absolute bestCarrie and Charlie should be bestiesLITTLE GIRL LIKE HORSERecommendations:Matilda, Killing Eve, Charlie's Angels (2000), and therapy.Follow us on twitter: @Listen_StephenEmail us: listenstephenpod@gmail.comSupport the show at: patreon.com/listenstephenFollow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrotOur intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics: Measles is fucked up, get vaccinated. Nadine’s rape and the wasted potential of her character Tom Cullen is effectively a new character and it is bad Stephen’s addiction issues are really showing The lighter side: Knife fighting in a Denny’s parking lot - The Scientist Way Margot's wife, Dayna Jurgens, is still amazing Levitation = virility??? or something???? Ghost slaps vs corporeal slaps - which has the moral high ground? A family can be four ride-or-die people who aren't related Recommendations: Mean Girls, David Tennant Does A Podcast With..., Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Bojack Horseman, The Good Place Follow us on twitter: @Listen_Stephen Email us: listenstephenpod@gmail.com Support the show at: patreon.com/listenstephen Follow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrot Follow Isabel on Twitter: @IsabelOtt Our intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics: Writing disability, ableism, and the euphemism treadmill The Kid is awful and completely superfluous Harold is an incel and it is terrible Stephen King spends a lot of time in school shooter’s mindset and should REALLY stop doing it (and thankfully he finally has) The lighter side: Joe/Leo and his emotional support knife You know how to make this wasteland livable? Mountains of bureaucracy! Larry follows the philosophy of What Would Harold Do and it is very funny Frankie’s diary is written to piss Margot off, specifically How to properly accessorize evil minions Flagg is evil but his camp isn't really???? Recommendations: Mad Max: Fury Road, The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, World War Z by Max Brooks, Sean of the Dead, and Incels by Natalie Wynn AKA ContraPoints Follow us on twitter: @Listen_Stephen Email us: listenstephenpod@gmail.com Support the show at: patreon.com/listenstephen Follow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrot Our intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics: We really hate Larry Underwood Stephen has... issues with mothers and family dynamics This book appropriates the Kent State massacre This book has . some egregious racism in it The Military Is Both Malicious And Incompetent: The Novel Stephen could you please write more than one type of parent-child relationship The lighter side: We love and recommend Station Eleven AKA it is a day ending in y Frankie is hardcore and we love her Why do people always look right at the crotch of dead bodies We also love Stu. And Nick. Harold pls shut up you’re making us tired Stephen is scared of Morlocks and really wants us to be, too Lillie is a doomsday prepper Recommendations: Chernobyl tv series, In The Flesh tv series, Station Eleven by Emily Saint John Mandel, 28 Days Later Follow us on twitter: @Listen_Stephen Email us: listenstephenpod@gmail.com Support the show at: patreon.com/listenstephen Follow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrot Our intro song is by Lena Orsa

We apologize for the audio quality, we had some recording issues this week. Heavy topics: Will we ever be done talking about addiction on this show? Maybe next week. HP Lovecraft was a terrible person - what do we do with that? The lighter side: The corn-based religion! is! valid! Margot gives us a Bible lesson Is Stephen #woke? It takes us a while to figure out who is who in Jerusalem’s Lot Cal and Charles are in love with each other, and we love them Lillie isn't afraid of worms Transgression, horror, and faerie tales Recommendations: Children of the Corn, Tithe by Holly Black, Outsiders: How to Adapt H.P. Lovecraft in the 21st Century by hbomberguy. Follow us on twitter: @Listen_Stephen Email us: listenstephenpod@gmail.com Support the show at: patreon.com/listenstephen Follow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrot Our intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics: Jack sucks for a million reasons and we're gonna talk about as many as we can Alcoholism and the mindset of the alcoholic Emotional and physical abuse Abusive men and patterns of abusive behavior What the fuck is in that playground tunnel The lighter side: Mean Girls and The Shining: two great tastes that taste VERY BAD together Wendy Torrance is a goddamned hero Stuart Ullman is GREAT at his job Jack is TERRIBLE at his job Horace Derwent is Howard Hughes, we dunno if you got that, it's kind of subtle Recommendations: Why Does He Do That by Lundy Bancroft, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, Creating the Innocent Killer by John Kessel, and Alcoholics Anonymous. Follow us on Twitter: @Listen_Stephen Email us: listenstephenpod@gmail.com Support the show at: patreon.com/listenstephen Follow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrot Our intro song is by Lena Orsa

Heavy topics: The acknowledgment of serial killers and the realization that we are not safe Ruthie Crockett and the virgin/whore dichotomy Everyone in this town is monstrous and transgression begets transgression The lighter side: Ann Norton is right exactly one (1) time Everyone in this book is not like other girls good clean capitalism vs dirty modern capitalism Susan gets mansplained by a literal child Lillie got a bingo! Recommendations: Dracula by Bram Stoker, Let The Right One In, What We Do In The Shadows, and moving if you suspect your town is beset by vampires. Follow us on twitter: @Listen_Stephen Email us: listenstephenpod@gmail.com Support the show at: patreon.com/listenstephen Follow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrot Our intro song is by Lena Orsa

This week’s heavy topics: Trauma and repression Julia Kristeva’s theory of abjection How this book resonates today in regard to school shootings Kids are assholes This week’s silly topics: Margot is petty on three (3) occasions Stephen doesn’t understand periods or teenage girls We solve the mystery of Flash Bobby Pickett Freud is right and Lillie is mad about it Billy and Margaret are canceled Recommendations: Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik, Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia Butler, and the Diva Cup. Follow us on twitter: @Listen_Stephen Email us: listenstephenpod@gmail.com Support the show at: patreon.com/listenstephen Follow Margot on Twitter: @whattehfoxtrot Our music is by Lena Orsa.