Popstorian Podcast

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Join Ben and Chris for a journey of discovery through the worlds of history and pop culture!

Chris and Ben

  • Sep 27, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
  • every other week NEW EPISODES
  • 22m AVG DURATION
  • 54 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Popstorian Podcast

No Country for Old Men

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2020 54:17


Cormac McCarthy has finally moseyed onto the Popstorian Podcast! In the final episode of season 1, Chris and Ben examine the 21st century Western through the lens of the Coen Brothers' 2007 masterpiece, No Country for Old Men and reflect on this season as a whole. Thank you for listening, be sure to subscribe, and we'll see you on our next season!

Puppet Shows for Grown Ups?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2020 16:40


Why are puppets just for kids? Chris asks Ben about why puppetry is so rarely used to tell stories for broader audiences like in The Dark Crystal, Yamasong, and Thunderbirds.

Tombstone

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2020 78:48


In the penultimate episode of this season, Chris and Ben talk about the eventful decade of the 90s and the Western classic, Tombstone! Subscribe to hear more!

Aristocats Live Action Remake

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2020 14:45


Chris talks about his daughters' favorite Disney movie and why it's ready to be remade with a cast that is... purrrfect.

A Very Moving Minisode

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2020 11:30


Ever moved? Ben and Chris have and they share their stories!

Alan Moore's V for Vendetta vs George Orwell's 1984

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2020 10:19


Chris and Ben compare and contrast two different works from two different literary styles as well as their cinematic adaptations. Don't miss this week's Popstorian Minisode!

Crashed WWII Plane on Virginia Mountainside

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2020 10:19


On the side of Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia stands a grim memorial to a World War Two training mission gone wrong. Ben visits the scene and reports his findings to Chris in an Independence Day weekend edition of the Popstorian Podcast!

Silver Age Comics and the Golden Age of Hollywood

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2020 11:23


Which classic Hollywood performer would you cast in an adaptation of a Marvel or DC comic from the Silver Age? Paul Newman as Captain America? Cary Grant as Iron Man? Katherine Hepburn as Wonder Woman? Chris and Ben want to know! Subscribe and send us an email to popstorian AT gmail.

June's Grab Bag Episode

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2020 12:23


Ben and Chris commemorate the halfway mark of the year by reflecting on the podcast journey so far as well as some odds and ends that are on their minds in 2020!

Splendid Isolation

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2020 7:29


Being in quarantine or lockdown can be a drag, but what are some works of art that tackle the subject? Whether you're into Stanley Kubrick or Georgia O'Keefe, Chris and Ben have some ideas for you!

Silverado 1985

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2020 74:58


Westerns by the Decade comes back for the 1980s with a Western from Lawrence Kasdan. Featuring an all-star cast, this classic epitomizes the genre in the age of the blockbuster. What do you think of Silverado? Email us at popstorian AT gmail DOT com and let us know!

Major Dundee and Movies That Change

Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2020 10:42


Have you ever watched a movie years after you originally saw it and got the feeling that... it changed somehow? Chris knows that feeling! Tell us about yours by emailing us at popstorian AT gmail DOT com.

Greatest Stunts of All Time

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2020 9:53


Ben and Chris muse on the finest stunts ever performed in the movies. Can you think of an awesome stunt that isn't from a movie? Let us know! Popstorian at gmail dot com!

Reading Habits and Methods

Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2020 14:23


Fast reader or slow? Cover to cover or switching from book to book? Ben and Chris discuss different approaches to one of their favorite activities-- reading! Be sure to subscribe and tell us if you have particular reading methods!

Double Date

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2020 23:04


Chris and Ben are joined by the lovely Emily and Leah to talk about what they watch together as couples! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Earth Wars and Star Wars

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2020 13:02


Vietnam. Iraq. Afghanistan. World War 2. The American Civil War. How have all these conflicts impacted pop culture? In this short minisode, Chris and Ben take a glimpse at how these terrestrial conflicts impact the fictional conflicts in a franchise called Star Wars. Subscribe and send us a message at popstorian AT gmail and we'll give you a shout out on the air!

The Legend of the Lone Popstorians

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2020 10:13


Ben and Chris discuss the controversial reboot of the Lone Ranger... from the 80s! That's right, before Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer, there was Michael Horse and Klinton Spillsbury. Hi Yo Popstorians, Away!

High Plains Drifter

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2020 81:41


It's a throwback to the 70s! Ben and Chris talk about what makes this era so unique in the history of the Western. Be sure to subscribe!

Red Skelton and Handmade Puppet Dreams

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2020 10:22


Chris Whistles in the Dark and gets his Knives Out as Ben talks about puppets and Japanese Folk Tales. It can only be... The Popstorian Podcast!

Slang Terminology Rides Again

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2020 9:23


Get jiggy with your home skillets Ben and Chris as they conclude their series on the coolest of colloquialisms. Bye Felicia!

Slang Words thru the Ages Part Uno

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2020 7:58


Ben demonstrates his utter lack of coolness! Chris apologizes for Kurt Rustle! For all this and more, subscribe and listen TODAY!

Remakes and Deep Fakes

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2020 13:31


To Remake Or Not To Remake? Ben and Chris choose untouchable classics that deserve to be revisited and enshrine their favorites to never be remade. What are your picks? Also, are you excited about Dune? Would you cast a CG Abraham Lincoln or George Washington in a biopic? Let us know! Popstorian AT Gmail

Go to the Library

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2020 7:20


Ben and Chris take a field trip and seize this opportunity to remind you to visit your local library. Whatever you're into– the library has it! You know what you can do at the library? Subscribe to this podcast and share it with a friend!

Superhero Valentines and Other Minisode Madness

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2020 18:10


Ben and Chris talk about the holiday of love, send an update about the Westerns by the Decade series, conclude their discussion of Heart of Darkness, and begin a journey into a comics franchise. Don't miss an episode and become a subscriber!

Why We Talk About Movies So Much and also Heart of Darkness

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2020 11:10


Chris goes deep into Africa with a classic by Joseph Conrad and Ben ponders why a podcast about the history of pop culture tends to veer towards the cinematic! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a minisode or a full length epsiode in our series Westerns by the Decade!

The Wild Bunch Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2020 48:37


LET'S GO! Chris and Ben saddle up and head south of the border for the second part of their examination of The Wild Bunch and the decade within which it was made... Be sure to subscribe and check out part one for more context!

The Wild Bunch Part One

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2020 41:41


SPOILERS AHEAD: Ben and Chris explore one of the most legendary Western movies from director Sam Peckinpah. Let us know how you feel about the movie via popstorian AT gmail.com and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss PART TWO!

Snow White Dark Knight

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2020 6:10


Ben and Chris return to the subject of crossovers with a superhero-Disney fusion that promises to be one of their best ideas yet! Share your own crossover concepts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or by popstorian@gmail.com and don't forget to subscribe and share!

Guilty Pleasures and Hall of Shame

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2020 8:24


Ben and Chris share their secrets-- movies and shows they love even though they're not of high repute and the great movies and shows they've never seen! Share yours (publicly or anonymously) via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or popstorian@gmail.com

Happy 2020 from Popstorian

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2020 6:18


This minisode! Ben and Chris are back! Nerds try to talk about football! And there's a whole new sound in town!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from Popstorian!

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2019 1:05


Chris and Ben take a break. While they do, sip a cup of egg nog and ponder this week's burning question. Next, submit it to the show and we'll feature it on the air!

Minisode 16 - Machette Order

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2019 9:22


Have you ever wanted to take the order of an established movie franchise and chop it in two? Chris has! In this Popstorian Minisode, he explains why. Be sure to subscribe and tell us what you think.

Minisode 15 - The Ultimate Crossover

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2019 8:32


What multimedia franchise crossover are Ben and Chris excited about? Learn about it today in our history and pop culture podcast!

Rio Bravo Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2019 47:07


What do Ben and Chris really think of Rio Bravo? What were the socio-economic conditions of the 1950s? What's for lunch?* You can find the answers to all these and more on this episode of the Popstorian Podcast! *You should have a sandwich! Sandwiches are cool.

Rio Bravo Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2019 42:06


Chris and Ben continue the series Westerns by the Decade with a special two part episode for the 1950s highlighting Rio Bravo starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan and Ricky Nelson. Subscribe for part two!

Which Decade Has the Best Westerns

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2019 11:17


In this minisode, Chris and Ben reflect on their ongoing series Westerns by the Decade and on the movie genre in general. Which decade do you think has the best Westerns?

Best Performances So Far

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2019 14:59


Chris and Ben reflect on the actors and actresses who make the Westerns they've watched so enjoyable. Who is your favorite? Send us a tweet @popstorian

How Alien is Like Spicy Food

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 14:26


In a special spooky Popstorian Minisode, Chris reacts to watching Alien for the very first time, while Ben rambles about production design and pacing. Subscribe and be sure to follow us on social media!

My Darling Clementine

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2019 60:19


Westerns by the Decade is back! Chris and Ben make it to the 1940s and tackle the seminal Wyatt Earp adventure My Darling Clementine starring Henry Fonda and directed by John Ford. In addition to the film, they delve into the history that surrounded it's release. Join us won't you? Be sure to subscribe and contact us with your thoughts!

To Be Irish

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2019 12:28


Chris and Ben get cultural as they contemplate the role of the Irish in pop culture and history. What does it mean to be Irish anyway? Send us your thoughts popstorian AT gmail.com

Hungry Hungry Hippos the Motion Picture

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2019 14:44


In a world... Where two podcast hosts get creative... One movie idea... Will RISE ABOVE THE REST! Share your ideas for a Hungry Hippos movie with Ben and Chris on the official Popstorian Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or via Email!

The Fly and the White Vault

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2019 12:42


Ben and Chris get their spooky on just in time for the first October minisode! Ben talks about insects and love stories as Chris explains the dangers of polar bears– SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE EPISODES!

Would You Rather in the Second Place

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2019 13:47


Ben and Chris return for another round of Would You Rather! It's not too late to join in on Twitter. Follow @popstorian and hashtag your responses.

Would You Rather in the First Place

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2019 11:10


Ben and Chris play Would You Rather! Join in on Twitter and share your opinions on some hard questions about pop culture and history.

Star Wars The Next Generation

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2019 8:11


WARNING: SOLO SPOILERS AHEAD! Ben and Chris stumble into the world of Star Wars and speculate about the future of the world's biggest movie franchise. Check us out on Twitter!

More Controversial Opinions

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2019 8:13


Chris jumps into the hot seat with his most controversial opinions as Ben laughs maniacally in the distance! If you enjoy the Popstorian Podcast be sure to subscribe and follow us on social media.

Destry Rides Again

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2019 54:40


Westerns by the Decade returns, this time tackling the 1930s! Join Chris and Ben as they uncover the history of the turbulent decade, the magic of one of the greatest Western movies ever made, and tell a cow joke! Be sure to subscribe and check out popstorian.com for more

The 1939 Game

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2019 10:30


Ben's movie knowledge is put to the test as Chris reads out a list of 10 of the best films of 1939! How many did he get? How many have you seen? Find out in this exciting minisode!

Top Three Controversial Opinions

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2019 9:35


This week it's Ben's turn in the hot seat for a fresh, new minisode. How will he escape Chris's burning questions? And what does he think about Peter Parker anyway? Tune in and subscribe to find out! New episodes every week.

Wolverine Podcast and Midsommar

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2019 12:22


Ben and Chris talk about some grownup shows they've been watching and listening to... some things to recommend and some to skip over. Stay tuned for more Popstorian Minisodes!

The Covered Wagon

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2019 62:30


In part three of the Westerns by the Decade series, Chris and Ben go off on tangents. They also talk about the silent epic The Covered Wagon and the culture that informed it. Don't miss this week's exciting Popstorian Podcast!

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