The Agency

Special agent Payton McCarthy-Simas joins Candy to discuss David Cronenberg's new movie THE SHROUDS.   Payton McCarty-Simas is a an author, programmer, and film critic based in New York City. They hold a Masters in film and media studies from Columbia University, where she focused her research on horror film, psychedelia, and the occult in particular. Payton's writing has been featured in The Brooklyn Rail, Metrograph's Journal, Rue Morgue, Film Daze, and others, and she is the author of two books, One Step Short of Crazy: National Treasure and the Landscape of American Conspiracy Culture, and the forthcoming All of Them Witches: Fear, Feminism, and the American Witch Film (July 2025). Payton is also a member of the Online Association of Female Film Critics and GALECA, the Society for LGBTQ Film Critics. She lives with her partner and their cat, Shirley Jackson.      In the wonderfully complicated new Cronenberg movie there is a motif of dogs. This motif occurs between three characters and possibly one AI avatar/assistant. We talk about several dog scenes within the movie. Something extra to consider is gods and dogs.    The protagonist's wife is wearing a collar for cancer treatment that helps monitor her procedures and needs and presumably the progress or slowing of cancer. Her twin sister is a dog groomer. A future date is blind and has a seeing eye dog. Some scenes occur in a. dog park. There are a few goddesses associated with dogs, Hecate, a goddess of magic, and witchcraft portrayed with dogs and sometimes as being part dog herself.(the wife?) Kali is a Hindu goddess whose portrayal with a dog symbolizes her loyalty. (The sister-in law?) And there is Artemis a goddess of the hunt portrayed with dogs hunting. (The new lover?) Iamma, goddess associated with fertility, love, war also associated with a dog. Gula was a deity associated with dogs and healing. So was Ianna.So...it seems like there could be further exploration in The Shrouds about the dogs.

Special Agent Sarah and I saw Black Bag recently. A fantastic movie by Stephen Soderberg about a company of spies. We also both listened to the podcast series "Behind The Bastards" Oprah 6 part edition.   Thanks for listening...forgive our initial sound challenges but it smoothes out after a couple of minutes. Find us on social media for extra content and email us at: theagency.podcast@gmail.com    

Raconteur, herpetologist, and Cormac McCarthy scholar Rick Wallach joins Special Agent Sarah and Candy to discuss his forthcoming book IN SEARCH OF GODZILLA: MYTH, STAGECRAFT AND POLITICS IN ISHIRO HONDA'S MASTERPIECE. Everything monster in this episode folks. Did you know the connections between Kurosawa and Honda? Did you know women were liberated to equality in Japan before the USA...by the USA? What was the migration feeding path of Godzilla? Thank you for listening! Write us at: the agency.podcast@gmail.com Find supplementary content on our social media pages too.

Travis returns to talk about the new Bob Dylan biopic A COMPLETE UNKNOWN.    Thank you for listening and please let us know what you think about the movie or the episode...or anything. Email to: qheagency.podcast@gmail.com

A full episode on the reality game show THE TRAITORS! Welcoming back Food blogger Foodigenous and Michelle (One of Candy's roomies) to discuss their mutual passion of the murderous series hosted by Alan Cummings.  Why is the series an international hit with franchises in at least five countries? How does the game theory play out? Who is going to win Season 3 USA? And can we convince Foodigeous to watch the UK versions?   Thank you for listening and we would love to know who you think will win and who your favourite players are....please email us at : the agency.podcast@gmail.com or comment on our social media pages.  Check out Foodigenous here: https://www.foodigenous.com or on his Facebook page.

Special Agent Sarah fills us in on the non-fiction book "CHAOS: Charles Manson and the Secret History of the Sixties" by Tom O'Neill. (with Dan Piepenburg) Sarah posted she was reading this book on social media a while ago and it's been an item floating about podcast worthy.  Why do we still care about Charles Manson? Thank you for listening and if you feel like emailing us, correct our information or add to it...please email us at: the agency.podcast@gmail.com

Eugene and Stagg check in from Hanoi...where they talk about the food, the mountains and the caves they have been visiting. Thank you for listening. Check our social media pages for tons of photos. Email us at the agency.podcast@gmail.com

The agents are excited to welcome Travis McDonald to talk about Weird Bob...everything Bob for our long overdue episode on Bob Dylan.   Travis McDonald is a writer and teacher from Massachusetts. His fiction, essays, and reviews have appeared in Puerto del Sol, the Atticus Review, Areo Review, Rock Music Studies, and elsewhere. He is currently an English professor in the School of Writing & Literature at Front Range Community College in Colorado. 

Thank you for listening!   As usual the agents discuss a few topics. Eugene lets us know about the new sports scandal in chess. Candy presented a paper in Knoxville. Eugene and Candy talk about suppressed design in artifacts and poetry. Eugene has been exploring all kinds of Youtube videos and Candy saw Francis Ford Coppola's epic new film Megalopolis. (not Megatropolis!)   Please email us your comments or thoughts to: the agency.podcast@gmail.com   Or visit our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2424010074538150  

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!   The agents are back from hiatus. Eugene shares about his trip to fiddle camp in Pembroke Ontario. He saw two compelling documentaries "Searching For Sugarcane" and "Cowboy Cartel." Candy also recommends a documentary about 5 magicians and a murder mystery on a deck of playing cards. Please email questions, comments, complaints, hopes and dreams to: the agency.podcast@gmail.com

Special guest for today's episode is Anthony Stagg, the artist known as Stagg. This was recorded at Agency World Headquarters in Toronto Canada. This episode: Stagg in Kensington Market Busking Toronto: change and traffic Flaming Hot The Bike Riders (and other biker stories) Drive Away Dolls

In this episode, Candy and Eugene welcome Special Agent Sarah back to the podcast. On September 8, 1985, Ana Mendieta, a 36 year old artist well-known for her feminist-focused work, died after plunging from a 34th story window in New York. Her husband, Carl Andre, also a well-known artist, was present at the time, and was subsequently charged with her murder.  In 1988, he was acquitted of wrong-doing in her death. The story of Mendieta's death has lingered, especially since the 2022 Death of an Artist podcast. The Agents discuss the case at length in today's episode. Thank you for listening to The Agency Podcast. If you enjoy this broadcast you might also enjoy Agent Eugene's new YouTube channel, Rediscovering my Toronto.

In this episode The Agents hold a rambling discussion ranging from affordable housing, universal basic income, YouTubing, the heyday of blogging, Facebook memes, to the Bata girls, Edmonton in winter, and the Lake Shore West Garden Tour. Also in this episode, Agent Candy sees a friend of the podcast perform and Agent Eugene cannot remember the name of the town of Prescott, Ontario. Apologies to Prescott. Additionally... The Great Escaper (bring Kleenex) Furiosa - the 5th Mad Max film Bob Carlin's My Memories of John Hartford.

The Agents are back after a short hiatus and talking about...Civil War, recent chess championship, chess scandal, Ripley and a favourite topic heists! Thank you for listening!!! Please send email to    theagency.podcast@gmail.com   And find extra content on Facebook and Instagram.

This episode: Mr. DIY Listener Mail The Southwest Popular/American Culture Conference The Monster of Wall Street American Nightmare The Regime Eugene reads Candy's paper Thank you for listening. Special thanks to our supporters on Patreon for helping with the bills. We'd love to hear from you: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

This episode: Travels with Candy Women of the Louvre Tours Slow Horses - great concept, and it has Gary Oldman, but... Why is the new True Detective so lame? Listener mail fail Opening theme is a traditional tune called Wild Hog in the Woods. Closing theme is another traditional tune called Lady on the Green. Both are played on solo banjo by Agent Eugene.

This episode: Travels with Candy The Wurlitzers Saltburn The Iron Claw True Detective goes to Alaska Thanks for listening - we love you! Special thanks to our Patrons, who help pay the bills. Email the Agents anytime and give us a piece of your mind: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

A chance meeting between Agent Candy Minx and food blogger Adam Horvath over grilled oysters in New Orleans led to today's foodie-friendly episode, as we welcome Adam to The Agency.  Please check out Adam's blog, called Foodigenous.  You can find it here:  https://www.foodigenous.com/ The Agents love to hear from you. Email: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

This episode, we welcome Sarah Elliott back to The Agency to discuss the 2006 documentary Scott Walker: 30 Century Man. Scott Walker's early musical success was with the pop band The Walker Brothers. They weren't brothers, nor was their name Walker. They performed pop music like their familiar hit, The Sun Ain't Goin' to Shine Anymore. 30 Century Man chronicles Scott Walker's transition toward an experimental music which included percussion generated by punching a slab of meat. Were you into Scott Walker's music? Join us to hear about his unique history as told in 30 Century Man.

The Agents are back after a hiatus. Thank you for joining us and thank you for listening. What are we reading? What are we watching?   But more importantly..what are you reading and watching? Please email us and let us know...anything! Email to theagency.podcast@gmail.com

The Agents get an overhaul,make chili sauce and wonder why they are still using social media platforms.   Please tell us what you think about Facebook, google and access to information...or anything else you're thinking about. What good movies or tv have you watched lately? We love your email: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

The agents spend some time with Eric Noden, American Roots musician, with an international following, talking about his work, music and travel tips. We appreciate you listening and hope you enjoy this great conversation. Eric plays for us too!   Find out where to stream, watchand listen live with Eric Noden here: https://ericnoden.com

What's it like to get a letter from a  serial killer? Why are we obsessed with serial killers, murder podcasts and Dateline? We talk to serial killer expert and aficionado Eva Staton this week.   Fortunately there are a lot of songs about serial killers and murder so we can augment the educational content of this episode with some clips of killer songs.   Thank you for listening and pleas elet us know what you think...text us at 312-618-0880 or email us at: thegency.podcast@gmail.com

The Agents see Oppenheimer, go to Chicago for The Bear and time travel with Indianna Jones.  Thank you for listening. Please email us at: theagency.podcast@gmail.com   You could also text us at: 312-618-0880  

Special guest this episode: Anthony Stagg Garden Tour Contemporary quilts in Paducah Kentucky Little Canada and lunch at the Imperial Pub Asteroid City Fast X Jury Duty

Why do we love SUCCESSION? The writerss behind "Telladega Nights" and  "Anchorman" produced the addictive series SUCCESSION and we can't stop watching. The writing is so mischievious it's easy to forget it's satire when everything seems so serious.    Eugene and Candy welcome Special Agent Sarah to the episode to talk about everything they have enjoyed about the series.    We hope you enjoy this discussion and we hope you email your thoughts and opinions about the series to: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

The Agents have a fascinating conversation with filmmkaer Yujiro Seki about his documentary "Carving The Divine."  Yujiro tells us about behind-the-scenes  personal directive to make a unique movie. The documentary offers a rare look into a 1400-year-old Buddhist tradition and the practitioners struggling to preserve a legacy in a rapidly changing Japan. Yujiro has made a film that would make Werner Herzog proud in it's ability to contrast the woodcarvers passion for craft up against dominant contemporary culture . Viewers can begin to ask "What is technology? What do I want from my images and objects? Do we value humanity and it's handiwork?    We hope you enjoy this conversation and please follow the address below to watch the documentary...a must see for anyone who enjoys aesthetics, works with their hands or values dedication and fine work. Plus these folks are great and compelling to watch! Watch "Carving The Divine" here: https://www.carvingthedivine.com "Give us adequate images. We, we lack adequate images, our civilization doesn't have adequate images. And I think our civilization is doomed, is gonna die out like dinosaurs if it does not develop an adequate language or adequate images." Werner Herzog

This episode: Blackberry (the movie) House Musical AI Follies New Zines My 3-year old could do better than that Tehran (the tv show) Loudermilk Toronto Mayor's Race Gordon Lightfoot RIP ....and more Email The Agents: theagency.podcast@gmail.com The opening music of this episode is a live version of Gordon Lightfoot's Early Morning Rain, ripped from YouTube for educational purposes.

We talk to creators Scott Free and Marcus Waller about their new musical HOUSE MUSICAL. The production is playing late April at The Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois.   The agents also share their love for New York City. Candy still doesn't have Netflix or HBO and Eugene is caught up on Succession and has an idea.   Please send us ideas for episodes, or your thoughts on life, the world and the universe to: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

This episode The Agents speak with Peyton McCarty-Simas about witches in horror films, a subject which includes psychedelics and discussion on political movements. Also: John Wick 4 (or... who would win a cage match between Keanu, Liam Neeson, and Charles Bronson) Ted Lasso Succession - it's back Art and politics - Kent Monkman at the ROM + listener mail and more Thanks for listening. Email The Agents: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

This episode, your Agents discuss the 2019 Ari Aster folk-horror film, Midsommar. Thank you for listening. Email the Agents: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Agents Candy and Eugene are joined by Special Agent Sarah Elliot to talk about the Whitechapel Murders - new theories, some bizarre; what the victims were really like, and 19th Century London compared to cities today. Read more from Sarah at Swallowing the Camel: https://swallowingthecamel.me/ Thank you for listening. You can reach the Agents anytime by email: theagency.podcast@gmail.com We love hearing from you and we may read your note on-air,

The Agents had a blast talking to Associate Professor Irma Cantu from Texas A&M International University about witches.    What are the differences between Salen Witch Trial witches and Hispanic Witches? Quite a lot. We travel through Inquisitional Archives, female protests, healthcare, herbalism and freedom. And more!   We want to know what you think, what you're watching, reading, making...email us at:   theagency.podcast@gmail.com   Thank you for listening!

This episode: CIA Backlash AI Resistance The Slap (and how to get attention) Weird Tales and Absurd Characters DakhaBrakha at Koerner Hall Morrisseau fraudsters busted I Just Don't Know What to do with Myself Creatives and Art Workers Email from Andy ...and more Our opening theme is a traditional tune called Wild Hog in the Woods, played by Agent Eugene on clawhammer banjo. The ending musical snippet for this episode is from Sho Z-Pod Duba from a Tiny Desk Concert by DakhaBrakha. This episode of The Agency Podcast is dedicated to Toronto naturalist, musician and teacher Miles Hearn, who passed on February 25 and also to Kiska, the last captive killer whale in Canada — also known as "the loneliest whale in the world" - who died at a Canadian waterpark this week. The orca was believed to be 47 years old.

We're back from haitus. This episode: A New Paper Dog Rescues Quilting with our special guest, Adamandia Kapsalis The Broker Slow Horses When numbers get serious Severance Glass Onion Yay or Nay Poker Face The Half-time Show Opening snippet from an old interview with Bob Dylan in San Francisco. The snippet of Let the Mystery Be at the end is by Iris Dement. Both are used for educational purposes. The Agents extend a big thank to our guest Adamandia.

This week: We have a special guest this week. Vernon Cisney, a professor of philosophy at Gettysburg College in PA joins The Agents to discuss The Joker. Also..... Movies Lists In Bruges The Spy Who Dumped Me And more. We're taking a hiatus to recharge our batteries. Please enjoy the other 172 episodes of The Agency while we're away. See you in early spring. Thanks for listening!

This week: Listener mail Celebrity bad behaviour Armed and Hammered The remake of Rebecca Heist movies (and Eugene's fave actor) The Activist Cookbook The Passenger The Lost Daughter ....and much more The ending music tag of this episode is from Drinkin' Wine Spo-dee-o-dee by Stick McGhee, 1949.

This week: A Contronym Quiz Hitchcock's Rebecca (more twists than even Ozark?) Listener mail An announcement Thanks for listening.

Another deep dive into the drama erupting in the chess world. Is Eugene off-put by non-linear narratives? Is Candy watching too many depressing shows?   Email the agents anytime about anything at: theagency.podcast.com

Episode 169 Opening trash talk from Grandmaster Ben Finegold's YouTube. Full video: https://youtu.be/bf3Z3gb62zo This week: More chess drama Adventures in Connecticut Sci-fi predictions Blonde and the cult of celebrity An autumn visit to The Comfort Food Diner The Outlaws Moonage Daydream Wisdom from Agent Eugene's dad Premium Rush (not the name of a weed shop) Trump voters, junk food and driving to work Dragon's Den repeats (for American listeners, it's the Canadian version of Shark Tank) Robin Hood movies Thanks for listening.

The agents both watched THE WOMAN KING with the always remarkable Viola Davis. Eugene is working on mosaics and Candy spent time with Dennis McCarthy. Thank you for listening!  We want to hear from you! Please email us at theagency.podcast@gmail.com

This week: Candy goes to Georgia Crazy chess scandal Making the Cut Thirteen Lives Lizzo's Watch Out For the Big Grrrls Delhi Crime Season 2 ....and more Thanks for listening!

Eugene is fine-tuning his passions and Candy is lost in space. The agents read a listener's email, get their cards read, and prepare for a literary conference. What do Bill Blass, Star Wars, spy novels and fiddles have in common? Who knows but this podcast brings them all together! We would love to hear what you are reading and watching and hope you will email us at: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

Can you separate the artwork from the artist? “I have assumed as axiomatic that a creation, a work of art, is autonomous,” T.S. Eliot. Eliot himself now an artist who challenges critics in hindsight about his own work. Eliot scholars debate the possible prejudice and anti-semitism in his work. Does it mean the poet, rather than the poem's narrator, is prejudiced? Is a comedy routine with sexist or inflammatory viewpoints reflecting the performers own ethics or is it part of reflecting the culture to create such humour? Eugene and Candy talk bout whether or not they can, or should, separate art from it's creator. And what are the perimeters of objectionalble actions that would stop them from listening or viewing. The incredible Art Rosenbaum is not an artist leaving doubt of his great worth. This episode is in honour of Art Rosenbaum and his body of work that has inspired Eugene. The opening music is Art Rosenbaum performing "Shout Lulu" at the Tiki Parlour. You can find the video on Youtube....Filmed and Recorded by David Bragger www.OldTimeTikiParlour.com   Or here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QUROydAbFA   Please email the agents, requests, ideas, thoughts and criticsm to: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

Eugene finished  fermenting for his homemade hot sauce. Candy learns some new sewing techniques.    Do you watch Jeopardy? Do you watch Game of Thrones and it's new prequel HOUSE OF THE DRAGON? Are serial killers extra smart?   The agents both saw Jordan Peele's new movie NOPE. Their review begins at 34:45.

The Agents talk about the economy, culture and desire for truffles. Eugene watched "The Truffle Hunters: this week, setting off a train of thoughts on "tradition " and "initiation." They both watched Melissa McCarthy's new series "God's Favorite Idiot." Eugene fermented something special and Candy has been taking sewing lessons. Thank you for listening and please send emails to: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

The agents go to the movies for BULLET TRAIN. They also watch a pirate treasure hunt on Netflix.    Candy encourages Eugene to watch Ethan Hawke produced THE LAST MOVIE STARS.   We want to hear from you about cultural representation, treasure hunting, Joanne Woodward, what you're cooking...or is Tru,p going down with stolen documents? O just about anything! Email us at:   theagency.podcast@gmail.com

Special thanks this week to our guest, Lauren Willette. Lauren is a doctoral student in the Heritage Studies Program at Arkansas State University. Many of us know little about the region known as The Ozarks, beyond what we see on the Ozark TV show. Lauren takes us down an Ozarks rabbit hole and gives us a much better picture. Also this week: We visit the Comfort Food Diner to talk brownies. Walnuts, yay or nay? Reality TV: from F-Boys to home cooks The Gray Man Shania Candy's sewing update Special thanks to our Patrons, who help pay the bills. Email The Agents anytime: theagency.podcast@gmail.com

Candy and Eugene welcome documentary filmmaker Nico Edwards to discuss outlier travel,  adventure and filmmaking on a 120 foot sailboat going to Antarctica. That's a mouthful. The agents saw two documentaries directed by Nico Edwards and found them both compelling. The conversation with Nico stands out as one of their favorites. The 2017 feature documentary "Sea Gypsies:The Far Side of the World" is the center of the discussion but both the film and Nico's conversation are generative. The documentary follows " a small group of modern seafaring gypsies as they strike out across the largest expanse of of uninhabited geography on earth, in search of adventure, awe and whatever else lies at the far side of the world. The vessel is Infinity,a 120-foot hand-built sailboat crewed by a band of miscreants. The journey, an 8.000 mile Pacific (crossing from New Zealand to Patagonia with a stop in Antartica." IMDB)   Please let us know if you watched the documentary (on Prime or Vimeo) and let us know what you thought:   theagency.podcast@gmail.com

This week the agents watch a German comedy. They talk about learning a new skill and Michael Pollan's new documentary HOW TO CHANGE YOUR MIND.  Please write all your thoughts and dreams to the agents  at:  theagency.podcast@gmail.com

This week: Opening: from Elvis is Everywhere by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper The Agents discuss a fab cat & mouse cop show called We Hunt Together + (you guessed it) Elvis. We love to hear from you: theagency.podcast@gmail.com Thank you for listening!