Podcasts about chicago podcasts

In Episode 139, hosts Alyce and Laura forgot* what happened in Ahsoka, and Keeve Trennis is all up in her feelings.The History of the Mandela Effect and how it relates to Star Wars (via GoodHousekeeping)In a follow up to last week's episode, more about the award-winning dog ballsProp Watch! Prop auctions are interesting to us. So we're gonna talk about it. (via Yahoo)Star Wars' 50th anniversary is coming up… in two years. But Disney wants you to mark your calendar now to make sure you have no conflicts, I guess?Maul looks like Maul and live-action Ezra had a shower (via IGN) Hopefully everyone who attended the publishing panel at SDCC had fun, but it seemed like the news was uh…. slim pickins.Sounds like George Lucas' museum is gonna be cool as hell (via IGN)Movie rumor roundup! Is the guy from Not Another Teen Movie gonna be in Star Wars? Where are things with the Rey movie? More Hayden in S2 of Ahsoka, or is everyone reaching? If anyone at Hulu asks, Alyce lives in a giant mansion.Everything comes full circle with movie ratingsRecap on Tap: The High Republic goes out with an emotionally-muted bang in the comic, The Beacon. This discussion includes SPOILERS for the comic AND spoilers for Trials of the Jedi. Skip 35:40-46:35 to avoid. Plus, Alyce's initial, spoiler-free thoughts on The Acolyte: Wayseeker.Helpful links referenced in this episode:Upcoming guest spot alert! Keep an eye on the Rogue Rebels feed for Sal, Alyce and Laura's review/discussion on The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi!Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodBluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Reader staff writer Leor Galil about the resurgence of the compact disc, then delves into the history of Chicago before the Great Fire of 1871 with Northwestern University economics professor Louis P. Cain, author of the new book Chicago Before the Fire: An Economic History.

What happens when relationships break down? What makes them thrive? DJ Monsoon welcomes Brandon Caldwell and Alicia Balark for a raw, unfiltered conversation about modern connection that goes far deeper than typical relationship talk.The trio dives into what truly constitutes a healthy relationship, with both guests identifying respect and clear boundaries as foundational elements. Brandon eloquently explains how "mutual respect" creates the necessary framework, while Alicia adds nuanced perspective about meeting each other "where we are that day and loving each other through that." Their insights highlight how successful partnerships require both structure and flexibility.The conversation takes fascinating turns through discussions of generational differences in relationships. Brandon observes that our grandparents didn't have the "accessibility" modern couples do—when problems arose, they couldn't simply swipe to the next option. This prompts a compelling exploration of how technology has fundamentally altered our approach to commitment, creating what Brandon calls a "7-Eleven" dating culture where people discard relationships at the first sign of challenge.Perhaps the most thought-provoking segment examines masculinity in urban culture, with Brandon delivering an unflinching assessment: "You don't see James Evans Sr. as a man anymore." The guests dissect how limited representations of Black manhood leave younger generations without nuanced role models, creating cycles that affect everything from dating dynamics to parenting approaches. Alicia's perspective as a strong woman navigating these expectations adds valuable dimension to the conversation.The episode closes with powerful reflections on healing, communication, and finding harmony despite our differences. As Brandon poetically notes, sometimes the simplest gesture—a genuine smile—can "light up the back ends of heaven."Ready for relationship insights that go beyond surface-level advice? Listen now and join the conversation. Have thoughts or want to be featured on a future episode? Email djmonsoonstaraw@gmail.com to connect.Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

Mike Stephen learns about the important work of Chicago's Urban Growers Collective from herbalism conductor Rev. Kim Crutcher, gets a preview of the Edgewater Music Fest from Garrett Karp, executive director of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago blues guitarist Jimmy Rogers.

Listen, btch! It's a podcast! In Episode138, hosts Alyce and Laura enter* neuter territory. No, that's not a typo. Some dude is making a bunch of money off of fake animal testicles. There's another Star Wars prop auction coming up. Will this one flop too? SDCC is coming up and you know what that means! New Star Wars action figures and exclusives. Also George Lucas is going to be on a panel at Comic-Con? Ugh, another one (three?) bites the dust. (via Rolling Stone) Andor got a bunch of Emmy nominations! And not to be forgotten if it was kind of just a footnote/afterthought in this article, The Acolyte got one too.This week, Alyce is the one that can't read good. There must always be one host that can't read good but can do other things good. Reylo Rising! Shippers, rejoice, your favorite fan fic is becoming a movie!All buff dudes look the same. The new Superman, like the old Superman, is a giant nerd. One of us! One of us!The BD-1 droids at Galaxy's Edge are the cutest d*mn things we've ever seenVernestra is a our petty Jedi queenUp until now, we've only scratched the surface on The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi, but now we are entering spoiler territory! Alyce finished the book so let's dive deeper Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodBluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen talks to Roger Day Bain, the author of a new book about growing up in suburban Clarendon Hills called Clarendon Hills Kid and a book about a very non-linear career path entitled Hardly Working: How I Found a Career and Kept My Soul.  Then, we learn about the continuing great work of Chicago's Share Our Spare and its quest to find new funding partnerships from executive director Alex Goodfellow.

Mike Stephen learns about the potential impact of the federal government's education funding freeze on Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago's Samantha Smylie, chats with Kate Fagan about her new music and upcoming Chicago shows, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago guitarist Byron Gregory.

This week on Emo Social Club, we caught up with Pete and Luke from Anamanaguchi. They share all about their exciting new album "Anyway," dropping August 8th, and the big leap into integrating vocals after 20 years as an instrumental band. Get ready for some wild stories, including their deep dive into what they're calling "Batman Rock" and their iconic work with the world of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. 

In Episode 137, hosts Alyce and Laura take* a bite out of Marchion Ro's neck, then do Marchion impressions. Ultimately, it's all about Marchion, which is exactly how he would want it. Laura is the warden. Laura the Warden. Laur-den.Pause to appreciate the moment where Alyce delivers the smoothest g-d damn segue of all timeCan Soda Stream sponsor us? Someone hook us up with some free gas cylinder refillsHas the movie rating system (G, PG, etc.) gotten soft?How to pronounce Shawn Levy's last name confirmed (maybe)Contrary to all the clickbait-y headlines. Calm your t*ts, Gareth Edwards does not hate Star Wars (via Business Insider)Alyce forgot Skeleton Crew happened lolJohn Watts had a good experience making a Star War and we gotta take that as a win (via Screenrant)The Andor cast doesn't know how to read good…on iPads anyway (via Gizmodo)Imagine trying to explain to someone in another fandom this giant map of the Star Wars universe (via Jason Fry's substack)Collectors and Coke drinkers, your worlds are about to collide! And check out this short film of the Star Wars-Coca Cola collab, it's kinda cute.More High Republic in Recap on Tap! We share a few more spoiler-free thoughts (mostly confusion) on Trials of the Jedi throughout our Recap segment, so beware! Plus, a discussion WITH SPOILERS on the Tempest Breaker audio drama, feat. Sexy Tango Marchion. To avoid Tempest Breaker spoilers, skip around 46:30-1:02:00.The number of degrees of separation between The High Republic and The Gilded Age is basically zero.Tumblr valides Laura's thoughts on Trials of the Jedi. Yes, THAT Tumblr.Yay listener email from our friend Allison! Bluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comInstagram: @forcetoastpodTwitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen learns about Teflon Softball's search for a practice facility from coach and founder India Steward, re-explores a local tour that highlights LGBTQ history, and discovers the Secret History of the late 90s/early 2000s rockers The Puta-Pons.

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of a healthy local nonprofit arts community with Vickie Lakes-Battle of IFF and Vanessa Sanchez of Villapalooza and then chats with Danita Patterson, founder of Destiny Outreach, about a new program aimed at guiding Chicago's youth towards careers in the entertainment industry.

In Episode 136, hosts Alyce and Laura are* feeling sassy! And excited to be back! We missed you, friends! Laura doesn't road trip good (not as good, as Alyce or Jim Carrey on SNL)A lot of general celebrity gossipCasting news for Star Wars: Starfighter (via Variety)We've come back around to the conversation on an R-rated Star Wars film. Now Ryan Reynolds is weighing in. (via EW)Hear us out: Star Wars film in the style of Charlie's Angels. Luminara. Aayla. Rey. Yoda is Charlie. See that one panel in the TROS comic adaptation #5 for cover art. You're welcome. Absolutely STACKED Recap on Tap. Alyce has read some stuff Laura hasn't read, and vice versa, but in summary, the end of The High Republic has been sorta meh =/ Alyce briefly shares some spoiler-free thoughts on the end of Marvel's The High Republic phase 3 comic runAlyce finished The High Republic: Into the Light, so we discuss briefly with spoilers. Skip 40:15-51:15 to avoid spoilers. Be advised this section also includes references to which characters do/don't appear in Trials of the Jedi and how big their roles are.Laura read The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi and shares a spoiler-free review. If you want to skip this section, skip 51:20-59:00. (The novel is out today, June 17! Find it wherever you buy books now.) We finally get to catch up on Andor season 2! How season 2 compared to season 1, Benjamin Bratt as Bail, why we need to be OK with recasting, Diego Luna: code name Carlos, Laura is confused by some things (this is nothing new), and French is Star Wars now. Andor won the streaming ratings game (via SWNN)Magnesium, Materialists and Paint by Gemstones in Toast To!Helpful links referenced in this episode:Diego Luna and Tony Gilroy on the Ghorman Massacre (via Variety, Gizmodo)Laura returns to The Jedi Way with John Rocha and Kevin Smets to discuss Starfighter casting, romance in Andor and Rogue One, Filoni/Beck potentially taking over for Kathleen Kennedy, and the possibility of re-casting Luke now that Mark Hamill says he's done with Star Wars. The Jedi Way co-host Kevin Smets directed a fan film based on the game Knights of the Old Republic called “KOTOR: Convergence” Find it on YouTube here! Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodBluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen gets an update on the struggle for environmental justice on the southwest side of Chicago from Anthony Moser, board president of Neighbors for Environmental Justice, and then discovers the Secret History of the local influential 20th century drummer Fred Below.

Mike Stephen discusses the ethical questions around using artificial intelligence in local journalism with Justin Kerr, publisher of McKinley Park News, and then talks with Enddy Almonord, director of the Healthy Illinois Campaign, about how 33,000 low-income Illinois immigrants are about to lose their healthcare.

Mike Stephen discusses the student loan debt problem in Illinois with Illinois Answers Project journalist Claire Murphy, gets the lowdown on new local music from AJ Rosales, and discovers the Secret History of the 1960s Chicago doo-wop group The Radiants.

Mike Stephen learns about recruiting candidates for local office through the 100K Project with lead organizer and steering committee member Tom Tresser and then gets an update on some local education issues with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea.

Mike Stephen explores the removal of certain books in Danville Correctional Center with local author Vee Harrison, gets the lowdown on new music from the band Ascendant from vocalist and keyboard player Kael Mboya, and looks back on 20 years of The Secret History of Chicago Music in the Chicago Reader with its creator and author Steve Krakow.

Mike Stephen discusses the future of Chicago's lakefront with Emily Reusswig, VP of Conservation at Openlands, talks about the importance of inclusion in media with Anthony Williams, the founder of Second Glance Productions, and gets the lowdown on new music from Chicago-based bluesman Rob Moore.

Have you ever felt pressure to look or act a certain way because of beauty standards on social media? We're discussing the pressures of beauty standards online and offline.  We talk about the unrealistic expetations highlighted on social media and how they can affect mental health, especially for young girls and teens. From diet culture to damaging trends, both men and women are affected by the things we see in our feeds. Our advice: embrace your authentic self, focus on health over appearance, have fun with self-care, and stay from harmful beauty trends This episode features Maya, Lily, Samantha, and Malik. Editing by Youssef. Cover art design by Simone. Enjoy the show! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www.PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast *** Power Your Story is produced by students in the Podcast Tech & Production programs of After School Matters in Chicago. We represent diverse voices, telling our real life stories through the power of podcast media. Each season features a new group of student producers under the mentorship of producer, Andrea Klunder of The Creative Impostor Studios, creating personal journals, interviews, and discussions about the topics that matter most to us. Our theme music is by DJ Sparkz.    

Mike Stephen sits down with Kevin M. Schultz, chair of the history department at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the author of a new book called Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals), and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s and 80s rockers Hot Mama Silver.

In Episode 135 hosts, Alyce and Laura catch up* on Star Wars Celebration news and dive into Andor S2 and how we're feeling about it after being underwhelmed by S1.Dark Matter filmed front of Laura's apartment and it was the coolest thing that's ever happened to her… man, that's sadAlyce girlbossed too hard, so you know what that means: chaos cubesSpotify poll! Tell us how your bougie a-- serves bubbly in your houseIt turns out Andor didn't rework its S2 release schedule to qualify for the Emmys… so it for real is starting to feel like an attackStar Wars Celebration Japan highlights! The Mando movie will have walkers and troopers and Zeb, oh my!Star Wars animation is back, baby! Maul: Shadow Lord was announced at SWCJ as the next animated series, along with more Star Wars Visions and The Ninth Jedi (Visions S1) gets a full series.The High Republic Phase III will wrap up with a comic that has an ominous descriptionGang's all here! It's The High Republic's Luminous Nine in full temple armor for your viewing pleasure. Also, Ember lives!Google's AI killed at least 5 trees trying to do an image search of Jordanna SparkburnRecap on Tap: More non-spoilery thoughts on The High Republic: Into the Light, plus Laura and Alyce may finally be coming around on Andor? Maybe?In Toast To, Alyce finally returns to her D&D game and Laura finds out exactly how the Empire STRIPPED Back at Star Wars burlesque.Helpful links referenced in this episode:Kevin, John and Laura discussed the first 3 episodes of Andor season 2 on The Jedi Way, and there is some disagreement in the room, to say the least!Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodBluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen discusses the origins of gun violence in Chicago with Jens Ludwig, author of the new book called Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence, and then sits down with local musician Andy Madden about his new music and upcoming record release performance.

Welcome to The Chicagoland Guide! I'm your host, Aaron Masliansky.This podcast is for anyone who wants to explore what makes Chicagoland one of the most vibrant, diverse, and fascinating regions in the country.In this kickoff episode, I share what to expect in Season 2—from local business spotlights to neighborhood tours, cultural insights, interviews with community leaders, and real estate updates.This show is an evolution of Inside the Skev, and I'm excited to expand the conversation to include more of what makes our region a great place to live, work, and explore.

Mike Stephen talks to Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin about how Chicago City Council staffers are getting more and more bonuses, learns about the impact of Chicago's Greenlight Family Services with CEO Dr. Maria Nanos, and discovers the Secret History of the Chicago-based soul band The Notations.

In Episode 134, hosts Alyce and Laura are back* with more absurd segues to discuss all the ongoings in the world of Star Wars!Is it still fancy if the debutante ball is BYOB?Pedophile is out, Meemaw is in. This is about eyewear. More tales to come! Tales of the Underworld means more Asajj Ventress and more Asajj Ventress means more happy fans (it's us, we're the happy fans).Rogue One was almost ten years ago. That sentence sucks, right? Time is crazy. Credit where credit is due: we have a lot of Star Wars content - including Andor - because of The Mandalorian (via Empire Magazine)Disney went full HBO-mode with the episode lengths for Andor season 2 (via Bespin Bulletin) Sorry, Matt Damon is not going to be in Star Wars. But Not-Matt-Damon is maybe going to be in Star Wars? Publishing is out here giving away their pie with breakfast (is that SNL reference too old?) (via starwars.com)Star Wars is just messing with us now with all these Vader stories. It's starting to feel like a personal attack. Something, something Plagueis theoryDon't you love it when we talk about an event that is happening soon but forget to say WHEN and WHERE during our discussion? We never claimed to be pros at this. Fortunately, Gizmodo has the details about the original Star Wars screening. Recap on Tap: Alyce shares a brief, spoiler-free review of Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear, then Alyce and Laura share some initial thoughts on The High Republic: Into the Light and its… uh… let's say, interesting early tone shift. Star Wars has a weird obsession with giving women metal mid-sections, and for that we ask… why? Interpol may have an APB out on Laura. So if you see her, no you didn't. Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodBluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of federal funding cuts for Illinois Humanities with executive director Gabrielle Lyon and Macomb-based singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo and then chats about the future of journalism with Prospect High School multimedia teacher Jason Block and seniors Claire Wynkoop and Kenny Munao while attending this year's Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference.

Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch reporter Kelly Garcia about how Chicago's immigration court works, learns about I Am Flytism, an organization on the South Side of Chicago that helps those impacted by autism, from founder Stephanie Butts, and discovers the Secret History of 20th century local bluesman Jim Brewer.

In Episode 133, hosts Alyce and Laura indulge* in some Millennial Core (in addition to all the normal Star Wars stuff)!This is random, but Yellowjackets comes up a lot in this episode, so there are spoilers in this episode for Yellowjackets in general (except episode 3x8)An update on Luke's Medal of Yavin, just cuz. Plus, everything you could ever want to know about how to make an offer on a $300,000 movie propSome thoughts on the Andor season 2 trailer Like a zombie cockroach that won't die, someone brought up Star Wars: Underworld so now everyone is talking about it again (via Variety)Catching up with Alyce on where she's at with Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear (no spoilers)Highlights from the Star Wars Celebration Japan panel schedule + some general Star Wars Celebration tips and tricks (Hot Tip: don't skip the Doug Chiang panel)It's not Caravan of Corrections, it's the… Yacht of Yellowjackets? lol that's dumb, anyway, spoiler warning for Seasons 1, 2 + episodes 1-7 of season 3 (Not your thing? Skip 45:00-56:34)Recap on Tap: Marvel's The High Republic: Fear of the Jedi issue #2 with spoilers, in which we give a voice to Kelnacca and for some reason he has a Minnesota accent (If you're not caught up, skip 57:00-1:09:15)Stay tuned for our special Tax Day episode of Force Toast on April 15 (jk it won't be about taxes, that would be so boring)Helpful links referenced in this episode:John Rocha and Laura discuss the new Andor S2 trailer and the possibility of The Acolyte season 2 on the March 30th episode of The Jedi Way! Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodBluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen talks to Conspire Creative founder Sharon Woodhouse about her new book The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books, previews the Surabhi Ensemble's live performance with guitarist Carlo Basile, and gets the lowdown on the upcoming West Side Book Fair from Bridgett McGill.

Mike Stephen talks to Sandra Diaz, co-founder of the Center for Immigrant Progress, about the efforts to help Chicagoland immigrants in the wake of a hostile federal government, learns about the new album from local jazz guitarist Steve Knight, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago soul singer Bobby McClure.

Mike Stephen talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning local journalists Sarah Conway of City Bureau and Trina Reynolds-Tyler of the Invisible Institute about the importance of the Freedom of Information Act and then gets an update on a proposed bill to regulate homeschooling in Illinois from Capitol News reporters Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker.

In Episode 132, hosts Alyce and Laura are* being personally victimized by different major corporationsSome highlights from the Andor season 2 trailer The Andor season 2 release schedule feels like an attack on podcasters/reviewers. Like, it feels personal and violent.Casual reminder that Andor is **cinema**The Revenge of the Sith strikes back! That is, it's coming back to theaters for one week only!This listicle uses the word “cancelled” to describe these 20 Star Wars projects that never made it to screen, but we're pretty sure at least 3 of these are made up. Sorry for using the word “listicle” unironically.Highlights from Deadline's really long interview with Kathleen Kennedy about her retirement, fan scrutiny of Lucasfilm, her succession plan and more.We've said it before and we'll say it again, we really have enough Darth Vader stories. Like, we have so far more than anyone asked for.What happens in Vegas may have already happened across the U.S., but that's not going to stop sultry stormtroopers from shaking what their mama gave themAlyce is in her Naming Things era! Help her come up with names for her high elf (high as in highborn, not stoned) and her new robot vacuumHelpful links referenced in this episode:John Rocha and Laura discuss the Kathleen Kennedy retirement rumors and the Andor season 2 trailer on the most recent episode of The Jedi Way Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodBluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen discusses the controversial push to increase nuclear power production in Illinois with David Kraft, director of the Nuclear Energy Information Service, previews the return of the Flamenco Quartet Project with Wendy Clinard, founder of Clinard Dance, and discovers the Secret History of local avant-garde bassist Donald Rafael Garrett.

Mike Stephen learns about efforts to bridge the wealth gap and to provide worker dignity at the local level from Julian Posada, President & CEO of LiftUp Chicago, and then discusses supporting the important work of local nonprofits with Jessica Nepomiachi, Director of Special Projects for the Real Estate Solutions Team at IFF.

In Episode 131, hosts Alyce and Laura do* bad impressions and ponder important Star Wars questions like, did someone cut up a backpack to make Han and Luke's medals in the throne room scene?What is buying a new house, if not an opportunity to DIY a padded room for the clinically insane?Oh yeah. Planet X is gonna get weird.A long time ago, in a galaxy no so far away, in an EA forum, before Order 66, there was Order 65More old [presumably crusty], very expensive Star Wars props for sale, in the off-chance you have a spare $400,000 laying aroundMarvel's What If but make it Mace Windu (via Gamerant)Screenrant is speculating about the next Star Wars animated series and we're all in Recap on Tap is all about The High Republic Phase III comics! Spoiler warnings all around: Marvel's The High Republic (2025) Issue #1 has spoilers for the Tempest Breaker audio drama. If you want to avoid this conversation, skip 31:20-43:20. We're also discussing The High Republic Adventures: Dispatches From the Occlusion Zone 4-issue miniseries WITH SPOILERS. We'll note that we don't know who any of these characters are, so we're definitely missing some context, but what you need to know is 1) there is an escaped gorilla on the loose and 2) all roads lead to Dalna. If you don't want to listen to our horrendous attempt at making sense of this miniseries, skip 43:25-1:00:50. Helpful links referenced in this episode:That Star Wars RPG podcast Laura couldn't remember the name of in the last episode was The Campaign Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodBluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen discusses ongoing efforts to fight homelessness in Chicago despite the chaos in the federal government with Carolyn Ross, president and CEO of All Chicago: Making Homelessness History, learns the Secret History of 1980s rockers called Ruffian, and then chats about a new local festival highlighting marginalized voices with festival founder Jaqueline Wade.

Mike Stephen sits down with Jess King and Will Duncan, the owners of Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, to learn about the venue's history and impact on Chicago and then gets the lowdown on new music from the local band Falling Stars with guitarist and vocalist Mark Sheehy.

Mike Stephen talks to Amber Nettles the publisher of the Chicago Reader and Salem Collo-Julin, the paper's editor in chief, about the dire financial situation of the publication and its future and then discovers the Secret History of the local 1960s garage rock band The Monteras.

Get ready for an inside look at the adult film industry as we chat with Vic Lagina, a veteran producer who's been a key player for two decades. From his Philly roots to his Vegas evolution, Vic shares his wild entry into the porn business, sparked by an ad on adultstaffing.com, and his mission to bring professionalism to a chaotic industry. We promise you'll gain a new perspective on how digital platforms like OnlyFans are revolutionizing the game, empowering performers, and flipping traditional power dynamics on their head.We also tackle the gritty side of the industry, exposing the unethical practices that plague major players like MindGeek. With candid discussions on controversial topics such as non-consensual content and the fallout from the "Takedown" book, this episode doesn't shy away from the tough conversations. Dive into the complexities of personal relationships within the industry, as we debate if working in porn can desensitize one to sex and explore the boundary-pushing world of porn addiction and its effects on a healthy relationship.There's more to this episode than just serious industry talk. We lighten things up with a playful game matching drugs to party types and share humorous tales from the AVN Awards. Celebrate hip-hop culture with us, as DJ Shells drops beats that pay homage to legends like Eazy-E and Dre. To wrap things up, discover the importance of building a dedicated fanbase and get a sneak peek into Vic's book, "Filthy: The Rise and Pending Death of Vic Lagina." Whether you're here for the laughs, the insights, or the music, this episode is packed with something for everyone.Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

In Episode 130, hosts Alyce and Laura celebrate* SIX YEARS of hosting and toasting and just doing the most…ing! Want to help us celebrate our anniversary? Buy us a drink and let's raise a toast!Alyce is D&D/RPG girlie now! Or at least, she's a sit-around-a-table-with-a-die-and-make-sht-up girlie! All aboard the Caravan of Corrections! We've got a packed segment this time aroundGone are the old days, we're putting famous-as-f@ck people in Star Wars movies now (via The Hollywood Reporter)Lucasfilm! Quick, for a dollar: name a woman writer! Any woman writer. There has to be one with more than 8 film writing credits. No? Anyway, the Rey film has a new writer.Ahsoka Season 2 Rumor RoundupThe Acolyte got good numbers, but there's more to this storySpeaking of stuff that got cancelled, The Wrap has an update on the Galactic StarcruiserThere's a story about Watto in… Forbes? lol what a weird sentence The High Republic: Trials of the Jedi cover art revealed! Hints of what's to come in The High Republic Phase 3 comics this year Helpful links referenced in this episode:Support Force Toast on Ko-Fi!Rocha, Smets and Laura do a Star Wars news roundup on the February 2nd episode of The Jedi Way! Ryan Gosling, Rey movie, a Smets Rant, streaming service series performances Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodBluesky: forcetoastpod.bsky.socialEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Mike Stephen explores the potential impact of the Trump administration's position on environmental funding with Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Respiratory Health Association, and learns about the impact of restorative justice practices in the North Lawndale neighborhood from Cliff Nellis, president and CEO of the Lawndale Christian Legal Center.

The life of scientist Sandra Waters changed forever the night her husband and research partner Richard was murdered. In a parallel dimension, Richard Waters' life changed forever when his wife and research partner was murdered. When two brilliant scientist, driven by grief, create a device to communicate across space and time, they find a way to solve the murders that have haunted them for years. Scripts start at 56:50StarringLaura PetroHobert ThompsonAnd Nick Olson

In Episode 129, hosts Alyce and Laura had* to Frankenstein this episode together from three separate corpses, I mean, recordings, so please enjoy this very neatly stitched together monster of a podcast episode on this #ForceToastTuesday!Reminder that Force Toast is on Bluesky now! Follow us!It's that time of year again where our podcast hosting provider & website bill us for renewals, so if you have the means and want to help us offset those costs, find us on Ko-Fi!Laura has meaty calves, according to women's clothing standardsJames Mangold doesn't like handcuffs… at least that's what we took away from this news (via MovieWeb)Alyce continues her campaign to Put Taylor Swift in Star WarsMando Movie rumor roundup, courtesy of StarWarsLeaks via Mandoverse Updates on twitterSkeleton Crew actress Kyriana Kratter's interview with The Hollywood Reporter is so cute, plus it hints at a pinch of darkness in the S1 finaleRecap on Tap is STACKED with nothing but Skeleton Crew! Bryce Dallas Howard is back to direct Episode 6, Zero Friends Again, Lee Isaac Chung starts unraveling the mysteries of At Attin in Episode 7 and Jon Watts closes out the season in the finale.Jod and Cobb / sittin' in a tree / K-I-S-S-I-N-maybe?Helpful links referenced in this episode:On the January 9th episode of The Jedi Way, Smets, Rocha and Laura discuss Skeleton Crew episodes 6 and 7 and James Mangold's recent comments about his upcoming Star Wars filmThe Jedi Way crew reviews Skeleton Crew's season 1 finale (ep 8) hereForce Toast Ko-fi Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

In Episode 127, hosts Alyce and Laura don't know* what their friends, family or each other do in their corporate jobs. Nor should they. It's none of their business. The Bear's Jeremy Allen White is allegedly joining the Star Wars universe (Variety via The Kristian Harloff Show)Go, Skelly Crew, go! Critics and audiences are really enjoying the new Star Wars series (via Forbes) Collectors, rejoice! There are new toys, I mean, collectible action figures, coming soon! (via SWNN)We feel you, Gizmodo, we're also obsessed with Neel and his Millennial Side Part™Fans are having mixed reaction to the news that Dave Filoni will be the sole writer of Ahsoka season 2 (Comicbook.com via this YouTube interview)A tangent on The Penguin and Southern Louisiana tchotchkes (ever seen that word spelled out before?)With the cold weather and holidays comes more expensive Star Wars apparel for your bougie Vader-loving ass A dramatic reading of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew opening crawlIn Recap on Tap, it's all about the Skelly Crü, skeletonization and Space Grass! Alyce and Laura discuss highlights from episodes 1 and 2 and get into a more thorough recap/review of episode 3 #LetSM33wearapiratehatAre we the only freaks that actually enjoy Order 66 content? Helpful links referenced in this episode:Alyce and Laura joined Sal Perales on the Rogue Rebels podcast for a Spoiler Review and recap of The High Republic: Tears of the Nameless. Find it wherever you get podcasts now (Apple, Spotify)! Speaking of The High Republic, check out Laura's spoiler-free review of the new audio drama, Tempest Breaker on the Force Toast website Kevin Smets, John Rocha and Laura Kelly are reviewing Star Wars: Skeleton Crew on The Jedi Way! Find reviews of Eps 1 and 2 here and the Episode 3 review here!  Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_LauraInstagram: @forcetoastpodEmail: forcetoastpod@gmail.comWebsite: forcetoastpod.com*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!