Podcasts about Imperial

Star Wars Andor: How Fascism Creates Its Own SupportersWhat drives someone to become complicit in fascism? We explore Syril Karn's arc in Star Wars: Andor and what it reveals about how authoritarian systems manipulate their supporters.How does fascism differ from authoritarianism? We examined the central leader cult of personality that defines fascist systems, with Emperor Palpatine as the prime example.What makes Syril believe in "law and order"? His rigid worldview and imperial propaganda blind him to corruption, driving his obsession with Cassian Andor and participation in the Gorman massacre.Why do fascist systems encourage infighting? The Empire deliberately pits officials against each other to prevent anyone from challenging the Emperor's power.Can we sympathize with villains without excusing them? We discussed humanizing Imperial characters while holding them accountable for their violent choices.Other Topics Covered:Syril's parallel to Javert from Les MisérablesHow the Rebellion operates differently than the EmpireThe Emperor's invisible but constant presence in Imperial decisionsWhy redemption arcs should be rare for fascist collaboratorsViolence as the true governing principle under authoritarianismUnderstanding characters like Syril isn't about excusing fascism—it's about recognizing how ordinary people can be drawn into extraordinary evil and the importance of making moral choices when systems encourage us to look away. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Star Wars Generations.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast's main page. You can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

We're recouping from all the travel we've done in the last week, so enjoy a classic ep. A lot of moral questions revolve around doing or not doing something, but what if the biggest moral problems were actually about the very way we live our lives? Driving, smartphones, food production, etc. are all far more political than most people realize. In this episode, we talk through the book The Imperial Mode of Living by Ulrich Brand and Markus Wissen. Get the book here if you want: https://www.versobooks.com/books/3691-the-imperial-mode-of-livingIntro Music by Amaryah Armstrong Outro music by theillogicalspoonhttps://theillalogicalspoon.bandcamp.com/track/hoods-up-the-low-down-technified-blues*Get Magnificast Merch* https://www.redbubble.com

Send us a textJourney to the dark corners of the galaxy where morality blurs and legends are born. Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld delivers six interesting animated episodes that unearth the origins and continued journeys of two fan-favorite antagonists: the former Sith assassin Asajj Ventress and the notorious bounty hunter Cad Bane.Ventress returns from death itself, resurrected by the Nightsisters of Dathomir under a mysterious condition – she must live without her "heart's desire." What does this enigmatic curse mean as she navigates a post-Order 66 galaxy helping force-sensitive children escape Imperial clutches? For readers of the novel Dark Disciple, this continuation provides tantalizing connections while introducing new questions about her relationship with Jedi Master Quinlan Vos and the underground network known as "The Path."Meanwhile, Cad Bane's story takes us back decades to the mean streets of Duros, where a young orphan named Colby and his best friend Nero scrounge for survival. The devastating transformation from desperate street kid to the galaxy's most feared bounty hunter unfolds with Western-inspired flair, culminating in a heart-wrenching showdown that cements Bane as one of Star Wars' most compelling villains.The anthology format allows each character study to breathe while connecting to the broader Star Wars tapestry. We debate whether these tales strike the perfect balance between standalone stories and continuing narratives, comparing this collection to previous anthologies Tales of the Jedi and Tales of the Empire. Rich character development, stunning animation, and thoughtful connections to established lore make this essential viewing for fans seeking deeper understanding of the complex personalities who operate in the shadows.Subscribe, leave a five-star "crunchy" review, and join us next week as we continue exploring the stories that shape our favorite fictional universes!Twitter handles:Project Geekology: https://twitter.com/pgeekologyAnthony's Twitter: https://twitter.com/odysseyswowDakota's Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekritique_dakInstagram:https://instagram.com/projectgeekology?igshid=1v0sits7ipq9yYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@projectgeekologyGeekritique (Dakota):https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBwciIqOoHwIx_uXtYTSEbATwitch (Anthony):https://www.twitch.tv/odysseywowSupport the show

This week Sham and Kendall review Andor Season 2, and review Andor as a complete series! This is a SPOILER review!

Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon!NEWSSpider-Gwen gets 'Brand New Day' in new series launchMarvel reveals cover and Quesada talks 'Marvel Knights' The World to Come' #3'Marvel All-On-One' #1 anniversary one-shot coming August 2025'Imperial' gets new teaser promising spin-off one-shots, and issue 3 solicitSequel 'Cemetery Kids Run Rabid' #1 set for August releaseSkybound and Universal reteam for 'The Invisible Man'Casey Jones gets a solo seriesScott Snyder reveals new look at Bane and ‘Absolute Batman' vol. 2 titleDC Comics solicitaitons for August!New existential horror 'Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum' coming August 20252025 Eisner Awards nominees are in!Our Top Books of the WeekDave:Absolute Batman #8 (Scott Snyder, Marcos Martin)Spider-Verse Vs. Venomverse (2025) #1 (Mat Groom, Kyle Higgins, Luciano Vecchio)Alex:​​Exquisite Corpses #1 (Tynion, Michael Walsh)All-New, All-Deadly Gwenpool #1 (Cavan Scott, Stefano Nesi)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Alex - Doom Snikt in OOUD #4Dave - Battle Beast #1 (Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKAlex: The Vision & the Scarlet Witch #1 (Orlando, Lorenzo Tammetta), Absolute Flash #3 (Lemire, Robles)Dave: Into the Unbeing Part 2 #4 (Zac Thompson, Hayden Sherman)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: The New Gods #6 (Nimit Malavia)Alex: The Ultimates #12 (Inhyuk Lee variant)Interview: James Tynion - Exquisite Corpses #1 out May 14, 20251. What drew you to the exquisite corpse method as a structural framework—and how did it shape your writing process across collaborators?2. You've said before that horror lets you explore personal fears in metaphorical ways—what fear sits at the heart of Exquisite Corpses for you personally?3. This project is filled with shifting tones and visual voices—how did you maintain thematic cohesion across multiple artists and chapters?4. You've tackled horror through multiple lenses—from psychological horror in The Nice House on the Lake to body horror in Something is Killing the Children. Where does Exquisite Corpses fall on your personal horror spectrum?5. You've spoken about burnout and choosing joy in your writing—did this collaborative process reawaken anything in you creatively?6. There's a class warfare element baked into the DNA of Exquisite Corpses. How important was it for you to make that commentary explicit rather than just subtext?7. You're known for big ideas in genre fiction. Was there ever a version of Exquisite Corpses that could've been a prose project or TV pitch—or was comics always the only way this could work?8. What's one element in Exquisite Corpses—a character, twist, or scene—that you're most excited for readers to finally experience, but can't say anything about yet?

Watch on Philo! - Philo.tv/DTHIt's a lawless time, y'all. Organized crime syndicates are running a muck since the fall of the Galactic Republic, forcing others to fight for survival. On the industrial ship-building planet Corellia, Lady Proxima, leader of the White Worms gang, is after a hyperfuel known as coaxium. That's when we meet Han. He is trying to escape Corellia for good. He feels confident he can do that after getting his hands on some coaxium.  His girlfriend Qi'ra is pumped. But as they go to escape, they are found by some of Proxima's baddies and are taken to her. He's like oh I don't have an coaxium, but what i do have is THIS! He pulls out a rock and throws it through a window which lets in light which Proximia and her species are allergic to and they escape! But it does take long for them to catch up with him and a chase ensues. They bribe an Imperial officer at a spaceport for passage off-world. Han makes it through, but Qi'ra is captured at the last moment. Separated by a security gate, Han promises to return for her.Alone and desperate, Han enlists in the Imperial Navy. When asked for his surname, he's called “Solo” since he claims to have no family. Fast forward three years, Han has been expelled from flight school for acting a fool and is now down in the mud of a battle. There, he encounters a group of thieves disguised as soldiers—Tobias Beckett, Val, and Rio. When Han tries to blackmail his way into their crew, Beckett has him arrested and thrown into a pit with a deadly creature: a Wookiee named Chewbacca.Han and Chewbacca form a quick alliance, escaping together and convincing Beckett to take them in. Realizing Chewbacca's brute strength is valuable, Beckett agrees. The crew sets off for their next job—stealing coaxium from a moving train. The heist goes sideways when they're ambushed by a gang of pirates. Rio is fatally shot, Val sacrifices herself, and the coaxium is lost in the chaos.Beckett reveals they were working for Dryden Vos, a high-ranking figure in the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate, and now owe him. To make amends, Han and Chewbacca offer to help steal unrefined coaxium from the mines on Kessel. Beckett agrees and takes them to Dryden's luxurious yacht, where Han reunites with Qi'ra—now a high-ranking lieutenant.Vos approves the plan but insists Qi'ra accompany them. She leads them to the suave smuggler Lando Calrissian, hoping to use his ship, the Millennium Falcon. Han loses a rigged card game to Lando but convinces him to join the mission in exchange for a cut. With Lando's droid co-pilot L3-37 onboard, the team sets off.On Kessel, L3 sparks a riot among droid slaves, while Chewbacca breaks off to free Wookiee prisoners. The team escapes with the coaxium, but L3 is destroyed and Lando is injured. Using L3's navigational system, Han pilots the Falcon. Han hatches a plan to outsmart Dryden Vos. It's a classic double cross station. When they meet again, Dryden exposes Beckett as his informant. But Han had anticipated the betrayal—the coaxium given to Vos is real, and the fake decoy was a bluff.Beckett takes Chewbacca and the coaxium hostage, but Han later confronts and shoots him before he can retaliate. Meanwhile, Qi'ra kills Dryden Vos but secretly contacts her true boss: Darth Maul. She takes Vos's ship and leaves, choosing to embrace her role.Han tracks down Lando and challenges him to a rematch in cards. This time, Han wins, gaining ownership of the Millennium Falcon.With Chewbacca by his side, Han sets off for Tatooine, following a tip about a powerful gangster—Jabba the Hutt—looking for smugglers for a big job.

Star Wars Generations: Andor Season 2 Finale Reactions - The Dawn of RebellionThe groundbreaking Andor series reaches its powerful conclusion, connecting directly to Rogue One and reshaping how we view the Star Wars universe. In this episode, hosts Matthew and Alex share their immediate reactions to the final episodes of Andor Season 2, examining how the show bridges crucial gaps in the Rebellion's formation while delivering some of television's most compelling character arcs.How Does Andor Enhance the Larger Star Wars Narrative?The hosts explore how Andor doesn't just stand alone but actively enriches the entire Star Wars saga. By connecting seamlessly to Rogue One and A New Hope, the series makes the sacrifices in the original trilogy even more meaningful. The show provides essential context for understanding the Rebellion's origins, showing the personal costs and moral compromises that went into fighting the Empire long before Luke Skywalker entered the picture.What Makes Luthen Such a Complex Character?Luthen embodies the moral complexities at the heart of revolution, raising uncomfortable questions about means and ends. As Matthew notes, the character "troubles me the most, and I think that's the point," drawing comparisons to historical revolutionary figures who employed violent tactics in service of just causes. Luthen's own words resonate throughout the series: "I'm condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them," highlighting the central ethical dilemma facing all resistance movements. The hosts debate whether his methods were justified and how his character forces viewers to question their own moral judgments about real-world resistance movements.How Does the Empire Treat Its Own People?The fate of Imperial officers like Dedra Meero and Partagaz reveals a brutal truth: "You could do everything for the Empire, you could give yourself to it... but in the end, no matter how loyal you are, you're expendable." The hosts discuss how the series brilliantly portrays the Empire's callous treatment of even its most dedicated servants, creating a system where middle-management bullies like Krennic thrive while true believers are discarded when no longer useful.What Legacy Is Left Behind?The final moments of the series spark discussion about how characters' sacrifices ripple through the timeline. As Luthen states in his powerful speech, "I burned my life to make a sunrise that I know I'll never see," foreshadowing the future that Cassian and others will help create but never witness themselves. The hosts debate the controversial ending for Bix's character and whether it serves the narrative or relies too heavily on common tropes.Other Topics Covered:How K2-SO's introduction creates both comedic moments and surprisingly tense action scenesThe significance of Easter eggs connecting to other Star Wars properties, including RebelsWhether Kleya and Cassian might be siblings, and why making this connection would undermine the storyHow actors delivered Emmy-worthy performances across multiple complex rolesThe perfect execution of Andor as a complete two-season story with clear vision from start to finishWhy Orson Krennic's introduction establishes him as the quintessential Imperial middle-manager bullyThe visual parallels between key scenes in the finale and Rogue One's endingAndor has redefined what Star Wars storytelling can achieve on television, creating a rare series that appeals equally to hardcore fans and newcomers to the galaxy far, far away. By focusing on ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, the show illuminates the personal costs of resistance while never losing sight of why the fight against tyranny matters—even when victory seems impossible and the path forward requires difficult compromises. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast's main page you can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Kateryna Zarembo is a researcher, lecturer, translator, and author who has long combined academic, literary, and policy work. Since August 2024, she has also served as a volunteer combat medic with the Hospitallers Medical Battalion. From 2010 to 2019, she worked at the New Europe Center, focusing on European integration, Ukraine's security, and international advocacy. Her 2023 book, The Rise of Ukraine's Sun, explores civil society in eastern Ukraine. Her research interests include international relations, security policy, and civil society.----------LINKS:https://katerynazarembo.org.ua/en/https://pen.org.ua/en/members/kateryna-zarembohttps://x.com/katerynazaremboLVIV MEDIA FORUM:https://lvivmediaforum.com/enhttps://conference.lvivmediaforum.com/----------Your support is massively appreciated! SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon CurtainNEXT EVENTS - LVIV, KYIV AND ODESA THIS MAY.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur first live events this year in Lviv and Kyiv were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. We may add more venues to the program, depending on the success of the fundraising campaign. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube's algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

 We talked with Ty & Nick of The Talbott Brothers in this episode, and it was an amazing time chatting with fellow Nebraskans and songwriters.  We chatted about finishing each other's sentences, their grassroots beginning, the payoff of persistence, and the Nebraskan stiff upper lip. We also have a great conversation about their new album AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE TODAY: "Borderlands."  The Talbott Brothers, hailing from the heartland of Imperial, Nebraska, embody the heart and soul of Americana, Folk/Rock, Soul, Blues and Country with their blue-collar grit and unapologetic authenticity. Grounded in the character of their rural upbringing, brothers Nick and Ty Talbott have built a name for themselves with their soul-stirring lyrics, sibling blood harmonies, and rich melodies that represent the ebbs and flows of life.   After years of soaking in Portland's eclectic energy, the brothers felt a strong calling back to their Midwest roots. Returning to their small town of 2,000 people, they realizedthat their unchanged hometown had been instrumental in their own evolution.   This revelation led to the creation of their new album Borderlands, set to dropon Friday, May 16, 2025. The record navigates the emotional frontiers suggested by its name — where heartbreak leads to healing, grief discovers joy, sadness gives way to happiness, anger finds forgiveness, and indifference becomes love. It's a sonic exploration of finding the courage to leave home, while always carrying a piece of it with you.  Check them out here:  Website: thetalbottbrothers.com  IG: Talbottbrothers  TikTok: Talbottbrothers  FB: The Talbott Brothers  And find Ty's Podcast Similar Vein here: https://similarveinpodcast.transistor.fm/ 

We start with Experian's (EXPN) latest results. Host Dan Jones and Julian Hofmann unpack what went right for the business, how it could fare in the event of a US slowdown, and whether investors should get involved. Next up is Imperial Brands (IMB). Chris Akers shares what led to the big share price reaction, how it compares with other competitors in the tobacco industry and what the main attraction is for investors.Last up, Val Cipriani discusses her personal finance feature on investing to travel the world. Listen to find out everything you need to know, from what to do with your home to what kind of portfolio you should build.Timestamps1:28 Experian13:16 Imperial Brands22:33 Investing to travel the world Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James and Paul get up close and personal with Andor Episode 11 - who is spying on whom?We discuss Cassian's rebellious spirit and the escape plan, as well as the Imperial strategies at play. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving listeners eager for the next instalment.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Episode 11 of Andor03:03 Character Dynamics and Power Struggles05:56 The Hunt for Clues and Tension Builds09:01 Cassian's Rebel Spirit and the Escape Plan11:59 Imperial Strategies and the Search for Andor14:59 Cliffhanger and Anticipation for the Next Episode

The Ashes of the Imperium podcast returns for a deep lore dive into one of the most haunting Warhammer 40,000 stories ever told – The Anphelion Project.Dan and Max explore the events of Imperial Armour Volume 4, as Inquisitor Solomon Lok investigates a disturbing silence from a secret Imperial base on Beta-Anphelion IV. We unpack the narrative beats, the cast of unforgettable characters, and the creeping horror that unfolds as the Tyranids overrun everything in their path.Whether you're new to Forge World lore or a veteran Imperial reader, this is a story you won't forget.

The fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century was not merely the collapse of a political order or the ruin of marble monuments. It was the slow eclipse of an entire world – a complex tapestry of cultural practices, technical know-how, intellectual traditions, and spiritual paradigms – many of which vanished forever. Historians often highlight the sack of cities and the demise of imperial authority, yet beyond the smoking ruins lies an even greater tragedy: the loss of ways of life and thought that had no true successor. Reconstructing these forgotten dimensions of Roman civilization requires equal parts scholarship and imagination. What follows is an academic meditation on those elusive losses – facets of Roman society unique to their time, only partially understood today, and largely without modern analog. Each represents a thread of human experience that was severed in the aftermath of Rome's fall, leaving later generations in a poorer world, often unaware of what had been lost. 

In which we continue Andor: and discuss The Ghorman Massacre, protest tactics, Imperial riot cops, and state news media—as joined by Gare Davis.Listen to Gare's work on It Could Happen Here.Sources for this episode can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠daughtersofferrix.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/daughtersofferrix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Daughters of Ferrix is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheLetterbomber⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SofiainSLC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Background music is by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Louie Zong⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@FerrixPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Beginning immediately on the heels of Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, the second season of the Disney+ streaming series Andor, now carrying the same A Star Wars Story subtitle as Rogue One, kicked off its four-week run with its first trio of episodes. The premiere and its title, "One Year Later," sets the framework for Season Two: as each "a movie a week" batch of three episodes brings us a year closer to Rogue One, several interweaving plots advance the characters arcs of Andor's expansive cast. On this episode of Hyperspace Theories podcast, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester analyze the first story arc of Season Two by breaking down how each of the four subplots reveals more of the world-building and characterization that drive the story forward. We begin with Cassian Andor examining how his character has evolved since the events of Season One and the lessons he learns in his mission-gone-awry from a Sienar facility to the Yavin IV jungle to his fateful return to his Ferrix friends. The other major plotline features Mon Mothma and the ostentatious wedding for her daughter on Chandrila, which brings with it considerable interpersonal drama for the family and for the still-perilous groundwork for the burgeoning Rebellion. On Mina Rau, the Ferrix expatriates confront the iron grip of the Empire through the lens of unexpectedly timely themes of refugees, undocumented residents, and the risks of exploitation and oppression they face. Similar themes appear in the final subplot, the Imperial characters who shift from hunting rebels to plotting far greater atrocities on Ghorman, all the while planning to use propaganda and manipulation to conceal the truth. Along the way, we also discuss the color palette used in the costume design for these episodes. Deliberately recurring hues cutting across the storylines indicate important thematic parallels in more subtle visual ways – and also, perhaps, hint toward events to come in future episode arcs.

Dana and Tom with 10x club member, Robb Conlon (Founder of Westport Studios and Host of B2B Business Class), and 5x club member, Andrew Corns (Host and Creator of the Revisionist Almanac), discuss the sequel to Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) for its 45th anniversary: directed by Irvin Kerschner, written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, music by John Williams, cinematography by Peter Suschitzky, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Alec Guinness, and James Earl Jones.Plot Summary: After their triumphant but costly victory against the Empire, the Rebel Alliance struggles to evade Darth Vader's relentless pursuit. Forced into hiding on the remote ice planet Hoth, they soon find themselves under attack, prompting a desperate escape across the galaxy. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), guided by visions of wisdom, seeks out the reclusive Jedi Master Yoda to sharpen his abilities and prepare for the battles ahead. As Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fischer) attempt to evade Imperial forces, they seek refuge in the seemingly safe Cloud City—only to find betrayal lurking within. When Luke abandons his training to confront Vader, he faces a chilling revelation that will shake the foundation of his destiny and alter the course of the Rebellion forever.Guests:Robb ConlonFounder of Westport Studios and Host of B2B Business ClassLinkedIn: Robb / Westport StudiosPreviously On: Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Die Hard (1988), The Godfather (1972), John Wick (2014), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Man on Fire (2004), The Incredibles (2004), Gladiator...

One of the most dangerous threats from Star Wars' Legends has had an interesting history after his initial introduction in Timothy Zahn's trilogy/. From the page to animation to live action, the Chiss known as Grand Admiral Member-Berries... errr... THRAWN has had a lasting impact on fans young and old.Join the WOTS crew as we dive into our Character Counts discussion focused on the only Imperial commander to ever say no to both Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader and walk away unscathed..

This episode of This Week In White Supremacy features a conversation among Jasiri X,  Miracle, Saïd, and Treble NLS share a light-hearted introduction filled with jokes and banter before diving into a serious discourse about various community and global issues.They talk about the new American Pope, Leo the 14th, his background, and the controversy surrounding his appointment. The conversation digs into the political implications of the new Pope's past actions, his stance on social justice issues, and the criticisms aimed at him by prominent right-wingers.But it doesn't stop there, as 1HOOD gets into the complexities of the war on immigration and the potential threats posed by the suspension of habeas corpus as suggested by the Trump administration; including the paradoxical nature of Trump's support for white South Africans as 'refugees,' and the double standards in free speech privileges.This episode points out the pervasive culture of white supremacy, the impact of Trump's policies, and the importance of standing up against systemic racism. --To help us build liberated communities through arts, education, and social justice visit our website 1hood.org to purchase your official 1HOOD apparel or consider making a tax-deductible donation to 1Hood Media. --WATCH THE SHOW: youtube.com/@twiws--FOLLOW 1HOOD youtube.com/@1hoodfacebook.com/1hoodmediainstagram.com/1hoodmediax.com/1hood--About:This Week In White Supremacy is the 1Hood podcast discussing the cultural effects and weekly injustices surrounding white supremacy; through intelligent, insightful commentary and often comedic conversations this podcast is geared towards adults who want to digest the latest news and events with humor and Hip-Hop.--DISCLAIMERS: The views and opinions expressed during this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of 1Hood Media, 1Hood Power, and or its affiliates. We do not own the copyrights to the selected songs, audios and/or videos shared in this broadcast. This Week In White Supremacy is brought to you by the 1HOOD Media NetworkExplicit LanguageParental Discretion is AdvisedTV-MA

Don't call Palpatine a monster. He hates that. The Emperor doesn't make an appearance in episode 9, but his presence is felt in every lackey and underling and the stresses that Imperial officers go through to prevent his displeasure. The ISB thinks it set up Ghorman for a fall, but they didn't realized that seeing the fall coming was the only way the rebellion could salvage a tragedy and inspire courage and hope.Mon Mothma's path seemed set by Rebels years ago, but Tony and Dan Gilroy manage to throw some curveballs without retroactively changing continuity in such a drastic way that longtime fans revolt. Is the key just "do it better" when making those tweaks? It feels so, because K-2SO's origins are much different than they are in a comic book. Aren't we glad they didn't have to stick to something like that?If you're not, that's okay. Your opinion is your own. You can have terrible opinions and still be a fan. Some people, for instance, don't think Andor is any good. I don't know if I'd share a meal with that kind of person, but I'm not going to argue. The show has spoken for itself. The writing and the action have been "movie quality" for weeks now and episode 9 of season 2 feels like a terrific third act of the third act.This is the Way Podcast HQ has been under immense stress getting out new podcasts each week with personal issues weighing heavily. With just one week left, it's strange to realize that there won't be another high quality show coming to Star Wars for quite some time. There's content that CAN be covered, but there's also content that should be removed from the streaming site.If you have an episode specific comment, send it in to the email address we reveal in our podcasts. Make sure to leave a good subject line for us so we know what episode and let us know what you'd like us to call you if we mention your message. There are other ways to interact with This is the Way Podcast, like via ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ or 'X' @ThisistheWayPod or on Facebook, YouTube, and Spotify! May the Force be with us!

Last time we spoke about Operation Chahar. In the turbulent year of 1935, tensions surged in North China as the Kwantung Army defied Tokyo's orders, encroaching deeper into Chahar province. This period was marked by widespread anti-Japanese sentiments, fueled by local revolts and the assassination of pro-Japanese figures, which infuriated Japanese authorities. On May 20, the Kwantung Army launched an offensive against a bandit group led by Sun Yungqin, seeking to exert control over the demilitarized regions established by earlier agreements. Their swift victory forced the resignation of local officials opposing Japanese interests. As chaos escalated, the Chinese government, under pressure to appease Japan, dismantled anti-Japanese factions and dismissed key leaders. The climax in this saga came with the signing of the He-Umezu Agreement, stripping China of authority in Hubei and Chahar, signaling Japan's increasing dominance and setting the stage for further exploitation of the region.   #150 The February 26 Incident Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. While this podcast is supposed to be given through the Chinese perspective, I apologize but yet again I need to jump over to the Japanese side. You see, a very pivotal moment during the Showa era would occur in the year of 1936. I think it's crucial to understand it, and the underlying issues of it, to better understand what we will be stuck in for the unforeseeable future, the Second Sino-Japanese War. I've briefly mentioned the two factions within the Japanese military at this time, but now I'd really like to jump into them, and a major incident that made them collide. In the aftermath of WW1, 2 prominent factions emerged during this tumultuous period: the Kodoha, or Imperial Way Faction, and the Toseiha, or Control Faction. Each faction represented distinct visions for Japan's future, deeply influencing the nation's course leading up to World War II. The Kodoha rose to prominence in the 1920s, driven by a fervent belief in Japan's divine destiny and its right to expand its imperial reach across Asia. This faction was characterized by its adherence to traditional Japanese values, rooted in the samurai ethos. They viewed the Emperor as the embodiment of Japan's spirit and sought to return to the moral foundations they believed had been eroded by “Western influence”. The Kodoha was often critical of the West, perceiving the encroachment of Western thought and culture as a threat to Japan's unique identity. Their ideology emphasized a robust military force, advocating for aggressive campaigns in regions like Manchuria and China to assert Japan's dominance. Contrasting sharply with the Kodoha, the Toseiha began to emerge as a more dominant political force in the late 1930s. The Toseiha embraced a pragmatic approach, advocating for a disciplined military that could engage effectively with the complexities of modern warfare. They recognized the importance of retaining some traditional values while also integrating Western military techniques. Rather than rejecting Western influence entirely, the Toseiha believed in adapting to global shifts to ensure Japan's strength and security. The Toseiha's moderation extended to their governance strategies, as they prioritized political stability and control over radical ideology. They saw this approach as crucial for creating a robust state capable of managing Japan's expansionist ambitions without provoking the backlash that Kodoha tactics elicited. Their more calculated approach to military expansion included securing partnerships and pursuing diplomatic solutions alongside military action, thereby presenting a less confrontational image to the world. Now after Manchuria was seized and Manchukuo was ushered in, many in the Japanese military saw a crisis emerge, that required a “showa restoration' to solve. Both factions aimed to create military dictatorships under the emperor. The Kodoha saw the USSR as the number one threat to Japan and advocated an invasion of them, aka the Hokushin-ron doctrine, but the Toseiha faction prioritized a national defense state built on the idea they must build Japans industrial capabilities to face multiple enemies in the future. What really separated the two, was the Kodoha sought to use a violent coup d'etat to make ends meet, whereas the Toseiha were unwilling to go so far. The Kodoha faction was made up mostly of junior and youthful officers, typically country boys as we would call them. These were young men whose families were not the blue bloods, farmer types. They viewed the dramatic changes of Japan in light of their own family experiences, many were impoverished by the dramatic changes. A very specific thing these Kodoha boys hated were the Zaibatsu. The Zaibatsu were large Japanese business conglomerates, primarily active from the Meiji period until WW2. They combined various industries, including banking, manufacturing, and trading. Prominent examples included Mitsubishi and Sumitomo. The reason they hated the Zaibatsu was because they believed they were influenced by western thought and that they super succeeded the authority of the emperor. More or less you can think of it as “we hate the fat cats who are really running things”.   Now the Toseiha faction were willing to work with the Zaibatsu to make Japan stronger. Basically they believed them to just be a necessary evil, you had to play ball to get things rolling. Random note, Hirohito's brother Prince Chichibu sympathized with the Kodoha faction and repeatedly counseled his brother that he should implement direct imperial rule even if it meant suspending the constitution, aka a show restoration. Hirohito believed his brother who was active in the IJA at the time was being radicalized. Now I cant go through the entire history of it, but this time period is known as the “government by assassination” period for Japan. Military leaders in the IJA, IJN and from within the Kodoha and Toseiha factions kept assassinating politicians and senior officers to push envelopes forward. Stating all of that, I now want to talk about the February 26th incident and I will add I am using a specific source, simply because it's my favorite. That is Herbert P Bix's Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan. In late 1934, several officers from the Imperial Way faction at the Army Cadet School were arrested for plotting a coup. Although there were no immediate repercussions, the following year, two of the same Kodoha officers, named Isobe Asaichi and Muranaka Takaji were arrested again for distributing a document accusing Toseiha faction officers, like Major General Nagata Tetsuzan, of previously drafting coup plans against the government. This time, the army's upper echelons responded firmly, condemning Isobe and Muranaka's accusations as acts of disloyalty, resulting in both officers losing their commissions. Meanwhile, other Imperial Way officers sought retaliation against Nagata, who was rumored to be planning a major purge to eliminate factionalism within the army. Tatsukichi Minobe was a Japanese statesman and scholar of constitutional law and in the 1930s he began a movement bringing up the very real issue with the Meiji constitution in relation to the role of the emperor. In August 1935, amid a populist movement denouncing Minobe's interpretation of the constitution, Lt colonel Aizawa Saburo from Kodoha faction entered Nagata's office and fatally attacked him with his katana. This marked a significant escalation in the military struggle over state reform and the push for increased military funding, which was intertwined with the movement against Minobe. Meanwhile anti- Prime Minister Okada factions within the army, continuing to use slogans like “kokutai clarification” and “denounce the organ theory,” intensified their attacks on the emperor's advisers and hereditary peers. Senior generals from the Kodoha faction arranged a public court-martial for Aizawa, held by the 1st Division, a group heavily populated by Kodoha officers based in Tokyo. When Aizawa's trial commenced on January 12, 1936, his defense team transformed it into an emotional condemnation of the Okada cabinet, the court entourage, and Minobe's constitutional theories. This strategy garnered support across the nation, even reaching unexpected places like the imperial palace, where Dowager Empress Teimei Kogo, a staunch rightist, expressed sympathy for Aizawa. However, before the trial could progress, a military mutiny disrupted proceedings in the capital. Shockwaves rippled through the army after Army Minister Hayashi dismissed Kodoha member General Mazaki from his position overseeing military education and ordered the transfer of the 1st Division to Manchuria, which ignited the largest army uprising in modern Japanese history. The uprising was orchestrated through a series of meetings held from February 18 to 22 by key individuals including Nishida, Yasuhide Kurihara, Teruzō Andō, Hisashi Kōno, Takaji Muranaka, and Asaichi Isobe. Their plan was relatively straightforward: the officers would assassinate the most prominent adversaries of the kokutai, seize control of the administrative center of the capital and the Imperial Palace, and present their demands, which included the dismissal of certain officials and the establishment of a new cabinet led by Mazaki. They did not establish long-term goals, believing that those should be determined by the Emperor. However, it is suspected that they were prepared to replace Hirohito with Prince Chichibu if necessary. The young Kodoha officers felt they had at least implicit support from several influential Imperial Japanese Army officers after making informal inquiries. This group included figures such as Araki, Minister of War Yoshiyuki Kawashima, Jinzaburō Mazaki, Tomoyuki Yamashita, Kanji Ishiwara, Shigeru Honjō, as well as their immediate superiors, Kōhei Kashii and Takeo Hori. Later, Kawashima's successor as Minister of War remarked that if all the officers who had endorsed the rebellion were forced to resign, there would not have been enough high-ranking officers left to replace them. To articulate their intentions and grievances, the young officers prepared a document titled "Manifesto of the Uprising" “Kekki Shuisho”, which they intended to present to the Emperor. Although the document was authored by Muranaka, it was written under the name of Shirō Nonaka, the highest-ranking officer involved in the plot. The document aligned with Kokutai Genri-ha ideals, criticizing the genrō, political leaders, military factions, zaibatsu, bureaucrats, and political parties for jeopardizing the kokutai with their selfishness and disregard for the Emperor, and emphasized the need for direct action: “Now, as we face immense foreign and domestic challenges, if we do not eliminate the disloyal and unjust who threaten the kokutai, if we do not remove the villains obstructing the Emperor's authority and hindering the Restoration, the Imperial vision for our nation will come to naught [...] Our duty is to purge the malevolent ministers and military factions surrounding the Emperor and eradicate their influence; we shall fulfill this mission.” Seven targets were selected for assassination for "threatening the kokutai". Keisuke Okada served as Prime Minister, where he notably advocated for the London Naval Treaty and supported the "organ theory" of the kokutai. His actions reflect a commitment to international agreements and specific ideological principles at the time. Saionji Kinmochi, a Genrō and former Prime Minister, also supported the London Naval Treaty. However, his influence extended further, as he played a role in prompting the Emperor to establish inappropriate cabinets, impacting political stability. Makino Nobuaki, the former Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and Foreign Minister, was another key figure who supported the London Naval Treaty. He notably prevented Prince Fushimi from voicing protests to the Emperor during this period, and he established a court faction in collaboration with Saitō, further entrenching political alliances. In his capacity as Grand Chamberlain, Kantarō Suzuki supported the London Naval Treaty but faced criticism for "obstructing the Imperial virtue," suggesting tensions between political decisions and traditional values. Saitō Makoto, who served as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and former Prime Minister, was involved in advocating for the London Naval Treaty and played a significant role in Mazaki's dismissal. He, too, formed a court faction with Makino, indicating the intricacies of court politics. Takahashi Korekiyo, as Finance Minister and former Prime Minister, engaged in party politics with the aim of diminishing military influence. His approach was focused on maintaining the existing economic structure amid the shifting political landscape. Finally, Jōtarō Watanabe, who replaced Mazaki as Inspector General of Military Education, supported the "organ theory" of the kokutai yet faced criticism for refusing to resign, despite being considered unsuitable for his position. On the night of February 25, Tokyo experienced a heavy snowfall, which uplifted the rebel officers as it evoked memories of the 1860 Sakuradamon Incident. During this event, political activists known as shishi assassinated Ii Naosuke, the chief advisor to the Shōgun, in the name of the Emperor. The rebel forces, organized into six groups, began mobilizing their troops and departing from their barracks between 3:30 and 4:00 AM. At 5:00 AM, they launched simultaneous attacks on key targets, including Okada, Takahashi, Suzuki, Saito, the Ministry of War, and the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. At around five o'clock on the morning of February 26, 1936, a rebellion erupted, fueled by the long-standing tensions surrounding the kokutai issues that had plagued 1935. Twenty-two junior officers led over 1,400 armed soldiers and non-commissioned officers from three regiments of the 1st Division and an infantry unit of the Imperial Guards in a mutiny in snow-covered Tokyo. The attack on Okada involved a contingent of 280 men from the 1st Infantry Regiment, commanded by 1st Lieutenant Yasuhide Kurihara. The troops encircled the Prime Minister's Residence and compelled its guards to open the gates. Upon entering the compound, they attempted to locate Prime Minister Okada but were met with gunfire from four policemen stationed there. All four policemen were killed, wounding six rebel soldiers in the process. However, the shots served as a warning for Okada, prompting his brother-in-law, Colonel Denzō Matsuo, to help him find refuge. Matsuo, who closely resembled Okada, was eventually discovered by the soldiers and killed. After comparing Matsuo's wounded face to a photograph of the prime minister, the attackers mistakenly believed they had accomplished their mission. Okada managed to escape the following day, but this information was kept confidential, and he did not play any further role in the events. After Matsuo's death, Kurihara's men took up guard positions around the compound, reinforced by sixty soldiers from the 3rd Imperial Guard. In another key operation, Captain Kiyosada Kōda led a group of 160 men to seize control of the Minister of War's residence, the Ministry of War, and the General Staff Office. Upon entering the Minister's residence at 6:30 AM, they demanded to see Minister Kawashima. Once admitted, they read their manifesto aloud and presented a document detailing several demands, including: A prompt resolution to the situation that would further "advance the cause of the Restoration." A call to prevent the use of force against the Righteous Army. The arrest of Kazushige Ugaki (Governor-General of Korea), Jirō Minami (commander of the Kwantung Army), Kuniaki Koiso (commander of the Korean Army), and Yoshitsugu Tatekawa for their roles in undermining military command. The immediate dismissal of Lieutenant Colonel Akira Mutō, Colonel Hiroshi Nemoto, and Major Tadashi Katakura from the Imperial Japanese Army for promoting "factionalism." The appointment of Araki as the new commander of the Kwantung Army. Ugaki, who served as Minister of War during two separate terms, had overseen significant reductions and modernization efforts within the army. He had also failed to support the March Incident plotters, who had hoped to install him as Prime Minister. Minami, Mutō, Nemoto, and Katakura were all influential members of the Tōsei-ha faction; Katakura had been partly responsible for reporting on the Military Academy Incident. Later that morning, Isobe encountered Katakura outside the Ministry of War and shot him non-fatally in the head. During this tumultuous period, several officers sympathetic to the rebels, including General Mazaki, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, and General Ryū Saitō, joined the uprising. Saitō praised the young officers' spirit and encouraged Kawashima to accept their demands. Shortly before 9:00 am, Kawashima indicated he needed to speak with the Emperor and left for the Imperial Palace. Meanwhile, Captain Hisashi Kōno led a team of seven, comprised mostly of civilians, to attack Makino Nobuaki, who was staying at Kōfūsō, part of the ryokan Itōya in Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, with his family. Arriving at 5:45 am, they stationed two men outside while entering the inn with weapons drawn. Inside, policemen opened fire, leading to a lengthy exchange of gunfire. A policeman managed to alert Makino and his party of the danger, guiding them to a rear exit. Although the assassins fired at the escaping group, Makino successfully evaded capture. Kōno sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, and one policeman, Yoshitaka Minagawa, was killed. As Kōno was evacuated from the scene, the assailants set fire to the building. Hearing a gunshot, Kōno assumed that Makino had shot himself inside. After his recovery at a nearby military hospital, Kōno and his team were arrested by military police. Around 10:00 am, Kurihara and Nakahashi loaded a fleet of three trucks with sixty men and drove from the Prime Minister's Residence to the offices of the Asahi Shimbun, a significant liberal newspaper. They stormed the building, ordering the evacuation of employees and declaring their actions as "divine retribution for being an un-Japanese newspaper." The rebels then overturned and scattered the newspaper's type trays, containing 4,000 different characters, temporarily halting its publication. Following this attack, the men distributed copies of the uprising's manifesto to nearby newspapers before returning to the Prime Minister's Residence. On another front, 1st Lieutenant Motoaki Nakahashi of the 3rd Imperial Guard gathered 135 men and, under the pretext of paying respects at Yasukuni Shrine, marched to Takahashi Korekiyo's residence. There, he divided his forces, sending one group to attack while the other remained to guard the entrance. After breaking into the compound, Nakahashi and Lieutenant Kanji Nakajima found Takahashi in bed, where Nakahashi shot him while Nakajima delivered a fatal sword strike. Takahashi died without waking. Once his target was eliminated, Nakahashi regrouped with the soldiers and proceeded to the Imperial Palace, aiming to secure it. Entering through the western Hanzō Gate at 6:00 am, Nakahashi informed Major Kentarō Honma, the palace guard commander, that he had been dispatched to reinforce the gates due to earlier attacks. Honma, already aware of the uprisings, accepted Nakahashi's arrival. He was assigned to help secure the Sakashita Gate, the primary entrance to the Emperor's residence. Nakahashi planned to signal nearby rebel troops at police headquarters once he controlled access to the Emperor. However, he struggled to contact his allies, and by 8:00 am, Honma learned of his involvement in the uprising and ordered him, at gunpoint, to vacate the palace grounds. Nakahashi complied and returned to join Kurihara at the Prime Minister's Residence, while his soldiers remained at the gate until relieved later that day, preventing their inclusion in the government's official count of rebel forces. Elsewhere, 1st Lieutenant Naoshi Sakai led a detachment of 120 men from the 3rd Infantry Regiment to Saitō Makoto's home in Yotsuya. After surrounding the policemen on guard, five soldiers entered the residence and found Saitō and his wife, Haruko, in their bedroom. They shot Saitō dead, prompting Haruko to plead for her life, saying, "Please kill me instead!" While they pulled her away, she was unwittingly wounded by stray gunfire. Following Saitō's assassination, two officers directed another group to target General Watanabe, while the remaining men moved to strategically position themselves northeast of the Ministry of War. In Kōjimachi, Captain Teruzō Andō commanded 200 men from the 3rd Infantry Regiment to assault Suzuki's residence across from the Imperial Palace. After disarming the police on duty, they located Suzuki in his bedroom and shot him twice. When Andō moved to deliver the coup de grâce with his sword, Suzuki's wife implored to be allowed to do it herself, believing her husband to be fatally wounded. Andō obliged and, apologizing for the act, explained it was for the nation's sake. After saluting Suzuki, the soldiers left to guard the Miyakezaka junction north of the Ministry of War. Following the assault on Saitō, a party of twenty men, led by 2nd Lieutenants Tarō Takahashi and Yutaka Yasuda, headed to Watanabe's residence in Ogikubo after 7:00 AM. Despite the two-hour delay since previous attacks, no measures had been taken to alert Watanabe. As they attempted to storm the front entrance, military police inside opened fire, wounding Yasuda and another soldier. The troops then gained entry through the rear, confronting Watanabe's wife outside their bedroom. After shoving her aside, they found Watanabe using a futon as cover. He opened fire, prompting one soldier to retaliate with a light machine gun. Takahashi then rushed in and fatally stabbed Watanabe, witnessed by his nine-year-old daughter, Kazuko, who hid nearby. The soldiers departed, taking their wounded to a hospital before positioning themselves in northern Nagatachō. In a significant move, Captain Shirō Nonaka led nearly a third of the rebel forces, comprising 500 men from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, to assault the Tokyo Metropolitan Police headquarters. Their objective was to secure communication equipment and prevent dispatch of the police's Emergency Service Unit. Meeting no resistance, they quickly occupied the building, possibly due to a strategic decision to leave the situation in the military's hands. After securing the police headquarters, 2nd Lieutenant Kinjirō Suzuki led a small group to attack Fumio Gotō's residence, the Home Minister's, but found that Gotō was not home, thus allowing him to escape. This attack appeared to result from Suzuki's independent decision, rather than a coordinated effort among the officers. Despite all of these actions, the Kodoha boys had failed to secure the Sakashita Gate to the palace, which allowed the palace to maintain communication with the outside world, and they neglected to address potential naval interventions. At the Yokosuka naval base, Rear Adm. Yonai Mitsumasa and his chief of staff, Inoue Shigeyoshi, positioned marines to defend the Navy Ministry and prepared warships in Tokyo Bay to suppress the rebellion. By the morning of February 28, after unsuccessful negotiations through sympathetic officers at army headquarters, the commander under martial law transmitted an imperial order to disperse. Most troops returned to their barracks, one officer committed suicide, and the remaining leaders surrendered, resulting in the uprising ending with minimal further violence. Nevertheless, martial law in Tokyo continued for nearly five months. The rebel officers had initially planned for General Kawashima, a staunch ally of the Kodoha, to relay their intentions to the emperor, who they assumed would issue a decree for a “Showa restoration.” Despite their radical objectives of overthrowing the political order, the mutineers, like other military and civilian extremists of the 1930s, sought to operate within the imperial framework and maintain the kokutai. They believed the emperor was under the control of his advisers and lacked a genuine will of his own. Once the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and the Grand Chamberlain were removed, they expected the emperor to appoint General Mazaki as prime minister, a leader they believed would reinforce the military and effectively address the China issue. At the onset of the insurrection, they had a real chance of success. The Tokyo military police commander, General Kashii Kohei, sympathized with their cause, and the emperor's chief aide, General Honjo, was related to rebel officer Capain Yamaguchi Ichitaro. Support for the mutineers was present at military bases nationwide. Historian Hata Ikuhiko notes that the rebels contacted General Honjo by both phone and written message before attacking the Okada cabinet. As the first in the imperial entourage to learn of the mutiny, Honjo could have warned the intended targets but chose not to do so. By the time he arrived at court at 6:00 am. on the 26th, key advisors like Chief Secretary Kido, Imperial Household Minister Yuasa Kurahei, and Vice Grand Chamberlain Hirohata Tadakata were already aware of the potential danger. Suzuki was murdered, and the emperor was deeply affected, awakening to the news at 5:40 am from the chamberlain on night duty, Kanroji Osanaga. He learned that his old ministers had been attacked and a coup was underway. Upon receiving this information, Hirohito resolved to suppress the uprising. He was outraged by the killing of his ministers and feared that the rebels might use his brother, Prince Chichibu, to force him to abdicate. He donned his army uniform and summoned Honjo, ordering him to “end it immediately and turn this misfortune into a blessing.” Hirohito adopted a strategy proposed by Kido, who had acted swiftly earlier that morning, instructing Honjo to assess the Imperial Guard Division's potential actions if the mutineers advanced on the Palace. Kido aimed to prevent the establishment of a new provisional cabinet until the mutiny was fully quelled. At 9:30 am Army Minister Kawashima, who had previously met with one of the rebel officers, arrived at court. He urged the emperor to form a cabinet that would “clarify the kokutai, stabilize national life, and fulfill national defense.” Surprised by Kawashima's tone, Hirohito reprimanded him for not prioritizing the suppression of the mutiny. He also expressed his frustration to Chief of the Navy General Staff Prince Fushimi, dismissing him when he inquired about forming a new cabinet. Later that day, Kawashima met with the Supreme Military Council, consisting mainly of army officers sympathetic to the rebels. The council decided to attempt persuasion before relaying the emperor's orders a move contrary to Hirohito's directive. According to historian Otabe Yuji, an “instruction” was issued to the rebel officers at 10:50 am, acknowledging their motives and suggesting the emperor might show them leniency. This message was communicated to the ringleaders by martial law commander General Kashii. That evening, when members of the Okada cabinet came to submit their resignations, Hirohito insisted they remain in power until the mutiny was resolved. On February 27, the second day of the uprising, Hirohito announced “administrative martial law” based on Article 8 of the Imperial Constitution. This invoked his sovereign powers to address the crisis while freeing him from needing cabinet approval for his actions. Hirohito displayed remarkable energy throughout the subsequent days, sending chamberlains to summon Honjo for updates and threatening to lead the Imperial Guard Division himself when dissatisfied with the reports. Honjo, however, resisted the emperor's demands and exhibited sympathy for the rebels. During the uprising, Hirohito met with Prince Chichibu, who had recently returned from Hirosaki. Their discussions reportedly led Chichibu to distance himself from the rebels. However, rumors of his sympathy for them persisted, leading to concerns about potential conflicts within the imperial family. On the second day, Rear Admiral Yonai and his chief of staff demonstrated their loyalty to Hirohito. By February 29, the fourth day of the uprising, Hirohito had reasserted his authority, troops were returning to their barracks, and most rebel leaders were captured. Seventeen of these leaders were court-martialed and executed in July without legal representation. Shortly after, during the obon festival, Hirohito allegedly instructed a military aide to secure seventeen obon lanterns for the palace. This action, though secret, may have provided him some personal comfort amidst the turmoil. An investigation following the mutiny revealed that the rebels' sense of crisis was amplified by the recent general elections, which had shown an anti-military sentiment among voters. Despite their populist rhetoric, most ringleaders were not motivated by the agricultural depression; their goal was to support the kokutai by advocating for increased military rearmament. During this period, military spending steadily rose from 3.47% of GNP in 1931 to 5.63% in 1936. Intriguingly, the ringleaders and their senior commanders shared a desire for state control over production to mobilize resources fully for total war. While united in this goal, their ideas about how to achieve a “Showa restoration” varied greatly, with some leaders, like Isobe, calling for complete economic consolidation and a return to strong state power. The February mutiny reinforced Hirohito's belief in the constitutional framework that underpinned his military authority. He became increasingly cautious about decisions that could compromise his command and developed closer ties to the army's Control faction, justifying military spending increases. Yet, the memory of the mutiny left him feeling uncertain about the throne's stability. Now you know me, whenever I can bring up Hirohito's involvement in the war related times I gotta do. After WW2, in an apparent effort to downplay his role as supreme commander, Hirohito provided a deliberately distorted account of the February events. “I issued an order at that time for the rebel force to be suppressed. This brings to mind Machida Chuji, the finance minister. He was very worried about the rebellion's adverse effect on the money market and warned me that a panic could occur unless I took firm measures. Therefore I issued a strong command to have [the uprising] put down. As a rule, because a suppression order also involves martial law, military circles, who cannot issue such an order on their own, need the mutual consent of the government. However, at the time, Okada's whereabouts were unknown. As the attitude of the Army Ministry seemed too lenient, I issued a strict order. Following my bitter experiences with the Tanaka cabinet, I had decided always to wait for the opinions of my advisers before making any decision, and not to go against their counsel. Only twice, on this occasion and at the time of the ending of the war, did I positively implement my own ideas. Ishiwara Kanji of the Army General Staff Office also asked me, through military aide Chojiri [Kazumoto], to issue a suppression order. I don't know what sort of a person Ishiwara is, but on this occasion he was correct, even though he had been the instigator of the Manchurian Incident. Further, my chief military aide, Honjo, brought me the plan drafted by Yamashita Hobun, in which Yamashita asked me to please send an examiner because the three leaders of the rebel army were likely to commit suicide. However, I thought that sending an examiner would imply that they had acted according to their moral convictions and were deserving of respect. . . . So I rejected Honjo's proposal, and [instead] issued the order to suppress them. I received no report that generals in charge of military affairs had gone and urged the rebels to surrender.”  On February 26, when Hirohito ordered the immediate suppression of the rebels, his anger was directed not only at the insurgents who had assassinated his closest advisors but also at senior army officers who were indecisive in executing the crackdown. The following day, in addition to his role as Minister of Commerce and Industry, Machida took on the responsibilities of finance minister. Concerns over economic panic and confusion contributed to the emperor's sense of urgency, despite not being the primary motivation for his actions. Hirohito believed that every hour of delay tarnished Japan's international reputation. Since the Manchurian Incident, the emperor had frequently clashed with the military regarding encroachments on his authority, though never about fundamental policy issues. At times, he had managed to assert his political views during policy discussions, similar to his earlier influence under the Hamaguchi cabinet. The February 26 mutiny highlighted to Hirohito and Yuasa his privy seal from March 1936 to June 1940, and the first lord keeper of the privy seal to attend court regularly the necessity of fully exercising the emperor's supreme command whenever the situation demanded it. Even when faced with opposition from Honjo, Hirohito managed to gain support and assert his authority through a decisive approach. His resolution marked the end of a period during which alienated “young officers” attempted to leverage his influence as a reformist figure to challenge a power structure they could not manipulate effectively. However, Hirohito learned how to adeptly manage that establishment in most situations. The decision-making process within the government was characterized by secrecy, indirect communication, vague policy drafting, and information manipulation, creating a landscape of confusion, misunderstanding, and constant intrigue aimed at achieving consensus among elites. This was the modus operandi in Tokyo and a reflection of how the emperor operated. Once again, Hirohito reminded the tightly-knit elite that he was essential to the functioning of the system. On May 4, 1936, during his address at the opening ceremony of the Sixty-ninth Imperial Diet, while Tokyo remained under martial law, Hirohito closed the chapter on the February mutiny. Initially, he contemplated sending a strong message of censure to the military, but after considerable deliberation over three months, he ultimately chose to issue a brief, innocuous statement: “We regret the recent incident that occurred in Tokyo.” The response from his audience of Diet members and military officials was one of startled awe, with some privately expressing disappointment. Once again, at a critical juncture, Hirohito avoided an opportunity to publicly rein in the military through his constitutional role. Nonetheless, due to his behind-the-scenes actions, the drift in domestic policy that had characterized Japan since the Manchurian Incident came to an end. In the following fourteen months, the emperor and his advisors largely aligned with the army and navy's demands for increased military expansion and state-driven industrial development. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. So some very unruly young Japanese officers got the bright idea of forcing a showa restoration by killing all the culprits they believed held their emperor hostage. Little did they know, this event spelt the end of the Kodoha faction and rise of the Toseiha faction. Henceforth the military was even more in charge and would get even more insane.   

Star Wars and Superhero Ethics Crossover Episode: Andor Season 2While I try to keep the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics podcasts separate, with Andor hitting so many of the themes we talk about on Superhero Ethics, I wanted to share our first episode about Andor Season 2 with you all.The hosts of Star Wars Generations dive deep into the first three episodes of Andor Season 2, which premiered with a triple-episode release. Matthew, Erin, and Alex explore how the show immediately establishes its political commentary and continues its unflinching portrayal of life under the Empire's fascist regime.What makes Andor Season 2 so politically charged?Within the first five minutes, the show tackles current political issues through its storytelling. The hosts discuss how the plot involving undocumented workers (referred to explicitly as not having "visas") on a farming planet directly parallels real-world immigration issues. The Empire's plan to exploit the planet Ghorman for resources regardless of environmental or human cost also serves as commentary on resource exploitation and colonialism.How does the show portray different facets of the Empire?The podcast hosts examine how the show depicts various characters within the Imperial system. From Dedra and Syril's domestic life to the cold Imperial board meetings with Krennic, the series demonstrates how ordinary people participate in and enable fascist regimes. The stark contrast between the comfortable lives of Imperial officers and the struggling rebels highlights the inequality within the Star Wars universe.What connections to the wider Star Wars universe appear in these episodes?The hosts identify several connections to the animated series Rebels, including Cassian stealing what appears to be a TIE Interceptor (a project championed by Grand Admiral Thrawn) and the mention of Ghorman (which Mon Mothma later condemns the Empire for abusing in Rebels). They theorize these connections may lead to appearances from characters like Thrawn or depict events referenced in other Star Wars media.Other topics discussed:The controversial scene involving attempted sexual assault against Bix and its portrayal of power abuse within the EmpireMon Mothma's storyline involving Chandrilan wedding traditions and her strained family relationshipsBrasso's death and the ambiguity around whether Andor was responsibleThe portrayal of squabbling rebel factions on Yavin 4 and what it says about resistance movementsThe parallels between the lavish Chandrilan wedding ceremony and the violence occurring simultaneously on other planetsDedra and Syril's domestic relationship and interactions with his motherThe Imperial strategy meeting discussing how to create justifications for destroying GhormanThe hosts conclude that while some storylines (particularly the Yavin 4 sequence) felt somewhat drawn out, the overall quality of the show remains exceptional. They express excitement about where the season is heading and how it will connect to the events of Rogue One, noting that these early episodes have already paid off some of their predictions while setting up compelling new storylines. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Star Wars Generations.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast's main page. You can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Welcome back to TACTICAL AWARENESS - a Canadian Podcast about Corvus Belli's landmark Sci-Fi Wargame; Infinity N5. Come along with our hosts Ash, Owen and Dan for a whole new ITS Edition of Infinity! It's time for the Carlos-Backed Hyperpower of the human-sphere: YU JING. The State Empire comes sliding into the conversation in Heroes to Zeros with their oldest Sectorial faction, the Imperial Service. Owen'sgMoQaW1wZXJpYWwtc2VydmljZQpFTSBpIGd1ZXNzgSwCAQEACgCAjwEFAACHSwECAAAzAQMAAIDGAQIAAICiAQQAAICEAR4AADEBBQAAMQEFAACHTwECAAAyAQEAAgEABQCHSgEBAACAkgIBAACAkgEBAACAkgECAACGHQECAA%3D%3DAshgMoQaW1wZXJpYWwtc2VydmljZQlUYWMgQXdhcmWBLAIBAQAHAIL%2BAQUAAIL%2BAQUAAIL%2BAQUAAIdJAQEAAIdJAQMAAIdJAQMAAIcvAQEAAgEABgCHTAEBAACAkQEIAACHTgEDAACAkQEKAACHMgEBAACHSwEDAA%3D%3DDangMoQaW1wZXJpYWwtc2VydmljZQ5zdW4gdHplIHN1amlhboEsAgEBAAoAgI8BBQAAgJsBinIAAICSAgEAAICSAQEAAICSAQEAAICSAQEAAICSAQEAAIdLAQIAAIdMAQEAAIdJAQEAAgEABQCHSgEBAACAlAEDAAB9AQMAAICBAQMAAIL%2BAQUAListener Mailbag: ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sZBGrL7XqK03lyU5bunLkIMDMPce4GnI0278hi3PeRI/edit⁠ Join us on Discord HERE: ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/5hndYxvpTuAdd us to your favourite Podcasting App using the RSS Feed: ⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/s/cfa52998/podcast/rss⁠⁠ Music "Built to Last" by NEFFEX used via Creative Commons

We're back, and rebellious as ever! It's time to review the final season of Andor! This week we're covering, Episode 1: One Year Later. An undercover mission. A sanctuary threatened. A Chandrilan wedding. A chilling Imperial plan.Follow Us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@GoldSquadronGays⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@GoldSquadronGays⁠⁠ on BlueSky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@GoldSquadronGays⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@GoldSquadronGays⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTubeContact Us: Goldsquadrongays@gmail.comSpecial Theme Music, Just for Andor, By Jeremy Brauns. Stream it now on Spotify!https://open.spotify.com/track/56kmRJLcpDChxT96ttkIKB?si=177b384ada454a51

Welcome to the Rebellion!!! The people of Ghorman have had enough and march to the Monument of the Fallen to protest the Imperial occupation. Cassian heads to Ghorman to eliminate Dedra Meero and Mon Mothma prepares for a declaration.Andres Alvarez, host of the Sithty Minutes podcast joins us to talk Ghorman Massacre, Mon Mothma calling out the Emperor, Bix choosing the Rebellion, and more from Arc 3 of Andor Season 2. Oh, and yeah, Star Wars is political!Follow Andres https://bsky.app/profile/sithtyminutes.bsky.socialOti https://twitter.com/EPEstarGuars - https://bsky.app/profile/epestarguars.bsky.socialBad Wolf Broadcast https://twitter.com/BadWolf_fni - https://bsky.app/profile/badwolfbroadcast.bsky.socialLink Tree: https://t.co/QiW944JnUG?amp

In this week's episode, we take a look at four different ebook formatting tools for indie authors. We also discuss the phenomenon of Star Wars day. This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebook of Malison: The Complete Series at my Payhip store: MALISON25 The coupon code is valid through June 3, 2025. So if you need a new book for spring, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates   Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 251 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is May 9, 2025, and today we are looking at ebook formatting tools. Before we get into our main topic, we'll have Coupon of the Week, a progress update at my current writing and audiobook projects, and then Question of the Week. We'll also close out the show with a preview of my new audiobook Ghost in the Assembly (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy).   This week's coupon code will get you 25% off the ebook of Malison: The Complete Series at my Payhip store, and that is MALISON25. As always, we'll have the coupon code and the links in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code is valid through June the 3, 2025. So if you need a new ebook for spring, we have got you covered. Now here's where I'm at with my current writing projects. I am 87,000 words into Ghost in the Corruption and I'm hoping to hit 90,000 words by the end of today. So if all goes well, I will finish it up later this week and then begin editing. I am also 9,000 words into what my next project will be, which is Shield of Power, the final book in The Shield War series. I'm also 91,000 words into Stealth and Spells Online: Final Quest, and that will be my main project after Shield of Power is finished. So my writing goals for the next couple months will be Ghost in the Corruption, Shield of Power, Stealth and Spells Online: Final Quest, and then the final book in The Ghost Armor series (the title of which I should really decide since I'm getting close to being finished with the fifth book).   In audiobook news, recording of Ghost in the Assembly (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy) is finished. That should be turning up on all the various audiobook stores before too much longer. Shield of Deception (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills) is finished and available at all the audio stores: Audible, Apple, Google Play, Spotify, Chirp, and all the others. You can get that right now. Brad should be starting a recording of Shield of Battle sometime in the second half of May, if all goes well. So that is where I'm at with my current writing projects.   00:02:09 Question of the Week   And now let's move on to Question of the Week. Question of the Week is intended to inspire enjoyable discussions of interesting topics. This week's question: what is your favorite Star Wars? The inspiration for this question is the fact that May the Fourth has become Star Wars Day (in a very tongue in cheek manner). And as you might expect, we had a variety of responses to this question. Justin says: I have not seen any Star Wars TV series, but your other choices are mine as well. I have the Trawn Trilogy in the box set and got a PC joystick just for playing TIE Fighter again. Jonathan D. says: Empire Strikes Back is still the best film. I cannot get into the Disney canon after they destroyed the Expanded Universe. I watched The Force Awakens and that killed any interest in watching Disney Star Wars for me. Books is either Heir to the Empire Trilogy or the Darth Bain trilogy. A well done film adaptation of the Darth Bain books would be the only thing that would make me want to watch any new films. Video games would have to be Knight of the Old Republic 1 or 2, with Jedi Academy coming in third. The original Battlefront games were also great.   John Paul says: Loved the Mandalorian and the Book of Boba Fett, especially when they had the characters from each other's show guest starring in them. I saw somewhere they aren't making another series, but [there] was talk about a TV movie to finish it off, but [they are] now showing Series 4 on IBMD with no date. I grew up with the original trilogy though some of the later films are good, especially the special effects, though Jar Jar Binks spoiled the first three movies. Maybe they should reedit the character out since Lucas has spent some money on adding new effects to the trilogy to bring in line with the new movies. Skeleton Crew made me think of the movie Flight of the Navigator with Star Wars added, so I enjoyed that even though it's mainly for kids. I have fond memories of Space Invaders with the sidekick from the original Fall Guy TV show. Again, made for kids though adults can enjoy if they watch tongue in cheek.   Andrew says: There are only three Star Wars movies, of which Empire Strikes Back is my favorite. I really enjoyed Mandalorian Season One. Now Star Wars is dead to me, except for lightsaber battle videos. I really like the Princess Bride Battles. I played TIE Fighter, Dark Forces, and Knights of the Old Republic.   Tom says: Favorite film, Rogue One. With you on Mandalorian Season Two as favorite TV show. Favorite game, Rogue Squadron.   Tracy says: My favorite was Return of the Jedi.   Jenny says: Thrawn Trilogy for sure! Dark Forces was my very first computer game, so it's always going to hold a special place in my heart.   William says: The unofficial remasters of the original trilogy from preserved reels are a godsend.   MG says: Knights of the Old Republic was quite good and Knights of the Old Republic 2.   John K. says: I'm a grim dark sort of guy. Really liked Rogue One but it's slightly edged out by the original Episode IV. I absolutely love Andor but honestly, have not hated anything. Enjoyed them all. I was a nut for the original X-Wing game. Got good enough to one shot TIE Fighters with one quad shot and rarely missed and learned how to solo Star Destroyers pretty easily, though it would take forever. Having played the game that John K. is talking about, I can agree with him that you could take down Star Destroyers in your X-Wing if you knew what you were doing, but it really would take forever.   Dave says: Book wise, I really enjoyed the Thrawn books by Timothy Zahn, also the X-Wing series by Michael A. Stackpole was a personal favorite.   And finally Michael says: I agree on Empire Strikes Back though as a kid, I disliked the lack of upbeat movie. Also really liked the Solo movie. I confess I found the Thrawn books underwhelming, though the original Star Wars novelization is pretty good. And finally, I got to agree on TIE Fighter, such great game. Also, I have a soft spot for Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2.   For myself, I would have to break it down into four categories because Star Wars media covers so many different formats now. For favorite movie, I would say Empire Strikes Back, with Return of the Jedi as the runner up. For the favorite TV series, Season 2 of The Mandalorian. For my favorite book, The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn, with Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover, Darth Plagueis by James Luceno, and The Darth Bane Trilogy by Drew Karpyshyn coming in as strong runners up. Seriously, if you're listening to this podcast, you probably enjoy reading books, so these five are definitely worth your time.   For my favorite video games, I would say TIE Fighter, with Knights of the Old Republic as a very close runner-up. But TIE Fighter was definitely my favorite. In the game, you play as an Imperial pilot, and the designers had the clever idea of making the Empire sympathetic by having the player spend most of the missions hunting ruthless pirates, suppressing alien civil wars, and fighting renegade Imperial warlords who are trying to overthrow the Emperor. In the last two expansion packs for the game, the player is flying as Grand Admiral Thrawn's elite pilot against the renegade Grand Admiral Zaarin, and finally defeating Zaarin after like forty missions was VERY satisfying.   So those are my favorite Star Wars media items. As we can see.  there is quite a range of opinion in the answer to that question.   00:06:54 Main Topic: Ebook Formatting Tools   Now let's move on to our main topic, which is ebook formatting tools. And this is an important thing for indie authors to discuss because if you do want to self-publish your books, it is one of those foundational skills you have to master. You need to know what kind of file format the platforms you're publishing to you take and how to produce it. Now this is something you can hire out but you really, really shouldn't in my opinion, especially because some ebook formatting services charge as much as $2,000 to turn a Word document into files ready to upload for ebook stores. Considering that it is something you can easily do yourself with free tools and a little bit of practice, spending any amount of money on it is probably a waste. I mean, there's a difference between the kind of intricate formatting you would need for say, a full color medical textbook with illustrations and a 60,000 word romance novel. Fortunately, all the major software programs are nowhere near as expensive as $2,000 a book and don't have as much of a learning curve as you might expect. Both video and written tutorials are plentiful for all of these options, making it easy to learn at your own pace. Today we're going to go over four software options for formatting ebooks and discuss their pros, cons, and the best uses for them. Although some of these products have word processing functionality and other features built in, today we'll focus on just the ebook formatting part of the software. #1: The first option we will look at is Atticus. Atticus is from the same company that makes Publisher Rocket, which is a software program I've spoken of very favorably of on the show over the years. The company has made an effort to understand the needs of authors over the years and added new features to Publisher Rocket consistently as time went on. The company Kindlepreneur has also made significant enhancements to Atticus since it launched. As of the time of this recording, it is a one-time purchase option that has free ongoing updates and the current cost is $147 (in United States dollars). Expensive, but the founder of the company Dave Chesson has said frequently he doesn't like software subscriptions. So hopefully this will continue to be a one-time fee and not become a subscription thing.   So here are the pros to using Atticus. It is less expensive than Vellum and has the same features. It works on operating systems other than Mac. In theory, since it has a web client, it can work on any platform. Reviewers say it is very pleasant to use and those who want a lot of customization options are generally happy with it and it has a nice tool for creating and reusing the template for things like author bios or link pages.   The con is that it does require an Internet connection to use and you have to have a computer connected to the Internet. Some people also prefer not to have their work stored in the cloud like Atticus does. Some users report slowness while opening or closing or when saving a file, especially if it's a book with a high word account. Because of the online requirement, there can be issues related to syncing. It does not support .mobi as a file export option. However, that's not a big deal anymore because Amazon is officially phasing out the .mobi file extension and is requiring people to use .epub. So this is not a major point and it's only for people who have a customer base with very old e-readers that can't handle .epub.   And finally, Atticus does not offer a free trial period if you just want to try it out, but does offer a refund within the first 30 days if you try it and decide that you don't like it. So what users would find Atticus the best? It's probably best for PC or Linux users who don't want a Mac and also want to have lots of fine control of your formatting or customizing your layout. Atticus is also heavily built around collaboration, where different people can work on the same file. So if you do work with a team (and many indie authors do) or are co-writing a book, then Atticus might be a good tool for you to use.   #2: The second program we're going to look at is called Vellum.  Vellum has been seen as the default option for ebook formatting for a lot of writers for a while now. As of the time of recording, there is a one-time purchase option that has free ongoing updates. The current cost is $199 for the ebook only version or $249 for the version that includes paperbacks. Vellum has gone on sale occasionally in the past, usually for Cyber Monday in November. The pros for Vellum are that many reviewers consider it the best option for ebook formatting and say it delivers professional results without too much work and a minimal learning curve. Vellum lets you try out the software for free, but you won't be able to export the files you're publishing until the software is purchased. Like Atticus, it offers a 30 day window for a refund.   Vellum is not cloud-based software and it can be used offline. So if you are, for instance, working on a laptop on the road with spotty internet connectivity, this can be a lifesaver. Now for the cons and the biggest con is a big one- that Vellum is Macintosh only. You need to have a Mac to use it and it is not currently available for Windows and Linux. The developers have said that presently they have no plans to port it to either Windows or Linux. It will also not work on iOS, so that means you can't run it on your iPad or your iPhone. You can in theory use it on a PC with a Mac OS virtual machine, but people have reported very mixed success with that. The other con is that it is the most expensive option. So the users this is best for I think would be if you already have a Mac or you are willing to buy a Mac for just one piece of software. #3: The third software program we're going to look at is called Jutoh. Jutoh is a labor of love, mainly created by two people in the UK and has been around for a long, long time. As of the time of this recording, there is a one-time purchase option that costs $45 (US dollars) and a Plus version for $90 that supports some additional features. It currently offers a free trial that you can download and install, but functionality is limited in the trial version. The pros of Jutoh is that it works on Windows, Mac, and most versions of Linux. It is not cloud-based software/is local to your computer. It does not need a constant Internet connection to function. Reviewers frequently praised how responsive their customer support is and of the paid options we are discussing, it will be the least expensive of all of them. The cons are the interface is a bit dated. It does kind of look like something from the early 2000s in terms of the buttons and where they are. Because of that, it can be more difficult for some users to use than Atticus or Vellum. It does not create PDFs or print ready files, so you would not be able to use it to format your files for print books, which is something both Atticus and Vellum offer. I think this is best used for users who want a less expensive option than Atticus or Vellum or a PC user who wants a non-cloud based option.   #4: The fourth and final program we're going to look at is called Kindle Create. And as of this recording, it is the only one of these four options that is free. It is a free download. This software is created and maintained by Amazon. The pro? It's free and you can use the .epubs it creates to upload your books onto other platforms. Just because you've made your ebook in Amazon Create, that doesn't mean you can't use the file for Barnes & Noble and Kobo and Apple and so forth. You can go ahead and do that. However, because it is free software, there are quite a few cons to it. The functionality is pretty limited and only a few fonts are available. It is not good with complex layouts and Amazon's own documentation recommends not using it for books with tables, footnotes, or complex text formatting.   The program doesn't handle edits well. There are people who write books in Vellum even though the developers don't exactly recommend that. And Atticus is designed to have books written in it. However, Kindle Create definitely cannot handle that very well. Windows and Mac are supported, but you can't install it on Linux. Kindle Create no longer supports .mobi as a file export option since Amazon is moving away from that option and most other vendors haven't used it ever. That is a minor point.   I think Kindle Create is best used by users who are just starting out and don't have much in the way of budget and have books that don't require a lot of complex formatting. Kindle Create is actually quite good for novels because novels in general don't have a lot of complex formatting and because it's free, it has a little bit of a steeper learning curve, but that can be advantageous as well.   So looking at those four options, what do I use and why? Well, for the first seven or so years I was self-publishing, I didn't use any of these. I used a program called Sigil, which is an .epub editor. And if Kindle Create has a high learning curve, Sigil's is much higher because you're essentially editing the raw guts of the .epub file.   I was content using that for a number of years, but what I needed was a program that would make uploading print books and formatting print books much easier because at the time I was using Create Space and Create Space required a specialized Word template that was just an enormous headache to use. And the reason that many of the Frostborn books have exactly 24 chapters is because I had a template that worked really well with 24 chapters for print books and I wasn't going to mess that up by trying to add a chapter or have one fewer chapter. So for some of the Frostborn books, I made sure there were 24 chapters.   Obviously this was not a tenable situation for the print books, even though I was happy using Sigil for the eBooks. So I eventually heard good things about Vellum. In 2018 (I believe) I got a used Mac and installed Vellum and started using that for print books. I was much happier with that.   Because the books looked so good in print, I eventually switched over to using Vellum for formatting my ebooks as well and I've been using that ever since. So my main ebook format writing program (as of May 9, 2025) is Vellum and I have a Mac specifically for that purpose. However, I also has high praise to say about Jutoh. I got started using Jutoh because for a while, Smashwords required you to upload a book using a specialized Word format. They didn't accept .epubs for the longest time and formatting a book in that proper Word format for Smashwords was a large headache, I have to admit. I never managed to get it automated quite right. And I had frequent problems with Smashwords rejecting the Word document I uploaded and so forth. Eventually, I discovered that Jutoh also had an export option for creating Smashwords-friendly Word documents. So I tried it out and that was just a godsend, I have to admit. It saved me so much time. So for about seven years as well, I used Jutoh for Smashwords formatting. However, in 2024 after Smashwords was acquired by Draft 2 Digital and the two companies became more and more merged, Smashwords changed and now accepts properly formatted .epubs. They don't do that specialized Word document thing anymore, which has made it much easier to upload files to Smashwords, I must say. But that also means that I've used Jutoh less and less in favor of Vellum because I no longer need those specially formatted Word documents. However, I do have nothing but positive things to say about Jutoh; it is a very good program. If you don't want to shell out the $249 for Vellum or if you don't have a Mac, I think Jutoh is an excellent option for you to use. I have never actually used Atticus, but it's popular enough that I wanted to talk about it on this show. I do know a lot of people who have used it to good effect. Just bear in mind the pros and cons we mentioned. And as for Kindle Create, there's nothing wrong with it. I think it's good starting point, especially if you're just starting out and want to format your book without paying a lot of money or having to pay $2,000 to someone on the Internet to do it. I do think it's a good starting point, even though it's very basic and for your first couple of books, it would be good. But as you get more experienced and want to branch into things like print books, you'll probably want a program with greater functionality like Jutoh, Vellum, or Atticus. So myself, I use mostly Vellum (with Jutoh occasionally), and that is what I use for ebook formatting.   So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.   00:19:53 Audiobook Excerpt   And now we'll close out the show with a short excerpt from Ghost In the Assembly, as narrated by Hollis McCarthy. [Remainder of podcast is audiobook except]

Episode 4477: The Relationship Between Wall Street And The imperial Capital

Andor IS back! The latest from Disney+ and Star Wars is the highly anticipated follow up season to the critically acclaimed original. Disney+ has told us that this is the final season of Andor and it makes sense as we are roughly 4 years out from the events of the Battle of Yavin. The Battle of Yavin refers to the events at the end of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. We also know that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a direct lead in to A New Hope. Ambitiously this series has been dropping 3 episodes at a time, set about a year apart each. Tonight we're looking at the first 9 eps we've gotten so far and there is a TON to unpack! Just when you think you couldn't hate The Empire anymore Andor promises and delivers all new depths of loathing for Imperial scum!

#starwars #StarWarsLore #GalacticEmpireHave you ever wondered, "How in the heck did the Empire manage to survive after the Battle of Endor???" Have you ever asked how it was that good people could get so easily roped into doing terrible things, like working for a government that would call a space station the "Death Star" or "StarKILLER"?It's absolutely crazy to think how a despotic, tyrannical military force could survive a thirty year stint and still come back stronger and yet somehow dumber than ever. Join the WOTS crew as things go off the rails a little bit while John, Garrett, and Brian discuss how the Imperial remnant stayed in power for so long even after they lost control of the galaxy. #starwars #warofthestars #feastoffandoms #starwarspodcast #ImperialRemnant #GalacticEmpire #Rebellion #DeathsStar #StarkillerBase #StarWarsCanon #StarWarsLore ----------Connect with WOTS: warofthestars1@gmail.com IG: @war_of_the_stars1 X: @Warofthestars1 @War of the Stars: A Star Wars podcast Support WOTS: www.ko-fi.com/warofthestars https://www.spreadshirt.com/shop/war-...Connect with Garrett: IG/X: @gkj_publishing @GKJPublishing Connect with Brian: IG: @corrosis The Sith Library & Archives: https://shorturl.at/Su4HkFollow us on all social media platforms so you never miss any of our content! Stay updated on the latest news, sneak peeks, and exclusive content—join our community today!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...Instagram:   / feastoffandoms  TikTok:   / feastoffandoms  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@feastoffandoms

Ghorman Massacre, Mon Mothma's Speech, and Political ParallelsIn this gripping episode of Star Wars Generations, hosts Matthew, Alex, Erin, and Aaron dive deep into what many consider the pinnacle of Star Wars television (at least until next week): Andor Season 2 Episodes 7-9. The discussion centers on the shocking Ghorman massacre, Syril and Dedra's complex relationship, and Mon Mothma's pivotal speech that formally launches the Rebel Alliance.The hosts analyze how Episode 8's Ghorman massacre serves as a chilling parallel to real-world protests and government responses. They point out how the Empire deliberately created conditions for violence by barricading the plaza, strategically opening it, and then using a planted sniper to incite riots—tactics reminiscent of how governments have historically responded to protests in our world. When the protesters chant "The galaxy is watching," the hosts draw comparisons to the 1968 Democratic National Convention protests in Chicago where demonstrators shouted "The whole world is watching" as police violently responded.The discussion turns to how the Empire controlled the media narrative, with news reports spinning the massacre as "terrorist violence" rather than a government atrocity—highlighting the parallels between Star Wars and our own media landscape. The hosts examine how Tony Gilroy's writing makes explicit connections between the Empire's tactics and contemporary political situations.Syril and Dedra's relationship takes a dramatic turn when Syril discovers Dedra's role in orchestrating the Ghorman massacre. After nearly strangling her in his rage, Syril abandons the Empire to pursue Andor, whom he still blames for the deaths that started his journey. The hosts discuss how Syril's character arc represents someone who believed in justice through institutional power only to discover the system's corruption, leading to his violent rejection of Dedra—whom he once idolized.One of the most significant moments explored is Mon Mothma's powerful speech denouncing the Empire, which formally launches the Rebel Alliance. The hosts analyze her journey from working within the system to finally breaking away after being gradually isolated and betrayed by those around her. Her speech about the "death of truth" being "the ultimate victory of evil" resonates powerfully with contemporary political discourse, showing how Star Wars continues to reflect real-world struggles against authoritarianism.Key Topics Discussed:How does Episode 7 set up the characters for the dramatic events in Episodes 8-9?What real-world protest events did the Ghorman massacre parallel?How did Syril's character evolve from Imperial loyalist to someone who attacks Dedra?Why did Bix choose to leave Andor rather than stay with him?What made Mon Mothma's speech so powerful and relevant to today's political climate?How does Andor's role in helping Mon Mothma escape connect to his ultimate fate in Rogue One?What significance does K2SO's introduction have for the final arc of the series?The hosts conclude by praising Andor as possibly the best Star Wars media ever produced, while acknowledging that the franchise benefits from having a variety of tones across different shows. With only one more arc left in the series, they express both excitement to see K2SO in the final episodes and disappointment that this groundbreaking show is nearing its conclusion. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast's main page you can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

We review episodes 7-9 from season 2 of Andor! Topics include: Wilmon's got a gal in every port! The Imperial propaganda machine is no joke...kudos to the Ministry of Enlightenment The slow build to the Ghorman Massacre was brilliantly done The Tragedy of Syril Karn Mon dropping Palps bombs Lonni a hero, even when not on screen A difficult Dear John video message Episode Time Stamps: 06:33 - Andor Season 2 Review > 09:10 - Episode 7 - Messenger > 22:36 - Episode 8 - Who Are You? > 36:54 - Episode 9 - Welcome to the Rebellion > 51:52 - What's Next? Please support our friends at the Clashing Sabers Podcast and their Star Wars book drive dubbed 'Readvenge of the Sith'.  Go to https://go.rallyup.com/readvengeofthesith and make a pledge and you can win a free book! You also can earn entries in our season-long Andor giveaway as well! Please subscribe, rate and review our show and chat us up on Email: facpapod@gmail.com Voicemail: 1-678-FACPA77 (322-7277) Twitter: @facpapod BlueSky: @facpapod.bsky.social Threads: @facpapod Podawan Podcast Network: @podawans More details on our Web site: http://FromACertainPointAskew.com Check out our merch store: https://teespring.com/stores/facpapod  Intro/Outro - Galactic by Seb Jaeger (via https://filmstro.com/music)    

Ravensburg, and you are very much forgiven if you cannot place it on the map, is today a town of 50,000 in the far south eastern corner of Baden-Württemberg between Friedrichshafen, home of the Zeppelins, and the city of Ulm and its majestic church tower. If you have heard of it, it may be because of Ravensburger, the publisher of puzzles and boardgames, but you would not have associated it with any great mercantile or commercial activity.Nevertheless, in the 15th century it housed the headquarters of a company that held a near monopoly in the trade between Spain and the empire and in certain wares, namely linen and a special cloth variously called barchent, bombast or fustian.Before we get into Ravensburger and the Grosse Handelsgesellschaft, we need to put the whole region into the context of the free imperial cities of the 15th century.Trading routes of the HABW_11_03_Ravensburger_Handelsgesellschaft.jpg (4957×3535)The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.As always:Homepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.comIf you wish to support the show go to: Support • History of the Germans PodcastFacebook: @HOTGPod Threads: @history_of_the_germans_podcastBluesky: @hotgpod.bsky.socialInstagram: history_of_the_germansTwitter: @germanshistoryTo make it easier for you to share the podcast, I have created separate playlists for some of the seasons that are set up as individual podcasts. they have the exact same episodes as in the History of the Germans, but they may be a helpful device for those who want to concentrate on only one season. So far I have:The Ottonians Salian Emperors and Investiture ControversyFredrick Barbarossa and Early HohenstaufenFrederick II Stupor MundiSaxony and Eastward ExpansionThe Hanseatic LeagueThe Teutonic Knights

He was a soldier in the Roman army during the reign of Julian the Apostate. Like many soldiers, he was a secret Christian, serving under the Imperial commander Bacchus when his troops battled the Franks. A mighty Frankish soldier, like Goliath, challenged the Romans to send one of their company out to do single combat with him. The commander sent Barbarus, who prayed to the Lord and overcame the Frankish giant, after which the Frankish army was easily vanquished. The commander then ordered a triumph in celebration of victory, including a public sacrifice to the Roman idols. At the sacrifice, the commander noticed that Barbarus was standing aside and asked him why: Barbarus revealed that he was a Christian and could not make sacrifice to the idols. The commander reported this to the unbelieving Emperor, who ordered that Barbarus be put to torture. Barbarus endured many cruel torments with serenity and courage. During his tortures, many wonders were seen, and many of his fellow-soldiers embraced the Christian faith. Three of these were Bacchus, Barbarus' commander; Callimachus; and Dionysius. All three were beheaded for confessing Christ, then Barbarus himself attained the Martyr's crown through beheading.

Send us a textThe galaxy far, far away has never felt so close to home. Andor strips away the mystical trappings of Star Wars to deliver something revolutionary: a raw, unflinching look at ordinary people pushed to extraordinary measures under the crushing weight of Imperial rule.From its opening moments, Andor establishes itself as something entirely different. We journey alongside Cassian, brilliantly portrayed by Diego Luna, as a chance encounter with corporate security officers spirals into a life-changing path toward rebellion. The beauty of this series lies in its patience—it doesn't rush to spectacular set pieces but instead builds its world methodically, letting us feel every oppressive regulation, every injustice, every small act of defiance that eventually ignites into something bigger.What makes this show truly exceptional is how it redefines heroism in the Star Wars universe. These aren't Jedi or chosen ones destined for greatness—they're damaged, desperate people making dangerous choices. The heist sequence culminating with the Eye of Aldani stands as one of the most visually stunning and emotionally complex moments in Star Wars history, revealing characters whose motivations span from idealism to revenge to simple survival. Stellan Skarsgård's Luthen Rael embodies this complexity perfectly, his antiquities dealer facade masking a revolutionary willing to sacrifice everything—including his soul—for the cause.Andor achieves something remarkable by working within the confines of established canon. By showing us the messy birth of rebellion years before A New Hope, it deepens our understanding of the entire saga. This isn't just great Star Wars—it's great television, period. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the galaxy, Andor offers something profound: a reminder that revolutions aren't born from heroes or mystical powers, but from ordinary people who simply decide they can no longer live under tyranny. The rebellion begins here. Will you join it?Twitter handles:Project Geekology: https://twitter.com/pgeekologyAnthony's Twitter: https://twitter.com/odysseyswowDakota's Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekritique_dakInstagram:https://instagram.com/projectgeekology?igshid=1v0sits7ipq9yYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@projectgeekologyGeekritique (Dakota):https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBwciIqOoHwIx_uXtYTSEbAHow ANDOR Just Teased Dawn of the Jedi:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjCPBmBClnITwitch (Anthony):https://www.twitch.tv/odysseywowTravel Trends with Dan Christian #1 B2B Travel Podcast. Execs, Start-Ups, Major TrendsListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

Writer Jonathan Hickman joins the show to talk about this phase in his career and the varying projects he's working on. Hickman discusses his love of the World Cup, the phase he finds himself in, his current reality versus his previous one, why Imperial is a focus, his project mix, whether he has to think differently because the current market, promotional materials, working with artists, the origins of Aliens vs. Avengers, notable pitches, the space side of Marvel, Imperial's roots, finding new corners to work in, editorial experiences, the type of writer he is, Ultimate Spider-Man's timeline, delivering what people don't expect, creator-owned versus for-hire, the lasting feelings of his X-Men run, leeping things fresh, how he finds the right fit for himself, and more.

Welcome to Not Another Imperial Mining Disaster - An "Andor" discussion show from The Imperial Senate Podcast.Join Clare & Nicky as they discuss Episodes 4-6 of #StarWars #Andor Season 2!Contact Us: Find us on Bluesky or e-mail us at imperialsenatepodcast@gmail.com.Website: www.imperialsenatepodcast.comSupport us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheImperialSenatePodcastJoin us on Discord: discordapp.com/invite/sB4PRu9 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Kristen and Carrie choose to make another veggie recipe. This time it is from 1991. They have a blast talking about some tasty foods that were on the market that year and even delve into the weird world of the low fat diet culture. If it's low fat, it must be calorie free!

Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon!NEWSSuperman gets a U.S. Coin—Batman and more coming soonDC Comics adds new 'DC Pride 2025' story and shares detailsTMNT Tuesday #13: TMNT: Shredder series announcedNew 'Criminal' graphic novel announced for August 2025: 'The Knives'Even more IDW comics coming to Webtoon with weekly release scheduleGet hype: Marvel releases new 'Imperial' #1 teaser'Star Wars: Tales from the Nightlands' horror series arrives September 2025Diamond finds a homeJames Tynion IV sets 'Exquisite Corpses' 2025 tourOur Top Books of the WeekDave:Ultimate Spider-Man #16 (Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checcheto)Heavy Metal Magazine #1 (Various)Chris:​​We're Taking Everyone Down with Us #2 (Matthew Rosenberg, Stefano Landini)Nights #15 (Wyatt Kennedy, Luigi Formisano)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Chris - Joker "Hammer Scene" from Batman/Superman World's Finest 2025 Annual #1Dave - Godzilla vs. Los Angeles - Gabriel HardmanTOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKChris: Absolute Green Lantern #2 (Al Ewing, Jahnoy Lindsay)Dave: Absolute Superman #7 (Jason Aaron, Carmine Di Giandomenico)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Red Sonja Attacks Mars #2 (Joseph Michael Linsner)Chris: Captain Planet #1 (Mark Spears Main Cover)Interview: Al Ewing talks Detective Comics 2025 Annual #1 - Out April 30 1. You stepped in for Tom Taylor on this annual—can you walk us through how that came about? Was this a story you had to write quickly, or did you have some room to breathe and make it your own? 2. The story kicks off with a classic locked-room mystery—an impossible murder in a high-tech safe room. What drew you to that kind of puzzle, and how did you approach building a detective narrative worthy of Batman?3. There's a moment where Batman's costume subtly shifts from black to blue once he's in London. Is that just a visual cue, or is there something more symbolic going on there?4. What's your take on the annual format? Do you see it as a chance to tell something self-contained and weird, or a pressure cooker to do a lot in a single oversized issue?5. You're working with a trio of incredible artists—Stefano Raffaele, John McCrea, and Fico Ossio. How did you decide who handled which parts of the story, and what did each artist bring to the table stylistically?6. This annual flirts with the idea of Batman not just solving crimes but confronting the nature of reality. How far is too far for Batman, in your mind, when it comes to stories that push past the physical world?7. UK mythology and angels? John Dee's magic - Elizabethan 8. Maybe the most important question of them all, what is Batman's favorite tea and how does he take it?

Strap in, Purrgil Pod listeners! Join your captains, Jessica and Hunter, as they dive headfirst into the first three explosive episodes of the new Star Wars hit series, Andor!Get hyped for their unfiltered reactions as they unpack the mind-blowing world-building on display. From the jaw-droppingly elaborate Chandrilan wedding customs and incredible fashion to the gritty, lived-in streets of Ferrix, this show is a visual feast!Jessica and Hunter break down the surprising character journeys, like the totally unexpected dynamic between Dedra and Syril, and rave about the magnificent presence of Luthan and the fascinating unraveling of Mon Mothma. Plus, they weigh in on the potential, dark fate of Tay!Prepare for the intensity! They tackle the dark, adult tone head-on, discussing powerful moments like Bix fighting back fiercely against an Imperial lieutenant and the chilling Nazi-inspired imagery woven into the Empire's look.Discover cool details you might have missed, like Cassian somehow piloting a TIE Avenger and the awesome reveal of Yavin 4 as a future rebel hotspot!Hear their take on how Andor perfectly captures the early, chaotic, and fragmented stages of the Rebellion – it's not all smooth sailing yet!With its cinematic quality, killer storytelling, and sharp editing, it's no wonder the crew is giving Andor's start a massive 10 out of 10!Tune in for all the hot takes, deep dives, and what's coming next! Sigrona Teema!

Lucretia hosts this week as the Three Musketeers are back together again (and to mark John’s return, we procured his favorite toothpaste for him!), taking on Trump at the 100 Day mark, the latest in lawfare, the dismal Canadian election, whose solution John Yoo suggests is straight up imperial conquest—why make Canada the 51st state […]

Lucretia hosts this week as the Three Musketeers are back together again (and to mark John’s return, we procured his favorite toothpaste for him!), taking on Trump at the 100 Day mark, the latest in lawfare, the dismal Canadian election, whose solution John Yoo suggests is straight up imperial conquest—why make Canada the 51st state […]

Lucretia hosts this week as the Three Musketeers are back together again (and to mark John's return, we procured his favorite toothpaste for him!), taking on Trump at the 100 Day mark, the latest in lawfare, the dismal Canadian election, whose solution John Yoo suggests is straight up imperial conquest—why make Canada the 51st state […]

Lucretia hosts this week as the Three Musketeers are back together again, taking on Trump at the 100 Day mark, the latest in lawfare, the dismal Canadian election, whose solution John Yoo suggests is straight up imperial conquest—why make Canada the 51st state when we can make it a territory to be exploited like Puerto Rico and Greenland? We're so back that Lucretia even revives some good old fashioned lookism in this episode!We close with a few thoughts on the passing of David Horowitz, whose central lesson has still not penetrated the Vichycons who don't understand the metaphysical meaning of Trump.Exit music this week from our pal Steve Tootle o Cosigner, who is a faithful listener to this show.

Watch on Philo! - Philo.tv/DTHWe meet a little girl named Jyn. Her family is in hiding. One day, the bad guy Orson shows up to tell Jyn's dad, Galen, that they need him to come back and finish the Death Star. Galen's like, “I wouldn't be any use—I'm just a sad sack ever since my wife died.” Suddenly, his wife comes running out of the field—so really bad timing, honestly. She has a gun and she's like, “You'll never take him!” Orson's like, “I'm taking you all.” She shoots him. They shoot her. Orson tells his guys to go find the child, but Jyn is really good at hide-and-seek. She waits in the secret spot until a dude named Saw shows up. It's clear they know each other.Fast forward some time—Jyn is now an adult and in a holding cell. Meanwhile, a cargo pilot named Bodhi shows up and claims to Saw that he wants to join the Rebels.Jyn is being transferred with other prisoners when Rebel forces suddenly break in and free them, led by Cassian Andor. Together, they fight stormtroopers and escape.They take a reprogrammed Imperial droid named K-2SO and head somewhere else, where they encounter more stormtroopers who are gathering crystals to power the Death Star.They're about to get captured, but a blind spiritual warrior named Chirrut Îmwe and his mercenary friend Baze Malbus help them out. This allows Jyn to make contact with Saw, who is holding Bodhi. She sees a message in which Galen reveals that he secretly built a vulnerability into the Death Star. The schematics are stored in an Imperial data vault.Onboard the Death Star, Orson orders a test strike on the moon where the gang is. Jyn and her group take Bodhi and flee, but Saw stays behind and dies.Orson gets an atta boy from his higher-up.Bodhi leads the group to Galen's Imperial research facility. Rebel bombers attack the site. Galen is wounded and dies in Jyn's arms before she escapes with the group on a stolen Imperial cargo shuttle.Orson is summoned by Darth Vader—he's back, baby!—to explain the attack. Orson's like, “Now that you've seen my work, maybe introduce me to the Emperor?” Vader force-chokes him and says, “Get back to work and don't cause any more trouble.”Jyn proposes a mission to steal the Death Star schematics, but the Alliance Council thinks there's no chance of success. Frustrated by their inaction, Jyn's group leads a small squad of volunteers—Bodhi dubs them “Rogue One.” Jyn, Cassian, and K-2SO infiltrate the Imperial base while the others create a diversion with a space battle.The Alliance eventually joins the fight, sending their fleet. Jyn gets the schematics but is ambushed by Orson, who is shot and wounded by Cassian. Jyn transmits the schematics to the Rebel command ship just before the Death Star fires a beam that destroys the base—and them.The Rebel fleet tries to escape, but many ships are intercepted by Darth Vader. He boards the command ship and wrecks everyone in an attempt to recover the plans, but a smaller ship escapes with them. Princess Leia declares that the schematics will provide hope for the Rebellion—some might even call it a new hope.

Matthew, Alex (also known as "Where is Jimmy"), and Erin (also known as "A Sapphic Love Affair") dissect the middle chapters of Andor Season 2. The group dives into how these pivotal episodes mark the halfway point of both the season and the entire Andor series, discussing the show's transformation into a sophisticated spy drama within the Star Wars universe.The hosts analyze how Cassian Andor has transitioned from a side character in the first three episodes to now taking center stage. His complex relationship with Bix becomes a major focus, with the hosts questioning whether their relationship is healing or codependent. What began as a seemingly sweet reunion ultimately reveals deep trauma, culminating in a shocking revenge scene that surprised everyone.Key Storylines and Discussion PointsThe hosts examine multiple concurrent plotlines developing across different planets. Saw Gerrera's militant rebel faction introduces bizarre elements like "radonium huffing" that may explain his physical deterioration by Rogue One. Meanwhile, the Ghorman storyline showcases inexperienced rebels making fatal mistakes despite warnings from more seasoned fighters like Cassian.The Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) scenes particularly captivated the hosts, with Syril's complex double-agent role generating significant discussion. The memorable phrase "turn out the lights" between Dedra and Syril sparked playful speculation about their unconventional relationship, while Mon Mothma's careful political maneuvering at an Imperial gala showcases her walking a dangerous line.Additional topics discussed:Did the shocking Dr. Gorst murder scene feel earned or rushed?How does Tony Gilroy excel at writing powerful monologues, particularly Val's heartbreaking speech after Cinta's death?Why was Benjamin Bratt's recasting as Bail Organa jarring for some fans?What connections exist between the rebel base location and The Force Awakens?How do the Ghorman massacre references cleverly incorporate EU/Legends material into canon?What parallels exist between Imperial loyalty oaths and real-world nationalist rituals?Which moments highlight the stark contrast between amateur and professional rebels?The hosts conclude by noting they attended a theatrical screening of Revenge of the Sith, teasing bonus content for premium subscribers in their next episode. This mid-season analysis captures how Andor continues to elevate Star Wars storytelling with sophisticated character development, political intrigue, and morally complex takes on rebellion. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast's main page you can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

On this special episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by 16-year old Buffalo Bills superfan Tommy Parzymieso to discuss both his challenges and recent incredible moment, announcing the Bills first-round pick at the NFL Draft last week in Green Bay. The episode is recorded live from Imperial Pizza in South Buffalo.Born and raised in Orchard Park, Tommy at age 2 was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a very rare genetic muscle wasting disorder affecting his muscles and heart as well as his lungs. As a result of his skeletal muscles being weak, he's reliant on an electric wheelchair full time to get around. But that hasn't stopped this young man's unbelievable spirt and love for sports.Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Tommy was along with his family was given a personalized tour of the Bills facility a couple of weeks before the draft. Tommy knew about that and that he'd be getting the chance to meet Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane. What he didn't know was that Beane was going to surprise him and ask Tommy to travel to Green Bay and announce Buffalo's first pick in front a huge live audience. Tommy documents the entire experience.Tommy also talks about his favorite team, why last year's first pick Keon Coleman is his favorite player, his dream of being a football coach someday, his family and plenty more.Tommy and his family will be hosting a "Team Tommy" fundraising event that takes place this Saturday, May 3rd, being held at the Wings Meeting Place in Orchard Park, not far from Highmark Stadium. Proceeds from the fundraiser will help improve modifications needed inside their home, specialized equipment and other resources that can help Tommy continue his quality of life for years to come.  Please consider supporting the event.Big shout-out and thank you once again to Imperial Pizza for being a gracious host and for their excellent wings. They now have two locations, 1035 Abbott Road and also 1665 Main Street♦♦♦♦♦Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast Substack: Patrick Moran's SubstackTwitter: @PatrickMoranTBBlue Sky: @PatrickMoranTB.bsky.socialInstagram: @PatrickMoranTBFacebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast 

Darth Amin and Darth Cornpuzzle are temporarily setting up shop here on the Cinephobe feed to cover Andor Season Two. This episode covers last week's episodes, and we will return tomorrow to hit the next three pack. We are back in Tony Gilroy's Star Wars for adults, and the show hasn't missed a beat. Cassian Andor attempts to steal a Tie Avenger and ends up waylaid with the Maya Pei Brigade. Dedra gets invited to Director Krennic's exclusive conference and hosts her new boyfriend Syril's mother for dinner. The Ferrix refugees endure an Imperial audit on the agricultural planet of Mina-Rau. And most importantly, it's the Chandrilan wedding of the century as Mon Mothma hosts a three day affair to marry off her teenage daughter. CINEPHOBE MERCH STORE⁠ - Check it out here:⁠ https://bit.ly/CTDMERCH⁠ ⁠Join the Count The Dings Patreon⁠ for Rewatchingtons, Ad-Free Episodes, Extended Cold Opens and more at⁠ www.patreon.com/CountTheDings⁠ ⁠Cinephobe is now on Youtube!⁠ Subscribe and check out CT5s and Look At This Photograph on Video. Subscribe to Cinephobe! Then Rate 5 Stars on⁠ Apple⁠ or⁠ Spotify⁠. Follow Cinephobe on Twitter, Instagram & Threads: CTD⁠ @countthedings⁠ IG:⁠ @cinephobepod⁠ Threads:⁠ @cinephobepod⁠  Zach Harper⁠ @talkhoops⁠ IG:⁠ @talkhoops⁠ Threads:⁠ @talkhoops⁠ Amin Elhassan⁠ @darthamin⁠ IG:⁠ @darthamin⁠ Threads:⁠ @darthamin⁠  Anthony Mayes⁠ @cornpuzzle⁠ IG:⁠ @cornpuzzle⁠ Threads:⁠ @cornpuzzle⁠ Email: cinephobepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the vibrant but vicious golden age of Imperial Japan, how did women use writing as a way to secure their status, and express their deepest desires? Who was Sei Shōnagon, the witty courtier whose account of life around the Japanese Empress during the iconic Heian period, provides a scintillating insight into this colourful world? And, behind the sophisticated melee of the Imperial court, with its elegance and decorum, what risks and hazards haunted every aspiring courtier…? Join Tom and Dominic for the climax to their tantalising journey into the beating heart of Imperial Japan, and the remarkable woman whose moving, keenly perceptive, but also slyly venomous, insights into this complicated arena, bring it flamboyantly to life. The Rest Is History Club: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to full series and live show tickets, ad-free listening, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members' chatroom on Discord. Just head to therestishistory.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestishistory. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fast, pointed, and irresistibly astute: Andor's Season 2 premiere, “One Year Later,” isn't holding any punches.In our recap this week, we discuss Andor's magical ability to pull on both historic and modern-day threads. The super-secret Imperial summit, for instance, calls back to the World War II Wannsee Conference and its “Final Solution of the Jewish Question.” But it's also a dead ringer for conversations about energy independence happening in the White House today.In its zippy season premiere, Andor manages to mock leftist infighting (again), stage a gloriously tense TIE Avenger heist, and throw open the Mothma estate for a splashy pre-nuptial bash. We knew Season 2 wasn't going to disappoint—but even we weren't expecting it to look this good while doing it.New to Growing Up Skywalker? Come join us for non-toxic Star Wars recaps from a veteran and a new fan. New episodes every Tuesday.Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps:00:00:00 Who Are We?00:03:27 Andor S1 Plot Recap00:08:28 One Year Later Plot Overview00:18:53 First Impressions: Fast, Pointed, On The Nose00:40:19 Character Deep Dives: Vel and Dedra00:54:23 Bae Watch00:59:26 Closing Thoughts

This week on Shat The Movies, Gene and Big D close out the original Star Wars trilogy with a deep dive into Return of the Jedi (1983). Fueled by nostalgia, Minute Maid and vodka cocktails, and the crushing realization that not all endings stick the landing, the hosts explore the Ewok invasion, Jabba's deadly circus act, Boba Fett's humiliating demise, and the absurdity of Imperial helmet design. From Luke's questionable Force skills to the Empire's laughable "elite troops," nothing escapes the Shat boys' critical eye. Along the way, they celebrate Carrie Fisher's iconic (if problematic) gold bikini moment, mourn for Ewoks lost in battle, and dream up a darker, deadlier version of Endor warfare. Was this the fitting finale Star Wars deserved—or an early warning of Lucas' merchandising empire run amok? Tune in to find out! Plot SummaryA year after Han Solo's capture, Luke Skywalker launches a risky mission to free his friend from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt. After a daring escape involving Sarlacc pits, lightsabers and a lot of questionable strategy, the Rebel Alliance turns its attention to the Empire's new and even deadlier Death Star. Luke confronts Darth Vader once more, hoping to save his father from the Emperor's grip, while Han, Leia, and a band of unlikely Ewok allies attempt to destroy the shield generator on Endor. The fate of the galaxy hinges on battles fought in the forest and the throne room—where redemption, betrayal, and tiny bear-like warriors collide. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

On the night of June 17, 1982, 20-year-old Kelly Bergh Dove agreed to cover an overnight shift at the Imperial gas station in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She wasn't supposed to be working, but one of her sisters asked if she could switch—and Kelly said yes. In the early morning hours of June 18, Kelly called 911 three times, reporting that a man had been harassing her and making obscene calls from the payphone outside. Her final words to the dispatcher were urgent and terrified: “Please hurry, he's back.” When police arrived just one minute later, Kelly was gone. More than four decades have passed, and Kelly has never been found. Her family is still waiting for answers—and still holding on to hope that someone, somewhere, knows what happened to Kelly Bergh Dove? Kelly Bergh Dove was 20 years old when she went missing on June 18, 1982. She was last seen working the overnight shift at the Imperial gas station on South Main Street in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Kelly was 5'1” tall and weighed between 100 and 120 pounds. She had brown hair, brown eyes, and wore both contact lenses and glasses. She had a partial dental plate that replaced her two front teeth, a scar on the back of her head, one along her hairline, and another on her right wrist. At the time of her disappearance, Kelly was wearing a light-colored pinstriped sweater or top, along with tan or cream-colored slacks. She also wore her Turner Ashby High School class ring. The ring had the initials KJB engraved inside and may have had a peridot stone. The man believed to be responsible for her disappearance was described as a thin white male, between 20 and 25 years old, with shoulder-length blond hair and a light-colored shirt. He was seen driving a silver or gray vehicle, possibly a Ford. Those with information about Kelly's case should contact Detective Wetherell at 540-432-7788. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Solvers at 540-574-5050. If you don't have information, but are interested in helping Kelly's family, please share this episode, along with Kelly's flyer. Editor: Shannon Keirce Research/Writing: Haley Gray SUBMIT A CASE HERE: Cases@DetectivePerspectivePod.com SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detperspective/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/detperspective FIND DERRICK HERE Twitter: https://twitter.com/DerrickL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DerrickLevasseur Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DerrickVLevasseur CRIME WEEKLY AND COFFEE Criminal Coffee Company: https://www.CriminalCoffeeCo.com Crime Weekly:  https://crimeweeklypodcast.com/shop ADS: 1. https://www.TryMiracle.com/Detective - Use the code DETECTIVE to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF! 2. https://www.TryFum.com - Use our code DETECTIVE to get a free gift with your Journey Pack!