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Vivian McCall of local Seattle band Pansy joins producer Lilly Ana Fowler to talk about Chicago’s Ratboys and their new song “Light Night Mountains All That,” the first song released on their new label home New West Records. Ratboys have a new record Singin' to an Empty Chair coming out next year. Hosted by Evie Stokes Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler Mastered by: William Myers Production support: Serafima Healy Associate Director of Editorial: Dusty Henry Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube. Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singin' In The Rain Doop de doop doop... you know the song. Hello and welocme to this months edition in which Meds and Kell waffle on about this wonderful film featuring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor. Filmed in brilliant Technicolour it truley is a Hollywood Classic.
Best Pick with John Dorney, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinsky Episode 324: Singin' in the Rain Released 26 November 2025 For this episode, we watched the 1952 MGM musical Singin' in the Rain, directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly who also starred alongside Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Jean Hagen. Arthur Freed produced and wrote most of the songs alongside composer Nacio Herb Brown. Slightly overshadowed at the time by the enormous commercial and critical success of An American in Paris the year before, this movie is now widely regarded as the absolute pinnacle of the golden age of Hollywood musicals. And who are we to disagree? Tom's new podcast: https://podfollow.com/all-british-comedy-explained Jess's storytelling theatre show: https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/16-postcodes-jhby Lip Sync Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPCJIB1f7jk BEST PICK – the book is available now from all the usual places. From the publisher https://tinyurl.com/best-pick-book-rowman UK Amazon https://amzn.to/3zFNATI US Amazon https://www.amzn.com/1538163101 UK bookstore https://www.waterstones.com/book/9781538163108 US bookstore https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/best-pick-john-dorney/1139956434 Audio book https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Best-Pick-Audiobook/B09SBMX1V4 To send in your questions, comments, thoughts and ideas, you can join our Facebook group, email us on bestpickpod@gmail.com, or find us on Bluesky. You can also visit our website at https://bestpickpod.com and sign up to our mailing list to get notified as soon as a new episode is released. Just follow this link: http://eepurl.com/dbHO3n. If you enjoy this podcast and you'd like to help us to continue to make it, you can now support us on Patreon for as little as £2.50 per month, but please be aware that future releases will continue to be sporadic.
Kevin Stokes accompanies host Jake Smith in the studio to help reflect on the Blues' 3-1 Championship victory over Millwall at Fratton Park. There's also a review of the Pompey Women's League Cup win over West Ham United before, with assistance from Blades fan Josh Chapman, the panel then look ahead to Wednesday night's encounter with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
This is one in a series about possible futures, which will be published in Booch News over the coming weeks. Episode 6 appeared last week. New episodes drop every Friday. Introduction Legacy beverage corporations attempting hostile takeovers of kombucha startups failed to understand the living systems involved. Their sterile production methods eliminated beneficial microorganisms, while regulatory capture backfired as health authorities mandated probiotic content. Mega-Cola’s final CEO, James Morrison, desperately tried fermenting cola using SCOBYs, creating undrinkable disasters. This episode chronicles the corporation’s transformation from global giant to urban composting service, with former executives becoming mushroom farmers in Detroit’s abandoned factories. The $49 Billion Graveyard: When Giants Couldn’t Learn to Dance Harvard Business School’s legendary case study “The Mega-Cola Kombucha Catastrophe” became required reading for understanding how industrial thinking proved fatal in the biological economy. Between 2035 and 2042, legacy beverage corporations spent $48.7 billion attempting to acquire kombucha startups, only to discover that living systems couldn’t be purchased—they could only be cultivated. Mega-Cola’s acquisition spree began aggressively in 2035 under CEO James Morrison, a chemical engineer before ascending to the C-suite. He’d once loved the alchemy of bubbles and sweetness. His father had worked at a bottling plant; he’d grown up thinking carbonation was progress. He viewed kombucha as merely another “disruption” to be absorbed and had become a champion of “hydration portfolios”—a polite euphemism for diversifying out of soda into teas, waters, and ferments. The company spent $12.7 billion acquiring 47 kombucha brands, from market leader Health-Ade to smaller artisanal producers like Portland’s Brew Dr Kombucha. Morrison’s strategy seemed logical: leverage Mega-Cola’s distribution network and manufacturing scale to dominate the emerging probiotic market. The Sterilization Disaster The first catastrophic failure occurred when Mega-Cola attempted to scale Humm Kombucha production at its Oregon facility. Morrison stood before a 10,000-gallon fermentation tank—ten times the size of any used by the acquired kombucha companies. Chief Science Officer Dr. Hiram Walsh explained the modifications they’d made. “We’ve adapted our quality control protocols from our soft drink lines,” Walsh said proudly. “Every input is filtered, pasteurized, and chemically treated. We’ve eliminated 99.9% of microbial contamination risk.” Walsh pulled up charts showing their testing results. “Batch consistency is perfect. Zero deviation. Every bottle identical.” Morrison smiled. “Exactly what we wanted. When do we start distribution?” “Next week,” Walsh confirmed. “We’re calling it MegaBucha. Focus groups love the name.” One week later, Morrison sat in an emergency meeting. The first consumer feedback was catastrophic. Walsh read from report after report: “‘Tastes like carbonated vinegar.’ ‘Chemical aftertaste.’ ‘Nothing like real kombucha.’ ‘Dead and flat.’ Return rates are 87%.” Walsh looked confused. “I don't understand it. The bacteria counts are perfect. We followed their recipes exactly.” On the teleconference screen, Health-Ade founder Vanessa Dew shook her head. “You killed it. Your ‘quality control’ eliminated every living organism. Kombucha isn’t about sterility—it’s about controlled biological diversity. You can’t pasteurize and filter kombucha and expect it to remain the same. You’ve simply made acidic sugar water.” Morrison spluttered, “We spent $2.1 billion acquiring your company. We’re not walking away because of ‘quality control’ issues.” “It’s not quality control—it’s biology,” Vanessa explained. “Kombucha cultures need biodiversity to thrive. Your system is built to prevent exactly that.” Morrison’s jaw tightened. “Then we’ll adjust the process. Keep some bacteria alive.” Vanessa sighed. “Your entire facility is designed to kill microbes. Your pipes, your tanks, your air filtration, your worker protocols—everything optimized for sterility. You’d have to rebuild from scratch. And even then, you’d need to fundamentally rethink how you approach production. Living systems don’t work like machines.” The company had overlooked the success of the UK’s ROBOT Kombucha, the “A.I. Cola” replicated cola’s taste in a fermented drink, becoming the beverage of choice for adults who had first tasted it as teenagers when it was introduced in 2025. Founder Pascal du Bois had selected his ingredients from a range of different organic botanicals from which the flavor was extracted. He then created a complex blend of more than a dozen types of bacteria and four strains of organic yeast. After fermenting for seven weeks they add a teaspoon of 100% organic honey, sourced from France, to each can. This mimics the familiar cola taste without added sugars or aspartame. The result was a healthy alternative designed to appeal to cola lovers, not a standardized Frankenbooch. Dr. Kenji Nakamura—the former Genentech researcher who later founded the Eastridge Mall Kollective—was hired as a $5 million consultant to solve the Mega-Cola problem. His report sat on Morrison’s desk—200 pages detailing why Mega-Cola’s approach couldn’t work. “I’ll cut to the conclusion,” Nakamura said. “Your industrial infrastructure is fundamentally incompatible with living beverages. Your entire supply chain is designed to kill exactly what makes kombucha valuable.” Morrison leaned forward. “We paid you to find solutions, not problems.” “The solution is accepting that some things can’t be industrialized,” Nakamura replied calmly. “Kombucha succeeds because of microbial relationships that develop over time through careful cultivation. You’re trying to force-manufacture relationships. It’s like trying to raise children in a morgue—the environment is hostile to life. Your kombucha tastes bad because you’ve optimized the life out of it. You can’t ‘optimize’ life—you can only cultivate it.” Mega-Cola CFO Samantha Chen pulled up financial projections. “We’ve now spent $14.8 billion on kombucha acquisitions and infrastructure. We need to either make this work or write off the entire investment.” Nakamura shook his head. “Every dollar you spend trying to industrialize kombucha is wasted. The companies you acquired succeeded because they were small—they could maintain microbial diversity, respond to batch variation, cultivate living systems. Scale destroys those advantages.” Morrison’s face reddened. “Are you telling me that a bunch of hippies in Portland can do something Mega-Cola, with our resources and expertise, cannot?” “Yes,” Nakamura said simply. “Because they’re not trying to dominate biology. They’re partnering with it. Your entire corporate culture is about control, optimization, standardization. Living systems require adaptation, diversity, patience. Those are fundamentally incompatible approaches.” Morrison stood. “We’ll find someone else. Someone who can make this work.” Nakamura gathered his materials. “You’ll spend millions more reaching the same conclusion. Biology doesn’t care about your quarterly earnings or your market cap. You can’t buy your way out of this.” After Nakamura left, Morrison and Chen sat in silence. Chen finally spoke. “He’s right, you know.” Morrison didn’t respond. The Regulatory Trap: When Capture Became Captivity Legacy corporations had initially celebrated the FDA’s Probiotic Verification Act of 2038, which they had lobbied for extensively. The law required all “live beverage” products to contain minimum concentrations of beneficial bacteria, verified through independent testing. Mega-Cola’s legal team believed this would create barriers for small producers while giving large corporations with deep pockets competitive advantages through regulatory compliance costs. The strategy backfired catastrophically. While artisanal kombucha producers thrived under the new standards—their naturally diverse microbial ecosystems easily exceeded requirements—corporate products consistently failed testing. Mega-Cola spent $20 million on fermentation consultants and biotechnology acquisitions, but its sterile facilities couldn’t maintain the mandated bacterial diversity. Meanwhile, in the company boardroom, a tense meeting took place. Chen read the headline from a Wall Street Journal article: “Mega-Cola’s ‘Kombucha’ Contains Fewer Probiotics Than Yogurt, FDA Testing Reveals.“ Morrison stared at the headline. “How did this happen?” “Our sterilization processes,” Walsh admitted. “We can’t maintain bacterial counts through our production and distribution systems. The small producers can because they’re working with robust, diverse cultures in small batches. We’re working with weakened, standardized cultures in massive volumes. The bacteria die.” The legal counsel shifted uncomfortably. “The regulation we pushed for is now our biggest problem. We can’t legally call our product kombucha. We could petition the FDA to lower the standards—” Morrison’s voice was quiet. “How much have we spent trying to fix this?” Chen checked her tablet. “$20.3 million on fermentation consultants and biotechnology acquisitions. None of it worked.” The Medical Tsunami: Soda as Poison By 2040, the medical evidence against sugar-laden sodas had become overwhelming. The American Heart Association officially classified high-fructose corn syrup as a “Class II toxin,” requiring warning labels similar to tobacco. The crisis came to a head when the Journal of the American Heart Association published “The Corporate Diabetes Epidemic: A Century of Metabolic Warfare” in 2041. The paper demonstrated that diabetes and obesity rates directly correlated with Mega-Cola’s market penetration across 147 countries. Areas with higher Cola consumption showed disease patterns resembling chemical contamination rather than natural illness. Dr. Harold Lustig presented twenty years of longitudinal research to a packed auditorium. The screen behind him showed stark data: “Regular soda consumption increases diabetes risk by 340%. It shortens lifespan by an average of 7.4 years. We’re officially classifying high-fructose corn syrup as a Class II toxin, requiring warning labels similar to tobacco.” Mega-Cola CEO Morrison watched from the back. His phone buzzed constantly—board members, investors, media requesting comment. Lustig continued: “Children who drink one soda daily show measurable delays in brain development compared to peers consuming fermented beverages. Brain imaging reveals high-fructose corn syrup literally shrinks the prefrontal cortex.” A reporter raised his hand. “Are you saying soda causes brain damage?” “I’m saying the evidence strongly suggests regular soda consumption impairs cognitive development,” Lustig responded. “Meanwhile, children consuming diverse fermented foods show superior health outcomes across every metric we measured.” Morrison left before the Q&A. In the hallway, CFO Chen was waiting. “The stock dropped 12% during the presentation,” she said quietly. “Investors are calling soda ‘the new tobacco.'” Morrison stared out the window at the Washington Monument. “We knew sugar was problematic. We’ve been reformulating—” “It’s not just sugar,” Chen interrupted. “It’s the entire category. Industrial beverages versus living fermentation. We’re on the wrong side.” “We’re a $300 billion company,” Morrison said. “We can’t just pivot to kombucha. We tried that. It failed.” Chen’s voice was gentle but firm. “Then maybe we need to accept that some companies don’t survive paradigm shifts.” The Educational Exodus: Schools Declare War on Soda The Los Angeles Unified School District’s vote to ban all non-fermented beverages in schools attracted phalanxes of Mega-Cola lobbyists and lawyers. A Mega-Cola representative presented their case: “Banning our beverages punishes students from low-income families who can’t afford expensive alternatives. We’re prepared to offer healthier formulations—” A parent cut him off. “You’ve been promising ‘healthier formulations’ for thirty years while marketing addictive sugar-water to our children.” Dr. Rebecca Scharf's groundbreaking research demonstrated that children who were given an alternative to sugar-sweetened soda were healthier. The school district called her as an expert witness. She summarized her findings: “Two years after schools switched to kombucha dispensaries with on-campus fermentation labs, we see 67% reduction in behavioral problems, 45% improvement in test scores, 89% decrease in childhood obesity.” A high school student approached the microphone. “I’m sixteen. I grew up drinking your soda. I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes at fourteen. Since switching to fermented beverages, my health has improved. But my little brother is eight—he’s never had soda, only fermentation. He’s healthier than I ever was. You took my health. Don’t take his.” By 2052, 43 states had implemented similar bans. The “Fermentation Generation”—children who grew up drinking school-provided kombucha—showed dramatically superior health outcomes compared to predecessors who consumed soda. These children literally rejected Mega-Cola on a physiological level; their optimized gut microbiomes found industrial beverages repulsive. Medical Prescriptions Against Corporate Beverages The American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2044 guidelines required doctors to “prescribe against” soda consumption, treating it as seriously as smoking cessation recommendations. Insurance companies began covering kombucha prescriptions while penalizing patients who tested positive for high-fructose corn syrup consumption. Dr. Chen’s research (detailed in Episode 2) provided the scientific foundation for these medical interventions. Her studies proved that even occasional soda consumption disrupted the personalized gut microbiomes that enabled optimal cognitive function. Doctors began prescribing specific kombucha strains to repair metabolic damage caused by years of consuming industrial beverages. Morrison’s Tower Disaster: Industrial Control Meets Living Systems Following his 2050 visit to Aberdeen’s agricultural tower, Morrison commissioned twelve “MegaTower” facilities across North America, investing $8.4 billion in what he called “industrial-scale fermentation infrastructure.” His engineers replicated the physical structure perfectly—1,200-meter climate-controlled spires with alternating tea cultivation and kombucha production floors. The catastrophe unfolded within months. Morrison’s towers, designed for efficiency optimization, automated every process that Aberdeen’s workers performed intuitively. Computer algorithms regulated temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery with microsecond precision, eliminating “human inefficiency.” The tea plants withered. The SCOBYs died. Dr. MacLeod’s warnings proved prophetic: Morrison had copied the machinery while killing the ecosystem. His sterile protocols eliminated the beneficial fungi, bacteria, and insects that made Aberdeen’s floors function as living environments. His “optimized” nutrient solutions lacked the complexity of naturally composting tea waste. His automated systems couldn’t respond to the subtle biological cues that experienced cultivators recognized instinctively. By 2053, all twelve MegaTowers stood empty—$8.4 billion monuments to the fundamental incompatibility between industrial control and biological partnership. The failure accelerated Mega-Cola’s eventual bankruptcy, proving that living systems cannot be purchased; they can only be cultivated. Morrison’s Desperate Gambit: Fermented Cola Stung by his failed “MegaTower” experiments, Morrison staked Mega-Cola’s survival on developing fermented cola using modified SCOBYs. The “New Cola Kombucha” project consumed $67 million over three years, employing thousands of microbiologists and fermentation specialists. The results were universally catastrophic. Dr. Park, a fermentation specialist hired from Korea, led Morrison through the lab. Rows of fermentation vessels bubbled with dark liquid. Scientists monitored bacterial counts, pH levels, sugar content. “We’ve engineered SCOBY cultures that can ferment in the presence of cola flavorings,” Park explained. “It’s taken three years, but we have a stable culture.” Morrison looked hopeful for the first time in years. “And it tastes good?” Park hesitated. “It tastes… interesting.” They entered a tasting room where twenty focus group participants sat with cups of dark, fizzy liquid. Morrison watched through one-way glass as participants tasted the fermented cola. The reactions were immediate and universal: grimacing, coughing, one person actually gagged. “Fizzy coffee grounds mixed with cleaning products,” one person said. “Like someone fermented tire rubber,” another offered. “I think I can taste failure,” a third concluded. Park pulled Morrison aside. “The SCOBY cultures are stressed by the chemical additives in cola formulation. They’re producing unusual compounds—not toxic, exactly, but profoundly unpleasant. They’re causing gastrointestinal distress in 89% of test subjects.” Morrison stared at the focus group, then turned to Park. “Give me options. Can we adjust the flavor profile? Different additives?” “We’ve tried 47 formulations,” Park explained. “The problem isn’t the recipe—it’s the fundamental incompatibility between cola chemistry and healthy fermentation at this scale. The bacteria are literally stressed by the environment we’re asking them to live in.” “So what you’re telling me is that fermented cola is impossible?” Park hesitated. “I’m telling you that your version of fermented cola—one that tastes like Mega-Cola but contains living bacteria—is impossible. If you were willing to let go of the cola formula entirely and create something new…” “Then it wouldn’t be Mega-Cola,” Morrison insisted. “That’s what I’m trying to save.” Morrison sank into a chair. “How much have we spent on this?” “$67 million,” Park confirmed. “And it’s undrinkable.” “Yes.” Morrison laughed bitterly. “We can put a man on Mars, but we can’t ferment cola.” Park’s voice was kind. “We can’t ferment cola because we’re trying to put it on Mars. Fermentation requires accepting biology on its own terms. We keep trying to force it into our industrial model. Biology keeps refusing.” The FDA’s emergency recall of Morrison’s prototype batches in 2059 triggered the final collapse of investor confidence. The Bankruptcy Cascade: Industrial Liquidation Mega-Cola declared bankruptcy on November 1, 2060—the Mexican Day of the Dead seemed grimly appropriate for the death of an American institution. The company’s $284 billion in debts exceeded its assets by a factor of three, as brand value evaporated alongside consumer demand. The company was not alone. BigSoda collapsed six months later, then Dr Gipper —the third-ranking cola in the world —creating a cascade of corporate failures worth over $1.2 trillion. Morrison sat alone in his office as the board meeting proceeded via video conference. The board chair spoke: “The FDA has issued an emergency recall of all New Cola Kombucha prototypes after test subjects required hospitalization. Our stock price has fallen 89% from its peak. Our debt exceeds assets. We have no choice.” Morrison knew what he must announce. “Mega-Cola Corporation is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, effective immediately.” On screens across America, news anchors delivered the story. Morrison watched employees leave the building carrying boxes. Fifty thousand jobs ending. A century-old brand dying. Chen entered his office quietly. “I’m sorry, James.” Morrison didn’t turn from the window. “You tried to warn me. Back in 2035. You asked if we could industrialize biology without killing what made it valuable.” “I did.” “The answer was no.” “I guess I just didn't listen.” Morrison was quiet for a long moment. “I spent my whole career optimizing systems, maximizing efficiency, scaling operations. I was good at it. But biology doesn’t care about efficiency. It cares about diversity, resilience, relationships. Everything I knew how to do was wrong for this.” Chen sat beside him. “What will you do now?” Morrison laughed without humor. “I’m 62 years old. My entire career has been corporate optimization. I don’t know how to do anything else.” “You could learn,” Chen suggested. “Learn what?” Morrison asked. “How to brew kombucha in my garage? I destroyed people’s livelihoods trying to industrialize something that shouldn’t be industrialized. I don’t deserve to be part of what comes next.” “Maybe that’s exactly why you should be,” Chen said softly. “You understand what doesn’t work. That’s valuable knowledge.” The liquidation auctions became symbols of industrial obsolescence. Mega-Cola’s Detroit headquarters sold for $47 million to the Georgia Fermentation Kollective, which converted the building into vertical kombucha gardens. The iconic “Land of Cola” museum became the “Museum of Metabolic Harm,” displaying artifacts from humanity’s sugar-addiction era alongside warnings about corporate food manipulation. Urban Composting: From Soda to Soil Morrison’s personal transformation paralleled that of his company. After Mega-Cola’s bankruptcy, he founded “Regenerative Detroit,” converting abandoned bottling plants into urban composting facilities that produced soil for vertical tea gardens. His memoir, From Syrup to SCOBY: A CEO’s Redemption, became a bestseller, chronicling his journey from corporate predator to ecological steward. Nakamura, the consultant who told Morrison his approach would fail, visited the facility. “You were right,” Morrison said without preamble. “Everything you said in that meeting. I spent five more years and hundreds of millions trying to prove you wrong, only to end up proving you right.” Nakamura watched Morrison teach a teenage girl how to inoculate a growing medium with mushroom spores. “This is unexpected. I thought you’d retire to a beach somewhere, try to forget.” Morrison laughed. “I tried that for six months. I was miserable. Spent forty years destroying things. Figured I should spend whatever time I have left trying to build something.” “Why composting?” “Because it’s the opposite of what I did at Mega-Cola,” Morrison explained. “There, we tried to force sterility, eliminate variability, control every process. Here, we cultivate diversity, encourage complexity, work with biological systems rather than against them. We take waste and transform it into something useful. It’s… healing, I guess.” A teenager approached. “Mr. Morrison, my mushrooms are growing!” Morrison’s face lit up. “Let me see!” He examined her cultivation tray with genuine excitement. “Beautiful! You maintained perfect humidity. These will be ready to harvest in two weeks.” After the children left for lunch, Nakamura and Morrison walked through the facility. “How many people work here?” Nakamura asked. “Forty-seven,” Morrison responded. “Thirty-two are former Mega-Cola employees. When the company collapsed, they lost everything. I felt responsible. So I used what was left of my savings to buy this facility and train them in regenerative agriculture.” “And the composting is profitable?” Morrison shrugged. “We break even. Barely. But that’s not really the point. The point is transforming industrial waste into living soil. The point is teaching the next generation that decay isn’t the enemy—it’s the beginning of new life. The point is learning to think like an ecosystem instead of a corporation.” They stopped before a wall displaying Morrison’s memoir: From Syrup to SCOBY: A CEO’s Redemption. “I read your book,” Nakamura said. “Brutal self-assessment.” “Had to be,” Morrison replied. “I spent decades helping build a system that made billions by making people sick. If I’m going to do anything meaningful with the rest of my life, I need to be honest about what I did wrong.” Nakamura gave him a piercing look. “What’s the hardest lesson, James?” Morrison thought for a moment. “That you can’t buy relationships. Mega-Cola tried to purchase kombucha companies and force them into our industrial model. But the reason those companies succeeded was because they maintained living relationships—between bacteria, between brewers and their cultures, between producers and customers. We thought we could commodify those relationships. We were wrong.” Nakamura looked into the other man’s eyes. “Do you regret your career at Mega-Cola?” “Every day,” Morrison said. “But regret without action is just self-pity. I can’t undo the harm I caused. I can only try to spend whatever time I have left doing things differently.” The two men stood silent. “And now?” Nakamura eventually asked. “Now I’m learning that the same principle applies to everything. Healthy soil requires relationships between millions of organisms. Healthy communities require relationships between people. You can’t manufacture relationships. You can only cultivate them.” A former Mega-Cola executive, now managing the composting operation, approached. “James, the new batch is ready. Want to check it?” They walked to a massive composting area where industrial waste had been transformed into rich, dark soil. Morrison picked up a handful, letting it sift through his fingers. “Five years ago, I couldn’t have told you what healthy soil looked like. Now I can diagnose it by touch, smell, and sight. I know the difference between soil that’s alive and soil that’s dead. I wish I’d learned that forty years ago.” Business School Autopsies: Failed Integration Studies Mega-Cola’s failed acquisitions became business school case studies teaching a fundamental lesson about the new economy: you couldn’t buy biological relationships, only nurture them. Companies that thrived in the fermentation future were those that learned to think like ecosystems rather than machines, valuing symbiosis over extraction and cooperation over control. The old extraction-based capitalism of brands, advertisements, and artificial scarcity had dissolved in the acid of transparency. In its place rose a commerce of connection, a network of exchange based on trust, craft, and living value. No one “sold” kombucha anymore. They shared it—encoded with local identity, story, and microbial lineage. Each brew was a living signature, traceable back to the brewer’s SCOBY ancestry through transparent bio-ledgers—open microbial blockchains that recorded not profits, but relationships. Harvard Business School’s legendary case study “The Mega-Cola Kombucha Catastrophe” had become required reading for understanding how industrial thinking fails when confronting biological complexity. Professor George Santos—a reformed fraudster turned champion of ethical business studies at Harvard—projected key figures on his classroom screen summarizing the Mega-Cola meltdown: $48.7 billion spent on kombucha acquisitions and infrastructure Zero successful products launched 94% loss of beneficial bacteria in acquired brands Complete corporate collapse within 15 years Morrison sat in the audience, invited as a guest speaker. The students didn’t know he was there yet. Santos lectured: “Mega-Cola’s failure wasn’t about lack of resources or expertise. They had the best food scientists, unlimited capital, and a dominant market position. They failed because they tried to apply industrial logic to biological relationships. It’s a category error—treating living systems like machines.” A student raised her hand. “But couldn’t they have just left the kombucha companies independent? Kept them small-scale?” “Good question,” Santos responded. “But that would have defeated the purpose of the acquisition. Morrison wanted to leverage industrial efficiency to dominate the market. He couldn’t accept that efficiency itself was the problem.” “Sounds arrogant,” another student said. “It was,” Morrison spoke from the audience. “Unforgivably arrogant.” The room went silent as students realized who he was. Santos smiled. “Class, we have a special guest. Mr. Morrison has agreed to discuss his decisions and their consequences.” Morrison walked to the front slowly. At 72, he looked older than his years. “I’m here because Professor Santos asked me to help you understand how intelligent, well-intentioned people can make catastrophic mistakes,” Morrison began. “In 2035, I was confident, even cocky, firmly believing we could apply our industrial processes to kombucha. I have degrees from Wharton and McKinsey experience. I’d successfully optimized dozens of operations. I didn’t see kombucha as a challenge—I saw it as an opportunity.” “What changed?” a student asked. “Repeated failure,” Morrison said simply. “We acquired kombucha brands. We killed them by trying to scale them. We hired consultants. They told us what we were doing wrong. We didn’t listen. We tried to ferment cola using SCOBYs. We created undrinkable disasters. Eventually, even I couldn’t ignore reality: you can’t industrialize living relationships.” “Why not?” another student challenged. “We industrialize lots of biological processes. Agriculture, pharmaceuticals—” “Different scale, different complexity,” Morrison explained. “Kombucha requires dozens of organisms in complex relationships. You can’t standardize that without destroying what makes it work. And more fundamentally, I didn’t respect what I was trying to control. I saw bacteria as inputs to be optimized, not as living partners to be cultivated. That disrespect guaranteed failure.” Samantha Chen, sitting in the back, spoke up. “I was Mega-Cola’s CFO. I warned James from the beginning that we were trying to commodify relationships. He didn’t listen until we’d burned through billions and destroyed the brands we’d acquired. The lesson isn’t just about fermentation—it’s about recognizing when your core competencies are incompatible with what you’re attempting.” A student asked the obvious question: “Mr. Morrison, you lost billions of dollars and collapsed a century-old company. Why should we listen to you?” Morrison smiled sadly. “Because I failed spectacularly at something many of you will attempt: forcing biological systems into industrial models. Climate change, environmental restoration, and sustainable agriculture—you’ll all face situations where industrial thinking fails. If hearing about my failures helps even one of you recognize that trap earlier, then bankrupting Mega-Cola will have served some purpose.” Cola Coda The demise of Mega-Cola and Morrison's redemption was celebrated in song by a young group of Baltimore kombucha brewers whose anthem ‘It's an Unreal Thing' was played on college radio stations by retro-70's leather-jacketed DJ's with pierced ears. Here’s Hexotronix: Go now, take what you think will lastBut whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fastAll your failed investments, they’re all going homeYour fermentation formula had the wrong biomeYour scientists who just walked out the doorHave taken all their SCOBYs from the brewery floorThe towers too have failed to come throughAnd now it's time to go find something new. [Chorus]You sold your soda to a worldThat you thought you'd taught to singIn perfect harmonyBut it's an unreal thing, an unreal thing. You bought up all our breweries, didn't you?Your fake fermented drinks just didn't come through .You killed what made kombucha realSo how does it feelTo be completely unreal?How does it feelTo be a joker?How does it feelTo be a bankrupt, down at heel?With the whole world laughingAt your soda? [Chorus] Your beverage was a bustYour dreams all turned to dustThe missing partWas our SCOBY heartRight there at the startBut you didn't seeWhat we sawDidn't feelWhat we feltDidn't knowWhat we knewDidn't loveWhat we loved. [Chorus] Leave your corporate life behind, something calls for youThe dream that you once had is clearly through.Forget the drinks you've served, they will not follow youGo tell another story start anewThe compost and mushrooms, they now call to you. [Chorus] Epilogue: The Next Discovery Morrison’s transformation from CEO to mushroom farmer illustrates that recognizing failure honestly opens paths to genuine learning. His redemption isn’t about success—it’s about accepting that some approaches are fundamentally wrong and committing to something different. However, one man’s transformation was only the beginning. While corporate executives struggled to understand living systems, a brilliant citizen scientist was making discoveries that would prove the human brain itself required biological partnerships to reach its full potential. Check back next Friday as the gripping tale of ‘Our Fermented Future’ continues. Disclaimer This is a work of speculative fiction. Names, characters, businesses, events, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination, assisted by generative A.I. References to real brands and organizations are used in a wholly imaginative context and are not intended to reflect any actual facts or opinions related to them. No assertions or statements in this post should be interpreted as true or factual. Audio Listen to an audio version of this Episode and all future ones via the Booch News channel on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you just want to listen to the music (classic 80’s punk!) tune in as follows: Hexotronix, It’s an Unreal Thing, 36:17 Lyrics ©2025 Booch News, music generated with the assistance of Suno. The post Our Fermented Future, Episode 7: Corporate Death Spiral—How Cola Became Compost appeared first on 'Booch News.
Bob and Brad are joined by friend-of-show Lee Diaz to revisit the classic film Singin' in the Rain alongside a review of Weller Special Reserve bourbon. They explore the film's themes of whimsy, the transition from silent films to talkies, and the iconic performance of Gene Kelly. TThen, they break to sample Weller Special Reserve, discussing its nuances of pricing and value.Chapters00:00 Introduction04:02 Brad Explains the Plot of Singin' in the Rain07:19 Personal Connections to the Film17:53 Gene Kelly: The Icon and His Persona23:56 Stylistic Choices and Cinematic Techniques35:34 Whiskey Tasting: Weller Special Reserve Overview56:10 Two Facts and a Falsehood01:16:00Final Thoughts on Singing in the Rain01:26:28 Let's Make it a Double and Final Scores--Film & Whiskey InstagramFilm & Whiskey FacebookFilm & Whiskey TwitterEmail us!Join our Discord server!For more episodes and engaging content, visit Film & Whiskey's website at www.filmwhiskey.com.
GATEWAY CINEMA is a multi-part series of conversations centered on key ideas in film studies. In these conversations, we interpret and celebrate a set of eclectic feature films from across generations and from around the world, including “La Haine”, “Drum”, “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”, “Come and See”, “Perfect Days”, “Sweet Smell of Success”, “The Swimmer”, “Amadeus (Director's Cut)”, “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia”, “Friday”, “Marie Antoinette”, “The Night of the Hunter”, “Crank” and “Crank 2: High Voltage”, “Portrait of a Lady Fire”, “The Fabulous Baron Munchausen”, “Joker: Folie à Deux”, “Welcome to the Dollhouse”, “Heathers”, and “The Death of Stalin”.***Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 16:“Joker” (Todd Phillips, 2019)“Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (Jay Roach, 1997)“Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” (Jay Roach, 1999)“Austin Powers in Goldmember” (Jay Roach, 2002)“Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)” (David Fincher, 1992) (Assembly Cut in 2003)“Aliens” (James Cameron, 1986)“Gremlins 2: The New Batch” (Joe Dante, 1990)“Gremlins” (Joe Dante, 1984)“Deadpool & Wolverine” (Shawn Levy, 2024)“Alien: Romulus” (Fede Alvarez, 2024)“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (Tim Burton, 2024)“Transformers One” (Josh Cooley, 2024)“Mary Poppins” (Robert Stevenson, 1964)“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Jim Sharman, 1975)“Singin' in the Rain” (Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, 1952)“La La Land” (Damien Chazelle, 2016)“Hated: GG Allin and the Murder Junkies” (Todd Phillips, 1993)“Kneecap” (Rich Peppiatt, 2024)“Wicked” (Jon M. Chu, 2024)“Braveheart” (Mel Gibson, 1995)“Megalopolis” (Francis Ford Coppola, 2024)“The Minecraft Movie” (Jared Hess, 2025)“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (Steven Spielberg, 1982)“Shoa” (Claude Lanzmann, 1985)Audio quotation in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 16:“Joker: Folie à Deux” (Todd Phillips, 2024), including the songs “Uh Oh, I'm in Trouble” (2024) by Hildur Guðnadóttir, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBKadB95sF45I8ypDP8cYu5glfXTT0FyH, and “That's Life” (1963) by Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon, performed by Lada Gaga, “Bewitched (Bothered and Bewildered)” (1940) by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, performed by Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, “To Love Somebody” (1967) by the Bee Gees, performed by Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, “If You Go Away” (1959) by Jacques Brel, performed by Joaquin Phoenix, and “(They Long to Be) Close to You” (1963) by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, performed by Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKUcDyFltysbYrVO-rWYqfQqSuIKkxxgI
We highly doubt that the youth were clamouring for a Billy Joel episode, but here's one anyway. The songs are fine but almost nothing of consequence happens here, so instead Tanner and Christina will desperately try to think of things to talk about - like having Normal Reactions to Men, a Jane Lynch ASMR kink, and the Bi-Bi Sam. Check out the Corner Podcast Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/CornerPodcastNetwork. We also have the Corner Pod Net Discord here: https://discord.gg/Hf8Y2yEJPe. If you want to contact us we can be found at loserlikemepod@gmail.com, or @loserlikemepod.bsky.social on BlueSky. Tanner can be found there @SparkyUpstart, and Christina @CWoodsArt.
The Music in Me is back with a brand-new episode full of heart and harmony! In this one, I'm taking you on a musical journey from sunrise to moonlight — celebrating songs from Broadway that help you start your day with joy and wind down with peace. Inspired by a sweet family tradition my niece began with her baby boy, this episode is all about how music can frame our days with love, laughter, and connection. The first half will wake you up with some feel-good “good morning” songs, and the second half will tuck you in with some of Broadway's most beautiful lullabies. Whether you're greeting the dawn or saying goodnight, this episode is the perfect soundtrack to your day.GOOD MORNING SONGS MENTIONED...A Brand New Day from The WizMorning Person from Shrek the MusicalGood Morning Baltimore from HairsprayGood Morning, My Brothers from Pirates! The Penzance MusicalGood Morning Starshine from HairGood Morning from Singin' in the RainMorning Glow from PippinOh, What a Beautiful Morning from OklahomaGOODNIGHT SONGS MENTIONED...So Long, Farewell from The Sound of MusicMoonshine Lullaby from Annie Get Your GunTender Shepherd from Peter PanLove to Me from The Light in the PiazzaSylvia's Lullaby from Finding NeverlandGoodnight My Someone from The Music ManWhat did you think of this episode? Support the showKeep listening, keep grooving, and let the music in you continue to shine. Thank you, and see you soon!CONTACT TERI:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terirosborg/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teri.rosborgYouTube: The Music in MeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@terirosborgPodcast Facebook Page: The Music in Me Podcast Facebook pageTHEME SONG BY: Hayley GremardINTRODUCTION BY: Gavin Bruno
fWotD Episode 3097: How You Get the Girl Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia's finest articles.The featured article for Monday, 27 October 2025, is How You Get the Girl."How You Get the Girl" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). She wrote it with its producers, Max Martin and Shellback. An electropop and bubblegum pop song, "How You Get the Girl" is a ballad that features acoustic guitar strums and a heavy disco beat. The lyrics find Swift telling a man how to win his ex-girlfriend back after their breakup. Some music critics praised the song as catchy and energetic; they particularly highlighted the chorus and how the track combines acoustic and electronic elements. Less enthusiastic reviews considered the production generic and the lyrics lightweight. "How You Get the Girl" charted on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in the United States and on the Canadian Hot 100 chart in Canada. It received certifications in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Swift included "How You Get the Girl" in the set list of the 1989 World Tour (2015), with choreography that evoked the musical film Singin' in the Rain (1952). She performed it on some dates of her later tours, the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018) and the Eras Tour (2023–2024). The track was used in a Diet Coke advertisement prior to its release.Following a 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of her back catalog, Swift re-recorded the song as "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" for her fourth re-recorded album, 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023). She produced the new version with Christopher Rowe. Music critics believed that the re-recording had a vibrant sound and an enhanced production quality. The track reached number 29 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and the top 40 on the national charts of Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:14 UTC on Monday, 27 October 2025.For the full current version of the article, see How You Get the Girl on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Bluesky at @wikioftheday.com.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Joanna.
This episode of Across The Margin : The Podcast features an interview with singer-songwriter Jenna Nicholls. Hailing from the small town of Irwin, PA near Pittsburgh, after college Jenna set her sights east to test her wings as a songwriter and performer. Initially trying Boston, she ultimately gravitated to the creative hotbed of Manhattan's Lower East Side forging lasting friendships with other like-minded artists and musicians. Jenna made three albums on her own dime: Curled Up Toes in Red Mary Janes, The Blooming Hour, and Radio Parade. The albums revealed a restless muse and a theme that would be a constant for Nicholls: a love of vintage music – anything from classic music films like “Singin' in the Rain” to Bessie Smith. Her latest album — The Commuter — is the focus of this episode. The title of Jenna Nicholls' new album The Commuter is fitting in every sense — the story of a journey both musical and personal. The recording signals a departure and new beginnings: a new producer (multiple Grammy winner Larry Campbell), a new record label (Hudson Valley based Royal Potato Family), a lusher sound with inventive, fleshed-out arrangements, and an astoundingly wide-ranging collection of original songs. The constant: Jenna's unique ability to transport the listener to a different place and time with her writing and inspired singing. The Commuter displays Jenna's melodic and lyrical gifts in full flower. It's a cinematic trip that takes the listener to 1930's Parisian cafés, New Orleans juke joints, and beyond. It is an album that communicates the excitement of venturing forth and the reassurance of returning home to an abiding love. Learn all about it and more in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Daily Show correspondent Jordan Klepper joins Ophira Eisenberg to talk about raising his two-and-a-half-year-old son, Witt, while juggling a career built on improv, political satire, and late-night comedy. Klepper recalls misjudging the mattress size for his son's bunk bed—leaving a four-inch gap that could double as future deposition material—and justifying his “safety plan” with a beanbag chair under the danger zone. He rails against the whiplash speed of kids' TV, admitting Bluey gets a pass while Gabby's Dollhouse and Cocomelon make him wince, then describes how YouTube ballet performances and Singin' in the Rain became his family's slower-paced alternative. Klepper revisits his Kalamazoo math-nerd roots, including the actuarial scientist who tried to sell him on predicting death for insurance companies, before he pivoted to improv and eventually landed at The Daily Show. Now, he applies his correspondent's interrogative style to parenting—only to be told by his wife to stop cross-examining their toddler at the dinner table. From Amazon-era instant gratification to his son's invented sneakers-with-springs-and-wheels, Klepper balances surreal political interviews with the even trickier task of convincing Witt to wear a jacket. The episode ends with a new father–son bit: shouting “Dan!” back and forth, lifted from an Alan Partridge sketch that Witt now proudly recycles as their private running gag.
The final Episode is up! Join us as we literally make our way to Brev's front door while discussing what is considered the top 5 movies that AFI calls the best and they are: Singin' in the Rain Raging Bull Casablanca The Godfather Citizen Kane Be sure to stick around after that as both Brev and Tyler talk about what movies should be on that list. Thanks so much for taking the journey with us and enjoy!
In this toe-tapping episode, Pete and Hannah dive headfirst into the Technicolor world of Hollywood's golden age with Singin' in the Rain #5 on the AFI Top 100 list. As they wade through the splashy musical numbers and behind-the-scenes drama of 1920s Tinseltown, the duo unpacks why this classic remains one of the most beloved films in American cinema.Expect plenty of laughs as Pete attempts to recreate Donald O'Connor's physical comedy (thankfully off-mic), while Hannah breaks down the film's clever satire of the transition from silent films to “talkies.” Together, they explore Gene Kelly's iconic choreography, Debbie Reynolds' breakout performance, and whether that rain-soaked dance scene still holds up nearly a century later.It's nostalgia, film history, and a little bit of musical geekery—all in one joyful, umbrella-spinning conversation.
Olivier nominee Carly Mercedes Dyer (Singin' in the Rain / A Chorus Line) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Carly discuss The Harder They Come (Stratford East), 50 First Dates (The Other Palace) and Clarkston(Trafalgar Theatre) as well as the latest news about Amber Davies, Bank Of Dave, Beetlejuice, Lucie Jones, Megan Hilty and more.Carly has played roles including Cassie in A Chorus Line, Faye Treadwell in The Drifters Girl, June in Gypsy and Erma in Anything Goes, for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award and won a WhatsOnStage Award. Her other theatre credits include: The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, Memphis, West Side Story, Hadestown, Rock Of Ages and lots more. Carly played Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the London Palladium and recently reprised her performance in Japan. This Christmas she's off to Manchester to star as Kathy Seldon in Singin' in the Rain at the Royal Exchange.Follow Carly on Instagram and TikTok: @carlymdyerThis podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The guys from Dawgman.com - Kim Grinolds, Chris Fetters, and Scott Eklund - gathered Friday morning to gab a bit during this BYE weekend and tie up some loose ends after Washington's 70-10 dismantling of UC Davis. After some scheduling talk and the normal complaints from west coasters about late night starts and Scott's master plan for how conference realignment will all shake out within a decade (he promises this will definitely all happen), Kim gets Chris's and Scott's take on some things that came out of the UC Davis win since he wasn't able to make it due to car troubles. Talk moved to the improvement of the offensive line, including the things that have helped this year's line settle in a lot quicker compared to last season, as well as how Jedd Fisch's high school recruiting philosophy has already started to pay off, especially along the OL. After a quick break Kim asks Scott to talk about John Mills and his recruitment to Washington. Scott happened to be at UW the day Mills was offered a scholarship by the previous staff, and he lays out Mills' recruitment from when he originally committed to Texas, to Washington keeping on him due to his Montlake family ties, to his eventual flip to the Huskies. Kim asks Chris whether or not Washington's first BYE week comes at a good time. Believe it or not, they had differing opinions on this topic. And then Scott gives a recruiting update that eventually wound its way toward the 2027 recruiting class and whether or not he's surprised the Huskies don't have any public commitments for that class so far. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
| Artist | Title | Album Name | Album Copyright | Marcia Ball | Party Town (Remastered) | Alligator Records 50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin Music | Nathaniel Rivers | I'm A Pilgrim | This May Be My Last Time (CD3): Raw African-American Gospel on 45s. | Vanessa Collier | Sweatin' Like A Pig, Singin' Like An Angel | Live At the Power Station | Chad Sinclair | Sunday Town [single] | Sunday Town | | Gaye Adegbalola (Ft. Roddy Barnes) | How Can I Say I Miss You | Neo Classic Blues | | Brad Curtis & the Some x 6 Band | My Wallet | The Hoodoo Shake | | Christina Skjølberg | I'm Back | Come And Get It | | Rory Block | The Breadline | Shake 'Em On Down: A Tribute To Mississippi Fred McDowell | Lead Belly | Fort Worth And Dallas Blues | | Carl Weathersby (Come To Papa) | Help Me Somebody | Various Albums | | Whitney Shay | Check Me Out | A Woman Rules The World | J.J. Cale | Ten Easy Lessons | In Session At The Paradise Studios, Los Angeles, 1979 | Joe Bonamassa | Tea For One / I Can't Quit You Baby | Warren Haynes Presents The Benefit Concert Volume 20 | Ben Hemming | Undone | Broken Road | | Hardy Gray | Come and Go with Me to That Land | Playing for the Man at the Door Disc 2 | Tiny Flaws | Joanna Bones | Tiny Flaws |
Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:30:00 GMT http://relay.fm/focused/237 http://relay.fm/focused/237 David Sparks and Mike Schmitz Max Roberts is a podcaster, video editor, and technical writer who joins us to talk about using AI in the writing process, video games, and the importance of staying curious. Max Roberts is a podcaster, video editor, and technical writer who joins us to talk about using AI in the writing process, video games, and the importance of staying curious. clean 5025 Max Roberts is a podcaster, video editor, and technical writer who joins us to talk about using AI in the writing process, video games, and the importance of staying curious. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. 1Password: Discover SaaS applications, automate lifecycle management, and optimize SaaS spend. Guest Starring: Max Roberts Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Point of Curvature Max Frequency Max Roberts Video Essays Max's Podcasts Obsidian Field Guide (Plus Edition) Practical PKM Hybrid Cohort Google NotebookLM ChatGPT Grammarly Claude Lex.page Singin' In the Bathtub by John Lithgow How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe How to ADHD | YouTube Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe | TEDxBratislava - YouTube Business Made Simple Extra Focus by Jesse J. Anderson Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners The Library Community TaskForge | Obsidian Tasks Made Easy From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks Dark Age by Pierce Brown Somebody And The Three Blairs by Marilyn Tolhurst Lake of Souls by Ann Leckie
Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:30:00 GMT http://relay.fm/focused/237 http://relay.fm/focused/237 Everything is Figureoutable, with Max Roberts 237 David Sparks and Mike Schmitz Max Roberts is a podcaster, video editor, and technical writer who joins us to talk about using AI in the writing process, video games, and the importance of staying curious. Max Roberts is a podcaster, video editor, and technical writer who joins us to talk about using AI in the writing process, video games, and the importance of staying curious. clean 5025 Max Roberts is a podcaster, video editor, and technical writer who joins us to talk about using AI in the writing process, video games, and the importance of staying curious. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. 1Password: Discover SaaS applications, automate lifecycle management, and optimize SaaS spend. Guest Starring: Max Roberts Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Point of Curvature Max Frequency Max Roberts Video Essays Max's Podcasts Obsidian Field Guide (Plus Edition) Practical PKM Hybrid Cohort Google NotebookLM ChatGPT Grammarly Claude Lex.page Singin' In the Bathtub by John Lithgow How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe How to ADHD | YouTube Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe | TEDxBratislava - YouTube Business Made Simple Extra Focus by Jesse J. Anderson Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners The Library Community TaskForge | Obsidian Tasks Made Easy From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks Dark Age by Pierce Brown Somebody And The Three Blairs by Marilyn Tolhurst Lake of Souls by Ann Leckie
See J.P.'s thirty second version of "The Birds" here: https://youtu.be/kjiSyts0xnk?si=1KZK5e7fOymLmtLU EPISODE 98 - “BEHIND THE SCENES: GETTING TO KNOW THE TEAM BEHIND FBTHS” - 7/28/25 As they say, it takes a village. And that is very true here at FROM BENEATH THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN podcast. This week, we decided to pull the curtain back and reveal two unsung heroes of the show who work tirelessly behind the scenes at the podcast. Meet Executive producer and Post Production Supervisor LINDSAY SCHNEBLY and Associate Producer and Researcher JOHN PRICE RICHEY. They are the true backbone behind this show who do an amazing job keeping us technically proficient and as factually accurate as possible. Listen and get to know these two remarkable artists who both have very interesting stories to tell. We would be lost without them! SHOW NOTES: Sources: Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned: The Birds (1963), starring Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, & Suzanne Pleshette; Vertigo (1958), starring James Stewart & Kim Novak; It's a Wonderful Life (1946), starring James Stewart & Donna Reed; The African Queen (1951), starring Humphrey Bogart & Katharine Hepburn; Singin' in the Rain (1952), starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, & Donald O'Connor; The Bad and Beautiful (1952), starring Kirk Douglas & Lana Turner; Sunset Boulevard (1950), starring Gloria Swanson & William Holden; 8 1/2 (1963), starring Marcello Mastroianni & Claudia Cardinale; My Favorite Year (1982), starring Peter O'Toole; Mulholland Drive (2001), starring Naomi Watts & Laura Harring; The Star (1952), starring Bette Davis & Sterling Hayden; Cinderella (1997), starring Brandy & Whitney Houston; Ninotchka (1939), starring Greta Garbo & Melvyn Douglas; The Red Shoes (1948), starring Moira Shearer; City Lights (1931), starring Charlie Chaplin & Virginia Cherrill; North By Northwest (1959), starring Cary Grant & Eva Marie Saint; The Sting (1973), starring Paul Newman & Robert Redford; The Godfather (1972), starring Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, & James Caan; The Godfather II (1974), starring Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro & James Caan; The Shop Around The Corner (1940), starring James Stewart & Margaret Sullivan; The Merry Widow (1934), starring Jeanette MacDonald & Maurice Chevalier; The Poseidon Adventure (1972), starring Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine & Shelley Winters; Grand Prix (1966), starring James Garner & Eva Marie Saint; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Capt. Kevin and Capt. Ricky, along with the rest of the Unusual Suspects, couldn't help but talk about how the[...]
Join LaTangela as she chats with the amazing cast of Christian Community Theater! Singing In The Rain - Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film has been adapted to bring something special to a theater near you! Randy Rice and Ally Holloway will give us a little behind the scenes action on the theater and program. Mark your calendar and join us for a show! July 31st - Aug 3rd LSU Shaver Theater www.CYTBatonRouge.org Singin' In The Rain Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
AUGTC S2 E12:
AUGTC S2 E12:
USA TODAY sports columnist Nancy Armour joins Sarah to discuss WNBA All-Star Weekend, whether Caitlin Clark could be doing more (and we’re not talking about defense), and what the three new expansion teams say about the WNBA’s relationship with the MNBA. Plus, a Fire is rekindled, a footy player makes her way back to the states, and the women’s Euro 2025 soccer tournament smashes some records. Follow Nancy Armour on Bluesky here Read Nancy’s column about how Caitlin Clark could quiet the worst part of her fanbase here Check out the Portland Fire’s logo and branding here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Get ready for some old timey singing and dancing, as Daniel, Ian and Zack explore musicals from the classic Hollywood era. So put on your tap shoes and join Judy, Gene, and the rest of us!Summer Stock – 3:30 Stormy Weather – 20:30 Top Hat – 31:30 It's Always Fair Weather – 45:30 Anchors Aweigh – 1:06:00 Singin' in the Rain – 1:20:00
Here's a voice we've heard before. It was during a 78 RPM Sunday when we had plenty of her shellac to fill a show. This singer went on to have her own TV show where she sang many of the pop hits from that time. In fact, the tunes that made it on this album were among the most requested from her show. So, get ready to hear an artist known as the Singin' Rage in Volume 237: A TV Page For more information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it. Credits and copyrights It's A Good Day written by Peggy Lee, Dave Barbour (I Wanna Go Where You Go, Do What You Do) Then I'll Be Happy written by Cliff Friend, Lew Brown, Sidney Clare Sometimes I'm Happy written by Vincent Youmans, Irving Caesar, Clifford Grey Crazy Rhythm written by Roger Wolfe Kahn, Joseph Meyer, Irving Caesar Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup written by Anna Sosenko Gypsy written by Billy Reid Gypsy In My Soul written by Clay Boland, Moe Jaffe Happy Days Are Here Again written by Milton Ager, Jack Yellen I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain. #pattiepage #musichistory #vinylcollecting #vinylrecords #musicalmemories
Following numerous references to Babylon on various past episodes, it feels necessary to dive deeper into Damien Chazelle's perceptive epic and contemplate how it may prove to be a masterpiece of tomorrow.We also briefly discuss:Singin' in the Rain (1952) d. Stanley Donen and Gene KellyBoogie Nights (1997) d. Paul Thomas AndersonHearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) d. Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper and Eleanor CoppolaContact UsEmail: contact@jimmybernasconi.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/
The Phantom Phinders learn about heat conductivity in the best way possible. Make sure to rate and review us on iTunes and then reach out on Twitter or to our email to get an NPC named in Carrefour! Check out our new website: QMtabletop.com and the new Delta Green Podcast Directory https://twitter.com/QMoftheTableTop https://www.instagram.com/quartermastersofthetabletop/ https://www.tiktok.com/@qmottt https://youtube.com/@QuartermastersoftheTabletop https://linktr.ee/qmottt Chaos Springs Eternal Season One: City of Woe is set in Carrefour Louisiana and follows the members of the Phantom Phinders, a public access ghost hunting TV show as they explore the strange and weird happenings. We use the Delta Green TTRPG rules. Warning: The podcast does contain violent themes and explicit language as well as potential mental hazards. Nyarlathotep reigns. Imla ìbaz ehccema iam Lehpar. intro/outro music is: Cocytus by Pawns or Kings background music is from Hideous Hiss (https://www.youtube.com/@hideoushiss) Published by arrangement with the Delta Green Partnership. The intellectual property known as Delta Green is a trademark and copyright owned by the Delta Green Partnership, who has licensed its use here. The contents of this podcast are ©Chaos Springs Eternal excepting those elements that are components of the Delta Green intellectual property.
Journey Theater will stage Singin' in the Rain this July and August at Heritage High School in Vancouver, offering a high-energy take on the classic musical with a cast of local talent. Shows run July 25 to August 2. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/journey-theater-presents-singin-in-the-rain/ #SinginInTheRain #JourneyTheater #VancouverWA #ClarkCountyEvents #CommunityTheater #MusicalTheater #YouthArts #FamilyEntertainment #LivePerformance #SummerShows
Send us a textJohnny Ray Miller is an actor, author, huge Partridge Family fan, who befriended David Cassidy, and is currently working on publishing a book of photos of David that were taken by famed rock 'n roll photographer Henry Diltz. In this episode, Johnny talks about the arduous task of sifting through 15,000 photos (!), how he got to know David as well as his step-mom, Shirley Jones, and half-brother Ryan Cassidy. Johnny's previously published books include "When We're Singin': The Partridge Family and Their Music," a virtual encyclopedia of nearly every song ever performed on the classic TV show. He also co-wrote a book with Ryan Cassidy called "James Cagney was My Babysitter."Johnny explains why he thinks we still love David, and the importance of supporting David's legacy. Johnny (and me) will be appearing at the "David Cassidy West Orange Historical Marker" celebration in late July, 2025.Support the showYou can support producer and host Carol Kaplan's efforts to bring you these episodes by buying her a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/carolkaplan.
This week's guest In the Flamingo Lounge, Kevin Leary, is a pretty busy guy at the Kenan Center! He's not just the Arts & Culture Program Manager there, but he's also a talented director, choreographer, actor, and arts manager. Throughout his career, Kevin has had some amazing experiences. He's toured nationally as an actor in shows like The Music Man, 42nd Street, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He also worked as an Assistant Director and Male Swing for Singin' in the Rain at the Goodspeed Opera House. Back home, he's directed The Glass Menagerie and Godspell at the Lancaster Opera House. And over at the Alleyway Theatre, he's showcased his skills as choreographer for Kragtar!: An American Monster Musical and director for Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf. Kevin's got a strong educational background too, with a BFA in Acting/Musical Theatre from Wright State University and an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies (focusing on Theatre and Arts Management) from the University at Buffalo.
On this dazzling episode of Friends Talking Nerdy, Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd put on their tap shoes and warm up their vocal cords for a deep dive into the world of musicals—both on stage and on screen. From Golden Age classics to rock operas and cult comedy gems, the duo shares their personal favorites and discusses what makes each musical special to them.The conversation opens with a look at the glitz and glam of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and the iconic performances of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, before taking a hard left into irreverent territory with Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Cannibal! The Musical and South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, celebrating their unique ability to blend satire with catchy tunes.The pair reflects on the cultural impact and rebellious spirit of Hair, the groundbreaking score of Jesus Christ Superstar, and the emotional gravitas of Les Misérables. They also take time to honor musical legends with There's No Business Like Show Business and Singin' in the Rain, breaking down the artistry and historical significance of these silver screen staples.And of course, no musical conversation is complete without a nod to rock, as Tim the Nerd and Professor Aubrey discuss the stylized storytelling and sound of The Who's Tommy, as well as the Beatles' innovative entry into film musicals with A Hard Day's Night.Whether you're a die-hard musical theater fan or just dipping your toes into showtunes, this episode offers laughs, insights, and a playlist-worthy celebration of one of entertainment's most expressive art forms. Curtain up—tune in and sing along!As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his website for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's website for more information on where to find us online.
Join Amy, Kathleen, Scott, and Phil, as they talk about what to do when you find your Disney day (or days), ruined by Mother Nature's bad humor. Follow our pages at: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DVCClubhouse Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dvcclubhouse/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dvcclubhouse?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/discover/dvc-clubhouse?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Joe, Kyle, and Rick review the musical romantic comedy film Singin' In The Rain. Directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly. Written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. With music by Lennie Hayton, Arthur Freed, and Nacio Herb Brown. The film stars Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, and Millard Mitchell. We ranked 11 songs off the soundtrack (with one off the deluxe), and picked our favorite lines, characters, performers, and scenes. Enjoy!
Take a nostalgic journey through five decades of drama, laughter, and community spirit as host Micky Shearon sits down with one of the original legends of the Granbury Opera House, Marty Van Kleeck. From sleeping with no AC to stuffing cold water biscuits in her pockets to building sets from scratch, Marty shares hilarious and heartwarming tales from the Opera House's earliest days in 1975.
Take a nostalgic journey through five decades of drama, laughter, and community spirit as host Micky Shearon sits down with one of the original legends of the Granbury Opera House, Marty Van Kleeck. From sleeping with no AC to stuffing cold water biscuits in her pockets to building sets from scratch, Marty shares hilarious and heartwarming tales from the Opera House's earliest days in 1975.
Caper movies aren't like others involving criminals: there's an aesthetic to a caper that's as important to the thieves as it is to the viewers. Heist is David Mamet's 2001 caper film that stands as his Singin' in the Rain—an apt comparison, since “caper” meant “to dance” long before it took on its criminal meaning. Join us for an appreciation of one of Gene Hackman's best yet least-discussed performances and of Mamet's highly unrealistic dialogue. (Yes, you read that correctly–and we love David Mamet.) David Mamet's short book On Directing Film is a great companion to Heist. Incredible bumper music by John Deley. Please subscribe to the show and consider leaving us a rating or review. You can find our over three hundred episodes wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the show on X and on Letterboxd–and email us at fifteenminutefilm@gmail.com with requests and recommendations. Also check out Dan Moran's substack, Pages and Frames, where he writes about books and movies, as well as the many film-related interviews on The New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Caper movies aren't like others involving criminals: there's an aesthetic to a caper that's as important to the thieves as it is to the viewers. Heist is David Mamet's 2001 caper film that stands as his Singin' in the Rain—an apt comparison, since “caper” meant “to dance” long before it took on its criminal meaning. Join us for an appreciation of one of Gene Hackman's best yet least-discussed performances and of Mamet's highly unrealistic dialogue. (Yes, you read that correctly–and we love David Mamet.) David Mamet's short book On Directing Film is a great companion to Heist. Incredible bumper music by John Deley. Please subscribe to the show and consider leaving us a rating or review. You can find our over three hundred episodes wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the show on X and on Letterboxd–and email us at fifteenminutefilm@gmail.com with requests and recommendations. Also check out Dan Moran's substack, Pages and Frames, where he writes about books and movies, as well as the many film-related interviews on The New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/film
Caper movies aren't like others involving criminals: there's an aesthetic to a caper that's as important to the thieves as it is to the viewers. Heist is David Mamet's 2001 caper film that stands as his Singin' in the Rain—an apt comparison, since “caper” meant “to dance” long before it took on its criminal meaning. Join us for an appreciation of one of Gene Hackman's best yet least-discussed performances and of Mamet's highly unrealistic dialogue. (Yes, you read that correctly–and we love David Mamet.) David Mamet's short book On Directing Film is a great companion to Heist. Incredible bumper music by John Deley. Please subscribe to the show and consider leaving us a rating or review. You can find our over three hundred episodes wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the show on X and on Letterboxd–and email us at fifteenminutefilm@gmail.com with requests and recommendations. Also check out Dan Moran's substack, Pages and Frames, where he writes about books and movies, as well as the many film-related interviews on The New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/performing-arts
Old age can only take what is temporary. God will never abandon us—and through faith in him, we will one day flourish in his eternal kingdom.Find out more about NewSpring Church in Wichita, Kansas, at newspring.org.
Sweet C records their first project in 1977 Listen to the vocal stack on “Right Now” that's Guitarist Randy Thomas' contribution to the song.
When we've been betrayed, God is the shield around us and the lifter of our heads.Find out more about NewSpring Church in Wichita, Kansas, at newspring.org.
Clap Your Hands is on this record *Song is available Mp3 by request
When we're sitting in the rubble of our own bad choices, there are four things we can do to get our lives back on track.Find out more about NewSpring Church in Wichita, Kansas, at newspring.org.
May brings spring break showers for all your tap dancin' needs during Network Vacay!Want even more Page 7? Support us on Patreon! Patreon.com/Page7Podcast Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Page 7 ad-free.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
The book of Psalms is full of blues songs! Psalm 35 helps us know how to think when people do us wrong.
In a rare intersection of time and space, Ben and David sit down on the same couch in the same living room at the same time to not only watch "Lux", a new episode of Doctor Who, but also to record a podcast on the very same story together. Wow! We talk about animation, RTD's storytelling and handling of 1952 America, Belinda's yellow dress, and breaking the fourth wall and who Davies depicted to represent fandom (replete with good-natured Moffat ribbing). Opening music is from "Make 'em Laugh" by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed from the 1952 MGM musical Singin' in the Rain and performed by Donald O'Connor. Closing music is "The Girl In The Yellow Dress" by David Gilmour and Polly Sampson off of the 2015 album, Rattle That Lock. We recorded this podcast on 23 April 2025.
How does an artist once perceived to be ahead of his time fall behind the times? The choreographer/director of Golden Age classics like Singin' the Rain and Funny Face left Hollywood for all the 60s and the first half of the 70s, perfecting a certain brand of sophisticated comedy/romance abroad with films like Charade, Bedazzled and Two for the Road. His rough Hollywood re-entry was marked by exercises in nostalgia for eras gone by (Lucky Lady, a movie about Prohibition Era gangsters starring Burt Reynolds and Liza Minnelli; the 1930s spoof Movie Movie) and attempts to give audiences of the 80s what it was assumed they wanted (the sci-fi debacle Saturn 3, the sex comedy Blame it on Rio). To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
For their 1000th episode, Adam, Josh, and guest Michael Phillips consider the many and varied pleasures of 1952's SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, a Pantheon Project review of the classic movie musical. Adam recommends Sundance award-winners PRIME MINISTER and ZODIAC KILLER PROJECT, and then he and Josh go long on Brady Corbet's THE BRUTALIST. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Intro, 1000th Episode (00:00:00-00:04:21) Pantheon Project: “Singin' in the Rain” (00:04:22-00:54:33) Filmspotting Family (00:54:34-00:59:46) Virtual Sundance: “Prime Minister” “Zodiac Killer Project” (00:59:47-01:06:32) Next Week / Notes (01:06:33-01:10:14) Polls (Lynch, Bittersweet Romances) (01:10:15-01:18:06) Review: “The Brutalist” (01:18:07-01:50:21) Credits / New Releases (01:50:22-01:54:06) LINKS Filmspotting Fest https://www.filmspottingfest.com Filmspotting Pantheon https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting/list/filmspotting-pantheon/detail/ "Singin' in the Rain" at Lyric Opera https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2024-25/singin-in-the-rain/ Cory Atad's on "The Brutalist" https://letterboxd.com/coreyatad/film/the-brutalist/5/ FEEDBACK Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. SUPPORT US -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop FOLLOW https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices