Podcasts about Squee

We divert from our usual format to celebrate our 11th anniversary and 500th episode! We are joined by our friends DJ Nik (The Fandom Zone) and Heather (The Broadway Fan Club), where we tangent about everything from favorite candy to the mysteries of the social media algorithm. We are so thankful for everyone's support over the years and we hope to continue to bring the squee for the foreseeable future. Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/FiveishFangirls #FiveishFam Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. 

Welcome to Episode 17, fellow nerds! Stacy broke her ankle, so we’re talking about injuries and how to help…or not! Heather and Stacy have a May The Fourth chat, discuss a list of books that are impossible to describe, and share all the feels of watching Bluey. If you’d like to self-reflect, pick up a new book, parent or be reparented, this is the episode for you! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

It's new Doctor Who time! Steven, Warren, and special guest Heather Berberet of the Free the Squee fame have thoughts to share about The Robot Revolution, the first episode of Season 2 and the debut of new companion Belinda Chandra as played by Varada Sethu! Robots! Roommates! Rebels! Plus Doctor Who Unleashed talk, Graham Norton appearing in the show as himself, RTD being cryptic about the future of Doctor Who on CBCC Newsround, the debut of World of Telly from the House of Tachyon, and more! Next week, Mr. Ring-a-Ding terrorizes 1952 Miami! Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Doctor Who S2E01 “The Robot Revolution” Doctor Who Unleashed S2E01 Behind the Scenes: The Robot Revolution Graham Norton to Appear In “The Interstellar Song Contest” Ncuti Gatwa presents answers on Jeopardy! Russell T Davies on CBBC Newsround “73 Yards” and “Dot & Bubble” Named Finalists for the Hugo Awards History of Doctor Who on The Front Row on Radio 4 Extra on April 14 Murray Gold to appear on In Tune on Radio 3 on April 17 Doctor Who: 20 Secrets From 20 Years on BBC Radio 2 on April 20 Big Finish: The Worlds of Doctor Who – Space Security Service: The Voord in London coming June 2025 Big Finish: Special edition Robert Shearman novelisations due October 2025 World of Telly Episode 1: Moonbase 3 Jess Jurkovic: Reuniting Roman Theme (from The War Games) The Quatermass Experiment: The Making of TV's First Sci-Fi Classic by Toby Hadoke coming May 12 Next Week: Lux, airing April 19 at 715pm on BBC One Guest: Heather Berberet on Free The Squee

It’s Squee time again! Join us for an episode jam packed with joy. We’ll walk you through our adventures at the 35th Gallifrey One Convention, including our interviews with classic Who companions Frazier Hines, Wendy Padbury and Katy Manning! We get into some personal Dune history for Heather (you won’t believe how close Heather got to Muad’Dib!) and a very brief referendum on Tom Bombadil. There’s a splash of psychology too, listeners, so if you’ve ever wondered what to call it when you word-ramble into the wilderness, take a listen! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

It’s Squee time again! Join us for an episode jam packed with joy. We’ll walk you through our adventures at the 35th Gallifrey One Convention, including our interviews with classic Who companions Frazier Hines, Wendy Padbury and Katy Manning! We get into some personal Dune history for Heather (you won’t believe how close Heather got to Muad’Dib!) and a very brief referendum on Tom Bombadil. There’s a splash of psychology too, listeners, so if you’ve ever wondered what to call it when you word-ramble into the wilderness, take a listen! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

No, you're not hallucinating and you haven't fallen into a time portal (unless you're coming from the future, in which case SAVE US!). It's Chewie, Cluze, and Squee, together again! No we're not resurrecting anything, we just wanted to get back together and try desperately to ignore the direction the world is going by talking about whatever nerdy nonsense we've been fooling with lately. We bounced around from a Japanese honorifics lesson because of Yakuza 0 to rambling about the MCU to falling into food shows to discussing all the shows we have and have not finished to the horrors of trying to find a good barber to not taking down holiday decorations...and that's not even everything!   Come join us in the future! The show is live on Thursdays around 8pm(ish) Eastern time on Twitch Become a Lifeguard on Patreon! – www.patreon.com/themanapool Podcast RSS Feed: https://themanapool.libsyn.com/rss YouTube: www.youtube.com/TheManaPool The Deep End: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeepEndTMP Twitch: www.twitch.tv/themanapool Discord: discord.gg/7da7T6s BlueSky: themanapool.bsky.social Instagram: TheManaPool Threads: @TheManaPool Email: dorks@themanapool.com Intro & Outro Music: Diamond by Swift – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0vAs5HIBkUPbuoN5b5GWTE

M: 5. E: 4.5.

Get ready, fellow nerds! We’re gearing up for Gallifrey One with a mini-episode! Heather and Stacy are brimming with Squee for this year’s convention. We’ll be interviewing companions, bringing valentines and stickers…and Stacy is SO READY for ribbons! Hear all the details in our pre-Gally episode! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

Get ready, fellow nerds! We’re gearing up for Gallifrey One with a mini-episode! Heather and Stacy are brimming with Squee for this year’s convention. We’ll be interviewing companions, bringing valentines and stickers…and Stacy is SO READY for ribbons! Hear all the details in our pre-Gally episode! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

FTS offers another “first”- this time a live unboxing version of Tell and Tell. It might be bigger on the inside…We tempt and tease each other with our current favorite TV (Bad Sisters and Silo), and take a trip into Tangent Town to discuss our culturage heritage when we’re supposed to be discussing nerd food. Please note: The wildly divergent content of this episode and our inability to stay on topic in no way reflects how our brains work. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

Welcome to our 13th episode! We dish about how we got here (from podcast engagement to podcast marriage) and thank some folks who helped us along the way. We had a celebrity sighting and perhaps a bit too much familiarity with ALIEN: Romulus swag from the Comic Con 2024 panel. Heather brings a serious and timely topic to the pod - how to use your senses to stay grounded when things feel really big and scary. Join us for some solid squee and some solid psychology. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

Join Rachel as she recaps her exciting adventures at this year's GalaxyCon Columbus! From navigating a new hotel experience at the Hyatt to revisiting favorite local eateries, she shares the highs and memorable moments of the weekend. Hear about reconnecting with familiar friends, the thrill of meeting several celebrity guests, and all the fun that comes with being immersed in a world of fandom. It's a weekend full of stories, surprises, and a whole lot of geeky goodness! Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/FiveishFangirls #FiveishFam TIME STAMPS  00:00:11 Intro 00:01:49 GalaxyCon Columbus 01:39:36 Closing Thoughts 01:40:22 Outro Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

It’s our 1st anniversary, the spawn have launched and the Squee is back! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

It’s our 1st anniversary, the spawn have launched and the Squee is back! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

We have Dragon Awards and Hugo Awards, we kick off Some Desperate Glory, and wrap up our final thoughts on The Spear That Cuts Through Water. Also, we determine we might need to squee more.

What do you do to follow up on a historically spectacular Olympics opening ceremony in Paris, France? Why, you head to San Diego Comic-Con where Ncuti Gatwa, Millie Gibson. and Russell T Davies kept a hall (H, in particular) enthralled with hints of the second Disney+ season of Doctor Who, a preview of the Xmas special, casting and confirmation of the existence of The War Between The Land and The Sea, and more! We not only have our own meagre insights into things SDCC but also a report on the ground from Drs. Heather Berberet and Stacy Watnick of the Free The Squee podcast, who were in Hall H and have much, much more to tell us about goings on at the con! As another SDCC fixture once said, Excelsior!  Links: Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon Doctor Who – Into The Whoniverse panel from SDCC ‘Doctor Who' Spinoff ‘The War Between the Land and Sea' Announced “Joy to the World” preview clip and Nicola Coughlan introduction Ncuti Gatwa and Russell T Davies Tease Season 2, ‘Epic Danger and Epic Growth' As Well As ‘Growing Danger' New Fifteenth Doctor Sonic Screwdriver from Character Options revealed at SDCC Doctor Who segment at Entertainment Weekly Doctor Who/Lower Decks crossover game event coming August 1 Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction coming to Comic-Con Museum in March 2025 BBC Commercial Reports Dip in Sales and Earnings Amid Market Challenges Doctor Who Season 1 now on RTE Player in Ireland Doctor Who – The Daleks In Colour (Original Television Soundtrack) coming September 13 Doctor Who “The Crusade” vinyl coming October 4 BF The First Doctor Adventures: The Living Darkness due Jan 2025 BF Zygon Century due Jan 2025 Annette Badland added to the guest list at LI Who Ysanne Churchman, voice of Alpha Centauri, dies, aged 99 Report: Heather Berberet and Stacy Watnick (Free the Squee)

Get ready Squee Fans, we’ve got a lot of happy ground to cover! Heather and Stacy get into Bridgerton (sex and costumes!), queer women’s voices, like Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan, and then bring it all together for our favorite episode of Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor thus far…ROGUE! In fact, we’ve got a wee timey-wimey adventure of our own right in the episode. There is so much squee, we recommend listening alllll the way to the end of the episode. ;) Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

After some scheduling and technical difficulties, we have finally gathered 'round the virtual table to celebrate our 10th anniversary! We do things a little differently this week as we don't have any fandom news, but we do have your episode feedback and then some very special anniversary feedback. We reflect on the past decade, with not only how we have evolved but also how fandom and aspects of it have changed as well. Plus Rachel has a BIG project announcement that we hope you will help support. Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/FiveishFangirls #FiveishFam TIME STAMPS 00:00:21 Intro 00:02:10 Show Feedback 00:13:48 Anniversary Feedback, Questions, and Discussion 01:38:26 Closing Thoughts 01:40:14 Outro Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. 

In an untamed section of space, a mismatched crew of misfits aboard a salvaged colony ship try to survive. Will they be able to fly, swindle, and shoot their way to safety while being chased by one of the deadliest species in the galaxy ? Find out on Outrunners, a Starscape actual play on the Happy Jacks RPG Network.  System: Starscape by Golden Lasso Games (https://goldenlassogames.com/) and on Kickstarter soon! https://goldenlassogames.com/kickstarter CAST:  ➜GM: Kimi Hughes (she/her) kimihughes.carrd.co ➜ CADave Hoover (he/him) cadave.carrd.co- Lawrence Benson (he/him), The Outsider ➜Cai (he/they/she) estelofimladris.carrd.co- Rhode Theyolas (he/him), The Civilian ➜ Jay Africa (he/him)  jayafrica.carrd.co- Jonas P. Hurley (he/him), The Hot Shot ➜Samantha Terry (she/they) redpandroid.carrd.co- Nolvath (they/them), The Unfamiliar ◇ Starscape is a found-family, sci-fi roleplaying game by Golden Lasso Games (goldenlassogames.com) ◇ Visit https://www.happyjacks.org/starscape for a full list of this campaign's videos and podcasts. ◇ Follow Happy Jacks RPG on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! ◇ Subscribe to our other podcast feeds! We have a weekly tabletop RPG talk show based on topics sent in from fans around the world, and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! ◇ Keep us independent by becoming a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters let us play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. They are HEROES! https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2023 Happy Jacks RPG Network https://www.happyjacks.org

Arrgh Fellow Nerds, it be pirate time!

Arrgh Fellow Nerds, it be pirate time!

This week we've got a little extra squee for you, as Rachel shares her recap of this year's Indy PopCon event. Give a listen as she spins a yarn with Sparkly John Barrowman, a Lord of the Rings trio, and an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. We hope you enjoy the recap and will hopefully be back with our usual full show next week! Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/FiveishFangirls #FiveishFam Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.  

Strap in, friends! We’ve got so much to talk about this month, including Cowboy Carter, embracing our fandom selves — past and present, revisiting the 80’s, Heather’s first in the wild fan encounter, and Stacy’s first-time guesting on another podcast. (We’re a poly podcast.) Mostly, we’ve got a lot of squeeing going on. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

Strap in, friends! We’ve got so much to talk about this month, including Cowboy Carter, embracing our fandom selves — past and present, revisiting the 80’s, Heather’s first in the wild fan encounter, and Stacy’s first-time guesting on another podcast. (We’re a poly podcast.) Mostly, we’ve got a lot of squeeing going on. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

Stacy and Heather revisit a previous squee: The Taylor Swift Eras Tour, and talk about an up and coming new squee, Aliette de Bodard’s The Red Scholar’s Wake. Speaking of squee, it’s time to debrief Gally! There’s a lot to unpack about the world’s largest and longest running Doctor Who Con (and a rather long ribbon roll to boot!) In honor of cherry blossom season we spend some time with Japanese culture. Our Tell and Tell this episode is all about tea and remarkable Japanese tableware. We touch on customs and meaning making, and why it might be okay to spend $200 on a tea cup. Then we take on Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Academy Award Winner Godzilla Minus One, (and maybe a giant flying turtle) in our chat about intergenerational trauma, and what monsters might mean in media. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit smokeempodcast.substack.comChristine Blasey Ford is back with her memoir One Way Back, and Nancy took one for the team and read it. Sarah, meanwhile, re-watched the eight-hour 2018 trial, because she's insane. The Kavanaugh trial was a real moment: squee, boof, “I like beer.” Beyond the memes, however, it was more: a reckoning, a moral panic; an education, a national disgrace. Five years have passed. What can we see — or say — that we couldn't back then? A lot!

In this engaging conversation, Andrea Wang shares insights into her latest book, Summer at Squee, where she explores themes of community, identity, and inclusivity. Delve into the heart of Squee Camp, a vibrant setting where Phoenny Fang navigates friendships, cultural experiences, and her own biases. Discover the inspirations behind Andrea's storytelling, from her personal experiences at a Chinese heritage camp to her reflections on anti-Asian racism. Learn how Andrea crafted authentic representation while making the story relatable to a diverse audience. Uncover the threads of empathy and belonging woven throughout her narrative and explore the transformative power of embracing joy and shared experiences. As Andrea reflects on her writing process and highlights from the book, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of identity and community depicted in Summer at Squee. Transcription: ⁠You can read the ⁠transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review⁠⁠. Order a Copy: Summer at Squee on Amazon and Bookshop.org. Discussion Topics: Andrea Wang Talks About: Exploring the Concept of Community: How Summer at Squee portrays the dynamics of community within the camp setting. Cultural Identity and Representation: How the book tackles themes of cultural identity, particularly focusing on Phoenny Fang's journey of self-discovery as she navigates her Chinese heritage within a multicultural environment. Addressing Bias and Prejudice: How the narrative addresses issues of bias and prejudice, particularly in Phoenny's interactions with other campers. Writing Process and Inspirations: Her creative process behind crafting Summer at Squee, inspirations for the story, including her own experiences at a Chinese heritage camp, and how she approached the development of characters and plot elements. Themes of Inclusivity and Belonging: The importance of creating inclusive spaces, both within literature and in real-life communities, and ways to foster a sense of belonging for all individuals. Resources: You can visit Andrea Wang online at ⁠⁠https://andreaywang.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/andreawhywang/. Our Book Spotlight Sponsor: P.J. Davis, author of Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time Available on Amazon For more information, visit https://www.PJDavisAuthor.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thechildrensbookreview/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thechildrensbookreview/support

 This episode isn't sponsored by Hot Topic, but it might as well be.  Brilliant cartoonist Julia Gfrörer (Laid Waste, Black is the Color) comes by to talk about a formative run for her, Jhonon Vasquez's tremendously popular goth comic, Squee.  If you don't like the episodes where I talk about how crappy I think the run is, you should probably skip this one.  Otherwise, put on your Jnco pants, crank up some Rasputina, and indulge in this gleefully sullen episode.  Here's a link to The Runs Comics Podcast on iTunes.  And here's the link to the show on Spotify. Be sure to subscribe, rate and review! And here's a link if you'd like the stream the episode.  

This episode is bigger on the inside as Heather and Stacy talk the return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate in the 2023 Doctor Who Specials, Ncuti Gatwa as the Flirty Doctor (you heard it here first, people!), anticipating Free The Squee’s first appearance at the Gallifrey One Convention, and Heather’s Ode to Verity Podcast. But first, it’s time to get a little serious about cultural gaffs, friendship and making amends. Let’s get going- we’ve got a lot of ground to cover and we left our TARDIS at home. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

Hello there fellow nerds, and welcome to our first episode of 2024. Stacy and Heather are joined by the fabulous and brilliant Mikayla, aka Younger Spawn, for some fangirling over Percy Jackson! But before we get there, we talk about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Dolly Parton and her new album, Rockstar. We chat collabs, what it means to cover vs. re-tell a song, and how much voice and context can change meaning. Then, there might be some squeeing over NOLA and a certain vampire. Storytelling weaves this episode together: perspective, meaning making, connection, and how stories become part of who we are. Enjoy! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet with Mikayla (Younger Spawn).

I’m freeing my squee about this new podcast on the Incomparable. Drs. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet asked me to join them on Free The Squee for their holiday episode about Round and Round, the time loop Hanukkah movie. We loved it. And we are sure you will too. To get more Free the Squee, subscribe on your favourite podcatcher, or find them on the Incomparable website: https://www.theincomparable.com/fts/ Heather Berberet and Stacy Watnick with Annette Wierstra.

Director Annette Wiestra from The Smooch Podcast joins us to discuss the nerdiest Hanukkah movie ever- Round and Round. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet with Annette Wierstra.

After his quest to free the kidnapped Santa Claus, Jonathan Thomas has finally reached Squee bubble land only to be captured. with Christmas fast approaching, and with Jonathan locked in…

The king of Squee bubble has kidnapped Santa Claus to steal away Christmas cheer. Jonathan Thomas has faced many dangers, strange lands, and battled the witch of Rumple stitch, but…

Santa has been kidnapped by the king of Squee bubble. Jonathan Thomas has been facing down enemies of all types to set him free, with the help of a few…

Jonathan Thomas and his friends, Gorgonzola the horse, and the Man in the Moon are well on their way to Squee bubble to rescue the kidnapped Santa Claus. They have…

Squee!! This week we are covering the fantastic mind trip of film Amanda Kramer's “Give Me Pity!” (2023) with our new BFF Sophie von Haselberg!! That's right we have our first celebrity interview! Holy cow what a time! Sophie is multitalented and a fantastic interview! We talk about how she literally owns every shot, her favorite things and Shelly Long the dog! Sissy St Claire is in full bloom baby!!Give Me Pity! is available for rental or purchase everywhere!Stream or purchase the soundtrack on Spotify and Apple Music!Follow us on Instagram:@SophievonHaselberg@Gaspatchojones@Homewreckingwhore@The_Miseducation_of_DandG_PodCheck Out Our WebsiteIf you love the show check out our Teepublic shop!Right Here Yo!

The third special has aired and we have so much to talk about. Join Deb, Erika, and Kat, as we discuss "The Giggle" featuring Neil Patrick Harris, regenerations, and old friends returning.   How did you feel about "The Giggle?" Are you of two minds? Drop us a message on social media, or let us know in the comments! ^K  Happy Things Deb is happy Two-minute Time Lord podcast is back! Erika highly recommends the new podcast Free the Squee! Kat loves the new 15th Doctor sonic screwdriver. 

What happens when two segments of a fandom collide? Join us for Heather’s adventures in Target to find out! Then keep listening as Stacy and Heather try to answer the question: where are all the menopausal stories in pop culture? Not just menopause, but what’s up with the complete absence of women’s experience of their bodies at all? It’s an episode full of questions! Where is the face cream? Where have all the hormones gone? Who are the Uterati? Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

Having grown up in the military, packing up and moving every few years was part of my life as early as I could remember.     Our move to Illinois, though, the year I started third grade, wasn't like the ones before it.     My mother didn't stand in the rooms with the moving company ensuring that her china was wrapped just so, that the teak table and chairs remained unscratched, that her piano was moved gently.     And our things, she didn't hear my stories about my stuffed animals and dolls, my books -- the explanations for why they most certainly needed to make the trip north.     Instead, without thought or selection, without narrative history, or biography, everything from my drawers, closet, and every surface in my room, was unceremoniously picked up and dumped into boxes, which, when filled up, were sealed closed, headed for burial in a moving truck.    One box left me deeply troubled. The woman from the moving company's fleshy arms hurled more than held my treasures into the cold darkness of a box, and while popping a cigarette in her mouth and casting her eyes about the room for what must have been her lighter, sealed the box and got up with a harrumph.    She didn't seem to like her job, I thought.   And then it hit me. Squee! Oh no! I dashed around the room looking for my favorite stuffed animal, Squee the mouse.     Squee had been my companion from an early age. And since my mother had died a few months before, he had come back into my life as a great comfort.     But he was not on my bed. He was not under it or anywhere to be found. I was in a panic!     Squee was in the box!    I was terrified for him.      You OK honey? The moving lady said when she came back in. But I couldn't speak. And I sat down, with my back to the box, legs curled into the hug of my arms.    After dinner My dad helped me unseal the box and dig through it, until we found him, Squee. A book had been pressing into his snout and left a triangular imprint, so I gave him extra love there.    Many weeks later, after our long drive north in our convertible VW, the moving truck arrived at our new quarters, and we began unpacking.   In one of the boxes marked “girl's room” I unearthed a jar with coins and a note in it . . .  “I owe you” the note said. “On June 1, 1973. I owe Mary Carter Greene $2.35 and will pay one dime every day after June 10 if not paid by then. Signed, Alan Greene.”     Wait a minute! I had hit the jack pot! This was January and my brother never HAD paid this back. His debt was more than 200 days overdue. That buried promise had made me rich!     Joy and Woe are woven fine, William Blake wrote.    “It is right it should be so; Man was made for joy and woe; And when this we rightly know, Thro' the world we safely go.  Joy and woe are woven fine, A clothing for the soul divine. Under every grief and pine Runs a joy with silken twine.  I couldn't have been happier, but there was much weeping and gashing of teeth, when I brought the credit slip to my brother.    It wasn't long before our dad had to get involved.    14 ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;      19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.    Matthew's parable is most often read one of two ways – each as contradictory to the other as the story of my young self – able to love so fiercely I would stop the world for a stuffed animal, and equally able to extort my only brother's last penny, if I thought it were owed me.      Although sometimes read this way, Matthew's story does not point to a Kingdom where some are denied because they fail to participate.     The story draws attention to an unjust system.    The parable would have been heard in its day as a description of the times– when peasants were extorted and their land was taken by those who held the concentrated wealth of powerful families and influence as city officials;     The parable reflects how the early followers of Jesus struggled in difficult times to know how to best wait for his return and how to live in the meantime.    Should they play into the social demands to do the dirty work of the system or live in a radically different way that might realize the Kingdom Jesus described earlier in Matthew?     An act of subversion and resistance, those who heard Matthew's Gospel were then and are now invited to exercise the same.    Unjust social systems, accumulation of wealth by the few, and greed of the many, as described in the parable, persist to this day, of course.    Andy Knox at his reimaginingthefuture blog1 retells the parable for our global economy this way . . .    For it will be like the CEO of a big chocolate company, who went to the Ivory Coast to ensure a good flow of chocolate into the West and ever expand his chocolate empire.     He called three of his most entrusted leaders to himself and asked them to ensure more chocolate at a lower price. He set one of them, with the most experience over 5 factories, the next one over 3 factories and the last one over 1 factory.      The first two . . .knew if they did well, they would secure their own future in the company and good income for their families. . . they came up with a cunning plan. They decided the best way would be to get cheap or even free labor.     So, they enslaved children from the surrounding area . .  . (from) families who were too poor to keep them. (They) . . . put them to work in the fields, picking the cocoa, or . . . at the grinding machines, under terrible . . . conditions, in which many of the children died or were abused by hard task masters.      The third manager saw what the other two were up to . . . He refused to enslave children and couldn't understand the motivation of the CEO.     He chose to pay people a fair wage, keep their working conditions good and have strong morale amongst his team.     The CEO returned. He was . . . full of praise for the ‘business acumen' of the first two. He paid them well, ensuring his ‘fair trade' logo and set them up for even more . . .     The third guy was out . . . sacked from the company with no right of appeal. Confused and dismayed . . . (he) continued try to live a life that restored people's humanity and hoped for “the more beautiful world our hearts tell us is possible”.     Andy Knox's retelling of the parable demonstrates how Woe and joy are woven fine.   It is hard to do the right thing in systems that demand and oppress at worst and enthrall and distract at best. But it is possible.  It can be hard to see into supply chains like the one described in parable of the chocolate magnate, but to act justly in a problematic system, we can consider our consumption in the first place and be intentional about how we spend our money.  As someone who loves shopping, I'll be the first to admit that making changes can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there is research to support next steps.  A Nature article, “Scientists' warning on affluence,”2 for instance, lays out a strong correlation between affluence and the growing climate crisis.   The research doesn't stop at gloom and doom; It offers steps to correct for our part in the system.  “For over half a century,” the article says, “worldwide growth in affluence has continuously increased resource use and pollutant emissions far more rapidly than these have been reduced through better technology.     “The affluent citizens of the world.” The article continues, “are responsible for most environmental impacts and are . . .” (here's the parable at play) “central to any future prospect of retreating to safer environmental conditions.”   The research-based article lays out some clear, if not easy, behavioral changes we can make in the U.S. including avoiding . . . oversized, unnecessary and duplicate goods and services; shifting from animal to plant-based food sources; sharing and repairing before replacing goods; and pushing for regulation that reflects concerns for people and the planet.   These may be new habits, even counter cultural to the clarion call for the new, new thing in the days leading up to Black Friday and the biggest shopping season of the year.   But this is what our Gospel teaches us. The Kingdom of God will be brought by the courageous, even the radical. These sorts of changes are necessary, and they are possible.  This sort of faith brings us here today where our shared communion unites us with God and as the Grace Cathedral community.  Our shared commitment to stand up for God's creation and all of humanity, and against systems that oppress, degrade, and injure, means we do not have to be the alone in metaphorically burying the talent.     In the radical presence of the church still standing, still growing, still thriving, we respond the crises of our time as a community.   We have not yet been a community to stand back and watch God's people get boxed up and sealed away from hope, and I know we won't allow God's creation to suffer that either.  Have courage and meet our time – this is the message of our parable today. The third man in the parable does not sow despair by planting that talent, he seeds hope.  Woe and joy are knit together.   God is our source of this joy and the presence that will provide all we need to meet the times.  So, this week, which we mark as Ingathering Sunday, we give thanks for all who have pledged to support the cathedral financially,   and we nudge those who are waiting, to invest your gifts and treasures in this cathedral community.  With courage, together, we are 100% Grace.   

Any time you get a chance to chat with M.D. "Mike" House, you're in for a treat, and this week's interview about his next book in the Barabbas series, Sophia, is no exception. Listen in as he talks about where he sees the series going, the research he's done, the Bible truths he shares and learns, and a whole lot more. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Why This Book Is One of My Top Anticipated Fall Reads Mike House's Barabbas series is one of the series that prompted my return to Biblical fiction a couple of years ago. I love seeing the deep dives he does into Biblical history to ensure we don't just touch on the commonly assumed things. He looks at what we know about them, what is believed, and compares that with other facts of the time to make an educated guess where facts aren't set in stone.  That's a whole lot of work, but it sure does ensure that we get a rich story that combines the "what is" with reasonable "what ifs".  In this conversation, we look at the series, the characters, and everything in between. Mike gives us a hint of where the series might go after Sophia and I was excited to hear he might even go past the second and third centuries.  SQUEE!  Who might be part of Barabbas' family far into the future... say during the time of the Reformation?  We also chatted about a lot of other things, because that's what happens when you get to talking to someone who loves the Lord, loves fiction, and loves people like Mike does. Sophia: Daughter of Barabbas by M. D. House After her miraculous rescue by the angel Raphael, Sophia, daughter of Barabbas and Chanah, sets out with the former slave Onesimus to find the elusive and itinerant apostle John. Once they find him, an unexpected trip outside the Roman empire into the mysterious northern nation of Sarmatia expands her understanding of God's global efforts to gather his children to their Savior. It also reveals in starker detail the pernicious, pervasive attempts by the adversary to disrupt the work and turn the children of God toward evil and superstition. Pride is her own weakness, and she must learn how to temper and control it, so that her mind might be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What surprises await her as she travels great distances with the Lord's beloved apostle to spread the message of the gospel? How differently does God see her life than what she has assumed? What will happen to the growing church's relationship with Rome when Emperor Vespasian dies and his sons pick up the mantle? And how does John continue to have so much energy and faith? You can learn more about Mike on his WEBSITE.  Follow him on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

It’s spooky season! Heather and Stacy talk all things horror (sometimes with explicit language, eek!) including why humans might like a good jump scare. With special love for the Flanaverse (All Hail Kate Siegel!) and a nod to Freddy down on Elm Street, let’s get into what scares us and what brings us together. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

Heather and Stacy introduce their new opening segment, Content and Process. (Which is what? Exactly?) What’s it like to see yourself or your hometown on TV? When does representation matter and why? And how do we talk about it allllll without interrupting the flow? Let’s get into it, people! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer... unless it's a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar "Snow White" and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book. Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer's Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it's much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn't.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that'll be rectified just as soon as I'm done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA!  Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they're taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can't guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE! Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer Once upon a time in Texas . . . Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise. After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her. With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope's guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it. You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don't forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.   Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads. And don't forget her Posse Group on Facebook. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Welcome to our first official Squee! We’re keeping it short and sweet in our debut episode. Stacy puts San Diego Comic-Con on the couch, wondering if the single unlocked door opening morning indicates an ADHD diagnosis or if the Con is just stuck in perpetual adolescence. Heather dishes about attending a summer concert by little known singer/song-writer, Taylor Swift. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

This week Tryce guest hosts and is joined by Super Fan Meghan and Fan Lisa to discuss the @ARIYNBF episodes~ “Cole Imperi (Encore)” & “Robin Takes Nantucket, Joel Drinks w/Rupert Murdock, Alison is Sad” They talk about Alison's loss, Tik Tok Fad Foods, Colonel Jeffness, Ferocious Cream Pies, Nanfucket Nicknames, Shout Outs and Too Much […]

This week Tryce guest hosts and is joined by Super Fan Meghan and Fan Lisa to discuss the @ARIYNBF episodes~ “Cole Imperi (Encore)” & “Robin Takes Nantucket, Joel Drinks w/Rupert Murdock, Alison is Sad” They talk about Alison's loss, Tik Tok Fad Foods, Colonel Jeffness, Ferocious Cream Pies, Nanfucket Nicknames, Shout Outs and Too Much Behind The Scenes Talk! Enjoy

Do you like to peel back the obvious and examine all the layers of your favorite characters and stories from all types of media? So do we! Join us, Drs. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet, a couple of nerdy, queer psychologists, as we put all things pop culture on the therapy couch, explore the joy of storytelling and Free The Squee! Dropping whenever we get a a free hour in our schedules. First episode coming August, 2023. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

The dorks discuss the recent March of the Machine: Aftermath leak and WotC's reaction of sending the PINKERTONS after a random YouTuber. And we've got Squee here with us this week to remind us of the Dungeons & Dragons Open Gaming License shenanigans from just a few months ago. And because we missed him of course. Who Are Those Guys? - https://www.historians.org/research-and-publications/perspectives-on-history/october-2016/who-are-those-guys-s-paul-oharas-eminventing-the-pinkertons/em The Pinkertons Have a Long, Dark History of Targeting Workers - https://www.teenvogue.com/story/who-were-the-pinkertons Gizmodo - https://gizmodo.com/magic-the-gathering-leaks-wizards-wotc-pinkertons-1850374546 Kotaku - https://kotaku.com/mtg-aftermath-leaks-pinkertons-wotc-magic-the-gathering-1850368923 OGL explanation - https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634 Come join us in the future! The show is live on Thursdays around 8pm(ish) Eastern time on Twitch Become a Lifeguard on Patreon! – www.patreon.com/themanapool Podcast RSS Feed: https://themanapool.libsyn.com/rss YouTube: www.youtube.com/TheManaPool The Deep End: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeepEndTMP Twitch: www.twitch.tv/themanapool Twitter: @TheManaPool Discord: discord.gg/7da7T6s Email: dorks@themanapool.com Support TMP on Humble Bundle! – www.humblebundle.com/store?partner=themanapool Intro & Outro Music: Diamond by Swift – myspace.com/swiftband

Earlier this week we got a look at one of the highest-profile scientific photo dumps of all time. The James Webb Space Telescope is the most powerful telescope ever sent into space, and it is producing some of the most detailed, rich, and far-reaching images of the universe we have seen – including the birth of stars, galaxies colliding, and the bending of space-time itself. Today, Host Emily Kwong talks with Short Wave Scientist-in-Residence Regina Barber and NPR's Joe Palca about these mind bending new portraits of our universe and our origins. You can follow Emily on Twitter @EmilyKwong1234 and Regina @ScienceRegina. Email Short Wave at ShortWave@NPR.Org.