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It's a snowstorm, Jen's from Chicago, and we're feeling extra qualified to talk about Ice Planet Barbarians! It's the book, and the series that took the world by storm back in 2015, and we're revisiting the absolute powerhouse it was then, before it launched an entire subgenre of romance and changed the romance landscape. We're also talking about Ruby Dixon's clear skill, her obvious love of the genre, and all the ways she makes us both laugh and sigh.If you have a favorite IPB book and you want to talk about it, come find us (and other romance lovers) on the Fated Mates Discord, which you can access by joining our patreon. Support us and learn more at fatedmates.net/patreon.Our next read along (in March) is Sincerely, Your Inconvenient Wife by Julia Wolf. Find it in ebook or paperback, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.NotesHorsepower is definitely the same as measuring the weight of ice in golden retriever pounds. There's lot of ways to support the people of Minnesota right now. A good clearinghouse site is Stand With Minnesota. You can also order directly from area bookstores: Tropes and Trifles, Black Garnet Books, or Birchbark Books, or use Bookshop.Org for any number of Minnesota stores. Monarca If you are looking to support whistle production, You can also support other Romancelandia efforts. Bree (from Kit Rocha) is part of a team of people that have printed over 150k whistles this month alone! Romancing the Vote will also be back up this summer, so look for information on that. Along with Monarca, Indivisible is also holding trainings to teach people how to document and record ICE. Get ready, Derek Craven Day is nigh!It's February, so lots of upcoming romance events to check out!Feb 12, 2026: Jen will be at Babe's Sports Bar to discuss a WNBA romance, Rooting Interest.Feb 14, 2026: the Free Library of Philadelphia will be holding
In the final installment of One of Us Week, Chris Piers of the Comic Tropes YouTube channel discusses his journey from a former real-life superhero to launching his educational and entertaining video series covering comic book trends and themes, creator histories, and lesser-known series and storylines. Chris details his research process, how he balances insightful analysis with comedy, and reflects on the show's evolution from focusing on recurring storytelling devices to broader comic analysis all while addressing the challenges of running a #comics YouTube channel. You can find Chris and Comic Tropes on YouTube (of course!), on Facebook @ComicTropesShow, on Instagram @comic_tropes, and on X @CTropes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Our F/Favorite Tropes Part 19: Age Gap The Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast - Episode 333 with Heather Rose Jones In this episode we talk about: The historic and social context of age-differentiated pairings of various genders Why the “age gap” trope tends to be restricted to f/f romance Historic contexts for age-gap relationships A transcript of this podcast is available here. Links to the Lesbian Historic Motif Project Online Website: http://alpennia.com/lhmp Blog: http://alpennia.com/blog RSS: http://alpennia.com/blog/feed/ Twitter: @LesbianMotif Discord: Contact Heather for an invitation to the Alpennia/LHMP Discord server The Lesbian Historic Motif Project Patreon Links to Heather Online Website: http://alpennia.com Email: Heather Rose Jones Mastodon: @heatherrosejones@Wandering.Shop Bluesky: @heatherrosejones Facebook: Heather Rose Jones (author page)
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch's Joshua White to discuss the Jan. 15 edition of TNA Impact including analysis their premiere episode on AMC and how, in almost every way (but not every way), it was a swing and a miss with brand-celebrations rather than framing their top stars and building the main event, with one trope and cliche and low-rent segment after another before the main event, a list of castoffs from other companies and non-celebrities and poorly introduced TNA-originals. That said, they also discuss the positive of Santana winning the TNA Title, the strength of the Santino-Daria G.M. segment, and other strengths to build on or expand in the future. There is live chat, caller, and email interactions throughout plus Wade explains what TNA should have done in terms of the first few minutes of the show and the overall format to stand out in the crowded marketplace.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/pwtorch-dailycast--3276210/support.
In this episode, YA author, Andy Darcy Theo joins me to unpack why the genre hits so deeply. We talk about the tropes readers can't get enough of (and why they work every time), what goes into crafting emotionally addictive fantasy worlds, and how writers know when a story is actually working.Andy also opens up about the journey from loving romantasy as a reader to creating it as an author, including the quiet, unexpected moments that make you stop and think, wait… I really made it. We get real about creative doubt, trusting your instincts, and navigating the pressure that comes with having people fall in love with characters you once kept to yourself.Whether you're a romantasy reader, an aspiring writer, or someone chasing a creative dream that still feels far away, this episode is a reminder that passion, persistence, and a little bit of magic can take you further than you ever imagined.
Head to our PATREON for the full episode! Assemble your crack team and take off your glasses while murmuring "My God!" because you're in forced proximity and there's only one bed, because we're talkin' TROPES! What's your fave? Least fave?
Notes and Links to Timothy Welbeck's Work Timothy Welbeck, Esq., is an affiliated faculty member in the Department of Africology and African American Studies, where he previously served as an Assistant Professor of Instruction. There he teaches an array of popular courses, including a course he developed entitled Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of the m.A.A.d city. More broadly, Timothy's scholarly work focuses on contemporary issues of racial identity in America, the intersection of racial classifications and the law in the American context, contemporary African American culture, and hip-hop as a microcosm of the Black experience. Timothy has also written several peer-reviewed journal articles including “We Have Come Into This House: The Black Church, Florida's Stop W.O.K.E., and the Fight to Teach Black History.” He also authored “Specter of Reform: The late Sen. Arlen Specter's Criminal Justice Reform, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, and its Role in Expanding the Modern Prison Industrial Complex,” explores the impact of the infamous 1994 Crime Bill in providing the infrastructure for mass incarceration within the United States. The research, funded by the Arlen Specter Center fellowship, examines how the federalization of criminal law, pursuant to the Commerce Clause, has led to expansive growth in federal law enforcement, imprisonment, and thus setting the foundation for the modern carceral state. Timothy's article “People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths to Rhythms: Hip-Hop's Continuation of the Enduring Tradition of African and African American Rhetorical Forms and Tropes,” examines hip-hop's continuation of centuries-old African cultural norms and aesthetic values. As an attorney, Timothy has long been an advocate for justice, using his legal expertise to defend society's most vulnerable individuals, including survivors of human trafficking, survivors of police brutality, and the indigent. He has also provided crisis management, guidance, and legal counsel to churches and nonprofit organizations across the globe. In that capacity, Timothy is the Chair of the Board of Directors for The Witness Foundation, and an Advisory Board member of For the Future Organization. Timothy has also served as the Civil Rights Attorney for the Philadelphia Chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), where he defended the constitutionally protected civil rights and liberties of those who experience discrimination and harassment based on their faith, race, ethnicity, and/or national origin, particularly members of the Muslim community within Pennsylvania. As a hip-hop artist, he has released four full length recordings, shared the stage with national and international acts (Janelle Monáe, Jidenna, EPMD, Dead Prez, and Immortal Technique), won songwriting contests (Session 1 Grand Prize in 2010 John Lennon Songwriting Contest), garnered high compliments from hip-hop legends, industry taste-makers (Sway) and record executives (VP of A&R at Def Jam, Lenny S). His latest work, entitled ‘Trane of Thought, is a live recorded hip-hop album that melds songs from his first two albums the musical style of John Coltrane. Timothy presently serves as the Pastor of Formation and a Teaching Elder at Epiphany Church of Wilmington, bringing over twenty years of ministry experience. He fosters spiritual growth through expositional and topical preaching, community engagement, trainings, workshops and spiritual counseling. In his role, he equips Epiphany members to live out their faith practically in their communities and prepare others to do the same. Timothy's work as an attorney and scholar has allowed him to contribute to various media outlets, such as: Axios, BBC Radio 4, CBS, CNN, The Huffington Post, NBC, The New York Times, NPR, The Philadelphia Inquirer, REVOLT TV, The Washington Post, VOX, and 900 WURD AM. He has lectured nationally and internationally at esteemed institutions like: Magdalen College of Oxford University, Georgetown University, Swarthmore College, and provided invited keynote addresses at major corporations like 1Hotels, Campbell Soup, and Merrill Lynch. As a contributing writer, Timothy has bylines in The Huffington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, WHYY, and RESPECT Magazine. He earned his J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and his B.A. from Morehouse College, where he graduated cum laude and was awarded the Corella and Bertrand Bonner Scholarship. Timothy finds his greatest joy and fulfillment at home with his wife and three children. Timothy Welbeck's Website Video: “Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of m.A.A.d City Hiphop Course | Prof. Timothy Welbeck Explains” Video Conversation with Georgette from XXL: “Inside the Kendrick Lamar College Course Created to Study His Lyrics and Life” At about 2:50, Timothy highlights some “surreal moments” in his hip hop career and advocacy At about 4:20, Timothy responds to Pete's question about declining or rising advocacy in contemporary hip-hop At about 6:30, Timothy reflects on the balance between a democratization of hip hop and old models of record company control At about 9:05, Timothy talks about his reading background, including a Tim Follett read (!) and other formative works At about 12:10, Timothy talks about being a “late bloomer” in his hip hop exposure At about 13:25, Timothy cites Nas, Lauryn Hill, Blackstar, Outkast, The Roots as some of his favorite rappers and groups At about 14:45, Timothy talks about friends The Remnant and how they helped him to “understand the power of [his] own voice” At about 15:30, Timothy responds to Pete's question about how he listen to music now that he has written about and taught classes so extensively about hip hop At about 17:00, Timothy breaks down his process for listening to music that he will be writing/teaching about At about 17:50, Timothy explains the different ways of ordering Kendrick Lamar's albums/mixtapes, and expands on the class' contours At about 20:30, Timothy talks about the class on Kendrick Lamar's seeds, calling it "serendipitous" At about 23:10, Timothy talks about the class structure, including the foundation established at the beginning of the class At about 26:30, Timothy talks about how he goes about establishing Compton as an entity in itself, while at the same time showing its similarities to other casualties of government neglect and racism At about 28:25, Timothy talks about the "compelling" way in which Kendrick Lamar is both popularly respected and critically-acclaimed At about 31:55, Pete and Tim discuss an early Kendrick Lamar concert At about 32:25, Pete and Tim reflect on Kendrick Lamar's love of Black culture and for important music legends, particularly the way in which he featured titans on To Pimp a Butterfly At about 34:30, Tim describes the great insights At about 36:05, Marcus J. Moore's The Butterfly Effect and Cole Cuchna and his Dissect Podcast are shouted out by Timothy as experts on Kendrick and his work, and DJ Head as well and Curtis King are highlighted as close colleagues of Kendrick's At about 38:00, Timothy shares some of his favorite bars from Kendrick Lamar At about 41:15, Pete and Timothy fanboy over Kendrick's verse on “Nosetalgia” and Timothy gives kudos to Cole Cuchna's breakdown of the numerology of the verse At about 42:10, Timothy talks about a few songs that might be best representative of Kendrick Lamar's music You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode. Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, will be up at Chicago Review in the next week or so. Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of children's literature on standout writers from the show, including Robert Jones, Jr. and Javier Zamora, as well as Pete's cherished relationship with Levar Burton, Reading Rainbow, and libraries. Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show. This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form. The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com. Please tune in for Episode 319 with Farah Ali, writer of the novel The River, The Town, and the short story collection People Want to Live. Her fiction has been anthologized in Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize where it has also received special mention. She is the cofounder of Lakeer, a digital space for writing from Pakistan, and reviews editor at Wasafiri. Her novel Telegraphy is out on January 16, from CB editions, and the episode airs on Pub Day. Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.
Zoe Apostolides is a journalist and columnist, writing for The Guardian, The Telegraph and the Financial Times. Her new novel is 'The Homecoming', born out of conversations with her Grandmother. When she transcribed these, she thought... could I spin a sinister story out of this?It follows Ellen, a young ghost-writer, who is sent from London all the way to a rural manor house in Northumberland. When she finally arrives at the crumbling Elver Hall, urgently knocking on the door in the midst of a biblical storm, Ellen's never felt more alone. Her phone has no signal and the local taxi-driver refuses to take her further than the bottom of the lane. When Miss Carey suddenly appears on the stairwell in her white dressing gown, it's enough to make Ellen want to run back to London as fast as she can.We talk about how her career taught her wide and be interested in everything, which is great grounding for novel writing. Also, hear why as a city girl, much of the story came from her fetishing the countryside. You can hear how she delicately plays with the traditional tropes of horror, how to get the atmosphere right, and how she makes someone scared in writing.This episode is sponsored by Ulysses. Go to https://ulys.app/writeabook to download Ulysses, and use the code ROUTINE at checkout to get 25% off the first year of your yearly subscription.Also, this episode is supported by Faber Academy. Make the most of their fantastic writing courses in 2026 at https://faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel/Support the show - patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutineGet a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.com/shop/writersroutine@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
**Marvelists Episode: "Mutants, Tropes, and the Code of Honor"** In this blockbuster episode of The Marvelists, hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson welcome two fantastic special guests—Chris Piers from the acclaimed YouTube channel Comic Tropes and wrestling historian/podcaster Shane Hagadorn (co-host of An Honorable Mention and author of the upcoming book Code of Honor)—for a lively roundtable all about the X-Men and comics in general. Together, the four dive deep into mutant mayhem: Chris breaks down the storytelling tropes, visual clichés, and creative brilliance that have shaped X-Men comics for decades—from Claremont-era drama to iconic costume designs—while Shane brings his unique perspective as a lifelong X-fan, exploring the mutant metaphor, real-world social parallels, and unexpected connections between pro wrestling booking and Marvel's soap-opera mutant dynamics. Essential listening for X-Men die-hards and comics enthusiasts alike. Excelsior!
Books and Brews: the place where beer and literature meet! Kristie Wolf weaves tales about fearless heroes and badass heroines who fight for justice and love while burning up the pages. Kristie's passion for writing romance ignited during her teenage years when she told her mom she was going to write a novel someday. She did, and now she can't stop. As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, wife of a Marine, and Navy mom, she enjoys writing happily ever afters for not just military heroes, but for all the brave, loyal, and selfless men and women who serve and protect our country in every capacity. We talked about why people do or don't, can or can't, fall in love, military sci-fi vs reality, PTSD, cowboys, horses and boots…and more! 00:00 START 05:04 Drink 1: Strawberry Buttercream Martini 08:19 Reading 1: The Stolen Cake 16:30 Does the technology exist for VIPER's amputees' new limbs? 17:30 Ethics, Experimentation and Improving Quality of Life 25:59 Drink 2: Empress and Tonic 25:13 Reading 2: Kane to the Rescue 34:41 PTSD and Stalkers 37:41 Men as Protectors, Trust 40:25 Tropes in Romance 43:22 Drink 3: Grogg or Mulled Spiced Wine 46:51 Reading 3: Christmas with a Cowboy 51:00 The Naked Cowboy of Gooseberry Falls 52:51 Our Experiences with Horses Visit our PATREON for our extended AFTER HOURS with Ashley and Andrea Www.booksandbrews.net www.lauravosika.com www.gabrielshornpress.com www.glenmirrilfarms.wordpress.com Www.kristiewolf.com ~ ~ If you enjoy our interviews or have benefited from them, we invite you to help us continue our work. It takes a great deal of time and money to produce Books and Brews. We've been doing interviews since January 2017 as a free service to authors. We continue to promote those authors on our social media for years after their interviews. Subscribing, following, liking, commenting and sharing all help us to keep doing what we do. A $5 tip helps us pay for our many expenses: Libsyn hosting, web hosting, Google meets, providing the drinks for the interview and the many hours of preparation and editing that go into each episode. Patreon: patreon.com/BooksandBrewswithLauraVosika Tip Jar: paypal.me/booksandbrewsMN * Books and Brews products: https://www.zazzle.com/store/books_an… (more to come) Sponsor an episode to promote your product or service: contact us booksandbrewslive@gmail.com COMING NEXT MONTH: Kristie Wolf, thrillers UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology NEW THEMES: CHILDREN See Laura's interview at Central Valley Talk Our theme music is from www.bensound.com. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to get notifications of all our new videos. We have now interviewed more than 115 authors! Would you like to be featured? Leave a comment. https://www.youtube.com/@booksandbrews
Gaston Leroux' Das Phantom der Oper (1910) ist längst Legende: als Monster, das - zu hässlich für die Pariser Gesellschaft - zu ihrer Heimsuchung wird, als letzte große Gothic Romance und als romantischer Prototyp für die maskierten Killer des Slashers weilt es heute mehr den je unter uns! Ach ja, und irgendetwas mit Musical, Bradley Cooper und Lon Chaney war da auch noch. Mit Julia Ritter vom Die Buch Podcast, Expertin für Gothic und weibliche Literatur, stellt Dr. Horror die großen Fragen: Ist das noch Horror oder schon Schmonzette? Mord oder Liebe? - Und, wieso stehen alle immer auf Bradley Cooper? - Die ultimative Folge für alle, die wissen wollen, was hinter der Maske steckt. Hier gehts zum Die Buch Podcast:https://diebuch.at/
We chat with fantasy author Astrid Knight about common fantasy tropes, and how to put a fresh spin on them. Astrid is the author of the modern Queer fantasy novel, Perception Check - a must read for any fantasy and D&D nerd! Check out all of their projects, including the second book in the Mages series Rules as Written, coming spring 2026!https://www.astridknight.com/Got something to say about this episode? Music by Jeremiah WarmbierFind us here!https://linktr.ee/potionsandpotpourri https://www.instagram.com/potionsandpotpourri/https://www.tiktok.com/@potionsandpotpourriEmail us at: potionsandpotpourri@gmail.com
Kaila Yu joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about how she hated writing at first and has had an accidental career in it, how she had no intention of writing a memoir, selling a book on proposal and pitching off a timely event, racial and sexually motivated hate crime, Asian fetishization and the feeling of being other, her experience as a pin up model in the 90s, sexual assault and the flight, fight, fawn response, dismantling tropes, the male gaze, forms of erasure, internalized racism, putting it all out there, and her new memoir in essays Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty. Also in this episode: -feeling invisible -shaping a book with an agent -the marathon that is book promotion Books mentioned in this episode: Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong My Body by Emily Ratajkowski Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It by Kamal Ravikant Kaila Yu is an author with bylines in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, Bon Appétit, Conde Nast Traveler, and many more. Her debut memoir, ‘Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty,' was published on August 19th, 2025, with Penguin Random House's Crown Publishing. Connect with Kaila: instagram.com/kailayu tiktok.com/@kaila.yu KailaYu.com https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738645/fetishized-by-kaila-yu/ – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories. She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers
Gobble gobble mofos! Here's a hearty Thanksgiving treat and by treat we also mean shameless plug to go join our Patreon and get access to all sorts of cool stuff like the bonus feed podcast, Under the Table. Here is a GM Round Table created for one of our wonderful patrons Peter S. where we get into his chosen topic of talking about player and GM tropes! Enjoy your holiday and if you like what we do and want to hear more of it and help us to keep on keepin' on, please consider supporting at www.patreon.com/nastygram
Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino return to podcast form to break down USC's disappointing 42-27 loss to Oregon on the road that leaves the Trojans still searching for their first win in Autzen Stadium since 2011. Shotgun takes on the 'Two-Minute Drill' first, discussing USC's growth as a program, but how it still measures up short to that national-title-contending tier. Chris spends his time talking about some Oregon experiences, including a disastrous La Quinta Inn stay. The HBs move into the 'Stock Up, Stock Down' segment, which features the Trojan special teams, freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines, safety Kennedy Urlacher, tackling on the road and much more. The Helium Boys then dive into the second half of the show to see if the Trojans can close out the year with nine wins in the regular season against crosstown rival UCLA, one of the worst teams in the Big Ten. Chris puts Shotgun through another edition of Take It or Leave It with takes on Lincoln Riley's hot seat for 2026, Makai Lemon's Biletnikoff race and tackles for a loss. The Overtime period features Thanksgiving themes from Turkey Bowls to cousins. 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
In this episode of Idling In The Impala, Sandra and Kasey dive deep into the fanfiction trope of Hurt/Comfort, a beloved and expansive category within the SPN fandom and beyond. They explore the many variations of this trope and the related tags commonly found in the world of fanfiction and podfics. As dedicated fans of Supernatural, they also discuss how Hurt/Comfort features in stories about the Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean, and how it influences their own creative writing. If you're a fan of fandom, fanfiction, and all things SPN, this episode offers thoughtful insights into one of fanfiction's most popular genres.Link to Hurt/Comfort Fanlore Page: https://fanlore.org/wiki/Hurt/ComfortDoc with all the stats and fic links discussed in this episode can be found here.Click here to check out fic recs from our Discord members: But we'd love you to join us in the server's #backseat to share your recs and thoughts!~~~We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat.Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala.~~~~~TL;DR - If you can't be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.comWe'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email (idlingintheimpala@gmail.com)!All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcastOur Discord #backseat Channel.Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect.Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks!We've got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look!~~~~~Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause page on our website for the whys:World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)~~~~~For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take ActionSupport Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) ~~~~~LGBTQ+ CharitiesSwitchboard LGBT UKThe Trevor Project - USA and Global~~~~~Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance.~~~Chapter Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:01:20 - Our Discord got to pick the TnT topic00:02:40 - Tackling Hurt/Comfort00:03:32 - Do we write H/C?00:05:17 - Thoughts from Discord00:09:15 - Wrapping our heads around this broad beast of a tag00:15:43 - Variations and degrees of H/C00:21:39 - The history of H/C00:22:55 - It's like H/C was made for Sam and Dean00:26:23 - Slash fics00:29:05 - Emotional intimacy00:31:20 - Platonic comfort00:32:15 - Trope elements to look for in H/C00:33:05 - AO3 stats00:37:53 - H/C examples in our fics00:55:25 - A peek at some of our Discord member recs00:58:09 - Verdict on H/C01:00:08 - Outro
Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games. Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 239 - Spatial Puzzles and Tile Laying Tropes Brendan and Paul dig deep into the mechanisms behind tile-laying games. What are the different decisions players make with tiles and what makes them special? Also, a mini deep dive on Paris: La Cite de la Lumiere Also, DECISON SPACE MERCH! Get your sweet, sweet, podcast supporting t-shirts and hats right here - https://www.decisionspacepodcast.com/merch Timestamps 04:30- adjacency 10:00- filling a frame 15:00- color matching 20:00- region closure 26:00- route building 36:15- tiling 39:30- tile stacking 47:15- pattern building 52:15- spatial combos 55:45- Paris: La Cite de la Lumiere case study Games Mentioned Carcassone, My City, Baren Park, Kingdominio, Floristry, Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Carpe Diem, Isle of Skye, Cascadia, Isle of Cats, Land vs Sea, Tsuro, Indigo, Karuba, Babylonia, Guild of Merchant Explorers, Blue Lagoon, Patchwork, Cuzco, Llama Land, Miyabi, Nimalia, Oddland, Honey Buzz, Paris La Cite de la Lumiere Preplanners More goodness coming soon... Music and Sound Credits Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/. Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA Intermission Music: music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Contact Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social. If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com. This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com. Byeee!
NaPodPoMo Day 4 talks Character Alignment Tropes with special guests Anthony Sytko and Docor Issues from Capes on the Couch. Anthony Sytko and Doctor Issues join Seth and Crazy Train to talk about Character Alignments. These alignments are usually associated with Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) but have been used to describe character personalities in common tropes. … Continue reading National Podcast Post Month Day 4: Alignment Tropes
My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Ally Machate, owner of The Writer's Ally about loyal fan bases and long-term brand equity. Ally Machate is a bestselling author, expert publishing consultant, and founder of The Writer's Ally. With 25+ years of experience—including as an editor at Simon & Schuster—she and her team of industry pros specialize in helping serious authors create high-quality books that resonate with readers and stand out in a crowded market. Her clients include authors with such companies as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Rodale Inc., Chronicle Books, Kaplan Publishing, Sourcebooks, and Hay House, as well as independently published bestsellers. Ally's website states the following: If you're like most authors, you want someone who will help your work reach its highest potential without changing your style or injecting their own. You want to publish a book you can be proud of and one that will find success in the marketplace, whether you're seeking a book deal with a publisher or planning to self-publish. Our editorial and publishing packages are carefully constructed to ensure you achieve the results you want without wasting your time, energy, or resources. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation so we can discuss what would work best for you. In the meantime, here's a rundown of the many services we offer: Developmental editing Manuscript editing Copy editing Proofreading Manuscript evaluations Query letter editing Query letter writing Book proposal evaluations Book proposal editing Cover copy writing Cover copy editing Cover design Print book design and layout Book formatting Publishing assistance Author platform strategies Book marketing strategies Book marketing services Group programs Private mastermind sessions Webinars Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1 Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290 You can follow Author Ally Machate Website: https://thewritersally.com/ LinkedIn: @allysonemachate FB: @allysonemachate Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1 Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors #allymachate #thewritersally #marketing #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview
From Hollywood to Florida and New York to Oregon, this year's Halloween season proved that the industry is evolving—just not abandoning its roots. Sliders continue to grow as choreographed street theater, chainsaws remain the undeniable American haunt anthem, and creative teams nationwide are finding new ways to give guests something active to do between scares. From selfie moments and staged photo ops to queue-line performers and mini-interactions, the focus is shifting from watching horror to participating in it. Philip and Scott break down what these trends say about guest expectations, why smaller haunts are thriving by leaning into intimacy and story, and how even major parks are rethinking Halloween as a festival of constant engagement rather than a night of passive walkthroughs. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.
From Hollywood to Florida and New York to Oregon, this year's Halloween season proved that the industry is evolving—just not abandoning its roots. Sliders continue to grow as choreographed street theater, chainsaws remain the undeniable American haunt anthem, and creative teams nationwide are finding new ways to give guests something active to do between scares. From selfie moments and staged photo ops to queue-line performers and mini-interactions, the focus is shifting from watching horror to participating in it. Philip and Scott break down what these trends say about guest expectations, why smaller haunts are thriving by leaning into intimacy and story, and how even major parks are rethinking Halloween as a festival of constant engagement rather than a night of passive walkthroughs. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.
Join me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/marieshadowsThis Halloween episode is a fiery deep dive into the viral tweet that had wrestling Twitter on fire — and an honest breakdown of how fans, media, and content creators have stopped using their words correctly.Marie starts the show with Halloween greetings and a quick reminder that the grind doesn't stop — even on spooky season. From there, she recaps how one tweet about WWE's triple threat booking went viral and turned into a full-on literacy test for wrestling Twitter.The core debate? The misuse of the word “trope.”Marie defines it clearly — a recurring theme — and then exposes how The Wrestling Observer twisted the term just to fuel anti-WWE sentiment. She then contrasts that bias by showing how AEW uses the same tropes — weekly multi-man matches borrowed straight from New Japan — but never gets called out.From there, she gets into storytelling psychology:Dominic Mysterio hiring mercenaries isn't “stupid booking,” it's character consistency. WWE tells stories rooted in motivation, consequence, and payoff — not chaos for chaos's sake.Marie also explains how she used her viral moment to teach about rhetoric, logic, and honesty — because the problem isn't the “tropes.” The problem is that fans and media don't understand definitions or context anymore.She ends the episode with free advice for Tony Khan on how AEW could use Twitter Spaces and social media to actually build stories, while urging all fans to think more critically about wrestling and stop hiding behind tribal labels.This episode isn't just wrestling talk — it's a lesson in media literacy, independent thinking, and keeping wrestling discussions honest and informed.Time stamps00:00 – 02:00Halloween greeting, show intro, talk about making two podcasts in one day.02:00 – 05:00Explaining the importance of Patreon, creator economy, and independent voices.05:00 – 10:00The viral tweet breakdown — Wrestling Observer calls WWE's triple threat booking a “bad trope.” Marie defines “trope.”10:00 – 15:00Storytelling psychology of Dom, Rusev, and Penta — why this is proper storytelling.15:00 – 20:00Observer's anti-WWE bias vs. AEW's constant multi-man match reliance.20:00 – 25:00AEW's New Japan influence; how Tony Khan could use Twitter Spaces for story hype.25:00 – 32:00Social media bias, media literacy, and how the creator economy punishes independent truth-tellers.32:00 – 40:00Marie reacts to viral tweet replies — AEW defenders, bad-faith arguments, and misuse of “rhetorical.”40:00 – 45:00Debunking “booking pattern = trope.” Literary clarity meets wrestling education.45:00 – 50:00Closing thoughts: consistency, education, honesty. “Make honesty great again.”
Send us a textSeason 5, Episode 683: Happy Halloween! Witches Love Sex, Dark Erotic Fiction, Dark Fantasy: In Scarlet's House, Chapter 5. Enjoy this dark romance excerpt from Ruan's Audiobook In Scarlet's House. Get the full audiobook: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/inscarletshouseaudiobookBook Blurb:Scarlet had become a powerful witch. She also had beauty and brains, but what she was missing was a grand house and some wealth to her name, so she sought George. He blubbered his way through their marriage until he was as annoying as a bug, or an overripe houseguest. That didn't take long. She had plans for him though, big plans.When Scarlet invited Arianna, her secret love, over to her new husband George's mansion, the girl's night she had promised turned out to be quite decadent indeed. It was complete with a much-needed reconnection for the women, a barely clothed muscle clad chef to ogle, and enough servants, with the promise of extra benefits, to satiate even Cleopatra.But it turns out having everything doesn't sit well with a dominant witch, until she's truly satisfied with everyone where she wants them.Tropes: sexuality, dark fantasy fiction excerpt, dark romance fiction, Femdom dark fantasy & sci fi, forced proximity, shrinking and growing woman, magic, HEA, humiliation, degradation, explicit scenes and language, LGTBQ.Other Halloween Erotica/erotic romance by Ruan Willow: The Arousal Package: Get the book for $0.99 cents at https://payhip.com/b/JybjsWicked & Spicy ON SALE THROUGH HALLOWEEN erotic, horror erotica, fantasy spicy romance: Wicked & Spicy on Ruan's site:https://payhip.com/b/sT8iPhttps://payhip.com/b/n8pNHHalloween erotic fiction, THE FEMDOM COVEN EROTIC ANTHOLOGY: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/thefemdomcovenSupport the showExclusives https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribeNewsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillowhttps://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliates Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow BeeDee dating app https://beedee.app/?r=ohfuckyeahThe Fantasy Box DATE30 for $30 OFF 1st box https://thefantasybox.sjv.io/c/6250602/2141126/26423
The memorial for Charlie Kirk has been described as one of the most powerful and uplifting spiritual events this century, paying proper tribute to a giant of a man cut down in the prime of his life. There were and are many reasons to celebrate Charlie Kirk's life and legacy, one which we pray will continue to inspire generations. One thing that raised eyebrows and has made waves were remarks by Tucker Carlson, seen by many as fomenting antisemitic tropes. Many have raised their concern and voices with many nodding in agreement. Many others are scratching their heads and do not understand why. Was this isolated, or a trend by Tucker to make comments that can be seen as antisemitic, and host those who are openly antisemitic. It's important to ask these questions and have a dialogue about it, especially in the spirit of Charlie Kirk's own brave and unyielding model to dialogue about anything, with anyone, any time. PLEASE DONATE TO THE GENESIS 123 FOUNDATION ISRAEL EMERGENCY FUND AT WWW.GENESIS123.CO To join us making special events like this possible, please give generously at https://genesis123foundation.revv.co/soldierssocialwelfareGet information about how you can join FOOTSTEPS at https://genesis123.co/footsteps/For information about and how to register for Root & Branch, please go to www.RootandBranchIsrael.comConnect with the Genesis 123 Foundation at www.Genesis123.co and learn how you can host Shabbat in your community.FB - www.facebook.com/Genesis123Foundation Twitter - @Genesis123FIG - Genesis_123_FoundationFind out how you can be part of Run for Zion and bless Israel with every step at www.RunforZion.com.
Host Tara Jabbari talks with Michael Kennedy, one of the screenwriters and executive producers of the rom-com slasher horror film, Heart Eyes. Released a week before Valentine's Day in February 2025, Heart Eyes - directed by Josh Ruben and starring Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding - was met with positive reviews and grossed nearly $30 million in its first month. In their conversation, Tara and Michael discuss his experience writing solo versus with a writing partner. They talk about how each department on Heart Eyes incorporated various tropes, homages, and much more. In time for the Halloween season, Heart Eyes is now available to stream on various platforms, including Netflix. Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cRzZcMlJh8Support the show---Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!
Patricia Lynn is a playwright/actor who has worked extensively in NYC independent theatre. As a writer, Patricia fancies herself to be a gothic feminist; she loves to subvert the classic genre by creating provocative plays inspired by traditional gothic stereotypes. Her plays have been developed at Triad Stage, New Perspectives Theatre Company, The Secret Theatre, Rogue Theater Festival, and Phillips' Mill Community Association. As an actor, Patricia has worked at TheatreWorksUSA, Trinity Repertory Theatre, Soho Playhouse, Capital Fringe, NYC Fringe Festival, and many more. MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University; MFA in Acting from Brown University/Trinity Repertory. In this episode we talk about her new play The Truth about Transylvania debuting during Halloween week October 24, 2025.
Miscommunication - but make it serial killers. Brynne Weaver is back with yet another serial killer romance. How does this still work? Somehow, it does. Video: https://youtu.be/6P-u9ehnYLo
If you've ever cracked open House of Leaves, you know it's not just a book — it's an experience. But how many classic horror tropes are lurking within its twisting pages? In this episode, we're peeling back the wallpaper (and maybe our sanity) to uncover the eerie elements that make House of Leaves one of the most unsettling horror novels ever written - while throwing in a few other novels along the way.We'll talk claustrophobic spaces, unreliable narrators, found footage, the unknowable void, and all the ways authors weaponize storytelling itself. Grab your flashlight — and maybe don't listen to this one alone.
Raggedy and Emiry have debated the definition of anime to death. Now it is time to define shonen, more specifically its tropes. When they work, when they are overplayed, and those that break free from the mold. Intro music is "Shonen Showdown Opening" by Syn Strain In The Pentane and the ending music is "Chiptunes" by Liborio Conti (https://www.no-copyright-music.com/) You can support the podcast in the following ways: Merchandise Store: www.AAAShop.info Discord: www.AAADiscord.com Subscribe: www.aaapodcast.com/join Donations: www.aaapodcast.com/donate Patreon: www.patreon.com/AAAPodcast Thank you for your generosity and kindness
Where were you when you first saw the most expensive NC-17 Film ever made? Have you seen it since? What is your relationship with this iconic box office disaster? In this Bite-Sized Episode we examine SHOWGIRLS and celebrate Elizabeth Berkley's strength despite it's devastating reception. Even The Academy has come around to acknowledge this film's place in our pop culture history. Enjoy this look back into the film that is a delicious disaster and let me know about your experience with SHOWGIRLS.0:00 Hi! 0:53 Hair, Makeup and Costumes of SHOWGIRLS 3:19 The push and pull of Showgirls 4:06 The Backlash 5:45 Gina Ravera and her negative personal experience on set 7:16 Tropes and Colorism in SHOWGIRLS 9:52 Justice for SHOWGIRLS- how the film found success through Camp and triumphed on Home VideoAlso: See below for a link to the documentary YOU DON'T NOMI for more!Watch SHOWGIRLSWatch the documentary YOU DON'T NOMI Get full access to Look Behind The Look at lookbehindthelook.substack.com/subscribe
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: With the recent celebration of Teacher Appreciation Day, which WWE superstar participating in Crown Jewel looks the most like a teacher (0:45)? David and Kaz discuss a few highlights from the weekend and 'Raw,' including: Santos Escobar doesn't re-sign with WWE and enters free agency (5:37) Could more wrestlers turn down WWE contracts (22:52)? Maxxine Dupri shocks the world in win over Becky Lynch (31:25) Is there tension between Roman Reigns and the Usos (47:00)? Why Je'Von Evans should be on SmackDown every week (1:12:49) AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday preview (1:14:39) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Horror doesn't hand down commandments from a mountaintop; it scavenges from headlines, folklore, and fear, then welds those scraps into images we can't shake. We open the vault on a Halloween favorite to map where the genre's “rules” actually come from—Lover's Lane, masks without faces, babysitters on the edge, clowns that cross lines, and formless things that fall from the sky. The trail starts with the Texarkana Moonlight Murders and the media-born “Phantom Killer,” threads through the brutal, under-told case of Janet Christman and the babysitter myth it spawned, and crystallizes in Halloween's The Shape: a mask that erases humanity so audiences can bear the unbearable. From there, we unpack how Ed Gein's grotesque artifacts overwhelmed facts to seed Psycho, Texas Chainsaw, and Silence of the Lambs, proving horror borrows objects and builds archetypes. And that's just scratching the surface.
A listener asks if there are any comics that the comics dads think are essential reading for being a comic creator. They sure do... and it's not what you'd expect!Today's showRomance novels"Must-Read" Comics ListSummaryCartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the value of romance novels in storytelling, contrasting their narrative preferences. Brad advocates for the insights gained from romance, while Dave expresses a preference for macro stories over micro narratives. Next, a listener asks if there are any comics that the comics dads think are essential reading for being a comic creator.This conversation delves into the evolution of comic storytelling, exploring influential works and characters that have shaped the medium. The speakers discuss the importance of understanding tropes, the impact of classic comics, and the significance of personal taste in appreciating the art form. They also touch on modern webcomics and the challenges of concluding long-running series, highlighting the diverse narratives and styles that continue to emerge in the comic world.TakeawaysReading romance novels can enhance storytelling skills.Different genres appeal to different narrative preferences.Tropes in romance are often embraced by writers.Macro stories focus on larger themes and movements.Personal experiences shape one's reading preferences.Humor and sentimentality play significant roles in storytelling.Comics can be a valuable medium for exploring complex narratives.Understanding comics can aid in effective communication.Readers should seek joy in their literary choices.Diverse genres offer unique insights into human experiences. Comic storytelling has evolved significantly over the years.Understanding classic tropes can enhance appreciation of modern comics.Influential collections like The Far Side and Bloom County shaped comic narratives.Characters like Wonder Woman and the Addams Family set standards for uniqueness.Empowered explores themes of self-confidence and societal expectations.Watchmen revolutionized the anti-hero narrative in comics.Garfield's early work showcased unique storytelling choices.Creative freedom allows for diverse comic styles and narratives.Personal taste plays a crucial role in comic appreciation.Cultural context influences how comics are received and understood. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.
In this episode, Ray takes another look at tropes, specifically euphemism, stories that follow the path of misunderstanding by substituting words and phrases to deflect or minimize the impact of negativity. He's joined again by Kory Thomas May, and Tiffany Christian. For more on Ray, visit drraychristian.com and support the show!
Satire, Tropes, and Uncomfortable ConversationsMatthew and Riki examine the 2024 satirical film The American Society of Magical Negroes, starring Justice Smith. This provocative comedy tackles the "magical Negro" trope coined by Spike Lee—where Black characters exist primarily to help white protagonists—by imagining it as a real organization designed to keep white people comfortable. The film blends social commentary with romantic comedy as the protagonist must choose between his assigned role and his own desires.Questions We Discussed:What is the "magical Negro" trope and how has it appeared in films like The Green Mile, The Legend of Bagger Vance, and Ghost?Does the film work better as satirical sketch comedy than as a feature-length movie?Should we have avoided discussing this film as non-Black hosts, or is there value in these conversations across racial lines?Does the romantic comedy element undermine or enhance the film's social commentary?How does the character of Lizzie complicate the film's racial dynamics as a multiracial woman who "passes" as white?Is the final confrontation scene between Aaron and Jason genuine growth or does it center white comfort once again?Can characters like Guinan from Star Trek: The Next Generation or Morpheus from The Matrix fit this trope while still being well-developed?Why did this film generate such polarized reactions, particularly within Black media critique circles?**************************************************************************This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Star Wars Generations.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast's main page. You can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.
On this episode of Buzzing About Romance, bestselling author Kathryn Moon joins Becky, Leah, and Amanda to explore the big question — What is Omegaverse? .
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Happy Fall from your favorite movie podcast! This week we are chatting about a little bit of everything! But first, we play our favorite game of Catch that Quotable before Doug leads us in a round of What's the Connection. We break down the Jimmy Kimmel news, as well as live react to the new Mandolorian trailer. Finally, Bryan leads us in a bracket of the best fall tropes. Follow Us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/FilmsInBlackandWhiteRemember you can join our patty family, and help produce the show by going to Patreon.com/filmsinblackandwhitePlugs:Support the Mantra: Never Offended Always Humble - https://linktr.ee/MarcusJ.DestinThe LoveNerds - www.etsy.com/shop/thelovenerds
Martha Waters is known for writing regency romcoms, but her latest title, And Then There Was The One, mashes up cozy mystery and romance tropes in a witty and rollicking nod to both genres. Plus there are sheep, London playboys, puns, and a huge disappointment…at least for this reader! We discuss how she pulls off her homage to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers…while dialing up the heat past “cozy” in this episode of My Bookcase Slays. Learn more about GUEST Martha Waters: https://www.marthawaters.com/ Learn more about HOST Melissa Westemeier: https://www.melwestemeier.com/
Welcome to Autumn-ish Book Club! In this flash analysis series, we take an academic approach to some of the most talked-about books in Romantasy and fantasy today. With over 13 years of combined academic literary training, we bring a critical lens to fandom favorites while keeping the discussion fun, thought-provoking, and accessible. In this episode, we're discussing When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker. We explore how Parker blends classic Romantasy tropes with fresh worldbuilding, the tension between destiny and desire in her characters, and the ways her heroine reflects larger genre shifts toward female-driven agency. We also dive into the book's explosive popularity on BookTok and why it's being hailed as one of the standout romantasy debuts of the year. This is part 2 of this week's episode. This season, we'll be covering: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker Where the Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell Blood of Hercules by Jasmin Mas Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem And when book club wraps up, get ready! Our next full literary analysis will dive into Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. If you're new here, we also have full seasons analyzing A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, House of Earth and Blood, House of Sky and Breath, Throne of Glass, and Crown of Midnight. Go back and check those out to see how we break down metaphors, symbolism, narrative structure, and character arcs through multiple literary lenses. Plus, we're thrilled to announce our newest venture: The Subtext Society Journal—the first of its kind, dedicated to Romance, Romantasy, and fandom with an academic yet accessible voice. We're publishing original essays and thought pieces, and we encourage listeners to submit their own articles for a chance to be featured. If you love Sarah J. Maas, Romantasy, and deep literary analysis, you're in the right place. Sponsor: The best way to cook just got better. Go to HelloFresh.com/BOOKTALK10FM now to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life! One per box with an active subscription. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan. Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured! Submit them at booktalkforbooktok.com for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion. The Subtext Society Journal: https://thesubtextsocietyjournal.substack.com/ Support the Show: Patreon: patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok Merch: Etsy Store Follow Us on Social: Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to Autumn-ish Book Club! In this flash analysis series, we take an academic approach to some of the most talked-about books in Romantasy and fantasy today. With over 13 years of combined academic literary training, we bring a critical lens to fandom favorites while keeping the discussion fun, thought-provoking, and accessible. In this episode, we're discussing When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker. We explore how Parker blends classic Romantasy tropes with fresh worldbuilding, the tension between destiny and desire in her characters, and the ways her heroine reflects larger genre shifts toward female-driven agency. We also dive into the book's explosive popularity on BookTok and why it's being hailed as one of the standout romantasy debuts of the year. This is part 1 of this week's episode. Come back Thursday for part 2. This season, we'll be covering: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker Where the Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell Blood of Hercules by Jasmin Mas Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem And when book club wraps up, get ready! Our next full literary analysis will dive into Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. If you're new here, we also have full seasons analyzing A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, House of Earth and Blood, House of Sky and Breath, Throne of Glass, and Crown of Midnight. Go back and check those out to see how we break down metaphors, symbolism, narrative structure, and character arcs through multiple literary lenses. Plus, we're thrilled to announce our newest venture: The Subtext Society Journal—the first of its kind, dedicated to Romance, Romantasy, and fandom with an academic yet accessible voice. We're publishing original essays and thought pieces, and we encourage listeners to submit their own articles for a chance to be featured. If you love Sarah J. Maas, Romantasy, and deep literary analysis, you're in the right place. Sponsor: The best way to cook just got better. Go to HelloFresh.com/BOOKTALK10FM now to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life! One per box with an active subscription. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan. Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured! Submit them at booktalkforbooktok.com for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion. The Subtext Society Journal: https://thesubtextsocietyjournal.substack.com/ Support the Show: Patreon: patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok Merch: Etsy Store Follow Us on Social: Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Worldbuilding. It's one of the most talked about aspects of running TTRPGs, as it is the sandbox into which you will throw your party to adventure in. We've talked about tips and tricks in past episodes and articles, and have come down on both sides of the debate surrounding how much to do with a focus totally on your specific table and party.However, in this episode, Tony, Chris, and Dave have decided to become a bit more involved with a new experiment that we cooked up.Something that has never been done on 3WD before – we're going to start building a new world live! In real time, we begin asking the questions that will shape our new creation. As this is a show by DMs for DMs, we're adding another aspect. YOU! We're asking you to share in the brainstorm and offer ideas. So, tune in now as 3WD starts building a whole new world!1:40 Introduction of our new experiment. Reach out to 3wisedms@gmail.com with your ideas and votes!3:40 Low Fantasy? High Fantasy? Low Magic? High Magic? What do we mean by this.7:40 Is our world completely new or a version of Earth (i.e. Middle Earth, The Dying Earth, Shannara)?9:50 DM Tony's idea of “High Magic” – a return to Greyhawk.11:50 The concept of “starting small.”13:35 What type of story does this world support? And can a world support ANY story?16:35 Building a world that was our Earth (at some point) lends a sense of familiarity when you're building your new world.18:40 Towns? Cities? States? Kingdoms? 22:53 The archetypes and Tropes of stories. We ALL steal.28:30 People will eventually congregate. The history of the world can't always be “Mad Max”.31:35 Looking to history.36:00 Final Thoughts.
A captivating episode with Yemeni-Egyptian artist Yumna Al-Arashi who discusses her upbringing in Washington D.C., the impact of the 2017 executive order (often referred to as the "Muslim ban") on her family, and how her art explores themes of identity, feminism, sexuality, healing, and human rights, frequently challenging the misrepresentation of Muslim women in Western media. Al-Arashi delves into her projects, including her first solo exhibition in Switzerland "Tears For The Future," her film "99 Names of God," and her powerful book "Aisha," which examines facial tattooing traditions from South Arabia to North Africa and the Sahara. She also shares her thoughts on self-portraits, the discomfort her work can evoke, and the importance of authorship and challenging orientalist desires in art. 0:00 Growing Up Egyptian-Yemeni in Washington D.C.0:09 The 2017 Executive Order and Its Impact0:49 The Salt Project: Healing and the Vulnerability of Movement7:13 Childhood George Bush's America10:04 Growing up in Washington D.C.12:05 Balancing Complexity and Tropes in “99 Names of God”19:09 The Evolution of Resistance in Art21:29 Filming “99 Names of God” in Oman and References to Yemen22:50 Introducing the Book “Aisha”23:55 the Connection Between Al-Arashi's Projects24:50 Reclaiming Narratives and Challenging Colonial History28:20 The Importance of Authorship32:23 The History and Meaning of Facial Tattoos36:58 The Awkwardness and Power of Self-Portraits Yumna Al-Arashi is a Yemeni-Egyptian artist, photographer, filmmaker, and writer born and raised in Washington, D.C. She studied International Politics with a focus on the Middle East at The New School. Her work, which is often self-taught in photography, explores themes of identity, feminism, sexuality, and human rights, frequently challenging the misrepresentation of Muslim women in Western media. Her notable works include the award-winning short film "The 99 Names of God" (2018) and the monograph "Aisha," which documents the ancient art of women's facial tattooing in North Africa and West Asia. Her photography has been featured in publications and exhibitions worldwide, and she has received support from organizations such as the International Women's Media Foundation and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture. She has lived and worked in various locations, including New York, Los Angeles, London, and Zürich. Connect with Yumna Al-Arashi
Before When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and Julie andJulia, Nora Ephron wrote the BEST NOVEL. Heartburn is light and funny, but also complex, nuanced and full of compassion. Kimberly runs through the history of romantic comedy--not as simple as you'd think--and all the tropes that make the genre what it is. She then takes a close look at how Ephron UPENDS so many of these rom-com conventions. For a new appreciation of this excellent art form, tune in now.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's another Tangents compilation! In these fantastic, superpowered episodes, we learn about the real-world ways these superhero tropes show up all around us. Strap on your utility belt and flutter your cape, we're off to do some heroic stuff!Episodes in this compilation:S1 E25 - Mutation, original airdate: April 30, 2019S2 E37 - Glowing Things, original airdate: August 4, 2020S3 E4 - Immortality, original airdate: February 9, 2021S3 E21 - Cyborgs, original airdate: June 29, 2021S4 E25 - Radiation, original airdate: September 20, 2022Sources for each episode can be found in the descriptions of the original episodes on your preferred podcasting platform.SciShow Tangents is on YouTube! Go to www.youtube.com/scishowtangents to check out this episode with the added bonus of seeing our faces! And go to https://complexly.store/collections/scishow-tangents to buy some great Tangents merch!While you're at it, check out the Tangents crew on socials:Ceri: @ceriley.bsky.social@rhinoceri on InstagramSam: @im-sam-schultz.bsky.social@im_sam_schultz on InstagramHank: @hankgreen on X
Our good pal Kyle Starks is back on the show this week to talk about his Kickstarter for the latest volume of Where Monsters Lie! Plus we discuss how humor comics are viewed in the industry, genre shifts, basketball, and much more!We make our show on Zencastr, and you can too! Follow this link to sign up now!Join the WRA Patreon to help us keep doing the show and get rewards!
We're back with a deep dive episode on one of our favorite Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, Natural Born Charmer. Jen thinks this one marks SEP's Imperial Period, and Sarah's talking about why she looks askance at the term romcom to describe romance novels. We're back on our bullsh*t, is what we're saying. We're talking plot, character, risk-taking, and how romances can feel wildly expansive.This is our last deep dive of Season 7 -- more in Season 8, which begins in September. If you want to talk in depth about specific books, though, maybe you'd enjoy being a member of our Patreon, which comes with an extremely busy and fun Discord community! Join other magnificent firebirds to hang out, talk romance, and be cool together in a private group full of excellent people. Learn more at patreon.com. NotesYou can get Susan Elizabeth Phillips's Natural Born Charmer at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple Books or wherever you get your books.In season 2, we did a deep dive of an earlier Chicago Stars book, Nobody's Baby But Mine. We also did an episode with Susan in season 3. It's the interview that made us realize we should keep interviewing romance trailblazers. Jen was on Learning the Tropes to talk about another SEP book, Kiss an Angel. In 2003, the song Hey Ya by Outkast was number 1 for 9 weeks at the end of that year and into early 2004. In 2018, Rolling Stone ranked the song #4 in the top 100 songs of the 21st Century So Far. This article from Spin describes what it means when an artist is in their imperial period. Sleazy Burt Reynolds guy.Almost Famous (2000) is amazing movie about the rise and fall of a 70s rock band. A great thing happened during the baby races halftime show last week at a Las Vegas Aces game last week. Also at the Indiana Fever game. SponsorsScarlett Xavier, author of...
In this mini-episode of What's Ray Saying?, Ray is joined by Kory Thomas May and Tiffany Christian. He ponders the characteristics of familiar narratives and storylines and the limits of understanding and expectations that are inherent in predictable, predetermined outcomes. As a public service, Ray presents his own prime example of the ultimate trope. For more on Ray, visit drraychristian.com and support the show!
Brea and Mallory talk about their favorite - and most hated - book tropes. Plus, they discuss the origin of the word paperback, and recommend books for moms. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Teasperiencewww.teasperience.comCODE: GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Discord channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!www.maximumfun.org/joinBooks Mentioned -Mood Machine by Liz PellyCosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon by Annie MareEverything is Tuberculosis by John GreenThe Turner House by Angela Flournoy