Podcasts about wicked witch

In Zelena’s past, her childhood friend Stanum asks for her help in finding the Crimson Heart, a magical artifact that would be able to restore his human form after having been cursed by the Wicked Witch of the North to slowly turn into tin. Zelena’s refusal to give up her magic leads to her betraying […]

ABOUT CLAIRE CODER:BIO: Claire Coder (Forbes 30under30) is a 28-year-old Thiel Fellow and founder and CEO of Aunt Flow. On a mission to make the world better for people with periods, Aunt Flow stocks public bathrooms with freely accessible tampons and pads. Through Claire's leadership, Aunt Flow launched patented tampon & pad dispensers in 60k+ bathrooms and raised $17m+ in venture capital. Coder launched her first company at age 16, designed a bag for Vera Bradley that sold out in 24 hours, and has her own line of GIFs. After getting her period in public without the supplies she needed, at 18 years old, Claire dedicated her life to developing a solution to ensure businesses and schools can sustainably provide quality period products for free in public bathrooms. Since 2016, Aunt Flow has worked with thousands of businesses and schools, including organizations like Google, Princeton University, Netflix, and 30+ professional sports stadiums, to offer freely accessible period product dispensers, filled with organic cotton tampons and pads. Aunt Flow has donated over 7 million organic cotton tampons and pads to menstruators in need since 2021. Claire's ultimate goal in life is for any menstruator to walk into any bathroom and never need to worry if they start their period, because Aunt Flow period products are freely available!Claire's story has been featured in TeenVogue, Forbes, Fortune, and she starred in TLC's Girl Starter Season 1. Claire speaks regularly surrounding her advocacy work, starting a social enterprise and journey as a female founder. For more information, please visit LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairecoder/ Websites:clairecoder.com (Personal)goauntflow.com (Company)SHOW INTROWelcome to the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast.EPISODE 78 … and my conversation with Claire Coder the Founder and CEO of Aunt Flow. On the podcast our dynamic dialogues based on our acronym DATA - design, architecture, technology, and the arts crosses over disciplines but maintains a common thread of people who are passionate about the world we live in and human's influence on it, the ways we craft the built environment to maximize human experience, increasing our understanding of human behavior and searching for the New Possible.    The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD Magazine part of the Smartwork Media family of brands.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing the discourse forward on what makes retailing relevant. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgWhen Claire Coder was 18 years old she was at an event and she used a public restroom. While there, she discovered that she had unexpectedly started her period. And… she didn't have a quarter. Why she would have needed a quarter and what happened as a result of not having one is the subject of an exceptional entrepreneurial trajectory that has changed woman's public bathrooms around the country.We'll get to all of that in a moment but first though, a few thoughts…                 *                                  *                                  *What if you had an amazing idea that you knew was a no-brainer, an idea that provided something deeply necessary, but it seemed that everyone had overlooked it.What if you had a moment of insight from a personal experience that chartered out a clear path for providing a product and service that seemed to satisfy the deeply under met needs of more than 50% of the population?And what if when you took this moment of clear mental insight to a group of venture capitalists explaining that this was not just an idea that would not only satisfy a certain customer need but that could be an extraordinarily profitable business operation but when you asked for their involvement, they simply said… “NO”.And what if you heard “NO” 86 times when trying to get people interested in supporting your idea. Would you give up? Would you have already given up after the 1st or 10th or 50th “NO”? And what if you happened to be an 18-year-old young woman with this vision and enthusiasm and the subject of your VC pitches dealt with menstruation and woman's public bathrooms... How far do you think that would have gotten you?I could focus in on this intro by talking about the thing that we don't talk about, at least as a guy I can't imagine me and my guy friends would have ever talked about…as a teen, young man or frankly even today.Which is to say… women and monthly periods. I could focus in on this somewhat taboo subject of a naturally occurring bodily function that we somehow sweep under the social discourse carpet, despite that more than 50% of the population has one every single month. Or I could talk about the strange discomfort that comes up because somehow, we've made this discussion something to be ashamed about or talked only about between mothers and grandmothers and their daughters. The strange irony here is that the other 49.53% of the North American population will end up living with, perhaps marrying and having children with the 50+ percent of the population who has their period every single month and yet, we'd prefer not to talk about it…But, if I did focus on those subjects, which by the way are not unimportant to talk about, it would potential we derail another story about a passion for entrepreneurship and the overwhelming need to address the needs of a population who are wholly unserved.It takes a lot of guts to be an entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur is not easy. In fact, there are a lot of people who would say you'd simply have a few screws loose to actually want to be an entrepreneur.It's highly risky and you carry an extraordinary amount of responsibility. Everything from fundraising and decision-making, planning operations, accepting both successes and failures.When the entire enterprise is your baby, and relies on you as the key driver of the big idea, it can be incredibly emotionally taxing. The working hours can be extraordinary too. If we think that an average work week is neatly packed into 40 hours, an entrepreneur may end up spending twice or maybe even three times that amount in trying to get their business off the ground...and there's constant pressure to keep on pushing forward. One success does not necessarily guarantee the next and so there's this cycle of continuing to push and to make forward strides create product extensions and to expand the brand footprint that is unrelenting. This is especially true if folks have lent you money to get your big idea off the ground.There's also a great degree of isolation that can emerge on the entrepreneurial path. You, and often you alone, are focused on birthing your brainchild, developing it and bringing it to market. This ‘child rearing', if you will, often happens in times of extraordinary uncertainty and ambiguity. In the current state of the world we live in today, ambiguity is the name of the game. What with the pace of change exponentially increasing, government shifting the rules of the game with tariffs and regulations, funding cuts and banning more that 250 words that according to PEN AMERICA are no longer considered acceptable including:advocacy, abortion, all-inclusive, biologically female, community equity, DEI, female, inclusive, sex, sexuality, vulnerable populations, and woman or women, just to name a few. So if your big idea is squarely focused on women, menstruation and period products, I would imagine it's tricky.So, this means that you have to be built for understanding the pace of change the ability to flex and move and be resilient when things don't happen to go your way. Like for example if you are launching a new product line and a COVID pandemic hits that effectively shuts your business down.You could stop and pack up shop and be done or you could be resilient and change direction asking ‘what do people need right now?, and turn what you thought was going to be a business into a completely different thing that was not at all what you had planned in the 1st place.As an entrepreneur, you also have to wear many hats. You are at the same time the company owner, marketing and sales rep. You're dealing with HR issues, product design and materials sourcing and assortment planning.You're often doing customer service and trying to keep them satisfied while dealing with shipments that go missing or supply chains that get disrupted, because of say tariffs, for example, when your products were coming from out of the country and all of a sudden now they are more expensive than you had anticipated.And you have to be good, I mean really good, at dealing with rejection and failure.Most entrepreneurs face repeated setbacks, investor rejections, failed launches or people who just don't get what you're trying to deliver - or straight out don't like what you're trying to deliver - and reject your product and actively work against you to shut you down.Resilience and a sense of purpose when faced with strong headwinds is an absolutely essential feature of being an entrepreneur.You want to become an entrepreneur? Then you had better show up at the game with a load of mad skills so that you can weather the multiple impending storms.Now… don't get me wrong, it's not all doom and gloom. It's not all uphill struggles like Sisyphus pushing a rock up a hill only to have it roll back down again.Entrepreneurship can be incredibly rewarding. It can bring something that you are passionate about into the world. Maybe it's something that had never existed before. Maybe it satisfies the need that is self-evident but others just haven't seen it yet. But to play in the arena of entrepreneurship you need to be able to recover from failures and keep moving forward regardless of whatever the setbacks were.Because they are inevitable.No one skates happily through entrepreneurship and starting a company without stuff just going off the rails from time to time. And that requires an amazing amount of intrinsic motivation and drive. You've got to be able to get up every morning and go get it. And you've got to be able to get up and do it without anyone behind you saying ‘go team go” pushing you to do it every single day.You might need an accountability buddy. That would be good.  But in the absence of that person or group, you need to be able to be incredibly disciplined and willing to get back in the ring every day.You also have to have a certain level of risk tolerance. In fact, I would say you probably have to have a very high level of risk tolerance. No one in the entrepreneurial world makes it by being a wallflower; by being risk adverse and not wanting to step out into traffic and navigate all of the oncoming traffic.And while dancing your way through the crosswalk in oncoming traffic, you have to be pretty flexible and be willing to pivot in an oftentimes volatile environment. You also have to believe in your vision and have a well-crafted strategy to get you to the top of the mountain.Successful entrepreneurs can generally see a much bigger picture than other people. They see opportunities where others simply see closed doors and that often means when hearing “no” you don't implode like the Wicked Witch of the West when water was thrown on her, but you ask questions. Not just questions about ‘why?' but also ‘why not?'.You have to be conspicuously curious and have a compulsion to keep on asking questions, never being satisfied with the status quo.Your interpersonal skills also have to be incredibly well honed. You have to be good at networking, slapping backs, shaking hands and making people feel like they're the only people in the room who matter to you. You've got to be good at networking and pitching and you have to be an incredibly good leader which suggests that you have to be an effective communicator and be emotionally tapped in. Your EQ, as well as your IQ, has to be highly tuned.You have to carry a certain level of confidence without being arrogant.You have to believe in your ideas while staying open to feedback; weeding out what is good commentary and bad commentary.…what allows you to maintain a connection to your brand story and the products or services you believe need to be brought to market while at the same time always finding a balance between taking in what people say as constructive criticism and dismissing other commentary that doesn't seem to fit or takes you off track and away from your vision.And all of this brings us to the story of Claire Coder who at 18 years old goes into a public bathroom at an event and discovers she started her period.In an effort to have period products that met her in her moment of need, she goes to a dispenser on the wall and discovers that in order to get a tampon or pad she has to have quarter and who really carries quarters around in their pocket anymore?  At that moment Claire is faced with accepting the only option available which is to go to the free roll of toilet paper on the bathroom stall and create a makeshift tampon.At that moment Claire decides that if toilet paper and paper towel are offered at no cost in public bathrooms why should tampons and pads cost $0.25.? and why is it that the box on the wall, that has likely been there for decades and that may likely not work in any case, an acceptable solution?Claire Coder was selected as one of Forbes 30under30 and is the 28-year-old founder and CEO of Aunt Flow. On a mission to make the world better for people with periods, Aunt Flow stocks public bathrooms with freely accessible tampons and pads. Through Claire's leadership, Aunt Flow launched patented tampon & pad dispensers in 60k+ bathrooms, 150 universities, 600 schools, 28 Fortune 500 company's offices and raised $17m+ in venture capital.After getting her period in public without the supplies she needed, at 18 years old, Claire dedicated her life to developing a solution to ensure businesses and schools can sustainably provide quality period products for free in public bathrooms.Since 2016, Aunt Flow has worked with thousands of businesses and schools, including organizations like Google, Princeton University, Netflix, and 30+ professional sports stadiums, to offer freely accessible period product dispensers, filled with organic cotton tampons and pads. Aunt Flow has donated over 7 million organic cotton tampons and pads to menstruators in need since 2021. Claire's ultimate goal in life is for any menstruator to walk into any bathroom and never need to worry if they start their period, because Aunt Flow period products are freely available! Claire Coder was the opening keynote presenter at SHOP Marketplace 2025 and I caught up with her after her presentation to have a chat…ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com.  The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

You know that moment when your kid comes home from a full day of school and sports—covered in mystery smudges and smelling like a locker room—and then acts personally offended when you suggest a shower? Yeah, me too. If your kid melts like the Wicked Witch the moment they hear the water running, you're not alone.This week on Good Enough Parenting, I'm joined by Sabrina Yavil, mom of 3 boys, former beauty executive and founder of Gryme, a personal care brand created just for kids. We talk about why bath time can feel like such a battle, how our kids are actually wired for self-care independence (even when they're filthy), and how simplifying your routine with the right products can save your sanity—and your relationship.The goal? Helping our kids build self-sufficient habits using clean products that actually make bath time easier—for them and for us.✨ Bonus: Sabrina shares what she learned from 20 years in the beauty industry—and why so many kids' products are secretly full of junk.If you've ever bribed your kid to use soap, threatened to cancel dessert over conditioner, or wondered if your kids are actually allergic to water. … this episode is for you.And remember, if bathtime battles get overwhelming this summer, sometimes a dip in a pool or a run through the sprinkler is good enough. To get Carley's free video teaching you 4 play therapy techniques you can use TODAY to calm your emotional child and bring joy and freedom back to family life click here!http://www.paceparent.com/play And follow her @CarleyCounsels on FB & IG!

The dystopian genre has taken our culture by storm with its dark and twisted look at our imagined future. The Plugged In team explores the unique markers of this genre and the impact it can have on our everyday lives. Paul Asay then talks with Bob Hoose about the latest book in the Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping. Click here to get your copy of Plugged In’s great book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Black Mirror · The Last of Us · The Handmaid’s Tale · Sunrise on the Reaping · The Hunger Games Book Series · The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Book · The Hunger Games · The Hunger Games: Catching Fire · The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 · The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 · The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes · Blade Runner · Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow · The Wizard of Oz · Zombieland · Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West · Wicked: Part One · A Quiet Place The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Oh, to be kids again. Jerrid Knight and James Grier have fond memories of boxing matches, wrestling tournaments, snowball fights—the wholesome fun that brothers enjoy. They also remember broken bones, when James made Jerrid pass out, and trading away a Mickey Mantle baseball card by accident. Live and learn, right? After high school, both brothers joined the military—an experience they credit with instilling the character and discipline that helped them get where they are today. But most of all, they credit God for ordaining a path that challenged them to grow…..and eventually, brought them to Nussbaum Transportation. Today's exchange is packed with stories, from Jerrid playing the Wicked Witch of the West in 4th grade, to James deploying overseas as a newly married Marine. With warmth and candor, our guests remind us that every experience—no matter how challenging—can be a steppingstone in God's ultimate plan. Press play and enjoy! FROM TODAY'S PODCAST• Guests: Jerrid Knight, Dedicated Account Manager at Nussbaum and James Grier, Director of Fleet Service at NussbaumLET'S CONNECT• Visit us online at terminalexchange.org• Follow The Terminal Exchange on social media! • Facebook• Instagram • XABOUT NUSSBAUM Employee-Owned, Purpose Driven | Nussbaum is an industry-leader in over-the-road freight transportation. For more information on our award-winning services and top-paying driver careers, visit nussbaum.com or nussbaumjobs.com.

In 1939, J.R. Tolkin took Robert Dickmans hypothesis one step further in a lecture he delivered titled, On Fairy Stories. In his lecture, Tolkin said the following about fairytales and those who create them: Probably every writer making a secondary world, a fantasy, every sub-creator, wishes in some measure to be a real maker, or hopes that he is drawing on reality: hopes that the peculiar quality of this secondary world (if not all the details) are derived from reality, or are flowing into it. The peculiar quality of the joy in successful Fantasy can thus be explained as a sudden glimpse of the underlying reality or truth. The Gospels contain a fairy-story, or a story of a larger kind, which embraces all the essence of fairy-stories. But this story is supreme, and it is true. Art has been verified. God is the Lord, of angels, and of menand of elves. Legend and History have met and fused.[1] In the Bible, the three great antagonists that we face in our story include the great serpent, the problem of sin, and death (in that order). Satan entered into the Garden as a serpent where the first man and woman enjoyed true love with both God and each other, they were tempted to sin against God by the Serpent. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit that God commanded them not to eat and a curse was pronounced upon all of creation, and ever since that fateful day, sin and death have vandalized the peace we were created to enjoy with God. In the wake of Adam and Eves rebellion and under the shadow of evil and death, God gifted Adam and Eve a promise: The great serpent would one day be destroyed: And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel. (Genesis 3:15) So who or what is the serpent? In The Lord of the Rings, he is the Dark Lord Sauron. In The Wizard of Oz, he is the Wicked Witch of the West. In The Matrix, he is Agent Smith. In The Chronicles of Narnia, he is the White Witch. In Superman, He is Lex Luther. In Star Wars, he is Darth Vader and every evil Sith Lord before and after him. The serpent is Lucifer, the devil, the father of lies, the accuser, and the great dragon. There is another antagonist that is the consequence of our sin and rebellion, and that is death. The word gospel simply means good news, and oh is there good news my dear brothers and sisters! The apostle Paul spoke of it in his epistle to the Romans: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16). The gospel of Jesus Christ from Genesis through the last chapter of Revelation has everything that every great story requires, and it is a story that has the power to not only transform, but to save! The gospel of Jesus Christ is supreme because it is indeed true, and it is seen and heard throughout the 23rd Psalm! The Good Shepherd Guides His Sheep through the Valley of Deep Darkness On resurrection Sunday, we looked at the first part of verse 4, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me... Even if your first Sunday at Meadowbrooke was on that day, you should know by now that the Lord of the 23rd Psalm is the Good Shepherd, and His name is Jesus! He is my shepherd; therefore I will not be in need. Why will I not be in need? Well... because He is my bread of life who satisfies my hunger and quenches my thirst (John 6:35)! Why will I not be in need? Well... because He is the Light of the world who lights up the darkness that surrounds me (John 8:12)! Why again will I never ever be in need so long as Jesus is my shepherd? Well... let me tell you: He for me is the resurrection and the life who has promised that not even death can take from me what I already have in Him (John 11:25-26)! Now, just because Jesus is my Shepherd, that does not mean that I am exempt from walking through the valley of the shadow of death. As I said on Easter Sunday, we all must experience the valley of utter darkness that includes suffering, sickness, a broken world, and even death; however, those whose shepherd is Jesus only must walk through it while everyone else must walk in it. For the one who does not know Jesus as the bread of life, the light of the world, and the resurrection of life will never know the kind of hope that transcends the grave. For the one whose shepherd is not Jesus, the grave is deaths victory dance over you, and the news only gets worse beyond the grave. Jesus said, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28). Again, to all who would refuse Jesus as the good shepherd, He warned: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt. 7:1314). Jesus is the narrow gate! For those whose shepherd is Jesus, then the valley of the shadow of death is a temporary experience that you are only passing through. Do you know what that means? It means that there is life at the end of the valley! There is a table, and there is oil, and there is a cup placed into your hand dear Christian that is overflowing with His goodness and faithfulness all the days of your life! At that table, we will hold high that cup and toast: Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:55-57). The Good Shepherd Comforts His Sheep with His Rod and Staff What is the significance of Jesus rod and staff? For starters, He is the one leading us through the deep dark valleys on this side of eternity; while in the valley, we have no reason to fear evil because He is with us, and while with us... He is armed with His rod and staff. In their commentary on the Psalms, Josh Smith and Daniel Akin comment: We are going through the deep, dark valleys because our good shepherd is leading us! The dark valley is part of the path of righteousness.[2] Not to belabor the point I made previously, but what does the dark valley include? It includes pain, it includes suffering, it includes disease, it includes achy joints, it includes persecution, and it even includes death! After all, Jesus did say: In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33b). You may be saying in response to this: Pastor Keith, what about what Jesus said in John 10:10? Here is what Jesus said: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. The thief is anything or anyone that promises to give you what only Jesus is able to give, and the abundant life is a life with Jesus. Now, what about the rod and staff? Why not just the rod or only the staff? Why both? The rod was typically used as offensive weapon against any predator that would threaten the sheep from the outside while the staff was used to direct, round up, and pull in the sheep. While the rod is used to protect the sheep from enemies, the staff is used to protect the sheep from themselves. Jesus guides me with His staff, and as He does, He leads me through the valley to the table where He has prepared a feast for me. Because it is Jesus who carries the rod and the staff, I can be confident that Jesus will lead me to where I need to go, or as the apostle Paul put it: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6), and He will use His rod and staff to do it. Or as one person wrote: Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, is no emaciated weakling. Our Shepherd is a warrior, as shepherds had to be. No one can snatch his sheep out of his hand (John 10:28). The muscles of his arm are flexed to defend his flock; he doesnt carry a club for nothing. He is obviously enough for whatever the valley throws at us.[3] What is the point of verse 4? Here is the point: If Jesus is my shepherd, then even in the darkest moments of life I have all that I need because I have Him. Or, as the modern hymn, Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me, so adequately and helpfully states: The night is dark, but I am not forsakenFor by my side, the Savior, He will stayI labor on in weakness and rejoicingFor in my need, His power is displayed To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend meThrough the deepest valley, He will leadOh, the night has been won, and I shall overcomeYet not I, but through Christ in me The Good Shepherd Prepares a Feast for His Sheep in the Presence of Their Enemies So, where is He leading me? Where is He leading you dear Christian? What is waiting for me, and what is waiting for all who are being led by the Good Shepherd? A table that has been prepared by Jesus is what is waiting for His sheep. What is on that table? A feast is what is on that table! What is the meaning of this feast that He has prepared? It is a testament, it is proof, and it is a witness to Gods favor upon His sheep. This, my friend, is the abundant life Jesus provides! Again, another set of verses from Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me rings true! No fate I dread, I know I am forgivenThe future's sure, the price, it has been paidFor Jesus bled and suffered for my pardonAnd He was raised to overthrow the grave To this I hold, my sin has been defeatedJesus, now and ever is my pleaOh, the chains are released, I can sing, "I am free"Yet not I, but through Christ in me Where is the table set for His redeemed to feast? It is set in the place that my enemies are made to watch and not permitted to touch, take, or taunt because of the One who has prepared the table for me. But do not miss that before my enemies and yours, He has anointed us with oil and placed a cup in each of our hands! Besides the fact that in the dry and hot climate of the valley, oil would be used to sooth the skin and wine would be consumed to clear the throat. However, there is more to the oil and the cup! The imagery of oil and wine in the Bible speak of joy and prosperity. Conclusion When I think of the table in Psalm 23:5, I cannot help but think of three feasts mentioned in the Bible. The first happened while the Hebrew people were surrounded by Egypt under the bondage of Pharoh. On the eve of their deliverance they marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb with no defects and feasted on that lamb. After they feasted, God delivered the Hebrews from the bondage of slavery and defeated Pharoh and his army, and then they sang a song known as, The Song of Moses that included this verse: The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him... (Exod. 15:2), and concludes with these words: The Lord shall reign forever and ever (15:18). The second feast is the one Jesus celebrated with His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion and death. Like Moses and the Hebrews before, Jesus and His disciples sat at a table to the feast of the Passover. During the meal, Jesus and his disciples no doubt recited or even sang the Song of Moses: The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation... There were four cups that the disciples drank from during the Passover which were, The cup of sanctification (holiness) to start the celebration and a reminder of the holiness of God. The cup of salvation (deliverance) symbolizing Gods deliverance which was drunk after the retelling of the Exodus story. The cup of redemption (blessing), which was drunk after the meal which represented Gods act of redeeming Israel. The cup of glory (praise) which was drunk at the very end representing the future redemption and coming of the Messiah. It was this cup that Jesus said, Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.... I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Fathers kingdom (Matt. 26:26-29). After that feast, Jesus atoned for sin on the cross and then defeated the curse of sin and death by rising on the third day. Just before He died on the cross, He declared: It is finished (John 19:30)! The third feast has not happened yet, and we learn of it in Revelation 19:7-10; it is the Marriage feast we will celebrate with Jesus as His Bride. I believe that at this coming feast Jesus will pick up the fourth cup and drink it with us. Do you know what will come after that feast? The defeat of the nations gathered against Jesus and the final defeat of Satan. According to Revelation 15, do you know what song all of heaven will sing on that day? Here is what we are told: And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed. (Rev. 15:34) So, can you guess what comes after the banquet prepared before His people in the presence of our enemies in Psalm 23:5? You guessed it! What comes after is the triumph of the Lamb of God over all that stands against those whom He has redeemed! [1] J. R. R. Tolkien. On Fairy Stories (1939). [2] J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Psalms 150, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2022), 175. [3] David Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023), 90.

In 1939, J.R. Tolkin took Robert Dickmans hypothesis one step further in a lecture he delivered titled, On Fairy Stories. In his lecture, Tolkin said the following about fairytales and those who create them: Probably every writer making a secondary world, a fantasy, every sub-creator, wishes in some measure to be a real maker, or hopes that he is drawing on reality: hopes that the peculiar quality of this secondary world (if not all the details) are derived from reality, or are flowing into it. The peculiar quality of the joy in successful Fantasy can thus be explained as a sudden glimpse of the underlying reality or truth. The Gospels contain a fairy-story, or a story of a larger kind, which embraces all the essence of fairy-stories. But this story is supreme, and it is true. Art has been verified. God is the Lord, of angels, and of menand of elves. Legend and History have met and fused.[1] In the Bible, the three great antagonists that we face in our story include the great serpent, the problem of sin, and death (in that order). Satan entered into the Garden as a serpent where the first man and woman enjoyed true love with both God and each other, they were tempted to sin against God by the Serpent. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit that God commanded them not to eat and a curse was pronounced upon all of creation, and ever since that fateful day, sin and death have vandalized the peace we were created to enjoy with God. In the wake of Adam and Eves rebellion and under the shadow of evil and death, God gifted Adam and Eve a promise: The great serpent would one day be destroyed: And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel. (Genesis 3:15) So who or what is the serpent? In The Lord of the Rings, he is the Dark Lord Sauron. In The Wizard of Oz, he is the Wicked Witch of the West. In The Matrix, he is Agent Smith. In The Chronicles of Narnia, he is the White Witch. In Superman, He is Lex Luther. In Star Wars, he is Darth Vader and every evil Sith Lord before and after him. The serpent is Lucifer, the devil, the father of lies, the accuser, and the great dragon. There is another antagonist that is the consequence of our sin and rebellion, and that is death. The word gospel simply means good news, and oh is there good news my dear brothers and sisters! The apostle Paul spoke of it in his epistle to the Romans: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16). The gospel of Jesus Christ from Genesis through the last chapter of Revelation has everything that every great story requires, and it is a story that has the power to not only transform, but to save! The gospel of Jesus Christ is supreme because it is indeed true, and it is seen and heard throughout the 23rd Psalm! The Good Shepherd Guides His Sheep through the Valley of Deep Darkness On resurrection Sunday, we looked at the first part of verse 4, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me... Even if your first Sunday at Meadowbrooke was on that day, you should know by now that the Lord of the 23rd Psalm is the Good Shepherd, and His name is Jesus! He is my shepherd; therefore I will not be in need. Why will I not be in need? Well... because He is my bread of life who satisfies my hunger and quenches my thirst (John 6:35)! Why will I not be in need? Well... because He is the Light of the world who lights up the darkness that surrounds me (John 8:12)! Why again will I never ever be in need so long as Jesus is my shepherd? Well... let me tell you: He for me is the resurrection and the life who has promised that not even death can take from me what I already have in Him (John 11:25-26)! Now, just because Jesus is my Shepherd, that does not mean that I am exempt from walking through the valley of the shadow of death. As I said on Easter Sunday, we all must experience the valley of utter darkness that includes suffering, sickness, a broken world, and even death; however, those whose shepherd is Jesus only must walk through it while everyone else must walk in it. For the one who does not know Jesus as the bread of life, the light of the world, and the resurrection of life will never know the kind of hope that transcends the grave. For the one whose shepherd is not Jesus, the grave is deaths victory dance over you, and the news only gets worse beyond the grave. Jesus said, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28). Again, to all who would refuse Jesus as the good shepherd, He warned: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt. 7:1314). Jesus is the narrow gate! For those whose shepherd is Jesus, then the valley of the shadow of death is a temporary experience that you are only passing through. Do you know what that means? It means that there is life at the end of the valley! There is a table, and there is oil, and there is a cup placed into your hand dear Christian that is overflowing with His goodness and faithfulness all the days of your life! At that table, we will hold high that cup and toast: Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:55-57). The Good Shepherd Comforts His Sheep with His Rod and Staff What is the significance of Jesus rod and staff? For starters, He is the one leading us through the deep dark valleys on this side of eternity; while in the valley, we have no reason to fear evil because He is with us, and while with us... He is armed with His rod and staff. In their commentary on the Psalms, Josh Smith and Daniel Akin comment: We are going through the deep, dark valleys because our good shepherd is leading us! The dark valley is part of the path of righteousness.[2] Not to belabor the point I made previously, but what does the dark valley include? It includes pain, it includes suffering, it includes disease, it includes achy joints, it includes persecution, and it even includes death! After all, Jesus did say: In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33b). You may be saying in response to this: Pastor Keith, what about what Jesus said in John 10:10? Here is what Jesus said: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. The thief is anything or anyone that promises to give you what only Jesus is able to give, and the abundant life is a life with Jesus. Now, what about the rod and staff? Why not just the rod or only the staff? Why both? The rod was typically used as offensive weapon against any predator that would threaten the sheep from the outside while the staff was used to direct, round up, and pull in the sheep. While the rod is used to protect the sheep from enemies, the staff is used to protect the sheep from themselves. Jesus guides me with His staff, and as He does, He leads me through the valley to the table where He has prepared a feast for me. Because it is Jesus who carries the rod and the staff, I can be confident that Jesus will lead me to where I need to go, or as the apostle Paul put it: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6), and He will use His rod and staff to do it. Or as one person wrote: Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, is no emaciated weakling. Our Shepherd is a warrior, as shepherds had to be. No one can snatch his sheep out of his hand (John 10:28). The muscles of his arm are flexed to defend his flock; he doesnt carry a club for nothing. He is obviously enough for whatever the valley throws at us.[3] What is the point of verse 4? Here is the point: If Jesus is my shepherd, then even in the darkest moments of life I have all that I need because I have Him. Or, as the modern hymn, Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me, so adequately and helpfully states: The night is dark, but I am not forsakenFor by my side, the Savior, He will stayI labor on in weakness and rejoicingFor in my need, His power is displayed To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend meThrough the deepest valley, He will leadOh, the night has been won, and I shall overcomeYet not I, but through Christ in me The Good Shepherd Prepares a Feast for His Sheep in the Presence of Their Enemies So, where is He leading me? Where is He leading you dear Christian? What is waiting for me, and what is waiting for all who are being led by the Good Shepherd? A table that has been prepared by Jesus is what is waiting for His sheep. What is on that table? A feast is what is on that table! What is the meaning of this feast that He has prepared? It is a testament, it is proof, and it is a witness to Gods favor upon His sheep. This, my friend, is the abundant life Jesus provides! Again, another set of verses from Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me rings true! No fate I dread, I know I am forgivenThe future's sure, the price, it has been paidFor Jesus bled and suffered for my pardonAnd He was raised to overthrow the grave To this I hold, my sin has been defeatedJesus, now and ever is my pleaOh, the chains are released, I can sing, "I am free"Yet not I, but through Christ in me Where is the table set for His redeemed to feast? It is set in the place that my enemies are made to watch and not permitted to touch, take, or taunt because of the One who has prepared the table for me. But do not miss that before my enemies and yours, He has anointed us with oil and placed a cup in each of our hands! Besides the fact that in the dry and hot climate of the valley, oil would be used to sooth the skin and wine would be consumed to clear the throat. However, there is more to the oil and the cup! The imagery of oil and wine in the Bible speak of joy and prosperity. Conclusion When I think of the table in Psalm 23:5, I cannot help but think of three feasts mentioned in the Bible. The first happened while the Hebrew people were surrounded by Egypt under the bondage of Pharoh. On the eve of their deliverance they marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb with no defects and feasted on that lamb. After they feasted, God delivered the Hebrews from the bondage of slavery and defeated Pharoh and his army, and then they sang a song known as, The Song of Moses that included this verse: The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him... (Exod. 15:2), and concludes with these words: The Lord shall reign forever and ever (15:18). The second feast is the one Jesus celebrated with His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion and death. Like Moses and the Hebrews before, Jesus and His disciples sat at a table to the feast of the Passover. During the meal, Jesus and his disciples no doubt recited or even sang the Song of Moses: The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation... There were four cups that the disciples drank from during the Passover which were, The cup of sanctification (holiness) to start the celebration and a reminder of the holiness of God. The cup of salvation (deliverance) symbolizing Gods deliverance which was drunk after the retelling of the Exodus story. The cup of redemption (blessing), which was drunk after the meal which represented Gods act of redeeming Israel. The cup of glory (praise) which was drunk at the very end representing the future redemption and coming of the Messiah. It was this cup that Jesus said, Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.... I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Fathers kingdom (Matt. 26:26-29). After that feast, Jesus atoned for sin on the cross and then defeated the curse of sin and death by rising on the third day. Just before He died on the cross, He declared: It is finished (John 19:30)! The third feast has not happened yet, and we learn of it in Revelation 19:7-10; it is the Marriage feast we will celebrate with Jesus as His Bride. I believe that at this coming feast Jesus will pick up the fourth cup and drink it with us. Do you know what will come after that feast? The defeat of the nations gathered against Jesus and the final defeat of Satan. According to Revelation 15, do you know what song all of heaven will sing on that day? Here is what we are told: And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed. (Rev. 15:34) So, can you guess what comes after the banquet prepared before His people in the presence of our enemies in Psalm 23:5? You guessed it! What comes after is the triumph of the Lamb of God over all that stands against those whom He has redeemed! [1] J. R. R. Tolkien. On Fairy Stories (1939). [2] J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Psalms 150, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2022), 175. [3] David Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023), 90.

Sarah and Jenny journey beyond the yellow brick road to compare Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West with its recent film adaptation. They discuss how the film reinterprets key characters, themes, and the moral grey areas of Oz. Have you seen the film/read the book? What did you think of the adaptation? Get in touchInstagram | TikTok | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fiSupport The Bookcast ClubYou can support the podcast on Patreon. Our tiers start at £2 a month. Rewards include early access to the podcast, 'close friends' feed on Instagram, monthly bonus episodes, tailored book recommendations and books in the post. You can now try our Patreon FREE for 7 days. If you would like to make a one-off donation you can do so on Ko-fi. A free way to show your support is to mention us on social media, rate us on Spotify or review us on Apple Podcasts.NewsletterSign up to our monthly newsletter on Substack for more book recommendations, reviews, new releases, podcast recommendations and the latest podcast news. Come and chat to us in the comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, Micah and Chris play Red Dead Redemption 2 while filming this week's podcast! Find out how Micah was shocked to discover that Anakin Skywalker is actually Darth Vader when we went to watch Revenge of the Sith in movie theaters! Why did the Wicked Witch from Wizard of Oz and the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang traumatized Chris as a kid? And a woman gets scammed out of $27,000 by a psychic but she goes down a path of vengeance to recover her money!

Just because ANORA wears the Oscars' Best Picture crown doesn't mean the movies nominated turn to dust. In fact, as the Best Picture nominees slowly trickle out to home video, discussing them feels more pertinent. A movie's lifespan isn't limited to the awards calendar, especially when it comes to WICKED.Jon M. Chu's fantasy musical, based on the Broadway show, vacuumed up the world's cash to the tune of nearly $750 million, a testament to the musical's 20+ year success. This thing's been around long enough on its own to discuss it in generational terms.But WICKED owes it all to THE WIZARD OF OZ, being a prequel exploring the college years of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande), who will be known later in life as the Wicked Witch and Good Witch, respectively.Grande's lovably bubbly narcissism makes me laugh. Even the camera can't stop following her hair flips and flighty trots across the sets. Erivo seems incapable of playing a false note. They carry years worth of pain behind a restrictive, poised demeanor, presenting confidence as a defense tower.Our technicolor understanding of the land of Oz is muted by a change in perspective. We're not from Kansas anymore, Toto. Director of photography and frequent Chu collaborator Alice Brooks gives Oz a more tactile, European feel, at times flooding the background with natural light that gives the sets a lived-in presence. This isn't a Marvel Studios CGI nightmare (for the most part).But this idea of a realistic Oz, marked by more serious ventures into ANIMAL FARM-esque allegories for fascist subjugations within a caste system, doesn't always gel with the magic or whimsy WIZARD OF OZ is known for. It feels as though each creative grabbed their own idea of what WICKED should be and stretched it in said direction. The result is something that doesn't coalesce but I'll be damned if I say I didn't have fun with it.Though I'm still stunned Chu got a Critics' Choice Award for Best Director. Go home; y'all are drunk.---Please rate, review & subscribe to The Movies wherever you listen to podcasts!Follow The Movies on Instagram & Bluesky: linktr.ee/themovies_pod

As of February 20, 2025, the film adaptation of Wicked (2024) has grossed over $727 million worldwide. The movie is projected to earn over $1 billion at the box office and the advance ticket sales for film were the second best for Fandango in 2024. The film was nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture, and won two.  Gregory Maguire, the acclaimed author behind the best-selling novel Wicked, is set to enchant readers once again with a prequel to this beloved story. Maguire's new novel, ELPHIE chronicles the formative years of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, unveiling her intriguing past and setting the stage for the global phenomenon that is Wicked. Nearly 30 years after the original novel captivated readers, ELPHIE promises to be a riveting coming-of-age story that explores Elphaba's early life. The novel reveals how young Elphaba, marked from birth by her green skin, navigates a world shaped by her mother's promiscuity and her father's piety. It touches upon her early encounters with the marginalized Animal populations of Oz, her struggles with familial jealousy, and her educational adventures leading to Shiz University where she meets the charismatic Galinda. Elphaba and the themes that Maguire presented in his groundbreaking work of fiction have only become more relevant in today's divided world. Acclaimed by critics and readers alike, Wicked has sold over 6 million copies and inspired the Tony Award-winning musical that has become one of Broadway's most successful shows. In response to readers' longstanding curiosity, Maguire's ELPHIE will explore the complexities of Elphaba's character, offering a profound insight into her transformation into one of literature's most iconic witches.Maguire's ability to re-imagine the familiar world of Oz has been praised by prominent voices in literature and theatre. Stephen Schwartz, the composer and lyricist of "Wicked: The Musical," notes, "I knew that Gregory Maguire had come up with a genius idea the moment I heard about Wicked. It's a book that has changed a lot of lives, including mine."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

Join me as I revisit four books that didn't quite live up to my expectations the first time around. Will I give them a glowing review or a permanent place on my "did not finish" shelf? In this episode, I'm sharing my honest thoughts on whether these novels are worth a second chance. If you're a book lover looking for a fresh perspective or wondering if you should give these books another try, this episode is for you!#FantasyForTheAges #fantasy #fantasyfiction #BookRecommendations #TBR #DNF #SFF #booktube #booktuberWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?Book of the New Sun: https://t.ly/klihiBroken Earth Trilogy: https://t.ly/PPa-7The Darkness That Comes Before: https://t.ly/aDLrIDiscworld: https://t.ly/bB-jWThe Dragonbone Chair: https://t.ly/p02xZDune: https://t.ly/4_w_kMalazan Book of the Fallen: https://t.ly/6JLnpNight Angel Nemesis: https://t.ly/j2S-ANight Angel Trilogy: https://t.ly/oIcVxThe Silmarillion: https://t.ly/iX9LiThe Wheel of Time: https://t.ly/vmGYtWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West: https://t.ly/M71_iThe Wicked Years: https://t.ly/5pTTXXanth Series: https://t.ly/eO4w7Ways to connect with us:Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheagesJim's Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 ————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

A box office hit during the 2024 holiday season, Wicked is now streaming on Peacock. Join The Watchers as we follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Land of Oz to discuss the gravity defying origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West. #WickedMovieWicked (2024) is a musical fantasy film starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum.Subscribe, rate and review! Follow The Watchers in the Basement on social media! Use #WatchersBasement to comment about the show!facebook.com/watchersbasementtwitter.com/WatchBasement instagram.com/watchersbasementthreads.net/@watchersbasementanchor.fm/watchersbasement

Gregory Maguire is an Albany native and is back in the city this weekend to talk about his latest book, “Elphie,” the coming-of-age story of Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.Maguire will be participating in the Albany Film Festival at the University at Albany tomorrow at 10:45 AM in the Performing Arts Center Main Theatre in a conversation with Paul Grondahl.

As of February 20, 2025, the film adaptation of Wicked (2024) has grossed over $727 million worldwide. The movie is projected to earn over $1 billion at the box office and the advance ticket sales for film were the second best for Fandango in 2024. The film was nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture, and won two.  Gregory Maguire, the acclaimed author behind the best-selling novel Wicked, is set to enchant readers once again with a prequel to this beloved story. Maguire's new novel, ELPHIE chronicles the formative years of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, unveiling her intriguing past and setting the stage for the global phenomenon that is Wicked. Nearly 30 years after the original novel captivated readers, ELPHIE promises to be a riveting coming-of-age story that explores Elphaba's early life. The novel reveals how young Elphaba, marked from birth by her green skin, navigates a world shaped by her mother's promiscuity and her father's piety. It touches upon her early encounters with the marginalized Animal populations of Oz, her struggles with familial jealousy, and her educational adventures leading to Shiz University where she meets the charismatic Galinda. Elphaba and the themes that Maguire presented in his groundbreaking work of fiction have only become more relevant in today's divided world. Acclaimed by critics and readers alike, Wicked has sold over 6 million copies and inspired the Tony Award-winning musical that has become one of Broadway's most successful shows. In response to readers' longstanding curiosity, Maguire's ELPHIE will explore the complexities of Elphaba's character, offering a profound insight into her transformation into one of literature's most iconic witches.Maguire's ability to re-imagine the familiar world of Oz has been praised by prominent voices in literature and theatre. Stephen Schwartz, the composer and lyricist of "Wicked: The Musical," notes, "I knew that Gregory Maguire had come up with a genius idea the moment I heard about Wicked. It's a book that has changed a lot of lives, including mine."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

A social media post may have slightd Catherine, the Wonderful Princess of Wales.  Anyway, Kate was out and about and looking good in red.Meanwhile, the Wicked WItch of The West had everyone mad at her.  What else is new?Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!   Subscribe to Deep Crown's free newsletter at https://deepcrown.substack.com

Lent is a season of fasting, which makes it a perfect time to participate in the Plugged In 2025 Screen Fast! The Plugged In team encourages you to look at your family's screen habits and see where you might be able to cut back. Paul Asay then speaks with Bob Hoose about the non-family-friendly book version of Wicked on which the popular musical is based. Click here to get your copy of Plugged In’s terrific book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West Sign Up for the 2025 Screen Fast: · Join us for the Plugged In Screen Fast! The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

The battle against the Wicked Witch rages on. Will our heroes ever make it to King's University? Support OMAMAM by visiting our Patreon page -- https://www.patreon.com/omamamshow Visit our website -- https://www.omamamshow.com Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book Vs. Movie: WickedThe 2004 Musical Vs. the 2024 Movie"Musicals in March"The "Wicked" movie is based on Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West; the book (for the play) was written by Winnie Holzman, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The show had its initial tryout in San Francisco in 2003 before moving to Broadway, where it has enjoyed a successful two-decade run despite receiving mixed reviews.This success is primarily attributed to its loyal fan base.  Part One concludes with the iconic song "Defying Gravity," setting the stage for Part Two, which explores the consequences of Elphaba's rebellion. The film utilizes CGI and elaborate sets to vividly portray the magical world of Oz in ways that the stage cannot replicate. So, which version did we prefer? Have a listen to find out! In this ep, the Margos discuss:A brief look at the 1995 novel  The path to Broadway to the Jon M. Chu filmThe cast includes Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba,) Ariana Grande (Glinda,) Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero,) Ethan Slater (Boq Woodsman,) Bowen Yang (Pfanne,) Peter Dinklage (Dr. Dillamond,) Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible,) Jeff Goldblum (Wizard of Oz,) Marissa Bode (Nessarose,) Bronwyn James (Shenshen) and Andy Nyman as Governor Thropp.Clips Featured:“Glinda makes a ball gown”"Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda at the 2004 Tony Awards""Indina Menzel as Elphaba at the 2004 Tony Awards"Wicked (Part 1 2024 trailer)“What is this feeling?”“Defying gravity”Music by John Powell and Stephen SchwartzFollow us on the socials!Join our Patreon page “Book Vs. Movie podcast”You can find us on Facebook at Book Vs. Movie Podcast GroupInstagram: Book Versus Movie @bookversusmoviebookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com Margo D's Blog: Brooklynfitchick.comMargo D's Instagram “Brooklyn Fit Chick”Margo D's TikTok Margo D's YouTube: @MargoDonohueMargo P's Instagram: @shesnachomama Margo P's Blog: coloniabook.comMargo P's YouTube Channel: @shesnachomamaOur logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine 

Book Vs. Movie: WickedThe 2004 Musical Vs. the 2024 Movie"Musicals in March"The "Wicked" movie is based on Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West; the book (for the play) was written by Winnie Holzman, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The show had its initial tryout in San Francisco in 2003 before moving to Broadway, where it has enjoyed a successful two-decade run despite receiving mixed reviews.This success is primarily attributed to its loyal fan base.  Part One concludes with the iconic song "Defying Gravity," setting the stage for Part Two, which explores the consequences of Elphaba's rebellion. The film utilizes CGI and elaborate sets to vividly portray the magical world of Oz in ways that the stage cannot replicate. So, which version did we prefer? Have a listen to find out! In this ep, the Margos discuss:A brief look at the 1995 novel  The path to Broadway to the Jon M. Chu filmThe cast includes Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba,) Ariana Grande (Glinda,) Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero,) Ethan Slater (Boq Woodsman,) Bowen Yang (Pfanne,) Peter Dinklage (Dr. Dillamond,) Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible,) Jeff Goldblum (Wizard of Oz,) Marissa Bode (Nessarose,) Bronwyn James (Shenshen) and Andy Nyman as Governor Thropp.Clips Featured:“Glinda makes a ball gown”"Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda at the 2004 Tony Awards""Indina Menzel as Elphaba at the 2004 Tony Awards"Wicked (Part 1 2024 trailer)“What is this feeling?”“Defying gravity”Music by John Powell and Stephen SchwartzFollow us on the socials!Join our Patreon page “Book Vs. Movie podcast”You can find us on Facebook at Book Vs. Movie Podcast GroupInstagram: Book Versus Movie @bookversusmoviebookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com Margo D's Blog: Brooklynfitchick.comMargo D's Instagram “Brooklyn Fit Chick”Margo D's TikTok Margo D's YouTube: @MargoDonohueMargo P's Instagram: @shesnachomama Margo P's Blog: coloniabook.comMargo P's YouTube Channel: @shesnachomamaOur logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine 

Hey WICKED fans! To celebrate all of the Oscar buzz WICKED has gotten, this week the Siblings look at the inspiration for WICKED, The Wizard of Oz. She might not be named ELPHABA but it does have a WICKED Witch!WICKED WICKED WICKED!!!Discussed:This movie is too much to talk about!The Leverett Siblings vs. Local Theater!“Frankly, my dear, there's no place like home!”What is Wicked really based on?Dorothy, are you ok? Are you okay, Dorothy?Jason's Pretentious Book vs. Movie Corner!The original RPG party!The Wicked Witch is the Best!Contact us at adultsiblingsversus@gmail.comTwitter: @AdultVersusInstagram: @adultsiblingsversusThreads: @adultsiblingsversusBluesky: @adultsiblingsvs.bsky.socialTheme Song: “Sellout” by Zombie Apocalypse NOW!https://antizombierock.bandcamp.com/

Rebecca's mom deserves to get the eject button instead of the apology she expects. Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.comFollow me on social media:Facebook.com/DrLauraInstagram.com/DrLauraProgramYouTube.com/DrLauraJoin My Dr. Laura Family For Free! Receive my blogs, featured Email of the Day, event invitations, and early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store, which is exclusive to my newsletter subscribers. You get 20% off Marriage 101, my six video-course to improve and strengthen your marriage! Plus, get an exclusive discount for 25% off your entire purchase on official Dr. Laura merch! What are you waiting for? Sign up today at DrLaura.com

"Wicked: Part 1" follows the origin story of Elphaba, known in the original "Wizard of Oz" movie as the Wicked Witch of the West. And it follows her friend, Galinda, who eventually becomes the Good Witch.The movie is based on the Broadway musical which debuted in 2003. Last year, it became the fourth-longest running musical in Broadway history. And that musical comes from a 1995 novel of the same name. The new Wicked movie stars singer-actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the witches Elphaba and Galinda.The result this past weekend has been gravity-defying. "Wicked" brought in $114 million in North America and another $50 million internationally. That's the best-ever opening for a film adaptation of a Broadway musical.For this meeting of the 1A Movie Club, we discuss the new "Wicked" film.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Tracey and Sally close out the season with a wonderful Loveuary Hallmark movie! Tune in to hear our critiques of a movie that both cohosts agree is a must-see:)

One day, several decades ago, the writer Winnie Holzman was shopping in a Manhattan bookstore where a particular cover caught her eye. It showed a woman with a green face, a black hat pulled down over her eyes. The book was “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire, a retelling of L. Frank Baum's “Oz” stories from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West. “When I turned it over and read the little précis on the back, it blew my mind,” Holzman said. “I thought it was such a brilliant premise.” The book ended up on Holzman's bookshelf, with its enigmatic cover facing out.Years later, the composer Stephen Schwartz contacted Holzman to ask if she'd be interested in adapting Maguire's book for the stage. The musical they wrote together opened in 2003, and it is now one of the most successful shows in Broadway history. The producers started talking about a movie adaptation, but Holzman was cautious: “We had to really kind of clear our minds and kind of reconceive the whole story.”The film version of “Wicked” opened in 2024, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and with a screenplay by Holzman and Dana Fox. It is one of the highest-grossing movies of the year and is nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.Winnie Holzman joins Gilbert Cruz, the editor of the Book Review, to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of adapting your own adaptation. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

2:09 to 46:17Why are billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump idolized by the right and demonized by the left?     Musk's promotes his latest version of Grok, promising to unravel the mysteries of the universe, from the meaning of life to the location of aliens. But behind this facade of divine intelligence lurks a chilling narrative reminiscent of sci-fi's darkest tales      Musk's AI isn't just a tool; it's a new deity in a secular world, one that aligns with the United Nations' collectivist vision of evolution, where humanity merges into a cosmic consciousness. Critics liken this to Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End," where children are harvested by a satanic alien overlord     Promising truth without the Bible, meaning without God, it is destined to be overshadowed by the love of money and power51:40 to 1:03:47Wicked Witch Cast as Jesus     Actress who played the Wicked Witch of the West has been recast as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar after starring in an all-female titled “She is Risen”.     Trump's new White House Faith Office, accused of mocking Christianity with a "prosperity gospel" that promises blessings for cash.     Andrew Tate's brutal misogyny gets a shocking pass from conservative influencers like Elon Musk and Alex Jones 1:06:19 to 1:57:31Trump's Sacred Suit Scam, “Blessed Threads”, and the Escalating Enserfment Thru Auto Mandates & Regulations Eric Peters, EricPetersAuto.com joinsRemember when turbos were about performance instead of downsizingWhat's the best auto to get now?In a shocking revelation, former President Trump is now selling pieces of the suit he wore during an assassination attempt, echoing the tactics of infamous 70s TV evangelist Ernest Angley. As the auto industry reels from regulatory burdens and the push towards uneconomical electric vehicles, will tariffs be the final blow to the auto industry?1:58:54 to 2:19:46Conception's Mysterious Glow and Death's Eerie Surge of Brain Activity: Science Sees But Doesn't Understand       Scientific discoveries that hint at the supernatural— a flash of light at conception, and a surge of brain activity at death that could signal the soul's departure.     Elon Musk's transhumanist ambitions to merge minds with machines, raising questions about consciousness and control.     Dissecting Musk's murky role in Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 2:20:32Trump's DOJ Purge Masks a Sinister Plot: Bird Flu, mRNA Food, and the New Fauci Take Control!       Trump's bold move to fire all Biden-era U.S. attorneys, framed as a DOJ cleanup to restore justice, but is it a distraction from a darker agenda?     Trump quietly retaining Biden's pandemic architects, like Gerald Parker, a veterinarian tapped to lead the Office of Pandemic Preparedness      Bird flu fears escalating, egg prices soaring, and mRNA vaccines poised to infiltrate the food supply via USDA coercion, this is a Covid rerun—only this time, it's the food chain     RFK Jr.'s HHS role and Brooke Rollins' clueless USDA leadership are shams, paving the way for a biotech takeover by Trump's cronies, including Elon Musk, all while promising change but delivering betrayalIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHTBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

2:09 to 46:17Why are billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump idolized by the right and demonized by the left?     Musk's promotes his latest version of Grok, promising to unravel the mysteries of the universe, from the meaning of life to the location of aliens. But behind this facade of divine intelligence lurks a chilling narrative reminiscent of sci-fi's darkest tales      Musk's AI isn't just a tool; it's a new deity in a secular world, one that aligns with the United Nations' collectivist vision of evolution, where humanity merges into a cosmic consciousness. Critics liken this to Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End," where children are harvested by a satanic alien overlord     Promising truth without the Bible, meaning without God, it is destined to be overshadowed by the love of money and power51:40 to 1:03:47Wicked Witch Cast as Jesus     Actress who played the Wicked Witch of the West has been recast as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar after starring in an all-female titled “She is Risen”.     Trump's new White House Faith Office, accused of mocking Christianity with a "prosperity gospel" that promises blessings for cash.     Andrew Tate's brutal misogyny gets a shocking pass from conservative influencers like Elon Musk and Alex Jones 1:06:19 to 1:57:31Trump's Sacred Suit Scam, “Blessed Threads”, and the Escalating Enserfment Thru Auto Mandates & Regulations Eric Peters, EricPetersAuto.com joinsRemember when turbos were about performance instead of downsizingWhat's the best auto to get now?In a shocking revelation, former President Trump is now selling pieces of the suit he wore during an assassination attempt, echoing the tactics of infamous 70s TV evangelist Ernest Angley. As the auto industry reels from regulatory burdens and the push towards uneconomical electric vehicles, will tariffs be the final blow to the auto industry?1:58:54 to 2:19:46Conception's Mysterious Glow and Death's Eerie Surge of Brain Activity: Science Sees But Doesn't Understand       Scientific discoveries that hint at the supernatural— a flash of light at conception, and a surge of brain activity at death that could signal the soul's departure.     Elon Musk's transhumanist ambitions to merge minds with machines, raising questions about consciousness and control.     Dissecting Musk's murky role in Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 2:20:32Trump's DOJ Purge Masks a Sinister Plot: Bird Flu, mRNA Food, and the New Fauci Take Control!       Trump's bold move to fire all Biden-era U.S. attorneys, framed as a DOJ cleanup to restore justice, but is it a distraction from a darker agenda?     Trump quietly retaining Biden's pandemic architects, like Gerald Parker, a veterinarian tapped to lead the Office of Pandemic Preparedness      Bird flu fears escalating, egg prices soaring, and mRNA vaccines poised to infiltrate the food supply via USDA coercion, this is a Covid rerun—only this time, it's the food chain     RFK Jr.'s HHS role and Brooke Rollins' clueless USDA leadership are shams, paving the way for a biotech takeover by Trump's cronies, including Elon Musk, all while promising change but delivering betrayalIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHTBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

The Wicked Witch shows up and so you know what that means... It's time to fight. Support OMAMAM by visiting our Patreon page -- https://www.patreon.com/omamamshow Visit our website -- https://www.omamamshow.com Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Baconsale interns may have been fired from their last job at an automated dating service, but some companies just don't learn. This time, Joel, Kent, and Zack are running the applications of lonely movie villains through the high-tech D.A.T.E. machine, then determining how correct the algorithm is. We'll decide if Norman Bates is too much of a momma's boy, if Nurse Ratched will go cuckoo for a man, if Hannibal Lecter would enjoy a taste of romance, and if a cute guy will make the Wicked Witch of the West just melt. Things get a little strange and there are a LOT of puns, but we hope this episode proves that some of us still believe in love.   Press play to be Ruthless Wainwight.

Your Tin Men of trivia are back for round two of their epic deep dive into the making of the most watched movie in history. On this episode, you’ll learn about the hellish production, which ended up injuring, maiming (or, at very least, psychologically harming) at nearly every member of the cast. The Scarecrow was nearly set on fire — but he was saved from his costume made of asbestos. The Wicked Witch actually WAS set on fire, and the frantic crew had to scrub down her freshly-burned skin with alcohol. A “heavily medicated” Judy Garland was emotionally abused by everyone from the studio execs on down — all for the name of MOVIE MAGIC! The wildly-expensive lightening caused brown-outs all over LA, the tornado sequence nearly choked the SFX team, and then there were the poor prop masters who made fake glass out of liquid mercury. Between the accidentals, constantly revolving cast of writers and directors, and the outbreak of World War II, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ should have been a complete and utter disaster. How did it become a top tier classic, with special resonance within the LGBTQ community? Why does Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' sync up so well with the film? Did a distraught Munchkin actor really hang themselves in the middle of a scene? Take a listen, and all the answers will be revealed! Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" is a beautiful, complicated tale about love and regret and friendship... but if you've only ever seen the musical there is much you don't know! This week, Maia explains what "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire is about. We explore how dark does the original Wicked get. And why the art is so heartbreaking and important on its own. This week, we dig into the life and times of the "Wicked" Witch of the West!  Audience Survey: https://forms.gle/kQN4jdgHnrm1XkCBA 00:00:00-Catch-up 00:10:48-Story begins  00:23:40-Gregory Maguire background 00:52:02-Wizard of Oz Lore 01:05:39-Wicked Lore 01:25:42-Overview of Wicked the novel begins 01:41:05-Wicked: Gilikin 02:07:29-Wicked: City of Emeralds 02:14:05-Wicked: In the Vinkus 02:34:00-Wicked: The Murder and its Afterlife 03:07:15-Back to Gregory 03:11:55-Linking it all together  

In The Wizard of Oz, Glinda asks, “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” As it turns out, most witches are good—because the bad ones end up cursing themselves into oblivion. Today, we're chatting with one of our favorite wicked but wonderful witches, musician Caleb De Casper. A fierce advocate for queer rights, Caleb is known for his electrifying performances and signature blend of dark synth-pop, glam punk rock, and horror cabaret. Honored with his own day in Austin, Texas, Caleb joins us to celebrate 20 years of Feast of Fun and give us a sneak peek at his new single, Chemical Blue. CHECK OUT CALEB DE CASPER:https://www.calebdecasper.comFOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/faustofernos★ instagram.com/marcfelion★ instagram.com/calebdecasperPlus, we're serving up a cauldron of hot topics:• Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will kick off the Oscars with a Wicked medley.• Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón will skip the Oscars amid controversy.• Emperor Trump storms out of the Super Bowl after getting booed and witnessing  Kendrick Lamar's unapologetically Black Halftime Show.• Taylor Swift enters the friendship bracelet and jewelry business.All that and more—so grab your wands and let's dive in!SAVE FEAST OF FUN, HELP US GET A NEW COMPUTER:• feastoffun.com/donate

Follow the flying monkeys of facts down the Yellow Brick Road for an episode that’s Toto-ly packed with 'Wizard of Oz' trivia! In part one of the TMI’s guy’s epic two-fer on children’s cinematic classic, you’ll hear all about the origins of the original book and how author L. Frank Baum’s (who, it’s worth noting, was bullied by theater people) was inspired by office supplies, family tragedy and his childhood nightmares to develop the magical series. You'll also learn why MGM greenlit the budget-busting production to compete with the world beating success of Walt Disney's 'Snow White,' the biggest blockbuster in history at the time. This episode focuses on the cast of 'Oz,' nearly all of whom were tortured physically and psychologically. Special shout-out to original Tin Man Buddy Ebsen, who nearly died due to his wildly unsafe makeup. There's also the truly disgusting costumes required for the Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion, and the trials and tribulations of being a Munchkin on the set. (Spoiler: there were no Munchkin orgies.) The TMI duo also explain why The Wicked Witch of the West was actually the loveliest person in the production, why Toto is buried under LA's 101 freeway, and why the Ruby Slippers led to a 13-year FBI manhunt. Plus, prepare to get really bummed out when you learn about Judy Garland's childhood and all the drugs she was (allegedly) being fed by her mom. Yes, the movie making experience was less than wonderful for the cast, but the episode's pretty great. Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Kate Morrissey is seeing green. You might think playing Elphaba in the stage production of Wicked seven times a week would leave little time for golf, but Mary Kate (or MK to her friends) is more golf mad than most Broadway leads. Whether it be weekly indoor lessons or trips to warmer golf locales, golf has cast a real-life spell over the most famous witch in town. In this conversation with fellow Philadelphian Tom Coyne, MK discusses how her Mom pulled her into the game, how she manages a grueling performance schedule, and exactly how long it takes to turn green in the makeup chair (less time than it takes a Tour pro to finish a par-five). If you've forgotten what you love about this game, MK's newfound passion for golf will remind you why it's indeed a pastime worth singing about. Presented by Titleist The Golfer's Journal and this podcast are made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: https://glfrsj.nl/MembershipsYT

This week, Rilo Ward is here to talk about the 2024 musical Wicked. Based on the Broadway play, which is based loosely on the novel of the same name, it's the story of how The Wicked Witch of the West came to be so wicked. Travis has no connection to the story haven't never seen the musical before, so how was it as a movie? Is it living up to all the hype? Or should it be left to those that are fans of the play? Let's find out... Let's find out...Follow Rilo and find the Guild of Calamitous Podcast: And Unoffical Venture Brothers Podcast at https://linktr.ee/rilowardThanks go out to Audie Norman (@TheAudieNorman) for the album art. Outro music In Pursuit provided by Purple-Planet.comSupport the show by going to patreon.com/wyhsVisit tvstravis.com for more shows and projects from TVsTravis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textReturn to Oz is famous for scarring a generation of kids with its dark, surreal imagery and unsettling villains. But was it truly a nightmare, or a bold, creative take on the Oz legend? In this episode, Andrea and Ryan explore whether this dark fantasy was too intense for children or if it was just the kind of movie that challenges kids to confront their fears in a way that few films dared to at the time.Follow us @disneyinsideoutpodcast

Join hosts Jack and Kevin as they embark on a winter journey to Florida, full of laughter and unexpected adventures. In this lively episode, they recount a hilarious mishap involving a vintage metal chair and share useful housewife tips from Tokyo. Dive into the world of Oz, as Jack gives a detailed exploration of both "The Wizard of Oz" and "Wicked," uncovering the complex themes and hidden intricacies of these beloved stories. Whether you're a fan of the original books or the Broadway sensation, this discussion will offer new insights into the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West. From karaoke adventures featuring songs from "Wicked" to fascinating facts about the special effects of the original wizarding movie, this episode promises nostalgic storytelling and clever banter. Don't miss Jack and Kevin's engaging take on everything Oz as they prepare for their Floridian escapade.

Patrick reads and responds to Jose’s email. Jose writes: STOP the conspiracy propaganda (00:36) Zack - I want to become Catholic but my wife is hesitant. How can I alleviate her fears? (07:21) Steve – I’m a retired fire captain. Eaton fire was where I used to be stationed and I was told by the head of forest service that we were over doing our job. People who sat and did nothing got awards. Fire fighters are quitting because of DEI hires. (15:25) Terri - If you don't live in CA, you don't understand. This is political and we need this water problem fixed yesterday (23:07) Steve - How could Gavin Newsome have predicted or prevented this? It’s a natural disaster (27:15) Frank - I am a Grand Knight for the council here. My fellow knights are hurt by this fire. Half dozen of us have lost our homes. (34:51) Francis (13-years-old) - How would you baptize the Wicked Witch of the West, seeing she is allergic to water? (39:34) Marco – I wish Newsome would spend more money on dams to help water movement and be more productive with money. (42:58) Tom - What are the minimum requirements to gain salvation? Do I have to be a Catholic? (46:48)

Merry Christmas, YFTers! Or whatever you celebrate! We start off the episode with a brand new button that's going to change your listening experience, for better or worse. Also, in case you were curious, Wells and Brandi are using this episode to explain Jehovah's Witnesses, where elves come from, and why jack jumper ants are the actual worst. They're also discussing religion and what it all means – but more importantly, WTF is going on with the orbs? Your hosts reveal why Wells is the best son-in-law, how the Cyrus family might be the laziest fam on earth, and start a potential petition to get Matt (Brand-eye's mans) to co-host the show. And, of course, we give ya some fav things, including Wicked (both the book and movie), an old film to watch this holiday, and an upcoming Broadway production starring none other than Sarah Hyland.   Favorite things mentioned:  Independence Day (Hulu+)  Silo (Apple TV+)  Wicked (in theaters!)   Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West  People Watching by Sam Fender    Thanks to our awesome sponsors for supporting this episode!   Shipstation: Get a 60-day free trial at https://www.shipstation.com/yourfavoritething.  Calm: Calm is offering an exclusive offer of 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at calm.com/YFT.  Bilt: Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/YFT.  Don't forget to rate, review, and follow Your Favorite Podcast! Plus, keep up with us between episodes on our Instagram pages, @yftpodcast @wellsadams and @brandicyrus + our TikTok @yftpodcast & be sure to leave us a voicemail with your fave things at 858-630-1856!    This podcast is brought to you by Podcast Nation 

As the year ends, Forum looks back at some of our – and your – favorite books from 2024. What was the book you just couldn't put down or that you're still thinking about months later? Among this year's top sellers were “James” by Percival Everett, a retelling of Mark Twain's “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” as well as “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire that inspired a blockbuster musical and movie. Book critics and book lovers join us to talk about their favorites and what titles you might want to put on your to-read list. Guests: Brad Johnson, owner, East Bay Booksellers in Oakland Anita Felicelli, editor, Alta Journal‘s California Book Club; Her most recent book is the short story collection "How We Know Our Time Travelers." She is also author of "Chimerica: A Novel" and the short story collection "Love Songs for a Lost Continent." Ugur Dursu, arts engagement producer and reporter, KQED

The American musical is in a state of flux. Today's Broadway offerings are mostly jukebox musicals and blatant I.P. grabs; original ideas are few and far between. Meanwhile, one of the biggest films of the season is Jon M. Chu's earnest (and lengthy) adaptation of “Wicked,” the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West that first premièred on the Great White Way nearly twenty years ago—and has been a smash hit ever since. On this episode, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz discuss why “Wicked” is resonating with audiences in 2024. They consider it alongside other recent movie musicals, such as “Emilia Pérez,” which centers on the transgender leader of a Mexican cartel, and Todd Phillips's follow-up to “Joker,” the confounding “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Then they step back to trace the evolution of the musical, from the first shows to marry song and story in the nineteen-twenties to the seventies-era innovations of figures like Stephen Sondheim. Amid the massive commercial, technological, and aesthetic shifts of the last century, how has the form changed, and why has it endured? “People who don't like musicals will often criticize their artificiality,” Schwartz says. “Some things in life are so heightened . . . yet they're part of the real. Why not put them to music and have singing be part of it?”This episode originally aired on Critics at Large, December 12, 2024.

Wicked is popular! The film adaptation of the musical adaptation of the literary reimagining of the Wicked Witch of the West is surpassing all box office expectations. Composer Stephen Schwartz already announced a 3rd and 4th film in the works. The Wickedverse is expanding.But why does this story resonate so deeply right now? As the world faces a resurgence of fascism, audiences yearn for a trip over the rainbow and they find inspiration in Elphaba's fight against the oppression of the talking animals in Oz which feels eerily timely, reminding us all of the importance to speak out, act up and fight back. Today we hold space and each other's well manicured hands for Wicked with theater kid and pop culture expert Robyn Pennacchia, a writer for the news magazine Wonkette.Join us as we look at all the intoxicating green elixirs surrounding Wicked, The Wiz, Return to Oz and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and the exciting rise of Cynthia Erivo as a once in a lifetime vocalist.FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:★ instagram.com/robynelyse★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion  Plus-- • One of the most infamous pairs of the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 'The Wizard of Oz' sells for $32.5 million at auction.• Village People's lead singer Victor Willis says YMCA is not a gay anthem and threatens to sue anyone who says so. • Mariah Carey responds to claims her fan video was made with AI.• Nobody mourns the Wicked: the assassination of United Health CEO reveals a lot of Americans really, really hate our healthcare system.

Today we are looking at 2024's hit musical movie adaptation, Wicked: Part I, directed by Jon M. Chu, starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. Plus we hear from the listener looking for movie recs while they recover from surgery. Author Paul Miles Schneider (The Silver Shoes trilogy) joins us.What's Good:Alonso - BFI Classic's 3 Women by Justin WyattDrea - Spirit Awards 2024 nominationsPaul - Thanksgiving up in the Pacific NorthwestIfy - Thanksgiving meal (Al Pastor Turkey)This Week's ITIDICs:1. Thanksgiving Box Office Record: ‘Moana 2' Scores Dazzling $225 Million Debut, ‘Wicked' Adds Huge $118 Million2.  Sebastian Stan's Variety ‘Actors on Actors' Halted Because No Other Talent Wants to Talk About Trump3. ‘Wolfs' Director Jon Watts Tells Apple: No Sequel, I Don't Trust YouChristmas Movie Minute:Holiday TouchdownTo Have & To HolidayChristmas Under The LightsA 90s ChristmasDeck The WallsStaff Picks:Alonso - The Gathering (1977)Drea - Hard TruthsPaul - Miracle of Marcelino (in Spanish)Ify - The WizPlugs!Get the Silver Shoes trilogy from Paul Miles Schneider!Los Angeles! Come see Alonso, this Saturday, December 7th at Vidiots doing a book signing and introducing the Hitchcock film, Rope, at 4:15pm!Have Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI'll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

The year's hottest movie is, against all odds, a musical. Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, just hit theaters, and tells the tale of how a green-skinned girl named Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West. And with any musical, the songs are just as important as the narrative. On this episode of Switched On Pop, Charlie, Nate, and Reanna hop on their broomsticks to break down the music powering this cultural phenomenon. Songs Discussed The Wizard And I - Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh The Wizard And I - Carole Shelley, Idina Menzel Popular - Ariana Grande Popular Song - MIKA, Ariana Grande Defying Gravity - Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande What Is This Feeling? - Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Defying Gravity - Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel You'll Be Back - Jonathan Groff, Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Kate begins by recapping her experience seeing Wicked twice and shares her favorite Easter eggs, then answers listener voicemails that are a combination of nostalgic pop culture, millennial travel icons, and a witchy women's studies lesson. In this episode, Kate reassures listeners that when America decides, it's not always on our side, as evidenced by many years of questionable voting behavior from the majority that brought us the Soul Patrol on American Idol. Then she pilots something she'll never do again called Bethtern Civ, where she explores the medieval demonizing of folk magic and pagan rituals later referred to as ‘witchcraft' in the context of it being in opposition to the Christianization of the West. Lastly, she snorkels millennial queen/icon/legend, Samantha Brown: Travel Guide, and Kate shares how Sam's sensible haircut and can-do attitude at waterparks inspired her modern love for hotels and resorts. Enjoy!Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here!Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH!Thank you to AllModern for furnishing Kate's Season 2 Studio! AllModern has the best of modern furniture and decor all in one place. With styles from Scandi and mid-century, to minimalist and maximalist, every design is hand-vetted for quality by their team of experts. Plus they have fast + free shipping! Check out allmodern.com; you'll find Kate's bookshelves here and her new rug here!For a limited time, visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura's best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code BETHEREINFIVE at checkout. This exclusive Black Friday Cyber Monday deal is their best of the year, so don't miss out! Terms and conditions apply.This weekend only, I can offer you an exclusive 45% off discount code. This code is the best discount you'll find for Cozy Earth year-round! Visit cozyearth.com/BETHEREINFIVE and code BETHEREINFIVE to get the best products for your loved ones this holiday season. Don't miss out! Wrap the Ones You Love in Luxury with Cozy Earth!25% off Sitewide + a FREE Bedding Bundle (2 Dream Pillows, Sheet Set, and Mattress Protector) with any Luxe or Elite mattress order at HelixSleep.com/BeThereInFive.To get 15% off your next gift, go to UNCOMMONGOODS.com/BETHEREINFIVE. Don't miss out on this limited time offer! Uncommon Goods. We're all out of the ordinary.

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Monday December 2, 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Wicked: Part 1" follows the origin story of Elphaba, known in the original "Wizard of Oz" movie as the Wicked Witch of the West. And it follows her friend, Galinda, who eventually becomes the Good Witch.The movie is based on the Broadway musical which debuted in 2003. Last year, it became the fourth-longest running musical in Broadway history. And that musical comes from a 1995 novel of the same name. The new Wicked movie stars singer-actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the witches Elphaba and Galinda.The result this past weekend has been gravity-defying. "Wicked" brought in $114 million in North America and another $50 million internationally. That's the best-ever opening for a film adaptation of a Broadway musical.For this meeting of the 1A Movie Club, we discuss the new "Wicked" film.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The movie version of the Broadway smash Wicked hits screens Friday, just in time for the holidays. Stage and screen star Cynthia Erivo plays the Wicked Witch of the West. She speaks to NPR about the role.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The musical Wicked is a bold, revisionist take on The Wizard of Oz. It imagines that back in college, the Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda the Good Witch of the North (Ariana Grande) were best friends. The sprawling film delivers lavish spectacle, costumes, music, and choreography. But does the long-awaited film live up to the hype? Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Wicked – the 20-year-old – smash hit on Broadway turns the story of the "Wizard of Oz" on its head. Now, the story of Elfaba the Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda the Good Witch, and the Wizard himself is making the shift from stage to screen. The director bringing the Broadway hit to screens across the country is Jon M. Chu, the director of the blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians.The movie version of Wicked is in many ways the culmination of Chu's own story as a person of color. Chu always wanted to be a filmmaker. Chu says his life experience and career lead him to tell the story of a person of color in a new way.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy