Andy Leviton, Associate Editor of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," sits down to share some of the behind-the-scene secrets of the new Golden Globe winning animated film.  Andy walks us through the creative process of how this big-budget animated studio film got made (from the editor's point of view), what different versions of the story almost looked like, and whether movies like "Into the Spider-Verse" and "Venom" are considered canon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

     SPOILER ALERT: We do give away a LOT of huge spoilers about the movie in this podcast, so if you haven't seen the film yet, be warned that you might want to wait until after you watch it first.  You have been warned!

     David Lawson is a storyteller who has been performing one-man shows across the country for over ten years.  His shows cover a wide range of topics from insomnia, to retro nerd culture, to his experiences working in Time Square.  We talk about the struggle artists have prioritizing work and relationships (and ministers, too!), how a one-man show is put together from the concept to the stage, and the state of cinema today.

     The Rev. Dr. Margaret Aymer Oget joins me to talk about Marvel Studios' film, "Black Panther."  She is the First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, D. Thomason Professor of New Testament Studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and an active speaker and lecturer.  We discuss many issues that intersect in the movie: genre, fantasy, science-fiction, race, feminism, liberation, and yes, even theology.  We also discuss the dangers of allowing the success of up-and-coming directors like Ryan Coogler and Ava DuVernay to lead to tokenism.

     "Weird Al" Yankovic and his band are currently touring with "The Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour," and a few of the band members sit down with me over the phone before their show at the Playhouse Square in Cleveland.  Guitarist Jim "Kimo" West shares stories about recording Al's first albums, and his early days performing with bassist, Steve Jay (with whom he's also touring this summer).

     Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz returns to this program for the second time to talk about his work on Al's completely remastered boxed set that came out over the holidays and even shares an "inside scoop" or two about the new tour!

     Walter Brueggemann returns to discuss the topic of Sabbath as a form of rebellion against a society that has been co-opted by the culture set forth by Pharaoh in the Old Testament.  We discuss the need to treat Sabbath as a serious spiritual discipline (not just a childish luxury) and other necessary subversions such as the #MeToo movement and young people speaking out against gun violence.

     Billy Jonas, David LaMotte, and Dawud Wharnsby, three internationally renowned singer-songwriters, join me on the podcast this episode to talk about their touring show, Abraham Jam, a trio of performers from the three Abrahamic faiths.  This episode we talk about the importance of interfaith dialogue in artistic performances like Abraham Jam and beyond.

     For more information, check out: AbrahamJam.com

     This episode of the podcast, I got to go backstage at the newest production of "Carrie: The Musical" at the Near West Theater in Cleveland and talk to the cast and director of the show to talk in-depth about the themes of Stephen King's classic novel adapted for the stage.  My guests include:

     Anna Parchem (Carrie White)

     Morgan Williams (Sue Snell)

     Statia Rankin (Chris Hargensen)

     Julie Penzvalto (Margaret White)

     Devon Turchan (Director)

     For more information on "Carrie: The Musical" and tickets, visit http://www.nearwesttheatre.org

     Lauren Reid has served as Special Series Coordinator for the Conservation Media Group.  She spent two weeks aboard a boat called the Rainbow Warrior with a film crew from Greenpeace creating a video documentary series called "The Truth About Tuna."  Lauren shares some stories about how this experience opened her eyes to the living conditions for many of the fishermen in the tuna industry out at sea, how the industry has been affected by stock depletion, and the impact the industry has on the environment.

     Film clips by Adam Woods and Greenpeace USA

     Dacre Stoker is the great-grand-nephew of Bram Stoker, author of the classic novel, "Dracula."  Dacre has devoted himself to the academic research and preservation of his famous great-grand-uncle's literary legacy.  He joins the podcast to discuss how Bram Stoker's real life experiences growing up may have inspired some of the terrifying images and story in "Dracula."

     I am also joined by guest co-host, Leah Davydov, from Cleveland State University.  Leah is a local vampire scholar who has also devoted herself to researching Bram Stoker, vampire literature, and mythology.  We talk about the different castles in Romania that may or may not have been connected to the real life Vlad the Impaler or perhaps inspired the fictional castle in the novel.  I tell Dacre about the time I visited Transylvania as an obnoxious American tourist and humiliated myself, and we discuss "Dracula" in media, television, and film.

     Featuring "Tocatta and Fugue" by Johann Sebastian Bach - performed by Dan Rogers

     Chrysta Bell stars in the third season of “Twin Peaks” on Showtime directed by David Lynch.  She is a recording artist, songwriter, and actress who has collaborated with Lynch since 1999.  They have produced two albums together, “The Train” and an EP, “Somewhere in the Nowhere.”  In 2017, she leaps into the unknown releasing her new album, “We Dissolve" (her first without the involvement of a record label or a famous Hollywood director).

     Chrysta Bell and I talk a little bit about the elusive creative process and where her ideas come from.  She shares why creating this new album was such a unique and personal experience for her.  She also offers some behind-the-scenes insights into her collaborations with David Lynch both in the recording studio and on the set of "Twin Peaks."

     Find out more: http://www.chrystabell.com