Joe and Dawson continue their discussion about the strange role that language plays in society, particularly how words set limits and establish boundaries for meaning. Oddly, few words do this more powerfully than the names we assign to people. 

 

Music in this podcast: "Cafe Connection" by morgantj and "Reverie (small theme)" by_ghost

In this first of two episodes dedicated to the topic of NAMES, Joe and Dawson discuss the strategies that go into naming people and characters, as well as the impact and far-reaching implications associated with "naming rights." 

Special thanks to Josh Lippi & The Overtimers for the use of their song "St. Francis" in this episode.

Joe and Dawson spend time with mathematician, magician, and newly published short story author, Nathan Goodroe. Among the topics they discuss are the positive impact that reading stories can have on personal development, the cultural lies people tell, and Joe's propensity to kill dreams with his cynical outlook on life.

The guys are joined by Garrett Busch and Bradley Gossett to dissect HBO's hit series Westworld and its influences. Among the compelling topics discussed is the possibility that our high interest in virtual or altered reality derives from our malaise with life as we know (experience) it.

Emma Anderson drops by "the studio" before departing for London. We discuss the correlation of Yiddish comedy (specifically the Schleimiel and the Schlimazel) to Naturalism, the appeal of old buildings, the devolution of various art forms, and any other topics that randomly come up.

The guys sit down with Tyler Harper and discover that at the ripe age of 21 he has already crossed off most of the items on their bucket lists.

Whilst waiting for the soccer season awards ceremony to commence, Dawson reveals he is a sports "bandwaggoner" with loyalty to no team (except for Clemson, of course, where he punted). The guys discuss which is the better "heroic" narrative-- being the favorite or being the underdog--and what our allegiance to either story might say about us as viewers or fans.

Former student and recent UGA graduate, Emma Murphy, drops by "the studio" on her way to New York where she will be starting her digital storytelling career. We share some laughs and learn some stuff.

Joe and Dawson conclude their interview with Joseph Cooper. In this portion of the conversation, we discuss the nuances and varying levels of "truth" as they are often explored by storytellers. Finally, Cooper makes a case that JD Salinger's Franny and Zooey is the finest novel he has ever read and that, if you don't cry when you read it, you just need to read it again.