In this special edition of the show, we're going to bring you the best reviews from our resident music critic, Jace Bartlove. We begin with a new review; Dank Icon's new album, "alone." (lowercase intended), which is in the storied tradition of "breakup albums." Then, we'll listen back to Jace's pieces on the "centrist punk movement," his retrospective of libertarian rocker Boomer Lee, and Jace's take on Morrissey's home demo archive. Credits: written, produced and performed by Jon Ehrens, with contributions from Jason Henn and Emily Ehrens.

In this installment of our series, "Actual Interviews with Actual People," in which our host has conversations with actual, real interviewees, we'll hear from cartoonist Eli Valley (@EliValley). He is a cartoonist whose work has been featured in The Nation, The New Republic, The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, among others. His new book is called, "Diaspora Boy: Comics on Crisis in America and Israel." Visit his site www.elivalley.com for more. Credits: Writing and performances by Jamie Fountain and Jon Ehrens. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens. Theme music by Other Colors.

Merry holidays! On today's show; we'll hear a young couple who are so convinced that they have found the perfect gifts for one another that they've exchanged them a month before Christmas. Also, we'll bring you a field recording from the boardroom of K-Ware Home Appliances where they are coming up with ideas about how to harness the power of the holidays. Tiffany Sangria-Hamilton will give us her picks for the top TV of 2018. And, we'll hear about continuing religious traditions to connect with the elders of the family Credits: Writing and performances by Betty Mattei, Christine Walden, Shannon Fahey, and Andrew Shearer. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens.

In this installment of our series, "Actual Conversations with Actual People," in which our host has conversations with actual, real interviewees, we'll hear from journalist Jared Holt (@jaredlholt). He writes about the culture of the extreme far right-wing thinkers on the internet. His work is featured at RightWingWatch.com and he hosts the @shtpostpodcast. We'll also play one of our patented field recordings; one that is pertinent to Jared's work. It features two women who wish to counter the Proud Boys movement. Credits: Writing and performances by Betty Mattei and Christine Wallden. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens. Theme music by Other Colors.

Today, we'll examine how the internet has changed the ways in which people meet each other, stay in touch, how we buy products, and what products we buy. We'll hear from the founder of a new line of clothes that aims to empower little babies, we'll hear about the "dark web," take a visit to the doctors office. And we'll get an in-studio performance from Bobo Smokescreen and the HeartHavers. Credits: writing and performances by: Rose Luardo, Eileen Echickson, Lexie Mountain, Aaron Nevins, Christine Walledin, Andrew Shearer, Shannon Fahey, and Chris Richman. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens.

We spend the first half of this month's show with some recordings devoted to civic life in The United States. And in honor of the upcoming Labor Day holiday, we'll play some field recordings that highlight the need for a strong work ethic in our country, especially among the young. Credits writing and performances by: Rose Luardo, Andrew Shearer, Reem Saliem, and Shannon Fahey. Executive producer, head writer, and editor is Jon Ehrens.

For our July 2018 show; we begin with a solemn field recording at the funeral of someone taken too soon to hear how American's deal with tragedy. We'll also listen in on a traditional sweat lodge ceremony in Media Pennsylvania. Then, we'll hear a story of triumph that arose from President Trump's harsh immigration policies. We'll also hear an inspiring recording that proves not everyone has to retire in their golden years. And finally, Jace Bartlove joins us with a story about the latest trend in punk music. Credits:  Featuring writing and performances by Jaime Fountaine, Rose Luardo, Alejandro Morales, Kate Banford, Aaron Nevins, Julia Celley, Emily Ehrens Hainline, and Jason Henn of the band Honey Radar. Executive producer, editor and head writer is Jon Ehrens.

Well, we're experimenting with a new idea here at the show: "Actual Interviews with Actual People." And for our preliminary edition, we were joined by fellow podcaster Daniel Denvir, host of "The Dig." It's a "socialist" podcast associated with an obscure fringe publication called Jacobin. We talked about his little support group for like-minded Utopians called the D.S.A and why he hates democrats more than republicans.

We were invited to be a part of the Philadelphia Podcast Festival this year, so we put together a bit of a, well, extravaganza at Good Good Comedy Theater in Philadelphia. We played some of our more important field recordings from our archives, plus live analysis from experts, musical performances, and reactions from some of the people featured in the recordings themselves! Credits Featuring writing an performances by; Geoffrey Jackson, Rose Luardo, Jaime Fountaine, Nicole Pheonix, Chris Richman, Josh Machiz, and Desiree DeBice. Co-Producers; Chris Richman and Jaime Fountaine. Theme music by Other Colors. Executive producer and head writer is Jon Ehrens.

On today's episode; we'll hear some audio form inside an average American corner book store. Also, we'll listen in to one young boy getting a lesson in responsibility with a new summer job. Legendary country music duo Daniel and Darlin' treat us to music and conversation. And lastly, we'll hear how people react to the latest viral internet phenomena. Credits:  Featuring performances and writing from Rose Luardo, Desirée BaBeast, Reem Seliem, and Adam Rothstein. Theme music by Other Colors. Executive producer, editor and head writer is Jon Ehrens.