Filthy Armenian Adventures

A stern, humorless warning about what news stories to allow into your mind space.

To subscribe to the show for twice as many feature eps and regular smoke break mini-eps on topics of the day, go to patreon.com/filthyarmenian

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Next live event -- CHRISTMAS 2025 -- on January 4 in Los Angeles. Get on the list at patreon.com/filthyarmenian

Raymond Chandler defined Los Angeles as a corrupt labyrinth of hidden truths that only an adventurous detective with noir eyes, a steel spine, and a witty disgust for sham and pettiness could uncover. In this Gain of Fiction/FAA crossover, Glen Rockney and I uncover the modern day relevance of Chandler's first and best novel The Big Sleep (1939), and the classic Howard Hawks 1946 movie adaptation starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and what they teach about being a man. We also mention the unclassic 1978 Michael Winner adaptation starring Robert Mitchum which Tarantino just ludicrously recommended.

For the full 2+ hour episode -- plus twice as many adventures and regular Smoke Break mini eps on topics of the day -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian

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If you like what you hear, please rate and review the show on your podcast app

How Rod Serling's TWILIGHT ZONE continues to shape the American imagination and make us cry. A deep dive into the first five episodes with Yeerk of Bistro Californium. This promises to be a recurring series.

For the full 3 hour marathon -- plus twice as many feature eps and exclusive "smoke break" mini eps -- subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian

TZ Episodes covered: 

1. Where is Everybody?

2. One for the Angels

3. Mr. Denton on Doomsday

4. The Sixteen Millimeter Shrine

5. Walking Distance

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Notes on a miracle.

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Election Day is upon us, so here is a sampler of political Smoke Break mini-eps from the last few months about some key characters on that stage. If you want to be several steps ahead of the zeitgeist, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian for access to these brief, intimate voice letters, as well as twice as many feature-length adventures available only to the enlightened patrons of this show.

Thank you for listening, and God Bless America 

Appalachian icon Cara Cunningham ("Leave Britney Alone") returns to analyze the story of J.D. Vance, the crises of the land he comes from, the powers and limits of the Mamaw State, and the choice America faces this November.

For the full 2 hour episode, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian. You'll get access to twice as many adventures (including Cara's first appearance, in FAA 70) plus regular smoke break mini-eps on topics of the day.

Reviewed in this ep: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance + the 2016 film adaptation directed by Ron Howard and starring Glenn Close

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After a reunion tour of Skid Row, Jared and I dip into the place that invented the French Dip Sandwich -- but how? -- to break bread and reflect on the politics of addiction, free will, and determinism. Location: Philippe's The Original

Jared Klickstein is the author of Crooked Smile: What it Took to Escape a Decade of Homelessness, Addiction, and Crime

Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian -- and please rate and review if you like what you hear

A walking tour of America's most notorious rock bottom junkie town with a man who lived there, almost died there, and miraculously escaped...but how?

Jared Klickstein is the author of Crooked Smile: What it Took to Escape a Decade of Homelessness, Addiction, and Crime

For twice as many adventures and regular smoke break mini-eps on topics of the day, join the enlightened society of rug merchants who subscribe to the show on patreon.com/filthyarmenian

Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian and thanks for listening!

An editor dies, but a painting comes to life, as I ask the most faithful man I met in Washington how he came to know God at such a young age.

For the full 3 hr adventure, and access to all premium episodes and "smoke break" mini eps on topics of the day, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/filthyarmenian

Drew Bratcher is the author of Bub: Essays from Just North of Nashville Follow him on insta @drewbratcher_writer

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Thank you for listening

In the presence of America's most beguiling depiction of loneliness, I reunite with the one faithful man who helped me survive the horrors of Washington D.C. -- fourteen years after we last met.

Drew Bratcher is the author of Bub: Essays from Just North of Nashville

Location: Art Institute of Chicago

For part twice as many feature adventures, plus regular smoke break mini eps on topics of the day, support our mission by subscribing at patreon.com/filthyarmenian

Follow us on X/insta @filthyarmenian

Follow Drew Bratcher on insta @drewbratcher_writer