Hello from Elsewhere: Exploring Pop Culture

Broadcasting from Spare Oom in the city of War Drobe, Valerie and Casey discuss portal fantasies, from The Chronicles of Narnia to Stranger Things. Plus, the tales of their mildly haunted house continue, and they decide who is a hotter James McAvoy character: a bald Professor X or a shirtless Mr. Tumnus! Become an official Human of Elsewhere by visiting www.patreon.com/hellofromelsewhere . Visit our store at www.teespring.com/stores/hello-from-elsewhere . Hello from Elsewhere is a proud member of WBNE. For more great podcasts, visit www.wbne.org .

In this episode Valerie and Casey explore what makes stories so powerful, from the way storytelling defines us as humans, to the value of representation in fiction, to the science of how stories affect our brains. Become an official Human of Elsewhere by visiting www.patreon.com/hellofromelsewhere . Visit our store at www.teespring.com/stores/hello-from-elsewhere . Hello from Elsewhere is a proud member of WBNE. For more great podcasts, visit www.wbne.org . Episode references: https://www.patreon.com/posts/references-power-34433847

In this episode, Valerie interviews Ryan Lehman, host of A Sorta Star Wars Podcast! What piece of fiction does Ryan love above all others? Red Rising by Pierce Brown! They also discuss 3 Ninjas, dystopian novels, and parenting. Find Ryan on Instagram and Twitter @sortastarwars. Become an official Human of Elsewhere by visiting www.patreon.com/hellofromelsewhere . Visit our store at www.teespring.com/stores/hello-from-elsewhere . Hello from Elsewhere is a proud member of WBNE. For more great podcasts, visit www.wbne.org .

Broadcasting from Madame Pudifoot's Tea Shop, Valerie and Casey match fictional characters and send them on dates, just in time for Valentine's Day: from Rey and Aragorn, to Lightning McQueen and Mr. Incredible, to Princess Anna and Kermit the Frog, plus many, MANY more! Become an official Human of Elsewhere by visiting www.patreon.com/hellofromelsewhere . Visit our store at www.teespring.com/stores/hello-from-elsewhere . Hello from Elsewhere is a proud member of WBNE. For more great podcasts, visit www.wbne.org

In this episode, Valerie and Casey discuss their favorite musical moments in the Harry Potter films and in Star Wars. Become an official Human of Elsewhere by visiting www.patreon.com/hellofromelsewhere . Visit our store at www.teespring.com/stores/hello-from-elsewhere . Hello from Elsewhere is a proud member of WBNE. For more great podcasts, visit www.wbne.org

In this episode, Casey interviews Iny Fuenmayor, co-host of Sincerely, Us: A Podcast for the Casual Musical Theatre Fan! What piece of fiction does Iny love above all others? Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights! As a musical theater fan and an American woman of Cuban and Colombian heritage, Iny shares the powerful cultural and personal resonance of this Broadway sensation about found family in a Latin-American neighborhood. Plus, Iny and Casey share their adoration for Tom Cruise movies, Pixar's Wall-E, and (of course) Rey and Ben Solo. Find Iny on Instagram and Twitter @_inymeeny, and Sincerely, Us @sincerelyuspod. Become an official Human of Elsewhere by visiting www.patreon.com/hellofromelsewhere . Visit our store at www.teespring.com/stores/hello-from-elsewhere . Hello from Elsewhere is a proud member of WBNE. For more great podcasts, visit www.wbne.org .

Broadcasting from Tom Riddle's diary, Valerie and Casey explore the symbolism and meaning of names in both the Harry Potter series and The Lord of the Rings, from the alliterative founders of Hogwarts to the dozens of names for Gandalf. Plus, we discuss Sauron's connection to The Music Man and Dumbledore's existence in Middle-earth (really!). Become an official Human of Elsewhere by visiting www.patreon.com/hellofromelsewhere . Visit our store at www.teespring.com/stores/hello-from-elsewhere . Hello from Elsewhere is a proud member of WBNE. For more great podcasts, visit www.wbne.org . References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mEBaOw0ppBUmlrFaX36LKHh2xEX-WgFWDTOqP5hUTRs/edit?usp=sharing

SPOILERS AHEAD for The Rise of Skywalker! Star Wars contains myriad names, and in this episode, Valerie and Casey discuss names and their symbolism in the galaxy far, far away, from Palpatine to Solo to Skywalker (not to mention Therm Scissorpunch). Plus, Valerie shares how many real-world babies are named "Leia" and "Darth" each year, and Casey starts a petition to get Steve Zahn to play an adult baby Yoda. Also, our Patreon page is now live: visit www.patreon.com/hellofromelsewhere . Hello from Elsewhere is a proud member of WBNE. For more great podcasts, visit www.wbne.org . Store: www.teespring.com/stores/hello-from-elsewhere

Valerie and Casey share the biggest news of all the news!

Broadcasting from an old chimney, Valerie and Casey debate whether Santa Claus is a Wizard or a Jedi. Is the North Pole on another planet? Does Santa's bag have an undetectable extension charm? We discuss these questions (and more) from the perspective of both Star Wars and Harry Potter. Plus, the hosts share their 3 favorite movies of the 2010s! Engage with Hello from Elsewhere on Twitter and Instagram @elsewhere_pod.