Hope Strikes Back

Hope Strikes Back

By Hope Strikes Back MediaSociety & Culture
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Hope Strikes Back episodes

  • Resolutions Reassessed

    Making a New Year's resolution is a great way to change something in your life for the better. Whether it's going to the gym, eating healthier, or saving more money New Year's seems to be an excellent jumping off point for many people to better themselves. Unfortunately, those who do resolve to make improvements, whether they be large or small, tend to give up after only a few weeks. In fact, according to U.S. News, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. The odds are definitely not in your favor.

    So what can you do? Obviously, if you're setting a New Year's resolution, there is something that you want to change. Well, that's where we come in. Listen this week as our hosts talk about different ways to help regain the focus that you had when resolved to do the thing. (That's why this episode is airing in March and not in January.) They also share their experiences with setting goals and literally running towards them and how that can help with achieving your resolutions.

    Do you usually set New Year's resolutions? How successful are you in keeping them? Let us know, or send any other thoughts you may have on this episode to us at [email protected]. You can also message us on Twitter or Facebook. We’d love to discuss your feedback on our next show!

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    29 min
  • Don't Be SAD

    Seasonal Affective Disorder, sometimes known as SAD, and commonly called “seasonal depression,” is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons. It generally starts in the late fall or early winter and ends once spring and summer arrive. While depressive episodes linked to the summer do occur, they are much less common than winter episodes of SAD.

    If you’ve ever listened to our show, you know that our panelists are no stranger to depression. They’re also no stranger to seasonal depression. Listen as they share their experience on batting the winter blues. They discuss how knowing that winter is coming affects them and those they love, and what they do to make it through the coldest months of the year.

    If you or someone you know struggles with seasonal depression, don't brush off that yearly feeling as just a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. There are different treatment options available that can be used either by themselves or in conjunction with one another. 

    • Medication
    • Light therapy
    • Psychotherapy
    • Vitamin D
    • Exercise

    You can find out more about Seasonal Affective Disorder here.

    Do you have any experience with seasonal depression that you would be willing to share? Or maybe you just have some thoughts on this episode. Feel free to send them to us at [email protected]. You can also leave a comment below or message us on Twitter or Facebook. We’d love to discuss your feedback on our next show, and we’re more than happy to keep things anonymous. 

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    35 min
  • FanX 2018 - Sal Velluto

    Sal Velluto first broke into comics drawing Power Pack for Marvel way back in 1988. Since then, he’s worked on a number of titles for the publisher including Moon Knight, The Silver Surfer, and a 32 issue run on Black Panther to name a few. He has also worked with a number of other publishers including Acclaim, CrossGen, and many others. Sal eventually landed at DC Comics where he helped create Justice League Task Force. He additionally also worked on various issues of Justice League of America and Justice Society of America as well as some occasional work on Aquaman and The Flash. Since 2007, he has been one of the main artists on The Phantom stories produced for the Swedish Fantomen comic book.

    Last September, Sal was at FanX 2018 in Salt Lake City and took a few minutes to chat with us. Listen as he discusses his time with Marvel, what seeing Black Panther on the big screen meant to him, and what it was like stepping in as an artist on a beloved character with a very long history.

    You can keep up with all of Sal’s goings-on by following him on Twitter. Be sure to also check out his website here for more information.

    Do you have any thoughts that you’d like to share with us? Send an email to us at [email protected] letting us know. You can also leave a comment below or message us on Twitter or Facebook. We’d love to hear what you think!

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    9 min
  • Addiction And Recovery With Spence Checketts
    Spence Checketts is one of the 15 million Americans who struggles with an alcohol use disorder. As one of the hosts of "The Big Show" on 1280 The Zone in Salt Lake City, and as the voice of the Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake pre, half, and post-game shows, it seemed like he had it all. But then one day, he made a bad decision that cost him almost everything. Spence recently took some time to chat with us regarding his struggles with alcohol addiction and what took place on that day that changed everything. In this honest and candid conversation, we discuss his journey from growing up in the NBA to his successful career in sports radio and how he's bouncing back from going from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. And what kind of show would we be if we didn't talk about the Utah Jazz? The answer: not a very good one. (Spoiler... We talk Utah Jazz basketball.) If you want more of Spence, give him a follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Also, be sure to check out his new podcast, Reality Check with Spence Checketts, wherever podcasts are found. You'll be glad that you did.

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    52 min
  • Christmas Movie Roundup
    The holidays are here and with them comes an influx of new movies. But what's even better is that we now have the excuse to pull out our favorite Christmas movies from our collections. (It just doesn't seem right to watch A Christmas Story or Elf in the middle of July.) This week we have a full panel and each of them are eager to discuss their favorite holiday films. From Home Alone to Die Hard, the modern classics are all discussed. And what would a discussion about Christmas movies be without talking about copyright laws, piracy, and It's a Wonderful Life? If you're looking for some recommendations of what to watch this year with your friends and family, or maybe just your cat, this is an episode that you definitely want hear. What are your favorite Christmas/holiday films? Are there movies that you watch every year or could you not be bothered? And where do you stand on Die Hard? Is it a Christmas movie or not? Send us an email to [email protected]) letting us know. You can also leave a comment below or message us on Twitter or Facebook. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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    40 min
  • Adopting Trouble
    Every so often a movie comes along that is not only highly entertaining but also full of wit and humor while touching on a sensitive (and dark) subject. Adopting Trouble is one of those movies. The film is a story about married couple Nick, an ex-con, and Maryanne, a devoted Christian, who are determined to start a family. It's soon discovered that they can’t due to medical reasons. To make matters worse, they are also unable to adopt because Nick is a convicted felon. Desperate to have children, they kidnap Andrea, a pregnant, career-driven, single woman scheduled to have an abortion, as part of a scheme to force her to have her baby for them. The writer, Blake Casselman, and the writer/director, Lee Gardner, of Adopting Trouble recently took some time out of their busy schedules to sit down with our panel and discuss the movie. Listen as they share behind the scenes stories, discuss the filmmaking process, and talk about what they hope to do with the film in the future. If you enjoy movies, or if you just want a good laugh, this is a conversation that you don't want to miss! Adopting Trouble won the highest Comedy Feature Film award at the 2016 WorldFest Houston International Film Festival and a Best Narrative Film Award at the Covellite International Film Festival in Montana so you know it's good. It is currently available to either rent or buy online. Visit Rare Legend Films website or the Adopting Trouble Facebook page for more information. Have you seen Adopting Trouble yet? What did you think of it? Send us an email to [email protected]) letting us know. You can also leave a comment below or message us on Twitter or Facebook. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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    51 min
  • Music That Inspires
    It's been said that music can calm the savage beast. However, that quote is wrong. The actual quote comes from the play The Mourning Bride, by William Congreve is and says "music has charms to soothe a savage breast" meaning that music has the power to enchant even the roughest of people. Music is also an inspiring, powerful tool. From getting you pumped at the gym to helping set "the mood," music can be used to manipulate emotions and invoke specific feelings. Dick Clark once said that "Music is the soundtrack of your life." This week, our panel discusses which music makes up the soundtracks of their lives. From "Weird Al" Yankovic, to Queen, to Foo Fighters, there is a lot of diversity and a lot of fun discussion about all genres. Now that you know what music makes up the soundtracks of our lives, what music makes your soundtrack? Is there music that you love but can only listen to when you're in a certain mood? And what's your go-to playlist look, or rather sound like? Send us an email ([email protected]) letting us know. You can also leave a comment below or message us on Twitter or Facebook. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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    41 min
  • Be Thankful
    Thanksgiving Day is nearly upon us. For many, it's a day to spend time with loved ones, eat a once-a-year meal, and maybe watch football or start Christmas shopping. It's also a day that has been celebrated since the time of the pilgrims in Plymouth to give thanks for our many blessings. On this episode, our panel discusses just how good they have it. They also share some tips for how we can develop an attitude of thankfulness in our daily lives. Whether we realize it or not, we always have something to be grateful for, even if we have to stretch to find what it is. What are some things in your life that you're thankful for? Do you have any tips or tricks for reminding yourself of these things? Send us an email ([email protected]) letting us know. You can also leave a comment below or message us on Twitter or Facebook. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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    29 min
  • Stan Lee Remembered
    Stan Lee, the legendary comic book writer, and creator passed away nearly a week ago, yet his legacy lives on. He was 95 years old, and in failing health, yet his death has shocked many and sent ripples throughout the world as those who were impacted by his life reflect on his legacy. While there's nothing that we can say that others haven't said already, Stan Lee has had a major impact on everything that we do here at Hope Strikes Back. And on this week's episode, we discuss his life and the impact that he had on not only comic books but the entire pop culture landscape. "I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: Entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it, they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain people, you’re doing a good thing." ~Stan Lee After you've listened to this episode and heard our thoughts on Stan Lee's life and legacy, please let us know what you think. Send us an email ([email protected]) letting us know. You can also leave a comment below or message us on Twitter or Facebook. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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    33 min
  • FanX 2018 - Dave Butler
    D.J. Butler (Dave) is a novelist living in the Rocky Mountain West. His training is in law, and he worked as a securities lawyer at a major international firm and in-house at two multinational semiconductor manufacturers before taking up writing fiction. He is a lover of language and languages, a guitarist and self-recorder, and a serious reader. He is also a great guy that we were able to catch up with at FanX 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah.Listen as Dave talks about his new novel, Witchy Winter, the sequel to the epic fantasy Witchy Eye. He also manages to sneak in a history lesson regarding the Defenestration of Prague before discussing his newest children's book, The Library Machine which is the third book in his The Extraordinary Journeys of Clockwork Charlie series.You can keep up with all of Dave’s goings-on by following him on Twitter (@DavidJohnButler). .

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    5 min

About Hope Strikes Back

From the publisher's feed

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