In this episode, professors Colin and Henry, along with T.L. Taylor, Director of the MIT Game Lab, explore the rise of game studies as an academic field. Taylor shares her journey from studying virtual worlds in the 90s to becoming an expert in live streaming and eSports, shedding light on gaming's cultural impact and academic challenges.

They delve into the interactive relationship between game designers and players, examining how games reflect socio-technical systems. The conversation also touches on eSports, its growth into a major profession, and the influence of game developers and venture capital.

The episode wraps up with a discussion on the broader concept of play, including theme parks and the desire for "re-enchantment" in everyday life, highlighting the intersection of games, play, and self-expression.

Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

Games Mentioned
Everquest
World of Warcraft 
I Love Bees
The Beast

Important Concepts in Games
Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs)
Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs)
Minmaxer

T.L. Taylor publications
Watch Me Play: Twitch and the Rise of Game Live Streaming
Raising the Stakes: E-Sports and the Professionalization of Computer Gaming
Play Between Worlds: Exploring Online Game Culture
Games Matter (Knight Foundation)

Other Research Mentioned
Pew research on gaming, 2017
Nancy Baym and Jean Burgess, Twitter: A Biography (hashtags as a user-generated intervention)
Alice Marwick (networked harassment)
Eric von Hippel (innovation)
Jane McGonigal, Why I Love Bees: A Case Study in Collective Intelligence
Chris Weaver, ‘Elder Scrolls 6’: How the Series Became a Hit With Elderly Gamers
Jean Beaudrillard
Bruno Bettelheim

Other Mentions
Twitch
Twitch Top Streamers 2024

Gamergate

World Cyber Games

USC Esports
UC Irvine Esports

Sherry Turkle, also see Episode 89: Sherry Turkle on Empathy and the Narratives That Shape Our Lives, and her book Life on the Screen

Cory Doctorow Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom ; also check out our previous Episode 45: “Radicalized” with Cory Doctorow

Check out our previous Episode 92: Disney Theme Parks with Rebecca Williams and Lauren Sowa

This Is What U.S. Presidents Would Look Like With Mullets, According to AI (Newsweek) 

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In this episode, we chat with Charlie Jenkins, whose lifelong passion for wrestling sparked a remarkable journey into writing. He started writing fan fiction around the age of five, dictating stories for his father to type on the computer. In high school he became an active player and game master in e-wrestling, an online roleplaying game that allowed fans to write their own pro wrestling characters and storylines, and now Charlie has crafted a unique voice in wrestling literature. His novel American Wrestling 1989 fills a niche in wrestling-related fiction, weaving together the complex narratives of individuals in the industry and capturing the vibrant essence of 1980s wrestling beyond traditional sports stories.

We explore the emergence of wrestling fiction as a genre, influenced by the mainstream success of wrestling personalities and Charlie’s own experiences working with a small wrestling franchise. The conversation examines how American wrestling shapes cultural narratives and its global representation, alongside the transformative role of WWE and Vince McMahon in the industry's evolution. 

Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

Charlie Jenkins’ book: American Wrestling, 1989 buy on Amazon, Audible

Clips featured in the episode:

The Undertaker
Dusty Rhodes
Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger address Glenn Beck

Wrestlers Mentioned

• The Undertaker and his instagram
• Hulk Hogan
• Dwayne Johnson and his instagram
• John Cena
• Dave Bautista
• Rick Flair
• Dusty Rhodes
• Yokozuna
• Bret Hart
• Mick Foley
• Gorgeous George
• Anthony Bowens
• Sonya Deville 
• Shayna Baszler 
• Toni Storm
• Nyla Rose
• Sonny Kiss
• Becky Lynch
• Jake Hager

Creature From the Black Lagoon (movie)

Pee-wee Herman

WWF Superstars of Wrestling
Young Rock  (watch on NBC)
Heels (watch on Netflix)
GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling - watch on Netflix)
Masters of the Universe (watch on Netflix)

Cirque du Soleil

The WWE and AEW

Lucha VaVoom de La Liz

Wayne Cowan

Vince McMahon
McMahon Family
Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America, by Abraham Riesman

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the evolution of food television, from the early days of simple, instructional shows to today's diverse and dynamic culinary landscape. We'll explore how icons like Betty Crocker shaped early cooking programs, empowering women in the kitchen, and how trailblazers like Julia Child, Emeril Lagasse, and Guy Fieri pushed boundaries—changing not just how we cook, but how we see race and gender in food media.

We’ll also journey into the origins of Iron Chef, its impact on Asian identity, and how it became a global cultural phenomenon. Plus, we’ll reflect on the genre's transition to streaming, where shows like Chef’s Table have brought a more artistic, inclusive approach to the culinary world. And as food competition shows shift from cutthroat to kind, what does the future hold for food media?

Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

Books by Tasha Oren: Food TV ; Global Asian American Popular Cultures

Joyce Chen

Eddie Wang

David Chang 

The Evolution of Television Formats

MasterChef Junior: Watch on Hulu

Project Runway: Watch on Netflix, IMDb

Survivor: Watch on CBS

Julia Child
Julia Child’s The French Chef by Dana Polan
The French Chef with Julia Child
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum ; Julia Child clip

Emeril Lagasse ; Emeril Live clip

Iron Chef ; Netflix Trailer

Wall Street (1987 film)

Hillary Clinton and the Return of the (Unbaked) Cookies - New York Times
Hillary Clinton explains "Bake cookies" remark April 1992 - Dailymotion

Betty Crocker - history; Betty Crocker on the radio

Guy Fieri 

Food Network 

Curtis Aiken 

Mind of a Chef: Watch on Youtube, IMDb

Chef’s Table trailer; Watch on Netflix, IMDb

Jeff Yang's new book, The Golden Screen

William Shatner 

Hell's Kitchen: Watch on FOX, IMDb
Gordon Ramsay on Hot Ones

Baking Impossible trailer

The Great British Bake Off

Bong Appetit: Trailer; Watch on Youtube, IDMb
Vanessa Lavorato & Miguel Trinidad (Bong Appetit) - The Smokebox
Cooking with Cannabis

Bake Squad trailer

The Bear trailer: Watch on Hulu, IMDb

Simply Sara (YouTube)

Check out our previous Episode 61: Broken Bread with Chef Roy Choi and KCET’s Juan Devis

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of Barry, a visionary who started as an aspiring theme park ride designer and evolved into a groundbreaking toy creator and educator. We explore how divergent and convergent thinking shape creativity, and how toys serve as more than just playthings – they're tools for limitless imagination. From Lego’s transformation to society’s expectations on toy use, we challenge the restrictions imposed on children’s creative freedom. Discover how kids naturally hybridize toys like Barbies and action figures, and why the industry’s focus on specialization might be stifling their innovation. We also examine the role of franchising in shaping toy creativity, and dive into the often-overlooked world of industrial design, pondering how media could elevate its visibility. And yes, we even touch on poop technology! 

Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

x.com/kudrowitz

design.umn.edu/directory/barry-m-kudrowitz

Sparking Creativity: How Play and Humor Fuel Innovation and Design

MIT East Campus: Building Tradition with an East Campus Roller Coaster

David Robert Wallace

Nerf Super Soaker

Comparative Media Studies Degree Programs MIT

Incongruity theory of humor

Jake The Dog Adventure Time Handmade Plush Toys (12 inches)

The Lego Movie

Harry Potter™ Toys and Gifts | Official LEGO® Shop US

Rocket Racoon

Tinkerer

Burn Notice

Sherlock Holmes (2009 film)

Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking: Finding Balance [2024] • Asana

Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking

Pretend Play Toys and Play Sets

Home | Official LEGO® Shop US

The LEGO Movie (theme)

Toy Story | Official Disney Site

Weird Barbie – Barbie The Movie

Soakies

The 'Unitasker' Kitchen Gadgets Alton Brown Loves To Loathe

Will It Waffle?

Top 20 toys

What is Incremental Innovation?

Furby

Tamagotchi

MrBeast Lab Collection

Flamin' Hot

Air

Tetris

Play Tetris | Free Online Game

BlackBerry

Project Runway

RuPaul's Drag Race

RuPaul's Drag Race (@rupaulsdragrace) • Instagram photos and videos

Junkyard Wars

Scattergories

The History of Poop Is Really the History of Technology

How your poop can help train AI 

Erik Erikson

Erikson's Stages of Development

Squatty Potty

Toilets of the World - Harvard Book Store

Pooping Rainbow Soft Serve Unicorn

squattypotty.com/products/dookie-plush-unicorn?srsltid=AfmBO…DQkq

Dude Wipes

This Shark Tank winner has a $1 billion plan to replace toilet paper

Shark Tank Success: Dude Wipes Flush The Competition

TUSHY - The Modern & Sustainable Bidet Company

The best bidets of 2024, tested by editors | CNN Underscored

PRISTINE Toilet Paper Spray: As Seen on Shark Tank, the More Natural Alternative to Flushable Wet Wipes & Personal Cleansing Wipes, Spray Toilet Paper to Create Flushable Wipe, Original 4oz

Toilet Paper Sprays | Biodegradable Flushable Wipes | Pristine Sprays

Watch The Great American Baking Show (2023) Online for Free | The Roku Channel | Roku

The Great American Baking Show (@thegreatamericanbakingshow) • Instagram photos and videos

Great British Bake Off - Homepage

Watch The Great British Bake Off

Check out our previous episode with Jackson Bird

Transmission podcast

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:

“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  

https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet

Spaceship by Lesion X 

https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Free Download / Stream: 

https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental

Free Download / Stream: 

https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship

Music promoted by Audio Library

https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Grace L. Dillon is an American academic and author. She is a professor in the Indigenous Nations Studies Program, in the School of Gender, Race, and Nations, at Portland State University. She received her PhD in literary studies with an emphasis in sixteenth-century literature, and her recent research regards Science fiction studies, especially the use of science fiction by indigenous peoples around the world. Similar to the concept of Afrofuturism, Dillon is best known for coining the term Indigenous Futurisms, which is a movement consisting of art, literature and other forms of media which express Indigenous perspectives of the past, present and future in the context of science fiction and related sub-genres. Dillon is the editor of Walking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigenous Science Fiction, which is the first anthology of Indigenous science fiction short stories, published by the University of Arizona Press in 2012. Previously, Dillon has edited Hive of Dreams: Contemporary Science Fiction from the Pacific Northwest, which was published in 2003 by Oregon State University Press. This is an anthology of science fiction from writers living in the Pacific Northwest, and features works from authors such as Greg Bear, Octavia Butler, and Molly Gloss. She also coedited The Routledge Handbook of CoFuturisms with Taryne Jade Taylor, Isiah Lavender III, and Bodhisattva Chattopadhyay. Here, we discuss with Grace her origins into science fiction and the mentorships she received from the distinguished feminist science fiction writer, Ursula K. LaGuin. We define the concept of Indigenous Futurisms and its origins, taking time to understand the representation of the future and of tradition and what indigenous scientists have taught us about environmental sustainability. She also discusses the genre in other media, including film, television, and graphic novels, all of which are experiencing the growth of native contributions in recent years.

Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

In the article that inspired the episode, friend of the podcast Jeff Yang wrote about indigenous responses to James Cameron’s Avatar:
Opinion: The awkward truth about the new ‘Avatar’ is far bigger than its bottom line | CNN

Grace Dillon Books
Walking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigeneous Science Fiction
The Routledge Handbook on Co-Futurisms

Her Mentor:
Ursula K. LaGuin
The Dispossessed

Futurisms and other Science Fiction Subgenres:
Indigenous Futurisms
Afrofuturism
African Futurisms
Gulf Futurisms
Israeli Futurisms
Asian Futurism
Latinx Futurism
Native Time Slips
Alternate Histories
Splatterpunk
Slipstream

Roots of Afrofuturism:
Mark Dery; Flame Wars
Samuel R. Delaney
Tricia Rose
Alondra Nelson
Nnedi Okorafor

Indigenous cultures and policies:
UNDRIP
Two Spirit
Lost generations
Mi’kmaq Language
Crystal Echo Hawk

Native Science and Scientists:
Gregory Cajete
High context vs low context science
Robin Wall Kimmerer; Braiding Sweetgrass
Global Weirdness
Spiral to the Stars
Kyle Whyte
Indigenous Mobilities
Anthropocene

Literary Works (including Graphic Novels):
Moon of the Crusted Snow
Louise Erdich; Future Home of the Living God
Claire G. Colman; Terra Nullius
Sherman Alexie
Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection

Film and Television:
Reservation Dogs
Molly of Denali
Taika Waititi
Night Raiders
Jeff Barnaby
File Under Miscellaneous
Resident Alien;  “Radio Harry”
Helen Haig Brown
The Cave
Wayne Blair; Cleverman
Alien races on Star Trek
Richard Dreyfuss

Further Resources suggested by Grace Dillon:
Indigenous Community: Rekindling the Teachings of the Seventh Fire by Gregory Cajete (2015)
Sandtalk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World by Tyson Yunkaporta (2020)
Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science by Jessica Hernandez (2022)
We Rise: The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement that Restores the Planet by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (2017)
Welp: Climate Change and Arctic Identities by Michaela Stith (2021)
Daniel H. Wilson – Robopocalypse; Robogenesis
Rebecca Roanhorse
Antlers – Directed by Scott Cooper (2021)

Check out these previous episodes:

Episode 73: Increasing Visibility is Existential for Native Communities, with Crystal Echo Hawk
Episode 83: Indigenous Voices for Environmental Justice with Candis Callison & Julian Brave NoiseCat

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Caty Borum, Executive Director of the Center for Media & Social Impact and Provost Associate Professor in the School of Communication at American University, joins us again to discuss her new book, The Revolution Will Be Hilarious: Comedy for Social Change and Civic Power. Starting with what Caty finds funny and how she uses comedy as part of her practice as an educator, we go on to talk about how comedy can allow us to approach territory where we feel uncomfortable and provide a forum to share the diversity of our lived experiences. Drawing on Caty’s experiences working with comedy writers and comedians, we explore what’s necessary to create comedy that engages audiences around societal issues and helps move social change. Of course, we couldn’t resist sampling some of Caty’s favorite clips along the way, which are linked below.

Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

Caty Borum - Center for Media and Social Impact
The Revolution Will Be Hilarious: Comedy for Social Change and Civic Power (2023, NYU Press)
Author Caty Borum discusses how comedy will fuel the future of social change (WAMU)
A Comedian and an Activist Walk into a Bar: The Serious Role of Comedy in Social Justice (2020, Univ of California Press)
Story Movements: How Documentaries Empower People and Inspire Social Change (2020, Oxford University Press)
Yes, And...Laughter Lab

Some of the videos we talked about:
Inside Amy Schumer - Season 4, Episode 3: "Guy-gles"
Georgia Tech - Freshman Convocation - Epic Welcome Speech
Life's a F***ing Fantasy for Santos - A Randy Rainbow Parody
You're Welcome America: Episode 3 Mental Health
Ain't Your Mama's Heat Wave | Official Trailer | Think 100% FILMS
The Hammer - Comedian Corey Forrester
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Reservation Dogs

Also, see the ongoing list of Guest Hosts for The Daily Show (and watch episodes) HERE

And check out our previous episodes:
Taking risks: Comedy as Tool for Social Justice, with Caty Borum
Play as a Precursor to Participation, with Reanne Estrada and Benjamin Stokes

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In addition to being Henry’s former dissertation advisee, Meryl Alper is am an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies (College of Arts, Media, and Design) and Affiliate Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (Bouvé College of Health Sciences) at Northeastern University. At Northeastern, she studies  the social, cultural, and health implications of communication technologies, with a focus on disability, digital media, and children and families’ technology use. Her books include Digital Youth with Disabilities (MIT Press, 2014) and Giving Voice: Mobile Communication, Disability, and Inequality (MIT Press, 2017), which was awarded a 2018 PROSE Award Honorable Mention from the Association of American Publishers and the 2018 Outstanding Publication in the Sociology of Disability Award from the American Sociological Association. Her latest book, Kids Across the Spectrums: Growing Up Autistic in the Digital Age (MIT Press, 2023), explores the media and technology practices of young people on the autism spectrum, as well as what it means to be “social” in a socially mediated world.

She also drew on her professional experience in educational children’s media as a researcher, strategist, and consultant with Sesame Workshop, PBS KIDS, Nickelodeon, and Disney. In this conversation, we explore basic concepts such as “spectrum” and “neurodiversity” and what they mean for parents living with autistic children. We learn more about the methodologies she uses to learn more about families living with autism and how she incorporates the perspective of the children themselves in her research. We consider the role of schools and parents in helping to create a world where such students thrive. Above all, we dig deeper into their relationship with media, ranging from the ways media creates sensory experiences to the importance of games, from adaptive technology to fandom. We also consider how autistic people get represented across a range of media properties. And we close with the issue of what she would change about the world if she had magic powers.

Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

Meryl Alper

Meryl Alper  interviewed on Imagine Otherwise podcast 
Kids Across the Spectrums: Growing Up Autistic in the Digital Age
Giving Voice: Mobile Communication, Disability, and Inequality
Digital Youth with Disabilities 
T is for Transmedia

Debates about spectrum 
Neurodiversity
Fandom and Neurodiversity
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Other Researchers
Bruno Bettelheim
Sue Fletcher-Watson 
Steve Silverman – Neurotribes 
Kathryn Ringland 
Marshall McLuhan 

Media Mentioned
Autcraft
Roblox 
Big Bang Theory
Community
Atypical
The Good Doctor
Rain Man
Sia – Music
Heartbreak High – Chloe Hadden
“Loop”
The Good Fight
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Wonder
Warrior Cats
PBS Kids
Hero Elementary

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

This week we’re joined by USC Faculty colleagues Alison Trope, Clinical Professor of Communication, and DJ Johnson, Associate Professor of Practice, Cinematic Arts. Together they direct the Critical Media Project (CMP), a free media literacy web resource for educators and students (ages 8-21) that enhances young people’s critical thinking and empathy, and builds on their capacities to advocate for change around questions of identity. The website includes around 700 pieces of media and wraparound pedagogical resources that focus on seeing across difference, in order to surface questions that can then be addressed in the open. It can be used independently, and is also aligned with the Common Core for use in schools. Throughout this episode we’ll listen to media examples with Alison & DJ to discuss how CMP works and how it can be used.

Alison and DJ begin by telling us about their own media backgrounds, and how they reconcile their own positionality in these issues of identity when teaching and bring that conversation into the classroom, so it can become a shared space of engagement for all. After digging into some of the areas of identity currently tackled by CMP, we discuss how students and educators have engaged with it, both by using the resources as well as creating their own media, and through their latest curricular project, the fully-online Critical Makers Lab.

Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

Alison Trope
DJ Johnson
Critical Media Project
Critical Makers Lab
CMP DIY Activities:
I am, but I'm not...
Making Change
Mapping My World + Community
Identity Collage

Applying the Common Core - Critical Media Project

Alison & DJ’s childhood TV favorites:
Wonder Woman (TV Series 1975–1979) - IMDb
Charlie's Angels (TV Series 1976–1981) - IMDb
CHiPs (TV Series 1977–1983) - IMDb
Battle of the Planets (TV Series 1978–1980) - IMDb

Videos we watched and discussed, as they appear with discussion questions on the CMP site:
Zootopia - Press Conference Scene
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story | TED Talk
Rise (dinner table)
I'm Trans, But I'm Not
Ships at a Distance

Also mentioned:
educator, author, and media literacy advocate Renee Hobbs
W.E.B Du Bois’s 1890s infographics

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Robeson Taj Frazier is an associate professor of communication and director of IDEA (the Institute for Diversity and Empowerment at Annenberg), as well as the author of The East is Black: Cold War China in the Black Radical Imagination and KAOS Theory: The Afrokosmic Ark of Ben Caldwell, and producer of IT'S YOURS: A Story About Hip-Hop and the Internet and Hip-Hop and the Metaverse on PBS. Reflecting on his roots and early influences, he takes us through his journey from New Jersey to China to academia, having produced both books and multimedia along the way.

Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

Robeson Taj Frazier
IDEA: Institute for Diversity & Empowerment @ Annenberg

Books:
The East Is Black: Cold War China in the Black Radical Imagination
KAOS Theory: The Afrokosmic Ark of Ben Caldwell

Film/TV:
IT'S YOURS documentary
Hip-Hop and the Metaverse | PBS

Early influences:
Mr T. as B.A. Baracus on the A-Team
GI Joe
Jem
August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson with Charles S. Dutton
Watermelon Man

American Culture in China (1990s):
Mariah Carey / Yanni
W.E.B. DuBois
Paul Robeson
Discman
Darlie toothpaste

Marguerite de Bourgoing

The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl (Issa Rae)

Tricia Rose

Lupe Fiasco

Roblox

Ben Caldwell / KAOS Network:
Project Blowed, a workshop space utilized by:
The Pharcyde, Freestyle Fellowship, Doja Cat, Kendrick Lamar
Leimert Phone Company project

MIT Radiation Laboratory history / video

Welcome to Meta

Second Life

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  
https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X 
https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: 
https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: 
https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library 
https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

As a former volunteer and later employee of Fandom Forward (what was then called The Harry Potter Alliance) and a transgender man, Jackson Bird’s feelings about Harry Potter have certainly evolved, especially given the extremely divisive statements JK Rowling has made about the transgender community. He shares how what was once an important part of his identity has faded away and why, as well as how he feels about his memoir four years later and what he’s working on now.

Here are some of the references from this episode for those who want to dig a little deeper:

Jackson Bird

Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place (A Transgender Memoir) (Simon & Schuster)

Jackson Bird - YouTube

Cool Stuff Ride Home podcast

First Draft Theater newsletter

The Infinite Wrench — The New York Neo-Futurists

Henry’s writing about the Harry Potter Alliance:
"Cultural acupuncture": Fan activism and the Harry Potter Alliance

Wizard Rock

Fandom Forward > (formerly The Harry Potter Alliance)

Jackson Bird: ‘Harry Potter’ Helped Me Come Out as Trans, But J.K. Rowling Disappointed Me (NY Times Opinion)

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling podcast

Judy Blume clarifies J.K. Rowling remarks: ‘I wholly support the trans community’ (The Hill)

Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival

Florida Anti-Trans Legislation

Rick Riordan on Trans Youth and LGBTQ Characters

Harry Potter TV Series

Fan Petition Against “platforming” Rowling

‘Grapevine’: An original podcast from NBC News Studios - a story about fringe religious movements trying to remake the American education system based on their biblical values

Velshi Banned Book Club on Apple Podcasts

Pottermore 

Moving Trans History Forward Conference

Amazon Erases Orwell Books From Kindle Devices - The New York Times

Episode 101: BBSs and Early Internet Communities with Author Kevin Driscoll

Episode  69: The Power of Fan Activism with Janae Phillips and Shawn Taylor

By Any Media Necessary: The New Youth Activism (NYU Press)

Scholastic criticized for optional diverse book section - ABC News

Scholastic Backtracks on Isolating Works on Race and Gender at Book Fair - The New York Times

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin, and the How Do You Like It So Far? team! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music & Additional Audio:
HBO Harry Potter Series announcement video

The Witch Trials of JK Rowling podcast

Shania Twain - Man! I Feel Like A Woman

“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected].

Music:
“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––