Never underestimate the power of a good story—both on and beyond the screen. From championing queer voices to the magic of a good soundtrack, our friend Mario Ongkiko joins us to discuss what makes Gaya sa Pelikula so good, and so important.

SPOILER ALERT: this episode discusses the Globe Studios YouTube (…and Netflix) series Gaya sa Pelikula (Like in the Movies).

Join the conversation! Find us on Twitter: @InMediasMess

Find Mario: Twitter / Instagram

Gaya sa Pelikula: Watch / Read / Listen

Music for In Medias Mess by Sage Ilagan.

Art for In Medias Mess by Bea Magbanua.

It’s the new year! And things haven’t changed overnight, but new beginnings are always a good opportunity for growth. This week, we’re taking a closer look at the media we consume, how we consume them, and what we can all do to be better about it.

Join the conversation! Find us on Twitter: @InMediasMess

Music for In Medias Mess by Sage Ilagan.

Art for In Medias Mess by Bea Magbanua.

2020 was, to put it lightly, very bad... which means that art and media was all the more important in helping us all get through it. This week, we're taking a moment to say thank you to the mass media that's brought us joy, comfort, and knowledge through this absolute trash fire of a year.

Join the conversation! Find us on Twitter: @InMediasMess

Music for In Medias Mess by Sage Ilagan.

Art for In Medias Mess by Bea Magbanua.

Books: our first great media love, thanks to an appreciation for English classes and access to some incredible literature. This week, we’re throwing back to our high school (…and fourth grade) selves and gushing about the hidden gems of required reading that have stayed with us through the years.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode discusses the novels Ella Enchanted, Without Seeing the Dawn, and Things Fall Apart.

Join the conversation! Find us on Twitter: @InMediasMess

Music for In Medias Mess by Sage Ilagan.

Art for In Medias Mess by Bea Magbanua.

From Holly Golightly to Summer Finn, the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope has been around for generations. Have we finally moved past the need for them, or have we misunderstood these characters all along? Our friend Shawn Lee joins us as we look at the rise, life, and decline of the MPDG.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode discusses the films (500) Days of Summer, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and Scott Pilgrim vs The World; and the Netflix series Sex Education.

Join the conversation! Find us on Twitter: @InMediasMess

Find Shawn: Twitter / Instagram

Music for In Medias Mess by Sage Ilagan.

Art for In Medias Mess by Bea Magbanua.

Five years into their “hiatus” and One Direction remains one of the most recognized names in modern pop music—and with good reason. It’s our first Discography Deep Dive as we take a closer look at the music gifted to us by the world’s biggest boy band.

P.S. Up All Night was released in 2011. Sorry about that!

We’ve put together a 1D playlist for ya! Check it out here.

Join the conversation! Find us on Twitter: @InMediasMess

Music for In Medias Mess by Sage Ilagan.

Art for In Medias Mess by Bea Magbanua.

From childhood Dora the Explorer comparisons to acting out the Lizzie McGuire Movie concert scene, we all have staple childhood media favorites. But do they still matter when we’re all grown up? This week, we’re taking a closer look at ourselves by looking at the characters that shaped us.

Join the conversation! Find us on Twitter: @InMediasMess

Music for In Medias Mess by Sage Ilagan.

Art for In Medias Mess by Bea Magbanua.

It’s only fitting that our first episode has both of us in full nerd mode over the power (and production value) of good stories. We’re revisiting some old favorites in this one, so heed the spoiler warnings as we take a closer look at the ins, outs, cost, and magic of multi-platform storytelling.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode discusses the YouTube web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and Norwegian teen drama series Skam.

Join the conversation! Find us on Twitter: @InMediasMess

Music for In Medias Mess by Sage Ilagan.

Art for In Medias Mess by Bea Magbanua.

Welcome to In Medias Mess, a show where two pop culture nerds try to make sense of the messy world of mass media. Catch new episodes every Saturday (ish) and join the conversation over on our Twitter!

Follow In Medias Mess: twitter.com/inmediasmess