Ivory Tower Boiler Room

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Hey, true crime friends! In the second episode of Death in the Dorms, we learn about the murder of Christian Aguilar- a freshman at the University of Florida who studied biomechanical engineering. Sadly, his death is another example of how you are more likely to be murdered by someone you know. 

Sources:

Death in the Dorms episode 2

https://thecinemaholic.com/christian-aguilar-murder-where-is-pedro-bravo-now/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christian-aguilar-update-slain-university-of-florida-student-was-poisoned-records-show/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/christian-aguilar-murdere_n_2143844

https://heavy.com/news/christian-aguilar-murder/

Listen to the rest of the episode by joining the ITBR Cafe for only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom

Andrew is joined with a fellow Andrew, Dr. Jeffrey Andrew Weinstock who is a professor of English at Central Michigan University, where he teaches American literature and popular culture. Right away, he explains why the Horror and Gothic texts (including literature, film, and TV) fall under the rubric of Pop Culture. Then he lays out his own rubric for what classifies a piece of art as pop culture. First, something seen as part of pop culture must include a low barrier to participate. Jeffrey explains why it's so important to break away from the binary of high brow versus low brow culture! 

Jeffrey's book "Pop Culture For Beginners" is one of the first academic books that provides theoretical language to analyze all forms of pop culture. There are so many examples of pop culture that Jeffrey and Andrew analyze throughout this episode, including a multitude of Stephen King's fiction and film adaptations (we're looking at you "Carrie"). Jeffrey explains that an erosion has occurred between academic elite culture and pop culture! 

But we're only just getting started, and on the ITBR Cafe, you'll hear our thoughts on The White Lotus, Desperate Housewives, The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, The Haunting of Hill House, Wednesday, and Lovecraft Country. Jeffrey even discusses his fascination and obsession with The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Join the ITBR Cafe (patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom). 

Get your hands on Jeffrey's "Pop Culture For Beginners" and "The Mad Scientist's Guide to Composition" on Broadview Press' site: 

https://broadviewpress.com/product/pop-culture-for-beginners/

https://broadviewpress.com/product/the-mad-scientists-guide-to-composition/

Follow Jeffrey on Instagram, @jeffreyweinstock. 

Read more about Jeffrey's work, including his books, goth music scholarship, essays, and even his DJ career: https://www.jeffreyandrewweinstock.com/

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Be sure to follow @mandeemadeit on IG!

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

Become a subscriber by going to patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom or click here.

Hey, true crime friends! For the next few weeks, we will be going through the cases on ABC/Hulu's new series Death in the Dorms. We are starting with episode one- the murder of Andrea DelVesco. Andrea DelVesco was a 21-year-old psychology student at UCLA. The day before the start of her senior year, her life was brutally and senselessly cut short. 

Sources:

Death in the Dorms Series (Episode 1)

https://www.newsweek.com/who-killed-andrea-delvesco-death-dorms-alberto-medina-1771503

https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/03/us/ucla-murder-andrea-delvesco/index.html

https://www.foxnews.com/us/killer-who-stabbed-ucla-student-19-times-gets-life-sentence-without-parole

https://heavy.com/news/2015/09/andrea-andy-delvesco-ucla-student-dead-dies-in-fire-rip-funeral-cause-of-death-murder-suspect/

https://people.com/crime/man-sentenced-to-life-for-the-murder-of-ucla-student-on-the-anniversary-of-her-stabbing-death/

Want to hear the full episode? Go to patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom or click here. 

Hey, true crime friends! Here is a sneak peek at this month's Patreon exclusive episode: The Night Stalker!

Follow True Crime in Academia on social media:

IG & TikTok: @truecrimeinacademia

Twitter: @tcinacademia

Listen to the rest of the episode, over 40 minutes, by joining the ITBR Cafe for only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom.com 

For the first time ever, Andrew is joined with a dystopian and war novelist, Zac Topping! Zac explains that his novel "Wake of War" was inspired by one question in the back of his mind...what would happen if America experienced a second Civil War? He didn't know his novel would be so timely since it was released right after January 6th, the COVID pandemic, and Trump's presidency. Andrew asks Zac whether his dystopian approach mirrors America's current political divisiveness? 

Then, Zac opens up and reflects on being a United States Army veteran and how his experience made its way into his novel. Zac answers so many questions that Andrew has about the military, including what misconceptions civilians, like Andrew, have about the military. Why are politics rarely discussed by military members, and what is meant by the word "comrade"? Zac even entertains Andrew's male homoerotic military fantasy and explains what it was like serving during "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." But, Zac is just getting started since their conversation continues on our Patreon where he talks for another 44 minutes with Andrew. He openly discusses what lessons he learned from the military and how his writing career is shaped by these experiences. Then, he provides an analysis of the phrase "Thank You For Your Service" and the weight that carries as a veteran. Listen to the rest of their conversation on the ITBR Cafe: patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom.com 

Follow Zac on Instagram, @zac_topping, and Twitter, @ZacTopping. And be sure to follow Zac's future projects on his website: https://www.zactopping.com/

Get your hands on his novel "Wake of War" here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/wake-of-war-zac-topping/17780859?ean=9781250814975

Or, listen to Roger Wayne and Sophie Amoss' powerful performance on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Wake-of-War-Audiobook/B09Z4TCS6P

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Be sure to follow @mandeemadeit on IG!

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director) and Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor)

Listen to the rest of the episode, another 25 minutes, by joining the ITBR Cafe for only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom.com 

On January 27th, the world recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and it seemed poignant and fitting to have Dr. Jake Newsome, a scholar of American and German LGBTQ+ History, join Andrew in the ITBR to discuss his new book "Pink Triangle Legacies." Jake begins by explaining why so many don't know the Nazi persecution of LGBTQ+ people and the origin story of the pink triangle. He explains why it's so important to learn about the connection between Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities during the Holocaust. Why does Jake's historical fascination with the pink triangle begin in a Buffalo gay bar? 

He explains that the Weimar Republic was such a sexually free historical moment in Germany, and why Magnus Hirschfeld, an outspoken sexologist, was such a prolific gay rights activist and how his work still resonates in 2023. Andrew asks Jake whether the legacy of the pink triangle resonates with America's current divisive political atmosphere, and he has a lot to say about this topic! 

Jake and Andrew are just getting started about the political issues happening in America, but their thoughts are so unfiltered that they recorded a bonus episode. Listen to the rest of their conversation on the ITBR Cafe: patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom.com 

Be sure to follow Jake on Instagram, @wjnewsome, and Twitter, @wjnewsome. 

Get your hands on Jake's book here, and you can even get a signed copy: https://wjakenewsome.com/book/

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Be sure to follow @mandeemadeit on IG!

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), Kimberly Dallas (Editor)

Join The Ivory Tower Boiler Room Cafe, $5 a month, to watch the video interviews and listen to bonus episodes: patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom 

What is Romantic Realism? Well, Andrew starts off his conversation with author Rochelle B. Weinstein by coining a new literary genre that he calls "Romantic Realism." Rochelle provides so much literary insight in this episode, and she first explains why after giving birth to twin boys she knew she needed to become a writer! Then, Andrew asks why Miami holds such a special place in Rochelle's literature and life. For Rochelle, Miami is not just a literary setting, it's an atmosphere for her reader. There are many laughs in this interview, including Andrew deciding he'll start a Rochelle Weinstein Gay Reader Fan Club. And then Rochelle explains why sex scenes are so fun to write! A special shout out to Josh Sabarra, who introduced Andrew to Rochelle's writing. 

Follow Rochelle on Instagram, @rochellebweinstein, and Twitter, @rochwein. 

Make sure you get your hands on Rochelle's "When We Let Go" here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-we-let-go-rochelle-b-weinstein/17777063?ean=9781662501036

Or, listen to Amanda Leigh Cobb's performance of "When We Let Go" on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/When-We-Let-Go-Audiobook/B09RN8TNTL

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Be sure to follow @mandeemadeit and @skinmedspapj (all on IG)!

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), Kimberly Dallas (Editor)

Want more True Crime in Academia? Go to www.patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom or click here.

Intro: Pisces by Anne Sophie Andersen

Hey, true crime friends! This week we are discussing a once-cold case that has recently turned red HOT. We are diving in to the murder of Minot State University freshman, Anita Knutson.

Follow True Crime in Academia on social media!

TikTok & IG: @truecrimeinacademia

Twitter: @tcinacademia

Sources:

https://thecinemaholic.com/anna-knutson-murder-how-did-she-die-who-killed-her/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anita-knutson-murder-2007-roommate-nichole-rice-arrested-minot-north-dakota/

https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/arrest-made-2007-murder-anita-knutson-minot-north-dakota-n1292089

https://www.minotdailynews.com/news/local-news/2022/09/murder-trial-set-for-accused-anita-knutson-killer/

https://www.oxygen.com/cold-justice/crime-news/nichole-rice-arrested-for-2007-murder-of-anita-knutson

https://investingfuse.com/bonds/surety-bond-for-jail/

https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Affidavit-of-Probable-Cause-1.pdf

https://www.kxnet.com/news/local-news/nichole-rices-pretrial-conference-continues-to-be-pushed-back/

Join The Ivory Tower Boiler Room Cafe, $5 a month, to watch the video interviews and listen to bonus episodes: patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom 

Andrew first learned about Kelly J. Ford's gripping queer Southern suspense literature from author P.J. Vernon, who we interviewed last year about his queer thriller "Bath Haus." When Andrew opened up Kelly's "Real Bad Things" and discovered that the novel begins with the main character confessing to murder, but isn't punished for it, he knew this was going to be a wild ride. As P.J. Vernon says about Kelly's novel, it's "gothic suspense at its most haunting."

Kelly begins by explaining the origin story for her novel and how tricky it was creating a novel where the protagonist has already admitted to murder! She then opens up about her own personal life and how coming out as a lesbian in the South enters into her fiction. Kelly courageously shares her own story of domestic violence and how she imagined her stepfather's death for years, and how this abuse enters into "Real Bad Things." Andrew then asks Kelly why memory is such a psychological mystery and how memory is used in the court of law. Just like Kirkus Reviews' praise of Kelly's novel, where they describe it as a novel full of "seismic jolts," so is this thrilling interview! 

Follow Kelly on Instagram, @kellyjfordauthor, and Twitter, @Kelly_J_Ford. 

Get your hands on Kelly's "Real Bad Things" here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/real-bad-things-kelly-j-ford/17746168?ean=9781662500091

Or, listen to a riveting performance by Donna Postel of "Real Bad Things": https://www.audible.com/pd/Real-Bad-Things-Audiobook/B09RTLMTFJ?

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Be sure to follow @mandeemadeit and @thatolgayclassiccinema (all on IG)! 

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), Kimberly Dallas (Editor)