This week on Junk and Disorderly, we’re heading into the bayous of Louisiana in search of the Rougarou — the Cajun werewolf with claws, teeth, bad hair, and apparently a pretty active social life.

Michael deMeng follows the legend from New Orleans to Church Point, from old French loup-garou tales to Cajun Lent curses, from family rumors to unwanted suitors, and finally to Bayou Goula, where werewolves supposedly gathered for moonlit balls and arrived by giant bat.

Yes. Giant bats.

There’s gumbo. There’s gossip. There’s Catholic guilt with claws. And somewhere out there, something hairy may be counting pennies by the door.

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In this short episode, I take a look at some teeny tiny shrines I've created, share a bit about what inspired them, and talk about a few upcoming classes where you can make your own.

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In this episode of Junk and Disorderly, I’m joined by Oaxaca retreat organizers Mija Matriz and Jon Labrousse for a conversation about Day of the Dead processions in Oaxaca — comparsas, calendas, and muerteadas — and why they feel like much more than parades. We talk about music you hear before you see, masks and costumes that feel more like presence than dress-up, and the way these events turn the street into a temporary world of memory, celebration, theater, and community. We also get into the differences between broader Muertos processions and the more eerie, theatrical muerteadas, plus what outsiders often misunderstand when they see these traditions only as spectacle.

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In this episode of Junk and Disorderly, Michael deMeng is joined by artist, author, and crime-fiction historian Gary Warren Niebuhr to explore the cinematic adventures of literature’s most gloriously unreliable storyteller—Baron Munchausen.

Together we dive into two wildly different film interpretations: Karel Zeman’s visually astonishing 1962 fantasy The Fabulous Baron Munchausen and Terry Gilliam’s lavish and chaotic 1988 epic The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. One blends live action, animation, and imagery inspired by antique engravings; the other erupts with Gilliam’s signature theatrical imagination and big-budget spectacle.

Along the way we trace the Baron’s origins in the 18th-century tall tales popularized by Rudolf Erich Raspe, discuss the influence of Gustave Doré’s legendary illustrations, and compare how each filmmaker translates these outrageous adventures to the screen in completely different visual languages.

It’s a conversation about cinematic trickery, storytelling excess, and the enduring appeal of a hero who can ride a cannonball to the moon and still insist he’s only telling the truth.

Expect film history detours, artistic rabbit holes, and—naturally—a few tall tales of our own.

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In Part Two of Christmas at the Movies, Michael deMeng and Gary Warren Niebuhr return to tackle holiday films where the kids take over and the adults barely stand a chance.

From suburban wish-fulfillment mayhem (Home Alone), to dark folklore and feral Christmas mythology (Rare Exports), to one boy’s relentless, BB-gun-driven holiday obsession (A Christmas Story), these movies put childhood front and center—messy, mischievous, imaginative, and occasionally unhinged.

Michael and Gary explore how Christmas looks from kid-height, why these films balance wonder and menace so well, and what happens when belief, rebellion, and survival instincts collide under a Christmas tree.

Less mistletoe, more mischief. Christmas through a kid’s eyes—sharp edges and all. 🎄

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This week, Michael deMeng welcomes special guest Gary Warren Niebuhr for a deep dive into three of Gary’s favorite holiday films: Xmas in Connecticut, White Christmas, and It’s a Wonderful Life.

These aren’t kid-focused Christmas capers—this trio is pure classic Hollywood, where adults juggle romance, identity crises, wartime memories, career chaos, and one very stressed-out angel trying to earn his wings. Michael and Gary unpack why these films still sparkle, how they shaped the modern idea of a “holiday classic,” and what makes grown-up Christmas stories hit differently.

This is Part One of a festive two-parter.
Next week, Michael returns solo with his picks—Christmas movies where the kids take center stage.

Curl up with something warm, cue the black-and-white glow, and enjoy a holiday hangout with a guest who knows his classics.

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In this episode of Junk and Disorderly, I hang out with my pal and fellow art-stirrer Stephanie Lee to talk about the books that warped—er, shaped—our young minds. From creepy creatures under the bed to magical forests and talking critters, we chat about the children’s books that left a permanent mark on our imaginations (and probably explain a lot about the art we make today). Expect nostalgia, weird tangents, and maybe a few confessions involving glue, found objects, and unusual life choices inspired by picture books.

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Join me and art buddy Garry Warren Niebuhr for a chat about the amazing and influential film Metropolis.  

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In this episode of Junk and Disorderly, we’re taking a peek at some of the stranger holiday traditions—like the mysterious pickle hidden in the Christmas tree and a certain festive log with an… unexpected talent. And, of course, I’ll touch on a quirky tradition in my own home involving Krampus-themed pranks that add just the right touch of mischief to the season. It’s all about celebrating the weird and wonderful ways we keep the holidays memorable!

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In this episode, Michael recounts a late-night cab ride in Mexico City that turned out to be anything but ordinary. From an unexpected decision to a ride full of surprises, he explores how even the smallest details can transform a simple journey into a story worth remembering. Tune in for a tale about risk, observation, and the unexpected beauty of the road less traveled.

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