Reserved Recommendations

Zumba is a popular, unfairly maligned, and occasionally kinda problematic dance exercise style. It's a useful illustration of the concept of "great trash", and Dr. Sophia Frentz (one of the hosts of the sadly lamented podcast "Things Of Interest") joins me to talk about it. We get into the idea of great trash, the various joys and problems of Zumba, and by extension talk a bit about the ways that it's good to exceed and expand your cultural comfort zone (especially if you're white).

Sophia wants to plug Archer Magazine (http://archermagazine.com.au) and "The End Of Everything, Astrophysically Speaking" (https://www.amazon.com/End-Everything-Astrophysically-Speaking/dp/198210354X)

Zumba is a popular, unfairly maligned, and occasionally kinda problematic dance exercise style. It's a useful illustration of the concept of "great trash", and Dr. Sophia Frentz (one of the hosts of the sadly lamented podcast "Things Of Interest") joins me to talk about it. We get into the idea of great trash, the various joys and problems of Zumba, and by extension talk a bit about the ways that it's good to exceed and expand your cultural comfort zone (especially if you're white).

Sophia wants to plug Archer Magazine (http://archermagazine.com.au) and "The End Of Everything, Astrophysically Speaking" (https://www.amazon.com/End-Everything-Astrophysically-Speaking/dp/198210354X)

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Robin Hobb is an American fantasy author best known for her incredibly long-running (1995-2017) series set in the "realm of the Elderlings". Her specialty might be described as taking very human and sympathetic characters, and putting them through the wringer at incredible length. Obviously this is not for everyone (especially since the full "Elderlings" set encompasses 15 fairly weighty hardback books). On this episode I talk to Adam Dodd about Hobb's work, and our affection for (and difficulties with) it.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Human belief is a fascinating thing, but too often a pillar around which people can bolster their pre-existing prejudices. Kyle Hastelow is one of the most devout (and thoughtfully devout) people I know. This conversation ranges over his religious upbringing, the way his faith has evolved over time, and the hermeneutics he uses to guide his spiritual progress.

Rekhast is at: https://www.facebook.com/being.rekhast/ and https://twitter.com/re_khast

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

How do you tell the truth about the past - especially an era as complex and controversial as the 1950s? There's a narrow line between glossing over the failings of that time, appearing to promote them, or interrupting yourself to apply a modern critical lens - none of which approaches are ideal. In something of a spiritual sequel to Emma G's "feminism" episode, Rachel Dore joins me to talk about the historical novel she's writing about New Zealand in 1954, and her recollections of that time.

CW for mentions (though not detailed discussions) of racism and sexual assault.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Angus returns (our first ever returning guest!) to talk about Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie's beautiful pornographic book "Lost Girls". On the way we talk about Moore and Gebbie's careers in comics and other media, "Lost Girls" as both art and porn, and the place of pornography in art generally.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Immersive theatre is a relatively new and wildly popular theatrical form, employing thousands of actors in the UK. Katherine Beresford (one of the aforementioned actors) joins the pod to talk about what IT is, how it works, and the various unique challenges and concerns it raises, especially in a post-COVID world.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Jonny Kan (https://www.instagram.com/serbiangreywolves12/) is a Palmerston North artist whose work is regularly on show at Snails Artist Run Space. His work is playful, fascinating, prolific, challenging and borrows extensively from pop culture including (occasionally) pornography. Kirsty Porter of Snails (https://www.facebook.com/snailsartistrunspace/) joins the podcast to talk about Jonny and his work.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

This isn't a political show, but it does have politics. In our first exploration of what that means, we talk to Emma G (https://www.facebook.com/emmag.music/) direct from Washington DC about feminism, which is to say that by the end of the hour we'll have solved literally every gender inequality problem. Probably.

CW for discussion(not graphic but still frank) of violence and sexual assault.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

The SCP Foundation is an enormous (over 6000 articles and counting) and impenetrable online collaborative fiction project with roots in "creepypasta" and forum culture. Zak Rodgers, Palmerston North's Punk Rock Poet joins the podcast to discuss the appeal of SCP, and the best ways into and out of its very strange and grim world.

Zak Rodgers: https://www.facebook.com/punkrockpoet/

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.