This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla talk about the movie franchise, Shrek. Ring in the new year with our hosts as they examine another cultural touchstone for their age-group. They talk at length about the first movie, the subsequent additions, the meme-ification, and the said subversiveness of the franchise. Jez and Carla also fight about the value of Shrek 4. So meet us at the swamp and watch out for ogres!

Media discussed:

- Shrek (2001)

- Shrek 2 (2004)

- Shrek the Third (2007)

- Shrek Forever After (2010)

Follow us on twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)

This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla grapple with this short story set. The hosts go a bit more in depth with the content and style of the stories. They also assume and assert strong opinions about the themes of The Small Key and Harvest.

(Part 3 of 3)

[Recorded around September, this is our last episode for 2020. We’ll be back on the first day of 2021. Happy holidays, stay safe.]

Media discussed:

- The Small Key by Paz Latorena

- Harvest by Loreto Paras-Sulit

Follow us on twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)

This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla talk about Harvest. Listen as our hosts argue about the characters, the actions, and the ambiguity that make this story a compelling and emotional read. Who do you believe when you can’t trust anyone in a story? Join us and weigh in! 

(Part 2 /3 of the "jealousy" set)

Media discussed:

- Harvest by Loreto Paras-Sulit

Follow us on twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)

This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla talk about The Small Key. Our three hosts discuss author intent, miscommunication (or non-communication) between couples, and marriage. 

(Part 1 of 3 of the "Phil Lit Jealousy Set")

[We recorded this in early September during a really bad heat wave. We apologize for the sound of fans in the background. - M]

Media discussed:

- The Small Key by Paz Latorena

Follow us on twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)

This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla talk about the musical, Merrily We Roll Along. Join our three hosts as they somewhat merrily roll along the timeline of the show, both in plot and production. They also get in a little TOO deep as they discuss ideals, pragmatism, and friendships in adulthood. How did you get to be here? What was the moment (it all went horribly wrong)? Did we successfully lure Carla into the world of Sondheim musicals? Listen and find out!

Media discussed:

- Merrily We Roll Along (1980 Original Broadway production, 2014 London production)

- Company by George Furth and Stephen Sondheim

Clips from the 2012 Encores! Cast Album were used

Follow us on twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)

This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla talk about Louis Sachar’s novel, Holes. Our three hosts haven’t seen the movie adapted from the book so you’re not going to hear about that. They also clumsily wade through American history of past and present as mindfully as they can considering the circumstances. Any errors, perceived or otherwise, are unintentional and we sincerely apologize for that.

WARNING: We discuss incarceration and graphic depiction of violence in the novel. Listener discretion is advised.

Media discussed:

- Holes by Louis Sachar

Follow us on twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)

This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla round out their Poe story set. The hosts are looking at the stories side by side, and discussing points made by both texts. They also ask you not to commit crime based on what you hear on this podcast. Write that school paper instead.

(Part 3/3 of the Edgar Allan Poe Set)

Media discussed:

- The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe

- The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

Follow us on twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)

This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla talk about The Tell-Tale Heart. Continuing with our set of Poe prose, the hosts offer differing perspectives on the narrator, the motive, and the victim of a simple yet layered story. Join us and keep an ear out for that ticking clock.

(Part 2/3 of the Edgar Allan Poe Set)

Media discussed:

- The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

- The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe

- Dramatic reading of The Tell-Tale Heart (Overly Sarcastic Productions)

Follow us on twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)

This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla talk about The Cask of Amontillado. Listen in as the hosts venture into uneasy topics of believing unreliable narrators, giving the benefit of doubt, and puzzling over killer-centric literature. There's a nice bottle of your favorite beverage downstairs. Come join us.

(Part 1/ 3 of the Edgar Allan Poe set)

Media discussed:

- The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe

Follow us on Twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)

This week on the podcast: Jez, Marianne, and Carla discuss two of their favorite short stories. The hosts ask if the stars are really dead, will they go to the dance, and whether love is worth the sacrifice. Put on your best clothes and join us.

[The audio quality still isn't great. It's going to be like that while we learn the technical things. - M]

Media discussed:

- Dead Stars by Paz Marquez-Benitez

- Wedding Dance by Amador Daguio

Follow us on Twitter: @saristoriespod

Intro and Outro music: Picket Fences by Jay Man (Our Music Box)