This week, contributor Matt Ruby speaks with Christopher Kelley, a university lecturer and a self-proclaimed Buddhist “psychonaut,” or “mind explorer,” who holds a doctorate in Religion from Columbia University where he studied Tibetan Buddhism. In his studies and teachings, he explores the parallels between Buddhism and dark comedy and the ways in which the tenets of the religion intersect with humor.

Also, Charles Hinshaw returns to discuss the new movie, Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan. And along the way, Radio Dispatch’s John Knefel discusses the increasingly authoritarian practices of President Trump, which began during his campaign and have continued into his administration; a woman named Mary tells us about how a trip to New York led to a change in goals and a career in fashion; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by Dream Version from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

Mentioned in the episode:

The Denial Of Death by Ernest Becker // Wikipedia

00:00 - Intro

00:55 - Buddhism & Comedy w/ Christopher Kelley

44:33 - 1st Person: Mary // Returning To New York For Fashion

47:38 - Movie Review: ‘Dunkirk’ w/ Charles Hinshaw

49:57 - Movie Chat: ‘‘Dunkirk’’ (spoiler alert)

67:00 - John Knefel // The Escalation of Trump’s Authoritarianism

70:37 - “I Can See Everything” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Dream Version

74:28 - Outro / Credits

75:09 - Finish.

This week, we speak with Jeff Nazareno about his recent experience attending KCON New York, a convention celebrating K-pop music and other elements of South Korean culture; he also discusses some things that trouble him about some people’s reactions to the event and the evolving place of K-pop in America and its mainstream pop culture. Also, Charles Hinshaw returns to discuss two new movies: War For The Planet Of The Apes, directed by Matt Reeves and starring Andy Serkis and Woody Harrelson; and Lady Macbeth, directed by William Oldroyd and starring Florence Pugh, Cosmo Jarvis, and Naomi Ackie. And along the way, Radio Dispatch’s Molly Knefel explains recent statements from the Department of Education which appear to support so-called “men’s rights”; a woman named Tomi tells us about turning 21 and why she thinks that milestone birthday is overrated; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by Brian Hill and the Noh Starrs from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

Mentioned in the episode:

“KCON Returns to New York” // BTRtoday

“Op-Ed: Racism Keeps America From Embracing K-Pop Awesomeness” // BTRtoday

00:00 - Intro

01:10 - Jeff Nazareno on K-pop and the American mainstream

32:32 - 1st Person: Tomi // On Growing Up

36:03 - Movie Review: ‘War For The Planet Of The Apes’ w/ Charles Hinshaw

39:10 - Movie Chat: ‘War For The Planet Of The Apes’ (spoiler alert)

50:27 - Movie Review: ‘Lady Macbeth’ w/ Charles Hinshaw

52:57 - Movie Chat: ‘Lady Macbeth’ (spoiler alert)

64:00 - Molly Knefel // Men’s Rights and the Dept. of Education

67:00 - “Oh Please” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Brian Hill and the Noh Starrs

70:08 - Outro / Credits

70:49 - Finish.

This week, we welcome back contributors Oriana Leckert and Matt Ruby to discuss the revelations that Donald Trump Jr. may have met with Russians in hopes of helping his father’s campaign for president in 2016 (complete with a dramatic reading of Kurt Eichenwald’s tweets on the subject by Charles Hinshaw) and the impact of smartphones ten years after the premiere of the iPhone. Also, Jacqueline Soller returns to discuss the new movie, A Ghost Story, directed by David Lowery and starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara. And along the way, Radio Dispatch’s John Knefel explains the impact of former NSA contractor Reality Winner’s leaks about Russian infiltration of our voting systems; a man named Henry tells us about the time he was visited by the cops as a kid; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by De’Wayne Jackson from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

Mentioned in the episode:

“Trump Jr. Was Told in Email of Russian Effort to Aid Campaign” // NY Times

“When the Kremlin Says ‘Adoptions,’ It Means ‘Sanctions’” // NY Times

“The latest Trump/Russia leaks came from inside the White House” // Vox

00:00 - Intro

01:20 - Donald Trump Jr. Scandal

02:18 - Dramatic reading of Kurt Eichenwald’s tweets on DJTJr’s emails (w/ Chuck Hinshaw)

08:33 - Donald Trump Jr. Scandal, cont’d

32:15 - The impact of smartphones since the premiere of the iPhone

42:34 - 1st Person: Henry // Visited By The Cops As A Kid

44:50 - Movie Review: ‘A Ghost Story’ w/ Jacqueline Soller

46:31 - Movie Chat: ‘A Ghost Story (spoiler alert)

65:28 - John Knefel // Leaker Exposes Election Vulnerabilities

68:24 - “Old Steps” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - De’Wayne Jackson

73:09 - Outro / Credits

73:48 - Finish.

We take a break from our usual format to explore a topic in a different way… In April of this year, during the same weekend of its annual Festival International -- a yearly celebration of mostly-francophone arts and culture which takes over the entire downtown area of the city and features musicians from around the world -- two other things also happened in Lafayette, Louisiana: 1) a half-cent sales tax meant to fund new buildings at schools which have used temporary buildings for their overpopulated facilities since I was a kid was voted down, and 2) a shooting took place to which I saw some people respond that more guns would have somehow helped.

The weekend was, perhaps, a perfect encapsulation of the strange dichotomy at play in Lafayette between its artistic spirit and conservative values. So, in a new segment, we seek to talk to people who are on the middle to left side of the political spectrum about what it’s like to live in a place that is extremely culturally rich, but at the same time, very socially conservative

Additionally, Jacqueline Soller returns to discuss the new movie, Baby Driver, directed by Edgar Wright and starring Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Hamm; we hear from a woman named Ashley about how, after moving to the city, she very quickly entered into a relationship which she would come to regret before it luckily provided her with inspiration; and we’ll also take an exclusive early listen to a performance by Grim Streaker from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

00:00 - Intro

01:15 - Blue In A Red Town: About Lafayette, Louisiana

05:11 - BIART: What Is Lafayette to you?

06:46 - BIART: Lafayette, now and then / compared to elsewhere

09:32 - BIART: Conservatism + arts and culture

12:13 - BIART: Reestablishing the Cajun culture

14:48 - BIART: Festival International + school funding + shooting

20:39 - BIART: Traditional arts and culture, bridging gaps?

23:35 - BIART: Disagreeing with the politics of your town (and your parents)

25:44 - BIART: The role of religion / Catholicism

26:55 - BIART: Can you shift the politics without alienating people/family?

29:30 - BIART: Can you convince people to change their opinions?

32:02 - BIART: My niece + the Women’s March

34:01 - BIART: Parents’ disappointment in our support of Obama

35:11 - BIART: Our disappointment in parents’ support of Trump

35:49 - BIART: Wrapping up

36:21 - “Mammoth Waltz” (BTR Live Studio, 2012) - Lost Bayou Ramblers

38:16 - Blue In A Red Town: Outro

38:45 - 1st Person: Ashley // Inspired By A Breakup

44:16 - Movie Review: ‘Baby Driver’ w/ Jacqueline Soller

46:09 - Movie Chat: ‘Baby Driver’ (spoiler alert)

61:58 - “Psycho” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Grim Streaker

65:36 - Outro / Credits

66:14 - Finish.

This week, we welcome back contributors Shalewa Sharpe and Matt Ruby to discuss John McEnroe’s recent controversial comments on Serena Williams and the place of feminism in comedy. Also, Charles Hinshaw returns to discuss the new movie,The Beguiled, directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, and Colin Farrell. And along the way, Radio Dispatch’s John Knefel explains the changing landscape of the conflict in Syria; a woman named Lea tells us about the time she embarked on a relationship that grew out of a moment in which she wasn’t acting like herself; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by Oak House from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

Mentioned in the episode:

“'But Seriously,' Tennis Great John McEnroe Says He's Seeking 'Inner Peace'” /// NPR

“SERENA'S SUCCESS SPEAKS FOR ITSELF” // Sports On Earth

“‘Forever 31’ Creator Iliza Shlesinger Talks Opportunities For Comedians In The Digital Arena” // Deadline Hollywood

“The State Of Women In Comedy According To One Woman In Comedy” // Sara Schaefer

00:00 - Intro

01:10 - John McEnroe’s controversial comments on Serena Williams

20:48 - Feminism in comedy

45:59 - 1st Person: Lea // Faking It For Love

50:39 - Movie Review: ‘The Beguiled’ w/ Charles Hinshaw

54:23 - Movie Chat: ‘The Beguiled’ (spoiler alert)

70:59 - John Knefel // The Next War In Syria

74:35 - “Reticence” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Oak House

79:49 - Outro

80:29 - Finish.

This week, we welcome back contributor Matt Ruby, along with new contributor Charles Gould, to discuss Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods and friction in the relationship between Facebook and media companies. Also, should we just assume that Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg are running for president one day?

Also, Jacqueline Soller returns to discuss the new movie, Rough Night, directed by Lucia Aniello and starring Scarlett Johansson, Jillian Bell, Zoë Kravitz, Ilana Glazer, Kate McKinnon, and Paul W. Downs; Radio Dispatch’s Molly Knefel offers her take on political art in the age of Trump; and along the way we’ll hear from a man named Jeffrey, who shares the story of the time he traveled to China to protest during the Olympics and ended up being detained and thrown out of the country; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by Henry Jamison from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

Mentioned in the episode:

"Amazon to Buy Whole Foods for $13.4 Billion" // NY Times

"Media Companies Are Getting Sick of Facebook" // Bloomberg

"Amazon has a patent to keep you from comparison shopping while you’re in its stores" // Washington Post

00:00 - Intro

01:09 - Amazon buys Whole Foods

18:12 - Facebook strains relationships with media companies

36:58 - 1st Person: Jeffrey // Jailed In China

44:00 - Movie Review: ‘Rough Night’ w/ Jacqueline Soller

45:25 - Movie Chat: ‘Rough Night’ (spoiler alert)

57:46 - Molly Knefel // Political Art In The Age Of Trump

60:48 - “Through A Glass” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Henry Jamison

65:00 - Outro

65:55 - Special Comment

68:27 - Finish.

This week, we welcome back contributors Oriana Leckert and Matt Ruby to discuss the ongoing hearings in the Senate Intelligence Committee on possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, including John Knefel’s take on President Trump. Is there a collusion in the “deep state” to take down the president and, if there is, is that a bad thing?

We also discuss the recent controversies surrounding Kathy Griffin and Bill Maher and their apologies in response to public outcry. Where is the proverbial line? “The line is: white dudes shouldn’t say the N-word.”

Also, Jacqueline Soller returns to discuss the new movie, It Comes At Night, directed by Trey Edward Shults and starring Joel Edgerton; and along the way we’ll hear from a woman named Yvonne, who shares a couple of her scariest stories from her time traveling alone as a woman; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by The Moonlandingz from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

00:00 - Intro

01:12 - Contributors and 1st Topic

01:52 - John Knefel // The Trump Counterpunch To Comey

04:30 - Senate Intelligence Committee Hearings // Group Discussion

24:54 - Apologies From Kathy Griffin & Bill Maher // Group Discussion

47:16 - 1st Person: Yvonne // Scary Taxi Encounter in Romania

50:25 - Movie Review: ‘It Comes At Night’ w/ Jacqueline Soller

51:45 - Movie Chat: ‘It Comes At Night’ (spoiler alert)

73:18 - “Black Hanz” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - The Moonlandingz

78:08 - Outro

78:49 - Finish.

This week, we welcome back contributors Ester Steinberg and Matt Ruby to discuss the ongoing issue of so-called “Fake News”. Also, Charles Hinshaw returns to discuss the new movie, Wonder Woman, directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine; and along the way we’ll hear from Radio Dispatch's Molly Knefel about the United States Climate Alliance, which was set up in reaction to President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement; we’ll hear from a man named José, who tells us about an unfortunate trip to Arkansas during which he was robbed at gunpoint; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by Matisyahu from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

Mentioned in the episode:

“Washington Lobbyist And Trump Advisor Paul Manafort Owns Brownstone In Carroll Gardens” // Pardon Me For Asking

“Paul Manafort's Puzzling New York Real Estate Purchases” // WNYC

 

00:00 - Intro

01:12 - Matt Ruby on Fake News

04:42 - Fake News / group discussion

26:40 - 1st Person: José // Getting Robbed In Arkansas

30:31 - Movie Review: ‘Wonder Woman’ w/ Charles Hinshaw

33:58 - Movie Chat: ‘Wonder Woman’ (spoiler alert)

58:40 - Molly Knefel // United States Climate Alliance

60:52 - “BSP: Blue Sky Playground” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Matisyahu

70:58 - Outro

71:35 - Finish.

This week, we welcome both our regular contributors on movies, Jacqueline Soller and Charles Hinshaw, to preview and discuss the top five movies we’re each most looking forward to this summer. We’ll also hear from a man named David, who tells us about what his life has been like since serving time in prison… and we’ll take exclusive early listens to a performances by William Matheny and Walter Martin.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

00:00 - Intro

01:02 - Summer Movie Preview

03:25 - Our number 5 picks

13:01 - Our number 4 picks

21:32 - Our number 3 picks

25:32 - Our number 2 picks

31:32 - Our number 1 picks

36:37 - Runners up / Wrapping up

39:21 - “In A Gothic Church” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Walter Martin

43:00 - 1st Person: David // Life After Prison

47:38 - “Man Of Science” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - William Matheny

54:41 - Outro

55:20 - Finish.