"J. McVay and Joe Virgillito continue their series of episodes counting down to the end of the already-in-progress election, discussing the major events of the last couple of weeks, from the president seeming to endorse the extra-judicial killing of a suspect by US Marshalls and Giuliani’s daughter endorsing Biden to some Republicans beginning to distance themselves from Trump while others are supposedly being vetted for a potential Biden cabinet. Also, turnout is high in early and mail in voting, Barrett’s SCOTUS nomination has gained popularity, and Rudy Giuliani got caught by Borat with his hand in his pants.

And we also hear live performances from Raye Zaragoza and Mock Suns, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/HPd_msJbHUg[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/g5ugIwEl37g[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

00:59 - START /// Election Countdown (including timeline)

07:50 - Trump endorses extra - judicial killing

16:17 - Caroline Rose Giuliani endorses Biden/Harris

21:03 - Ben Sasse & John Cornyn attempt to distance themselves from Trump

27:55 - Republicans supposedly being vetted for potential Biden cabinet

35:19 - High turnout in early and mail in voting / Election forecast looks good for Dems

43:54 - Polling improves for Amy Coney Barrett SCOTUS nomination

49:30 - Rudy Giuliani is in the new Borat movie and it doesn’t look good /// END

59:09 - “The It Girl” (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Raye Zaragoza

62:58 - “More” (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Mock Suns

67:30 - Outro/credits

68:10 - Finish.

"

"J. McVay and Joe Virgillito continue their series of episodes counting down to the end of the already-in-progress election, discussing the major events of the last couple of weeks, from the Vice Presidential debate and record fundraising by Dem. Jaime Harrison in a usual GOP Stronghold to plots to kidnap governors, SCOTUS rulings and confirmation hearings, and BS attempts by Trumpworld to smear Biden.

And we also hear a live performance from Sad13, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/OnTmXfYlOtc[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

00:57 - START /// Election Countdown (including timeline)

07:25 - The VP debate

16:30 - Jaime Harrison’s record fundraising in NC Senate race

21:30 - Plots to kidnap Governors Whitmer and Northam

30:50 - Donald Trump asks SCOTUS to stop Manhattan DA from getting his tax/financial records

32:32 - SCOTUS stops 2020 Census

36:43 - Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s SCOTUS nomination hearings

48:15 - Trump campaign attempts to smear Biden w/ BS allegations

61:20 - Early voting / Trump back to campaigning / dueling town halls /// END

65:05 - “With Baby” (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Sad13

69:23 - Outro/credits

70:04 - Finish.

"

"We begin a series of episodes counting down to the end of the already-in-progress election, discussing the major events of the last couple of weeks, from the fight over a seat on the Supreme Court left open by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and new information on President Trump’s taxes to the worst presidential debate in history and the President of the United States being diagnosed with COVID-19.

And we also hear a live performance from Cartalk, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/RTWtwzUjMYw[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

00:57 - START /// Election Countdown

04:56 - The death of Justice Ginsberg

11:40 - The nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett

17:57 - The NY Times’ exposé on Trump's taxes

27:40 - The worst presidential debate ever

38:00 - POTUS has COVID - 19

48:55 - VP debate

56:20 - Polls show Biden ahead (even with seniors) /// END

66:00 - “Las Manos” (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Cartalk

71:53 - Outro/credits

72:34 - Finish.

"

"We begin a new film retro series, looking back 10 years to ‘The King’s Speech,’ winner of the Best Picture Academy Award for 2010.

And we also hear a live performance from Nasimiyu, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller & Charles Hinshaw

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/8yDtHOocANc[/youtube]

 

00:00 - Intro

01:03 - START /// 10yr Film Retro: ‘The King’s Speech’

04:05 - Did you see this when it came out or had you seen it before watching it this time?

05:17 - What was your take on it at the time?

08:07 - What’s your take on it now? How does it hold up 10 years later? Has it been influential over the years?

19:15 - What, if anything, stands out to you watching it now that didn't stand out to you then (and vice versa: what stood out then, but doesn't now)?

24:35 - Have the people involved in the film been successful since then?

31:00 - Do you think the movie will continue to stand the test of time? Or, if you don't think it has until now, do you think it might find an audience again in the future?

34:36 - Favorite Scenes (or elements)?

42:32 - Favorite movies from 2010?

50:43 - Stephanie // Learning The Importance Of Second Chances

58:50 - "Practice" (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Nasimiyu

64:16 - Outro/credits

64:57 - Finish.

"

"J. McVay is joined by Nikkiesha McLeod, as we return to our series of recurring segments in which we meet the people behind what we do here at BTRtoday. Nikkiesha recently joined us here at BTR, as host of our newest podcast, ‘When We See Each Other.’

Follow Nikkiesha on Twitter and Instagram.

Also, Jacqueline Soller and J. McVay ill discuss the recently released movie, ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things,’ written and directed by Charlie Kaufman and starring Jesse Plemons and Jessie Buckley–available on Netflix.

And we hear a live performance from Photo Ops, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Contributor on Movies: Jacqueline Soller

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/Qsu3ToWKhho[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/yl1klFOs3rg[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/cDTg62vsV4U[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:18 - START /// Meet BTR: Nikkiesha McLeod / about ‘When We See Each Other’ podcast

10:20 - Earliest musical memories: MJ and running away to the steelpan yard

15:33 - Moving from steelpan to other drums and percussion / college punk band

18:19 - First NYC band: Telenovela Star (via a Craigslist ad)

21:08 - Post-Telenovela Star to solo project / becoming a lead singer, etc.

26:14 - Any plans for more music?

29:00 - Poetry: “a poem is a song and a song is a poem”

34:36 - Wrapping up /// END

36:48 - Megan // Losing Her Mother To Alcoholism

43:17 - Movie Review: Jacqueline Soller on ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’

44:37 - Movie Chat: Jacqueline Soller + J. McVay [SPOILER ALERT]

63:25 - "Play On" (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Photo Ops

67:16 - Outro/credits

67:57 - Finish.

"

"Life During Quarantine:

Covid-19 Live Updates: Trump Says He ‘Up-Played’ the Virus, Then Downplays It // NY Times

There's Still An Election:

Catching up: The RNC, DNC, and Kamala Harris is Biden's running mate

Is This the Secret to Selling Joe Biden? // The Atlantic

How much of the country may view the election results as illegitimate... and then what?

What else?

The Oscars’ new rules for Best Picture nominees, explained // Vox

Our Week in Media:

The Ridiculous War-Gaming of the 2020 Election // The New Republic

BTR Live Studio:

[youtube]https://youtu.be/D5ZUfKPk0w4[/youtube]

Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Associate Producer/Contributor: Joe Virgillito

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

00:00 - Intro

01:27 - Life During Quarantine: Trump doesn’t care about people dying and lies about his response to the pandemic

15:30 - There’s Still An Election: Remember the conventions? / The Biden campaign is wooing younger voters with hints at progressiveness, but no specifics / A large percentage of the country may not accept election results

49:15 - Other News: The Oscars will require better representation for Best Picture nominees

60:55 - Our Week in Media: “The Ridiculous War-Gaming of the 2020 Election” by Osita Nwanevu (The New Republic)

67:44 - "The Offering" (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Xanthe Alexis

71:18 - Outro/credits

71:58 - Finish.

"

"Contributor Matt Ruby speaks with Paul Ollinger. Paul is a comedian, used to work at Facebook, and now hosts a podcast that explores the psychology of money, called ‘Crazy Money.’

Also, J. McVay and Jacqueline Soller discuss the new movie, ‘Buoyancy’ which is available now via Kino Lorber’s virtual cinema, Kino Marquee.

And we also hear live performances from Oginalii and HaStyle Rhymes, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Contributor on Politics and Culture: Matt Ruby

Contributor on Movies: Jacqueline Soller

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/mb43Raj44BQ[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/dml3P5Wqbmw[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/xIIw_nJlVf4[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:11 - START /// Matt Ruby chats with Paul Ollinger / beginning the ‘Crazy Money’ podcast / why people are reluctant to discuss money

03:20 - Personal relationship with money and finances as a comedian, then working at Facebook

11:10 - Comedians and finances

14:35 - Money buys happiness only to a point: about $75k

19:00 - ‘Friends,’ Hootie and the Blowfish, and lessons learned

21:30 - Happiness in people who win the lottery vs. people who are paralyzed

24:40 - Philosopher Peter Singer and effective altruism

28:15 - Questioning capitalism

31:10 - Lessons Paul has learned from producing ‘Crazy Money’ / happiness curve

33:50 - Lessons for the pandemic / wrapping up /// END

36:30 - “Pillars” (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Oginalii

41:47 - Movie Review: Jacqueline Soller on ‘Buoyancy’

43:23 - Movie Chat: Jacqueline Soller + J. McVay [SPOILER ALERT]

57:30 - “The Gospel" (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - HaStyle Rhymes

60:05 - Outro/credits

60:54 - Finish.

"

"J. McVay, Jacqueline Soller and Charles Hinshaw discuss the new movie, ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music,’ as well as the first two movies in the series from around 30 years ago.

And we also hear a live performance from BRNDA, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller & Charles Hinshaw

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/qwPdchQupv4[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:01 - Movie Chat: ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’

26:00 - Movie Chat: ‘Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey’

38:30 - Movie Chat: ‘Bill & Ted Face The Music’

63:57 - “Jackie’s Bone Tired” (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - BRNDA

67:35 - Outro/credits

68:18 - Finish.

"

"Contributor Matt Ruby concludes his chat from last week with Tim Kreider, an essayist and a teacher, about his thoughts and tips on writing.

Later in the episode, Jacqueline Soller and J. McVay discuss the new movie, ‘Uncut Gems,’ directed by Josh and Benny Safdie and starring Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, and Eric Bogosian -- out now from A24.

And we’ll take exclusive early listen to performances by Lisel, from their upcoming BTR Live Studio sessions

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/AYtCGxlp9us[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/vTfJp2Ts9X8[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:17 - START /// Matt Ruby talks with writer Tim Kreider (part 2)

01:59 - Choosing class reading assignments

03:10 - Bad writing: bureaucratic language, legalize, artist statements / information design vs. magicians

08:46 - The importance of revisions / “Aha!” moments?

16:30 - Hot takes & topical writing

24:30 - Unpopular thoughts and opinions / provocation

28:15 - Grading on revisions, not on talent

31:20 - “Going back for the snakes” (a la ‘Pee Wee’s Big Adventure’) / Doorknob moments

37:53 - Teaching again in the future? / wrapping up /// END

38:55 - 1st Person: Aaron // On His Plans For Improving New York City

45:10 - Movie Review: J. McVay on ‘Uncut Gems’

47:58 - Movie Chat: Jacqueline Soller + J. McVay (spoiler alert)

65:20 - "Mirage" (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Lisel

69:15 - Outro / Credits

70:16 - Finish.

"

"Contributor Matt Ruby speaks with Tim Kreider, an essayist and a teacher, about his thoughts and tips on writing.

Later in the episode, J. McVay shares some thoughts on a few movies released in recent weeks:

‘Uncut Gems’ -- directed by Josh and Benny Safdie. Out now from A24.

‘Little Women’ -- written and directed by Greta Gerwig. Out now from Columbia Pictures.

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ -- directed by JJ Abrams. Out now from Walt Disney Studios.

And we’ll take exclusive early listens to performances by Field Mouse and Kissed By An Animal, from their upcoming BTR Live Studio sessions.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/vTfJp2Ts9X8[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/AST2-4db4ic[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/8Qn_spdM5Zg[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:21 - START /// Matt Ruby talks with writer Tim Kreider (part 1) / experience as a writing teacher / effect of teaching on his own writing

03:30 - “You are not special.” / first published piece / reader better get more out of it than writer

08:30 - Good stories don’t always make good essays

09:45 - Write letters to become a better writer

11:40 - Write for one person as a way of writing for everyone

15:50 - As a teacher of young people, do the stereotypes hold? / apprehension at being perceived as mean

20:00 - Truth vs. invention in essay writing / withholding crucial information

26:50 - Structure

31:40 - Choosing class reading assignments /// END (continued next week)

34:00 - "Black Hole, Son" (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Field Mouse

38:08 - "In The Clouds" (BTR Live Studio, 2020) - Kissed By An Animal

41:20 - Movie Review: J. McVay on ‘Uncut Gems’

44:45 - Movie Review: J. McVay on ‘Little Women’

46:22 - Movie Review: J. McVay on ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’

48:55 - "Don't Know How To Keep Loving You" - Julia Jacklin

54:55 - "You Were Right" - Julia Jacklin

57:15 - Outro / Credits

58:07 - Finish.

"