Superhero Ethics

Why does James Bond keep getting women killed, and can you be a spy without it? Paul Hoppe is back to talk about the ethics of espionage, with a particular focus on the TV show, Burn Notice! Whether you’re a long time fan of Burn Notice, or never seen it, we dig into questions that apply across the genre, such as the ethics of getting others to do your dirty work for you, fighting for a client or particular mission vs. what may be ‘right,’ and how far into a secret identity you can go, before you lose sense of yourself.

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/superheroethics/) or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter (https://twitter.com/SuperheroEthics) account, or email us at [email protected].

Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics
This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:
Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen
Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

Ep 94 - There is no Racism in Ba Sing Se

The beloved Avatar:The Last Airbender is back on Netflix, and we’re talking about it, focusing on a story arc with incredible resonance with our own world; Ba Sing Se. What is it about denial, and closing your eyes to the problems of the world, that people find so appealing? How do you break through to someone who believes anything that contradicts what they’ve been taught, is a liar and a traitor? And how does this story line parallel the issues we face today, especially in the time since the killing of George Floyd.

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/superheroethics/) or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter (https://twitter.com/SuperheroEthics) account, or email us at [email protected].

In partnership with the MCU Cast and all the great folks at the Stranded Panda Podcast Network, we are kicking off a review drive! Reviews are the best way to help this show grow- it moves us up the lists on Itunes and the other podcast services, gives more people a chance to find us, and join the conversation! We’ve got big goals, but we need your help!

If you write a 5 star review of Superhero Ethics) between now and Sunday June 14th, you'll be entered into a raffle. At least one of the review writers for Superhero Ethics will win their choice of an MCUCast or Superhero Ethics T-shirt! Every review will also enter you into a drawing with review writers for other Standed Panda shows, with the winner getting a free copy of the Avengers video game, coming this fall. You only have to write a sentence or two, but make it a real one- simply writing “I want the shirt” sadly doesn’t help.

The easiest way to write a review is to search for this podcast on Itunes, but you can write a review on any podcast host that uses them. Just be sure to let us know by emailing [email protected] if you do something other than Itunes.

And remember, even if you don't think we don’t deserve 5 stars, we'd still love a review, so we can learn more about what we are doing well and how we can improve.


Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics
This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:
Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen
Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

Stan Lee was a great story teller, but he never hid his strong convictions, or his desire to use the stories he told to give people a new way to think about the issues of his time. Nor did the writers of Black Panther, Avatar the Last Airbender, Star Wars, or so many of the shows we love.

Matt and Jeff are back, and we had a great episode on the ethics of Star Wars planned- but with all that has been happening in our world in the last week in terms of the killing of George Floyd, and all that has happened since, we just felt like it was important for us to address that. So today we’re talking about what it means to be a fan, and a content creator, in difficult times, and how the stories we are such fans of help shape our understandings of violence and authority and
racism and cops and everything else.

Here is the article on Black Panther and Allyship that Matthew mentioned - https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/how-black-panther-creates-a-model-for-good-allyship/

In partnership with the MCU Cast and all the great folks at the Stranded Panda Podcast Network, we are kicking off a review drive! Reviews are the best way to help this show grow- it moves us up the lists on Itunes and the other podcast services, gives more people a chance to find us, and join the conversation! We’ve got big goals, but we need your help!

If you write a 5 star review of Superhero Ethics) between now and Sunday June 7th, you'll be entered into a raffle. At least one of the review writers for Superhero Ethics will win their choice of an MCUCast or Superhero Ethics T-shirt! Every review will also enter you into a drawing with review writers for other Standed Panda shows, with the winner getting a free copy of the Avengers video game, coming this fall. You only have to write a sentence or two, but make it a real one- simply writing “I want the shirt” sadly doesn’t help.

The easiest way to write a review is to search for this podcast on Itunes, but you can write a review on any podcast host that uses them. Just be sure to let us know by emailing [email protected] if you do something other than Itunes.

And remember, even if you don't think we don’t deserve 5 stars,we'd still love a review, so we can learn more about what we are doing well and how we can improve.

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/superheroethics/) or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter (https://twitter.com/SuperheroEthics) account, or email us at [email protected].

Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics
This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:
Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen
Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

Ep 92 - Was Uncle Ben Wrong? Great Power & Great Responsibility, with Matthew Carroll and Jeff Randle

What did Ben Parker mean when he tells Peter the famous words about power and responsibility, and do we agree with him? Who decides who a hero is responsible to, and what for? Can believing in the responsibility that your power gives you lead you to become a villain?

Matt and Jeff of the Marvel Cinematic Podcast join us to discuss these questions and more!

In partnership with the MCU Cast and all the great folks at the Stranded Panda Podcast Network, we are kicking off a review drive! Reviews are the best way to help this show grow- it moves us up the lists on Itunes and the other podcast services, gives more people a chance to find us, and join the conversation! We’ve got big goals, but we need your help!

If you write a 5 star review of Superhero Ethics) between now and Sunday June 7th, you'll be entered into a raffle. At least one of the review writers for Superhero Ethics will win their choice of an MCUCast or Superhero Ethics T-shirt! Every review will also enter you into a drawing with review writers for other Standed Panda shows, with the winner getting a free copy of the Avengers video game, coming this fall. You only have to write a sentence or two, but make it a real one- simply writing “I want the shirt” sadly doesn’t help.

The easiest way to write a review is to search for this podcast on Itunes, but you can write a review on any podcast host that uses them. Just be sure to let us know by emailing [email protected] if you do something other than Itunes.

And remember, even if you don't think we don’t deserve 5 stars,we'd still love a review, so we can learn more about what we are doing well and how we can improve.

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/superheroethics/) or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter (https://twitter.com/SuperheroEthics) account, or email us at [email protected].

Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics
This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:
Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen
Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

NOTE: I realized that there were sound problems with the originally uploaded version. This version is improved- please listen to this version instead.

Jess Plummer and Becky Allen join us to discuss She-Ra! What makes Catra such a compelling character? How does this show blur the lines between hero and villain, friend and dating, and different shares of morality? What makes this show such a powerful example of representation, on so many levels? And just how hard to you have to work in this world to NOT get a redemption arc?

Jessica Plummer lives in New York and loves Superman very very much. You can listen to just how much on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights (http://flightsandtights.libsyn.com/). She also writes about comics and books in general at BookRiot.com (https://bookriot.com/author/jessica-plummer/). Find her on Twitter @jess_plummer.

Becky Allen is the author of Bound by Blood and Sand and the sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm. She grew up outside Ithaca, New York, and graduated from Brandeis University with a major in American studies and a minor in journalism. She is the product manager for TheBody.com, an online HIV resource, and loves New York, brunch, and feminism. She is also the co host of the Rachel & Becky Judge Things Podcast. http://www.rachelandbeckyjudgethings.com/

Here is the great article about Catra referenced during the episode. https://www.tor.com/2020/05/20/love-cant-make-you-a-villain-how-she-ras-catra-helped-make-sense-of-my-heart/

You can download the episode with a right click and clicking “save link as” or subscribe by searching for Superhero Ethics on Itunes or on Stitcher

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group, or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter account, or email us at [email protected].

Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics

This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble - Where Matthew just finished an episode by episode cast of Altered Carbon.

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:
Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen

Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

Jess Plummer and Becky Allen join us to discuss She-Ra! What makes Catra such a compelling character? How does this show blur the lines between hero and villain, friend and dating, and different shares of morality? What makes this show such a powerful example of representation, on so many levels? And just how hard to you have to work in this world to NOT get a redemption arc?

Jessica Plummer lives in New York and loves Superman very very much. You can listen to just how much on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights (http://flightsandtights.libsyn.com/). She also writes about comics and books in general at BookRiot.com (https://bookriot.com/author/jessica-plummer/). Find her on Twitter @jess_plummer.

Becky Allen is the author of Bound by Blood and Sand and the sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm. She grew up outside Ithaca, New York, and graduated from Brandeis University with a major in American studies and a minor in journalism. She is the product manager for TheBody.com, an online HIV resource, and loves New York, brunch, and feminism. She is also the co host of the Rachel & Becky Judge Things Podcast. http://www.rachelandbeckyjudgethings.com/

Here is the great article about Catra referenced during the episode. https://www.tor.com/2020/05/20/love-cant-make-you-a-villain-how-she-ras-catra-helped-make-sense-of-my-heart/

You can download the episode with a right click and clicking “save link as” or subscribe by searching for Superhero Ethics on Itunes or on Stitcher

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group, or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter account, or email us at [email protected].

Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics

This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble - Where Matthew just finished an episode by episode cast of Altered Carbon.

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:
Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen

Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at

Heroes can be boring- let’s talk villains! Rik Hayashi joins us to talk about the villains who have a point, the ones we can sympathize with, or even sometimes agree with. What makes someone a villain? What are the lines between a villain and a hero who is willing to do anything for the cause? We talk Sinestro, Killmonger, and what happens when Ben Sisko goes for a walk in the Pale Moon Light.

Riki Hayakshi is also a co-host on the Star Wars Universe Podcast, during our Clone Wars episodes.
You can download the episode with a right click and clicking “save link as” or subscribe by searching for Superhero Ethics on Itunes or on Stitcher

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group, or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter account, or email us at [email protected].

Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics

This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble - Where Matthew just finished an episode by episode cast of Altered Carbon.

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:
Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen
Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

This week, parent, geek, and holder of strong opinions, Jared Sylva, joins us to talk about watching geek media with kids. How do you decide what media to watch with kids, and how do you talk to them about it? What geek media offers entertainment and lessons for kids and parents alike? And how can parents deal with the so-called ‘Princess Problem?”

Whether you have kids of your own or not, this conversation goes deep on the messages media sends us, and how we consume it and talk about it with others.

Jared Sylva is a life-long Star Wars fan and a professional geek as the Organized Play department manager for Star City Games. who loves sharing the movies and shows he loves with his two young children. You can reach out to Jared on Twitter @JaredSylva.

You can download the episode with a right click and clicking “save link as” or subscribe by searching for Superhero Ethics on Itunes or on Stitcher

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group, or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter account, or email us at [email protected].
Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics

This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble - Where Matthew just finished an episode by episode cast of Altered Carbon.

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:
Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen

Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

Who has agency in Picard? Is Seven finally getting to define her own life, on her terms? Did the Romulans have a point, and why did Picard give up on the rescue and on the Federation?

This week, Matthew is joined by two of his podcasting inspirations, Matthew Carroll and David C Roberson to discuss season 1 of Star Trek Picard.

David C. Roberson is a life-long tv/film/book geek who likes to podcast and pursue various artistic endeavors. He's the co-host of DC on SCREEN, dconscreen.com, Star Trek Universe Podcast, startrekucast.com, and Breaking Bond, breakingbondcast.com. You can follow his artwork on instagram @drawingwithdave, his photography @dcrphotographer, and his video work at maladjusted.tv. He tweets @davidcroberson


Matthew Carroll is a podcaster and musician, whose Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast helped launch a wide range of genre media casts, all of which are part of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. His other podcasts include the Star Trek Universe Podcast, the Orville Universe Podcast, Bingers Assemble, and Who Watched the Watchmen, all of which can be found on Itunes, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. All of his podcasts and music can be found at Strandedpanda.Com

We talked about the gun-control episode of Arrow as an example of the wrong way to deal with difficult issues- here is the essay I mentioned that I wrote about it- https://superheroethics.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/the-arrow-that-missed-the-gun-control-episode-that-said-nothing/

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group, or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter account, or email us at [email protected].
Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics

This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble - Where Matthew is currently doing a 3 times a week watch of Altered Carbon

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:

Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen

Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

This week, we’re joined by returning guest Rob McKenzie, and first time guest Dan McCreary to talk about the ethics of Artificial Intelligence. What is AI, and what do we mean by concepts like sentience? Why does so much sci-fi assume AI will be our enemy? And what is the moral value of robotic life?

Rob McKenzie is a science fiction and fantasy reader and Magic the Gathering judge from Minnesota. He is passionate about interesting books, running great gaming events, and helping other people have fun with their passions.

Dan McCreary has working with AI in professional and hobby settings for many years. He is one of the co-founders of the AI Racing League, MN, which brings Artificial Intelligence education to underserved and underprivileged schools by teaching kids how to build and race model cars controlled by AI.

The movie mentioned by Dan was, Colossus, the Forbin project - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064177/

Matthew’s podcasting on Altered Carbon can be found here - https://www.spreaker.com/show/bingers-assemble


Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

You can post questions, or respond to our episode threads in our Superhero Ethics Facebook Group, or talk to us on the podcast’s Twitter account, or email us at [email protected].

Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics

Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics

This podcast is proud to be a member of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. Check it out to find a number of other great geek properties, including others co-hosted by Matthew.

With Matthew
The Orville Universe Podcast
Superhero Ethics Podcast
Bingers Assemble - Where Matthew is currently doing a 3 times a week watch of Altered Carbon

And some of the other great Stranded Panda podcasts include:
Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen
Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608