Part 2 of my discussion with fellow RTI host Michelle Chiang!

In this episode we discuss the themes that moved us most in the book. How the theme of fate versus choice plays out for us. Finally, why we think the series remains a Tale of Our Time.

Guest Michelle Chiang joins again to discuss the Harry Potter series, by JK Rowling. We discuss the series in general, do a special summary of Michelle's favorite book in the series, and what the series taught us about authority, and respect (even for those we don't like).

Join us on the first of this two-parter!

What can a video game teach us about grief? Host Amanda Stephens is joined by this week's guest: Bonnie Yuen to discuss a game that describes itself as "a cozy management game about death". We discuss Spiritfarer (developed by Thunder Lotus games), how it lives up to the promise of it's tagline, and why a videogame may just be the perfect medium for such a complicated topic.

This week, we're discussing the popular Taiwanese drama, Wave Makers (directed by Chun-Yang Lin)! Host Amanda Stephens is joined by her friend Maggie Wu, as she explains just how this new Netflix drama managed to grab so much attention and live up to it's name. We discuss election culture in Taiwan, gender equality, and how this particular political drama stood out among the crowd.

This week, we're discussing our most recent release yet: the game Honkai: Star Rail, published by HoYoVerse (Yes-- the same publishers of Genshin Impact). Host Amanda Stephens is joined by guest Mika Ko for what we know about this game so far, and how there's a little bit of everyone. We discuss what makes this game so relatable for the everyman, how this game may fit into a larger world narrative with it's famous cousin Genshin, and how even a Gacha Game can impart lessons we all benefit from.

Part 2 of our Jurassic Park two-parter!

Host Amanda Stephens is once again joined by guest Anthony Van to follow-up on themes discussed in the first episode that we just didn't have the time for! We discuss what exactly Jurassic Park may warn us about. What it means to be a cautionary tale, and how we think Man-Vs-Dinosaur fits into the "Man vs. Nature" archetype.

Part one of our very first two-parter! Host Amanda Stephens discusses the 1993 Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg. Joined by Anthony Van, we discuss how this classic joins the long list of cautionary tales before it. Of course, we also discuss how the film affected our own love (or fear) of dinosuars, and what the film might tell us about genetic engineering!

In honor of Disney's 2023 "The Little Mermaid", I revisit the 1989 original! (Written and directed by John Musker, and Ron Clements.) Host Amanda Stephens is joined by Kim Gordon, a self-proclaimed Little Mermaid expert! We discuss how Ariel was different from all the princesses before her, why Eric should be given more credit, and some thoughts on the upcoming new film. Join us to get a whole new perspective on this animated classic!

Everything! Everywhere! All at once! Today my guest Tyler Gelbar and I discuss the award-winning film, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. We review the highs and lows, how a bagel can be depression, the power of kindness, and choosing who we want to be around, despite the odds.

In this episode, we discuss "Beetlejuice: The Musical, The Musical, The Musical" (yes, repeated three times!) Specifically, we discuss the Broadway performance directed by Alex Timbers, with music by Eddie Perfect. Fellow RTI producer Chris Carnahan and I discuss why this viral show may have been panned by critics, why a show about death can be cathartic, and how the story of how a show is made may be just as interesting as the show itself.