The Boiled Leather Audio Hour

The Boiled Leather Audio Hour episodes:

• 01.28.2024

  BLAH Special - Fighting Trump, with Frank Spring

  In a special, political episode, I talk with political operative Frank Spring about the upcoming presidential elections. If you don’t want politics from me, stay away from this episode :) You have been warned.  Download the episode! Torrent Our iTunes...

  
• 01.24.2024

  BLAH 187 | Top Ten TV Shows of 2023, with Sean T. Collins

  Sean has written a list of the top ten TV shows of 2023 (https://decider.com/2023/12/29/sean-t-collinss-top-10-tv-shows-of-2023/), and we’re here to talk about it. Take it as your to-do-list, nod along or vehemently disagree! Download the episode! Torrent Our iTunes page. Previous episodes....

  
• 12.24.2023

  BLAH 186 | Oppenheimer and logical insanity of nuclear weapons, with Tim Westmyer

  Oppenheimer has been released on BlueRay. Having missed it in cinema and after covering Barbie with Sean, I’ll now took BLAH veteran and nuclear deterrence expert Tim Westmyer to debate why Oppenheimer is such a good movie, to clear up...

  
• 12.03.2023

  BLAH 185 | Napoleon, way too short and way too long, with Steven Attewell

  Ridley Scott’s new epic “Napoleon” sure is divisive and polarizing. It takes two historians to get the definitive judgement on the movie, and it’s greatly helped that we are in agreement: this movie is either way too short or way...

  
• 11.13.2023

  BLAH 184 | A Tale of Two Germanies - Democratization, with Jim McGeehin

  BLAH 184 | A Tale of Two Germanies - Democratization, with Jim McGeehin With Zero Hour dealt with, we’re looking at how the Western Allies laid the foundations for the democratization of Western Germany. From the foundation of parties to...

  
• 11.02.2023

  BLAH 183 | Javi interviews Stefan, with Javi Marcos

  In a crossover with Javi Marcos, you’re getting an episode in which he interviews me. Download the episode! Our Patreon page at patreon.com/boiledleatheraudiohour. Torrent Our iTunes page. Previous episodes. Podcast RSS feed. Stefan’s blog. Javi on Twitter.

  
• 09.24.2023

  BLAH 182 | A Tale of Two Germanies - Zero Hour, with Jim McGeehin

  Jim and I started a new subseries in our ongoing coverage of German history. This time, we will cover the divided Germany after World War II up until reunification. In our first installment, we set the scene in 1945, directly...

  
• 09.09.2023

  BLAC 48 | Barbie (the Movie)

  In a surprise twist, we make a BLAC episode available for everyone! Enjoy, and if you do, pledge at the Conversationalist level and get access to 47 other episodes and everything that will come after! Download the episode! Torrent Our...

  
• 09.08.2023

  BLAH 181 | Designing board games, with Bryan Kromrey

  With board game designer Bryan Kromrey, I talk about the adaptation of the famous RTS “Company of Heroes”, how the modern Kickstarter economy works and how his process for a second edition went. Download the episode! Torrent Our iTunes page....

  
• 08.05.2023

  BLAH 180 | Best of ASOAIF - The Hound’s Origin Speech, with Sean T. Collins

  Origin stories are a Hollywood trope. Oftentimes, they’re rote and uninteresting, but if done right, they can recontextualize and enrich characters you never thought would rise above mid-level anti-hero-badassery. Case in point: the Hound, who gives the speech of a...

  
• 08.04.2023

  Download the episode! Torrent Our iTunes page. Previous episodes. Podcast RSS feed. Stefan on…

  Origin stories are a Hollywood trope. Oftentimes, they’re rote and uninteresting, but if done right, they can recontextualize and enrich characters you never thought would rise above mid-level anti-hero-badassery. Case in point: the Hound, who gives the speech of a...

  
• 06.30.2023

  BLAH 179 | Kaiserreich - War, 1918, with Jim McGeehin

  Finally, we’re in the home stretch. From the peace of Brest-Litovsk to the Kaiserschlacht offensive to the breakdown of the Central Powers and the winding down of the war in the fall, we’re doing the whole picture. Download the episode!...

  
• 06.22.2023

  BLAH 178 | The best of ASOIAF - Bran’s Dream, with Sean T. Collins

  In the next installment of our ongoing series, we talk about Bran’s Dream from AGOT, Bran III. It’s a testament to Martin’s abilities as a gardener as well as to our ability to constantly reinterpret the source text. Download the...

  
• 05.21.2023

  BLAM 177 | Kaiserreich: War 1917, with Jim McGeehin

  We continue into the year 1917! This time, our focus is not on tactics, strategy, weapons and stuff but on the epochal events of the Russian Revolution and the American entry into the war. Download the episode! Our Patreon page...

  
• 04.27.2023

  BLAM 176 | Kaiserreich - War 1916, with Jim McGeehin

  We’re continuing the story of World War I with the year 1916. The battles of Verdun and the Somme are the most famous, and we’re giving them the space they deserve, but the Romanian campaign, the Brusilov offensive and the...

  
• 04.19.2023

  BLAH 175 | The best of ASOIAF - Septon Meribald’s monologue, with Sean T. Collins

  It was only a question of time until we hit one of the most profound and meaningful pieces of text in the whole ASOIAF corpus, but we did it! Sean and I talk Septon Meribald’s “broken men” speech. Follow us...

  
• 03.27.2023

  BLAH 174 | Who is the Knight of the Laughing Tree?

  This is special episode. I have been challenged by Kienn Joiaf to defend my assertion that Lyanna Stark is the Knight of the Laughing Tree and to disprove their theory that in truth it is Eddard Stark. That theory is...

  
• 03.10.2023

  BLAH 173 | Kaiserreich - War 1915, with Jim McGeehin

  We’re continuing the story of World War I with the year 1915. From the massive loss of human lives in the big offensives, the Western stalemate and the breakthrough in the East, to technological innovations like aerial bombardement and poison...

  
• 03.04.2023

  BLAH 172 | Kaiserreich - War 1914, with Jim McGeehin

  We are finally here: World War I has broken out, and now it’s off to the military history. But not so fast! Before you think we’re down to discussing which caliber of gun is superior to which, let me assure...

  
• 12.22.2022

  BLAH 170 | Back to the sources, with Mattea Barbagallo

  Greek myths and medieval novels provide a rich tapestry of themes and inspiration that inspire literature for centuries now. Reason enough for us here at the Boiled Leather Audio Hour to go to that well and drink deep. I recruited...

  
• 12.22.2022

  BLAH 171 | Lightning doesn’t strike twice, with Sean T. Collins

  Sean and I are on record being huge fans of the German series “Dark”. Their creators now published their follow-up work, “1899”, streaming on Netflix. However, lighting doesn’t strike twice, and the show doesn’t manage to live up to its...

  
• 12.09.2022

  BLAH 168 | All Quiet on Netflix, with Peter Doyle

  I reviewed Netflix’ adaptation of “All Quiet on the Western Front” for the Patreon already, but now I want to do an in-depth-look with an expert and see whether my criticisms hold any merit. Aside from the new movie, we...

  
• 11.29.2022

  BLAH 169 | Andor, Episode 12, with Sean T. Collins

  CAUTION: The original upload contained episode 167 with Andor ep 11 again. This should be correct now. The finale is out! We get a funeral, a rom-com between two fascists, a prison break, a child marriage, police shooting unarmed civilians,...

  
• 11.28.2022

  BLAH 169 | Andor, episode 12, with Sean T. Collins

  The finale is out! We get a funeral, a rom-com between two fascists, a prison break, a child marriage, police shooting unarmed civilians, a terrorist, a failed assassination attempt and I’m sure I’m missing something else - but what does...

  
• 11.22.2022

  BLAH 167 | Andor, episode 11, with Sean T. Collins

  What is this? A review of Andor? Isn’t this supposed to be exclusive to the Boiled Leather Audio Moment? Yes, of course. But christmas is coming early! We’re publishing the last two episode reviews of this great show, because we...

  
• 11.18.2022

  BLAH 166 | Kaiserreich, July, with Jim McGeehin

  It’s been a long time since episode 151, but after the gruelling regime of covering three shows (HotD, LOTRTROP and Andor) simultaneously for weeks on end, we need to get back to our regular, light-hearted fare. This week, Jim McGeehin...

  
• 11.08.2022

  BLAH 165 | House of the Dragon, episode 10, with Sean T. Collins

  Not only did the Boiled Leather Audio Hour produce a roundtable about the finale, the regular episode with Sean T. Collin was produced as well! If my audio sounds a bit worse than usual, that’s because I had to record...

  
• 11.08.2022

  BLAH 164 | House of the Dragon, episode 10 ROUNDTABLE with Elio Garcia and Matteo Barbagallo

  The first season has come to a close! Before you get to enjoy the final review that Sean and I do together, I have a special treat for you: a roundtable discussion coming live from the “City of Dragons”, Caceres,...

  
• 11.08.2022

  BLAH 163 | House of the Dragon, episode 9, with Sean T. Collins

  The Green Council finally has arrived! People get murdered, smallfolk massacred, a king gets lost, factions betrayed, convictions challenged, all against the backdrop of incredibly sharp writing and great acting. Is there anything more you could want? We don’t think...

  
• 10.19.2022

  BLAH 163 | House of the Dragon, episode 9, with Sean T. Collins

  The Green Council finally has arrived! People get murdered, smallfolk massacred, a king gets lost, factions betrayed, convictions challenged, all against the backdrop of incredibly sharp writing and great acting. Is there anything more you could want? We don’t think...

  
• 10.12.2022

  BLAH 162 |House of the Dragon, episode 8, with Sean T. Collins

  What’s more relaxing than a nice family dinner? Maybe a wedding at the Twins. In this episode, the showrunners manage to make a dinner into one of the most tense scenes on TV in months. This show continues to impress,...

  
• 10.05.2022

  BLAH 161 |House of the Dragon, episode 7, with Sean T. Collins

  The newest episode of House of the Dragon is out, and so is our podcast! We’re covering a sad funeral, a nice family meeting, a kid finding a new pet, a grandfather loves his grandchildren. After that, we’re diving into...

  
• 09.28.2022

  Download the episode! Torrent Our iTunes page. Previous episodes. Podcast RSS feed. Stefan on…

  It’s ten years since the last episode, but lucky for everyone, only in narrated time. We meet up with new actresses, aged-up actors and a shit-ton of new characters for a very plot-heavy episode that really does some heavy lifting...

  
• 09.21.2022

  BLAH 159 | House of the Dragon, season 1, episode 5, with Sean T. Collins

  The fifth episode of “House of the Dragon” came out, and the show is still great. It’s one of the best shows out there right now, no question, and it might break in the pantheon of all-time stars. HBO still...

  
• 09.14.2022

  BLAH 158 | House of the Dragon, season 1, episode 4, with Sean T. Collins

  Last week we asked whether episode 3 was the best episode yet, and it was at the time. Now it’s been dethroned, and the new heir is episode 4! Sean and I produce our shortest review yet because this was...

  
• 09.07.2022

  BLAH 157 | House of the Dragon, season 1, episode 3

  Is this the best “House of the Dragon” episode yet? Granted, it’s only three episodes in, but this is shaping out to be one of the best shows an air right now. Sean and Stefan really gush about how good...

  
• 09.01.2022

  BLAH 156 | House of the Dragon, season 1, episode 2

  We did it! Sean and I coordinated our schedules and join our forces once again to talk “House of the Dragon”. This time, it’s episode 2. Is it better or worse than episode 1? It’s almost a moot discussion since...

  
• 08.28.2022

  BLAH 155 | House of the Dragon, episode 1, with Sean T. Collins

  The House of the Dragon is finally here! Sean and I have written our own reviews (here and here), but now comes the great synthesis of what we think about episode 1. We’re doing the deep dive: characters, actors, production,...

  
• 07.29.2022

  BLAH 154 | Best of ASOIAF - The Defenestration of Bran, with Sean T. Collins

  When Bran was thrown out the window by Jaime Lannister, this marked the first real signal that something was different about this series. Today, Sean and I explore as to why this is and what makes this scene special. Plus,...

  
• 07.04.2022

  BLAH 153 | Obi-Who Kenobi

  The Disney+ Miniseries “Obi-Wan Kenobi” starring Ewan McGregor just concluded its six-episode run. We are talking about why it was a show that exists but doesn’t really rise beyond that. Where does the strange lack of suspense, meaning and emotion...

  
• 06.14.2022

  BLAH 152 | The best of ASOIAF - The Knight of the Laughing Tree, with Sean T. Collins

  We are returing to our new series on our favorite moments in A Song of Ice and Fire. After Sean’s pick of the Tower of Joy last time, this time Stefan chooses The Knight of the Laughing Tree, the most...

  
• 05.21.2022

  BLAH 150 | Best of ASOIAF - The Tower of Joy, with Sean T. Collins

  In this brand new series, Sean T. Collins and I delve back into our favorite fantasy series and talk about our favorite moments. Starting off, how could it be otherwise, is the infamous scene from the Tower of Joy. What...

  
• 05.21.2022

  BLAH 151 | Kaiserreich, episode 7 - Alliances, with Jim McGeehin

  After we followed Bismarck’s delicate attempt at maintaining European balance in the favor of German foreign policy interests, we now watch it all crash down as Kaiser Wilhelm II takes the reigns and infuses some panage into the whole thing....

  
• 04.19.2022

  BLAH 149 | Kaiserreich, Episode 6: Colonialism, with Jim McGeehin

  Bismarck famously refused to engage in colonialism, only to do an about-face in the 1880s to create the third-largest colonial empire of the world. It didn’t do much good. A drain financially, utterly indefensible and diplomatically a heavy burden, it...

  
• 03.07.2022

  BLAH 148 | Kaiserreich, Episode 5: Balancing, with Jim McGeehin

  Bismarck felt, in the colloquial French of the times, the “cauchemar des coalitions”, the nightmare of coalitions. He wanted to keep the peace, but a peace on his terms. Was this ever possible, or was Bismarck’s artful foreign policy in...

  
• 02.12.2022

  BLAH 147 | The Wheel of Time, with Sean T. Collins

  The little known fantasy saga “The Wheel of Time” was picked up by niche channel Amazon Prime and made into a small-budget show of *checks notes* 80 million dollars, which is small compared to the *checks notes again* 500 million...

  
• 01.28.2022

  BLAH 146 | The Expanse, with Tim Westmyer

  The famous science-fiction epic by James S. A. Corey is now finished, with the ninth and final novel having been published in late 2021. Time to take stock and talk about this series. Is it any good? What is its...

  
• 01.17.2022

  BLAH 145 | Kaiserreich, episode 4: Kulturkampf, with Jim McGeehin

  In the latest episode of our Kaiserreich series, we talk about the three great domestic fights that the ruling conservatives fought in the Kaiserreich: political catholicism (the titular Kulturkampf), social democracy and feminism. All these presented challenges to the authority...

  
• 12.15.2021

  BLAH 144 | Happy Birthday to us

  The Boiled Leather Audio Hour is 10 years old! Congratulating yourselves isn’t a courteous thing to do, we know. But on a podcast, there’s little choice in how to do this, since we have to record, don’t we? And so,...

  
• 12.03.2021

  BLAH 143 | Kaiserreich, Episode 3: Constitution

  After waging the Wars of Unification last time, Jim and I now brace a battlefield on an entirely different sort: the smoke-filled backrooms of parliaments. We are following the creation of the German state not on the battlefield, but on...