LET’SA GO! Today we’re leveling up with game enthusiast Grant Pettypiece, as we talk about the energetic Italian plumber beloved the world over; IT’SA MARIO! We’re talking about Mario’s humble origins as ‘jumpman’, intuitive game design, the Mushroom Kingdom’s questionable doctorate degrees, canonically trans birds, and which character is definitely NOT wearing a hat. Plus, we chat about how Nintendo prioritizes play and indulge in our own game of ‘Smash Bros or Pass bros’. 

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

HO HO HO! Today we’re chatting with ‘Because News’ producer and holiday enthusiast, Erin Conway, about the most wonderful time of the year; CHRISTMAS! We discuss the real (non-capitalist) spirit of the season, unusual traditions, Mariah Carey’s rebirth, thrifty gifting, eclectic ornaments, and why seasonal magic can be real if you let yourself enjoy it. Plus, a battle royale of Christmas movies and the hosts share their strangest holiday decorations (hint: some Halloween decor simply never got put away). 

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

Today we are joined by one half of I Hate It But I Love it, Jocelyn Geddie, to discuss her enduring love for writer, composer and broadway legend; STEPHEN SONDHEIM. We discuss Sondheim's Simone-Biles-style lyrical backflips, his humanist outlook, freak stage accidents, influential mentorships, musical pointillism, writing while high and how Sondheim’s unique style (and desire to swear) changed musicals forever. Plus, Steph gets possessed by Sondheim's ghost ‘Steve’ and Jocelyn vibrates through solid objects like the Flash.

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

THE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN! Get ready to outwit, outplay and outlast because today we’re talking to comedian Chelsea Larkin (she/her) about the reality show that just won’t quit: SURVIVOR!  We discuss forty-seven seasons worth of iconic contestants, questionable team sorting choices, coach potatoes, competition-beasts and the narrative importance of inclement weather. Plus, Chelsea reveals her enduring love for Jeff Probst and why you should never ever volunteer to do the puzzle. 

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

Get ready to fulfill all your fictional fantasies because this week we’re chatting with writer and podcaster, Diana McCallum (she/her), about the only artistic medium that is - for legal reasons - fueled exclusively by the power of fandom; It’s FANFICTION! We discuss the history of the genre, best-selling novels that started as fanfiction, the popularity of slash ships, male pregnancy, and all-werewolf universes, what ‘whump’ means, the perils of censorship, and why Anne Rice is probably rolling in her grave right now. Plus, Kyah and Steph share their own forays into the fanfiction world.

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

Get hyped for your Halloween costume because today we’re talking to professional makeup artist, Meg Fraser, about the magical and monstrous world of SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP! We’re taking you behind the scenes to talk about fake dirt, biologically correct injuries, old-age makeup, legendary creature designs and the iconic makeup artists whose work you didn’t realize you loved. Plus, some hot tips for your next zombie costume and a handy home-made blood recipe. 

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

Today we’re playing padawan to writer and comedian Ben Sosa-Wright (he/him) about the animated Star Wars property that literally saved the galaxy; THE CLONE WARS! We discuss Dave Filoni’s legendary efforts to make the Star Wars canon make sense, how Ahsoka became a fan-favourite, animated world-building, the lightsaber personality test, and which characters are queer coded (cause it’s more than you’d think). Plus, Kyah and Steph invent a brand new word.

 

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

Hold onto your butts! This week we’re excavating fascinating fact fossils with comedian and writer Chris Leveille, as we discover a fandom that DOES move in herds; JURASSIC PARK! We dig into the massive success of Crichton’s original book, how Spielberg masters fear and awe, (r)evolutionary special effects, an iconic (and meme-worthy) cast and a bunch of Pratt-keeping sequels that should have stayed extinct. Plus, Chris gives us his safety tips for dinosaur encounters, Kyah muses on the history of the summer blockbuster, and Steph shares her #1 favorite cosplay. 

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

Grab your straw hat and munch on a devil fruit because we’re talking to Katie Chin about her favorite manga, ONE PIECE! We discuss the loveable optimism of Monkey D. Luffy, geopolitical pirate politics, wacky island themes, awkward ‘kid appropriate’ edits, and how the author, Eiichira Oda, somehow created a narratively coherent world where he was allowed to draw whatever the hell he wanted. Plus, we assemble a crew from Katie’s favorite characters and get our own pirate personas. 

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

Cut an LVAT wire to the tune of Snow Patrol, because we’re talking to drag queen, gamer and superfan, Juice Boxx about the steamy medical drama that kills more people that it saves; GREYS ANATOMY! We discuss iconic soundtracks, weird medical cases, the origin of the ‘Pick Me’ girl, behind the scenes cast drama, a misguided musical episode, a parking lot of no return, the endless string of increasingly ridiculous disasters and why the plane crash episode was TOO far. Plus, a not entirely improbable game of marry/f*ck/kill. 

Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.