We bring you this episode for the glory of our beloved company, in deference to Kier.

We’re back! With a breakdown of one of the year’s most puzzling, thrilling, and mind-boggling new shows, Severance. This show has everything: Kafkaesque bureaucratic nightmare; Humorist drama inspired by Hippocratic medicine; late capitalism; academic buffoonery; wellness horror; and ritualistic workplace waffle parties. As we try to unravel the mysteries of Lumon, the controversial Severance procedure, and the rather hollow notion of “work life balance,” a couple of key themes necessitate further exploration. We’ll look to philosopher John Locke for the emergence of modern conceptions of the self and human consciousness as they relate to memory. Plus, we’ll jump in the time machine to explore a lesser-known moment in American history with strange parallels to the cult-like corporate labyrinth of Lumon: John Humphrey Noyes’s 19th century free-love commune, the Oneida Community.

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From the Godfather to the grandfather of modern cinema… This week, we’re taking on another epic American classic, considering one of—if not the finest film ever made: Citizen Kane. From the technical cinematic innovations of young director Orson Welles to the timeless tale of a media magnate turned political hopeful, Citizen Kane proves painfully resonant with the world of today. We explore the twists and turns of this slanted biography, one haunted by the figure of Kane, who, himself, remains voiceless. We track the historical evolution of mass communication and media that gave rise to Kane’s real-world analog, William Randolph Hearst—and the Yellow Journalism wars that precipitated a real-life international conflict. Ultimately, in the search for truth, we are always missing a piece of the puzzle—whether we’re looking for the truth about a man’s life, a nation’s foundational myth, or human nature itself.

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The Midnight Myth is proud to present our 200th episode spectacular - covering Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 classic The Godfather. In its 50th anniversary year, the underworld epic still burns with outstanding technical achievement and searing tragedy. With arguably career-best performances from its leading cast, rich cinematography, and a gripping story of the American Dream won and lost, The Godfather is considered one of the greatest movies ever made. We discuss the delicate strings and long-set machinations that drive our protagonist, Michael Corleone, to his moral downfall (much like a Greek tragedy), the pastoral promise of Michael’s Apollonian interlude, and how the experiences of Sicilian and Italian immigrants in America shaped generations to come. And much, much more.

Thank you for joining us for 200 episodes. May there be 200 more.

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Welcome to Episode two hund— just kidding! We’re kicking off the lead-up to our big Episode 200 Spectacular with a reading of listener-submitted questions. You sent us your questions, we pondered, and we're ready to share how the sausage is made here at the Midnight Myth. Come along for our thoughts on Egyptian mythology, American Pie(?), Stephen King, working parenthood, and other out-there topics. Thank you to everyone who submitted a question. Your listenership and engagement with us is so meaningful.

Listen to the end as we reveal the winner of our Norse mythology/Marvel-themed GIVEAWAY!

AND

The announcement of our topic for Episode 200, coming soon from the Midnight Myth…

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Support us at www.patreon.com/midnightmyth

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In the beginning…

Join us for a podcast 7,000 years in the making, as we take on Marvel’s Eternals (2021)… for the second time in a few weeks - Check out our review of Eternals alongside the incomparable Geek Salad here. It’s a film teeming with history, mythology, and philosophy - the energy cocktail that powers our podcast. We discuss the mythological counterparts for the characters and artifacts in Chloe Zhao’s film, debate some of the movies most cogent themes, and argue for its place within the MCU. We also explore the interesting space Eternals occupies at the intersection of Charles Darwin, Walt Whitman, and Rene Descartes.

Be sure to participate in our Q&A - ask on any of our social platforms or via the web contact form at midnightmyth.com to be entered in a Norse myth/Marvel giveaway bundle for our 200th episode!

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Support us at www.patreon.com/midnightmyth

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Coming in spring of 2022, Sleep & Sorcery is a folklore and fantasy-inspired sleep series from the co-creator of The Midnight Myth Podcast. Step across the threshold into a world of myth and magic, where you can safely drift off into a deep and comfortable sleep. Sleep & Sorcery is one part bedtime story, one part guided meditation, and one part dreamy adventure.

My name is Laurel, and I’ll be your guide on infinite fantastical journeys. On each episode of Sleep & Sorcery, I’ll whisk you away to a far-off time and place. Visit a cozy cottage in the mythical village of Slumbershire, where you’ll share a cup of tea with old friends, reminiscing on your past adventures to misty mountains and elven halls. Travel through the mysterious forests of Bohemia, encountering fairy tale creatures and exploring gothic churches. Go back in time to the court of King Arthur and embark on a meditative quest for lost relics. Soar in a spaceship among the stars, taking in the awesome sights of cosmic phenomena. Each sleep story is carefully crafted to evoke feelings of comfort, safety, and relaxation – paired with breath work or a soothing body scan to send you naturally into sleep.

Sleep & Sorcery. See you in your wildest dreams.

Music: A Glimpse of Avalon by Flouw, from EpidemicSound.com

Special Thanks to Derek Jones

Drawers! Floors! Doors! Let’s go!

Come with us to Casa Madrigal, the magical casita that sits in the heart of a wondrous Colombian community. After spending weeks with “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” buzzing in our heads, we’re discussing Disney’s 2021 animated smash Encanto, and the myriad ways it evolves the studio’s offerings. Drawing inspiration from the beautiful landscape, culture, and music of Colombia, the literary magic of Marquez, and the tragic history of the country, Encanto weaves a vision that’s truly moving. We discuss how the Madrigal family suffers from intergenerational trauma, and the intense work they must undertake to heal their collective wounds. We also dive into the history of Colombia to try and place Encanto in time, giving the story additional emotional context. Lastly, we acknowledge some of the many mythological parallels in the story. The stars don’t shine, they burn.

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Support us at www.patreon.com/midnightmyth

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Whether you wear blue robes or red, serve the White Cloaks or the Aes Sedai, or follow the way of the leaf, you’re welcome at our fire for this week’s discussion of Amazon Prime’s The Wheel of Time, based on the books by Robert Jordan. We explore religious, mythological, and philosophical traditions that subscribe to a cyclical cosmology (a “wheel of time”) and contemplate the implications on the story world. We also delve into the three oaths of the Aes Sedai, and the limitations of deontological moral systems in corruptible institutions. Unexpected cameos by Isaac Asimov and Cleopatra, as well.

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Support us at www.patreon.com/midnightmyth

Check out our merch store for Midnight Myth, Boomerangerang, and Wheel of Ka tees and totes!

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Derek and Laurel are back, and on the eve of 2021 ending and 2022 beginning they look back on the last year and ask about how living life as new parents in a pandemic challenged, changed, and evolved their relationship to contemporary story telling. As The Midnight Myth gets close to two years since having attending a movie in a theater, what themes connect the experience of interacting with media in a pandemic environment? What narratives drew us in and how did we grow as individuals, a family and a podcast?

We discuss supporting local theater, the evolution of the MCU as it jumps into streaming television, and how the prospective of the pandemic permeates into our view of narratives… from Don’t Look Up, too Hawkeye, Ted Lasso, Midnight Mass, Morning Show, Mythic Quest, Loki, and so much more!

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Support us at www.patreon.com/midnightmyth

Check out our merch store for Midnight Myth, Boomerangerang, and Wheel of Ka tees and totes!

Learn more, view sources and inspiration, and sign up for e-mail updates at www.midnightmyth.com

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Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! For lo, I bring you tidings of a great podcast. We’re thrilled to be back in the studio with a 2021 Christmas Spectacular. This year, we’ll use the 1965 classic A Charlie Brown Christmas to explore the sweeping history of Christmas traditions like the Christmas tree, pageants, and ritual media consumption. From ancient pagan festivals to medieval mystery plays, from Washington Irving to postwar capitalism, A Charlie Brown Christmas prompts the kind of philosophical inquiry you might not expect from a 25-minute cartoon. Whatever and however you celebrate, and with whom, we wish you a happy holiday season and a joyous new year.

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Support us at www.patreon.com/midnightmyth

Check out our merch store for Midnight Myth, Boomerangerang, and Wheel of Ka tees and totes!

Learn more, view sources and inspiration, and sign up for e-mail updates at www.midnightmyth.com

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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!