The Safe Spaces Podcast / safepodcast.com

We’ve got a special treat for longtime listeners to the Safe Spaces podcast as hosts Anton Hill and Nathan Evans invite a guest into their protected space; Dean Esmay (aka Max Kolbe), a controversial MRA (Men’s Rights Activist), anti-atheist activist, and culture counter-critic joins the program for an extended talk about his work as a pioneering member in his chosen fields.

Episode 17 of the Safe Spaces is here – and we’re not going anywhere! On the heels of Independence Day, there’s no shortage of political outrage and general stupidity worth talking about, so let’s just get right to it. Hold onto your hats, people!

Episode 16 of the Safe Spaces Podcast arrives, and just in the nick of time. What good would your weekend be without a little dose of sanity in this topsy-turvy world of political correctness gone mad? Pretty boring, no doubt, but thankfully you won’t have to exist in such a dull world of hypothetical deprivation.

It’s Episode 15 of the Safe Spaces Podcast; are you engaged? Our fearless hosts exercise their Constitutionally-protected right to talk nonsense and hyperbole about everything and anything that came into their universes this week, which is appropriate given the widening gap between ‘accepted’ speech and that horrible, reviled alternative.

Things heat up when multiple Oscar-winning thespian Daniel Day-Lewis (The Last of the Mohicans, Lincoln) announced his retirement from acting, which prompts our cinematically inclined hosts to engage on the merits of his performances, both past and present, as well as a rousing look at the MPAA and its erratic grading scale.

Also, listen for a disappointed update to last week’s look at the controversial production of Shakespeare in the Park’s Julius Caesar by way of Donald Trump, only now with more right-wing stage crashing!

From there the guys segue right into Teen Vogue “journalist” Lauren Duca and her ridiculous (and now-deleted) Tweet about the “the most compelling DC villain” of them all – the pay gap between Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot and her DCEU costars. As it turns out, there was no pay gap (in fact, Gadot was paid higher than most superhero headliners) and you can bet all this gets discussed, including Duca’s now-infamous appearance on the Tucker Carlson program (sans bowtie).

From here our hosts move onto the topic of the moment: free speech. Or, in the cast of our poor friends across the pond, the lack thereof. From the possibility of being jailed over supposed “hate speech” in the UK to the critically important victory of the Asian-American dance-rock band The Slants’ stunning victory in the US Supreme Court upholding their right to be as offensive as they wanna be, there’s plenty to mull over and grouse about this week.

As a bonus, our hosts give their two-cents about the recent congressional election in Georgia’s 6th congressional district special election between Democrat Jon Ossaff and Republican Karen Handel (who won, btw).

Episode 14 of the Safe Spaces Podcast: meaner, leaner, and more concise than ever before! In this week’s scintillating episode our hosts talk about the latest online fury du jour that is the supposed cultural appropriation by Nintendo’s beloved mustachioed mascot, Mario, with his upcoming Nintendo Switch debut game Super Mario Odyssey.

Can a cartoon character with outrageous proportions and an exaggerated Italian persona be guilty of appropriating ANY culture, let alone that of Mexican ponchos?

From there our hosts tackle the tragic news of both the Free Shakespeare in the Park’s substituting President Donald Trump in the Bard’s famed Julius Caesar play. In a follow-up of Kathy Griffin’s boneheaded ‘art’ showcasing Trump’s severed head, the story gets more heated after the shooting of several people at a congressional baseball practice for event for charity. The gunman, 66-yaer old James Hodgkinson of Illinois, was a fervent supporter of ex-Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and a genuine loon.

It turns out that Hodgkinson also left a public trail of actual hate-speech online, calling for the death of Republicans and their ilk, as well as decades of domestic abuse allegations and questionable gun behavior. Why such a person was even allowed access to a firearm may be the most important question of all, but it’s a question that’s completely ignored by those on both sides of the political conversation one-upping the crazy talk by their constituents. Is moral relevancy really moral?

Episode Thirteen of Safe Spaces is here… feeling lucky? We wouldn’t bet the kid’s college funds on those “sure thing” lottery tickets just yet, but lucky listeners are in for one hell of a show where anything can and often does happen. Well, as long as our brave hosts aren’t hauled away for crimes against humanity. Don’t jinx them.

The sad saga of comedian Bill Cosby sets the tone; regardless what side of the disgraced Jell-O Pudding Pop pitchman’s ongoing legal troubles you fall on, there’s no doubt of his influence on not just the world of comedy, but race relations in America. None of this could possibly end well.

Anton shares updates to past Safe Spaces favorite Laci Green, the online feminist and ‘sex expert’ who recently swallowed the Red Pill by daring to engage with MRAs – Men’s Rights Activists. Apparently, not only has Laci found new inspiration from having dialogue with others, but she’s also found love. True happiness is in short supply in SJW (social-justice warrior) circles, and it seems the predictable online villains are dead set on tearing that down by any means necessary.

But the updates aren’t over yet – not by a long shot. Nate updates listeners on the critical status of Warner Bros’ blockbuster Wonder Woman, whose box-office and absurdly praised reviews may have been slightly exaggerated by the mainstream media. That’s not to say the film’s performance isn’t note-worthy (hint: it is), but the guys discuss how the desire to over-exaggerate in the name of misguided feminism actually degrades whatever goodwill a crossover icon like Diana Prince might otherwise (forgive the pun) engender.

Attention 2017 movie “critics” and activists: Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton would like a few words; those with frail constitutions may want to skip this part.

Our final big story of the week goes to none other than the hilariously ill-named Reality Winner, a 25-year old contractor with the NSA charged with ‘willful retention and transmission of defense information’ for allegedly releasing classified documents to online news outlets. Incredibly, it was only after her arrest that things really started to get really crazy. Like, crazy, crazy.

The government alleges Ms. Winner not only stole classified documents about possible Russian interference, but may have horded other classified information she’s stashed away. But it’s Winner’s own words that may come back to haunt her, including an online presence that could only be called “nuts”, and at the very least disqualifying for government clearance in a sane world. Ms. Winner’s rants also (again allegedly) include sympathizing with Islamic terrorists, showing allegiances to foreign governments, and even an aside about blowing up the White House. Hmm, where have we heard that before…?

She also seems to have anticipated her self-inflicted martyr status, suggesting plans to play up the “cute, white female” angle to help make herself more sympathetic in the media. She even cites the public case of fellow celebrity leaker Chelsea Manning, who’s own 35-year sentence for leaking classified material was considerably shortened by outgoing US President Obama. Stay tuned!

A quick wrap-up includes such wide-ranging influences like gaming development god Shigeru Miyamoto (Super Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong) and journalistic polymath Arthur Koestler’s 1960 travelogue The Lotus and the Robot. Bill Cosby, The Terminator, and existential religious comparisons; where else would, nay, could you possibly get that kind of range on a little ole podcast?

Safe Spaces hits Episode Twelve! That’s more episodes than Star Wars (even counting the Prequels), and we’re doing our thing right here in our very own galaxy that’s not too far, far away. It doesn’t always feel like it, though, and thankfully we’ve got a veritable doozy of odds ‘n ends worth yakking about this week. Shall we begin?

First off: happy 50th Anniversary to The Beatles’ seminal concept album, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, released June 2nd, 1967 to enormous sales and much-fanfare. In the intervening time it’s prestige has only continued to grow, and should continue, despite the faddish preoccupation of delegitimizing anything someone, somewhere disagrees with. Did you know The Beatles culturally-appropriated teeny-bop music away from themselves? Neither did we!

Following up last week’s nonsensical hysteria over DC Comics/Warner Bros’ new Wonder Women film, the guys talk about bloated reviews and even more bloated expectations from the “right” type of content. From lackluster games to even more lackluster blockbusters, it’s a trip down the secret and often shilly world of “professional” criticism where intent and agenda matter most…even if nobody is listening. From here the guys segue into the recent video of The Mic’s Xavier Harding insistence that games like Street Fighter 2 – pardon the pun – lighten up in their depictions of bad guys with darker skin tones.

Conversations about superficial racial stereotyping in game journalism? Oh, you’ve got it!

Speaking of feminist superheroes, everyone’s favorite Fake Rape heroine is back: Mattress Girl Returns! That’s right, Emma Sulkowicz i.e. Mattress Girl, has resurfaced to once again make reporting actual sexual assault more difficult with a racy BDSM “art installation” that features the once mattress-laden “artist” clad in a US flag bikini, lashed to wood, verbally berated, complete with simulated violence and rope-tightening. Oh, and she’s totally with #TheResistance (of course), and anti-Trump. Of COURSE she is!

It’s simply too stupid for words alone, so here’s a link for those brave enough to watch the poor girl’s continuing mental illness on full display.

Of course, we couldn’t leave out the single biggest idiocy of the week, and by that we mean comedian Kathy Griffin’s bizarre decision to post intentionally ‘controversial’ images of her hoisting up a “severed head” of what appears to be President Donald Trump. Funny? Not really. But we’d expect nothing less from the world’s most popular D-list celebrity.

In a move that shocked our hosts, cable channel CNN quickly distanced themselves from their favorite New Years co-host, axing her planned appearance with Anderson Cooper. The jury’s still out if the network will rid themselves of her complete (don’t count on it), but at the time of this writing the only sponsor to wipe Griffin entirely from their ranks is the Squatty Potty Toilet Stool, which is a thing that (dare we say it) deserves better than to link its bowel-enhancing futures with a potty-mouth comedian.

There’s bound to be more dismissals coming, too, as the virtue signaling sponsors join the chorus to show their disapproval. There’s no big loss to the culture, however, as Griffin’s ads were never as great or inventive as the company’s iconic ice cream-pooping unicorn one. And…with that image in mind it’s about as good a place to wrap things up for the week.Enjoy the weekend, and just remember that it’s always easier to get with a little help from your friends. Like your Safe Space friends! Psychotropics not included.

Episode Eleven of the Safe Spaces podcast comes on the even of unimaginable tragedy; the horrific bombing of innocents at a concert in Manchester, England by a depraved suicide bomber. Our condolences and best-wishes to those affected by this senseless violence and Islamic extremism.

That said, a word of caution: this episode is especially saucy, absolutely chock-full of words and expressions that could possibly melt the less fragile defenses of unsuspecting listeners. From Katy Perry to Donald Trump and everything in-between, let this be your trigger warning. Note: Eddie Izzard makes an appearance, so it’s not all bad.

Moving forward, there’s plenty to talk about in this week’s cross-section of nonsense. First up is the inflammatory missive drafted by iO9’s Beth Elderkin about DC/Warner Bros. upcoming DCEU blockbuster Wonder Woman, arguably the first female-starring superhero blockbuster worth a damn. Titled “A Women-Only Wonder Woman Screening Is Predictably Upsetting Dumb-Ass Sexists”, it detailed how the famous Alamo Drafthouse theater in Texas would host a “Ladies Only” screening of the upcoming film, which didn’t sit well with some comic fans.

The piece spread as only dangerous viruses can online, helping propagate division and artificial sexism where there was none before. Both aggravating and puzzling, this type of SEO-jacking clickbait usually passes by our patient hosts without a second glance, but they figured the everlasting appeal of the most popular female superhero would make a good starting point for discussion about ignorant “journalism”, sexual privilege, as well as an insightful look at how the culture of “Twitter Outrage” leads many to preemptively judge and silence those they disagree with – before they disagree with them!

From here the guys talk tacos – racist, culturally-appropriating tacos, that is. The sad story about two white women in – where else? – Portland who had the temerity to open their own food wagon serving delicious, Mexican-influenced food to hungry patrons. Naturally, that two Americans of European decent would commit such a hate crime inflamed many online, as is often the case.

A look at the history of how culture evolves and spreads via gastronomy may conjure up the need to order Taco Bell, and we make no apologies. Soft tacos and chicken chalupas, please!

Concluding this week’s show is none other than British mono-named singer Morrissey, who following the suicide attack in Manchester had the audacity to share his thoughts on his Facebook page, which drew both predictable support and predictable derision from fans and detractors alike. Our hosts examine the singer’s comments and how they may not just tie into the ideology of groups, but also segue into a fun history of our favorite (and most devastating) swear words in the English language – in England! If anything helps earn us that “Explicit” podcast rating, it’s this part right here. Proceed with caution.

A final cap-nod to the ongoing agony of how both the University of Arizona and UCLA have been hiring creepy-sounding “Social Justice Advocates” to pad newly formed units to help prosecute “bias incidents” and other ghoulish-sounding crimes. Who knows, maybe even listening to this podcast could lead to expulsion; stranger things have happened!

Your friendly neighborhood Safe Spaces reaches Episode Ten! That’s right, we’ve survived long enough to reach a numerical base level worth celebrating! Speaking of surviving, did you know that Twitter banned our Safe Spaces account from existence, and without any warning or explanation? Check out the nasty message our future overlords sent our way, if you dare. Fun times in the Land of Authoritarianism, but that’s what we’re here for.

It’s an episode chock-full of juicy follow-ups, explanations, and a few surprises. Did you know Anton wanted to revisit last week’s controversial removal of Civil War monuments – and what that means for protecting both our nation’s history and the frail self-esteem that academia seems to be inflicting on countless students. Statues, institutions, and other solid rock memorabilia have managed to survive revolutions, war, earthquakes and more…but can they survive social justice?

From here the guys talk about how alternative rock duo (and LGBTQ “ally”) PWR BTTM has been devastated by anonymous allegations of sexual assault by lead singer Ben Hopkins that surfaced on feminist muck-raking blog Jezebel (they of Gawker infamy). It’s a case of he-said, she-said..or in this case, she-said, they-said, and of the confusion caused by preferred-gender pronouns and anonymous sourcing of controversies online.

Up next is newly-crowned Miss USA Kara McCullough’s making waves online with her views that healthcare isn’t a right but ‘a privilege’. Perhaps fearing a bikini-clad rebellion, she’s since spent much of her reign walking back and clarifying her position. What follows is an epic examination of not just US healthcare policy, but an edifying look at how the fashion industry inculcates self-esteem issues in women (high-heels aren’t a right, either), and how our culture encourages unnecessary angst and emotional anxiety with light-skin envy and hair extensions, especially with black women.

Our final discussed item this week comes by way of disgraced ex-congressman Anthony Weiner, who pled guilty to sending illicit messages to a 15-year old girl. Our hosts use this occasion to also discuss – what else? – President Donald Trump and his detractors’ never-ending campaign to have him removed from office (not like The Donald’s not making it any easier for them). From the dismissal of FBI Director James Comey, allegations that Trump interfered with a federal investigation, and the general madness that continues to make up nearly all of ‘professional’ journalism. Buckle up, friends, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.

To wrap things up our wildly original hosts have a fun follow-up to last episode’s irreverent collection of new Psy videos; did you recognize a fellow YouTube sensation lurking in the background of his video “I Luv It”? If you’re obsessed with clicks, likes, and shares, you’re looking at the sensation that is Japanese entertainer Kazuhiko Kosaka and his irresistible Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen (PPAP). Yes, yes, we’re super-late here, but better late than never, right?

The Saga continues as we’ve finally reached Safe Spaces Episode Nine! There’s tons out there worth talking about, even more worth shouting about, and this week our hosts find much to munch on. Let’s get right to it!

We get feisty out of the gate with the stunning and brave tale of popular YouTube “influencer” and trendsetting feminist voice Laci Green, who’s making hay by having the audacity to question the ethics of the online SJW set – social justice warriors for you social Luddites. That a popular personality’s epiphany that open-mindedness and willingness to converse with those she doesn’t understand would – or should – ever be considered brave and insightful is mind-boggling, but that’s the world we live in. Progress!

In a week that saw President Trump fire FBI Director James Comey, you’d be right in assuming the topic would be prime material on this week’s episode. However, you might be surprised to hear that our observant hosts don’t bother with the facts and figures of this budding ‘controversy’, as there’s actual few facts and figures just yet. They don’t know exactly what happened (nobody does). Rather than simply regurgitate mindless talking points, the guys take a different approach; exposing the hypocrisy and tantrum-inducing hysteria rotting away what little credibility remains from both political spectrum that dominate US politics.

In a follow-up to last week’s Stephen Colbert packed episode, the Late Show host has kept his unfunny vendetta against the President alive and well, throwing bombs and bad jokes to make his point. However, we discover something amiss with laugh track to Colbert’s program, and bring choice clips to demonstrate. Listen as Colbert plays his all-too-willing audience like the trained seals they are, barking out the right tonally correct responses when prompted.

Naturally, Trump’s abrupt dismissal of the derided director has caused massive (and quite entertaining) conniptions with actual politicians, too, giving casual observers a look at what cognitive dissonance actually looks like in practice. No single individual has demonstrated this more then Californian Congresswomen Maxine Waters, who never fails to demonstrate the need for term limits and the importance of passing a psychological evaluation before running for public office.

Listen as MSNBC’s Peter Alexander shows an amazing level of restraint by keeping his head from exploding in Scanners-like fashion as he grills the Congresswoman over the word salad spewing from her mouth. Again, this isn’t Fox News, but MSNBC grilling Mrs. Waters. Now that’s stunning and brave. Speaking of brave, our hosts do listeners a solid by keeping the hilarious – and hilariously scary – to an absolute minimum (you’re welcome).

Capping off this week’s most distressing story bits was the news that work crews, clad in bulletproof vests and under the protection of snipers, continued to remove monuments dedicated to the “Lost Cause of the Confederacy” in New Orleans. Their removal has been just the latest salvo by supporters and critics alike to reevaluate the politics and legacy of the American Civil War, the deadliest conflict in US history.

From Mark Twain to Chicago’s public libraries to Mao’s Cultural Revolution, the guys take listeners on an epic journey through history as they attempt to reconcile the needs of government to regulate – and protect – those moments (and monuments) representing the best, worst, and most divisive parts of our shared heritage. There are no easy answers or solutions to such complicated issues, in spite of what shady politicians might tell you.

And just so the guys don’t leave listeners on the precipice of doom and gloom, they close out this week’s episode by going back to where it all started – YouTube! While we’re still a few months away from its fifth anniversary, Korean rapper-slash-color enthusiast Psy continues his mission to topple his own Gangnam Style as YouTube’s most-watched video, like, ever with TWO new contenders this week: I Luv It and New Face, both crazy colorful and both absolutely bonkers. 즐겨!