Hi friends!

This week we had a totally normal conversation about the show Doctor Odyssey! Specifically, we chatted about the passengers on board the different cruises and our feelings about the way the show depicted them and the ways they were treated. We talked about some of our favorite themes, like Gay week and Sophisticated Ladies week, and some of our least favorite themes, such as Wellness week and Plastic Surgery week.

We also talked about the representation of Autism and other mental health disorders on this show, as well as the acceptance, or lack thereof, demonstrated towards the various passengers from the crew members, and the way their relationships with passengers affected the care they received. We can't wait to dive in even deeper in our discussion about the crew in our next episode!

In the meantime, if you have any strong opinions or feelings about this show, we'd love to hear them! You can reach us on Bluesky, Tumblr, or email us at [email protected].

Thanks!

Hi Friends!

We officially made it! This week we took some time out to chat about the past year and how far we've come! We talked about the ways doing this podcast has affected us, and our plans for moving forward.

To round out our special chats for Pride month, we also took the opportunity to have a very special guest join us to talk about his personal Pride experiences! Our incredible friend James chatted with us about his life as a trans man and how he celebrates during Pride. He also talked to us about his fandom experiences and the way it is affected by his transition. We also discussed the story he wrote about Cas as a trans man, which we've linked here:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12463152/chapters/28363596

Finally, we announced our new project coming in July! Please stick around to the end of the episode to hear the trailer for our new podcast, Raise No Cry of Murder!

Thanks!

Hi friends!

This week we had a totally normal conversation about the 2020 documentary Disclosure.

We had some really great discussions about trans representation in tv and film over the last century, and the way trans stories have historically been presented. We discussed the different stereotypes commonly presented about trans people in media, and the way intersectionality plays a huge role in trans representation.

We also talked about the importance of seeing trans people in media and how it affects the way people, particularly Americans, understand trans people and trans experiences.

If you have anything you’d like to add to this discussion, let us know! You can reach us on Bluesky at @TotallyNormalAT.bsky.social or on Tumblr at totallynormalaboutthat. You can also email us at [email protected]

Thanks!

Hi Friends!

This week we had a conversation that was a bit different than our usual chats. In honor of Pride, we decided to watch and discuss The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson and have a critical conversation about queer history and the roots of the Pride movement. We feel that we cannot truly understand the importance of Pride without understanding the people in the early days of the movement and the sacrifices they made.

Please be aware that we cover a lot of serious topics in this episode, the foremost of which is transphobia and violence against gay and trans people. We also talk seriously about intersectionality, marginalization, police violence, mental health, homelessness, and the way we litigate queerness in modern day.

We touch on the way the documentary treats Marsha and the people who knew her, and the importance of keeping record of queer history.

Here is the Forbes article referenced in our conversation: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2024/11/16/350-transgender-people-murdered-in-2024-will-the-violence-ever-end/

If you have anything you'd like to discuss with us about this episode, please reach out to us! You can find us on Bluesky at @TotallyNormalAT.bsky.social, on tumblr at totallynormalaboutthat, or you can email us at [email protected].

Hi Friends!

This week we had a totally normal conversation about the 2005 movie version of Kinky Boots! We talked about the way the true story was loosely adapted into this movie and the changes that were made to the story. We discussed the way the story of Lola was centered to humanize trans people, the presentation of trans experiences and bigotry, and the way language was used in the movie to discuss trans issues.

If you have strong feelings about this movie, let us know! You can find us on Bluesky at @TotallyNormalAT.bsky.social, on Tumblr at totallynormalaboutthat, or you can email us at [email protected].

Thanks!

Hi Friends!

This week we had a totally normal conversation about the second installment of the Knives Out franchise, The Glass Onion! We talked a bit about some of the pretty obvious real world comparisons and the way in which the movie villainizes & then punishes billionaires.

We also talked about the different characters in this movie & their motivations, and the ways in which they justify their greed & loyalty to Miles. We also talked about the clever ways the movie chooses to reveal information to the audience and the characters that allows for maximum chaos.

If you enjoy this movie or have strong feelings about anything we discussed today, we want to hear about it! You can email us at [email protected], or find us on Bluesky at @TotallyNormalAT.bsky.social or on Tumblr at totallynormalaboutthat

Thanks!

Hi Friends!

This week we were joined by Nell's sister Sophie for a totally normal conversation about the movie Knives Out! We had an amazing time discussing the different twists and turns of this mystery and what makes it such an amazing story!

We talk about the bigotry in the movie and how the way different storytelling elements really unravel the character's personalities along with the events of the story. We talk about Northern vs Southern stereotypes for queer men, and we were also treated to some hilarious impressions by Sophie herself!

If you enjoy this movie or have strong feelings about what we discussed, please come let us know! You can reach us by email at [email protected] or on Bluesky at @TotallyNormalAT.bsky.social

Thanks!

Hi Friends!

This week we had a totally normal conversation about the novel titled The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly. This book is a hidden gem, and if you enjoy historical fiction, it absolutely deserves a place on your list!

We discussed how this story has a little something for everyone, whether that's a coming-of-age story, a romance, or a murder mystery! It also addresses class struggles, immigration, discrimination against queer folks, and so much more!

While most of our focus this episode was spent on the main character Fiona, and the primary queer character Nick, there's so much we didn't even manage to dig into! If you haven't read it yet, please treat yourself!

And if you have, please PLEASE tell us! You can email us at [email protected] or message or tag us on Bluesky by searching @TotallyNormalAT. And if you have more queer fiction you want us to check out, let us know!

Thanks!

Hi Friends!

This week we are back with more discussion about Sense8, and this time we're moving on to Season 2! We were joined again by our amazing friend Lyra, who is as totally normal as we are about this show!

We talked about the individual character arcs through the season, as well as the way the characters worked together to help one another grow and eventually overcome Whispers and set BPO back on track! We also took time to explore the ever-developing relationships and sexualities presented in the show, including the polyamorous representation both in and out of the cluster.

If YOU have strong feeling about this show, we want to hear them! And if you are like Lyra and have suggestions for us about pieces of media you'd like us to cover, we want to know! You can reach us by email at [email protected] or find us on Bluesky by searching TotallyNormalAT. Thanks!

Hi Friends!

This week we played Fuck-Marry-Kill: Fandom Edition! We had different combinations of pieces of media we've covered, characters, creatures, and fic tropes that we had a great time playing with! Some decisions were easy, others were emotionally brutal, but in the end, we had a fantastic time and excited to do it again!

If you have strong feelings about the combinations we discussed in this episode, or if you have suggestions for future combinations, we want to know! You can reach us on Bluesky at @TotallyNormalAT or email us at [email protected].

Thanks!

PS: here are the links to the fics mentioned, as promised:

Out Of The Deep: https://archiveofourown.org/works/548878/chapters/977676

I CARRY YOUR HEART (I CARRY IT IN MY HEART): https://archiveofourown.org/works/35153119

Home is just a room full of my safest sounds: (aka the mpreg fic Lucia mentioned): https://archiveofourown.org/works/60028648/chapters/153157345