We last met on March 1, 2020. A lot has changed since then. Like most people reading this, I've been hunkered down at home, isolating and trying to do my part in flattening the curve of COVID-19. I hope we're all taking this seriously and doing what we can. Above all else I wish you all the best and hope you're well. I'm sure we'll all get through this and good times will come again.m Or not. Either way, we'll talk about pop-culture until there's nothing left to say. And this week's episode covers a lot of ground.

Be sure to check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for a more detailed post with photos and whatnot.

Here's how the time breaks down for this episode:

• 0:00 - Intro stuff including a "rest in peace" to John Prine and some heartfelt thoughts on COVID-19.
• 15:59 - Music Break #1 - Lectio Divina
• 16:30 - Music stuff including discussion of new releases from Spinning Coin, The Potomac Accord, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Brian Fallon, Mountain Goats, Bob Dylan, and Michael Manring, among others!
• 46:50 - Music Break #2 - Burn
• 47:20 - Movies and TV discussion - Including Community, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, and A Stupid and Futile Gesture
• 1:05:11 - Music Break #3 - Coronation
• 1:05:41 - Outro stuff including a brief summary of books I've recently read and mention of my new obsession with the video game Hollow Knight

Big episode this week! We'll be back NEXT WEEK, assuming nothing terrible happens! I promise!