Gaze into the Blue Light: Recent Episodes
Your Host Steve
A new snack box delivery from Universal Yum! A new beer from Free Will Brewing! A new trip recap from Dubrovnik and Pittsburgh!
In this episode, Steve and Nikki sip some Spanish wine and chat while a sumptuous Bolognese is simmering in the kitchen. They do a restaurant review of Bourbon & Branch and record on location in South Philly for a review of the famous South Philly Barbacoa.
In this episode of the Similar Tastes Podcast, Steve and Nikki do their first report "On Location" from the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. They review their bike rental with Indego Bikes and their ride along the river. Next, they talk about the struggle of having a bad meal at a restaurant. They talk about whether you should send your food back and the benefits of having a bad meal. Then, they review season 20 of Top Chef so far and then do a movie review discussion of the award-winning movie Triangle of Sadness. Featured wine: Gulp Hablo Verdejo-Sauvignon Blanc 2022- La Mancha, Spain.
Fresh out of Philadelphia, it’s the Similar Tastes podcast! In the first episode of the new season, Steve and Nikki recount an amazing meal at a Sicilian restaurant Irwin's in the Bok Building in South Philly, then discuss two new travel/food shows. They do a review of the new travel and food show Searching for Mexico (Hulu/CNN) stars Eva Longoria as she explores Mexico. They also review the new show The Reluctant Traveler (AppleTV+) which stars Eugene Levy as he is disappointed with everything in global travel hotspots.
In this episode, Steve and Nikki catch everyone up on what's been going on since the last episode in September '22. Books reviewed: Family Lexicon by Natalia Ginzburg and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (also the show on HBO). Other things we mentioned: The Curious Casebook of Inspector Hanshichi, Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words, Alice Isn't Dead podcast, Serial podcast season 1, The Statue podcast, Not Lost podcast, our trips to DC and New Hampshire, Grabriella's Vietnam, Spaghetti Carbonara recipe by Alisson Roman. featuring a guest appearance by Scrappy. Featured wine: Nu Litr Rosso Puglia Progetto Calcarius 2020
In this episode, Nikki and Steve recap the books they read, shows they watched, and trips they took over the summer of 2022. They talk about the one and only Stanley Tucci, seeing the sights in Rome, and what they’ve been up to since January. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve and Nikki review and chat about the book Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel and the show Station Eleven on HBOMax. They also review the book Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey and the show Search Party on HBOMax.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve and Nikki welcome in the new year by chatting about the books The Original Glitch by Melanie Moyer and How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan. They also shoot the breeze about watching Don't Look Up and Death to 2021 on Netflix.
Buy The Original Glitch by Melanie Moyer and Lanternfish Press
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve and Nikki look back to the first episode in November 2020. They talk over how things have changed since then, their favorite books, shows, and movies of the past episodes, and review what's been going down since the last episode.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve chats about a great novella that he just finished, Elegy for the Undead by Matthew Vesely. He also discusses his thoughts on the first two weeks of the Premier League soccer season. He also covers the latest Marvel movie and some good tv.
Buy the book: https://lanternfishpress.com/shop/elegy-for-the-undead
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve checks in with a summer vacation update. He reviews the famous Samurai movie Yojimbo and its Spaghetti Western remake cousin A Fistful of Dollars. Then he talks about the 2020 Gothic Horror book Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and the video game he's been playing the most this summer, the island survival game Stranded Deep.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve and Nikki review their essential books of Summer 2021. Steve reviews the Eat Like Luchador: The Offical Cookbook and novella The Salt Fields by Stacy D. Flood. Nikki reviews her books of summer Crying in H Mart: A Memoir and World Travel: An Irreverant Guide by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever.
Buy Eat Like a Luchador by Legends of Lucha Libra and Monica Ochoa
Buy The Salt Fields by Stacy D. Flood
Buy Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
Buy World Travel: An Irreverant Guide by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve and Nikki discuss the HOB Max show The Flight Attendant and the trade paperback The Sheriff of Babylon. Bonus chatter includes an update on our Yelp Top Ten Restaurants Challenge and an update of baking a cake from the book Just Desserts by Charlotte Ree https://www.charlotteree.com/pre-order-just-desserts/pre-order-just-desserts
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode: Nikki and Steve review a new book from Lanternfish Press titled Ship of Fates by Caitlin Chung. Food, Wine, and Travel correspondent Nikki talks about her new challenge to try Philadelphia's top 10 rated restaurants according to Yelp. Then Nikki and Steve discuss and review the movie Minari in their series of discussions on 2021 Oscar-nominated movies.
Buy Ship of Fates: https://lanternfishpress.com/shop/ship-of-fates
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode: Nikki and Steve talk about a new book from Running Press titled Eat This Book by Stacy Michelson. Steve reviews the classic video game Batman: Arkham Asylum. They also continue their series on 2021 Oscar-nominated movies with a review of The Trial of the Chicago 7, which is streaming on Netflix.
Buy Eat This Book: https://www.runningpress.com/titles/stacy-michelson/eat-this-book/9780762498048/
Bonus chatter includes payment in greasy pennies and pampering dogs with "barkuterie" boards.
More links and extended show notes can be found at giblpodcast.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode: Nikki and Steve discuss a brand new chapbook from Split/Lip Press, An Inventory of Abandoned Things by Kelly Ann Jacobson. They also start their discussion series of 2021 93rd Academy Award-nominated films with Sound of Metal and Promising Young Woman. Bonus chatter includes talk of Florida swamp critters, shrimp tails in cereal, and the hatch of the 17-year cicadas called Brood X.
Buy your copy of An Inventory of Abandoned Things starting April 1, 2021! https://www.splitlippress.com/an-inventory-of-abandoned-things
Find more links and extended show notes at giblpodcast.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode: Steve and Nikki talk about a fabulous little baking cookbook called Just Desserts: Good Things Come to Those Who Bake by Charlotte Ree and Running Press. They also review and discuss the movie The United States vs. Billie Holiday now streaming on Hulu. Nikki then shares her favorite podcast lately, The Dave Chang Show. Bonus chatter includes: a space hotel, wearing shoes indoors, Philadelphia traffic, and Covid traveling. Just Desserts is available for pre-order now! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/charlotte-ree/just-desserts/9780762473328/ https://www.runningpress.com/ https://www.charlotteree.com/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode: Steve and Nikki talk about the show Ted Lasso on Apple TV+, the book Super Host by Kate Russo, and the graphic novel Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang. Bonus chatter includes: How to turn that moral outrage into a mate magnet and managing mental health by helping others. Extended show notes and relevant links can be found on our website giblpodcast.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode: Steve and Nikki review and discuss the movie Nomadland starring Frances McDormand, the movie Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumerbatch, and David Chang's new memoir Eat a Peach. Bonus chatter includes how herds of goats decide which meadow to visit, a barking battle between Scrappy and the neighbor's dog, and the great toilet paper direction debate of 2021. For extended show notes and relevant links visit giblpodcast.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve and Nikki review the new Netflix movie "I Care a Lot" starring Rosamund Pike. Nikki reviews and discusses the book Oreo by Fran Ross. Steve reviews the book A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet. They also chat about the DC extended universe and the new Supergirl casting as well as share some nostalgia for VHS tapes and going to rent movies at video stores. Visit giblpodcast.com for extended show notes and additional links.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this week's episode: Nikki and Steve talk about the book Ready Player 2 by Ernest Cline, the PS4 game Marvel's Spider-Man Game of the Year Edition, and Alison Roman's cooking subscription e-newsletter. Bonus chatter: the movie On the Rocks on AppleTV+, the movie Palm Springs on Hulu, meatballs, living recorded memories, and Lego architecture. Links from the show: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/01/elon-musk-neuralink-wires-up-monkey-to-play-video-games-using-mind.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/realestate/tiny-house-pandemic.html https://anewsletter.alisoneroman.com/p/a-newsletter-14 https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP9000-CUSA02299_00-MARVELSSMGOTY000 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/557223/ready-player-two-by-ernest-cline/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode: Steve and Nikki talk about Mars exploration, magical mushrooms, WandaVision on Disney+, Servant on AppleTV+, the book Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, and the Netflix movie The Midnight Sky starring George Clooney. Bonus chatter: a Super Bowl bet, versions of Life on Mars, bodegas & corner stores, and Hasselback potatoes (no relation to the football player). https://www.cnet.com/features/uaes-hope-mars-probe-could-change-everything-we-know-about-the-red-planet/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZrQElycML0 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-who-travel/id1321118314
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode: Steve introduces a new season, a new show format, and a new co-host...Nikki! They share articles about poets and mole rats, and toast to the end of Dry January with a Backwoods Bastard by Founders Brewing. They also discuss the notable show The Mandalorian on Disney+, the book Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker, and the book A Promised Land by Barack Obama. WARNING: Scrappy the dog barks really loud directly into the microphone in this episode. There are also a few curse words (unrelated). Links discussed in the show: https://www.npr.org/2021/01/29/962030186/amanda-gorman-and-poetry-will-be-part-of-super-bowl-lv https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/01/28/960497406/friend-or-foe-naked-mole-rats-can-tell-by-a-unique-squeak https://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/backwoods-bastard/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve talks about the Netflix original anime visual album Sturgill Simpson's Sound & Fury, the graphic novel Grand Theft Horse written by G.Neri and illustrated by Corban Wilkin, and the comic Ms. Marvel: No Normal written by G. Willow Wilson and illustrated by Adrian Alphona. He tries a Special Effects non-alcoholic beer from Brooklyn Brewery for Dray January. He also responds to some listener tweets and emails about phone games and booze bottle/can labels. Relevant links from the episode: No-Booze Bottle Labels: https://eyeondesign.aiga.org/who-needs-booze-when-youve-got-gorgeous-bottles/ Grand Theft Horse NPR story: https://www.npr.org/2019/11/29/777839608/grand-theft-horse?fbclid=IwAR11iDGB2q-8jNQ9Ebvr_X0ccOeSqapZFa80zPt2kX5kwwrGwnMaeghsui4 Mario Zucca: www.mariozucca.com mariozuccamaps.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this jam-packed episode, Steve talks about the book Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard, starting the game Marvel's Spider-Man on his PS4, watching MCU movies in timeline order, and the Captain Marvel movie. He reads listener emails about amazing pets. Then, the show's Food, Wine, and Travel correspondent Nikki stops by to talk about the travel show Basic Versus Baller: Travel at Any Cost on Hulu. She shares some of the weird new snacks she bought on a recent trip to H-Mart in Koreatown.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve talks about the World War II book The Forgotten 500 by Gregory Freeman, the movie Captain America: The First Avenger, the PS4 video game Need for Speed Payback. He learned about WWII pilots, Serbian revolutionaries, and spies' role in helping to save American airmen down behind enemy lines. He discusses his attempt at entering the MCU. He basks in the glory of finally finishing Need for Speed Payback, the source of his man-tantrums for nearly two months. Nikki, the show's Food, Wine, and Travel Correspondent also stops by the share some delicious Dry January beverage ideas from https://athleticbrewing.com/, https://www.casamaraclub.com/, and https://rasaspirit.com/collections/shop
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve talks about some of his 2021 resolutions, the book American Prison by Shane Bauer, learning Spanish on the Duolingo language app, and watching Death to 2020 on Netflix. He also kicks off Dry January with a bottle of ice cold Topo Chico Twist of Grapefruit.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve talks about the best villains ever and hears some listeners' opinions on the debate. Then he discusses the 2002 book Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan, the Altered Carbon series on Netflix, and the anime feature Altered Carbon: Resleeved.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve talks with the pod’s Food, Wine, and Travel correspondent Nikki! She brings a delicious beverage and reviews three of her favorite cookbooks. We talk about and enjoy an Aperol Spritz then talk about Nothing Fancy by Allison Roman, Cooking for Jeffrey by Ina Garten, and Appetites: A Cookbook by Anthony Bourdain.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve discusses Altered Carbon the book and cyberpunk genre stuff. He rambles a bit about video games he’s been playing on his PS4. He also talks about the Netflix show The Queen’s Gambit and about the upcoming Major League Soccer final between the Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve welcomes Nikki: our official food, wine, and travel correspondent. She dishes about what she’s been watching (Eater’s Guide to the World on Hulu) and what she’s been reading (My Life in France by Julia Child). She also brings a delicious French wine to share (Mas d’Alezon Le Presbytere 2019)
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve chats about what he watched and read over his Thanksgiving long weekend. He finished season 4 of The Crown and the latest season of The Great British Baking Show. He's also been reading My Life in France by Julia Child but he's not done yet. There was also this article in the New York Times about how people in their 20s and 30s are lining up around the block for Covid tests just so they can feel ok about going home for the holidays. He discusses My Octopus Teacher, a documentary he watched and really liked. He relates it to his own experience as a teacher as well as in his personal life.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode of Steve's book review, tv review, and game review podcast series, he discusses virtual reality gaming and his thoughts and experiences with it. First, he talks about the book Warcross, the best-selling science fiction book by Marie Lu. Then he talks about playing NBA2K20 on his PS4 and how he's nervous playing in the Neighborhood. Finally, he talks about his foray into anime with Sword Art Online, an anime series about a virtual reality game gone very wrong.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve discusses the 1960 classic book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and the 1962 Academy award-winning movie starring Gregory Peck. He compares the two and navigates the differences. Both focus on serious themes like class, racial injustice, poverty, empathy, and courage. Both are also from a while ago, but still have scenes and characters that we can relate with very closely in our current world.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Super double bonus overeating Thanksgiving vacation extreme podcast episode. In this episode, Steve talks about two books that are fun and easy to read while you have a couple days off. Nothing to See Here and Something in the Water. Then he talks about two fun games to play with family and friends if you're stuck inside: Spaceteam and Among Us. Then he talks about two bingable shows, Long Way Up on Apple TV+ and Sunderland Til I Die on Netflix. Steve finds a common thread of fun and personal connections through all of these choices.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, Steve discusses the books, video games, and movies he's been into lately: I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez, Need For Speed: Payback (PS4), and Taxi Driver. Steve talks about reading books with diverse characters and stories, the innocent fun of getting points for destroying things in video games, and why Taxi Driver is still a need-to-watch movie in 2020.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app