Popstorian Podcast: Recent Episodes

Chris and Ben

Join Ben and Chris for a journey of discovery through the worlds of history and pop culture!

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What were your favorite childhood toys? Go Go Popstorian! Ben and Chris talk about toys that got away. #popstorianpodcast #toys

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Ben and Chris talk about historical accuracies in film. #popstorianpodcast #history #napoleon

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How long until Batman joins Mickey Mouse in the public domain? Ben and Chris are back with their first Popstorian minisode in 3 years! #popstorianpodcast #minisode1

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Cormac McCarthy has finally moseyed onto the Popstorian Podcast! In the final episode of season 1, Chris and Ben examine the 21st century Western through the lens of the Coen Brothers' 2007 masterpiece, No Country for Old Men and reflect on this season as a whole. Thank you for listening, be sure to subscribe, and we'll see you on our next season!

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Why are puppets just for kids? Chris asks Ben about why puppetry is so rarely used to tell stories for broader audiences like in The Dark Crystal, Yamasong, and Thunderbirds.

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In the penultimate episode of this season, Chris and Ben talk about the eventful decade of the 90s and the Western classic, Tombstone! Subscribe to hear more!

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Chris talks about his daughters' favorite Disney movie and why it's ready to be remade with a cast that is... purrrfect. 

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Ever moved? Ben and Chris have and they share their stories!

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Chris and Ben compare and contrast two different works from two different literary styles as well as their cinematic adaptations. Don't miss this week's Popstorian Minisode!

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On the side of Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia stands a grim memorial to a World War Two training mission gone wrong. Ben visits the scene and reports his findings to Chris in an Independence Day weekend edition of the Popstorian Podcast!

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Which classic Hollywood performer would you cast in an adaptation of a Marvel or DC comic from the Silver Age? Paul Newman as Captain America? Cary Grant as Iron Man? Katherine Hepburn as Wonder Woman? Chris and Ben want to know! Subscribe and send us an email to popstorian AT gmail. 

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Ben and Chris commemorate the halfway mark of the year by reflecting on the podcast journey so far as well as some odds and ends that are on their minds in 2020!

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Being in quarantine or lockdown can be a drag, but what are some works of art that tackle the subject? Whether you're into Stanley Kubrick or Georgia O'Keefe, Chris and Ben have some ideas for you!

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Westerns by the Decade comes back for the 1980s with a Western from Lawrence Kasdan. Featuring an all-star cast, this classic epitomizes the genre in the age of the blockbuster. What do you think of Silverado? Email us at popstorian AT gmail DOT com and let us know!

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Have you ever watched a movie years after you originally saw it and got the feeling that... it changed somehow? Chris knows that feeling! Tell us about yours by emailing us at popstorian AT gmail DOT com. 

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Ben and Chris muse on the finest stunts ever performed in the movies. Can you think of an awesome stunt that isn't from a movie? Let us know! Popstorian at gmail dot com!

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Fast reader or slow? Cover to cover or switching from book to book? Ben and Chris discuss different approaches to one of their favorite activities-- reading! Be sure to subscribe and tell us if you have particular reading methods!

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Chris and Ben are joined by the lovely Emily and Leah to talk about what they watch together as couples! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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Vietnam. Iraq. Afghanistan. World War 2. The American Civil War. How have all these conflicts impacted pop culture? In this short minisode, Chris and Ben take a glimpse at how these terrestrial conflicts impact the fictional conflicts in a franchise called Star Wars. Subscribe and send us a message at popstorian AT gmail and we'll give you a shout out on the air!

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Ben and Chris discuss the controversial reboot of the Lone Ranger... from the 80s! That's right, before Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer, there was Michael Horse and Klinton Spillsbury. Hi Yo Popstorians, Away!

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It's a throwback to the 70s! Ben and Chris talk about what makes this era so unique in the history of the Western. Be sure to subscribe!

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Chris Whistles in the Dark and gets his Knives Out as Ben talks about puppets and Japanese Folk Tales. It can only be... The Popstorian Podcast!

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Get jiggy with your home skillets Ben and Chris as they conclude their series on the coolest of colloquialisms. Bye Felicia!

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Ben demonstrates his utter lack of coolness! Chris apologizes for Kurt Rustle! For all this and more, subscribe and listen TODAY!

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To Remake Or Not To Remake? Ben and Chris choose untouchable classics that deserve to be revisited and enshrine their favorites to never be remade. What are your picks? Also, are you excited about Dune? Would you cast a CG Abraham Lincoln or George Washington in a biopic? Let us know! Popstorian AT Gmail

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Ben and Chris take a field trip and seize this opportunity to remind you to visit your local library. Whatever you're into– the library has it! You know what you can do at the library? Subscribe to this podcast and share it with a friend!

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Ben and Chris talk about the holiday of love, send an update about the Westerns by the Decade series, conclude their discussion of Heart of Darkness, and begin a journey into a comics franchise. Don't miss an episode and become a subscriber!

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Chris goes deep into Africa with a classic by Joseph Conrad and Ben ponders why a podcast about the history of pop culture tends to veer towards the cinematic! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a minisode or a full length epsiode in our series Westerns by the Decade!

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LET'S GO! Chris and Ben saddle up and head south of the border for the second part of their examination of The Wild Bunch and the decade within which it was made...  Be sure to subscribe and check out part one for more context!

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SPOILERS AHEAD: Ben and Chris explore one of the most legendary Western movies from director Sam Peckinpah. Let us know how you feel about the movie via popstorian AT gmail.com and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss PART TWO!

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Ben and Chris return to the subject of crossovers with a superhero-Disney fusion that promises to be one of their best ideas yet! Share your own crossover concepts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or by popstorian@gmail.com and don't forget to subscribe and share!

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Ben and Chris share their secrets-- movies and shows they love even though they're not of high repute and the great movies and shows they've never seen! Share yours (publicly or anonymously) via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or popstorian@gmail.com

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This minisode! Ben and Chris are back! Nerds try to talk about football! And there's a whole new sound in town! 

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Chris and Ben take a break. While they do, sip a cup of egg nog and ponder this week's burning question. Next, submit it to the show and we'll feature it on the air!

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Have you ever wanted to take the order of an established movie franchise and chop it in two? Chris has! In this Popstorian Minisode, he explains why. Be sure to subscribe and tell us what you think.

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What multimedia franchise crossover are Ben and Chris excited about? Learn about it today in our history and pop culture podcast!

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What do Ben and Chris really think of Rio Bravo? What were the socio-economic conditions of the 1950s? What's for lunch?* You can find the answers to all these and more on this episode of the Popstorian Podcast!

*You should have a sandwich! Sandwiches are cool.

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Chris and Ben continue the series Westerns by the Decade with a special two part episode for the 1950s highlighting Rio Bravo starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan and Ricky Nelson. Subscribe for part two!

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In this minisode, Chris and Ben reflect on their ongoing series Westerns by the Decade and on the movie genre in general. Which decade do you think has the best Westerns?

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Chris and Ben reflect on the actors and actresses who make the Westerns they've watched so enjoyable. Who is your favorite? Send us a tweet @popstorian

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In a special spooky Popstorian Minisode, Chris reacts to watching Alien for the very first time, while Ben rambles about production design and pacing. Subscribe and be sure to follow us on social media!

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Westerns by the Decade is back! Chris and Ben make it to the 1940s and tackle the seminal Wyatt Earp adventure My Darling Clementine starring Henry Fonda and directed by John Ford. In addition to the film, they delve into the history that surrounded it's release. Join us won't you? Be sure to subscribe and contact us with your thoughts!

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Chris and Ben get cultural as they contemplate the role of the Irish in pop culture and history. What does it mean to be Irish anyway? Send us your thoughts popstorian AT gmail.com

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In a world... Where two podcast hosts get creative... One movie idea... Will RISE ABOVE THE REST! Share your ideas for a Hungry Hippos movie with Ben and Chris on the official Popstorian Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or via Email!

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Ben and Chris get their spooky on just in time for the first October minisode! Ben talks about insects and love stories as Chris explains the dangers of polar bears– SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE EPISODES!

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Ben and Chris return for another round of Would You Rather! It's not too late to join in on Twitter. Follow @popstorian and hashtag your responses.

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Ben and Chris play Would You Rather! Join in on Twitter and share your opinions on some hard questions about pop culture and history.

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WARNING: SOLO SPOILERS AHEAD! Ben and Chris stumble into the world of Star Wars and speculate about the future of the world's biggest movie franchise. Check us out on Twitter!

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Chris jumps into the hot seat with his most controversial opinions as Ben laughs maniacally in the distance! If you enjoy the Popstorian Podcast be sure to subscribe and follow us on social media.

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Westerns by the Decade returns, this time tackling the 1930s! Join Chris and Ben as they uncover the history of the turbulent decade, the magic of one of the greatest Western movies ever made, and tell a cow joke! Be sure to subscribe and check out popstorian.com for more

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Ben's movie knowledge is put to the test as Chris reads out a list of 10 of the best films of 1939! How many did he get? How many have you seen? Find out in this exciting minisode!

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This week it's Ben's turn in the hot seat for a fresh, new minisode. How will he escape Chris's burning questions? And what does he think about Peter Parker anyway? Tune in and subscribe to find out! New episodes every week.

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Ben and Chris talk about some grownup shows they've been watching and listening to... some things to recommend and some to skip over. Stay tuned for more Popstorian Minisodes!

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In part three of the Westerns by the Decade series, Chris and Ben go off on tangents. They also talk about the silent epic The Covered Wagon and the culture that informed it. Don't miss this week's exciting Popstorian Podcast!

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In this char-grilled minisode, Ben and Chris chat about a stop motion monkey and a Western novel. Now, we're on instagram as @popstorian!

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It's Ben and Chris– live from the road with a baby! Westerns by the Decade continues with a discussion on the 1916 William S Hart classic, Hell's Hinges!

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In this episode, Ben and Chris talk about 1903's The Great Train Robbery– the first part of Westerns by the Decade!