The Protagonist Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dueling Genre Productions
Description
Returning guest George Tsakiridis joins Joe to discuss the tv show Mad Men. Set in the 1960s and following the men and women whose lives revolve around an advertising firm, the series starred Jon Hamm in the role of Don Draper. The episode we’re discussing revolves around the busy week leading up to Thanksgiving.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Mad Men – Wikipedia
- Mad Men – IMDB
Show Notes
Description
Returning guest Nicole Freim joins Joe to discuss the classic comic book mini-series Kingdom Come. This non-canon story is set in a dystopian future that sees some of the classic DC superheroes come out of retirement to confront a reckless new generation of anti-heroes.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Kingdom Come – Wikipedia
- Alex Ross – Wikipedia
- Mark Waid – Wikipedia
Description
First-time guest Neil Cohn joins Joe to discuss an academic perspective on comic books. Cohn recently published Speaking in Pictures, and we discuss his work and analysis of the comic book form.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
Visual Language Lab – Neil Cohn website
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss a film in the Detective Conan anime series, which is about a high school detective who was turned into a first grader but who still fights crime. That’s the general premise, and this particular film is also odd. This is one of the stranger texts we’ve ever discussed on the podcast.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Case Closed – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Allsion Epstein joins Joe to discuss Daphne de Maurier’s 1938 novel Rebecca. Told from the point of view of an unnamed protagonist, the story follows a young woman falling in love with an older widower and the gothic adventure she finds herself in.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Allison Epstein – Author website
- Daphne de Maurier – Wikipedia
- Rebecca – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to discuss Starfleet Academy, one of the many streaming Star Trek tv shows that can be found on Paramount+. We’re discussing “The Life of the Stars,” which tells the story of some Starfleet cadets discovering emotional empathy and personal insights from ancient earth texts.
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- Patreon
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the famous “silent issue” of G.I. Joe. Focusing on a story about Snake Eyes and Scarlett, Larry Hama scripted and drew a scomic book with no text where the story is still very easy to follow. Hama’s run on G.I. Joe created most of the characters and mythology the franchise is known for, and this is one of the most iconic single-issues issues in comic book history.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- G.I. Joe – Wikipedia
- Larry Hama – Wikipedia
Description
Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe and Producer Andrew for our special 600th episode. To celebrate 600 weekly episodes of the podcast, all three of us answer The Dinner Guest Question: if we could host a dinner party with a handful of fictional characters, who would we want to hang out with for one evening?
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss Unbreakable, M. Night Shyamalan’s superhero film from 2000. We discuss the marketing around the film, the way the film engages the superhero genre, and the strengths of the storytelling.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Unbreakable – Wikipedia
- M. Night Shyamalan – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to discuss teaching comics. What texts do we use, what topics do we cover, and how do students react?
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- Patreon
Description
First-time guest Stephen Fishbach joins us to discuss his debut novel Escape! The novel tells the story of a washed up reality television star and a disgraced reality tv producer who are each trying to find fresh opportunities on a remote island where a new reality tv show is filming. Fischbach is a veteran of two seasons of Survivor, and draws on his familiarity with the reality tv industry to write this fictional tale.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Stephen Fishbach – Author website
Description
Returning guest Jon Bell joins Joe to discuss the sitcom Arrested Development. We’re discussing the whole main cast, because it’s impossible to choose a favorite character to focus on.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Arrested Development – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss the 8-issue mini-series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Written by Tom King with art by Bilquis Evely, this series sends Supergirl on an intergalactic adventure accompanying a young girl who wants revenge against the man who murdered her father.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Supergirl – Wikipedia
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow – Fan Wiki
Description
Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. This classic 1969 film starred Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy, Robert Redford as the Sundace Kid, and Katharine Ross as Etta Place. It tells the story of charming train robbers going on the run all the way to Bolivia to try and escape justice.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Wikipedia
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – IMDB
Description
Returning guest Jon Bell joins Joe to discuss transmedia storytelling in Star Wars, using 1996’s Shadows of the Empire story as a jumping off point. Transmedia storytelling involves a coordinated effort to tell a cohesive story across multiple types of media, and we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this process.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Shadows of the Empire – Wikipedia
Version 1.0.0Description
Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to discuss the Emma M. Lion from the series The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. We’re discussing the first two novels of this series, that sees Emma M. Lion navigate 1880’s England as a single woman. The series tone feels like a mix of Jane Austen and Gilmore Girls.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Beth Brower – Author website
- The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion – Amazon
Description
Returning guest Andrew Deman joins Joe to discuss MaoMao from the anime series The Apothecary Diaries. Based on a popular light novel series, The Apothecary Diaries tells the story of a girl who works in the emperor’s palace and solves mysteries.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Apothecary Diaries (anime) – Wikipedia
- Apothecary Diaries (light novel) – WIkipedia
- Apothecary Diaries – Anime fan wiki
Description
Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss the graphic novel Feeding Ghosts. This Pulitzer and Eisner awarding work by Tessa Hulls examines the trauma of that she, her mother, and her mother have experienced due to mental health concerns and also some extraordinary life experiences.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Feeding Ghosts – Amazon
- Tessa Hulls – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Ryan Haupt joins Joe to discuss the film M. This is director Fritz Lang’s first sound film, and is a clear demonstration of how sound is going to forever alter the film medium. This haunting noir film sees both the police and criminals begin hunting for a serial killer that has targeted children.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- M – Wikipedia
- Fritz Lang – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to discuss the classic sitcom The Brady Bunch. We’re discussing the episodes “The Not So Ugly Duckling” and “Getting Davy Jones.” But we also discuss the Brady Bunch’s place in pop culture history.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Brady Bunch – Wikipedia
- The Brady Bunch – IMDB
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss Andy Weir’s novel Project Hail Mary. This novel tells the story of the human Ryland Grace and the alien Rocky in an unexpected sci-fi buddy comedy adventure with the stakes of all life on two planets. You may have seen some advertisements for the movie adaptation, but we’re discussing the book in this episode.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Project Hail Mary – Wikipedia
- Andy Weir – Wikipedia
- Andy Weir – Author website
Description
Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe for an open-ended discussion about genre. Why do genres labels exist, what purposes do they serve, whom do they benefit? We cover a lot of ground on this broad topic, and fortunately Kjerste is an expert on this topic.
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss Pippin “Pip” Dale from the comic book Welcome to the Maynard. This mini-series by writer James Robinson, artist J. Bone colorist, and letterer Jim Campbell tells the story of a new bellhop at a hotel for magic users who gets pulled into a supernatural miniseries.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- James Robinson – Wikipedia
- J. Bone – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest George Tsakiridis joins Joe to discuss James Bond from the film Skyfall. Because we’re talking about an extremely successful multimedia franchise, we spend a lot of time discussing trivia. Then we tackle our favorite James Bond film, 2012’s Skyfall.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- James Bond – Wikipedia
- Ian Fleming – Wikipedia
- Skyfall – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss E.B. White’s classic children’s novel Charlotte’s Web. We chose to cover this novel because Kestra and Andrew’s kids were reading Charlotte’s Web for school, and we had no idea where the discussion was going to go. In the end, we were pleasantly surprised with where our conversation led us.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Charlotte’s Web – Wikipedia
- E.B. White – Wikipedia
Description
First-time guest Alasdair Green joins Joe to discuss Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec. Parks and Rec aired 125 episodes between 2009-2015 and Nick Offerman’s Ron Swanson was an iconic character from the series.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Parks and Rec – Wikipedia
- Ron Swanson – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss one of the classic Fantastic Four stories by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, “This Man…This Monster!” It tells the story of an unnamed antagonist who takes the place of the Thing in an effort to get revenge on Mr. Fantastic but ends up inspired by Reed Richards’ selflessness.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Fantastic Four – Wikipedia
- Jack Kirby – Wikipedia
- Stan Lee – Wikipedia
Description
It’s GroundPod Day! Every year, Nicole Freim, Chris “Mav” Maverick, Andrew Darowski, and Joe Darowski get together to discuss Groundhog Day. This year, we are joined by special guest Chris Bingham to once again analyze the classic film.
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss the iconic 1937 film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. After talking about lots of trivia and then the evil Queen for a good while, they do get around to discussing Snow White too.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss a short story about Harry Houdini being captured in Egypt and having a (potentially supernatural) adventure. Though credited to Houdini at the time of publication in the pulp magazine Weird Tales, the story was written H.P. Lovecraft.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Under the Pyramids – Wikipedia
- H,P, Lovecraft – Wikipedia
- Harry Houdini – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew and Joe are discussing a classic tv series, The Saint. The Saint is a character that first appeared in short stories and novels, but has been adapted into many different types of media. We’re discussing the British tv series from the 1960s that starred Roger Moore before he played James Bond in that film series.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Saint – Wikipedia
- Leslie Charteris – Wikipedia
- The Saint (tv series) – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew and Joe are revealing the winner of their Fantasy Box Office game from 2025. Then, they are looking ahead at the films coming out in 2026 and making their draft selections. Throughout the year, they each accumulate their picks domestic box office multiplied by its Rotten Tomatoes score, and whoever amasses the largest total wins the game.
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- Patreon
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the comic book series The Great British Bump-Off. In this cozy mystery, a poisoning occurs during the filming of a popular British baking competition. Shauna, one of the contestants, must solve the mystery before filming wraps.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Great British Bump-Off – Amazon
Description
Returning guest Kate Reid joins Joe to discuss a holiday-themed episode of The West Wing, “In Excelsis Deo.” This episode tells the story of Toby receiving a phone call when a homeless man dies from exposure but has Toby’s business card in his pocket.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The West Wing – Wikipedia
- In Excelsis Deo – Wikipedia
Description
Returning Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe and Producer Andrew for their annual Christmas Special. Producer Andrew has provided Todd and Joe with a list of titles for Christmas movies they have never seen, and Todd and Joe each pitch a plot based on that title. We’ve been doing this for over a decade, but the new Christmas titles just keep coming.
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- Patreon
Description
Returning guest Cavan Helps and Norman Mitchell join Joe and Producer Andrew for a role-playing Christmas adventure. This year, we’re celebrating the holidays in the Marvel Universe.
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- Patreon
Description
Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss the 1816 short story “The Nutcracker” by E.T.A. Hoffman. This story has been adapted frequently and has become a Christmas classic. It tells the story of a young girl’s favorite Christmas toy coming alive and battling the mouse king.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Nutcracker and the Mouse King – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Kate Reid joins Joe to discuss the classic sitcom Friends. We’re talking about a pair of their Thanksgiving episodes, “The One with All the Thanksgivings” and “The One Where Ross Got High.” Besides talking about the specifics of these episodes, we learn that these are the first episodes of Friends that Joe has ever watched.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Friends – Wikipedia
Description
First-time guest Jonathan Wade joins Joe to discuss to classic, early sci-fi stories, “The Machine Stops” and “Mechanopolis.” In the 1909 short story “The Machine Stops” by E.M. Forster, humanity has begun living in underground cities with all their needs met by the machine, until one day their machine stops. In the 1913 short story “Mechanopolis” by Miguel de Unamuno, a man recounts his journey to a city that is solely occupied by machines.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- E.M. Forster – Wikipedia
- Miguel de Unamuno -Wikipedia
Description
First-time guest Andy Hartzell joins Joe to discuss his graphic novel Monday. Monday tells the story of Eve and Adam trying to navigate their first days after creation as Snake offers suggestions about what they should do and God is interested in making one more creation.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Monday – Publisher website
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the Japanese film Grave of the Fireflies. This 1998 film was produced by Studio Ghibli and directed by Isao Takahata. It is based on the semi-autobiographical short story of the same name by Akiuki Nosaka and tells the story of Japanese siblings trying to survive the end of World War II.
Show Notes
- Grave of the Fireflies – Wikipedia
- Isao Takahata – Wikipedia
- Studio Ghibli – Wikipedia
Description
Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back for our annual Halloween Special. In this episode, we play a game of Halloween Fives, where a random Halloween topic is given and we each need to fill out a list of five that fits that criteria. Enjoy the spooky season!
Description
Returning guest Josh Allen joins Joe to discuss the Stephen King novel Salem’s Lot. King’s second novel tells the story of a small town in Maine being overrun by vampires, and the few citizens who realize what is happening and try to stop them.
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Patreon
Show Notes
- ‘Salem’s Lot – Wikipedia
- Stephen King – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss the tv show Resident Alien. This sci-fi dramedy series stars Alan Tudyk as an alien who wants to destroy earth but is disguised as the human Harry Vanderspiegle. We discuss the tone of the series, Alan Tudyk’s performance, and also the delightful side characters in the series.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Resident Alien – Wikipedia
- Alan Tudyk – Wikipedia
Description
First time guest Valentino Zullo joins Joe to discuss “Kamen’s Kalamity,” a story from the EC Comics Tales from the Crypt #31. We discuss the place of EC Comics in pop culture history, and also dig into this particular story which is a fantastical semi-autobiographical story of how the artist Jack Kamen came to draw horror comics for EC Comics.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Jack Kamen – Wikipedia
- EC Comics – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guests Lena English and Tayler Iverson join Joe to discuss the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You. Based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, this film moves the plot to an American high school in the late 1990s. Starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger, the film follows the tangled love lives of a group of teenagers.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- 10 Things I Hate About You – Wikipedia
- 10 Things I Hate About You – IMDB
Description
First-time guest Joseph Darowski (hi, Dad) joins returning guest John Darowski and Joe to discuss to stories about supernatural dangers faced by humans as they take to the skies. “The Horror of the Heights” is a 1913 short story by Arthur Conan Doyle about the mysterious deaths of pilots who are attempting to break altitude records in the early days of manned flight. “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” is a classic Twilight Zone episode about a man trying to overcome his fear of flying who is the only one on a flight who sees a gremlin damaging the wing of the plane.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Horror of the Heights – Wikipedia
- Arthur Conan Doyle – Wikipedia
- Nightmare at 20,000 Feet – Wikipedia
- The Twilight Zone – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Josh Allen joins Joe to discuss the animated series Gravity Falls. The series is animated fantasy/comedy/cryptid/coming of age/mystery/adventure show and it is fantastic. We’re talking about the 12-year-old twins Mabel and Dipper, who go to spend the Summer with their Great Uncle Stan in the small town of Gravity Falls where they start to discover strange supernatural conspiracies.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Gravity Falls – Wikipedia
- Alex Hirsch – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the long history of adapting Superman into additional media outside of the comic books where the character first appeared. John is the editor of the essay collection Adapting Superman, making him an expert on this topic.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Adapting Superman – Amazon
Description
Returning guest Andrew Deman joins Joe to discuss the comic book issue X-Factor #87 which had a cover date of December 1992. This classic issues sees a therapist meet with each member of the team and provide new insights into their personalities and motivations. The issue was written by the legendary comic book writer Peter David, and we take some time to discuss his legacy and impact on the industry.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- X-Factor – Wikipedia
- Peter David – Wikipedia
- Joe Quesada Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss the classic western film Shane. Based on the 1949 novel by Jack Schaefer, the film was directed by George Stevens and stars Alan Ladd as Shane and Van Hefline as Joe. It tells the story of a drifter cowboy coming into town and helping the homesteaders fight off an evil cattle baron.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Shane (film) – Wikipedia
- Shane (book) – WIkipedia
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss the novel Castle of Water. This novel by Dane Hucklebridge tells the story of a stranded pair of strangers trying to survive on a deserted island.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Dane Huckelbridge – Author website
Description
First-time (sort of) guest Stephanie Siler joins Joe to discuss the classic tv mystery show Monk. Adrian Monk, played by Tony Shalhoub, is an obsessive compulsive private investigator who struggles with all of the phobias while also solving a mystery each week. We’re discussing why the show was so successful, the strengths of the performances, and what distinguishes it from other shows in the same genre.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Monk – Wikipedia
- Monk – IMDB
Returing guest Chris “Mav” Maverick and Stephanie Siler join Joe to discuss the inverted detective story, also sometimes called the HowCatchem instead of the WhoDunIt. In these stories, the audience knows how the bad guy is (often the murderer), and the tension is in how the protagonist detective figures it out and catches them rather than in trying to work out the mystery of who the perpetrator is. We discuss the effect this change has on the audience, popular examples of the genre, and why this tweak on an established genre has proven enduring.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
The VoxPopCast – Official podcast website
Description
Returning guest Wayne Wise joins Joe to discuss Love and Rockets, one of the iconic independent comic books from the 1980s. Created by the Hernandez Bros, we are discussing some of the first stories they produced in this long-running series. It’s hard to describe the exact tone and narrative of this eclectic series, but we enjoy talking through these stories and the comic’s longer legacy.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Love and Rockets – Wikipedia
- Hernandez Bros – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to discuss the first novel about Jack Ryan, a character who has been adapted into many different media since his debut appearance. Written by Jack Ryan, The Hunt for Red October tells the story of a Russian submarine commander who is attempting to defect to the United States and CIA analyst who tries to convince the intelligence community that this is an actual defection and not some part of a Cold War Russian plot.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Hunt for Red October – Wikipedia
- Tom Clancy – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe for a trip down 80s-Nostalgia Lane as they discuss The Karate Kid. We’re talking about Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso, one of the iconic teacher-student pairings in pop culture. We discuss the real-world inspirations for the film, what makes this particular film work so well, and some of the differences between 1980s productions and modern productions.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Karate Kid – Wikipedia
- The Karate Kid – IMDB
- The Karate Kid Oral History – Sports Illustrated
Desription
Producer Andrew and Joe are talking about a classic tv sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. We talk about the show’s legacy, the cast’s roles in the series, and why this remains an iconic piece of popular culture.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Andy Griffith Show – Wikipedia
- Andy Griffith – WIkipedia
Special Guest Gabriel McKee joins Joe to discuss the early history of UFO stories in American culture. McKee has a new book, The Saucerian, that is about Gray Barker, one of the early publishers to promote and publish UFO stories.
Show Notes
- Gabriel McKee – Author website
Description
Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to discuss the classic manga series Lone Wolf and Cub. An immensely influential text, Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima’s story of a wandering assassin seeking revenge while caring for his three-year-old son is considered a masterpiece of comic storytelling.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Lone Wolf and Cub – Wikipedia
- Kazuo Koike – Wikipedia
- Goseki Kojima – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to talk about the Isaac Asimov short story “Runaround.” This short story is the first instance of Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics being used in any of his stories. These Laws have become a key foundation for the sci-fi genre, and Asimov points out the problems with these laws in this first instance of having them appear in a story.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Isaac Asimov – Wikipedia
- Runaround – Wikipedia
- Three Laws of Robotics – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Joe to discuss the Disney animated film The Emperor’s New Groove. This episode has some of the most surprising behind-the-scenes trivia discussion of any story we have ever discussed! What happened during the development of this film is absolutely wild.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Emperor’s New Groove – Wikipedia
- Emperor’s New Groove – Oral History from Vulture
Description
Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to discuss Freiren from the anime series Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. The series is an adaptation of a manga series and explores what life is like for Frieren, an elf who had a decades-long adventure with two humans and a dwarf. Now, 50 years later, Frieren is unchanged, but her friends are much older and on death’s door. Freiren reassesses her life, and regrets not gaining a better understanding of her friends or forming closer bonds with them.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
Frieren – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Christopher “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to discuss a classic Marvel Comics story, “Kraven’s Last Hunt.” Written by J.M. DeMatteis with pencils by Mike Zeck and inks by Bob McLeod, this storyline tells about Kraven’s final hunt (for the time) to capture Spider-Man. We are discussing the classic comic book storyline involving Kraven the Hunter, not the recent film featuring the character that…exists.
Suport
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Kraven’s Last Hunt – Wikipedia
- Kraven the Hunter – Wikipedia
- Spider-Man – Wikipedia
Description
First-time guest David Bloomberg joins returning guest Kate Darowski and Joe to discuss the best seasons of Survivor. We’re each building a Mount Rushmore of Survivor Seasons, so at the end of the podcast you have 12 seasons of Survivor you could go check out if you’re wanted to explore Survivor. David Bloomberg has been writing about (or eventually podcasting about) Survivor since the first season, and is one of the experts on the show. Kate and Joe have a new book, Survivor: A Cultural History, coming out this week.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Survivor: A Cultural History – Amazon
- David Bloomberg – Linktree
- David Bloomberg – RHAP
Description
Returning guest Rachel Armstron joins Joe to discuss the film Arrival. Starring Amy Adams as Louise Banks, Arrival is an adaption of Ted Chiang’s short story “Story of Your Life.” The contemplative film explores issues of language, aliens, and a surprise twist that flips the story on its head.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Arrival – Wikipedia
- Ted Chiang – Wikipedia
- Denis Villeneuve – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to discuss William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. We talk about the play’s history (it’s wild), it’s place in our culture (it’s everywhere), and, of course, dig into the characters themselves (they’re super-interesting).
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Romeo and Juliet – Wikipedia
- William Shakespeare – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Joe to discuss the long-running tv show Grey’s Anatomy. We’re discussing the pilot, “A Hard Day’s Night,” which aired in 2005. We discuss the characters we meet in this episode and the long-term success of the franchise. We also touch on the medical show genre as a tv staple.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Grey’s Anatomy – Wikipedia
- Shonda Rhimes – Wikipedia
Description
First-time guest Ryan North to discuss a comic book he wrote, Fantastic Four #19, “The Perfect Storm.” Ryan North is known for the webcomic Dinosaur Comics, as well as writing for Marvel Comics and other comic companies. In his this issue, Alicia Masters is the protagonist in a noir-adventure. We talk about the history of Alicia Masters in Marvel Comics, her role in North’s current run on Fantastic Four, and North’s collaboration with penciler Carlos Gomez and colorist Jesus Aburtov.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Ryan North – Author Website
- Ryan North – Wikipedia
- Alicia Masters – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Kevin Anthony joins Joe to discuss the value of silliness, absurdity, and comedy. We talk about shows like Taskmaster and comedians like James Acaster as we have an open-ended conversation about what makes us laugh and why it matters.
Description
Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss the 2022 film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. Starring Lesley Manville as Ada Harris, the film is an adaptation of a 1958 novel. It tells the story of a war-widow, Mrs. Harris, deciding to go to Paris to purchase a haute couture Christian Dior dress.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris – Wikipedia
- Lesley Manville – Wikipedia
Description
He’s back! Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe to discuss the Jorge Luis Borges’ short story “La Biblioteca de Babel.” This is more of a thought experiment masquerading as a short story, but we find plenty to discuss.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Library of Babel – Wikipedia
- Jorge Luis Borges – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew and Joe are discussing the classic Hanna-Barbera show The Flintstones. Presenting a traditional family sitcom in a prehistoric setting, this one of the most successful series from the iconic cartoon studio.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Flintstones – Wikipedia
- Hanna-Barbera – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss the classic graphic novel Persepolis. Created by Marjane Satrapi, this autobiographical graphic novel tells the story of her life in Iran after the Islamic Revolution. Persepolis is told in two parts, we are discussing Part 1: The Story of a Childhood.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Persepolis – Wikipedia
- Marjane Satrapi – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guests Wayne Wise and Chris “Mav” Maverick from The VoxPopcast join Producer Andrew and Joe for a game of building Mount Rushmores. This time we’re choosing groups of four pop culture creators. We each draft creators that we think are among the most important or influential (we left what that means open to interpretation). In the end, we’ve identified 16 pop iconic culture creators (each of us with some surprises. Feel free to let us know what four creators would be on your Mount Rushmore of Pop Culture Creators.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The VoxPopcast – Official site
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss one of the most iconic films ever made, Citizen Kane. We discuss Orson Welles’ career, the quality of the film itself, and the impact its had on the movie industry.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Citizen Kane – Wikipedia
- Orson Welles – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss the classic novel The Secret Garden. Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden tells the story of an orphaned girl finding healing and friendship when she tends to a secret garden that had been locked up and left to grow wild.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Secret Garden – Wikipedia
- Frances Hodgson Burnett – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Kate Reid joins Joe to discuss Claire Dunphy from Modern Family. We look at episodes from the first and last seasons to see how the show evolves across all its seasons. We focus on Claire as a centerpiece of the extended family, but we also touch on the other core characters.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- Modern Family – Wikipedia
- Modern Family – IMDB
Description
First-time guest LeUyen Pham and returning guest Gene Luen Yang join Joe to discuss their graphic novel Lunar New Year Love Story. This graphic novel tells the story of Valentina, a teenage girl who is navigating relationships while also fearing that her family is cursed and all romantic relationships will end in tragedy.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- LeUyen Pham – Wikipedia
- Gene Luen Yang – Wikipedia
- Gene Luen Yang – Author website
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss how evolving technologies change the stories that are produced and consumed in a culture. We use film as an easily understood example of this effect, but touch on how our means of producing and accessing all types of media transform what stories we tell.
Description
It’s our annual Groundhog Day rewatch. Join Nicole Freim, Chris “Mav” Maverick, Producer Andrew and Joe as we discuss our latest viewing of one of the best films ever made.
Description
Returning guests Nicole Freim and Chris “Mav” Maverick join Joe to discuss the John Hughes’ film The Breakfast Club. Starring several members of the Brat Pack of up-and-coming actors and actresses, this film signaled a change in how teenagers are portrayed in meida. We discuss the pros and cons associated with the film forty years later.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Breakfast Club – IMDB
- The Breakfast Club – Wikipedia
- John Hughes – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to talk about “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. The classic short story about a man foolishly making a trek into the Yukon territory after being warned not to lets us explore ideas like man’s hubris, an uncaring natural world, and why so many short stories can be a bit of a downer.
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the iconic tv series Columbo. We discuss the odd and long production history of the show, how Peter Falk embodies the character, and the unique twist the franchise has on the mystery genre.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Columbo – Wikipedia
- Peter Falk – Wikipedia
Description
It’s our annual Fantasy Box Office game! As a look ahead at the films coming out in 2025, Producer Andrew and Joe are drafting teams of movies that will be released this year. They will each get the films’ domestic box offices multiplied by their Rotten Tomatoes score, so they want to pick big hits that are well-reviewed. It also gives a chance to discuss the upcoming film slate and highlight films we are looking forward to.
Description
First-time guest Josh Allen (the middle grade book author, not the NFL quarterback) joins Joe to discuss Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim. We talk about the unique nature of the story and its world, how unlikable but fascinating Scott is as a character, and highlight the supporting cast.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Scott Pilgrim – Wikipedia
- Bryan Lee O’Malley – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss a couple classic short stories that are set during the holiday season. The Gift of the Magi sees gift-giving go awry for a couple while they see how much they love one another, and The Man Who Missed Christmas sees a man get locked in a bank vault over Christmas and he realizes he is so isolated from others that nobody noticed or cared.
Description
Returning Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe and Producer Andrew for their tenth annual Christmas Special. Producer Andrew has sent Todd and Joe a list of seven real titles for recently produced Christmas movies, and we have to make up plots to match the titles. Producer Andrew then chooses which summary he prefers, and whoever has the majority of plots selected wins.
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss Alison and Mike Cooper from the BBC sitcom Ghosts. Starring Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe, the sitcom features a woman who can see the ghosts of people from various eras of British history who are haunting her manor. We are discussing two Christmas specials that were produced by the show.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Ghosts – Wikipedia
- Ghosts – IMDB
It’s our second annual TTRPG as Kevin Anthony is back to GM a festive adventure. Norman Mitchell, Producer Andrew, and Joe are the players as they attempt to navigate the Christmas-themed role-playing world that has been prepared for them.
Description
First-time guest Emily Darowski joins Joe discuss the romantic comedy You’ve Got Mail. Starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, this is the second pairing of these two leads in a film directed by Nora Ephron. Set in the late 1990s, this is an update of a classic story of a pair of people who fall in love anonymously before meeting in person.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- You’ve Got Mail – Wikipedia
- Nora Ephron – Wikipedia
- You’ve Got Mail – IMDB
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to talk about a Thanksgiving themed issue of Power Pack. Power Pack featured a group of four young siblings who gained powers. They become friends with various superheroes in the Marvel universe. In this issue, they invite a group of the loneliest heroes to come together for a Thanksgiving dinner.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Power Pack – Wikipedia
- Louise Simonson – Wikipedia
- June Brigman – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss the tv show Shetland. This is a BBC crime procedural set on the Shetland Islands that began airing in 2013. In the U.S. it has aired as part of Masterpiece Mysteries. Douglas Henshall plays Jimmy Perez in the series, which uses the unique setting to make it feel like a unique spin on the murder mystery genre.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Shetland – Wikipedia
- Shetland – IMDB
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss Miguel Rivera from Coco. This Pixar film tells the story of a boy who accidentally travels to the land of the dead and must seek out help from his ancestors to return home.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Coco – Wikipedia
- Coco – IMDB
Description
Returning Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Producer Andrew and Joe for a Halloween draft. We’ve been given various sets of parameters and must draft characters from folklore and pop culture for each situation.
Description
Returning Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe to discuss the 1938 radio drama performance of War of the Worlds. Orson Welles’s legendary broadcast is as famous for the urban legend around the panic it reportedly caused as it is for the story it told. We discuss the tale of the broadcast and the news reports around it, and then analyzes the story itself.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Orson Welles – Wikipedia
- The War of the Worlds (novel) – Wikipedia
- War of the Worlds (radio drama) – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Christopher “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to talk about Do A Powerbomb!, a comic book mini-series written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson with colors by Mike Spicer and letters by Rus Wooton. It tells the story of a girl entering a wrestling tournament with the hopes of bringing her mother back to life, but it is so much more than that strange starting premise. Mav has experience as an independent wrestler and a comics scholar, which he brings to the analysis of this excellent mini-series.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Daniel Warren Johnson – Author website
- Daniel Warren Johnson – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Ravynn Stringfield joins Joe to discuss Lunella Lafayette from the tv show Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur tells the story of a teenage girl and her pet T-Rex who become superheroes.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Ravynn K. Stringfield – Author website
- Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to talk about storytelling in musicals. We talk about unique aspects of the medium, the history of Broadway musicals, and the evolution of style in musicals.
Support
- Patreon
Description
Returning guest Allison Epstein joins Joe to discuss the novel Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. This reimagining of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield is a coming-of-age story set in Appalachia in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Demon Copperhead – Wikipedia
- Barbara Kingsolver – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Henry Darowski joins Joe to discuss the film Lawrence of Arabia. Based on T.E. Lawrence’s autobiography, Lawrence of Arabia is one of the most iconic films ever made. Directed by David Lean, it stars Peter O’Toole as Lawrence and tells the story of a Lawrence participating in battles in Arabia during the first World War.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Lawrence of Arabia (film) – Wikipedia
- T.E. Lawrence – Wikipedia
Description
First-time guest Matthew Brake joins Joe to talk about Animal Man, a notable comic book run from the late 1980s by wrtier Grant Morrison and pencilers Chaz Truog and Paris Cullins. In this story, Animal Man becomes aware he is a comic book character whose life is being made up by a writer, and he goes to confront the author who has made terrible things happen in his life.
Support
- Patreon
Description
- Animal Man – Wikipedia
- Grant Morrison – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to talk about the classic television show Gilligan’s Island. We’re discussing two episodes, one in which a popular boy band appears on the island looking for a quiet place, and in the other radioactive seeds wash ashore and gives the castaways super powers when they eat the food that grows from the seeds.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Gilligan’s Island – Wikipedia
- Gilligan’s Island – IMDB
Description
Returning guests John Darowski and Virginia McAlister join Producer Andrew and Joe for a game of Star Trek Bridge Crew Draft. Each player can select characters from each tv version of Star Trek to fill out a crew. We end up with eclectic selections as the game gives us a chance to talk through the various Star Trek series that have been produced and also highlight some of our favorite characters.
Description
Returning guest Nicole Freim joins Joe to discuss the first novel from the Dresden Files series. This long-running series by Jim Butcher are urban fantasy novels that use the tone of a boiled detective story. Harry Dresden is a wizard private eye, trying to solve problems that the human police and the magical world aren’t handling well.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Jim Butcher – Official website
- The Dresden Files – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss Glass Onion, the second film starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc. This film sees Benoit Blanc solving a murder mystery on a billionaire’s private island.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Glass Onion – Wikipedia
- Glass Onion – IMDB
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss Daredevil, a Marvel comic book character created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett in 1964. Daredevil’s secret identity is Matt Murdock, a lawyer who had his other senses heightened in an accident that blinded him. In 2001, Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale reimagined the earliest adventures of Daredevil in a mini-series titled Daredevil: Yellow.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Daredevil – Wikipedia
- Jeph Loeb – Wikipedia
- Tim Sale – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss the BBC murder mystery series Annika. Nicola Walker plays Annika Strandhead, a single mother who was just placed in charge of Glasgow’s new Marine Homicide Unit. Yes, she solves water murders and it is awesome. Thank you to patron Michael for suggesting this show.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Annika – Wikipedia
- Nicola Walker – Wikipedia
Description
For our special 500th episode, Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack returns to discuss two classic films with Joe: The Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven. The Seven Samurai is a 1954 film directed by Akira Kurosawa about farmers hiring seven samurai to protect their village from bandits. The Magnificent Seven is a 1960 American reimagining of that film directed by John Sturges about villagers hiring seven cowboys to protect them from bandits.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Seven Samurai – Wikipedia
- Akira Kurosawa – Wikipedia
- The Magnificent Seven – Wikipedia
- John Sturges – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Cavan Helps joins Joe to discuss Ahsoka Tano from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series. We discuss Ahsoka’s character arc through the show, and how she stands as an interesting contrast to Anakin Skywalker.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Ahsoka Tano – Wookiepedia
- Ahsoka Tano – Wikipedia
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to discuss Lavinia, a 2009 novel by Ursula K. Le Guin. The story centers the life of Lavinia, a very minor character in Virgil’s Aeneid. The Aeneid is a 2,050 year old poem that served as a founding myth for Ancient Rome. Lavinia was Le Guin’s last novel.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Lavinia – Wikipedia
- Ursula K. Le Guin – Wikipedia
Description
Kestra Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to play a game of Disney Song Mount Rushmore. We all picked a representative song from four categories: 1) the Classic Disney era, 2) the Disney Renaissance era, 3) the modern CGI era, and 4) a score/instrumental piece. No overlapping picks are allowed, and then we talk through our choices and debate who has the best Mount Rushmore.
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- Patreon
Description
Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the manga series Naruto. One of the most popular mangas of all time, we’re talking about stories from the first collections of Naruto. In these volumes, a young ninja begins his quest to become leader of his village.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Naruto – Wikipedia
- Masashi Kishimoto – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to discuss Paul Atreides from the films Dune and Dune Part II. We talk about the Dune franchise, this film adaptation, and some of discomfort felt in Paul’s ascension. We also acknowledge what an absolute all-star cast was assembled and the astonishingly beautiful cinematography in the film.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Dune (2021 film) – Wikipedia
- Dune (novel) – Wikipedia
- Denis Villeneuve – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss the novel Daisy Jones and the Six. This 2019 novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid tells the story of a band’s rise to popularity in the 1970s and their eventual break up shortly after they released a hit album. The oral history style the novel uses allows multiple subjective points of view to be quickly shared and makes for a very entertaining read.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Daisy Jones and the Six – Wikipedia
- Taylor Jenkins Reid – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Dr. Kyra Hunting joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss one of the most popular kids’ shows being produced today. Kyra studies children’s media, and is the perfect guest to help break down the massive success Bluey has achieved in its three seasons.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Bluey – Official Website
- Bluey – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Ryan Haupt joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss science in popular culture. The good, the bad, and the wildly inaccurate. We talk about sci-fi as a genre and some specific examples of how science is used in stories.
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the comic book series Strange Academy. This school for magic users in the Marvel comic book universe introduced readers to a wave of new young magic characters, including Doyle Dormammu and Emily Bright. Established characters appeared as teachers, as teenage characters navigated their strange new powers, teenage angsts, and tangled relationships.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Strange Academy – Wikipedia
- Skottie Young – Wikipedia
- Humberto Ramos -Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss the 2003 film Big Fish. Directed by Tim Burton, the film tells the story of an estranged father and son reconciling before the father passes on.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Big Fish – Wikipedia
- Big Fish – IMDB
Description
Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss The Murderbot Diaries: All Systems Red, the first story in a series written by Martha Wells. The series tells the story of a part human, part robot Security unit. This SecUnit has disabled its governor that was supposed to limit its agency, and now prefers to spend its time watching episodes of a long-running soap opera. But, when an emergency arises the SecUnit must choose what it will do for the humans it was hired to protect.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Murderbot Diaries – Wikipedia
- Martha Wells – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to talk about the character of Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation. We’re looking at two episodes, “Elementary, My Dear Data” and “Measure of a Man.” In one, the holodeck causes chaos (as always) when Data plays Sherlock Holmes, and in the other it is argued that Data is just a piece of Starfleet-owned equipment that can be taken apart and studied. Both offer meditations about identity and AI, and both originally aired in the late 1980s.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Star Trek: The Next Generation – Wikipedia
- Star Trek: The Next Generation – IMDB
Description
Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss The Sapphires, a 2012 Australian jukebox musicale dramedy that is loosely based on real events. It tells the story of an Australian music group that travels to Vietnam to sing for troops during the war. The films deals with heavy subject—war, death, racism, trauma, etc—but manages to feel pleasant and accessible despite those topics.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Sapphires – Wikipedia
- The Sapphires – IMDB
Description
Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to talk about a comic book written and drawn by Art Adams with colors by Laura Allred and Matt Hollingsworth with letters by Lois Buhalis. It tells the story of an intelligent gorilla from another dimension named Axwell Tiberius and a human named Ann O’Brien who gains superpowers in a science lab accident. Then, naturally, they have multidimensional adventures.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Monkeyman and O’Brien – Wikipedia
- The VoxPopcast – Official Website
Description
Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss Daniel Nayeri’s autobiographical book Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story). This novel tells the story of Daniel, his mother, and his sister leaving Iran and arriving in Oklahoma as refugees. At his middle school, nobody believes Daniel’s stories about his earlier life in Iran.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Daniel Nayeri – Official Website
- Everything Sad is Untrue – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to discuss the tv show The Rookie. Starring Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, the show is about the oldest rookie in the LAPD. We discuss Nathan Fillion’s charm as an actor, whether the show is “copaganda” or a wish-fulfilmment story about the best versions of police forces, and talk about some of the unique stylistic choices the series makes.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Rookie – Wikipedia
- The Rookie – IMDB
- Nathan Fillion – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to talk about the Academy Awards. Why do we care who wins? What are some of the biggest mistakes that have been made in awards history? What are some of the biggest surprises?
Description
First-time guest Julian Chambliss joins Joe to discuss Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, a comic book series written by Ta-Nehisi Coates with pencils by Brian Stelfreeze, inks by Karl Story, and colors by Laura Martin. This 2018 comic book tells the story of T’Challa attempting to keep the peace in Wakanda as terrorists try to incite a rebellion.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Black Panther – Wikipedia
- Ta-Nehisa Coates – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The film stars Chris Pine as Edgin Darvis and tells the story of plans going wrong in an entertaining way as an eclectic group comes together to try and save the world.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – Wikipedia
- Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – IMDB
Description
Producer Andrew and Joe are talking about one of the most iconic absurdist stories ever written. The novella by Franz Kafka tells the story of Gregor Samsa who wakes up having turned into an insect. We talk about the range of interpretations the story allows, and the fact that it’s hard to nail down any of them.
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- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Metamorphosis – Wikipedia
- Franz Kafka – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Christopher “Mav” Maverick joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss the nature of storytelling in comic books. Comic books/graphic novels offer storytelling options that are distinct from any other medium. We break down some of the strengths and weaknesses that are inherent to this unique art form.
Support
- Patreon
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the tv series Only Murders in the Building. Starring Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage, Martin Short as Oliver Putnam, and Selena Gomez as Mable Mora, the show tells the story of a trio of amateur real-crime podcasters solving a murder in their New York apartment building.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Only Murders in the Building – WIkipedia
- Only Murders in the Building – IMDB
Description
Returning guest Kate Reid joins Joe to discuss My Best Friend’s Wedding, one of Julia Roberts’ iconic rom-com roles from the 1990s. We discuss the various characters, the tropes of the genre, and dig into the character’s motivations.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- My Best Friend’s Wedding – IMDB
- My Best Friend’s Wedding – Wikipedia
- Julia Roberts – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the comic book series Void Rivals. Created by Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo de Felici, the series tells the story of two aliens whose home worlds have been at war who end up stranded together on a deserted planetoid.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Void Rivals – Wikipedia
- Void Rivals – Image Comics website
It’s Groundpod Day! Every year Andrew, Mav, Nicole, and Joe rewatch Groundhog Day and record a podcast episode about it.
Description
Returning guest Nicole Freim joins Joe to discuss the iconic sci-fi horror film Alien. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Sigourney Weaver, Alien has become a touchstone film for its genre.
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- Patreon
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss two classic short stories. “Dalyrimple Goes Wrong” is by F. Scott Fitzgerald and tells the story of a World War I hero trying to succeed at life after returning home. “A Retrieved Reformation” is by O. Henry and tells the story of a safecracker who has been released from jail debating whether to go straight or return to a life of crime.
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- Patreon
Description
Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the anime series Yuyu Hakusho. This series is an adaptation of a popular manga series and tells the story of a boy who is killed in an accident and then becomes an underworld detective.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Yuyu Hakusho – Fandom Wiki
- Yuyu Hakusho – Wikipedia
Description
Joe and Producer Andrew are at it again. As a way of previewing the movies that are coming out the next year, we have a draft of upcoming films. In the end, we get the total box office of each film multiplied by its Rottentomatoes score added to our box office tally. The player with the highest box office total at the end of the year wins.
This year has one of the hardest-to-pick group of films being released since we started playing the game.
Description
Joe and Producer Andrew are talking about Metropolis, one of the most iconic silent films ever made. A two-and-a-half hour German Expressionist sci-fi epic directed by Fritz Lang, Metropolis tells the story of Freder, the son of a rich, ruling class father, falling in love with Maria, a woman from the lower classes. Freder discovers the massive class divide that was hidden from him, and then a plot by a mad scientist almost destroys the city. Themes are more text than subtext in this visually stunning film from 1927.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Metropolis – Wikipedia
- Fritz Lang – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick and Hannah Rogers join Joe to talk about one of the most Christmas-y Christmas movies ever made. A little dash of ALL the Christmas stories is present in this Netflix movie, and we have a good time identifying as many influences as we can.
Description
It’s our ninth annual Christmas Special! Producer Andrew provided Joe and Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd seven titles to different Christmas movies they’ve never seen. They’ve each written a plot summary inspired by that title and read the summary. Andrew then reveals the real plot summary and picks which fake plot he would most like to watch. Todd and Joe’s competitive juices take over and they end up genuinely caring about who wins.
Description
Returning guests Cavan Helps and Norman Mitchell join Joe and Producer Andrew for a brief game of Dungeons and Dragons. Cavan serves as Dungeon Master and guides our three adventurers on a Christmas-themed adventure.
Description
Returning guest Kate Darowski joins Joe to discuss two Christmas episodes from the classic sitcom Frasier. Kate is the co-author of Frasier: A Cultural History (now in paperback!) and an expert on the show. We’re talking about the episodes “Perspectives on Christmas” and “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz.”
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Frasier – Wikipedia
- Frasier: A Cultural History – Amazon
Description
Returning guest Andrew Deman joins Joe to discuss Wolverine, the iconic X-Men character. We are looking at a story titled “Wounded Wolf” that was contained to a single issue, Uncanny X-Men #205. This issue was created by Chris Claremont and Barry Windsor-Smith. It tells the story of a young girl helping Wolverine as a group of his old enemies hunt him.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Wolverine – Wikipedia
- The Claremont Run – Publisher site
Description
Joe and Producer Andrew have an informal chat about media, gratitude, and the podcast.
Description
Returning guest Ryan Haupt joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the 1993 Disney adaptation of The Three Musketeers. Starring Chris O’Donnell, Charlie Sheen, Keifer Sutherland, and Oliver Platt, this film is a fun—if loose—adaptation of the 1884 Alexandre Dumas novel.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Three Musketeers (film) – Wikipedia
- The Three Musketeers (novel) – Wikipedia
Description
First-time guest Zach Weinersmith joins Joe to talk about the graphic novel Bea Wolf. Written by Zach Weinersmith with art by Boulet, the story is a middle-grade retelling of the epic poem Beowulf. There are adorable child protagonists, an evil adult named Mr. Grindle, and prose that begs to be read-aloud.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Bea Wolf – Amazon Link
- Zach Weinersmith – Wikipedia
- Boulet – Wikipedia
- Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal – Zach Weinersmith Website
Show Notes
Returning co-founder Todd Mack and returning guest Todd Petersen join Joe and Producer Andrew for their annual Halloween special. This year, they each submitted lists of spooky words, then 4 words were selected at random to serve as story prompts. Todd, Joe, and Todd each pitch a story, and then Andrew picks a winner each round.
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe and Andrew to discuss the Marvel’s horror special Werewolf by Night, which was released on Disney+ in October 2022. Directed by Michael Giachinno, it starred Gael Garcia Bernal as Jack Russell and Laura Donnelly as Elsa Bloodstone. It tells the story of a group of monster hunters meeting together after the death of Ulysses Bloodstone to decide who will inherit the mystical Bloodstone.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Werewolf by Night – IMDB
- Werewolf by Night – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Allison Epstein joins Joe to discuss the 2001 film A Knight’s Tale. This medieval jousting comedy stars Heath Ledger as William Fletcher. The film features anachronistic comedy elements, which helps make it stand out, but also has excellent performances from an impressive cast.
Our guest, Allison Epstein, has a new book out this week, Let the Dead Bury the Dead.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- A Knight’s Tale – Wikipedia
- Allison Epstein’s Let the Dead Bury the Dead – Amazon Link
Description
Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the comic book series Paper Girls. The series is a collaboration between writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Cliff Chiang, colorist Matt Wilson, and letterer Jared K. Fletcher. It tells the story of four girls out on their paper routes in the 1980s, when they get caught up in a strange time-travel war.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Paper Girls – Wikipedia
- Brian K. Vaughan – Wikipedia
- Cliff Chiang – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew and Joe are discussing The Spirit of Lonely Places, a podcast campaign in Beyond the Map: A World of Darkness Series. Adam Carnevale runs the campaign and plays all the NPCs, Joel Zammit plays as Warren Birch, Jackson Baly plays as Lenny McBride, and Cass Paige plays as Jenabelle Debeouf. In this campaign, three different characters in different time periods encounter mystical beings in the Canadian wilderness.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Beyond the Map – Official Website
- Beyond the Map – Fan wiki
Description
Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Joe to play a game called Disney Heist. Despite its name, we are not trying to break into the Disney Vault (side note….circle back to that idea). Producer Andrew has given us a list of roles associated with a criminal endeavor, and we each assign a Disney character to that role to build a team. Producer Andrew then chooses which team is superior.
Description
We’re talking about the stop-motion duo of the human Wallace and the dog Gromit. The Wrong Trousers tells the story of a villainous penguin trying to misuse one of Wallace’s inventions to pull off a heist. A Close Shave tells the story of a villainous dog trying to use one of Wallace’s inventions to turn sheep into dog food.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Wallace and Gromit – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Nicole Freim joins Joe to discuss the comic book series The Stuff of Legend. The series has a story by Mike Raicht and Brian Smith, illustrations by Charles Paul Westover, and design and colors by Jon Conkling and Michael DeVito.The Stuff of Legend is story of the Boogeyman kidnapping a boy and his toys going on a rescue mission into the dark to rescue him.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Stuff of Legend – Wikipedia
- The Stuff of Legend – Publisher website
Description
First time guest Nicole Freim joins Joe to discuss the 1944 film Gaslight. This film is the origin of the term “gaslighting” (which we explain in depth). Starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, Gaslight tells the story of a manipulative husband convincing his wife she is insane so he can carry on his criminal activities.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Gaslight (film) – Wikipedia
- Gaslighting – Wikipedia
Description First time guest Nicole Freim joins Joe to discuss the 1944 film Gaslight. This film is the origin of the term “gaslighting” (which we explain in depth). Starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, Gaslight tells the story of a … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kate Reid joins Joe to discuss one of the most popular novels of recent years. Lessons in Chemistry was written by first-time author Bonnie Garmus and tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist, single mother, … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Anna Peppard joins Joe to discuss Kyra Nerys from the tv show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. DS9 was the third Star Trek television series. We’re focusing on the episode “Duet” which sees Kyra capture a Cardassian … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Anna Peppard joins Joe to talk about the Ever-Lovin’ Blue-Eyed Thing, charter member of the Fantastic Four and beloved fixture of Marvel Comics. We’re discussing the 2021 mini-series written by Walter Mosley with art by Tom Reilly … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe and Producer Andrew to map out movies to watch during the year. We each select a movie that feels right to watch for every month. Please feel free to let us know … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to discuss the film That Thing You Do! Written and directed by Tom Hanks, the film stars Tom Everett Scott as Guy and Liv Tyler as Faye. It tells the story of a … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss Susanna Clarke’s 2020 novel, Piranesi. Only Clarke’s second novel—her first was Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell—this novel had near-universal praise when it was released. The novel tells the story of a man lost … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to talk about the tv series Stargate SG-1. A continuation of the Stargate film, this series and its spin-offs was one of the most successful sci-fi television franchises of the 1990s and early … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew and Joe are discussing one of the formative stories in the early Marvel Comics universe. We talk about the legendary pairing of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee as storytellers, and some of the significance of this cosmic … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe and Producer Andrew to talk about love and hate in fandom. It seems that some portions of fandom love nothing more than to complain about the media they claim to love, but … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew and Joe discuss a cult classic film that features some amazing Ray Harryhausen stop motion animation. The Valley of Gwangi tells the story of cowboys capturing a dinosaur and bringing it back to an Old West show … Continue reading →
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe to discuss two short stories, “Los Ojos Verdes” by Spanish Romantic author Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and “The Tell-Tale Heart” by American Romantic author Edgar Allan Poe. “The Green Eyes” tells the story … Continue reading →
Description First-time guest Francis Agnoli joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the episode “Zuko Alone” from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Zuko was introduced as an antagonist in the first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but serves as the … Continue reading →
Description
Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe to discuss Mafalda, an Argentinian comic strip by an artist named Quino. Mafalda is a 6-year-old girl with lots of big questions and concerns about the world around her. The comic strip ran from 1964-1973 and remains popular in many parts of the world today.
Support
- Patreon
Show Links
- Mafalda – Wikipedia
- Quino – Wikipedia
Description
Joe and Producer Andrew are joined by returning guest Ben Phillips to play a game of Truth or Lie. We’ve each found a handful of examples of obscure media that has actually been produced (despite some of these sounding too bizarre to be real). We then give brief summaries of what it really was and a made up summary. The other players then guess which one was the real summary.
Support
- Patreon
Description
Returning all-star guests Branden Ushio and Nik English join Joe and Producer Andrew to talk about the 1999 film Galaxy Quest. It tells the story of group of actors from an old sci-fi show who are mistaken by an alien culture as real heroes. Those aliens believe the episodes they’ve viewed are historical documents and recruit the actors to help them fight off a very real threat.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Galaxy Quest – IMDB
- Galaxy Quest – Wikipedia
Description
Joe and Producer Andrew are talking about a classic dime novel. Nick Carter appeared in thousands of stories in dime novels, pulp magazines, and paperback novels from the 1800s until 1990. The character, as a detective and a spy, was a pop culture phenomenon that has largely been forgotten. We’re talking about one of the earlier Nick Carter stories, in which he solves a seemingly unsolvable murder.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Nick Carter – Wikipedia
- The Solution of a Remarkable Case – Online text
Description
Returning guest Ben Phillips joins Joe to talk about the sitcom Scrubs. Airing on NBC and ABC from 2001-2009, Scrubs was part of a wave of single-camera sitcoms that changed the tone and style of comedy on American network television. We’re discussing JD and Turk in two classic episodes, season one’s “My Old Lady” and season five’s “My Way Home.”
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Scrubs – IMDB
- Scrubs – Wikipedia
- Scrubs – Fan Wiki
Description
Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about the Bechdel Test. We have an open-ended conversation about what the test is, what issues exist with its application, and why it is an important topic to consider.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Bechdel Test – Wikipedia
- Alison Bechdel – Wikipedia
Description
First-time guest Wayne Wise joins Joe to talk about the comic book series Giant Days. Telling the story of three college roommates, the series by John Allison, Max Sarin, and Lisa Treiman captures the feelings and drama of figuring out life while pursuing an education. Esther de Groot is a smart goth girl, Susan thinks she is drama-free and serious, while Daisy is naive and discovering the world (and herself).
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Giant Days – Wikipedia
- Scary Go Round Comics – John Allison webcomic site
- VoxPopcast – Podcast website
Description
Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about the 1999 film Sliding Doors. This is an interesting case of a film where the title and concept have exceeded the actual story and characters in terms of cultural awareness. We talk about what the film’s characters and messages, and also it’s place in pop culture.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Sliding Doors – IMDB
- Sliding Doors – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Charly Kueks joins Joe to discuss F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby. One of the great American novels, The Great Gatsby is a modernist novel telling the story of Nick Carraway getting pulled into the strange social vortex of Jay Gatsby.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- The Great Gatsby – Wikipedia
- F. Scott Fitzgerald – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss one of the most iconic tv series of all time (and a consistent answer in trivia games everywhere). MASH aired from 1972-1983, and we’re discussing two episodes, “Adam’s Ribs” and the series finale “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” We’re focusing on Alan Alda’s character, Hawkeye Pierce, but also touch on several of the other memorable characters from the show.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- MASH – Wikipedia
- MASH said goodbye 40 years ago – CNN article
Description
Returning guests Norman Mitchell and Cavan Helps join Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss storytelling in Tabletop Role-Playing Games. This type of game, like Dungeons & Dragons for examples, requires collaborative storytelling between the Dungeon Master (or Game Master) and the players at the table. Norman and Cavan (who know these types of games very, very well) bring their expertise to a discussion around this unique type of storytelling.
Support
- Patreon
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss one of Marvel’s most unexpected break out stars. Rocket Raccoon was first created in 1976, and we’re talking about a 4-issue mini-series written by Bill Mantlo with art by Mike Mignola that was published in 1985.
Support
- Patreon
Description
- Rocket Raccoon – Wikipedia
- Bill Mantlo – Wikipedia
- Mike Mignola – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Ryan Haupt joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the 1997 film George of the Jungle. Starring Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser (not for this film, though he is great in it), the film tells the story of a Tarzan parody leaving the jungle and coming to San Francisco.
Show Notes
- George of the Jungle – Original cartoon wikipedia article
- George of the Jungle – Film wikipedia article
- Brendan Fraser – Wikipedia article
Description
Author Allison Epstein joins Joe to talk about her novel, A Tip for the Hangman. The historical fiction novel tells the story of playwright Christopher Marlowe and his time as a spy for Queen Elizabeth. Epstein uses what we know about Marlowe’s life and death to create a fascinating character who finds himself in over his head.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Allison Epstein – Author Page
- A Tip for the Hangman – Amazon link
Description
Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to talk about the Japanese television show Jetman. A super sentai series, Jetman features a team of humans who can power up and drive robots to fight various monsters. For American audiences, this type of series is most familiar because versions were adapted into the Power Rangers franchise.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Jetman – Wikipedia
- Choujin Sentai Jetman – Fan Wiki
Description
Returning guest Christopher “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to talk about Will Eisner’s classic graphic novel, A Contract with God. We’re discussing Chapter 1, “A Contract with God” and Chapter 2, “The Street Singer.” Eisner uses a monochromatic, caricatured cartooning style that often feels at odds with the serious, dramatic, adult slice-of-life stories that are riddled with violence, hopelessness, loss, and despair. That unexpected stylistic and content pairing creates an unforgettable text that has been praised since its publication.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- A Contract with God – Wikipedia
- Will Eisner – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest Rachel Armstrong and first-time guest Matt Armstrong join Joe to discuss the 2007 film starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler. We discuss the positives of the film (most of it), point out a couple flaws (mostly just some accents), and talk about its portrayal of grief.
Support
- Patreon
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss Cloud Cuckoo Land, a recent novel by Anthony Doerr. The novel tells the story of various people scattered across centuries and then slowly reveals how their lives unexpectedly intersect.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Anthony Doerr – Wikipedia
- Cloud Cuckoo Land – Wikipedia
Description
It’s our annual special, where on February 2 we release an episode discussing the film Groundhog Day. Joe, Producer Andrew, Chris “Mav” Maverick, and Nicole Freim visit Punxsutawney and talk about the film, what a great year 1993 was for Hollywood, and other favorite timeloop stories.
Description
Returning guest Christopher “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to talk about one of his favorite films, the 1993 western Tombstone. Telling the story of Wyatt Earp and the shootout at the O.K. Coral, Tombstone features an all-star cast including Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer doing his best to earn an Oscar as Doc Holliday (the Academy snubbed his great performance).
Support
- Patreon
Show Links
- Tombstone – Wikipedia
- Tombstone – IMDB
- VoxPopcast – One of Mav’s podcasts
- Oh Gosh, Oh Golly, Oh Wow! – Another of Mav’s podcasts
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the manga series Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo. The series tells the story of a spy who must create a fake family for a mission, and unknowingly adopts a telepathic child and begins a fake relationship with an assassin to build his cover. The assassin also has no idea he’s a spy and the child’s a telepath, but as a telepath the child knows everything.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Spy x Family – Wikipedia
Description
Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss Phil Hartman’s character, Bill McNeal, from the tv show NewsRadio. Newsradio was an ensemble workplace comedy that aired on NBC from 1995-1999. We discuss the status of NBC sitcoms in the 1990s, Phil Harman’s comedic genius, and the traditional sitcom format.
Show Notes
- NewsRadio – Wikipedia
- NewsRadio – IMDB
It’s the start of the year so it’s time to make our picks for our annual Fantasy Box Office game. Joe and Producer Andrew pick the films they think will make the most money this year. The players get the money earned at the domestic box office by each film, multiplied by its Rotten Tomatoes score. At the end of the year, whoever has accumulated the highest adjusted box office total wins the game.
Description
Joe and Producer Andrew look back at the last year of media, and look ahead at the next year of podcasting. Listeners, please make suggestions for episodes you would like to hear!
Description
Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to talk about one of the oldest stories we know of in human history. The Iliad is an epic poem composed by Homer and passed down orally for centuries before being written down sometime in the 8th century B.C. The Iliad tells the story of some events during the Trojan War.
Show Notes
- The Iliad – Wikipedia
- Homer – Wikipedia
Image SourceDescription
Last month, we were saddened to learn of the passing of Kevin Conroy, an actor best-known for his voicework playing Bruce Wayne/Batman. Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe and Producer Andrew to talk about what made Conroy’s performance singular. We’ll be discussing “Christmas with the Joker” and “Holiday Knights,” two episodes from Batman animated series where Conroy became the voice of Batman for a generation of fans.
Show Notes
Kevin Conroy – Wikipedia
Description
Long-time listeners know the rules. Producer Andrew sends Todd Mack and Joe a list of Christmas movie titles, and they each have to invent a plot based on the title alone. Andrew picks his favorite made-up plot after each round. This year there is the closest to a duplicate plot they’ve ever had, but also lots of surprising twists along the way. Happy holidays, listeners!
Description
Joe and Producer Andrew are talking about Hawkeye, one of Marvel’s Disney+ mini-series. This series sees the return of Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton, Florence Pugh as Yelena, and Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin, and the introduction of Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop and Alaqua Cox as Echo. It’s a Christmas-themed Marvel mini-series that touches base with the MCU’s past and sets up its future.
Show Notes
- Hawkeye – Wikipedia
Description
Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss A Muppet Family Christmas, a special that is the Avengers: Infinity War of the Jim Henson’s muppet creations. Bringing together the Muppets, Sesame Street characters, and the Fraggles into one hour of Christmas magic, the special also features a rare Jim Henson cameo at the end.
Support
- Patreon
Show Notes
- Jim Henson – Wikipedia
- A Muppet Family Christmas – Wikipedia
Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe and Producer Andrew to talk about the stories we love and have returned to at different points in our lives. We also talk about media that we associate with certain times of the … Continue reading →
Description Patron Tim asked us to discuss Jim Henson’s The Storyteller, and this series is a delight. Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to talk about three episodes: “Hans, My Hedgehog,” “A Story Short,” and “The Soldier and Death.” John … Continue reading →
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back! Todd joins Joe to discuss Pushing Daisies, a magical tv series about a man who can bring the dead back to life. We’re discussing the pilot episode, titled “Pie-lette,” which is a … Continue reading →
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack and returning guest Todd Petersen join Joe for their 8th annual Halloween Special. They’ve been given unexpected pairings of story elements (like “Time Travel and Demon” or “Cryptid and Film Noir”) and they each … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by Producer Andrew to talk about about Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby from Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? This is the first of MANY series to feature Scooby Doo and friends. We talk about this franchise’s … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by returning guest John Darowski to discuss the 1979 novel Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery. The story, about a cat and dog who are convinced a new pet bunny is actually a vampire that drinks the … Continue reading →
Description First-time guest Ryan Haupt joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss Jurassic Park, the classic Steven Spielberg adaptation about man’s hubris. And dinosaurs. Really awesome dinosaurs. We discuss alternate universe versions of the film with different casts, what works … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to talk about Beasts of Burden, a comic book series created by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson. It tells the story of a group of dogs (and a couple cats) that protect the … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to talk about Beasts of Burden, a comic book series created by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson. It tells the story of a group of dogs (and a couple cats) that protect the … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to talk about Beasts of Burden, a comic book series created by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson. It tells the story of a group of dogs (and a couple cats) that protect the … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to talk about One Piece: Film Z, the twelfth film from the (very) long-running anime adaptation of the manga series. We discuss the history of the anime, the characterization of Luffy and his … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to talk about One Piece: Film Z, the twelfth film from the (very) long-running anime adaptation of the manga series. We discuss the history of the anime, the characterization of Luffy and his … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to talk about One Piece: Film Z, the twelfth film from the (very) long-running anime adaptation of the manga series. We discuss the history of the anime, the characterization of Luffy and his … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew and Kestra Darowski join Joe to talk about storytelling at theme parks. We sometimes do special episodes where we discuss a unique style of storytelling, and the immersive experiences at theme parks certainly counts as a distinct … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew and Kestra Darowski join Joe to talk about storytelling at theme parks. We sometimes do special episodes where we discuss a unique style of storytelling, and the immersive experiences at theme parks certainly counts as a distinct … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew and Kestra Darowski join Joe to talk about storytelling at theme parks. We sometimes do special episodes where we discuss a unique style of storytelling, and the immersive experiences at theme parks certainly counts as a distinct … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss Washington Irving’s class short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” We discuss the prominence of the Headless Horseman in folklore, where the whole flaming pumpkin part of the story came from, and also … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss Washington Irving’s class short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” We discuss the prominence of the Headless Horseman in folklore, where the whole flaming pumpkin part of the story came from, and also … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss Washington Irving’s class short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” We discuss the prominence of the Headless Horseman in folklore, where the whole flaming pumpkin part of the story came from, and also … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Anna Peppard joins Joe to discuss Michael and Fiona from the tv series Burn Notice. The tv series about a spy who is cut off from his former agency and resources was a staple series on the … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Anna Peppard joins Joe to discuss Jennifer Walters and her superheroic alter-ego She-Hulk. She-Hulk was co-created by Stan Lee and John Buscema in 1980 and has had several solo series in the subsequent four decades. Featuring writing … Continue reading →
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack returns for our 400th episode. Joe and Todd are talking about a Kenny Ortega directed cult classic, Newsies. Despite being a terrible flop when it was first released, Newsies found an audience on home … Continue reading →
Description In this week’s special episode, returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe for a new game. Branden used an artificial intelligence text generator to create several random names for potential stories. Branden and Joe have each written summaries based on … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about two episodes from Batman: The Animated Series: “Zatanna” and “Beware the Gray Ghost.” Batman: The Animated Series is an iconic interpretation of the classic character, and—it must be said—it absolutely holds … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by first-time guest Brice Peterson to discuss Christopher Marlowe’s classic play The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus. It has been well-established that on The Protagonist Podcast we love a good Faustus story, so … Continue reading →
Description First-time guest Ravynn Stringfield joins Joe to discuss the Marvel comic book character Riri Williams who goes by the superhero name Ironheart. Ironheart is a fairly new character—having been co-created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato in 2016—but … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Jon Bell joins Joe to discuss the trippy time-travel film Primer. This very low-budget film seems straightforward at the beginning, but throws multiple curveballs at the audience as the plot progresses. This is an example of a … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe for a game about tv shows that were canceled too soon. We each draft a team of tv shows that we feel should have had a longer life, and then Producer Andrew gets … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to talk about the Netflix action-adventure-steampunk-fantasy animated series that is based on the League of Legends video game. We know, there is not a great track record for “based on video game” tv … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Jon Bell joins Joe to discuss a short story by Glen Cook titled “Sunrise.” Set on a world with a slow orbital rotation, the story explores what happens as a city is about to cross onto the … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are talking about one of the greatest films about fathers and sons that has ever been made: A Goofy Movie. We talk about the unique production history for the film, why the story works so … Continue reading →
Description In recent months two legendary comic book artists, Neal Adams and George Perez, have passed away. Returning guest Christopher “Mav” Maverick joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the legacy of Perez and Adams, and then also talk about … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christense joins Joe to talk about what becomes popular in terms of books, television, and movies. Inspired in part by Matthew Claxton’s newsletter issue “Unsettling Futures – Brandon Sanderson, fane, and the failure of the long … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss the tv show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Lois Lane was played by Teri Hatcher and Clark Kent/Superman was played by Dean Cain. We discuss the show’s historical … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss two classic characters from an iconic series of stories by P.G. Wodehouse. Jeeves is the platonic ideal of an English butler, and his interactions with the lovable but hapless Wooster have … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to talk about the film The Devil Wears Prada. We talk about Meryl Streep’s amazing performance (obviously), the moral and ethical questions raised by the film, and also the boyfriend. Support Patreon Show … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew and Joe have a discussion about Cozy Reality Television and why it’s so appealing. We talk about season-long shows like The Great British Baking Show (Bake-Off), The Great Pottery Throw Down, or Making It, and also episodic … Continue reading →
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back to discuss the first volume in the graphic novel series Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi. Volume 1: The Stonekeeper, tells the story of Emily Hayes and her brother Navin as they enter a … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss Richard Poole from Death in Paradise. This BBC series sees a British detective assigned to a Caribbean island where he solves a murder each episode. We’re discussing the pilot episode, “Arriving … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong and first-time guest Sarah Brinton join Joe to discuss The Blue Castle, a 1926 novel by L.M. Montgomery. Most famous for her Anne of Green Gables novels, The Blue Castle is a Montgomery story about … Continue reading →
Description First-time guest James Goldberg joins Joe to discuss the Bollywood film Veer-Zaara. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan as Veer and Preity Zinta as Zaara. It tells the story of star-crossed lovers, one who is Indian and who is … Continue reading →
Description First time guest Andrew Deman joins Joe to discuss Forge and Storm from Uncanny X-Men #186. Andrew is the project lead of The Claremont Run, a project exploring Chris Claremont’s sixteen year run on Uncanny X-Men, its impact on … Continue reading →
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe to play a game of Elevator Pitches. Producer Andrew draws elements from hats, and then Todd and Joe must a quick pitch for a story based on those elements.
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss Menolly from Dragonsong. Dragonsong is a science-fantasy novel by Anne McCaffrey. It is part of a very large series of novels set on the world of Pern, where a acidic fungus … Continue reading →
Description First time guest Jacob Olson joins Joe to discuss Vasyl Petrovych Globorodko from Servant of the People. This Ukrainian television series starred Volodomyr Zelenskyy as a high school teacher who, rather unintentionally, gets elected president of Ukraine. In real … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are discussing a class novel by Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea. After discussing Hemingway’s surprising life (and multiple brushes with death), we talk about his most famous work and its modernist themes. … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss the film Kitchen Stories. Kitchen Stories is a 2003 Norwegian film. The director, Bent Hamer, came across Cold War era research that was performed tracking the movement of Swedish housewives in … Continue reading →
Description Author Douglas Wolk joins Joe to discuss his book All of the Marvels: A Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told. Wolk read more than 27,000 Marvel comics and in his book he attempts to make sense … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to talk about Beth Harmon from The Queen’s Gambit. Anya-Taylor Joy’s performance as a chess prodigy won immediate (well-deserved) praise, and provides plenty of areas of discussion in this episode. Support Patreon Show … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Christopher “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to play a game of Comic Book Casting. We’re taking well-known works, and assigning comic book characters to play the various roles, sort of like a Muppets-style adaptation of a classic work. … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss Shannon Hale’s 2005 novel The Princess Academy. The novel tells the story of a group of girls from a small mountain town who are all recruited to attend a royal academy with … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss Knives Out, the 2019 murder mystery film from writer and director Rian Johnson. Starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc and Ana de Armas as Marta Cabrera, the film … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss the Sledgehammer 44 comic book mini-series that are set in the Hellboy universe. These were written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, with art by Jason Later and Lawrence Campbell. Support Patreon Show … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Ben Phillips joins Joe to discuss Troy and Abed from the sitcom Community. We discuss the iconic friendship as we dissect the episodes “Epidemiology” and “Geothermal Escapism.” Support Patreon Show Notes Community – IMDB Community – Wikipedia … Continue reading →
Description In what may be an overly optimistic decision, Producer Andrew and Joe have decided to bring back the Fantasy Box Office game for 2022. They each pick films, and the films final box office is multiplied by its Rotten … Continue reading →
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back with Joe to discuss Wax and Wayne from The Alloy of Law. This Brandon Sanderson novel is set on the same planet as his Mistborn Trilogy, but several hundred years in the … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Charly Kuecks joins Joe to discuss the classic holiday film, The Muppet Christmas Carol. Written by Jerry Juhl and directed by Brian Henson, this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol sees the muppets inserted into key … Continue reading →
Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back for our seventh annual Christmas Special. Producer Andrew has supplied Todd and Joe with the names of several Christmas films that they have never watched. They have prepared a plot summary inspired by … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the animated film Klaus. This film, available on Netflix, tells an origin story for Santa Claus as seen through the experiences of a cynical mailman named Jesper. Featuring … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Ben Phillips joins Joe to discuss Ted Lasso. The hit series stars Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, an American football (not soccer) coach who is hired to manage a English football (yes soccer) team in the Premiere … Continue reading →
Description Returning guests Kjerste Christensen and Chris “Mav” Maverick join Joe to talk about the stories that they’re grateful for this year. Support Patreon
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are discussing this delightful comic book series, chronicling the mischeivous adventures of Franklin Richards. As the son of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman, the opportunity for trouble abounds for Franklin, and he takes full advantage. … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Scott Carelli joins Joe to discuss Paddington Bear from Paddington 2. We discuss why this a perfect film (and we’re not doing a bit or making a joke when we say that). Support Patreon Show Notes Paddington … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye. For November, we’re trying to cover stories that just feel nice to the audience, and this was Kjerste’s selection. The novel tells the story of … Continue reading →
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack and returning guest Todd Petersen join Joe for their annual Halloween special. They’re each choosing creepy stories and updating them with new genres, settings, or storytelling twists. Support Patreon
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back to talk about It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. We talk about faith, cynicism, and what makes this a classic tv special to watch in the Fall. Support Patreon Show Notes It’s … Continue reading →
Description It’s Cap-Wolf! Yes, in honor of the monster stories we tell around Halloween, we’re talking about the time that Captain America was turned into a werewolf. John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the “Man and Wolf” storyline, written by … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are tackling a classic sci-fi film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. We’re talking about pod people, paranoia, and alien invasions in 1950’s America as we discuss Don Siegel’s film starring Kevin McCarthy as Miles Bennell … Continue reading →
Description All-star guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss Austin Grossman’s debut novel Soon I Will Be Invincible. It tells the story of Dr. Impossible trying to take over the planet, while Fatale joins a team of superheroes to try … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to play a game called Casting Emma. There are certain texts that have been adapted so many times, you could imagine swapping out actors and actresses from each version to build the ultimate … Continue reading →
Description Retuning guest Cavan Helps joins Joe to discussi Liz Lemon from the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. 30 Rock, created by Tina Fey, is set behind the scenes at a sketch comedy show and is inspired by Tina Fey’s time writing … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are talking about the Marvel comic book series from Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley. Citizen V, Meteorite, Mach-1, Songbird, Atlas, and Techno are a new team of superheroes who are out to fill a void … Continue reading →
Description First-time guest Merlin Salisbury joins Joe to discuss the film Joe Versus the Volcano. The first Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan pairing is an absurdist screwball romantic comedy about a man trying to briefly live life to the fullest … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by returning guest Charly Kueks to discuss Essun, Damaya, and Syenite from the N.K. Jemisin’s novel The Fifth Season. This is the first book in a fantasy series trilogy, and Jemisin’s series is the only time … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe and Andrew to play Truth or Lie: Children’s Media. Everyone chooses an existing piece of children’s media and then presents two facts about it. The others have to guess which is the truth … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the anime series Record of Ragnarok. The gods are ready to destroy all humans but before they do humans have a chance to defend themselves. There will be … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the long-running comic book series Usagi Yojimbo. Created by the legendary writer/artist Stan Sakai, the series features anthropomorphic characters set in a world based on 1600s Japan. Miyamoto Usagi—a long-eared rabbit—is … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are discussing the 1999 film The Mummy, starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. This loose adaptation of the 1932 film of the same name channels the romantic adventure style of Indiana Jones to produce a fantastic blockbuster … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Cavan Helps joins Joe for a game of Elevator Pitch. The mythical Protagonist Podcast channel is looking for content, and Joe and Cavan go head to head pitching ideas. Andrew will greenlight one of the options, and … Continue reading →
Description All-star guests Nik English and Branden Ushio join Joe to discuss the graphic novel The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited. Adapting story arcs from The Adventure Zone podcast in which the McElroy brothers (& father) play Dungeons … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are talking about another Star Trek series (we’re not a Star Trek podcast, but we do love Star Trek). Star Trek: Voyager premiered in 1995, and we’re discussing the episodes “The Gift” and “Latent Image.” … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Todd Robert Petersen joins Joe to discuss his novel Picnic in the Ruins. The novel tells the story of several people getting caught up in a web of antiquities theft and murder, with very few understanding why. … Continue reading →
Description First-time guest Jerome Wetzel joins Joe to discuss a segment from the It’s All Been Done Radio Hour podcast. It’s All Been Done Radio Hour features several recurring segments that are performed live in front an audience and then … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Hannah Rogers joins Joe to discuss the Disney animated film Zootopia. We discuss the surprising trivia about the film’s long development and various titles around the world, the roles the characters represent, and the larger social issues … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by returning guests Kjerste Christensen and Todd Petersen to play a game about Fan Theories. Each has selected some fan theories about popular media and prepared a set of clues to reveal what the fan theory … Continue reading →
Description Legendary comic book writer Chris Claremont joins Joe to talk about the character of Storm from the X-Men comic books. We’re discussing Uncanny X-Men #159, written by Chris Claremont with pencils by Bill Sienkiewicz, inks by Bob Wiacek, letters by Tom … Continue reading →
“I am not a number! I am a free man!” Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss the classic British tv show The Prisoner. Patrick McGoohan played Number Six, spy who quits his job and is then kidnapped and taken to … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Hannah Rogers joins Joe to discuss a classic novel by Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit tells the story of a girl who was born and raised in a debtor’s prison and her family’s struggles with poverty and then also … Continue reading →
“Who hired this crew?” Description Returning guest Charly Kuecks joins Joe and Producer Andrew to talk about Muppet Treasure Island, a very loose adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel from 1883. There’s a lot of time spent singing the … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to play a game about the many, many X-Men characters in Marvel comics. Producer Andrew has selected a series of scenarios the X-Men might find themselves in. Then, Mav and Joe each … Continue reading →
Description First time guest Hal Lublin joins Joe and returning guest John Darowski to discuss Sparks Nevada, Croach the Tracker, Rebecca Rose Rushmore, and the Red Plains Rider from The Thrilling Adventure Hour. The Thrilling Adventure Hour, a staged production … Continue reading →
“Maybe it was Utah.” Description All-Star guest Todd Petersen joins Joe to discuss one of the early Coen Brothers films, Raising Arizona. This off-beat comedy sees an ex-con named Hi (Nicolas Cage) and an ex-cop named Ed (Holly Hunter) who … Continue reading →
Description “I’m like a hunter of peace.” Returning all-star guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to discuss Vash and Wolfwood from the anime series Trigun. The anime is based on the popular manga series created by Yasuhiro Nightow. Topics of discussion … Continue reading →
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back to discuss two short stories. “Circular Ruins” is by Jorge Luis Borges and tells the story of a wizard conjuring a being from his dreams. “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is … Continue reading →
Description All-Star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about aspirational media. We have a free-flowing conversation about the topic, and touch on issues of cultural literacy, what media is good for us to consume, and what media we still … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are talking about Ben from the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. This classic film is often cited as the first zombie film, and we talk about its place in pop culture history, its … Continue reading →
Description First time guest Gene Luen Yang joins Joe to discuss the graphic novel Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru. This comic book story is an updated tale inspired by a classic storyline from the Adventures … Continue reading →
Description First-time guest Rachel Armstrong is joining us to discuss the Korean drama Crash Landing on You. This tv series tells the story of Yoon Seri, a South Korean woman who has a paragliding accident and lands in North Korea, … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by returning guest Tianna Homer to discuss the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s Starlight Archive series. The Way of Kings tells the stories of a slave named Kaladin, a desperate ward named Shallan, and a troubled … Continue reading →
Description There are a LOT of pop culture franchises, but how well do you actually know them? Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe in a trivia contest. Can you name all the subtitles of Transformers films? How many franchises … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to discuss Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) and Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) in the 1993 film Sleepless in Seattle. We talk about Nora Ephron’s career, the film’s unique spin on romantic comedies, and the … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss the BBC series Call the Midwife. We’re primarily focusing on Jenny Lee (played by Jessica Raine) and Chummy Noakes (played by Miranda Hart). The series tells the story of a group … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are discussing the graphic novel Houdini: The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes and Nick Bertozzi. This graphic novel tells a day-in-the-life story of Houdini performing one of his classic escapes. We discuss Houdini’s reputation, the … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are discussing a classic American short story by Flannery O’Connor. “Good Country People” tells the story of a couple rumor-mongers, an atheist, a con-man Bible salesman, and a stolen prosthetic leg. Support Patreon Show Notes … Continue reading →
Description Scott Carelli joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss Miles Morales and other spider-people from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This animated film broke a lot of new ground in terms of animation style and also narrative style for a … Continue reading →
Description The Protagonist Podcast is taking a very brief hiatus. We’ll be back on January 18th with our regular episodes!
Description Returning guest Kyra Hunting joins Joe to discuss a golden age Hollywood musical. Top Hat stars the classic pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in a screwball comedy with all the singing and dancing you would expect. This … Continue reading →
Description It’s that time of year again! Todd Mack is back to join Joe for our annual Christmas Special. Producer Andrew has selected eight Christmas movies we’ve never seen, and base don the titles alone Todd and Joe each make … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are tackling a Christmas classic. We discuss the behind-the-scenes drama that occurred while making the film, the long-term success it has enjoyed, and also the comedy style that led to it becoming one of the … Continue reading →
Description This week, returning guest John Darowski joins Joe and Andrew to discuss “The Spirit of Christmas” from The Goes Wrong Show. When a small troupe of actors attempt to stage a Christmas play, everything that can go wrong does. … Continue reading →
Description All-Star guest Nik English returns to discuss the animated series Samurai Jack. Joe and Nik talk about the unique style of the series, the strengths it demonstrates in visual storytelling, and the unexpected world that is built within the … Continue reading →
Description He’s back! Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins returning guest Todd Petersen, Joe, and Producer Andrew for a Thanksgiving 2020 special. Enjoy the listen, show gratitude, and be safe this week!
Description It’s the 42nd anniversary of the publication of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, so naturally we needed to cover it on the podcast. Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the classic sci-fi comedy by Douglas Adams. … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to discuss the final film of the original Star Wars trilogy. We talk about trivia, great moments in the film, and discuss the film’s status in the Star Wars film series. Support Patreon … Continue reading →
Description New guest Anna Peppard joins Joe to discuss one of the most popular characters from the X-Men franchise: Nightcrawler. A mutant with a demonic appearance and the power to teleport, Nightcrawler has most often been a part of team-oriented … Continue reading →
Description They’re back! Todd Mack and Todd Petersen join Joe and Andrew for the annual Halloween Special. This year, we’re drafting teams to go back in time to fix 2020. What fixing 2020 actually means, well, we’re leaving that up … Continue reading →
Description First time guest Kyra Hunting joins Joe to discuss Liv Moore from the television show iZombie. A blend of the classic police procedural with the horror genre, Liv Moore is a zombie who eats the brains of murder victims. … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to discuss The Furies of Calderon, the first novel in a series by Jim Butcher. We discuss genre theory, the character types, and also what is more important, the concept for a story … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by returning guests Lena and Nik English to discuss the classic dark comedy Clue. With a fantastic cast, a clever script, and a broad array of comedic styles, the film holds up very well. Show Notes … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the character Hellboy from the comic books by creator Mike Mignola. The iconic hero is a demon destined to start the apocalypse, but he really doesn’t want to. This discussion covers … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest George Tsakiridis joins Joe to discuss one of the most acclaimed television shows ever made. Created by Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad follows the descent of Walter White from an average high school teach into a drug kingpin. … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the narrative podcast Wooden Overcoats. This comedic podcast tells the story of competing funeral homes on a small island named Piffling that sits in the English Channel. British macabre humor, eccentric … Continue reading →
Description Todd Mack is back for our special 300th episode. What else could we discuss at such a momentous milestone but a double feature of Kenny-Ortega-directed Disney Channel movies? We address the popularity of both franchises, dig into the sequel … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss the Ivy Walker (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) from the film The Village. M. Night Shyamalan’s films have a mixed reputation, but this film holds up well and has some very moments that … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to talk about the Marvel comic book mini-series The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Adapted from L. Frank Baum’s novel by Eric Shanower and Scottie Young, the series tells the story of Dorothy trying to return … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss Zoey Clarke from the new television series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. This creative new series is a jukebox musical, where the main character can hear the people around her … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen and Cavan Helps join Joe to play a game called Truth or Lie: Star Trek Novel Edition. Each round, we present the title of a real Star Trek Novel, then read a real summary and … Continue reading →
Description Returning guests Cassandra Fredrickson and Norman Mitchell join Joe to discuss The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. As the hosts of The Lord of the Rings Minute Podcast, they are experts in discussing this film and have … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss Jeremy Bastian’s comic book Cursed Pirate Girl. They discuss how Bastian’s storytelling aligns so well with the comic book medium, address the fine detail in his art, and talk about what … Continue reading →
Description All-star guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to discuss Izuku Midoriya from the anime series My Hero Academia. We’re discussing the first 4 episodes of the series, which is set in a world where many people have superpowers, but Izuku … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discussLion in the Valley, another Amelia Peabody mystery novel,. After thoroughly enjoying the first book in this series (which we discussed in episode #229), we’re tackling the fourth novel featuring Amelia Peabody, her irascible … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Todd Petersen joins Joe to discuss the characters at the center Jaws. Steven Spielberg’s iconic Summer blockbuster holds up as a film, but also transformed the film industry in several ways. We discuss the film’s impact on … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss a Marvel comic about characters from alternate realities hopping into various timelines to solve a crisis and save the multiverse. It’s a strange concept, but characters, mission, and stakes are set up with … Continue reading →
Description All-Star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe and Andrew to play another round of Fairy Tale Mash Up. What happens when you take a familiar fairy tale, but try to blend it in with the tropes and conventions of another … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Scott Carelli joins us to discuss Verity Lambert, Waris Hussein, and William Hartnell from the television film An Adventure in Space and Time. Telling the origin of the iconic British sci-fi series Doctor Who, the film deftly … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kate Darowski joins Joe to discuss to classic American short stories: Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game” and Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.” These two stories have had significant impact on American popular culture, with later stories like … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Virginia McCalister joins Joe to discuss Sydney Bristow from the television series Alias. The spy series had many twists and turns, and we’re talking about the character at the heart of it all. Sydney Bristow was played … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss two Spider-Man comic books. In 1984’s “The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man” from Amazing Spider-Man #248, Spider-Man meets a boy named Tim Harrison who is a huge fan of … Continue reading →
Description Todd Mack is back to join Joe and All-Star guest Todd Petersen to play Survival Apocalypse Draft. We selected the classic roles that you seen in post-apocalyptic fiction (Leader, Doctor, Troublemaker with a Heart of Gold, etc.) and we … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Scott Carelli joins Joe to discuss a screenplay titled The Other Side of Solitary, written by Scott Carelli and Nick Jimenez. The Other Side of Solitary is the story of two people who self-isolate inside their homes … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kate Darowski joins Joe to talk about one the most impactful television shows of this century. Across 20 years and 40 seasons, there are certain types of people who are presented on the series (after editing to … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by returning guest John Darowski to discuss Kengi Koiso, Natsuki Shinohara, and Granny from the anime film Summer Wars. Directed by Mamoru Hosada, Summer Wars tells the story of a shy math genius who must do … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by first-time guest Lauren Roundy to discuss the first book in The Wheel of Time series, The Eye of the World. This has been one of our most requested topics, and we hope you enjoy the … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Andrew are talking about Person of Interest, a crime drama that aired on CBS from 2011-2016. With the sci-fi twist of an artificial intelligence that guides a group of heroes, Person of Interest explored issues of society’s … Continue reading →
Description All-star guest Kjerste Christensen is back to discuss Katie from the graphic novel Seconds by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Topics of discussion include the blending of the mundane and the extraordinary, what makes Katie work so well as a protagonist, … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by Producer Andrew to discuss Susan Vance and David Huxley in the 1938 film Bringing Up Baby. Topics of discussion include Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant’s performances as Susan and David, the absurdity of the plot, … Continue reading →
Description All-star guest Branden Ushio is back to discuss Martin Banks from Off to the Wizard, the first book in the Magic 2.0 series by Scott Meyer. Topics of discussion include how narrative surprises work in this story, how the … Continue reading →
Description It’s a special bonus episode of The Protagonist Podcast for anyone who needs a little more entertainment in their lives right now. Joe’s daughter Lizzie got permission to do a podcast episode as a book report for her fifth … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by special guest Michael Meehan to discuss Ash Ketchum from the tv show Pokemon. Topics of discussion include the breadth and depth of the Pokemon fandom, what makes Ash stand out from other characters in the … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to discuss Death and Mao Xiaolian from the comic book series East of West. Written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Nick Dragotta, East of West tells a post/pre-apocalyptic story that mashes several … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe and Andrew to play a new game they’re calling Jack v. Jack. Joe and Mav each have teams of characters named Jack from fiction, and Andrew has made up several scenarios. Andrew … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Joe and Andrew to discuss Fa Mulan from the 1998 Disney animated film Mulan. Topics of discussion include other projects that were in development before Mulan took shape, the themes of the movie, and … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to talk about one of Jane Austen’s classic novels, Emma. Topics of discussion include what makes this protagonist unique, the positive and negative qualities of the characters, and why Austen loves balls in … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by special guest George Tsakiridis to discuss Harvey Specter and Mike Ross from the television series Suits. Created by Aaron Korsh, the show stars Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter and Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross. … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew discuss the graphic novel Rust by Royden Lepp. Topics of discussion include the art style in the series, the themes of moving forward vs. looking back, and the singular voice that told the story. Support … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss the classic 1966 film Batman: The Movie. Topics of discussion include the long-legacy of the 1960’s Batman tv series, the deliberate cheesy absurdity of the franchise, and memorable moments from the … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by returning guest Sara Santana to discuss the novel The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. Topics of discussion include how the story functions like a puzzle, how stories can teach truth or manipulate, … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew play Fantasy Box Office for 2020. First up, they reveal the winner of the 2019 contest, then they make picks and preview the films that are coming out in the next year. Support Patreon
Description All-star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about Phryne Fisher from the Australian tv series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Topics of discussion adapting the book series to television, the gathering of the team around Phryne, and what makes … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Producer Andrew discuss Beta Ray Bill, a cosmic Marvel comic book character created by Walt Simonson. Topics of discussion include the character’s origin and motivation, his unique appearance, and the twists on generic conventions Simonson uses to … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by special guest Britney Broyles to discuss one of the most iconic characters in popular culture, Sherlock Holmes. Using a Christmas-themed adventure written by Arthur Conan Doyle, topics of discussion include Sherlock’s characteristics, what is unique … Continue reading →
Description It’s our annual Christmas Special! Producer Andrew sent Joe and Todd a list of seven Christmas movie titles they’ve never seen and they each made up a plot summary. They read their fake plots, Producer Andrew shares the real … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss the episode titled “Christmas” from the second season of The Wonder Years. Fred Savage played Kevin Arnold and Danica McKellar played Winnie Cooper in this coming-of-age series. Topics of discussion include … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to discuss the Jim Henson Christmas special, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. Topics of discussion include the magic of the puppetry, the story points that work best, and also how this inverted Gift … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Andrew are joined by returning guests to talk about what they’re thankful for when it comes to storytelling. Guests include Todd Mack, Virginia McCalister, Kjerste Christensen, Henry Darowski, Lena English, Mattathias Westwood, and Sara Santana. Thank you … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Sara Santana joins Joe to talk about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Topics of discussion include teenage angst, the palpable evil of Umbridge, and the consequences of Harry’s choices. Support Patreon Show Notes Harry … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Andrew are discussion characters from a fan fiction story, “A Very Scary Thought,” written by Jim Bader. The story is inspired by the Manga series Ranma 1/2. Topics of discussion include audience expectations for fan fiction, what … Continue reading →
Description After recording our Halloween Special, Todd Mack and Todd Petersen stuck around to discuss the 2018 film A Quiet Place. Topics of discussion include what makes this film effective, the themes that make the film a special entry in … Continue reading →
Description He’s back! Todd Mack joins Joe and returning guest Todd Petersen for the Protagonist Podcast Special 2019. This time, we let D&D dice rolls decided what story elements we have to brainstorm together to try and make a cohesive … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Chris Maverick joins Joe to discuss Didi and Sexton from the 1993 comic book mini-series “Death: The High Cost of Living” by Neil Gaiman and Chris Bachalo. Topics of discussion include the the Vertigo line of comics … Continue reading →
Description He’s back! Todd Mack joins Joe to discuss Conor O’Malley from the film A Monster Calls. Topics of discussion include explorations of grieving in fiction, the ambiguity of magic in this story, and the role the Monster has. Support … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Cassandra Fredrickson joins Joe to discuss Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Masque of the Red Death.” Topics of discussion include how Poe creates atmosphere, themes from the short story, and what we learn about characters in … Continue reading →
Description Returning guests Mattathias Westwood and Kjerste Christensen join Joe to discuss one of the biggest Broadway sensations ever. Topics of discussion include character arcs and development, the quality of the music and lyrics, and what obligation historical adaptation have … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to discuss Cher from the 1990s teen comedy Clueless. Topics of discussion include loosely adapting Jane Austen’s Emma for this story, what makes each of the characters interesting, and how it simultaneously captures … Continue reading →
Description He’s back! Todd Mack joins Joe to discussion 2D animation versus 3d animation in filmmaking. Topics of discussion include the history of animation and advances in technology, nostalgia for the older style, and what stories best match each style. … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Henry Darowski joins Joe to talk about one of the iconic characters in American literature, Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. Topics of discussion include the novel’s place in history, controversies surrounding the text, and the relationship between Huck … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Hannah Rogers joins Joe to discuss Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriquez) from the tv series Jane the Virgin. Topics of discussion include telenovela storytelling, the Venezuelan characters, and the methods used to make absurd plots somewhat plausible. Support … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Mattathias Westwood joins Joe to discuss Hank Chu, from the comic book mini-series The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew. Topics of discussion include the Golden Age inspiration for the character, the Asian American … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by returning guest Lena English to discuss Jen and Kira from The Dark Crystal. Topics of discussion include the movie-making magic in the film, what we learn about both characters, and the intriguing themes the story … Continue reading →
Description Special guest Jon Bell joins Joe to talk about storytelling in video games. Topics of discussion include the history of video games, the evolution of storytelling in the medium, and innovations that have come about based on technological advances. … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by first-time guest Jaclyn Foster to discuss Tom Stoppard’s play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Topics of discussion include postmodernism, the wordplay, and the absurdity of meaning. Support Patreon Show Notes Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead … Continue reading →
Description Joe is joined by returning guest Kate Darowski to discuss Sam Malone from the classic sitcom Cheers. Topics of discussion include why his flaws make Sam a great character, Ted Danson’s stellar performance, and why Sam is interesting decades … Continue reading →
Description Todd Petersen joins Joe and Producer Andrew to play a game of Classics Mash-Up. One of us picks a classic story, then we blend it into a different genre and workshop what that could look like. What would Great … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Scott Carelli joins Joe to discuss Gwen Stacy and Peter Parker from the Spider-Man: Blue, the mini-series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. Topics of discussion include how different audiences might react to the … Continue reading →
Description Special guest Jim O’Kane (co-host of The Rocketeer Minute Podcast) joins Joe to discuss Cliff Secord and Jenny Blake from The Rocketeer. Topics of discussion include the retro style and storytelling, the best moments for characters, and Jim’s behind-the-scenes … Continue reading →
Description Special guest Hannah Rogers joins Joe to discuss Gwendolen Harleth from George Eliot’s 1876 novel Daniel Deronda. Topics of discussion include early fan fiction that rewrote the end of the novel, the divergent plots of the novel, and what … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Cavan Helps joins Joe to talk about a key character from one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 21st century, Pam Beesly from The Office. Topics of discussion include the mockumentary format, Pam’s character arc, and … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Todd Petersen joins Joe to talk about Scott Free and Big Barda from the Mister Miracle comic book by Tom King and Mitch Gerads. Topics of discussion include the value of engaging in deep and difficult texts, … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski helps Joe discuss Holly Martins, Anna Schmidt, and Harry Lime from classic film noir The Third Man. Topics of discussion include the improbably but historically accurate setting of the film, the brilliant but historically inaccurate … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Charly Kuecks is back to discuss Edmond Dantes, the main character in one of the most famous revenge stories, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Topics of discussion include how Dumas was inspired to write … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Scott Carelli joins Joe to discuss the Tardis and the Doctor from the “The Doctor’s Wife,” a fan-favorite episode of the long-running Doctor Who series. Topics of discussion include the tonal shifts in the episode, what are … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe and Producer Andrew to talk about about Bao and Four-Girl from Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel Boxers & Saints. Topics of discussion include the unique style of storytelling employed by Yang, the moral … Continue reading →
Description All-star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss Ali and Diane from the film Ali’s Wedding. This Australian, Muslim romantic comedy is inspired by the life of Osamah Sami, who plays Ali in the film. Topics of discussion include … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Andrew are discussing Amelia Peabody, the protagonist of twenty mystery novels by Elizabeth Peters. Crocodile on the Sandbank is the first of the series, and it’s obvious why it became a popular series. Topics of discussion include … Continue reading →
Description First time guest Cavan Helps joins Joe to talk about Captain Kirk from Star Trek. They’re discussing the episodes “Balance of Terror” and “Obsession.” Topics of conversation include Cavan’s theory about why Kirk is always right, how the classic … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Tayler Iversen joins Joe to discuss Sandra Bullock’s character, Gracie Hart, from the film Miss Congeniality. They discuss the disappointing behavior of the men in the FBI, debate if this film is a romantic comedy, and highlight … Continue reading →
Description All-star guest Kjerste Christensen is back to play a game called Fairy Tale Mash Up. Take one classic fairy tale and one random genre, then brainstorm how they could pair up. Producer Andrew jumps in to help, as we … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Sara Santana joins Joe to talk about Sophie and Howl from the Hayao Miyazaki film Howl’s Moving Castle. Topics of discussion include how the film fits into Miyazaki’s classic themes, the blending of the technological and the … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to talk about Juan Rico from Robert Heinlein’s novel Starship Troopers. Topics of discussion include the historical significance of the novel, how it is driven by theme rather than character or plot, and how successful … Continue reading →
Description First time guest Charly Kuecks joins Joe to discuss Eleanor Shellstrop from the NBC sitcom The Good Place. Topics of discussion include the exploration of ethics on the show, how we end up rooting for an unlikable character, and … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Chris Maverick joins Joe to talk about Barbara Thorson from the comic book mini-series I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly and J.M. Ken Niimura. Topics of discussion included the themes presented in the series, comparing the characteristics … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe and Producer Andrew to talk about the narrative podcast Black Jack Justice. A noir mystery in the style of Old Time Radio, Black Jack Justice is part of the Decoder Ring Theatre Podcast. … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Chris Maverick joins Joe and Producer Andrew to talk about the narrative style of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They talk about what makes the storytelling in the shared universe special, what antecedents exist for this type of … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to discuss Big Hero 6, the 2014 animated superhero film directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams. We’re talking about Hiro and his friends. Topics of discussion include the alternate world of the … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss the ensemble cast of the sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. We’re focusing on S1E16, “The Party,” and S3E5, “Halloween III.” Topics of discussion include the talent of the creators and cast, the range of characteristics … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss Takeo Goda from the manga My Love Story!! by Kazune Kawahara. Topics of discussion include the storytelling conventions of manga, the tropes of romantic comedy, and what makes Takeo’s friendship with … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to talk about Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) from the classic comedy Groundhog Day (directed by Harold Ramis). Topics of discussion include the cultural impact of the story, the entertainment factor of … Continue reading →
Description He’s back! Todd Mack is here to tilt at windmills, as we finally try to say everything there is to say about one of his favorite characters and novels! We’re talking about Don Quixote from the classic novel by … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Kate Darowski joins Joe to discuss Diane Chambers from Cheers. They talk about the brilliance of the writing in the pilot, Shelley Long’s underrated comedic acting, and the quality of the set design. Support Patreon Show Notes … Continue reading →
Description First up, Todd is back to wrap up our Fantasy Box Office 2018. The winner is revealed, and we chat about what movies we’ve seen this year. Then, Joseph and Producer Andrew make their picks for Fantasy Box Office … Continue reading →
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss Rapunzel’s Revenge, a graphic novel written by Shannon and Dean Hale with art by Nathan Hale. They talk what makes this adaptation stand out, the strengths of the graphic novel form that are … Continue reading →
Description Henry Darowski is back to join Joe in talking about Kanji Watanabe from the film Ikiru. This classic film directed by Akira Kurosawa tells the story of a man who searches for meaning in his life when he learns … Continue reading →
Description Todd Mack is back with Joe to discuss the classic Christmas poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by C. Clement Moore. In this shorter, special Christmas episode, Todd and Joe talk about the cultural significance of the piece, the … Continue reading →
Description Todd Mack is back for our Christmas Special 2018. Producer Andrew selected seven titles of Christmas movies that neither Todd nor Joe have ever seen, and they both wrote a summary. After Andrew tells them what the real plot … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Branden Ushio (from The Fandom Podcast) joins Joe to talk about a Christmas-themed episode of the Justice League cartoon series. They talk about the flirtatious Green Lantern and Hawkgirl storyline, the emotional Superman and Martian Manhunter storyline, and the … Continue reading →
Description Returning guest Henry Darowski joins Joe to talk about Jack Skellington and Sally the Ragdoll in The Nightmare Before Christmas. They talk about what a mess properly crediting who did what in this film is, discover Joe may have … Continue reading →
Description Special Guest Sara Santana joins Joe Darowski to talk about Harry Potter and friends in the novel Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. They discuss some plot questions that end up not concerning them too much, then move … Continue reading →
Description Special guest Todd Petersen joins Joe to talk about the classic Thanksgiving themed episode from WKRP in Cincinnati titled “Turkeys Away.” They talk about the character motivations for the plot, the use of tragedy as a comedic parody, and … Continue reading →
Description Special guest John Darowski joins Joe Darowski to discuss the graphic novel Return of the Dapper Men which was written by Jim McCann with art by Janet Lee. While discussing this fairy taleu-esque story of a boy named Ayden … Continue reading →
Description Special guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe Darowski to discuss Dave Kovic from the film Dave. They discuss how the film holds up surprisingly well, the quality of Kevin Kline’s performance, and how strong acting, writing, and directing elevate the … Continue reading →
Description Special guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss Victor Frankenstein and the Creature from Mary Shelley’s classic 1818 novel, Frankenstein. They talk the difference between terror and horror, the nature of monstrosity (spoiler, they’re both monsters), and the philosophy explored … Continue reading →
Description Special Guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about Gomez and Morticia from The Addams Family film. They discuss the history of The Addams Family in pop culture, how the macabre blends with traditional family portrayals, and also if … Continue reading →
It’s our 200th episode special and our farewell to Todd special! We are 200 episodes in and Todd is hanging up his podcaster cape. We discuss our podcast origins, some of the episodes that stand out, and respond to listener feedback. … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by returning all-star Todd Petersen for the Halloween Special 2018. Producer Andrew has chosen 13 supernatural or spooky categories, and we each draft a Halloween team. Some very unexpected choices follow. Support the Show … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are talking about Suzy Hendrix from the film Wait Until Dark. After getting lost down a rabbit hole of Audrey Hepburn trivia, they discuss convoluted villainous plans, whether or not her husband is a jerk, and … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe are talking about the cast from Lark Rise to Candleford. They discuss periods of transition, varying interpretations of art, and the universal struggle of parenting an adolescent. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are talking about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. They discuss how much of a jerk Edmund is at the start, which characters have an arc, and whether the story functions without … Continue reading →
Description This week Joe and Todd discuss the graphic novel White Sand, by Brandon Sanderson. What makes the world of this story so intriguing? Who is steam punk Beyoncé? How is a character made more interesting by making him weak … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd discuss the classic 1986 comedy, ¡Three Amigos! Topics include moments when the story goes absurdly off the rails, Ned’s complex character development, and the film’s immense quotability. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are discussing Desmond and Penny from the TV show Lost. In talking about one of the craziest episodes of a crazy tv show, they discuss time travel, literary allusions, and what we’re supposed to think about … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe discuss the outstanding Neil Gaiman novel The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Topics include Gaiman’s skill in writing about children, the power of dynamic characters, and how real life can be more horrible than … Continue reading →
Description This week, after a big announcement, Joe and Todd discuss The Little Tramp and the Gamin in the classic Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times. Discussion topics include the film’s humanity, tight story structure, and the way Chaplin’s comedy still … Continue reading →
Description All-star guest Kjerste Christensen returns to help Joe and Todd and Andrew workshop story ideas based on mashups of iconic creators with genres they are not accustomed to working in. What would a Buster Keaton sports film look like? … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by Producer Andrew and special guest Kestra Darowski to discuss the Cartoon Network classic TV series Over the Garden Wall. Topics for discussion include the shows beautiful animation, stunning soundtrack, and what things ought … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are talking about Kvothe from Patrick Rothfuss’s novel Name of the Wind. They talk about reliable narrators(?), world building, and classic storytelling. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes The Name of the Wind … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are talking about Silver Surfer and Dawn Greenwood from the 2014 Marvel comic book series “Silver Surfer.” Topics of discussion include art styles, grand cosmic comic book weirdness, and tonal similarities with other works. Support the … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are talking about Roger Thornhill from the Alfred Hitchcock film North by Northwest. Topics of discussion include what is an everyman, chaotic story writing, and dodging the Hayes Code. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by returning guest Virginia McAlister to discuss the ancient Greek play Antigone (the oldest text we’ve discussed). Topics include loyalty, obedience, rebellion, and the importance of tradition. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are talking about Jim Lake Jr. from the Netflix series Trollhunters. They discuss the hero’s journey, all-ages entertainment, and some fantastic voice acting. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia … Continue reading →
Description This week Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Nik English to talk about Don Lockwood, Kathy Selden, and Cosmo Brown from a truly classic film, Singin’ in the Rain. They talk about film history, this movie’s villain, … Continue reading →
Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes Time (xkcd) – Wikipedia) xkcd: Attention Span Megan – explain xkcd Cueball – explain xkcd xkcd Time – at your own pace (3102) 1190: “Time” – xkcd Understanding Comics – Wikipedia … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are talking about Amaar Rashid and Rayyan Hamoudi from the Canadian sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie. They discuss why being a fairly normal sitcom makes this a pretty special show, problems of prejudice, and issues … Continue reading →
Description This week, Joe and Todd are talking about Liesel from the instant classic: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. They discuss the novel’s unique narrator, the trauma of war, and the great characters that surround Liesel. Support the Show … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are talking about the cast of the film Dilwale. They discuss Bollywood films, the accepted ethics in the narrative world of the film, and revel in the anything-can-happen nature of the film. Support the Show SUPPORT … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe are joined by returning guest Norman Mitchell to play a game we’re calling Anime Truth and Lie. We take turns sharing the title of a Japanese Anime series, then reading off one real and … Continue reading →
Description This week, Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Norman Mitchell to discuss Edward and Alphonse Elric from the Manga series Fullmetal Alchemist. They talk about the balance between the brothers’ personalities, the creativity of the series’ creator … Continue reading →
Description This week, Dr. Who expert and friend of the show Cassandra Fredrickson joins Todd and Joe to discuss the amazing Dr. Who episode “Vincent and the Doctor.” Topics include: reactions to the chicken monster, the especially timey-wimey handwaviness of … Continue reading →
Description This week Todd and Joe tackle a couple of eerily similar short stories: “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and “The Man Who Buried Himself” by Miguel de Unamuno. Topics include doppelgängers, the uncanny, and how literature can … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Jeff Dumas to discuss the 2006 film The Prestige. In this episode you’ll hear one of the most difficult summaries ever attempted and a discussion of how perfectly plotted this film … Continue reading →
Description This week Joe and Todd tackle Snoopy from Charles Shulz’s comic strip Peanuts. Topics include Shulz’s amazing consistency, Snoopy’s universal appeal, and the ways the imaginative cartoon dog infuses a dark world with hope. Support the Show SUPPORT US … Continue reading →
Description Joe and a Todd are talking about Rob and Laura Petrie from The Dick Van Dyke Show, one of the greatest sitcoms of all-time. They discuss the different kinds of comedy on the show, the brilliance of the cast, … Continue reading →
Description This week we return to the world of fan fiction as we discuss Cather in the novel Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Topics include PG-13 rated snuggling, the reasons we write fiction, autism in literature, Cather’s satisfying victories, and her … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are talking about a pop culture phenomenon from a decade ago: High School Musical. How does it hold up for a first time viewer? Can a VERY close reading of a ninety second scene yield insights … Continue reading →
Description This week all-star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Todd and Joe to talk about the outstanding 2006 graphic novel The Arrival, by Shaun Tan. Discussion topics include the power of a wordless novel, Tan’s unique style, and the story’s compassionate … Continue reading →
Description This week, we enter the Shondaverse to talk about Olivia Pope from the tv show Scandal. We talk about the tone of the show, quality writing and acting, and wonder about Olivia’s blind spot. Support the Show SUPPORT US … Continue reading →
Description Novelist Frank Cole joins Todd and Joe as they discuss Christopher Rowe in the The Blackthorn Key. This middle grade novel by Kevin Sands is a bit like The Da Vinci Code meets Shakespeare (but for kids), and in … Continue reading →
Description In the spirit of the Winter Olympics, Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Chris Maverick to discuss the film Cool Runnings. They talk about family film expectations, current attitudes toward this film, and what character arcs the … Continue reading →
Description Todd, Joe, and Producer Andrew play a new Valentine’s Day game. They try to build the longest chain of actors they can by saying “Actor A dated Actress B in Movie X, and Actress B dated Actor C in … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about Mary Jane from the comic book Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. They discuss the significance of high school emotions, the blending of superheroes and adolescent drama, and one of a Todd’s favorite artistic portrayals in … Continue reading →
Description We’re joined by special guest Karissa Evensen to discuss the novel Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. We talk about his Discworld series, the three witches, and the relationship between truth and story. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description This week, inspired by a patron request, Todd and Joe dip a toe into the world of fan fiction. They talk about what it is, it’s gray areas, and Producer Andrew points out some iconic works of fan fiction. … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe are joined by returning guest Branden Ushio to discuss Kubo and the Two Strings. They talk about the Hero’s Journey, the beautiful stop motion, and issues of representation on the film. Support the Show … Continue reading →
Description It’s time to look back at the 2017 Fantasy Box Office and look ahead to 2018. Find out who won last year’s event, then listen to Todd and Joe make their picks for their unique spin on a Guess … Continue reading →
Description This week, Joe and Todd are going old school, as they discuss The Importance of Being Earnest. They talk about silly seriousness, the importance of the era to understanding some of the critiques, and Wilde’s tightly controlled farce. Support … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are talking about the movie The Mistletoe Promise. They’ve had enough fun with the formula that it was time to talk about an actual Hallmark Christmas movie. They talk about what characters they like, what doesn’t … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are discussing a classic novel, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. They discuss parenting, realistic character, and audience expectations. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL OF AUDIBLE.COM Show Notes … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are tackling a Christmas classic as they discuss a Miracle on 34th Street. They discuss the weird history behind it’s release date, talk about faith and belief, and dig into Todd’s unexpected (for Joe) response to … Continue reading →
Description It’s The Protagonist Podcast Christmas Special 2017! Producer Andrew sent Joe and Todd the titles to 8 holiday specials they’ve never seen, and they each made up a plot summary (though Joe went overboard and shot well past a … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about Dave from “The Dave and Morley Stories” on the Canadian radio show Vinyl Cafe. They talk about the holidays, the creation of traditions, and tweaking what could be cliched character roles in just the … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by guest Kate Darowski to discuss Gilmore Girls. We talk about the charms of the show, the intergenerational family dynamics, and debate the merits of various boyfriends. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Amy Champion to discuss Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Topics of discussion include character growth, the logic of the Time Turner and the Marauder’s Map, and … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by returning guest Todd Petersen to discuss the Marvel comic book series The Vision. They touch on an awful lot of topics, because this is one of the most thought-provoking texts they’ve covered. Topics … Continue reading →
Description For our special 150th episode we’re joined by returning guest Todd Petersen! First, we reveal our ten most downloaded episodes, then with some prompts from producer Andrew we work together to make up some Halloween themed stories. Support the … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are tackling a Halloween classic as they discuss the characters from a Hocus Pocus. They talk about the importance of tone for a children’s scary movie, the villains motivations, and where the film feels a bit … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe rare discussing Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange from the television mini-series Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. We talk about what drives each character, the different styles of magic on display, and how everything about this adaptation … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd tackle a true classic, discussing Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie’s novel, Murder on the Orient Express (just in time for the upcoming film). They talk about Christie’s reputation, mystery genre conventions, and what sets Poirot apart … Continue reading →
Description Joe and a Todd are joined by special guests Lena English and Tayler Iversen to discuss Cady Heron from the film Mean Girls. We talk about accurate exaggerations, high school drama, and how important the resolution is for the … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by Scott Carelli to talk about the Marvel comic book series Runaways. They talk about villainous parents, creating fully-formed characters, and surprise twists. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by Norman Mitchell and Producer Andrew to discuss Hittokiri Battosai/Himura Kenshin from the anime series Rurouni Kenshin. They talk about expectations and conventions of certain art forms, the characters that feel fully formed, and … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd talk about Flavia de Luce from the novel The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. They talk about young protagonists in grown up situations, the balance of a sad story and a … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Pete Mummert from The Indiana Jones Minute Podcast to talk about Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. They talk about the logical problems but perfect tone of the film, the amazing … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by John Darowski to talk about Nimona from the graphic novel Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. They talk about trauma, disruption versus maintaining the status quo, and shape shifters. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON … Continue reading →
Description Podcaster extraordinaire Crystal Beth joins Todd and Joe for a great discussion about River Song from two amazing episodes of the TV show Dr. Who. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM SIGN UP FOR … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd discuss Stanley Yelnats and Hector Zeroni from the novel Holes. They talk about the structural perfection of the plot and the character arcs. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM SIGN UP … Continue reading →
Description Todd finally gets to talk about film noir! Joe and Todd are talking about Phillip Marlowe from the classic 1946 film The Big Sleep. They wonder if the plot makes any sense, praise the atmosphere of the film, and … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe discuss The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, one of the happiest comics they’ve read in a long time. They talk about subverting superhero tropes, the whimsy in the series, and the motivations for the character. Support the Show … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd talk about Chuck Bartowski from the TV show Chuck. They discuss the spy genre, issues of technology as explored in pop culture, and the overall charm of the show. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by returning guest Kjerste Christensen to discuss Ged from A Wizard of Earthsea. They talk about the novel’s place as a foundational text in the fantasy genre, what Le Guin did to make her … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd talk about Conor from the film Sing Street. Topics of discussion include the role of brothers in the story, the nature of inspirational films, the delicate balance of pessimistic realism and optimistic wish fulfillment. Support … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by Ben Phillips to discuss Benjamin Gates in National Treasure. We delight in the implausibilities of the plot, talk about plot versus character, and discuss judging a film based on what it’s trying to … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Virginia McAlister to discuss the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series. Topics of discussion include paranoia, identity, and leadership. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM SIGN UP FOR … Continue reading →
Description This week Todd and Joe discuss Myfanwy Thomas from Daniel O’Malley’s hilarious 2012 supernatural thriller The Rook. Join them as they tackle issues of memory, pain, and identity, and marvel at the novel’s many plot twists and fascinating side … Continue reading →
Description Join us this week as we discuss the astoundingly good 1997 film The Apostle, which was written and directed by, and stars, Robert Duvall. We discuss Duvall’s impressive performance, his character’s poor life decisions, and then dive deep into … Continue reading →
Description This week it’s a Special Movie Pitch Episode! Producer Andrew gave Joe and Todd a director, a genre, and lead actor or actress, and they had to write pitch what that movie would look like. Hopefully you enjoy their … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Branden Ushio from the Fandom Podcast to discuss a Japanese fairy tale. Momotaro is the story of a boy born from a peach who has a magical adventure. Please listen for … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Jeff Dumas from The Fandom Podcast to discuss Quentin Barnes from The Galactic Football League: The Rookie, a 2009 novel by Scott Sigler. They discuss sports’ place in culture, the genres … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Allen Voivod from the Star Wars 7×7 Podcast to discuss Lando Calrissian from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. They talk about Lando’s significance in the tale, his mini-arc in the … Continue reading →
Description Join Todd and Joe as they tackle the wonderful graphic novel American Born Chinese by McArthur Genius Gene Luen Yang and discuss myth, stereotypes, and the difficulty of navigating identity in adolescence. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Andy Mangels to talk about Wonder Woman from the classic television series. Topics of discussion include the way generations are portrayed in these episodes, what makes Wonder Woman different from other … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd discuss the doctor’s wife from the novel Blindness. They talk about Jose Saramago’s writing, the depths to which humans can sink (and the heights to which they can rise), and the believability of a societal collapse. … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about Monty Brewster, played by Richard Pryor in the 1985 film Brewster’s Millions. They talk about the art of adaptation, the highlights of the film, and how they’d spend millions of dollars. Support the Show … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about March, a graphic novel chronicling the real-life story of John Lewis, who was a leader in the Civil Rights movement. They discuss choosing events to include in a memoir, how to train for a … Continue reading →
120: Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson in Parks and Rec (TV 2009-15) “You had me at meat tornado.” Description Todd and Joe talk about Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson from the sitcom Parks and Rec. They discuss the evolution of … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe tackle an American classic and discuss Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. They talk about her transformation, the vivid side characters, and also acknowledge how great Atticus Finch is. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by Nik English from The Fandom Podcast to talk about movie quotes. Why do we use them, what are the most quotable films, and is there really a Princess Bride quote for every occasion? … Continue reading →
Description All-Star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Todd and Joe once again to discuss the classic 1993 thriller The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe are joined by Norman Mitchell from The Lord of the Rings Minute Podcast to talk about Green Lantern: Sinestro. Topics of discussion include the glorious absurdity of some superhero comics and a deep dive … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about a fantastic Canadian sitcom, Corner Gas. They discuss Davis as well as the rest of the crazy characters in Dog River, Saskatchewan. They touch on kinds of comedy, the pleasure of purely episodic television, … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by All-Star guest Kjerste Christensen to discuss Vin from the novel Mistborn: The Final Empire. They talk about her characteristics, her best moments, and what makes a good fantasy novel. Support the Show SUPPORT … Continue reading →
Description In our Valentines Day Special 2017, we are joined by special guest Alana Howlett to play a of Fictional play Fictional Dating Game. What fictional inventor would be the best match for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Donatello? Who … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about Beca Mitchell from the 2012 film Pitch Perfect. They talk about how the film aligns with the Hero’s Journey, the meaning in some of the song choices, and debate whether it’s a musical. Support … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about Tintin from one of the world’s most popular comic books, The Adventures of Tintin. We discuss the significance of the series, debate what genre it belongs to, and express our love for stories with … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe discuss Earl Sinclair from the 1990s tv show Dinosaurs. They talk about Faustian bargains, striking the right tone between heavy themes and silly anthropomorphic animals, and the magic of of the Jim Henson Creature Shop. Support … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about Jonas from the Lois Lowry novel The Giver. They talk about what doesn’t work for them plot-wise, but what resonates thematically. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE … Continue reading →
Description This week, Joe and Todd look back at some of their favorite movies and tv shows from 2016 and then take a look ahead at what Hollywood has in store for us in 2017. They play a game they’re … Continue reading →
Description This week we’re joined by special guest Cassandra Fredrickson from the Lord of the Rings Minute Podcast to discuss the 2001 film Fellowship of the Ring. We talk about character motivations, the filmmaking skill on display, and the art … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Alana Howlett to discuss the novel Life of Pi. They talk about belief and contradictions, display how much and how little they know about the number pi, and debate what makes … Continue reading →
Description Christmas Special 2016! Todd and Joe make up plots based on the titles of Christmas movies they’ve never seen, and it’s a mix of “I could see that being produced” to “Uh…how much egg nog were you drinking before … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Zach Glassett to discuss the novel Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. They talk about character evolution, a bad red herring for a mystery, and the awesomeness … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe tackle a classic holiday film: White Christmas. Listen as they discuss Irving Berlin’s surprising personal history, speculate about the small-town economics of Pine Tree, Vermont, and heap some deserving praise on the singing and … Continue reading →
Description This week, Joe and Todd talk about Herobear and the Kid, a charming comic book written and drawn by Mike Kunkel. We discuss issues of belief, the surprisingly complex art and story, and the seasonal twist at the end. … Continue reading →
Description In this episode Todd and Joe discuss the town of Cicely Alaska in the hit TV series Northern Exposure. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL OF AMAZON PRIME SIGN UP FOR … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd, Joe, and Andrew reveal the most popular episodes they’ve released, look at some of what may be coming in the future, and respond to listener feedback. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR … Continue reading →
Description Hey listeners, Holden Caufield thinks you’re all phonies. This week Old Todd and Old Joe talk about a sort of classic. Well at least pretentious phonies always talk like The Catcher in the Rye is a classic. That kills … Continue reading →
Description This week, Joe and Todd are joined by returning guest Todd Petersen for a Halloween special. Everyone pitches five supernaturally themed tv specials to The Protagonist TV Network. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe are joined by returning guest John Darowski to discuss Nausicaa from the Hayao Miyazaki film Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. They discuss her characteristics, what makes a good leader, and try to … Continue reading →
Description As a special bonus episode, Todd and Joe talk about Elinor and Marianne from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. They talk about the romantic mindset, whether or not the ending works, and debate the existence of an engagement. … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd, Joe, and Andrew discuss the most popular manga of all time, One Piece. We discuss Nami’s tragic back story, her awesome Mom, and the blend of absurd silliness and emotional depth. Support the Show SUPPORT US … Continue reading →
Description Join Todd and Joe as they discuss the creepy Netflix phenomenon, Stranger Things. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL OF AMAZON PRIME SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL OF AUDIBLE.COM … Continue reading →
Description Join us this week as we discuss Danny, the Champion of the World, a Roald Dahl novel from 1975. We talk about morality, Dahl’s writing style, and rights of passage. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about Coach Boone from the classic football movie Remember the Titans. Topics of discussion include the “true” part of “inspired by a true story,” positive and negative characteristics of Coach Boone, and how entertainment deals … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe talk about Charles Christopher, the mute sasquatch creature from the webcomic The Abominable Charles Christopher by Karl Kerschl. We discuss what makes this silent giant lovable, the verbose forest creatures that surround him, and … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about one of TV’s most entertaining set of best friends: Shawn and Gus from Psych. We discuss the the show’s goofball tone, how much these two need each other, and take some time to acknowledge … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe talk about Orual from the C.S. Lewis novel Till We Have Faces. We discuss mythology, love, and a rather ambiguous ending. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd, Joe, and special guest Henry Darowski talk about The Joker from the 2008 film The Dark Knight. Topics of discussion include chaos, Heath Ledger’s brilliant performance, and a scene we wish was in the film. Support … Continue reading →
Description Get ready for the upcoming film by listening to Todd and Joe talk about Doctor Strange: The Oath. They talk about magic, doctors, and the impact of abstract threats in a narrative. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe talk about a beloved classic, the 1995 adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. We talk about romanticism versus realism, Anne’s dramatic streak, and Canadian pronunciation of “sorry.” Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe talk about Ponyboy from S.E. Hinton’s classic novel The Outsiders. Topics of discussion include using issues of identity, adolescence, and if there was a better way to spell “Socs.” Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description This week Joe and Todd are rejoined by special guest Kjerste Christensen to discuss the Lizzie Bennet Diaries. We talk about what is unique about a YouTube/social media adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and how in the world they … Continue reading →
Description This week, We’re talking about Calvin and Hobbes from the brilliant comic strip by Bill Watterson. Topics of discussion include the somber undercurrent of the series, Calvin’s awesome parents, and the optimistic counterpoint to that aforementioned somberness. Support the … Continue reading →
Description This week, we discuss Mal Reynolds from the TV show Firefly. Topics include honor, codes of ethics, and how great the crew of Serenity are. We also talk existentialist bounty hunters, as one does when tackling postmodern sci-fi/Western mashups. … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe talk about Hazel from the 1972 novel Watership Down. This book is about rabbits, as one of us discovered for the first time getting ready for this episode. We talk about leadership, the scale … Continue reading →
Description This week, returning All-Star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe and Todd to discuss Elizabeth Bennet from the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Listen as we discuss interpretations of Lizzie, tackle listener feedback about this film, and discover … Continue reading →
Description This week, you can hear Todd and Joe suffer through colds as they discuss Fone Bone from the Jeff Smith comic book Bone. But, just as their illnesses threaten to derail everything, Producer Andrew flies in and saves the … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe brainstorm pitches for new shows on the fictional Protagonist TV network. Each show must be a loose adaptation of an existing work (sort of…give it a listen) and Producer Andrew chooses which shows get … Continue reading →
Description Join us this week as we discuss one of the great protagonists of the 19th century. It’s Jane Eyre! Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AUDIBLE
Description This week we talk about Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell from The 1981 film Chariots of Fire. We talk about several things, but mostly you’ll want to listen to Todd do quotes from the movie in a Scottish accent. … Continue reading →
Description This week, in a break from the usual format, we discuss favorite comic books and graphic novels. Joined by Todd Petersen and with Producer Andrew taking a larger role than usual, we recommend comic books ranging from superheroes to … Continue reading →
Description Join us this week when we talk about Jeff Winger from the TV comedy Community. Listen as we discuss absurdity, how far is too far for running gags, and postmodern comedy. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN … Continue reading →
Description In Part 2 of our Night Circus discussion we don’t have a plot summary, so it’s all discussion about Celia Bowen, Erin Morgenstern’s writing, and the magic of the Night Circus. If you haven’t already done so, go back … Continue reading →
Description This week, it’s a special episode all about mothers. Producer Andrew chose several iconic orphans from popular culture, and Todd and Joe try to match them with iconic mothers from books, film, and television! Who keeps picking dead moms? … Continue reading →
Description In Part 1 of our first, epic, two-part discussion, we are joined by special guest Kjerste Christensen to discuss Celia from The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Listen as we discuss some trivia, break down the plot, and start … Continue reading →
Description This week we are joined by Branden Ushio from The Fandom Podcast to discuss Peter Banning/Pan from the 1991 film Hook. Listen as the discussion naturally flows from practical versus digital effects to time-compressing wormholes to anachronistic teddy bears. … Continue reading →
Description Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if the Marvel superheroes had been alive in 1602? Join us this week, we talk about the Marvel comic book 1602 by Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert. Topics include … Continue reading →
Description This week we discuss Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote. We talk about charming murder mysteries, curious plot holes, and one legendary actress. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL OF AMAZON … Continue reading →
Description This week, we talk about Meg Murry from the classic novel A Wrinkle in Time. We discuss big ideas versus narrative, the messages of the novel, and tie it all in to the novelization of the first Teenage Mutant … Continue reading →
Description In celebration of March Madness we viewed the classic basketball film, Hoosiers (1986). Listen as we discuss Coach Norman Dale, leadership, and the difficulties of dealing with disgruntled rural townsfolk. Then join us in a friendly game of Deus … Continue reading →
Description This week we discuss a recent addition to Marvel Comics pantheon of superheroes (in our opinion one of the best), Kamala Khan, who goes by the code name Ms. Marvel. Listen as we talk about issues of identity, the … Continue reading →
Description This week we are joined by special guest Jim Mock as we tackle one of Joe’s favorite characters of all time: Niles Crane from the sitcom Frasier. Listen as we discuss different types of comedy, what makes a healthy … Continue reading →
Description This week we talk about Sammy from Psion Beta with special guest Jacob Gowans, the author of Psion Beta! Join us for a discussion of what makes a good character, teenage romance (including some serious interdigitating), and what the … Continue reading →
Description This week we are joined by returning guest Kjerste Christensen to discuss Beatrice and Benedick from the Shakespeare classic, Much Ado About Nothing. Join us as we discuss Emma Thompson and Kenneth Brannagh’s performances, the use of deception, and … Continue reading →
Description It’s our first Manga! Join us for a discussion of Magic Knight Rayearth as we tackle topics such as relationships, what makes a good villainous plan, and how little we know about Manga (Japanese comic books). Support the Show … Continue reading →
Description It’s our second annual special Valentine’s Day episode! Joe and Todd sent each other lists of fictional characters and each tried to find the perfect match. What obscure Argentine comic strip character makes an appearance? What perfect match for … Continue reading →
Description This week we talk about Veronica Mars, the teenage detective played by Kristen Bell. In discussing the pilot episode we talk about trauma, family, and why in the world we like watching dark and disturbing drama. Support the Show … Continue reading →
Description This week, we talk about an overweight, bald, verbose spacefarer. That’s right, we’re talking about Havilund Tuf, from Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin (don’t worry if you’ve never heard of him, we hadn’t either until listener Tommy requested … Continue reading →
Description Join us for one of the strangest stories we will ever discuss as we try to wrap our brains around Jack Burton from Big Trouble in Little China (1986) — a film fans say is “so bad it’s good.” … Continue reading →
Description This week we talk about the Incredible Hulk from the instantly classic story Planet Hulk. You might think the Hulk is not your cup of tea, but this story is for everyone and topics of conversation include happiness, the … Continue reading →
Description Join us as we discuss Alicia Alarcón and Julio Olmedo from the Spanish television drama Grand Hotel. A murder mystery set in 1900s Spain. Grand Hotel packs a season’s worth of Downton Abbey-style soap opera into each episode. No … Continue reading →
Description With one year in the books, Joe and Todd look back on the topics covered and respond to some listener feedback. Producer Andrew also helps discuss some stats and they tease future topics. SUPPORT US ON PATREON
Description It’s A Wonderful Life, listeners, when we get the chance to talk about George Bailey in our final Christmas episode of the year. Fulfilling patreon contributor Jane’s request, we tackle a classic movie starring the man, the myth, the … Continue reading →
Description Greetings listeners! If you’ve never heard of it, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is the tale of a miserly man named Ebeneezer Scrooge who discovers being horrible might not be the best lifestyle. Join us as we discuss … Continue reading →
Description This week Todd and Joe discuss one of the most recent additions to the Christmas movie pantheon. It’s Buddy the Elf in Jon Favreau’s 2003 comedy Elf. While there is no denying this film’s comedy (Will Ferrell’s performance is … Continue reading →
Description Our 50th is a a special Christmas episode about Christmas specials! Producer Andrew looked up the titles of obscure made-for-TV Christmas movies, then Joe and Todd made up plot summaries. Listen to discover if the made-up plots are stranger … Continue reading →
Description Merry Christmas, listeners! Join Joe and Todd as they talk about Big Bird in the 1978 tv special Christmas on Sesame Street. They discuss the magic of Jim Henson’s creativity and Caroll Spinney’s amazing performance in the giant yellow … Continue reading →
Description This week, we talk about a Western from a master of the genre, using the novel Kilkenny by Louis L’Amour as our subject of discussion. Lance Kilkenny is a cowboy with a violent past, a firm sense of justice, … Continue reading →
Description Tackling their first romantic comedy, Joe and Todd talk about Lucy in While You Were Sleeping. Listen, as they tackle such topics as quotable lines, the awesomeness of Joe Jr., and Lucy’s decisiveness. SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes … Continue reading →
Description It’s a week of big ideas as Todd and Joe discuss Coyote and Jones from the webcomic Gunnerkrigg Court. Join us as we discuss creation, creativity, tricksters, and, if you listen carefully, you’ll hear Todd’s heart break while discussing … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd talk about Marie Baron from Everybody Loves Raymond. Listen as they tackle bitterness, tradition, and tofu turkeys in a classic Thanksgiving episode. SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes Everybody Loves Raymond – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia … Continue reading →
Description: Listener beware! Joe, Todd, and special guest Todd Petersen each build their own Mt. Rushmore of Fear, each selecting their four most frightening images from pop culture to carve on a mountainside. And (it turns out) discussing the scariest … Continue reading →
Description You knew this one was coming. It was only a matter of time before Todd and Joe tackled Harry Potter. Listen, as they are joined by special guest Tianna Homer, to discuss Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone. SUPPORT … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd discuss Peter Venkman from Ghostbusters, one of the classic action comedies of the 1980s. Is the character just ad-libbed jibes, or is there something more to the quippiest member of the quartet? SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description Joe, Todd, and returning guest Todd Petersen talk about Batman/Bruce Wayne in a comic book storyline called “The Court of Owls.” Join us as we talk about the Dark Knight and this story written by Scott Snyder and drawn … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe talk about “Blink,” the gateway episode for many Doctor Who fans. What makes Sally Sparrow such a great character, and what makes the Weeping Angels such great villains? SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show Notes … Continue reading →
Description If you’re a fan of detective stories or crime procedurals, you’ll want to hear Joe and Todd discuss C. Auguste Dupin from “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” This short story written in 1841 by Edgar Allan Poe is considered … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe bring on special guest Joseph Hegstrom Pratt to talk about Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Pixar’s Toy Story (1995). It’s hard to believe it’s already been 20 years since we were introduced to those two characters … Continue reading →
Description This week, Joe and Todd discuss Phil Sheldon from the comic book series Marvels by Alex Ross and Kurt Busiek. Join us as we talk about issues of modernity, celebrity culture, and our sense of wonder with the miracles … Continue reading →
Description Todd and Joe, with some helpful expertise from producer Andrew, talk about Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender (not the blue alien movie by James Cameron nor the Shyamalan film, they’re talking about the cartoon series on Nickelodeon). Listen … Continue reading →
Description In preparation for the glorious football season that is soon upon us, Joe and Todd discuss the classic underdog story, Rudy. What parts in the film are true, what parts are inspirational, and what parts make the guys tear … Continue reading →
Description Along with special guest Kjerste Christensen, Todd and Joe discuss Thursday Next, the protagonist of the novel The Eyre Affair. Alternative history, science fiction, mystery, postmodernism, and general absurdity are all topics for discussion. SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe talk about a modern classic, the graphic novel Asterios Polyp. The complex narrative ended up giving them more to think about than they realized when the conversation started. Show Notes SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description Joe and Todd discuss the protagonist of a long-running television series, Temperance “Bones” Brennan. They also touch on her partner, Seeley Booth, and the interns who help to solve crimes in the tv series Bones. SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
Description This week, Todd and Joe tackle a classic of Gothic Romantic literature as they discuss Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Todd gives perhaps the greatest recap in our podcast’s history, and Joe has a special bonus treat for the listeners … Continue reading →
Description Special draft episode! Joe and Todd each try to select the most bizarre collection of children’s shows and movies that have ever been made. Please let us know about any strange kid’s shows we missed. Show Notes Super Mario … Continue reading →
Summary Todd and Joe discuss Chihiro from Spirited Away (2001). Along with special guest John Darowski they tackle Chihiro’s evolution, director Hayao Miyazaki’s animation style, and the surreal imagery of the film. There is plenty to discuss about this modern … Continue reading →
Joe and Todd discuss one of the most perfectly crafted superhero origin stories ever told. Peter Parker/Spider-Man first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15, drawn by Steve Ditko and written by Stan Lee. Enjoy a discussion about Parker’s darker side, mechanical … Continue reading →
This week, Joe and Todd look at a classic episode from The Twilight Zone. In “Time Enough at Last” Burgess Meredith played Henry Bemis, an anti-social man who just wanted enough time to read the books he loved. Show Notes … Continue reading →
A glimpse into the magnificent Protagonist Podcast studios. Listener feedback! We respond to the emails, comments, and verbal feedback we’ve received from you, our loyal listeners. Contact us @toddkmack @jdarowski @andrew_darowski
Joe and Todd discuss Ender Wiggins from the 1985 novel, Ender’s Game. Child soldiers, adolescent politicians, and the truthfulness of history are all topics of discussion. Show Notes Wikipedia: Ender’s Game Wikipedia: Orson Scott Card Amazon: Ender’s Game novel Amazon: Ender’s … Continue reading →
Todd and Joe talk about several of the characters from The Princess Bride (they couldn’t pick one, so they talk about a bunch). After failing at the box office in 1987, The Princess Bride found new life in homes that had both … Continue reading →
This week, Todd and Joe talk about one of the most acclaimed graphic novels ever published. Vladek in Maus is a complex character in a complex work. Listen to a discussion about a harrowing account of the Holocaust told through cartoon … Continue reading →
This week, Todd and Joe talk about all the characters in all the stories as they discuss Joseph Campbell’s breakdown of the Hero’s Journey. In a departure from the usual routine, the monomyth is the subject of discussion rather than … Continue reading →
Joe and Todd tackle a television classic as they discuss Lucy Ricardo from I Love Lucy. “Lucy Does a TV Commercial” is one of the most famous episodes from the iconic series, and Lucille Ball’s performance in the commercial for … Continue reading →
This week Todd and Joe hunt down the motivations of Katniss Everdeen, from Suzanne Collins’ 2008 novel The Hunger Games. Join them as they track down her interesting characteristics and pursue insights into one of the most popular protagonists of … Continue reading →
May the Force be with you as Todd, Joe, and special guest Alex Robinson of the Star Wars Minute podcast talk about Princess Leia. We discuss how to properly grieve a destroyed planet and also touch on subjects such as … Continue reading →
It’s a special draft episode! This week, Todd, Joe, and special guest Todd Petersen try to draft the best teams of heroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They’re each allowed five picks, and their philosophies could not have been more … Continue reading →
This week Joe and Todd are joined by BYU librarian Kjerste Christensen to discuss one of the earliest proto-superheroes (one near and dear to our hearts), Sir Percy Blakeney, from the 1982 film version of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Show Notes … Continue reading →
This week, Joe and Todd talk about Clark Kent/Superman in All-Star Superman (well, most of it, they run through the Bizarro issues pretty quickly). The mini-series by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely was an instantly classic take on an iconic … Continue reading →
This week, Todd and Joe are joined by Angela Vidergar to discuss Richard Castle, the titular character of the TV series Castle. How do you balance such an exuberantly immature character with a serious subject like murder, even if the … Continue reading →
This week, Joe and Todd talk about Nobody Owens from Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, a delightful children’s novel that opens with the murder of Nobody’s family. Despite what that sentence makes you think, it is great and you should tell all children … Continue reading →
This week, Joe and Todd discuss TWO great characters because they couldn’t find a way to separate Sean Thornton and Mary Kate Danaher in The Quiet Man, a classic film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Maureen … Continue reading →
This week, Todd and Joe discuss Lieam from the comic book series Mouse Guard. But wait, there’s more! Special guest: David Petersen, the creator of Mouse Guard, joins us. Show Notes Mouse Guard : Fall 1152 on Amazon.com mouseguard.net David … Continue reading →
Our super professional setup 🙂 This week Todd and Joe take a break from great characters in great stories and respond to listener mail. Thanks for your feedback. ¡Help support us on Patreon!
This week, Todd and Joe boldly go where no one has gone before (except many, many Trekkies) as they discuss Geordi LaForge in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “I, Borg.” Support us on Patreon Show Notes I, Borg … Continue reading →
In the ninth episode of The Protagonist Podcast, Todd and Joe tackle a classic of Latina literature as they discuss Esperanza Cordero from 1984’s The House on Mango Street, written by Sandra Cisneros. Show Notes The House on Mango Street on … Continue reading →
In an episode nearly as long as the film itself, Joseph and Todd discuss Rapunzel in the 2010 Disney Classic Tangled. Topics of discussion include the emotional effects of living your life locked in a tower, the actual length of … Continue reading →
In this episode Todd and Joe set aside discussion of one great character in a great story and instead participate in their first Incomparable-inspired draft — each picking their fantasy team of great characters in great love stories. Show notes The … Continue reading →
This week Joseph and Todd talk about the great purple super-villain Thanos from the classic 1991 Marvel comic Infinity Gauntlet written by Jim Starlin and penciled by George Pérez and Ron Lim. Show Notes Infinity Gauntlet on Amazon.com Thanos on … Continue reading →
Todd and Joe discuss the role of Mary Richards in the hilarious episode “Chuckles Bites the Dust,” episode 07 of Season 06 of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Show Notes: The Mary Tyler Moore Show: Season 6 on Amazon.com “Chuckles … Continue reading →
In this episode Joe and Todd talk about Bilbo Baggins in the 1937 novel The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Show Notes The Hobbit; or, There and Back Again on Amazon.com “Blink” (Dr. Who) on Wikipedia The Hobbit on Wikipedia Bilbo … Continue reading →
In this episode, Todd and Joe discuss Rick Blaine, as played by the immortal Humphrey Bogart, in the 1942 classic, Casablanca. Casablanca (1942) / The African Queen (1951) [Blu-ray] at Amazon Casablanca on Amazon Instant Video Casablanca [DVD] at Amazon.com … Continue reading →
In this episode Todd and Joe discuss one of the great X-Men of all time, Kitty Pryde, in Astonishing X-Men v 1-4 written by geek demi-god Joss Whedon and drawn by John Cassaday. Astonishing X-Men By Joss Whedon & John … Continue reading →
This week, Joe and Todd discuss President Jed Bartlet in “Two Cathedrals,” Season 02 Episode 22 of The West Wing. Show Notes & Links Alejandro Jodorowsky on IMDB.com “Josiah Bartlet” on Wikipedia “Two Cathedrals” on Wikipedia “Two Cathedrals” on IMDB.com … Continue reading →
