Today we're sharing methods of coping with anxiety, whether it is a chronic issue or an acute event. Everyone has experience with anxiety, and overcoming it is essential to your quality of life. With the help of redditors, counsellors, and insights from our own mental health journeys, we're talking mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, lifestyle in…

Today we're talking about the Netflix top-streaming miniseries, "The Perfect Couple" (2024). Adapted from a book of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand and brought to the screen by Jenna Lamia and Susanne Bier, this limited series stars Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, and Dakota Fanning. Taking place on idyllic Nantucket Island, this gripp…

Today we're discussing Ryan Holiday's 2019 book, "Stillness is the Key." A companion book to "The Obstacle is the Way" (2014) and "Ego is the Enemy" (2016, covered on episode 153), this self-development book valorizes the benefits of rest, contemplation, and maintaining your sanity in a consumingly-demanding world. Do you feel that you're never doi…

Today we're discussing the newest addition to the Alien franchise, "Alien: Romulus" (Scott Free Productions, 2024). Written and directed by Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez, who directed the iconic 2016 horror film, "Don't Breathe," "Alien: Romulus" follows the journey of five indentured teen workers (Cailee Spaeny, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, S…

Today we're discussing the blockbuster film of the fall, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" (2024). Directed by Tim Burton and staffed by returning film icons Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara, this new Beetlejuice film follows the myriad dramas of both its living and death characters -- containing weddings, funerals, and reconciliations be…

Today we're discussing the new Top 10 Netflix streaming show, "Kaos" (2024). Created by Charlie Covell and starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus, this limited series is a contemporary retelling of Ancient Greek mythology that is darkly comic and epic in scale. Winding between the jealous gods of Olympus, the apartheid state of Minoan Crete/Krete, and the …

Today we're doing a spoiler-free review of the mind-bending indie horror film, "Strange Darling" (2024). Winner of the Jury Prize for Best Feature Film (2024 Popcorn Frights Film Festival), written and directed by J.T. Mollner and starring Willa Fitzgerald ("Fall of the House of Usher") and Kyle Gallner ("Smile"), this indie darling premiered last …

Today we're talking about the 2020 megahit video game, "Hades" (produced by Supergiant Games). A roguelike hack-and-slash game taking place in the Ancient Greek underworld, you play as Hades' son Zagreus ("Zac"), the prince of the underworld, in a seemingly-impossible quest to fight through the afterlife, back to earth, to be reunited with his birt…

Today we're reviewing and analyzing Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut, "Blink Twice" (2024). A psychological thriller taking place largely on a tech billionaire's (played by Channing Tatum) private island paradise, "Blink Twice" is informed by centuries of Greek mythology, themes of trauma and memory, and a delicious twist ending that will leave your…

Today we're tackling season 2 of the 2010's cult classic, "Fleabag" (created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge). Widely considered the best season of "Fleabag," and still starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge and company, series two follows our protagonist getting her life together after the grief-fueled antics of series one. To the backdrop of her sister's (Sian Cl…

Today we're discussing Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington's goal-setting system, "The 12 Week Year." Aimed at encouraging consistent execution on your annual goals, this system reduces a 12-month year to just 3 months -- dialing up the time pressure, necessity of commitment, and utility of accountability buddies. Simple, non-cult-y, and iterativ…

Today we're discussing series one of the 2010s British television masterpiece, "Fleabag." Created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, this 6-episode series is adapted from Phoebe's successful 2013 theater piece and follows the grief-fueled misadventures of a messy 20-something who has recently lost her closest friend, is navigating complex family…

Today we're analyzing the newest Mad Max film, "Furiosa," now streaming on HBO MAX. Starring Anya Taylor Joy and Chris Hemsworth, and written and directed by George Miller, "Furiosa" is the most detail-rich Mad Max we've yet seen. Crossing an epic 20 years of history and giving insight into the inner workings of Immortan Joe's vast Wasteland empire…

Today we're reviewing the 2024 horror film, "Immaculate," now streaming on Hulu. Starring Sydney Sweeney and taking place in a remote Italian convent, this religion-themed thriller centers on an improbable, seemingly immaculate conception by novice nun Cecilia. But, of course, there are more sinister forces afoot than any divine plan. With delightf…

Today we're discussing television shows that we (and the redditors of r/AskReddit) consider to be 10-out-of-10 amazing. Mind-bendy, rewatchable, and much beloved, these shows defined our childhoods, broadened our adult perspectives, or just plain burrowed themselves into our hearts. Are your favorite shows classic anthologies that defined a genre l…

Today we're talking about some of the ghostly residents of the Pacific Northwest (informed by Margaret Read MacDonald's book, "Ghost Stories from the Pacific Northwest"). Widely considered to be horror-movie-spooky and a nest of cryptids, the PNW is also known for housing a number of jolly ghosts. We're sharing the stories of three such post-human …

Today we’re reviewing the newly-released indie horror film, “Cuckoo” (2024). Written and directed by Tilman Singer and starring Hunter Schafer, “Cuckoo” is the most unique horror concept we’ve seen in a while. Set in an isolated resort in the Swiss Alps, with a mysterious billionaire proprietor (played by Dan Stevens), a cutting edge medically faci…

Today we’re discussing the recently-released video game film, “Borderlands” (2024). Written and directed by Eli Roth, starring Cate Blanchett, and featuring gamers’ most beloved Pandora environments, this film captures so much of the fun associated with the looter-shooter video game series. As avid fans of the Borderlands franchise, Stephen and Lau…

Today we’re reviewing M. Night Shyamalan’s newest film, “Trap” (2024). Starring Josh Hartnett, Haley Mills, and Shyamalan’s own daughter Saleka, this unique thriller is a kind of anti-heist that centers on one serial killer’s attempt to evade capture at a stadium concert venue (while also showing his daughter the time of her life with her favorite …

Today we are concluding our discussion of the Netflix top 10 docuseries, “Dirty Pop: the Boy Band Scam” (Dir. David Terry Fine). In this part two, we’re discussing the financial crimes side of pop mega-manager Lou Pearlman. From lopsided management contracts with Backstreet Boys and N* SYNC to aeronautics insurance fraud to making an enemy of a hig…

Today we are discussing the Netflix top 10 docuseries, “Dirty Pop: the Boy Band Scam” (Dir. David Terry Fine). This series follows Lou Pearlman, the “Big Poppa” of pop music managers and creator of mega groups like Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, and O-Town. Within the glitz and glamour of the Boy Band era, though, is the financially predatory action of t…

Today we’re diving in to life advice cliches that are actually really valuable when you fully ingest their meaning. We’ve all had the, “Ugh that so true!” moment. Alongside contributions from the lovely redditors who populate the r/AskReddit subreddit, we share our own favorite platitudes that only seem to get truer with age. What have you been tol…

Today we’re discussing one of the most important questions for Millennials and Gen Z — to have children or be childfree. From our Baby Boomer parents who long to be grandparents to vice presidential candidates obsessed with your personal procreation, child-having is a hot topic. We share our own experience fielding questions about family planning i…

Today we’re on a self-development journey. Between reading Ryan Holiday’s “Ego is the Enemy” (2016) and recognizing undesirable characteristics of our parents in ourselves, it’s time to do some inner excavation and put those insights into action! Is your sense of self fragile or even outdated? Have failures felt crippling even though you know, inte…

Today we’re sharing our impressions of the critically-acclaimed 2010s HBO comedy, “VEEP” (2012-2019). Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and increasingly relevant as our own US election year starts to take on that show’s plot dimensions, this workplace sitcom of Capital Hill satirizes the uniquely strange and idiosyncratic personalities that are drawn to…

Today we're revisiting the first "Hunger Games" film (2012, dir. Gary Ross), in honor of the recent loss of the first President Snow, actor Donald Sutherland. With new context provided by "A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," we discuss the perfect cruelty and systemic dehumanization of Suzanne Collin's fictional Panem. Using class as a tool of explo…

Today we're sharing our thoughts on the alien invasion / monster horror film, "A Quiet Place: Day One." Following a late-stage cancer patient (played by Lupita Nyong'o) on what she believes to be her last visit to New York City, all heck breaks loose when an apocalyptic alien invasion lands in Manhattan. Also starring Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and …

Today we're returning to the realm of dreams (with our trusty Encyclopedia of Symbols, Signs, and Interpretations). This episode, Laura will be sharing her reoccurring dream motifs and characters. On this episode you'll learn the potential meanings behind your dream location and environments. Did you know that houses often represent the self? -- An…

Today we're exploring dreams -- symbols, signs, and interpretations (with an illustrated encyclopedia as our guide). Stephen shares childhood dreams and reoccurring adult nightmares, and we investigate their actual, subconscious meaning. Do dragons symbolize good fortune or ill omens? What is the nature of magic, and specifically of a wizard perfor…

Today we're talking about the serial killer thriller and surprise summer hit, "Longlegs" -- supposedly the scariest movie of the year. A paranormal period piece/FBI procedural that features Nicholas Cage being wacky, we chisel away our favorite elements of this indie horror "masterpiece" and dive into all the unique choices separating this film fro…

Today we're talking about the Netflix top 10 film, "A Family Affair." A rom-com-dram starring Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King, this movie gives viewers some zany and some heartstring-tugging moments. With meditations on late-in-life love, the evolving mother-daughter relationship as we age, and the legacy of a deceased parent, this film is …

Today we are concluding our Midday Musings series on the HBO Max docuseries, "Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood." We will review Scooter's version of events (episode 2 of the series) -- from his role as the "big brother" music manager to Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Kanye West to the Swiftie fan-army fallout he experienced as the buyer …

Today we are back discussing the HBO Max documentary, “Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun: Bad Blood” (2024). In this part two, we will dissecting the events post-“Kimye”’s “Famous” drama and post-sale of Taylor Swift’s masters to Scooter Braun’s holding company. This will chart the public battle for ownership rights, Swift’s masterclass response to wi…

Today we are discussing the HBO Max documentary, “Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun: Bad Blood” (2024). This docuseries charts the very personal battle between artist and management team over the ownership of Taylor Swift’s music masters — representing six of the highest selling albums of all time. In this part one, we will be detailing the timeline o…

Today we’re discussing the explosively popular Netflix docuseries, “American Nightmare.” Following the bizarre story — and devastating media aftermath — of a home invasion/kidnapping in Vallejo, CA, we are shown that the real American nightmare is not the crime itself, but the institutional response to victims of that crime. Denise Huskins and her …

Today we’re discussing our friendly northern neighbor, Canada. Having just returned from a 4-day trip to Vancouver, we’ve got loads of cultural commentary and travel advice to share. Did you know there are laws against freeways in Vancouver city limits? Have you any idea the sheer number of weddings Stanley Park can hold? And why is it that in Cana…

Today we are hosting an excellent episode from the excellent podcast, Rainy Day Rabbit Holes. Enjoy! Join us for a toe-tally intriguing episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes where we dive deep into the baffling phenomenon of the Salish Sea Feet Discoveries! Since 2007, detached human feet have been washing ashore on the coasts of the Salish Sea, leavin…

Today we’re unboxing a BRAND NEW expansion of Red Flags Friday (courtesy of our good friend and podcast listener) — with content exclusively for nerds! The Grim Rabbit Game’s romance and date-centered card game is catering to Star Trek and Star Wars fans, as well as the chronically online. With that in mind, our hosts sit down and ask questions abo…

Today we’re discussing top sci-fi tropes in media we love as well as science fiction concepts that spark our imagination. With examples from top sci-fi short stories and Taiwanese novels, we discuss common and uncommon tropes that depict a potential, thought-provoking future. Undersea, skin-obsessed civilizations that have escaped climate catastrop…

Today we’re discussing the content of Peacock’s new true crime documentary, “TikTok Star Murders.” Produced by 50 Cent, this social media documentary follows the tragic, ultimately-fatal relationship roller coaster of TikTok content creator JinnKid (Ali Abulaban) and his wife Ana. Culminating in a shocking double homicide in San Diego’s luxury Spir…

Once again, we’re sharing some of the “150 Best Questions To Ask On A First Date, According to Relationship Experts” (Women’s Health Magazine, 2024). With insights from Lisa Marie Bobby, PhD., Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, PhD., and Courtney Tracy, LCSW, PsyD, we share even more of the relationship insights and effective first date questions to keep you…

Today we’re discussing our favorite horror motifs from films, television, and games (shoutout to The Recap Rewatch for inspiring a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” rewatch). Whether it’s Ariana Grande wanting to have dinner with Jeffrey Dahmer or Stephen getting spooky with the forest-cabin settings of “Evil Dead” and “Until Dawn,” every horror fan wants…

Today we’re digging into some of the top-rated games on user-generated indie game platform Itch.io. Games include “Night of the Consumer,” “Crawler,” “Baby Blues Nightmare,” and more. We discuss the unique game mechanics and themes that indie developers can offer a player that AAA games cannot (due to profit incentive). Whether it’s horror elements…

Today we’re sharing some of the “150 Best Questions To Ask On A First Date, According to Relationship Experts” (Women’s Health Magazine, 2024). With insights from Lisa Marie Bobby, PhD., Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, PhD., and Courtney Tracy, LCSW, PsyD, this list provides listeners with some conversational prompts that serve to invite deeper connection…

Today we’re discussing Cal Newport’s book, “Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World” and how a reduction in device use might just better our lives. Stephen shares his insights as a recent reader of the self-development / digital discipline book and Laura shares findings from behavioral science studies that reveal clues as to wh…

Today we’re reviewing the premiere episode of the much-awaited GoT prequel, “House of the Dragon.” Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, and Rhys Ifans reprise their roles as the adult members of the Targaryen and Hightower clans, who last season were poised to clash in civil war. Despite the two year delay between seasons, viewers occupy the imme…

Today we’re discussing the 2024 sequel to Pixar’s 2015 classic, “Inside Out.” Amy Poehler reprises her role as “Joy,” main character Riley’s primary emotion. Joining the cast is Maya Hawke as “Anxiety,” one of Riley’s new pubescent emotions. In this film, our main character is now 13, going through puberty, leaving middle school, and navigating inc…

Today we’re discussing the internationally popular young adult contemporary romance series, “Maxton Hall: the World Between Us” (streaming on Prime Video). Inspired by the Mona Kasten novel, “Save Me” and starring Harriet Herbig-Matten and Damien Hardung as socioeconomically- and ideologically-opposed students at the elite preparatory school Maxton…

Today we’re discussing indie zombie survival horror game, “Project Zomboid” (produced and published by The Indie Stone). Originally built as a Sims mod, this hardcore-difficulty game presents its players with 4 available Kentucky environments in which to attempt survival, using more than a dozen player-character types, and personalizing your playth…

Today we’re discussing the iconic video game series, “The Sims,” where players can simulate buckets of lives and lifestyles in a charming, funny, simulated world peopled with NPC characters, fantasy monsters, and magical environments. This game contains resource and emotional management mechanics as well as commercial actions that players use to ad…