Shows
StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 143: Monster ManualAnthony and Andrew talk monstrous ideas and inspirations by diving deep into the new Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual!
2025-03-291h 01
Hold These Truths with Dan CrenshawEPA: The Real Deep State and How To Fix It | Andrew WheelerAndrew Wheeler, former EPA Administrator under President Trump, joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss some of the most promising reforms to fix American's broken environmental bureaucracy. They discuss the flaws in permitting processes, the inefficiency of federal agencies, and why transparency is the key to faster approvals. They tackle media narratives, climate change policies, and ending the U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals. And Mr. Wheeler shares feasible solutions to cut red tape, improve environmental policy, and put America back in charge of its energy future. The Honorable Andrew Wheeler served as President Trump's E...
2025-03-0750 minStorybeaterThe Goonies Anthony and Andrew unpack the joys and challenges of classic 80s kids' movie The Goonies.
2025-01-271h 03StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 139: Swords and SandalsTo mark the release of Gladiator II, Anthony and Andrew unpack our fascination with gladiator stories and historical and mythological epics.
2024-11-3054 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 138: Horror Robots For the annual Halloween episode, Anthony and Andrew discuss scary robots, from Metropolis to M3GAN.
2024-10-2945 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 137: The Martial ArtistWhat makes the martial artist an appealing archetype in fiction? Anthony and Andrew unpack the tropes with reference to some of their favourite examples!
2024-09-2956 minStorybeater136: Deadpool and WolverineMutants, multiverses, and mowing down the fourth wall! Anthony and Andrew talk Deadpool & Wolverine.
2024-08-1850 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 135: Man vs. NatureWith Twisters tearing through theatres, Anthony and Andrew look at the uses and meaning of "man versus nature" conflicts in narrative.
2024-07-2255 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 134: Delicious in DungeonAnthony and Andrew explore the dungeoneering tropes of the hit animated series Delicious in Dungeon, aka Dungeon Meshi.
2024-06-251h 00StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 133: Planets of the ApesAnthony and Andrew explore the themes and approaches of the three iterations of the Planet of the Apes movie franchise.
2024-05-281h 00StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 132: Ten Years of Storybeater! Anthony and Andrew mark ten years of the reading-and-writing podcast by reflecting on ten themes and trends in storytelling from the past decade, including streaming, shared universes, the state of the "sure thing", and the rise of cozy entertainment.
2024-04-271h 34StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 131: Oscars 2024Anthony and Andrew break down the runners and riders in the 96th Academy Awards categories for Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. Movies discussed include: American Fiction The Zone of Interest Barbie Oppenheimer Poor Things The Holdovers May December Past Lives Anatomy of a Fall Maestro
2024-02-291h 21StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 130: The AssassinBeekeepers, bricklayers, painters, and John Wick. Anthony and Andrew dive into the world of the assassin in fiction. What's the appeal of the archetype, what does it represent, and how does it work?
2024-01-2854 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 129: Hayao MiyazakiAnthony and Andrew discuss the themes, story structure, and worldbuilding of animator Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli movies, including My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, and Porco Rosso!
2023-12-2255 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 128: Roald Dahl Anthony and Andrew revisit a key author from their childhoods as they dip into the dark worlds of Roald Dahl, to mark both the release of Wes Anderson's adaptations of Dahl's short stories and the upcoming Wonka movie.
2023-11-2550 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 126: Star TrekAnthony and Andrew discuss the recent series of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and take a look back over the history of the Star Trek franchise, from The Original Series to Lower Decks!
2023-09-271h 08
Oh Ship! ShowAdapting to the Content Marketing Revolution: Insights from Andrew Wheeler, CEO of Skyward"In this episode of the 'Oh Ship Show,' Andrew Wheeler, the CEO of Skyward, joins us to discuss the evolving landscape of content marketing in 2023. Andrew provides valuable insights into the impact of generative AI on content marketing strategies and emphasizes the crucial role of human-centric content.He takes us on a journey through the history of Skyward, highlighting its transition from a search-focused entity to a full-service content agency. Andrew reveals how they're leveraging AI to craft personalized and empathetic content that truly resonates with audiences.Whether you're a marketer, content creator, or...
2023-09-0130 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 125: BarbieAnthony and Andrew unpack the blockbuster sensation Barbie. It's bright, its breezy, and it's shockingly smart!
2023-08-211h 03StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 124: Indiana Jones and the Dial of DestinyAnthony and Andrew check out the latest and last Indiana Jones movie to ask whether there's still life in the adventure genre, what the tropes of an Indiana Jones movie might be, and where there may yet be untapped potential in this fictional world.
2023-07-291h 12StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 123: 60 Years of Doctor Who With the 60th anniversary of classic BBC sci-fi show Doctor Who fast approaching, Anthony and Andrew look back at their memories of the original series, the challenges of the modern day revamp, and their hopes for the future of the show.
2023-06-201h 05StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 122: Fast XAnthony and Andrew have a spoiler-filled discussion about Fast X, covering the trouble with Brian, the villain's queer coding, the need for a Johnny Tran resurrection, and what it might say about the franchise that the outlaws have become the in-laws.
2023-05-231h 19StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 121: Roleplaying and WritingAnthony and Andrew discuss how playing roleplaying games has shaped them as writers and what writers can learn from playing RPGs!
2023-04-271h 03StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 120: The Last of UsAnthony and Andrew break down the latest and perhaps most successful video game-to-live action adaptation, HBO's The Last of Us, to look at how the source material shapes the story.
2023-03-2851 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 119: Oscars 2023Anthony and Andrew assess this year's Academy Award nominees for Best Adapted and Best Original Screenplay, including: Best Adapted: All Quiet on the Western Front Glass Onion Living Top Gun: Maverick Women Talking Best Original: The Banshees of Inisherin Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Tár Triangle of Sadness
2023-02-271h 30StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 118: The Benoit Blanc MysteriesAnthony and Andrew discuss Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig's emerging murder mystery movie series, Knives Out and Glass Onion!
2023-01-241h 01StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 117: Santa ClausAnthony and Andrew unpack the many faces of Father Christmas in fiction and the magic of the character's enduring appeal.
2022-12-0855 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 116: Interview with the VampireAnthony and Andrew check out the first season of AMC's Interview with the Vampire, based on the work of Anne Rice. How has the story been adapted for the screen and how has this version evolved from Rice's own novel and the movie adaptation?
2022-11-221h 00StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 115: KaijuFor the annual Halloween episode, Anthony and Andrew look at the history and significance of the city-destroying giant monsters known as kaiju!
2022-10-2755 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 114: Spider-ManAnthony and Andrew pay tribute to Spider-Man on his 60th anniversary by examining the character's enduring appeal and the ways he's been reinvented in recent years.
2022-09-271h 09StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 113: The SandmanAnthony and Andrew discuss the Netflix adaptation of writer Neil Gaiman's iconic comic series The Sandman. What challenges did the show face in bringing the story to the screen, and how might future Sandman stories be adapted?
2022-08-131h 05StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 112: Thor: Love & ThunderAnthony and Andrew talk lettering, contracts, and the latest entry in the MCU, Thor: Love and Thunder. It's a rock concert in movie form, but how much Guns N Roses is too much Guns N Roses?
2022-07-171h 07StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 111: Everything Everywhere All At OnceAnthony and Andrew discuss the storytelling choices and resonances of the movie phenomenon of the year, the Daniels' Everything Everywhere All At Once, starring Michelle Yeoh.
2022-06-1558 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 110: JuliaAnthony and Andrew check out the Julia Child biographical series Julia on HBO Max and talk about comfort TV, the joy of competence, and food on the screen.
2022-05-181h 07StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 109: Our Flag Means DeathAnthony and Andrew check out the new cult hit pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death and its place in the traditions of pirate storytelling!
2022-04-1954 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 108: Oscars 2022Anthony and Andrew discuss this year's Academy Award nominees for Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. The nominees are... BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY BelfastWritten and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Don't Look UpWritten by Adam McKay and David Sirota, based on a story by McKay.Directed by Adam McKay. King RichardWritten by Zach Baylin.Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. Licorice PizzaWritten and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The Worst Person in the WorldWritten by...
2022-03-141h 36StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 107: ReacherAnthony and Andrew check out the new Prime Video series Reacher and talk about the trope-heavy appeal of dad lit!
2022-02-211h 03
The Cinematography PodcastSpecial Episode: Sundance 2022- God’s Country director Julian Higgins, writer Shaye Ogbonna and cinematographer Andrew WheelerGod's Country, starring Thandiwe Newton, is about Sandra, a Black woman college professor living alone who is dealing with the recent loss of her mother and the subtle and not-so-subtle racism and sexism in a cold, remote Western town. Two hunters boldly start trespassing on her property, and when she asks them to stop, it begins a tense and escalating clash of uncompromising aggression by both parties.
Director Julian Higgins and cinematographer Andrew Wheeler had previously made God's Country as a short in 2014, based on the short story Winter Light by James Lee Burke. When Julian began thinking about turning...
2022-01-3132 minCinematography Podcast - Cam NoirSpecial Episode: Sundance 2022- God’s Country director Julian Higgins, writer Shaye Ogbonna and cinematographer Andrew WheelerGod's Country, starring Thandiwe Newton, is about Sandra, a Black woman college professor living alone who is dealing with the recent loss of her mother and the subtle and not-so-subtle racism and sexism in a cold, remote Western town. Two hunters boldly start trespassing on her property, and when she asks them to stop, it begins a tense and escalating clash of uncompromising aggression by both parties.
Director Julian Higgins and cinematographer Andrew Wheeler had previously made God's Country as a short in 2014, based on the short story Winter Light by James Lee Burke. When Julian began...
2022-01-3132 min
District of ConservationEP 240: Radical Environmentalists Accuse Glenn Youngkin of Nominating "Extremist" Andrew WheelerIn Episode 240 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses breaking news about Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin's selection of former Trump EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler as his Secretary of Natural Resources and attacks by radical environmentalists and Democrat groups like Blue Virginia. SHOW NOTES POLITICO scooped Youngkin-Wheeler news Youngkin Press Release Announcing Wheeler as Secretary Learn more about the VA Dept. of Natural Resources Blue Virginia rails against "extremist" Andrew Wheeler Listen to Gabriella's interview with former EPA Administrator Wheeler on the podcast and on YouTube --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/district-of-conservation/support
2022-01-0511 min
District of ConservationEP 240: Radical Environmentalists Accuse Glenn Youngkin of Nominating "Extremist" Andrew WheelerIn Episode 240 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses breaking news about Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin's selection of former Trump EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler as his Secretary of Natural Resources and attacks by radical environmentalists and Democrat groups like Blue Virginia.
SHOW NOTES
POLITICO scooped Youngkin-Wheeler news
Youngkin Press Release Announcing Wheeler as Secretary
Learn more about the VA Dept. of Natural Resources
Blue Virginia rails against "extremist" Andrew Wheeler
Listen to Gabriella's interview with former EPA Administrator Wheeler on the podcast and on YouTube
2022-01-0511 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 105: The Matrix (1999)To mark the return of the Matrix movies to our screens, Anthony and Andrew revisit the original movie to see how it holds up, how it shaped our culture, and what sort of story decisions the Wachowskis made.
2021-12-241h 00StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 104: No Time To DieAnthony and Andrew break down the story choices in the final Daniel Craig Bond movie, No Time To Die. Warning: This discussion contains spoilers!
2021-11-091h 19StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 102: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsAnthony and Andrew look at the storytelling choices in the latest Marvel movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, including how it expands and diversifies the MCU and how it navigates some potential bombs!
2021-09-231h 28StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 101: He-Man and the Masters of the UniverseAnthony and Andrew check out the new Netflix series Masters of the Universe: Revelation and talk about the history of He-Man and what the franchise represents.
2021-08-171h 19StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 100Anthony and Andrew look back on seven years of Storybeater as they celebrate their 100th episode! They talk about what they've been writing since the podcast started, their favourite conversations from the last 99 episodes, and what they've been reading that shaped and influenced their work!
2021-07-201h 35StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 099: Raiders of the Lost ArkTo mark the 40th anniversary of the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Anthony and Andrew look at what makes the movie such an enduring classic, some of the awkward ways it's showing its age, and how Indiana Jones breaks some familiar storytelling "rules".
2021-06-141h 04StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 098: The Fast and the Furious (2001)To mark 20 years since the release of the original The Fast & The Furious movie, Andrew and Anthony reexamine that movie's appeal and look at how the franchise has evolved and expanded its world over the past two decades!
2021-05-191h 03StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 097: Oscars 2021Anthony and Andrew offer their thoughts on this year's Academy Awards screenplay nominees, including: Minari Judas and the Black Messiah Trial of the Chicago 7 Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal Nomadland Borat Subsequent Moviefilm The Father The White Tiger One Night in Miami
2021-04-181h 37
Urelevant#24 - From Failing Salesforce Certification Exams to Cloud Career Success - Andrew FischerLive Salesforce Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/liveOn-Demand Salesforce Training - Mike Wheeler Media+ https://learn.mikewheelermedia.comSalesforce Self-Assessment Checklist - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklistEpisode Details:I interview Andrew Fischer, who got his start in the Salesforce ecosystem working alongside me at Mike Wheeler Media. Andrew appeared in my first Salesforce course and went on to fail the Salesforce Administrator exam multiple times. In this interview, Andrew shares his journey to eventually passing the exam, landing his next Salesforce role, passing th...
2021-03-1743 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 096: WandaVisionThe Marvel Cinematic Universe returns with its first Disney+ TV show, WandaVision. Anthony and Andrew unpack the grief, the villainy, the sitcom tropes, the twists, the fan theories, and the future for Wanda and Vision!
2021-03-151h 19StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 095: Romeo & JulietWith Valentine's Day just around the corner, Anthony and Andrew revisit the greatest love story ever told, William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. But is it actually a great love story, or just a tale about two stupid kids?
2021-02-081h 01StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 094: BridgertonAnthony and Andrew look at the choices, subversions, and conventions explored in the new Netflix regency romance series Bridgerton. Plus, what we're writing and what we're reading!
2021-01-1855 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 093: The MandalorianAnthony and Andrew discuss the Star Wars streaming show The Mandalorian -- with spoilers for the most recent episode! Is it a good show, is it good Star Wars, and is there a tension between those two ambitions? Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing!
2020-12-201h 12
District of ConservationEP 126: EPA Administrator Andrew WheelerIn Episode 126 of District of Conservation, Gabriella sits down with EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler - the agency's 15th administrator. Join in and listen to this wide-ranging interview regarding climate and environmental issues.
His bio:
On February 28, 2019, the U.S. Senate confirmed Andrew Wheeler as the fifteenth Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. President Donald J. Trump had announced his appointment as the Acting EPA Administrator on July 5, 2018. Mr. Wheeler had previously been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the EPA Deputy Administrator on April 12, 2018.
Mr. Wheeler has dedicated his career to advancing sou...
2020-12-1440 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 092: The CrownAnthony and Andrew look at the fourth season of Peter Morgan's The Crown, the blockbuster Netflix series about the life of Queen Elizabeth II. What are the unique challenges of writing a biography, and especially of fictionalizing the lives of people who already feel familiar?
2020-11-251h 19StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 091: LovecraftFor this year's Halloween episode, Anthony and Andrew dig into the horror style and influence of H.P. Lovecraft, and look at the recent HBO series Lovecraft Country and the novel that inspired it.
2020-10-281h 08StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 090: The Super TeamAnthony and Andrew count down their favourite superhero and supervillain teams and talk about what makes a team dynamic work! Plus, what we're writing and what we're reading!
2020-08-281h 28StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 089: The CowboyAnthony and Andrew discuss the cowboy archetype in fiction, including the tropes, classic and modern interpretations, masculinity, America, and the archetype's relationship to politics and privilege.
2020-06-181h 10StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 088: HerculesAnthony and Andrew explore the legend of Hercules, what he represents, and how his stories have been told. Plus, they talk about what they're reading and what they're writing.
2020-05-2152 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 087: Inward & OnwardAnthony and Andrew get together (remotely) to talk about writing in the age of Covid-19. How are they adapting, what are their coping mechanisms, how do they think this will shape their work, and do they feel an obligation to produce great works during lockdown? (Spoiler: No!) They also talk about the new Disney Pixar movie Onward, released direct to Disney+ following the movie theatre shutdown, and they talk about what they're been reading and distracting themselves with in quarantine!
2020-04-261h 24StorybeaterAlice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis CarrollDue to the current and ongoing crisis, we're not recording new episodes of Storybeater at present. Instead, Andrew has read and recorded the full text of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll -- because in difficult times, we need great stories! Enjoy this reading, and check out some of our past episodes if you're looking for more entertaining distractions, including our episodes on detectives, Mary Poppins, Robin Hood, Marvel movies, and more. Thanks for listening!
2020-03-292h 16StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 086: Oscars 2020Anthony and Andrew share their thoughts on this year's nominees for Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards, including Jojo Rabbit, The Irishman, Little Women, Joker, The Two Popes, 1917, Knives Out, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, Parasite, and Marriage Story. Plus, what we're writing and what we're reading!
2020-02-011h 31StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 085: Star Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerThis month, Anthony and Andrew were meant to talk about Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker... And then Andrew decided he couldn't face it. But the show must go on! So, while Andrew shares his reasons for not going to see the movie, Anthony talks about what it gets right and what it does wrong. Andrew also talks about the new Netflix hit The Witcher. Plus, Anthony and Andrew talk about what they're writing and what they're reading!
2020-01-1858 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 084: The Christmas EpisodeIn the first ever Storybeater Christmas episode, Anthony and Andrew discuss sentimentality, Hallmark, the best and second best Christmas stories, Santa Claus world-building, how Christmas stories ate pagan stories, the true meaning of Christmas, and the meaning that writers can bring to "Christmas". They also talk about what they've written in 2019, and in the "What We're Reading" section they discuss The Mandalorian and Knvies Out!
2019-12-1657 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 083: Women Who Kick AssTo mark the release of a new Charlie's Angels movie, Anthony and Andrew put together their own squads of women who kick-ass, drawing from all of movies, TV, video games and literature! Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing!
2019-11-2558 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 082: Zombies!Fantasy zombies. Fast zombies. Colonial zombies. Consumerist zombies. Brainless zombies. Vengeful zombies. Zombies as us. Zombies as them. For the annual Storybeater Halloween episode, Anthony and Andrew discuss the changing meaning and significance of zombies in fiction, from White Zombie to The Walking Dead and beyond. Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing!
2019-10-2157 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 081: The DetectiveAnthony and Andrew discuss the detective archetype in fiction, from Sherlock Holmes to Jessica Fletcher. What are the tropes, what are the types, and what do detectives really represent? Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing!
2019-09-211h 09StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 080: Hobbs & ShawTwo bald men discuss two bald men as Wheeler and Falcone break down the tropes, cliches, triumphs and failings of Hobbs & Shaw, the latest installment in the beloved Fast & Furious franchise. Plus, what we're writing and what we're reading!
2019-08-1553 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 079: Disney VillainsAnthony and Andrew count down their personal top five Disney villains and unpack what makes Disney's villains so effective and iconic. Plus, what we're writing and what we're reading!
2019-07-291h 19StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 078: Game of ThronesOn this month's episode, Anthony and Andrew offer a post-mortem look at one of the biggest TV shows of all time, Game of Thrones. The ending let a lot of people down, but where did the show go wrong? Can a story that sets out to subvert storytelling conventions ever deliver a truly satisfying ending?
2019-06-1446 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 077: Avengers: EndgameAnthony and Andrew discusss the storytelling successes and failures of Avengers: Endgame and the entire MCU narrative project.
2019-05-241h 04StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 076: Five Years of StorybeaterTo mark the fifth anniversary of Storybeater, Anthony and Andrew look back over the past five years and answer some questions about the podcast and about writing, including dream projects, writing processes, and memories of some of their favourite episodes!
2019-04-2259 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 075: Captain MarvelAnthony and Andrew talk about the latest installment in the MCU series, and the first with a female solo lead, Captain Marvel. The structure, the villainy, the comedy, the politics; it's time to break it all down! Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing!
2019-03-1755 min
Climate OneEPA Chief Andrew Wheeler on Cars, Coal, and ClimateGreg Dalton sits down for a rare interview with newly-confirmed U.S. EPA Chief Andrew Wheeler on cars, coal, and climate. Mary Nichols, Chair of the California Air Resources Board, responds to Wheeler’s position on vehicle standards, and discusses her agency’s role leading a group of states in contesting the Trump administration’s revised auto emissions rules. Also featuring Albert Cheung of Bloomberg New Energy Finance on the future of personal mobility, and Helen Clarkson of The Climate Group on getting some of the world’s biggest companies to commit to 100% renewable energy.
Guests:
Andrew Wheeler, Administrator, U.S. EPA
A...
2019-03-1552 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 074: Oscars 2019Anthony and Andrew discuss the ten nominees for best original screenplay and best adapted screenplay at the 91st Academy Awards in the fifth annual Storybeater Oscars special, including: The Favourite First Reformed Roma Green Book Vice The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Can You Ever Forgive Me BlackkKlansman If Beale Street Could Talk and A Star Is Born. Plus, what we're writing and what we're reading!
2019-02-171h 17StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 073: Batman and the Vigilante in FictionOn the occasion of Batman's 80th anniversary, Anthony and Andrew look at how the character has evolved over the decades, and at his contributions to the archetype of the vigilante in fiction. Why do we keep revisiting Batman's origin story? What makes Gotham unique? Why is Batman's core supporting cast so huge? What are the essential Batman tropes? Where do vigilantes fit in to our moral view of the world? And how do writers approach the tension between "campy Batman" and "macho Batman"? Anthony and Andrew break it all down, plus they reveal what they're writ...
2019-01-261h 22StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 072: Mary PoppinsIs Mary Poppins a protagonist? Is she a witch? Is she mean? Is she a Manic Pixie Dream Girl? Is she fighting the patriarchy and tearing down the Empire? Anthony and Andrew look at the 1964 Mary Poppins movie and the character of the nanny with the brolly. Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing!
2018-12-1956 minStorybeaterStorybeater Episode 071: Robin HoodStorybeater unpacks the literary tropes and traditions surrounding the British folklore hero Robin Hood. How has Robin Hood evolved? Why is archery a popular skill for heroes? What's the definitive trope of a Robin Hood story? Who is the best Merry Man, why are some Merry Men more iconic than others, and how gay is Will Scarlet? Anthony and Andrew discuss all these questions and more! Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing!
2018-11-271h 06StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 070: HalloweenFor this year's special Halloween episode, Anthony and Andrew discuss the tropes and conventions of the slasher genre, including the recently rebooted Halloween movie franchise. The conversation covers the sexual politics of slashers, the appeal of fear in storytelling, the post-modern deconstruction of the genre, and more! Plus, what we're writing, and what we're reading!
2018-10-261h 14StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 069: The Dragon Prince and Other StoriesAnthony and Andrew discuss the new Netflix animated show The Dragon Prince and its tropes, characters, and prospects. They also talk about what they're writing, and discuss Spider-Man... and Thomas Mann.
2018-09-281h 10StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 068: Rom-ComsAnthony and Andrew discuss the blockbuster rom-com Crazy Rich Asians and how it compares to the tropes of the genre. They also talk about favourite rom-coms and how the genre has changed over time, and where the future of the rom-com might lie. As always, Anthony and Andrew also talk about what they're writing and what they're reading!
2018-08-301h 16StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 067: Another Marvelous EpisodeAnthony & Andrew discuss the new Marvel movie Ant-Man & The Wasp and the second season of Luke Cage on Netflix, and break down the tropes, the villains, the ways the stories use power, and much more. They also discuss whether it's time to stop talking about Marvel all the time! Plus, what they're writing, and what they're reading, including Yahtzee Croshaw's Jam, and Mackenzi Lee's A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue.
2018-07-261h 15StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 066: The HeistWe're putting a team together. Andrew and Anthony discuss the story beats behind heist movies, with a focus on Ocean's 8 and the other movies in the Ocean's franchise, but also touching on heist movies as different as Topkapi and Lucky Logan. Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing!
2018-06-271h 13StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 065: Infinity WarAnthony and Andrew look at the big "season finale" of Marvel Studios' ten year cinematic universe project, Avengers: Infinity War. Does it work as a movie? Does Thanos work as a villain? And what might be next for the MCU? Plus, what we're writing, and what we're reading!
2018-05-181h 25StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 064: Lost In SpaceAnthony and Andrew break down what works and what doesn't about the new Lost In Space TV show. Is Parker Posey the Dr Smith we need right now? They also discuss space-based sci-fi, and talk about what they're reading and writing.
2018-04-281h 09StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 063: Jessica Jones ReturnsThe first season of Jessica Jones had a very clear story to tell about living with trauma, but did it leave anywhere for the second season to go? Anthony and Andrew dig in to the new storyline and ask all the big questions, like 'Can Jessica be happy?', 'What is Malcolm for?' and 'How famous is Trish meant to be anyway?'
2018-03-301h 01StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 062: Black & GoldAnthony and Andrew share their thoughts on the ten nominees for best screenplay in this year's Academy Awards, including The Big Sick, The Shape of Water, Lady Bird, Call Me By Your Name, and Logan. Then they share their thoughts on the latest hit Marvel movie, Black Panther. 00:10:17 Academy Awards 01:17:47 Black Panther
2018-02-261h 36StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 061: The Last Year And The Last JediAnthony and Andrew offer their take on the writing and world-building of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, plus a look back at some of their favourite genre works of 2017 (and a couple of duds).
2018-01-211h 50StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 60: Werewolves & Monster MenAnthony and Andrew talk about monsters and the id of man, with a special focus on Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and the classic Universal monster movie The Wolf Man.
2017-10-261h 11StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 059: Musicals!Anthony and Andrew talk about their favourite musicals, and how musicals approach story.
2017-09-271h 43StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 058: The DefendersAnthony and Andrew break down the highs and lows of Marvel's Defenders series on Netflix, bringing together the characters from Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and also Iron Fist. It was a bold television experiment, but did it work?
2017-08-301h 18StorybeaterEpisode 056: Guardians of WonderAnthony and Andrew offer their belated story-related thoughts on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and DC's Wonder Woman.
2017-07-011h 36StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 053: Oscars 2017 Anthony and Andrew offer their thoughts on this year's Academy Award nominees for Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay, including La La Land, The Lobster, Manchester By The Sea, Arrival, Hidden Figures, Lion, and Moonlight. Plus, what they're reading and what they're writing!
2017-02-231h 50StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 051: Doctor StrangeAnthony and Andrew break down the story elements and the successes and failures of the new Doctor Strange movie, including its use of tropes, its treatment of women, and the question of how sympathetic its lead character is meant to be. Plus, what we're reading, and what we're writing!
2016-11-251h 17StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 050: Luke CageAnthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler break down the storytelling, heroes, villains, women, and cultural significance of Cheo Hodari Coker's Luke Cage show as best as they are able! Plus; what they're writing, and what they're reading!
2016-10-221h 36StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 049: The Magnificent SevenAnthony and Andrew look at the strengths and problems of the latest version of The Magnificent Seven, starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. How does it compare to previous versions, and to other "build the team" and "defend the castle" movies? Plus, in What We're Reading, Anthony talks about Raina Telgemeier's Ghosts, and Andrew talks about the podcast My Favorite Murder.
2016-09-291h 10StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 048: Suicide Squad / The Get DownAnthony and Andrew tackle Suicide Squad, a movie that just begs to be rewritten, and check out the first six episodes of Baz Luhrmann's The Get Down on Netflix. Spoilers ahead! Check us out at Fan Expo in Toronto, September 1-4.
2016-08-281h 38StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 047: Ghostbusters 2016 Andrew and Anthony talk about Paul Feig's 2016 reboot of the Ghostbusters franchise, starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon. What worked, what didn't, and how did the weird controversy around the movie shape our appreciation for it? Plus, what we're writing and what we're reading!
2016-08-011h 21StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 046: Storybeater Apocalypse Anthony and Andrew go in-depth on the latest X-Men movie, X-Men: Apocalypse, and take a detour into another Biblical comics adaptation, AMC's Preacher. Plus, the latest look at what they're writing and what they're reading.
2016-06-131h 26StorybeaterStorybeater Episode 045: Captain America: Civil WarAnthony and Andrew discuss the secrets behind the success of Captain America: Civil War, including its place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe canon and the establishment of new characters Black Panther and Spider-Man. Plus, inevitably, they compare Civil War to Batman v Superman. Also in this episode: TCAF, I Hate Fairyland, and Thomas King.
2016-05-121h 54