Shows
The Midnight Myth Podcast(BONUS) The Wheel of Ka: Finders KeepersDerek and Steve discuss the second book in the Bill Hodges Trilogy, Finders Keepers and how it connects to the Dark Tower
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Check out Sleep & Sorcery, Laurel’s podcast for fantasy and folklore-inspired bedtime stories. Support on Patreon: patreon.com/sleepandsorcery
The...
2024-04-041h 09The Midnight Myth PodcastMeditation: What's the Deal with the Jedi?After spending the last few months talking nothing but Star Wars, Derek and Laurel finally get to the real question we’ve all been wondering…What’s the deal with the Jedi? Religious order or security forces? Warrior or priest?
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2024-03-0335 minThe Midnight Myth Podcast(BONUS) The Wheel of Ka: Mr. MercedesSteve and Derek talk Mr. Mercedes
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Check out our merch store for Midnight Myth, Boomerangerang, Sleep & Sorcery and Wheel of Ka tees and totes!
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Check out Sleep & Sorcery, Laurel’s podcast for fantasy and folklore-inspired bedtime stories. Support on Patreon: patreon.com/sleepandsorcery
The Sleep & Sorcery book, written by Laurel, is now avail...
2024-03-011h 19The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 218: I Have the High Ground | Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the SithWe conclude, at long last, our series on the Star Wars prequels with an in-depth look at Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. How do the Jedi sow the seeds of their own downfall? How does the Force - and our relationship to it - evolve throughout the prequels? Is this movie just a post-Freudian adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein?? Come along with us to our favorite galaxy far, far away, and discuss…
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2024-02-111h 07The Midnight Myth Podcast(BONUS) The Wheel of Ka: MiserySteve and Derek talk Stephen King’s Misery and how it relates to the Dark Tower
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Check out our merch store for Midnight Myth, Boomerangerang, Sleep & Sorcery and Wheel of Ka tees and totes!
Learn more, view sources and inspiration, and sign up for e-mail updates at www.midnightmyth.com
Check out Sleep & Sorcery, Laurel’s podcast for fantasy and folklore-inspired bedtime stories. Support on Patreon: patreon.com/sleepandsorcery
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2024-02-071h 04The Midnight Myth Podcast(BONUS) The Wheel of Ka: The Talisman Part 2Derek and Steve talk Stephen King's the Talisman Part 2.
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Check out Sleep & Sorcery, Laurel’s podcast for fantasy and folklore-inspired bedtime stories. Support on Patreon: patreon.com/sleepandsorcery
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If yo...
2023-07-191h 11The Midnight Myth Podcast(BONUS) Wheel of KA | 11/22/63 Part IIFellow Traveler's on the Path of the Beam, Derek and Steve are back doing part two of Stephen King's 11/22/63. We talk about the first two third's of the book, where its going and where it relates to the Dark Tower
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Check out Sleep & Sorcery, Laurel’s podcast for fant...
2023-03-3148 minThe Midnight Myth Podcast(BONUS) The Wheel of Ka | 11/22/63 Part 1Fellow travelers on the path of the Beam, Derek and Steve are back discussing the first four parts of Stephen King’s time traveling epic, 11/22/63. If you could change the past, would you? If you tried, would you actually change the events or would you cause a new reality to spring into existence? If you live long enough pretending to be someone else, do you become the fictitious person? All this plus predictions on where this book is heading and as always, how it connects to The Dark Tower, say thank ya, big-big.
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2023-02-1857 minThe Midnight Myth Podcast(Bonus) The Wheel of Ka: The Shining | Trauma, Ghosts, and BoozeFellow travelers on the path of the Beam, Wheel of Ka is back! On this episode Derek and Steve go to Colorado to the Overlook Hotel with Jack, Wendy and of course, little Danny Torrence. Yes my friends, this is the Wheel of Ka episode on Stephen King’s The Shining. One of his first books, it helped put King on the map as one of America’s greatest novelists. But what is this book about? How does it relate to King’s masterpiece, The Dark Tower? Is the Shining and the Touch the same? Listen as we break it dow...
2023-01-131h 22The Midnight Myth Podcast(Bonus) The Wheel of Ka: The Stand Pt 2 | My Life For YouFellow travelers on the path of the Beam, Derek and Steve are back after a very very very long break having finally finished the Stephen King masterpiece, The Stand. As one of the King's books closest to The Dark Tower, say thank ya, The Stand offers a wealth of references, intertextual links to other King works, and a treasure trove of thoughts, reflections, and analysis. Derek and Steve pick up after part one, Rome Falls, and talk about the book after the super flu all but wipes out the human race. Derek and Steve offer their thoughts on this...
2022-08-251h 27
The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 203: Mummy Dearest (feat. Verbal Diorama!) | The Mummy (1999), Egyptology & Cinema HistoryDeath is only the beginning…
Dear listeners, we have a treat for you today! An epic centuries in the making - we’re thrilled to join forces once again with an adventurer, scholar, podcaster extraordinaire: Em from Verbal Diorama! Even better, we’re teaming up to cover the 1999 action adventure blockbuster The Mummy. One part ancient love story, one part classic monster flick, one part Indiana Jones-style adventure, The Mummy walks genre lines with elegance and humor to create one-of-a-kind cinematic experience. We’ll dive into the history and legacy of the film with Em (wait till you hear...
2022-06-121h 25The Midnight Myth PodcastComing Soon: Sleep & Sorcery | A Folklore & Fantasy-Inspired Sleep SeriesComing in spring of 2022, Sleep & Sorcery is a folklore and fantasy-inspired sleep series from the co-creator of The Midnight Myth Podcast. Step across the threshold into a world of myth and magic, where you can safely drift off into a deep and comfortable sleep. Sleep & Sorcery is one part bedtime story, one part guided meditation, and one part dreamy adventure.
My name is Laurel, and I’ll be your guide on infinite fantastical journeys. On each episode of Sleep & Sorcery, I’ll whisk you away to a far-off time and place. Visit a cozy cottage in the myth...
2022-02-1501 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 196: 2021 in Review | MCU, Ted Lasso, Midnight MassDerek and Laurel are back, and on the eve of 2021 ending and 2022 beginning they look back on the last year and ask about how living life as new parents in a pandemic challenged, changed, and evolved their relationship to contemporary story telling. As The Midnight Myth gets close to two years since having attending a movie in a theater, what themes connect the experience of interacting with media in a pandemic environment? What narratives drew us in and how did we grow as individuals, a family and a podcast?
We discuss supporting local theater, the evolution of...
2021-12-311h 07The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 182: I Know Kung Fu | The Matrix, Plato's The Cave & The Old TestamentDo not try to bend the spoon…first realize the truth…there is no spoon…then you will see it is not the spoon that bends, but merely yourself.
Derek and Laurel are back discussing the 1999 Sci-fi masterpiece smash hit, The Matrix. How does the movie hold up and what new themes can be learned as we dissect Neo tumbling down the rabbit hole and landing in the desert of the real? If it's the question that drives us, what questions should we be asking of this movie? What is real anyhow?
We dissect the symbol...
2021-02-2858 min
The Midnight Myth Podcast(BONUS) The Wheel of Ka: Salem's LotAll things, even the Beams, serve the Tower. Did you think this podcast would be any different? Derek and Steve have started the Wheel of Ka over, in a way. This bonus episode has your Ka-Tet returned, this time reading the wonderful Stephen King novel, Salem’s Lot. After Derek and Steve completed The Dark Tower read through, we recognized that our journey through King’s writings has only begun. While both of your hosts love The Dark Tower, there is and will be, so much more to King’s story world still worth uncovering.
How does Salem’...
2020-09-021h 11
The Midnight Myth Podcast(BONUS) The Wheel of Ka: CodaJust when you thought the Wheel of Ka was over, and after 7 books of re-reads and discussion about Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, Derek and Steve return with the coda. We sat and reflected on the time, and gunslinger-esque dedication it took to complete our side project, and realized we had just one more episode of the Path of the Beam. In an interview style bonus, Derek asks Steve several questions about the books, what connects them, their strengths, their weaknesses, and debate like two old stars in a constellation over Midworld, locked in dialogue, trapped in gravity, an...
2020-06-1858 min
The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 136: Revenge of the Giant Face | Inglourious Basterds, Alternate History & Revenge TragedyOnce upon a time in… the Midnight Myth Podcast studio, Derek and Laurel took on their first study of Quentin Tarantino with his 2009 masterpiece Inglourious Basterds. This alternate history of World War 2 paints a bloody picture of power and revenge in Nazi-occupied France. We follow two independent assassination plots on Hitler and the German high command, which converge, of all places, in a cinema. In this episode, Derek & Laurel interpret Inglourious Basterds as, by turns, a fairy tale, a Western, and a classical or Elizabethan revenge drama. We’ll discuss why Seneca the Younger was Ancient Rome’s version of Que...
2020-01-1957 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 20: Dark & Full of Terrors | Stannis Baratheon, Greek Tragedy & ExistentialismWelcome to the Midnight Myth Time Machine! Take one last trip down memory lane with us for this episode from June of 2017.
“Ours is the fury.” These are the words of House Baratheon. Lords of the Stormlands, and House that brought about King Robert’s rebellion. Yes my friends, Derek and Laurel travel to the fantastic realm of Westeros, as they perform the first of many Game of Thrones character studies. The focus of the first study is Stannis Baratheon, younger brother of Robert, and his journey from second fiddle to claimant of the Iron Throne, perpetrator of fil...
2019-11-2359 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 19: Don't Break the RulesIt’s the Midnight Myth Time Machine! This episode originally aired in 2017.
Ya know, there are rules to this. All of this. You can’t just go around doing what you want, saying what you want, podcasting what you want. Rules. Well, listen as Derek and Laurel debate the battle tactics of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Then, a discussion of how magical systems in storytelling relate to the world of American politics.
Subscribe to our friends at the Pop Venture Family on YouTube, and stay tuned for details on our upcoming Star Wars give...
2019-11-1544 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 18: Woman Inherits the Earth | Jurassic Park, Frankenstein & Climate ChangeThis episode originally aired in 2017.
This episode discusses the 90s class Jurassic Park. We are re-imagining the blockbuster classic as an intellectual treatise on the role humanity has on biological systems, as we grapple with manmade climate change. Derek & Laurel trace the evolution of the age-old conflict between man and nature, exploring Jurassic Park’s modern man vs. nature narrative (and its parallels to Mary Shelley’s classic story, Frankenstein). The debate is palpable, and reminds us of the many false actors in today’s turbulent climate change discourse. But don’t let it bum you...
2019-11-061h 07The Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 16: Stranger Things & the Science of NostalgiaWelcome to the Midnight Myth Time Machine! This episode was originally published in 2017.
Man, it sure feels good when movies and tv remind me of my youth. What’s that called again? Nostalgia. Listen as Derek and Laurel deconstruct nostalgia as a story mechanic. To uncover how it can be utilized effectively, Derek and Laurel focus on the Netflix original series, Stranger Things and look at episode 5, The Flea and the Acrobat. We also explore the weaponization of nostalgia, which can be a manipulative tool in storytelling and in politics. Watch out for Midnight Myth boomerangs, because th...
2019-10-1950 min
The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 123: Timey Wimey | Doctor Who's Weeping Angels, Theology & Quantum TheoryDon't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast, faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back, don't look away, and don't blink. Good luck.
On this, the illustrious day of the anniversary of Derek & Laurel’s marriage, we’re going back to the story universe that brought us together in the first place: the BBC’s Doctor Who. In a new episode format, we’ll turn our unblinking eye to the occurrences of a particular Doctor Who monster: the Weeping Angels. First appearing in the episode Blink and in several subsequent episodes and stor...
2019-10-1357 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 15: The Holy Grail & Other MacGuffins | Indiana Jones, Arthurian Legend & Film HistoryWelcome to the Midnight Myth Time Machine! This episode originally aired in May of 2017.
Our first foray into Arthurian and Grail Legend comes to you by way of Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade. We talk about the famed cup of Christ and its role in stories through the millennia as a driving force and a rarely achieved plot device.
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Check out our new merch store for Midnight Myth, Boomerangerang, and Wheel of Ka tees and totes!
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2019-10-1157 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 14: Cha-Ching | Marvel, Patronage, Art & CommerceWelcome to the Midnight Myth Time Machine! This episode originally aired in May 2017.
Do you know what’s better than watching the Incredible Hulk smash aliens and robots? Listening to Derek and Laurel talk about it! Seriously, we talk about the emergence of the comic book movie genre, in all of its glory, splendor, wonder, and pitfalls. We discuss the point where art meets commercialism, and how the influence of big capitalist money alters the direction of art. To achieve this, we take a time machine and travel back to the Middle Ages, The Renaissance, and Victorian En...
2019-10-041h 01The Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 13: The Clock Is Broken | Doctor Who, Mythology & ThermodynamicsWelcome to the Midnight Myth Time Machine. This episode originally aired in April 2017.
It’s bigger on the inside… What is? The TARDIS! By that, we mean Time And Relative Dimension In Space. Ya know, the blue box that the Doctor travels in? If you haven’t figured it out yet, this episode introduces Derek & Laurel’s analysis of Doctor Who. We zoom in on Series 2 ,Episode 5 (of the David Tennant era) “The Girl In The Fireplace”— one of the hidden gems in a legacy of amazing TV sci-fi. This episode traces time’s arrow, thermodynamics and the mythology of...
2019-09-271h 00The Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 11: Don't Disconnect Me, Brah | Robotics, Consciousness & 2001It’s the Midnight Myth Time Machine! This episode originally aired in April 2017.
I am a computer circuit that thinks, therefore, I am? Listen to Derek and Laurel discuss the long science fiction tradition of artificial intelligence, and the history of the fictional robot. Baked into these narratives is the question of human consciousness. Intuitively, we all know we are conscious, right? But how do we define it, and can we create it in our technology? All these questions and more will be (kinda) answered in this week’s podcast, “Don’t Disconnect Me Brah!” Stories explored will inclu...
2019-09-1348 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 10: Punk Rock Justice | Greek Drama, Crime Stories & Captain AmericaWelcome to the Midnight Myth Time Machine! We’re republishing our back catalog to make our older episodes widely available. This episode originally aired in 2017.
Derek and Laurel are back at it again, inspired by the FX series “The People vs OJ Simpson.” They contextualize justice as a story, one that evolves through time and cultural relativity. Beginning in Ancient Greece, where mythology and justice merged as one, Derek and Laurel follow the thread to Marvel Studio’s Captain America: Civil War.
Support us at www.patreon.com/midnightmyth
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2019-09-0651 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 9A: Spears Shall Be Shaken | History & Lore of Lord of the RingsIt's the Midnight Myth Time Machine! We're publishing our back catalog week by week to make older episodes available to all listeners. Episode 9A debuted in March of 2017.
And given unto Derek and Laurel was a podcast of power, forged in the concrete of South Philadelphia, and in it, they poured their nerdiness, love of mythology and story telling! Listen this week as we scratch the surface of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, as we examine the structure, history, and lore behind the modern world’s most famous fantasy series. We take time to look at w...
2019-08-2249 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 8: Destiny's Child | Harry Potter, Macbeth, Oedipus & ProphecyIt's the Midnight Myth Time Machine! We're publishing our older episodes to make them available to all listeners. Episode 8 originally aired in March of 2017.
Ever wonder if your choices are your own or if you are caught in the web of destiny? Listen to Derek and Laurel break down stories that deal with prophecy, fate, and free will and the evolution of narrative relationships to fate. We look at Oedipus in the ancient world, Macbeth in the Renaissance, and the Boy Who Lived in the modern day—all grappling with their own choices and the cruel hand of...
2019-08-1455 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 7: There Is No Spoon | The Matrix, American Beauty & Fight ClubHave you ever wondered if this world is real? Have you ever wondered if the life you are living is the good life or just the life you have been told to live? Listen to Derek and Laurel discuss storytelling that questions and deconstructs the narratives of 1990s American peace and prosperity. We talk about three amazing movies, Fight Club, American Beauty and The Matrix. Remember, all things have questions, and all questions help us understand this fundamental truth: there is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path.
Support us at www.patreon.com...
2019-08-0850 min
The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 114: Briar Rose | Sleeping Beauty, Fairy Tales & SexualityOnce upon a time… You know the story. King and Queen have a baby girl, evil fairy shows up to the celebration and curses the girl, girl is raised in the woods by good fairies, girl meets prince, girl falls into enchanted sleep, prince slays a dragon, true love’s kiss saves the day, happily ever after. But behind Disney’s 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty lies a dark and disturbing fairy tale tradition, one in which gender and sexual politics and questions of fate are as tangled as the thorny briars surrounding the castle. This week, Derek and Laurel explore the le...
2019-07-2858 min
The Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 6: Rebel Rebel | Revolutionary History, Star Wars, Les Miserables, and HamiltonIt’s the Midnight Myth Time Machine! This is Episode 6: Rebel Rebel, which originally aired in March of 2017. Derek and Laurel discuss rebellion, resistance, and revolution in stories. From the Hunger Games to Star Wars in the realms of sci-fi and fantasy and dramatizations of historical events like Les Miserables and Hamilton. So hop in the time machine with us and enjoy Episode 6: Rebel Rebel.
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Check out our new merch store for Midnight Myth, Boomerangerang, and Wheel of Ka tees and totes!
Learn more, view sources an...
2019-07-2640 min
The Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 5: The JokeIn Episode 5: The Joke, which aired originally in 2017, Derek & Laurel explore one of the most iconic villains of all time: the Joker. With an eye to one of the Joker's most enduring comic book iterations: Alan Moore's 1988 one-shot graphic novel The Killing Joke, we'll decipher his underlying philosophy (and point out some of his most problematic issues). CW: sexual assault
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2019-07-1953 min
The Midnight Myth Podcast(Bonus) The Wheel of Ka: Episode Five, Wizard and Glass pt. 1The Wheel of Ka is back! On the next installment of our podcast reread of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, Derek & Steve discuss the first half of Book Four: Wizard & Glass. King finally lets the readers into the murky history of Gliead’s last Gunslinger, Roland, and we learn of his youth and the love that would come to define the romantic nature of his heart, Susan Delgado. Derek and Steve unpack the themes, from Roland and Susan’s parallel to Paris and Helen from the Greek myth of the Trojan war, to the the traumatic and unfair predic...
2019-07-011h 06
The Midnight Myth PodcastMidnight Myth Time Machine | Episode 1: Villainy | Dracula vs. VoldemortIT'S THE MIDNIGHT MYTH TIME MACHINE! We’re republishing our back catalog, which has heretofore been unavailable on most platforms. We’re starting with Episode 1: Villainy, in which Derek & Laurel deliver side-by-side case studies of two iconic villains. First, an exploration of Dracula and the Francis Ford Coppola adaptation of the classic vampire tale that upends traditional villain narratives. Next, a study of Voldemort, the larger-than-life antagonist of the Harry Potter saga and magical demagogue. Plus, the basics of melodrama, and Laurel predicts Cersei Lannister's successful strategy against the White Walkers. Stay tuned each week for our older episodes in a...
2019-06-2157 min
The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 103: On Your Left | MCU's Captain America, Greek Myth & Fairy TalesWho will campaign door to door for America? Why, the Star-Spangled Man with a plan. Our Captain America character study is here, the second in a new series of character-based podcasts from the MCU. Hot on the heels of Avengers: Endgame, Derek and Laurel analyze the long, emotional arc of a 90-year old superhero. We track his character evolution from scrappy young man to propaganda symbol to fugitive to savior in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Through comparisons to the Greek hero Perseus and the folk motif of the ‘man out of time’ as in Rip Van Winkle and the Japa...
2019-05-0556 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastGame of Thrones S8E3 Bonus: Blue EyesOn another special bonus episode of the Midnight Myth, Derek and Laurel tackle Game of Thrones, season 8 episode 3: The Long Night. The night is dark and full of spoilers! Who was the episode MVP? How did we handle the casualties? Where do we go from here? All that, plus an analysis of the battle tactics at Winterfell and some of the most impactful character relationships.
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2019-04-3046 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastGame of Thrones Season 8 Bonus: That's TreasonGame of Thrones season 8 is upon us! Winter has come at last and we couldn’t hold our tongues. Join us for a bonus recap and analysis of season eight, episode one: Winterfell. Derek and Laurel will share their first impressions, favorite scenes, and character MVPs. There may be a prediction or fan theory or two along the way. Who will sit on the Iron Throne? Will there be an Iron Throne? Which of our favorite characters will survive, and who will go up in dragon fire? It all starts now. (Spoilers, of course.)
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2019-04-1542 min
The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 100: Wizardry | Harry Potter, the Arthurian Legend & Lord of the RingsIn the landmark 100th episode of the Midnight Myth, we’re going back to our roots in comparative literature and mythology. Derek and Laurel revisit the Arthurian legend, Middle-earth, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for an in-depth analysis of one of storytelling’s most enduring archetypes. How does each character adhere to or evolve the archetype? What is the role of the magician-mentor in any hero’s journey? Most importantly, who would win in a fight?
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2019-04-1359 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 99: With Great Power Comes Great Expectations | Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse & Quantum TheoryWhat do Charles Dickens, Albert Einstein, and Miles Morales have in common? In a follow-up to our overview of Spider-Man, Derek and Laurel (or perhaps their alternate universe counterparts) offer a deep-dive into the Spider-Verse. We’re exploring the major themes that resonate through the first big-screen appearance of a new Spider-man, Miles. Dust off your physics textbooks and join for a discussion on theories of the multiverse and Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (woo!). Crack open your copy of Great Expectations from 10th-grade English to track the foundations of serialization and the modern comic book. And most importantly, no ma...
2019-04-0752 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 98: The Masked Menace | Spiderman, Shakespeare & Greek MythologyWhen the troubling chaos of life presents you with unprecedented power from a random radioactive spider bite, what do you do? In a sweeping study of one of the most popular superheroes ever (and his iconic alter ego, Peter Parker), Derek and Laurel draw on mythological and Shakespearean sources to understand the enduring appeal of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. At the core of this conversation is an unconventional coming-of-age narrative, a character who resonates with baby boomers and millennials alike, and a powerful meditation on the mantra: With great power, comes great responsibility.
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2019-03-3158 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastBoomerangerang: Pitch the ScriptIt’s the Boomerangerang! A scorching pop culture debate tradition from the Midnight Myth. This time around, the theme is “Pitch the Script.” Derek & Laurel draw names of beloved film directors from a hat and fight to the death for their chosen iconoclast to direct… some pretty out-there movie concepts. Who would you rather see direct Rambo vs Bambi? Martin Scorsese or Peter Jackson? Who’s your pick for a post-apocalyptic fantasy—Sofia Coppola or Quentin Tarantino? With unabashed conviction and passionate yarn-spinning, come along with us into the bizarre world of the Boomerangerang.
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2019-03-2439 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 97: Oathkeeper | Game of Thrones, the Arthurian Legend & PhilosophyIn a new format of Game of Thrones analysis, this episode dives in to a relationship study of two characters from the HBO series: Ser Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth. Both raised to uphold a code of chivalry, with varying degrees of success, this pair constitutes a unique form of doubling within A Song of Ice and Fire. They represent two sides of an age-old argument—and they need one another to reach the next level in their development. With allusions to similar relationships in Dickens and Arthurian literature, Derek and Laurel dig in to the philosophies these two We...
2019-03-1755 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 96: You See Me R'hlling | Game of Thrones, Melisandre & French MythologyThis podcast is dark and full of spoilers for seasons 1-7 of Game of Thrones! In a new in-depth character study from the universe of A Song of Ice and Fire, Derek and Laurel explore the Red Woman: Melisandre. She made an explosive appearance in season two of the HBO series as the mouthpiece of a mysterious religion, and she whispered in the ears of kings, wielding her strange influence from one land to the next. By turns upholding and deconstructing the ancient archetype of the sorceress, Melisandre’s very nature is enigmatic, making the quest of understanding her a ne...
2019-03-1055 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 95: The Once and Future King | Excalibur, the Arthurian Legend & Celtic MythologyWhat is the secret of the Grail? Who does it serve? In this long-awaited podcast, Derek and Laurel explore the legends surrounding King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. Tracking the legend from its inception in the early middle ages to the definitive Hollywood adaptation, John Boorman’s dreamy Excalibur, we’ll seek the answers to the most important questions in Arthuriana. What does it mean to be king? What does it mean to be a people? What is the true quest, the true frontier? From Lancelot and Guinevere to Percival, Gawain, Morgan le Fay, and of course Merl...
2019-03-031h 01The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 94B: Its Dull You Twit | Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the Crusades & OrientalismThe epic conclusion of our two-part podcast series on the legendary outlaw Robin Hood has arrived, and we’re picking up where we left off—with 1991’s Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Kevin Costner’s very American take on the beloved hero is only one of the many compelling aspects of the film, which embodies the progressive spirit that’s infused the legend for nearly a millennia. Derek and Laurel discuss the movie’s historical context within the Crusades, its charms and missteps as pertains to its view of non-Western characters, and the dramatic techniques folded into the age-old story. Plenty of sw...
2019-02-2456 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 94A: Locksley | Robin Hood, the Middle Ages & Folk HeroesWe have all heard the stories, seen the movies, read the children’s books, about Medieval England’s daring outlaw, who steals from the rich to give to the poor. Join us for part one of a two episode series, as we discuss the folk origins of Robin Hood. From the beer guzzling Friar Tuck to the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham, Derek and Laurel explore the long history of this enigmatic folk hero. How did a few ballads and festivals of Medieval England become one of the most prolific heroes of all time? Head to Sherwood Forest, put on your gree...
2019-02-1752 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 91: Madison Avenue | Mad Men, American History & PhilosophyThe door may have closed on Sterling Cooper and the glamorous look into 1960s America that came with AMC’s Mad Men, but the world we inhabit today remains heavily influenced by the images and events of that turbulent time. Advertising and media continue to shape our cultural viewpoints. Presidential politics and every day life still exist in the shadow of civil rights, the assassinations of John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr… Join Derek & Laurel this week as we unpack a landmark television series that cast its major characters in the role of witness to the monumental events of A...
2019-01-2047 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 89: Cosmic Frog in a Blue Box | Doctor Who, Colonialism & the EnlightenmentNew Year, New Doctor! Derek and Laurel are here to explore some of the most consistent themes and arcs of season 11 of the BBC’s Doctor Who (and to celebrate the joyous spirit that is Jodie Whitaker’s Doctor!) Spoilers abound for the latest season, but we’ll focus most closely on two episodes: Demons of the Punjab and It Takes You Away to understand the poignant and powerful motifs of new show runner Chris Chibnall’s Doctor Who debut. Enlightenment religious theory, postwar colonial Indian history, and sonic screwdrivers await.
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2019-01-0651 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 86: You Wonderful Old Building & Loan | It's a Wonderful Life, Christmas & American ExceptionalismMerry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year to all. It’s another Midnight Myth Christmas Special, and this time we’re breaking down one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time: Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life. Derek and Laurel revisit flashbacks of the life of George Bailey, the caretaker of Bedford Falls, using his story to understand the greater themes of the season, and of American exceptionalism. From Enlightenment economics to creative nursing and A Christmas Carol, this episode truly celebrates the little things.
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2018-12-1653 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 84: It Belongs in a Museum | Indiana Jones & the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Archaeology & Museum EthicsThis week Derek and Laurel are back at it discussing the 1981 classic action adventure move, Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. While the movie retains its iconic classic feel, listen as your hosts discuss the real world implications of archaeology and ethics. As Indy always says, “It belongs in a museum” we ask, does it? What is the nature of an artifact and who really owns them? Tune in and let us know what you think as there are no easy answers.
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2018-12-0253 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 83: Mutant and Proud | X-Men, Diversity & Chosen FamiliesWe lost some legends in the past few weeks, and in the wake of the monumental loss of Stan Lee, Derek & Laurel now tip their hats to the legacy of Marvel and in particular, the X-Men. Created in 1963 with the intent of promoting diversity and anti-bigotry, the X-Men comics, cartoon series, and films now stand as a rallying cry for the disenfranchised. This episode focuses on 2011’s X-Men: First Class, examining the complex relationships between characters that exist in marginalized groups, and the deeply relatable reasoning behind the birth of great villains like Mystique and Magneto in the series. With lo...
2018-11-1855 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 82: The World is Mi Familia | Pixar's Coco, Dia de los Muertos & the Power of MusicFew movies have quite the nuanced take on life and death as those made for young audiences—and few with the deftness that Pixar’s Coco has. After returning from a honeymoon in Mexico, Derek & Laurel explore the traditions of Dia de los Muertos as they relate to Miguel Rivera’s journey in the 2017 film, all tied together through the power of love and music. Themes of memory, personal and universal relationships, and storytelling as culture round out this week’s Midnight Myth. Keep your tissues handy—it’s Pixar—and all topics from the Crusades to spirit animals are on the table.
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2018-11-1154 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 81: The Fire Swamp | The Princess Bride, Fairy Tales & MarriageDerek and Laurel are married! As they celebrate their nuptials, your hosts are back bringing the experience of getting married to their search for the perfect story. This week, they discuss the 1987 classic fairy tale/action adventure/true love story/satire/comedy/so many genres it’s inconceivable, The Princess Bride. Listen as Derek and Laurel struggle to stop endlessly quoting this timeless piece of cinema, as they pay homage to one of the greatest works of art ever put to film—that no one knew what to do with in its time. Derek and Laurel, both left handed, breakdown this...
2018-11-041h 04The Midnight Myth PodcastBoomerangerang Which WitchIt’s a bonus Halloween episode, spooky scary! Derek and Laurel are back at gaming up magical characters in silly scenarios. In this Halloween flavored episode, Derek and Laurel sit around the cauldron stirring up magic potions while they battle for which witch would fare better in differing far away lands. Who will win this Boomerangerang? Be sure to visit our twitter and vote, and have a happy Halloween.
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2018-10-3135 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 79: One Trick Pony | Bojack Horseman, Philosophy & #MeTooContent Warning: This weeks episode deals with themes of sexual assault.
On this weeks podcast Derek and Laurel dive into season 5 of Netflix’s original hit cartoon series, BoJack Horsemen. As we watch BoJack’s perpetual self-destructive cycle, we are left to ask if there is a reason to be moral in a post-Enlightenment world where rationality gives life little reason to behave. From Philosophy to Hollywoo cover ups of sexual assault, no topic is off the table. We must ask, Hollywoo stars and celebrities, what do they know, do they know things? Are they condemned to be free? Let’s find...
2018-09-2355 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 75: Nolan | Memento, the Dark Knight, Inception & InterstellarSome artists leave their mark on everything they make. This week on the Midnight Myth Podcast, we’re surveying the work of Christopher Nolan, with a particular focus on four of his most popular and important films: his Hollywood breakout Memento, the second installment of his Batman trilogy The Dark Knight, the mind-bending Inception, and his sci-fi epic Interstellar. As one of the few contemporary directors to garner both critical acclaim and box office mega-success, Nolan appears to have captured something universal in the way he tells stories. With a close look at these films and the global context surrounding th...
2018-08-191h 10The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 74: De-Mentor | Harry Potter, Mentors, Morality & the Hero's JourneyHot on the heels of the Boy Who Lived’s birthday, Derek & Laurel are revisiting the Harry Potter series for a discussion of the mentor role in storytelling. The Obi-Wan’s, Gandalfs, and Mr. Miyagi’s of the world inspire our heroes, give them strength, and hold them to a standard of morality and courage. To unpack Harry’s many mentor relationships, we’ll focus in particular on the one that develops between Harry and Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Remus Lupin in the third installment of the franchise, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban. What makes Remus a great ment...
2018-08-121h 01The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 73: 5 by 5 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cynical Philosophy & the DoppelgängerGreat rivalries throughout the ages: Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, Black Swan and White Swan, Black Panther and Killmonger, Batman and the Joker… but few rivalries have the intensity, longevity, or singularity as the one between Buffy Summers and Faith Lehane. Two girls in all the world, chosen to defeat the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness, when two slayers come head to head, it’s a clash of destinies. Fresh off the announcement of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, Derek and Laurel unpack one of television’s most fraught relationships. Friends, enemies, or frenemies, Buffy and Fa...
2018-08-0559 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 72: Boomerangerang: Buffy-VerseDerek and Laurel are back at competitive story-themed debates in a very special Boomerangerang— as they engage in all things Buffy. Your hosts pit Sunnydale High's superhero, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and her Scooby gang and monsters from the Hellmouth in odd and unexpected scenarios, and they’ll try to figure out which character would fare better. This no-holds-barred debate has something for every Buffy fan as we try to work out our feelings about the upcoming REBOOT. Keep an eye on our Twitter this week to share your thoughts on who will win!
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2018-07-2954 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 71: Of Eden | The Handmaid's Tale, Theocracy & FeminismSeason two of the Handmaids Tale concluded last week with an epic finale that saw our heroine, June, make a controversial decision. Expanding on the first-person limited world of Margaret Atwood’s novel, the Hulu series, and this season in particular, brought us into the minds and hearts of characters in every strata of Gileadian society. In this podcast, Derek and Laurel examine the effect that has on us as viewers, and how the vastness of the Handmaid’s Tale works to break down the boundaries imposed on women, and everyone in a fascist regime. Why does June make the choi...
2018-07-2257 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 69: Pixar SpecialThere is a power in all of us, waiting to be tapped into, and it is unlocked through the magic of human emotion. This week’s episode is dedicated to celebrating one of the Hollywood’s greatest studios: Pixar. In a part game, part analysis, and part fresh take into The Incredibles 2, Derek and Laurel cherish and toast the animation studio which brings man, woman, and child together for a nice song and good cry.
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2018-07-081h 00The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 67: Return Ye, Children of Men | History & Art in Children of MenYes, the world may actually be going straight to hell. But what can we learn from the onslaught of inhuman behavior to the weakest of us happening at the American-Mexican border? To understand what makes immigrants enemies and how to combat the dehumanization of refugees, Derek and Laurel turn to the 2006 masterpiece of film, Children of Men directed by Alfonso Cuarón. While the movie may have had lackluster box-office sales, the artistic impact of a filmic world bent on militarizing its borders while on the brink of the apocalypse can tell us much about our own dilemmas. Content warning: t...
2018-06-2558 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 65: What Ever Happened to Gary Cooper? | The Sopranos, the American Dream & Commedia dell’ArteEleven years after the iconic, genius, frustrating, scintillating, upsetting finale—the cut-to-black heard round the world, we’re jumping headfirst into the underworld of New Jersey crime, and into the den of the Sopranos. HBO’s critically acclaimed series captured viewers instantly by asking a simple question: what if a mob boss went to therapy? But instead of turning it into a punchline, the show used that springboard to open up questions about humanity, mental illness, family, and the American Dream. Now Derek and Laurel pull apart the characters, the influences, and the ultimate successes and failures of the series...
2018-06-111h 11The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 64: Way Down Below the Ocean | The Little Mermaid, Fairy Tales, Tragedy & PlatoOnce upon a time, way down below the ocean, there lived a little mermaid who longed to be part of a different world. This week, Derek and Laurel deconstruct one of the most beloved stories of all time, from its ancient mythic inspiration to its 19th Century origins—all the way to the classic Disney animated movie. We’ll break apart tragic themes and what it means to give a happy ending to a heartbreaking fairy tale, and explore the social hierarchies and family dynamics that make The Little Mermaid a perfect allegory for some of our worst fears. And, most...
2018-05-201h 00The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 62: These Violent Delights | HBO's Westworld, the Enlightenment & the American FrontierHave you every questioned the nature your reality, or podcast? Per chance you should…Listen this week as The Midnight Myth applies its thoughtful analysis the HBO hit series Westworld. Central to West World is the idea of the west, a frontier, a lawless land ripe for civilized folk to come and claim— if they are tough enough to keep it. Amid the moral questions of artificial intelligence and a world created where humans can cater to every lustful wish and violent desire, is a narrative of America. This week Derek and Laurel seek to understand the narrative, from Anci...
2018-05-0647 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 61: Infinity War, Oh Snap **SPOILERS**Warning: This episode completely spoils Marvel's the Infinity War!
In 2008, Tony Stark said the age old proverb that the best weapon is one you never have to fire, was wrong. He preferred the weapon you only have to fire once. That weapon is here, and it has 6 stones. The infinity gauntlet as arrived, and is being wielded by a purple skinned Titan— Thanos. Listen as Derek and Laurel do their heavy spoiler filled discussion on 10 years of build up in Marvel’s Infinity War.
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2018-04-3053 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastThe Boomerangerang: Infinity WarWho would make the better souffle—Nick Fury or Tony Stark? The Boomerangerang is back to get you pumped for Marvel’s latest blockbuster, Avengers: Infinity War! Join Derek & Laurel for a silly yet stimulating battle royale between your favorite Marvel heroes and villains (in some wacky and unexpected scenarios). Let us know who you think wins the debates!
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2018-04-2645 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 60B: Reach out with your Feelings | Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, Rey & the Hero's JourneyLast week, we talked about the Force awakening in Rey, our hero. This week, Derek & Laurel explore the continuation of Rey’s character journey through the Last Jedi. As a mentor-less orphan wandering the galaxy in search of guidance, Rey’s coming-of-age is unique in the Star Wars universe. Where the heroes who came before her were aided by the likes of Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Rey must find her way more or less alone—with the fate of the galaxy quite literally hanging in the balance. Join us for part two of a deconstruction of Rey, a new kind of Sta...
2018-04-2251 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 56: Beauty is in the Eye of Truth | The Shape of Water, Beauty and the Beast & AestheticsThey say beauty is in the eye of the beholder—but what does that say about the beholder? In an exploration of this year’s Best Picture, The Shape of Water, Derek & Laurel examine its structural similarities to the tale as old as time, Beauty & the Beast. Aesthetic philosophy, Enlightenment politics, and civil unrest all find their way into the discussion as we try to understand what makes a fairy tale for our troubled times. Come on in, the water’s fine.
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2018-03-1857 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 55: Problem-Free Philosophy | The Lion King, Shakespeare & NihilismLast week we began a conversation about what makes a good king. To continue probing the possible answers, we had to go back to one of our favorite monarchs in storytelling, The Lion King. In this episode, Derek and Laurel explore the connections (and departures) of the Lion King and Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the historical roots of the political systems laid out in the animated classic, and the ultimate philosophical messages it leaves us with. It may seem easy and ideal to say “no worries” for the rest of your days, but of course, we know there is no problem-free philos...
2018-03-1147 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 54: The Panther is Dead, Long Live the Panther | Black Panther, Shakespeare & the Arthurian LegendWhat makes a great king? The archetype of the king is an age-old convention in storytelling, and we can find answers to that question in Arthurian legend, Shakespeare, Disney, and Tolkien. But let’s look to the Marvel Cinematic Universe once more to try and understand how that question informs its latest installment “Black Panther.” Join Derek & Laurel on this journey from Oakland to Wakanda as we demystify the makings of great monarchs—and how the answer to that question has changed in the modern world.
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2018-03-0458 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastBonus Episode: Oscar Round Up!Derek and Laurel breakdown there picks for this years Oscars.
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2018-03-0450 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 52: In Love and War | Valentine's Day, Romance & PoliticsHere’s looking at you, podcast. Listen as Derek and Laurel examine the politics, tragedy and love, of cinema’s greatest love story, Casablanca. Inspired by Valentine’s day, and the notion that society’s greatest virtue is love, Casablanca asks if the problems of little people amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Maybe as Rick says, they don’t. Or Maybe its the only thing that does matter. Maybe beauty will save us. Maybe we are doomed. One thing that is certain, this is a podcast you don’t want to miss!
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2018-02-1850 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 51: Champs | Rocky, Sports Stories & MoralityAs Philadelphia-based podcasters, we’re understandably pretty high on the Eagles’ Super Bowl Victory. But the game that brings a country together one Sunday each year is more than a game when viewed through the lens of sporting history and the idea of cultural identity. This week, Derek and Laurel look to one of the great sport stories, which also has roots in scrappy Philadelphia: Rocky. As a character, as a symbol of America, as a perseverant fighter, Rocky Balboa has inspired a generation of sports fans and cinema junkies alike. Join us as we explore the underlying moral philosophy and...
2018-02-1157 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 50: Never Trust A Faun | Pan's Labyrinth, Fairy Tales & Civil WarHave you ever walked into the edge of the woods and wondered if the shadows moved? Was it a fairy, a faun? Ever considered the possibility that a magical realm lived just outside the grasp of humanity? On this, the 50th episode of the Midnight Myth, Derek and Laurel go back to the fairytales and myths that have shaped human existence as they discuss Guillermo del Toro’s 2006 masterpiece, Pan’s Labyrinth. Del Toro expertly intertwines the politics of 1944 Spain with magical realism, delighting our senses while challenging the conventions of traditional fairytale paradigms. The underworld, princesses and monsters get...
2018-02-0459 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 49: When I Was Newly Sewn | Harry Potter, The Sorting Hat & TribalismGryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin— which house are you in? Whether it’s a fun game, a personality-defining decision, or an actual educational system, “sorting” is a bigger part of our lives than we might think. This week, Derek & Laurel return to the Harry Potter series to explore the Hogwarts houses as they relate to storytelling archetypes, and the historical examples of similar traditions. Perhaps the most important question, however, is this: does the beloved Sorting Hat simply reinforce dangerous tribalism? Or does it, in fact, deliver a scathing critique?
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2018-01-2857 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 48: Large Short Fibs | Big Little Lies, Archetypes & GenderThis week’s episode takes a look inside HBO’s stellar series “Big Little Lies,” the archetypes it relies on, and the stereotypes it deconstructs. From Freud’s triangle of trauma to Hippocratic Humorism, there’s a lot going on beneath the idyllic surface in the wealthy beach town of Monterey. Join Derek and Laurel on a journey beneath the waves as we look at what went so so right (and what went so so wrong.)
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2018-01-2151 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 47: Doctor, I Let You Go | Doctor Who, Resurrection & PsychologyFew themes of storytelling and mythology are as widespread or as powerful as the resurrection myth. From the ancient to the modern world, the idea of resurrection, reincarnation, and escape from mortality lies at the heart of religions, belief systems, and popular BBC television shows. Revisiting one of our favorites, Doctor Who, we learn to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new during the Doctor’s process of “regeneration.” Derek & Laurel take a look back this week over Peter Capaldi’s legacy as the legendary Timelord, and seek to understand the timelessness of the character through the lens of Egypt...
2018-01-1544 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 46: Saving What We Love | The Last Jedi & the Legacy of Star WarsWe’ve gathered our thoughts, and now we ask you to gather round as we dig through the complex thematic, structural, and philosophical merits of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. From the psychological to the humorous, the latest installment of the beloved space opera is a treasure trove of reference and richness. Derek and Laurel examine TLJ’s place within the SW saga at large, explore the inner lives of characters old and new, and invite you to join the conversation. Whether you loved or hated the movie, we hope to inspire reflection on the universal themes and motifs held with...
2018-01-0753 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 45: Blood and the Swamp | Interview with the Vampire, Southern Gothic & American HistoryHappy New Year from the Midnight Myth! As the clocks strike midnight, Derek and Laurel are back at podcasting, inspired by the sights, sounds, smells, and flavor of Louisiana. The topic today is the impact of Southern Gothic literature on TV and film as your two favorite podcast hosts reflect on their trip to the great American South. With each new year, there is promise, there is pain, there is something lurking at night, hunting humanity, in a neverending search for blood. That’s right, we are talking American Southern Vampires to ring in a new year. So sit ba...
2018-01-0141 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 44: A Very Midnight Myth Christmas | Dickens' A Christmas Carol, History & MythologyAs Laurel and Derek settle in for a long winters nap, we bring you our last episode of 2017 discussing the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas. In this episode, we ask what makes a good Christmas story, as we delve into Charles Dickens perennial holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Just like the holiday itself, Dickens’ story strikes a chord with its roots deep in history, myth, and the human condition. We hope everyone had a great year, and thank you all for coming on this adventure with us. Pod bless us, everyone.
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2017-12-1156 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 42: Thanks to the Gods | Wonder Woman, Greek Mythology & ThanksgivingIn a special holiday episode, Derek and Laurel pay homage to 2017’s best superhero flick, Wonder Woman. Viewing Diana Prince’s origin story through the lens of thankfulness, your hosts draw comparisons to great origin myths throughout history, from the Garden of Eden to the marriage of Persephone, and make the kind of discoveries you can only find by reexamining one’s favorite stories with an active eye and imagination.
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2017-11-2637 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 41: Make Way, Make Way | Moana, Mythology & Cultural AppropriationHow far have we come, and how far will we go? In the latest Midnight Myth, Derek and Laurel take a voyage through the history of the Disney Princess, tracing the way to Moana. We explore the myths that make up her environment, the exciting new portrayal of powerful women on the big screen, and some of the academic discourse and critique of the world of the movie. In Moana, we see an exhilarating step forward, but now that we’re past that reef, there’s much more to learn about finding our way.
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2017-11-1948 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 40: The Tale of Three Brothers | Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Folktales & MortalityThree brothers come to a ridge over a river, using magic they create a bridge and anger Death. Death tricks them into gifts that will destroy them, and thus the Deathly Hallows are born. This week, Derek and Laurel look at the story of the Deathly Hallows built inside the final installment of the Harry Potter universe. Derek and Laurel examine the construction of folklore and how adding it into a narrative grounds the story, then look at Harry Potter through the lens of religious re-contextualization.
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2017-11-1349 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 38: I Turned Myself Into A Podcast | Philosophy in Rick & MortyI turned myself into a podcast is a reflection and meditation on the Sci-Fi interdimensional madness of Rick and Morty. While we all covet the power of turning ourselves into sentient pickles, the question remains, what is this show about? Is it really a hodgepodge of nihilistic philosophies turned into comedy so tragic that we don’t know if we should laugh or cry? Rick and Morty makes us laugh at the very futile nature of human existence, but somehow gives Derek and Laurel hope. Listen, as we Meseek and Destroy!
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2017-10-2942 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 37: Halloween Special | The Nightmare Before Christmas & the History of HalloweenIt’s a spooky scary Halloween episode with Derek & Laurel! With ample history, mischief, and delight, we revisit one of our favorite holiday movies, Tim Burton’s the Nightmare Before Christmas. By combining the two most popular holidays in America, Nightmare reminds us of the spirit behind them both. Its a story of life and death, faith and love, adventure and fear, and of course… trick and treat.
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2017-10-2343 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 36: House Full of Mustard and No Hot Dogs | Fight Club, Masculinity & AnarchyI am Jack’s toxic masculinity. Few movies attempt to address a crisis of masculinity with as much style or swagger as David Fincher’s adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s anarchist classic, Fight Club. But what happens when the charm and wit of your villain takes over the steering wheel? Perhaps there’s a one in a million chance the whole car blows up. So grab your fists, and remember that even the Mona Lisa won’t last forever, as Derek and Laurel dive deep into the symbolism, intentions, interpretations, and legacy of Fight Club. I am not a space monkey, I...
2017-10-1648 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 35: The Podcast We Deserve | Batman & Gothic LiteratureEverything is Batman. Listen as Derek and Laurel peel under the bat mobile hood of Gotham’s favorite son Bruce Wayne and his true self, the darling of pop culture, the Dark Knight, hero of heroes, Batman. In particular, we examine Frank Miller’s the Dark Knight Returns as a watershed moment in rebranding of the crime fighter from a campy Adam West cheeseball to a tortured lonely man who will stop at nothing to fight crime. The theme, why Batman? Why is he our hero, the one who’s fame and power shakes pop culture to its very knees?
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2017-10-1558 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 34: Mockingbirds and Jabberjays | The Hunger Games & RevolutionOn this week’s episode, we step into the strange dystopian world of the Hunger Games Trilogy. By tracking the evolution of the films themselves and their thematic intentions, Derek & Laurel draw real-world conclusions about the horror of war, the collective amnesia of humanity, and why revolutions fail. Spoilers within for the Hunger Games films, Rogue One, and V for Vendetta!
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2017-10-051h 05The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 33: What Form is This? | Plato & Being John MalkovichWhat is real? Am I real? Are you? Is this podcast real? Is my experience dictated by my perspective, by the materials i interact with, or by some higher essence? When questions like these start to mess with our heads, we filter them through the lens of the quintessence indie mind f*ck, Being John Malkovich. Derek and Laurel take look at Plato’s timeless allegory of the cave, the theory of the forms, and themes of universe justice (and also puppets).
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2017-09-281h 00The Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 32: Vice and Virtue | Stoicism, Ancient History & Game of ThronesWhat is a stoic character? Grim, emotionally immovable, and cold in the face of great human pain? Listen this week as Derek and Laurel delve into the archetypal stoic character and unpack Stoic philosophy along the way. The current stoic character construct bares some superficial resemblance to the philosophy started in Ancient Athens in 350 BCE, but do the tropes really do justice to the philosophical doctrine? By examining characters from the Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and more, we will try to discover the truth beneath the unshakeable facades.
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2017-09-2158 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 31: Itself | Stephen King, It & HorrorIt has come. With It released, Derek and Laurel peek under the belly of all the ghouls, goblins, and ghosts going bump in the night. This week on the Midnight Myth, the subject is horror; where horror stories come from and why they scare us. In particular, the podcast focuses on the scary clown and how Stephen King turns the childhood favorite into a monster that keeps you up at night. With a few “boomerangs” to keep you on your toes, this week gets to the bottom of horror and how it stands the test of time as part of the...
2017-09-1449 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 30: Frankenstein | Game of Thrones & Arya StarkGame of Thrones Season 7 Spoilers: What happens when you create a monster? Not literally, but in a story, a Frankenstein…Listen as Derek and Laurel's next Game of Thrones character case study, as they examine Arya Stark, and how the writers of the show failed to address the spirit of vengeance they created in one of the shows most beloved characters.
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2017-09-0855 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 27: All Roads Lead to Rome | Roman History, Religion & EmpiresFrom the winding streets of Rome to the cobbled alleys of Philadelphia, our histories are always just beneath our feet as we follow the well-worn tread of those generations that came before us. This week, Derek & Laurel explore the most powerful historical narratives of Western culture and their inextricable ties. In the end, all roads truly do lead to Rome and two monolithic figures: Jesus Christ and Julius Caesar, whose archetypes continue to resonate throughout Western storytelling. Untangling some of the powerful mysteries of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church, we also turn our eyes to what we can...
2017-08-1750 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 25: What an Artist | Doctor Who, Vincent and the Doctor & 19th Century ArtDerek and Laurel have returned from traveling the great wide world and bring you another episode about a favorite character who travels the great wide universe. In our second Doctor Who case study, we focus not only on the Doctor himself, but an unexpected friend, the painter Vincent Van Gogh. In Season 5, Episode 10 of the beloved BBC series, we explore questions of madness, alienation, loneliness, and ecstatic joy. Most importantly, we ask, what does it take to be a truly great artist?
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2017-08-0300 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastBonus Episode! The BoomerangerangDerek and Laurel are back from Europe. We've missed you guys and we want to jump in with a full game episode. It is a battle of wits, words, creativity, and nerdiness. Who will emerge victorious, what is the format, how does this battle even work? Listen my friends, and all will be revealed.
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2017-07-2956 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 23: Don't Let The Bastards Grind Ya Down | The Handmaid's Tale & Speculative FictionSo when the shit hits the fan, and the world collapses around you, what do you do? You form a totalitarian regime bent on exploiting the weak to propagate the powerful. Listen this week as Derek and Laurel tackle the modern dystopia. In particular, they examine Margaret Atwood’s landmark novel-turned-blockbuster-hit from Hulu, The Handmaid’s Tale. It’ll be another exciting ride in the search for the perfect story!
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2017-07-0651 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 22: Hell On Earth | The Underworld, Wonder Woman & Get OutIf you were standing at the edge of the earth, ready to take the plunge into the underworld, would you? So many heroes take that plunge, into the depths of hell only to return, unencumbered but not unscathed. Listen to Derek and Laurel understand the idea of traveling to the underworld as a story device, its mythic origins, and pop culture manifestations. We go from Persephone to Wonder Woman in another quest to understand the perfect story.
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2017-06-2955 minThe Midnight Myth PodcastEpisode 21: Ulysses | O Brother Where Art Thou, The Odyssey & The American SouthEver been in a tight spot? A real tight spot? Oh man, a tight spot? Well get your dapper dan hair pomade to slick back your style, and gear up for an epic edition of the Midnight Myth. Listen as Derek and Laurel examine the universal story of the Odyssey, written by the immortal Homer and re-contextualized by the masters of film, The Coen Brothers. That’s right folks, we’re mass communicating out analysis of O’ Brother Where Art Thou? and it’s epic greek origins. Watch out for the sirens, for their enticing song may turn you into a toad...
2017-06-2259 min