Shows
Media/LitMuppet Family Christmas (1987) and Drafting Our Own Holiday SpecialsWatch out for the icy patch!Once again, Media/Lit celebrates the holidays with Jim Henson’s Muppets. Randy and Kris are joined by Amanda Rivas of the Socially Distanced podcast and AJ Rebecchi of the Should I Go See It? podcast. This time, the panel is off to Emily Bear’s house to join the ensemble of Henson creations for a not-so-quiet Christmas celebration. After reflecting on some of their favorite nostalgic moments, the panelists draft characters from the full suite of Muppets (alongside some real-life celebrities) and pitch some all-new holiday specials for the C...
2025-12-221h 41
Media/LitAbed's Uncontrollable Podcast (Community S2, Episodes 1-11)Welcome back to Remedial Rewatch: Community 101Kris, Randy, and Tyler find themselves in the holiday spirit and have a holly jolly good time embracing Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas before stepping back to take a broader look at a very strong batch of Season Two episodes!Please enjoy the latest episode. We hope you'll register at Greendale Community College and share YOUR favorite moments at media.slash.lit@gmail.com!If we prove to be untutorable, you can slip out early, but we hope you'll stick around and become part of our...COMMUNITY.
2025-12-151h 50Media/LitContact (1997)Randy and Kris are joined by anti-burnout coach, and podcast host, Nicole Havelka to dive deep into one of the formative films of her life: Contact (1997). We cover everything from interstellar transmissions to a killer performance from Jodie Foster. We compare this piece of media to other important cultural texts, and most importantly, we explore the intersection of science and faith. As always, the panel wraps up the chat with an extra credit section in which we pick our “Bardo Buddies” and take home a prop from the filmTo be the first to hear about Nicole’s new...
2025-12-082h 04Media/LitTarzan (1999)Randy and Kris swing into action with the help of Case Aiken, general manager and cofounder of Certain POV Media. Together, the panelists become kings of the jungle as they explore Disney’s Tarzan (1999). Randy shares what it was like watching the movie for the very first time in 2025, then invites Case and Kris to share their lifetime connections to the film.In addition to sharing personal connections, the team digs into what makes this animated feature such a masterpiece, from its solid narrative structure and unique maturity to its groundbreaking animation style and lasting influence on th...
2025-11-241h 45
Movies & UsEp. 425 - Predator: Badlands (2025) with Randy Allain and Kris IngersollJen and Sarah are joined by Randy Allain and Kris Ingersoll of Media/Lit to review ‘Predator: Badlands.’ They discuss their favorite scenes, the various characters and their development, and how this compares to some of the other films in the Predator franchise.
Shownotes:
Spoilers (~17:03)
Listen to Media/Lit wherever you get your podcasts and watch on YouTube. And don’t forget their subproject Remedial Rewatch: Community 101. Connect with Media/Lit on Instagram @media.lit.pod, on Twitter @medialitpod, and on Bluesky @media-lit.bsky.social.
Remember to leave a rating and review...
2025-11-231h 07Media/LitTár (2022)Randy and Kris get classy with Jennifer Han and Sarah Callen. These longtime podcasters are hosts of the Movies & Us Podcast and the TV & Us Podcast; they are also founding members of the newly launched Movie Archer Podcast Network (this project was still under wraps at the time of recording) to discuss the Cate Blanchett vehicle, Tár (2022).In addition to celebrating the performances, narrative structure, and cinematography of the film, the panelists also bond over their mutual love for the connections human beings make through art and storytelling. The team even plays an entire minigame inspired b...
2025-11-101h 58
Media/LitBeginner Poddery (Community S1, Episodes 13-25)Welcome back to Remedial Rewatch: Community 101!Kris, Randy, and Tyler mine one of the richest veins of Community content and find themselves "streets ahead" of where they were in Part One (if you don't understand that reference, we're sorry to say that you are already streets behind).Please enjoy the latest episode. We hope you'll register at Greendale Community College and share YOUR favorite moments at media.slash.lit@gmail.com!If we prove to be untutorable, you can slip out early, but we hope you'll stick around and become part of our...
2025-11-071h 33
Media/LitKnights of Guinevere (Pilot Episode)In this Media/Lite minisode, Randy and Kris reunite with Avani Goswami, TV editor for The Pop Break digital culture magazine. Previously, Avani joined the guys on The Pop Break Podcast Feed for a “Saturday Morning Adventures” retrospective on The Owl House. Now, the team is back together to take on the latest project from Owl House creator Dana Terrace and Glitch Productions: Knights of Guinevere. The panelists reminisce about pods past before delving into the rich world of the Guinevere pilot episode and the accompanying merchandising campaign. This trio is certainly in it for t...
2025-10-3052 minMedia/LitThe Cask of Amontillado (Poe)HAPPY HALLOWEEN, PODLINGS!It’s Spooky Season once again, and on Media/Lit, that means that POEmance is in the air. This year, the hosts snuggle up to the works of Edgar Allan Poe with with teacher & writer Timm Freitas, the creator of the Garden of English YouTube channel. Together, they’re just some Poe boys from some Poe families.Before they delve into the catacombs with Montresor and Fortunato to explore Poe’s Cask of Amontillado, the guys take a look at Halloween entertainment through a dadcore lens as they explore some of their favorite w...
2025-10-271h 47
The Pop BreakPod of Doom: End of the Beginning…or the Beginning of the End?This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers. In the last episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy look back on their Sabbath run and discuss their final thoughts on the band. In addition to their general musings on Black Sabbath’s considerable legacy, they rec...
2025-10-251h 42
Media/LitCommunity, Podcasting, and You (Community S1, Episodes 1-12)Remedial Rewatch: Community 101Part One: Community, Podcasting, and YouKris, Randy, and Tyler share their earliest memories of Community , tackle their favorite moments and select their favorites from the first batch of episodes.Each month, we'll take you through a full batch of Community episodes or surprise you with a special campus event. We hope you'll register at Greendale Community College and share YOUR favorite moments at media.slash.lit@gmail.com!If we prove to be untutorable, you can slip out early, but we hope you'll stick around and become...
2025-10-151h 15Media/LitSkeletons, Strike Last, and Ex-Degenerate (Cobra Kai)Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy.In this episode, we are joined by The Chairman of The United States Department of Nerds to watch the finale of one of his favorite shows of all time: Cobra Kai! There’s just one catch: Randy and Kris had never watched a single episode of the series before!Nevertheless, they fired up the final three-episode arc of Cobra Kai, leaned into their nostalgia for the original film franchise, and caught up on all the character growth, redemption arcs, and explosive yachts. In the end, it is a surprisingly po...
2025-10-131h 59
Media/LitSpooky Season Cinema...with Candy! (SIGSI Crossover)Randy and Kris join forces with Bill George and the Should I Go See It? (SIGSI) crew to go trick-or-treating across the spooky season movie landscape and face our greatest fears.After debating their favorite Halloween candies, the gentleman draft essential spooky season films and do their best to hold on to their bags of candy.Listen now and vote on IG for who you think built the best list! Also, don’t forget to follow SIGS on Instagram! We also want to offer special thanks to SIGSI producer Craig Stanton for dreaming up yet another killer dra...
2025-10-101h 04
Media/LitIntroducing Remedial Rewatch: Community 101!Welcome to Remedial Rewatch: Community 101!Please join us next week for the very first episode of our very first FULL television rewatch adventure! We drafted our good buddy Tyler McCarthy to join us for a 12-episode deep-dive into the groundbreaking and beloved sitcom: Community!Each month, we'll take you through a full batch of Community episodes or surprise you with a special campus event. We hope you'll register at Greendale Community College and share YOUR favorite moments at media.slash.lit@gmail.com!If we prove to be untutorable, you can...
2025-10-0703 minMedia/LitChristopher Nolan: Then & Now (aka Mementoheimer)In this episode, Bill George of the Should I Go See It? podcast stops by with a very special homework assignment: he asks Randy and Kris to examine the trajectory of director Christopher Nolan’s career by examining one of his earliest films, Memento (2000), alongside his most recent Academy Award darling: Oppenheimer (2023). It’s a task fit for a trio of cinephiles, and a task deserving of its very own nickname. Welcome to MEMENTOHEIMER!The panelists each share their personal journeys with Nolan films, acknowledge critiques of Nolan’s body of work and then dig into what makes...
2025-09-292h 24The Pop BreakPod of Doom: 13 (2013)This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers. In the twelfth official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, Randy, and music journalist/author Daniel Bukszpan discuss the final Sabbath album and the band’s reunion with Ozzy Osbourne. They dig into what constitutes “raw” production values, elucida...
2025-09-261h 30Media/LitTGIF (TV Draft)90s kids, it's time to hitch up your pants and do the Urkel, because Media/Lit is celebrating ABC’s beloved TGIF programming block with a very special draft!Randy and Kris are joined by three millennial podcasters: Pop Break podcasting director Alex Marcus, Socially Distanced host Amanda Rivas, and CertainPOV general manager Case Aiken. Together, the team embraces their nostalgia, tests their knowledge, and then drafts four unique TGIF lineups. Along the way, the group grooves to classic television themes, identifies the “most TGIF thing to ever happen on TGIF” and overcomes dramatic plot twists...
2025-09-152h 01
Media/LitRilo Kiley Live in Boston (9/7/25)In this Media/Lite minisode, Randy and Kris revisit the vibes of their episode on Rilo Kiley’s “More Adventurous” album by checking out a live performance from the indie rock darlings on the Boston leg of their 2025 reunion tour - which is aptly named “Sometimes When You’re On, You’re Really Fucking On Tour.” The guys do their best to tap into the band’s energy and ability to bring the audience together with a sort of musical time machine. They even sneak in some surprise superlatives, because sometimes when they pod, they really fucking pod. Want to get in tou...
2025-09-1157 minMedia/LitChikhai Bardo (Severance) with "Mark Watcher" Eric J. CarlsonImagine if your Severance experience began with the major revelations of the iconic season two episode “Chikhai Bardo.”Now, imagine if you could get a key crew member to help walk you through that experience.If you are a Severance fan, you’ve probably been mulling over your theories for years, but our very own Kris Ingersoll agreed to break with convention and start his Severance journey with one of the most critical moments of the entire series. Of course, we didn’t ask him to take this leap alone, we brought in Adam Scott stand-in...
2025-09-021h 40The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Dehumanizer, 1992This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers. In the eleventh official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy discuss the last Sabbath album with Ronnie James Dio. They debate the cheese factor in Dio’s vocals and lyrics, express disappointment over the lack of a c...
2025-08-291h 14Media/LitWild America (1997)Randy and Kris are joined by Tyler McCarthy, one of the hosts of the Not Couple Goals podcast, to revisit a formative film from Kris’ life: Wild America (1997). Together, these boys do their best to explore a film starring 90s teen heartthrobs Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Devon Sawa. Surprisingly, once they get past some questionable animal puppetry, the chat shifts to the dangers of toxic masculinity and some of the smart choices the film makes to avoid falling into that common late-90s trap. Of course, they also spend plenty of time celebrating the wildlife, needle drops, and...
2025-08-252h 42Media/LitGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)We are looking through the bent backed tulips to see how the other half live. We are looking through a glass onion…That’s right, Randy and Kris welcome back Bill Bodkin, manager of The Pop Break digital culture magazine, for part two of the trio’s deep dive into Rian Johnson’s Knives Out trilogy. This time, they explore Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) and don summerwear to properly embrace the vibe of the film.Then, once again, Randy challenges the newcomers to share their own sleuthing as first time viewers of the film befor...
2025-08-112h 18The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Mob Rules, 1981This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers. In the tenth official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, Randy, and special guest Eric Morgan (professional musician and bass guitarist) discuss the second Sabbath album with Ronnie James Dio. They talk about how “metal” Gandalf fighting a balro...
2025-08-011h 19
Media/LitCancer Gets LOST 2025 Auction HYPE w/Jo Garfein!“We have to GIVE baaaack!”Randy and Kris welcome Cancer Gets Lost co-founder Jo Garfein to hype the non-profit’s upcoming auction to support the Lymphoma Research Foundation. CGL is a non-profit that auctions off unique and/or signed fandom props and memorabilia, then donates all profits to groups fighting cancer. Get a sneak peek at some of the exciting items up for auction (first 25 minutes) and then stick around for some LOST and fandom-inspired minigames!Also joining the pod is our resident LOST Doctor: John Aspler, PhD! He’s not just a LOST expert, he is al...
2025-07-311h 48Media/LitThe Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)Randy and Kris assemble their own Fantastic Four to discuss Marvel’s latest entry into a whole new corner of the MCU. Joining the team are entertainment writer & Newcomers: Marvel alum, Leah Marilla Thomas and Chaos on the Set host Shruti Marathe. The team digs into their personal connections to The MCU & The Fantastic Four before highlighting their favorite moments and critiques of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025). After exploring this mid-century-modern-retro-sci-fi future, the team considers whether The Fantastic Four or Superman “won” July 2025. In the “Extra Credit” section, Media/Lit provides a temporary home for Chaos on the Set’...
2025-07-292h 11Media/LitThe Love Below (OutKast)Randy and Kris welcome Kelvin Kately, manager of the Datfeelin Podcast Network (DFPN), to talk about Andre 3000's genre-bending 2003 opus, The Love Below. Kelvin talks about why this portion of OuKast's 2003 double album is both a personal favorite and an important stepping stone in the world of modern rap & hip hop. Randy and Kris also travel back to their younger and more vulnerable days to recall their early experiences with the album and its signature hits.The panelists also work together to rank every song on the album and unpack the journey of personal growth and evolution...
2025-07-212h 08
Media/LitSuperman (2025)Hey, buddy. Eyes up here…because Kris and Randy are through the roof with praise and excitement for James Gunn and company after a stellar launch to the new live action DCU with Superman (2025). In this not-so-mini minisode, the hosts dig into why they found the film successful, share their favorite moments, and celebrate the future potential of DC comics on the big screen. Please join us for this celebration of a great moment in the world of superheroes and comics.Want to get in touch? Visit our website & YouTube page! Follow us on YouTube: @MediaLitPodcast, Instagram: @media.lit...
2025-07-1458 min
Media/LitPerchance to Dream & Pierce the Heavens, Superman! (Batman: TAS and My Adventures with Superman)Randy and Kris are joined by Pop Break superstar Josh Sarnecky (host of The Anniversary Brothers, Anime x Pop, and TV Break) for the latest Bat Chat! In addition to exploring the classic Batman: The Animated Series episode “Perchance to Dream,” the panel also explores the episode’s spiritual cousin: My Adventures with Superman’s “Pierce the Heavens, Superman!” Media/Lit values great storytelling, and this unique pairing certainly showcases superhero storytelling at its finest. In addition to examining how these two episodes explore the story device of a hero trapped within a dream or simulation, the panel also se...
2025-07-071h 57
Media/LitThere's No Place Like Home (LOST & Lit)In Part Five of Media/Lit’s “LOST & Lit” series, Randy and Kris welcome LOST fan and blogger Karen Mauro, who recently shared her moving journey in the Getting Lost 20th anniversary documentary, to talk about season four’s EPIC three-part finale, “There’s No Place Like Home.” Of course, they also welcome back resident LOST expert John Aspler, PhD (aka Doctor John) to unpack the themes of the episode and its connections to The Wizard of Oz.In addition to exploring the broader literary connections at the heart of the episode, the panel also maps out some of the wo...
2025-06-232h 00Media/LitBluey's Top 35 Supporting CharactersRandy and Kris give Bluey the full episode treatment for the very first time, and they aren’t holding back. It’s a full Father’s Day extravaganza as these dadcore podcasters welcome six voters and four guest panelists to rank Bluey’s Top 35 Supporting Characters! It’s a in-depth celebration of the humor, heart, philosophy, and sophisticated storytelling that define the series.This crew of “Mums and Dads” rank and celebrate all of their favorite characters from beyond the Heeler/Cattle extended family. They also exclude celebrity cameos and imaginary butlers in an attempt to narrow the field. Ran...
2025-06-092h 33Media/LitAvengers: Doomsday Draft & PitchPodlings, assemble!Randy and Kris gather some fellow MCU fans to get hyped for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film. The panelists each draft a dream cast from the performers revealed during Marvel’s massive and time-consuming chair stunt, then they each pitch a tie-in series or special they would love to see ahead of Doomsday. Joining the Media/Lit hosts are writer and producer of the Newcomers: Marvel podcast with Nicole Byer and Lauren Lapkus…and returning podling…Leah Marilla Thomas! Also joining the panel is The Pop Break’s podcasting director and co-host of the Bill...
2025-05-261h 25The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Heaven and Hell, 1980This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers. In the ninth official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, Randy, and special guest Kris of Media/Lit and Batman by the Numbers tackle the first Sabbath album with Ronnie James Dio. They extol the virtues of “hobbit roc...
2025-05-231h 35Media/LitLetter From Birmingham Jail (MLK)Randy and Kris welcome motivational speaker and educator Chuck Jones to share an open, honest, and vulnerable discussion of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter From Birmingham Jail. As we approach the 62nd anniversary of this historic letter, its message remains timeless and its lessons remain relevant. After establishing the ground rules for a responsible discussion, the panel digs into the roots of their individual relationships with MLK and his words before exploring how the impact of his work continues to echo into the present. Chuck also shares some of his favorite resources for bein...
2025-05-122h 03
Media/LitThe Healing Power of Pickleball (Media Bite)This Media/Lit sound bite introduces you to our upcoming guest, educator and motivational speaker Chuck Jones. In this clip, cut for time from our upcoming episode on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter From Birmingham Jail, Chuck discusses a recent moment that captures the power of neighbors coming together to share constructive dialogue and build bridges.Please enjoy this sound bite and be sure to catch our enlightening chat on Letter From Birmingham Jail when it drops tomorrow!Want to get in touch? Visit our website & YouTube page! Follow us on YouTube: @MediaLitPodcast, Instagram: ...
2025-05-1105 min
Media/LitThunderbolts* (2025)Kris and Randy find themselves locked in an O.X.E. Vault for their first ever VIDEO minisode. They have 30 minutes to react to Thunderbolts* (2025) and that mysterious asterisk. They dig into how the movie made them laugh, how the movie made them cry, and how the cast delivered a very special new entry in the MCU canon. Want to get in touch? Visit our website & YouTube page! Follow us on YouTube: @MediaLitPodcast, Instagram: @media.lit.pod, Bluesky: @media-lit.bsky.social, and Twitter: @MediaLitPod! Also, hit us with your questions, comments, and episode requests at media.slash.lit@gmail.com.
2025-05-0831 minMedia/LitWrestleMania as Literature!Randy and Kris are joined by the host of the Socially Distanced and Anime x Pop podcasts, Amanda Rivas, and professional wrestler Branden Vice. Together, the panel takes on one of the world’s largest media properties: WrestleMania! Of course, this is Media/Lit, so the conversation aims to treat this event with respect, dignity, and a sense of real thematic value. Not only do the hosts get to the bottom of why wrestling was so foundational in the lives of their guests, but the team works together to tie the drama and storytelling of...
2025-04-282h 59The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Never Say Die!, 1978This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers. In the eighth official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy talk about the band’s last album with Ozzy (for a while, anyway). They diss Kiss the way Kiss dissed Sabbath, recall PTSD flashbacks of Lucasfilm’s Str...
2025-04-251h 38Media/LitStrange Magic (2015)Randy and Kris are joined by three members of the original Media Literacy course that inspired this podcast: librarian Bella Rodrigues, actress Julia Melloni, and campaign finance watchdog Ethan Mort! These former students may be full-fledged adults now, but they asked the Media/Lit hosts to dive deep into a film they loved to hate in their teens: Strange Magic (2015), a jukebox musical fairy tale made for tweens by…well…old dudes.In addition to unpacking the many…choices…that make up this cultural oddity from the mind of George Lucas, the panel also explores the role that pop...
2025-04-142h 00
Media/LitAlmost Got 'Im & Baby-Doll (Batman: The Animated Series)Randy and Kris respond to the Bat Signal and sit down for a Bat Chat with Doug Lief, host of the Nostalgium Arcanum podcast, to discuss a double-header of classics from Batman: The Animated Series. The panelists dig into “Almost Got ‘Im” and “Baby-Doll” in order to get to the bottom of the magic that allowed this children’s program to both bring out the best of Batman’s Rogues’ Gallery and establish memorable new foes.Of course, the team also digs into Doug’s personal history with the show, celebrates the creative team behind the program, and ties the themes and id...
2025-03-311h 27The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Technical Ecstasy, 1976This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers. In the seventh official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy talk about the band’s divisive 1976 album. They discuss crossdressing presidents, reveal when piano and strings don’t suit their tastes, and admit to their occasional sadbo...
2025-03-311h 27Media/LitMore Adventurous (Rilo Kiley)With every broken heart,We should become more adventurous.Randy and Kris are joined by beloved Podlings Madison Charbonneau and Stevie Gonzales to step back in time to the mid-2000s and celebrate Rilo Kiley’s definitive 2004 album, More Adventurous. Not only does the episode serve as an impromptu college reunion for Randy, Madison, and Stevie, but it also allows three old friends to introduce Kris to a band that helped each of them get in touch with the identity of the person they were becoming twenty years ago. In add...
2025-03-172h 25Media/LitThe Tale of Laughing in the Dark (Are You Afraid of the Dark?)It was Friday night, and Playland was jammed. For thousands of kids, it had everything they wanted. But for one kid, it had just a little too much.Randy and Kris are joined by the hosts of the Not Couple Goals podcast, Allie Nelson and Tyler McCarthy, to revisit their shared childhood trauma from watching the formative horror stories of Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark? television series. Together, they confront personal demons ranging from clowns & balloons to isolation and home invasion. They also explore how these same stories helped them forge important relationships in th...
2025-03-031h 59The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Sabotage, 1975This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini ofTheCineMaverick.com &Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers. In the sixth official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy sit down to discuss the band’s 1973 barnstormer. They bask in the band’s New Age hippie-dippie tendencies, name the Sabbath song they think would fit best in th...
2025-02-281h 22
Media/LitCatch-22 (LOST & Lit)In Part Four of Media/Lit’s “LOST & Lit” series, Randy and Kris welcome back die-hard LOST fans James Princivalle and John Aspler, PhD. (aka Doctor John) to discuss one of James’ favorite episodes of LOST:“Catch-22” (3.17).Before the gang digs into the episode, they look back on their experience with Media/Lit’s two-part “LOST: Draft & Pitch” event from September 2024. They critique their own performances in the Draft & Pitch and also take a moment to celebrate some of the other great concepts. After a surprise Cameo, the panel some time to better understand the roots of James’ LOST fandom...
2025-02-172h 14Media/LitEnd of the Eras Tour (Taylor Swift Draft)It was the end of an era, but the start of an age.
Media/Lit kicks off season two in the biggest way possible: a sweeping draft of Taylor Swift songs across all of her eras in recognition of the conclusion of her landmark Era’s Tour.
We’ve got seven panelists, seventy songs, and a soul-searching deep dive into Taylor’s catalogue. In addition to your usual time with Randy and Kris, this episode also lets you hang with superstar podlings, both old and new:
Alex Marcus, podcast director at The Pop Break...
2025-02-033h 44The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, 1973This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers.
In the fifth official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy sit down to discuss the band’s 1973 barnstormer. They imagine Ozzy’s eccentric singing preparation, describe the Sabbath song that wouldn’t feel out of place on Amer...
2025-01-271h 27Media/LitSeason One Finale & First Annual Playlist ExchangeRandy and Kris wrap up season one of Media/Lit by sharing the gift of music. That’s right, Randy and Kris swap “Mix Tapes” and then rank the tracks on their respective mixes. It’s a beautiful expression of friendship and a great opportunity to reflect upon some very special tunes.
But first, the boys look back to reflect on their favorite moments of heart and humor from the first season of the show. They also walk listeners through the “Prop Caves” they’ve assembled over the course of the season as they’ve hypothetically...
2025-01-201h 48
Media/LitThe Doctor's Wife (New to Who: Part Three)Are all podcasts like this? So much bigger on the inside?
Randy and Kris are back with the next installment in the “New to Who” series! Kris gets a big old dose of TARDIS lore with a deep dive into “The Doctor’s Wife” (6.4). In other words, this episode will be remembered as the time Randy and Kris talked about the time that The Doctor and the TARDIS talked.
In addition to celebrating the episode that humanized the TARDIS for a whole new generation of Whovians, Kris updates listeners on his fandom and plays a special ga...
2025-01-061h 42
Media/LitChristmas Movie Draft...with Traps! (SIGSI Crossover)MERRY CHRISTMAS, YA FILTHY ANIMAL!
Randy and Kris join forces with Bill George and the Should I Go See It? (SIGSI) crew for a cutthroat holiday movie draft inspired by 8-year-old Kevin McCallister’s violent booby traps in the seminal holiday classic: Home Alone.
After reminiscing about gifts from their Christmas pasts, the boys set out to build the best possible roster of holiday films while dodging trip wires, tarantulas, and blow torches! It’s an uphill battle for sure, but in the end, joy and nostalgia reign supreme.
Listen now and vote on I...
2024-12-231h 05The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Vol. 4, 1972This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers.
In the fourth official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy tackle Sabbath’s underrated (but aptly named) fourth volume. They relish Geezer Butler’s anti-jingoism, contemplate the band’s increasing use of acoustic instrumentation, and debate the mer...
2024-12-231h 28
Media/LitMediALIVE (A Visit from St. Nicholas)Welcome to this very special Christmas edition of MediALIVE!
Our very own Kris "Kringle" Ingersoll shares a heartfelt reading of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Moore. The performance is set to festive holiday music.
Treat yourself to this lovely bedtime story, and have yourself a merry little Christmas!
Want to get in touch? Visit our website! Follow us on Instagram: @media.lit.pod, Bluesky: @media-lit.bsky.social, and Twitter: @MediaLitPod! Also, hit us with your questions, comments, and episode requests at media.slash.lit@gmail.com.
Also, it's always a great time to thank Loyalty Freak Music and other creators who make quality music available in the public d
2024-12-2004 min
Media/LitBluey Minisodes Bring Holiday Cheer! (December 2024)It’s time to gather for a game of Verandah Santa! Randy and Kris are here for YET ANOTHER minisode about minisodes: specifically, the six Bluey minisodes that dropped in December 2024! These two dads work together to rank the episodes and explore how they reflect what the Media/Lit crew values in their Bluey content.
The hosts share their excitement for both the holiday season and the latest dose of Bluey content! In addition to ranking the episodes, the hosts also figure out which type of butler they would be in the dream house and reflect on wh...
2024-12-1649 minMedia/LitThe Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)Come in, and know us better, man!
Randy and Kris are joined by Amanda Rivas, cohost of the Socially Distanced podcast from The Pop Break digital culture magazine, to celebrate one of our shared favorite Christmas films: The Muppet Christmas Carol! We may still have more than one sleep until Christmas, but this pod will make you feel like you’re singing in a street corner choir…or going home and getting warm by the fire….you get it.
In addition to celebrating the heart, humor, and nostalgia at the core of one of the greatest...
2024-12-092h 22
Media/LitIt's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Bluey (Media Bite)In this brief Media/Lit sound bite that was cut for time from an upcoming holiday celebration of The Muppet Christmas Carol, Randy and Kris share their excitement for the upcoming December 2024 Bluey minisode drop, talk about Bluey fan shipping, and encourage special guest Amanda Rivas (Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky) to get into the Bluey spirit.
Please enjoy this sound bite and get ready to stream our upcoming very special holiday celebration of The Muppet Christmas Carol!
Want to get in touch? Visit our website! Follow us on Instagram: @media.lit.pod, Bluesky: @media-lit.bsky.social, and Twitter: @MediaLitPod! Also, hit us with your...
2024-12-0805 min
Media/Lit"Getting LOST" Global Premiere w/Jo GarfeinRandy and Kris welcome LOST superfan Jo Garfein for a very special hype episode ahead of the global digital release of the Getting LOST documentary that she had a hand in organizing and developing alongside director Taylor Morden (The Last Blockbuster) and her fellow producers. Following an L.A. premiere on the 20th anniversary of the LOST pilot episode this past September, Getting LOST has been screening at special events across the globe and will make its global digital premiere on Saturday, December 7, 2024. In addition to screening the documentary, the digital event includes a live Q&A with members...
2024-12-041h 50The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Master of Reality, 1971This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers.
In the third official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy tackle Sabbath’s hard-hitting proto-doom album. They find reason to quote Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, comment on the state of 90s boy bands, and ponder Sabba...
2024-11-261h 24Media/LitKnives Out (2019)In this episode, Randy and Kris are joined by editor-in-chief of the Pop Break digital pop culture magazine, Bill Bodkin, not only to watch Rian Johnson’s Knives Out (2019), but also to engage in a full “whodunit” experience! In addition to bringing their thinking caps, the panelists also bring their finest autumnal sweaters in honor of Chris Evans perfect “Fall in New England” vibes.
Randy is here to talk about why this is one of his favorite films of all time, but Kris and Bill are here as first-time viewers who agreed to be good sports and try to suss out th...
2024-11-252h 08Media/LitSaving Silverman (2001)Randy and Kris are joined by Kris’s long-time buddy (and Randy’s new friend) Owen Amsler to discuss Saving Silverman (2001). Before they dig into the episode, the panelists brainstorm their own hypothetical cover bands to rival the “Diamonds in the Rough” from the film. Additionally, the crew gets vulnerable and digs into some of the best and worst things they learned from popular media as young men.
Then, the crew takes a deep dive and explores the merits of the film: from its most sophomoric humor to its most subtle and nuanced gags. Of course, they don’t st...
2024-11-112h 11
Another Pass Podcastat Solo: A Star Wars StoryCase and Sam are joined by Randy Allain from the Media / Lit podcast to ask "Who are your people?" Tune in for this dissection of Solo: A Star Wars Story! Overview In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Case and Sam welcome guest Randy from Media Lit to delve into "Solo: A Star Wars Story," rating the film as 'fine' but flawed and assigning it a C grade. The discussion highlights Alden Ehrenreich's portrayal of Han Solo, praises Donald Glover's performance as Lando Calrissian, and critiques the characters' limited screen time, particularly for Lando and...
2024-11-101h 40
Media/LitThe Batman & The Penguin (Media Bite)This Media/Lit sound bite brings you recommendations for both Matt Reeves' The Batman and The Penguin.
In this brief sound bite that was cut for time, Randy's son interrupts the "Tell-Tale Heart" recording and accidentally prompts a Batman conversation.
Please enjoy this sound bite and consider catching up on The Penguin before the finale this weekend!
Want to get in touch? Visit our website! Follow us on Twitter: @MediaLitPod and Instagram: @media.lit.pod! Also, hit us with your questions, comments, and episode requests at media.slash.lit@gmail.com.
Also, it's always a great time to thank Loyalty Freak Music and oth
2024-11-0802 min
Media/LitMediALIVE (Tell-Tale Heart)Welcome to the very first installment of MediALIVE!
In this very special series, we offer performances and readings of great literature, poetry, and other forms of media!
To kick things off, Kris performs "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe. Enjoy!
Want to get in touch? Visit our website! Follow us on Twitter: @MediaLitPod and Instagram: @media.lit.pod! Also, hit us with your questions, comments, and episode requests at media.slash.lit@gmail.com.
Also, it's always a great time to thank Loyalty Freak Music and other creators who make quality music...
2024-10-3119 minMedia/LitThe Tell-Tale Heart (Poe)HAPPY HALLOWEEN, PODLINGS!You’ve heard of a romance. You’ve heard of a bromance…but have you ever heard of a POEmance?Randy and Kris are joined by English teacher Jonathan Corte-Real to discuss Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” They discuss bromances, Poe’s unique appeal, and their favorite artistic choices …but first, Kris hits the others with a Buzzfeed quiz to determine their Halloween identities. In the end, the quiz mostly determines that Buzzfeed quizzes are useless, but it still allows the panel to embrace the fun trappings of the...
2024-10-301h 53The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Paranoid, 1970This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of the metal pioneers.
In the second official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy are joined by The Pop Break editor-in-chief Bill Bodkin as they dive into Sabbath’s most famous record. They praise the band’s antiwar social consciousness, engag...
2024-10-251h 37
Media/LitHeart of Ice (Batman: The Animated Series)Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Bat Chat" - Media/Lit's ongoing series of Batman content with a special focus on Batman: The Animated Series.
Randy and Kris respond to the Bat-Signal with teacher & writer Timm Freitas, the creator of the Garden of English YouTube channel. You see, despite Gotham’s recent heat wave, the city has been experiencing a series of suspiciously icy crimes. Luckily, the Media/Lit crew is on the case. They are here to discuss “Heart of Ice” - one of the most famous episodes of Batman: The Animated Series.
...
2024-10-211h 38
Media/LitBluey Minisodes Return! (October 2024)Randy and Kris are here for ANOTHER minisode about minisodes: specifically, the seven Bluey minisodes that dropped in October 2024! These two dads work together to rank the episodes and explore how they reflect what the Media/Lit crew values in their Bluey content.
The hosts share their excitement for the latest dose of Bluey content, discuss which new games they are most likely to play with their children, and then rank the seven episodes. Along the way, they share their childhood memories, parentings victories (and failures), and complex thoughts on parent/grandparent dynamics.
Whether or...
2024-10-1441 minMedia/LitHeat (1995)Randy and Kris are joined by Bill George, the creator of Should I Go See It? - a fun, useful, and unpretentious film review Instagram account and podcast, to discuss Michael Mann’s seminal classic: Heat (1995).
Bill explores his lifelong love of film and tracks his history with Heat from his first VHS viewing to his ongoing quest to convince his podcast cohosts to watch one of the most important crime thrillers of all time.
Then, the gang bemoans one of the biggest Academy Award snubs of all time, celebrates their favorite character actors, and unl...
2024-10-072h 02The Pop BreakPod of Doom: Black Sabbath, 1970This is Pod of Doom, a podcast dedicated to the British band Black Sabbath! The hosts of Every Pod You Cast return to discuss all things Sabbath: Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes, Chris Mancini, and Randy Allain of Media/Lit will be covering the Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio eras of this pioneering metal band.
In the first official episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy discuss the eponymous debut from the dark lords. They share their admiration for Middle-earth’s jolliest wizard, speculate about Lucifer’s love life, and even drop...
2024-09-271h 22
Media/LitLOST Draft & Pitch: Part Two (TV Pitch)Randy and Kris are joined once again by some of their favorite voices from the LOST fandom to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the LOST pilot with part two of Media/Lit’s very first “Draft & Pitch” event.
In this PITCH episode, the assembled podcasters each present their pitch for a fun, but unnecessary, legacy sequel for LOST using the characters they drafted in part one. Please understand that we are pitching our ideas as a fun ode to LOST and as a light sendup of the legacy sequel trend. This is all about having a good time.
2024-09-232h 01
Media/LitBen & Juliet (Media Bite)This Media/Lit sound bite brings you a quick preview of part two of our LOST 20th anniversary celebration Draft & Pitch episode.
In this brief sound bite that was cut for time, Shruti recognizes a very particular image of Benjamin Linus in John’s presentation. The panel reflects on Ben’s ability to take a beating and then gears up for Shruti’s very Juliet-centric pitch.
Please enjoy this sound bite and check out our upcoming pitch episode in which we each pitch a fun (but unnecessary) legacy sequel for LOST
Want to get in...
2024-09-2202 min
Media/LitLOST Draft & Pitch: Part One (TV Draft)Randy and Kris are joined by some of their favorite voices from the LOST fandom to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the LOST pilot with part one of Media/Lit’s very first “Draft & Pitch” event...
“We’re all here now, and God knows how long we’re gonna be here. But if we can’t DRAFT together, we’re gonna POD alone.”
In this DRAFT episode, the assembled podcasters select some of their very favorite characters from the LOST television series. Next week, in part two, each member of the panel will PITCH the concept for a legac...
2024-09-161h 38Media/LitThe Best of Both Worlds (Star Trek: TNG)Randy and guest host Maria Giddings are joined by Doug Lief, host of the Nostalgium Arcanum podcast, to discuss one of the biggest television events of all time: Star Trek: The Next Generation two-parter “The Best of Both Worlds.” Kris is off on assignment for this episode, but worry not! He beams up to wish us luck and he will be back in the host chair next week!
After exploring Doug’s history with the series and his personal connection to Jean-Luc Picard’s leadership style, the trio digs deep into the themes of the episode...
2024-09-091h 43Media/LitDAMN. (Kendrick Lamar)Randy and Kris are joined by amateur musician Tyrone Stokley to discuss Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning album, DAMN. (2017). The hosts dig into Tyrone’s personal and emotional connection to the material before unpacking the album on thematic, stylistic, ethical, and even spiritual levels.
Next, the team identifies some of their top tracks. They explain how each one stands out from the pack to leave a lasting impression. Ultimately, the guys agree that this album is more than worthy of the praise and recognition it has received for both its artistry and social commentary.
2024-08-261h 31Media/LitGuardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix Vol. 4 (Guardians 10th Anniversary Special)In this episode, Randy and Kris are joined by Pop Break podcasters Bill Bodkin and Alex Marcus to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first Guardians of the Galaxy film by pitching full concepts and soundtracks for a hypothetical new installment in this beloved MCU franchise. Bill is the editor-in-chief of The Pop Break digital entertainment magazine, and Alex is the director of the Pop Break podcast feed; they collaborate on Bill vs. The MCU and several other podcasts. In this guest spot, they unleash the power of their Marvel expertise to help fuel an expansive and eclectic exploration...
2024-08-122h 48
Media/LitRiding With the Guardians (Media Bite)This Media/Lit sound bite brings you a quick preview of our upcoming coverage of the Guardians of the Galaxy 10th anniversary with special guests Bill Bodkin and Alex Marcus of The Pop Break.
In this brief sound bite that was cut for time, Bill and Alex find themselves on a quick tangent about the Guardians of the Galaxy Disney theme park rides. Randy seeks vacation advice.
Please enjoy this sound bite and check out our upcoming supersized episode in which we each pitch our own sequels and build our...
2024-08-0902 min
Media/LitThe Owl House: Shipping (Media Bite)This Media/Lit sound bite brings you a taste of our coverage of The Owl House for "Saturday Morning Adventures" on The Pop Break podcast feed.
In this brief sound bite, Randy, Kris, and Pop Break television editor Avani Goswami discuss a few additional fandom ships that we had to cut for time from the fourth installment of our Owl House retrospective.
Most notably, the hosts discuss the horrors of Hootlingo, a fandom ship that pairs Hooty with Duo the Duolingo owl.
Please enjoy...
2024-07-2606 minMedia/LitOwls, and Dragons, and Podlings, Oh My! (Update)Randy and Kris have a heck of a lot of content for you this week, just not in the form of a new episode of Media/Lit.
In this update, Randy checks in to make sure you check out Media/Lit's four-episode guest-hosting gig on "Saturday Morning Adventures" for The Pop Break! Your Media/Lit hosts teamed up with Pop Break TV editor Avani Goswami for a full retrospective on Disney's The Owl House. Randy also reminds listeners to read his House of the Dragon reviews for The Pop Break & check out Kris as...
2024-07-2606 minMedia/LitX-Men '97 (Season One)In this episode, Randy and Kris are joined by an all star panel to discuss the the instant impact of the recent X-Men '97 series. We chat with returning guest John Aspler, an academic with a PhD in ethics/neuroscience and a passion for media analysis. We also welcome Blake Coleman, a law enforcement officer, comic book fan, and the inspiration behind Media/Lit's Equilibrium (2002) episode!
Together, the panelists explore their personal histories with the X-Men before critiquing the original series and season one of the reboot. In addition to digging into our nostalgia...
2024-07-121h 33
Media/LitBluey Minisodes! (July 2024)Kris and Randy are here for a minisode about minisodes. Specifically, the seven Bluey minisodes that dropped in July 2024! They work together to rank the episodes and explore how they reflect what the Media/Lit crew values in their Bluey content.
Things get a bit chaotic over some big discrepancies in the host rankings, but Randy ends up singing "It's Raining Tacos" before the dust settles. Fire up the episode for a good time with a couple of goofy dads!
Respond to the poll to let us know YOUR...
2024-07-1040 minThe Pop BreakEvery Pod You Cast: Our Last Goodbye…It’s Every Pod You Cast, a podcast dedicated to the British rock band The Police! Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes is joined by Chris Mancini and Randy Allain of Media/Lit as they delve into the discography of the postpunk power trio, from 1978 to 1983.
In the last episode of the season, Chris, Justin, and Randy look back on their marathon and discuss their final thoughts on the band. In addition to their general thoughts on The Police’s longevity, they share their favorite album covers, rank all 5 albums, and name their top 10 songs...
2024-07-101h 31Media/LitThe Dark Crystal (1982)Randy and Kris are joined by Abby Greiner, a lover of fandoms, a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, and a crafter of artisanal dragon eggs! Abby is here to chat about formative fantasy property The Dark Crystal (1982), a film that has left a profound mark on her style, interests, and hobbies. The guys also weigh in with their thoughts after watching this classic for the very first time.
Together, they explore the influences that made this film possible, from Jim Henson, to concept designer Brian Froud, and even Star Wars! Most importantly, they capture t...
2024-06-281h 35Media/LitNick at Nite's Block Party Summer (TV Draft)Randy and Kris bring you Media/Lit's first ever television draft! For this very special occasion, they've assembled a team of peers for the cause: playwright Neil Martin, writer Maria Giddings (Twitter: @DreadandDonuts), and English teacher Stevie Miles Gonzalez (Instagram: steviemileswords) to recreate the vibe of Nick at Nite's Block Party Summer and draft their favorite TV classics into bingeable summer viewing blocks.
Together, this Millennial/Gen X team reflects on classic television and its most famous delivery methods, like syndication, Nick at Nite, and TV Land. They dig into the nostalgia and personal v...
2024-06-142h 06The Pop BreakEvery Pod You Cast: Synchronicity, 1983It’s Every Pod You Cast, a podcast dedicated to the British rock band The Police! Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes is joined by Chris Mancini and Randy Allain of Media/Lit as they delve into the discography of the postpunk power trio, from 1978 to 1983.
In the fifth official episode of the season, Justin, Chris, Randy, and special guest Patrick Lavery discuss The Police’s final album from 1983. You’ll hear which song tailor-made for Randy’s indie taste failed to move the distinguished host, learn about what Rice Krispies have to do with the Loch Ness...
2024-06-051h 50Media/LitThe Crow (1994)Randy and Kris are joined by prolific podcaster and master of cosplay, the one and only Amanda Rivas! Amanda visits the show to chat about The Crow (1994), a film that has left a profound mark on her values, style, and relationships. The guys also weigh in with their personal connections to the film.
After Randy takes some time to help his two buddies bond over their shared love for costumes and cosplay, the trio delve into the history and context of the film, explore the artistic choices that make it shine, and even discuss t...
2024-05-312h 09
Media/LitThere's Always a Twist at the End (New to Who: Bonus Minisode)Randy convenes the team for an emergency New to Who minisode to confront Kris for going off script and watching Ncuti Gatwa's premiere episode: "The Church On Ruby Road."
Fortunately, Randy is quick to forgive and the duo chat a bit about the nature of a good Doctor Who companion.
Finally, Randy asks Kris to watch a pivotal moment from The Sarah Jane Adventures and theorizes about how The Trickster could play into the latest season of Doctor Who.
Please join us on this...
2024-05-2440 min
Media/LitBlink (New to Who: Part Two)Welcome to the second installment of New to Who: a recurring series in which Randy, a proud Whovian, guides Kris through his VERY FIRST experience watching Doctor Who!
In this episode, Randy and Kris travel back to the Tennant era for "Blink" (3.10) - possibly the most popular standalone episode of New Who. At the very least, it is one of the episodes most commonly suggested to up-and-coming Whovians like Kris.
Randy checks in on Kris's Doctor Who hype meter before the duo explore bootstrap paradoxes, practical effects, and the...
2024-05-171h 38
Media/LitAvengers: Endgame (Top Five Emotional Moments)Kris and Randy “assemble” for a minisode to acknowledge the “one blip” anniversary of Avengers: Endgame (2019). They count down their favorite emotional moments from the film after five years of reflection and several waves of new Marvel content.
Ultimately, the hosts determine that this film is more than a collection of quips and flashy set pieces - it’s a treatise on healing. Please enjoy this emotional reflection on the culmination of the Infinity Saga (sorry, Spider–Man: Far From Home).
Want to get in touch? Visit our website! Follow us on Twitter: ...
2024-05-1041 minMedia/LitEquilibrium (2002)In this episode, Randy and Kris discuss Equilibrium (2002), a film that meant a heck of a lot to teenage Kris. Randy brings his insight as a first time viewer and relishes the opportunity to get to know his fellow host a little bit better.
The hosts examine the finer points of "gun kata" and reflect on the film as a time capsule of 2002. They also try to figure out if there is any sort of theme or framework behind the clumsy borrowing from The Matrix and every single piece of dystopian literature ever written.
2024-05-041h 38The Pop BreakEvery Pod You Cast: Ghost in the Machine, 1981It’s Every Pod You Cast, a podcast dedicated to the British rock band The Police! Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes is joined by Chris Mancini and Randy Allain of Media/Lit as they delve into the discography of the postpunk power trio, from 1978 to 1983.
In the fourth official episode of the season, Justin, Chris, and Randy discuss The Police’s divisive 1981 album. Justin offers some alternative state songs for his home state of New Jersey, Chris close-reads Stewart Copeland’s paean to fame, and Randy offers a sample of his mellifluous singing voice...
2024-04-301h 25Media/LitSmall Potatoes (The X-Files)Randy and Kris are joined by Madison Charbonneau, a longtime X-Files fan, who is here to introduce the Media/Lit hosts to one of the oldest and most celebrated fandoms of all time. But first, the hosts take some time to better understand what Madison's fandom means to her.
Then, the trio discuss the iconic episode "Small Potatoes" (4.20). In addition to embracing the gags that define this famously fun episode of television, the team also celebrate legendary voice actress Christine Cavanaugh and explore what makes Scully and Mulder the ultimate "will they/won't they"...
2024-04-191h 34
Media/LitThe Sign (Bluey)Kris and Randy hop on mic for their first ever Media/Lite minisode because their love for Australian television phenomenon Bluey transcends all podcast schedules and the April 14th global release of the season three finale, "The Sign," was an absolute tour de force.
Once these two dads managed to dry their tears, they simply had no choice but to talk about how this "children's" show, and this episode in particular, made them laugh, made them cry, and made them think.
Be on the lookout for more Media/Lite...
2024-04-1629 min
Pop Break TodayEvery Pod You Cast: Zenyatta Mondatta, 1980It’s Every Pod You Cast, a podcast dedicated to the British rock band The Police! Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes is joined by Chris Mancini and Randy Allain of Media/Lit as they delve into the discography of the postpunk power trio, from 1978 to 1983.
In the third official episode of the season, Justin, Chris, and Randy discuss The Police’s third album from 1980. They debate whether Don’t Stand So Close to Me is truly reprehensible, recall Sting’s sincere efforts to literally bury Andy’s music, and find common ground when discussing...
2024-04-061h 41Media/LitWailing Shall Be in All Streets (Vonnegut)Randy and Kris are joined by social worker & therapist (and lifelong pal of Kris) Simon Jay to discuss Kurt Vonnegut’s account of his experience as a soldier, prisoner, and witness to a tragic massacre in the WWII memoir, “Wailing Shall Be in All Streets.” Randy and Simon form a fast friendship over their joint efforts to introduce Kris to the works of Kurt Vonnegut.
After delving into everyone's relationship with Vonnegut's work, the crew contextualizes the memoir alongside Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five and a couple of key Vonnegut letters. Finally, they lean in, get vulnerable, and em...
2024-04-051h 45
Media/LitWhite Rabbit (LOST & Lit)Welcome to the very first episode of LOST & Lit: a recurring series in which the hosts of Media/Lit explore their shared love for the television series LOST.
In this episode, Randy and Kris are joined by John Aspler, who comes equipped with a PhD in ethics/neuroscience and a passion for media analysis and commentary!
Together, the trio explore their history with LOST before delving into "White Rabbit" (1.5). They explore why this episode is such an essential turning point for the series and why it is so pivotal...
2024-03-221h 55Media/LitThe Feeling of Power (Asimov)Randy and Kris are joined by playwright (and Randy’s cousin) Neil Martin to discuss Isaac Asimov’s short story, “The Feeling of Power.” They each take a brief tour through their history with Asimov and sci-fi literature in general before digging into their complicated relationships with technology; Kris even hits the others with a quiz in basic arithmetic to see if they can match wits with Myron Aub.
Finally, the crew dives deep into the classic Asimov short story. Over the course of the conversation, they explore the style, characterization, themes, and underlying humanity...
2024-03-111h 38Pop Break TodayEvery Pod You Cast: Reggatta de Blanc, 1979It’s Every Pod You Cast, a podcast dedicated to the British rock band The Police! Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes is joined by Chris Mancini and Randy Allain of Media/Lit as they delve into the discography of the postpunk power trio, from 1978 to 1983.
In the second official episode of the season, Justin, Chris, and Randy look at The Police’s sophomore effort from 1979. They debate the power of the “groove,” relish Andy’s virtuoso riffs, and deal with PTSD from high school dating. And of course, they find time to discuss other artis...
2024-03-071h 17Media/LitCoyote Ugly (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)First, a proposal of sorts.
Then, Randy and Kris explore why the soundtrack from Coyote Ugly (2000) is such a formative piece of media for Kris; the duo also bond over their shared love for road trips, pop music, and The Devil Went Down to Georgia.
Finally, the hosts dive deep into the 4x platinum soundtrack. They track every high and low, propose new tracks that could have taken the album to the next level, and spend a surprising amount of time discussing the Iran-Contra affair.
2024-02-241h 28
Media/LitHeaven Sent (New to Who: Part One)Welcome to the very first episode of New to Who: a recurring series in which Randy, a proud Whovian, guides Kris Ingersoll through his VERY FIRST experience watching Doctor Who!
In this episode, Randy and Kris test the notion that "Heaven Sent" (9.11) works as a standalone episode and a great introduction to The Doctor. They also explore their personal histories with science fiction, and Randy tries to articulate why this show and this character mean so much to him.
Finally, Randy and Kris take a deep dive into this...
2024-02-101h 26Pop Break TodayEvery Pod You Cast - Episode 1: Outlandos d'Amour, 1978It’s Every Pod You Cast, a podcast dedicated to the British rock band The Police! Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes is joined by Chris Mancini and Randy Allain of Media/Lit as they delve into the discography of the postpunk power trio, from 1978 to 1983.
In the first official episode of the season, Justin, Chris, and Randy examine The Police’s debut album from 1978. They talk Andy Summers’ power of poetry, Stewart Copeland’s big boy drum fills, and of course, Sting’s famous posterior piano playing. They also find time to discuss other artis...
2024-02-021h 32Media/LitBatman Returns (1992)In this episode, Kris Ingersoll visits the podcast to shine a light on one of his favorite films, Batman Returns (1992), and explore its influence on his life, interests, and values.
Randy and Kris explore everything from nostalgia and childhood memories to cinematography and the duality of human nature.
Whether you love Batman, Michelle Pfeiffer, or Happy Meals, this podcast is for you.
Want to get in touch? Visit our website! Follow us on Twitter: @MediaLitPod and Instagram: @media.lit.pod! Also, hit us with your questions, comm...
2024-01-271h 18
How to Heal Our DividesBook interview with Randy Woodley – “Becoming Rooted: One Hundred Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth”Book interview with Randy Woodley – “Becoming Rooted: One Hundred Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth”
2022-12-0235 min