• Check out Rike's previous episode about No, or the Vain Glory of Command (1990) and the history of Portuguese national identity: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a57f5cb5
• Follow Rike on Twitter @rikeyboi
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Music & audio credits

• 90s Lofi type beat - Liadiii
• Yesterday – bloom.
• In My Dreams – bloom.

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/156218067

Gaius from Tribunate returns to talk about the parallels between the Iran War and Rome's wars with Carthage and Persia.

Music by SHADE08

• Follow Y. L. on Twitter @EmissaryOfNight or Bluesky @DiplomatOfNight.com 
• Find some of Y. L.'s work here: https://linktr.ee/EmissaryOfNight
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Music & audio credits

• Sunshine (Prod. Riddiman)
• Yesterday – bloom.
• In My Dreams - bloom.

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/154372459

It's the March music exchange! In this installment, Josh and I discuss Simple Math by Manchester Orchestra and South of Heaven by Slayer. Also rage quitting jobs.

Music by Manchester Orchestra, Slayer, and SHADE08

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References

• "Ur-Fascism," Umberto Eco, https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/umberto-eco-ur-fascism

Music & Audio credits

• Typical - Mutemath
• Yesterday – bloom.
• Comfort Eagle - CAKE

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/153865974

On today's episode, Josh and Josiah talk about Claire Denis' 1999 arthouse drama about bored, shirtless French soldiers, Beau Travail (1999).

Music by SHADE08

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Music & Audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda - The Pogues (originally by Eric Bogle)
• Fascist - Minutemen
• "SCOTT JENNINGS Talks Bush Presidency, Debates, CNN," The Adam Friedland Show, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQd6k_PVYx8
• I Might Need You to Kill - The Thermals
• Green Shirt - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
• Goon Squad - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
• Rúdolf - Þeyr
• Tear the Fascists Down - Woodie Guthrie

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/152401378

It's the February music exchange! Shut up, no, it's not March. This episode is a February episode. In this installment, Josh and I discuss Ultimate Success Today by Protomartyr and Sabotage by Black Sabbath. Also we talk about Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.

Music by Protomartyr, Black Sabbath, and SHADE08

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References

• Eye of Vichy (1993, dir. Claude Chabrol)
• Tu appelles Renée by Ruth Kapp Hartz

Audio credits

• Audio from The Eye of Vichy (1993)
• Maréchal, nous voilà!, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmsdHnQ7RD8
• Yesterday – bloom.
• The Partisan - Leonard Cohen

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/151286472

Welcome to the Fruitless Sports Corner (FSC): a semi-reoccurring series where Josiah, Nathan Thiessen, Chris Barker, and Jake the Lawyer talk about sports. On today's episode we discuss a long tweet, Ilian Malinin falling, how the Winter Olympics could improve the TV watching experience, cheating at curling, speed skaters being fast, axe throwing, Jake's weeb shit, hockey being a form of soccer, libertarian sports, Nebraska being a terrible state, Nate meeting some annoying Nebraska fans, loud college stadiums, Runza, NIL, Ruben Amorim, Nate being mad at the Packers, the Super Bowl and halftime show.

Music by Viagra Boys and SHADE08

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References

• Thumbnail was taken by photojournalist Jeff Wheeler for the Minnesota Star Tribune
• "How Minnesota became a hub for Somali immigrants in the U.S.," Joe Hernandez, NPR, https://www.npr.org/2025/12/03/nx-s1-5631809/somali-immigrants-minnesota-twin-cities-trump-ilhan-omar
• "Key figures in the long-running controversy over alleged fraudulent safety net programs in Minnesota," Ray Sanchez and Cheri Mossburg, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/02/us/fraud-minnesota-programs-scandal-trump
• "Everything we know about Minnesota's massive fraud schemes," Jonah Kaplan and Joe Walsh, CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/minnesota-fraud-schemes-what-we-know/
• "Minnesota investigators say child care centers accused of fraud are operating normally as governor drops reelection bid," Zoe Sottile and Andy Rose, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/us/minnesota-child-care-fraud-investigation
• "Federal agents probe fraud allegations targeting Somali child care providers in Minnesota," Nick Schifrin and Jonah Anderson, PBS, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/federal-agents-probe-fraud-allegations-targeting-somali-child-care-providers-in-minnesota
• "School districts could face funding gaps due to virtual learning, missing students during Operation Metro Surge," Gordon Severson, KARE 11, https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/ice-in-minnesota/school-districts-could-face-funding-gaps-due-to-virtual-learning-missing-students-during-operation-metro-surge/89-11755d76-3b77-4fed-a2d3-f766e332131b
• "Death raises new fraud allegations in Minnesota’s Medicaid-funded ICS program," A.J. Lagoe, Kelly Dietz, Steven Eckert, Gary Knox, KARE 11, https://www.kare11.com/article/news/investigations/kare-11-investigates-unattended-death-raises-new-fraud-allegations-minnesota-medicaid-funded-ics-program/89-61240443-b8c1-4a60-969b-0b601c5fbd5d
• “The Largest Funder of Al-Shabaab Is the Minnesota Taxpayer,” Ryan Thorpe and Christopher Rufo, City Journal, https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-welfare-fraud-somalia-al-shabaab
• "Key source says story that prompted Trump tirade against Somalis is erroneous," Deena Winter, The Minnesota Star Tribune, https://www.startribune.com/city-journal-fraud-story-seattle-detective/601537870
• "Who is Nick Shirley, the 23-year-old MAGA journalist whose Minnesota fraud story went viral?," Hadas Gold, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/30/media/nick-shirley-minnesota-somali-video
• "Fact check: What’s really happening with child care fraud in Minnesota," Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th, https://19thnews.org/2026/01/child-care-fraud-minnesota-fact-check/
• "ICE Reportedly Stole a 10th Grader’s Phone, Then Seemingly Sold It for Cash," Frank Landymore, https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ice-reportedly-stole-10th-grader-230138675.html
• "Immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, memo says," Rebecca Santana, Associated Press, https://apnews.com/article/ice-arrests-warrants-minneapolis-trump-00d0ab0338e82341fd91b160758aeb2d
• "ICE plans $100 million 'wartime recruitment' push targeting gun shows, military fans for hires," Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/12/31/ice-wartime-recruitment-push/
• NSPM-7, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/
• Timeline on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Metro_Surge#Timeline_of_operation
• "Minneapolis Pastor Says He Was Detained by ICE After Joining Protest, Told 'You're White' and 'Wouldn’t Be Any Fun Anyway' on Release," Ashley Vega, People, https://people.com/minneapolis-pastor-says-ice-detained-him-after-joining-protest-told-he-wouldnt-be-any-fun-because-youre-white-11884703
• "ICE entered Minneapolis hospital without warrant, handcuffed patient to bed, community organizers say," Jason Rantala, CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/hcmc-hennepin-healthcare-ice-patient-handcuffed/
• "Ecuador says ICE tried to enter its Minneapolis consulate — here's what happened," BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cvgpdx1yr15o
• "Walz: ICE may leave MN soon," Fox 9 KMSP, https://www.fox9.com/video/fmc-ch876hzml20j4brm

Audio credits

• Opening audio is from several videos of community members at the scene of Alex Pretti's murder a few hours later; videos shared by Left Voice on Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/leftvoice.bsky.social/post/3md6zzb4mzk2r
• Yesterday – bloom.
• Day Without End - Protomartyr
• "ICE operations u...

• Follow Bryan on Letterboxd @bryanonion and Bluesky @bryanonion.bsky.social
• Buy Bryan's novel, It Helps With the Blues, here: https://traumbooks.com/ithelpswiththeblues/
• Check out Bryan's blog here: https://bryancebulski.wordpress.com/
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Reference

• The 400 Blows (1959, dir. François Truffaut)
• Antoine and Colette (1962, dir. François Truffaut)
• Stolen Kisses (1968, dir. François Truffaut)
• Bed and Board (1970, dir. François Truffaut)
• Love on the Run (1979, dir. François Truffaut)

Music & Audio credits

• Générique/Les Quatre Cents Coups - Jean Constantin
• Yesterday – bloom.
• L'amour En Fuite - Alain Souchon

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/149171850

It's the first music exchange of 2026! In this installment, Josh and I discuss Bows + Arrows by The Walkmen and 1000 Hurts by Shellac. Also we talk about Guys.

Music by The Walkmen, Shellac, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/147927958/

Continuing the tradition of kicking off the year with some low effort episodes while I (Josiah) recover from working the holidays, Caleb, James C. Liker, and eventually Josh joined me to hang out and mostly talk about movies. We spoil Bugonia. We also touch briefly on the recent ICE murder in Minneapolis.

Music by SHADE08

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• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Reference

• "Venezuelan Exiles Root for U.S. Military Action. Those Left Behind Oppose It," Ryan Dubé in The Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuelan-exiles-root-for-u-s-military-action-those-left-behind-oppose-it-01d3afe0

Music & Audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• One - Metallica

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146548844/

For the final episode of 2025, Phil Cozzi returns to talk about The Bishop's Wife (1947), a Christmas movie about an angel teaching a workaholic Episcopal bishop to be nice to his wife. We also talk about Christmas movie tropes in general, and Phil does some theologizing.

Music by SHADE08

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Music & Audio credits

• Hungry - Liadiii
• Yesterday – bloom.
• We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146403025

It's a very special holiday Christmas music exchange! In this installment, Josh and I discuss The Lost Christmas Eve by Trans-Siberian Orchestra and If I Should Fall From Grace with God by The Pogues. Also not being in the Christmas spirit. 

Music by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Pogues, and SHADE08

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Music & Audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• Mao Boy - Indochine

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144831017

More and more people are calling December 1st really just November 31st. That's right, it's the November music exchange. In this installment, Josh and I discuss The Dismemberment Plan is Terrified by Dismemberment Plan and My Life as a Woman by Couch Slut. Also we talk about the movies and the state of cinema. Content warning on this one.

Music by Dismemberment Plan, Couch Slut, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/even-my-escapism-144196927

Welcome to the Fruitless Sports Corner (FSC): a semi-reoccurring series where Josiah, Nathan Thiessen, Chris Barker, and Jake the Lawyer talk about sports. On today's episode we talk about white boys going woo, the World Series, how hard it is to be a Texas/Iowa college football fan, the martyrdom of Carson Wentz, playing while injured, generational wealth, Rooney Mara, World Cup qualifiers, Manchester United being good now, and the MLS schedule change. Also Jake tries to get Josiah sued by Robert Kraft. 

Music by Viagra Boys, Steve Reich, and SHADE08

No, or the Vain Glory of Command (1990) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc5BTW7l9J8

• Follow Rike on Twitter @rikeyboi
• Follow Finch on Twitter @finchowar or Bluesky @finchowar.bsky.social
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• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton or Bluesky @josiahwsutton.bsky.social

Audio credits

• Yesterday - bloom.
• Music from No, or the Vain Glory of Command (1990)

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
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• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
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Audio credits

• Yesterday - bloom.
• Audio from Punishment Park (1971)
• The Price of Living By Delinquent Ideals - Magrudergrind

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142703140

It's October's music exchange (a few days late, but you had four whole horror episodes in October so I figured you're fine). In this installment, Josh and I discuss Darker Days Ahead by Tragedy and A Laughing Death in Meatspace by Tropical Fuck Storm. Also we talk about about audio, video, and photo editing softwares for a bit too long.

Music by Tragedy, Tropical Fuck Storm, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142209377

The final episode of horror month! On today's episode, Josiah, Jackal, and Josh discuss John Darnielle's novel Wolf in White Van. Ambiguous on whether it's a proper horror novel, Josh compares and contrasts the book with The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty, exploring youthful self-destruction and the darker side of human imagination. This episode is pretty heavy, and it comes with a pretty strong content warning regarding discussion of suicide and self-harm.

Music by Larry Norman and SHADE08

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• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
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References

• Savageland (2015, dir. Phil Guidry, Simon Herbert and David Whelan)
• "Inside ‘Savageland’: An Interview with David Whelan," Ross Kiefer in The Carolinian, https://carolinianuncg.com/2017/03/22/inside-savageland-an-interview-with-david-whelan/
• "Meet Noé Montes," Bold Journey, https://boldjourney.com/meet-noe-montes/

Audio credits

• Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio from Savageland (2015)
• GG Seq - Zoviet France
• Yesterday - bloom.
• Bilingüe - El Shirota

Find out more about M.J. here at his campaign website: https://mj4wdm.org

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Audio credits

• Yesterday - bloom.
• In My Dreams – bloom.

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/141301573

Horror month continues! On today's episode, Jackal and Josiah discuss a classic of Italian horror, Lucio Fulci's 1981 surrealist gore film, The Beyond.

Music by Fabio Frizzi and SHADE08

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References

• Candyman (1991, dir. Bernard Rose)

Audio credits

• Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - Johann Sebastian Bach
• Going to Cabrini - Philip Glass
• Cue 4A - Philip Glass
• Yesterday - bloom.
• Audio from Candyman  (1991)
• First meeting with Candy - Philip Glass
• Murder - Philip Glass
• Funeral - Philip Glass
• Heavier Bombing - Magrudergrind

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/140334720

It's September's music exchange coming at you a few days late. Sorry about that. On this installment, Josh and I discuss City of Evil by Avenged Sevenfold and The Sunset Tree by The Mountain Goats. Also Josh went to RiotFest with Caleb.

Music by Avenged Sevenfold, The Mountain Goats, and SHADE08

Pre-order Jacob's novel, They Called Her Rebel, here: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/roundfire-books/our-books/they-called-her-rebel

• Check out The Socialist Shelf: https://www.socialistshelf.com/
• Follow The Socialist Shelf on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/socialistshelf.bsky.social
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• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Captain America Comics #1 (1940) by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.
• Avengers #4 (1963) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.
• Captain America Vol. 1, #117-119 (1968) by Stan Lee & Gene Colan.
• Captain America Vol. 1, #169-176 (1974) by Steve Englehart & Sal Buscema.
• Captain America Vol. 1, #180 (1974) by Steve Englehart & Sal Buscema.
• Captain America Vol. 1, #250 (1980) by Roger Stern & John Byrne.
• Captain America Vol. 5, #8-9 (2005) by Ed Brubaker.
• Captain America Vol. 5, #11-14 (2005) by Ed Brubaker.

Audio credits

• Sentimental - Dan Darmawan
• Yesterday - bloom.
• 'Merican - Descendents

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/139132098

Welcome to the Fruitless Sports Corner (FSC): a now semi-reoccurring series where Josiah, Nathan Thiessen, Chris Barker, and Jake the Lawyer talk about sports. On today's episode, we discuss the start of the NFL season while Josiah watches the Falcons @ Vikings, college football traditions, MLS being the most entertaining soccer, and the issues with Manchester United. Also, Chris tries to help Jake and Josiah pick an F1 team.

Music by Viagra Boys and SHADE08

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• The Dirties (2013, dir. Matt Johnson)
• "One-Man Band: A Conversation with Matt Johnson About The Dirties," Calum Marsh in Cinema Scope, https://cinema-scope.com/features/one-man-band-a-conversation-with-matt-johnson-about-the-dirties-by-calum-marsh/
• "Interview: MATTHEW JOHNSON Director of THE DIRTIES," Comics Grinder, https://comicsgrinder.com/2013/10/17/interview-matthew-johnson-director-of-the-dirties/
• "Interview: ‘The Dirties’ director Matt Johnson on bullying, tolerance, and working without a script," Brent Hankins in The Lamplight Review, https://lamplightreview.com/interview-the-dirties-director-matt-johnson-bullying-tolerance-working-script/
• "Interview with Matt Johnson (The Dirties, Operation Avalanche) #VIFF16," YMS on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4uO4YYhAPU

Audio credits

• Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA - Basshunter
• Yesterday - bloom.
• Audio from The Dirties
• Army - Ben Folds Five

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/137764349

Josh and I discuss Steal This Album by System of a Down and Wildlife by La Dispute. Also this is the 50th Patreon episode.

Music by System of a Down, La Dispute, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/gemstones-4-out-137047530

Joseph (@gross_online), Josiah, Josh, and James (@cigarette_liker) all reconvene to run through the house with a pickle in our mouth and discuss the final season of The Righteous Gemstones. Shout out to Hayden Christensen.

Music by The Righteous Gemstones & SHADE08

• Pre-order Why Christians Should Be Leftists here: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884053/why-christians-should-be-leftists/
• Check out Phil Christman's Substack The Tourist: https://philipchristman.substack.com/
• Follow Phil on Bluesky @philipchristman.bsky.social
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America by Sam Tanenhaus
• "William F. Buckley’s Bill Never Came Due," Brandy Jensen in Defector, https://defector.com/william-f-buckleys-bill-never-came-due
• "A Complicated Man: William F. Buckley, Jr. (w/ Sam Tanenhaus)," Know Your Enemy, https://www.dissentmagazine.org/blog/know-your-enemy-a-complicated-man/
• "Keeping Up with the Bozells," Know Your Enemy, https://www.patreon.com/posts/unlocked-keeping-100674682

Audio credits

• Whatever - 80 horse
• Yesterday - bloom.
• "Gore Vidal vs. William F. Buckley Jr.," YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ1cRbkoPus
• Lindbergh - Woody Guthrie

• Follow today's guest on Twitter @lukewsavage and Bluesky @lukewsavage.bsky.social‬
• Check out Luke's Substack: https://www.lukewsavage.com/
• Listen to Michael & Us: https://www.patreon.com/c/michaelandus/
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Audio credits

• Lighter - midsummer
• Yesterday – bloom. 
• In My Dreams - bloom.

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134976204

Content warning for in-depth and detailed discussion of school shootings.

On today's episode, Josh and I end Christian Rock Summer 2025 on a somber note by exploring the legacy of the Columbine shooting in Christian media, specifically the martyr narratives that developed around the murders of Cassie Bernall and Rachel Joy Scott.

Music by SHADE08 and Alvedon; audio of news report from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4M05RtlGMs

Content warning: Today's episode contains a lengthy discussion about the sexual assault allegations that have come out regarding Michael Tait.

• Follow today's guest on Twitter @spocksbrian and Bluesky @spocksbrian.worstpossible.world
• Listen to The Worst of All Possible Worlds
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• !Hero: The Rock Opera, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sAAtOosJVY
• !Hero: The Rock Opera, Various Artists, https://open.spotify.com/album/2xyLlMkoj24VBhzRsKJMBT?si=Vg4quh3rSIOvoV7S_lUqfw
• "'!Hero' puts spin on familiar story," Sarasota-Herald Tribune, https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2003/10/31/hero-puts-spin-on-familiar-story/28772644007/. This is where the quote of Michael Tait saying Jesus "probably looked more like a terrorist" is from.
• "JFH Concert Review: !Hero - The Rock Opera Tour, 11/8/03, Washing Township Performing Arts Center, Sewell, NJ," Jesus Freak Hideout, https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/concerts/!Hero.asp
• "!Hero: The Rock Opera," God Awful Movies, https://podcasts.apple.com/lk/podcast/hero-the-rock-opera/id1041876428?i=1000554848223
• "Hayley Williams Hopes Christian Music Industry ‘Crumbles’ Amid Michael Tait Scandal: ‘F— All of You Who Knew and Didn’t Say Anything,’" Chris Willman in Variety, https://variety.com/2025/music/news/hayley-williams-christian-music-crumbles-michael-tait-ccm-1236430953/
• "EXCLUSIVE: Former Newsboys Frontman Michael Tait Accused of Sexual Assault, Grooming, and Substance Abuse, Dating Back to 2004," Jessica Morris in The Roys Report, https://julieroys.com/former-newsboys-frontman-michael-tait-accused-sexual-assault-grooming-substance-abuse-dating-back-to-2004/
• "Ex-Newsboys Singer Michael Tait Breaks Silence on Sexual Assault Allegations: ‘I Will Simply Call It What God Calls It — Sin,’" Jessica Nicholson in Billboard, https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-tait-newsboys-responds-sexual-assault-allegations-1235995610/
• "'He stole a piece of our souls’: Christian music star Michael Tait accused of sexual assault by three men," Josiah Hesse in The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/13/michael-tait-sexual-assault-allegations
• "Woman Accuses Michael Tait of Drugging Her and Watching While She Was Raped; Says Newsboys Tour Manager Covered It Up," Jessica Morris in The Roys Report, https://julieroys.com/woman-accuses-michael-tait-drugging-her-watching-newsboys-tour-manager-covered-up/

Audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• !Hero: The Rock Opera, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sAAtOosJVY
• Ooh Ahh (My Life Be Like) - GRITS (feat. tobyMac) 

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/133681381

Christian Rock Summer 2025 continues! On today's episode, Josiah, Josh, Nate, and James discuss the kings of Christian post-hardcore/metalcore/screamo: Underoath.

Music by SHADE08 and Underoath

• Follow today's guest on Twitter @gotitatguineys and Bluesky @gotitatguineys.bsky.social
• Listen to Lions Led By Donkeys and Beneath the Skin
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Intro to Christian Rock, Spotify Playlist, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7yggUowVXfHsluI7TNfLlg
• God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Christian Contemporary Music by Leah Payne
• This Substack piece from Josiah includes the infamous Amy Grant album art and also a bit about Michael Tait: https://josiahlist.substack.com/i/165291996/christian-rock-summer-baby
• "Video Redeemed The Radio Star: Definitive Edition (feat. Rosey Armstrong)," The Worst of All Possible Worlds, https://www.patreon.com/posts/182-video-radio-125187076

Audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• Shine - Newsboys
• Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music? - Larry Norman
• Gotta Serve Somebody - Bob Dylan
• I Wish We'd All Been Ready - The Fishmarket Combo (Originally by Larry Norman)
• Walkin' in the Light - Petra
• To Hell With the Devil - Stryper
• On the Fritz - Steve Taylor
• I Want to Be a Clone - Steve Taylor
• Luv is a Verb - dc Talk
• Jesus Freak - dc Talk
• Colored People - dc Talk
• Big House - Audio Adrenaline
• Liquid - Jars of Clay
• Pour Me Out - PFR
• I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever - Delirious?
• I've Always Loved You - Third Day
• Kiss Me -Sixpence None the Richer
• Super Good Feeling - Bleach
• Punk Rawk Show - MxPx
• Supertones Strike Back - The O.C. Supertones
• Get Your Riot Gear - Five Iron Frenzy
• Lies Of Serpents, A River Of Tears - Zao 
• Youth of the Nation - P.O.D.
• Meant to Live - Switchfoot
• All Around Me - Flyleaf
• Cassie - Flyleaf
• Be My Escape - Relient K
• Comatose - Skillet
• Monster - Skillet
• Lips of an Angel - Hinder
• Voices - Saosin
• Ohio is For Lovers - Hawthorne Heights
• Undo Me - Jennifer Knapp
• Hey Hey - Superchick
• Phenomenon - Thousand Foot Krutch
• Love Addict - Family Force 5
• Pitiful - Blindside
• Breathe Into Me - Red
• Scars Remain - Disciple
• Fire At Will - Jonah 33
• Evil (A Chorus of Resistance) - Project 86
• White Washed - August Burns Red
• In Regards to Myself - Underoath
• A Boy Brushed Red Living In Black and White - Underoath
• Say This Sooner - The Almost
• Empire - As Cities Burn
• New Medicines - Dead Poetic
• The Feel Good Drag - Anberlin
• Gravedigging - The Classic Crime
• Identity - August Burns Red
• God's Not Dead (Like a Lion) - Newsboys
• Breakfast - Newsboys

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/132809608

Josh and I discuss FIDLAR by FIDLAR and Freak Out! by The Mothers of Invention.

Music by FIDLAR, The Mothers of Invention, and SHADE08

Alien and Josiah go through their ballots for the New York Times' 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century. 

Music by SHADE08

• Read Keanu’s piece in the New International: https://newintermag.com/iran-israel-the-logic-of-escalation/
• Follow Keanu on Bluesky @keanuheydari.bsky.social
• Find Keanu's work here: https://www.keanuheydari.com/
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZWDsDrQ0XvDQFWzE6s2gg
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Quote from Ursula von der Leyen about energy markets, https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1934821830977835129
• Agence France-Presse. “Guerre au Proche-Orient : « Les habitants de Téhéran paieront le prix » des frappes iraniennes, avertit Israël.” 15 June 2025. https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/160625/guerre-au-proche-orient-les-habitants-de-teheran-paieront-le-prix-des-frappes-iraniennes-avertit-is
• El Azzouzi, Rachida. “À Téhéran, les habitants sont saisis de peur et de panique.” Mediapart, 16 June 2025. https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/160625/teheran-les-habitants-sont-saisis-de-peur-et-de-panique
• Financial Times. “Iran’s regime fights for survival.” 16 June 2025. https://www.ft.com/content/6103cfdb-0f36-4500-96ef-f3b86a7b29f8
• Financial Times. “Israel-Iran tensions test central banks’ appetite for rate cuts.” 16 June 2025. https://www.ft.com/content/62b8ccec-4997-49b0-99ee-31876e0e6a15
• Financial Times. “Oil price falls back as flow of crude through Strait of Hormuz unaffected.” 17 June 2025. https://www.ft.com/content/06ce9c20-f5cb-41bf-862c-27d1c4521d45
• Financial Times. “Was Iran really developing nuclear weapons?” 16 June 2025. https://www.ft.com/content/3a8d78b9-4923-4aef-a303-a0e973ef812d
• Ramdani, Ilyes. “Guerre contre l’Iran : Emmanuel Macron pris au piège israélien.” Mediapart, 16 June 2025. https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/politique/160625/guerre-contre-l-iran-emmanuel-macron-pris-au-piege-israelien

Music & audio credits

• Sunshine (Prod. Riddiman)
• Yesterday – bloom.
• Lofi hiphop 2020 - midsummer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVcH-b6vi8Y

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsutton(.bsky.social)

References

• Weiner (2016)
• "ANTHONY WEINER | Scandal, 2016 Election, Hillary Clinton," The Adam Friedland Show on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k2klUR6h9o
• "Anthony Weiner MELTDOWN," PBD Podcast on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8sKo4KQO-E
• "Anthony Weiner Addresses Past Sexting Scandals As He Launches Attempted Comeback," The View on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdZPxddXWcM

Audio credits

• Sentimental - Dan Darmawan
• Yesterday – bloom.
• Anthony Weiner on The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell in 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDBkm_tsmO4
• Clip from The Simpsons

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/130384396

Josh and I discuss Hot Fuss by The Killers and Blue Record by Baroness. Also The Office and re-watch podcasts.

Music by The Killers, Baroness, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/129786888

On today's episode, Jackal, James C. Liker, and Josiah discuss the first season of Common Side Effects.

Music by SHADE08

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsutton(.bsky.social)

References

• Caleb's Spotify playlist, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7bSlCXPulffUmLsTt5ueeT?si=05a7243f0a0c4ed9
• "Nick Cave's first band was called 'the most violent band in the world,'" QwithTomPower on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UBKA2ehQE7A?si=MdWyyVAb3HPN-6gI
• "Henry Rollins on Nick Cave PoPP CLIPS," Tyler Smith on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THuenrCAPIE
• "Nick Cave On Singing With Johnny Cash And The Joyful, Uplifting Vibe Of His New Album, ‘Wild God’," The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8qmV6MYCF4
• "50 truths on the hidden metaphysics of America," MythoAmerica on Substack, https://mythoamerica.substack.com/p/50-truths-on-the-hidden-metaphysics

Audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• Roman Roman - The Boys Next Door
•  iPhone recording I took of Red Right Hand by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
• Tupelo - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
• The Mercy Seat - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
• The Mercy Seat (Live from KCRW) - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
• Release the Bats - The Birthday Party
• Dead Joe - The Birthday Party
• After a Fashion - The Boys Next Door

• Check out Finch's Substack here: https://jmkazmierczak.substack.com/
• Read Finch's piece "Death and the Archivist" here: https://jmkazmierczak.substack.com/p/death-and-the-archivist
• Follow Finch on Twitter @santo_pinzon or Bluesky @finchowar.bsky.social
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZWDsDrQ0XvDQFWzE6s2gg
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• "Society of the Snow (feat. Finch)," Fruitless, https://share.transistor.fm/s/69ca1424
• "The pope called them every night until his final hours. Now, Gaza’s Christians cling to the hope he left behind," Abeer Salman and Oren Liebermann for CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/23/middleeast/pope-gaza-christians-mourning-intl/index.html
• Conclave (2024, dir. Edward Berger)
• Conclave by Robert Harris
• Conclavoscope, https://conclavoscope.com/en
• "How Pope Crave Went From Conclave to the Conclave," Meg Zukin in Time, https://time.com/7283807/pope-crave-conclave-rome/
• "Cardinals are watching ‘Conclave’ the movie for guidance on the actual conclave," Ben Munster for Politico, https://www.politico.eu/article/cardinals-watch-conclave-movie-for-real-life-guidance/
• "Pope Leo XIV Watched Conclave Before Being Elected the New Pope (Yes, Really!)," John Weiss for NBC, https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/pope-leo-watched-conclave-movie-before-being-elected-new-pope-at-actual-conclave
• Papability Index, https://x.com/pope_predictor
• "Meet ‘Luce’: The Vatican’s cartoon mascot for Jubilee 2025," Courtney Mares for Catholic News Agency, https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260129/meet-luce-the-vatican-s-cartoon-mascot-for-jubilee-2025
• Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
•  "Cubs, White Sox celebrate election of Chicago native Pope Leo XIV," ESPN, https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45058434/chicago-cubs-white-sox-celebrate-pope-leo-xiv-sports-fandom
• "Chase Meidroth gets hit in the head with a pop up," https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/video/cam-booser-in-play-no-out-to-drew-waters
• "Church officials OK’d moving another priest accused of abuse to Hyde Park friary, records show," Robert Herguth in Chicago Sun Times, https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/26/22302129/catholics-priest-child-sex-abuse-st-john-friary-james-ray-richard-mcgrath-hyde-park-augustinians
• "Conservatives accused Prevost of covering up abuse in Peru and the United States before conclave," Pablo Ordaz in El Pais, https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-05-09/conservatives-accused-prevost-of-covering-up-abuse-in-peru-and-the-united-states-before-conclave.html
• "Pope dissolves Peru-based Catholic movement after ‘sadistic abuses’," The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/20/pope-dissolves-sodalitium-of-christian-life-peru-catholic-movement-vatican-investigation
• "Will Pope Leo XIV be the one who makes the call on women deacons?," Phyllis Zagano in RNS, https://religionnews.com/2025/05/09/will-pope-leo-xiv-be-the-one-who-makes-the-call-on-women-deacons/
• "Pope Leo signals he will closely follow Francis and says AI represents challenge for humanity," Lauren Kent for CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/10/europe/pope-leo-prevost-cardinals-artificial-intelligence-intl
• "New Pope Leo XIV’s brother shared gross post calling Nancy Pelosi a ‘drunk c—t’," David Propper in New York Post, https://nypost.com/2025/05/11/us-news/new-pope-leo-xivs-brother-shared-gross-post-calling-nancy-pelosi-a-drunk-c/

Music & audio credits

• Gregorian Chant Rap Beat - sero.k
• Yesterday – bloom.
• "Chase Meidroth gets hit in the head with a pop up," https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/video/cam-booser-in-play-no-out-to-drew-waters
• A royalty free hip-hop remix of Ave Maria I downloaded back when I did Mammonburg but have lost the artist name since. If the person who did this somehow stumbles across this, let me know so I can credit you.

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/127834866

Josh and I discuss The Pleasure Principle by Gary Numan and The Suburbs by Arcade Fire. Also the Minecraft movie.

Music by Gary Numan, Arcade Fire, and SHADE08

• Check out Tribunate on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tribunateSPQR
• Follow Gaius on Bluesky @gaius.bsky.social
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZWDsDrQ0XvDQFWzE6s2gg
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• "Cato, the Filibuster, and the Death of the Republic," Tribunate on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgD3_eBBn5o
• "The Price of Power: Exploitation and the End of the Roman Republic," Tribunate on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEi8Tu1-DSM
• "...And Forgive Them Their Debts (Bookclub #6)," Fruitless, https://share.transistor.fm/s/ebf3fb42
• "Class & Sexuality in Ancient Rome Part 1: Gay Relationships," Tribunate on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9y-thVnwKg
• "Why Caesar Committed Genocide (and Why He was Proud of It)," Tribunate on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lzrrTZTRZA
• "Sulla, Rome's Bloodiest Dictator," Tribunate on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RClu7ADAcb4
• "Why Elon Musk Loves Sulla," Tribunate on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8DP3jz__ik

Music & audio credits

• Hungry - Liadiii
• Yesterday – bloom.
• In My Dreams – bloom.

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/126664485

On today's episode, Alien, Josh, and Josiah turn up the dubstep, shotgun their Monster energy drinks, and get party rocking as they talk about Spring Breakers (2012) and the cinematic universe of Harmony Korine, as well as take a brief detour into the work and influence of Skrillex on American pop culture.

Music by SHADE08 and Skrillex

• Phil Christman's previous appearance on Fruitless: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e49b23bc
• Pre-order Why Christians Should Be Leftists here: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884053/why-christians-should-be-leftists/
• Check out Phil Christman's Substack The Tourist: https://philipchristman.substack.com/
• Follow Phil on Bluesky @philipchristman.bsky.social
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZWDsDrQ0XvDQFWzE6s2gg
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman
• Technopoly by Neil Postman
• The Medium is the Massage by Marshall McLuhan
• "The Media Ecologists," Phil Christman on Substack, https://philipchristman.substack.com/p/the-media-ecologists
• "You Don't Need a Postman To Know It's Mostly Junk Mail," Phil Christman on Substack, https://philipchristman.substack.com/p/you-dont-need-a-postman-to-know-its
• Teaching as a Subversive Activity by Neil Postman
• Teaching as a Conserving Activity by Neil Postman
• The Disappearance of Childhood by Neil Postman
• The Age of Missing Information by Bill McKibben
• WNUF Halloween Special (2013, dir. Chris LaMartina)
• Ghostwatch (1992, dir, Lesley Manning)
• 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance (1994, dir. Michael Haneke)
• Benny's Video (1992, dir. Michael Haneke)

Music & audio credits

• Sunflower (Prod. Lukrembo)
• Yesterday – bloom.
• "Russia Invades Ukraine Sponsored By Applebee's - CNN Clip (February 24, 2022)," YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6QUsx68DCA
• In My Dreams – bloom.

The video essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8ER82CgPZ0
The Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZWDsDrQ0XvDQFWzE6s2gg

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/125236565

Josh and I discuss Plagues Upon Plagues by Sect and The Body, The Blood, The Machine by The Thermals. Also Josiah is sick.

Music by Sect, The Thermals, and SHADE08

• Check out The Socialist Shelf: https://www.socialistshelf.com/
• Follow The Socialist Shelf on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/socialistshelf.bsky.social
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Music & audio credits

• Sentimental - Dan Darmawan
• Yesterday – bloom.
• In My Dreams – bloom

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/124223975

Imagine the title of this episode being said in the most annoying voice possible. Like, imagine the nerd emoji saying it. On today's episode, Nate Thiessen asks Josiah about his recent conversion to Sports Guy over the past year. We talk soccer, NFL, college football, and a bit of baseball.

Music by SHADE08 

• Follow today's guest on Bluesky @stewiegriffindj.bsky.social
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsutton(.bsky.social)

References

• Iowa by Slipknot
• Metal reference points, Spotify Playlist by Alien, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51ZEXeFuBuRaNc5fxJZyNG?si=650f89044f644bf4
• Metal reference points (Expanded Edition), Spotify Playlist by Josh Christianson, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1i6P8PhjDBgKRWYWz7YzvZ?pi=u-ndlJaf6qQneV

Audio credits

• The Heretic Anthem - Slipknot
• Yesterday – bloom.
• People = Shit - Slipknot

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Thumbnail from AP News, taken by Charlie Neibergal, https://apnews.com/article/iowa-civil-rights-code-gender-identity-cf68d2183210133b15a47e526ad2fb0d
• "Iowa City City Council candidate Oliver Weilein isn’t playing it safe," Emma Jane in The Daily Iowan, https://dailyiowan.com/2025/02/25/iowa-city-city-council-candidate-oliver-weilein-isnt-playing-it-safe/
• Rock Hard Caucus, https://rockhardcauc.us/
• "Iowans share concerns after masked members of extremist group Patriot Front march in Des Moines," KCCI, https://www.kcci.com/article/iowans-share-concerns-after-masked-members-of-extremist-group-patriot-front-march-in-des-moines/63883874
• "Iowa GOP fast-tracks bill ending trans civil rights protection as protesters flood Capitol," Stephen Gruber-Miller, Marissa Payne, and Sabine Martin in Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/24/transgender-iowans-would-lose-civil-rights-protections-under-house-bill-advances/80008999007/
• "Bill to remove gender identity from Iowa Civil Rights Act clears Senate subcommittee," Robin Opsahl in Iowa Capitol Dispatch, https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/02/25/bill-to-remove-gender-identity-from-iowa-civil-rights-act-clears-senate-subcommittee/
• "Iowa protestors rally at Statehouse for second day against bill threatening transgender rights," KCCI, https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-politics-senate-bill-transgender-civil-rights-act-protests/63923646
• "Iowa lawmakers rushed through a day of pruning your rights. Here are some." Lucas Grundmeier in Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/2025/02/25/iowa-gender-identity-bill-trans-erasure-restricting-rights/80267967007/
• "Iowa could be first state to revoke transgender rights," Jason Clayworth in Axios, https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/26/iowa-transgender-civil-rights-protections-revoke
• "CPAC Speaker Calls for Eradication of ‘Transgenderism’ — and Somehow Claims He’s Not Calling for Elimination of Transgender People,"  Peter Wade and Patrick Reis in Rolling Stone (from 2023), https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/cpac-speaker-transgender-people-eradicated-1234690924/
• "Key takeaways from Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting with Elon Musk," Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/26/key-takeaways-from-donald-trumps-first-cabinet-meeting-with-elon-musk
• "CPI report: US inflation heats up to 3% for first time since June," Alicia Wallace in CNN, https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/12/business/us-cpi-consumer-inflation-january
• "A Timeline of Eric Adams's Indictment, and What Came Next," New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/article/eric-adams-indictment-timeline.html
• "New York Mayor Eric Adams seeks permanent dismissal of corruption case," Luc Cohen in Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/legal/new-york-mayor-eric-adams-seeks-permanent-dismissal-corruption-case-2025-02-26/
  
  

Music & audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• "CPAC speaker Michael Knowles calls for trans people to be ‘eradicated’," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Q5kfikMsU
• Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z, Alicia Keys
• I Wanna Be at the RNC - Nick Lutsko

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123027149

Josh and I discuss Take as Needed for Pain by Eyehategod and Blue Valentine by Tom Waits. Also Josiah is watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Music by Eyehategod, Tom Waits, and SHADE08

Check out Normalmaxxing here: https://normalmaxxing.substack.com/
Follow AJ on Twitter @normalmaxxedajc and Bluesky @normalmaxxedajc.bsky.social
Check out AJ's previous episode of Fruitless here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/297ea2a7

Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141

Check out Fruitless on YouTube

Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton

Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Music & audio credits

• Sentimental - Dan Darmawan
• Yesterday – bloom.
• In My Dreams – bloom.

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/121814985

Josh and I discuss Crack the Skye by Mastadon and Thank You Happy Birthday by Cage the Elephant. Also Josh is playing a lot of Doom.

Music by Mastodon, Cage the Elephant, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/121046053

Josh and Josiah discuss American politics and the wonderful highs and lows of having a body. Also Josh keeps buying Doom.

Music by SHADE08

Check out Christianity on the Spectrum here: https://christianityonthespectrum.podbean.com/
Follow Jon on Twitter @ChristianityOn or Bluesky @christianityon.bsky.social

Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141

Check out Fruitless on YouTube

Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton

Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Music & audio credits

• Sentimental - Dan Darmawan
• Yesterday – bloom.
• In My Dreams – bloom.

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/120294489

Caleb (@theboghog) joins Josiah to discuss Control (2007), Joy Division, and the life and work of Ian Curtis.

Music by SHADE08 & Joy Division

Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141

Check out Fruitless on YouTube

Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton

Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Recommendations

• "Silly Little Game," 30 for 30, S1E11
• "The History of the Minnesota Vikings," Secret Base on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUXSZMIiUfFRQGbbUgQRky2-gCAFgsAiz
• The Substance (2024)
• Media
• Clearcut (1991)
• The Sting (1973)
• Bicycle Thieves (1948)
• The Drones (band)
• Tropical Fuck Storm (band)
• Dead Kennedys (band)
• The Seventh Seal (1957)
• The Thermals (band)
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs (band)
• Super Besse (band)
• Cursed (band)
• Horsegirl (band)
• Murder in a Foreign Place by M.I.A.

Music & audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• The Future of History - Tropical Fuck Storm

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/119049651

It's the final music exchange of 2024! Sorry that I'm releasing it on the 1st of January; I had some personal stuff come up on New Year's Eve. So just close your eyes while listening and pretend it's 2024 still. Josh and I discuss Millennium by Backstreet Boys and Remain in Light by Talking Heads. Also I worked on Christmas and the online right is having a meltdown.

Music by Talking Heads, Backstreet Boys, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/118549470

Against Josiah's will, the subject of Supernatural returns as Finch brings Jackal and Caleb back to discuss Destiel and how the internet is bad. Josiah only allows this coup d'état of his beloved podcast in the spirit of the holiday and because he is incredibly generous to his friends, but has issued an official ban on the topic of Supernatural going forward.

Music by SHADE08

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Music & audio credits

• Silver Joy - Damien Jurado
• Yesterday – bloom.
• In My Dreams – bloom
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - David Bazan

• Follow today’s guest on Twitter @ameliaschafers and Bluesky @ameliaschafer.bsky.social.
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Donate

• Indian Country Today, to fund more nonprofit journalism like the work Amelia did, https://ictnews.fundjournalism.org/donate/
• COUP Council, https://coupcouncil.org/donate.
• Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation, https://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/projects.
• One Spirit, https://www.onespiritlakota.org/donate.
• Native American Heritage Association, https://www.naha-inc.org/donate.

References

• Amelia's previous appearance on Fruitless, "Indian Country in Present Tense," https://share.transistor.fm/s/1adf122b
• "'They’re ready to go home': Few answers at school gravesite," Amelia Schafer in Indian Country Today, https://ictnews.org/news/theyre-ready-to-go-home-little-answers-offered-for-hidden-gravesite-at-catholic-mission
• "Reporter's Notebook: Telling the tale of one boarding school," Amelia Schafer in Indian Country Today, https://ictnews.org/news/reporters-notebook-researching-a-catholic-boarding-school

Music & audio credits

• Onion - Lukrembo
• Yesterday – bloom.
• In My Dreams – bloom.

Shout out to Bobby: @OnlyOnTuesday_s on Twitter, @OnlyOnTuesdays.bsky.social on Bluesky
Shout out to Keno
Shout out to Budang and Estorvo

• Follow today's guest on Twitter @gotitatguineys and Bluesky @gotitatguineys.bsky.social
• Listen to Lions Led By Donkeys and Beneath the Skin
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Fruitless Hardcore, Spotify Playlist, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Q2MsG0mnlbyUqYxjZBNDt?si=682394de27ba496f
• Japanese Hardcore Mosh Style 2, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpj8byiYeW8
• [hate5six] Red Scare - May 23, 2015, 12:50, YouTube https://youtu.be/Xt2wr3N_QfQ?si=D07aSb6CqoNj9ssB&t=770

Audio credits

• Keep It Moving - Turnstile
• Yesterday – bloom.
• We Want the Truth - Sick of It All
• Victim in Pain - Agnostic Front
• Life is Pain - Merauder
• Firestorm / Forged in the Flames - Earth Crisis
• I Will Be Heard - Hatebreed
• Tower of Snakes - Eighteen Visions
• Believe - Trapped Under Ice
• Scrambled - Harms Way
• "[hate5six] Red Scare - May 23, 2015," 12:50, https://youtu.be/Xt2wr3N_QfQ?si=D07aSb6CqoNj9ssB&t=770
• The End of Love - Twitching Tongues
• E. P. T. S. - Gulch
• Blinding Ignorance - Torture
• Cerimônia - Budang

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/wide-awaaaaake-7-116454689

It's the music exchange! This month, Josh and I discuss Master of Puppets by Metallica and Wide Awaaaaake! by Parquet Courts. Also I'm returning to the service industry.

Music by Metallica, Parquet Courts, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/115934204

Okay, look. This episode is technically about Naked Lunch (1991), but it's mostly Alien and Josiah having a mental breakdown about the election while listening to Death Grips, and also there's some questions about Rivers Cuomo's sexuality.

Music by SHADE08

Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141

Check out Fruitless on YouTube

Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton

Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Music & audio credits

• Trump Song (English Version) - Los 3 de La Habana
• Yesterday – bloom.
• Sauté (Antifa Fútbol Hooligan) - Askultura

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/wold-mx-6-115356105

It's the music exchange! This month, Josh and I discuss Worry by Jeff Rosenstock and Gold by Whores. Also we are sleepy.

Music by Jeff Rosenstock, Whores, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/114640806

Closing out horror month, Jackal and Josiah discuss the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, specifically The Shadow over Innsmouth and At the Mountains of Madness. We all know Lovecraft was a massive racist, and that he is also one of the most influential horror writers of all time. On today's episode, we discuss why his work still resonates with us despite it's vile worldview, and look at some authors and political theorists who have reclaimed the Lovecraftian style.

Music by CO.AG Music & SHADE08

Follow today's guest on Twitter @vitabreva

Follow today's guest on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/vitabreva/

Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141

Check out Fruitless on YouTube

Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton

Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Vita's review of Jennifer's Body (2009), https://letterboxd.com/vitabreva/film/jennifers-body/1/
• "The Passion of the Christ (2004)," Girls, Guts, and Giallo, https://www.patreon.com/posts/passion-of-2004-84479521
• "The Wicker Man (1973)," Girls, Guts, and Giallo, https://www.patreon.com/posts/wicker-man-1973-108827516
• "We've all been pronouncing Amanda Seyfried wrong," Glamour, https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/amanda-seyfried-prononuciation
• "When Michael Bay Degraded Megan Fox—Then Tried to Sabotage Her Career," Marlow Stern in the Daily Beast, https://www.thedailybeast.com/when-michael-bay-degraded-megan-foxthen-tried-to-sabotage-her-career/
• "Michael Bay's Crew Bitchslaps Megan Fox," Nikki Finke in Deadline, https://deadline.com/2009/09/transformers-crew-talk-back-to-megan-fox-15879/
• "'I Eat Boys': Monstrous Femininity in Jennifer's Body," Victoria Santamaría Ibor in Babel AFIAL, PDF, https://revistas.uvigo.es/index.php/AFIAL/article/download/4301/3375
• "Popular girl goes bad, begins to devour teen flesh," Roger Ebert, https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jennifers-body-2009
• "How Jennifer’s Body went from a flop in 2009 to a feminist cult classic today," Constance Grady in Vox, https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/10/31/18037996/jennifers-body-flop-cult-classic-feminist-horror
• "The life, death, and rebirth of Jennifer’s Body, according to screenwriter Diablo Cody," Emily St. James in Vox, https://www.vox.com/i-think-youre-interesting/2018/11/10/18080168/jennifers-body-diablo-cody-interview-reborn

Music & audio credits

• Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - Johann Sebastian Bach
• Through the Trees - Low Shoulder
• Yesterday – bloom.

Horror Month at Fruitless continues! This week, Caleb Sutton (@theboghog) joins Jackal and Josiah to discuss Misfits and the king of horror punk, Glenn Danzig. Please listen, I suffered through Verotika (2019) for this one. 

• Follow today's guest on Twitter @theboghog or also on Twitter @clebsooten
• Follow today's guest on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/csutton2/
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Caleb's Glenn Danzig playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40bEmV8T8eYYu4lTOzNvdd?si=152672dfb81546f4
• Verotika (2019)
• Review of Verotika from someone who was at the premiere, Lee Kolcz, https://letterboxd.com/leekolcz/film/verotika/
• "Before Bauhaus: How Goth Became Goth," Trash Theory on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GbgQBjBfPA
• "Siouxsie & The Banshees: Jet Black Pop Darlings ("Spellbound")," Trash Theory on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpcGfgNIhUM
• "Glenn Danzig Reflects on Early Punk Days," Rolling Stone on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5QTFDxX2yE
• "Glenn Danzig on the Horror that Scares Him," Rolling Stone on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jx0VeMbfJk

Audio credits

• Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - Johann Sebastian Bach
• Last Caress - Misfits
• I Put a Spell on You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
• Release the Bats - The Birthday Party
• Cities in Dust - Siouxsie and the Banshees
• Nazi Punks Fuck Off - Dead Kennedys
• Bloodfeast - Misfits
• Astro Zombies - Misfits
• Night of the Living Dead - Misfits
• Return of the Fly - Misfits
• Bullet - Misfits
• Where Eagles Dare - Misfits
• Mother - Danzig
• Theme for a Jackal - Misfits

Content warning: discussion of sexual violence and pedophilia.

• Follow today's guest on Twitter @jessehawken and Bluesky @jessehawken.bsky.social
• Check out Junk Filter: https://patreon.com/junkfilter
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Music & audio credits

• Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - Johann Sebastian Bach
• Quei giorni insieme a te - Riz Ortolani
• Yesterday – bloom.
• Quei giorni insieme a te - Ornella Vanoni

Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
Check out Fruitless on YouTube
Find more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton

Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Music & Audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• Violence - Parquet Courts

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• "LAPD raid goes from bad to farce after gun allegedly sucked onto MRI machine," Lester Black in SFGate, https://www.sfgate.com/cannabis/article/lapd-cannabis-mri-raid-19789448.php
• "Calif. cops forced to return $800,000 in pot after controversial raid," Lester Black in SFGate, https://www.sfgate.com/cannabis/article/calif-cops-forced-to-return-800k-in-cannabis-19370034.php
• "Netanyahu vows to use ‘full force’ against Hezbollah and dims hopes for a cease-fire," Bassem Mroue, Tia Goldenberg, Melanie Lidman in Associated Press, https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-09-26-2024-486f5aecac210273611124f9ade95fc6
• "Israel Deliberately Blocked Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, Two Government Bodies Concluded. Antony Blinken Rejected Them." Brett Murphy in ProPublica, https://www.propublica.org/article/gaza-palestine-israel-blocked-humanitarian-aid-blinken
• "'A heartless disgrace': Des Moines passes homeless camping ban amid public uproar," Virginia Barreda in Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/des-moines/2024/09/16/des-moines-passes-homeless-camping-ban-amid-public-uproar/75249608007/
• "Why do they hate Haitians?" Josiah Sutton in Digital Burnout, https://josiahwsutton.substack.com/p/why-do-they-hate-haitians
• "‘I’m a black NAZI!’: NC GOP nominee for governor made dozens of disturbing comments on porn forum," Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck in CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/19/politics/kfile-mark-robinson-black-nazi-pro-slavery-porn-forum/index.html
• "It's cliché to point out hypocrisy," Josiah Sutton in Josiah's Media Round-Up, https://josiahlist.substack.com/p/its-cliche-to-point-out-hypocrisy
• Lauren Windsor's accusation toward Chris Rufo: https://x.com/lawindsor/status/1836932778933313704
• Steven Monacelli independently verifying email address linked to Rufo; thread also includes Rufo's attempt at making an OnlyFans for Lauren Windsor: https://x.com/stevanzetti/status/1837172969367359653
• "Magazine writer Olivia Nuzzi is on leave over an alleged relationship with RFK Jr.," Rachel Treisman in NPR, https://www.npr.org/2024/09/20/nx-s1-5120486/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-jr-ny-magazine
• "Pizza Rat: New York City's infamous rodent, explained," Margarita Noriega in Vox, https://www.vox.com/2015/9/21/9366729/ny-subway-pizza-rat
• "Rudy Giuliani Hits Rock Bottom for the 967,345th Time," Bess Levin in Vanity Fair, https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/rudy-giuliani-hits-rock-bottom-for-the-967345th-time
• United States of America v. Eric Adams, Sealed Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/u.s._v._adams_indictment_1.pdf
• TrueAnon thread of indictment highlights: https://x.com/trueanonpod/status/1839322899918061593
• Additional indictment highlight from Ali Najmi: https://x.com/ali_najmi/status/1839336789234131051

Music & audio credits

• 90's Lofi type beat - Liadiii
• Yesterday – bloom.
• "Vance defends pet-eating claims, says he's willing to 'create stories'," Politico on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVJ_Icosa3s
• Sentimental - Dan Darmawan
• Niebla - El Shirota

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/112810434

It's the music exchange! This month, Josh and I discuss Christmas Island by AJJ and Atomizer by Big Black. Also Josh talks about going to Riot Fest.

Music by AJJ, Big Black, and SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/112681845

Joseph (@gross_online) joins Josiah, Josh, and James (@cigarette_liker) to finally accomplish the dream of having four J names on one episode, and also to discuss the most recent season of The Righteous Gemstones. Shout out to monster trucks.

Music by The Righteous Gemstones & SHADE08

With the help of neutral observer, Kelli (@Kellitoris444), Josiah and Caleb (@theboghog) meet their inner child by watching a forgotten Australian adventure film from the 90s where a parrot helps a young boy find treasure: The Real Macaw (1998).

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

Music & audio credits

• Yesterday – bloom.
• Treasure in You (Conti/Saltzman), performed by Rod Davies

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/111921570

James (@cigarette_liker), Josh, and I don our baptismal rompers and continue our discussion of The Righteous Gemstones by taking a look at season 2. Shout out to masculinity.

Music by The Righteous Gemstones & SHADE08

EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/111152705

It's the music exchange! This is a monthly series where Josh Christianson and I exchange an album that's meaningful to us, and then compare and contrast them. This month we're discussing Sprained Ankle by Julien Baker and Monotheist by Celtic Frost.

Music by Julien Baker, Celtic Frost, and SHADE08

• Follow James on Twitter @cigarette_liker // Bluesky @cigaretteliker.bsky.social
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• The Righteous Gemstones, Season 1.
• "Exclusive: High-Tech Sheep-Stealing? Elevation Church Accused of Using Location-Based Ads to Geofence Other Churches, Steal Their Congregants," Protestia, https://protestia.com/2024/07/18/stealing/

Music & audio credits

• The Righteous Gemstones, Opening Title Sequence
• Misbehavin' (1960s) - Aimee-Leigh, Baby Billy & Joseph Stephens
• Yesterday – bloom.
• Misbehavin' (1989) - Aimee-Leigh, Baby Billy & Joseph Stephens

Caleb (@theboghog) tries to explain Supernatural to Josiah and Jackal by throwing them into the deep end: the big God reveal.

• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton