Superhero Ethics

Maul: Truth-Teller, Manipulator, or Self-Deceiver? • Maul – Shadow Lord Discussion

TruStory FM — Tue, 05 May 2026 03:00:00 -0700

This conversation first aired on Star Wars Generations and we're sharing it here because it raises exactly the kind of question this show was built for.

Maul is the only one in the room telling the truth and nobody will believe him. At the halfway point of Maul: Shadow Lord, Matthew Fox is joined by returning guests Pete Wright and AK Ahab to dig into what kind of show this actually is and what to make of a character who has been a Sisyphean tragic figure across every corner of Star Wars canon.

The three hosts debate whether Maul is genuinely manipulative or just agenda-driven and honest. AK's reading — that Maul is too deep in self-deception to deliberately deceive anyone else — reshapes the whole conversation. They also get into the show's tonal balancing act: the crime noir Lawson subplot, the casting of a major actress in what might be a very small role, and the very real risk that the show trades its freshest ideas for a predictable Order 66 beat and a Padawan-falls arc. The meditation sequence in Episode 6 alone sent AK back to rewatch The Phantom Menace fight, because Maul's fighting form here doesn't match his onscreen history, and that gap is either a brilliant character insight or an oncoming problem.

There's genuine enthusiasm for Maul: Shadow Lord in this conversation, and genuine anxiety about where the back half is headed. Both feel earned.

itsmeepete.com
Connect with AK: Instagram · Twitter/X

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This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics, an Ethical Panda podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check out our website to find out more about this show and our sister podcast Star Wars Generations.

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Are Superheroes Cops? Cyclops, Green Lantern & ACAB

TruStory FM — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0700

Is Cyclops from X-Men actually a cop, or is he just annoying? That question turns out to be the perfect entry point for a much bigger one: what does ACAB (All Cops Are Bastards) really mean when the people using violence to enforce order have optic blasts and power rings instead of badges?

Matthew is joined by comics writer and Book Riot contributor Jessica Plummer as they trace how the Green Lantern Corps shifted from lone-sector sheriffs into an explicitly militarized space police force through deliberate creative choices, and what that shift cost the characters. They work through Batman's complicated relationship with law enforcement, the X-Men's internal debates over respectability politics and who gets to set the rules, and why The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl might be one of the most quietly radical superhero comics ever published.

The thread running through all of it is accountability; who superheroes answer to, what happens when the authority behind them turns out to be corrupt, and whether a hero who patrols, stops crime, and hands people over to the cops is meaningfully different from the cops themselves.

Connect with Jessica: jessicaplummerwrites.com

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Project Hail Mary • Ethics in a Crisis

TruStory FM — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0700

When the survival of every person on Earth depends on one unwilling scientist, one who explicitly said no to sacrificing his own life for humanity, does anyone have the right to override that refusal? That’s the question at the heart of Project Hail Mary, and it’s what Matthew and returning guest Becky Allen dig into in this episode of Superhero Ethics.

They start with the film’s biggest reveal: that protagonist Ryland Grace was drugged and sent on a one-way mission without his consent, by scientist Stratt, who decided billions of lives outweighed his individual autonomy. Becky defends the call as a brutally weighted trolley problem. Matthew explores how the film’s structure strategically withholds that information, and how American individualism shapes the way we read Grace’s refusal in the first place. They also examine what it means that Stratt is written without a personal life or emotional release, and why Grace’s isolation and rejection by the academic community may be as central to his arc as any act of cowardice.

The conversation ends with the film’s quiet optimism: a world that actually listens to scientists and actually comes together. Against the backdrop of pandemic response and climate change, that feels less like sci-fi and more like a wish. A very specific, very clarifying wish.

Connect with Becky: BeckyAllenBooks.com

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Baseball Is Back, Along with Hard Questions

TruStory FM — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0700

Baseball’s antitrust exemption gives team owners something no other American sport enjoys: a government-enforced monopoly — and Matthew and returning guest Paul Hoppe use the start of a new season to ask what that power actually costs the rest of us.

The conversation moves from stadium blackmail to the Oakland A’s’ deliberate self-destruction, to the Green Bay Packers as a model of what public team ownership could look like. Matthew arrives having previously argued the defensive fan’s case; Paul brings his default skepticism about private corporations extracting public goodwill. Neither comes out with clean hands — and that’s exactly what makes the conversation worth having.

A Texas Rangers statue honoring a figure associated with enforcing post-Brown v. Board segregation, the legacy of Satchel Paige’s 1965 appearance at age 58, and a cameo from the Moonlight/La La Land Oscars incident round out an episode that uses baseball as a lens on money, community, and what we owe the things we love.

zenmadman.com

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Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Its Future

TruStory FM — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0700

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is doing something rare for a franchise show: it’s willing to put its own hero institution genuinely on trial — and Matthew sits down with Matt Carroll, co-host of the Star Trek Universe Podcast and founder of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network, to dig into all ten episodes with full spoilers in hand.

At the center of the season is a storyline connecting Captain Ake, Anisha Mir, and her son Caleb; a morally tangled triangle of guilt, projection, and hard accountability that both hosts find unexpectedly moving. They debate how the show handles its courtroom climax, where the villain Noose Braca’s grievances against the Federation turn out to rest on factually false memories. The hosts see a deliberate political metaphor but wish the Federation had been made to answer for more. They also get into the Klingon cadet who wants to be a nurse, the war college subplot as Star Trek’s latest engagement with its own military identity, and a three-stakes framework for evaluating action sequences that lights up a new way of thinking about everything from the Daredevil hallway fight to Luke’s Death Star shot.

The conversation doesn’t stay in the story, because the story of what’s happening to this show turns out to be just as urgent. Both hosts make the case that Starfleet Academy’s pre-emptive cancellation before Season 2 even airs looks a lot less like a business decision and a lot more like a targeted act of political interference — and that watching the show is itself a small form of pushback.
Mentioned in This Episode

Star Trek Content Discussed

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine — “In the Pale Moonlight”
Star Trek: Picard
The Orville (Season 4 reportedly in production for a late 2026/2027 release)

Other Shows & Films Referenced

If Starfleet Academy has been sitting in your queue, this is the episode that’ll send you straight to it — or send you back for a rewatch with sharper eyes.

About Matt Carroll

Matt Carroll is the co-host of the Star Trek Universe Podcast and the founder of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network, home to the Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast, Multiverse News, and more. He loves to explore conversations around storytelling and how it connects to our lives. This is expressed in both his music and podcast endeavors.

The album Left to Burn from Matthew Carroll is available everywhere you get music! Matthew debuted three albums in 2020 with his band The Garage; a double album dedicated to Star Trek and a Marvel-centric album focused on Black Widow.

Connect with Matt: Stranded Panda

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What Made Us Rebel Scum? with Paul Hoppe

TruStory FM — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0700

The Rebel Alliance symbol crossed with a Minnesota loon, is showing up at protests across Minnesota, and Matthew can’t stop thinking about what that means. Who made us rebels in the first place? Was it Star Wars, or were we always heading here and Star Wars just gave us the language? That question launches a new series, and Matthew’s original Superhero Ethics co-host Paul Hoppe is the perfect first guest to dig into it.

Matthew and Paul work through the difference between being a rebel and being a revolutionary. Rebellion says no; revolution asks what comes next. They explore Andor’s “mask of fear” idea, why complacency is the real enemy of resistance, and how Lord of the Rings and Star Trek can radicalize someone just as effectively as Star Wars. Paul brings his own quiet axiom to the table: that there’s something wrong with the world, and there’s nothing wrong with you for wanting to change it.

The episode closes with an open invitation: write in and tell the show who your first rebel was, and what made you rebel scum.

Mentioned in This Episode

Star Wars Content Discussed

Other Shows & Films Referenced

Star Trek

More about Paul Hoppe: ZenMadman.com

And lastly, here is the rebel loon picture Matthew mentioned.

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Superhero Daddy Issues

TruStory FM — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0700

Superheroes can bench-press buildings, but they almost never have a healthy relationship with their parents. For this episode of Superhero Ethics Matthew is joined by Pete Wright and Mandy Kaplan to dig into why legacy pressure, attachment injury, and the need for a parent’s approval are the real origin stories behind so many of our favorite heroes and villains.

Pete breaks down the three narrative engines that power nearly every superhero parental arc, while Matthew and Mandy trace them through Batman’s idealized dead father, Tony Stark’s lifelong chase for Howard’s love, Lex Luthor’s impossible battle to escape a name nobody will let him shed, and the Rogue story as a parable about parents terrified of who their child is. The conversation also surfaces a pointed question about whose emotional journey superhero stories choose to follow — and why Leia’s reckoning with Darth Vader has been so thoroughly sidelined compared to Luke’s.

Mandy brings a newcomer’s eye that keeps the conversation honest, Pete brings decades of comics knowledge, and Matthew ties it all back to the real thing; we relate to Tony Stark not because we’re billionaires, but because we’ve all had a fraught relationship with a parent. This one hits differently if you have.

Previous Conversation Topics Mentioned in This Episode

Star Wars Generations

Superhero Ethics

Moon Knight (Disney+)
Daredevil (Netflix)
Wonder Man (Disney+) — Matthew’s strong recommendation
Jessica Jones
Parenthood (1989 film)

These are the voices you want in this conversation — pull up a chair and listen.

About Pete Wright

Pete Wright is a veteran broadcaster and media consultant with a 30-year career spanning journalism, brand storytelling, and podcasting. He is a co-founder of TruStory FM, where he hosts and produces podcasts that blend education, entertainment, and human-centered communication.

About Mandy Kaplan

Mandy Kaplan is a multi-talented actress, voice-over artist, and writer whose voice can be heard in hundreds of commercials, video games, and audiobooks. She hosts Make Me a Nerd, where friends introduce her to their fandoms, and co-hosts Once and Future Parent, chronicling the adventure of raising — and being raised by — a high schooler.

Connect with Mandy: Make Me a Nerd on TruStory FM

Links

Star Wars Generations
Connect with Matthew: matthew@theethicalpanda.com · TikTok · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter/X
The Next Reel
Movies We Like

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The Manga Bible with Author Helen McCarthy

TruStory FM — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0700

Helen McCarthy has spent over forty years as one of the West's leading voices on manga and anime — and her new book The Manga Bible is her most ambitious attempt yet to bring that tradition to readers who've never cracked a volume. She joins Matthew to talk about what manga actually is, where it came from, and why it keeps mattering to generation after generation of readers.

Matthew and Helen trace the full arc: Helen's origin story (a robot cartoon marathon on Spanish TV in 1981, a partner who'd just had his art-school brain exploded in Mallorca), the London import shops and rented VHS tapes from Japan that built an early UK fandom from scratch, and the wartime suppression that nearly wiped out the medium before Tezuka and others rebuilt it from memory. The conversation covers what manga gave women readers that American and British comics couldn't, why so many Western assumptions about manga history turned out to be wrong, and how Godzilla's origins as post-occupation allegory connects to manga's own post-war reinvention.

The episode closes somewhere unexpected — protest songs, One Piece flags at South American demonstrations, and a shared conviction that pop culture's deepest superpower is its ability to carry a rebellion across every language barrier at once.

More About Helen and Her Book

The Manga Bible by Helen McCarthy — available from helenmccarthy.net and independent bookstores via bookshop.org
A Brief History of Manga by Helen McCarthy
Connect with Helen: helenmccarthy.net

Discussed on Other Superhero Ethics Episodes

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The Ethics of Award Season

TruStory FM — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0700

What does "best" actually mean when the Oscars put it on a ballot — and who gets to decide? Matthew sits down with Andy Nelson, co-founder of the TruStory FM family of podcasts, to pull apart the machinery of awards season: how guild voting shapes nominations, why campaigns matter as much as performances, and whether the whole system is rewarding craft or just rewarding whoever threw the better party.

Before they get to Oscar strategy, they open with a timely and honest conversation about the BAFTA controversy involving John Davidson — an executive producer with Tourette's syndrome — and what the institution's response revealed about the difference between intent and harm. From there the conversation moves across category fraud (how films like The Favourite and Green Book gamed the lead vs. supporting divide), the impossible split between "Golden" from K-pop Demon Hunter and "I Lied to You" from Sinners as competing definitions of best song, and why genre films still fight for Oscar legitimacy decades after Star Wars got its first nomination.

Andy ultimately defends award season as a cultural time capsule — imperfect, political, and very human, but still one of the best tools we have for asking: what did this moment in film actually mean?

More about Andy | The Next Reel | Cinema Scope | Movies We Like

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Dracula

TruStory FM — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0800

Dracula has been rewritten as a brooding romantic lead so many times that it's easy to forget he's a rapist. Matthew sits down with AK and Marlena Chesner to ask the hard question: does giving a monster a tragic backstory change what he is, or does it just make us more comfortable rooting for him?

Working through three versions of the Dracula story — Bram Stoker's novel, Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula, and the recent 2025 film — the group traces how each adaptation handles consent, female agency, and the ethics of sympathy. AK brings a sharp rhetorical lens to scenes the other guests found straightforwardly troubling, reading the 2025 film as an accidental and unnervingly accurate portrait of how abuse perpetuates itself, in particular in light of the consent allegations brought against Luc Besson, writer and director of the 2025 adaptation. Marlena's re-read of the novel keeps the conversation grounded in what Stoker actually wrote — including a Mina who is far more capable and agentive than most adaptations let her be.

The conversation also takes in Castlevania and the Netflix Dracula mini-series as counterexamples, the "banality of evil" as a framework for understanding a villain who is fully convinced his violence is an act of love, and why the hallway fight scene in the 2025 film is the clearest sign that its makers see Dracula as a hero.

About AK and Marlena
Big time nerd, big time philosopher, big time lover of all things sci-fi and fantasy, AK_Ahab is a recent grad with a philosophy degree and a focus on disability and rhetoric. She makes D&D art and content about a wide variety of nerdy things on TikTok.

Connect with AK: TikTok • Instagram • Twitter/X

Marlena Chesner is the Digital Content Development Manager at the National Kidney Foundation, shares impactful patient stories that make a difference. They are also the host of the Hot Topics in Kidney Health podcast bringing the latest in kidney care to those who need it most.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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What Would You Pay for Safety? with Author Michael C. Bland

TruStory FM — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0800

The man who helped design the surveillance state is perfectly fine with it—until his daughter calls covered in blood with a dead boyfriend on the floor. The Price of Safety, Michael C. Bland’s award-winning sci-fi novel, is set in 2047, where cameras are everywhere, your optics can be hacked, and the system was built by someone who genuinely thought he was keeping people safe. Matthew sits down with Michael to ask the question the book won’t let you avoid: how much liberty are we actually willing to trade for safety—and what happens when the people holding the keys decide your freedom is the price?

They dig into the mechanics of how surveillance reshapes behavior (the terror isn’t being watched—it’s not knowing when), why grief and helplessness after loss quietly raise our tolerance for control, and how every character in the book, including the ones doing terrible things, genuinely believes they’re the hero of their own story. Michael also shares the moment his fictional DNA scanner turned real: he wrote it into his second book, and a month after publication, a California company announced they’d built it.

The conversation keeps landing uncomfortably close to the present—and that’s exactly the point.

Website

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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Black Superheroes & Black History Month

TruStory FM — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0800

Black Comic Books with JPenumbra

This Black History Month, we sit down with JPenumbra—TikTok creator, podcast host, and comic journalist—to talk about the state of Black representation in comics and superhero adaptations.

From the realities of comic book pre-orders to why Captain America: Brave New World’s struggles had nothing to do with Sam Wilson being Black, JP breaks down the systemic issues that keep diverse characters from getting their shot. We also highlight the Black creators shaping today’s industry—and why Hardware deserves a screen adaptation immediately.

About JPenumbra

JP (he/him) is a biracial, queer comics journalist, podcaster, and streamer, and a member of Twitch’s Black & Pride Guilds. Follow JP on TikTok and socials: @JPenumbra.
He is the host of the Comics Unmasked Podcast.

Press Contacts

Gaming Press: jpenumbra3@gmail.com
Comics Press: jportis@comicsunmasked.com

Comics JP Recommended

Creators JP Mentioned

Rodney Barnes
Stephanie Williams
Brandon Thomas
David F. Walker (retelling of John Henry)

Artists JP Mentioned

Sanford Greene
Taurin Clarke
Khary Randolph

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What Would Superheroes Do About ICE?

TruStory FM — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0800

With ICE operations underway in Minneapolis and across the U.S., this episode asks a timely question: what would our favorite superheroes do? Matthew and Jessica Plummer explore how characters like Superman, Captain America, the Punisher, and the X-Men might respond to immigration enforcement, state violence, and mass deportations. From Superman’s roots as an undocumented immigrant to Captain America’s loyalty to ideals over governments, the conversation examines whether superheroes can ever truly be apolitical—and what justice means when the law itself causes harm.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Wonder Man

TruStory FM — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0800

Marvel's Wonder Man series takes a risk by telling a small, personal story in a universe obsessed with saving the world. We dive into this character study about a struggling actor, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, with superpowers he has to keep secret—and why it might be one of Marvel's best recent projects.

Questions We Discussed

Why does Wonder Man feel refreshing compared to other MCU content? We explore how the show's deliberately low stakes create higher emotional investment in Simon Williams' personal journey than yet another world-ending threat.
How does the Doorman Clause work as world-building? The liability concerns preventing powered people from working in Hollywood create an interesting parallel to real-world secrets actors have historically had to keep about their identities.
Does the Simon and Trevor dynamic carry the show? We discuss why scenes between Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) consistently shine, and how their mentor-student relationship drives the narrative.
Is Wonder Man actually a superhero show? The series positions superpowers as Simon's secret burden rather than his defining feature, making this more character study than traditional superhero story.

To get a copy of Steve’s comic book, along with supporting some great causes, please donate to anything on this list and then send proof of donation here and we’ll make it happen.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Wonder Man • Comics Primer & Episode 1

TruStory FM — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0800

Marvel’s latest Disney+ series Wonder Man features one of their most obscure characters—a struggling actor named Simon Williams who becomes Wonder Man. Matthew hosts Will and Steve from the Hype Is My Superpower podcast to explore episode one and dive into the comic book history of this B-list Avenger who’s spent more time on movie sets than saving the world.

The conversation examines why the MCU chose this particular character for a show that’s more about Hollywood and acting than superheroism. From Wonder Man’s 1960s origins with Baron Zemo and ionic rays to his modern role as an Avenger who’d rather be anywhere else, the discussion reveals how this character’s comic book history makes him surprisingly perfect for a meta-commentary on genre entertainment.

Questions We Discussed

Has the MCU reached a point where it’s making satires about making MCU shows?
How does Wonder Man compare to other Marvel characters who maintain civilian careers like She-Hulk’s legal work?
Why did Simon Williams leave the superhero world to pursue acting full-time in the comics?
Does having an obscure character give Marvel more creative freedom without fan backlash?

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

The Copenhagen Test & The Ethics of Espionage

TruStory FM — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0800

What do you do when following orders means sacrificing innocent lives? In this episode, we examine the new Peacock series The Copenhagen Test starring Simu Liu, exploring the ethical dilemmas facing modern intelligence operatives. Through a spy thriller that uses biometric surveillance technology as its MacGuffin, we unpack questions about collateral damage, revenge versus ideology, and whether spy agencies can ever justify their methods.

Questions We Discussed

What is the Copenhagen test and why does the show use it as its title? We explore this impossible moral dilemma presented to special operations soldiers and intelligence agents, examining whether there are situations where no ethical choice exists.
Does the show take a stance on whether US spy agencies are justified? We analyze how the series sidesteps ideological questions by making its villains motivated by money and personal revenge rather than competing political philosophies.
How does the show handle collateral damage in intelligence operations? We examine powerful scenes showing the emotional aftermath of missions, particularly through the character Parker who witnesses the deadly consequences of her recommendations.
Can spy fiction avoid taking political positions in today's climate? We discuss whether it's possible—or desirable—for a show to focus solely on questioning the means while deferring judgment about the ends.
Is this show continuing or subverting recent trends in spy media? We trace how spy fiction has evolved from pro-agency to more skeptical portrayals, and where The Copenhagen Test fits in that trajectory.

Additional Topics

The effectiveness of Simu Liu as an action hero leading man
How the show's diverse casting enhances the story
The show's use of near-future surveillance technology as a storytelling device
Whether the "Russian nesting doll" villain structure sets up compelling future seasons
Comparisons to The Bourne Identity, Burn Notice, and other spy thriller influences

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Frankenstein: Exploring Ethical Questions Across Mediums

TruStory FM — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0800

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein continues to captivate audiences centuries after its publication, but not all adaptations emphasize the same ethical questions. Matthew and returning guest AK dive into both the original novel and Guillermo del Toro’s recent film adaptation—not to catalog their differences, but to explore how each medium handles the story’s core moral dilemmas and which approach proves more compelling.

How Does the Film Emphasize “The Other” Differently?

While both the book and film explore themes of parentage, responsibility, and scientific hubris, they emphasize different ethical questions. AK notes that the novel places stronger emphasis on the responsibilities of individuals in medicine and parenting, particularly through the lens of abandonment. The film, however, foregrounds questions about the grotesque other, the monstrous other, and how appearance shapes moral judgment. The visual decisions in del Toro’s adaptation—juxtaposing the creature against beautiful backdrops that shift with emotional moments—underscore this emphasis.

How Does the Shift from Abandonment to Abuse Change Victor’s Responsibility?

One of the most striking differences between the book and film lies in Victor Frankenstein’s initial interaction with his creation. In Shelley’s novel, Victor creates the monster, goes to bed, wakes up, and immediately flees—abandoning the creature with almost no interaction. Del Toro’s film takes a dramatically different approach: Victor spends considerable time with the creature, engaging with it in ways impossible in the book. This changes the fundamental ethical question. Does Victor bear responsibility for abandonment and neglect, or for intentional, directed abuse? The film’s choice to show an extended period of interaction—where Victor treats the creature as an object rather than a being—shifts the moral weight of his culpability.

Why Does the Composite Body Matter More Now Than Ever?

Victor’s method of selecting “optimal” body parts from different corpses to create his creature resonates uncomfortably with contemporary debates about human enhancement and biotechnology. The discussion explores how Victor’s approach—viewing the creature as an optimization project rather than a living being—connects to modern questions about CRISPR, genetic modification, and who decides what constitutes an “optimal” human body. These questions inevitably involve ableism and the commodification of bodies. The film’s emphasis on Victor literally selecting bodies at prisons raises urgent parallels to current concerns: Who becomes test subjects for experimental procedures like Neuralink? Are they being viewed as humans or as subjects for experimentation?

Other Topics Covered:

Why the novel’s nested narrative structure (stories within stories) creates a unique moral complexity
How both works explore humanity’s relationship to nature, science, and the line between achievement and hubris
The challenge of adapting works from different historical contexts when what counted as scientific hubris has radically changed
The concept of viewing people as player characters (with their own interiority) versus non-player characters (existing only to advance your plot)
Why Frankenstein’s relevance grows as biotechnology makes questions of life preservation more immediate

The conversation reveals how both Shelley’s novel and del Toro’s film use the Frankenstein story to explore timeless questions through different emphases—one focusing on neglect and parental failure, the other on abuse and the othering of those who don’t meet conventional standards of beauty or normalcy.

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Marvel’s Drift, DC’s Reset: 2025 Review + 2026 Preview

TruStory FM — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0800

Jessica Plummer returns for a year-end superhero ethics check-in—recorded late 2025 and released as 2026 gets underway—to unpack what worked, what didn’t, and what Marvel and DC’s biggest swings revealed about power, responsibility, and heroism.

We talk Marvel’s post-Endgame sprawl: scattered continuity, delayed payoffs, and what “superhero fatigue” looks like when it’s less about quantity and more about momentum. We also dig into standout projects like Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four, and why individual entries can succeed even when the larger arc feels unclear.

Then we shift to DC’s early steps under James Gunn, including why Superman felt like a tonal reset, and what we’re watching as 2026 brings Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the upcoming Green Lantern series, and Marvel’s road to Doomsday.

Resources

Jessica’s work: Book Riot • JessicaPlummerWrites.com
Sword Stone Table: Penguin Random House

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Theodicy & Thor: Love and Thunder

TruStory FM — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0800

Thor: Love and Thunder opens with one of philosophy's oldest questions: if gods exist and have the power to prevent suffering, why don't they? But does the film actually engage with this theodicy question, or does it abandon the premise for jokes and spectacle? We compare the movie's treatment of Gorr the God Butcher to the comics' more sustained exploration of divine accountability.

Questions we explored:

What is theodicy, and why does it matter to Gorr's story?
How does the comic version of Gorr differ from the film's portrayal?
Does Thor: Love and Thunder set up the theodicy question well but then fail to follow through?
Is Thor innocent of Gorr’s accusations of other gods, since Thor doesn’t cultivate the worship of mortals?
Why does the film version of Gorr lack encounters with other cruel or indifferent gods?
How does comic Thor resolve the God Butcher arc by becoming a god who suffers alongside humanity?
Has Thor regressed to his character from the first movie, undoing his growth from previous films?
Is Thor: Love and Thunder's tonal inconsistency its biggest weakness?

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Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery • Theology, Patriarchy, and the Church's Sins

TruStory FM — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0800

What happens when a murder mystery becomes a theological reckoning? In Wake Up Dead Man, Rian Johnson delivers a Knives Out film that confronts Christian nationalism, toxic masculinity in the church, and the possibility of authentic faith beyond institutional corruption. Rev. Rachel Kessler, aka The Nerdy Priest, joins Matthew to unpack Father Jud's journey from failed boxer to priest, the film's sharp critique of religious authority, and why Benoit Blanc's turning down Jud’s invitation to mass is essentially the message of the movie.

Questions we discussed:

How does the character of the Monsignor embody Christian nationalism and toxic masculinity within church leadership?
What does Father Jud's struggle with his violent past reveal about redemption and the nature of calling?
How does the film parallel Rian Johnson's themes from The Last Jedi about institutional failure and who gets to own sacred stories?
How does the movie distinguish between authentic Christianity and the church as an instrument of patriarchal control?
What's the significance of Benoit Blanc experiencing a "road to Damascus moment" but still declining to stay for Mass?
Why does the film end with the church renamed "Our Lady of Perpetual Grace" while the pulpit—and its temptations—remains?

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Rob Reiner and the Rom-Com

TruStory FM — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0800

How did Rob Reiner redefine rom-coms and the role of romance in action adventure movies? In light of the recent tragic death of Michele and Rob Reiner, Mandy Kaplan joins Matthew to talk about his legacy and then examine two defining films from the director: When Harry Met Sally... (1989) and The Princess Bride (1987). One asks whether men and women can be friends; the other explores what “true love” actually means. Together, they reveal Reiner’s unique approach to romantic storytelling and the moral questions embedded in how we connect with others.

We explore how When Harry Met Sally... uses Sally’s rigid control and Harry’s defensive cynicism to examine self-deception and emotional availability, while The Princess Bride employs fairy tale structure to investigate devotion, sacrifice, and the nature of romantic commitment. Both films challenge conventional rom-com formulas to ask deeper questions about authenticity, vulnerability, and what we owe each other.

Questions We Discussed

Can men and women actually be friends without sex complicating things, and how does When Harry Met Sally... answer this question?
How does The Princess Bride define “true love” differently than typical romantic stories?
How does Westley and Buttercup’s relationship in The Princess Bride model devotion and sacrifice?
What makes Rob Reiner’s approach to romantic comedy distinct from other directors in the genre?
How do both films explore the relationship between friendship and romantic love?
Does The Princess Bride’s fairy tale framework allow it to examine love more honestly than realistic rom-coms?
What role does vulnerability play in the ethical transformation of characters in both films?

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Gen V and Heroic Identity

TruStory FM — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0800

What happens when super-powered people exist primarily as commercial products? Gen V, the college-set spinoff of The Boys, explores a world where superhero status is less about heroism and more about corporate branding, entertainment value, and ruthless competition. At Godolkin University, young supes navigate a ranking system that treats them like gladiators while their powers—and identities—become marketing opportunities. Host Matthew Fox sits down with Ocean Murff to examine how this cynical universe reveals uncomfortable truths about exploitation, capitalism, and authentic self-expression.

Questions we discussed:

What does The Boys universe reveal about superheroes if they had "the ethics of normal people" rather than mythic idealism?
How does Godolkin University's ranking system reflect real-world competition and commercialization of talent?
How does Jordan Li's gender-shifting ability work as both superpower and metaphor for non-binary identity?
How does the show critique corporate performative inclusion through Jordan's "trans-tastic" marketing storyline?

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Vengeance: Ethics, Justice, and Superhero Narratives

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0800

With the holidays coming up, things are a bit hectic, so we're making this formerly members-only discussion on vengeance in superhero stories available to everyone! Matthew and Riki dive deep into one of the most compelling ethical questions in superhero media: the role of vengeance as a motivator for heroes, villains, and anti-heroes. Joined by comic book expert Jessica Plummer, they explore how vengeance shapes character arcs and storytelling across various franchises.

When is vengeance justified in superhero narratives, and how does this reflect our real-world understanding of justice? Set against the backdrop of the Healthcare CEO killing, we analyze examples ranging from The Punisher to Batman and Inigo Montoya, exploring how different characters confront the temptation of vengeance and what this reveals about their moral compass.

The episode tackles the complex relationship between vengeance and justice, asking at what point pursuing vengeance becomes an obstacle to achieving true justice. Through examples like V for Vendetta and Fullmetal Alchemist, we explore how various stories navigate this delicate balance.

Murderbot, or When AI Just Wants to Watch Soap Operas

TruStory FM — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0800

What happens when an AI doesn't want freedom—it just wants to binge soap operas? In this episode, we explore Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries through both the books and Apple TV series, examining one of science fiction's most compelling questions: can synthetic intelligence want something other than liberation? Murderbot is a security unit (SecUnit) with hacked programming that could escape entirely, but instead chooses to stay close to humans while watching thousands of hours of the melodramatic space opera "Sanctuary Moon."

Join Matthew and returning guest Rob McKenzie as they unpack the ethics of synthetic life, enslaved sentience, and why freedom for an individual can only come on their own terms.

Questions we explored:

What makes Murderbot different from typical AI characters who either want to destroy humanity or be fully human?
Why doesn't Murderbot want to lead a revolution to free other SecUnits?
What happens when you offer your version of freedom to someone who genuinely doesn't want it?
What parallels exist between involuntary commitment, disability guardianship, and AI rights?
Can you truly own a sentient being just because they're made of manufactured parts?

Topics covered: Murderbot Diaries, Martha Wells, AI ethics, synthetic intelligence, consent and autonomy, disability rights, gender identity, Apple TV series, science fiction

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KPop Demon Hunters: Authenticity and the Philosophy of Shame

TruStory FM — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Can a demon-hunting K-pop girl group teach us about overcoming shame? KPop Demon Hunters delivers stunning fight choreography and original music while exploring how shame conceals itself, reproduces through hiding, and can only be conquered through radical self-acceptance. Matthew and returning guest AK_Ahab discuss why the hit song "Golden" comes in the middle rather than the end, how the film's highly produced sound mirrors the characters' manufactured personas, and what it means when protagonist Rumi must save herself without anyone's help.

Questions We Discussed:

Why does KPop Demon Hunters place its most uplifting song "Golden" in the middle of the narrative rather than as a triumphant finale?
How does the film's production style—including auto-tuning and polish—serve as commentary on authenticity versus manufactured image?
What does this movie reveal about shame as something that reproduces itself through concealment and can only be addressed through exposure?
How does Rumi's climactic moment of self-acceptance work differently because no one comes to save her?
What makes KPop Demon Hunters effective at integrating original music into its moral and narrative themes?

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Heroes Redeeming Villains

TruStory FM — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Superhero narratives constantly wrestle with redemption—but what does it really mean when a villain joins the heroes? This episode digs into the complex ethics of villain redemption arcs and the roles heroes play in them, examining what separates genuine transformation from simple alliance-shifting. Taking inspiration from Anthony Gramuglia's YouTube video "Ranking Superheroes By How Many Villains They Redeemed," we explore what leads some heroes, from Spider-Man to the X-Men, to redeem more of their villains than others.

Key Discussion Points:

What's the difference between a villain becoming redeemed versus simply becoming an ally or antihero, and why does that distinction matter ethically?
How do different heroes approach villain redemption, and what does Spider-Man's track record tell us about mercy versus enabling harm?
Why do the X-Men recruit so many former villains, and does their approach to redemption actually work or just create moral hazards?
How do we distinguish between genuine remorse and change versus villains who just switch sides for convenience or self-interest?

The discussion examines how superhero narratives grapple with the challenging ethics of reformation, forgiveness, and what constitutes meaningful transformation.

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Voice Acting, Representation, and Nerdy Activism with JP Karliak

TruStory FM — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Voice actor JP Karliak (Morph in X-Men '97, Gargamel and Razamel in Smurfs) joins us for a fascinating discussion about how nerdy media shapes our understanding of identity, community, and civic participation. As founder of Queer Vox, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQIA+ voice actors, and co-founder of NerdsVote, which works to get nerds involved in democracy, JP brings a unique perspective on how superhero stories and geek culture can serve as gateways to uncomfortable but necessary conversations about representation and social change.

Key Discussion Points:

How voice actors can use their "notable nerd" status to mobilize fan communities toward civic engagement
Why nerddom inherently connects to empathy and understanding otherness, particularly through franchises like X-Men
What authentic casting means for LGBTQIA+ characters beyond performative diversity
Why seeking only comfort in entertainment prevents engagement with different perspectives
The essential role of discomfort in growth and understanding

JP brings depth and nuance to these topics through his experience voicing Morph, a non-binary shapeshifter in X-Men '97, while sharing insights about the voice acting industry and the importance of authentic representation both in front of and behind the microphone.

The conversation weaves through representation, activism, and the power of storytelling to create change, ultimately highlighting how superhero narratives can serve as modern mythology that helps us process and progress through today's most challenging social issues.

Guest Bio:

JP Karliak is a veteran voice actor whose characters span animation, gaming, and anime. Notable roles include Morph in X-Men '97, Gargamel and Razamel in Smurfs (2025), Boss Baby in Netflix series, and the Joker in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. In anime, he's known for voicing Kozo Fuyutsuki in Netflix's Neon Genesis Evangelion dub. His gaming credits include N. Tropy in Crash Bandicoot titles and Wolfgang in the Skylanders series. As founder of Queer Vox and co-founder of NerdsVote, JP actively works to create positive change in both the voiceover industry and civic engagement.

Connect with JP:

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Star Trek DS9's "Far Beyond the Stars": Race, Imagination, and Sci-Fi

TruStory FM — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Far Beyond the Stars" is an examination of racism in science fiction, then and now. When Captain Sisko experiences a vision of himself as Benny Russell, a Black science fiction writer in 1950s New York whose story about a Black space station captain gets rejected and pulped, the episode becomes a meta-commentary on the genre itself. Matthew and Riki unpack how this episode critiques not just 1950s racism, but the sci-fi publishing world of the 1960s and 1990s and even Star Trek's own blind spots, while exploring what it means when we fail to imagine beyond our own experiences.

Questions We Discussed:

How does "Far Beyond the Stars" critique both 1950s racism and the science fiction publishing world of the 1990s?
Why did the episode focus exclusively on Benny Russell's pain rather than showing how his white colleagues reacted to being called out?
Is Avery Brooks' emotional performance as Benny overacting, or does our inability to imagine his pain reveal our own failure of imagination?
What does the episode reveal about the difference between "wishing" things were better and actually taking action against injustice?
How has this episode aged since 1998, and why do many viewers find it hits harder on a rewatch as adults?

Articles Mentioned:

Deep Space Nine’s ‘Far Beyond the Stars’ is about Star Trek Itself by Joshua M Patton
Far Beyond Those Distant Stars: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and an Afrofuturistic Approach to Religion by Roger A Sneed

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The Natural: Redford, Baseball, & Mythology

TruStory FM — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Episode 363: The Natural - Robert Redford, Baseball Mythology, and Art as Activism

Robert Redford's death prompts a deep dive into his career, from founding the Sundance Film Institute to playing a Hydra villain in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Matthew and Paul Hoppe explore how The Natural serves as American mythology, examining what baseball reveals about heroism, economics, and the nature of sports fandom.

In This Episode:

How did Robert Redford shape independent filmmaking through Sundance?
What makes The Natural function as American mythology rather than just a sports movie?
Why was Redford's casting in Marvel's Winter Soldier symbolically important for superhero cinema?
Can athletes be both mercenaries and heroes?
What does baseball fandom reveal about parasocial relationships and entitlement?
How do economic realities shape player loyalty and fan expectations?
What's the difference between loving the game and treating it as a job?

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Heretic: When Faith Meets Horror at Your Doorstep

TruStory FM — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Two Mormon missionaries knock on the wrong door in A24's psychological thriller Heretic, starring Hugh Grant as a man who traps them in his home for a deadly debate about religion. This episode digs into the film's exploration of faith, proselytizing, and the fine line between genuine discussion and manipulation.

We examine how the movie humanizes its missionary protagonists while challenging both religious certainty and militant atheism. Hugh Grant's character mirrors the psychological control tactics religions have historically employed, creating a disturbing reflection that questions whether any side of the faith debate has clean hands.

Questions We Discuss:

Does the horror genre enhance or distract from the film's religious debate?
Are the Mormon missionaries or Hugh Grant's character the real "sea lions" in this conversation?
How does the film challenge both rigid faith and aggressive atheism?
What does the ambiguous ending say about belief and proof?
Can you maintain faith while acknowledging contradictions in your religion?
Why does the film intentionally leave the supernatural elements unresolved?

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Body Snatching Through the Decades

TruStory FM — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0700

What makes the fear of replacement so primal? From the original 1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers to interpretations in the 70s, 90s, and 2000s, the Body Snatchers story has been remade across four major films, each reflecting the anxieties of its era. We examine the story’s evolution from small-town paranoia to urban mistrust, military conformity, and global transformation—and why this tale of pod people keeps resonating.

Questions We Discuss:

Why does the fear of being replaced (or having loved ones replaced) persist across cultures and generations?
How did each decade's version reflect its political moment—from 1950s McCarthyism to 1970s post-Watergate cynicism to fears of the military in this century?
Can Body Snatchers be read as both anti-communist AND anti-McCarthyist commentary?
What makes conformity so terrifying when the hive mind promises peace and emotional stability?
How do ancient changeling myths connect to modern AI replacement anxieties?
Is the Body Snatchers archetype shifting from alien invasion to mechanical replacement?
What happens when institutions meant to protect us become the source of the threat?

Films covered: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956, 1978), Body Snatchers (1993), The Invasion (2007)

Related media discussed: The Faculty, Star Trek's Borg, Deep Space Nine changelings, The Puppet Masters, Invaders from Mars

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Horror & Ethics

TruStory FM — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Exploring Fear and Ethics in Media

Matthew and Riki explore horror as a vehicle for ethical discussion and social commentary. From the urban-rural tensions in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to AI anxieties in modern thrillers, they examine how horror reflects society's deepest fears across decades—and why some manufactured scares (sharks, clowns) persist despite lacking real-world danger.

In this episode we discuss:

Does horror require supernatural elements, or can pure human evil drive the genre?
How do horror tropes evolve as audiences become aware of them?
What's the difference between Alien as horror versus Aliens as action, and where does Jurassic Park fit?
Why did vampires dominate Gen X fears while zombies captured millennial anxieties?
How did McCarthyism inadvertently allow horror filmmakers to critique Cold War politics?

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The American Society of Magical Negroes

TruStory FM — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Satire, Tropes, and Uncomfortable Conversations

Matthew and Riki examine the 2024 satirical film The American Society of Magical Negroes, starring Justice Smith. This provocative comedy tackles the "magical Negro" trope coined by Spike Lee—where Black characters exist primarily to help white protagonists—by imagining it as a real organization designed to keep white people comfortable. The film blends social commentary with romantic comedy as the protagonist must choose between his assigned role and his own desires.

Questions We Discussed:

What is the "magical Negro" trope and how has it appeared in films like The Green Mile, The Legend of Bagger Vance, and Ghost?
Does the film work better as satirical sketch comedy than as a feature-length movie?
Should we have avoided discussing this film as non-Black hosts, or is there value in these conversations across racial lines?
Does the romantic comedy element undermine or enhance the film's social commentary?
How does the character of Lizzie complicate the film's racial dynamics as a multiracial woman who "passes" as white?
Is the final confrontation scene between Aaron and Jason genuine growth or does it center white comfort once again?
Can characters like Guinan from Star Trek: The Next Generation or Morpheus from The Matrix fit this trope while still being well-developed?
Why did this film generate such polarized reactions, particularly within Black media critique circles?

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Fever Pitch and the Ethics of Fandom

TruStory FM — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew and original co-host Paul Hoppe dive into the psychology and ethics of sports fandom through the lens of the British film Fever Pitch. From childhood Mets devotion to adult poker room baseball discussions, they explore how sports shape our social connections, teach us about loss, and hold the potential to become obsessions.

The conversation weaves between personal fandom stories, the communal nature of sports culture, and the complex relationship between hope, disappointment, and identity that defines the fan experience.

Key Questions We Explored:

Why do sports serve as social lubricant? How knowing "what happened in the game last night" opens doors to conversations with strangers and provides safe topics with difficult relationships
What happens when fandom conflicts with social identity? The tension between sports culture and alternative subcultures like goth/punk communities in the 1990s
How do we balance obsession with healthy relationships? The Fever Pitch protagonist's struggle to integrate his Arsenal devotion with romantic partnership
What does losing teach us about life? The variance, randomness, and "never give up" lessons that emerge from following teams through disappointment
Why is it so hard to switch team loyalties? The deep psychological roots of childhood fandom and failed attempts to adopt new teams as adults
How has sports economics changed the fan experience? From $8 bleacher seats to luxury boxes and the transformation of sports into premium entertainment

Note: This episode experienced technical difficulties and ended abruptly during the discussion of failure and loss in sports.

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You and the Rom-Com Male Protagonist

TruStory FM — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew and Riki dissect Netflix's You and how it exposes toxic rom-com masculinity. Joe Goldberg thinks he's the romantic hero, but his obsession with being the male protagonist leads to stalking, manipulation, and murder.

How does You deconstruct rom-com mythology? The show reveals what happens when someone believes they're destined to "win" the girl through grand gestures and persistence, regardless of her actual feelings.

Why do classic romantic comedies teach problematic lessons? From Say Anything to When Harry Met Sally..., 80s/90s rom-coms normalized stalking behaviors as romantic devotion.

Does Joe's unreliable narration work as social commentary? We debate whether the show successfully critiques toxic masculinity or risks creating viewers who sympathize with his "romantic" motivations.

Other topics: Serial killer vs. murderer definitions, the symbolism of Joe's book preservation room, Penn Badgley's performance balancing sympathy with horror, the way Joe constructs a dream version of his girlfriend in his mind, instead of seeing the real person she is, and comparisons to other problematic protagonists like Joker.

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Andor, Cinta, and the “Bury Your Gays” Trope

TruStory FM — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700

This week Superhero Ethics dives deep into the "bury your gays" trope—where LGBTQ+ characters disproportionately meet tragic ends—examining its history, evolution, and modern implications, and whether it can be applied to the death of Cinta in Andor.

The conversation begins with the trope's roots in 19th century British law and the Hays Code, which allowed "bad behavior" to be depicted on screen only if characters faced consequences. Tracing this trope from there all the way to the modern day, the episode explores how social media amplified fan outrage and created lasting change in how writers approach queer storylines.

The hosts wrestle with whether Cinta's death in Andor constitutes “burying your gays,” given that many characters die in the show's realistic portrayal of rebellion. They examine how the lack of queer representation in the broader Star Wars franchise adds weight to this single relationship, and whether it's fair to hold individual creators responsible for franchise-wide representation gaps. The discussion reveals how intersectionality compounds the problem—Cinta was both the queer character and the character of color in an interracial relationship.

The episode highlights positive examples like Schitt's Creek, which promised viewers that queer tragedy would never be part of the story, and The Last of Us, which handled queer character deaths in ways that felt organic to the world rather than punitive. The hosts argue that diverse writers' rooms could help creators navigate these sensitive storytelling choices while still allowing for dramatic character deaths when they serve the narrative.

Other Topics Covered:

The "fridging" trope and its overlap with "bury your gays"
How the AIDS crisis shaped media representation in the 1980s-90s
The role of queer coding and queer baiting in modern media
Why horror films have evolved to include more surviving queer characters
The difference between tragic queer stories and queer tragedy as plot device
Impact of fan shipping on reactions to character deaths
Death scenes following romantic moments: examining harmful patterns
Positive portrayals in Station 19, The Dragon Prince, and Harley Quinn

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Ironheart: Science, Magic, & Subverting Listener Expectations

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! This episode contains significant reveals for Ironheart and the broader MCU. Consider watching the show first if you care about spoilers.

After years of fan theories and speculation, Mephisto has finally arrived in the MCU through Ironheart—but not in the way anyone expected. Matthew and Riki dive into how the show subverted expectations about heroism, morality, and what it means to make a deal with the devil.

Is Riri Williams actually the hero of her own story? The hosts examine how Ironheart deliberately plays with audience expectations, making viewers question whether they're watching a traditional superhero origin or something much darker. From academic cheating to leaving someone to die, Riri's moral choices become increasingly questionable throughout the series.

How does Mephisto function as the ultimate tempter rather than a traditional villain? Unlike physical powerhouses like Thanos or Doom, Mephisto's strength lies in influence and manipulation. The discussion explores how he doesn't possess people but creates circumstances where they make their worst possible decisions—and why that makes him so terrifying.

What does the theology behind the devil archetype tell us about this character? Matthew provides historical context about the evolution from the Hebrew "Ha-satan" (the accuser) to the Christian concept of Lucifer, and how Marvel's Mephisto draws from both traditions while remaining respectful of different faith perspectives.

Could the AI Natalie have been Mephisto's creation all along? The hosts theorize that Mephisto may have been pulling strings throughout the entire series, using the AI companion to both help Riri succeed and set up her ultimate temptation.

The episode also tackles the show's brilliant balance of science versus magic, the stellar performances across the cast, and what this means for future MCU projects like Strange Academy and the upcoming Spider-Man film.

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Fantastic Four: Reed as Villain?

TruStory FM — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Could the smartest man in the Marvel Universe become its greatest threat? Matthew and Riki explore, and disagree on, whether Reed Richards' cold logic in the new Fantastic Four: First Steps movie reveals a dangerous path toward villainy.

Key Questions Discussed

Is Reed's willingness to consider sacrificing Franklin actually heroic? The hosts debate the pivotal scene where Reed considers giving up his son to save Earth from Galactus, examining whether pure logic without emotion makes him a future villain.

Do superheroes have higher moral obligations? When you're officially sanctioned to save people, should personal connections take a backseat to the greater good?

How does intelligence become a curse? Drawing from the Ultimate Universe's "Maker" storyline, they explore how Reed's ability to calculate all outcomes could lead to authoritarian control.

Other Topics Covered:

• Sue Storm's emotional response vs. Reed's logic • Comparison to Superman's hopeful tone • The Fantastic Four as Marvel's first family • Gender stereotypes in hero dynamics • The film's unclear political worldbuilding • Mental illness and heroic responsibility

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Superman 2025 • A Special Hiatus Episode

TruStory FM — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Superman (2025): Ethics, Hope, and the Power of Choice • A Special Hiatus Episode

Matthew and Riki welcome frequent guest Jessica Plummer to a discussion of James Gunn's take on Superman, exploring how this version challenges both the character and audiences to think differently about power, responsibility, and hope.

Key Ethical Questions We Explore

Should Superman intervene in international conflicts?

The hosts examine the film's most compelling scene: Lois Lane's hard-hitting interview with Superman about his decision to stop a military invasion. This sequence raises fundamental questions about sovereignty, journalism, and the responsibility that comes with ultimate power. The discussion reveals how the film sits in the tension between idealism and pragmatism, ultimately landing on Superman's simple but powerful argument: "People are dying."

What makes this Superman different from previous versions?

Unlike other portrayals that emphasize Superman's alien heritage as a source of wisdom, this film flips the script. Here, Krypton's message promotes authoritarian rule, making Superman's choice to embrace the values taught by Martha and Jonathan Kent entirely his own decision. This shift gives Clark Kent true agency as a hero, something the hosts argue has been missing from previous films.

What role should journalism play in holding heroes accountable?

Lois Lane's portrayal as an investigative journalist who challenges Superman creates a fascinating dynamic. The hosts discuss how her questions—while sometimes cynical—ultimately make Superman a better hero, and how their relationship models the importance of being challenged by those we love and respect.

For fans of ethical philosophy, superhero narratives, or anyone interested in how entertainment shapes our moral imagination, this episode provides both entertainment and genuine food for thought about what it means to be good in a complicated world.

Regular Episodes Return in September!

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Thunderbolts* and Mental Illness

TruStory FM — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Hosts Riki and Matthew welcome returning guest Jessica Plummer to dive deep into Marvel's Thunderbolts* and its bold attempt to explore mental illness within the superhero genre. The discussion examines whether the film succeeds in portraying depression authentically or falls into problematic tropes about sad white men needing rescue.

The hosts debate whether the film's treatment of Bob/Sentry reinforces toxic masculinity tropes or genuinely explores community support for mental health struggles. Jessica argues that Yelena remains the true protagonist throughout, while Matthew initially worried the film prioritized Bob's emotional journey over everyone else's.

How does the movie portray different types of depression across its ensemble cast? The conversation explores how each character—Yelena's open struggles, Bucky's careful masking, Alexi's self-medication—represents different manifestations of depression and coping mechanisms. The hosts examine whether the film successfully shows that depression isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Can superhero blockbusters meaningfully address serious mental health issues? The discussion weighs whether films with action sequences and quips can authentically explore topics like depression, or if the entertainment format undermines the message. They consider how Thunderbolts* compares to other MCU attempts at mental health representation.

Does the film's "group hug" resolution feel authentic or overly simplistic? Drawing from a Polygon article by Tasha Robinson, the hosts examine whether the movie adequately addresses the shame and complexity of accepting help during mental health crises, or if it presents an unrealistic fantasy of easy healing.

Other Topics Covered

The significance of Yelena as the true protagonist versus Bob as a supporting character
How the film's non-romantic dynamic between Yelena and Bob affects the narrative
Comparison between comic book Sentry/Void and the movie adaptation
The role of community and connection in mental health recovery
Visual metaphors for depression (the hole/ladder analogy, elevator shaft scene)
John Walker's portrayal of domestic depression and toxic masculinity
The impact of different casting choices on the film's themes
How Thunderbolts fits within broader MCU mental health representation
The creative team's background in depression-focused storytelling (The Bear, Beef)

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Syril and Authority Under Fascism

TruStory FM — Mon, 26 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Star Wars Andor: How Fascism Creates Its Own Supporters

What drives someone to become complicit in fascism? We explore Syril Karn's arc in Star Wars: Andor and what it reveals about how authoritarian systems manipulate their supporters.

How does fascism differ from authoritarianism? We examined the central leader cult of personality that defines fascist systems, with Emperor Palpatine as the prime example.

What makes Syril believe in "law and order"? His rigid worldview and imperial propaganda blind him to corruption, driving his obsession with Cassian Andor and participation in the Gorman massacre.

Why do fascist systems encourage infighting? The Empire deliberately pits officials against each other to prevent anyone from challenging the Emperor's power.

Can we sympathize with villains without excusing them? We discussed humanizing Imperial characters while holding them accountable for their violent choices.

Other Topics Covered:

Syril's parallel to Javert from Les Misérables
How the Rebellion operates differently than the Empire
The Emperor's invisible but constant presence in Imperial decisions
Why redemption arcs should be rare for fascist collaborators
Violence as the true governing principle under authoritarianism

Understanding characters like Syril isn't about excusing fascism—it's about recognizing how ordinary people can be drawn into extraordinary evil and the importance of making moral choices when systems encourage us to look away.

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Severance • Season 2

TruStory FM — Mon, 19 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew and Riki dive into Severance Season 2, exploring the philosophical questions raised about identity, consciousness, and corporate culture while examining where the show succeeds and falls short in its sophomore season.

Is Season 2 Living Up to the Promise of Season 1?
Both hosts acknowledge feeling somewhat let down by Season 2, with Riki noting it "asks more questions than it answers" in typical mystery box fashion. While the first season brilliantly established the premise of people separating their work and personal consciousness, the second season prioritizes expanding the mysterious corporate lore rather than fully exploring the ethical questions at its core.

What Makes Someone a "Real" Person?
The most compelling aspect of Severance remains its exploration of what constitutes personhood. The show presents characters whose consciousness is split between "innies" (work selves) and "outies" (outside selves), raising profound questions about which version is the "real" person and whether eliminating one version constitutes a form of death. The hosts particularly praise Dylan's storyline, where his innie falls in love with his outie's wife, creating a fascinating ethical dilemma about identity and relationships.

Does the Show Fall Into Problematic Tropes?
Riki points out how the season finale's romantic choice falls into troubling tropes, with Mark S choosing Helly over his wife Gemma. The hosts discuss the racial implications of this storyline, noting how it perpetuates patterns where Asian women are portrayed as "damsels in distress" rather than equal romantic partners. This choice undermines the more profound philosophical questions about identity by reducing them to a conventional love triangle.

Other Topics Covered

The show's "mystery box" approach and whether it delivers satisfying answers
Office culture representation and corporate cults as commentary on modern tech companies
Character development for Harmony Cobel and the mysterious Miss Wong
The metaphorical significance of severance in our own compartmentalized lives
Comparison to shows like Dollhouse that explore similar themes of identity
The cinematography and standout episodes from Season 2

The hosts conclude that while Severance Season 2 has moments of brilliance, particularly in episodes like Harmony Cobel's hometown visit, it ultimately prioritizes expanding its mysterious lore over answering the profound ethical questions that made the first season so compelling. Though both hosts express disappointment with certain aspects of the season, they remain intrigued enough to continue following the series and its exploration of identity, corporate culture, and consciousness.

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Star Wars Generations: Andor Season 2 Special • Episodes 1-3

TruStory FM — Mon, 12 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Star Wars and Superhero Ethics Crossover Episode: Andor Season 2

While I try to keep the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics podcasts separate, with Andor hitting so many of the themes we talk about on Superhero Ethics, I wanted to share our first episode about Andor Season 2 with you all.

The hosts of Star Wars Generations dive deep into the first three episodes of Andor Season 2, which premiered with a triple-episode release. Matthew, Erin, and Alex explore how the show immediately establishes its political commentary and continues its unflinching portrayal of life under the Empire's fascist regime.

What makes Andor Season 2 so politically charged?

Within the first five minutes, the show tackles current political issues through its storytelling. The hosts discuss how the plot involving undocumented workers (referred to explicitly as not having "visas") on a farming planet directly parallels real-world immigration issues. The Empire's plan to exploit the planet Ghorman for resources regardless of environmental or human cost also serves as commentary on resource exploitation and colonialism.

How does the show portray different facets of the Empire?

The podcast hosts examine how the show depicts various characters within the Imperial system. From Dedra and Syril's domestic life to the cold Imperial board meetings with Krennic, the series demonstrates how ordinary people participate in and enable fascist regimes. The stark contrast between the comfortable lives of Imperial officers and the struggling rebels highlights the inequality within the Star Wars universe.

What connections to the wider Star Wars universe appear in these episodes?

The hosts identify several connections to the animated series Rebels, including Cassian stealing what appears to be a TIE Interceptor (a project championed by Grand Admiral Thrawn) and the mention of Ghorman (which Mon Mothma later condemns the Empire for abusing in Rebels). They theorize these connections may lead to appearances from characters like Thrawn or depict events referenced in other Star Wars media.

Other topics discussed:

The controversial scene involving attempted sexual assault against Bix and its portrayal of power abuse within the Empire
Mon Mothma's storyline involving Chandrilan wedding traditions and her strained family relationships
Brasso's death and the ambiguity around whether Andor was responsible
The portrayal of squabbling rebel factions on Yavin 4 and what it says about resistance movements
The parallels between the lavish Chandrilan wedding ceremony and the violence occurring simultaneously on other planets
Dedra and Syril's domestic relationship and interactions with his mother
The Imperial strategy meeting discussing how to create justifications for destroying Ghorman

The hosts conclude that while some storylines (particularly the Yavin 4 sequence) felt somewhat drawn out, the overall quality of the show remains exceptional. They express excitement about where the season is heading and how it will connect to the events of Rogue One, noting that these early episodes have already paid off some of their predictions while setting up compelling new storylines.

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The Making of a Nerd

TruStory FM — Mon, 05 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew and Riki welcome special guest Mandy Kaplan, comedian and host of the Make Me a Nerd podcast. They explore the journey of discovering nerd culture later in life, breaking down stereotypes about who gets to be a "nerd," and examining how mainstream and geek culture continue to merge in surprising ways.

What defines someone as a "nerd" in today's culture?
Mandy describes herself as a "mainstream mom" who loves Taylor Swift and Housewives but had always shied away from Star Wars, Star Trek, and other traditional nerd culture. Approaching 50, she decided to explore this world through her podcast, where guests introduce her to their favorite nerdy media. Matthew and Riki discuss how the definition of "nerd" has evolved, suggesting it's less about what you're interested in and more about how deeply you engage with it—whether that's creating charts about Star Trek planets or Top Chef recipes.

How accessible should nerd media be to newcomers?
The hosts discuss the balance between creating media for longtime fans versus welcoming newcomers. Mandy shares how she's learned to forgive herself for not understanding all the lore and background in some properties, instead focusing on the elements she can enjoy. They agree the best media works on multiple levels—like Sesame Street appealing to both children and adults—allowing both newcomers and devoted fans to find something meaningful.

How has the perception of nerd culture changed over generations?
Matthew reflects on growing up when nerds were socially ostracized, contrasting with today when Marvel movies dominate the box office. They discuss how the internet and streaming services have transformed nerd culture from niche to mainstream, creating communities for people who might not excel in traditional social settings. Riki points out how fantasy sports have bridged the traditional gap between "jocks" and "nerds."

What unexpected connections do people find in nerd culture?
The conversation highlights surprising moments of connection, like Mandy's encounter with a "Kardashian-looking" stranger who enthusiastically discussed the same fantasy novel she was reading. They explore how media that might seem designed for specific demographics often resonates across unexpected audiences when given a chance.

Other topics discussed:

The stigma attached to certain media and how it affects people's willingness to try new things
How streaming services have revolutionized access to niche content
The philosophical and ethical questions embedded in science fiction and fantasy
The blurring lines between traditional "nerdy" activities and mainstream interests
The gatekeeping sometimes found in fan communities and why it's problematic
How fantasy sports represent a form of nerdy engagement that's become widely accepted
Shows like Severance and The Orville that surprised Mandy with their emotional depth

The Power of Curiosity Over Judgment
The episode concludes with a reflection on approaching media with curiosity rather than judgment. Matthew quotes Ted Lasso's speech about being curious instead of judgmental, applying it to how we engage with different forms of entertainment. Mandy emphasizes how her podcast isn't about criticizing beloved franchises but finding what resonates personally, even in unexpected places. The hosts celebrate how nerd culture continues to expand and welcome new fans, creating connections across different interests and generations.

Check out Mandy’s podcast Make Me a Nerd, also on the TruStory FM podcast network.

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Fridging

TruStory FM — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700

"Women in Refrigerators": Understanding Fridging in Superhero Media

In this eye-opening episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew and Riki tackle the controversial topic of "fridging" with special guest Jessica Plummer, a comic book historian with expertise in gender representation. The term "fridging," coined by comic writer Gail Simone in 1999, refers to the killing, maiming, or assault of female characters primarily to advance a male character's storyline.

What exactly is fridging and where did the term come from?

The term "women in refrigerators" originated from a 1994 Green Lantern issue where Kyle Rayner's girlfriend Alexandra DeWitt was murdered and stuffed in a refrigerator by villain Major Force. This served solely to motivate Kyle's character development and revenge arc. The podcast explores how this pattern repeats across comics, films, and TV shows, with female characters frequently introduced only to be brutalized for male character development.

Why is fridging problematic beyond just character death?

The discussion highlights how fridging isn't just about women dying - it's about the specific ways their bodies are violated and displayed, often in sexualized or gratuitously violent ways. The hosts examine how female characters are disproportionately subjected to these fates compared to male characters, despite already being underrepresented in superhero media to begin with.

How does fridging differ from other character deaths?

The podcast examines the key differences between fridging and other character deaths. Male characters often die heroically in battle with "noble sacrifices" and frequently return from death, while female characters are more commonly assaulted in domestic settings like kitchens, portrayed as helpless victims rather than heroes making choices, and rarely return from death.

What about fridging and race in media?

The conversation expands to discuss similar patterns with characters of color, who are often introduced as side characters only to be killed to motivate white protagonists. While the panel debates whether "fridging" should specifically refer to violence against women or could apply more broadly, they agree the core issue is about which characters get to be protagonists versus disposable plot devices.

Other topics discussed:

The original Green Lantern fridging incident that gave the trope its name
How Black Widow's death in Avengers: Endgame exhibits elements of fridging
The repeated visual motif of female character deaths (like Gwen Stacy's fall)
Examples of media that subvert fridging expectations, like John Wick and Daredevil
How some characters have "climbed out of the fridge" through character resurrection and reimagining
Writers and creators who have worked to challenge and change this trope
The relationship between shock value and fridging

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Remakes, Reboots, & Adaptations

TruStory FM — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Finding the Balance Between Innovation and Authenticity

Matthew and Riki dive into the complex world of remakes, reboots, and adaptations. The discussion was inspired by Matthew's disappointment with the new Daredevil series and explores why some re-imaginings work while others fall flat.

What Makes a Good Adaptation?

According to the hosts, successful adaptations require genuine passion for the source material. They highlight Kevin Feige's love for comics as a driving force behind the MCU's success and contrast this with productions where creators seem embarrassed by their source material. Matthew emphasizes that good adaptations honor the "spirit" of the original rather than just visual elements—citing Star Trek as an example where maintaining themes and philosophy matters more than exact visual recreation.

Key Questions Discussed

How important is "faithfulness" to source material, and what does that actually mean?
When is it appropriate to modernize elements of older stories?
How should adaptations handle characters tied to specific historical events?
What's the difference between lovingly poking fun at source material versus seeming embarrassed by it?
Should problematic character elements be removed or updated in modern adaptations?
How do we balance creator freedom with fan expectations?

Notable Examples Explored

The success of One Piece's live-action adaptation versus other anime adaptations
How Star Wars maintains visual consistency while evolving its lightsaber choreography
The growing legitimacy of video game adaptations
How the Batman character has been interpreted differently across generations
Race and gender-swapping characters in adaptations

The conversation highlights that with characters that have existed across decades and multiple media, there is rarely one "true version"—just different interpretations that speak to different audiences in different ways.

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Robin Hood, Heist Movies, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

TruStory FM — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Robin Hood & Heist Movies: Why Do We Love Stealing from the Rich?

Matthew and Riki dive into the enduring appeal of Robin Hood stories and modern heist films. Sparked by Riki's rewatch of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the conversation explores why stories about stealing from the wealthy continue to resonate across centuries—and why the ultra-rich who run Hollywood keep funding them.

Why does the Robin Hood myth remain so powerful?

The hosts trace the origins of Robin Hood back to the 12th-13th centuries, noting how the original tale wasn't about overthrowing the system entirely but rather supporting what was seen as legitimate authority (King Richard) against corrupt power (King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham). This pattern continues in modern heist stories, where criminals often end up supporting the status quo rather than truly revolutionizing society.

How do heist films differ from traditional Robin Hood stories?

Modern heist films like Ocean's Eleven often maintain the "steal from the rich" element but abandon the "give to the poor" aspect. Instead, protagonists typically keep the money for themselves or use it to help a small circle of associates. Nevertheless, audiences still root for these thieves because they target wealthy individuals who are portrayed as having obtained their fortune through questionable means.

Why do wealthy studios keep making movies about stealing from the rich?

Matthew and Riki suggest these films might function as "bread and circuses"—entertainment that distracts the masses while preserving existing power structures. Most heist narratives conclude by restoring the status quo rather than challenging it fundamentally, allowing wealthy stakeholders to profit from stories of rebellion without promoting actual systemic change.

Other topics discussed:

The evolution of the "putting together a team" trope in heist films
How heist movies typically avoid lethal violence, unlike many Robin Hood adaptations
The "heart of gold" outlaw character archetype in pirate stories and Star Wars
The pattern of former antagonists joining the hero's team in franchises like The Fast & the Furious
How the Robin Hood brand has been co-opted for everything from financial transaction taxes to cryptocurrency platforms
Modern adaptations like Green Arrow and Leverage that continue the Robin Hood tradition

The Robin Hood narrative has shown remarkable staying power because it speaks to fundamental human desires for justice and fairness. While these stories rarely champion revolutionary change, they provide a satisfying fantasy of accountability in a world where economic inequality continues to grow. Whether through traditional tales or modern heist films, the thrill of watching the wealthy and powerful get their comeuppance remains an enduring part of our storytelling tradition.

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The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

TruStory FM — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – Propaganda, Complicity, and Haymitch's Story

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew and Riki welcome special guest Danielle from WrittenInTheStarWars to dive deep into Suzanne Collins’ newest novel in The Hunger Games franchise, Sunrise on the Reaping. The trio explores how this prequel reveals the true story behind Haymitch Abernathy’s Games and challenges what readers thought they knew from the original trilogy.

What makes Suzanne Collins’ writing unique in YA literature?

The hosts discuss Collins’ masterful use of first-person narrative, with Danielle highlighting how Collins understands both the strengths and weaknesses of this perspective. Her intentional structuring of chapters and story arcs keeps readers engaged while delivering complex themes accessible to young adults without oversimplifying them. The conversation explores Collins’ famous quote: “I don’t write about adolescents. I write about war for adolescents.”

How does propaganda shape the story in Panem?

Sunrise on the Reaping reveals how the Capitol manipulates narratives, showing that what Katniss learned about Haymitch’s Games was heavily edited propaganda. The book explores how different forms of propaganda work—from entertainment spectacles to subtle messaging that convinces citizens the Games are necessary for peace. Characters like Effie Trinket demonstrate how effective this indoctrination can be, while others show resistance to these manufactured stories.

What do we learn about Haymitch as a character?

The novel provides a stark contrast between the real Haymitch and the persona crafted by Capitol editors. Readers discover he was someone who refused to think of other tributes as enemies, consistently protected others, and maintained his humanity throughout the Games. The book also reveals his tragic journey toward alcoholism, showing how it began as medical treatment before becoming his coping mechanism for trauma and loss.

Other topics discussed:

How Maysilee Donner evolves from a "mean girl" to one of the book’s most compelling characters
Why Collins may have written this book now as a response to current political events
The difference between how Haymitch’s relationship with Maysilee was portrayed in propaganda versus reality
The careful way Collins handles familiar characters from the original trilogy appearing in the prequel
The humanity of Career tributes and how they too are victims of the Capitol’s system
The theme of complicity and how everyone in Panem’s system becomes part of maintaining its horrors

The conversation concludes by reflecting on how Collins uses her storytelling to encourage readers to question propaganda in their own lives and recognize complicity in unjust systems. By revisiting Haymitch’s Games, she reminds us that history is often written by the victors—but truth can be a powerful tool for rebellion.

Links
Follow these links to earlier discussions on The Hunger Games with Danielle:

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The Penguin

TruStory FM — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew and Riki analyze HBO's The Penguin series starring Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti. Set in Matt Reeves' Batman universe following the events of The Batman movie, the show explores the power vacuum left in Gotham's criminal underworld after the fall of crime boss Carmine Falcone.

What makes Oz Cobb a compelling villain protagonist?

The hosts discuss how the series portrays Oswald "Oz" Cobb (The Penguin) as a complex character who constantly shifts between sympathetic and monstrous. Unlike previous iterations that leaned into fantastical elements, this Penguin is grounded as a mobster with a physical disability who uses his exceptional charisma and manipulation skills to climb Gotham's criminal ladder. The show reveals his troubled childhood, including his complicated relationship with his mother and the shocking revelation that he was responsible for his brothers' deaths.

How does The Penguin explore themes of respect and power?

Matthew and Riki examine how Oz's actions are driven by his desperate need for respect and recognition. The series shows how he positions himself as a champion for the neglected citizens of Crown Point—getting electricity restored to the neighborhood while simultaneously building his criminal empire. This "crime socialism" approach allows him to frame himself as fighting for fairness and equality within the criminal world, convincing lower-level criminals to revolt against their bosses and support him instead.

What makes the relationship between Oz and Victor so central to the story?

The hosts highlight how the mentor-protégé relationship between Penguin and Victor Aguilar serves as the emotional core of the series. Though toxic and complicated—with Penguin both bullying Victor for his stutter while fiercely defending him from others who do the same—their bond provides some of the most compelling moments in the show. The hosts note interesting parallels to the Batman-Robin dynamic, positioning it as a dark mirror of that heroic relationship.

Other topics covered in the episode:

How Cristin Milioti's Sophia Falcone serves as a compelling antagonist with her own complex motivations for revenge
The shocking finale twist and its implications for Penguin's character development
The portrayal of Arkham Asylum and its problematic depiction of mental health institutions
Connections to Matt Reeves' broader Batman universe and potential future storylines
The grounded approach to classic Batman villains compared to previous adaptations
How the show depicts crime families filling power vacuums—similar to real-world political situations

The Penguin demonstrates how villain-centered narratives can provide rich ethical territory to explore when characters are given depth and complexity. By examining the psychology and motivations behind traditionally one-dimensional villains, the show creates compelling television that challenges viewers to question their sympathies while never fully redeeming its monstrous protagonist.

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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine • It's Only a Paper Moon

TruStory FM — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Exploring Trauma and Recovery in Star Trek: DS9's "It's Only a Paper Moon"

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew and Riki examine Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's acclaimed episode "It's Only a Paper Moon" (Season 7, Episode 10). The episode stands out for its realistic portrayal of physical and psychological trauma as Ferengi character Nog returns from war with a lost leg and severe PTSD.

How does DS9 differ from typical portrayals of trauma in media?

Unlike most shows where characters quickly recover from injuries, DS9 takes the time to explore the authentic consequences of trauma. Matthew, who lost his own leg to amputation, provides unique insight into the episode's portrayal of Nog's experiences with a prosthetic limb. The episode examines how phantom pain can affect amputees and how others' awkward attempts at comfort often make things worse.

Why does Nog retreat to the holosuite?

When faced with his trauma, Nog finds refuge in a 1962 Las Vegas holosuite program featuring lounge singer Vic Fontaine. This controlled environment allows Nog to heal at his own pace without the pressure of others' expectations. The hosts discuss how Nog rediscovers parts of his Ferengi heritage during this healing process, using his cultural affinity for profit to help manage Vic's fictional casino.

When does helpful support cross into harmful enabling?

The episode delicately explores the transition between providing necessary space for grief and enabling harmful avoidance behaviors. As Nog becomes dependent on the holosuite, the show demonstrates how well-intentioned support can sometimes impede recovery when it prevents someone from ultimately facing reality.

Additional topics covered:

• The evolution of Nog's character from stereotypical Ferengi to complex individual
• Vic Fontaine's unusual status as a self-aware holosuite character
• Parallels to modern internet addiction and virtual escapism
• How non-professionals sometimes provide more effective support than trained counselors
• The frustration of seeing unrealistic injury recovery in action movies when you've experienced real trauma
• The meaningful portrayal of Nog's temporary self-centeredness as a realistic trauma response

From "Just Another Character" to Central Focus

This episode stands out for placing two secondary characters—Nog and hologram Vic Fontaine—at its emotional center. The hosts praise the episode for its depth and nuance in handling difficult themes like trauma, recovery, and disability without falling into simplistic "good vs. bad" narratives about coping mechanisms. By focusing on these characters, DS9 delivers one of Trek's most meaningful examinations of the human experience.

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Cobra Kai: It’s Finally, Truly Over

TruStory FM — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0700

The Final Deep Dive into Cobra Kai: Breaking Down the Series Conclusion

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, Matthew and returning guest Paul analyze the final five episodes of Cobra Kai, examining how the show wrapped up its major character arcs and thematic elements. From Johnny Lawrence's redemption to Sensei Kreese's apology tour, they dissect the successes and shortcomings of the series finale.

How does violence differ between competition and conflict? The hosts explore the show's handling of martial arts as both a competitive sport and a means of settling personal disputes, particularly through Sam's decision to withdraw from the Sekai Taikai tournament.

Can teaching lead to personal growth? The discussion delves into how characters like Johnny and Kreese evolved through their roles as instructors, with students often becoming the catalysts for their senseis' development.

What makes an effective apology? The hosts analyze Kreese's attempts at reconciliation with former students, particularly Johnny and Tory, and how the show subverts expectations by not having these apologies automatically accepted.

Additional topics covered:

The contrived nature of certain plot developments in the final episodes
The socioeconomic divide between characters and their different post-high school paths
The show's handling of martial arts coaching and competition authenticity
The effectiveness of breaking cycles of violence as a central theme
How the series evolved from its YouTube Red origins to its Netflix conclusion
The importance of learning multiple martial arts styles and philosophies

The episode concludes by reflecting on how Cobra Kai could have been more concise as a three or four-season series, while acknowledging that the finale successfully resolved many of its core character arcs and themes.

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Daredevil: Born Again • Episodes 1-2

TruStory FM — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Daredevil: Born Again – Ethical Analysis and Critical Review

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, host Matthew Fox and comic book expert Jessica Plummer dive into their critical analysis of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. As longtime fans of the original Netflix series, they explore how the new series departs dramatically from what made the original show compelling, starting with the shocking early death of Foggy Nelson.

What fundamental character changes undermine the new series?

The hosts discuss how Matt Murdock's willingness to kill represents a complete departure from his core character. In the original Netflix series, Matt's refusal to kill was central to his identity and moral code, particularly highlighted in his philosophical clashes with the Punisher. This sudden shift feels unearned and betrays the character's established ethics.

How does the show mishandle Wilson Fisk's character?

Matthew and Jessica examine how the show's portrayal of Wilson Fisk in therapy with Vanessa misunderstands what made the character compelling. They argue that Fisk's pure devotion to Vanessa was his most humanizing trait, and the new series undermines this by creating relationship problems that feel inauthentic to the characters.

Is the political commentary coherent?

The conversation tackles the show's attempt at political commentary through Fisk's mayoral campaign, which appears to be a Donald Trump allegory. Jessica argues that the show's politics are incoherent, particularly how it perpetuates right-wing talking points about crime rates while seemingly trying to critique right-wing figures.

Daredevil: A Primer

TruStory FM — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Daredevil: Born Again – Essential Character Primer

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew Fox and comic book expert Jessica Plummer break down everything you need to know about Daredevil before watching Daredevil: Born Again. Whether you're new to the character or just need a refresher on the Netflix series, this primer covers the essential elements that make Matt Murdock one of Marvel's most compelling characters.

Who is Daredevil, and what makes him unique?

Matt Murdock lost his sight as a child when toxic waste enhanced his other senses to superhuman levels. By day, he's a defense attorney at Nelson & Murdock with his best friend, Foggy Nelson. By night, he's Daredevil, a vigilante who uses his enhanced senses and ninja training to protect Hell's Kitchen. What separates Matt from other heroes is his constant moral struggle and complete lack of impulse control—he desperately wants to do the right thing but often makes impulsive decisions that damage his relationships and career.

What role does Catholicism play in Daredevil's story?

Matt's Catholic faith provides the moral framework for his vigilante actions. The show portrays his religious struggle authentically without reducing it to stereotypes. His conversations with his priest highlight his central conflict: "Are you afraid that you will have to kill this man and you don't want to? Or are you afraid that you won't have to kill this man and you want to?" This question encapsulates Matt's internal battle between justice and vengeance.

How does Daredevil balance his dual life as lawyer and vigilante?

The constant tension between working within the system as a defense attorney and operating outside it as a vigilante defines Matt's character. Season one explores whether he can trust the legal system to handle Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) or must take matters into his own hands. This struggle affects everyone in his life, especially Foggy Nelson, who keeps their law practice running while Matt disappears to fight crime.

Other topics discussed:

How the Netflix series portrays Hell's Kitchen and its gentrification
Matt Murdock's complicated romantic relationships and flirtatious tendencies
The portrayal of Vincent D’Onofrio's Kingpin and his relationship with Vanessa
The importance of Foggy Nelson as Matt's moral center and best friend
How Daredevil's disability is represented in the series
The connections between the Netflix series and the upcoming Disney+ show
The role of supporting characters like Karen Page and Claire Temple
How the Punisher serves as a foil to Daredevil's moral code

The hosts wrap up by highlighting the unique male friendship between Matt and Foggy, noting how rare it is to see such emotionally complex male friendships portrayed on screen. As Daredevil: Born Again approaches, this primer gives viewers everything they need to understand what makes the Man Without Fear such a compelling and conflicted hero in the Marvel universe.

Links

Check out more of Jessica’s work.
Read her short story in Sword, Stone, Table, alongside works by other great authors. (Using this link helps support the podcast!)

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Rebel Ridge

TruStory FM — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew and Riki analyze the Netflix film Rebel Ridge, exploring its depiction of police corruption, less-lethal violence, civil asset forfeiture, and systemic racism through the lens of an action thriller. The discussion centers on protagonist Terry Richmond, a former Marine skilled in de-escalation techniques, as he navigates a corrupt police system to save his cousin and seek justice.

How does civil asset forfeiture enable modern police corruption?
The hosts examine how the film portrays this legal but questionable practice, where police can seize assets without proving criminal activity. They delve into how bureaucratic systems and legal loopholes are used to maintain systemic inequalities while appearing legitimate.

What role does less-lethal violence play in the narrative?
The episode explores how the protagonist's military background in de-escalation and less-lethal combat techniques serves both practical and thematic purposes, challenging typical action movie tropes while highlighting the reality of police violence against men of color.

How does the film handle racial dynamics and allyship?
The hosts analyze the complex portrayal of various characters, including Mr. Liu, a Chinese restaurant owner whose support of Terry leads to police harassment, examining how the film addresses intersectional aspects of racism and the model minority myth.

Other topics covered:

The film's approach to action sequences and their clarity compared to other action movies
Don Johnson's portrayal of a corrupt sheriff and the complex humanity of antagonist characters
The role of drugs in the criminal justice system and how they're used to control and manipulate
The significance of bureaucratic systems in modern discrimination
Comparisons to director Jeremy Saulnier's previous work, Green Room
The contrast between historical overt racism and modern systemic racism

The episode concludes with information about the podcast's new member section and upcoming discussions about superhero accountability, inviting listeners to participate in live recordings on YouTube.

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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

TruStory FM — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800

How Does War Change a Nation? Exploring Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's Complex Themes

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, Matthew and Riki dive deep into Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, examining how this influential anime tackles challenging questions about war, revenge, and national guilt. The hosts explore how the series portrays a nation grappling with its dark history of genocide and military expansion while following characters who must decide whether to pursue revenge or seek a path toward healing.

Can science and faith coexist in a world of alchemy? The discussion explores how the series handles the relationship between scientific understanding and mystical elements, particularly through its unique magic system of alchemy and the mysterious Gate of Truth. The hosts examine how the show avoids simple answers about the limits of human knowledge and understanding.

What role does disability representation play in storytelling? The conversation analyzes the series' groundbreaking portrayal of prosthetics and disability through "automail" technology, highlighting how the show maintains realism in its depiction of adaptation and emotional challenges while incorporating fantastical elements.

How do cycles of violence perpetuate themselves, and can they be broken? Through characters like Scar and Roy Mustang, the hosts examine how the series portrays both the understandable desire for revenge and the difficult choice to break cycles of violence, even in the face of justified anger.

Other Topics Covered:

The significance of equivalent exchange as both a scientific law and moral metaphor
How the character of Scar evolves from antagonist to ally
The portrayal of teenage relationships and growing up amid conflict
The influence of various cultural and historical events on the series' depiction of Ishval
The role of guilt and redemption in motivating character actions
The significance of German aesthetic influences in the series

The discussion concludes by highlighting how Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood demonstrates that ending cycles of violence requires individual choices to pursue peace, even when revenge seems justified. Through its complex characters and nuanced storytelling, the series offers insights into how nations and individuals can move forward from dark chapters in their history.

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Core Questions: Superhero Accountability • Member Bonus

TruStory FM — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Who Watches the Heroes?

When superheroes cause civilian casualties while trying to save the world, who holds them responsible? This episode dives deep into the complex ethics of superhero accountability, using Marvel's Civil War (the comics) and the MCU’s Captain America: Civil War (the movie) as starting points to explore broader questions about power, oversight, and responsibility.

The discussion examines how superhero accountability parallels real-world debates about police, military, and government oversight. Matthew and Riki analyze different models of accountability, from internal team oversight to international bodies like the UN, questioning whether registration requirements are justified and what happens when good intentions lead to tragic outcomes.

Can we trust those with extraordinary powers to regulate themselves? The hosts explore how the evolution of superhero stories mirrors changing public attitudes toward authority figures, shifting from unquestioned trust to demands for greater oversight. The conversation weighs the challenges of balancing individual liberty with public safety when dealing with people who are, in essence, "living weapons."

What constitutes appropriate oversight versus excessive control? The episode examines various approaches—from complete autonomy to strict registration requirements—while considering how factors like intent, training, and leadership responsibility should factor into accountability systems.

Other Key Topics Discussed:

Differences between the comic version of Civil War and the MCU’s Captain America: Civil War
The role of secret identities in accountability debates
Parallels between superhero oversight and real-world authority figures
The impact of Vietnam and the Watergate scandal on superhero narratives
Challenges of regulating innate powers versus granted authority
The evolution of moral complexity in comic storytelling
International versus national jurisdiction over superheroes
Leadership accountability in hierarchical organizations
Balancing security and individual rights

The episode concludes by examining how accountability doesn't necessarily mean assuming bad intent, but rather ensuring proper systems exist to evaluate outcomes and prevent unintended harm. Even heroes acting with the best intentions need external perspectives to assess whether their actions truly serve the greater good.

This is our February member bonus episode. To hear the full episode, and to learn more about the benefits of becoming a member of the Ethical Panda podcast family, visit trustory.fm/join.

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Star Trek: Section 31

TruStory FM — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Matthew and Riki, along with returning guest Abby, dive deep into Section 31, Star Trek's controversial covert intelligence organization. The discussion explores the ethical implications of having a secretive, unaccountable agency within Starfleet and examines the recent Section 31 movie starring Michelle Yeoh.

How does Section 31 challenge Star Trek's utopian vision?

The hosts examine the tension between Gene Roddenberry's optimistic future and the pragmatic needs of maintaining galactic peace. They question whether having a CIA-like organization contradicts the Federation's principles of transparency and democracy, drawing parallels to real-world intelligence agencies.

Is Starfleet truly just an exploratory organization, or is it fundamentally military—or even colonialist—in nature?

The conversation delves into how Section 31's existence reveals deeper truths about Starfleet's dual role as both a diplomatic and military force, challenging the narrative that Starfleet is purely focused on peaceful exploration.

What went wrong with the Section 31 movie?

The hosts provide a critical analysis of the recent film, discussing how it missed opportunities to explore compelling ethical questions in favor of becoming a less successful attempt at combining Ocean's Eleven with Guardians of the Galaxy.

Other key topics discussed:

The origins of Section 31 in Star Trek's canon and its controversial inclusion in the Starfleet Charter
How Section 31 has been portrayed across different Star Trek series, from Deep Space Nine to Discovery
The role of Michelle Yeoh's character Philippa Georgiou and her involvement with Section 31
Comparisons between Section 31 and real-world intelligence organizations
The evolution of Star Trek beyond Roddenberry's original vision
Potential storylines that could have made for a better Section 31 movie

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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I Saw the TV Glow

TruStory FM — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Unpacking the Powerful Trans Allegory in I Saw the TV Glow

Matthew and Riki dive deep into the indie horror film I Saw the TV Glow and explore how it serves as a poignant and powerful allegory for the trans experience. The hosts discuss the film's unique approach to horror, its nostalgic 90s setting, and the way it allows a trans person to potentially realize their identity through the concept of "egg cinema."

Key discussion points:

What if the real monster is the version of ourselves we hold onto, while we lock our true selves away?
How does I Saw the TV Glow use the horror genre in an unconventional way and with a good helping of Buffy nostalgia to tell a story about a young person coming to accept they are transgender?
In what ways does the film's nostalgic 90s setting resonate with Matthew's own experience growing up as a queer youth during that time and only hearing the word non-binary, let alone accepting that as their own reality, decades later.
How is the film accessible to all audiences while still containing layers of meaning that deeply resonate with the trans community?
Why is Owen denying his true self the real "horror" in the film, and how does this serve as a universal theme beyond just gender identity?

The hosts also compare and contrast I Saw the TV Glow with other recent films depicting trans characters and experiences, including Emilia Pérez. While applauding the groundbreaking Oscar nomination for trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Pérez, the hosts also dissect the problematic and stereotypical portrayal of her character. The film A Fantastic Woman is also mentioned in the discussion. Overall, this episode provides a nuanced and layered discussion of trans representation in film, uplifting powerful examples while also critiquing the cisnormative gaze and calling for more authentic stories.

Other topics covered:

What makes something horror?
How do we use the media we consume to frame our reality?
How does TV Glow use the metaphor of horror to explore the experience of being transgender in a world that doesn't accept you?
Trans terminology like "egg"
Generational divides in queer and trans communities
Horror as social commentary and metaphor
The Oscars' history with overlooking both black artists and horror films

Join Matthew and Riki for this important and engaging conversation about one of the year's most overlooked films and the current state of trans representation in cinema. Be sure to check out the show notes for links to articles referenced and consider becoming a member to access exclusive bonus content.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Core Questions: Vengeance • Member Bonus

TruStory FM — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Matthew and Riki dive deep into one of the most compelling ethical questions in superhero media: the role of vengeance as a motivator for heroes, villains, and anti-heroes. Joined by comic book expert Jessica Plummer, they explore how vengeance shapes character arcs and storytelling across various franchises.

With this episode, we’re launching our member-bonus-episode series. Each month, we’ll tackle one of the core questions that frequently arise as we examine the ethics of superhero and genre media. Moving forward, these episodes will be for members only, but we wanted to share this one with everyone to showcase the benefits available for just $5 a month! Sign up at the link below or on our website, theethicalpanda.com.

When is vengeance justified in superhero narratives, and how does this reflect our real-world understanding of justice? Set against the backdrop of the Healthcare CEO killing, we analyze examples ranging from The Punisher to Batman and Inigo Montoya, exploring how different characters confront the temptation of vengeance and what this reveals about their moral compass.

Other key topics discussed include:

How different franchises portray vengeance as a motivation for female versus male characters
The role of collateral damage in vengeance narratives
When vengeance becomes a cycle of violence and how heroes break free from it
The contrast between enjoying vengeance in fiction versus supporting it in reality
How comedy and tone influence our acceptance of vengeful actions
The evolution of vengeance narratives in modern superhero stories
The relationship between power dynamics and our acceptance of vengeful actions

The conversation concludes with each participant sharing their favorite and least favorite examples of vengeance in media, offering insights into what makes these narratives resonate or fail.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Superman, Hope, and the New Trailer

TruStory FM — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800

Matthew & Riki join returning guest Jessica Plummer to dive deep into the new Superman trailer and what it reveals about James Gunn's vision for the iconic superhero. The discussion explores how this interpretation appears to be returning to Superman's core essence as a beacon of hope and protection, rather than just another powerful being who solves problems with his fists.

What makes this Superman different from recent interpretations? The hosts analyze key moments from the trailer, particularly highlighting the scene where Superman saves a young girl and inspires a boy raising a Superman flag. They discuss how these moments exemplify Superman's role not as a power fantasy of dominance, but as an inspiration for positive change and protection of the vulnerable.

A significant portion of the discussion centers on: What role do supporting characters play in Superman's world? The hosts debate the inclusion of various DC heroes like Guy Gardner and explore how Nicholas Hoult's casting as Lex Luthor might shape the story's direction.

Other key topics covered:

The evolution of Superman's tagline "Truth, Justice, and the American Way" and its political implications
The significance of the Daily Planet workplace setting in Superman stories
The contrast between pre-crisis and post-crisis Superman interpretations
The potential impact of including Krypto the Superdog
The balance between Superman's superhero and civilian identities
The role of other DC heroes in what was intended to be a solo Superman film

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Tuvix

TruStory FM — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800

The iconic Star Trek: Voyager episode "Tuvix" continues to spark ethical debates nearly 30 years after its original airing. In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew and Riki dive deep into one of Star Trek's most morally complex stories, examining Captain Janeway's controversial decision to effectively end one life to restore two others.

The hosts explore how the episode’s unique twist on the classic trolley problem, where instead of choosing between strangers, the decision involves deeply personal relationships and crew dynamics. They discuss how Janeway's emotional connection to Tuvok and her responsibility as captain influenced her judgment.

What role do emotions play in ethical decision-making? The hosts examine how the episode challenges the common practice of trying to divorce emotions from moral choices, particularly through the powerful performances of the cast and the way Tuvix's plea for his life forces the crew to confront their complicity through their silence.

Other key topics discussed:

The brilliant performance by Tom Wright as Tuvix and how he created a distinct character while incorporating elements of both Tuvok and Neelix
How modern TV storytelling might have handled this plot differently
The significance of the doctor's refusal to participate and Janeway's choice to perform the procedure herself
The show's failure to address the emotional aftermath in subsequent episodes
Comparisons to other ethical dilemmas in Star Trek and science fiction

The hosts conclude that while they may disagree on whether Janeway made the right choice, the episode's enduring legacy lies in its ability to present a moral dilemma with no clear right answer – one that continues to challenge viewers and spark discussions decades after its original airing.

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Echo, Amputees, & Intersectionality • Rebroadcast

TruStory FM — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800

The Superhero Ethics gang was with their families over the New Year, but enjoy this rebroadcast of a favorite episode!

As an amputee, Echo holds a special place in my (Matthew’s) heart, so I’m excited to have comics expert Will Freeland join me to discuss this meaningful new MCU show. Seeing a superhero who shares some of my experiences is incredible. Maya Lopez immediately enters the pantheon of disabled representation done right. In this episode, Will and I analyze the show’s triumphs. We discuss Maya’s thoughtful portrayal as a deaf, Indigenous American amputee. We appreciate the respect given to Choctaw culture. And of course, we analyze the return of Wilson Fisk. As always, Will provides insightful context from the comic books. Meanwhile, I share my personal reactions as an amputee seeing myself represented on screen. Echo recaptures the spirit of the Netflix Marvel universe. It delivers an uplifting, kick-ass story centered on a new, deaf, indigenous hero. This show resonates with so many people. I can’t wait for you to hear our perspectives.

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What is a Christmas Movie? • Rebroadcast

TruStory FM — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0800

The Superhero Ethics crew is on break for the holidays, but we wanted to bring you one of our favorite holiday episodes, in which we discuss Christmas Movies!

What is a Christmas movie? Does it have to have a specific message or aesthetic feel? What is the Christmas romance, and why has it become so popular? Andy and Abby join me to dive into these questions, share each of our own favorite Christmas movies, and settle that age-old debate — is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

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Red One

TruStory FM — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Red One: When Santa Goes Marvel (feat. Pete Wright)

Is Amazon's $250 million Christmas blockbuster Red One a fresh take on holiday magic, or a cynical cash grab? Join Matthew and special guest Pete Wright as they unwrap this action-packed holiday film starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Chris Evans. From buff Santas to beach-fighting snowmen, this episode explores how Hollywood's attempt to "Marvelize" Christmas might have missed the spirit of the season.

Did Red One forget what makes Christmas special? We dive deep into how the movie's attempt to universalize Santa Claus across all cultures reveals a concerning lack of cultural awareness. The hosts explore why forcing Christmas onto everyone – including those who don't celebrate it – feels particularly tone-deaf in our current social climate.

What happens when you mix Marvel-style action with holiday mythology? We examine how J.K. Simmons' surprisingly buff Santa and the movie's fresh take on Krampus reshape traditional Christmas lore. The discussion weighs whether these creative choices enhance or diminish the heart of Christmas storytelling.

Other topics covered:

The problematic implications of Santa's worldwide surveillance state
How the film handles redemption through Chris Evans' character arc
The surprising handling of Krampus as a complex character rather than pure villain
The film's uncomfortable relationship with body image and fitness
Whether this expensive holiday spectacle has any chance of becoming an annual tradition

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Prey and Indigenous Representation

TruStory FM — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Matthew and Riki dive deep into Indigenous representation in media, using the 2022 film Prey as a launching point for a broader discussion about the evolution of Native American portrayals in Hollywood. The conversation explores how this Predator franchise entry breaks new ground while honoring both the source material and Indigenous culture.

How does Prey set a new standard for Indigenous representation? The hosts discuss the film's groundbreaking achievements, including its predominantly Native cast led by Amber Midthunder, authentic cultural consultation, and the historic creation of a Comanche language dub – a first in movie history. The discussion highlights how producer Jane Myers' involvement as a Comanche and Blackfoot consultant helped ensure cultural authenticity throughout production.

What can we learn from revisiting Dances With Wolves (1990)? Riki presents a compelling case for reexamining the film's legacy, arguing that while imperfect, it represented a significant step forward in Native American representation. The hosts explore how the film launched the careers of prominent Native actors like Graham Greene and Wes Studi, while setting new standards for language authenticity and cultural portrayal in mainstream Hollywood.

How do these films compare to other attempts at cultural representation? The conversation expands to examine other films like The Last Samurai and Avatar, discussing the complex dynamics of white savior narratives and the importance of authentic cultural consultation in historical dramas.

Other topics covered:

The evolution of the Predator franchise and how Prey reinvents it
The role of French trappers in the film and their thematic significance
The importance of authentic language use in Indigenous films
The impact of Dances With Wolves on subsequent Native American representation in Hollywood
The complexities of casting Native actors across different tribal affiliations
The problematic aspects of The Last Samurai and its historical inaccuracies
The representation of Indigenous peoples in modern media and tourist culture

The episode concludes by emphasizing the ongoing journey toward better Indigenous representation in media, highlighting both the progress made and the work still needed. While Prey represents a significant step forward, the hosts acknowledge that authentic representation requires continued commitment from the entertainment industry to elevate Indigenous voices both in front of and behind the camera.

Use these links to get some of the books and movies we mention on the podcast, while helping us keep the lights on!

Comanche Marker Trees of Texas by Jimmy Arterberry, one of the authenticity consultants on Prey
Prey
Dances with Wolves
The Last Samurai
Avatar

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A Man on the Inside

TruStory FM — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Paul and Matthew jump into the ethics of aging, mysteries, ‘cozy’ storytelling and the ways that elder care is treated in media as we discuss the new Netflix show A Man on the Inside.

Bonus member content about some of our other favorite mystery shows and movies.

Here is a link to the book Paul mentioned!

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Gundam and Fascism in Anime

TruStory FM — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Join hosts Matthew and Riki as they analyze Netflix's Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance through the lens of ethics, narrative responsibility, the wider context of the Gundam story as a whole, and the implications of telling stories from the villains' perspective.

This episode tackles a crucial question in modern media: When telling a story from an antagonist's perspective, what responsibility do creators have to make their moral stance clear? The hosts debate whether Requiem for Vengeance succeeds or fails at this task, with Matthew viewing it as an effective introduction to the broader Gundam universe, while Riki expresses serious concerns about its potential misinterpretation.

How does historical context shape our understanding of fictional conflicts? The discussion explores how Gundam's Zeon forces draw from both Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, raising questions about how media portrays historical villains and the risk of audiences misinterpreting or glorifying them.

Can a story effectively humanize its villains without legitimizing their cause? The hosts examine protagonist Solari's character arc and debate whether her tragic choices serve the narrative or risk sending dangerous messages to viewers unfamiliar with Gundam's established canon.

Other topics covered:

The evolution of animation technology and its reception by different audiences
The role of race and racism in the Gundam universe
How German imagery and references appear in anime
The challenges of creating prequels or new entry points to established franchises
The ethical implications of child soldiers in warfare
The connection between vengeance, grief, and moral decision-making

Whether you're a longtime Gundam fan or completely new to the franchise, this episode examines how media can shape our understanding of conflict, justice, and the fine line between humanizing villains and valorizing their actions.

Let us know your thoughts: Did you watch Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance? How did your prior knowledge (or lack thereof) of the Gundam universe affect your interpretation of the story?

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Cobra Kai, Season 6, Part 2 of 3

TruStory FM — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Join hosts Matthew Fox and special guest Paul Hoppe as they dive deep into Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 2, discussing how the hit series continues to raise the stakes - sometimes to absurd levels. From international tournaments to shocking character developments, this episode explores how the show both succeeds and stumbles in its attempt to go global.

Is Cobra Kai getting too far from its roots? The hosts discuss how the show has evolved from its simple beginnings focused on local karate rivalries to an international tournament with increasingly dramatic stakes. They explore whether this expansion helps or hurts the core narrative that made the series special.

What makes a realistic martial arts tournament? Drawing on Paul's extensive martial arts experience, the episode examines how the show's portrayal of competition differs from reality, particularly regarding safety protocols and fighter conduct. The hosts question the plausibility of full-contact matches without protective gear on elevated platforms.

How does the show handle representation? The discussion delves into Cobra Kai's approach to international characters and Asian representation, examining both progress made and continuing challenges in how different cultures and martial arts styles are portrayed.

Other topics covered:

The complex dynamics between Johnny, Miguel, and Robbie
The controversial storyline involving Mr. Miyagi's past
Character development (or lack thereof) for new additions like Zara and Kwon
The show's handling of serious themes vs high school drama
Production challenges with aging young actors
The implications of the season's shocking ending

The hosts conclude by speculating about what Part 3 might bring and whether the series can find its way back to the character-driven storytelling that made it successful.

Note: No Bonus Content for members this week.

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WTF? The Ending(s) of Neon Genesis Evangelion

TruStory FM — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi explore the profound philosophical themes and controversial endings of the influential anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. From its groundbreaking original TV finale to the theatrical response film The End of Evangelion, we unpack how creator Hideaki Anno's personal struggles with depression shaped one of anime's most debated conclusions.

What makes the controversial ending of Neon Genesis Evangelion so impactful? We examine how the series transforms from a traditional mecha anime into a deeply psychological exploration of depression, trauma, and self-acceptance. The final two episodes abandon conventional narrative for an internal journey into protagonist Shinji's psyche, culminating in a powerful message about choosing individual identity over collective consciousness.

How does The End of Evangelion serve as both a response to fan backlash and an artistic statement? We discuss how the theatrical film offers a darker, more explicit version of the TV ending while incorporating actual death threats and hate mail the creators received. The movie provides closure for plot threads while still challenging audience expectations about what they want versus what the artist needs to express.

Why does this series continue to resonate with audiences decades later? We explore how Anno's authentic portrayal of depression and journey toward self-acceptance created something far more profound than typical genre fare, even if it frustrated fans at the time.

Other topics covered:

The cultural context and potential issues around the show's use of Jewish & Christian imagery
The significance of the Human Instrumentality Project as a metaphor for social anxiety and isolation
Key character arcs including Asuka, Misato, and Kaworu
Production challenges and budget constraints that influenced the original ending
Parallels to modern fan backlash against subversive works like The Last Jedi
The series' complex exploration of sexuality and coming-of-age themes
How both endings ultimately convey similar messages about self-acceptance through different means

Whether you're a longtime Eva fan or newcomer to the series, this episode offers fresh insights into one of anime's most analyzed and debated conclusions. More than just a reaction to the ending, we examine how Evangelion's themes of depression, identity, and artistic integrity remain deeply relevant to modern audiences and creators.

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The Politics of Watchmen

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Drew Maxey, (drewxdeficit on Twitter and TikTok) joins Riki and Matthew to discuss the political messaging of Watchmen, what it means for us today, and why it is so often misunderstood. We talk about the valorization by many fans of Rorschach that misses so much of his character, how the movie changed things, and Ozymandias’ decision, among other topics. Then Matthew goes on a rant and Riki and Drew do their best to humor them.

Drew Maxey is an educator who loves, teaches, and writes comics. His professional comics debut will be a short holiday story in the Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg anthology, released December 4th. He will talk about Watchmen until he's Dr. Manhattan blue in the face.

To hear more of Drew’s content about Watchmen and other topics, find him on TikTok & Instagram, or go here

To get Drew's Watchmen Chapter 1 movie commentary, donate to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund then email a receipt of your donation to Drew.

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Rebroadcast • Ethics of the Final Frontier

TruStory FM — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0800

REBROADCAST: Space: The Final Frontier. This concept has been integral to America's self-identity, symbolizing exploration and adventure—and the myriad issues arising from the perception of "undiscovered country" as land untouched by white man. Professor Matthew Wilhelm Kapell joins Paul and me to discuss the significance of the frontier and how Star Trek has interacted with this theme throughout its many iterations.

We encountered some sound quality issues in this episode for which we apologize. We are committed to continuous improvement and aim to enhance the listening experience with each episode.

Matthew Wilhelm Kapell boasts a diverse teaching portfolio, ranging from human genetics to film studies across institutions in California, Michigan, the UK, and currently at Pace University in New York City. He is the editor of an academic book series focusing on the study of digital and tabletop games. For more information on his publications and work, visit matthewkapell.com. His academic approach is mindful of the perspective that many narratives framed as "Hero's Journeys" are equally "Heroine's Ordeals."

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The Ethics of Sportsball Fandom

TruStory FM — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Special Guest Paul Hoppe joins Riki and Matthew to explore the intersection of professional sports, fandom, and ethics, what makes us care deeply about "25 people playing with a ball hundreds of miles away."

The conversation delves into fundamental questions about sports' role in society: Can athletics be a force for positive social change, as seen with Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier? Or does the commercialization of sports, exemplified by the Oakland A's controversial move to Las Vegas, betray fan communities? The hosts explore how the unscripted drama of sports creates powerful shared experiences, from healing after 9/11 to forging family bonds.

When should athletes speak out on social issues? The hosts examine the contrast between LeBron James's advocacy for Black Lives Matter and Aaron Rodgers's false vaccine statements, discussing where to draw the line between personal expertise and platform responsibility.

Other key topics covered:

The ethics of public funding for private sports stadiums
Sports team ownership models and their impact on communities
The evolution of Asian player representation in Major League Baseball
The problematic aspects of sports culture, from domestic violence to health risks
The intersection of sports with family dynamics and identity
The term "sportsball" and gatekeeping in fan communities
Olympic moments that showcase athletic respect and sportsmanship

The episode concludes by finding middle ground between uncritical fandom and complete rejection of sports, acknowledging that fans can appreciate athletics while remaining mindful of institutional problems. As Matthew notes, like religion, sports can be a source of both community good and systemic issues - the key is engaging thoughtfully rather than dismissing either extreme.

Want to join the conversation about ethics in pop culture? Subscribe to Superhero Ethics and let us know what you think!

Curious about the media we talked about? Want to help support the podcast? Use these links to purchase any of the following movies, books, or TV shows!

Links

Bull Durham
Field of Dreams
Friday Night Lights
Get These Books through Our Bookshop.org Page
- 1947: When All Hell Broke Loose in Baseball
- Friday Night Lights
- The Fox Steals Home

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Terminator Zero

TruStory FM — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi explore the fascinating world of Terminator: Zero, a new anime series that breathes fresh life into the iconic Terminator franchise and challenges our perceptions of AI, time travel, and the very essence of humanity.

Is Skynet truly the villain, or are humans the real threat? Matthew and Riki dissect the show's central premise, questioning the traditional narrative of AI as an inherent danger to humanity. They explore how Terminator: Zero presents a nuanced view of artificial intelligence through the character of Kokoro, a second AI created to combat Skynet.

How does setting the story in Japan change the Terminator narrative? The hosts applaud the show's decision to move beyond the typical American-centric approach, offering a global perspective on the AI apocalypse. They discuss how this shift allows for fresh storytelling and character development.

Can anime revitalize aging franchises? Matthew and Riki examine the benefits of using animation to tell complex sci-fi stories, particularly in terms of budget constraints and creative freedom. They ponder whether this approach could breathe new life into other beloved franchises.

Other topics covered include:

The evolution of time travel concepts in the Terminator franchise
The quality of voice acting in anime dubs vs. subs
Ethical implications of creating AI with emotions
Parallels between AI and historical human conflicts
The show's portrayal of gender roles in AI development

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Mike Flanagan and Horror as Social Commentary

TruStory FM — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0700

The Horror of Being Human: Mike Flanagan's Masterful Approach to Terror

Prepare to be thrilled and chilled as we dive into the eerie world of Mike Flanagan's horror masterpieces! Join hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi, along with returning guest Danielle, aka (WrittenintheSW).

What makes Mike Flanagan's horror so uniquely captivating? We explore how Flanagan uses supernatural elements as a lens to examine profound human experiences, from grief and trauma to faith and family dynamics. His ability to blend genuine scares with deep emotional resonance sets his work apart in the horror genre.

How does Flanagan's Catholic background influence his storytelling? We discuss the religious themes in Midnight Mass and how they reflect broader questions about belief, manipulation, and the human condition. Danielle shares her perspective as someone raised Catholic, offering insights into the show's nuanced portrayal of faith.

Key topics covered:

The innovative cinematography techniques used in The Haunting of Hill House
Character development and stellar performances across Flanagan's series
The brilliant adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's works in The Fall of the House of Usher
Flanagan's approach to diverse representation and collaboration with actors
The impact of Flanagan's work on the horror genre as a whole

From hidden ghosts to heartrending monologues, we break down the elements that make Flanagan's horror both terrifying and profoundly moving. Whether you're a die-hard horror fan or new to the genre, this episode offers a fascinating look at how horror can be used to explore the deepest aspects of human nature.

Join us for a thought-provoking journey through Mike Flanagan's haunting universes and discover why his approach to horror continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

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James Earl Jones’ Legacy, and the Future of AI in Media

TruStory FM — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive into the legacy of James Earl Jones and explore the evolving role of AI in creative media. From the iconic voice of Darth Vader to the ethical implications of AI-generated performances, this episode tackles pressing questions at the intersection of technology and entertainment.

Note: given its relevance to both podcasts, this episode is going out on both Superhero Ethics and Star Wars Generations.

We start by remembering James Earl Jones, talking about why he was such a vital part of Star Wars, and some of his other works that effected Matthew and Riki.

Then we ask how James Earl Jones' agreement with Disney to use his voice for future Darth Vader performances impacts the future of acting. The hosts discuss the potential consequences of this decision, weighing the benefits of preserving iconic performances against the importance of allowing new interpretations and opportunities for emerging actors.

What are the ethical considerations of using AI to recreate performances of deceased actors? Matthew and Riki examine recent examples from films like Alien: Romulus and debate the implications for both the entertainment industry and the legacy of performers.

Is AI in creative media a threat to human creativity or a tool to enhance it? The conversation explores how AI is changing the landscape of film, television, and voice acting, and what it might mean for the future of storytelling.

Other topics covered include:

The impact of James Earl Jones on Star Wars and beyond
The use of AI-generated voices in the Terminator franchise
The evolution of AI representation in science fiction
The challenges of recasting iconic roles
The potential for AI to perpetuate biases in media

Member Bonus content about Terminator Zero

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Rebroadcast • Rings of Power

TruStory FM — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0700

As season 2 of Rings of Power comes out, we wanted to end our hiatus rebroadcasts by bringing by our discussion of season 1 of this show based in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings world!

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Rebroadcast • Kevin Conroy Memorial

TruStory FM — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0700

With so much talk about Batman and Caped Crusader, this seemed a great time to rebroadcast our memorial episode for one of the most iconic performances of a DC Character: Kevin Conroy and his version of Batman.

Jessica Plummer and Paul Hoppe join me to honor the memory of Kevin Conroy, whose voice acting brought Batman to life for generations of fans. We reflect on the depth Conroy brought to the Dark Knight and share our favorite moments from his career.

For further reading and context on Conroy's impact and the world of superheroes he influenced, Jess provided some insightful articles:

Kevin Conroy Obituary: Remembering the Iconic Voice of Batman
Exploring the complexities of Hawkman
A flashback to Black Adam's first appearance
The history of Adrianna Tomaz, also known as Isis

Each piece offers a unique perspective on the superhero genre that Conroy helped shape with his definitive portrayal of Batman.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Rebroadcast • Raya, Luca, and the Wisdom of Kids Movies

TruStory FM — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0700

As part of our September hiatus, please enjoy this rebroadcast of a favorite episode.

Are "kids' movies" really just for children? Host Matthew Fox and guest Paul Hoppe dive deep into two animated blockbusters - "Raya and the Last Dragon" and "Luca" - to uncover the profound themes and allegories hidden beneath their family-friendly veneer.

How can animated films tackle complex social issues? We explore how Raya addresses themes of trust, prejudice, and unity in a fantastical Southeast Asian-inspired world. Meanwhile, Luca serves as a powerful allegory for coming out and accepting one's true self, all set against the sun-drenched backdrop of the Italian Riviera.

What makes these films resonate with audiences of all ages? Our hosts discuss the delicate balance of humor and gravitas, the importance of representation, and how these movies challenge societal norms while remaining accessible to younger viewers.

Rebroadcast • Batman: The Long Halloween

TruStory FM — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Week 1 of Hiatus, and after our recent discussion of Batman: The Caped Crusader, we wanted to take you back to an earlier Batman discussion. In this episode, Paul joins me to talk about Batman: The Long Halloween, an animated movie based on the comics run of the same name.

Paul Christopher Hoppe, also known as ZenMadman, is a writer, teacher, and student of poker, chess, language, and life. Find out more here:

http://zenmadman.com/
https://www.patreon.com/zenmadman
https://www.twitch.tv/zenmadman
https://twitter.com/zenmadman

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Batman: Caped Crusader, Part II

TruStory FM — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into Batman: Caped Crusader with guest Paul Hoppe. Join us as we explore the gritty world of Gotham and unpack the complex characters that inhabit it.

We kick things off by examining the show's unique setting. How does Batman: Caped Crusader blend noir aesthetics with modern sensibilities? We discuss the advantages of placing Batman in a technologically limited era and how it impacts storytelling.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this series is its fresh take on Harvey Dent. How does this version of Two-Face differ from previous iterations? We analyze Dent's character arc and its implications for the Batman mythos.

The introduction of supernatural elements raised eyebrows among fans. We tackle the question: Does the presence of ghosts and vampires fit into the Batman universe? Our conversation delves into the history of supernatural occurrences in Batman comics and how it translates to the screen.

Other topics covered include:

Bruce Wayne's character development and his attempts to help Harvey Dent
The relationship between Barbara Gordon and Harvey Dent
The stellar voice acting cast, including Hamish Linklater as Batman
Comparisons to Batman: The Animated Series and other Batman adaptations
The show's mature themes and how they're handled

We wrap up our discussion by reflecting on the various interpretations of Batman across different media. From Adam West's campy portrayal to the gritty realism of Christopher Nolan, we explore how each version resonates with different audiences.

Whether you're a die-hard Batman fan or new to the Caped Crusader, this episode offers fascinating insights into one of DC's most beloved characters. Don't miss out on this captivating conversation about Batman: Caped Crusader!

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Neon Genesis Evangelion

TruStory FM — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Dive into the mind-bending world of Neon Genesis Evangelion with hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi. Unravel the complex themes and iconic characters that have made this 1995 anime a cultural phenomenon and a cornerstone of the mecha genre.

What makes Neon Genesis Evangelion stand out from other mecha anime? Our hosts explore the show's unique approach to biomechanical robots and the psychological depth of its characters. They discuss how the series subverts traditional mecha tropes, focusing on the trauma and inner turmoil of its protagonists rather than just epic robot battles.

How does Evangelion handle themes of trauma, loneliness, and human agency? Matthew and Riki delve into the show's exploration of these heavy topics, examining how each character's past shapes their actions and relationships. They highlight the stark contrast between the adult and teenage characters' responses to trauma, offering a nuanced look at human psychology.

What role does religious symbolism play in the series? The hosts unpack the abundant Jewish and Christian imagery and terminology used throughout Evangelion, discussing its significance and what it tells us about cultural appropriation.

Other topics covered include:

The iconic opening theme song and its dissonant lyrics
The series' portrayal of sexuality and its potential controversies
The mysterious Human Instrumentality Project and its implications
The show's influence on subsequent anime and pop culture
The multiple endings of Evangelion and their impact on fans

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the world of Evangelion, this episode offers fresh insights and thought-provoking discussions. Join Matthew and Riki as they navigate the philosophical depths and ethical dilemmas presented in this groundbreaking anime series. Don't miss this deep dive into one of the most influential and enigmatic shows in anime history!

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Batman: Caped Crusader, Part I

TruStory FM — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Holy ethical dilemmas, Batman! Matthew Fox and Paul Hoppe dive deep into the dark alleys of Gotham City to explore the complex morality of Batman: Caped Crusader. This animated series breathes new life into classic characters while tackling timeless questions of justice, vengeance, and what it means to be a hero. Bonus member content on Harleen Quinzel and the possibilities of Joker in season 2.

Note: This show raised more topics than we could cover in a single episode, and so we will be returning to discuss it further in a later episode.

Is Batman a beacon of hope or a symbol of fear? Our hosts examine how this iteration portrays the Caped Crusader's motivations and methods. They discuss how the show's 1930s aesthetic interacts with its progressive social themes, creating a unique Gotham that feels both familiar and fresh.

Can a corrupt system be saved from within? The dynamic between Commissioner Gordon and his daughter Barbara, a public defender, sparks a fascinating debate on the nature of justice and the role of law enforcement. Matthew and Paul analyze how this family conflict mirrors larger societal issues.

What makes a villain truly evil? From the tragically misunderstood Firebug to the ruthlessly ambitious Penguin, the show presents a diverse rogues gallery that challenges our perceptions of criminality. Our hosts explore how these nuanced portrayals add depth to Batman's world.

Paul and Matthew discuss the refreshing take on Dr. Harleen Quinzel, examining her complex motivations and relationships beyond the shadow of the Clown Prince of Crime.

Other topics covered include:
• The show's unique portrayal of Alfred and his relationship with Bruce Wayne
• The intriguing reimagining of Two-Face's origin story
• The introduction of supernatural elements to the Batman mythos
• How the series balances noir aesthetics with modern sensibilities
• The importance of representation in superhero narratives

Whether you're a die-hard Batman fan or new to the world of capes and cowls, this episode of Superhero Ethics offers thought-provoking insights into one of pop culture's most enduring icons. Join Matthew and Paul as they unmask the ethical complexities lurking in the shadows of Gotham City!

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Caesar the Ape Prophet: Evolution of Culture and Religion in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

TruStory FM — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive deep into the fascinating world of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and the entire Planet of the Apes franchise. They explore how this groundbreaking series tackles complex themes of culture, society, religion, and language evolution in a post-human world.

The hosts begin by discussing the franchise's unique position in sci-fi history, dating back to 1968. They ponder: How has Planet of the Apes managed to remain relevant and captivating for over five decades? Matthew and Riki examine the franchise's evolution from its original installments to the latest reboot, highlighting the increased intentionality and continuity in storytelling.

A central focus of their discussion is the character of Caesar and his transformation into a focus of religious mythology. They ask: How does the latest film, set 300 years after Caesar's time, depict the evolution of his teachings into religious doctrine? The hosts explore the fascinating parallel between Caesar's legacy and real-world religious and political movements, examining how messages can be distorted and manipulated over time.

The conversation delves into the power of language and communication. Matthew and Riki contemplate: How does the franchise use language barriers between humans and apes to comment on our own society's struggles with understanding and empathy? They discuss the significance of written language in preserving history and the consequences of its loss.

Other topics covered include:

• The franchise's commentary on racism, culture, and policing
• The evolution of special effects in depicting apes from the 1960s to now
• Parallels between ape society and human civilizations
• The role of rituals and symbols in forming cultural identity
• The ethical questions raised about human-animal relationships and intelligence

In conclusion, Matthew and Riki reflect on the enduring appeal of the Planet of the Apes franchise. They highlight its unique ability to use a fantastical premise to hold a mirror up to human society, prompting viewers to question their assumptions about civilization, communication, and what it truly means to be "human."

Bonus member content includes a discussion of what comes next for the Apes franchise.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Poker, Probability & Perspective: Learning to Accept Uncertainty in Poker and Life

TruStory FM — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew Fox sits down with former co-host and professional poker player Paul Hoppe to explore the fascinating intersection of poker, probability, and life lessons. Dive into a thought-provoking discussion that will change how you view chance, decision-making, and the art of reading the odds.

How can poker improve our understanding of probability in everyday life? Paul and Matthew unpack the concept of expected value and why making good decisions doesn't always guarantee immediate positive outcomes. They explore how this applies beyond the poker table, from personal relationships to societal issues.

What can we learn about cognitive biases from playing poker? The hosts delve into confirmation bias, results-oriented thinking, and the human tendency to find patterns even where none exist. Discover how recognizing these biases can lead to better decision-making in all aspects of life.

Why do we struggle with accepting randomness and uncertainty? Paul and Matthew discuss the psychological need to find reasons for events and how this can lead to harmful thought patterns or vulnerability to extremist ideologies. Learn how understanding probability can be a shield against these pitfalls.

Other topics covered include:

The difference between gambling and games of skill
How to approach risk and bankroll management, and how that applies to choices in all parts of our lives
The importance of understanding independent vs. dependent events
Misinterpretation of polls and statistics in media and politics
The danger of results-oriented thinking in poker and life
How cognitive biases affect our perception of events and people

You can find more of Paul’s thoughts on poker and life (and martial arts) in Way of the Poker Warrior.

Paul has also published a number of low content books on Poker and Chess, including Learning Texas Holdem: Poker Session Logbook, Learning Texas Holdem: Blank Preflop Ranges, and Chess Tactics Training Logbook. Use these links to support the podcast when you purchase.

We talked about Rounders, the great poker movie staring Matt Damon & Ed Norton. Use this link to find the movie and support this podcast at the same time.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Cobra Kai: The Final Season • Part 1

TruStory FM — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi are joined by Paul Hoppe to dive into the first part of Cobra Kai, Season 6. The trio unpacks the latest developments in the Karate Kid universe, exploring the show's strengths, weaknesses, and cultural implications.

Is Cobra Kai staying true to its roots or losing its way? The hosts discuss how the show balances nostalgia with new storylines, questioning whether the constant resetting of character arcs is holding the series back. They examine the portrayal of martial arts, with Paul lending his expertise to critique the authenticity of the fighting scenes and training methods.

How does Cobra Kai handle representation and cultural sensitivity? The conversation takes a critical look at the show's depiction of Asian characters and martial arts traditions, raising concerns about stereotypes and missed opportunities for authentic representation.

Other topics covered include:

The introduction of the Sekai Taikai tournament and its plausibility
Tory's character development and the handling of her mother's death
The show's approach to teen drama and romantic relationships
The performance of the young cast and their potential for future stardom
The balance between realistic martial arts and Hollywood-style action

In conclusion, while Cobra Kai continues to entertain with its blend of nostalgia and teen drama, the hosts agree that the show could benefit from more thoughtful character development and cultural representation. Despite its flaws, the series remains a guilty pleasure for many, sparking interesting discussions about martial arts, representation, and the evolution of beloved franchises.

Bonus content on the future of the Karate Kid/Cobra Kai universe, including the upcoming movie. Become a member to listen in!

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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When Heroes Should Hang Up the Cape

TruStory FM — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew Fox & Riki Hayashi dive into the complex question: When should heroes hang up their capes? From aging superheroes to evolving responsibilities, we unpack the ethical considerations behind a hero's decision to retire.

Our hosts explore the delicate balance between personal desires and societal expectations. Should heroes be discouraged from stepping away from the work to focus on their own lives? Should heroes be encouraged to step down when they’re no longer able to be effective? We look at examples from Batman, to Aang, to Scott & Jean, to real life examples.

Key questions discussed include:
- How does the way a hero gained their powers affect their responsibility to use them?
- What role does ego play in a hero's reluctance to step down?
- How can heroes transition to supportive roles instead of fully retiring?

We delve into fascinating examples from comics and movies, including:
- Batman Beyond's portrayal of an aging Bruce Wayne
- Professor X's struggles in the film Logan
- The varied retirement arcs of X-Men characters

Other topics covered:
• The importance of having accountability and honest feedback
• The role of publishers in keeping popular heroes active
• Examples of heroes successfully transitioning to new roles
• The impact of retirement on younger generations of heroes

In conclusion, while there's no one-size-fits-all answer, our hosts agree that heroes should have agency in their retirement decisions. However, they emphasize the importance of recognizing when it's time to step aside for the greater good or to avoid causing harm.

Join us for this captivating discussion that will change how you view your favorite superheroes' longevity!

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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My Adventures with Superman • Why a Superman Story Needs Lois Lane

TruStory FM — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700

“I mean, who doesn’t date a mermaid in college?”

Superman and Lois Lane: The Heart of My Adventures with Superman

In this episode of the Superhero Ethics podcast, hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi are joined by Superman expert Jessica Plummer to dive deep into the animated series My Adventures with Superman. The trio explores how this fresh take on the iconic characters breathes new life into the Superman mythos, particularly through its portrayal of Lois Lane’s and Clark Kent's relationship.

Does a Superman story need Lois Lane? Our hosts argue that Lois, and to some extent Jimmy, are not just essential, but the key to humanizing Clark Kent and creating a compelling narrative. The show's decision to have Lois quickly deduce Superman's identity subverts traditional storylines and sets the stage for a more equal partnership.

How does My Adventures with Superman update classic characters for a modern audience? The podcast discusses the show's diverse cast, including an Asian Lois Lane and how these choices open up new storytelling possibilities. The hosts also praise the series' anime-inspired animation style and its ability to balance superhero action with workplace comedy elements.

What makes this version of Clark Kent’s and Lois Lane's relationship unique? The hosts explore how the younger age of the characters and their more contemporary dynamics create a fresh take on the classic romance. They also debate the ethics of secret identities and how the show handles this perennial superhero dilemma.

Other topics covered:

The importance of Jimmy Olsen as Clark's best friend
The show's handling of villains and supporting characters
Comparisons to other Superman adaptations
The potential for future storylines and character development
The balance between action and character-driven moments in superhero stories

Bonus content on Amanda Waller and Sam Lane, and how this show treats them, in our special member’s only section.

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Child Soldiers

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700

The stories we love often involve teen and younger kids jumping into a mech suit, picking up a lightsaber, or using their superpowers to fight for justice, sometimes quite literally going to war. Yet in our own world, we generally recognize that using children to fight wars or enforce justice through violence is wrong, dangerous, and incredibly harmful. How do we reconcile those two ideas?

Riki and Matthew talk about stories like Gundam, Star Wars, Ender’s Game, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and The Last Starfighter through the lens of child soldiers. They explore a number of questions including:

Why does so much of our media focus on kids jumping into the fight?
What are the ethical questions raised by adults marshaling children for war?
Is there a difference between adults telling kids to fight, vs. kids who volunteer, often against the express wishes of the adults?
Is an 18th birthday a magic line, and all fighting on one side is wrong, but on the other is okay? Are some 16-year-olds better able to handle fighting than other 21-year-olds?

Bonus member content on the idea of episodic television shows in Star Wars.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Mailbag! June ‘24 Feedback

TruStory FM — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi take a deep dive into the thought-provoking feedback received from their listeners, from exploring the complexities of X-Men's Genosha storyline to discussing the moral implications of child soldiers in Star Wars.

Key Discussion Points:

Is the mutant nation of Genosha in X-Men a form of segregation or a step towards coexistence? Matthew and Riki examine the power dynamics and the implications of a separate mutant state, and whether separation is the same as segregation.
How does the concept of child soldiers apply to characters like Ahsoka and the other Jedi Padawans in Star Wars? The hosts explore the moral consequences of raising children in a militaristic environment and the effects on their decision-making abilities.
What role does personal responsibility play when villains like Spider-Man's Vulture are driven by circumstances to commit crimes? The conversation delves into the sympathetic portrayal of villains and the importance of understanding their motivations.

Other topics covered in this episode:

Addressing the "horniness" in X-Men '97 and its comparisons to other media
The Shi'ar Empire storyline in X-Men and its representation of colonialism
- Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side and the spectrum of personal accountability
The impact of indoctrination on characters like Barriss Offee and Dooku in Star Wars
Morph's transformations in X-Men '97 and the use of fan service in the series.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

House of the Dragon Season 2 Kickoff • Episodes 1-2

TruStory FM — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 16:00:00 -0700

Friend of the Pod and media analyst extraordinaire Danielle WrittenintheStarWars joins us to talk about some of the deeper themes from House of the Dragon, Season 2, Episodes 1-2.

With member bonus content on the upcoming book and movie in The Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping. Click the link below to become a member for only $5 a month or $55 a year!

Here is the tiktok about The Hunger Games and Philosophy that Danielle mentioned during the Member Bonus Section.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Gojira as Metaphor: Shin Godzilla & the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

TruStory FM — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive deep into the 2016 Japanese film Shin Godzilla. They explore how this installment in the iconic Godzilla franchise serves as a powerful metaphor for the devastating Fukushima Nuclear Accident of 2011. Join them as they unravel the layers of social commentary and critique woven throughout the film.

Key Points:

How does Shin Godzilla differ from previous Godzilla movies in its tone and style? Matthew and Riki discuss how the film is shot more like a documentary or mockumentary, emphasizing bureaucratic incompetence and red tape in the face of disaster.
What parallels can be drawn between the events in Shin Godzilla and the real-life government response to the Fukushima Nuclear Accident? The hosts examine scenes that mirror the Prime Minister's actions during the crisis and the film's criticism of inadequate evacuation orders.
Does Shin Godzilla take a stance on Japan's military and its role in national defense? Matthew and Riki explore the complexities of Japan's pacifist identity post-World War II and debate whether the film suggests a need for a stronger military presence.

Other Topics Covered:

The meaning behind the title "Shin Godzilla" and its cultural significance
The absence of the Japanese Emperor in the film and its implications
The portrayal of the United States and its role in the movie's conflict
Themes of national pride, rebuilding, and civilian ingenuity in the face of adversity
Comparisons to the more recent film, Godzilla Minus One

Shin Godzilla proves to be a thought-provoking and socially relevant addition to the Godzilla franchise. Through its biting satire and poignant metaphors, the film sheds light on the complexities of governmental response to crises and the resilience of the Japanese people.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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We Won! Now What?

TruStory FM — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700

We love to see the heroes overthrow the evil king/ruler/government/corporation. But what happens next? Riki and Matthew dive into those questions. From Avatar: The Last Airbender to Star Wars, they examine the challenges and moral dilemmas that arise when it's time to rebuild society and create a new order.

Key Points:

How do we deal with the defeated villains and their supporters? Is punishment always the answer, or should reconciliation be the goal?
Can heroes avoid becoming the very thing they fought against once they're in power?
How important is it for victorious rebels to have a clear vision of what they stand for, beyond simply opposing tyranny?

Matthew and Riki grapple with these weighty questions, drawing on examples from popular franchises and real-world history. They discuss the nuances of holding war criminals accountable while also acknowledging the role of propaganda and societal pressure in shaping individuals' actions. The conversation also touches on the danger of creating messianic leaders who can lead rebellions but then become oppressive rulers themselves.

Other topics covered in this episode include:

The role of coalitions in rebellions and the challenges of uniting different factions post-victory
The importance of trials and understanding individual culpability in the aftermath of war
Examples of stories that explore the difficulties of rebuilding, from Dune to Star Trek
The potential pitfalls of seeking revenge versus focusing on creating a better future

Throughout the discussion, Matthew and Riki emphasize the need for more stories that grapple with these complex issues. They argue that by exploring what happens after the victory celebration ends, we can gain valuable insights into the real-world challenges of building a just and stable society.

So join us for this fascinating journey into the messy aftermath of heroic uprisings. Whether you're a fan of science fiction, fantasy, or political dramas, this episode of Superhero Ethics will leave you with plenty to ponder long after the credits roll.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

When Heroes Fall, Who is to Blame? Anakin, Killmonger, and More

TruStory FM — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700

In this thought-provoking episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive deep into the question of why heroes become villains and where the responsibility lies when they fall. Using examples from Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Matthew and Riki examine the complex factors that can lead even the most heroic figures down a dark path.

Is Anakin Skywalker solely to blame for his transformation into Darth Vader, or do the Jedi Order and Palpatine share responsibility for his fall? How much did the differing upbringings of Zuko and Azula shape their destinies? And what role did Killmonger's experiences with racial injustice play in his turn?

Through their nuanced discussion, Matthew and Riki explore the tension between personal accountability and the impact of circumstances and institutional failures. They argue for moving beyond simplistic notions of blame to instead ask what lessons can be learned to prevent future tragedies. The hosts apply this lens to their own lives as well, reflecting on how self-examination and breaking generational cycles are key to growth.

Other topics covered include:

The importance of good mentorship and emotional support for vulnerable youth
How authoritarian regimes can re-emerge in the wake of revolution
South Africa's Truth & Reconciliation Commission as a model for societal healing

Bonus content for members on the upcoming Acolyte show!

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X-Men ‘97: Can Heroes Retire?

TruStory FM — Tue, 28 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi are joined by Will Freeland and Steve Stormoen from the Hype Is My Superpower podcast to dive deep into the complex themes and character arcs of X-Men ‘97. The animated series revival has reignited discussions about tolerance, activism, and the challenges of retiring from the superhero life.

The conversation kicks off with an exploration of the idea of superheroes retiring, focusing on Cyclops and Jean Grey's attempt to take a break from the X-Men to raise their child. The group discusses the real-world parallels to activist burnout and the importance of self-care in the face of never-ending battles for justice.

The discussion then shifts to the show's handling of love triangles and whether they serve the story or feel like lazy writing. The hosts and guests also debate the line between fan service and telling an original story, questioning how much can be changed before it no longer feels like an authentic X-Men tale.

Perhaps the most thought-provoking segment of the episode centers around the meaning of the phrase "tolerance is extinction." The group explores the differences between mere tolerance and true belonging, and how this relates to the struggle for mutant rights in the X-Men universe.

Other topics covered in this engaging conversation include:

Is Morph in love with Wolverine, and what does this mean for the character's gender identity?
How accessible is X-Men ‘97 to newcomers, and is it okay for a show to cater primarily to long-time fans?
What role does Professor X's commitment to nonviolence play in the story, and how does it compare to Magneto's more radical approach?
Should the X-Men allow characters like Cyclops to retire and pursue their personal dreams?

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Dune: Part Two • Mythology & the Fremen

TruStory FM — Tue, 21 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Host Matthew Fox dives deep into the world of Dune: Part Two with special guest Professor Matthew Kapell, an expert in anthropology, mythology, and religious studies. Together, they explore the complex themes of religion, destiny, and the power of myth in shaping the identities of individuals and entire civilizations, and how that is explored in the novel, and the second movie of Dune.

Key Points:

What role does mythology play in the Fremen religion and their sense of identity?
How does the movie Dune: Part Two critique the idea of the "chosen one" and charismatic leaders?
In what ways does Dune draw inspiration from real-world history and religions, especially Sunni Islam and the Caucasus region?
What do the actions of the Bene Gesserit reveal about the use of mythology and religion as tools of control and manipulation?

Throughout the episode, Professor Kapell shares his deep knowledge of the Dune universe, highlighting the intricate tapestry of religious and mythological influences that author Frank Herbert wove into his iconic sci-fi series. From the Fremen's Zensunni religion to the Bene Gesserit's calculated seeding of prophecies, Dune: Part Two offers a thought-provoking commentary on the power of belief and the dangers of blindly following charismatic figures.

Other topics covered include:

The influence of the book The Sabres of Paradise by Lesley Blanch on Dune. (Use that link to shop from an independent bookstore AND help support this podcast.)
Princess Irulan's expanded role in Dune: Part Two
The symbolism of Chani riding a sandworm at the end of the film
Comparisons to other sci-fi franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek
Member Bonus Content: Hopes and predictions for Dune: Part Three and future adaptations

Whether you're a die-hard Dune fan or simply fascinated by the intersection of science fiction, religion, and mythology, this episode of Superhero Ethics is a must-listen. Join Matthew Fox and Professor Matthew Kapell as they navigate the complex and captivating world of Dune, uncovering the deeper meanings behind one of the most influential science fiction stories of all time.

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X-Men ‘97: Is Tolerance Extinction?

TruStory FM — Mon, 13 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Is Tolerance Extinction? Was Magneto Right?
Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive into the complex moral questions raised by the new Marvel animated series X-Men ‘97 on Disney+. The show, a continuation of the beloved 90s X-Men cartoon, explores themes of tolerance, assimilation, and the fight for mutant rights in a world that fears and oppresses them.

The central question debated by Matthew and Riki is whether Magneto, the mutant extremist who believes coexistence with humans is impossible, was actually right all along. Is Professor X's dream of peaceful integration naive and ultimately doomed? Is violent resistance the only path forward for mutant liberation? The philosophies of the two leaders are compared to real-world civil rights movements and the tensions between assimilationist and separatist approaches.

Other key questions and topics covered include:

Does the mutant island nation of Genosha represent empowering self-determination or harmful segregation?
How much should a sequel series cater to fans of the original vs. making itself accessible to new viewers?
The importance of authentic representation, as seen with casting Jubilee with an Asian-American voice actress
Parallels between anti-mutant prejudice and real-world discrimination against LGBTQ people, immigrants, and the disabled

From debating political theory to nerding out over continuity references, Matthew and Riki cover a lot of ground in this deep dive into a surprisingly sophisticated superhero story. Whether you're a die-hard X-Men fan or just interested in the social commentary of the Marvel universe, this episode of Superhero Ethics will give you a lot to think about. Be sure to tune in and join the conversation!

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Anime & Japan

TruStory FM — Tue, 07 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700

What Makes Anime ‘Anime’? Exploring the Unique Elements of Japanese Animation

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive deep into the world of anime, exploring what sets this beloved Japanese animation style apart from its Western counterparts. As an American with Japanese roots, Riki offers unique insights into the cultural and stylistic elements that define anime, sparking a thought-provoking discussion about the genre's global appeal.

Key Points:

What is the true definition of anime? Is it simply animation from Japan, or does it encompass specific styles and tropes that are uniquely Japanese?
How has growing up with anime influenced Riki's understanding of himself as a fan of Japanese culture?
Can non-Japanese artists and studios create authentic anime, or is there an intangible element that can only be captured by those immersed in Japanese culture?

Other Topics Covered:

The evolution of anime's accessibility and popularity in the United States
The influence of anime on American animated series like Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra
Iconic anime movies and series, such as Akira, Dragon Ball, and Cowboy Bebop
The differences in storytelling and character development between anime and American comic book adaptations
The role of anime in exploring mature themes and the genre's appeal to a teenage and adult audience

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Alan Moore, Superheroes & Fascism

TruStory FM — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Do superheroes promote fascist ideology? In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive deep into an interview from Screen Rant with renowned comic book writer Alan Moore, who argues that the concept of superheroes contains elements of fascism. Join us as we explore the complex relationship between superhero culture, authoritarianism, and the impact these iconic characters have on our society.

Key Points:

Is there an inherent problem with the fantasy of extraordinary individuals with superhuman abilities solving the world's problems? We discuss Moore's critique that this longing for a "quick fix" through superpowered beings is problematic and unrealistic.
How does the nostalgia often associated with superheroes and their stories play into fascist ideology? We examine the role of romanticizing the past and the persecution of outgroups in both superhero narratives and fascist movements.
Can the iconography of superheroes be co-opted by real-world fascists? We analyze the fine line between depicting villainous "superhero-like" characters and inadvertently glorifying their actions.
Has the evolution of superhero stories from children's entertainment to adult-oriented content contributed to a misinterpretation of their themes and messages? We explore the impact of this shift on audience perception and understanding.

Other topics covered:

Defining fascism and its differences from authoritarianism
The immigrant experience in Superman's origin story
The role of secret identities and "passing" in superhero narratives
Examining Ozymandias as a villain in Watchmen and the moral dilemma he presents

Conclusion: Alan Moore's critique of superheroes and their potential links to fascist ideology raises important questions about the power of popular culture in shaping our societal values. While superhero stories can inspire hope and heroism, it is crucial to remain mindful of the messages they convey and their potential to be misinterpreted or exploited. As fans and creators, we must engage in critical discussions about the complexities of these beloved characters and their impact on our world.

Here is the interview on which our episode is based.

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Is Failure the Greatest Teacher?

TruStory FM — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Was Yoda right when he told Luke, "The greatest teacher, failure is," in Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi? What did he mean, and how does this idea play out in the rest of the movie?

Riki and Matthew dive into this question, asking just what Yoda means. Is he referring to his own failures, and those of the Jedi? How does this fit with his idea of "do, or do not. There is no try." Who else fails in this movie, and what do they learn from it, and which character's arcs are executed well or poorly?

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One Piece: Can Pirates Be the Good Guys?

TruStory FM — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi dive into the question of whether a pirate can truly be a hero. Using the popular anime, manga, and live-action series One Piece as a focal point, they examine the complex nature of piracy and its relationship to morality.

The discussion begins by defining the term "pirate" in both English and Japanese contexts, considering its historical and cultural implications. Matthew and Riki then explore the character of Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist of One Piece, and his unique brand of piracy that challenges traditional notions of right and wrong.

Can Luffy's altruistic goals and strong moral compass justify his actions as a pirate? Is he redefining what it means to be a pirate, or is his behavior ultimately misguided? The hosts engage in a lively debate, drawing parallels to other fictional characters like Captain America, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Batman.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

The definition of piracy in various cultural contexts
Luffy's moral code and its implications for his actions
The role of the World Government in One Piece and its impact on the perception of pirates
Comparisons between Luffy and other fictional heroes like Captain America and Batman
The philosophical question of whether an individual's moral compass can supersede the law

Throughout the discussion, Matthew and Riki offer insightful perspectives on the nature of heroism and the complexities of navigating a world where the lines between right and wrong are often blurred. They also touch upon the broader themes of personal freedom, the pursuit of justice, and the potential pitfalls of unbridled confidence.

Whether you're a die-hard One Piece fan or simply fascinated by the ethical dilemmas posed by fictional characters, this episode of Superhero Ethics is sure to leave you with plenty of food for thought. Join Matthew and Riki as they grapple with the question: Can a pirate truly be a hero?

The articles mentioned in this episode were:

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Riki Hayashi’s Debut as Co-Host!

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700

We welcome Riki Hayashi as the new co-host alongside Matthew Fox. Riki brings a wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives to the show, promising engaging discussions on fandom ethics, media analysis, and much more. Join Matthew and Riki as they unveil their plans to take the podcast in new directions, diving deeper into the fascinating world of superhero and geek culture.

Key discussion points:

How can we analyze media both in its original context and through the lens of modern perspectives?
What role does the struggle between money and creative vision play in shaping the media we consume?
How has the accessibility of anime and manga changed over time, and what impact does translation have on the viewing experience?

Matthew and Riki also explore their own personal journeys through various fandoms, from Star Wars and Star Trek, to horror and beyond. They emphasize the importance of fostering open, respectful conversations and inviting diverse voices to contribute to the discourse.

Other topics covered in this episode:

Riki's background as a Japanese-American and how it influences his perspective on media
The evolution of diversity and representation in science fiction and fantasy
The perpetual nature of franchises and the balance between excitement and disappointment
Upcoming plans for bonus content and guest appearances

Join the Superhero Ethics community as we embark on this thrilling new chapter with Riki Hayashi. Get ready for thought-provoking discussions, insightful analysis, and a celebration of the power of storytelling to raise important questions about our world.

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Superhuman Public Radio, Disability, and Authenticity Reviews

TruStory FM — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700

While writing season 2 of Superhuman Public Radio (SPR), Maximilian Clark and John Dorsey reached out to Matthew to talk about a disabled character they were planning to include. In this episode, the three of them talk about that discussion – and the resulting episode – along with how Max and John made a point to bring voices and perspectives from communities other than their own into their writing room and process.

Member Bonus content on Max and John’s other projects.

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Dune: Part 2 • The Film Board Crossover

TruStory FM — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew recently participated in an in-depth analysis of Dune: Part Two on The Film Board podcast, also part of the TruStory FM entertainment podcast network. We're thrilled to share this discussion here, originally recorded for The Film Board, with our audience.

In the vast expanse of cinematic storytelling, few tales grip the imagination quite like Frank Herbert's "Dune." With Denis Villeneuve's vision continuing to unfold in Dune: Part Two, The Film Board, including Pete Wright, Steve Sarmento, and our own Matthew Fox, gathered to dissect the intricate layers of prophecy, power, and the dangers of messianic zeal.

As they ventured through the dunes of Arrakis, the conversation delved into the blurred lines between hero and conqueror, mirroring the mirages that haunt the desert planet. They explored Paul Atreides' struggle with his destiny against the backdrop of religious manipulation, a theme that echoes Herbert's foresight into the weaponization of belief systems.

Under Villeneuve's direction, the narrative expands, bringing Chani to the forefront as a beacon of rationality in the midst of fanaticism's storm. Her perspective not only challenges Paul but also the audience, compelling a confrontation with the enticing trap of messianic figures.

Drawing parallels between Herbert's universe and our own, The Film Board analyzed the Abrahamic origins of the messianic archetype, connecting the Fremen's zeal to the tangible intricacies of organized religion and the dynamics of indigenous movements.

Ultimately, Dune: Part Two stands as a reflection of our own societal battles with faith, authority, and the repercussions of unbridled conviction. As the discussion wrapped up and the metaphorical twin moons of discourse and introspection set, The Film Board left listeners with a lingering question: In the grand narrative of destiny, do we exercise choice, or are we simply caught in the unstoppable current of fate?

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Fantastic Four Casting

TruStory FM — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0700

The Fantastic Four are finally joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe! With the recent casting announcement, fans are eagerly anticipating how these beloved characters will be portrayed. Matthew and Jessica explore the significance of this movie and why the Fantastic Four are such an essential part of Marvel's history.

Why has it been so challenging to adapt the Fantastic Four for the big screen? Jessica shares her insights on the previous Fantastic Four movies and why they failed to capture the essence of the characters. She discusses the importance of embracing the optimistic and adventurous nature of the Fantastic Four.
How will Reed Richards be portrayed in the MCU? Matthew and Jessica analyze the casting of Reed Richards and what it means for the character's representation. They discuss Reed's intelligence, arrogance, and the potential for character growth in the upcoming movie.
Jessica explores the importance of Ben Grimm's Jewish identity and how it has been portrayed in the comics. She shares her thoughts on the casting of a Jewish actor in the role and what it means for representation in the MCU.

Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Matthew, Riki, and Paul dive deep into the prequel film Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning in this episode of the podcast Superhero Ethics. We explore the complex themes of violence, redemption, and the pursuit of peace in a tumultuous era of Japanese history. Join us as we unravel the moral dilemmas faced by Kenshin, a skilled swordsman grappling with his past as an assassin during the Meiji Restoration.

Key Points:

Can violence be justified in the pursuit of peace? We examine Kenshin's internal struggle as he wrestles with the idea of killing to usher in a new era of tranquility.
Is Kenshin a true martial artist or simply a highly skilled swordsman? We debate the philosophical differences between fighting styles and the deeper meaning behind the art of the sword.
How does the film portray the historical context of the Meiji Restoration, and what implications does this have on our understanding of Kenshin's journey?

Other Topics Covered:

The tragic romance between Kenshin and Tomoe
The role of prequel storytelling in enhancing our understanding of beloved characters
Comparing and contrasting the film with its anime and manga counterparts
The power of non-verbal storytelling and its impact on the viewer's experience
Exploring the cultural differences between Hollywood and Japanese filmmaking

Conclusion:

Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning offers a captivating glimpse into the origins of a legendary character, forcing us to confront the moral ambiguity of violence in the name of progress. Through stunning visuals, masterful performances, and thought-provoking themes, this film leaves us with a deeper appreciation for the complexities of Kenshin's journey and the enduring question of whether peace can truly be achieved through bloodshed. Join Matthew, Riki, and Paul in this unforgettable exploration of Superhero Ethics in Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning.

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Carl Weathers Remembered

TruStory FM — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0800

The recent passing of beloved actor Carl Weathers was a sad loss that left many fans reminiscing about his storied career. In this episode of Superhero Ethics, host Matthew Fox brought in frequent guests Paul Hoppe and Ashley Coffin to remember Weathers' varied roles across film and TV, and how an actor who almost never was the top star is still so fondly remembered.

Some key discussion points from the episode:

Weathers left a strong impression and built substantial goodwill through memorable supporting roles rather than as a leading man. His intelligence and charisma allowed him to excel as both a hero and a villain.
Weathers portrayed a convincing boxer and helped ground the racial portrayal in the original Rocky film. His friendship with Sylvester Stallone hit some bumps but recovered over time.
In Predator and other action films, Weathers stood out with an athletic build and physicality equal to stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Later acting projects showed Weathers' versatility, including comedic work like Arrested Development.
As Greef Karga on The Mandalorian, Weathers demonstrated new depths of emotion and helped anchor the show's moral core. His directing also led to acclaimed episodes.

Carl Weathers left behind decades of fan-favorite acting across beloved films and shows thanks to his smooth charm, intelligence, and versatility. Though departed too soon, Weathers lived an impactful life doing what he loved. His presence and talents will be dearly missed.

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Dune on Page & Screen

TruStory FM — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Matthew Fox is joined by Dr. Steven Cox to dive deep into the classic sci-fi novel Dune, and how it is often portrayed on screen and in other media. They analyze the complex themes around religion, politics, colonialism, and the dangers of charismatic leaders that author Frank Herbert weaves throughout his epic saga. Matthew and Steven compare and contrast Herbert's original vision to the various film and TV adaptations, examining how the nuance and messaging has often been lost or skewed over the years.

Key Takeaways

The popular "white savior" conception of Paul Atreides as a destined superhero leading the Fremen to freedom distorts the narrative and critiques at the heart of Dune. Herbert warns against putting faith in such messianic figures.
The Bene Gesserit religious order manipulates beliefs across the galaxy over generations to pave the way for their envisioned super being, the Kwisatz Haderach, to emerge. This illustrates the insidiousness of cultural and religious control.
Charismatic leaders often start off as liberators and revolutionaries before succumbing to repression, domination, and atrocity once taking power, a pattern Herbert highlights through Paul's trajectory.

Other Topics

The intricate rivalries and schemes of the various factions seeking control of the spice trade
Jessica's defiance of Bene Gesserit doctrine by birthing a son instead of a daughter
Potential directions for the film sequel and hopes that it will capture more nuance
Herbert's possible inspirations and metaphors - the Middle East's anti-colonial movements and the decline of European imperialism

Member Bonus content: we talk about what parts of the story we think we’ll see in the upcoming Dune Part 2!

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Avatar: The Last Airbender • Episodes 7-8

TruStory FM — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Matthew Fox reunites with guests Riki Hayashi and Paul Hoppe to wrap up their deep dive into Netflix's live action take on Avatar: The Last Airbender. Did the last two episodes stick the landing or fall short?

In the intro, Matthew notes rising excitement across the four days while Riki felt genuine disappointment. Did Paul land closer to one side or the other?

Key Discussion Questions:

Does Ken Leung deliver one of the all-time great villain performances as Admiral Zhao?
Does condensing Katara's waterbending mastery arc shortchange her character growth?
Do strong performances help the show transcend uneven writing at times? Is Dallas Liu's Prince Zuko a standout?
Did shaping the show for a wider Netflix audience undermine quirks of the original that niche fans loved?

Other Questions Tackled:

Is the Zuko/Iroh dynamic enhanced by the tearful funeral scene?
Was incorporating Northern Water Tribe sexism necessary?
Should the missing backstory between Master Pakku and Gran Gran have been included?
Will season two deviate more radically from the original animated series?
Should training arcs be sacrosanct versus “gifted” natural talent?
What direction could Azula's characterization and Lieutenant Jee's arc take?
What other Avatar stories could shine in live action down the road?

In conclusion, despite significant flaws, Riki and Paul want season two renewed for the cast and crew's sake. But will it stay true to the essence of Avatar going forward?

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Avatar: The Last Airbender • Episodes 5-6

TruStory FM — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Superhero Ethics, Riki Hayashi and Paul Hoppe join host Matthew Fox and have an insightful discussion about the latest two episodes of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

We explore questions like:

Is the show improving overall, despite ups and downs of individual storylines?
How does Iroh’s characterization and backstory differ from the original animated series?
Does the portrayal of Princess Azula make sense given her early introduction?
Is the show over-explaining events compared to the subtlety of the animation?

Other topics covered:

Great moments with Aang and Monk Gyatso
Contrasting parental relationships of Zuko vs. Aang
Effective action scenes balanced with emotion
Nitpicking fantasy physics and fight scene lethality
The power of Zuko's non-verbal acting
How bingeing vs. weekly release impacts perceptions

With plenty of laughs, thoughtful criticism, and Avatar fandom analysis, this is a lively discussion you won’t want to miss! Tune in to hear Matthew, Riki, and Paul’s takes on the next installments of Netflix’s ambitious Avatar adaptation.

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Avatar: The Last Airbender • Episodes 3-4

TruStory FM — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800

"Secret Tunnel," Bumi, Cabbages - the whimsy is back!

Riki Hayashi and Paul Hoppe join host Matthew Fox to talk about episodes 3-4 of Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Topics we discuss include:

The show is starting to capture more of the original's whimsy and charm while still being a bit darker and more "grimdark."
Zuko's characterization and his relationship with Iroh.
The writers cram a lot of story arcs from multiple episodes into just two.
Side characters like Teo are given strong representation and well-acted emotional moments.
Is this portrayal of Jet more or less sympathetic than the original?
Introducing Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai this early undercuts tension and menace later on.
The challenges of adapting animation to live-action and child actors growing up over a long production.
Possibilities for extending the story past the original three seasons.

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Avatar: The Last Airbender • Episodes 1-2

TruStory FM — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800

The release of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender has finally arrived. Join hosts Matthew Fox, Riki Hayashi, and Paul Hoppe for a spoiler-filled discussion of the first two episodes.

After initial skepticism and comparison to the original animated series, the hosts agree there is promise but an overall different tone, mood and portrayal of some key characters like Aang and Iroh. However, strong performances shine through from actors like Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko, Ian Ousley as Sokka, and the surprise chemistry between Sokka and Suki. The episode also explores deeper moral issues not introduced in the animated series until much later.

Key topics covered:

Initial reactions, disappointments and skepticism
Comparing essence and tone to the original animated series
Darker, more mature approach including difficult themes and violence
Changes and omissions to Aang’s backstory and personality
Standout performances from Zuko, Sokka and Commander Zhao actors
Chemistry between Sokka and Suki—a shame she disappears
Understanding the Fire Nation’s perspective from an early stage
Strong effects bringing bending, Appa and Momo to life
Concerns around age differences and romantic relationships
Cautious optimism for where the story goes next

Despite flaws, most glaring for devoted fans of the original, there remains potential in this new grounded, live-action take on Aang’s epic journey. Stay tuned for the hosts’ breakdown of episodes 3 and 4 coming soon.

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Avatar: The Last Airbender • Primer, Part 2

TruStory FM — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800

In this episode of the Superhero Ethics podcast, Matthew Fox, Paul Hoppe, and Riki Hayashi continue their in-depth discussion of the beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. They dive deeper into the complex characters and themes that have made the show a timeless classic, exploring the nuances that have inspired fans for decades, and how they will translate into the Netflix live action version, coming out soon.

Key Points:

The hosts delve into the character of Sokka and his journey of overcoming sexist attitudes, highlighting the importance of his growth and how it resonates in the martial arts and geeky communities.
Katara's role as both a student and a teacher is examined, as well as her choice not to bloodbend, showcasing her moral development and the agency of her decisions.
Toph's representation of disability in science fiction and fantasy is praised, highlighting her relatability and the show's understanding of disability representation.
The discussion explores the Ba Sing Se storyline and its relevance to ignoring real-world issues.
The hosts analyze the show's representations of different Asian cultures and martial arts, discussing the challenges of creating a fantasy world inspired by real-world cultures while avoiding cultural appropriation.

Other Topics Covered:

Sokka's relationships with his father and Zuko
Aang's journey of learning and acquiring skills
Iroh's transformation and the appeal of "Shredded by Iroh" workout plan
Appa's role in the show and concerns about CGI in the live-action version

Bonus content for members about the various romances in the show!

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Avatar: The Last Airbender • Primer, Part 1

TruStory FM — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800

The animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which originally ran from 2005-2008, captured the hearts and minds of viewers around the world with its groundbreaking storytelling. With the live-action Netflix adaptation on the horizon, now is the perfect time to revisit the original series and rediscover what made it so special, as well as discuss hopes and concerns about how those aspects will translate to live-action. Riki and Paul join Matthew in exploring the show’s profound redemption arcs, compelling characters, and deep moral resonance.

Note: there was so much to say, we had to split the episode into two parts! Special bonus content for members on the romances in the show will come at the end of part 2.

Key points:

The panelists share their personal connections to the show and how they first experienced it, emphasizing its humor, heart, and weighty themes.
An in-depth discussion of Zuko's redemption arc, one of the best ever portrayed, diving into his relationship with his uncle Iroh.
Iroh as a model of wisdom, positivity, and nonviolence – was his turning his back on Zuko a calculated lesson or an emotional breaking point?
Aang as the embodiment of childlike innocence and wonder amid dark, heavy themes of war and genocide.

Other topics covered:

Balancing humor and heavy subject matter thoughtfully and resonantly
Translating animated action and magical elements into believable live-action
The different characters the audience deeply relates to and why
First impressions vs. deeper appreciation after multiple rewatches

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Frankenstein & the Making of Monsters

TruStory FM — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Who is the true monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein? Who was Mary Shelley, what was she saying in this novel, and why is the novel so different from how it is remembered and portrayed in popular culture? 19th-century English literature student extraordinaire Danielle WrittenInTheStars joins us to dissect the book, the author, and how to understand it in the context in which it was written. Plus, we debate which film adaptation we think is most faithful.

Member Bonus content: Danielle and I delve into the upcoming final season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch!

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Percy Jackson on Screen & Page

TruStory FM — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800

The final episode of the Disney+ TV show Percy Jackson and the Olympians is out, and we're discussing it. We talk about what we loved about the books and what did and didn't work in the show.

Topics covered include:

Was Luke right? Was Luke a Magneto/Killmonger-style villain with a valid point?
How were the gods portrayed in the show compared to the books? Is Percy right to want the gods a chance to be better parents?
How was Medusa portrayed in the show versus the books?
Which actors worked or didn't work and why is it so hard for live-action to portray kids not belonging in a casino?

Bonus content for members:

We share our thoughts on potential future seasons and whether the story would be better told in an animated rather than live-action format.

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Echo & the MCU

TruStory FM — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800

Matthew Carroll of the MCUCast joins me to talk Marvel's Echo TV series and its connections to the wider MCU. We dive deep into the characters, the morality, the show's groundbreaking representation, and the implications for upcoming MCU stories.

Topics we cover include:

Where Echo and Kingpin each fit on the scale of heroes and villains
Connections to the Netflix "Defendersverse" shows and debates around canonicity
Hopes for the future of the Echo character and MCU's approach to interconnectedness vs standalone stories
The authenticity of how the various parts of Maya’s identity are portrayed and why so many members of indigenous, amputee, and deaf communities are loving this character and this show.
Matthew Carroll (Biped) asks Matthew Fox (Unipod) about the logistics of Maya's prosthetic leg and how the damage/repair process was portrayed accurately

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Godzilla Minus One

TruStory FM — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800

How does a Japanese pilot—and his nation—come to terms with survivor's guilt after WWII? What is the legacy of the kamikaze in Japanese culture, and how is it seen in America? And can these issues and more be explored in Godzilla Minus One, a movie about a fire-breathing monster directed by Takashi Yamazaki? Riki Hayashi joins me to discuss these questions and more!

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Echo, Amputees, & Intersectionality

TruStory FM — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0800

As an amputee, Echo holds a special place in my heart, so I’m excited to have comics expert Will Freeland join me to discuss this meaningful new MCU show.

Seeing a superhero who shares some of my experiences is incredible. Maya Lopez immediately enters the pantheon of disabled representation done right.

In this episode, Will and I analyze the show’s triumphs. We discuss Maya’s thoughtful portrayal as a deaf, Indigenous American amputee. We appreciate the respect given to Choctaw culture. And of course, we analyze the return of Wilson Fisk.

As always, Will provides insightful context from the comic books. Meanwhile, I share my personal reactions as an amputee seeing myself represented on screen.

Echo recaptures the spirit of the Netflix Marvel universe. It delivers an uplifting, kick-ass story centered on a new deaf indigenous hero. This show resonates with so many people. I can’t wait for you to hear our perspectives.

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In the Garden of Contemplation

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800

What are the different ways we can find meaning in the midst of suffering? What is the nature of myth, and can we find it in the most mundane of places? And how did Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and a Thanksgiving podcast tradition of the McElroy brothers and friends lead us to these topics?

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2023 Year in Review

TruStory FM — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800

Paul and I look back on the themes that emerged during 2023 as we reflect on a year of ethics in genre media. We discuss the strike, people and communities being heard and speaking in their own voices, relatable villains, video games as interactive novels, and other topics. And somehow we manage to tie almost all of it back to Blue Beetle, which we both recently viewed.

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What Is a Christmas Movie?

TruStory FM — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800

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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800

How did Snow become the villain he was? What role does nature versus nurture play in shaping our moral choices? What connections to our own world does this Hunger Games prequel highlight that give us insight?

Fan-favorite Danielle (WrittenintheStarWars) returns to discuss The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the Hunger Games prequel, in both book and movie form!

Danielle is a PhD researcher who spends too much time thinking about Star Wars and The Last of Us and the rest of her time working through a towering to-be-read pile. You can find her on TikTok at writteninthestarwars, Twitter at danies394, and Instagram at writteninthesw. Read her writings on The Bad Batch and other topics at Temple of Geek.

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Psychology of The Boys with the Editors of Supes Ain't Always Heroes

TruStory FM — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800

The Boys: Superheroes, Villains, and the Complex Psychology Behind Their Morality

In this fascinating discussion, host Matthew Fox is joined by psychologists Dr. Lynn Zubernis and Dr. Matthew Snyder, editors of the new book "Supes Ain't Always Heroes: Inside the Complex Characters and Twisted Psychology of The Boys."

They dive deep into the psychological themes and moral complexities of the hit Amazon Prime show The Boys, analyzing topics like:

The appeal of antiheroes like Butcher and flawed supers like Homelander and Soldier Boy
How the show explores toxic masculinity, internalized misogyny, and gender dynamics
The idea of "murder baby kittens" - villains we feel sympathy for despite their actions
Why fans forgive certain problematic male characters more than female ones
How trauma and mental health struggles are portrayed realistically and multidimensionally

Dr. Zubernis and Dr. Snyder provide fascinating psychological insights from their expertise while examining why this subversive take on the superhero genre resonates so strongly. Their book features essays by experts from many fields analyzing the show's social commentary and appeal.

For any fan of The Boys looking to go deeper into its messages and character psychology, this is a must-listen discussion.

Check out their new book!

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Batman Returns • Rebroadcast

TruStory FM — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0800

New content returns next week! Until then, we’re kicking off the season with a rebroadcast of our episode on that classic Christmas movie — Batman Returns!

Can a Tim Burton movie be TOO Tim Burton? Would Ashley Coffin have discovered blue eyeshadow if it weren't for this Catwoman? And why, oh why, does Bruce think you should bring up your ex on a first date? Paul and Ashley join me to discuss these questions, and ask, “Is this our Batman?” as we talk about Batman Returns!

Member note: no bonus content on this episode, but we will be returning with bonus content starting next week!

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Kenshin! First Movie & Anime S1 • Rebroadcast

TruStory FM — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0800

Another blast from the past during the hiatus. Enjoy this conversation with Paul, Riki, and myself, and stay tuned for new episodes, starting in December!

Can a sword bring about a new era? Can a former assassin find peace? Can a beloved anime translate to live action? Whether you've seen all or none of the Kenshin movies or shows, the discussion focuses on ethical and historical questions with relevance today.

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Update and Ethically Wrastlin’ • Rebroadcast

TruStory FM — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0700

An update on our hiatus, and a favorite episode from years past—The Ethics of Professional Wrestling.

In this episode, we're talking about the ethics of professional wrestling—both the stories themselves, and the meta questions about wrestling as entertainment. How far can or should a heel go before it becomes a problem? Can wrestling storylines be cathartic for the performers? What role do performers have in picking their story? And so many more!

This episode, we are joined by two of the wrestling aficionados who got Jacob and Matthew interested: Tim Aubel and Addison Fox.

Tim spends a lot of time getting emotionally invested in fictional characters and/or athletic competitions, both real and predetermined. He also enjoys games of all kinds and spending time alone if he can find it. Tim can be found on X (Twitter) at @AubelTim.

Addison is a hoopy frood who can't get enough over-the-top melodrama and speaks with undue authority on topics. He is survived by his two cats. He can be found as @damullet on X (Twitter), Mastodon and many other platforms.

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The Writers Strike Is Over: What It Means for Hollywood... and Fans

TruStory FM — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0700

The historic Hollywood writers strike rocked Tinseltown, but it has come to an end. In this episode, I discuss the outcome with my guest Andy Nelson from the TruStory FM podcast network.

We break down how the Writers Guild of America (WGA) won big at the bargaining table, gaining major concessions like pay increases and AI protections. But the actors strike continues as SAG-AFTRA pushes for similar protections.

As entertainment enthusiasts and podcasters, Andy and I chat about how we handled covering pop culture during the strikes. And we look ahead – will this labor uprising inspire more industries to push for fair treatment?

Tune in as we analyze the drama and implications of the latest Hollywood shakedown! I dish the insider scoop on what the WGA strike outcome means.

Links

Variety: “The Writers Strike Is Over: WGA Votes to Lift Strike Order After 148 Days”
More About the New WGA Contract
Support SAG/AFTRA
Check Out Andy’s Podcasts The Next Reel, Movies We Like, and Marvel Movie Minute
Follow Andy on Letterboxd
TruStory FM

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Disability Representation in Sci-Fi and Fantasy: A Conversation with AK Maiden

TruStory FM — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Bionic arms, hearing so good it makes up for a loss of eyesight - AK Maiden is back to talk with me about disability representation in the stories we love.

A big-time nerd, big-time philosopher, and big-time lover of all things sci-fi and fantasy, AK Maiden is a 21-year-old with a philosophy degree and a focus on disability studies and rhetoric. She creates D&D art and content about a wide variety of nerdy topics on TikTok.

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Conversations Between the Punches • Superhuman Public Radio Season Two

TruStory FM — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0700

What stories emerge when superpowers enter the audio format? How can superheroes reflect real-world problems, and what would an NPR-style broadcast sound like if it existed in a world where superhumans were real? Max and John of Superhuman Public Radio join me to explore these questions and discuss Season 2 of SPR, with new episodes releasing weekly!

Superhuman Public Radio (aka SPR) is an award-winning audio drama telling the best original superhero stories you've ever heard. These are the stories that happen between the panels: looking at how superpowers change society and our individual lives; what happens when the battles are done and the heroes fly away.

Learn more here and @SPRpod on social media.

Bios:

John Dorsey, son of a failed magician and successful businesswoman, is a natural storyteller. For 10 years, he has worked in film above and below the line. His awards include those for Superhuman Public Radio. Later this year, he will premiere his first directed comedy special with Dee Ahmed. Dorsey lives near Washington, D.C., with his family. See his work here.

Maximilian Clark is a writer-director running three different audio shows. In addition to the award-winning SPR, look for his semi-scripted Josie's Lonely Hearts Club with Good Story Guild and his nonfiction We Are Not Journalists, where he and Walter Masterson infiltrate extremist cults for satire. Clark co-created the Starz Digital series “Llama Cop.” His projects have been official selections at Just for Laughs, ITVFest and more. His mother once described his work as “not bad.”

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Remembering Sheldon Menery and His Rule Zero Philosophy for Building Community

TruStory FM — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0700

In honor of the passing of Sheldon Menery, we’re talking about his concept of Rule Zero – the idea that the first step for any game should be making sure all players share the same expectations – and the way it contributed to building community in Magic: The Gathering, and what we can all learn from it.

Nile JoanRivers streams MtG content on Twitch! Her content is focused on highlighting queer voices and lowering the barrier to entry for new players. If that sounds like something you’re into, consider joining the Discord server where she helps new players learn Magic and make a safe, welcoming space for all.

Will Freeland is a Marvel comic nerd who loves to fly off on random tangential topics. The only collection he has that’s larger than his comic collection is all of his Lego and other building brick sets. A true child at heart......also an aspiring content creator.

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Blerds & Fandom with Caged Bishop Cosplay

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0700

Each person brings their own experiences and perspective to how they view the stories we love. Caged Bishop Cosplay joins me to talk about his experience as a blerd (black nerd), intersectionality in fandom, and our shared love as masculine folks for Barbie.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Caged Bishop Cosplay has been cosplaying for the better part of a decade and podcasting for about half as long. He does this for spreading the love of all things geeky, nerdy and blerdy (Blerd = black and nerdy). Caged Bishop Cosplay loves sharing his fandoms with people around him and sharing this all with his little girl!

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Mythology & Superheroes: The American Monomyth

TruStory FM — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Professor Matthew Kapell joins me to discuss superheroes, mythology, and the American Monomyth.

What is a myth? Are superhero stories considered myths? Does America have a central myth, and how do superheroes contribute to it?

Matthew Kapell has taught a wide range of subjects, including film studies and human genetics, at colleges and universities in the United States and the United Kingdom. He recently began teaching anthropology at Montclair State University in New Jersey. He serves as the editor for the academic book series Studies in Gaming published by McFarland Publishers. His published works cover various topics such as gaming, film, television, media, genetics, human biology, literary studies, African legal history, and the history of Detroit. In 2016, his book titled "Exploring the Next Frontier: Vietnam, NASA, Star Trek and Utopia in 1960s and 1970s Myth and History" was published by Routledge Press (NY and London). Additionally, his 2013 book, co-edited with Andrew B.R. Elliot, "Playing With The Past: Digital Games and the Simulation of History," was recognized as a foundational text in the study of how games incorporate history by the journal History and Theory.

You can find his books here.

The book we discussed is "The Myth of the American Superhero" by Robert Jewett and John Shelton Lawrence. To support a local bookshop and this show, you can purchase it through our affiliate link.

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X-Men & Activism

TruStory FM — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Why is it the X-Men that are so often brought up as metaphors for social issues? Steve Stormoen of the Hype Is My Superpower podcast joins me to talk about the X-Men in comics through the lens of activism and social movements.

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The Hunger Games

TruStory FM — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0700

What is it about the Hunger Games novels that captured so much attention and love? Frequent guest Danielle aka WrittenintheStarWars joins me to talk about these books, covering everything from the writing style to the twist they put on the love triangle trope to the decisions of the rebels.

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Sharpe's Rifles

TruStory FM — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Sometimes heroes wear capes, sometimes they carry rifles in the Napoleonic Wars. One of Sean Bean’s first roles was playing Richard Sharpe in this British series and Paul Hoppe joins me to talk about it!

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Gojira — AKA Godzilla — the 1954 Japanese Original

TruStory FM — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0700

What happens when you combine Japanese reflections on the use of nuclear weapons, hard questions about what weapons to use in moments of crisis, stirring music, and a guy in a rubber suit?

Paul joins me to talk about the 1954 classic Gojira, aka Godzilla.

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Moby Dick — Even if You Never Read It

TruStory FM — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0700

So many of the stories we love use Moby Dick as the example of an obsessive focus on a goal, but do you know the actual story? Moby Dick expert and all around geek Ilse joins me to talk about this book and what it has to say about disability, queerness, race, class, and so many other topics that remain relevant today.

Ilse, aka AK, (she/her) is an all around nerd who loves Star Wars, Heavy Metal, and Dungeons and Dragons. She has a degree in philosophy and a background in debate and likes to get wayyyy into the weeds on both silly and serious topics.

Follow her on Tik Tok @AK_Maiden or check out my art on Instagram @Iron_Kingdom_Adventure

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Discworld: The Watch

TruStory FM — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Do you enjoy your medieval satire with a dose of laughter, served alongside incisive social commentary? Eager to understand what this Discworld thing is that everyone seems to be talking about? Interested in Sam Vimes's Boots Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness? Rob McKenzie joins me to unpack Discworld, with a special emphasis on The Watch sequence of books.

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Newsies: Singing and Dancing on the Picket Line

TruStory FM — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0700

The 1899 newsboy strike is more than a historical footnote; it offers valuable lessons that resonate with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strikes of today. How does one combat giant corporations that hold sway over the channels of communication? And perhaps unexpectedly, what role can singing and dancing play in the solidarity and spirit of a picket line? Becky Allen and I tackle these topics and more as we analyze the 1992 film Newsies.

Note: This episode was recorded just one day after the commencement of the strike. In the interim, many content creators, myself included, have chosen to support the strike by halting the production of content related to on-screen media from the companies involved. I contemplated delaying the release of this episode but ultimately decided its focus on union support and strike advocacy was too pertinent to hold back. However, this will likely be the last episode of this nature for some time.

Becky Allen, author of Bound by Blood and Sand and its sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm, hails from the outskirts of Ithaca, New York. A Brandeis University alum, Becky now works in the tech industry and resides in New York with their sister and two black cats, Jinx and Hex.

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Nimona Says Trans Rights

TruStory FM — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Nimona is not just a tale but a profound narrative that explores the perils of fear, the risks of blind trust in authority, and the liberating force of embracing one's truth. Beau and I delve into the significance of this story as a queer and trans allegory, discussing the strength found in personal authenticity and the importance of valuing our own wisdom and experiences above rigid dogma and tradition.

Beau is comfortable with any pronouns and appreciates it when people switch them up! Formerly a Magic Judge and scorekeeper, Beau is now a "kitchen sink" freelancer with a diverse professional background that includes roles as a personal assistant, game design consultant, electrician, software developer, legal advocate, and Spanish-English translator, among others. Once, they even spent time crafting chainmail. A lover of graphic novels, Beau has spent years populating a series of cozy apartments with a library of queer narratives.

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Batman: Under the Red Hood

TruStory FM — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0700

In the gripping narrative of Batman: Under the Red Hood, we're compelled to question the impact Batman has on the young individuals he brings into the fold as Robins. Does his tutelage ultimately protect or endanger them? Could the Joker's theory of "One Bad Day" be more catastrophic for one of the Robins than for Bruce himself? And where does justice end and vengeance begin? Paul and I explore these themes, taking cues from Batman: Under the Red Hood and Death in the Family Part I as our starting points for this complex discussion.

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Bingers Assemble: Raiders of the Lost Ark

TruStory FM — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0700

I've been revisiting all of the Indiana Jones movies on the Bingers Assemble podcast, and I'm excited to share the first installment with you! Once the new movie is released at the end of June, we'll bring the discussion here to Superhero Ethics to specifically address Indiana Jones and the ethics of archaeology. In the meantime, head over to Bingers Assemble for our comprehensive movie coverage.

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Robots & Ethics & AI ... Oh My!

TruStory FM — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Time to delve into the realm of robots! Our discussion ignited with a Micro SF quote, which segued into a broader conversation about AI and its implications in our current world.

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Across the Spider-Verse

TruStory FM — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Let's delve into Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse! In the midst of Will's and my exuberant praise for the film's excellence, we explore ethical conundrums such as the clash between Miguel and Miles, the film's handling of representation, and the extensive comic book connections that enrich the movie.

For further comic book commentary, listen to his podcast, Hype is My Superpower.

Also, you can watch him build Lego and engage in geek-centric banter on Twitch.

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Animal Rights and Listener Feedback

TruStory FM — Mon, 22 May 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 sparked important discussions on animal treatment, and Paul Hoppe joins me to delve into these topics. This episode was inspired by listener feedback, and we also tackle a listener's question regarding the adage "with great power comes great responsibility," especially as it pertains to the dynamic between podcasters and their audience.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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The Last of Us Part II: the Video Game

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 May 2023 03:00:00 -0700

My partner and I played through The Last of Us Part II, and Danielle and Matthew joined me to discuss the profound ethical questions the story raises. We've detailed the issues and story for anyone to follow along, but be warned: this conversation contains spoilers!

Danielle (she/her) is engrossed in Star Wars, the MCU, and The Last of Us. As a PhD researcher in Text & Image Studies, she has the enviable job of reading and analyzing comics. Catch her on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram for more insights. For her thoughts on The Bad Batch, visit Templeofgeek.com.

Matthew Wilhelm Kapell has a diverse teaching background, from human genetics to film studies, at institutions in California, Michigan, the UK, and currently at Pace University in New York City. He edits an academic book series on the study of digital and tabletop games. Explore his books and other projects at matthewkapell.com. His work is a reminder of the interconnectedness of "Hero’s Journeys" and "Heroine’s Ordeals."

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Severence

TruStory FM — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0700

The TV show Severance presents a provocative premise: the ability to switch off your work self from your personal self, creating a distinct identity solely for the office. Would you opt for such a separation if you had the choice? And if so, would this work-specific persona have its own autonomy and rights? Can consciousness truly be severed from the body?

Rob McKenzie joins the conversation to unravel these philosophical and ethical questions posed by the show. Whether you're new to Severance or have revisited the series multiple times, this episode offers a thorough walk-through designed to enlighten both first-time viewers and seasoned fans.

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Shadow and Bone • S2

TruStory FM — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Becky Allen dropped in to discuss the intricacies and developments of Shadow and Bone Season 2!

Becky Allen, the author behind the captivating novels Bound by Blood and Sand and its sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm, brings a writer's insight to our conversation. Having grown up outside Ithaca, New York, and graduated from Brandeis University, Allen now works in tech and resides in New York with their sister and two little black cats named Jinx and Hex.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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The Last of Us: Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics with Dr. Matthew Kapell

TruStory FM — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Season 1 of The Last of Us is over, but we've still got a lot more to say!

Prof. Dr. Mr. (not a Rev.) Matthew Kapell joins me to dive into some of the larger issues in this show and its connected video game. We'll talk about the big ethical choices at the end of the story, zombies vs vampires, why Americans in particular are so drawn to dystopian stories, and more!

Matthew Wilhelm Kapell has taught everything from human genetics to film studies at universities and colleges in California, Michigan, the UK, and now New York City at Pace University. Currently, he edits an academic book series on the study of digital and tabletop games. You can find out about his books and other work at matthewkapell.com. He never forgets that too many "Hero's Journeys" are also "Heroine's Ordeals."

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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The Last of Us

TruStory FM — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Joining me for a deep dive into HBO's The Last of Us are Danielle and Erin, as we dissect the pivotal choices made by the characters and examine the series' (and game's) impact on our understanding of heroism and villainy. We'll also offer some bonus musings on Pedro Pascal and explore the fan-driven notion of "thirst."

Erin McGowan hails from the Twin Cities and has embraced the art of cosplay with open arms. To see her latest creative endeavors, you can follow her on TikTok and Instagram @ladytanocreates.

Danielle balances her time between spirited discussions about Star Wars, the MCU, and The Last of Us. She's currently pursuing her PhD in Text & Image Studies, where she's fortunate enough to analyze comics as a part of her scholarly pursuits. You can join in on her conversations on TikTok @writteninthestarwars, on Twitter @danies394, and on Instagram @writteninthesw.

For more of Danielle's expert commentary, especially on The Bad Batch, visit Templeofgeek.com.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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DC's New Slate

TruStory FM — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 06:05:01 -0800

Comics aficionado extraordinaire Jess Plummer graces us with her presence to discuss DC's ambitious new lineup of TV shows and movies.

A New York native with an unwavering love for Superman, Jess expresses her passion on her dedicated Superman podcast, Flights and Tights. Her expertise extends to writing about comics and literature at BookRiot.com, where she contributes her in-depth analysis. Moreover, she has ventured into the realm of fiction, offering her creative voice to the modern Arthurian anthology, Sword, Stone, Table.

You can delve into Jess's thoughts, including her take on the future of DC Studios, by reading her article What's Next for DC Studios. Connect with her and join the conversation on Twitter @jess_plummer.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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The Last of Us • S1 E1-4

TruStory FM — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 06:00:02 -0800

Danielle and Erin rejoin me to delve into the harrowing world of The Last of Us, discussing both the HBO series' first four episodes and the corresponding sections of the video game.

Danielle brings her expertise as a Ph.D. researcher in Text & Image Studies, which allows her to analyze comics academically, while also being a passionate commentator on Star Wars, the MCU, and The Last of Us. Catch her engaging takes on TikTok at @writteninthestarwars, on Twitter @danies394, and on Instagram @writteninthesw. For more of her insights, particularly on The Bad Batch, head over to Temple of Geek.

Erin McGowan, hailing from the Twin Cities, shares her journey as a cosplayer who has recently discovered a passion for crafting and embodying characters. You can explore her cosplay adventures on TikTok at @amateurahsoka and on Instagram at @lady.tano.creates.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Batman: The Long Halloween

TruStory FM — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 11:44:19 -0800

Paul joins me to talk about Batman: The Long Halloween, an animated movie based on the comics run of the same name.

Paul Christopher Hoppe, also known as ZenMadman, is a writer, teacher, and student of poker, chess, language, and life. Find out more here:

http://zenmadman.com/
https://www.patreon.com/zenmadman
https://www.twitch.tv/zenmadman
https://twitter.com/zenmadman

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Willow TV

TruStory FM — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 13:57:06 -0800

Ashley Coffin, Katy Brennan, and Mark Garkusha join me to try and find the bright spots in the first season of Willow. We had varied success, but we had a lot of fun talking about it!

Ashley Coffin wears many hats, including Stranded Panda Supreme Leader, MCU Co-Host, Empress of All Things Thirsty, F*ck Around and Find Out Enforcer, co-host of Bill & Ashley's Terror Theater, and frequent guest on both this podcast and the Superhero Ethics Podcast including this episode. She would also like you to tell your dog she says hi.
Terror Theater Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/bill-ashleys-terror-theater

Katy Brennan is a data analyst by day and cosplaying tabletop gamer by night who has the honor of being our Supreme Leader's BFF. She is a cast member of The Cast Die Podcast (@castdiepodcast) and Crossroad Games (@CrossroadXGames). Follow her on social media @katyolady

Mark Garkusha (@markdmitri) is an actor and voiceover artist whose voice you’ve probably heard during a commercial break. You can hear him play TTRPGs on The Cast Die Podcast (@CastDiePodcast) and The Aetherlogue (@Aetherlogue), or save the world as the voice of Jason Trapp in the Jason Trapp series audiobooks.

Let me know if any other changes or additions are needed!

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Dredd

TruStory FM — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 06:05:01 -0800

It's been 10 years since Karl Urban kept his mask on for the entire film, but the questions that this story about police acting as judge, jury, and executioner raises continue to be relevant today. We talk about the movie, the moral issues it raises, and how Karl Urban's grunting paved the way for Pedro Pascal's silent acting in The Mandalorian.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

2022 Retrospective and 2023 Prospective

TruStory FM — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 12:14:01 -0800

Matthew and Paul talk about stuff they watched in 2022, as well as the future and history of Superhero Ethics.

Paul Hoppe, also known as ZenMadman, lives in a metaphorical cave on a mountain in the mind in Las Vegas, where he frequently talks about deleting all social media, yet can still be found at his website zenmadman.com and on Twitch, Twitter and YouTube under the handle ZenMadman. He may or may not start writing more content in the future.

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Myth of the Manger

TruStory FM — Sun, 25 Dec 2022 17:58:58 -0800

What happens when you mix Hebrew & Greco-Roman ideas of divinity into a single mythology? How does a story of a blessing for all become a centerpiece of consumerism? Professor Matthew Kappel joins me to talk about the Jesus birth narrative through the lens of mythology.

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Critical Theory and Fandom

TruStory FM — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 06:00:02 -0800

What exactly is critical theory, and how can it serve as a lens through which we examine the superhero and science fiction narratives that captivate us?

Joining us is Gabriel Cruz, an assistant professor of media studies at North Carolina Central University, who brings a wealth of knowledge from his PhD in Media and Communication Studies from Bowling Green State University. His research delves into critical race, class, and gender analysis within superhero stories, as well as the narrative techniques found in white nationalist propaganda. Beyond academia, Gabriel actively engages with the public through social media and his podcast, "Office Hours with Dr. C," which focuses on the dissection of pop culture phenomena.

Stay connected with Gabriel’s insightful commentary on popular culture through his social media and contact details:

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Willow

TruStory FM — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 07:51:26 -0800

As we eagerly anticipate the release of the new Willow series, we turn back the clock to the 1980s to revisit the original fantasy classic, Willow. Joining me are Mark Garkusha, Ashley Coffin, and first-timer Katy O'Leary Brennan. Together, we reminisce about the film's epic storytelling, Val Kilmer's memorable wardrobe choices, and the reasons Willow holds a special place in our childhood memories.

Ashley Coffin, with her multitude of accolades—Stranded Panda Supreme Leader, MCU Co-Host, Empress of All Things Thirst, F*ck Around & Find Out Enforcer, co-host of Bill & Ashley's Terror Theater, and regular guest on the Superhero Ethics Podcast—also extends a heartfelt greeting to your canine companions.

For those looking to explore Ashley's work on horror cinema:
Terror Theater Podcast

Katy Brennan juggles the world of data analysis by day with her passion for cosplay and tabletop gaming by night. She's not only the Supreme Leader's BFF but also a featured personality on The Cast Die Podcast (@castdiepodcast) and Crossroad Games (@CrossroadXGames). You can catch up with her adventures on social media @katyolady.

Mark Garkusha's voice may be familiar from commercials selling sandwiches or exercise bikes, but there's much more to his talent. As an actor and VO artist, he contributes his voice to discussions and gameplay on The Cast Die Podcast (@castdiepodcast). To see what Mark is up to, follow him across social platforms under @markdmitri.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Rings of Power

TruStory FM — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 08:59:11 -0800

Matthew and Paul discuss The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and possibly write a better description at some point.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Sandman with Ashley Coffin

TruStory FM — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 21:05:34 -0800

Ashley Coffin and I discuss Neil Gaiman's Sandman, dissecting the intricate tales of Dream, Desire, and the rest of the Endless. Ashley shares her affection for Gaiman's somber goth boys, while I come to the realization that, as much as I might yearn to be the brooding hero, I'm more akin to the companions who keep them grounded.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Black Adam

TruStory FM — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 06:00:02 -0800

Jessica Plummer joins me to delve into Black Adam, where we dissect the film's exploration of ethical dilemmas and its commentary on international politics. We ponder the depths of these themes and question the extent of their deliberate inclusion in the storyline.

For further insights and background information, Jessica has recommended several articles:

The enigmatic history of Hawkman
A look back at Black Adam's first appearance
The fascinating evolution of Adrianna Tomaz, also known as Isis

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Kevin Conroy Memorial

TruStory FM — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 06:00:02 -0800

For further reading and context on Conroy's impact and the world of superheroes he influenced, Jess provided some insightful articles:

Kevin Conroy Obituary: Remembering the Iconic Voice of Batman
Exploring the complexities of Hawkman
A flashback to Black Adam's first appearance
The history of Adrianna Tomaz, also known as Isis

Each piece offers a unique perspective on the superhero genre that Conroy helped shape with his definitive portrayal of Batman.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

House of the Dragon

TruStory FM — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 06:05:01 -0800

Ashley Coffin teams up with me to explore the fiery depths of House of the Dragon. Join us as we unravel the intricate web of politics, power, and dragons in this Targaryen-centric saga.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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DC Superpets

TruStory FM — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:41:00 -0700

Look up in the sky! It's not just a bird or a plane—it's an entire animated film about superhero pets! Matthew and Paul dive into DC Superpets, where they find unexpected layers of inquiry and a barrel of laughs. Plus, they touch on the poignant Avatar: The Last Airbender episode, "Appa's Lost Days."

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

She-Hulk with Jess Plummer

TruStory FM — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 06:10:01 -0700

We're thrilled to have Jess Plummer on board to discuss Season 1 of She-Hulk. Join us as we dive into the nuances and highlights of the series.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Ms. Marvel and Moon Knight on Page and Screen

TruStory FM — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 06:05:01 -0700

Will and Steve from the Hype is my Superpower Podcast team up with Paul and me to compare Ms. Marvel and Moon Knight as they transition from comic panels to the silver screen. Join us as we dissect these adaptations and their fidelity to the source material.

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Cobra Kai • Season 5

TruStory FM — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 10:30:21 -0700

Paul and I dissect the latest season of Cobra Kai in a conversation that could be summed up as:

Matthew: Okay, this season really jumped the shark.
Paul: Look at all this cool stuff on the other side of the shark!

We also share a stinger about the art and impact of training montages.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

WarGames and the Ethics of AI

TruStory FM — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 08:36:02 -0700

In our ongoing series on the ethics of artificial intelligence, we take a deep dive into the classic film WarGames. We explore the intersections of game theory, machine learning, and the moral implications of approaching warfare through the lens of gaming. Join us as we navigate the complex terrain where technology, strategy, and ethical considerations collide.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Rounders: Poker as a Superpower

TruStory FM — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 08:10:40 -0700

Rounders has long been a favorite film for both Paul and me, making it the perfect feature for our milestone 200th episode. We dive into the nuances of poker, celebrating how the movie captures the essence of the game, and we unpack the myriad of ethical questions that both poker and the movie raise. If you've never seen Rounders or are new to the world of poker, don't worry—we explain everything as we go along.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Finding Nuance in Noise

TruStory FM — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 06:05:02 -0700

Podcasts can be meticulously crafted or serendipitously spontaneous, and this episode emerged from the latter—a conversation that evolved naturally from a stinger into a full-blown discussion. We found ourselves deep in dialogue about navigating discussions around contentious issues that often attract negativity and vitriol.

Though we might get a bit punchy, we hope it lends charm and levity to an otherwise solemn topic. Feedback is always welcome; visit TheEthicalPanda.com for all the ways you can reach out and become part of the conversation.

Also, we're excited to announce our week-by-week coverage of Star Wars: Andor. Kickstarting with a spoiler-free primer episode this Wednesday at 8:30 pm, we'll carry on through the series finale. Join the live stream on twitch.tv/zenmadman, and listen to the episodes the following Thursday morning on the Star Wars Universe Podcast.

The book Paul referenced, Shijak: To Begin: A Modern Martial Arts Story by Kathryn Yang, can be found here.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Ethics of the Final Frontier

TruStory FM — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 06:05:02 -0700

Space: The Final Frontier. This concept has been integral to America's self-identity, symbolizing exploration and adventure—and the myriad issues arising from the perception of "undiscovered country" as land untouched by white man. Professor Matthew Wilhelm Kapell joins Paul and me to discuss the significance of the frontier and how Star Trek has interacted with this theme throughout its many iterations.

We encountered some sound quality issues in this episode for which we apologize. We are committed to continuous improvement and aim to enhance the listening experience with each episode.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

She-Hulk Kick-Off

TruStory FM — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 07:37:54 -0700

Comic book aficionado Jessica Plummer joins us to delve into the ethical quandaries presented in the first two episodes of She-Hulk. We'll discuss whether Abomination's legal arguments hold water and explore the significance of Jennifer Walters' unique approach to being a Hulk, contrasting sharply with Bruce Banner's experience. Our conversation extends to the roots of She-Hulk in the comic book industry and how her inception influences the narratives we see today.

Jessica Plummer, a New Yorker with a profound love for Superman, shares her passion on her podcast, Flights and Tights. She's also a writer for Book Riot, covering a wide range of comic and literary topics. You can follow her musings on Twitter @jess_plummer.

Don't miss out on Jessica's work in the acclaimed anthology Sword Stone Tablet, where her storytelling prowess shines.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

She-Hulk & Uncle Ben

TruStory FM — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 09:31:42 -0700

In this episode, we delve into the philosophical ponderings of Uncle Ben and how they might apply to She-Hulk, who seems reluctant to embrace heroism. Would she validate or challenge Uncle Ben's iconic belief in the correlation between great power and great responsibility? We revisit an engaging conversation from the MCUCast hosted by Matthew Carroll, reflecting on this enduring question.

Listen as we also discuss how She-Hulk adds new dimensions to this debate, and don't forget to tune in next Tuesday for our comprehensive episodes on She-Hulk.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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A Canon Is Not a Weapon

TruStory FM — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 06:05:01 -0700

In this episode, Paul and I explore the intricate world of canon and continuity within storytelling. We discuss the distinctions between the two, ponder who ultimately decides what constitutes canon, and consider the significance of headcanon in how audiences engage with their favorite narratives. Join us as we delve into the complexities of these concepts that are fundamental to the structure and integrity of any long-standing series.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Thor and the Theology of Killing God(s)

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 07:28:17 -0700

In this episode, we're joined by PopCultureRabbi to delve into the theological themes presented in Thor: Love & Thunder. We'll examine the character Gorr, whose grief and anger toward the gods for his suffering make him a complex and compelling antagonist. Is it possible to consider a deity as benevolent when pain and loss are part of their creation? This question brings us to the concept of theodicy, the vindication of divine goodness in the face of the existence of evil.

Thor: Love & Thunder offers a unique perspective on theodicy, challenging viewers to contemplate the nature and role of gods within the narrative. Our conversation doesn't require a background in religion or theology to appreciate the depth of these questions, as we explore them within the accessible context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Pop Culture Rabbi brings a wealth of knowledge from his explorations of Marvel, Star Wars, and broader pop culture through a theological lens. His insights on TikTok have garnered a following keen on discussing these deeper questions, and he extends his thoughts through contributions to NERD INITIATIVE.

To follow Pop Culture Rabbi's work and join the conversation on the intersection of pop culture and theology, check out his social media presence:

TikTok: Pop Culture Rabbi
Articles: NERD INITIATIVE
Twitter/Instagram: @popculturerabbi

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Harley Quinn • S3 Ethical Exploration

TruStory FM — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 12:29:04 -0700

Harley Quinn's third season serves up a smorgasbord of ethical dilemmas ripe for discussion. Joining the conversation is Emily Cissell, alongside first-time podcast guest Abby Neiman, to delve into the moral quandaries presented in this animated adult comedy series.

From the chaotic anti-hero Harley Quinn's journey of self-discovery and redemption to the complex relationships and villainous schemes, we dissect the actions and motivations of the characters. Can we justify their choices, or do they cross lines that even the most morally flexible would balk at?

This season continues to push boundaries and challenge viewers' perceptions of right and wrong within the anarchic universe that Harley and her crew inhabit. With Emily's insight and Abby's fresh perspective, we'll navigate the murky ethical waters of love, loyalty, ambition, and the quest for power in Harley Quinn Season 3.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Champions! Ip Man 4 & Cobra Kai 4

TruStory FM — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 06:05:02 -0700

In the realm of martial arts, the notion of a single champion epitomizing an entire fighting style is a captivating one. But is this a fair representation? The high-flying confrontations of high school dramas like Cobra Kai often revolve around resolving conflicts through combat, but when these scenarios are transposed into the adult world, do they lose their credibility, or do they offer a different, perhaps more complex, perspective?

Paul and Matthew take a deep dive into these questions, examining the legacy and influence of a martial arts champion through the lens of Ip Man 4. They juxtapose this with the fourth season of Cobra Kai, exploring how both works handle the themes of legacy, honor, and the evolution of martial arts traditions in modern society.

The real challenge lies in drawing parallels between Ip Man 4 and Cobra Kai 4—two very different stories from different cultures, each with their own approach to martial arts and its place in their respective worlds. Can they find a common thread that links the grandmaster of Wing Chun with the karate kids of the San Fernando Valley? Join us as we explore these questions and more.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Ms. Marvel and Representation

TruStory FM — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 06:00:02 -0700

Joining me today to delve into the significance of Ms. Marvel on representation are Stranded Panda regulars Emily Cissell and Zuhair Ali.

Zuhair Ali is a co-host on the Animation Deliberation Podcast, which is dedicated to discussing and celebrating the best action-focused animated series, cartoons, and films. You can tune into their vibrant discussions here: Animation Deliberation.

Emily Cissell, also known as a real-life superhero, is a middle school social studies teacher with a deep appreciation for Captain Marvel, Loki, and her dog Hemingway. Emily hosts the podcast "Emily Cissell Asks...What If?", where she takes listeners on a journey through alternate sports history. Engage with her unique perspectives on historical sporting events here: Emily Cissell Asks...What If?.

Furthermore, Emily is a contributor to the 323 Network Podcasts, engaging in conversations on sports, pop culture, and everyday life on "The 323 with Reid Murphy." Listen to their latest discussions here: The 323 with Reid Murphy.

For more insights and updates from Emily, follow her on social media:

Instagram/Twitter: @emilyorlou

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Thor: Love and Thunder Thoughts

TruStory FM — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 06:00:03 -0700

Joining me today is Andy Nelson from The Next Reel and Marvel Movie Minute to dissect Thor: Love & Thunder. We delve into the film's thought-provoking themes, the narrative opportunities it presented, and why our reactions to the film diverged.

Andy's journey in podcasting began over a decade ago, leading him to co-found TruStory FM where he explores his lifelong zeal for storytelling through various podcasts. As a veteran of film, television, and commercial production with over 25 years of experience, Andy has contributed to a diverse array of projects, from indie features and documentaries to television series.

A University of Colorado at Boulder film alumnus, Andy's storytelling ambitions have seen him through roles as a writer, director, and producer. His credits include work on films such as Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon, as well as teaching screenwriting and editing. His documentary work includes titles like The Imposter and The Joe Show, and he has contributed to TV series including “Deadly Dentists” on Investigation Discovery and Nat Geo’s “Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers.”

A devoted family man with a penchant for a finely crafted martini, a refreshing beer, or a comforting coffee, Andy's ultimate passion always circles back to a great film.

Explore more of Andy's work and insights into the world of film:

Letterboxd: Andy Nelson
Twitter: Andy Nelson
Marvel Movie Minute: Podcast on TruStory FM
Marvel Movie Minute on Twitter: @minutemarvel
The Next Reel: Podcast on TruStory FM
The Next Reel on Letterboxd: The Next Reel
TruStory FM: Home of Trusted Podcasting

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Stranger Things • Four Point Two: Pastor of Muppets

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 07:29:36 -0700

With Matthew taking a well-deserved break, Ashley, Paul, and Mark dive into the climactic final two episodes of Stranger Things' penultimate season (Season 4, episodes 8 and 9).

Mark Garkusha, a podcaster and voice actor known for the Cast Die Podcast—perfect for those craving more D&D—can be found on social media as @MarkDmitri.

Ashley Coffin is launching her very own podcast, Bill & Ashley's Terror Theater, followable at @BATTpod. She's also a co-host on the Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast and involved in numerous other podcasting ventures.

Paul Hoppe, or ZenMadman, is frequently a guest on this podcast and the Star Wars Universe Podcast. He's also the musical talent behind the theme music for this podcast with Villain's Lament, found at @ZenMadman on social media platforms.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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X-Men in the MCU

TruStory FM — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:51:27 -0700

What will it look like to bring the X-Men into the MCU? We're pondering how the mutant narrative will evolve in a world that's become accustomed to superpowers. Is it time to move beyond the traditional Professor X/Magneto conflict, and what new paradigms might we explore? Joining Paul and me to dissect these questions is X-Men expert Miles Stokes.

Miles is one half of the dynamic duo behind Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men, a weekly podcast dedicated to unraveling the complexities of comics' most iconic superhero saga. You can catch their show on Twitter @xplainthexmen or visit their website at xplainthexmen.com. For those rare occasions when Miles tweets personally, follow him at @gjallerbru.

For more on our discussion about the film Logan, check out the episode we referenced at The Ethical Panda.

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Stranger Things • S4 Part 1

TruStory FM — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:32:32 -0700

Join us as we delve into the first half of Stranger Things Season 4 with D&D podcaster and aficionado Mark Garkusha, alongside Ashley and me. Mark brings his love for the nerdy and his expertise in storytelling to our discussion.

You can connect with Mark, who is also an actor, voice artist, and writer, on Instagram and Twitter @markdmitri, and catch his D&D/TTRPG podcast @castdiepodcast.

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Those Darn Kids

TruStory FM — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 19:52:28 -0700

Paul and I delve into the complex valuation of human life across various ages, both in reality and within the narratives we cherish. We contemplate whether the demise of a child holds greater tragedy than that of an adult and discuss whether the peril faced by children is necessary to heighten emotional stakes in storytelling. Additionally, we explore the prevalent trope of orphaned protagonists and its significance in shaping heroic characters.

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The Boys • S3 E1

TruStory FM — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 06:00:02 -0700

Join us as we discuss the explosive first episode of The Boys Season 3, featuring insights from Matthew Carroll and Ashley Coffin. For an in-depth analysis of each episode in Season 3, be sure to tune into the PandaVision podcast.

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Celebrity Culture and Fandom

TruStory FM — Tue, 31 May 2022 08:36:01 -0700

Let's dive into the discourse surrounding celebrities, specifically examining the public's fascination with them. We ponder whether current trials should affect our perceptions of films like Aquaman 2. We also explore the strong reactions generated by Kathleen Kennedy within certain segments of the Star Wars fandom and consider the influence of misogyny, racism, and other societal issues on the stories crafted about celebrities in these fan communities. Paul and I discuss these topics, as well as the experience of revisiting our episodes from five years ago featured in the Poker & Podcasts series on YouTube.

To watch the complete video of this podcast, click here. Don't forget to hit like and subscribe to support our channel, which not only offers video recordings of our latest podcasts but also provides fantastic content on older ones, including the Poker and Podcasts series mentioned in this episode!

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Moon Knight and Mental Health

TruStory FM — Tue, 17 May 2022 06:00:02 -0700

Mental health played a significant role in Moon Knight, and to explore this further, we invited expert Saron Bryan, LCSW, back to the show. Saron joins Paul, Will, and me to discuss dissociative identity disorder (DID), its representation in the series, and what deeper understanding it can provide about characters Marc and Stephen.

Saron Bryan is a therapist from Athens, Georgia, with a focus on serving the queer, polyamorous, and kinky communities. In addition to her professional pursuits, she enjoys the Wheel of Time series and has a flair for seeking out the most elaborate and ostentatious earrings.

Craving more than just audio? You can watch the episode on YouTube.

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Twilight and Problematic Faves

TruStory FM — Tue, 10 May 2022 07:37:44 -0700

Catherine Rae joins us to discuss the Twilight story, its toxic understandings of relationships, and her reading habits at age 14. We talk about why these books and movies are both so toxic and so popular, the ways we dismiss the things that young girls love, and what it means to have a problematic favorite.

Catherine Rae is a thirsty and proud member of the Stranded Panda Embarrassment. She is a reader and writer and runner living in the smallest state. Please send her pictures of your pets.

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Moon Knight • E6

TruStory FM — Thu, 05 May 2022 06:10:02 -0700

It's the grand finale of our Moon Knight series dissection, as we dig into the revelations and resolutions of Episode 6. Paul and Will join me in unpacking the dramatic conclusion and its implications for the future.

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Moon Knight • E5

TruStory FM — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 06:00:04 -0700

Join us as we tackle the intense psychological drama of Moon Knight, episode 5, where Marc Spector's fractured psyche takes center stage, challenging our understanding of heroism and identity.

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Shakespearean Villains

TruStory FM — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 07:30:03 -0700

Is The Batman a Hamlet story? The Joker an Iago? I'm joined by Austin Tichenor (he/him), Artistic Director of the award-winning Reduced Shakespeare Company, as we examine Shakespeare's approach to villains and storytelling and how we see those same themes echoed in the tales we cherish today.

Austin Tichenor (he/him) is an actor, playwright, and the Artistic Director of the award-winning Reduced Shakespeare Company. Despite being an intellectual welterweight and holding three expensive degrees (two from UC Berkeley and one from Boston University), Austin humorously notes his continued status as disappointingly average.

He pens monthly blogs for the Folger Shakespeare Library, where his article on The Batman and Hamlet can be found, and since 2006 has produced and hosted the world's longest-running weekly theater podcast, the Reduced Shakespeare Company Podcast. Austin's recent directorial credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream for Starling Shakespeare Company, Twelfth Night for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) for the Folger Shakespeare Theater, and Much Ado About Nothing for Pacific theater. As an actor, he has played numerous roles on episodic television, including recurring parts on 24, Alias, Felicity, Ally McBeal, and The Practice, as well as guest appearances on The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, The X-Files, E.R., NYPD Blue, and similar shows. He also provides writing and acting coaching through The Shakespeareance.

Austin has teamed up with Reed Martin on Pop-Up Shakespeare (illustrated by Jennie Maizels) and the seminal tome of Shakespearean insight, Reduced Shakespeare: The Complete Guide for the Attention-Impaired (abridged), available at Broadway Play Publishing.

Connect with Austin on Twitter
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Support The Shakespeareance on Patreon

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Moon Knight • E4

TruStory FM — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 21:27:03 -0700

Will joins Paul and me to discuss episode 4 of Moon Knight!

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The Batman and the Ethics of Emo

TruStory FM — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 21:28:58 -0700

Our long road to Gotham has come to an end—we're talking about The Batman! Paul and I discuss the nature of vengeance, the relevance of this version of the Riddler to our own world, and ask the age-old question: Is this our Batman?

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Moon Knight • E3

TruStory FM — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 14:04:31 -0700

Paul and Matthew press on with our exploration of Moon Knight, diving into the intricacies of episode 3. Stay tuned as we unravel the latest developments in this enigmatic series.

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Rurouni Kenshin! First Movie and Anime S1

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 17:10:44 -0700

Can a sword forge the path to a new era? Is it possible for a former assassin to find redemption and peace? How does a beloved anime like Rurouni Kenshin transition into a live-action format? Our discussion isn't just for those familiar with all iterations of Rurouni Kenshin, as we focus on the ethical and historical questions that are as relevant today as they were in the Meiji era. Dive with us into the first movie and the inaugural season of the anime, exploring the complex journey of the pacifist wanderer, Kenshin Himura.

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Moon Knight • E2

TruStory FM — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 06:40:02 -0700

Should a person be held accountable for an offense they haven't committed? Why is Steven's choice to eat the steak significant? And what's the deal with the show's unexpected musical choices? Will Freeland from Hype is my Superpower joins Paul and Matthew to dissect the second episode of Moon Knight. Tune in as we explore the moral quandaries and enigmatic beats of this unfolding Marvel series.

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Spider-Man: No Way Home

TruStory FM — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 06:05:02 -0700

Do villains deserve redemption? Can they be coerced into altering their ways against their will? Does Peter Parker struggle with acknowledging the autonomy of those around him? And could Dr. Strange be the most irresponsible guardian in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Paul and I delve into these intriguing topics and more in our in-depth discussion of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Join us as we swing through the complex moral landscape of the latest Spider-Man installment.

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Moon Knight • E1

TruStory FM — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 06:35:02 -0700

Steve and Will from the Hype is my Superpower Podcast team up with Paul and me to unpack the premiere of Moon Knight. Both Paul and I dove into this series without any prior knowledge, so rest assured, our discussion is free from spoilers for anything beyond the show itself. Join us as we navigate the introductory chapter of this new foray into the Marvel Universe.

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Villains We Relate To: The Batman Edition

TruStory FM — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 06:00:03 -0700

Emily Cissell returns to discuss relatable villains, focusing on The Batman and Batman's rogues gallery. We zoom in on Catwoman, The Riddler, and Poison Ivy. Note that this isn't a comprehensive review of The Batman, but we do mention some spoilers.

Emily Cissell is a middle school social studies teacher who could also be described as a real-life superhero. She harbors a borderline obsession with Captain Marvel, Loki, and her dog, Hemingway.

Check out Emily's podcast, "Emily Cissell Asks What If…?", and for more engaging content, visit the 323 Network's podcast, "The 323 with Reid Murphy".

You can follow Emily on Instagram and Twitter: @emilyorlou.

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Parental Controls and the Meaning of 'Family Friendly'

TruStory FM — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 06:05:02 -0700

In this episode, Paul and I delve into the nebulous concept of 'family-friendly' content. Who gets to define what is suitable for families, and which types of families are they considering? We'll discuss the nature of content that children are exposed to, the role of media creators and distributors in curating this content, and the responsibilities of parents in navigating their children's media consumption. Join us as we unpack these complex questions and the implications they have on what we watch together as 'families'.

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Campy Bats Forever

TruStory FM — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 06:50:02 -0700

What was Joel Schumacher aiming for with his take on the Batman franchise? Should his films be dismissed as missteps, or can they be appreciated for their over-the-top, campy charm? Join Paul, Ashley, and Matthew as we examine Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, discussing their place in the Batman saga and their potential as parodic contributions to the Caped Crusader’s cinematic legacy.

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The Dark Knight

TruStory FM — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 06:30:02 -0800

Join Paul and me as we continue our journey through the cinematic portrayals of Gotham's guardian with a deep dive into The Dark Knight. We'll discuss how this seminal film raises the stakes and delves into the complexities of heroism, villainy, and the choices that define them.

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Batman Begins

TruStory FM — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 06:00:02 -0800

With the release of The Batman just on the horizon, we're revisiting Christopher Nolan's reimagining of the Dark Knight in Batman Begins. Paul Hoppe joins me as we explore this film's gritty take on Bruce Wayne's transformation into Gotham's most enigmatic protector. Tune in as we discuss how Nolan's vision contributed to the Batman legacy.

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An Animated Discussion of Batman

TruStory FM — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 06:10:02 -0800

In this episode, we dive deep into the animated portrayals of the Dark Knight. As we await the release of Robert Pattinson's take on Batman, host Matthew Fox and guest Paul Hoppe explore various animated iterations of Gotham's hero, from the classic Batman: The Animated Series to the unexpected twists in Red Son and the comedic angles in The Lego Batman Movie.

Key Points Discussed:

Batman: The Animated Series: Paul shares his insights on how the show emphasized Batman's detective skills and intelligence, which set a foundation for the character's portrayal in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.
Batman in Justice League: The discussion focuses on Batman's role among superpowered beings and his unique contributions to the team, highlighting his mental prowess and strategic thinking.
Red Son: An alternate universe story where Superman lands in the Soviet Union, with a different take on Batman as a character responding to a more authoritarian world.
The Lego Batman Movie: A lighthearted and satirical take on Batman that both celebrates and pokes fun at the character's long history and idiosyncrasies.
Animated Batman's Complexity: Matthew and Paul talk about the advantages of animated series in exploring the depth of Batman's character, his ethical dilemmas, and his relationships with other characters.
Batman and Misanthropy: The hosts examine Batman's role as a misanthrope in his various animated versions and how this affects his interactions with other characters.
Animation as a Medium: The conversation includes a debate on the strengths of animation in telling more fantastical superhero stories, with a focus on how it allows for a broader exploration of Batman's world.
Favorite Animated Batmans: Paul lists his favorite animated Batman movies and series, including Batman Beyond, Superman Batman: Public Enemies, and Justice League Crisis on Two Earths.

Recommendations:

Watch Destination Wedding: A romantic comedy featuring Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder that Paul recommends for its brilliant portrayal of misanthropy.
Check Out Animated Batman Movies: The hosts suggest watching various Batman animated films to see the different interpretations and depth the medium can offer.

Final Thoughts:
Matthew and Paul conclude the episode by reflecting on the importance of different interpretations of Batman and how each portrayal offers a unique perspective on the character, whether it be through the lens of satire, alternate universes, or a focus on his detective skills.

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Ethical Robot Overlords: The Matrix and AI

TruStory FM — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 06:40:02 -0800

Could Karl Marx have been viewed as a science fiction visionary? As the realm of artificial intelligence continues to expand, do we greet the future with open arms or a sense of dread? And will we ever manage to delve into The Matrix within this conversation? Join me, Dan McCreary, and Rob McKenzie as we navigate the ethical considerations of AI.

In our discussion, we mention Jeff Hawkins' insightful book, "A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence", which sheds light on the intricate mechanisms of intelligence.

We also highlight two remarkable non-profits fostering educational growth in technology and strategic gaming for children. To support their invaluable work, please consider visiting:

Tune in to our podcast for an engaging debate on the moral quandaries AI presents and our potential destinies in a world shared with intelligent machines.

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Ip Man and Martial Arts in Media

TruStory FM — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 06:05:03 -0800

Can the superiority of one martial arts school over another be determined in single combat? What can one martial artist do in the face of a World War? How does the movie Ip Man address the story of its legendary title character?

Join Paul and me as we grapple with these questions and more. In this episode, we scrutinize the depiction of martial arts in media, examine the historical significance of Ip Man himself, and discuss the ethical narratives woven throughout the film.

For additional insight, we reference the video essay "How to Write Superman: Ip Man" by Accented Cinema, which dissects the film's approach to storytelling and its thematic resonance. Watch the video essay on YouTube here: How to Write Superman: Ip Man.

Tune in as we delve into the cinematic portrayal of martial arts and the enduring impact of Ip Man.

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Batman Returns

TruStory FM — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 07:00:08 -0800

In this episode, we ponder whether Tim Burton's distinctive style might have reached its zenith in Batman Returns. Could Ashley Coffin's affinity for blue eyeshadow have been inspired by none other than this film's iteration of Catwoman? And we'll delve into the puzzling choices of Gotham's most eligible bachelor, Bruce Wayne, including his less-than-ideal first date conversation topics.

Paul and Ashley are back to dissect Batman Returns with me, as we navigate through the snowy streets of Gotham during Christmas. We'll analyze the darker tones of Burton's sequel, mull over Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic performance as Catwoman, and debate whether Michael Keaton's Batman still holds up as our definitive Dark Knight.

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The Ethics of Jaws

TruStory FM — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 06:10:03 -0800

Take a trip back to the summer of '75, where a shark lurking off the beach sparked widespread panic and brought a new kind of fear to the big screen. In this episode, we're not only circling around the ethical dilemmas presented in Jaws, but also diving into the incredible story of its production. Joining me are Ashley Coffin, and two special guests with a deep-seated fascination for the film and its legacy: Mark Garkusha and Steve French.

Mark Garkusha, when not voicing commercials or dubbing reality shows, writes, produces, and performs in his actual play Dungeons & Dragons show, The Cast Die Podcast.

Steve French lends his voice across various platforms, from being the promo voice of The Book of Boba Fett to national commercials for Toyota, and as the host of the Unsolved Mysteries podcast.

Together, we'll navigate the treacherous waters of Jaws and the questions it raises about fear, responsibility, and the unknown.

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Batman '89

TruStory FM — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 06:00:02 -0800

As a new Batman film hits theaters, we're revisiting earlier interpretations of the Caped Crusader. In our series, we're examining each movie comprehensively, discussing how these versions tackle the ethical issues at the heart of Batman's character and contemplating whether each portrayal truly embodies "my Batman."

In this inaugural episode, Paul Hoppe and I dive into Tim Burton and Michael Keaton's first venture into Gotham with Batman '89. Join us as we explore the dark and stylistic world Burton created and debate the moral complexities of Keaton's Batman.

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Golden Ethics: A Betty White Tribute

TruStory FM — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 06:45:52 -0800

In this special episode, we honor the incomparable Betty White and the cultural touchstone that is The Golden Girls. We examine the show's groundbreaking treatment of social issues that were ahead of its time—racism, sexism, ageism, animal rights, and sexuality—and discuss its enduring relevance in today's society. How did Betty White and her portrayal of Rose Nylund influence viewers' understanding of these complex topics? What can we learn from the show's candid and compassionate approach to issues that still resonate with us?

Joining me is Paul Hoppe to reflect on Betty White's legacy and the superpower it took to live in Miami on a (substitute) teacher's salary.

During our conversation, we referenced insightful articles that explore the significance of Betty White's work and The Golden Girls' stance on LGBTQ+ acceptance:

"Betty White on The Golden Girls taught me queer self-acceptance" by Savannah Sipple, which can be read at Salon.com.
"A Deep Dive into the Queerness of The Golden Girls" by Dr. Thomas J. West III, available on Medium.

Tune in for a heartfelt tribute to a television icon and the show that still captures our hearts.

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The Witcher • S2 E7-8

TruStory FM — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 07:39:17 -0800

We're bringing our journey through The Witcher, Season 2, to a close with an in-depth look at episodes 7 and 8. Ashley Coffin and Paul Hoppe join me to unravel the season's climactic events and the fates that befall our beloved characters in these final episodes.

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The Witcher • S2 E5-6

TruStory FM — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 17:14:18 -0800

Paul, Ashley, and Matthew reconvene to dissect the next chapters in The Witcher, Season 2. This episode zeroes in on episodes 5 and 6, unraveling the complexities and adventures that Geralt of Rivia faces. Join us as we navigate the Continent's treacherous terrains and the evolving narratives of our favorite characters.

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Encanto Ethics: When Generational Trauma is the Villain

TruStory FM — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 05:22:48 -0800

In this episode, we're sprinkling a bit of Disney magic over some substantial topics like family dynamics and generational trauma. Why do the mental health narratives of the characters in Encanto resonate so deeply with audiences?

Joining the conversation is Saron Bryan, a licensed therapist from Athens, Georgia, with a penchant for Disney's storytelling. Saron specializes in working with queer, polyamorous, and kinky clients. Alongside her professional expertise, she's on a personal quest through the epic Wheel of Time series and on the hunt for the most extravagantly outlandish earrings she can find.

We'll also be discussing the cultural significance of Encanto's Colombian setting and how it intricately weaves into the film's portrayal of familial and personal challenges. For more insights into this topic, check out the article we referenced from Polygon, which delves into why understanding the Colombian context is key to appreciating the movie: Encanto's Act of Defiance - Polygon.

Want more of Saron's insights? Tune into her podcast here: TLDR Podcast.

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2021 Wrap Up

TruStory FM — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 10:46:04 -0800

Join Paul and me as we revisit some of the standout content from 2021 that we didn't have the chance to discuss earlier. We're also reflecting on the year overall. Below, you'll find a list of topics we cover and the timestamps for each, so you can avoid spoilers for the shows and movies you haven't seen yet.

Squid Game: 20:05 - 29:47
The Harder They Fall: 29:47 - 36:51
Kenshin (minimal spoilers): 36:51 - 46:13
Kim's Convenience: 46:13 - 1:10:07
Schitt's Creek: 1:10:07 - 1:17:27

Rapid Fire Segment: 1:17:27 - end
We quickly fire off our thoughts on a variety of shows and movies, spending about 60-90 seconds on each:

Judas and the Black Messiah
Luca (specifically "Ciao, Alberto")
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Narcos: Mexico
Money Heist (known as Casa de Papel in Spanish)
Master of None

Tune in for our take on these titles and our wrap-up of the year's entertainment!

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Webs of Ethics • Spider-Man: No Way Home

TruStory FM — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 06:05:01 -0800

Spider-Man: No Way Home is swinging through theaters, and it's packed with ethical conundrums! Joining me are Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell from The Most Excellent 80's Movies Podcast for the first of several episodes diving into the moral dilemmas presented in the film.

But before we web-sling into that conversation, a friendly neighborhood reminder: no spoilers! We're eager to hear your thoughts on our discussion but please be considerate and nest your spoilers in the comments on our social media posts.

The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast is the podcast where a filmmaker, comedian, and various guests re-examine the 80s movies we love or have overlooked, all through a contemporary lens. Nathan Blackwell of Squishy Studios brings his award-winning experience from projects like Voyage Trekkers, Star Saga, and the upcoming Last Movie Ever Made. Comedian Krissy Lenz, Director of the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre in Downtown Mesa, AZ, offers her sharp wit. Catch Krissy live on stage every weekend if you're in the East Valley of the Greater Phoenix Area, or tune into the podcast from anywhere around the globe: The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast.

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The Witcher • S2 E3-4

TruStory FM — Sun, 19 Dec 2021 17:19:51 -0800

Paul, Ashley, and Matthew reconvene to discuss The Witcher, Season 2! This episode delves into episodes 3-4 of the second season.

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The Witcher • S2 E1-2

TruStory FM — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 16:22:41 -0800

Paul, Ashley, and Matthew team up to talk about The Witcher, Season 2! In this episode, we cover episodes 1-2 of the second season. We'll have three more episodes coming soon, covering the rest of the season.

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The Witcher • S1 Primer Part 2

TruStory FM — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 10:59:34 -0800

As excitement builds for Season 2 of The Witcher, join Ashley Coffin, Paul Hoppe, and Matthew Fox for the second part of our comprehensive primer on Season 1. Originally intended for Pandavision, we're sharing this essential catch-up here to ensure you're fully prepared for the adventures that lie ahead in the new season.

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Cowboy Bebop Live Action: Part Two

TruStory FM — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 08:31:34 -0800

Jump back into the world of the live-action Cowboy Bebop with Paul and Matthew as they tackle the ethical questions arising from the latter half of the series. They'll dissect the moral dilemmas and decisions that the characters face, shedding light on the complexities of this adaptation.

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Midnight Mass

TruStory FM — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 06:05:02 -0800

When a pastor and a pastor's kid delve into Netflix's Midnight Mass, the conversation is anything but typical. Join Matthew and Matt Carroll as they dissect the ethical dilemmas surrounding church leadership, the manipulation of faith to justify heinous acts, and yes, even vampires. This episode unpacks the profound questions raised by the series, illuminating the shadowy intersection of spirituality and horror.

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MMMBop, Cowboy Bebop, Ba Duba Dop...

TruStory FM — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 15:27:23 -0800

Let's talk Cowboy Bebop, episodes 1-5. Are Spike and Jet heroes, anti-heroes, or something else? What's going on in this post-Earth society? Paul and I jump into these questions and more.

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Eternals: The Ethics of Anthills

TruStory FM — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 08:55:17 -0800

Would you disturb an anthill to build a garden or something else you needed? What if humanity was the anthill? Is it better to force people to do good things, or let them do terrible ones? Eternals raised some great questions, and Pete Wright of The Next Reel joins me to explore them.

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The Jedi Need an HR Department

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 05:55:04 -0800

Could the Jedi have been saved? Was their downfall inherent in their structure, their rules, their repression? Did Anakin just need a good HR officer to take his complaints to?

Rob and Jonah join me to talk about the fall of the Jedi, and how we might have rebuilt the order.

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Multiverse Multi Opinions

TruStory FM — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:17:24 -0700

Let's talk multiverses! Paul Hoppe and I dive into the questions raised by telling stories in a multiverse.

Note—this episode may be a bit controversial, as both of us are not as gung-ho as many others about the way the multiverse is playing out in the MCU. This episode is NOT an attempt to argue with people who are loving the multiverse, or to shame them or to in any way question that. If you're super excited to see how the multiverse plays out—that is awesome, and if you're not interested in folks talking about why they're not as gung-ho, no worries, we'll have another episode coming along soon.

We decided to make this episode for two reasons:

We’ve heard from a number of people who also aren’t as excited about the multiverse as many others are, and they wanted to hear folks talk about a different perspective.
Various folks who are super excited about this asked good-faith questions about why one or both of us are not on board, and so I/we wanted to take some time to address those questions.

If that sounds interesting, check it out! If not, no worries, and we’ll be back next week with a more traditional ethics episode!

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Ethics of Dune

TruStory FM — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 08:38:29 -0700

Can there ever be such a thing as benevolent colonialism, as Duke Leto attempts in Frank Herbert's Dune? How does the novel dissect the concept of a messiah and its effects on and interactions with characters like Paul, the Bene Gesserit, and the Fremen? Join me and my friend, former colleague from my pastoral days, Chris McArdle, as we delve into these topics and more.

Chris McArdle is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, serving the First Congregational Church of Anoka, Minnesota. A self-proclaimed lifelong geek, Chris was introduced to Star Wars at the tender age of three and has since explored numerous other sci-fi universes. His interest in genre literature—especially works that incorporate religious imagery and themes—complements his quest for the perfect mac & cheese, an earthly delight he has cherished for years.

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True Blood • S1 E5-8

TruStory FM — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 06:43:49 -0700

Sink your fangs into the next installment of Superhero Ethics After Dark as Ashley and I dissect episodes 5 through 8 of True Blood's first season. Please note this podcast is for audiences 18 and older.

As I celebrate my honeymoon, this episode will stand in for our regular Superhero Ethics podcast this week. Ordinarily, After Dark is an additional treat, not a substitute for our weekly discussions.

Superhero Ethics After Dark is our venture into the more mature themes of popular shows, exploring the ethical questions they provoke. This series isn't shy about delving into issues such as sexuality, which is why it carries an 18+ rating. Rest assured, we maintain our signature ethical analysis and format while indulging in the show's portrayal of sexuality and voicing our unabashed enthusiasms.

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Hollywood Labor and Ethical Fandom

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 06:10:18 -0700

In the midst of a potential Hollywood strike and high-profile disputes like ScarJo vs. Disney, fans are left wondering how to navigate the current landscape. I'm joined by three industry professionals from the TruStory FM entertainment podcast network to discuss the impact of these events and how they influence our viewing choices.

During the show, we discussed the importance of supporting film and television workers. Here is the petition for a fair deal for these behind-the-scenes heroes: Tell AMPTP to Give Film and Television Workers a Fair Deal

Mandy Fabian
Named "Best New Filmmaker of the Year" by NewFilmmakers LA, Mandy Fabian has co-created and directed Lifetime's "The Young Hillary Diaries" and won an Emmy for Jane Lynch through her Amazon digital series "Dropping the Soap." She is currently in post-production on her first feature "Jess Plus None," and co-hosts the podcast "Mandcave."

Andy Nelson
With nearly 25 years in film, television, documentary, and commercial production, Andy Nelson is a partner at TruStory FM, where he continues his passion for storytelling through various shows including The Next Reel and Marvel Movie Minute.

Pete Wright
As a founder of TruStory FM, Pete Wright has produced and hosted a wide array of podcasts covering topics from movies to mental health. His work is dedicated to aiding others in telling compelling stories.

TruStory FM

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Krakoa and Mutant Separatism

TruStory FM — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 06:30:03 -0700

A dedicated homeland for the X-Men and all mutants—Krakoa. Should we consider mutants as a sovereign nation? Does this validate Magneto's vision? Join Will and Steve from the Hype is my Superpower Podcast as we delve into these intricate topics, inspired by the Krakoa storyline in the X-Men comics.

Haven't read the comics? No problem! Neither have I. We're using the Krakoa arc as a springboard to discuss the wider implications of the characters and themes across various media, from the printed page to the big screen.

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Is Starfleet a Military?

TruStory FM — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 12:00:53 -0700

How does the militarization of space raise ethical questions? Is it problematic to arrive at a first contact situation aboard a vessel bristling with armaments? And who holds the reins of decision-making when communication with civilian authorities is delayed by the vast distances of space?

Rob McKenzie rejoins us to explore these dilemmas within the universes of Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate, and other sci-fi franchises.

In this episode, we recommend a selection of thought-provoking books. By purchasing them through The Ethical Panda affiliate link, you'll not only receive a lower price but also support local bookstores and this podcast!

Shop and support at The Ethical Panda's Bookshop

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True Blood • S1 E1-4

TruStory FM — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 10:05:02 -0700

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Superhero Ethics After Dark—strictly for listeners 18 and over, please.

Join Ashley and me as we sink our teeth into True Blood, the HBO series where vampires make their public debut in rural Louisiana. We're starting off with a discussion on Season 1, Episodes 1-4, analyzing the ethical quandaries of vampire existence. Is Sookie's approach to vampires compassionate or naïve? How does the show serve as a metaphor for real-world issues? And will Ashley be able to focus on anything other than her intense attraction to Eric Northman (ER)?

Superhero Ethics After Dark is our new series where we examine shows that candidly address topics like sexuality—content that requires an 18+ rating. We're bringing the same ethical lens and format you've come to expect, but we'll be delving deeper into various issues raised by the show, including its treatment of sexuality and, of course, our unabashed enthusiasm for the characters.

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Purple Man, Empath, and the Ethics of Total Control

TruStory FM — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 06:05:09 -0700

What sense of morality emerges when you're never denied anything? Can one learn the importance of not causing harm when they have the power to manipulate emotions at will? Join us as Will and Steve from Hype is my Superpower delve into the complexities of these questions. We'll discuss the portrayals of Purple Man in Jessica Jones and Empath from X-Men, examining the ethical dimensions of characters with the ability to exert total control.

For more insights and discussions, be sure to check out Will's Twitch channel: sylverdreamer.

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Ethics of Shang-Chi

TruStory FM — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 06:15:02 -0700

Join us as we plunge into the ethical quandaries presented in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings! We'll dissect the complex character of Wenwu. Is he truly a villain, merely an antagonist, or perhaps the most compelling Anakin Skywalker archetype we've seen to date?

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What If We Talked About 'What If...?'

TruStory FM — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 10:32:21 -0700

Join us as we delve into the ethical questions sparked by the Marvel series "What If...?" This episode features a discussion with Will and Steve from the Hype is my Superpower Podcast, where we explore the alternate realities and moral conundrums of the show.

Discover more on Hype is my Superpower

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Comics in the Classroom

TruStory FM — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 06:20:18 -0700

Batman may face down the Joker, and Cap was ready to take on Thanos alone—but no hero is braver than the middle school teacher! Social studies teacher and longtime panda enthusiast Emily Cissell joins us to talk about how she uses comic books in her classroom.

Emily Cissell is a middle school social studies teacher, also known as a real-life superhero. She harbors a borderline obsession with Captain Marvel, Loki, and her dog Hemingway. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter: @emilyorlou.

Some of the links she mentioned on the podcast were:

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When Robins Leave the Nest

TruStory FM — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 06:10:17 -0700

Join Jessica Plummer and me as we explore the pivotal moments when Robin steps out from the Caped Crusader's shadow. We discuss Tim Drake's recent coming out, Dick Grayson's struggle with his Robin identity, and Jason Todd's efforts to forge his own path.

Plus, Jess has released a new book! Purchase it through the link below for a discount, and you'll also be supporting the podcast:

Support us and get a discount on Jess's new book!

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The Suicide Squad

TruStory FM — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 06:00:03 -0700

Paul Hoppe and Jessica Plummer join me to unravel the ethical conundrums presented in The Suicide Squad. We dissect character motivations, moral dilemmas, and the surprisingly deep layers within the film.

Jess's latest publication is now available, and as a bonus for our listeners, purchasing through the link below offers you a discount while supporting the podcast!

Get Jess's book with a discount and support the podcast

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What Happens Next?

TruStory FM — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 06:05:13 -0700

The tyrant has fallen, and the empire is no more—the story concludes, or does it? Join Paul Hoppe and me as we delve into the uncharted territories that sequels and prequels navigate. What does it take to extend a narrative beyond its original ending, and how does one craft a tale that maintains the spirit of the original while charting new courses?

A special shoutout to freecplad3454, Paul's 50th Twitch follower, for commissioning this episode. Check out Paul's streams at twitch.tv/zenmadman. Interested in commissioning your own episode? Reach out to me at theethicalpanda@gmail.com, and let's make it happen!

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Raya, Luca, and the Wisdom of Kids Movies

TruStory FM — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 06:10:14 -0700

Paul is back to explore the vibrant worlds of Luca and Raya and the Last Dragon. Together, we delve into the profound themes each movie presents, from trust and identity to queer representation and the intersection of legend with reality. We also challenge the notion that children's movies are trivial by highlighting the powerful storytelling they offer. Join us as we uncover the wisdom woven into these animated tales.

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Loki Part 2: Ethical Variants

TruStory FM — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 05:35:03 -0700

Was the death of He Who Remains a necessity? Did Loki fall short in representing the queer community? And just how did "Thank you Daddy Disney" and "Schrödinger's Kang" become part of our conversation? Paul Hoppe and Fox Kaye return to ponder these questions and more in our latest deep dive into the ethical quandaries of the Loki series.

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Black Widow Ethics

TruStory FM — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 08:03:53 -0700

Paul and Ashley team up with me to tackle the ethical questions posed in Black Widow. We delve into character agency, the cultural significance of the film, and the spectacularly chaotic falling fortress fight scenes.

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Shadows and Bones and Anti-Heroes, Oh My!

TruStory FM — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 06:25:18 -0700

Returning guest Becky Allen is back to delve into the world of Shadow & Bone, comparing the TV series with the books they're based on. Don't worry if you're not familiar with the show or the books—our discussion is packed with insightful commentary that all fans of storytelling will appreciate.

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Thirst Feedback

TruStory FM — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 06:00:05 -0700

The conversation sparked by our episode on the ethics of thirst, particularly concerning queerness, has generated a wealth of listener feedback. Ashley returns to join me in sifting through the responses. We cover the outpouring of support, address some critical remarks, and, quite impressively, we manage to keep our discussion under 35 minutes—though with ads, it's a tad longer.

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Burdened with Glorious Ethical Questions

TruStory FM — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 06:10:11 -0700

Join Paul and me as we grapple with profound ethical dilemmas: Is it justifiable to commit genocide against entire civilizations based on their choices? We'll also discuss the significance of Loki's bisexuality becoming canon and whether the series has adequately explored his gender fluidity. Plus, we can't talk about Loki without delving into the complexities of redemption arcs.

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Queer Heroes and Representation

TruStory FM — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 06:10:08 -0700

In honor of Pride month, we're diving into the significance of queer representation in science fiction, fantasy, and superhero narratives. We'll discuss why representation is crucial, its particular importance to the queer community, and Hollywood's often flawed execution.

Joining us is special guest Shiri Sondheimer, a pansexual crone known for her passionate rants about books and comics on Book Riot and the Roarbots. Shiri's short stories appear in anthologies such as Unlocking the Magic: A Fantasy Anthology and Women In Horror 2016. She's also explored the interplay between music and creativity in "Fantasy Art and Studies" Issue 10 and contributed to the forthcoming The Expanse and Philosophy. When not weaving her "cactus garbage" genre tales, she's an amateur herpetologist.

Follow Shiri on Twitter: @SWSondheimer, Instagram: @Irate_Corvus, and visit her website.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Feedback!

TruStory FM — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:00:11 -0700

Mail Bag! Join Paul and me as we delve into your feedback, answering specific questions about the stories we've covered.

Spoiler Warning: This episode contains numerous spoilers. We've listed the topics below with their corresponding timestamps, so you can skip any section to avoid spoilers for stories you haven't seen yet.

Invincible: Starts at 3:20
Guest Criteria: Starts at 28:46
Avatar: The Last Airbender: Starts at 45:06
The Ethics of Thirst: Starts at 54:28
Godzilla vs Kong: Starts at 1:02:20
Warrior: Starts at 1:14:44

Feel free to jump ahead to the sections you're ready for!

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Jupiter's Lethality

TruStory FM — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 10:49:51 -0700

Should superheroes make a vow to never kill? Is there a moral difference between killing in battle and executing a supervillain to prevent future crimes? We explore these intense debates using Jupiter's Legacy as a starting point for broader discussion—no need to have seen the show, as one of our guests hasn't either! Joining me are Paul Hoppe and Jessica Plummer.

During the episode, we reference a past discussion on the Superman comic Kingdom Come. Listen to that episode here.

Jessica has contributed a story to the highly anticipated anthology Sword Stone Table, which is available for pre-order. Get your copy here.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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The Ethics of Thirst

TruStory FM — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 06:15:19 -0700

Ashley Coffin joins us to unpack the ethics of "thirst" within fandom culture.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Daredevil on Page and Screen

TruStory FM — Wed, 26 May 2021 06:05:16 -0700

What drives Matt Murdock to don the mantle of Daredevil? We delve into the complexities that trouble his conscience and faith when he puts on the mask and explore how these issues are portrayed differently on screen compared to the comic books.

Joining us are Will and Steve from the Hype is My Superpower podcast for the inaugural episode of our On Screen & Page series. We'll compare and contrast how characters and ethical dilemmas are addressed in the original comic book narratives versus their adaptations on screen.

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Ethically Invincible

TruStory FM — Thu, 20 May 2021 06:05:06 -0700

Zuhair Ali from the Animation Deliberation Podcast joins us to dissect ethical questions raised in Season 1 of Invincible. This series reimagines familiar superhero tropes, offering a fresh and thought-provoking narrative. Whether you're a seasoned viewer or new to the show, this discussion is packed with intriguing topics for all superhero enthusiasts.

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Warrior Mafias

TruStory FM — Wed, 12 May 2021 06:00:15 -0700

Can you be a hero while being a part of a mafia, gang, tong, or cartel? Join Paul and me as we use the HBO show Warrior to explore this complex question and more.

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Comics History Part 5 • The Bronze Age

TruStory FM — Fri, 07 May 2021 13:16:50 -0700

The Comics Code gets sidelined, teen angst and diversity rise among our heroes, and Wonder Woman graces the cover of Ms. Magazine—the Bronze Age of comic books was indeed a wild time. Jessica Plummer returns to discuss this captivating period in comic book history with me.

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Giant Animals Smashing Buildings

TruStory FM — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 06:05:08 -0700

Proving that we can find an ethical discussion in any media (and that we haven't forgotten how to talk about topics other than Falcon and the Winter Soldier), we're diving deep into the ethical questions of the MonsterVerse. Are they monsters, Titans, or animals, and why does the terminology we use matter? What are the dangers of humans seeing themselves as the rulers of nature, and how does nature retaliate? Paul and I are joined by Stranded Panda regular Nate Muzzy to unpack these questions and more.

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The Ethics of Falcon and the Winter Soldier • Episode 6

TruStory FM — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 09:36:01 -0700

Dive into the final chapter of our ethical exploration with episode 6 of Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Will Freeland and Paul Hoppe return as guests to dissect the themes of justice and morality that come to a head in the series' climactic conclusion.

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The Ethics of Falcon and the Winter Soldier • Episode 5

TruStory FM — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 10:59:06 -0700

In this episode, Paul, Will, and I delve into the ethical issues brought to light in episode 5 of Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Here are the links to the discussions we referenced in the episode:

Also, check out the TikTok from FreddiesRoomate that's sparked further conversation: FreddiesRoomate on TikTok

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The Ethics of Falcon and the Winter Soldier • Episode 4

TruStory FM — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 06:05:19 -0700

In this episode, we confront the moral dilemmas posed by the Super Soldier Serum: Would you take it if you had the chance? Is John Walker a murderer, or is Karli Morgenthau? Will Freeland rejoins Paul and Matthew to dissect these ethical conundrums from Episode 4 of Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Will Freeland is not only a podcast host and avid Marvel enthusiast but also a co-host of the Hype is My Superpower podcast. Based in Southern California, he's active in the podcast’s Facebook group and Instagram page, both named after the show.

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The Ethics of Falcon and the Winter Soldier • Episode 3

TruStory FM — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 10:58:30 -0700

Join us as we tackle the ethical quandaries surfaced in episode 3 of Falcon and the Winter Soldier. This week, Will Freeland, co-host of the Hype is My Superpower podcast, lends his insights to our discussion.

To engage with more content and join the conversation, visit the Hype is My Superpower Facebook group. (Note: Facebook login required to access the group.)

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Successors, Sidekicks, and Batman Beyond

TruStory FM — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 06:00:17 -0700

Throughout the years, Batman has mentored numerous sidekicks, but it isn't until Terry McGinnis commandeers the Batsuit that Bruce Wayne truly discovers a successor. What distinguishes a successor from a sidekick, and how do factors like age and agency influence this dynamic? What obligations did Bruce have to his wards and sidekicks, and in what ways does Terry represent a departure from these relationships? Join Ashley, Paul, and me as we draw multiple parallels to Captain America, The Falcon, and The Winter Soldier. Spoiler alert: There are plenty!

Please note: This episode contains minor spoilers for Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and major spoilers for Batman Beyond, Batman: The Animated Series, and Justice League Unlimited.

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The Ethics of Falcon and the Winter Soldier • Episode 2

TruStory FM — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 14:32:01 -0700

Given the multitude of ethical issues that Falcon and the Winter Soldier is surfacing, we've decided to commit to a weekly recording schedule—there's no holding back with minisodes. There's just too much to unpack, reflecting the depth and complexity of the themes the show itself is addressing.

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X-Men: Queer and Disabled Identity

TruStory FM — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 06:00:18 -0700

The X-Men have long served as allegories for various civil and human rights issues. Films like X2, X3: The Last Stand, and Days of Future Past particularly resonate with metaphors for queer and disabled identities. Brand Grinslade joins me as we delve into those connections.

Brand Grinslade, a non-binary nerd from just outside Chicago, Illinois, is a musician and graphic designer with a lifetime of nerdy nurturing. They possess a passion for dissecting all things nerdy to uncover the profound truths within.

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The Ethics of Falcon and the Winter Soldier • Episode 1

TruStory FM — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 08:30:03 -0700

We hadn't initially intended to create episode-by-episode discussions on the ethics of Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but the series presented so many compelling questions that Paul Hoppe and I were inspired to record a spontaneous episode.

In this session, we tackle the complex themes of racism and nationalism, delve into Bucky's ongoing trauma, and examine Sam's intricate relationship with the military.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Superhuman Public Radio

TruStory FM — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 06:45:24 -0700

Envision a world teeming with superhumans: heroes and villains abound, and amidst them all, an NPR-style radio station tailored for the super-powered community. The creative minds behind the Superhuman Public Radio podcast join me to delve into the gig economy for henchpeople, the immigration rights of extraterrestrials, and the ways their passion for comic books as moral allegories inspired their innovative project.

Superhuman Public Radio (SPR) stands as an independent, nonprofit media organization dedicated to crafting a more informed superhuman populace. Daily, SPR reaches millions of superhumans through the airwaves, online platforms, and in-person engagements, striving to dissect the news, ideas, and the essence of what it means to be superhuman. With a network of member stations, SPR elevates local stories to a national audience, brings national narratives into local context, and personalizes global events.

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Ethics of WandaVision

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 06:15:17 -0800

Is Wanda Maximoff a hero, an antihero, or does she resemble a Batman villain within the MCU? Does Agatha Harkness deserve 'sitcom jail' as her sentence? Moreover, did the Ship of Theseus debate present the most Star Trek-esque moment in MCU history? Join Matt Carroll, Paul Hoppe, and me as we unravel the complex ethical quandaries posed by WandaVision.

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Copies and Clones and Questions, Oh My!

TruStory FM — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 07:25:39 -0800

Are you legally responsible for the actions of your clone? What truly defines the self, and is it possible to upload or copy one's consciousness? Rob McKenzie joins me for a deep dive into the realm of science fiction to explore the perplexing questions that arise from the concept of digitized consciousness.

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X-Men: Dark Phoenix

TruStory FM — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 09:12:15 -0800

Can mutants earn love and acceptance by embodying heroism? Is Magneto's vision of peace through separation attainable? And does Charles truly have Jean's best interests at heart, or is he protecting her from her powers and past for his own reasons?

Join Paul, Ashley, and Matthew as they delve into these questions and more while unpacking X-Men: Dark Phoenix!

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The Fate of the Terminator

TruStory FM — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 06:00:18 -0800

What is the role of fate in the Terminator films? How faithfully do the subsequent movies adhere to this concept? And what actions can one take when they foresee the potential tragedy their current decisions might lead to?

Joining us in this episode is Becky Allen, author of Bound by Blood and Sand and its sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm. Raised just outside Ithaca, New York, Becky is a Brandeis University alumna with a major in American Studies and a minor in Journalism. She currently serves as the product manager for TheBody.com, an online HIV resource, and is an avid supporter of New York, brunch, and feminism.

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Fire the Anti-Canon

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 06:10:18 -0800

What if the Batman narrative unfolded in the late 19th century? What if Superman championed the ideals of the Soviet Union, having landed there instead of the United States? What happens when narratives take our cherished characters and defy canon by placing them in entirely different times, settings, situations, or tones?

Paul Hoppe (@zenmadman) takes the reins, spearheading a conversation with Matthew Fox and Ashley Coffin.

In this episode, we reference the following previous discussions:

Our episode on Red Son: Ep 58: Red Son Zenith
Our episode on Canon: The Value and Danger of Canon

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Comics History Part 4 • The Silver Age – Part 2

TruStory FM — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 05:45:17 -0800

We're familiar with the X-Men of today, but what were their origins? What questions did they explore that still hold relevance for us today? And what in the world was happening on Batman '66?

Jess Plummer joins us for Part 2 of our dive into the Silver Age in Comics History.

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Comics History Part 3 • The Silver Age – Part 1

TruStory FM — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 06:00:15 -0800

How did Marvel revolutionize the comic book industry in the 60s? Who were Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and what made the idea of relatable superheroes resonate so deeply with readers? Jessica Plummer and I explore these questions and more in the third episode of our Comics History Series!

Jessica Plummer resides in New York and is an ardent Superman fan. Discover the extent of her passion on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights. She also pens articles about comics and literature at BookRiot.com. You can follow her on Twitter @jess_plummer.

For her obituary of Stan Lee, visit Stan Lee's Real Legacy.

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Dr. Doom and the Nature of Villains

Superhero Ethics — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 06:00:15 -0800

Dr. Doom is one of the most iconic villains in comic book history. Yet, he often transcends the traditional role of a villain, assuming the mantle of an anti-hero, a reluctant ally, or sometimes even a hero, all while maintaining his distinctive identity and perspective. Special guest J. Scotty St. Claire joins me for an in-depth discussion on Doctor Doom, exploring how his varied depictions illuminate the influential role of context in delineating the villain from the hero.

J. Scotty St. Clair is a media jack-of-all-trades, an emerging content creator, and a contributor to the Stranded Panda Network. His expertise spans across comic books, podcasting, drawing fandom-centric cartoons, dissecting film/TV narratives, and belting out karaoke tunes.

Connect with J. Scotty on Twitter: @JScott4Reel, Instagram: @JScotty4Reel, and catch him on Stranded Panda TV on Twitch.

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Cobra Kai • S3: Results-Oriented Morality

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 06:00:17 -0800

When you do the right thing and bad things happen, does it mean you made a mistake? Paul and Matthew delve into the concept of results-oriented thinking and examine how Johnny succumbs to this pitfall with respect to morality and consequences in Season 3 of Cobra Kai. We also discuss the repercussions of violence, question why no one receives therapy in the Miyagi-verse, and explore how a show that began as an interesting critique of 1980s action movies ended up emulating them in its third season.

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Wonder Woman 84

TruStory FM — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 08:40:53 -0800

The new Wonder Woman movie is out, and Jessica Plummer and I have opinions! What have we learned about Wonder Woman, and what questions do we still have? What is the significance of a final battle fought with words, not weapons? And did a movie set in the 1980s need to draw on so many of the sexist and racist tropes of that era?

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The Value and Danger of Canon

TruStory FM — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 06:00:20 -0800

What makes canon and continuity such vital components of modern genre media? What are the dangers of becoming too focused on canon? MCUCast co-hosts Matthew Carroll and Jeff Randle join me to unpack these questions.

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The Stand • The Book and the Series

Superhero Ethics — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 12:12:06 -0800

What is it like to read a book about a world-ending pandemic in the time of Covid? How do we find shades of grey in a tale of a final battle between good and evil? And is it possible to tell a compelling story where the characters have almost no agency, and the plot is the least important part of the book?

A new limited series of The Stand is coming in December, and to help get us ready (and prep for our episodes about it on Pandavision), we’re starting with a deep dive into the book!

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Supernatural • The Ethics of Endings

TruStory FM — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 06:00:04 -0800

What did Supernatural have to say about found family and the conflict between agency and determinism? Why did the ending of Castiel and Dean’s story cause so much controversy? And can Matthew, Jacob, & Ashley get through this episode without humming enough of “Carry On My Wayward Son” to get us all sued?

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Ethics by Stormlight

TruStory FM — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 09:36:47 -0800

What are the ethical responsibilities of a king? When do the ends justify the means? And what does it mean to create a relatable disabled character in a world of magic?

Rob McKenzie returns to discuss these questions and more as we get ready for Rhythm of War, the latest book in the Stormlight Archive. Whether you’re a huge fan of the books or have never heard of them, this discussion has plenty to enjoy (and no spoilers for Rhythm of War!).

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Escape Into Reality: Alex Trebek and the Value of Facts

TruStory FM — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 06:00:15 -0800

With the passing of Alex Trebek, we reflect on the impact of Jeopardy! and trivia contests. While trivia may not be a superpower, these competitions have a significant overlap with our fandoms. In this episode, we explore the show's importance in our culture. What is the value of objective fact? Why was a show about knowing facts so popular? And just how should we pronounce 'genre'?

To catch Paul Hoppe’s stream, visit ZenMadMen on Twitch.

To hear Alex Trebek teach us how to say 'genre', check out the clip on YouTube.

To listen to Matthew on the trivia podcast The Geek Bracket, head over to Stitcher.

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Fandom with a Critical Lens

TruStory FM — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 06:00:16 -0800

What does it mean to be a fan with a critical eye? How do we relate to the stories we loved as kids, as we come to see some of their problematic aspects? How do we balance our values with the desire to be entertained in an imperfect world? Logan Grendel returns to the podcast as we talk about these questions and more.

Logan Grendel is a dog guru, photographer, activist, urban gardener, magick practitioner, artist, musician, and nonbinary Black leftist rabble-rouser, who discusses all that and more on the Focused on Infinity podcast and Twitch stream. A lifelong fan of comics, fantasy, and dystopian tales of all kinds, Logan’s own photo/graphic novel creation, Harlequin’s Song, was completed in 2006 and has never seemed more timely. For the many places where Logan's work can be found online, click here.

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The Un-Tropes of Queen's Gambit

TruStory FM — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 06:00:12 -0700

Paul and I talk about tropes in our favorite movies and shows, using the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit as our launch point. What makes a trope annoying or problematic, and where can they be helpful to a story, especially one involving superheroes? How does The Queen's Gambit both embrace and subvert tropes in ways that make it such an engaging story? And we ponder the question: Is chess a superpower?

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The Boys • Ethics of Season 2

TruStory FM — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 06:00:16 -0700

Season 2 of The Boys has wrapped up, and we're diving into some of the ethical questions it raised. When superheroes are the product, who holds the real power? How did this season hold up a mirror to questions in our own world? And what role will AOC... I mean Congresswoman Neuman play in season 3—will she be an anti-hero, or the new big bad?

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Comics History Part 2 • Comics Code Censorship

TruStory FM — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 06:00:22 -0700

In part two of our history of comic book superheroes, we round out the golden age with a discussion of the Comics Code Authority, which sought to rescue America's youth from the "10 cent plague!"

Jessica Plummer lives in New York and is a passionate Superman enthusiast. You can hear the extent of her Superman love on her podcast, Flights and Tights. She also writes about comics and the broader literary world at BookRiot.com. Connect with her on Twitter @jess_plummer.

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Finn and the Character that Could Have Been

TruStory FM — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 05:55:13 -0700

'Do not market a black character as important and then push them aside.' - John Boyega, GQ Magazine

In a recent interview, John Boyega, who played Finn, expressed his frustration and anger at how his character was treated in the Star Wars sequels. Jared Sylva and Matthew Westfox use that interview as a jumping-off point to discuss all the potential this character had and how it wasn’t fully realized. Could we have had two Jedi? What stories could be told by digging deep into the mindset of a stormtrooper who goes rogue, and how does he inspire others? What happens when a soldier raised by the army from birth has to shoot at his former compatriots, who are also former child soldiers?

Jared Sylva is a life-long Star Wars fan and a professional geek as the Organized Play department manager for Star City Games, who loves sharing the movies and shows he loves with his two young children. You can reach out to Jared on Twitter @JaredSylva.

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Rob & Matthew's Excellent Time Travel Adventure

TruStory FM — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 06:10:08 -0700

Rob & Matthew's excellent time travel episode!

After months of ranting about the logical and ethical problems with time travel, Matthew invited OG Time Lord Rob McKenzie to explain it all. We look at different theories of time travel, and which movies and TV shows make the most sense. We explore moral questions such as human agency versus a predetermined timeline, who gets to decide what the timeline 'should' be, what is the responsibility of someone who can go back in time to make things 'right,' and will Matthew ever find a time travel story that doesn't drive him up the damn wall.

Particular focus on Star Trek: City on the Edge of Forever, Umbrella Academy, and Bill & Ted.

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Mercy, Honor, and Karate in Cobra Kai

TruStory FM — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 06:00:06 -0700

Mercy. Honor. Heroes. Bullies. Teen love triangles. 80’s music. Karate.
Paul and Matthew dive into the Karate Kid 'verse with the hit TV show Cobra Kai. What does it mean to be a bully or a hero, and how do we lock ourselves, and others, into those boxes? What happens when the victim gains enough power to become a bully themselves? Is physical violence an ethical response to verbal bullying?

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Villains vs. Systems

TruStory FM — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 10:15:32 -0700

You’ve killed the evil queen—but what happens to the kingdom? Does the evil gang/company/movement just go away when you kill their leader? And if your goal is to kill that leader, is it your responsibility to come up with a plan for what happens next?

Paul joins Matthew to dive into these questions and more. We use Avatar: Legend of Korra as a jumping-off point and look at how the questions are addressed in a number of 'verses.

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Speculating on Black Widow

TruStory FM — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 06:00:19 -0700

We don’t know when the movie is coming out, but we’re talking Black Widow! My cousin (to be) Ellie joins me to dive into questions like why this character is so important, to the team and to us fans, her death and how it was handled, and our thoughts on the upcoming movie.

Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ellie McCreary is a senior at Creighton University studying psychology and philosophy. She enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, contemplating the meaning of life, and baking.

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Comics History Part 1 • The Golden Age – WWII

TruStory FM — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 07:23:30 -0700

When discussing superheroes and the decisions they make, a favorite topic among fans is the origins of these characters and how they have evolved through different writers and mediums. Today, we kick off a special series where Matthew is joined by superhero history expert Jess Plummer. Together, we will trace the history and development of these caped crusaders. Expect new episodes about once a month.

In our inaugural episode, we're traveling back to the dawn of the golden age, from Superman's first appearance to the end of World War II. We'll delve into the Jewish origins of Superman, the gender theories of Wonder Woman's creator, the nature of heroism, and the recurring theme of superheroes enthusiastically punching Nazis.

Jessica Plummer, based in New York, adores Superman to the max. You can hear just how much on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights. She also pens articles about comics and literature at BookRiot.com. Connect with her on Twitter @jess_plummer.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Old Guard • Ethics of Immortality

TruStory FM — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 06:00:13 -0700

How do you value human life when yours cannot end? What responsibility comes with the great power of (near) immortality? And is there anyone left who is NOT in love with action star Charlize Theron?

Special guest Fox Kaye joins Matthew for a discussion of the ethical questions raised by The Old Guard, available on Netflix.

Cleveland creative Fox Kaye spends most of their days as a data integration specialist, fantasizing about their next D&D session or video game adventure between queries. In their free time, they can also be found on both sides of a camera: working as a model and character entertainer, as well as a photographer. They can be found on most corners of the web as Voidfox21.

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Transforming Ethics

TruStory FM — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 05:55:12 -0700

What happens when the revolution ends, and it's time to give up power? Is there value to fighting with honor? And what is a robot society like when they are the only form of life?

Paul and Matthew dive into these questions and more. Their conversation starts with Transformers: War for Cybertron, but no matter how much or little you know about Transformers, the discussion has plenty to explore.

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Avengers Accountability

TruStory FM — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 12:14:13 -0700

Who should Tony Stark answer to for Ultron? What about Scarlet Witch, for the events in Nigeria? Who should the Avengers be accountable to, and were the Sokovia Accords reasonable? Paul and I discuss issues of accountability across many of the Avengers movies and wrestle with the age-old question—Team Tony, or Team Cap.

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Westfox Disconnected: Introducing Pandavision

TruStory FM — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 03:00:00 -0700

With Matthew experiencing an internet outage, we're taking this opportunity to introduce you to our new show, Pandavision! This episode dives into Amazon's The Boys. Give it a listen and be sure to subscribe to Pandavision for more!

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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All-Star Guest Line-Up

TruStory FM — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 05:50:17 -0700

For our milestone 100th episode, we assembled a panel of FIVE distinguished guests for a riveting discussion on some of our favorite ethical quandaries. Who should heroes answer to? What defines a compelling villain? And in these trying times, would it be ethical for a person with mind-control powers to compel universal mask-wearing until the pandemic's conclusion?

Joining our all-star line-up were former co-hosts Paul Hoppe and Jacob Milicic, along with fan favorites Jessica Plummer, Becky Allen, and Matthew Carroll.

For a visual treat, you can watch the recorded live stream of our centennial episode here.

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Were the Jedi the Villains? The Ethics of the Clone Wars

TruStory FM — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 05:55:02 -0700

The Clone Wars TV series adds layers of nuance and moral complexity to the well-known stories of Anakin's fall and the demise of the Jedi, while also exploring questions that resonate with our own world. What becomes of peacekeepers when they take on the role of generals? What is the moral value of clones, and how is their treatment justified? And what are the consequences when a war is fought without understanding its underlying reasons?

Joining me to delve deep into these issues are Star Wars aficionados and former guests Paul Hoppe and Jonah Kellman. Together, we'll tackle these ethical dilemmas and more as we dissect the rich thematic material presented in The Clones Wars TV show.

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The Rights of the Unpowered

TruStory FM — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 05:45:08 -0700

What happens to normal people when others get powers? What rights do they have, and are those rights respected? And when the people in power push the non-powered around, what happens when the non-powered push back?

Paul and I discuss non-powered individuals in worlds where others wield extraordinary abilities. We focus particularly on Avatar: Legend of Korra, Season 1, and how it addresses this question, but we also broaden the topic to cover numerous other stories. Whether you're a hardcore Korra fan or have never seen the series, you'll be able to follow the discussion.

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Ozark: There Be Ethics in Dem Der Hills

TruStory FM — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 05:55:04 -0700

While Ozark is a bit outside our normal topic and doesn’t have many heroes, it certainly has a lot of villains with different ethical perspectives, all of whom are convinced they're the good ones! Stranded Panda extraordinaire Ashley Coffin joins me as we talk about each of the characters and the difficult choices they have to make. Whether you love the show or have no idea what's going on, there is a lot here to dive into and enjoy.

Ashley Coffin is a nerd girl hailing from Philadelphia, PA, who loves all things Marvel. She is very into horror movies, has probably seen whatever show you are watching, and can frequently be found in Stranded Panda hangouts, commenting on podcasts, and kicking all of our asses at MCU trivia. She would also like you to tell your dog she said hi.

Instagram: electrical_ash
Twitter: @AshleyannCoffin

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The Ethical Color Pie: Grouping our Favs by an Ethical System

TruStory FM — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 09:22:24 -0700

What could be more entertaining than applying an ethical system from one universe to our favorite characters from others? In this episode, we take the ethical color pie from Magic: The Gathering—which categorizes ethics based on motivations and mindsets rather than actions—and see how it aligns with other characters. Don't worry if you're not familiar with MtG; if you enjoy discussing the ethical frameworks of characters like Tony Stark, Malcolm Reynolds, and Han Solo, this episode has something for you!

Rob McKenzie is a voracious reader of science fiction and fantasy, as well as a Magic: The Gathering judge hailing from Minnesota. He's dedicated to interesting books, orchestrating great gaming events, and helping others revel in their passions.

Meg Baum, a Level 3 MTG Judge and an irredeemable nerd, delights in stories, cooking, and adventure. She serves as the Judge Manager for Pastimes and occasionally works as a Decontamination Technician at nuclear power plants. Catch her on Twitch, Twitter, Facebook, and pretty much everywhere else as @mbgeekgirl.

In light of our conversation about Magic: The Gathering, and our ongoing discussions about justice and activism, we'd like to highlight an important fundraiser. The #MagicArtChallenge is a charity initiative supporting Black Lives Matter and related causes. Community members are auctioning off original Magic art, sketches, and more to raise funds for these charities. The challenge has impressively raised $20,000 so far! For more information and to get involved, visit Magic Art Challenge.

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Ethical Espionage

TruStory FM — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 07:30:16 -0700

Why does James Bond have a dangerous pattern of involving women in his missions, often leading to their harm? Can one truly engage in the art of espionage without causing collateral damage? Paul Hoppe rejoins us to delve into the ethics of espionage, this time through the lens of the TV show, Burn Notice. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, we explore universal questions pertinent to the genre: What are the moral implications of having others carry out your covert deeds? How does one navigate the conflict between serving a client or mission and adhering to a personal sense of 'right'? And at what point does one's secret identity begin to erode their true self?

Join us as we unpack these complex issues in a world where the line between good and bad is often blurred by secrecy and survival.

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No Racism in Ba Sing Se

TruStory FM — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 05:55:04 -0700

The beloved Avatar: The Last Airbender has made its return to Netflix, and it's time for a deep dive. This episode, we're focusing on the Ba Sing Se story arc and its incredible resonance with the world we live in. Why is denial so appealing, and what drives people to close their eyes to the problems around them? How do you reach someone who believes any contradicting information is a lie? And most importantly, how does this storyline mirror the issues we face today, especially in the aftermath of George Floyd's death?

Join us as we explore the themes of ignorance, acknowledgment, and the quest for truth in a city where there is "no racism," just like there is "no war in Ba Sing Se."

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Stan Lee's Soapbox

TruStory FM — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 07:38:18 -0700

Stan Lee was not only a great storyteller but also never shied away from expressing his strong convictions or from using his stories to offer new perspectives on the issues of his time. The writers of Black Panther, Avatar the Last Airbender, Star Wars, and so many other beloved shows have followed in his footsteps.

Matt and Jeff are back, and we had a great episode on the ethics of Star Wars planned. However, with all that has happened in our world in the last week, including the killing of George Floyd and the events that followed, we felt it was important to address current issues. So today we’re talking about what it means to be a fan and a content creator in difficult times, and how the stories we love help shape our understandings of violence, authority, racism, cops, and everything else.

Here is the article on Black Panther and Allyship that Matthew mentioned: How Black Panther Creates a Model for Good Allyship.

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Was Uncle Ben Wrong? Great Power and Great Responsibility with Matthew Carroll and Jeff Randle

TruStory FM — Thu, 28 May 2020 05:55:10 -0700

What did Ben Parker mean when he told Peter the famous words about power and responsibility, and do we agree with him? Who decides to whom a hero is responsible, and for what? Can believing in the responsibility that your power gives you lead you to become a villain?

Matt and Jeff from the Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast join us to delve into these questions and more!

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Catra, She-Ra, and the Ethics of Redemption

TruStory FM — Sun, 24 May 2020 23:51:31 -0700

Jess Plummer and Becky Allen join us to discuss She-Ra! What makes Catra such a compelling character? How does this show blur the lines between hero and villain, friend and dating, and different shades of morality? What makes this show such a powerful example of representation, on so many levels? And just how hard do you have to work in this world to NOT get a redemption arc?

Jessica Plummer lives in New York and loves Superman very much. You can listen to just how much on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights. She also writes about comics and books in general at BookRiot.com. Find her on Twitter @jess_plummer.

Becky Allen is the author of Bound by Blood and Sand and the sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm. She grew up outside Ithaca, New York, and graduated from Brandeis University with a major in American studies and a minor in journalism. She is the product manager for TheBody.com, an online HIV resource, and loves New York, brunch, and feminism. She is also the co-host of the Rachel & Becky Judge Things Podcast.

Here is the great article about Catra referenced during the episode: "Love Can't Make You a Villain: How She-Ra’s Catra Helped Make Sense of My Heart" on Reactor.

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Ethical Villains

TruStory FM — Thu, 14 May 2020 05:50:07 -0700

Heroes can be boring—let's talk villains! Riki Hayashi joins us to talk about the villains who have a point, the ones we can sympathize with, or even sometimes agree with. What makes someone a villain? What are the lines between a villain and a hero who is willing to do anything for the cause? We talk Sinestro, Killmonger, and what happens when Ben Sisko goes for a walk in the "Pale Moonlight".

Riki Hayakshi is also a recurring guest on the Star Wars Universe Podcast, particularly during our Clone Wars episodes.

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Parenting and Media with Jared Sylva

TruStory FM — Thu, 07 May 2020 11:25:11 -0700

This week, parent, geek, and holder of strong opinions, Jared Sylva, joins us to talk about watching geek media with kids. How do you decide what media to watch with kids, and how do you talk to them about it? What geek media offers entertainment and lessons for kids and parents alike? And how can parents deal with the so-called 'Princess Problem?'

Whether you have kids of your own or not, this conversation goes deep on the messages media sends us, and how we consume it and talk about it with others.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Picardian Ethics

TruStory FM — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 06:38:53 -0700

Who has agency in Picard? Is Seven finally getting to define her own life, on her terms? Did the Romulans have a point, and why did Picard give up on the rescue and on the Federation?

This week, Matthew is joined by two of his podcasting inspirations, Matthew Carroll and David C. Roberson, to discuss season 1 of Star Trek: Picard.

David C. Roberson is a life-long tv/film/book geek who likes to podcast and pursue various artistic endeavors. He's the co-host of DC on SCREEN, Star Trek Universe Podcast, and Breaking Bond. You can follow his artwork on Instagram @drawingwithdave, his photography @dcrphotographer, and his video work at maladjusted.tv. He tweets @davidcroberson.

Matthew Carroll is a podcaster and musician, whose Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast helped launch a wide range of genre media casts, all of which are part of the Stranded Panda Podcast Network. His other podcasts include the Star Trek Universe Podcast, the Orville Universe Podcast, Bingers Assemble, and Who Watched the Watchmen, all of which can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. All of his podcasts and music can be found at Strandedpanda.Com.

We talked about the gun-control episode of Arrow as an example of the wrong way to deal with difficult issues—here is the essay I mentioned that I wrote about it: "The Arrow That Missed: The Gun Control Episode That Said Nothing".

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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The Ethics of AI

TruStory FM — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 05:05:12 -0700

This week, we’re joined by returning guest Rob McKenzie, and first-time guest Dan McCreary to talk about the ethics of Artificial Intelligence. What is AI, and what do we mean by concepts like sentience? Why does so much sci-fi assume AI will be our enemy? And what is the moral value of robotic life?

Rob McKenzie is a science fiction and fantasy reader and Magic the Gathering judge from Minnesota. He is passionate about interesting books, running great gaming events, and helping other people have fun with their passions.

Dan McCreary has been working with AI in professional and hobby settings for many years. He is one of the co-founders of the AI Racing League, MN, which brings Artificial Intelligence education to underserved and underprivileged schools by teaching kids how to build and race model cars controlled by AI.

The movie mentioned by Dan was Colossus: The Forbin Project - IMDb.

Matthew’s podcasting on Altered Carbon can be found here - Bingers Assemble.

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The Ethics of Q

TruStory FM — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 04:00:12 -0700

Steve Peterman is back to discuss Q from Star Trek. Does Q fit the mold of a Trickster God? Do the Q have, or need a prime directive? And what happens when immortal, all-powerful beings get bored?

You can find a full list of Star Trek episodes with Q in them here.

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Birds of Prey with Jess Plummer

TruStory FM — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 06:45:20 -0700

Jessica Plummer is back to talk Birds of Prey! What happens when Margot Robbie gets to make a Harley movie HER way? Can you be a villain who only punches up? And is this the cinematic equivalent of a compliment in the bathroom from a drunk girl?

Jessica Plummer lives in New York and loves Superman very much. You can listen to just how much on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights. She also writes about comics and books in general at BookRiot.com. Find her on Twitter @jess_plummer. In this episode, she references her recent article on Book Riot, Birds of Prey, Trauma, and the Female Gaze.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Altered Carbon on Bingers Assemble

TruStory FM — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 05:45:14 -0700

As promised, I've been working overtime to bring you content to help get through social isolation, or to keep you company while you're at one of the essential jobs we're all so grateful for. We've got episodes coming soon on Birds of Prey, The Ethics of Q from Star Trek, and many more.

Over on the Bingers Assemble podcast, Matt Carroll and I have started a special quarantine project on the TV show Altered Carbon. I wanted to share that with all of you, as we delve deep into a lot of ethical issues. So here is the first episode!

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Jacob's Last Waltz & Persona 5

TruStory FM — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 08:30:52 -0700

Today’s episode is bittersweet as it marks Jacob’s last as co-host. To give him a proper send-off, we’re diving into a topic he’s been eager to talk about—using mind control to make people stop doing bad things, particularly in the video game, Persona 5. Is altering, or even completely changing, someone’s brain, a morally appropriate way to stop people from hurting others? If so, what acts justify it, and who decides? What does mind reprogramming look like as punishment in Babylon 5 and for Professor X?

Jacob is stepping down as co-host, but he will remain a supporter and occasional guest on the show. He’s had a great run and has brought so much to the podcast that I’ll forever be grateful for. Please join me in paying tribute to Jacob by sharing a favorite memory of his time, or just thanking him for being a part of this.

More info on the episode of Babylon 5 we discussed can be found here.

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Who Watches the Watchers Who Watch the Watchmen?

TruStory FM — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 06:07:29 -0800

Who heroes are accountable to is a question we frequently explore on this show. In this episode, we dive into the movie and comic book versions of Watchmen and its intriguing take on the question of accountability. What happens when so-called heroes shrug and watch as their friends commit atrocities? Would the threat of an alien invasion bring peace to our planet? And is anyone in this story remotely heroic?

Jacob had not seen the TV show, so we stuck to the movie. We will be exploring ethical questions from the TV show in a future episode.

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or want to add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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The Fault in Our Ethics

TruStory FM — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 06:54:30 -0800

We cheer when our heroes deliver an evil bad guy to their much-deserved fate. But what happens when our hero has to fight someone who isn’t evil, just in the way? Should more heroes be like Jessica Jones? Should it matter to our hero if the person they are fighting is being mind-controlled, lied to, or is otherwise not at fault? Should it matter to the audience?

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2019 Year in Review

TruStory FM — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 07:17:41 -0800

We’re on the road again, and we’re reflecting on 2019! As we did last year, we’re looking back at the past twelve months—what were the most compelling ethical questions raised, what are our hopes for genre media in 2020, and what concerns do we have?

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Questioning Picard

TruStory FM — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 08:26:06 -0800

Picard, the new Star Trek show, is about to launch, and we’ve got questions! Matt Carroll, of the MCU and Star Trek Universe Podcasts, joins Matthew to discuss the ethical questions we think Picard will explore. Has Data’s fear of a race of slave androids come to pass? Are the Borg still the enemy? What questions will the Borg and the androids raise about who is a person? What has decades of war and the threat of war done to the Federation, and will this show feel more like Star Trek than many think the Abrams Trek and Discovery do?

Matthew Carroll is a podcaster and musician, whose Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast helped launch a wide range of genre media casts, all of which will be part of the soon-to-be-launched Stranded Panda Podcast Network. His other podcasts include the Star Trek Universe Podcast, the Orville Universe Podcast, and Who Watched the Watchmen, all of which can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts.

To follow the creation of Matthew Carroll's Star Trek double album, check him out on The Star Trek Universe Podcast and The Matthew Carroll Podcast. He'll be releasing episodes about each song as they're being written.

Social media:
Twitter - @thegaragesongs
Instagram - @thegaragesongs
Facebook.com/thegaragesongs

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The Rise of Skywalker

TruStory FM — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 09:15:54 -0800

Now that we’ve all seen The Rise of Skywalker, we’ve brought Becky back to talk about it! On our last episode, the three of us talked about the ethical questions, hopes, and concerns we had going into this movie—this episode, we revisit them and ask: How did this movie address them? What happened with the Jedi? Did Rey get the character arc she deserved? And does Hanukkah Harry use the same merit-based system of gift to child allocation that Santa Claus does?

We’re pleased to have Becky Allen join us for this discussion. Becky Allen is the author of Bound by Blood and Sand and its sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm. She grew up outside Ithaca, New York, and graduated from Brandeis University with a major in American studies and a minor in journalism. She is the product manager for TheBody.com, an online HIV resource, and is passionate about New York, brunch, and feminism.

We mentioned a few links in the episode, including Hanukkah Harry, Becky’s podcast episode about The Christmas Prince, and Matthew’s Facebook live blog of the movie, inspired by Becky’s podcast.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Which Skywalker Rises?

TruStory FM — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 06:39:03 -0800

With just two days left before the release of Star Wars Episode IX, we’ve got theories! Can force users find a third path, neither Jedi or Sith? What does the future hold for Rey, Leia, Finn, and the rest of them? And how much respect will JJ Abrams have for the choices Rian Johnson made in The Last Jedi?
We’re pleased to have Becky Allen join us for this discussion. Becky Allen is the author of Bound by Blood and Sand and the sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm. She grew up outside Ithaca, New York, and graduated from Brandeis University with a major in American studies and a minor in journalism. She is the product manager for TheBody.com, an online HIV resource, and loves New York, brunch, and feminism.
*Spoiler note - We kept most of the discussion of things we have learned in the trailers in the 2nd half of the episode, after a spoiler warning, on behalf of those people who are avoiding those. We do mention two details from the trailers in the first half, but they were both very widely publicised pieces of information.
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

The Ethics of Star Wars: Ranking the Movies

TruStory FM — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 11:24:27 -0800

This is a special cross over episode between Superhero Ethics and Matthew’s new Star Wars universe Podcast. Matthew and original superhero ethics podcast co-host Paul Hoppe, look back at all of the Star Wars movies and TV shows to date, ranking them and talking about what we loved or didn't love, and the questions they raise. We hope this a great way to get an overview of all that has come up till now, as well as get into some good debates over them!

Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

Want to hear more of Matthew’s perspectives? Check out his other two podcasts:
The Orville Universe Podcast.
The Star Wars Universe Podcast- coming soon!

Or check out some of the other great podcasts by friends of Superhero Ethics, including:The Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen
Lastly, you probably heard some great music at the start and the end of our podcast. That music comes from the deeply talented Jack Hesse.. You can follow him on Twitter at Jack_608, https://twitter.com/jack_608

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Harley, Harley, Harley

TruStory FM — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 04:32:21 -0800

“By all means, keep selling Mad Love. But do you have to sell it as a coloring book?”
Jessica Plummer, “A Close Look at the Paradox of Harley Quinn” in BookRiot.
Harley Quinn has quickly become one of the most popular, and the most controversial, characters in comic book media. Returning guest and comic book nerd and critic extraordinaire joins us for an in depth look at this fascinating character, whose portrayals span the range from wacky kids show villain to abuse survivor to kinky sex symbol. In this episode we look at the evolution and development of the character, the questions she raises both in her stories and about her stories, and our hopes for her future.
Jessica Plummer lives in New York and loves Superman very very much. You can listen to just how much on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights (http://flightsandtights.libsyn.com/). She also writes about comics and books in general at BookRiot.com (https://bookriot.com/author/jessica-plummer/). Find her on Twitter @jess_plummer. In this episode she references her recent article on BookRiot, “A Close Look at the Paradox of Harley Quinn,” quoted above.
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo
Support this podcast through our Patreon page! Patreon is a great way to support creators like us through donations, and get great rewards for your help. You can even pick a topic for an upcoming episode! https://www.patreon.com/superheroethics
Want to show your love for Superhero Ethics with a t-shirt, hoodie, cell phone case, mouse pad, or other swag? We now have a store where you can buy any of those things and more! https://www.teepublic.com/user/superheroethics
Want to hear more of Matthew’s perspectives? Check out his other two podcasts:
The Orville Universe Podcast.
The Star Wars Universe Podcast- coming soon!
Or check out some of the other great podcasts by friends of Superhero Ethics, including:
The Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
DC on Screen
Star Trek Universe Podcast
Who Watched the Watchmen

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Problematic Favorites

TruStory FM — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 05:40:48 -0700

What should you do when your favorite author turns out to be a transphobe? When your childhood favorite movie has a cringe-worthy romance? When the star of the movie you where really excited for gets called out for being awful?
How do we separate the art from the artist, and should we? How do we draw the lines of what we can or cannot accept, and how we will spend our money and our attention? In this episode, Jacob and Matthew dive into this complicated set of issues. Instead of offering answers, they discuss how they each approach these questions, and what it means to try and be an ethical consumer of media.
Also, stick around to the very end to hear a song about skype connection problems!
You can download the episode with a right click and clicking “save link as” or subscribe by searching for Superhero Ethics on Itunes or on Stitcher
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Is Batman on Tinder?

TruStory FM — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 07:35:00 -0700

This week, we are joined by special guest Morgan Wentworth as we discuss the ins and outs of superhero dating! Should heroes only date other heroes? What are the problems with trying to ‘protect’ your love by making decisions for them? And why do so many superheroes gaslight their love interests in order to protect their secret identity?
Morgan Wentworth is a long time gamer and a soon to be librarian. For more from her, check out morgantriesinsta on Instagram and Mtgvalkyrie on Twitter
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Ethically Wrastlin'

TruStory FM — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 09:15:45 -0700

This episode, we’re talking about the ethics of professional wrestling- both the stories themselves, and the meta questions about wrestling as entertainment. How far can or should a heel go, before it becomes a problem? Can wrestling storylines be cathartic for the performers? What role do performers have in picking their story, and so many more!
This episode, we are joined by two of the wrestling aficionados who got Jacob and Matthew interested, Tim Aubel and Addison Fox.
Tim spends a lot of time getting emotionally invested in fictional characters and/or athletic competitions, both real and predetermined. He also enjoys games of all sorts and spending time alone if he can find it. Tim can be found on Twitter at @AubelTim.
Addison is a hoopy frood who can't get enough over the top melodrama and speaks with undue authority on topics. He is survived by his two cats.” He can be found as @damullet on Twitter, Mastadon, and many other platforms.
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Into the Ethicsverse

TruStory FM — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 07:04:46 -0700

How many kings could a kingpin king, if a kingpin could king pins?
Jacob and Matthew are talking Spiderverse! What are the ethical questions about multiple dimensions and the role of destiny, or fate? What makes this movie so important, and so damn good? How do these spiderfolk approach the question of a hero’s responsibility?
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Who Teaches Ethics at Hogwarts?

TruStory FM — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 08:00:21 -0700

Jacob and Matthew put on their house robes, pick up their quills and talk Potter! We’re talking Wizard-Muggle relations, the house system and whether Slytherins are all evil, and if Hermonie’s quest to save the House Elves is noble, colonialist, or a mix of both!
To make this episode accessible to Potter fans of all ages, we made a point to keep our language PG this time.
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

The Knights Radiant of the MCU

TruStory FM — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:59:26 -0700

One returning and one new guest join besieged host Jacob Milicic to discuss the Knights Radiant, from Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archives, and where different heroes and villains from the MCU and other media would best fit?
How do the Knights Radiant work? What kind of heroes fall in the framework of the 10 orders? What order of knights is Nick Fury? Loki? Javert?!?
Guest Starring:
Rob McKenzie as a Bondsmith
Steve Peterman as a Windrunner
Here are the links mentioned in the episode:

For more on the Knights Radiant - https://coppermind.net/wiki/Category:Knights_Radiant
A subreddit about the Stormlight Archives - https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight_Archive/
A subreddit for hating on Moash, a character from the StormLight Archives- https://www.reddit.com/r/fuckmoash/

Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

The Ethics of Endgame

TruStory FM — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 05:24:04 -0700

The game is at an end but the debates are just beginning! What did we love, and what left us scratching our heads? What happens when killing the bad guy doesn’t change anything? Did Tony get the plot arc he deserved? Did Thor, or Natasha? And who did time travel better- The Avengers, or Marty McFly?
Spoiler Warning for Avengers: Endgame and the entire MCU!
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Punisher • S2

TruStory FM — Thu, 16 May 2019 07:30:49 -0700

In Season 1, Punisher raised some hard questions about vengeance, justice, and why audiences enjoy revenge fantasy. How did season 2 measure up? Does Frank have any accountability for the people he puts in danger? And did the world need another Harleyesque plot where a therapist bangs her dangerous patient, and the writers try to make it sexy?
Two important notes- we had some technical difficulties near the end, and by the time we got Jessica back, Jacob had to leave. Apologizes if for any confusion, but we finished the discussion!
Second, during the podcast we talked about Wiscon- the awesome Feminist Sci-Fi/Fantasy con that happens in Madison Wisconsin, over Memorial Day Weekend. Not only is it an amazing event that you should try and come to- but we'll be holding a Superhero Ethics Brown Bag Dinner Meet Up. Saturday, May 25th, from 5:30 - 7:30 we'll reserve space in one of the conference rooms set aside for impromptu planning. Grab dinner and come for a meet up and discussion!
www.wiscon.net
Jessica Plummer lives in New York and loves Superman very very much. You can listen to just how much on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights (http://flightsandtights.libsyn.com/). She also writes about comics and books in general at BookRiot.com (https://bookriot.com/author/jessica-plummer/). Find her on Twitter @jess_plummer.

Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

John Winchester, Howard Stark, and Other Healthy Fathers

TruStory FM — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 06:56:49 -0700

What does co-dependence look like in a superhero? Should heroes compromise their own ethics for the sake of the people they love? And can Matthew escape the wrath of the EZ Pass machine he offended?
On our drive back from Cleveland, we once again took advantage of the drive to bring you a car talk episode, recorded on a phone in a car. Next episode we go back to the studio to talk Punisher Season 2, but for now, enjoy this wide ranging episode about the moral traps heroes can find themselves in.
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Car Talk: Balance of Powered

TruStory FM — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 07:41:15 -0700

How do you honor the rights of all in a society where some people have great powers, and others do not? What responsibility is it fair to put on those with great power, if any? And can Jacob and Matthew record a podcast, and a caraoke song, while zooming down a highway?
We took advantage of another long car trip to bring you a car talk episode, recorded on a phone in a car. We’ll be back in the studio and with an actual outline, soon, but we got into some great questions this time we think you will enjoy. Whether you enjoy, skip or suffer through, the caraoke at the end, is a question between you and your maker.

Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Goodbye Netflix MCU :(

TruStory FM — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 06:01:16 -0700

What made the Netflix MCU different from most other ways of telling superhero stories? What questions were raised by Daredevil S3 and Iron Fist S2? And what happens when Jacob and Matthew are actually supposed to talk Netflix MCU, instead of just constantly going there on tangents?
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

The Angry Hero

TruStory FM — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 07:17:19 -0700

Is anger a righteous trait in a hero, or a dangerous one? Who gets to be angry, and who how does race and gender play into it? Where is the line between anger and hate, and what is the relationship between anger and power? Jacob and Matthew dive into these questions and more on this episode.
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

The Jedi, the Sith, and good ol' Palps

TruStory FM — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 05:58:51 -0800

Are the Sith the mustache twirling villains the initially appear to be, or is there a method to their madness? Where did the Jedi go wrong? Are emotions something to be held back, or fully embraced in a space wizard, and how did the Jedi and Sith codes inform each other?
Jacob and Matthew jump into these questions, with the help of friend and fellow Star Wars Nerd Extraordinaire, Jonah Kellman. Jonah cares far too much about Star Wars, particularly the extended universe. When not ranting, he can be found reading, playing video games or delving into worldbuilding. Find him on facebook or around the internet as Muscratt.
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

Here are some of the books and other products we discussed on the show. If you are interested in checking any of them out, and possibly buying any, please use the links below. Part of every purchase is turned into support for Superhero Ethics at absolutely no charge to you!
Darth Bane- The Story of the creation of the modern Sith, and the Rule of Two.
Darth Plagius - The Sith who trained Emperor Palpatine
Republic Commandos - Stories of clone soldiers
Kenobi - Adventures of Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the years after the fall of the Republic
The Clone Wars- Animated TV show that shows the corruption of the Jedi and the fall of the Republic. Much better than the movies or any of the prequels.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

The Orville's Prime Directive

TruStory FM — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 07:02:20 -0800

Is Star Trek’s concept of the Prime Directive the only ethical way for one culture to act toward a less developed one? What are the rewards, and dangers, in intervening? And what do you do when someone builds an entire religion around you doing one nice thing?
In this episode, Jacob and Matthew look at Mad Idolatry, the final episode of Season 1 of the Orville, and dig into the larger questions it examines. Whether you are a hard core Orvillian, or never seen the show, there is a lot here to think about and enjoy. We summarize the episode and focus on the larger issues at play, digging into questions asked by this show, Star Trek, and so much of Science Fiction.
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

In the Shadow of a Vorlon

TruStory FM — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:14:05 -0800

Order or Chaos, or is that a false dichotomy? What are the dangers of one culture trying to guide and support the growth of another? Is Babylon 5 an allegory for the Cold War?
In this episode, we take on these questions and more, as we look at the Vorlons and the Shadows from Babylon 5. There will be spoilers galore, but even if you have never seen the show, we will bring you up to speed so you can understand the questions the show raises that we are diving into.
Matthew is CapedEthicist, https://twitter.com/CapedEthicist
Jacob is BotsRPeopleToo https://twitter.com/BotsRPeopleToo

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

2018 Year in Review

TruStory FM — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 07:47:01 -0800

2018 was one hell of a year, and Jacob and Matthew go deep on some of their favorite characters and questions from the year that was. We re-examine old questions, talk about what we learned this year, and what we are excited to see in 2019.
Here are each of their year end lists.
BEST CHARACTERS OF 2018
Matthew
Luke Skywalker (Star Wars)
Kingpin (Daredevil)
Black Mariah (Luke Cage)
Eric Killmonger (Black Panther)
Tandy/Dagger (Cloak & Dagger)
Hon. Mention: Superman
Jacob
Kingpin (Daredevil)
Misty Knight (MCU Shows)
Jessica Jones (MCU Shows)
Sam Winchester (Supernatural)
T’Challa (Black Panther)
FAVORITE ETHICAL QUESTIONS OF 2018
Matthew
Infinity War- Should we trade lives?
Dangers of religion (Jedi)
Toxicity in fandom
Glorification of violence
Can you be a superhero who doesn’t kill?
Jacob
Use of violence
Toxicity in fandom
Kingpin & punisher
Infinity War- Should we trade lives?
Devotion to a Cause
THINGS WE LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2019
Matthew
Captain Marvel
The Future of the Jedi/Star Wars
Magic the Gathering Story
The Orville
Good Omens
Jacob
The Future of the Jedi/Star Wars
Infinity War- End Game
Good Omens
Daughters of the Dragon
The Orville
FIVE CONCERNS WE HAVE IN 2019
Matthew
Infinity War
Disney taking over Netflix MCU
The Joker movie
Toxicity in fandom
Tumblr and future of adult fandom
Jacob
Future of the Jedi in Star Wars
Infinity War
More angry male heroes seeking revenge
Future of Punisher
Disney taking over Netflix MCU
FIVE THINGS WE WISHED WE TALKED ABOUT MORE IN 2018
Matthew
Dr. Who
Cloak & Dagger
Runaways
Supergirl
Black Lightning
Jacob
Misty Knight & her disability
Jeri Hogarth in Jessica Jones
Iron Fist Season 2
Any DC Movie
(Jacob only had 4)

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Batman AND Superman

TruStory FM — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 06:38:22 -0800

The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel. Why do we tell so many stories about the two of them together? How do their approaches to justice differ, and why does that matter? Do they work best as enemies, allies, or in their own worlds? Special guest Jessica Plummer joins Jacob and Matthew to discuss these questions and more!
Jessica Plummer lives in New York and loves Superman very very much. You can listen to just how much on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights (http://flightsandtights.libsyn.com/). She also writes about comics and books in general at BookRiot.com (https://bookriot.com/author/jessica-plummer/). Find her on Twitter @jess_plummer.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · Email

Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
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Thankful for Luke Cage

TruStory FM — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 08:30:36 -0800

Need something to listen to on the long car trip home? Want a distraction from talking to your racist uncle or having to hear about your cousin's new get rich quick scheme? We've got a podcast for you!

Jacob and Matthew are pretty grateful for the newest season of Luke Cage, and on this episode we dive into why we liked the show and some of the questions it brought up. We talk about revenge, history, father-son and mother-daughter relationships, and whether Harlem needs a hero or a king.

We recorded on the day of Stan Lee's death, so we also take a moment to pay tribute to the man who gave us so many of the stories we love and love to talk about.

**** SPOILER WARNING ****

This episode contains a lot of spoilers for Luke Cage Season 2. Do NOT listen unless you've already seen it or are ok with learning major plot details.
One important note- Jacob and Matthew are aware that the last thing the world needs is two more white guys talking about race and Luke Cage. As such, they were intentional in focusing on other issues, and want to encourage all of our listeners to check out some of the great black voices writing and podcasting about that. Below are just a few options, but there is a lot of great stuff out there.
Blackness, Birthright, and the Battle for Harlem: Intra-Racial Conflict in Marvel’s Luke Cage Season Two by Nicosia Shakes, The Black Scholar
Luke Cage’ Season 2 Taps into Black Consciousness by Christina Santi, Ebony Magazine
Sweet Christmas in Summer: A ‘Luke Cage’ Season Two Endorsement by Shawn Taylor, Nerds of Color

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Red Son Zenith

TruStory FM — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 08:06:51 -0800

Is Superman a product of nature or nurture? This episode looks at the Red Son story, which imagines an alternative future in which Kal-El landed in the USSR, and grew up to fight for Truth, Justice, and the Communist Way. We ask how Superman would be changed by being raised in a different culture, and what that tells us about his core ideals, and ours.
This episode also features special guest, Jess Dunks. Jess is a former USAF Korean Linguist and a professional level judge for Magic: the Gathering events. He's also been a fan of superhero stories ever since he found a comic book store he could walk to when he was 12, and his favorite hero is Boo, the only Miniature Giant Space Hamster in the Realm.

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KHAAAAANNNNN

TruStory FM — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 06:00:39 -0700

What can you learn from the no-win scenario? Is Star Fleet a military organization? And are those REALLY Ricardo Montalbán's pec muscles.
Jacob & Matthew watched Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and then talked about the ethical questions it raised.

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OMG, Daredevil S3

TruStory FM — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 05:04:36 -0700

Jacob and Matthew are just a little excited about the upcoming new season of Daredevil. They dive into some of the questions they hope to see explored in this new season, such as did time in prison change Wilson Fisk, why was Veronica such an important character, and will we see more of her, and why Matt’s faux death at the end of Defenders bothered us so much.

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Violence

TruStory FM — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 05:51:41 -0700

Does a Superhero movie need a good fight scene? Jacob and Matthew look at the role of physical violence in the stories we love, asking questions of both the characters and the writers. Can you tell a hero story without violence? Do our heroes too often resort to their fists? And why do so many heroes see fighting as flirtation?

This is the voter registration website we mentioned during the PSA at the end.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Supernatural Road Trip

TruStory FM — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 05:37:49 -0700

What better place to discuss the cross country antics of the Winchester Brothers than the open road? While driving cross country, Jacob and Matthew took some time to talk Supernatural, examining the moral value of different kinds of non-humans, the relationship between Sam and Dean, and their willingness to make any and all sacrifices to save each other.

Our schedules haven’t allowed us the chance to record under our normal conditions, and while talking about Supernatural while driving down the highway seems rather fitting, we know that the sound quality is a lot lower than what we like to provide you. Thank you for bearing with us, and we will be back to our normal recording conditions (and sound quality!) for our next episode.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Jessica Jones S2

TruStory FM — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 05:12:10 -0700

Jacob and Matthew explore the second season of Jessica Jones on a number of levels, looking at the decisions of both the characters and the writers. How should the law treat someone like Alissa? What responsibility does Jessica hold for her mother’s actions? How do we view Trish’s actions, and the writers' decisions to put so much conflict between her and Jessica?

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Ethics of Fandom

TruStory FM — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 03:45:57 -0700

This week, we take a step back from the things we are fans of, to talk about fandom itself. What rights or ownership do we as fans have over the properties we love? What is the interaction between media, and the fan-created things it inspires, such as fan fiction? And why do fan responses to media sometimes turn so horribly toxic?

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Kingpin is a Hand Puppet

TruStory FM — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 05:52:41 -0700

This week we dive into questions from our listeners and fans! inspired by our friends at the MCUCast, we start with a lengthy discussion about Kingpin and The Punisher, what separates them and what makes them similar. Why do we cheer for one, and root for the other to be taken down, or do we? From there we dive into listener questions about Civil War, Cap, the portrayal of mental illness in genre fiction and a number of other topics.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Don't Make Me Turn This Podcast Around

TruStory FM — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 06:55:47 -0700

Here it is, our 50th episode! All three hosts, Paul, Jacob, and Matthew, come together to re-examine some of our favorite questions and discussions from past episodes. We talk about the Joker, different ways of understanding violence, when heroes can or should kill, humorous vs. serious portrayals of heroes, and plan for the eventual ascension of our robot overlords.

Also of note- we were a bit punchy for this episode. It led to a great, and funny, discussion, but also a few slips of the tongue- including Matthew’s references at various points to “Chris Kapernick” and “Stuporman.” Please forgive those errors.

Here are the podcast episodes we referenced:
Ep 3: Suicidal Villains: Suicide Squad and the Nature of Bad Guys.
Ep 4: Vengeance! Exploring Desperado
Ep 10: Killing President Luthor
Ep 19: Why so Serious? The Joker
Ep 24: Logan on Logan
Ep 33: Ethics of our Robot Overlords
Ep 39: Thor and the Value of Fluff

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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What Makes a Hero?

TruStory FM — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 07:10:59 -0700

What makes someone a hero? Does it matter if they choose their path is chosen, or it is assigned to them? Does a hero have to have something terrible happen to them, to inspire them to become heroic? And which villains come the closest to being heroes in their own right?
To celebrate our 50th episode, we got all three hosts, Paul, Matthew, and Jacob, on the line to look back at some of our past discussions.
Unfortunately, there were technical issues, and we lost a lot of that conversation. We will be trying again soon, but meanwhile this is a shorter teaser episode, in which we look at the question that underlies so much of this podcast- what is a hero?

Stay tuned for a full version of our 3 way conversation coming as soon as we are able to re-record it. (And all learn when to hit the record button!)

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Do we Trade Lives? The Ethics of Infinity War

Superhero Ethics — Thu, 17 May 2018 06:34:27 -0700

*** SPOILER WARNING ***
Even our show notes have spoilers

Is Cap’ right to claim “We don’t trade lives?” Could Thanos have been stopped if our heroes made different choices? What role does hubris play when heroes don’t want to make tough choices? And how much of an idiot was Peter Quill?

In this episode, Jacob and Matthew dive deep into the questions that came out of Avengers: Infinity War, exploring Thanos himself, the various ways the Avengers tried to stop him, and our hopes for where things go in the coming movies and tv shows.

Note- We recorded this episode live again, which led to a great discussion, but also caused some sound issues. Jacob did a heroic job cleaning things up, but we know it is still not up to our normal standards. Please know we are aware of that, and and are taking steps to ensure we return to our normal quality in upcoming episodes.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Who Watches Superman?

TruStory FM — Wed, 02 May 2018 05:28:02 -0700

Should the heroes who enforce justice, also decide what is or isn’t just? Where are the lines between heroism, vigilantism, or just using your powers to do what you want? And does great power actually come with great responsibility, or is that too much to ask of people with powers?
In this episode, Jacob and Matthew use Kingdom Come, a fantastic 1996 run of Superman comic books, as a jumping off point to dive into these questions and more. This episode explores questions around justice, power, law enforcement, and accountability, in the superhero world and our own. And while the books are amazing, (and find-able online!) you don’t have to have read them to appreciate this conversation.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Ready Podcast One

TruStory FM — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 05:47:27 -0700

What is the responsibility of a filmmaker to stay true to a book? What is the problem with 'girl as prize' romance plotlines? And is it possible Jacob and Matthew enjoyed the movie of a book they are so critical of?

This week, Jacob and Matthew throw down their quarters for a two player, two part, deep dive. They start out talking about the book and their hopes and concerns about the movie- than hit pause, watch the movie, and finish recording the podcast that same night! We dove into a number of issues, taking as comprehensive and well ordered approach to the work as anyone can at 11pm.

Twitter hashtag: #Readyplayerethics

You can download the episode with a right click and clicking "save link as" or subscribe by searching for Superhero Ethics on Itunes or on Stitcher.

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The Last Jedi Part 2

TruStory FM — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 05:29:46 -0700

In part 2 of our discussion with Author and Star Wars Geek Extraordinaire, Becky Allen, we dive into Rey’s Journey, explore Luke’s issues with the Jedi, and critique some of the critiques of the movie. You can find the first part of our discussion in our previous episode.

Becky Allen is the author of Bound by Blood and Sand and the sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm. She grew up outside Ithaca, New York, and graduated from Brandeis University with a major in American studies and a minor in journalism. She is the product manager for TheBody.com, an online HIV resource, and loves New York, brunch, and feminism.

You can find and purchase Becky’s books at her Goodreads page, or follow her on any of the following sites:
twitter.com/allreb
beckytext.tumblr.com
facebook.com/beckyallenbooks
instagram.com/allreb
www.beckyallenbooks.com
For more about fridging.

At the end of this episode, we reference an upcoming podcast on codes of honor and Brandon Sanderson’s, The Way of Kings. Due to some technical issues, we wound up publishing that episode before this one was ready.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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The Last Jedi Part 1

TruStory FM — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 10:18:34 -0700

What is the narrative power of failure, and how is it used in The Last Jedi? What did we learn from Admiral Holdo and Po about power, and trusting leaders, and the role of gender in that? Author and Star Wars geek extrodinaire, Becky Allen, joins us again to discuss these questions and more. It turns out the three of us had a lot ot say on this topic, so this is only part 1, of a 2 part episiode! Stay tuned for part 2 to hit next week.

You can find and purchase Becky’s books at her Goodreads page, or follow her on any of the following sites:
https://twitter.com/allreb
https://beckytext.tumblr.com
https://facebook.com/beckyallenbooks
https://instagram.com/allreb
www.beckyallenbooks.com

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Radiant Ethics: Examining the Oaths in the Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

TruStory FM — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 08:19:48 -0800

Should life always come before death? Should we favor the journey over the destination? And can there be an episode of Superhero Ethics without Matthew? In this episode, Jacob is joined by special guest Rob McKenzie for a discussion of The Way of Kings, book 1 in the Stormlight Archive, by Brandon Sanderson.

In particular, they focus on the oaths of the Knights Radiant, discussing the ethical implications of this moral code within the book, and as it applies to other stories, and the real world.

Rob McKenzie is a science fiction and fantasy reader and Magic the Gathering judge from Minnesota. He is passionate about interesting books, running great gaming events, and helping other people have fun with their passions.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

The Punisher

TruStory FM — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 06:51:34 -0800

What makes Netflix’s The Punisher so good, and so troubling, at the same time? Can you tell a story about the evils of guns and violence, while glorifying gun violence? And can anyone explain the concept of collateral damage to Karen?

Special guest Jessica Plummer joins Jacob and Matthew as we dive into these questions and more. Jessica is a writer, podcaster, and superhero obsessive. She's written about the Punisher here and here. You can find her on Twitter at @jess_plummer, or follow her Superman movie podcast, Flights and Tights, at @flightstights

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Hopelessly Devoted, at What Cost?

TruStory FM — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 13:45:44 -0800

A hero is supposed to be devoted. To their country, to their cause, to their friends- whatever it may be, heroes are often defined by the thing they are willing to go to any extreme to protect and defend.

But what happens when that goes too far? On this episode, Jacob and Matthew discuss the costs of devotion, looking at the ways a cause can blind a person to the damage it is doing, to themself or to others.

This post contains spoilers about Captain America, Babylon 5, the Punisher, the 100, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Our next two shows will be about The Punisher and Star Wars The Last Jedi, respectivly. Have a question or a comment about either that you want to hear us discuss? Let us know!

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Orvillian Ethics

TruStory FM — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 11:31:38 -0800

What happens when social media and public opinion rule the world? How does an all-male species react to the birth of female child? And can Seth McFarland leave behind the problems of much of his earlier writing.
Like the Star Trek shows it pays homage to, The Orville uses science fiction to hold a mirror to our own world. Matthew and Jacob explore this show, the questions it raises, and some of their concerns.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

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Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

2017 End of the Year Wrap-Up

TruStory FM — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 09:54:38 -0800

Jacob and Matthew take a look back at 2017, talking about our favorite characters and ethical questions from the year, and where we think we dropped the ball. We also look ahead to 2018, talking about what we are most excited about and what we are most concerned about, in terms of movies and TV coming to us in the next year.
As we wrap up the year, here are some of the other content creators we think you should check out!

Becky Allen: She was our guest on our episode on Star Wars and the Hero’s Journey, You can find and purchase Becky’s books at her Goodreads page, or follow her podcast, Rachel and Becky Judge Things.
Stealing the Remote: A great podcast where a guy watches movies with his mom.
JP Fairfield: Our guest on The Ethics of Arrows, she is a co-host of Nerdgasm Noire Network, a podcast featuring 5 nerdy women with strong opinions.
MCU Podcast: The definitive podcast about the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
DC on Screen Podcast: The definitive podcast about the DC Universe, on movies and TV.
372 Pages we’ll Never get Back: A hilariously critical podcast book club about Ready Player One.
Welcome to Nightvale: One of Jacob’s favorite podcasts, a twice-monthly podcast in the style of community updates for the small desert town of Night Vale, featuring local weather, news, announcements from the Sheriff's Secret Police, mysterious lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers, and cultural events.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.
Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Thor & the Value of Fluff

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 11:29:44 -0800

Thor: Ragnarok is pretty and fun, but there’s nothing here that we can dive into for an episode, right? Challenge accepted!
This week we explore a number of from and about Thor. We talk about Odin’s revisionist history, and the evolving relationship between Thor and Loki. We also talk about the value of movies that don’t hit us with deep ethical questions, and how that balances with our love of heavier fare.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Does the Gatewatch need a Prime Directive

TruStory FM — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 05:13:32 -0800

From the Justice League to the Avengers, we know that heroes work best in teams. And sometimes the obnoxious brilliant guy does have the best idea. But both of those things can also go wrong. Join us as we dive into questions from the Magic the Gathering storyline, tying them into larger questions that are pervasive in geek literature and culture.

Jacob and I are joined by Lee Henderson. Lee is a Level 2 judge in the Magic the Gathering world, an avid gamer, and all around nerd.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Avatar: the Last Podbender

TruStory FM — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 09:51:39 -0800

All three of our hosts, Matthew, Jacob, and Paul, come together to talk about Avatar: The Last Airbender. We take a deep dive into a number of characters, including Aang, Toph, and Uncle Iroh, examine the way the show portrayed martial arts and alternatives to violence, and why this such is beloved by so many.

We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.

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Join the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.

You can also support us through our sponsors:

Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.
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Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Stark & Carroll

TruStory FM — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 10:54:47 -0700

This week, I'm joined by special guest Matt Carroll as we take a deep dive into the character of Tony Stark. What responsiblity does he hold for Ultron, and what lessons has he learned? Did he have a point in Civil War? And is mentoring Spiderman his way of working out his daddy issues?

Matt Carroll is one of the co-hosts of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast. You can find them on any podcast platform by searching for MCUcast. Matt is also a musician. Check out his band, Matt Carroll and the Browncoats, and keep watch for their first album, coming soon!

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Heroes on the Couch

TruStory FM — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 05:00:00 -0700

For some time, we have been given villains whose actions need no explanation-- they're just "crazy." The aftermath of the Vegas shooting reminds us how strong the stigma against mental illness still is in this country.

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Who is your Hero? With an Addendum

TruStory FM — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 05:00:00 -0700

What can Captain America teach us about Kapernick, and vice versa? Are heroes just on screen, or can we have heroes in our own world? And what happens when our heroes fall from grace?

Note- we added a brief addendum to address an issue that came up in our discussion. Thank you again to our fans for your feedback, both when we do well and when we stumble.

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Ethics of our Robot Overlords

TruStory FM — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 05:00:00 -0700

Is Data a person? What about C-3P0 or Aida? Jacob and Matthew explore the ethical questions around artificial life.

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Daredevil, Batman, and Charlottesville

TruStory FM — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 05:00:00 -0700

Would Daredevil share information about Nazis? Would Superman or Captain Mal? How would our heroes react
to Charlottesville and what can that teach us?

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The Psi Corp: Babylon 5 and Telepathy

TruStory FM — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 05:00:00 -0700

Babylon 5 is almost 20 years old, but the questions it raises about telepathy, fear, and how we treat the 'other' are still relevant. Jacob Milicic is our guest.

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Luke, Rey, and a New Kind of Hero's Journey

TruStory FM — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 05:00:00 -0700

The Hero's Journey is one of the strongest tropes in literature, and Star Wars its clearest example. How does this troupe limit our stories, and the messages we can take from it?

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The Ethics of Arrows

TruStory FM — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 05:00:00 -0700

My guest this week is JP Fairfield, of the Nerdgasm Noire Network and Operation Cubicle podcasts. Together we explore the latest season of Arrow, Oliver’s bad choices, and why long suffering Quentin Lance deserves a break.

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Be Super!

TruStory FM — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 05:00:00 -0700

Krystal Kara joins us to discuss Wonder Woman, the Be Super project, and how we can use Superhero stories to teach about justice in our own world.

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Larping! The Ethics of Role-Playing Games

TruStory FM — Thu, 25 May 2017 05:00:00 -0700

"First you have to realize that it's not just a game, it's a community... In the end it’s each of us making the choice, not the character, of what’s going to happen; what we’re going to say, how we’re going to do it."

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A Fair Fight

TruStory FM — Wed, 10 May 2017 05:00:00 -0700

What is the value in fighting fair? Paul and Matthew explore the trope of the Fair Fight, looking at its value and its problems. What does a hero do, when the opponent refuses to follow the rules?

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Do we need SHIELD?

TruStory FM — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 05:00:00 -0700

If aliens and superpowers were real, would we need SHIELD? Are Lex Luthor and Amanda Waller right to be scared of Superman? Why do government agencies dealing with powered people have to work in secret?

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Logan on Logan

TruStory FM — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 05:00:00 -0700

Logan the guest comes back, to discuss Logan the movie! He joins Matthew for a discussion of violence, the value of seeing the flaws in our heroes, and the movie's implications for our own world.

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Iron Ethics

TruStory FM — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 05:00:00 -0700

Paul and Matthew discuss Iron Fist, exploring questions of identity, martial arts, and who to blame when a piece of an extended universe goes wrong.

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Is Magneto Right?

TruStory FM — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 05:00:00 -0700

Is Magneto a villain, or a hero? Can we agree with his goals, even if not his methods? How does the fight for mutant justice echo similar discussions in our own world? Paul and Matthew talk about Magento and the X-men.

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Punching Nazis

TruStory FM — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 04:00:00 -0800

Captain America punched a lot of Nazis - does that mean we should too? We are pretty pro Nazi punching, but we want to explore the questions around it. On this episode, Paul and Matthew explore the ethical issues involve

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Rogue Ethics

TruStory FM — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 04:00:00 -0800

Did Galen Erso make the right choice, helping to build the Death Star, but adding a fatal flaw? What lessons can Rogue One teach us about rebellion, and what it means to find your own way to combat tyranny. Paul and Matt

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Why So Serious?

TruStory FM — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 04:00:00 -0800

Paul and Matthew talk about Gotham's Clown Prince of Crime. Does he need Batman, or does Batman need him? And who was the best Joker?

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Chosen Ones with Rebecca Rose Vassey

TruStory FM — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 04:00:00 -0800

This week, Rebecca Rose Vassey joins Matthew for a discussion of the Chosen One trope in superhero media.

Does a hero need to be chosen? Who gets to choose and who gets to accept or reject being chosen?

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Writing Heroes

TruStory FM — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 04:00:00 -0800

This week, special guest Robin Gee joins Matthew to discuss balancing ethics with story as a writer. They talk about Robin's webcomic, Pin Porter, as well as Supergirl, Calvin & Hobbes, and Lord of the Rings.

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Dr. Strange

TruStory FM — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 04:00:00 -0800

Paul is back and joins Matthew for a discussion of the new Dr. Strange movie. They dive deep on the nature of identity, the emergence of magic in the MCU, the nature of hubris, and the power of nonviolent confrontation.

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What Makes a Hero?

TruStory FM — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 04:00:00 -0800

What does it take to be considered a hero? How have our perceptions of heroes evolved, and does portraying a hero on screen confer real-life heroism? This week, special guest Adam Hulse joins Matthew to delve into these topics and more.

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V for Dystopia

TruStory FM — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 04:00:00 -0800

This week, Paul and Matthew are joined by Logan Grendel, who talks with them about V for Vendetta, dystopian stories, and the ethics of violence. (It all ties together, we promise!)

"Dog man" Logan Grendel is a writer

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Luke Cage Wrap-Up

TruStory FM — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 04:00:00 -0800

Paul and Matthew talk about the Luke Cage series in its entirety, diving deep on Cottonmouth vs. Diamondback, what it means for a comic book show to comment on real world situations, and portrayal of the police in the MC

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Buffy & the Apocalypse

TruStory FM — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 04:00:00 -0800

This week, Matthew talks with special guest Dr. Katy Valentine about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the idea of apocalypse in the stories we love. We talk about the show and some of the questions it raises, especially in

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What Else Could They Do?

TruStory FM — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 05:00:00 -0700

Is fighting crime the best use of a superhero's powers? Is there a better way Bruce Wayne could spend his money to make Gotham a safer place? And who is the superhero for the people in the suburbs?

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Killing President Luthor

TruStory FM — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 05:00:00 -0700

Should Superman kill President Lex Luthor? What should superheroes do when the villains are elected by the people? Tune in as Paul and Matthew explore these questions and more- along with a surprise guest appearance half

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Villains Who Might Have a Point: Astra

TruStory FM — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 05:00:00 -0700

Was Astra, from Supergirl Season 1 right, that some terrible acts can be justified in order to save the world? Is there some value to authoritarism if it leads to solving our problems? Should we just put the scientists i

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Luke Cage & Identity Part 2

TruStory FM — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 05:00:00 -0700

More on Luke Cage & Identity, along with the upcoming Iron Fist and Dr. Strange.

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Luke Cage & Identity Part 1

TruStory FM — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 05:00:00 -0700

With the launch of Luke Cage, we talk about identity politics, and the signifcance of a black bulletproof hero for today's world.

We had a lot to say on the topic, so this is part 1 of 2.

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Mind-reading with Dr. Greg Haley

TruStory FM — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 05:00:00 -0700

Dr. Greg Haley, a lifelong fan with a doctorate in rhetoric and identity construction, joins us this week to talk about the ethics of mind-reading. Focus on Prof. X, the Jedi, and Babylon 5.

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Who Can We Kill?

TruStory FM — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 05:00:00 -0700

Do Chitari lives matter? Analyzing how superhero movies/TV shows justify who the heroes can kill, and how it relates to our own world.

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El Mariachi & The Castle

TruStory FM — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 05:00:00 -0700

This week Paul returns to talk about revenge. Why do we cheer when Inigo Montoya finally gives the six fingered man what he deserves, yet think Frank Castle is wrong in Daredevil? Major spoilers for Daredevil, Princess Bride and more.

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Suicidal Villains

TruStory FM — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 05:00:00 -0700

A deep dive into the new Suicide Squad movie, and how it breaks down the good guy/bad guy binary.

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Who is my Batman? Part 2

TruStory FM — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 05:00:00 -0700

Part 2 of my discussion with Paul Christopher Hoppe about Batman

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Who is my Batman? Part 1

TruStory FM — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 05:00:00 -0700

Our inaugural podcast is a discussion between myself and author and fellow superhero enthusiast, Paul Christopher Hoppe, about one of our favorite charecters- Batman. We cover Batman’s ideas about violence and killing,

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