Podcast: The Podcast

Justin and Thom

A foray into the fabled Podcastland, in which hosts Justin and Thom discuss pop culture obsessions, random absurdities, topical ephemera, and all the buzzy zeitgeist that populates Podcastland. read less
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Two of Us Get Back to Murder on Mt. Murder
Dec 27 2021
Two of Us Get Back to Murder on Mt. Murder
In this week's episode, Justin and Thom gush over Peter Jackson's Get Back documentary. They welcome actor and writer Chris Cavanaugh to talk about his play Murder on Mt. Murder: A B-Squad Murder Mystery Parody, and his upcoming role as Elvis in a production of Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile at the Riverside Playhouse in Aurora, Illinois. The trio dive into exuberant discussions of their favorite plays, the choicest characters they'd choose to play on stage, and murder mystery plays, and Chris explains the difference between a good liar and a good actor.Check out the manuscript to Chris' hilarious play Murder on Mt. Murder: A B-Squad Murder Mystery Parody, and if you're in the area, check out Picasso at the Lapin Agile to see.

Episodes

Two of Us Get Back to Murder on Mt. Murder
Dec 27 2021
Two of Us Get Back to Murder on Mt. Murder
In this week's episode, Justin and Thom gush over Peter Jackson's Get Back documentary. They welcome actor and writer Chris Cavanaugh to talk about his play Murder on Mt. Murder: A B-Squad Murder Mystery Parody, and his upcoming role as Elvis in a production of Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile at the Riverside Playhouse in Aurora, Illinois. The trio dive into exuberant discussions of their favorite plays, the choicest characters they'd choose to play on stage, and murder mystery plays, and Chris explains the difference between a good liar and a good actor.Check out the manuscript to Chris' hilarious play Murder on Mt. Murder: A B-Squad Murder Mystery Parody, and if you're in the area, check out Picasso at the Lapin Agile to see.
Christmas, Candles, and Christmas Candles
Dec 20 2021
Christmas, Candles, and Christmas Candles
In this week's festive episode, Justin and Thom discuss what makes a Christmas movie a Christmas movie and why Batman Returns is the ultimate Christmas movie. The hosts welcome guest Cohen Miller to talk about his burgeoning candle-making enterprise, No Label Candle Company, including how they hand make each candle, what goes into making the perfect scent, and why you'll never find a candle that smells like theirs. Check out No Label Candle Company for all your burning olfactory needs!
A Visit From the Weinermobile Before Kicking Back With Kaijus and Cobra Kai
Dec 13 2021
A Visit From the Weinermobile Before Kicking Back With Kaijus and Cobra Kai
In this episode, Thom tells Justin a story about a visit from the Weinermobile, and the two lay out why Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a better half-animated movie than Cool World. The hosts welcome illustrator Andy Vanderbilt to talk about his work, kaijus, their favorite illustrators and cartoonists, and why Cobra Kai works as a better Star Wars Sequel Trilogy than what we got. Meanwhile, Thom mispronounces Tartakovsky numerous times throughout the episode.#ReleaseTheTartakovskyPopeyeCheck out Andy's illustrations here and here, and buy some prints here!
Episodic Interlude: 10 Burning Questions with Sofie!
Dec 6 2021
Episodic Interlude: 10 Burning Questions with Sofie!
This week, Justin and Thom present a brief interlude in lieu of their normal podcasting programming. The hosts welcome Sofie Tortorice and answer her top 10 burning questions. Podcast: The Podcast will resume with a full episode next week for all your listening pleasure.
The Map & Compass Shake Up The Great Rockford Bake Off
Nov 29 2021
The Map & Compass Shake Up The Great Rockford Bake Off
In this week's episode, Justin and Thom gear up for Thanksgiving and welcome to the show their old friend Ramos, proprietor of Cake One Five, the premiere boutique custom cake shop of the greater Rockford, Illinois area. The dudes discuss the only appropriate use of fondant, whatever happened to Geena Davis, the problem with erotic cakes, and the difference between UK and American baking shows. Plus, Justin makes a long overdue apology for a transgression most egregious that took place nearly 20 years ago.  Check out Cake One Five and get yourself some of these beautiful and tasty cakes!
Micheladas, Elections, and What the Hell is a Blue Island?
Nov 22 2021
Micheladas, Elections, and What the Hell is a Blue Island?
In this week's episode, Justin and Thom discuss their love of Mexican food, and they welcome political wunderkind Fred Bilotto, the newly elected mayor of Blue Island, a small city that borders Chicago's South Side. The trio talk about Fred's rise to power as mayor that started when he was in 7th grade, the history and charm of Blue Island, who's in charge of the big scissors used for ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle character would make the best mayor.
We're Just Some Virtual Dudes, Living in a Video Game World
Nov 15 2021
We're Just Some Virtual Dudes, Living in a Video Game World
In this week's episode, Justin and Thom dive into the virtual world of video games, from the gambling nature of mobile games to the rise and potential fall of barcades, and from future augmented VR gaming and to the countless video games they've played throughout their lives. Justin thanks a true hero who helped him get the golden Ocarina of Time cartridge back in high school. They welcome video game connoisseur Danny Berger to talk about which fictional games would be the most fun and worst to play, which video game world they'd choose to live in, and how life is just a real-life video game.
The Glory Days of Whiffle Ball and the Inane Nature of Sport Fandom
Nov 8 2021
The Glory Days of Whiffle Ball and the Inane Nature of Sport Fandom
Hosts Justin and Thom discuss the worldwide world of sports. They welcome long-time friend Ryan Springer to chat about all about their epic whiffle bat showdowns in college, Fantasy Football, the idea of social solipsism in sports, and what kind of weird sports they're surprised to see broadcast with crowds of fans, such as pickleball, don't-let-the-balloon-hit-the-ground, and marble racing.
Dark Machinations & Making Movies (The Spooooooky Halloween Show!)
Oct 31 2021
Dark Machinations & Making Movies (The Spooooooky Halloween Show!)
In this Halloween-spooktacular of an episode, Justin and Thom discuss why making a Karate Kid shower costume is tougher than it seems, which movie monsters would make the best work boss, and what kind of real-life spooktacular events have happened to them. They welcome horror-flick auteur James Shadid to talk about his inspirations and processes for the movie-making magic of the "Uber" and "Truck" trailer series, his award-winning 48-Hour Film Fest flick "Happy Hour" and other spooktacular topics.Check out James Shadid's short flicks here.Check out the "Uber" short trailers from James Shadid and the Slash Gordon team here.See the 48-Hour Film Flick "Happy Hour" from James Shadid and the team at Maplight Filmworks here.
The Doppler Effect, Demon Tacos, and John Shaft Loves Comics
Oct 25 2021
The Doppler Effect, Demon Tacos, and John Shaft Loves Comics
In this week's episode, Justin and Thom discuss what their superhero personas and powers would be and how they first discovered comics. They also welcome their first guest, Eric Davis, the proprietor of John Shaft Loves Waffles, a premiere spot for all your obscure comic book and movie memorabilia and swag. Check him out on Facebook to join in the wafflin' fun.
Our Friendship is Now Old Enough to Drink
Oct 18 2021
Our Friendship is Now Old Enough to Drink
In the inaugural episode of "Podcast: The Podcast" hosts Justin and Thom take a deep dive into the origin story of their friendship - a friendship  21 years in the making and now old enough to drink. Join them as they talk about how they first met, which Muppets would make the best college dorm RA, the veracity of their memories, and their rationale for starting a podcast (spoiler: there isn't a good reason).