The Free Bin

Deb and Harrison discuss the challenges of returning to school for teachers and students. They also discuss technology troubles, Mikhail Gorbachev's death and Woodstock '99.   Mentioned in this episode: "Gorbachev. Heaven" (2020)

Content warning: This episode includes brief mentions of threats of racialized violence depicted in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Deb and Harrison share their answers to the question "What fictional character would you choose to be your best friend?" The conversation takes them to classic and current literature, Deb's childhood experiences as a back-alley hydrologist, and Harrison's pathological desire to stuff Holden Caulfield into a dumpster. Discussed in this

Deb and Harrison talk about the concept of magic in fiction and life. Never sniff a necromancer's beard! Note: Harrison was indeed wrong about Nicolas Flamel, who was not an architect but a scribe and bookseller who designed his own tombstone. Mentioned in this episode: Queen Victoria's Book of Spells, Introduction: Fantasy, Magic, & Fairyland in 19th Century England Grimorium Verum Nicolas Flamel, [not really an] alchemist Octavia E. Butler, author Walter Mosley, author Nalo Hopkinson, author

The gang discusses lifelong learning and personal growth and what it means to them. Topics: Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI), North Korea, wine, unconscious social biases, audio signal processing, "The Munsters."  Mentioned in this episode: KYAQ, Lincoln County's public radio station "The Munsters" (2022) Trailer #1 The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector's Story by Hyeonseo Lee Justice at Work: A self-paced social justice training by Freedom Lifted SunVox Osher Lifelong Learning

Deb and Harrison share their favorite bedtime story choices for good dreams and bad. Stephen King contributes to both categories. Quirky manga, proto-punk, Rumpelstiltskin and Samuel L. Jackson make appearances. Deb shares book recs from a luxury blanket company. Harrison says Norway when he means Sweden. Recommendations in this episode: "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman "Notes From a Small Island" by Bill Bryson "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper

Deb, Denyse and Harrison discuss summer memories and share some of the books they've been reading. Topics include fireflies, wyverns, aggressive unicorns, the pervasive nature of misogyny, and underwater marital strife.

Deb and Harrison say hello, clarify which Toledo they're in, talk shop, reveal the town's dark secret, and try to give a sense of things to come. Stay tuned!