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PODCAST

Midday Movies

Laura Fones and Stephen Frothingham

Welcome to the Midday Movies podcast, provider of fun, funny, and thoughtful media reviews 2-3x a week. Streaming on @radiotacoma101.9 every Tues/Thurs/Sat at 3pm.

tv & film

All Episodes

00:19:44

Ep 84: How to Have Fun

Midday Movies ·

2024/04/04

This Thursday is all about fun! When you’re in a rut and droopy from a lack of fun, what can you do? Laura shares her way-too-intense media consumption (“Quiet on Set,” “Zone of Interest,” and “Fantasticland”) and how it’s impacting her mental health, and Stephen offers the succor of coziness. Listening to your heart, relaxing, and diversifying your activities are all discussed as fun alternatives to the doldrums of productivity culture. Join us for a positive chat about improving the fun in your

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00:23:50

Ep 83: “The Regime” (2024) — Parsing the Politics of...

Midday Movies ·

2024/04/03

Today we’re taking no (political) prisoners as we discuss “The Regime’s” (2024, created by Will Tracy) fourth episode, “Midnight Feast” in which the Colonel Zubek (Matthias Schoenaerts) and Chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) saga continues. Loyalties are tested and “1984” (George Orwell) is heavily referenced as Hugh Grant makes an appearance on this episode as a centrist alternative to Elena’s madcap authoritarianism. Politics of the heart and the mind are compared as both the country and the

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00:21:19

Ep 82: “The Regime” (2024) — Unpacking “The...

Midday Movies ·

2024/04/02

Today we discuss episodes 2 (“The Foundling”) and 3 (“Heroes’ Banquet”) of Will Tracy’s HBO Max series, “The Regime,” starring Kate Winslet. Chancellor Elena Vernham’s saga continues as she embraces folk medicine and populist ideals at the prompting of her unlikely advisor and confidant Corporal Zubek (played by Matthias Schoenaerts). Power displays, family dynamics, and political lunacy are the order of this regime and we’re charting the progress of HBO Max’s limited series from episode 2 (wherein

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00:23:37

Ep 81: Core Life Skills

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/29

Today we’re discussing the stuff of life — optimal sleep strategies, the power of hydration, and solving survival in the modern era. Comparing our Garmin watch “body battery” levels, we commiserate on heavy life demands and suboptimal rest. The television show “Resident Alien” (starring Alan Tudyk) says a human body needs 10 hours of sleep and Laura agrees. How do you sleep that much and that well? Preparation! Additional life strategies are discussed through the lens of “personal supply lines” and

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00:19:48

Ep 80: Managing Stress

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/27

Today we discuss managing the pressure of unexpected events and family emergencies — how do you cope? What are actions you can take to minimize disruption to your life when curveballs are thrown? This week offered up many challenges and Laura and Stephen had to field them. Whether you choose to prioritize your obligations or abandon them in the face of one big new problem, there are pros and cons. Sharing their strategies and offering up honest reflections, our co-hosts give advice and reiterate

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00:20:43

Ep 79: Romance & Other Gimmicks

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/22

Today we’re discussing romantic fiction and reality — inspired by Laura’s week-long battle with Elif Batuman’s novel “The Idiot.” A Pulitzer Prize finalist book about youth and first love, Stephen and Laura are inspired to chat about love interests in literature (shoutout to “Conversations with Friends” by Sally Rooney), and how love works in real life. Assessing romantic “types” and their accompanying “gimmicks,” we’re getting real about romance. Let’s get into it!Follow us on your favorite

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00:22:22

Ep 78: Bioshock & Atlas Shrugged

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/21

Today we’re doing a retrospective on the Bioshock game series — its cultural impact, philosophical influences, and how important it is that the franchise be brought to the small screen (à la “The Last of Us”) immediately. We discuss “Atlas Shrugged” at length (the literary inspiration for Bioshock’s undersea city Rapture) as well as the dangers of dogmatism. Also in the mix are Norse mythology, present day political divides, and Universal Studios. It’s fun! Join us! Follow us on your favorite

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00:25:14

Ep 77: Reviewing “Perfect Days” (2023, dir. Wim Wenders)

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/20

Today we’re discussing the beautiful, festival-winning Japanese film directed by iconic German director Wim Wenders (“Wings of Desire” & “Paris, Texas”). Starring legendary Japanese actor Koji Yakusho as Tokyo janitor Hirayama, the film charts several weeks of this man’s deliberately plotted existence — containing work, routine, and random daily interactions with members of the community. With charm, humor, and pathos, the film explores the small beauties of daily life — and we share our own

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00:20:19

Ep 76: School Mindset vs. Work Mindset

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/19

Today we’re talking about the differences between school life and work life — expectations, work ethic, and social environment. Sharing stories of our own lives and the lives of those we love, we talk about how to survive and thrive in college and beyond. We discuss the unique underlying engine of American capitalism — work buddies — without whom no good project would ever get done. Whether you’re a student or a corporate cog, there’s something for everyone in this episode of Midday Musings! Follow

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00:22:25

Ep 75: Big Cities & Big Dreams

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/15

Today we’re discussing the social benefits of living in a large metropolitan area — from friends who want to crash with you for a big city vacation to the inevitable friend reunions that occur as a result of urban centralization. Groundhogs are less reliable than they were in the 20th century, but at least cherry blossom season is coming. Snakes are maligned but maybe just because they’re pagans. Spiders, bovines, and Saturnalia also make an appearance. We’re covering ancient cities, modern cities,

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00:24:18

Ep 74: Feelings, Optimism, and Asking for Help

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/14

Even Bad B****s can have a bad day — so let’s talk it through. Today we’re discussing how complicated it is to feel and be human. How do you feel and process emotions? Is there value in intellectualizing emotions? How do you approach asking for help? From fictional characters Thanos to Elsa to even ourselves, join us for an earnest discussion on how we deal with big feelings and how big feelings deal with your life. Let’s get into it!Follow us on your favorite podcast platform for

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00:23:21

Ep 73: “The Regime” — Family and Political Dynamics

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/13

Today we’re discussing the first episode of creator Will Tracy’s new HBO limited series, “The Regime.” Starring Kate Winslet as Chancellor Elena Vernham in a show helmed by the writer of “The Menu” (2022) and “Succession” (2019-2023), this political spoof takes place in an unnamed Central European country that’s looking to create a commercial relationship with the United States. The first episode, “Victory Day,” introduces us to the strange, funhouse world of Chancellor Vernham’s regime — full of

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00:24:17

Ep 72: Red Flags, White Flags, and Merpersons!

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/12

Today we’re dusting off Grim Rabbit’s Red Flags card game — the game of terrible dates! We’re debating (and ruining?) potential love matches from presidents to merpeople. Join us for a comedic discussion of dating disasters, and determining the difference between red flags and white flags. Let’s get into it!Follow us on your favorite podcast platform for more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@middaymusingspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/middaymusingspod⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message:

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00:22:08

Ep 71: Language, Food, and Culture

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/08

Today we’re discussing language and food as an entry point to new cultures. Shoutout to Duolingo’s owl mascot, Duo, who is super-passionate (maybe too passionate?) on that subject! We chat about how language is a key and history is baked into traditional cultural dishes. Whether it’s the Chinese alphabet occupying the Korean and Japanese languages or Persian preparations in Indian food, we learn a lot by accessing different cultures from unusual angles. Learn with us! And if you are listening for a

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00:20:38

Ep 70: Why We Love Horror

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/07

Today it’s all things horror media — books, movies, and video games. Both Laura and Stephen find a lot of comfort in horror properties, sharing their affinity for the genre and the possible origins of that love. Laura shares her current horror read (“Nestlings” by Nat Cassidy), Stephen talks his favorite horror films, and we discuss the unique catharsis you can only receive from horror media. Join us! And if you are listening for a workout, you can Download Podbeat FREE in the App Store and add a

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00:17:51

Ep 69: Rest & Balance

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/06

Today we’re talking about what constitutes rest — sometimes it’s active, sometimes it’s passive — and how to create the balance inherent to “living a life.” We share stories of Canada and the elements of our existence that make us feel alive. Further — is there a cultural conspiracy that keeps us from resting? From living? From balancing parts of ourselves in the optimal way? Share your lunch break with us and we’ll figure these things out together.Follow us on your favorite podcast platform for

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00:19:34

Ep 68: Books! Books! Books!

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/05

We return from international travel with a whole episode on our favorite tree byproduct, books! Shoutouts to tea and Victoria, British Columbia peppered in our conversation on literary fiction, nonfiction, and self development books. The differences between American writers, Russian writing, and French novels are discussed, and we are once more in awe of the practical benefits of the American library card. Get yours at your local library! (Books specifically referenced include “In the Cafe of Lost

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00:25:31

Ep 67: Matriarchy, Patriarchy, and Religion

Midday Movies ·

2024/03/01

Today we’re discussing matriarchy, patriarchy, and religion. From the wilds of Madagascar to the cathedrals of Florence, we’re discussing animals, people, and the historical “hot girl” practices that reinforced societal codes of behavior in times gone by (and now!) Special shoutout to Leonard Schlain for his amazing interdisciplinary books (“The Alphabet and the Goddess,” et al.) that inspired some of this conversation. Join us for a fun little chat that spans continents, time periods, and cultural

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00:25:14

Ep 66: Private Self v. Public Self

Midday Movies ·

2024/02/29

Today we’re chatting about how differently we all present ourselves in public and private settings — whether the person in question is a celebrity, a citizen, or just little old you. There is also a special shoutout to Duo, the ever-intrusive Duolingo owl. Join us for an episode of conversation and comedy!Follow us on your favorite podcast platform for more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@middaymusingspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/middaymusingspod⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message:

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00:21:12

Ep 65: Intentionality and the History of the Human Brain

Midday Movies ·

2024/02/28

Today we’re discussing practical tools for your daily life — intentionality, keeping promises to yourself, and the history of the human brain. For those interested in becoming a better human or introducing greater self-regulation into your life, we’re talking mental health, psychology history, and the nature of the bicameral mind. Join us for a sunny snapshot of self-improvement!Follow us on your favorite podcast platform for more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@middaymusingspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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304 results

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