In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jessica Douthwaite to the show. Jessica is the co-curator of the new exhibition being held by the Bodelian Libraries showing off some of the materials the library has in the John le Carré archive. We talk about how Jessica became involved, what a curator does, and how the exhibition […]

It’s that time of year: the days are getting shorter, the shadows are getting darker, and the ghouls and ghosts are eager to come out and play. As is customary, we’re dedicating our October podcast to scary things – and… Continue reading →

We’re joined by Sarah Hawley for a fun chat all about her new book Princess of Blood, her intricately detailed world building process, and her experience in stage combat. Plus – Dave avoids small talk at all costs, Laura shares embarrassing stories about her family, and Andrew gets a new truck. Again. We also recommend: … Continue reading Crossing Swords With Sarah Hawley

Part two of my review of Mark Fiege's excellent book The Republic of Nature. In this chapter we focus on the mid-nineteenth century with a chapter on the ecology of the cotton economy, the ecology of Lincoln's worldview, and the ecology of Gettysburg. What aspects of history do you think could we use to explore themes of environmental history?

Summary Thanks for joining us to discuss how The First is Perry the Platypus of evil, lots of body shaming and how we're over it, and finally Spike's reveal as a killer this episode. Listen Links We have a Patreon account where you can support us and get access to all kinds of fun things!  You can … Continue reading Episode 145: Sleeper →

A fun chat with Jane Hamilton about her new book The Phoebe Variations, big families, housing Sigourney Weaver, and possums. Plus – Dave and Andrew have an eventful weekend in Baltimore, and Laura spends quality time with Sylvia at school. We also recommend: One Dark Night by Hannah Richell, The Wrong Hands by Mark Billingham, … Continue reading Ep. 305 Playing Possum With Jane Hamilton

The panel discusses five poems by E.A. Robinson, with discussion centring on their use of the gothic, their shared imagery of death and hell (and their response), and particularly their formal qualities seen across three villanelles and two sonnets.Continue reading

Send us a text From making films to making comics our next guests unique eye helped make him stand out in the independents and especially to the eye of our host! Raymar Brunson is a comic book artist and writer who transitioned into the industry after an earlier career in filmmaking. He is best recognized as the creative force behind his creator-owned comic book series, GhostMan, and the oversized comic Bonegrinder, both of which are published through Cosmic Lion Productions. Beyond his solo ...

All good things…In light of the highly disappointing (and frankly cowardly) behavior of Marvel’s parent company Disney in the face of government pressure, we’re… done? After this episode, no more Marvel comics. We’ll be back next month, twice monthly reviewing manga instead. But before we go, we’ve got one last round of ranking, including the ragtag Legion of Monsters and the… anticapitalist(?) Iron Man(?!?). What a way to end!

The first part of my four episode review of Mark Fiege's excellent The Republic of Nature: An Environmental History of the United States. In the first two chapters we explore the environmental context of witch trials, religious dissent, the American Revolution, Monticello, and the Puritan encounter with indigenous people.

Hile, Cromrades! We return with a new story, one from MARS! Herein we discuss 'The Dweller in the Gulf,' by none other than Clark Ashton Smith. You can access an open source version of the text here! Join us, won't you?One Things Jon: No Man's Sky, on a ton of gaming platforms! Josh: Salt and Sanctuary, on a ton of gaming platforms! Luke: Sinners, which is his fave movie of the year (so far)! Also... Did you know there's an upcoming CAS Conference in Auburn, CA, in Jan? Check it out! Grassroots

Mickie Kennedy, poet and press release distributor

Join The Momentum Circle writing community - applications close on Sept 30th! CLINK THE LINK FOR MORE INFO Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world. In this episode I’m joined by Alan Green, debut author of Sound Advice, a fascinating book that digs into the hidden life lessons of 1980s pop music. Alan shares how redundancy after nearly three decades at a law firm sparked a complete li...

The panel discusses four poems from Edwin Muir's collection The Narrow Place (1943), with a focus on their formal features, their connexion to a version of Nietzsche's philosophy, and their opposed characterisation of the civilised and natural worlds.Continue reading

Send us a text A true legend who colored many milestone Marvel Comics drops in to discuss her amazing work! Linda Lessmann is a veteran comic book colorist known for her work with major publishers like Marvel Comics and First Comics. Beginning her career in the mid-1970s as a staff colorist in the Marvel Comics "Bullpen," she contributed to a wide range of titles including Amazing Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Man-Thing. She later co-founded Gorblimey Press with artist Barry Wind...

In this episode we continue to celebrate 50 years of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by counting up to 50 interesting things about the book. For numbers eleven to twenty point five I’m welcoming Matthew Bradford back to the podcast. We talk that about some of our favorite characters in the novel. From Connie Sachs to […]

Send us a message! Let us know what you think? Mark and Jason return to discuss the Japanese anthology horror film, Kwaidan 怪談 (lit. 'Ghost Stories')! Directed by Masaki Kobayashi, it is based on stories from Lafcadio Hearn's collections of Japanese folk tales. The film consists of four separate and unrelated stories that take place in feudal Japan. The United Nations of Horror is a Podcast about ALL THINGS HORROR! From thrillers of yesteryear to today's modern-day horror, we are here t...

Rachelle joins us for her debut episode to talk about Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. She and Lesley touch on strained family dynamics, how cool astronauts are, and an epic ending that kept a whole book club on the edge of their seats.

Wow, Bob, wow: Twin Peaks forms part of the DNA of A Damn Fine Cup of Culture – if our name and logo didn’t already make that obvious. And yet, some of us have come very late to David Lynch‘s… Continue reading →

We’re joined by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado for a fun chat all about their new book The Grave Artist, their prodigious output, and upping the serial killer game. We also recommend: The Lottery Ticket by CJ Williams, How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates, and The King of Video Poker by Paolo Iacovelli.  … Continue reading Ep. 304 Jeffery Deaver & Isabella Maldonado Can’t Stop Writing