Pop & Locke

Coming soon, a brand new podcast from Libertarianism.org... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back baby! After a holiday respite, Pop & Locke has returned to break down all your favorite media with today's brightest minds.Today on the show we're talking National Treasure, and ask, is it a 21st century classic or time wasting conspiracy crock? Is it QAnon for kids? And where could they go with a next installment? Here to answer that and more are my two guests: Deputy Managing Editor at Reason, Natalie Dowzicky and returning guest and now Cato-ite, Research Fellow on Technology Policy, Jennifer Huddleston. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fire up your hyperdrives and pack your kyber crystals because we are headed to a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away for another edition of Pop & Locke: Star Wars edition.This week, Pat Eddington and Aaron Ross Powell join the show to break down Disney+'s latest offering in the Star Wars saga, Andor. How does the gritty prequel series to the sneaky hit Rogue One hold up? Who is the real evil in the series? And how does the Empire adopt the language of fascism to keep it's boot on the neck of the ever-growing resistance movement? All that--and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“All men must serve,” as the saying goes—but whom must they serve? That’s the question posed by the new HBO series from the mind of George R. R. Martin, House of the Dragon. Set almost two centuries prior to the enormously successful Game of Thrones series, House of the Dragon sets up House Targaryen’s eventual fall from power, provides context for the fractured, feudal state of Westeros to come, and asks; who should have the right to rule?Reason’s Natalie Dowzicky and Robby Soave join the show to point out how the series is an example of the failures of a government absent the constitutional rule of law, elite fears of populism, and crumbling institutions usurped by greed and power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Clueless” as she may be, Cher Horowitz isn’t just a naive high school student. She’s a pro-immigration, free market friendly, drug decriminalization defender. But what about her tendency to assume what other people want or need?Reason’s Katherine Mangu Ward and Natalie Dowzicky join the show to break down whether her well intentioned “helpfulness” is cover for more authoritarian tendencies, the possible decline of a car-centric culture’s notions of youthful freedom and agency, and the complicated legacy of the film’s depiction of gender roles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should you be allowed custody of nuclear powered weapons? It’s questions that’s plagued libertarians before, and one that’s also raised by the animated cult classic The Iron Giant. Through innovative production means, Brad Bird’s box office blunder turned cinematic darling wraps a clear creative vision and Aristotelian characterization of themes up in a seemingly simple story of a boy and a giant robot. Sean Malone and Paul Meany joins us to answer questions it raises like; is Brad Bird an objectivist filmmaker? How much can we change the path we’re set upon in life? And is The Lorax a good lesson for kids? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is an epic adventure based on the novels written by J.R.R. Tolkien. Set in Middle-earth, the story follows the young Hobbit, Frodo Baggins, as he and the Fellowship embark on a quest to destroy the One Ring, to ensure the destruction of the Dark Lord Sauron. But what is the Lord of the Rings story really about? And, why is it so popular?Whether it's The Ring of Power, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, or the original trilogy, Tolkien's words are filled with lessons and insight all can learn from. In this classic Pop & Locke episode, guests Jacob Levy, Paul Meany, and Paul Matzko join us to dig into the religious roots of the work, the nature of power, and whether or not the eagles would have actually helped destroy the ring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1998 the Coen brothers released The Big Lebowski and the theaters were half-​empty. However, the film has since spurred a cult-​like following revolving around its protagonist, The Dude; a dopey but profound conscientious objector to all human conflict with his own special brand of zen. Part slacker manifesto, part sun-drenched noir, the film follows his quest to receive penance for a soiled rug and unravels into a wild goose chase involving all sorts of inherent vice.In this classic episode from the Pop & Locke vault, Julian Sanchez and Akiva Malamet join us to discuss the essence of the Coen Brothers’ famous character, the hidden nods to Wagner, and what the film has to say about nihilist philosophy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s more faithful to the facts of the founders—1776 or Hamilton? Why does John Adams get the star treatment while James Wilson gets such short shrift? And what does the musical many of us had to watch in high school get wrong about American Revolutionary history? All that and more are answered this week, with the help of David Boaz, Paul Matzko, and first time guest Tim Sandefur.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The court of Pop & Locke is now in session! All who have cause to discuss the cult classic comedy of courtroom escapes My Cousin Vinny draw near and you shall be heard. Our honorable guests help us break down the legal fact from fiction as we search for the verdict on Vinny’s veracity and verisimilitude. Plus; would you have taken the public defender instead? And how much do they really teach you in law school? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revived by the spirit of Stranger Things’ Eddie Munson, today we are going to mosh our way through the music of Metallica. From Kill ‘em All to …And Justice for All and beyond, the band has evolved from rebellious, rage-fueled teenage innovators to the flag-bearers of a heavy metal ethos rooted in principles without being didactic. Returning guest and committed metalhead Chris Freiman and William Irwin, author of the new book The Meaning of Metallica: Ride the Lyrics, join the show to pick through the politics and philosophy of the kings of thrash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a ride into the danger zone with Brandon Valeriano and Paul Musgrave and blow Top Gun wide open. Is Tom Cruise’s action 1986 blockbuster a a redemptive reconceptualization of the post-Vietnam American military, or is it just a sports movie? Plus; does the military provide a service or a product? And either way, why are we paying so much for it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Socrates once said the unexamined life is not worth living—and if he were around today I’m sure he’d say that “A Bug’s Life” is totally worth examining. Join us as we dive into the 1998 Disney Pixar romp to find what we can take away with us and what we can leave on the offering stone.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drug approvals were not always as rapid as they were for COVID-19. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Politics is power, nothing more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode ain’t right.We are headed down to the home of Tom Landry Middle School, Mega Lo Mart, and Strickland Propane—that’s right, Arlen, Texas. Kat Murti and first time guest Nick Gillespie join us to decide whether Hank Hill would have voted for Donald Trump, explain the eccentricities of Texan identity, and reveal the benefits of propane and propane accessories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vicious vulgarity and criticism of censorship are at the heart of Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s groundbreaking animated series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the depths of American psychopathy as we ask—can we get a table for two at 8 PM at Dorsia? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Uncover the mystery of ideology with 2019’s best independent video game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It may have been less than a decade since we saw him in theaters last, but The Batman has got a new haircut, a fresh coat of eye shadow, and a lot of emotional baggage to unpack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.