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Filmmaker Christopher Jason Bell (Failed State, Miss Me Yet) joins me for a special Halloween edition of Struggle Session. We delve into some of our favorite horror films and recent releases including Weapons, Hellraiser, Saw, Cure, Ganja & Hess, The Exorcist, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and more. We also talk about Chris’ short film The Confection starring Alex Ptak and Simone Norman, free to watch here: https://linktr.ee/christopherjasonbellFilms mentioned:* The Confection* Saw series* Spiral (Saw)* Twilight series* Hellraiser series* Hellraiser 2: Leviathan* Piranha 3D* Weapons* Barbarian* Eddington* The Exorcist* The Exorcist III* Silence of the Lambs* Deep Red* Tenebrae* Suspiria* Mother of Tears* Dracula (Argento)* Ganja &Hess* Da Sweet Blood of Jesus* Cure* Longlegs* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Jonathan Howard chief of the neurology service at Bellevue Hospital joins us to discuss his book We Want Them Infected: How the Failed Quest for Herd Immunity Led Doctors to Embrace the Anti-vaccine Movement and Blinded Americans to the Threat of COVID. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

Writer Kaila Yu joins me to discuss her new book Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

Ezra Klein has been on a roll with a series of podcasts defending Charlie Kirk’s legacy, arguing for Democrats to run more anti-abortion candidates to win in pro-abortion states, & and making the case for a value-free politics to Ta-Nehisi Coates. Briahna Joy Grey of Bad Faith joins me to to break it all down.This was a live stream on the Bad Faith YouTube Channel recorded 9/20/25 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

Ross Benes joins us to discuss his book 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. We explore the cultural landscape of the late 90s including the impact of The Jerry Springer Show on reality TV, the influence of Vince McMahon on politics, how Juggalos defined outsider culture, Nu metal's MTV-sponsored angst, and the rise of video games from kiddie hobby to big business.Guest Link:https://www.rossbenes.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction02:46 What is Low Culture?05:28 The Impact of Jerry Springer on Modern Culture08:27 Kayfabe and Professional Wrestling's Influence17:34 Trump's Pro Wrestling Persona and Kayfabe25:27 The Insane Clown Posse28:09 The Evolution of Fan Culture in Music36:05 Video Games: From Low Culture to Mainstream41:37 Was 1999 The Peak?Upcoming episodes:Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty w/ Kaila YuLeave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: Check out our friends: https://www.instagram.com/loudoun_palestine/Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to [email protected] GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lleeiiiStay safe and mask up: https://maskbloc.org/Keep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiii This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

Is Ed Wood worst director of all time? Not a chance says our guest. On today's Struggle Session writer Will Sloan joins us to discuss is new book Ed Wood: Made In Hollywood USA. We talk about the infamous director’s artistic legacy, how his films challenge the concept of “bad” movies, the enduring charm of Plan 9 from Outer Space, and the shockingly progressive Glen or Glenda.Plus voicemails on brand movies, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Sam Raimi.Guest Links: https://www.willsloan.ca/Upcoming episodes:Strange Days with Aaron Thorpe1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times w/ Ross BenesFetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty w/ Kyla YuLeave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our friends: https://www.instagram.com/loudoun_palestine/Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to [email protected] GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lleeiiiKeep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

On today's Struggle Session Joshua Gooch joins us to talk his new book Capitalism Hates You: Marxism and The New Horror Film. We discuss what modern horror has to offer horror, and vice versa. We also analyze some recent horror films including Hereditary, Gaia, The Witch and more. Joshua also gives his picks for essential horror classics for all young radicals. _______________________Guest Links: https://joshuagooch.com/Leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to [email protected] GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lleeiiiKeep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.comThis episode is a special crossover with Briahna's podcast Bad Faith. Enjoy!------------------------------------------A Brief History of Violence screenwriter & co-host of The Movies that Made Me Josh Olson and Struggle Session co-host Leslie Lee III join the show to discuss the movie everyone's talking about: Ryan Coogler's Jim Crow vampire film Sinners. In a spoiler-filled episode (you are warned), the trio debate what the movie is trying to say about race, freedom, religion, and vampirism before delving into the media controversy surrounding Variety's coverage of the film's box office earnings.Produced by Armand Aviram.Bad Faith Theme by Nick Thorburn (@nickfromislands).Visit our website at http://sesh.show Please leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to [email protected] up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com

On today's action-packed episode Trevor Beaulieu of Champagne Sharks joins Leslie to discuss Captain America: Brave New World! From the reshoots to the surprisingly radical comic series that inspired it, we cover it all. We also talk about Sam Raimi's M.A.N.T.I.S. starring Carl Lumbly, a Black superhero show so far ahead of it's time that the studio destroyed it.Guest Links: http://champagnesharks.blubrry.net/M.A.N.T.I.S. TV Movie: ‘M.A.N.T.I.S.’ Undergoes Pilot-to-Series Changes : New Producers of TV Series About an African American Super-Hero Cite Creative Reasons; Others Claim Racism https://archive.ph/ACaqgVisit our website at http://sesh.showPlease leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to [email protected] up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.comOn today's episode journalist Taylor Lorenz joins us to discuss current events including the Rachel Zegler/Gal Gadot Snow White Controversy, Jeffrey Goldberg's war crime text chat saga, and the dismantling of public health measures amidst the ongoing pandemic.Taylor is the founder of User Mag which covers the intersection of internet culture, politics, and free speech.Subscribe to see video version below:Guest Links: Visit our website at http://sesh.showPlease leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to [email protected] up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/

On today's terrifying episode, Leslie is joined by Alexander Chatziioannou for a deep dive into the world of horror video games. We discuss Alex's book From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror, the evolution of horror games, the significance of iconic titles like Resident Evil, and the impact of remakes and indie games on the genre.Guest Links: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/products/from-ants-to-zombies-six-decades-of-video-game-horror | https://bsky.app/profile/alexanderhad1.bsky.socialVisit our website at http://sesh.showSupport the show by subscribing: http://patreon.com/strugglesessionPlease leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to [email protected] Keep up with and contact Leslie : https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.comOn another spooky and sexy edition of Vampire Castle, Jamie is once again joins by her brother in darkness Leslie to discuss Robert Eggers’ horny and polarizing Nosferatu (2024). Is it original enough to justify making yet another movie based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 gothic novel? How does it stack up to Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 masterpiece? And when will men learn that having a goth girlfriend is a big responsibility?Check out Struggle Session: https://www.patreon.com/strugglesession***SIGN UP NOW at https://patreon.com/partygirls to get all of our bonus content, Discord access, and a shout out on the pod!Join our YouTube channel as a member to get access to bonus videos (if you prefer, they’re the same ones you’d find on Patreon!):https://www.youtube.com/@partygirlspod-----Thanks to Party Girls staff for producing this episode. - Leslie

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.comOn today's all new episode of Struggle Session Leslie is joined by Aaron Casias & Carlee Gomes, the hosts of the hit podcast Hit Factory. We discussed the best and worst films of the year including Furiosa, Nickel Boys, Gladiator II, The Substance, Do Not Expect to Much From the End of the World and more. We also shared our favorite performances last year, the most surprisingly good films, and the worst trends in Hollywood.Fill out your own ballot here or by sending us an email. We'll discuss the results on an upcoming show: https://forms.gle/iAFTDFsbv4HtcVBi9Guest Links: https://www.patreon.com/hitfactorypodVisit our website at http://sesh.showSupport the show by subscribing: http://patreon.com/strugglesession

On today's episode of Struggle Session, Leslie is joined by Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson, the creators of the hit comic series Justice Warriors to discuss political thrillers.From the Manchurian Candidate to Enemy of the State, Marathon Man to The Days of the Condor and The Jackal, we discussed the greats of the genre and how they inspired the latest volume of Justice Warriors.Guest Links: https://thebenclarkson.com/ https://www.mattbors.com/Visit our website at http://sesh.showPlease leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to [email protected] Keep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.comWe misunderstimated him. On today's episode filmmaker Christopher Jason Bell joins us to discuss his documentary series Miss Me Yet? which takes a year by year view of what it was like to live through the George W. Bush administration.Guest Links: Miss Me Yet - https://means.tv/programs/missmeyethttps://linktr.ee/christopherjasonbellLeslie's appearance …

Listen 'bub, we've got a special episode for all the mutant lovers! Leslie and special guest Elana Levin pop their claws and rip into the X-Men '97. We discuss what made the reboot and the original X-Men cartoon series some of the best comic book adaptions.This is part of a crossover with Graphic Policy Radio where Leslie and Elana discussed Batman: Caped Crusader. Be sure to check that out!Visit our website at http://sesh.showSupport the show by subscribing: http://patreon.com/strugglesession\Guest Links: https://graphicpolicy.com/radio/Please leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to [email protected] Contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.comOn this special crossover episode Jamie is joined by Jamie Peck (@jamie_elizabeth) of the podcast Party Girls to discuss two cult classic zombie movies from the father of the genre, George A. Romero: "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) and "Day of the Dead" (1985). In these two spine-chilling films, the left-leaning director interrogates racism, the milit…

On today's blockbuster episode Noah Kulwin and Brendan James hosts, of the outstanding show Blowback, join us to talk about their new season and it's subject, Cambodia.Please consider supporting the show by subscribing: Guest Links: https://blowback.show/Send an email or voicemail to [email protected] Keep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiTips via cash app | venmo: lleeiii | $lleeiii Struggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.comWE AIN'T GOT TIME TO BLEED! On today's episode Aaron Thorpe is back and jacked to discuss the Predator series, including the sequels, reboots, and crossovers. Predator (1987), Predator 2 (1990), Predators (2010), The Predator (2018), Prey (2022), Alien vs. Predator (2004), Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007).Also, quick reviews of Salem's Lot (2024), Th…