The Protagonist Podcast
618 episodes — Page 10 of 13
The Protagonist Podcast #168: Olivia Pope in Scandal S01E01 “Sweet Baby” and S02E22 “White Hats Back On” (TV 2012) “I want to be a gladiator in a suit.”
Description This week, we enter the Shondaverse to talk about Olivia Pope from the tv show Scandal. We talk about the tone of the show, quality writing and acting, and wonder about Olivia’s blind spot. Support the Show SUPPORT US … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #167: Christopher Rowe in The Blackthorn Key (Novel 2015) “Things you have to light from far away probably shouldn’t be lit at all.”
Description Novelist Frank Cole joins Todd and Joe as they discuss Christopher Rowe in the The Blackthorn Key. This middle grade novel by Kevin Sands is a bit like The Da Vinci Code meets Shakespeare (but for kids), and in … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #166: Derice, Sanka, Yul Brenner, Junior, and Irving in Cool Runnings (Film 1993) “Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme!”
Description In the spirit of the Winter Olympics, Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Chris Maverick to discuss the film Cool Runnings. They talk about family film expectations, current attitudes toward this film, and what character arcs the … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #165: Valentine’s day Special 2018 “Kenneth Branagh to Kenneth Branagh in Harry Potter.”
Description Todd, Joe, and Producer Andrew play a new Valentine’s Day game. They try to build the longest chain of actors they can by saying “Actor A dated Actress B in Movie X, and Actress B dated Actor C in … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #164: Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane (Comic 2007) “What would you say to going out some time?”
Description Todd and Joe talk about Mary Jane from the comic book Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. They discuss the significance of high school emotions, the blending of superheroes and adolescent drama, and one of a Todd’s favorite artistic portrayals in … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #163: Granny, Nanny, and Magrat in Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pritchett (Novel 1999) “Things that try to look like things often do look more like things than things.”
Description We’re joined by special guest Karissa Evensen to discuss the novel Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. We talk about his Discworld series, the three witches, and the relationship between truth and story. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #162: Special Episode on Fan Fiction “Ron’s Ron shirt was just as bad as Ron himself.”
Description This week, inspired by a patron request, Todd and Joe dip a toe into the world of fan fiction. They talk about what it is, it’s gray areas, and Producer Andrew points out some iconic works of fan fiction. … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #161: Kubo in Kubo and the Two Strings (Film 2016) “If you must blink, do it now.”
Description This week, Todd and Joe are joined by returning guest Branden Ushio to discuss Kubo and the Two Strings. They talk about the Hero’s Journey, the beautiful stop motion, and issues of representation on the film. Support the Show … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #160: Fantasy Box Office 2018 “So many bad films to choose from.”
Description It’s time to look back at the 2017 Fantasy Box Office and look ahead to 2018. Find out who won last year’s event, then listen to Todd and Joe make their picks for their unique spin on a Guess … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #159: The Entire Cast in The Importance of Being Earnest (Theater 1895) “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
Description This week, Joe and Todd are going old school, as they discuss The Importance of Being Earnest. They talk about silly seriousness, the importance of the era to understanding some of the critiques, and Wilde’s tightly controlled farce. Support … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #158: Elise and Nick in The Mistletoe Promise (Film 2016) “Christmas rarely goes well for me.”
Description Joe and Todd are talking about the movie The Mistletoe Promise. They’ve had enough fun with the formula that it was time to talk about an actual Hallmark Christmas movie. They talk about what characters they like, what doesn’t … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #157: Jo March in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Novel 1869) “Women work a great many miracles”
Description Todd and Joe are discussing a classic novel, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. They discuss parenting, realistic character, and audience expectations. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL OF AUDIBLE.COM Show Notes … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #156: Kris Kringle and Susan in Miracle on 34th Street (Film 1947) “Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.”
Description Joe and Todd are tackling a Christmas classic as they discuss a Miracle on 34th Street. They discuss the weird history behind it’s release date, talk about faith and belief, and dig into Todd’s unexpected (for Joe) response to … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #155: Christmas Special 2017 “That is like bringing a bazooka to a knife fight.”
Description It’s The Protagonist Podcast Christmas Special 2017! Producer Andrew sent Joe and Todd the titles to 8 holiday specials they’ve never seen, and they each made up a plot summary (though Joe went overboard and shot well past a … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #154: Dave in “Dave Cooks the Turkey” and “Turkeys are Terrific” from The Vinyl Cafe (Radio 1994-2015) “Sir, are you looking for trouble?”
Description Todd and Joe talk about Dave from “The Dave and Morley Stories” on the Canadian radio show Vinyl Cafe. They talk about the holidays, the creation of traditions, and tweaking what could be cliched character roles in just the … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #153: The Gilmore Family in Friday Nights Alright for Fighting: S06 E13 of Gilmore Girls (TV 2006) “Dinner with Rory! How delightful! Well, spit-spot. Alert the corgis’.”
Description Joe and Todd are joined by guest Kate Darowski to discuss Gilmore Girls. We talk about the charms of the show, the intergenerational family dynamics, and debate the merits of various boyfriends. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #152: Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban (Novel 1999) “I solemnly swear I am up to no good.”
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Amy Champion to discuss Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Topics of discussion include character growth, the logic of the Time Turner and the Marauder’s Map, and … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #151: The Vision Family in The Vision (Comic 2015) “They seemed nice.”
Description Joe and Todd are joined by returning guest Todd Petersen to discuss the Marvel comic book series The Vision. They touch on an awful lot of topics, because this is one of the most thought-provoking texts they’ve covered. Topics … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #150: Halloween Special 2017 “Whatever you were thinking, throw it out the window.”
Description For our special 150th episode we’re joined by returning guest Todd Petersen! First, we reveal our ten most downloaded episodes, then with some prompts from producer Andrew we work together to make up some Halloween themed stories. Support the … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #149: The Entire Cast in Hocus Pocus (Film 1993) “I’ll put a spell on you!”
Description Todd and Joe are tackling a Halloween classic as they discuss the characters from a Hocus Pocus. They talk about the importance of tone for a children’s scary movie, the villains motivations, and where the film feels a bit … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #148: Jonathan Strange and Gilbert Norrell in Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (TV 2015) “Magic is not ended in England.”
Description Todd and Joe rare discussing Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange from the television mini-series Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. We talk about what drives each character, the different styles of magic on display, and how everything about this adaptation … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #147: Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (Novel 1934) “The impossible must be possible in spite of appearances.”
Description Joe and Todd tackle a true classic, discussing Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie’s novel, Murder on the Orient Express (just in time for the upcoming film). They talk about Christie’s reputation, mystery genre conventions, and what sets Poirot apart … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #146: Cady Heron in Mean Girls (Film 2004) “Well, this has been sufficiently awkward.”
Description Joe and a Todd are joined by special guests Lena English and Tayler Iversen to discuss Cady Heron from the film Mean Girls. We talk about accurate exaggerations, high school drama, and how important the resolution is for the … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #145: The entire cast in Runaways by Brian K. Vaughan (Comic 2003) “Our parents are super-villains!”
Description Joe and Todd are joined by Scott Carelli to talk about the Marvel comic book series Runaways. They talk about villainous parents, creating fully-formed characters, and surprise twists. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #144: Hittokiri Battosai/Himura Kenshin in Rurouni Kenshin (TV 1996) “A sword is a weapon.”
Description Todd and Joe are joined by Norman Mitchell and Producer Andrew to discuss Hittokiri Battosai/Himura Kenshin from the anime series Rurouni Kenshin. They talk about expectations and conventions of certain art forms, the characters that feel fully formed, and … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #143: Flavia de Luce in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Novel 2009) “I was me, I was Flavia. And I loved myself, even if no one else did.”
Description Joe and Todd talk about Flavia de Luce from the novel The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. They talk about young protagonists in grown up situations, the balance of a sad story and a … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #142: Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Film 1989) “Don’t call me Junior!”
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Pete Mummert from The Indiana Jones Minute Podcast to talk about Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. They talk about the logical problems but perfect tone of the film, the amazing … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #141: Nimona in Nimona (Comic 2015) “I’m a shark!”
Description Joe and Todd are joined by John Darowski to talk about Nimona from the graphic novel Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. They talk about trauma, disruption versus maintaining the status quo, and shape shifters. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #140: River Song in Dr. Who “Silence in the Library” (S04E08) and “Forest of the Dead” (S04E09) (TV 2008) “I trust that man to the end of the Universe. And, actually, we’ve been.”
Description Podcaster extraordinaire Crystal Beth joins Todd and Joe for a great discussion about River Song from two amazing episodes of the TV show Dr. Who. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM SIGN UP FOR … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #139: Stanley Yelnats in Holes (Novel 1998) “It was all because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig stealing-great-great-grandfather!”
Description Joe and Todd discuss Stanley Yelnats and Hector Zeroni from the novel Holes. They talk about the structural perfection of the plot and the character arcs. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM SIGN UP … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #138: Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep (Film 1946) “I’m getting cuter every minute.”
Description Todd finally gets to talk about film noir! Joe and Todd are talking about Phillip Marlowe from the classic 1946 film The Big Sleep. They wonder if the plot makes any sense, praise the atmosphere of the film, and … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #137: Squirrel Girl/Doreen Green in The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1 (Comic 2015) “We’re here to kick butts and eat nuts!”
Description Todd and Joe discuss The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, one of the happiest comics they’ve read in a long time. They talk about subverting superhero tropes, the whimsy in the series, and the motivations for the character. Support the Show … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #136: Chuck Bartowski in Chuck (TV 2007) “Chuck is the computer.”
Description Joe and Todd talk about Chuck Bartowski from the TV show Chuck. They discuss the spy genre, issues of technology as explored in pop culture, and the overall charm of the show. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #135: Ged/Sparrowhawk in A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (Novel 1968) “Infinite are the arguments of mages.”
Description Todd and Joe are joined by returning guest Kjerste Christensen to discuss Ged from A Wizard of Earthsea. They talk about the novel’s place as a foundational text in the fantasy genre, what Le Guin did to make her … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #134: Conor Lawlor in Sing Street (Film 2016) “For brothers everywhere”
  Description Joe and Todd talk about Conor from the film Sing Street. Topics of discussion include the role of brothers in the story, the nature of inspirational films, the delicate balance of pessimistic realism and optimistic wish fulfillment. Support … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #133: Benjamin Franklin Gates in National Treasure (Film 2004) “I’m going to steal the Declaration of Independence.”
Description Todd and Joe are joined by Ben Phillips to discuss Benjamin Gates in National Treasure. We delight in the implausibilities of the plot, talk about plot versus character, and discuss judging a film based on what it’s trying to … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #132: The Entire Cast in Battlestar Galactica (TV 2004) “So say we all!”
Description Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Virginia McAlister to discuss the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series. Topics of discussion include paranoia, identity, and leadership. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SUPPORT US ON AMAZON.COM SIGN UP FOR … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #131: Myfanwy Thomas in The Rook by Daniel O’Malley (Novel 2012) “Dear You, The body you are wearing used to be mine.”
Description This week Todd and Joe discuss Myfanwy Thomas from Daniel O’Malley’s hilarious 2012 supernatural thriller The Rook. Join them as they tackle issues of memory, pain, and identity, and marvel at the novel’s many plot twists and fascinating side … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #130: Sonny in The Apostle (Film 1997) “You do it your way, I do it mine. But we get it done don’t we?”
Description Join us this week as we discuss the astoundingly good 1997 film The Apostle, which was written and directed by, and stars, Robert Duvall. We discuss Duvall’s impressive performance, his character’s poor life decisions, and then dive deep into … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #129: Special: Movie Pitches “There is a lot of plot in that one. I hope that doesn’t suit your fancy.”
Description This week it’s a Special Movie Pitch Episode! Producer Andrew gave Joe and Todd a director, a genre, and lead actor or actress, and they had to write pitch what that movie would look like. Hopefully you enjoy their … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #128: Momotaro in Momotaro (Japanese Fairy Tale) “Son of a peach!”
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Branden Ushio from the Fandom Podcast to discuss a Japanese fairy tale. Momotaro is the story of a boy born from a peach who has a magical adventure. Please listen for … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #127: Quentin Barnes in The Galactic Football League: The Rookie (Novel 2013) “Praise the high one!”
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Jeff Dumas from The Fandom Podcast to discuss Quentin Barnes from The Galactic Football League: The Rookie, a 2009 novel by Scott Sigler. They discuss sports’ place in culture, the genres … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #126: Lando Calrissian in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Film 1980) “This deal keeps getting worse all the time!”
Description Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Allen Voivod from the Star Wars 7×7 Podcast to discuss Lando Calrissian from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. They talk about Lando’s significance in the tale, his mini-arc in the … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #125: Jin Wang in American Born Chinese (Comic 2006) “It’s easy to become anything you wish . . . so long as you’re willing to forfeit your soul.”
Description Join Todd and Joe as they tackle the wonderful graphic novel American Born Chinese by McArthur Genius Gene Luen Yang and discuss myth, stereotypes, and the difficulty of navigating identity in adolescence. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #124: Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in Wonder Woman (TV 1977) “It’s not the same Diana, I mean, you’re not a man.” “I’ve always been very happy about that.”
Description Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Andy Mangels to talk about Wonder Woman from the classic television series. Topics of discussion include the way generations are portrayed in these episodes, what makes Wonder Woman different from other … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #123: The Doctor’s Wife in Blindness (Novel 1995) “Perhaps only in a world of the blind will things be what they truly are.”
Description Joe and Todd discuss the doctor’s wife from the novel Blindness. They talk about Jose Saramago’s writing, the depths to which humans can sink (and the heights to which they can rise), and the believability of a societal collapse. … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #122: Monty Brewster in Brewster’s Millions (Film 1985) “None of the above!”
Description Todd and Joe talk about Monty Brewster, played by Richard Pryor in the 1985 film Brewster’s Millions. They talk about the art of adaptation, the highlights of the film, and how they’d spend millions of dollars. Support the Show … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #121: John Lewis in March: Book 1 (Comic 2013) “Can you swim?” “No.” “Neither can I, but we may have to.”
Description Todd and Joe talk about March, a graphic novel chronicling the real-life story of John Lewis, who was a leader in the Civil Rights movement. They discuss choosing events to include in a memoir, how to train for a … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #120: Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson in Parks and Rec (TV 2009-15) “You had me at meat tornado.”
120: Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson in Parks and Rec (TV 2009-15) “You had me at meat tornado.” Description Todd and Joe talk about Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson from the sitcom Parks and Rec. They discuss the evolution of … Continue reading →
The Protagonist Podcast #119: Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (Novel 1960) “Oh, hey Boo.”
Description Todd and Joe tackle an American classic and discuss Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. They talk about her transformation, the vivid side characters, and also acknowledge how great Atticus Finch is. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON … Continue reading →