Tapestry Radio Network
151 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 8 ratingsJoin Michael & Ethan each month as they drink Scotch and talk about books, movies, pop culture, and everything under the sun, everything but Scotch. Join the conversation!
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Episodes
Beloved, by Toni Morrison, and Jura 12, Part 2
April 22, 2024 12:46 - 1 hour - 51.8 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of Beloved, by Toni Morrison, while drinking Jura 12yo single malt. In this episode: The essay under discussion at the beginning is “Literary Conjure Woman,” by Stanley Crouch, which still doesn’t seem to be online, but is maybe in one or more of his essay collections? Definitely see American Fiction if you’re like, at all interested in the things on this podcast What are we if not self-deprecating? Is the meta-narrative of this podcast “doing...
Beloved, by Toni Morrison, and Jura 12, Part 1
April 08, 2024 13:11 - 1 hour - 54.5 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of Beloved, by Toni Morrison, while drinking Jura 12yo single malt. In this episode: Immediately the ghosts/vampires thing again, we promise we’re not Vamps and Mers Michael said “The ghosts have business to do” and Ethan didn’t even chortle—the boys are growing up The seeds of vampires (but not like that) Main characfter vs central character—a potentially not very interesting debate (which we have eventually anyway, sort of) Ghost stories as mo...
The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich, and Jura 12, Part 2
March 25, 2024 10:28 - 1 hour - 54.4 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich, while drinking Jura 12yo single malt. In this episode: Who is the real fool: the fool or the fool who edits him? A bespoke toast, or, the most work anyone has ever done to prep for this podcast Does the adjective “ghost” actually indicate simply the inclusion of a ghost, or does it mean something more? Is a ghost actually a vampire? Are novels vampires? Is COVID a vampire? Is COVID a ghost? Is a novel a ghos...
The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich, and Jura 12, Part 1
March 11, 2024 10:20 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich, while drinking Jura 12yo single malt. In this episode: This podcast is a haunting Other covid novels: Sea of Tranquility America Fantastica Sentence Sentencing Sentences Ethan is unprepared to answer a basic question about the text, but he affirms that there IS an answer The grace of babies Please tell us that Ethan is wrong Michael does a bad thing right at the end Next time Michael and Ethan will contin...
'Salem's Lot, by Stephen King, and Auchentoshan 12, Part 2
February 26, 2024 18:48 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBEthan and special guests Risha and Erin of the Vampires and Mermaids podcast, and also Michael, discuss ‘Salem’s Lot, by Stephen King, while drinking Auchentoshan 12. In this episode: Sometimes sharp places are filled with dark objects (shoutout to Gillian Flynn) Also, bamboozlement At some point the plot is discussed, eventually A deep and very important dive into ranking the scariness of bugs This book is existentialist Dracula, including: Kierkegaard, symbology, and Lutheran vs Cat...
'Salem's Lot, by Stephen King, and Auchentoshan 12, Part 1
February 12, 2024 17:45 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBEthan and special guests Risha and Erin of the Vampires and Mermaids podcast, and also Michael, discuss ‘Salem’s Lot, by Stephen King, while drinking Auchentoshan 12. In this episode: Special guests! Who have a show! That involves vampires and mermaids OR mermaids and vampires! The introduction of what proves to be possibly the most chaotic rule in the history of the podcast Followed by THE FASTEST LOSS(ES) IN PODCAST HISTORY Like, so much of this episode is not about the book OR the sc...
Convenience Store Woman, by Sayaka Murata, and Auchentoshan 12, Part 2
January 22, 2024 16:02 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBMichael and Ethan conclude their discussion of the first book of the new season, Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman. In this episode: You know how deeply uncomfortable experiences can be deeply uncomfortable? A human is someone who looks other humans in the eyes A Krispy Kreme donut dunked in a cup of tea The Underdark: A Modified Craftalk, by Brandon Taylor Glib pull-quotes often assert an incredibly debatable interpretation If we didn’t talk about Shiraha, we would need to The...
Convenience Store Woman, by Sayaka Murata, and Auchentoshan 12, Part 1
January 08, 2024 14:44 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of the first book of the new season, Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman. In this episode: The finest wood Sherlock Holmes, or, coffee shop brags from Ethan, or, amusement park brags from Michael A paean to Japanese convenience stores Irasshaimase! Ethan invents a new segment: doing background research during the show What is normal? What is the purpose of humanity? What is an exception to “normal”? This book asks very easy questions. Almo...
War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, and Creag Isle 12yo, Part 4
December 26, 2023 04:40 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBMichael and Ethan conclude their discussion of this year’s extra-mondo mondo book, Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. In this episode: Ethan is surprise-attacked about his love of Natasha The Thackery T. Lambshead Pocket Guide to Eccentric and Discredited Diseases Conventions of marriage, or, everyone loves Natasha (not just Ethan) Romanticism! The zeitgeist of the 19th century! Other topics the hosts are somewhat unqualified to discuss! People are shocked, SHOCKED to find that there is humo...
War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, and Creag Isle 12yo, Part 3
December 12, 2023 03:46 - 58 minutes - 39.5 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of this year’s extra-mondo mondo book, Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. In this episode: Remember a couple notes ago when we apologized for all of our French pronunciation? cf. Ethan’s pronunciation of “Dubonnet” Some real in-depth stuff about chance, fate, free will, and faith—not super good material for sassy or funny footnotes The infinite sky (also not funny) Talk of John Newton (super not funny) Life is NOT over at 31 One-degree turns Nex...
War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, and Creag Isle 12yo, Part 2
November 27, 2023 14:22 - 58 minutes - 38.5 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of this year’s extra-mondo mondo book, Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. In this episode: Tolstoyan compliments Things Tolstoy thinks are impossible to know War and Peace is funny, we promise Tolstoy’s biography is WILD ANARCHISM YUSSSS Natasha, Pierre, and a Bunch of Distracting Side Plots In Tolstoy, no two horses are the same Tolstoy does us dirty We will duel him Next time Michael and Ethan will continue reading Tolstoy’s War and Peace! J...
War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, and Creag Isle 12yo, Part 1
November 14, 2023 02:22 - 59 minutes - 39.4 MBSORRY FOR OUR ABSENCE, LEO TOLSTOY ALMOST KILLED US. ALMOST. Today, FINALLY, Michael and Ethan have finished reading and begin discussing this year’s extra-mondo mondo book, Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. In this episode: Controversial Audrey Hepburn hot-takes Butt comparisons Translation comparisons, everyone try to contain your excitement We would like to formally apologize for all the French pronounced in this podcast Both in this episode and all other episodes, really Tolstoy does ...
Special: The Seagull, by Anton Chekhov (Part 2)
August 14, 2023 12:27 - 1 hour - 51 MBIn this special episode, Michael and Ethan work their way in to Russian literature by discussing The Seagull, by Anton Chekhov. It was supposed to be a one-episode special, but there was too much! Chekhov was too good! So stay tuned for part 2. CONTENT WARNING: The Seagull deals explicitly with the topic of suicide. If that’s not something you want to hear discussed, it might be best to skip these episodes. In this episode: Setting the stage, har har Nothing happens, and everything happ...
Special: The Seagull, by Anton Chekhov (Accidentally Part 1)
July 31, 2023 11:35 - 58 minutes - 40.7 MBIn this special episode, Michael and Ethan work their way in to Russian literature by discussing The Seagull, by Anton Chekhov. It was supposed to be a one-episode special, but there was too much! Chekhov was too good! So stay tuned for part 2. CONTENT WARNING: The Seagull deals explicitly with the topic of suicide. If that’s not something you want to hear discussed, it might be best to skip these episodes. In this episode: Setting the stage, har har Nothing happens, and everything happ...
Special: Books not from the Podcast!
July 17, 2023 13:49 - 1 hour - 45 MBIn this special episode, Michael and Ethan check in about what books they’ve read for reasons other than the podcast, like work and fun! In this episode: Being very wrong and owning it It’s Crazy to Stay Chinese in Minnesota, by Eleanor Wong Telemaque What blogs are Lavie Tidhar is actually a collective cult Tim Powers is master of the Strange Middle Kaye Gibbons is the ruler of the first line, and (it bears reiterating) Ellen Foster could beat up Huckleberry Finn Next time Michael a...
Where the Light Fell, by Philip Yancey, and Shieldaig 12yo, Part 2
June 29, 2023 00:03 - 1 hour - 49.2 MBMichael and Ethan conclude their discussion of Where the Light Fell, by Philip Yancey, while drinking Shieldaig 12. In this episode: Letting problematic be neutral Do we contradict ourselves? Mountains out of molehills, one way or another Fractals again (and again and…) Throwing spaghetti at Michael Thankfully no one cries Next time Michael and Ethan will begin their giant mondo book for the year: Tolstoy’s War and Peace! Join the discussiTaon! Go to the Contact page and put "Scotc...
Where the Light Fell, by Philip Yancey, and Shieldaig 12yo, Part 1
June 13, 2023 22:04 - 1 hour - 37.5 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of Where the Light Fell, by Philip Yancey, while drinking Shieldaig 12. In this episode: Family drama and family trauma Leaning into the darkness A very boring debate we could have A long edition of a non-segment We Are Too Many, by Hannah Pittard People don’t die when they’re supposed to Where the light fell but with a question mark Ethan’s dad says “where the light fell” is a reference to a quote from Augustine. We also can’t find that, bu...
Much Ado About Nothing: A Shakespeare Crossover Special
May 29, 2023 12:22 - 1 hour - 38.6 MBIn this episode, Michael and Ethan are joined by two very special guests: Risha Lilienthal, host of Tapestry’s newest addition, Shakespeare in the Village, and Lydia Grabau, friend of the show and Shakespeare afficianado! In this episode: Cut Medieval Brian This play slaps Abandonment issues vs. intelligence issues A short digression Don John: interestingly uninteresting Beatrice slaps Hero is a rock, perhaps THE Rock? As You Like It, or, Everyone Messes Around in the Woods for Four...
Nobody's Angel, by Thomas McGuane, and Shieldaig 12yo, Part 2
May 15, 2023 10:11 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of Nobody’s Angel, by Thomas McGuane, while drinking Shieldaig 12. In this episode: Michael says “gentle” multiple times Tattoo reveal! Ethan says “Madonna-virgin” complex when he obviously means “Madonna-whore” complex Prose! Including some exciting phrases like “3rd person limited” and “omniscient narrator” and “close reading” Inferences from Kevin’s Dad “MFA-bait” Requiem for Tio Aspersions cast on Kevin’s Dad Next time Michael and Eth...
Nobody's Angel, by Thomas McGuane, and Shieldaig 12yo, Part 1
April 26, 2023 22:48 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of Nobody’s Angel, by Thomas McGuane, while drinking Shieldaig 12. In this episode: Introducing our new mascot, Bobblehead Polonius Huck Finn manages to come up, of course We define what a classic is, it’s easy! Michael and Ethan refuse to answer each other’s questions What we know about Patrick’s father, or, the inevitable The Empire Strikes Back comparison Catholicness vs. Catholicism Some exciting teasers for next time! Next time Michael...
Homework Special: Lord of the Flies
March 27, 2023 21:19 - 59 minutes - 33.2 MBIn this special, Michael and Ethan do a very serious job (without jokes or sarcasm) of analyzing Lord of the Flies, a commonly assigned AP English/college intro-level text, so that if you are assigned it, but don’t want to read it, you can just go ahead and use our very good analyses! In this episode: Some pretty good discussion of The Count of Monte Cristo, you’re welcome New whiskey toys Turns out, you can assign different names to different things The surprising literary inspiration ...
The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson, and Glenmorangie 10yo, Part 2
March 13, 2023 15:46 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson, while drinking Glenmorangie 10. In this episode: Gaslighting Eleanor Present-tense mothers who are dead The real journey is the puzzle boxes we met along the way SO MANY ATMOSPHERES Secret fan fiction segment Sudden Shakespeare, almost as a matter of chance Love triangle arrows Next time Michael and Ethan will discuss Nobody’s Angel, by Thomas Mcguane. Join the discussion! Go to the Conta...
The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson, and Glenmorangie 10yo, Part 1
February 27, 2023 15:01 - 1 hour - 32.2 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson, while drinking Glenmorangie 10. In this episode: SPOOKY TIMES A girl can be a red herring A house can be a character Subjective genitive, objective genitive, or plenary genitive? The debate is definitely scintillating Ethan talks about the Ghormengast trilogy for some reason Is someone/who is gaslighting Eleanor? A lot about waiting, like you all will do for the next episode (this is a good jo...
The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig, and Glenmorangie 10yo, Part 2
February 13, 2023 13:09 - 1 hour - 38.6 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig, while drinking Glenmorangie 10. In this episode: Ethan leads with some very specific brags Michael follows a rule Unofficially taboo topics that are nebulous, endless, and very important The word Ethan was looking for around 16:00 was “counterfactual” So much table-setting, but for a purpose? IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE IS AN ADAPTATION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL, AND THIS PODCAST WILL DIE ON THAT HILL Like this p...
The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig, and Glenmorangie 10yo, Part 1
January 16, 2023 17:43 - 1 hour - 38.6 MBCONTENT WARNING: this episode contains brief discussion of suicide. The discussion begins a little past the 45:30 mark, and concludes by the 50:00 mark. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org anytime, 24/7. — Michael and Ethan begin their discussion of The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig, while drinking Glenmorangie 10. In this episode: Apologies to Matt Haig, but not to the British people Is the Multiverse Wher...
Multiverse Special(s)!
January 01, 2023 23:20 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBTo prepare for their episodes discussing The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig, Michael and Ethan spend a very special episode discussing the idea of multiverses and going over some (SOME) examples of the idea in fiction. In this episode: The book Ethan can’t remember is The Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book Launches into a discussion of quantum physics in which this podcast is deeply unqualified to engage “Entanglements,” by David Gerrold, a story half of this podcast read “All the Myriad Ways,” b...
The Sheriff of Babylon, by Tom King, and Glenlivet Nadurra, Part 2
November 29, 2022 05:05 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of the graphic novel The Sherriff of Babylon, by Tom King, while drinking the Glenlivet Nadurra cask-strength bottling. In this episode: The August referenced in the opening is a friend of Michael and Ethan’s. This is not properly set up because Ethan didn’t know he was telling this anecdote for an audience (ie, it’s Michael’s fault). Spoilers for Tom King’s graphic novel The Omega Men (sorry) Ethan is allowed to talk about film noir (sorry again)...
The Sheriff of Babylon, by Tom King, and Glenlivet Nadurra, Part 1
November 14, 2022 03:41 - 1 hour - 37.1 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of the graphic novel The Sherriff of Babylon, by Tom King, while drinking the Glenlivet Nadurra cask-strength bottling. In this episode: The August referenced in the opening is a friend of Michael and Ethan’s. This is not properly set up because Ethan didn’t know he was telling this anecdote for an audience (ie, it’s Michael’s fault). Spoilers for Tom King’s graphic novel The Omega Men (sorry) Ethan is allowed to talk about film noir (sorry again)...
The House on Vesper Sands, by Paraic O'Donnell, and Glenlivet Nadurra, Part 2
October 31, 2022 10:37 - 1 hour - 40.3 MBMichael and Ethan conclude their discussion of The House on Vesper Sands, by Paraic O’Donnell, while drinking the Glenlivet Nadurra cask-strength bottling. In this episode: There must be no change Ethan loses! Michael fails to notice, or at least to call it out. Will Ethan confess in the future? Good thing Ethan avoids sounding pedantic, now or ever The unmooring of the book Good thing Michael avoids sounding pedantic, now or ever Either a mystery, or just vibes Thankfully the sectio...
The House on Vesper Sands, by Paraic O'Donnell, and Glenlivet Nadurra, Part 1
October 17, 2022 09:32 - 1 hour - 37.6 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of The House on Vesper Sands, by Paraic O’Donnell, while drinking the Glenlivet Nadurra cask-strength bottling. In this episode: A fearful Scotch Some deeply inside jokes The Gothic Genre: A TEDm&e Talk The term “sensibility” is used a lot of times for a podcast not discussing Jane Austen The term “vibes” is used a lot of times for a podcast run by two millenials Sorry Bronte fans, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre don’t count as Gothic Sorry to...
Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francois Rabelais, and Benriach the Smoky 12, Part 4
September 26, 2022 17:39 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBMichael and Ethan conclude their discussion of Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francois Rabelais, as translated in one case by Thomas Urquhart and Peter Motteaux and in the other by M.A. Screech, while drinking Benriach distilliery’s The Smoky Twelve. In this episode: Ethan tried to research “here’s mud in your eye” while writing these notes but the internet is full of obvious nonsense on the subject and Ethan didn’t feel like dealing with it. Um, sorry I mean, none of the explanations seem ...
Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francois Rabelais, and Benriach the Smoky 12, Part 3
September 12, 2022 16:22 - 1 hour - 39.6 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francois Rabelais, as translated in one case by Thomas Urquhart and Peter Motteaux and in the other by M.A. Screech, while drinking Benriach distilliery’s The Smoky Twelve. In this episode: Yes, we implied Rachel Barrie was a demi-god last time, so godmother may seem like a demotion, but consider this: we love her. Three hours of waiting Obligatory digression into Diogenes: Ethan gets it wrong, Oscar the Grouch ...
Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francois Rabelais, and Benriach the Smoky 12, Part 2
August 29, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 39.6 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francois Rabelais, as translated in one case by Thomas Urquhart and Peter Motteaux and in the other by M.A. Screech, while drinking Benriach distilliery’s The Smoky Twelve. In this episode: If you don’t understand something, don’t get upset about it Just accept it and find the humor in what you do understand (These are not bumper stickers, just Michael sayings. But if enough people want, they could be bumper stic...
Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francois Rabelais, and Benriach the Smoky 12, Part 1
August 14, 2022 22:52 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francois Rabelais, as translated in one case by Thomas Urquhart and Peter Motteaux and in the other by M.A. Screech, while drinking Benriach distilliery’s The Smoky Twelve. In this episode: Now listen. This episode starts with some pretty esoteric humor, even for us, but: To our Calvinist listeners: sorry. To everyone else: also sorry, but this DOES actually foreshadow some themes and later inside jokes and stuff, s...
Special: Gargantuan/Pantagruelian Place-Setting (Copy)
July 30, 2022 01:58 - 1 hour - 53.5 MBAnother special, in which Michael and Ethan set the table for the discussion of one of the books in literature which itself has perhaps some of the most tables set within it: this is the world of Francois Rabelais, and his Great (dirty) Book, Gargantua and Pantagruel. In this episode: Rabelais as Dirty Book Ethan has one page of notes Michael gets put on a Diet of Worms Michael’s wife is the main character of this episode, really We ram our heads into our time. Which is hardly a surpri...
Special: Ethan Flirts with The Tale of Genji
July 13, 2022 23:39 - 57 minutes - 38.3 MBAn Ethan-only special episode (sorry) in which Ethan gives us just a taster of the massive medieval Japanese novel The Tale of Genji, by Murasaki Shikibu, and makes his case that a Japanese woman may have written the first “true” novel. Next time Michael and Ethan will begin discussion of our next Mongo Book: Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francois Rabelais. Join the discussion! Go to the Contact page and put "Scotch Talk" in the Subject line. We'd love to hear from you! And submit your ho...
The Fishermen, by Chigozie Obioma, and Benriach 12, Part 2
June 27, 2022 09:41 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of The Fishermen, by Chigozie Obioma, while drinking Benriach distilliery’s The Twelve. In this episode: The payoff to a secret joke Obligatory D&D discussion, sorry Sorry also to our Morning DJ audience Maybe more pointing out than usual of things we don’t understand. shrug At least we’re honest Leaping Christ figures MaEiaRwS: avoiding the easy interpretation since 2016 Oh yeah, there should probably be a bullet point about animals If we...
The Fishermen, by Chigozie Obioma, and Benriach 12, Part 1
June 13, 2022 09:40 - 58 minutes - 32.4 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of The Fishermen, by Chigozie Obioma, while drinking Benriach distilliery’s The Twelve. In this episode: Michael Prophesies Ethan deconstructs The Scotch… is The Biblical allusions aren’t even trying to hide This book is either a defense testimony, a gospel, a Kafka-esque absurdist novel, an apologetic, or none of those things (The metaphors keep escaping) The end contains a teasing question, and the setup to a future secret joke Next time Mi...
The Devil and the Dark Water, by Stuart Turton, and Benriach 12, Part 2
May 23, 2022 18:30 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBMichael, Ethan, and special guest Nick continue their discussion of The Devil and the Dark Water, by Stuart Turton, while two of the three of them drink Benriach distilliery’s The Twelve. In this episode: Michael does an unfair thought experiment, but at least it has a key After an initial pledge not to discuss morality, most of the episode is about morality Digression into D&D alignment types, obviously Having ground his Lawful Neutral axe hard, Ethan also goes into his obsession with ...
The Devil and the Dark Water, by Stuart Turton, and Benriach 12, Part 1
May 11, 2022 18:27 - 1 hour - 40.3 MBMichael, Ethan, and special guest Nick begin their discussion of The Devil and the Dark Water, by Stuart Turton, while two of the three of them drink Benriach distilliery’s The Twelve. In this episode: Nick makes a very good rule Michael is provoked into asking a bad question and then the rest of the episode is about that Ethan says “fantasy” a bunch of times when he probably should have said “speculative fiction,” feel free to sue him This book is full of filth Spoilers for the Murder...
Filthy Animals, by Brandon Taylor, and Redbreast Sherry Cask editions, Part 2
April 27, 2022 05:18 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of Filthy Animals, by Brandon Taylor, while drinking slightly different iterations of Redbreast Irish whiskey in sherry cask finishes. In this episode: MaEiaRwS: the podcast where nothing gets done Ethan fishes a book with a chair (scintillating audio that the editor chose to leave in) Trawling for references The Case Against the Trauma Plot, by Parul Sehgal Emotional Support Trauma Plot, by Brandon Taylor We talk about what we talk abot Wh...
Filthy Animals, by Brandon Taylor, and Redbreast Sherry Cask editions, Part 1
April 11, 2022 03:56 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of Filthy Animals, by Brandon Taylor, while drinking slightly different iterations of Redbreast Irish whiskey in sherry cask finishes. In this episode: Ethan admits to torturing a co-worker This was a very trying episode for Michael Esoteric rants (surprise!) Yes, Ethan has been playing a lot of chess lately Some real digs at true crime Next time Michael and Ethan will begin discussing Filthy Animals, by Brandon Taylor. Join the discussion! Go...
Jude the Obscure, by Thomas Hardy/Redbreast 12yo Sherry Cask editions, Part 2
March 30, 2022 05:05 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of Jude the Obscure, by Thomas Hardy, while drinking slightly different iterations of Redbreast 12yo Irish whiskey in sherry cask finishes. In this episode: A messy beginning. (Also messy in the middle, and at the end) Some Walker Percy, some Apostle Paul, and a bunch of the Apocrypha A slight foray into Names With Michael Extremely counterfactual counterfactuals The BHT, and whether it’s bad Next time Michael and Ethan will begin discussing...
Jude the Obscure, by Thomas Hardy/Redbreast 12yo Sherry Cask editions, Part 1
March 17, 2022 22:41 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBMichael and Ethan begin their discussion of Jude the Obscure, by Thomas Hardy, while drinking slightly different iterations of Redbreast 12yo Irish whiskey in sherry cask finishes. In this episode: Improv that goes great! Multiple instances of Wikipedia research in real time! Gaslighting future podcast historians! Thomas Hardy shade! Shades of Thomas Hardy! And Shakespeare! Ethan does a bad job talking about Lady Audley’s Secret! Ethan misquotes Gene Wolfe—it was “contemporaries of H...
Extra Special: First Paragraph Challenge: Wife Edition
March 01, 2022 04:43 - 1 hour - 34.8 MBAn extra-special, extra-troublesome-for-Ethan, First Paragraph Challenge, featuring Karen, the Voice of the Rules. In this episode: A special, pretty troublesome, guest! Disclaimers from Ethan: Collect all 3! They’re guessing what the title of the book is based on the first paragraph. Ethan at no point makes this explicit. Sorry. Sorry to Neil Gaiman yet again Michael, Ethan needs you Karen undercuts Ethan by doing things like being right, being reasonable, and being good at math Tak...
Vampire Special!
February 14, 2022 23:40 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBAn extremely special episode where, after a 5-year ban, Michael finally gets to talk about vampires. In this episode: Michael is or is not a vampire Michael finds vampires everywhere Ethan knows how lists work Ethan compares Michael to Einstein, but only by accident Florence and the Machine and Vampires Vampires everywhere! Some ill-advised digressions in the middle of the episode, sorry Much place-setting, as usual To be clear, Ethan is deeply ashamed of everything Twilight-relat...
The End of the Affair, by Graham Greene/Highland Park 12yo, Part 2 (WEIRD)
January 28, 2022 02:55 - 1 hour - 13.3 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of The End of the Affair, by Graham Greene. while continuing to drink Highland Park 12 Year Old Viking Honour Edition. BUT THERE’S A TWIST! In this episode: Ethan explains this up top, but he had a glitch that caused him to record not with Michael, but several weeks in the future from Michael. Thus, Ethan is VERY SORRY THAT: 1. This podcast is probably somewhat disjointed. 2. There are probably audio issues in it. 3. It is probably at least so...
The End of the Affair, by Graham Greene/Highland Park 12yo
January 11, 2022 00:47 - 1 hour - 48.4 MBMichael and Ethan Begin their discussion of The End of the Affair, by Graham Greene. while continuing to drink Highland Park 12 Year Old Viking Honour Edition. In this episode: Everything is arbitrary Bladder perspectives The broad drunk history strokes We prove we read the book Excursions within excursions A teaser for next time! Next time Michael and Ethan will continue their discussion of The End of the Affair, by Graham Greene.. Join the discussion! Go to the Contact page and pu...
EXTRA! EXTRA! FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL!
December 28, 2021 03:24 - 3 hours - 123 MBWHAAAATTTT? It’s an extra-big, extra-in-the-sense-of-you-get-three-episodes-this-month, extra in the way Michael and Ethan are always extra, VERY SPECIAL EVENT PODCAST! Our first episode came out on December 23rd, 2016. So here, today, December 23rd, 2021 [plus a few days because Ethan has NEVER been good with meeting actual deadlines] we offer you a thorough, comprehensive retrospective, in which we discuss literally every single thing we covered in the first five years. So really, you co...
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See/Highland Park 12yo, Part 2
December 27, 2021 15:23 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBMichael and Ethan continue their discussion of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See while drinking Highland Park 12 Year Old Viking Honour Edition. In this episode: What’s a plot? Misunderstanding misunderstandings Michael says “duty” a bunch of times and Ethan doesn’t even giggle. That’s maturity Just some fanboy moments about Lisa See (to balance out the s*** we talked last time) Michael would like everyone to know that Ethan’s words are his own and not MIchael’s Excursus in...