Podside Picnic
599 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 72 ratingsKarlo, Kurt, Chris and Pete explore the literature of the fantastic, movies and everything between. Join us! Check us out on Patreon.com/PodsidePicnic for premium content.
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Episodes
Preview: The Craft (ft. RS Benedict)
April 10, 2021 00:13 - 6 minutes - 8.85 MBKarlo's joined by the most dangerous woman in speculative fiction, R.S. Benedict to discuss the 1996 sleeper hit, The Craft. Find out why Fairuza Balk should've been the protagonist, why magic should belong to the masses and why Sarah's a blue-check witch. Check out Rite Gud: https://www.patreon.com/ritegud Read R.S. Benedict's brilliant piece in Blood Knife, Everyone's Beautiful and No One Is Horny: https://bloodknife.com/everyone-beautiful-no-one-horny/
Episode 111: The Vanished BIrds (With Illimani Ferreria)
April 06, 2021 13:47 - 59 minutes - 82.3 MBPete and Karlo are joined by Illimani Ferreira to talk about The Vanished Birds, Simon Jimenez' debut novel. Join us to find out how capitalism escaped containment, where the birds went, and why we think it's criminal that this book hasn't won every award possible. Buy the book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/609386/the-vanished-birds-by-simon-jimenez/ Vote for the Locus Awards: https://poll.voting.locusmag.com/
Preview: Krull
April 01, 2021 12:20 - 6 minutes - 8.73 MBin this preview, Pete and Karlo talk about the 1983 science-fantasy film Krull. The plot doesn't make a lick of sense, the actors are too good for any of this, and we discuss what an actual glaive would be.
Episode 110: Tlön, Uqbar, Orbius Tertius
March 30, 2021 23:56 - 1 hour - 87 MBPete and Karlo discuss Jorge Luis Borges' seminal story, Tlön, Uqbar, Orbius Tertius (from his collection, Labyrinths), about how an invented reality begins to seep into ours . . . but that's just a work of fiction, right?
Preview: Hunger Games (Ft Emma Berquist)
March 25, 2021 22:25 - 6 minutes - 9.04 MBIt's not often that we do requests, but this one jumped the line. Here's a clip of our hunger games discussion, sponsored by Mrs. Kobnisky's 7th grade Literature Class. Featuring Emma Berquist, the most guest of all time.
Episode 109: Stonefish (ft. Scott R Jones)
March 23, 2021 23:52 - 57 minutes - 79 MBPete and Karlo are joined by the author of Stonefish, Scott R. Jones. Listen in to find out why the First Law of the universe is a horror show, and why Sasquatch is too. Buy Stonefish: https://wordhorde.com/books/stonefish/ Scott's website: https://scottrjoneswriter.com/ Follow Scott on Twitter: @PimpMyShoggoth
Outland(ish) Preview
March 20, 2021 02:45 - 4 minutes - 5.62 MBPete and Karlo discuss the 1981 Space-Western, Outland. Find all about how best to keep your workforce motivated on the moons of Jupiter as well as creative ways to murder people using the vacuum of space.
Episode 108: As The Shore To The Tides
March 16, 2021 12:30 - 1 hour - 108 MBKarlo reads As the Shore to the Tides- So Blood Calls to Blood, which is eligible for the Locus Award for novelette. Note that anyone can vote for the Locus Award. Read the story: http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/as-the-shore-to-the-tides-so-blood-calls-to-blood/
Preview: Big Trouble In Little China
March 12, 2021 13:13 - 6 minutes - 8.98 MBPete and Karlo are joined by Ted and Trevor from WNTTAK podcast to talk about the 1986 John Carpenter film, Big Trouble in Little China. Join us as we talk about how good James Hong is as the evil dream, David Lo Pan and cancel Jack Burton for being a bad ally.
Episode 108: Willow: (Ft. Kurt and Chris from PJDU)
March 09, 2021 13:09 - 1 hour - 108 MBPete and Karlo are joined by Kurt and Chris from Parents Just Don't Understand Podcast to talk about the 80s-tastic fantasy film, Willow. Listen to find out Evil Queen Bavmorda's tragic backstory (not really). Parents Just Don't Understand Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/parentspodcast
Episode 107: Willow: (Ft. Kurt and Chris from PJDU)
March 09, 2021 13:09 - 1 hour - 108 MBPete and Karlo are joined by Kurt and Chris from Parents Just Don't Understand Podcast to talk about the 80s-tastic fantasy film, Willow. Listen to find out Evil Queen Bavmorda's tragic backstory (not really). Parents Just Don't Understand Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/parentspodcast
Preview: The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas (Ft. Michel Lichand)
March 04, 2021 13:13 - 1 hour - 84.4 MBPete and Karlo are joined by returning champ, Michel Lichand to discuss one of Ursula K. Le Guin's most iconic stories, The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas. What would you do if presented with the price of your utopia?
Episode 106, Crap Books 7, Man-Thing, you make Crap Books Sing
March 02, 2021 13:38 - 55 minutes - 76.6 MBPete and Karlo are back to discuss Man-Thing, the silent nexus between worlds, Howard the Duck and grapple with how being a fan used to feel temporary
Preview: Beer Run #69
February 26, 2021 01:03 - 4 minutes - 6.24 MBThe gang's all back, and boy do they have some shit to shoot! Listen to Pete, Karlo and "special guest" Connor ramble on about COVID speakeasies, mule deer and plans for world domination . . . in D&D
Episode 105: Nausicaä Revisited
February 24, 2021 13:02 - 55 minutes - 76.5 MBIn this episode, Karlo takes on the Herculean task of educating Pete on : Nausicaä, with a number of digressions along the way.
Preview: Fire in the Sky
February 19, 2021 12:58 - 4 minutes - 6.54 MBIn this preview, Karlo and Pete talk about the 1993 film Fire in the Sky, what people usually do to when presented with the unexplained and the approximately 10 minutes that make watching this film worth it.
Episode 104: The Blade Between Mixdown (ft. Sam J Miller)
February 17, 2021 04:07 - 49 minutes - 67.4 MBAward-winning novelist Sam J. Miller joins Pete and Karlo to talk about his newest horror novel, The Blade Between and how gentrification is one of the real monsters out there. Also: whales!
Preview: Southland Tales (Ft. Eoin HIggins)
February 11, 2021 23:56 - 6 minutes - 8.83 MBPete and Karlo are joined by Eoin Higgins to discuss the surreal 2006 film, Southland Tales. We discuss how much an artifact of the mid-2000s it is, the stellar cast, and how it's spoiler-proof because it's a movie about vibes.
Episode 103: Carpe Glitter (Ft Cat Rambo)
February 10, 2021 02:55 - 55 minutes - 76.5 MBPete and Karlo talk with Nebula award winning author Cat Rambo about her novelette Carpe Glitter, and discuss when exactly to include the audience in the magic trick.
Preview: Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
February 07, 2021 02:59 - 6 minutes - 8.25 MBIn this preview, Michel Lichand returns to talk about Cory Doctorow's Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, and the future of adult Disney fans.
Episode 102: Constelacion Magazine (ft. Coral A. Moore)
February 03, 2021 00:04 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBCoral A. Moore joins Pete and Karlo to talk about SFF quarterly, Constelación Magazine and the importance of SFF in translation.
Preview: Goblin Emperor
January 28, 2021 13:52 - 6 minutes - 5.7 MBIn this preview, Pete and Karlo tackle an interesting problem. What fo you do with a book that is well written that you fundamentally dislike? We examine Katherine Addison's The Goblin Emperor, and Karlo manages to not completely blow a gasket. .
Episode 101: A Song For A New Day (ft. Sarah Pinsker)
January 27, 2021 04:32 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBPete and Karlo are joined by Sarah Pinsker to discuss her novel, "A Song For a New Day" and talk about writing, influences, and her upcoming novel. A Song For a New Day: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/598452/a-song-for-a-new-day-by-sarah-pinsker/ Sarah's Collection: https://smallbeerpress.com/books/2019/03/19/sooner-or-later-everything-falls-into-the-sea/ Two Truths and a Lie: https://www.tor.com/2020/06/17/two-truths-and-a-lie-sarah-pinsker/ Pre-order Sarah's New Novel: https:/...
Preview: Demolition Man (ft.Tiffany Meuret)
January 21, 2021 13:00 - 5 minutes - 5.17 MBTiffany Meuret returns to talk to Pete and Karlo about Demolition Man, fantasy cops and the unquestionable coolness of Wesley Snipes. Have a Joy Joy Day!
Episode 100: Terminal 3 (Ft Illimani Ferrerira)
January 19, 2021 17:52 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBPete and Karlo are joined by Illimani Ferreira to talk about his book Terminal 3, immigration woes and how the French translation of Zaphod Beeblebrox is some serious BS. Illimani's website: https://ifscifi.com/ Terminal 3: https://www.amazon.com/Terminal-3-Illimani-Ferreira-ebook/dp/B08JJLQPHQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=terminal+3&qid=1603386502&s=books&sr=1-1 Other Recent Works: Equatorial Ice (And Lately, The Sun, November 2020) Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal (Unidentified Funny O...
Preview: Man Bites Dog (ft. Emma Berquist)
January 15, 2021 15:18 - 5 minutes - 5.26 MBIn today's premium episode, Pete meets with Emma Berquist and discusses his favorite college date movie, Man Bites Dog (1992). Emma, in turn, explains to him why that is a HORRIBLE date movie.
Episode 99: Wargames
January 12, 2021 13:58 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBPete and Karlo discuss the 1983 film War Games and among other things how Matthew Broderick made his career out of being a charming asshole. Edit: Replaced the audio with the actual episode, with my apologies
Preview: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Ft Abby Denton and Emma Bowers)
January 08, 2021 13:47 - 5 minutes - 4.95 MBKarlo's joined by Emma Bowers and Abby Denton to discuss Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (mostly the 1984 anime, but also parts of the manga), and touch upon other of Hayao Miyazaki's works. Please note: spoilers abound! Check out Emma's new project, Apeteur Theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc7ULA-akVg
Episode 98: Magic Tricks and Final Girls (Ft, AC Wise)
January 06, 2021 00:27 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBWhere Pete and Karlo are joined by writer A.C. Wise to talk about Red Riding Hood, deep-fried cosmic horror and ghost ships in . . . spaaaace! A.C. Wise's website: http://www.acwise.net/ To Sail the Black: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/wise_11_20/ Catfish Lullaby: https://www.brokeneyebooks.com/store/c25/Catfish-Lullaby#/ Intro: usual Outro (from this): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1-xRk6llh4
New Year's Bonus: Mandalorian Preview (ft Kelsey and Luke of Photorpod)
January 01, 2021 15:08 - 5 minutes - 5.21 MBIn this episode, Connor meets with Luke and Kelsey (our buddies from Photorpod)and discusses this season of The Mandalorian. Enjoy!
Crap Of The Titans Preview
December 31, 2020 16:17 - 5 minutes - 4.69 MBIn this Premium episode, Karlo and Pete discuss Clash of the Titans, a movie which set the standard for....nothing, really. But we enjoyed it!
Episode 97: khōréō Magazine (ft Alexandra Hill)
December 30, 2020 16:45 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBPete and Karlo are joined by Alexandra Hill, editor of khōréō Magazine about her forthcoming first issue, and how many people wrote stories about food. khōréō Magazine's website: https://www.khoreomag.com/ Immersion by Aliette de Bodard: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/debodard_06_12/ When They Came To Us by Debbie Urbanski https://www.thesunmagazine.org/issues/488/when-they-came-to-us
Preview: Walken On Heaven's Door
December 24, 2020 16:57 - 6 minutes - 5.76 MBPete and Karlo have a meandering discussion about The Prophecy (1995), featuring brief mentions of making playoff brackets for other movie devils -- oh, and Chewie editorializes. Enjoy the preview! You can find the rest on Patreon.com/PodsidePicnic by subscription
Episode 96: All Fun and Games (Ft. Erin Roberts)
December 22, 2020 20:03 - 57 minutes - 53 MBKarlo's joined by fiction and game writer, Erin Roberts to talk about her penchant for fictional murder, writing for a game about running from zombies, and how memories can be a commodity! Erin's website: https://www.writingwonder.com/ Sour Milk Girls: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/roberts_01_18/ Thanks For the Memories: https://sub-q.com/thanks-for-the-memories/
Preview: Beer Run #19
December 17, 2020 15:30 - 6 minutes - 5.79 MBIn this episode, we get the band back together. Karlo, Pete, and Connor discuss their reading and gaming habits, Karlo shares his SSN#, Pete comes to terms with his Swedish Fish addiction and Connor finally discloses where he hid the body. Enjoy!
Episode 95 Weird War III (Ft Sean Patrick Hazlett)
December 15, 2020 17:12 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MBPete and Karlo are joined by Sean Patrick Hazlett, editor of the Weird World War III anthology to discuss his approach to editing stories set in the Cold War era. Note: if you'd like to listen to two of the contributors to Weird World War III, check Podside Picnic episodes 90 and 91. Anthology: https://www.baen.com/weird-world-war-iii.html Sean's Website: https://seanpatrickhazlett.com/ Sean's Post on Editing an Anthology: https://seanpatrickhazlett.com/2020/10/12/so-you-want-to-create...
Preview: The Last Action Hero
December 10, 2020 20:19 - 5 minutes - 5.25 MBIn which Pete and Karlo discuss the Last Action Hero, an almost universally panned movie that is actually pretty good.
Bonus Episode: Total Recall (Ft. RS Benedict)
December 09, 2020 22:06 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MBIn this Bonus episode, Pete raps with RS Benedict about Total Recall. This was an originally a Patreon episode but you know, sometimes you just want to give away some content.
Episode 94: The Quantum Magician (ft Derek Künsken)
December 08, 2020 17:17 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBPete and Karlo finally find the Canada-NOLA connection talking with Derek Künsken, author of The Quantum Magician, The Quantum Garden, and The House of Styx. Derek's website: https://derekkunsken.com/index.html/ Derek's Books: https://bookshop.org/books/the-quantum-magician/9781781085707 https://bookshop.org/books/the-quantum-garden-volume-2/9781781085714 https://bookshop.org/books/the-house-of-styx-volume-1-the-first-in-a-ground-breaking-new-science-fiction-series-from-the-best-selling-au...
Preview: Man vs Crap Book - Droppin' a Deuce
December 03, 2020 17:14 - 2 minutes - 2.24 MBWhere Karlo finds a new category of Conflict in Literature, and reads the prologue (ahem, "Cutscene") and part of "Chapter 0000" of Ready Player Two. In protest Pete has tagged this one as a disco tune on soundcloud. Lets see who gets pissed.
Episode 93: A Flood of Posies (ft Tiffany Mueret)
December 01, 2020 16:56 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBPete and Karlo are joined by A Flood of Posies author, Tiffany Meuret. We talk about creepy urban legends, what creeps us out, and Tiffany's influences. Tiffany's website: https://tiffanymeuret.com/ Order A Flood of Posies: https://vesuvianmedia.com/a-flood-of-posies/
Preview Hulk 2003 (Ft. Leslie Lee)
November 26, 2020 14:19 - 5 minutes - 5.41 MBIn this episode, Karlo and Pete discuss Ang Lee's version of the Hulk alongside Leslie Lee of Struggle Session fame.
Episode 92 Architects Of Memory (Ft Karen Osborne
November 24, 2020 13:59 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBPete and Karlo are joined by author, Karen Osborne to discuss her novel "Architects of Memory" and how even in the far future, people will try their best and sometimes fail. Karen's website: http://www.karenosborne.com/ Architects of Memory: https://bookshop.org/books/architects-of-memory/9781250215475
Preview: O Presidente Negro (Ft. Michel Lichand)
November 19, 2020 13:41 - 4 minutes - 4.24 MBIn which Karlo and Pete sit down with Michel Lichand to discuss O Presidente Negro, a Sci-Fi novel from Montiero Lobato. And GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY was this not what we were expecting
Episode 91, Interview with Kevin Andrew Murphy
November 17, 2020 21:28 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBPete and Karlo are joined by House of Secrets (discussed in Episode 87) author, Kevin Andrew Murphy to talk about playing and writing for RPGs, Wildcards and the inspiration for the actual House of Secrets!
Preview: Beer Run #18
November 13, 2020 11:26 - 6 minutes - 6.13 MBIn which our Troika discusses stuff. Politics, literature, the games we're playing, and cabbages and kings.
The Big So So
November 10, 2020 19:02 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBIn which Karlo and Pete talk about a recent short story (The Big So-So) and her newly released novel (Busted Synapses) with Erika Satifka. We encourage you to check out this book, on Amazon, or even better at Broken Eye Books! https://www.brokeneyebooks.com/store/p93/busted_synapses.html#/
Episode 90: The Big So So by Erica Satifa
November 10, 2020 19:02 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBIn which Karlo and Pete talk about a recent short story (The Big So-So) and her newly released novel (Busted Synapses) with Erika Satifka. We encourage you to check out this book, on Amazon, or even better at Broken Eye Books! https://www.brokeneyebooks.com/store/p93/busted_synapses.html#/
Preview: Dorohedoro
November 05, 2020 20:00 - 4 minutes - 4.34 MBIn which Pete and Karlo dive into Dorohedoro. Get the whole episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/43577675
Episode 89: Peter S. Beagle ---- The Last Unicorn (ft. J.R. Dawson)
November 03, 2020 18:19 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MBIn which Pete and Karlo discuss Peter Beagle's classic, The Last Unicorn, with special guest J.R. Dawson. Check out her work here: http://www.jrdawsonwriter.com/