Ride the Omnibus
262 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsEach week, we discuss social justice through the lens of pop culture, taking you on a journey to places and times you never knew were connected. Give your ears a treat, and your eyes a new perspective. Warning: All discussions can contain spoilers for featured content.
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Episodes
Possessor (2020)
November 16, 2020 06:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBAriel and UK-based film critic Zoë Rose Smith discuss all things Possessor (2020), the newly released horror film from Brandon Cronenberg, starring Andrea Riseborough and Christopher Abbott. The conversation about this technonoir ranges from commentary on social media personas to data mining to drone pilots to body dysmorphia to that sneaking suspicion that you're really the only human in a world of automatons. Support the show
Noirvember: Ida Lupino
November 13, 2020 11:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBAriel sits down with playwright David S. Kessler to discuss the importance of the trailblazing actor, writer, director, and producer, Ida Lupino. David shares insights into her life from writing and researching his play Gwen and Ida: the Object Is of No Importance. Working as one of the few female directors in film and television at the time, her unique voice shone through especially in the projects she chose. They discuss how her encounters with disability and adversity informed her process...
Noirvember: The Joy of Giallo
November 11, 2020 12:00 - 57 minutes - 39.3 MBAriel discusses the genre of giallo with fellow film fanatics Sean and Dan. Giallo means "yellow" in Italian but as a film genre, is a descendant of noir. They discuss why the Italian offshoot of expressionism became so visually fantastic and explosive with color (specifically that particular shade of red from Max Factor nail polish), and the psychologically complex nature of these films. Support the show
BBC's Just a Minute #2
November 04, 2020 12:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBIn a follow-up to episode #25, Ariel, Dan, Megan, and Miriam return to play Just a Minute, while Kieran returns to his duties as chairman in the magical game invented by Ian Messiter, and brought by the BBC World Service countries around the world. The game requires each player to speak for 60 seconds without hesitation, repetition, or deviation. Recorded leading up to Election Day in the USA, when the American players desperately needed a laugh. This episode is edited by William Dass. No...
Lovecraft Country: Finale
November 02, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBAriel has a chat with Kristina and Rob of Rob Paints the Movies, all about Lovecraft Country. They pick up their conversation where it left off in episode 19, discussing predictions made then about the season, theories about where Season 2 may be headed, the power of history, and how trauma binds families and communities together. Warning: Does contain spoilers and some explicit language. Support the show
Extreme Horror
October 31, 2020 09:00 - 2 hours - 85.7 MBAriel has a horrorifically lovely conversation with Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Zoë Rose Smith, and Alison Taylor, three female film scholars and critics from Australia and the UK. They discuss why extreme horror holds so much power, the problematic nature of censorship and classification, film criticism, and media narratives across the Australia, the UK, and the US. Warning: This episode includes explicit content, including descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Support the show
Creators: The Social Dilemma (2020)
October 28, 2020 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBA discussion of the acclaimed Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma with its creators, director Jeff Orlowski and producer Larissa Rhodes. Their documentary addresses the toxicity of social media platforms, and how they are changing information ecosystems around the world. They stop by to discuss how they were able to refine their ideas and address the many effects of social media platforms in such a clear, concise, and compelling way. This episode was edited by William Dass. Support the...
The Social Dilemma (2020)
October 28, 2020 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBA discussion of the acclaimed Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma with its creators, director Jeff Orlowski and producer Larissa Rhodes. Their documentary addresses the toxicity of social media platforms, and how they are changing information ecosystems around the world. They stop by to discuss how they were able to refine their ideas and address the many effects of social media platforms in such a clear, concise, and compelling way. This episode was edited by William Dass. Support th...
Self-Care & Media
October 27, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MBAriel sits down with Dr. Ceres Artico to discuss mental health concerns in the pandemic, and how through self-care and careful consumption of media, people can improve upon their individual quality of life. This episode was edited by William Dass. Support the show
Problematic Horror
October 26, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBFor this episode, Ariel joins forces with Mick Manhattan of theSceneSnobs.com to host a panel on the problematic, with Allyson Holland, Shannon Hollander, Katy Watson, and Kris PHZ-SICKS Williams. These six voices in podcasting and the film industry come together to talk about the representation of women, BIPOC individuals, people with disabilities, members of queer and trans communities, and other groups within horror. What is it about the film industry that marginalizes these large groups ...
Drácula (1931)
October 21, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 41.9 MBA conversation with Myriam and Michael, a pair of educators and writers, who share their passion for Drácula (1931) with us. Not the one starring Bela Lugosi, but the one that shot on the same sets at night. Myriam's work as a researcher into Latin American literature and history, and her identity as a puertorriqueña (she is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico) give her special insight into other layers at work within the film, from choices of symbolic imagery, to language and pronunciation, t...
Filmmaker Amna al Hawaj
October 19, 2020 12:19 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBAriel sits down with Bahraini filmmaker Amna al Hawaj, a woman on a mission to create change through popular cinema. She has worked on productions as varied as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to the Cannes Grand Prix-nominated Dègradé. She shares her industry insights as well as the view from her window on the world. She clearly articulates the best argument we've ever heard for the arts and the power of stories, and their importance now, more than ever. This episode was edited by Will...
Dame Diana & RBG: Feminist Icons
October 14, 2020 13:56 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBAriel and Zoya discuss two legendary women who died a week apart - Dame Diana Rigg and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, both of whom could be called feminist icons, but neither of whom fully embraced the title when advocating for pay equity or gender equality. Dame Diana tackled gender stereotypes in her roles from Emma Peel in The Avengers to Lady Olenna on Game of Thrones, while the Notorious RBG tackled those same stereotypes in court. Ariel and Zoya discuss these great women and how they hav...
Diana Rigg & Ruth Bader Ginsburg
October 14, 2020 13:56 - 1 hour - 88.8 MBAriel and Zoya discuss two legendary women who died a week apart - Dame Diana Rigg and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, both of whom could be called feminist icons, but neither of whom fully embraced the title when advocating for pay equity or gender equality. Dame Diana tackled gender stereotypes in her roles from Emma Peel in The Avengers to Lady Olenna on Game of Thrones, while the Notorious RBG tackled those same stereotypes in court. Ariel and Zoya discuss these great women and how they have...
Possession (1981)
October 12, 2020 10:06 - 1 hour - 53.6 MBAriel sits down with Australian film scholar Alison Taylor, author of Troubled Everyday: Aesthetics and the Everyday in European Art Cinema, to discuss the abstract and immersive experience that is Zulawski's Possession (1981). The discussion ranges from Communist ideology to feminist reflections on the film and Isabelle Adjani's powerhouse of a performance. Support the show
BBC's Just a Minute
October 07, 2020 11:31 - 1 hour - 43.9 MBFor the 25th episode, a tribute to the BBC's enduring radio show, Just a Minute, and its host, Nicholas Parsons. Ariel is joined by Kieran Cowan to discuss the enduring appeal of the show, and guests Dan, Megan, and Miriam stop by to play a tribute round of the game with Kieran as host. It's an episode of silliness and froth about a game that means so much to so many around the world. This episode was edited by William Dass. Support the show
AnteBellum
October 06, 2020 02:35 - 1 hour - 68.5 MBAriel and Monica talk all things AnteBellum, the film dubbed by many critics to be "the worst film of 2020." They discuss what the critics got wrong, what the film has to say about the status quo, and why people should be watching this film, and engaging with it. Warning: Spoilers aplenty are ahead! Support the show
Pride & Prejudice & Adaptations
September 28, 2020 12:44 - 2 hours - 94.7 MBAriel, Kim, Maggie, and Amy gather to discuss the various adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, faithful, fanciful, and modernized. They discuss why the work is so enduring and so endlessly translatable to different contexts, and go in depth into favorite characters and what each adaptation reveals about their psychology. Support the show
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (3/3)
September 23, 2020 10:25 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBDanielle, Irina and Ariel share their origin stories for the final part in our CRIP CAMP series. This series would be incomplete without a sense of the deeply personal experiences that have informed the perspectives shared on disability rights and activism. Warning: Explicit language throughout, references to medical trauma and assault, and frank discussion of sexuality. Support the show
The Devil All the Time
September 21, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 54.3 MBAriel is joined by Kern Wheeling, of Cinema Etc., to discuss Antonio Campos' adaptation of Donald Ray Pollock's The Devil All the Time, a film now available on Netflix, starring Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson. Additionally, they discuss favorite films of 2020 so far, the landscape of moviegoing, and all the feelings. WARNING: The discussion includes heavy spoilers for both the book and the film. Support the show
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2/3)
September 16, 2020 12:52 - 50 minutes - 35 MBIn part 2 of the critical conversation series structured around the film Crip Camp, Ariel is joined again by disability activists Danielle Dass and Dr. Irina Greenman to discuss issues affecting the disability community. The conversation begins with a frank discussion of special education. Warning: Contains explicit language. Support the show
Lovecraft Country: Mid-Season
September 11, 2020 09:12 - 1 hour - 48.9 MBAriel, Kristina, and Rob dish over a shared passion for the HBO horror-drama Lovecraft Country, and its accompanying podcast. We discuss the impact of the show's writing on our understanding of black culture, and how it challenges assumptions in meaningful ways. We talk though the monsters, the performances, and our crazy theories for what happens next. Support the show
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (1/3)
September 09, 2020 14:02 - 1 hour - 45.7 MBAriel is joined by disability activists Danielle and Irina to discuss the Netflix documentary Crip Camp, and the way it portrays the stories of people with disabilities, questions of disability rights, and disability activism. This episode is part of an ongoing series of critical conversations with disability advocates responding to themes presented in the film. Support the show
Writer/Director Jai Jamison
September 02, 2020 10:28 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBWriter/Director Jai Jamison is currently one of the writers on the new CW series, Superman and Lois, but is also responsible for the profound and affecting short film Slave Cry, set in Richmond, VA against the backdrop of the Confederate Monuments. The conversation ranges from a deep love of Richmond, to Black representation in the arts, to the messaging of the monuments, and their place in our world now. This episode was edited by William Dass. Support the show
The City We Became
August 26, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 52.5 MBAriel, Alex, and Brian discuss N.K. Jemisin's The City We Became, a book that features characters embodying each of the boroughs of the city of New York. We discuss the characterization of New York City, and what the book has to say about diversity and inclusion, while also getting into the nuts and bolts of the good/bad binary of racism. Support the show
Bonus: Blade
August 20, 2020 13:05 - 59 minutes - 40.6 MBAriel, Alex, and Dan discuss the horror-action superhero flick Blade in all its glory, from Wesley Snipes' amazing stunts, some of the backstory behind production, to the movie's influence on vampire lore in TV and film.
Blade (1998)
August 20, 2020 13:05 - 59 minutes - 40.6 MBAriel, Alex, and Dan discuss the horror-action superhero flick Blade in all its glory, from Wesley Snipes' amazing stunts, some of the backstory behind production, to the movie's influence on vampire lore in TV and film. Support the show
Comic Writer & Creator Zack Quaintance
August 17, 2020 13:50 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBAriel sits down with Zack Quaintance, the brains behind the popular comics review site, Comics Bookcase, as well as an up and coming writer in the comic book world. They discuss his upcoming original graphic novel Next Door, neighborly behavior in the midst of the pandemic, and plans for future projects as both a writer and contributor to comic book analysis and discussion on his website. Support the show
Octavia Butler's Kindred
August 10, 2020 17:04 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBAriel, Alex, and Rashida sit down to talk about the book Kindred, a 20th century slave narrative about a woman who is transported back in time to the slave plantation of her ancestors. They discuss the book and the author, the MacArthur Fellow and science fiction legend, Octavia Butler, and the importance of the hard work of confronting history. Support the show
Bonus: Amazon's Tales from the Loop
August 05, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBAriel talks with science nerds Ellen and Maria about Amazon's science fiction series, Tales from the Loop, a ten-episode series, set in a retrofuturistic landscape. Our trio talks about the unique design of the show, the perfection of the circle/sphere, conspiracy theories, and how it all really ties back to Minecraft.
Tales from the Loop
August 05, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBAriel talks with science nerds Ellen and Maria about Amazon's science fiction series, Tales from the Loop, a ten-episode series, set in a retrofuturistic landscape. Our trio talks about the unique design of the show, the perfection of the circle/sphere, conspiracy theories, and how it all really ties back to Minecraft. Support the show
Miss Juneteenth
August 02, 2020 11:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBAriel, Kim, and Heather talk about the new film Miss Juneteenth (on virtual streaming now), a directorial debut from Channing Godfrey Peoples celebrating the relationship between mothers and daughters, the attempt to live out deferred dreams through the next generation, and the power of having something that is your own. Our discussion ranges from the marginalization of and within the Black community, to the secret culture of debutante balls, to the cyclical nature of toxic relationships. S...
Bonus: Sondheim's A Little Night Music
July 22, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 66.6 MBAriel, Megan, and Dan break down their shared love for Sondheim's A Little Night Music (1973). They examine the classic show lyrically, musically, dramatically, and thematically, while comparing it to the source material, Ingmar Bergman's film, Smiles of a Summer Night (1955).
Sondheim's A Little Night Music
July 22, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 66.6 MBAriel, Megan, and Dan break down their shared love for Sondheim's A Little Night Music (1973). They examine the classic show lyrically, musically, dramatically, and thematically, while comparing it to the source material, Ingmar Bergman's film, Smiles of a Summer Night (1955). Support the show
*Movers & Shakers: Filmmaker Kuni Ohi
July 20, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBAriel sits down with cinematographer Kuni Ohi to talk about his work in the film industry, both in times of strong creative collaboration and now, in the time of COVID. As one of few filmmakers currently working, he shares his experiences from the field, in-depth discussion of the creative process, and his hopes for the future, discussing the movement to include more people of color at higher levels in the film industry. Discussed (and recommended) projects include: American Bodies; Slave Cry...
Filmmaker Kuni Ohi
July 20, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 50.2 MBAriel sits down with cinematographer Kuni Ohi to talk about his work in the film industry, both in times of strong creative collaboration and now, in the time of COVID. As one of few filmmakers currently working, he shares his experiences from the field, in-depth discussion of the creative process, and his hopes for the future, discussing the movement to include more people of color at higher levels in the film industry. Discussed (and recommended) projects include: American Bodies; Slave Cr...
Movers & Shakers: Filmmaker Kuni Ohi
July 20, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBAriel sits down with cinematographer Kuni Ohi to talk about his work in the film industry, both in times of strong creative collaboration and now, in the time of COVID. As one of few filmmakers currently working, he shares his experiences from the field, in-depth discussion of the creative process, and his hopes for the future, discussing the movement to include more people of color at higher levels in the film industry. Discussed (and recommended) projects include: American Bodies; Slave Cr...
Movers & Shakers: MC PHZ-SICKS Part 2
July 13, 2020 12:19 - 50 minutes - 54.5 MBA continued look at the music of MC PHZ-SICKS, and a conversation about his love of wrestling, Black trauma, and the media's role in the protests and violence against Black bodies. Features the songs Brim Low, DX/NWO, and Riot in My Memory.
Movers & Shakers: PHZ-SICKS Part 2
July 13, 2020 12:19 - 50 minutes - 54.5 MBA continued look at the music of MC PHZ-SICKS, and a conversation about his love of wrestling, Black trauma, and the media's role in the protests and violence against Black bodies. Features the songs Brim Low, DX/NWO, and Riot in My Memory.
MC PHZ-SICKS (2/2)
July 13, 2020 12:19 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBA continued look at the music of MC PHZ-SICKS, and a conversation about his love of wrestling, Black trauma, and the media's role in the protests and violence against Black bodies. Features the songs Brim Low, DX/NWO, and Riot in My Memory. Support the show
Movers & Shakers: MC PHZ-SICKS
July 06, 2020 14:44 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBOur first segment in a new series, Movers and Shakers, where we interview creators who make a difference in the world about their work. We talk with MC PHZ-SICKS about his music and the progression of his work in the hip-hop genre. This conversation ranges from the influences that have shaped him, to his quest to tackle misogyny in his work, to the processing of black trauma. Warning: Contains explicit language. All musical content is owned by PHZ-SICKS.
Movers & Shakers: PHZ-SICKS
July 06, 2020 14:44 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBOur first segment in a new series, Movers and Shakers, where we interview creators who make a difference in the world about their work. We talk with MC PHZ-SICKS about his music and the progression of his work in the hip-hop genre. This conversation ranges from the influences that have shaped him, to his quest to tackle misogyny in his work, to the processing of black trauma. Warning: Contains explicit language. All musical content is owned by PHZ-SICKS.
*Movers & Shakers: MC PHZ-SICKS Part 1
July 06, 2020 14:44 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBOur first segment in a new series, Movers and Shakers, where we interview creators who make a difference in the world about their work. We talk with MC PHZ-SICKS about his music and the progression of his work in the hip-hop genre. This conversation ranges from the influences that have shaped him, to his quest to tackle misogyny in his work, to the processing of black trauma. Warning: Contains explicit language. All musical content is owned by PHZ-SICKS.
Movers & Shakers: MC PHZ-SICKS Part 1
July 06, 2020 14:44 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBOur first segment in a new series, Movers and Shakers, where we interview creators who make a difference in the world about their work. We talk with MC PHZ-SICKS about his music and the progression of his work in the hip-hop genre. This conversation ranges from the influences that have shaped him, to his quest to tackle misogyny in his work, to the processing of black trauma. Warning: Contains explicit language. All musical content is owned by PHZ-SICKS.
MC PHZ-SICKS (1/2)
July 06, 2020 14:44 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBOur first segment in a new series, Movers and Shakers, where we interview creators who make a difference in the world about their work. We talk with MC PHZ-SICKS about his music and the progression of his work in the hip-hop genre. This conversation ranges from the influences that have shaped him, to his quest to tackle misogyny in his work, to the processing of black trauma. Warning: Contains explicit language. All musical content is owned by PHZ-SICKS. Support the show
Jordan Peele's Us
June 29, 2020 11:21 - 1 hour - 75.2 MBAriel, Bryan, and Kris close out Horror Week by chatting about Jordan Peele's masterwork of horror, Us, both in its original crafting and through the lens of this moment. Warning: Explicit language and spoilers for the film are included in this episode. Support the show
Episode 6: Jordan Peele's Us
June 29, 2020 11:21 - 1 hour - 114 MBAriel, Bryan, and Kris close out Horror Week by chatting about Jordan Peele's masterwork of horror, Us, both in its original crafting and through the lens of this moment. Warning: Explicit language and spoilers for the film are included in this episode.
Tales from the Hood
June 24, 2020 11:37 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBAriel, Kim, and Dan dish about Tales from the Hood, discussing the relevance of the film to the current conversation about police brutality, issues with the ways Black people are portrayed in the media, and the use of coded racist language in politics. WARNING: Contains explicit language and spoilers for the film. Support the show
Episode 5: Tales from the Hood
June 24, 2020 11:37 - 1 hour - 81.8 MBAriel, Kim, and Dan dish about Rusty Cundieff's Tales from the Hood, discussing the relevance of the film to the current conversation about police brutality, issues with the ways Black people are portrayed in the media, and the use of coded racist language in politics. WARNING: Contains explicit language and spoilers for the film.
Horror Noire
June 22, 2020 11:42 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBWelcome to Horror Week! Ariel, Sean, and Alex discuss Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror and bring you an overview of the horror tropes, while discussing the power of representation, and the movies and roles that have mattered most to us.Please note: This conversation does contain spoilers for many horror films, but we feel these are essential to the conversation. Support the show