Spice World
100 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 35 ratingsAn inebriated exploration of Frank Herbert's Dune. Join our hosts Mike and Derek each week as they open a new bottle of wine and have a bit of a buzzed book club.
Never read Dune? No worries, neither has Mike.
Whether you are new to Dune, or you already know how to wear your stillsuit desert style; this podcast has something to offer.
Pulling from the long out of print, Dune Encyclopedia, we can tell you stories such as: Who was Holtzman? What is it like on a Guild spaceship? How did the Baron come to power?
We will be revealing some spoilers along the way, but Derek promises not to ruin any great twists in the book. After all this is Mike’s first time reading the book, and part of the fun is letting this world and its mysteries grow around you.
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Episodes
B2D: The Cevna - Venport Story
April 11, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBThe 4th installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.
B2D: Trip to Gamont
March 28, 2024 13:00 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBThe 3rd installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.
B2D: Heighliners
March 14, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 75.1 MBThe 2nd installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.
B2D: Ampoliros
February 29, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 61.5 MBWhile Mike embarks on a 6-month Hajj on the Appalacian Trail, please enjoy this 11 part series of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.
Distrans: What Happened to the Pod?
April 01, 2023 18:00 - 3 minutes - 2.72 MBLet's talk about the last 2 years.
Spice World within Spice World within Spice World
April 01, 2023 13:00 - 43 minutes - 29.5 MBOn this special April 1st, Mike steps out to make morning coffee while two spice smugglers break into the studio to record the Spice World episode nobody asked for. This episode we ask ourselves... Who are these hosts? Why does our episode art slap so much? What's the conversion from Kph to Mph? Which Spice Girl sang it best?
B2D: A Muad'Dib Folktale
December 24, 2021 23:00 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBHappy Holidays from the sietch! Come join us for a special Muad'Dib Folktale presented by the famous traveling face dancer troupe, Lord Giovanni's Men.
Messiah - Chapter 15
August 05, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 113 MBWe're discussing chapter 15 in Dune Messiah.
Messiah - Chapter 14
July 29, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 94.5 MBWe're discussing chapter 14 of Dune Messiah.
Emergency Distrans: Dune News and New Trailer
July 24, 2021 22:30 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBWe get an incoming cielago from San Francisco with the hot goss from the 30-minute Dune feature held in cities across the states. Then, listen to our "Frank Takeaways" about the newest trailer.
Messiah - Chapter 13
July 22, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 78 MBWe're discussing chapter 13 of Dune Messiah.
Messiah - Chapter 12
July 15, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 85.6 MBWhoa, make some room for Edric in chapter 12. He may still be in his pajamas, but the new ambassador is not pulling any punches. The conspirators begin suspecting one another of treachery; Edric is playing coy, Scytale is on edge, Gaius Helen is in jail, and Irulan has been missing in action for a few chapters. We ponder the state of our Ghola, and just what Scytale hopes to achieve. Then see what Mike can scry from the windpoles about Alia’s fate. Need More to Read? “Mort(e)” by Robert Rep...
Messiah - Chapter 11
July 08, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 118 MBPaul continues to chip away at the Conspiracy in chapter 11. We take a long walk for a small drink of water, so to speak. Quickly moving this conversation into a more private setting Paul finds himself more alone than ever. Following the many motivations in the room, we start to see divisions forming. Just what are Alia’s powers? Need More to Read? “Berlin 1961” by Frederick Kempe
Messiah - Chapter 10
July 01, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 138 MBWith enough spice you can see anything in chapter 10. The fates have decided on some course for Paul, and Chani for that matter. We tackle the meaning of the falling moon, and grasp at straws with Paul's vision. It seems the Zensunni way is to come out as confused as you went in. Need More to Read? “The Once and Future King” by T.H. White
Messiah - Chapter 9
June 24, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBWe’ve been through the desert, and saw a girl with no name. It just felt good to fly with Duncan again. Over the desert, there was a tomb he could name, but I think those memories caused as much good as pain. Le-to Le-to Le-to …
Messiah - Chapter 8
June 17, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 131 MBSay what you will about him, and Derek will, Edric shows up in chapter 8. The Guild Navigator does not give an inch during his discussion with Paul. All this happens with the face dancer watching pleasantly from behind the tank. We see a Paul Atreides who is surrounded on all fronts. As he dismisses the exterior enemies, he has to confront the interior enemies Korba and Irulan. This is why we have Bannerjee. Need More to Read? Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Messiah - Chapter 7
June 10, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBWe start to see just what powers Alia does have in chapter 7. Hormones and prescience are a dangerous combination. This manifests in a shadow form as Alia’s own Terrible Purpose. Irulan is able to maneuver the siblings together and things get sufficiently weird. Thank the Maker Stilgar is there to offer advice to the maiden. Need More To Listen To? “Q & A” by Ben H. Winters
Messiah - Chapter 6
June 03, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 128 MBYou could say there is scheming happening right under Paul’s nose in chapter 6. Irulan sneaks down to the basement jail to exchange hollow words with Gaius Helen Mohiam. We meet a new side of the Reverend Mother as no mercy is spared for Irulan. Cracks are starting to show in the conspiracy. I bet with the Dune Tarot we could see who comes out ahead. Need More to Read? "Locke and Key" by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez
Messiah - Chapter 5
May 27, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 114 MBLove him or hayt him, the Duncan Ghola is here in chapter 5. Paul knows the game has started, but was this the right move? Even with two mentats we can’t get an answer to that question. Need More to Read? “The Three Musketeers” by Alexander Dumas
Messiah - Chapter 4
May 20, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 159 MBAlia makes her debut in chapter 4! Stilgar fills us in on the state of the universe via his many folders. These issues barely register on Paul who once more weighs the fate of everyone with each word. It's not the jihad this time, but something deeply personal. Does Paul know a way out of the trap or is his fate sealed? Need More to Read? “The Wizard of Oz” by Frank Baum
Messiah - Chapter 3
May 13, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 159 MBThings really take shape when Scytale meets the greatest sweeper of all Sietch Tabr, Farok. We get to settle down for a dark tale from the jihad in chapter 3. Any time Scytale is present the intrigue gets kicked up to a ten. By the time the baliset ends and the darts have flown, we are left trying to figure just what the plan is. Episode Guide 01:00 Chapter Summary 01:42:15 Face Dancers 02:33:25 Edric’s Etymology on Onomatology 02:45:15 Distrans Need More to Read? “Hyperion” by Dan Si...
Messiah - Chapter 2
May 06, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 127 MBArrakis. Dune. Desert Planet. It's good to be home. We check in on Paul with chapter 2. While Paul’s with Chani we get to see good ol’ Usul from the block, but the fedaykin comes out when Irulan is around. Once more he readies to walk into the corrida. We see his free will slip away as terrible purpose emerges yet again. Leaving us with just one question: what is the price? Episode Guide 03:20 Chapter Summary 01:43:55 Lady Chani of House Atreides 02:01:50 Edric’s Etymology on Onomatology...
Messiah - Chapter 1
April 29, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 151 MBWe’re digging into the conspiracy and the conspirators this week in chapter 1! We get to meet two of the most mysterious factions in Dune right off the cielago; a Guild Steersman and a Bene Tleilaxu Face Dancer. They outline their plans, and bring Irulan into the fold. We get lost in the possible foreshadowing. Episode Guide 04:05 Chapter Summary 01:47:20 Tleilax 02:25:50 Edric’s Etymology on Onomatology Need More to Read? “The Gunslinger” by Stephen King, Book One of the Dark Tower Se...
Messiah - Prologue
April 22, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 81.2 MBWe’re back! Mike and Derek are cracking open Dune Messiah and continuing the saga of Paul Atreides. Before we can get deep in the story, Frank has a prologue to set the stage. A certain Ixian has a lot of spoilers to share. We hope you’re all ready to come along for a wild ride. Will Mike fill that Piter shaped hole in his heart? Will Derek find a hill to die on? Will Giovani come back from retirement? Hit play to find out!
Dune - Chaos Theory
April 08, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 96.6 MBWe're not ready to leave Dune just yet. In this special retrospective, Mike and Derek look back on the major events and players in Dune. We talk about the overarching themes, alternate histories, and the plot lines Frank lost track of. Then we unpack chaos theory in Dune, and its echoes throughout the series. Featuring: “Plots within Plots...Patterns within patterns” Chaos Theory Concepts in Frank Herbert's Dune Novels by Donald Palumbo
Dune - Chapter 48 (Part 2)
April 01, 2021 13:00 - 3 hours - 203 MBMike and Derek are ready to close the book on this one. We rejoin the imperial negotiations just in time for kanly. Paul sees his chance to enter the corrida and takes it with “harlequin abandon”. Count Fenring, after all Derek’s build up, finally has his moment in the spotlight. We take our time examining where all the pieces land when Paul claims total victory over the universe... -Red rover, red rover -Dueling Haderachs -Fremen Imposters -Apollo...Ah-Paul-Oh! Episode Guide 04:05 Cha...
Dune - Chapter 48 (Part 1)
March 25, 2021 13:00 - 3 hours - 190 MBWe did it! We made it to the end of our journey. The battle has been won and now we must divide the spoils. Paul assumes his role as emperor, and Mike and Derek start seeing him in a different light. Hawat makes his final sacrifice for House Atreides. As Shaddam accepts his defeat we get down to negotiations. That is of course until Gurney sees a Harkonnen… -Don’t tell Gurney -Not Giaus Helen’s best day -Historians take Paul to task -Daniel keeps it local this week Episode Guide 04:25 ...
Dune - Chapter 47
March 18, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 158 MBIt's one minute until midnight, so we check in with the other side one last time. The Emperor is scolding the Baron, but Alia steals the show upon her entrance. Alia is meeting her grandparents for the first time. She gives grandpa a great big hug before she runs outside to “play”. When the storm hits and the explosions tear the tent down around us, Mike and Derek run into the desert with Alia. We see the rest of the imperial entourage retreat within the ship. -Where is Rabban? -Atreides G...
Dune - Chapter 46
March 11, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 137 MBWe are staring down an oil lens at the end of the book. Paul had gathered everyone, fremen and sandworm alike, along the shield wall for one last battle. When the storm hits, Paul will leave his mark on the shield wall and history. The day of maximum struggle. Everyone begins to make their way down, and we see Paul stop by the radio operator. By the look on his face and the muffled words from the speaker, we know it's all bad news... -Hotel Sardaukar -Atomic Semantics -Don’t test the Grea...
Dune - Chapter 45
March 04, 2021 13:00 - 3 hours - 187 MBDetective Chani arrives in style because she's allowed to use a thopter. We meet her with Otheym and get her caught up on the last thirty days. Inside, Jessica makes Chani jump through some formalities for no real reason before we get to Paul. Chani solves the problem in about the same amount of time that Jessica wasted. Paul steals the scene when he wakes up though; the Kwisatz Haderach has arrived. We eavesdrop with Otheym at the doorway and hear Paul’s plan... -Oh I get it, Cave of Birds...
Dune - Chapter 44
February 25, 2021 13:00 - 3 hours - 169 MBWe get deja vu as Paul deals with the Stilgar matter yet again. He does have that fancy piece of paper this time though. With little resistance the room burst into “Ya hya chouhada! Muad’Dib!” in no time. Paul gives us a signal to follow him and Jessica for a reunion with Gurney Halleck. The tension of the encounter is undercut by Paul’s odd entrance, but he uses that great control to keep us focused on the matter at hand. Gurney’s knife. Threats are exchanged, feelings are shared, and a bon...
Dune - Chapter 43
February 18, 2021 16:00 - 3 hours - 174 MBPaul's getting the band back together! With a storm oncoming, and Gurney by his side, the captured smuggler band is marched into the caves. Korba learns a lesson on saudaukar ingenuity that will result in many bald sardaukar before this war is over. Paul settles the matter with Stilgar and we all watch a Naib kneel to a Duke. Before the storm has passed we chat with the smugglers to hear the latest out of the Imperium... -Captain Spicebeard -Frank or the Encyclopedia? -A Secret Sardaukar...
Dune - Chapter 42
February 11, 2021 16:00 - 2 hours - 153 MBGreat Mother Kubebe! That's a big worm! Once Paul mounted the great worm we climbed up with the rest of the fremen. Tensions rose as Stilgar made his way up through the ranks. He took Paul down a notch with everyone listening in. Shucks we all make mistakes, Paul. We offer some driving school anecdotes of our own to cheer up our favorite mahdi. Fortunately some smugglers show up to give us all a common enemy again. We help sprinkle some spice on the sands for the trap. While Farok sweeps it...
Dune - Chapter 41
February 04, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 127 MBLadies, this chapter for you. Mike and Derek stick out like a city stillsuit in the southern sietch. Jessica invites us in and offers us cushions. We get to meet Alia for the first time, and see a whole new side of Harah. Honestly, it's just nice to focus on issues other than Paul for a bit. Alia brings the room to tears when she recounts her awakening. Once the evening prayer begins we don't have much to contribute, so we step back and talk... -“I deliberately did this.” -Bootleg Adab Mem...
Dune - Chapter 40
January 28, 2021 13:00 - 3 hours - 176 MBAs Paul gets high before his driving test we’re reminded he is no role model. In this haze Paul fills us in on the past two years, like the new Atreides we can look forward to meeting; Alia and Leto II. We take some time to look at the plans within plans as we rush towards impending conflict. When Stilgar starts the rite, we join the troop on the ridge line to watch. We join our favorite fremen to chat over cache water before the old man of the desert shows up... -Is Paul making Super Soldi...
Dune - Chapter 39
January 21, 2021 13:00 - 2 hours - 115 MBDid the Baron hit his head on his way to meet Hawat? We continue to piece together what has happened during the last two year on Arrakis. There is talk of spies, prophets, and old friends. While Hawat tries to explain the sardaukar for the third time, we rummage around and find a bottle of Piter’s Sapho Juice. With properly stained lips we start trying to unravel all these plans within plan, within plans... -Why the Emperor really got involved -That's what the orphan room was for! -The Ri...
Dune - Chapter 38
January 14, 2021 16:00 - 2 hours - 151 MBNew year, new Dune everyone! Frank jumps ahead two years, and has a lot to catch us up on. We find ourselves following the Baron around while he is throwing out death sentences left and right. Once Feyd shows up things get much more interesting. Mike and Derek pine for Piter while the Baron strikes his bargain with Feyd. Once those buzzkills leave, Nefud comes back with semuta to tell us all about... -Poor Nefud -Baron's Body Count -Cheops, the slave master killer -Then the game no one i...
B2D: Butlerian Jihad
January 07, 2021 13:00 - 3 hours - 178 MBEpisode Guide 03:50 What Mike knows about the Great Revolt 07:20 Butlerian Jihad or The Great Revolt; Its Cause and Effect 37:50 Komos; History Prior to the Great Revolt 55:25 Jehanne Butler; The Life and Legend 02:21:25 Komos to IX
Dune - Chapter 37
December 31, 2020 21:00 - 3 hours - 212 MBIn a lot of ways its been a long walk for for a short drink of water. Jessica literally takes center stage for the last chapter of book two. We join the fremen for their most sacred ritual and get real close to Mike's dream of a rogue Bene Gesserit; sleepy Reverend Mother Ramallo will have to do. The lines between science and magic start to blur when Jessica drinks the water of life. Minds start merging, a baby starts waking up, and Paul's got no idea what is happening the whole time. As th...
Dune - Chapter 36
December 17, 2020 13:00 - 2 hours - 138 MBClose that door seal and relax that stilsuit, we've made it to Sietch Tabr. Mike and Derek reflect on just how damn long that took to get here with Farok. Meanwhile Paul is lead by Harrah to check out his Fremen Preoder Bundle. Paul's got a servant, a house, coffee service, not to bad for an outcast Duke. Since Paul's busy we get spice coffee with Farok and talk Tabr... -Farok's Sweeping -That big kids your dad -Dune's Old Ben -Then Earl Gurney is a man who lives inside the faufreluches ...
Dune - Chapter 35
December 10, 2020 13:00 - 3 hours - 169 MBThe Fenring's take us as their plus one to Feyd's birthday extravaganza. We get to mingle with some terrified nobles before grabbing box seats with the Baron. It takes us some time to unravel each character's plan. Distracted by the intrigue, Derek loses track of which blade holds the poison. Impressed that Mike did not, Hasmir refills our glasses and hums… -Baron Blunders -Leto's favorite conspiracy -Thufir's got skin in the game -Then the Gurney Game speeds up Episode Guide 05:15 Cha...
Dune - Chapter 34
December 03, 2020 13:00 - 3 hours - 166 MBStraight from the fight to a funeral. Things are more somber this week at Cave of Riches. We help the tribe placate the shade of Jamis, and learn he was a pretty popular guy. Stilgar directs the ceremony and takes us deep into the cave for the final rites. Mike and Derek find out first hand why this is Cave of "Riches". We're moved to silence but have to ask... -Where did Jamis keep that baliset? -What the hell is a brid? -The rite way to handle water. -Then it's got to be one of thr...
Emergency Distrans: Holiday Break 11/26
November 23, 2020 14:00 - 1 minute - 1.59 MBAn urgent distrans from everyone's favorite Cielago. Support this podcast
Dune - Chapter 33
November 19, 2020 13:00 - 2 hours - 151 MBSet your glow globes to yellow because it's fight night at Cave of Riches! The Caladan Kid steps into the ring with the Angry Arrakeen. Mike and Derek got front row seats for this one. Jamis is determined to throw down, and won’t let Jessica or Stilgar deter him. The tension is thick but at the same time everyone gets caught up in the moment. Crysknives clash and the fight is on. We cheer Paul on with Farok and Shimoon. They explain the customs to us and let us get into... -Derek’s unfinish...
Dune - Chapter 32
November 12, 2020 13:00 - 2 hours - 161 MBWe're not at sietch yet, but we set up camp at Cave of Riches with our new Fremen allies. Jessica and Stilgar take a sidebar to further negotiate her position in the tribe. Eavesdropping with the rest of the troop, we get the feeling Stilgar just wants to put up the doorseal. Then things get weird. Jessica gets everyone caught up in prayer and prophecy. We turn to Paul and... Paul how you doing buddy? -Sirat, am I right?!, -Spicy edibles, -Derek's selling Jamis hard, -Then a gooey Gurney...
Dune - Chapter 31
November 05, 2020 15:00 - 2 hours - 130 MBWith chakobsa and kung-fu Jessica takes control of a delicate situation. Mike and Derek brush up on their glossary game while a flurry of words are exchanged. Once Jessica orders Paul to climb down, it seems she's won us passage with the Fremen after all. Plans and expectations are shifting like the dunes. Before long Stilgar has us packing up and marching out single file. We take one look back at Fairyland and crack open a literjon. Farrukh joins us for a lively talk about... -Judo Chop! ...
Dune - Chapter 30
October 29, 2020 15:00 - 2 hours - 152 MBWe witness the end of a great man today; Liet-Kynes. We have a toast to the fallen and reflect on the last manic ramblings of a once precise man. We also learn a few interesting facts that lead us down the proverbial worm hole. Join us as we talk about... Kynes' knowledge of the mysterious ecosystem on Dune, The origin and mystique behind the name Liet-Kynes, Derek reveals (almost) all about worms and Mike has a mental break, A short, yet familiar Gurney Quote.
Dune - Chapter 29
October 22, 2020 15:00 - 2 hours - 131 MBRun! Paul and Jessica make their way across the sands with shia-hulud right behind them. The desert throws everything it's got at them. We meet them across the drum sands. Huddling in the rocks we get up close...too close to a sand worm. Sitting in silence and awe, presumably refilling our water caches, we pray to the great mother. Something more interesting gets the worms attention thankfully. We don't waste any time and start up the rocks, and we're struck with another kind of awe when we ...
Dune - Chapter 28
October 15, 2020 15:00 - 2 hours - 123 MBGurney Halleck, troubadour warrior and Mike's hero, has reached the smugglers. A new Tuek is running the show here and sets the terms for his asylum. Mike and Derek take Tuek up on his offer of wine and join them for the negotiation. Gurney's decision is made up when news of the Beast Rabban reaches his ears. We negotiate the finer details while we finish our glass... Detective Gurney, Son of Kynes, Everyone's got a Harkonnen joke, Then, the Gurney Game gets spooky with a murder myst...