In which we discuss The Wicker Man (1973), the remake of the Wicker Man (2006), The Wicker Tree (2011) and Midsommar (2019). I haven't checked but I think we're the first ones to do a pod about all these movies at once and connect what I think are their obviously related themes like gender roles, the relationship between neo-paganism and modern Christianity, and the tension between a dominant society's obligation to respect secluded cultures and their obligation to assert their own values.

JJ Alejandro joins Thomas and Rory to discuss Mel Gibson's masterpiece Apocalytpo and the way the political discourse surrounding the film reduces its big-picture themes. But first we start off with a rant from Rory about a frustrating experience he had on the CTA on his homebound commute that day.

Rory and Thomas sit down with Dr. Ben Braddock to discuss Virginia politics, the recent election results, the state's political scandals over the years, and more.

We sit down with author and law student Jared Klickstein to discuss his phenomenal book "Crooked Smile: What It Took to Escape a Decade of Homelessness, Addiction, & Crime" and its nuanced take regarding the criminal justice system and drug policy. We also dig into his background and his experiences with the publishing industry and touch a little bit upon recent events.

Freelance photographer and host of The Saltbox Mattio Pattio sits down with us to discuss New York nativism, the mayoral race, the usefulness of debate, diversity, libertarianism, engaged life, and more!

In which we discuss the case of John Allen Chau, a young American Christian missionary who became a source of praise, scorn, mockery and debate after his 2018 death at the hands of the North Sentinalese, an uncontacted tribe living under protected status of the Indian government whom Chau was attempting to convert.

A one-on-one ep in which Thomas and ilych discuss the Netflix docuseries Wild Wild Country, the politics of the Rajneeshees, the accuracy of calling them a "cult", Western fascination with Eastern religion, and the character of boomers.

Thomas and ilych bring on Bayou to discuss Nick Cassavetes' 2006 classic Alpha Dog and the real-life tragedy behind it.