Best M&M Explain Things to Me Podcasts (2025)

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591. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 3 (with Tom Gerencer) 2:39:59

4d ago2:39:59

2:39:59

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the book The Top of the Volcano: The Award-Winning Stories of Harlan Ellison, which contains 11 stories not included in Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits. Stories discussed: A Boy and His Dog (1:39), The Region Between (37:12), Basilisk (48:29), Adrift Just Off the Islets of Langerhans: Latitude 38° 54' N, Longitude 77…

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590. The Best of Larry Niven Part 1 (with Mercurio D. Rivera) 1:48:40

23d ago1:48:40

1:48:40

Mercurio D. Rivera joins us to discuss the first nine stories in the short story collection The Best of Larry Niven, edited by Jonathan Strahan. Stories discussed: "Becalmed in Hell" (5:10), "Bordered in Black" (17:54), "Neutron Star" (26:35), "The Soft Weapon" (38:16), "The Jigsaw Man" (56:27), "The Deadlier Weapon" (1:02:55), "All the Myriad Ways…

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589. Dune Prophecy Season 1 Review (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna) 1:37:16

1M ago1:37:16

1:37:16

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss Season 1 of the HBO series Dune: Prophecy, a prequel set 10,000 years before the events of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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588. The Urth of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe Book Club (with James Wynn, Craig Brewer) 1:27:33

2M ago1:27:33

1:27:33

James Wynn and Craig Brewer, hosts of the ReReading Wolfe podcast, join us to discuss Gene Wolfe’s classic novel The Urth of the New Sun, a sequel to The Book of the New Sun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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587. Movie Review: Dark City, Strange Days, The Thirteenth Floor, Looker, Alphaville 1:51:20

2M ago1:51:20

1:51:20

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the science fiction noir movies Dark City, Strange Days, The Thirteenth Floor, Looker, and Alphaville. Time stamps: Dark City (3:25), Strange Days (28:55), The Thirteenth Floor (48:19), Looker (1:00:43), Alphaville (1:16:19). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho…

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586. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 2 (with Tom Gerencer) 1:58:04

3M ago1:58:04

1:58:04

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the second half of the new short story collection Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits, edited by J. Michael Straczynski. Stories discussed: "On the Downhill Side" (2:34), "Paladin of the Lost Hour" (12:00), "The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World" (30:08), "I'm Looking for Kadak" (39:10), "How Interesting:…

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585. Philip Gelatt, writer of The Europa Report and The Spine of Night 1:05:22

4M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Philip Gelatt joins us to discuss writing the hard science fiction film The Europa Report and the animated sword & sorcery film The Spine of Night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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584. The Making of Secret Level (with J.T. Petty) 58:45

4M ago58:45

58:45

J.T. Petty joins us to discuss serving as executive producer on the new Amazon series Secret Level, a collection of animated shorts set in the worlds of popular video games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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583. Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits Part 1 (with Tom Gerencer) 1:57:08

4M ago1:57:08

1:57:08

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the first half of the new short story collection Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits, edited by J. Michael Straczynski. Stories discussed: "'Repent Harlequin,' Said the Ticktockman" (13:08), "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" (26:00), "The Deathbird" (37:17), "Chatting with Anubis" (47:39), "The Whimper of Whipped Dogs…

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582. The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe Book Club (with James Wynn, Craig Brewer) 1:32:12

5M ago1:32:12

1:32:12

James Wynn and Craig Brewer, hosts of the ReReading Wolfe podcast, join us to discuss Gene Wolfe’s classic novel The Fifth Head of Cerberus, about two planets that may or may not be inhabited by shapeshifting aliens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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581. Andrew Niccol Movies: Gattaca, The Truman Show, Simone, In Time, Anon 1:56:51

5M ago1:56:51

1:56:51

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the movies Gattaca, The Truman Show, Simone, In Time, and Anon, all of which were written by Andrew Niccol. Time stamps: Gattaca (11:57), The Truman Show (45:09), Simone (1:03:13), In Time (1:18:08), Anon (1:25:59). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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580. The New Mexico Mafia (with Melinda M. Snodgrass) 1:23:59

6M ago1:23:59

1:23:59

Melinda M. Snodgrass joins us to discuss the New Mexico Mafia, a tight-knit community of fantasy & science fiction writers that formed in New Mexico in the 1970s and 1980s, a group that included George R. R. Martin, Roger Zelazny, Stephen R. Donaldson, and Fred Saberhagen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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579. The Future of Demographic Collapse (with Malcolm Collins) 1:17:54

6M ago1:17:54

1:17:54

Malcolm Collins, co-host of the Based Camp podcast, joins us to discuss future scenarios involving demographic collapse, genetic engineering, and AI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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578. Terminator Zero Season 1 Review (with Daniel H. Wilson, Zach Chapman) 1:24:50

7M ago1:24:50

1:24:50

Daniel H. Wilson and Zach Chapman join us to discuss the Netflix series Terminator Zero, an animated spinoff of the classic films Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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577. The Best of Roger Zelazny (with Tom Gerencer) 2:29:54

8M ago2:29:54

2:29:54

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the short story collection The Best of Roger Zelazny, part of the SF Masterworks series of science fiction classics. Stories discussed: "Corrida" (20:04), "LOKI 72181" (24:05), "The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth" (27:08), "The Great Slow Kings" (35:21), "Permafrost" (38:56), "Home is the Hangman" (44:13)…

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576. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein Book Club (with Lisa Yaszek, John Kessel, Robby Soave) 1:30:51

9M ago1:30:51

1:30:51

Lisa Yaszek, John Kessel, and Robby Soave join us to discuss Robert Heinlein’s classic novel Stranger in a Strange Land, about a young man raised by Martians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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575. Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke Book Club (with Matthew Kressel, Anthony Ha, Sara Lynn Michener) 1:16:50

9M ago1:16:50

1:16:50

Matthew Kressel, Anthony Ha, and Sara Lynn Michener join us to discuss Arthur C. Clarke’s classic novel Rendezvous with Rama, about astronauts exploring a giant alien spacecraft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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574. A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge Book Club (with Seth Dickinson, Abby Goldsmith, Mercurio D. Rivera) 1:16:10

10M ago1:16:10

1:16:10

Seth Dickinson, Abby Goldsmith, and Mercurio D. Rivera join us to discuss Vernor Vinge’s classic 1999 novel A Deepness in the Sky, a prequel to his novel A Fire Upon the Deep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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573. Robert Charles Wilson on Science Fiction and Atheism 42:14

10M ago42:14

42:14

Robert Charles Wilson joins us to discuss his books The Perseids and Other Stories and Owning the Unknown: A Science Fiction Writer Explores Atheism, Agnosticism, and the Idea of God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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572. Scavengers Reign Season 1 Review (with Andrea Kail, Zach Chapman, Mercurio D. Rivera) 1:34:05

11M ago1:34:05

1:34:05

Andrea Kail, Zach Chapman, and Mercurio D. Rivera join us to discuss the animated series Scavengers Reign, about a group of survivors stranded on an alien planet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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571. Civil War Movie Review (with Myke Cole, Michael Livingston) 1:26:45

11M ago1:26:45

1:26:45

Myke Cole and Michael Livingston join us to discuss the new Alex Garland movie Civil War, about a civil war breaking out in modern day America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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570. Invincible Seasons 1 and 2 Review (with Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, Zach Chapman) 1:25:06

11M ago1:25:06

1:25:06

Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, and Zach Chapman join us to discuss Seasons 1 and 2 of the animated series Invincible, about a teenager's difficult relationship with his superhero father. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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569. Lionel Shriver, author of Mania and Abominations: Selected Essays from a Career of Courting Self-Destruction 59:17

11M ago59:17

59:17

Lionel Shriver, author of We Need to Talk About Kevin, joins us to discuss her new books Mania and Abominations: Selected Essays from a Career of Courting Self-Destruction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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568. Children of Dune Miniseries Review (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna) 1:25:54

11M ago1:25:54

1:25:54

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss the 2003 miniseries Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune, which adapts the second and third Dune novels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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567. Téa Obreht, author of The Morningside 58:28

12M ago58:28

58:28

Téa Obreht, author of The Tiger’s Wife and Inland, joins us to discuss her dystopian novel The Morningside. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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566. Fallout Season 1 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Theresa DeLucci, Zach Chapman) 1:29:12

1y ago1:29:12

1:29:12

John Joseph Adams, Theresa DeLucci, and Zach Chapman join us to discuss Season 1 of the Amazon Prime series Fallout, based on the popular series of post-apocalyptic video games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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565. David Sirota, co-creator of Don’t Look Up and author of Back to Our Future: How the 1980s Explain the World We Live in Now–Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Everything 55:34

1y ago55:34

55:34

David Sirota, co-creator of the hit comedy Don’t Look Up, joins us to discuss his book Back to Our Future, about the political impact of ’80s pop culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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564. Teresa Sutherland, writer of The Wind and director of Lovely, Dark, and Deep 1:03:18

1y ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Teresa Sutherland, writer of The Wind, joins us to discuss her new horror movie Lovely, Dark, and Deep, about a woman investigating mysterious disappearances in a national park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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563. Dune: Part Two Movie Review (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna) 1:31:27

1y ago1:31:27

1:31:27

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss the new movie Dune: Part Two, based on the novel by Frank Herbert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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562. 1899 Season 1 Review (with Erin Lindsey, Andrea Kail, Ruairi Carroll) 1:30:45

1y ago1:30:45

1:30:45

Erin Lindsey, Andrea Kail, and Ruairi Carroll join us to discuss the mysterious, abruptly canceled Netflix series 1899. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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561. Amanda Knox and Christopher Robinson, hosts of Labyrinths 1:04:54

1y ago1:04:54

1:04:54

Amanda Knox and Christopher Robinson join us to discuss their podcast Labyrinths and Christopher’s dystopian novel Deliver Us, about the future of drone delivery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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560. For All Mankind Seasons 3 and 4 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, Rafael Jordan) 1:33:06

1y ago1:33:06

1:33:06

John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, and Rafael Jordan join us to discuss Seasons 3 and 4 of the AppleTV+ series For All Mankind, an alternate history in which the space race never slowed down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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559. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert Book Club (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna) 1:27:14

1+ y ago1:27:14

1:27:14

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss Frank Herbert’s classic novel Children of Dune, the third book in the Dune series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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558. Bodies Season 1 Review (with Erin Lindsey, Andrea Kail, Ruairi Carroll) 1:37:00

1+ y ago1:37:00

1:37:00

Erin Lindsey, Andrea Kail, and Ruairi Carroll join us to discuss the Netflix original series Bodies, about four detectives in different time periods attempting to solve the same murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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557. Baldur's Gate III Review (with John Joseph Adams) 1:37:54

1+ y ago1:37:54

1:37:54

Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy producer John Joseph Adams joins us to discuss the Dungeons & Dragons video game Baldur’s Gate III, which he’s played for more than 1,000 hours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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556. For All Mankind Seasons 1 and 2 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, Rafael Jordan) 1:24:35

1+ y ago1:24:35

1:24:35

John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, and Rafael Jordan join us to discuss Seasons 1 and 2 of the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind, an alternate history in which the space race never slowed down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

1
555. Kyle Newman on Dungeons & Dragons and Star Wars 57:22

1+ y ago57:22

57:22

Kyle Newman, director of Fanboys, joins us to discuss his new book Lore and Legends, about the recent history of Dungeons & Dragons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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554. Andrew Yang, co-author of The Last Election 52:00

1+ y ago52:00

52:00

Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang joins us to discuss his political thriller The Last Election, which he wrote with Stephen Marche. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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553. David Cronenberg Movies: Scanners, Videodrome, The Fly, Existenz, Crimes of the Future 1:37:59

1+ y ago1:37:59

1:37:59

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the movies Scanners, Videodrome, The Fly, Existenz, and Crimes of the Future, all of which were written and directed by David Cronenberg. Time stamps: Scanners (10:58), Videodrome (22:36), The Fly (41:17), Existenz (53:47), Crimes of the Future (1:06:37). Learn more about your ad cho…

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552. Greg Lukianoff on Superheroes and Cancel Culture 1:04:27

1+ y ago1:04:27

1:04:27

Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, joins us to discuss his love of superhero comics and his new book The Canceling of the American Mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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551. Blindsight by Peter Watts Book Club (with Theresa DeLucci, Sam J. Miller, Seth Dickinson) 1:30:14

1+ y ago1:30:14

1:30:14

Theresa DeLucci, Sam J. Miller, and Seth Dickinson join us to discuss the classic novel Blindsight by Peter Watts, about a group of astronauts encountering a terrifying alien intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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550. Abby Goldsmith, author of Majority 1:05:18

1+ y ago1:05:18

1:05:18

Abby Goldsmith joins us to discuss her space opera novel Majority, about a dystopian society ruled by telepaths. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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549. Charlie Kaufman Movies: Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Anomalisa, I'm Thinking of Ending Things 1:46:20

1+ y ago1:46:20

1:46:20

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Anomalisa, and I’m Thinking of Ending Things, all of which were written by Charlie Kaufman. Time stamps: Being John Malkovich (14:48), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (32:20), I'm Thinking of Ending Things (51:35), An…

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548. Susan Palwick, author of The Fate of Mice and All Worlds Are Real 1:10:18

1+ y ago1:10:18

1:10:18

Susan Palwick joins us to discuss her short story collections The Fate of Mice and All Worlds Are Real. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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547. Ian Livingstone on Games Workshop and Fighting Fantasy 1:01:25

1+ y ago1:01:25

1:01:25

Ian Livingstone, author of Deathtrap Dungeon, joins us to discuss his new book Dice Men: The Origin Story of Games Workshop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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546. John Romero, co-creator of Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3D 1:02:09

1+ y ago1:02:09

1:02:09

John Romero, co-creator of Doom and Quake, joins us to discuss his new memoir Doom Guy: Life in First Person. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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545. Silo Season 1 Review (with John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, Rafael Jordan) 1:29:53

2y ago1:29:53

1:29:53

John Joseph Adams, Sara Lynn Michener, and Rafael Jordan join us to discuss Season 1 of the Apple TV+ series Silo, about a mysterious bomb shelter that no one is allowed to leave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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544. Gregory Frost, author of Rhymer and Attack of the Jazz Giants and Other Stories 1:14:58

2y ago1:14:58

1:14:58

Gregory Frost joins us to discuss his novel Rhymer and his short story collection Attack of the Jazz Giants and Other Stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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543. Movie Review: Logan’s Run, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Silent Running, The Andromeda Strain, Colossus: The Forbin Project 1:41:15

2y ago1:41:15

1:41:15

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the classic 70s movies Logan’s Run, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Silent Running, The Andromeda Strain, and Colossus: The Forbin Project. Time stamps: Logan's Run (3:35), Beneath the Planet of the Apes (23:21), Silent Running (37:14), The Andromeda Strain (50:45), Colossus: The For…

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542. Robert Asprin and the Myth Adventures Series (with Bill Fawcett) 1:22:16

2y ago1:22:16

1:22:16

Bill Fawcett joins us to discuss his lifelong friendship with Robert Asprin, creator of The Myth Adventures series, Phule's Company, and Thieves' World. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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M&M Explain Things To Me Podcasts

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