Steve came to the recording in a sour mood, but cold PBR and LeGuin's hot philosophy straightened him right out. Questions were probed. Ideas patted down. Schools of philosophy jailed. Beers were drunk.

https://shsdavisapes.pbworks.com/f/Omelas.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ones_Who_Walk_Away_from_Omelas

A new pleasure model gone feral movie came out, and the homeys flew to the cinema like moths to the flame. Takeaway one: Daniels does not know how to take notes in the dark. Takeaway two: think twice before purchasing that fancy electronic corkscrew.

Debut author "Sami" joins the fellas for a Modelo and discussion of the most influential novels in Mexican literary history, as well as its new Netflix film adaptation. Jones goes full infomercial, Daniels gets increasingly worse at pronouncing Spanish names, but Sami holds it all together with wit and verve. If you can read Spanish, buy her new linked story collection! If not, no worries. She's translating it herself into English. Stay tuned!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232469962-memorias-de-tierra-adentro

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_P%C3%A1ramo

Jones is a HUUUUGE Crichton fan. Daniels is too effete for that kind of thing...you know, popular novels that get turned into blockbuster Hollywood films. He even doubts you know what "effete" means. But this podcast is about learning. No pain, no gain. Daniels read the book, and kind of liked it, but don't tell his fancy university friends. Also, who'd of thought they had computer chips for brains way back in 1972?

Steve reacted to these classic essays with "meh," throwing Kelly into a Jesus-like rage that resulted in an upset table and a smashed iPhone 16 Pro. Just kidding about the last part but Kelly is audibly annoyed and spends the episode trying to shame everyman Steve, who fails to be ashamed. Is this the best podcast episode ever? No. Will you learn something you didn't already know about Orwell, the absurdity of colonialism, and the strange shame and appeal of capital punishment? Unlikely. Will the voices keep you company as you walk the dog, fold your laundry, drive across town, or use the elliptical at the gym? Hell yeah.

Thanks to the Orwell Foundation for making these essays free and accessible. Check out their website for a wealth of content.

https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/a-hanging/

https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/shooting-an-elephant/

Superstar friend of the pod, Sarah, meets the fellers in Ciudad Mexico (a bar in downtown LA), for some more hijinks. Agenda: Bukowski's Barfly and a couple of beers.

https://www.sarahkaingutowski.com/

Episode two from La Cita de los Angeles features novelist, story writer, professor, and Substacker Christine Sneed, who met the fellas at a coffee joint slash wine bar for some Shirley Jackson action. Subject: "The Lottery," a story about small town values. Other topics include LA, Chicago, Christine's many books, and her forthcoming writer's retreat in Bordeaux. An excellent time was had by all, and will be had even more by you, dear listener.

https://www.christinesneed.com/

Da boys went down to Lalaland for the big annual creative writing conference, and who should they meet? Well, a bunch of folks, including Kimberly the poet, who really didn't know what she was in for when she agreed to join the podcast. At her request, they talked old, old movies, specifically, Gilda and Gaslight. The discussion, in DTLA's amazing CDMX bar, was scintillating, profound, hilarious, and touching. Now buy Kimberly's latest book!

https://www.kimberlyannpriest.com/books