Best Anthropomorphic Podcasts (2026)

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Voting Rights, Climate, and the Most Important Election in US History: A Conversation with Dean Emma Dench and Professor Stephen Ansolabehere 45:36

Play Pause

4d ago45:36

45:36

As states around the country face off in a contest of Gerrymandering, what is the future of voting rights in the United States? Will the Supreme Court nullify what’s left of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965? How will accelerating climate change effect US politics? And what might happen in the all-important election of 2028? Harvard's Frank G.…

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428: Stuff We’re Looking Forward to in 2026 1:22:45

6d ago1:22:45

1:22:45

Happy New Year! It's 2026 and this year has got to be better, right?....right? On today's show, Mike and Janine look forward to the pop culture coming our way in 2026 and list their most anticipated new releases. This is going to be a great year in media and a great year for your favorite podcast pcmc! If you like what you hear, be sure to subscrib…

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427: Holiday Special 2025: "From All of Us to All of You" (1958) 1:20:15

13d ago1:20:15

1:20:15

Oh boy! Welcome to a spectacular holiday episode of pcmc! On today's show, Mike is joined by Janine, and together they are discussing "From All of Us to All of You", an episode of the classic TV show Walt Disney Presents, which first aired in 1958. In the show, Jiminy Cricket and Mickey Mouse host an arrangement of classic Disney shorts and clips f…

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Why Hiring Was - Is - Will Be - Rough 33:46

18d ago33:46

33:46

Why Hiring Was - Is - Will Be - Rough Now it's time to sync up with your hosts Leah Daniels and Kevin Grossman on The Talent Sync. In this episode, Leah and Kevin talk about Why Hiring Was - Is - Will Be - Rough. The Talent Sync is a collaborative podcast production about anything and everything recruiting and hiring – literally the kitchen sink on…

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Christmas Special: ‘An Undigested Bit of Beef…?’ 1:25:38

19d ago1:25:38

1:25:38

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show Christmas Special, recorded live beneath the West End at The Phoenix Arts Club. Tonight, we gather for an old-fashioned festive tradition: ghost stories at Christmas, games played in good company, and the sense of connection that comes from gathering together at the darkest time of the year. We begin with Charl…

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426: Transformers One (2024) 1:01:10

20d ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Primeee! Welcome to an all new episode of pcmc. Your one-stop-shop for media musings, nostalgia, and pop culture ephemera! Transformers conversation continues on today's show, as Mike is joined once again by Peter Marsh. Today's episode is about the would-be reboot of the Transformers franchise, 2024's Transformers One. The prequel film was great, …

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425: The Transformers: The Movie (1986) 1:03:05

27d ago1:03:05

1:03:05

Autobots roll out! Welcome to an all new episode of pcmc. Your one-stop-shop for media musings, nostalgia, and pop culture ephemera! On today's show, Mike is joined once again by Peter Marsh. Peter is a long time friend of the show and something of a podcaster himself (The Lasser Cast / Comic Books Transformed). This episode's topic is the fan favo…

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A Breakthrough in Studying Diseases of the Brain 20:39

1M ago20:39

20:39

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head injuries. It has been found in professional athletes, soldiers, and others who have experienced years of those traumas. New research from Harvard Griffin GSAS alumni Chanthia Ma and Guanlan Dong may help us better understand this condition. Their study …

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Human-ish: Justin Gregg on Anthropomorphism 1:16:05

1M ago1:16:05

1:16:05

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week, we slip into the strange, funny and quietly revealing world of anthropomorphism — the very human habit of seeing minds, motives and meaning everywhere we look. First, Kevin pulls up a chair with scientist and bestselling author Justin Gregg, whose book Humanish explores why we dress up our dogs, get…

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424: Describing Movies We've Never Seen (part 2) 1:07:18

1M ago1:07:18

1:07:18

Hello! Welcome to an all new episode of pcmc. Your one-stop-shop for media musings, nostalgia, and pop culture ephemera! On today's show, Mike is joined once again by Anthony. Together the guys are returning to a concept first visited in episode 280. Describing movies they haven't seen. Each person has given the other the titles for three movies th…

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Audio Advent: How Rudolph Came To Be 18:42

1M ago18:42

18:42

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! We’re slipping a little audio chocolate into your advent calendar: the true origin of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, plus a reading of the original 1939 story that made him a star. A festive treat from The Big Smoke family to start the holiday season. This piece was created by our host Kevin Bennett and is st…

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423: The Real Housewives of New York City: "Scary Island" 1:12:41

1M ago1:12:41

1:12:41

Jellybeans! Welcome to an all new episode of pcmc. Your one-stop-shop for pop culture musings, celebrations, and ephemera! On today's show, Mike is joined by Anthony to discuss the Bravo franchise The Real Housewives of New York City. Specifically, an infamous three-episode arc known to fans as "Scary Island." This was a foundational moment in Real…

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Exploring Britain’s Living Room: Your Local Pub! 1:17:11

2M ago1:17:11

1:17:11

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week, we raise a glass to Britain’s most beloved institution — the pub — and explore how these living rooms of London connect history, community and creativity in ways as rich as any museum or gallery. First, our guests pull up a stool: its pub historian Charo Havermans and artist Lydia Wood. Together the…

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422: The Chevy Chase Show (1993) 48:25

2M ago48:25

48:25

I'm pcmc and you're not. Welcome to an all new episode of pcmc. Your one-stop-shop for pop culture musings, celebrations, and ephemera! On today's show, host Mike Bongiorno is joined, once again, by Vin Forte, and they continue last week's deep dive into the dark and desperate world of failed late-night talk shows. Today's subject: The Chevy Chase …

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1001 Ideas: Episode 6 - Symbols and Sedentism 26:24

2M ago26:24

26:24

The primary focus of our discourse today revolves around the intricate evolution and significance of symbolic thought in human history, particularly as it pertains to the origins of symbols circa 33,000 years before the Common Era. We delve into the profound implications these early representations had on human cognition, facilitating the ability t…

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421: The Pat Sajak Show (1989) 47:57

2M ago47:57

47:57

Can I buy a vowel?! Welcome to an all new episode of pcmc. Your one-stop-shop for pop culture musings, celebrations, and ephemera! On today's show, host Mike Bongiorno is joined by Vin Forte, and they dive into the dark and desperate world of failed late-night talk shows. Today's subject: The Pat Sajak Show (1989). This show ran for one season befo…

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1001 Ideas: Episode 5 - Souls 28:18

2M ago28:18

28:18

The primary focus of today's podcast revolves around the concept of the soul, a notion that emerged approximately 40,000 years before the Common Era, coinciding with the advent of polytheistic beliefs. We delve into the intricate definitions surrounding the soul, understanding it as the non-physical life force that imbues living beings—plants, anim…

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1001 Ideas: Episode 4 - Anthropomorphism and Cave Paintings 23:48

2M ago23:48

23:48

This podcast episode delves into the concept of anthropomorphism, exploring its historical and cultural significance across various civilizations. We engage in a thought-provoking discussion on the origins of anthropomorphism, positing that its emergence may be linked to a fundamental shift in human cognition around 40,000 BCE. This change possibly…

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“Was the American Revolution a Civil War?” and Other Thorny Questions about the Nation’s Founding 36:36

2M ago36:36

36:36

Us against the redcoats. That's how we often think of the American Revolution. In Ken Burns’ latest film, scheduled to drop later this month on PBS, the acclaimed documentarian takes on that simplistic notion of the nation's founding and many others. The revolution was actually a civil war, Burns says, one that pitted Americans, including indigenou…

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1001 Ideas: Episode 3 - Shamanism 33:44

2M ago33:44

33:44

The salient point of this discussion revolves around the intricate relationship between shamanism and religion, particularly the notion that shamanism serves as a foundational belief practice from which many religious systems have evolved. We delve into the historical origins of shamanism, tracing its roots back approximately 40,000 years, and expl…

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The Royal Institute of Philosophy: Unlocking Minds for 100 Years 1:22:14

2M ago1:22:14

1:22:14

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week, we explore philosophy, freedom, and the peculiar ways we find meaning — from the quiet depths of the soil to the bustling banks of the River Thames. First, Kevin is joined by Professor Edward Harcourt, Academic Director of The Royal Institute of Philosophy, celebrating its centenary year. Together t…

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420: Our Favorite Anthropomorphic Animals 1:11:24

2M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

Quack! Welcome to an all new episode of pcmc. Your one-stop-shop for pop culture musings, celebrations, and ephemera! On today's show, host Mike Bongiorno is joined by frequent contributor Janine Gagliardi. The topic of today's episode: Our Favorite Anthropomorphic Animals. Pop Culture is full of animals acting like people, and Mike and Janine are …

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1001 Ideas: Episode 2 - Trade and Jewelry 34:10

2M ago34:10

34:10

The exploration of trade emerges as the central theme in our current discourse, particularly highlighting its profound historical significance dating back approximately 150,000 years before the Common Era. We delve into the complexities surrounding the origins and evolution of trade practices, underscoring how the advent of agrarian societies catal…

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1001 Ideas: Episode 1 34:40

2M ago34:40

34:40

The episode commences with an exploration of the initial five ideas that have significantly influenced human civilization. Foremost among these is the mastery of fire, which not only provided warmth and protection but also catalyzed advancements in cooking and cognitive development. This foundational control over fire, believed to date back approxi…

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Employer and Job Candidate Existential AI 31:16

2M ago31:16

31:16

Employer and Job Candidate Existential AI Now it's time to sync up with your hosts Leah Daniels and Kevin Grossman on The Talent Sync. In this episode, Leah and Kevin talk about Employer and Job Candidate Existential AI. The Talent Sync is a collaborative podcast production about anything and everything recruiting and hiring – literally the kitchen…

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419: Halloween 2025 - General Mills Monster Cereals 1:06:48

2M ago1:06:48

1:06:48

Surprise! Just when you thought it was safe to turn on your phone, pcmc Halloween 2025 is back! It's Halloween day and pcmc is coming to you with one last super secret Halloween special! Mike is joined by the one and only Emilio Sparks to celebrate the spookiest day of the year. Mike and Emilio got together to both discuss, and taste-test, General …

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418: Halloween 2025 - Disney's Halloween Treat (1982) & DTV Monster Hits (1987) 1:37:07

2M ago1:37:07

1:37:07

Double, double toil and trouble! Welcome back to Halloween 2025! It's the most important time of year here at pcmc, and we continue coming to you all month long with Halloween specials! On today's show, Mike and Janine discuss two foundational TV specials from Disney. Two Halloween specials that have a strangle hold on the millenial zeitgeist. Disn…

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The Humanity of Ghosts 1:27:54

3M ago1:27:54

1:27:54

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week, we wander through London’s haunted past, uncover the humanity behind history’s ghost stories, and rediscover how kindness, comedy, and curiosity connect us all. From spectral legends to small acts of light in the dark, this episode celebrates the strange and the sincere in equal measure. First, Kevi…

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417: Halloween 2025 - ParaNorman (2012) 53:17

3M ago53:17

53:17

Oww my boobs! Welcome to pcmc Halloween 2025! Spooky season is the most precious time of year for the pcmc brood, and we continue rolling along with our month-long scare-tacular Halloween specials. On today's episode, the host, Mike Bongiorno, is joined by the lovely Jennifer "Grave" Litrell. Mike and Jen are discussing the highly underrated spooky…

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Applying and Screening with the Jetsons (Someday) 18:34

3M ago18:34

18:34

Applying and Screening with the Jetsons (Someday) Now it's time to sync up with your hosts Leah Daniels and Kevin Grossman on The Talent Sync. In this episode, Leah and Kevin talk about Applying and Screening with the Jetsons (Someday). The Talent Sync is a collaborative podcast production about anything and everything recruiting and hiring – liter…

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416: Halloween 2025 - Phantasm (1979) 1:08:45

3M ago1:08:45

1:08:45

The funeral is about to begin! Welcome to pcmc Halloween 2025! Spooky season is the most precious time of year for the pcmc brood, and we come to you all month long with our scare-tacular Halloween specials. On today's episode, the host, Mike Bongiorno, is joined, once again, by Peter Marsh (Comic Books Transformed / The Lasser Cast). Mike and Pete…

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The Season of Fear 1:11:24

3M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week, we walk through the fog of fear, meet courage on the street corners of London, and follow the rivers that carry us home. First up, Kevin sits down with historian and author Robert Peckham to ask what it really means to live with fear. From the “dizziness of freedom” to the way algorithms mirror our …

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415: Halloween 2025 - Mr. Vampire (1985) 57:37

3M ago57:37

57:37

BoooOOOOOooo! Welcome to pcmc Halloween 2025! Spooky season is the most precious time of year for the pcmc brood, and we come to you all month long with our scare-tacular Halloween specials. Today we travel to Hong Kong in 1985 to hop onto the hopping vampire craze! See what I did there? Today's film is Mr. Vampire — a slapstick comedy, martial art…

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In the Snare of the Devil: What Really Caused the Salem Witch Crisis 30:04

3M ago30:04

30:04

“How long have you been in the snare of the devil?” That was the lose‑lose question asked of those—mostly women—accused of witchcraft in Essex County, where Salem Village was located, in 1692. According to the Cornell University historian Mary Beth Norton, PhD ’69, however, it was the accusers, rather than their targets, who were in the thrall of s…

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414: Halloween 2025 - Dressed to Kill (1980) 1:03:07

3M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

BoooOOOOOooo! Welcome to pcmc Halloween 2025! Spooky season is the most precious time of year for the pcmc brood, and we come to you all month long with our scare-tacular Halloween specials. Today we kick things off with the HIGHLY PROBLEMATIC film Dressed to Kill from 1980. It's Brian De Palma's homage to Alfred Hitchcock. The film is suspenseful,…

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The Philosophy of Board Games 1:12:42

3M ago1:12:42

1:12:42

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week, we roll the dice under the Harvest Moon, sail the seven seas with wacky shipmates, and curl up with stories that feel like home. First up, Kevin sits down with author Caroline Taggart to explore the timeless pastime of board games. From Monopoly meltdowns to horse-racing favourites lost to history, …

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413: MTV True Life: "I'm a Gamer" (2003) 48:45

3M ago48:45

48:45

Pcmc does what Nintendon't! On today's all-new episode of pcmc, host Mike Bongiorno, is joined by longtime contributor to the show, Vin Forte. In this episode, Mike and Vin discuss a famous episode of television from the early 2000s; MTV's True Life: "I'm a Gamer." If you haven't seen this (or any) episode of True Life, go watch it right now, then …

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412: Infomercials 57:43

4M ago57:43

57:43

Set it and forget it! On today's all-new episode of pcmc, host, Mike Bongiorno, is joined by America's sweetheart Vin Forte. In this episode, Mike and Vin discuss Informercials, what they were, how they worked, why they were great, and where they went. From the ThighMaster to Girls Gone Wild, if you were awake at ungodly hours in the 1990s you expe…

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A Mime Breaks Her Silence 1:15:50

4M ago1:15:50

1:15:50

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week, we move between silence and sound, ruins and renewal, stars in the sky and treasures in the mud. First up, our Pub Quiz heads to the true north strong and free for “Maple Leaf or Make Believe: Pizza Edition”. From syrup-soaked slices to bears with strong topping opinions, can you spot the real Canad…

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411: The Ugly Stepsister (2025) 1:10:11

4M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo! On today's all-new episode of pcmc, host, Mike Bongiorno, is joined by frequent contributor Nadia Kader. Today's topic is the outrageous, gross, and incredible 2025 film The Ugly Stepsister. This is a dark, violent take on the Cinderella story, told from the point of view of her "ugly stepsister." But the movie is more than jus…

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Navigating Your Hot Mess Hiring (With or Without AI) 30:05

4M ago30:05

30:05

Navigating Your Hot Mess Hiring (With or Without AI) Now it's time to sync up with your hosts Leah Daniels and Kevin Grossman on The Talent Sync. In this episode, Leah and Kevin talk about Navigating Your Hot Mess Hiring (With or Without AI). The Talent Sync is a collaborative podcast production about anything and everything recruiting and hiring –…

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Trailer - The Big Smoke hosted by Kevin Bennett 1:01

4M ago1:01

1:01

Are you ready to break free from your algorithmic prison and join us for some enlightening — and silly — entertainment? Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! A podcast filled with comedy, conversation and community. Join us every fortnight for pub quizzes, mini radio plays, and stories from all corners of London and beyond. So, take a seat, join t…

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What Happens When Your Brain Goes to the Supermarket and Other Stories of Human Adaptability 24:50

4M ago24:50

24:50

We all want to live as long and as well as possible. Diet and exercise are crucial, but how can we make sense of the flood of information, which sometimes seems to contradict itself? More importantly, how can we adapt the information in ways that work for us as individuals? Know thyself, answers Duke University Professor Herman Pontzer, PhD ’06. Ev…

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410: Sir, You Are Aglow 1:13:28

4M ago1:13:28

1:13:28

Hello! On today's all-new episode of pcmc, host, Mike Bongiorno, is joined by frequent contributor (and frequent brother) Anthony Bongiorno. Together, Mike and Anthony review the new trailers for the upcoming movies and series: Good Boy (2025), Only Murders in the Building (Season 5), Chain Reactions (2025), Him (2025), and The Carpenter's Son (202…

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Living Tombs: Toward a Fluid Understanding of Architectural Space 7:00

4M ago7:00

7:00

2025 Harvard Horizons Scholar Sergio Alarcón Robledo explores ancient Egyptian architecture through an interdisciplinary approach that sits at the crossroads of archaeology, Egyptology, and architecture. By inquiring about the sensorial experiences of the past, the PhD student in Near Eastern languages and civilizations at the Harvard Kenneth C. Gr…

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Silly Season: Explore with Your Mind! 23:57

4M ago23:57

23:57

This week’s Silly Season episode is bold, rich, and possibly a bit risky. Back in the Comedy Café Mark Silcox takes the spotlight with tales of his latest obsession: gold trading. Kate Sharp and Alex Farrow join in as we debate financial wisdom, summer side-hustles, and whether pursuing security is ever truly secure. It’s a silly, spirited, and sli…

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409: Our Favorite Nudity 1:17:21

4M ago1:17:21

1:17:21

Woot woot! On today's all-new episode of pcmc, host, Mike Bongiorno, is joined once again by Janine Gagliari. Today's topic is "Our Favorite Nudity in Pop Culture." Not necessarily the sexiest nudity in pop culture. Although there are some HOT picks here! It's a conversation about the best use of nudity; the sexiest, funniest, scariest, and most in…

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Stop Anthropomorphizing AI 34:32

5M ago34:32

34:32

Stop Anthropomorphizing AI Now it's time to sync up with your hosts Leah Daniels and Kevin Grossman on The Talent Sync. In this podcast, Leah and Kevin make the point to Stop Anthropomorphizing AI. The Talent Sync is a collaborative podcast production about anything and everything recruiting and hiring – literally the kitchen sink on how all things…

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Silly Season: Explore with Your Feet! 25:31

5M ago25:31

25:31

Welcome to another Big Smoke Silly Season! This week in our Comedy Café, we stroll into deeper waters. Alex Farrow takes centre stage in a thoughtful chat about the meaning of summer, the philosopher’s mindset, and the timeless role of the fool in society. Joined by Kate Sharp and Mark Silcox, we riff on Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and how some peopl…

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408: KPop Demon Hunters (2025) 1:07:23

5M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

Fit check for my napalm era! On today's all-new episode of pcmc, host, Mike Bongiorno, is joined by the great Janine Gagliari, to discuss the phenomenal Netflix animated movie KPop Demon Hunters (2025). If you haven't seen this incredible movie, GO WATCH IT RIGHT NOW! Then come back and listen to Mike and Janine gush over their favorite songs, favo…