Best Alex Stein Podcasts (2025)

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Are We The Baddies? (ft. guests Mahershala Ali & Rupert Friend, David Cronenberg, Gerard Johnstone) 1:58:21

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1d ago1:58:21

1:58:21

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down for a pre-lunch chat about dinosaurs and sandwiches with Jurassic World Rebirth stars, Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend, [25:28 - 36:36 approx] while Mike Muncer goes deep with the legendary David Cronenberg, as the Canadian director marks the release of one of his most personal films yet, The S…

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Movie Mindset Bonus - Interview With Director Ari Aster 52:45

1d ago52:45

52:45

Will & Hesse sit down with Ari Aster, director of Hereditary, Midsommar, Beau is Afraid, and the upcoming Eddington. They rap on evil movies, mixing stupid slapstick humor with pain & discomfort, creating a contemporary western out of the recent past, some of Ari’s favorite films & filmmakers, and of course…the all-consuming sense of impending doom…

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Chasing Liberty: Petulant In Prague (with Korama Danquah) 1:13:58

3d ago1:13:58

1:13:58

SUBCATEGORY: CODEPENDENCE DAY On today's episode we launch our new subcategory: Codependence Day, which highlights movies about someone from the White House falling in love. And while Chelsea is away, Elena is joined by Korama Danquah (iCarly, Raven's Home, Reboot, American Auto) to deep dive into the Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode 2004 rom-com, Cha…

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Ep. 830 - F1® The Movie 1:57:11

4d ago1:57:11

1:57:11

David, Devindra, and Jeff lean into the horror silliness of M3GAN 2.0, come aboard for disaster with Trainwreck: Poop Cruise, and get meta with the third season of The Show About The Show. Then they shift into gear with Joseph Kosinski’s latest film, F1® The Movie. We're making video versions of our reviews! Be sure to follow us on the following pl…

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947 - Laugh Now, Cry Later feat. Larry Charles (6/30/25) 1:35:37

2d ago1:35:37

1:35:37

Comedy legend Larry Charles (Fridays, Seinfeld, Borat, Curb Your Enthusiasm & much more) returns to the show to discuss his new book Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter. We have a wide ranging discussion of Larry’s life in comedy including post-war Brooklyn as a comedy incubator, grinding out avant-garde sketch comedy with Andy…

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Rep. Sen. Katie Britt and Dem. Sen. Mark Warner 43:31

6d ago43:31

43:31

On CNN's State of the Union, Jake Tapper speaks to Republican Senator Katie Britt about the President's domestic policy agenda as it nears its final vote in the Senate. Democratic Senator Mark Warner slams Republicans for supporting this bill while also what he knows about the state of Iran's nuclear program. Finally Republican Rep. Riley Moore, De…

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The Empire Podcast: The Movie (with guests Damson Idris, and Ivanna Sakhno) 1:48:08

8d ago1:48:08

1:48:08

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt break out the bleep machine for a particularly sweary chat with M3GAN 2.0 star, the delightful Ivanna Sakhno, [1:10:44 - 1:23:01 approx] and quietly judge the football team of Damson Idris, star of F1. [24:51 - 37:46 approx] Or F1: The Movie, to give it its full marketing moniker, which in…

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Imagine Me & You: Oops I Married A Man! (with Margaret Kaminski & Alex Levy) 1:09:58

10d ago1:09:58

1:09:58

SUBCATEGORY: LGBTCUTIES Today we are looking back at the 2006 rom-com Imagine Me & You starring Lena Headey and Piper Perabo! While Chelsea is on maternity leave, TV writers Margaret Kaminski and Alex Levy join Elena to co-host the podcast and we delve into everything from the fruit punch meet-cute, Sharon Horgan's glow up, Heck's incel of a best f…

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Movie Mindset Bonus - Interview With Director Lexi Alexander 1:07:32

9d ago1:07:32

1:07:32

Will & Hesse sit down with director Lexi Alexander, whose works include Green Street Hooligans (2005), Punisher: War Zone (2008) & the new film Absolute Dominions (2025). We discuss how her experience in combat sports influences her filmmaking, creating comic book movies within the studio system, working as an outspoken Palestinian in Hollywood, an…

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Ep. 829 - 28 Years Later 1:56:35

11d ago1:56:35

1:56:35

David, Devindra, and Jeff go stargazing with Elio, try to make a match with Materialists, and get wacky and wild with Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Then they return to the not-so-distant zombie future of 28 Years Later. We're making video versions of our reviews! Be sure to follow us on the following platforms: YouTube Tiktok Instagram Threads Thanks to…

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945 - Hashtag Fordow Fail feat. Libby Watson (6/23/25) 1:27:39

9d ago1:27:39

1:27:39

Libby Watson returns to the show! We discuss the weekend’s limited US strike on Iran and Trump’s baffling behavior around what already may be a winding-down conflict. We also talk Democratic & media responses, and where Iran might go from here. Then: all eyes are on Zohran in the NYC mayoral primary, voting is tomorrow, we discuss Zorhan’s campaign…

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Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Dem. Sen. Adam Schiff and Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton 44:30

13d ago44:30

44:30

On CNN's State of the Union, Kasie Hunt speaks to Israeli President Isaac Herzog about the aftermath of the U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff speaks about the congressional response to President Trump’s order to strike Iran arguing the action was "not constitutional." And Trump's former National Security Adv…

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BONUS: LA ICE Raids, Protests and Immigration Justice feat. Hugo Soto-Martinez 41:18

14d ago41:18

41:18

LA City Councilmemeber Hugo Soto-Martinez joins Will to discuss ICE raids in Los Angeles, how city government and community groups are responding, the recent protests, and marine deployments to the city. They also discuss the possibilities for a more positive rhetoric and policy around immigration, and the necessity for turning the framing back on …

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After Dark Review: The Life of Chuck 45:27

15d ago45:27

45:27

In this excerpt of an After Dark episode, David Chen and Jeff Cannata review The Life of Chuck. To get the rest of the episode and get episodes like this ad-free and early, become a supporter at patreon.com/filmpodcastBy The Filmcast

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Mona Lisa Episode IV: A New Hope (ft. guests Julianne Moore & Michael Pearce, Ralph Fiennes & Jodie Comer) 1:48:56

15d ago1:48:56

1:48:56

It's another packed episode of the Empire Podcast, the show that dares to ask the big questions: isn't the Mona Lisa just a woman sitting down? Who's the richest Northern Irish person? Can you buy stocks in Glen Powell? Join the pod team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann — as they tackle those questions, discuss the origina…

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Going Deep With Colin Trevorrow: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 32:55

16d ago32:55

32:55

In our latest Empire Podcast interview special, Chris Hewitt sits down (in a swanky London hotel room) with Colin Trevorrow, the director of Jurassic World and Safety Not Guaranteed, to talk about Trevorrow's latest movie, the Prime Video comedy Deep Cover, which he produced and co-wrote. But that's not all — Trevorrow also talks about his choices …

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The Shameless Plug #4 45:21

15d ago45:21

45:21

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor Nick de Semlyen sit down and do a deep dive into the contents of the latest issue of Empire — is back, folks, and this one really is fantastic. That's because this month's cover story is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which inspires Chris and Nick to talk about some of their se…

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The Broken Hearts Club: Bottoms Of The Ninth (with Drew Droege) 1:16:52

17d ago1:16:52

1:16:52

SUBCATEGORY: LGBTCUTIES Today we revisit WeHo circa 2000 via The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy. And joining us is actor, writer, comedian, and creator of everyone's favorite Chloë Sevigny parody videos, Drew Droege (Heathers, Search Party, Bob's Burgers)! This movie has pretty much every TV star from the 90's and early aughts in it: Zach Br…

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Ep. 828 - How to Train Your Dragon 1:45:28

18d ago1:45:28

1:45:28

David, Devindra, and Jeff discuss the exciting announcement of Spaceballs 2, fight their way through the end times with 28 Weeks Later, and buckle down for the struggles of Straw. Then they return to the isle of Berk for the live action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. We're making video versions of our reviews! Be sure to follow us on the follo…

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943 - The Tehran Offensive feat. Séamus Malekafzali (6/16/25) 1:09:19

19d ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Seamus joins us to discuss last week’s “preemptive” Israeli strike on Iran, the damage done to Iranian command and infrastructure, Iran’s retaliation, America’s potential involvement. We also look at Trump’s big birthday Parade, one of the most pathetic & hilarious spectacles of American Military prowess any of us have ever seen. Read Seamus on the…

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Meet Cutie Bonus Episode: Return To Me 10:56

19d ago10:56

10:56

MEET CUTIE BONUS EPISODE: RETURN TO ME This is a preview of a bonus episode exclusively for our Patreon subscribers, AKA our Meet Cuties. Today we cover the 2000 Minnie Driver and David Duchovny rom-com, Return To Me! Recommended to us in our Patreon chat! In this episode we discuss why Chelsea has NEVER been to a funeral, how to properly store you…

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Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Former Vice President Mike Pence, California Sen. Alex Padilla and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass 47:57

20d ago47:57

47:57

On CNN’s State of the Union, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar joins Dana Bash to react to the shocking assassination of a Minnesota state legislator and her husband, as well as the manhunt for the suspect behind the attack. Then, former Vice President Mike Pence joins Dana to discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Dana also presses…

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After Dark Review: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina 39:33

22d ago39:33

39:33

In this excerpt of an After Dark episode, David Chen and Jeff Cannata review From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. To get the rest of the episode and get episodes like this ad-free and early, become a supporter at patreon.com/filmpodcastBy The Filmcast

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Yes, And/Yes, Andor (with guests Jack Lowden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Nick Mohammed & Orlando Bloom) 1:44:41

22d ago1:44:41

1:44:41

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down in person with Deep Cover stars, Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed, to talk about their experiences playing improvisers who go undercover as fake cops;[1:00:00 - 1:15:52 approx] and on Zoom with Tornado and Slow Horses star, Jack Lowden. [26:15 - 39:20 approx] …

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Kyle MacLachlan And Mark Frost On Twin Peaks And David Lynch: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 58:00

23d ago58:00

58:00

Here's a damn fine special episode of the Empire Podcast for you to enjoy. We're in the grip of Twin Peaks fever all over again — the seminal David Lynch/Mark Frost TV show is being celebrated this Sunday (June 15th) at the BFI Southbank in London with a special 35mm print screening of the show's pilot, and if that weren't enough, every single epis…

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Kissing Jessica Stein: Erotic Meets Neurotic (with Catherine McCafferty) 1:17:17

24d ago1:17:17

1:17:17

SUBCATEGORY: LGBTCUTIES Happy Pride y'all! We kick off this subcategory with an OG queer rom-com that turns out to be every gay person's nightmare: Kissing Jessica Stein! And joining us today is comedian Catherine McCafferty, host of "Pretty Gay" on Patreon! In this episode we discuss queer panic, Jon Hamm's cameo, and the issues some of us had wit…

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Ep. 827 - The Phoenician Scheme 1:41:59

25d ago1:41:59

1:41:59

David, Devindra, and Jeff test their lying skills with the second season of Poker Face and take a swing at greatness with Stick. Then they fly high with Wes Anderson’s latest film The Phoenician Scheme. We're making video versions of our reviews! Be sure to follow us on the following platforms: YouTube Tiktok Instagram Threads Thanks to our SPONSOR…

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941 - Sister Number One feat. Aída Chávez (6/9/25) 1:23:07

25d ago1:23:07

1:23:07

We’re joined by The Nation’s Aída Chávez for her report from WelcomeFest, the abundapalooza dedicated to staking the technocratic claim for the future of the Democratic party. We review the fairly directionless and unenthusiastic vibes of the centrist shindig, but also discuss the explosion of police violence during protests against ICE in Los Ange…

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Rep. Nanette Barragán, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Markwayne Mullin and Sen. Ron Johnson 45:56

27d ago45:56

45:56

On CNN’s State of Union, Democratic Rep. Nanette Barragán sits down with Dana Bash to react to President Trump’s stunning decision to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to quell immigration protests in her district and elsewhere in Los Angeles County. Then, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders joins Dana to react to the breaking news and lay out …

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An Award-Losing Podcast (with guests Jai Courtney, Ian McShane, Dean DeBlois) 1:57:01

29d ago1:57:01

1:57:01

This week's episode of the freshly award-losing Empire Podcast sees the podteam lick their wounds after a demoralising defeat in the Best Podcast (Consumer) category at the BSMEs earlier in the week. How do they do this? By talking about movies, of course, as they discuss the week's news (a load of trailers, and a potential new James Cameron movie)…

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After Dark Review: Bring Her Back 35:09

29d ago35:09

35:09

In this excerpt of an After Dark episode, David Chen and Devindra Hardawar review Bring Her Back. To get the rest of the episode and get episodes like this ad-free and early, become a supporter at patreon.com/filmpodcastBy The Filmcast

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Red, White & Royal Blue: God Save The Peen (with Joshua Lee Kirby) 1:16:37

1M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

SUBCATEGORY: LOVE IS IN THE HEIR This week we dive crown first into the campy rom-com revelation that is Red, White & Royal Blue! We are joined by special guest, and television writer, Joshua Lee Kirby (Fresh Off The Boat, The Real O'Neals) to discuss everything from Uma Thurman's "southern" accent, to dick puns, to our feelings on Meghan Markle of…

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Ep. 826 - Karate Kid: Legends 1:43:44

1M ago1:43:44

1:43:44

David, Devindra, and Jeff attempt to land the plane with the second season of The Rehearsal, engage their survival instincts with Dan Trachtenberg’s latest film Predator: Killer of Killers, and get immersed at the Las Vegas Sphere with Postcard from Earth. Then they re-enter the dojo with their review of Karate Kid: Legends. We're making video vers…

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939 - Boom Times For Goons feat. Adam Friedland (6/2/25) 1:14:19

1M ago1:14:19

1:14:19

Host of The Adam Friedland Show Adam Friedland joins us to catch up on today’s news and discuss his new season. We look at the return of Matt Miller, Jake Tapper’s take on Israel/Palestine discourse, the kidnapping of a crypto whale in Manhattan, and new reports of Elon Musk’s rampant drug use. Adam also gives us his takes on engaging with the new …

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S3 - E6: The Ominous Omnibus with Andreas Rasche 37:55

1M ago37:55

37:55

In this episode, I talk about the EU’s omnibus package with Copenhagen Business School Professor Andreas Rasche. The omnibus is a legislative package that aims to simplify several European sustainability directives all at once and has far-reaching implications for the European economy. It is a chance to adjust regulation that has rightly been criti…

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Wade Eastwood On The Stunts Of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 41:20

1M ago41:20

41:20

Whether it's Tom Cruise risking his neck underwater, or above ground while clinging to the wing of a biplane, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is filled with stunts that might just turn your hair white. That's if you don't lose it completely. That's just one of the side effects discussed in this Empire Podcast interview special, as the fil…

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White House Budget Director Russ Vought, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chris Murphy 47:03

1M ago47:03

47:03

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash sits down for an exclusive interview with the man seen as the architect behind President Trump’s scorched-earth effort to upend the federal government, White House Budget Director Russ Vought. Then, House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries joins Dana to detail his party’s plan to counter Trump’s agenda, as…

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Starting In The Middle (with guests Jesse Armstrong, Tim Key, Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan) 1:53:44

1M ago1:53:44

1:53:44

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees the podteam — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and Alex Godfrey — get to grips with the definition of in media res, as they discuss some of their favourite films that throw you right into the action. Elsewhere, they talk about the week's movie news, pay tribute to Empire's founding editor Barry M…

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Coming To America: Just Take The Earrings (with Jonathan Braylock) 52:13

1M ago52:13

52:13

SUBCATEGORY: LOVE IS IN THE HEIR In this episode Elena and Chelsea cover an 80's classic, Coming To America, starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Eriq La Salle, Shari Headley, John Amos, and James Earl Jones! We are joined by our very first MALE guest, Jonathan Braylock (Black Men Can't Jump [In Hollywood], Grown-ish, Astronomy Club) to cover our f…

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937 - Killing Santa feat. Arjun Singh & David Sirota (5/27/25) 1:31:28

1M ago1:31:28

1:31:28

Will & Felix catch up on Democrats’ commitment to burning millions of dollars in search of a crumb of clout from the pod-mano-sphere, and John Fetterman’s chronic senate absenteeism as he searches for good vibes. Then, we’re joined by Lever News’ David Sirota & Arjun Singh to discuss their new podcast series Tax Revolt & the “Big Beautiful Bill” wo…

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Ep. 825 - Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning 2:05:49

1M ago2:05:49

2:05:49

David, Devindra, and Jeff search for immortality in Fountain of Youth, look back on a lifetime of comedy with Pee-Wee as Himself, and crane kick their way through The Karate Kid Part II. Then they choose to accept the mission to share their thoughts on Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. We're making video versions of our reviews! Be sure to…

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UNLOCKED 936 - Permanent Midnight feat. Ryan Grim & Jeremy Scahill (5/22/25) 1:36:40

1M ago1:36:40

1:36:40

Drop Site’s Ryan & Jeremy join us for an update on Israel’s war on Gaza. We discuss yesterday’s attack on Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington D.C. and its potential ramifications, Trump’s recent trip to the Gulf and potential shifts in U.S. relations in the region, and the brutal escalations of violence in Gaza over the recent weeks. Ryan and Je…

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Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. Ron Johnson and Sen. Michael Bennet 42:58

1M ago42:58

42:58

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake presses House Speaker Mike Johnson on the impact the GOP tax and spending bill will have on the national debt and on Medicaid. Next, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson joins Jake to detail his concerns about the bill and his threat to sink it unless there are steeper spending cuts. Then, Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet joi…

1
Christopher McQuarrie on The Final Reckoning, Benicio del Toro & Michael Cera on The Phoenician Scheme, Tony Gilroy on Andor s2 (spoilers), and Cannes You Dig It? 1:58:45

1M ago1:58:45

1:58:45

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt mark the release of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning by doing a non-spoiler, non-epic (less than 20 minutes!) chat with that film's director, the legendarily loquacious Christopher McQuarrie, [26:00 - 43:06 approx] and have a lovely natter with the stars of the new Wes Anderson fi…

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After Dark Bonus: An Interview with Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky, the Directors of Final Destination Bloodlines 46:29

1M ago46:29

46:29

In this bonus After Dark episode, David chats with Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky (the directors of Final Destination Bloodlines) about the process of getting the gig to direct the new Final Destination, how they put together some of the film's memorable kills, and what it was like to work with Tony Todd for his final stint in the franchise. To get A…

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The Shameless Plug #3: Jurassic World Rebirth And Other Animals 39:22

1M ago39:22

39:22

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, sit down and talk you through the latest issue of Empire — is back for its third episode, folks. This one is dedicated to issue 441 of Empire (on sale now at all good, evil, and virtual newsagents), which features Jurassic World Rebirth on the cover, and Nick ta…

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Roman Holiday: Princesses Gone Wild 1:12:46

2M ago1:12:46

1:12:46

SUBCATEGORY: LOVE IS IN THE HEIR Time for Podstruck to look back at a new subgroup of movies, this time all celebrating the Royal We, AKA rom-coms featuring Royalty. And what better film to start off with than 3x Oscar winning film 'Roman Holiday.; Not only does this 1953 love story make us want to visit Italy (with all of our Meet Cuties of course…

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Ep. 824 - Final Destination Bloodlines 1:42:40

2M ago1:42:40

1:42:40

David, Devindra, and Jeff sink into the awkward world of Friendship, catch a getaway ride with Duster, and glimpse the dystopian future of Murderbot. Then they take a stab at their review of Final Destination Bloodlines. We're making video versions of our reviews! Be sure to follow us on the following platforms: YouTube Tiktok Instagram Threads Tha…

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935 - It’s Joever feat. David J. Roth (5/19/25) 1:22:20

2M ago1:22:20

1:22:20

We planned this episode to cover the spate of stories revealing just how out of it and diminished Joe Biden was during his term, and new details about the political flunkies and media stooges who were complicit in covering it up. But yesterday Biden’s team announced an almost certainly life-ending cancer diagnosis. So we’re joined by David Roth to …

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S3 - E5: How to succeed in Blended Finance with Nadia Nikolova 31:13

2M ago31:13

31:13

In this episode, I return to the topic of blended finance with Nadia Nikolova, a managing director at Allianz Global Investors. She explains how blended finance projects get off the ground and shares her own journey into the field. Along the way, she provides many fascinating anecdotes and insights, especially for those considering a career in blen…