Join hosts Ben Groves & Rob Macfarlane for a weekly mental health check in disguised as a movie podcast. Weekly episodes released every Sunday have the boys talking everything from Hollywood blockbusters to indie darlings and all manner of highs and lows in-between!
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Rob Macfarlane Podcasts
Poured Over is a show for readers who pore over details, obsess over sentences and ideas and stories and characters; readers who ask a lot of questions, just like Poured Over’s host, Miwa Messer, a career bookseller who’s always reading. Follow us here for surprising riffs, candid conversations, a few laughs, and lots of great book recommendations from big name authors and authors on their way to being big names. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional bonus episodes on Sat ...
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We put the power of our clients' brands into the hands of their channel partners, and in turn they see their business grow. We love the way indirect channels work and solving the mysteries the channel presents. We're proud to work with some of the most successful companies in the world, helping them to tell their stories and amplify their brands.
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Beyond Reality: Conversations with the People Behind Reality TV and Unscripted Entertainment
Hayley Ferguson
Love reality TV? Go behind the scenes with Beyond Reality: the podcast that dives into the world of unscripted television through conversations with the people who make your favourite shows. Hosted by Australian TV producer Hayley Ferguson, each episode features candid interviews with industry professionals, from producers and directors to editors, crew, and on-screen personalities. Whether you’re dreaming of a career in television, already working in the industry, or just obsessed with what ...
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Dennard Dayle on HOW TO DODGE A CANNONBALL
40:14
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40:14How to Dodge a Cannonball by Dennard Dayle is a rollicking satire of the Civil War centered on one unforgettable protagonist. Dennard joins us to talk about building a novel out of a short story, laughing at your own jokes, studying with Paul Beatty, The Boondocks, humor writing and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted…
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Love & Mercy (2014): Why This Loss Hurts More Than Any For Us
1:04:24
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1:04:24Ben and Rob wade into the beautiful mind of Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s mind waters with ‘Love & Mercy’ the biopic that, much like the man, is split right in two. With Paul Dano as the young Brian Wilson crafting Pet Sounds and battling hallucinations, and John Cusack as the older Brian Wilson trapped under the thumb of a manipulative therapist, ‘Love…
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So Far Gone by Jess Walter is a timely thriller steeped in the sociopolitical landscape of the nation. Jess joins us to talk about conspiracy theories, pillars of trust, media literacy, messy characters, Spokane, road trip novels, raccoons and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang…
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Molly Jong-Fast on HOW TO LOSE YOUR MOTHER
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51:16How to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast is a heartfelt and honest exploration of complicated childhoods, life and grief. Molly joined us live at B&N Upper West Side to talk about motherhood, mass culture, living in a sandwich generation, the attention economy, nepo-babies and more with Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa …
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The Great Mann by Kyra Davis Lurie transports readers into a narrative of wealth, race, class and fame. Kyra joins us to chat about writing Los Angeles, respectability politics, reimagining The Great Gatsby, complicated characters and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. …
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Creative Director, ITV Studios Australia - Alex Mavroidakis | Love Island Australia, I'm A Celebrity, Big Brother & More
1:01:39
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1:01:39In this episode of Beyond Reality, Hayley Ferguson is joined by TV executive and ITV’s Creative Director, Alex Mavroidakis. Alex has played a pivotal role in shaping the Australian versions of some of the most popular global reality formats, including Big Brother, Love Island, and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Alex unpacks his remarkable car…
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Ex Machina (2017): A Film That's About Everything Except AI
57:37
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57:37Ben and Rob test ‘Ex Machina’, Alex Garland’s sleek, sterile sci-fi thriller where tech anxiety gets seductive and sinister. Domhnall Gleeson plays Caleb, a wide-eyed coder sent to play assistant to Oscar Isaac’s Natan, a tech genius channeling Elon Musk if he ever got off the bad stuff; but the star of ‘Ex Machina’ is Ava—Alicia Vikander’s uncanny…
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The history of Saturday Night Live and the man who made it, Lorne by Susan Morrison is an honest and earnest look at how such a simple concept took over the comedy scene, and how it persisted through decades. Susan joins us to talk late nights on set, interviewing the man behind the curtain, comedy greats from back then and now, bringing a sketch f…
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Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin is a story about identity, home and hope from a fresh new voice in fiction. Rob joins us to chat about party novels, the evolution of New York City, writing during the pandemic, 2010s indie sleaze and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. …
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The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater is historical fiction set against the backdrop of World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. With complex and compelling characters and political tension, it's a read that transports. Maggie joins us to talk about what luxury really means, liminal spaces, morning routines, characterization, mini dachshunds and …
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Funny Games (2007): The Film So EVIL They Made It Twice!
1:01:27
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1:01:27Ben and Rob play ‘Funny Games’, Michael Haneke’s brutal shot-for-shot 2007 remake of his original home invasion masterpiece from ten years prior. Starring Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt, Tim Roth and Brady Corbet, ‘Funny Games’ is a hauntingly cold movie about not only the holiday from hell, but of horror movies and why we watch them. But why did direct…
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Laura Pegram, Edwidge Danticat and Princess Joy L. Perry on SING THE TRUTH
46:42
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46:42Laura Pegram, Edwidge Danticat and Princess Joy L. Perry joined us live at B&N Upper West Side to celebrate 15 Years of The Kweli Journal. Listen in as they chat about using language to build community, short stories vs novels, witnessing emerging talent and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed…
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Travel writing, ecological reporting and history flow together in a portrait of one of nature’s most powerful features in Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane. Rob joins us to talk about the rights of rivers, white river kayaking, giving old ideas new power, moral imagination, fear vs risk, water puns and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. Thi…
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DREDD (2012): The Best Film You Probably Haven't Seen
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1:00:50
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1:00:50Ben and Rob feel “DREDD”, the 2013 Pete Travis directed adaptation of 2000AD’s megastar character Judge Dredd, starring Karl Urban, Lena Headey and Olivia Thirlby. Written by Alex Garland (director of ‘Ex Machina’, ‘Civil War’, ‘Warfare’), ‘DREDD’ struggled to make back its budget, despite good reviews and praise for its accuracy to the source mate…
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Tayari Jones and A.M. Homes on 30 Years of the Women's Prize for Fiction
56:49
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56:49Tayari Jones and A.M. Homes joined us live at B&N Upper West Side to celebrate 30 Years of the Women’s Prize for Fiction and riff on the craft of writing, the importance (and fun) of editing, unlikable characters, literary influences, endings and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Li…
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Spent by Alison Bechdel is a big-hearted and funny account of life and art from a beloved author. Alison joins us to talk about late-stage capitalism, vulnerability hangovers, community, writing autofiction and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episod…
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Death Of A Unicorn (2025): Paul Rudd Hits a Unicorn But Can Capitalism Hit Back?
1:00:32
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1:00:32Ben and Rob autopsy ‘Death Of A Unicorn’, A24’s latest horror comedy starring Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Richard E Grant and Will Poulter. ‘Death Of A Unicorn’ tells the tale of a father-daughter duo who hit a mythical beast with their car and somehow end up in a biotech conspiracy full of blood, mythology and not-so-subtle satire. Is this film a tak…
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Inspiring and uplifting, A Little Daylight Left by Sarah Kay is a poetry collection aimed at lighting the fire in you, whether you're facing new challenges, or staring down familiar ones. Sarah joined us live to talk about how she started writing poetry, making poetry accessible for any reader, live performances and more with host Miwa Messer. This…
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Mark Twain by Ron Chernow is a deep dive into the life of one of America’s literary geniuses through the eyes of a master biographer. Ron joins us to talk about his research process, understanding the inner and outer life of Mark Twain, viewing Twain through a modern lens, the future of biographies and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This epi…
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Ocean Vuong on THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS
1:14:54
1:14:54
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1:14:54There are the books you read and then there are the books you experience, like The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. Poet, photographer and bestselling author, Vuong’s novels are spun from gorgeous prose and vibrant, original imagery. Ocean joins us to talk about autofiction, language, wonder, characterization and more with Miwa Messer. This epis…
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Dark City (1998): The Movie That Could Have Been 'The Matrix'
59:43
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59:43Ben and Rob wake up in ‘Dark City’, the dark sci-fi fantasy from Alex Proyas, director of ‘The Crow’. Released a year before ‘The Matrix’, ‘Dark City’ tells the story of John Murdock (Rufus Sewell), a man who has lost his memory in a city that never sees the sun where memory and time itself are the playthings of a race of alien beings known only as…
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The Names by Florence Knapp is a stunning story about the power of family, legacy, language and lineage. Florence joins us to talk about writing in alternate timelines, the power of a name, fate vs choice, parenting and more with guest host Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. …
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The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei is a story about the dawn of the internet, budding influencer culture and complicated family ties. Jemimah joins us to talk about Singapore, sisterhood, ambition, the rise of social media and more with Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. …
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Critters (1986): The Fentanyl Furbies Terrifying A Small Farm Town
58:24
58:24
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58:24Ben and Rob discover ‘Critters’, the 1986 horror comedy from practical FX masterminds The Chiodo Brothers. When intergalactic creatures escape space jail, a small Kansas farmhouse must now deal with the critter menace with only alien futurecops to help them. Released in the wake of ‘Gremlins’ but written long before, ‘Critters’ made good at the box…
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Strangers in the Land by Michael Luo is a gripping history of Chinese immigrants in America, from the nineteenth century to modern times. Michael joins us to talk about researching archives, the Chinese Exclusion Act, writing narrative nonfiction, working as a journalist and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa…
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Shelby Van Pelt on REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES
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38:14Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is the big-hearted tale of a detective octopus helping a grieving aquarium employee solve the mystery of her missing son. Shelby joins us to talk about living in an octopus renaissance, small towns, feeling uprooted, writing about grief, creating chapter titles and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This ep…
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Omar El Akkad began writing fiction while working as a journalist, leading to two novels and an essay collection: American War, What Strange Paradise and One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. Omar joins us to talk about the relationship between journalism and fiction writing, worldbuilding, living in translation, interiority and inv…
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Conclave (2024): A Man Died To Bring You This Episode
1:01:39
1:01:39
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1:01:39Ben and Rob elect ‘Conclave’ for this week’s episode! Directed by Edward Berger and shockingly well timed, ‘Conclave’ follows the story of Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) as he is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events; selecting a new Pope to be the head of the Catholic church. Not content with making over five …
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Denne Michele Norris on WHEN THE HARVEST COMES
37:28
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37:28When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michele Norris is a story about fathers and sons, love, life and inheritance. Denne joins us to talk about capturing music on the page, sibling relationships, literary influences, Ohio and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. Ne…
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The Imagined Life by Andrew Porter is a novel about fathers and sons, complex family mythologies and buried secrets. Andrew joins us to talk about finding the right tone for his novel, writing about the 1980s, Proust, the evolution of language and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry L…
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If you've ever wanted to start journaling, we’ve got you covered. The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad is filled with inspiration, advice and anecdotes from a lifelong journaler and bestselling author. Suleika joins us to talk about flexing your creative muscles, the importance of constancy over output, finding community in reading and writing, na…
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The Last Starfighter (1984): The Most Important Film Of The Century!?
1:04:47
1:04:47
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1:04:47Ben and Rob defeat ‘The Last Starfighter’; 1984’s discount Star Wars; directed by none other than Michael Myers himself, Nick Castle. Alex Rogan, an expert video game player, lives in a trailer park and has no promising future. One day he discovers his favourite video game wants to recruit him as a starfighter pilot. This film has massive nostalgia…
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Camilla Barnes on THE USUAL DESIRE TO KILL
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37:19Our favorite book families tend to be delightfully dysfunctional, and there are none quite like the one in The Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla Barnes. With two sisters, a pair of aging parents and barn animals aplenty, this is a quirky and heartfelt novel that reminds readers our parents had lives before us. Camilla Barnes joined us live at the Bar…
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Mỹ Documents by Kevin Nguyen follows four cousins navigating a tumultuous political landscape, internment camps, exploitation and isolation. Kevin joins us to talk about Japanese incarceration, media misinformation, writing family stories, war movies and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Mess…
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Tammy & The T-Rex (1994): The Incredible B-Movie That Tyrannosaurus Wrecked Romance For The Rest Of Time
1:07:48
1:07:48
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1:07:48DINO-MITE! (get it? Because... T-Rex) Ben & Rob delve into B-movie royalty with Stewart Raffill’s 1994 Trash Masterpiece (Trashterpiece?) Tammy & The T-Rex! Starring Denise Richards and Paul Walker in their first feature film roles, this deliciously over-the-top campy triumph of 90’s cinema is the most Ben film EVER… but does Rob buy into it? Join …
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Doggerel by Reginald Dwayne Betts is a profound new collection on the intricacies of humanity and life, with man’s best friend as its focal point. Reginald joins us to talk about storytelling, the power of poetry, the necessity for community, masculinity, freedom, forgiveness and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Ov…
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The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley is escapist and relatable, poignant and funny. This genre-bending novel is firing on all storytelling cylinders, and is a terrific pleasure to read. Kaliane joined us to talk about falling down reading rabbit holes, writing about time travel, categorizing identity and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episod…
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Audition by Katie Kitamura follows one woman’s daring exploration of identity, life and love. Katie joins us to talk about writing in first person, unreliable narrators, marriage as a narrative tool, writing women and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. …
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The Island Of Dr Moreau (1996): The Most Beautifully Insane Film You've Never Seen
1:00:15
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1:00:15Ben and Rob wash up on ‘The Island Of Dr Moreau’, the 1996 commercial and critical flop starring Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, David Thewlis, and Fairuza Balk. This film is an absolute fever dream involving cloning, body horror and nonsense plotting; only overshadowed by the drama happening behind the scenes. Marlon Brando improvised what lines he was…
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After you read Becoming Earth by Ferris Jabr, be prepared to reconsider everything you think, know or believe to be true thanks to this engaging and thoughtful new look at our world. Ferris joins us to talk about the Gaia hypothesis, understanding planetary systems from your own backyard, science writing and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. Th…
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With personal anecdotes, writing exercises and a deep-dive into the pillars of creativity, Dear Writer by Maggie Smith is a one-stop-shop for budding authors, poets and artists from a bestselling voice in literature. Maggie joins us to talk about craft books, quieting the inner critic, tenacity, vulnerability and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This …
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Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh is a story of sisterhood, secrets and complicated family mythologies. Jennifer joined us to talk about writing in public spaces, visiting Shanghai, chance encounters, how well we really know our parents and more with guest host Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry …
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Trap (2024): Is This Stupid, Stupid, Stupid Film Actually Genius?
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58:58Ben and Rob spring ‘Trap’; M Night Shyamalan’s 2024 thinly veiled advert for his daughters music career. Starring Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue and Saleka Night Shyamalan ‘Trap’ tells the nonsensical story of a serial killer and his oblivious teenage daughter attending a concert that is in fact, and you’re not gonna see this one coming, a trap. But…
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O Sinners! by Nicole Cuffy is a story about identity, grief, belonging, cults and coming-of-age centered on a young journalist in the California redwoods. Nicole joined us to talk about what it takes to build a cult, writing battle scenes, researching the Vietnam War, taking control of her language and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. Th…
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Dennis E. Staples on PASSING THROUGH A PRAIRIE COUNTRY
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45:56Passing Through a Prairie Country by Dennis E. Staples is a chilling tale of fear and folklore set in a labyrinthine casino on an Ojibwe reservation deep in the wilds of northern Minnesota. Dennis joins us to chat about brushing up against the paranormal, casino culture, writing genre fiction and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured…
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Brian Goldstone on THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US
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44:50As timely as any book can possibly be, There Is No Place for Us is a sweeping and comprehensive journalistic investigation into a troubling new trend in American cities. Brian Goldstone joins us to talk about the realities of housing insecurity, on-the-ground reporting, narrative structure and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episod…
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The Princess Bride (1987): Why Is This Film Still Loved So Many Years After It's Initial Failure At The Box Office?!
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58:56Ben and Rob dive in to the inconceivably good ‘Princess Bride’, Rob Reiner’s classic 1987 fantasy comedy starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn and André the Giant. Buttercup is madly in love with farm boy Westley; unfortunately, things take a turn in their lives when Westley goes out in …
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Revisiting Hilary Mantel on THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT
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35:37The Mirror and the Light is the final book in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy, showcasing the final years of Thomas Cromwell. Before you watch the newest season of the tv show, listen to Mantel talk about crafting her beloved series, her unique approach to historical fiction, planning the end of the trilogy and more with Miwa Messer, host of Pour…
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The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian is a sweeping tale of humanity and hope centered on two remarkable characters faced with a gruesome time in American history. Bohjalian joins us live at BN UWS to talk about his new book, his writing process and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer…
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Firstborn by Lauren Christensen is a memoir of tragedy and hope that depicts grief and love with tenderness and heart. Christensen joins us to talk about deciding to tell this story, the impact of writing the book on herself and those close to her, her healing process and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was h…
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