Today we’re discussing the new top 10 Netflix miniseries, “Eric,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Gaby Hoffmann, McKinley Blecher III, and Dan Fogler (of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”). Created by Abi Morgan, this is a detective noir that takes place in gritty 1980s-era New York City. Featuring a plot-critical puppet and creeping madness…

Today we’re discussing summer in the Pacific Northwest — we’ve got boats, boards, and buckets of festivals. It’s three long months of joy, togetherness, and not thinking about general elections. What’s your favorite PNW summer activity? How will you and the gang of your choice be taking advantage of the sun madness? Is death or an indeterminate per…

Today we’re talking about the new top 10 Netflix animated series, “Jurassic World: Chaos Theory.” Following the events of “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous,” this dinosaur action series is a mystery-slash-roadtrip adventure that brings together the campers of Camp Cretaceous who are being potential pursued by the nefarious forces of InGen. Additiona…

Today we’re discussing soup, social systems, and StrengthsFinder 2.0 (by Don Clifton). Do you have favorite recipes that you return to again and again? Is it easy or difficult for you to connect to new people on the first meeting? What is your top strength according to the corporate-approved personality test StrengthsFinder from Gallup? We discuss …

Today we’re discussing the Netflix top 10 docuseries, “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult” (2024, dir. Derek Doneen). In this too-strange-to-be-fiction documentary, TikTok dancers join a management firm (7M) tied to a church (Shekinah church), uncovering disturbing truths about the founder’s (Robert Shinn) sinister agenda. Impacting the fami…

Today we are discussing a video game that has been the obsession of the Midday Musings household for over a month, “Voices of the Void.” A free pre-Alpha game available for download on the itch.io PC gaming platform, this SETI simulator/slow horror survival game is created and maintained by one developer, EternityDev (aka Mr.Dr.Nose) and inspired b…

Today we’re discussing the current top 10 Netflix show, “Bodkin,” a many-layered mystery/offbeat comedy starring Will Forte and Siobhan Cullen. Taking place in the small hamlet of Bodkin in modern day Ireland, this series follows an embattled Guardian journalist, young researcher, and American podcaster in pursuit of a cold case mystery surrounding…

Today we are doing part 2 of 2 on the Netflix’s docuseries, “Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies, and Scandal.” We will be concluding our Ashley Madison series with a discussion of an unconventional couple featured in the docuseries, the supposed discretion of user data on the site, the fallout of the 2015 hack, and what influences people to cheat. We discus…

Today we’re discussing episode 1 of Netflix’s docuseries, “Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies, and Scandal.” This is part 1 of 2, where we will be covering the founding of the site (during the 2000s-era dot-com boom), the marketing and monetization model of the product, and two of the most famous people impacted by the 2015 Ashley Madison leak (Nia and Sam …

Today we’re talking about cats, rats, and the Met Gala. We answer the questions, how well traveled is the average cat? Why is New York the global center of ambition and pizza rats? And what even is the Met Gala for? Learn fun facts about bacteria-based pandemics vs. viral-based pandemics, and how cats are relevant to both. Reflect with us on the Le…

Today we’re talking about taking Grim Rabbits’ card game “Red Flags: the Game of Terrible Dates” into the wild and playing it with friends. What is revealed about people in a 6-person game where not everyone knows each other? What secret superpowers do singles have that relationshipped players lack? How do different people confront different dating…

Today we’re talking about “Zillow Gone Wild” — the new HBO MAX show hosted by Jack McBrayer and featuring the most exciting, wackadoo house listings available across the US. Two house-hungry millennials (our co-hosts) talk Nietzsche, Camus, and Matthew McConaughey in the context of the American housing market, and walk you through the details of a …

Today we’re talking about change and how to manage it. Are you always operating at max capacity — and does that make change throw you for a loop? How much obligation is too much obligation? And how can you use fun to supplement your energy around getting things done? Special shout-out to Marc from the BoomBox Music podcast for his insight that runn…

Today we’re talking about the best, brightest, and most beastly of the animal kingdom! Starting with Stephen’s blind-as-a-bat insights on echolocation, we dovetail into a discussion of which internet animals are most like us (and the people we know). What is the evolutionary story of our favorite aquatic animals? What patriotic animal is not-so-sec…

Today we’re talking about building up motivation when you feel a bit mentally drained. Social exhaustion is very real, and sometimes you need something extra to feel zesty. We share personal strategies for regaining momentum when you’re in a rut. Laura champions the benefit of short-term projects, and we discuss the mental health benefits of being …

Today we’re celebrating another Red Flags Friday 🚩🚩🚩! Unboxing, once again, Grim Rabbit’s game of terrible dates, we’re investigating two potential dates with one huge white flag and several disruptive red flags. What would you endure if your date allowed you to use their penthouse suite in your favorite city? How much juggling can be tolerated if …

Today we’re talking about nature, technology, and human civilization. Referencing Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden Pond” and History channel’s 2000s-era classic, “Life After People,” we study the Millenial/Gen Z phenomenon of “cottagecore” as a reaction to our vast technological proliferation. What is the nature of nature? How are we like the 19th-cen…

Today we’re discussing the paranormal — haunted experiences, ghost-Gnosticism, and whether or not to download an EMF monitor onto your smart phone. Between paranormal circuses and an eternal Halloween, we ask important questions such as “are ghosts real?” “Should we become paranormal investigators as a midlife crisis activity?” and “Why does my mom…

Today we’re sharing our strategies for staying upbeat in the face of inconvenience and crisis. We’ll discuss keeping perspective on hard days and every day, with a special emphasis on detaching your happiness from external outcomes. Mental health hygiene, finding the benefit in negative situations, and allowing your resilience to carry you through …

Today we’re discussing entertainment media — from movies, to television, to theater, to social media. Delving into nostalgic pieces of media (90s-era cartoon/live-action world crossovers a la “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and “Cool World”) and into the contemporary media space that bleeds analog and digital media, Laura and Stephen chart the difference…

Today we’re discussing productivity and mindset, with special reference to Cal Newport’s book, “Deep Work.” Our cohosts are talking about routine disruption and how to recover from the light chaos that comes with existing as an adult human in adult society. Focusing on strategies that cultivate deep work and relying on a growth-oriented mindset to …

Today we’re talking about boundaries — how to set them, what to protect by setting them, and how much space it is reasonable to expect from the establishment of boundaries. The co-hosts’ household is currently the epicenter of a territorial dispute between two domestic predators, informing this conversation around healthy boundaries. How does one c…

Today we’re talking about our favorite Disney movies — “The Lion King” (1994) specifically! On this rainy/sunny midday, our co-hosts begin with a conversation on skin care that dovetails into “The Little Mermaid” (1989) — Laura’s favorite childhood Disney movie, based thematically on “Doctor Faustus” (by Christopher Marlowe). Stephen’s favorite chi…

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midday-musings/message

Today we are honoring a fan request from Dan Watt and reviewing his film festival-selected, Emmy-nominated documentary, “Everybody Dance.” Steaming currently on Freevee and Tubi, “Everybody Dance” follows the 4-month journey of recital preparation for a very unique ballet studio in Agora Hills, CA. Ballet for All Kids is a nonprofit organization ru…

Today marks our 100th episode!!! Thank you for being here for 6 months of Midday Musings — and thank you for being here now. Stephen and Laura perform a retrospective of their favorite top 5 episodes from 51-100. From a politically charged episode that champions the 4-day workweek to broad analysis of some of the most intellectually chewy media pie…

Today we’re talking about heaven, hell, and other afterlife options. Stephen shares stories of watching, “Hazbin Hotel,” an adult animated musical that takes place south of the earthly realm. Asking questions about morality and offering answers set to melodic beats, this animated series dovetails our cohosts into a deeper discussion of which afterl…

Today we’re talking fun-in-the-sun as summer approaches! Whether it is the beach-y days or bonfire nights, the summer season is a reason to celebrate. We chat about 9pm sunsets, state fairs, camping, and national parks — getting fired up and ready to take on the long, long days. In the PNW, residents take aggressive advantage of these short months …

Today the sun is out and we’re talking about the cool leisure activities available to you this spring — state fairs and all their attendant pleasures! We’re discussing fair food, artisan crafts, blue ribbon domestic animals, and having a good time. Work hard, leisure hard. We’re sharing our favorite, extreme food options — “food that wouldn’t dare …

Today we’re discussing apocalyptic scenarios we’d like to tackle — nuclear wastelands, zombie viruses, alien invasion, climate collapses, and pandemic shutdowns. We share our favorite fictional ends-of-the-world — referencing “Fallout” (2024), “Hunger Games” (by Suzanne Collins), “Station Eleven” (by Emily St. John Mandel), “Severence” (by Ling Ma)…

Today we’re taking a deep look at Alex Garland’s most recent project, “Civil War” (2024, A24 Studios), starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, and Nick Offerman, and depicting the late stages of a fictitious modern American Civil War. (Special shoutout to Kevin Ryan of the “Tyrants in Training” podcast, who gave us a window into anothe…

Today we’re discussing the new Prime Video series “Fallout” (2024) —executive-produced by “Westworld” creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy — as well as its progenitor video game series, “Fallout” (1997-2019). Our co-hosts have got Uranium fever and are giving props to the series’ breakout stars Walton Goggins (playing “The Ghoul”), Ella Purnell (pl…

Today we’re once again unboxing Grim Rabbit Games’ “Red Flags Card Game” for another thrilling edition of Red Flags Friday. Laura and Stephen introduce each other to appealing potential dates (indicated by White Flags cards) and then proceed to ruin the dating candidate ( with ever-increasing Red Flags cards). This time around, Stephen introduces a…

Today we’re unboxing the viral card game, “We’re Not Really Strangers,” an interactive way to get to know people on a deeper level. Using three skillfully crafted levels of game questions, “Perception,” “Connection,” and “Reflection,” Laura and Stephen delve into exchanges designed to deepen the connections between people — from strangers to those …

Today we’re discussing the final episode of HBO Max’s miniseries “The Regime” (2024), titled “Don’t Yet Rejoice.” Chancellor Elena Vernham’s (played by Kate Winslet) government has fallen to insurgents, Corporal Herbert Zubak (played by Matthias Schoenaerts) is leading them through the back alleys of the capital city, and survival is not assured. W…

Today we’re breaking down episode 5 of HBO Max’s miniseries, “The Regime” (2024) starring Kate Winslet and created by Will Tracy. It’s six months into the Central European country’s civil unrest and it’s Christmastime in “All Ye Faithful.” Rebels are at the gate, Chancellor Elena is in denial, and the couple’s therapist is on call — Zubak (played b…

Today we’re discussing the four-day workweek movement that seeks to give Americans a 32-hour standard work schedule as well as the rash of TV series’ adaptations of popular video games. In praise of this glorious potential future, we discuss the history of the labor movement (which brought us from 6 workdays to 5 in the early 20th century) and how …

Today we’re discussing health, hygiene, and introducing ease into your life. How have your day-to-day health habits changed since the COVID lockdown? Do you remember the health PSAs from the 20th century? And has the news been scaring you about what in your own kitchen can kill you? We talk personal hygiene preferences and fears, the habit recommen…

Today we’re discussing the British phenomenon in American media — are they villains? Are they romantic leads? Are they action heroes? Discussing everyone from Tom Hiddleston to Cillian Murphy to Trevor Noah, we identify the roles culture allows them to play. Marvel movies and series are referenced, James Bond 007 movies are dissected, and the impac…

Today we’re talking about the basis of strong, meaningful friendships — with the backdrop of Mercury Retrograde. How do you square the circle between introverts and extroverts? What facilitates the formation of close relationships with others and what prevents it? How do you find your tribe? We dig in deep and ask whether people-pleasing is secretl…

It’s a very special episode of Midday Musings — Red Flags Friday! We open the box on Grim Rabbit Games’ “Red Flags Card Game” and sort between romantic red flags and white flags in potential mates. What traits entice you enough to overlook serious red flags versus what are absolute dealbreakers? What baggage are you willing to lift? How important i…

This Thursday is all about fun! When you’re in a rut and droopy from a lack of fun, what can you do? Laura shares her way-too-intense media consumption (“Quiet on Set,” “Zone of Interest,” and “Fantasticland”) and how it’s impacting her mental health, and Stephen offers the succor of coziness. Listening to your heart, relaxing, and diversifying you…

Today we’re taking no (political) prisoners as we discuss “The Regime’s” (2024, created by Will Tracy) fourth episode, “Midnight Feast” in which the Colonel Zubek (Matthias Schoenaerts) and Chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) saga continues. Loyalties are tested and “1984” (George Orwell) is heavily referenced as Hugh Grant makes an appearance …

Today we discuss episodes 2 (“The Foundling”) and 3 (“Heroes’ Banquet”) of Will Tracy’s HBO Max series, “The Regime,” starring Kate Winslet. Chancellor Elena Vernham’s saga continues as she embraces folk medicine and populist ideals at the prompting of her unlikely advisor and confidant Corporal Zubek (played by Matthias Schoenaerts). Power display…

Today we’re discussing the stuff of life — optimal sleep strategies, the power of hydration, and solving survival in the modern era. Comparing our Garmin watch “body battery” levels, we commiserate on heavy life demands and suboptimal rest. The television show “Resident Alien” (starring Alan Tudyk) says a human body needs 10 hours of sleep and Laur…

Today we discuss managing the pressure of unexpected events and family emergencies — how do you cope? What are actions you can take to minimize disruption to your life when curveballs are thrown? This week offered up many challenges and Laura and Stephen had to field them. Whether you choose to prioritize your obligations or abandon them in the fac…

Today we’re discussing romantic fiction and reality — inspired by Laura’s week-long battle with Elif Batuman’s novel “The Idiot.” A Pulitzer Prize finalist book about youth and first love, Stephen and Laura are inspired to chat about love interests in literature (shoutout to “Conversations with Friends” by Sally Rooney), and how love works in real …

Today we’re doing a retrospective on the Bioshock game series — its cultural impact, philosophical influences, and how important it is that the franchise be brought to the small screen (à la “The Last of Us”) immediately. We discuss “Atlas Shrugged” at length (the literary inspiration for Bioshock’s undersea city Rapture) as well as the dangers of …

Today we’re discussing the beautiful, festival-winning Japanese film directed by iconic German director Wim Wenders (“Wings of Desire” & “Paris, Texas”). Starring legendary Japanese actor Koji Yakusho as Tokyo janitor Hirayama, the film charts several weeks of this man’s deliberately plotted existence — containing work, routine, and random daily in…

Today we’re talking about the differences between school life and work life — expectations, work ethic, and social environment. Sharing stories of our own lives and the lives of those we love, we talk about how to survive and thrive in college and beyond. We discuss the unique underlying engine of American capitalism — work buddies — without whom n…