Comfort Creatures is a show for people who prefer their friends to have paws instead of hands! Every week, Alexis and Ella talk to guests about their pets or creatures that give them comfort, discuss their favorite fictional critters, learn about pets in history, and discover differences between pet ownership across the pond. Whether you have a giant sloth, two siamese skinks, or just know way too much about unicorns, every animal friend is welcome on Comfort Creatures!
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The Collective Wisdom Podcast the podcast that explores how to be a wiser version of yourself. This is a podcast that helps you to tap into your own inner wisdom and find the answers within you for how to live your best life.
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We Like Our Defense Like We Like Our Midsections: Soft Zone
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A celebration of films from the classic Hollywood era. Shelly Brisbin leads a merry band through recaps and reviews of great old movies from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.
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Writer and Filmmaker Miles Preston-Clark brings you an affordably boozy weekly podcast that covers the gambit of pop culture, life advice and everything in between with the help of a colorful array of drunk and disorderly friends and guests. If you would like to submit a question and have it answered on the show, send us an email: cheapliquorpodcast@gmail.com or submit it on our curious cat: https://curiouscat.me/cheapliquorpodcast
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Connect and laugh with us as we tell our most embarrassing funny stories. So. Much. FUN!!! Have you ever made a fool of yourself? Well, you are not alone! Each week, join us as my girlfriends and I tell funny, embarrassing, humbling stories on ourselves that will make you feel less alone in your imperfections. Take a peek with us behind the sparkly filter of social media while we lower the bar for each other. Because NONE of us are as fancy as we look. By the end of each episode, you'll have ...
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We close out International Summer Vacation with a film most of us haven’t seen, or even heard of. It comes to us from Argentina, and director Carlos Hugo Christensen. It’s based on a story by noir stalwart, Cornell Woolrich, and consists of two stories involving the door of the title. It’s also notable for incredible cinematography from Pablo Taber…
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This week we become a very serious news podcast again, discussing everything from art and high culture to important medical discoveries. If you think this is us overstating somewhat well, we're offended quite frankly. Tune in to see how wrong you are.By Alexis Preston and Ella McLeod
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We return to France for King of Hearts, directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Alan Bates and Geneviève Bujold. The suggestion to see this film comes from our own Erika Ensign, who praises its anti-war message, among other attributes. The film is set in a small French town during World War I, after the locals have fled the battle. Residents of …
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*ROAR!* You would be forgiven for thinking that that was our best lion impression. In fact it was our best Leo impression because boy do those fire signs like to make their presence known! To demonstrate our love and appreciation for these sweet summer children, today's episode dives deep into Lions - we have myths, magic and much animal trivia bec…
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Tokyo Story is on numerous lists of the best films of all time. It’s in my personal top five. This movie is considered the masterpiece by legendary filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu, and it stars his luminous muse, Setsuko Hara. Tokyo Story is a black and white time capsule of life in Japan after World War II and depicts how the war and Japan’s modernization …
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We were today years old when we discovered that the Asiatic Black Bear is also known as... the Moon Bear! We think this is adorable and as its Moon Bear awareness day, we thought we'd tell you all about them. You can thank us later. Also, Alexis teaches Ella all about "splooting", thanks to a Ready Pet Go from Hansie! Send us YOUR pet stories (Read…
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101: From It Girl to Queen of the Movies, and Beyond
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Starring Joan Crawford is Samuel Garza Bernstein’s new appreciation of the screen queen. It’s a great book, and I wanted you to meet the author, Samuel Garza Bernstein. We’ve known each other since I was 16. These two things are only partially related. Starring Jaon Crawford Shelly Brisbin with Samuel Garza Bernstein Referenced Works Starring Joan …
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This week we've listened to the universe - and our friends on discord - and will be doing a river deep dive on the most fearsome vegetarian that ever trotted menacingly across the land... The hippo! From their potential flying abiilities to their connection with Ancient Egyptian Goddesses tune in for our chat on these our favourite low riders. Spea…
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Forgive a film noir detour during our international vacation season. This is episode 100, and so I’ve picked a movie I love, and that feels right in the collective LTS wheelhouse. James M. Cain’s story of betrayal and murder was directed by Billy Wilder, and stars Barbara Stanwyck (natch), Fred McMurray and Edward G. Robinson. This film is full of …
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Happy birthday to us! Happy birthday to us! Happy birthday to Comfort Creatures! Happy birthday to us! It's out 100th Episode and it could not be more perfect that today is our Red Wall Part 2 episode! Join us for cake, a large glass of wine and a deep dive. We debate anagrams, discuss foxy naming conventions and, naturally, crown Constance queen o…
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Our summer travels continue this week to Italy, where Federico Fellini is our guide. The title translates to “the sweet life” in English, and that’s what star Marcello Mastroianni seeks in Rome, over the course of seven days. Mastroianni is a tabloid journalist, and we follow him through seven stories, during the film. Anita Ekberg is the female st…
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We are joined this week by our first ever returning guest! Katelyn Hempsted returns to update us on her pet ownership status and we discuss the cat distribution system, being a new paw-rent and the potiential for a castle commune. Also Simba may join a band and Cricket has been keeping a naughty little secret. Next week is not only our Redwall book…
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Shot in the postwar ruins of occupied Tokyo, Akira Kurosawa’s early buddy-cop thriller will make you feel every drop of sweat in its sweltering summer heat wave. A rookie cop (Toshiro Mifune) loses his gun to a pickpocket; the gun ends up in the hands of a desperate ex-soldier with nothing to lose. As his weapon gets used in a series of escalating,…
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Happy (belated) Pride! This week we return to one our favourite subjects; those most comforting creature who wave the rainbow flag! We discuss Bonobos who like a bit of everyone, iconic lesbian swans, and penguin babies that have two dads! We also share an emotional Ready Pet Go, so get your tissues ready friends!…
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We begin our International Summer Vacation season with a prime example of the French New Wave. Breathless is directed by Jean-Luc Godard, and stars Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg. The film is notable for its visual style, and the impact it had on the careers of its leading actors. Belmondo plays a criminal who wants to be Humphrey Bogart. He sp…
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It's summer time and you know what that means? FLYING KITES! And we don't mean the kind attached to strings. This week we do a deep dive on these distinct birds with some very rich, and occasionally dark, mythology! (WARNING: there is mention of some dark and potentially triggering themes in the greek mythology portion of this episode) NEWS: Part 2…
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96: Badgers: the Good, the Bad, and the Stinky
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Badgers! Are they adorable woodland creatures protecting other foresty friends? Well... maybe not! This week we learn that badgers are fascinating, tough, and surprisingly stinky! We discuss all things badgers, including our favorite and least favorite fictional badgers! Send us YOUR favorite (and least favorite) animals to comfortcreatures@maximum…
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Spoiler Alert! Make sure to watch The First Snow of Winter if you're planning to as we do talk in detail about the plot! It's on Youtube! Okay, did you watch it? Great! Because this week we talk about the adorable BBC short film The First Snow of Winter and to celebrate some of it's fantastic characters (Voley and Puffy) we discuss Water Voles and …
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Ella and Alexis haven't been able to meet lately, so this week we're sending audio letters to each other! We catchup on our pets, travels, and recent animal adventures!By Alexis Preston and Ella McLeod
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This week, Alexis took a visit to the San Diego zoo and has a LOT to report on! She goes through her top zoo sightings! Alexis was so excited by one animal in particular that she requested Ella do some research on Harpies! Tune in and find out why! Send us YOUR pet stories (Ready, Pet, Go!) at comfortcreatures@maximumfun.org and don't forget to rat…
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Hi everyone! We had so much fun on our Live Stream discussing Book one of Redwall that we decided to release it as an episode as well! We'd love to hear YOUR thoughts on Part Two and we will announce that Live Stream date soon! Also small warning we do use some adult language in this episode. Send us YOUR pet stories (Ready, Pet, Go!) at comfortcre…
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A CC record has been set - THREE CRIES IN AN EPISODE! This week we discuss Louis Wain, the guy who might just be responsible for changing the way Britain feels about cats. Plus we have a bumper Ready Pet Go from Meg, who tells us all about her "lesbian menagerie" (iconic). Also a look ahead to our next episode, where we'll be discussing the film 'T…
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Alexis, in true Snow White fashion, saved a baby bird! In honour of Pico's rescue and recovery, we discuss all things sparrow - biology, mythology and how loudly those little dudes chirp! Reminder: Read Book One of Redwall with us for the LIVE STREAM on May 12th at 12pm PST on Youtube. Follow us on Youtube @ComfortCreaturesPodcast. Make sure to fol…
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Why did three Vizslas cross the road? Tune in for the punchline! This week we're joined by writer and illustrator Bethanie Murguia. She tells us all about her new graphic novel Wagnificent as well as warming our hearts with tales about her three Vizslas Thunder, Luna and Cosmos. Also Persey, busy playing the nosey neighbour, has passed a torch to C…
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Ella has had QUITE the day, but ultimately has had a strong change of heart for our pigeon friends! Crumb got to visit his old pal Tugboat, who is as great as ever! Plus, we do a little research on Foxes after a recent garden visit and of course some fun fox mythology! Save the date and read along! Our Redwall Livestream for the Book One of book on…
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Down in the depths of precode cinema, where Shelly likes to spend torrid nights, there’s a depiction of how a department store can be a little Peyton Place, and how Warren William is never to be trusted. The great precode lothario stars with very young Loretta Young and Wallace Ford (who we just saw as a middle-aged creep in The Breaking Point) as …
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In honor of Ella's book release (THE MAP THAT LED TO YOU), Ella has some very fun history on sea dragons, both real and fictional! Then, Alexis did some research about nursery rhymes involving animals. Ever wondered why those mice were blind? Find out! We also have a Ready Pet Go from Melissa and Merlin as well as some updates on our Redwall readin…
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Here are Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift at their hottest, with an adaptation of Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy. Just as in Night of the Hunter, Shelley Winters maybe ought to watch her back. George Stevens directs, and here, he’s beginning his epic period. In the 50s, he’ll direct Giant and Shane, among others. This one is full of me…
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Lucy Rose is a fantastic writer, but more importatly she has a cat named Figgy! We learn abour Figgy's wild former life, her very particular favorite movie, and her rat hunting skills (spoiler: she's terrified of them). Ella and Alexis also have some updates about their pets, plus ELLA'S NEW BOOK IS OUT! THE MAP THAT LED TO YOU is available whereve…
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Johnny Guitar (1954): It’s unusual, it’s weird, and it’s unlike any other film made by these stars. And it’s our first LTS western. Because maybe your show runner has a slightly twisted appreciation for the genre. Nicholas Ray, whose directorial chops we last experienced with In A Lonely Place, directs Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden and Mercedes Mc…
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This week Ella has some exciting Snow Leopard news and Alexis discovers the greatest community effort possibly of all time: The Fishdoorbell (De Visdeurbel)! Plus, Ella has some cat DRAMA outside her window and Alexis struggles with Crumb's ear infection and Cricket's feelings. We also have a great Ready Pet Go from Katie! When we recorded this we …
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Every once in awhile, your host takes a flier, choosing a film for us to watch that I’ve seen once or twice, if at all. Also arising from the 2022 draft episode is this English romance from 1945. It’s from the filmmaking team of Powell and Pressburger, and stars Wendy Hiller, so on credentials alone, it’s worth your attention. A young woman travels…
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84: Austin Taylor, Brenda Snell, and MaxFun Drive
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It's week two of MaxFun Drive and we've got a full house this week! We are joined by Austin Taylor and Brenda Snell of Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries, and we've solved the biggest secret of all: They both have fantastic pets. Austin tells us all about the dramatic dynamics of pets Opal, Kat, and Karol. And Brenda discusses Angel the cat as well…
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92: We've Got All the French You Need
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Gene Kelly was at the height of his powers in 1951, starring in musicals for MGM, and choreographing some of them. Here, Vincent Minelli directs, but the dancing is by Kelly. Leslie Caron makes her film debut, and the rest of the cast has a decidedly continental vibe. The film is “inspired” by George Gershwin’s 1928 musical of the same name, but th…
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83: Drea Clark, Acting Animals, and MaxFun Drive
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HAPPY MAX FUN DRIVE! To honor this exciting week we're joined by Drea Clark from Maximum Film! We learn about her current cats, chat the funniest cat names, and some of our favorite animal performances in films! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT SO FAR! The MaxFun drive is the exciting time of the year where we rally for your support to keep our podcast g…
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Hear the full episode by becoming a member! Go to maximumfun.org/join to join! You will get this bonus episode plus all of the other BoCo from past years. Plus, cool gifts and the bragging rights to say you contribute to the art you love! Thank you! You make this show possible! maximumfun.org/joinBy Alexis B Preston, Ella McLeod, Blair Preston
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Go Fact Yourself #MaxFunDrive Kick-off Spectacular featuring Alonso Duralde, Drea Clark, Alexis B. Preston, and Ben Harrison
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This special network wide event is a celebration of the MaxFunDrive! If you’d like to support podcasts you love for just $5 a month and get bonus gifts in the process, go to maximumfun.org/join. We’re kicking off the most exciting time of the year for the MaxFun Network with a trivia game show featuring hosts from tons of great podcasts. J. Keith v…
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Unlike the mid-40s film that first brought us Bogie and Bacall, The Breaking Point is a relatively faithful adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s story, To Have and Have Not. This one stars John Garfield (in one of his final films) and Patricia Neal. Michael Curtiz directs, but if that suggests a routine Warner Bothers potboiler (I love those) it is not…
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It's Ella's birthday! What better way to celebrate than to talk about greek mythology surrounding Pisces! We also discuss some fun fish facts and the Angler fish and learn why they are the ultimate girlboss. Happy birthday Ella! We'll see you next week for the MAX FUN DRIVE! Send us YOUR pet stories (Ready, Pet, Go!) at comfortcreatures@maximumfun.…
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This 1936 film is based on the well-known novel of the same name, by Sinclair Lewis. It’s the story of a successful middle-aged man (Walter Huston) who wants something new from his life. That’s what his wife (Ruth Chatterton) wants, too, but their ideas are very different, and not compatible. And there’s Mary Astor, living her best life in an Itali…
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This week Ella and Alexis honour the leap year by giving frogs their flowers and toads the praise they deserve. They also honour the arrival of Alexis' new niece with a deep dive into birthing -- warning... the episode is not for the squeamish. Or indeed for anyone who doesn't want to know about naked mole rat birthing. We also have a fascinating a…
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This week Ella and Alexis chat lucky escapes and rodents performing daring feats of rescue! Also, some hot analysis of smart grumpy pups and happy bimbos, and a Guinness world record scandal! Plus, we have a Ready Pet Go from Ginger and Chonk. Send us YOUR pet stories (Ready, Pet, Go!) at comfortcreatures@maximumfun.org and don't forget to rate, re…
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Best-selling YA thriller author Cynthia Murphy joins us this week to chat all about the marvel that is her pup Loli. We chat happy buses, snobby dogs and cat reincarnation. Send us YOUR pet stories (Ready, Pet, Go!) at comfortcreatures@maximumfun.org and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe! Follow us @comfortcreaturespodcast on Instagram! J…
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Welcome to the something O'clock news, coming to you not at all live at no specific time from two separate continents! Tonight, with Ella and Alexis; Dogs now have ferries on cabins and Pigeons are NOT spies. This is a very serious news podcast now, ok everyone? Plus, we have a Ready Pet Go from Pear Tree and a cute little Valentine's Day history. …
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77: John-Luke Roberts and the Price of a Baguette
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John-Luke Roberts, host of new Max Fun podcast soundheap joins us to chat about his childhood pets (a veritable menagerie!), the pigeons that he was once visited by, and our new campaign to have turtles as Kings! Send us YOUR pet stories (Ready, Pet, Go!) at comfortcreatures@maximumfun.org and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe! Follow us …
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Every year on February 2nd we celebrate Groundhog Day! And by "we" it turns out that's only in the US and Canada. Alexis fills in Ella on this wacky holiday and does some digging into its origins. Ella reads up about groundhogs themselves and both hosts agree they have no interest in "Groundhog Punch"! Send us YOUR pet stories (Ready, Pet, Go!) at …
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75: Brooke Hartnett with Frank, Beans, and Ferrets
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This week Ella and Alexis are joined by Comedian Cat-Mum and master website designer, Brooke Harnett. They discuss her cats Frank and Beans, her childhood ferrets and whether the 'girl cat/boy cat' tik tok binary holds up. We also discuss human food for pets, specifically: Why does Garfield love Lasagna? Tell us YOUR pets preferances! Does your dog…
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This week Ella and Alexis go full on astrology girly for Capricorn season. They talk original stories, the god Pan, and do a goat catch up. They really are the GOAT. They also discuss the woes of having a smart pet and have a fantastic ready pet go from Emily and Kira!By Alexis B Preston, Ella McLeod
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This week Ella and Alexis are joined by the host of the new Max Fun podcast Eurovangelist! Jeremy Bent talks all about his amazing German Shepherd Nessie, being a dog nurse and Eurovision! Also chats about wild horses, wild donkeys and some questionable Shrek impressions! Be sure to check out Jeremy's new show EUROVANGELISTS here on Maximum Fun! Se…
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As our first FULL year as a podcast comes to a close, Ella and Alexis reflect on some of the top animal stories from the year. Remember the bus that picked up all the dogs? What about the longest Python ever recorded? Did you keep up with Neil the Seal? We're here to reminisce and learn about all the fun events of the year! We also discuss New Year…
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