Best Jay W. Friedman Podcasts (2024)

1
Mazes And Monsters by Rona Jaffe Patrons Choice - Episode 195 1:29:24

12d ago1:29:24

1:29:24

You may not think you know Mazes & Monsters by Rona Jaffe, but you certainly know its 1982 movie adaptation starring Tom Hanks in his first leading role (which you can watch along with us on our Patreon). We wondered if anyone would ever request this book and that day has finally come thanks to our patron Lucek. Thanks for all of your support, Luce…

1
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams Patron's Choice - Episode 194 1:34:02

26d ago1:34:02

1:34:02

Our patron Arrant has requested another non-fiction gem for their Patron's Choice episode this year. In How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life, Dilbert-creator Scott Adams weaves together the strands of memoir and self-help and fills any extra space in this book basket with glue made of lies (seriously, he …

1
Mogworld by Yahtzee Croshaw Patron’s Choice - Episode 193 1:35:26

1M ago1:35:26

1:35:26

Our patron Of The Void (The Taco Eating Unicorn of the Hot Springs) requested yet another Yahtzee Croshaw book in the hopes that we would enjoy it more than Jam, their Patron's Choice from last year. In that sense, this episode is a spiritual successor to Episode 177 where we return to Yahtzeeworld, but feel like we landed on a different continent …

1
Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman Patron's Choice - Episode 192 1:23:26

2M ago1:23:26

1:23:26

It's time for the ultimate 1990s crossover - X-Men and Star Trek, united at last! We discuss our experience reading 1998's Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman, as per the request of our Patron Fred. For once, we actually want more romance between two characters and just want there to be some stakes in a story, but I guess that's hard when you're worki…

1
VenCo by Cherie Dimaline Patron's Choice - Episode 191 1:52:12

2M ago1:52:12

1:52:12

Our Patron Robin requested that we read and discuss VenCo for today's episode. Although they did not request the Antiques Freaks to be here, we felt we needed their support (and knowledge of antique spoons). Thanks so much for your longtime patronage, Robin, and we hope you enjoy our unhinged review with surprise guests! Remember that if you, too, …

1
Taurus Four by Rena Vale Patron's Choice - Episode 190 1:21:03

3M ago1:21:03

1:21:03

Our Patron BeastwiththeLeast requested that we read Rena Vale's Taurus Four from 1970. How could such a dusty, seemingly insignificant sci-fi paperback have roused so much ire? Get your spacesuits on for a journey through misogyny, weed fear-mongering, and communist hysteria on planets near and far! Thanks so much for your support, BeastwiththeLeas…

1
Hope Never Dies (An Obama Biden Mystery) by Andrew Shaffer Patron's Choice - Episode 189 54:01

3M ago54:01

54:01

Today's episode features a book that many folks have asked us to read, but it took our brave Patron Miles to finally force us to do it. At last, we've read the famous satirical Obama/Biden crime thriller from 2018 and, honestly, it could've been a lot worse. Thanks so much for your support, Miles, and we hope you like the episode! Remember that if …

1
Dear America: Down the Rabbit Hole - The Diary of Pringle Rose by Susan Campbell Bartoletti - Episode 188 54:00

3M ago54:00

54:00

Today's episode is Part 2 of our childhood nostalgia retrospective! We each chose a book for each other from a series we loved as kids. Paris remembered reading several books in the Dear America series, so Chris chose Down the Rabbit Hole - The Diary of Pringle Rose for our second nostalgia adventure. We actually found ourselves really enjoying thi…

1
The Witchmaster's Key (The Hardy Boys #55) by Franklin W. Dixon - Episode 187 1:08:46

4M ago1:08:46

1:08:46

Today's episode is Part 1 of our childhood nostalgia retrospective! We each chose a book for each other from a series we loved as kids. Chris remembered reading all of The Hardy Boys series, so Paris chose The Witchmaster's Key for our first return trip to childhood. Prepare yourselves for 1970s Satanic Panic absurdity in the UK, complete with evil…

1
Butch by Jay Rayn - Episode 186 1:38:49

4M ago1:38:49

1:38:49

We read Butch for today's episode at the request of listener Os who emailed us last year saying,"A while ago, I read a book that, while incredibly badly written, still somehow left me feeling for the protagonist, because all the other characters are (in every sense of the word) ridiculously homophobic. It's called "Butch" by Jay Rayn. It's a "life …

1
How it Unfolds (Far Reaches Book 1) by James S.A. Corey - Episode 185 45:03

5M ago45:03

45:03

This time, we read How it Unfolds (Far Reaches Book 1) by James S.A. Corey, published by Amazon Original Stories in 2023. Chris really enjoyed The Expanse by Corey, so he was looking through other works by them and found this short story. Unfortunately, though, it had a description that made him think it was more suitable for TBC than for his perso…

1
Valentine's Day for Baby Zeke: An Unofficial Minecraft Book by Dr. Block - Episode 184 49:09

5M ago49:09

49:09

Paris & Chris dive back into children's literature and find that Dr. Block may have written some of the healthiest relationship dynamics in all of the books we've reviewed so far for the show.

1
Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part Two Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast - Episode 183 1:36:28

5M ago1:36:28

1:36:28

We had so much to say about Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire that we needed two episodes and an extra person to do it! If you haven't listened to Part One, we recommend going back and listening to last week's episode before listening to this one. This was recommended to us by The Good Witch of the Northe…

1
Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part One Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast - Episode 182 1:29:16

6M ago1:29:16

1:29:16

We had so much to say about Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire that we needed two episodes and an extra person to do it! We'll finish up our discussion in Part Two which will be out next Tuesday. This was recommended to us by The Good Witch of the Northeast, who made time to float in on a bubble to be our …

1
Double Feature: Rathew Love Story: A Love Story by Argus G. + Curiosity: A Book for Curious Minds by Bookinsky* - Episode 181 1:29:39

6M ago1:29:39

1:29:39

We've got another Amazon Double Feature for you! Today, we tackle two more pieces of book-like debris that Chris found in the bowels of an Amazon search, the criteria of which has been lost to time: Rathew Love Story: A Love Story by Argus G. Curiosity: A Book for Curious Minds by Bookinsky* (yes, the asterisk is in the author name) Paris goes on a…

1
The Getting Even of Tommy Dodd by William Hope Hodgson Special Guests: Antiques Freaks - Episode 180 1:08:25

6M ago1:08:25

1:08:25

Ring in the new year with the Terrible Antique Book Freaks! The Antiques Freaks join us today to do a live read of The Getting Even of Tommy Dodd by William Hope Hodgson, a cross-dressing revenge fantasy on the high seas. We know it's not a Carnacki, and we know it's not even scary, but it's the best we can do having read all the 'nacks already. As…

1
Special Holiday Bonus: Less Terrible Book Club 2023 - Episode XX 1:15:42

7M ago1:15:42

1:15:42

It's winter holiday time again, so you all get a little gift from TBC! Please enjoy this special edition of Less Terrible Book Club. People often wonder what else we’re reading in a given year so we figured it was worth a brief discussion and rating of our Non-TBC reads from 2023. We wish you a lovely winter and/or holiday time if that's what you g…

1
You Are Becoming A Galactic Human by Virginia Essene and Sheldon Nidle - Episode 179 1:32:55

7M ago1:32:55

1:32:55

Ken of Antiques Freaks suggested that we read this and the time is nigh. Come along with us to Atlantis and Lemuria while we try to figure out why all of sentient life in the cosmos is organized like your local Target. The return of LMJ. Additionally, we are baffled as to why authors never seem to be able to cite a quote from a famous person that's…

1
The Energy Conspiracy by David C Seman Patron’s Choice - Episode 178 1:35:37

7M ago1:35:37

1:35:37

For today's episode, we read The Energy Conspiracy by David C Seman, vanity published in 1981. This was requested by our patron beastwiththeleast, who had this to say: "Here's to another year of Terriblo's blessings and curses. I hereby submit my patron book request for you guys to read at some point next year...I haven't read the book in full, but…

1
Jam by Yahtzee Croshaw Patron's Choice - Episode 177 1:15:17

8M ago1:15:17

1:15:17

We read Jam by Yahtzee Croshaw this week at the request of our Patron Of the Void (The Taco-Eating Unicorn). We bring you a gray goo apocalypse dyed red atop a bland satire about how lame both terminally online and terminally corporate people are. The Taco-Eating Unicorn from the Void would like to dedicate today's episode to his sister, Jade B., f…

1
"The Words of Cesar Chavez" with historian Miriam Pawl 35:53

8M ago35:53

35:53

Born in Yuma, Arizona, César Chávez began his working life as a manual laborer. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Chávez moved to California to join an organization that helped laborers register to vote. This week's guest is historian Miriam Pawl. He later began organizing strikes among farm workers, calling for better pay and working conditions. Chá…

1
"Free to Choose" Milton & Rose Friedman with Prof. Mark Skousen 28:59

8M ago28:59

28:59

Milton Friedman was a 1976 Nobel Prize-winning American economist and advisor to President Ronald Reagan and conservative British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, among others. This week, a conversation with his friend and a Professor at Chapman University, Mark Skousen. In 1980, Friedman partnered with his wife, Rose, to create a 10-part televisi…

1
Beginnings: A Christian Fantasy Short Story Collection (Daughters of Tamnarae) by M.H. Elrich - Episode 176 57:18

8M ago57:18

57:18

Beginnings: A Christian Fantasy Short Story Collection by M.H. Elrich was self-published earlier this year. Chris found it while on an Amazon Short Reads dive and we figured a Christian fantasy collection was worth a review since we haven't read anything from this genre for the show before. Each of the 5 stories features a human-animal friendship w…

1
"Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston w/ Prof. Gary Richards 24:15

8M ago24:15

24:15

Zora Neale Hurston brings to life a Southern love story that explores race, gender roles, and identity, which influenced African-American and women's literature. In this episode, we speak with English Professor Gary Richards of The University of Mary Washington. The book is considered a classic of the Harlem Renaissance. Learn more about your ad ch…

1
"My Antonia" by Willa Cather w/ Historian Richard Norton Smith 24:31

9M ago24:31

24:31

Willa Cather's novel, My Ántonia, evokes the Nebraska prairie life of her childhood and pays tribute to the spirit and courage of immigrant pioneers in America. Historian Richard Norton Smith discusses Cather's works, including My Antonia, which was written in 1918. The book tells the story of a girl who arrives on the frontier as part of a family …

1
The Golden Basement by David Norman Lewis - Episode 175 1:43:21

9M ago1:43:21

1:43:21

This time we read The Golden Basement by David Norman Lewis, self-published in March of 2023. This was recommended by long-time listener, first-time caller Max who sent us a wonderful email recommending that we read this saying, "A few months ago you might have noticed a poem titled "$Reward$If$Found$" stapled up all over Cambridge, there were a co…

1
The Life of Mark Twain w/ Professor Matt Seybold 35:27

9M ago35:27

35:27

Our guest this week is Elmira College Professor Matt Seybold, who shares insights and introspections into the life of Mark Twain. Named among the great American novels, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been known internationally since its first printing in 1884 and remains popular yet controversial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho…

1
"The Common Law" by Oliver Wendell Holmes w/ Historian Stephen Budiansky 29:08

9M ago29:08

29:08

Our guest this week is historian Stephen Budianksy, who shares his insights into the late Justice's life and work. After serving in the Civil War, during which he was wounded, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. became a scholar and jurist, eventually rising to the U.S. Supreme Court after being nominated by President Theodore Roosevelt. While practicing la…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Jay W. Friedman Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
I Don't Even Own a Television

I Don't Even Own a Television

1
Terrible Book Club

Chris & Paris

1
Books That Shaped America

C-SPAN

1
The Listening Room

Joey Zimmerman, Body Tape Intl.

1
Mazes And Monsters by Rona Jaffe Patrons Choice - Episode 195 1:29:24

1
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams Patron's Choice - Episode 194 1:34:02

1
Mogworld by Yahtzee Croshaw Patron’s Choice - Episode 193 1:35:26

1
Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman Patron's Choice - Episode 192 1:23:26

1
VenCo by Cherie Dimaline Patron's Choice - Episode 191 1:52:12

1
Taurus Four by Rena Vale Patron's Choice - Episode 190 1:21:03

1
Hope Never Dies (An Obama Biden Mystery) by Andrew Shaffer Patron's Choice - Episode 189 54:01

1
Dear America: Down the Rabbit Hole - The Diary of Pringle Rose by Susan Campbell Bartoletti - Episode 188 54:00

1
The Witchmaster's Key (The Hardy Boys #55) by Franklin W. Dixon - Episode 187 1:08:46

1
Butch by Jay Rayn - Episode 186 1:38:49

1
How it Unfolds (Far Reaches Book 1) by James S.A. Corey - Episode 185 45:03

1
Valentine's Day for Baby Zeke: An Unofficial Minecraft Book by Dr. Block - Episode 184 49:09

1
Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part Two Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast - Episode 183 1:36:28

1
Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part One Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast - Episode 182 1:29:16

1
Double Feature: Rathew Love Story: A Love Story by Argus G. + Curiosity: A Book for Curious Minds by Bookinsky* - Episode 181 1:29:39

1
The Getting Even of Tommy Dodd by William Hope Hodgson Special Guests: Antiques Freaks - Episode 180 1:08:25

1
Special Holiday Bonus: Less Terrible Book Club 2023 - Episode XX 1:15:42

1
You Are Becoming A Galactic Human by Virginia Essene and Sheldon Nidle - Episode 179 1:32:55

1
The Energy Conspiracy by David C Seman Patron’s Choice - Episode 178 1:35:37

1
Jam by Yahtzee Croshaw Patron's Choice - Episode 177 1:15:17

1
"The Words of Cesar Chavez" with historian Miriam Pawl 35:53

1
"Free to Choose" Milton & Rose Friedman with Prof. Mark Skousen 28:59

1
Beginnings: A Christian Fantasy Short Story Collection (Daughters of Tamnarae) by M.H. Elrich - Episode 176 57:18

1
"Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston w/ Prof. Gary Richards 24:15

1
"My Antonia" by Willa Cather w/ Historian Richard Norton Smith 24:31

1
The Golden Basement by David Norman Lewis - Episode 175 1:43:21

1
The Life of Mark Twain w/ Professor Matt Seybold 35:27

1
"The Common Law" by Oliver Wendell Holmes w/ Historian Stephen Budiansky 29:08

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