Generational terror, walldads, and haunted homes, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser join forces to discuss Layla Martinez’s Woodworm (out now from Two Lines Press). Together, they explore the novel’s themes of generational trauma, class warfare, the horrors of growing up, and even what it’s like living in a cursed home. Thanks for listening. We…

Bad boy robots, cop mustaches, and lassos, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser join forces to discuss 1987’s R.O.T.O.R! Together, they try to unravel its dystopian vision of Dallas, Texas, why it chose to use a strange dub for the main character, what the police do in this hellscape, and the terrors of very bad robots chasing people who don’t kno…

Crunchy humans, errant organs, and family curses, oh my! Shaun Duke and Paul Weimer are joined by John Wiswell to discuss his new novel, Someone You Can Build a Nest In. Together, they explore John’s approach to narrative, tackle the beauty and terror of body horror, chat fairy tales and aromantic protagonists, and so much more. Thanks for listenin…

Collapsing societies, feminist interpretations, and harsh truths, oh my! Trish Matson and Paul Weimer join forces to discuss Suzy McKee Charnas’ Walk to the End of the World (1974). Together, they explore the book’s worldbuilding, its feminist themes and historical significance, Charnas’ prose, the oppressive feeling of living in a society that is …

Dolph Lundgren’s pecs, terrifying Gwildor, and strange plot devices, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser join forces to discuss the 1987’s Masters of the Universe! Together, they tackle the film’s desperate attempt to adapt the source material, Dolph Lundgren’s history with language, Skeletor’s whole “deal,” the film’s aggressive connection to Fr…

Inept spies, bad pilots, and Russians, oh my! Shaun Duke, Paul Weimer, and Becca Evans join forces to discuss the 1982’s Firefox! Together, they explore the film’s literary roots, why Clint Eastwood talks to chairs, what it really means to be a good pilot (bad movie), the Cold War, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode!…

Jumping worlds, snarky teens, and human nature, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser are joined by Joma West to discuss her novels Face and Twice Lived, out now where book objects can be found. Together, they tackle West’s approach to narrative, writing perspectives different from our own, the complexities of parenthood, straddling genres, and muc…

Phages, microbes, and scientific conundrums, oh my! Shaun Duke turns the tables on Daniel Haeusser to ask a metric ton of questions about microbiology. Why? Because Daniel is one of those legit scientists. Join us for a wide ranging and utterly wild conversation about bacteria, viruses, micro-whatsits, and speculative wonders! Thanks for listening.…

Beautiful rage, twisted lines, and terrors of the mind, oh my! Shaun Duke, Brandon O’Brien, and Trish Matson are joined by Stephanie M. Wytovich to talk about her latest poetry collection, On the Subject of Blackberries. Together, they discuss Wytovich’s approach to poetic form, to representing post-partum depression and motherhood in speculative p…

Our season finale features a discussion on Soledad Duterte, a prominent activist from Davao, exploring her crucial role in local activism and advocacy during and after the EDSA Revolution. Through her life, we examine how Martial Law and the EDSA Revolution impacted regions beyond the capital, particularly Mindanao. Join us! --- Send in a voice mes…

Tree magic, complicated wars, and bard-acity, oh my! Shaun Duke and Paul Weimer are joined by Kevin Hearne to talk about his latest novel, A Curse of Krakens, the thrilling conclusion to The Seven Kennings series. Together, they discuss Hearne’s approach to storytelling in an epic fantasy setting, weaving complicated kingdom politics and unique mag…

In this new episode, we tackle the life and legacy of Chito Gascon, whose activism began as a student during the EDSA Revolution and culminated in his tenure as the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Join us as we unpack and retell Gascon's journey, an unwavering commitment to justice and democracy that serves as an inspiration fo…

Military inaccuracies, confusing tactics, and burrito problems, oh my! Shaun Duke, Becca Evans, and Daniel Haeusser join forces to discuss the 2012’s Battleship! Together, they explore the film’s bizarre treatment of the military, whether the lead character should be court-martialed, disability representation, and so much more. Thanks for listening…

We tackle the nexus between politics, media, and elite families in this new episode as we spotlight the powerful Lopez family. We explore their rise to power, the closures of ABS-CBN, their struggles during Martial Law, and their subsequent resurrection in the post-EDSA political environment. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.…

Optimistic futures, climate disasters, and punk attitudes, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser are joined by writers and editors Phoebe Wagner and Sarena Ulibarri for a wide ranging discussion about Solarpunk. Together, they explore the roots of the genre, where the “punk” fits into the form, the politics of climate change and extinction, and so …

We reflect on the EDSA People Power and the role of cinema in shaping public sentiment in this episode, where we highlight the legendary Filipino filmmaker, Lino Brocka. How do media, film, and music have historically acted as catalysts for reform and resistance during Martial Law? Through Brocka's classic films, such as Maynila, Sa Mga Kuko ng Liw…

Funktastic morning routines, cereal messages, and whatevers, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser join forces to discuss 1999’s Muppets From Space! This is the second show we’ve done on a Muppet movie, and it’s a fun one. Together, Shaun and Daniel tackle the film’s financial history, its central themes of identity and found family, what a Gonzo i…

In this new episode of Shakers and Shapers, we tackle the complex figure of Jose Maria Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines. We look back at his journey, from his aristocratic roots and eventual radicalization at the University of the Philippines, the formation of Kabataang Makabayan, the ideological underpinnings of n…

Weirdly respectful men, suggestive rockets, and sewage sludge, oh my! Shaun Duke, Becca Evans, and Trish Matson join forces to discuss the 1979’s Meteor! Together, they explore the film’s surprisingly feminist themes, its approach to building tension (zzz), hating the Dodgers, and so much more. Plus, there are delicious tangents to make you giggle!…

Empathic fungi, revolutionary politics, and dirigibles, oh my! Shaun Duke and Brandon O’Brien are joined by Nisi Shawl to talk about their new novel, Kinning, the sequel to the much-loved Everfair. Together, they discuss Shawl’s approach to writing alternate history, anarchism across the sea, the moral complexities of hiveminds, and more. Thanks fo…