WELLL....this episode is late on June 1st but let me tell you this episode gave me a big rabbit hole of research that I didn't expect and still has me questioning a lot but thank you for you patience. However, today's episode will be covering just the basics on Lovecraftian horror and how it is shown through the indie video game Dredge. Hope you en…

We are going back to 1992 for a retrospective look at the The Buffy Vampire Slayer film (not the TV series) I am talking about the things I felt make this film unique and the some of the things that make this film leaving me wanting more. Hope you enjoy the episode. Next up --> Dredge (2023,Indie Video Game) Time Stamps Episode Outline - 3:41 1992/…

Hello and thank you for your patience on this episode! Today we are talking about precarity, how insecurity is a method of social control and most of all in a precarious world how do we find value and community? Using Citizen Sleeper as a guide we will think through these concepts and I do hope that you enjoy! Next up --> 1992 Buffy the Vampire Sla…

Indie game Citizen Sleeper episode is coming out next week! I promise, in the meantime I put in a more causal type episode that I am calling a check point that covers my favorite book I've read in the past four months and one that didn't quite resonate with me. Let me know your thoughts and thank you for your understanding! Next up --> Citizen Slee…

Sorry about all the noise and the delay! But today's episode is talking about the 2002 light novel Kamikaze Girls by Novala Takemoto and translated by Akemi Wegmuller. This discussion talks about attachment theory and how it relates to the friendship between the main characters, Momoko and Ichigo. Hope you enjoy! Next up --> Citizen Sleeper (indie …

Today we are talking about my favorite character within the Indie Game Sea of Stars from Sabotage Studios release in 2023. Join me in this appreciation for Garl the Warrior Cook with the biggest heart any adventurer needs. We talk about his character development and how sometimes the side characters can be the true protagonists. Next up ---> Kamika…

In today's episode we are going to talk about a not so known superhero from the 1940's, and that is Lady Luck. We will talk a bit about mythology and the history of Brenda Banks and Lady Luck's impact! So hope you enjoy and don't forget to the things you love! Next up ---> Indie Game: Sea of Stars Timestamps: Episode Outline - 4:09 Lady Luck in Myt…

Hello and welcome to the first episode of March! Spring is almost here and what better way to start this month with a breakdown of the 3 Act Story Structure with in the 2018 indie game Donut County, the power of friendship and Raccoons conspiring to destroy a whole town with a hole! Correction 2018 was 6 years ago not 5* Time Stamps Episode Outline…

Hello and Welcome to today's discussion on is The Silence of the Lambs a romance? We will be talking about the background of the film and the ways in which Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter may have a bit of a toxic romance...maybe.... I'll let you be the judge of that. --All in the spirit of the month of Valentines Day.-- And I didn't mention t…

Wow! It has been a wild couple of weeks for me but I hope you are doing well, and you don't mind a light discussion on Freud's concept of The Uncanny and its relation to Lies of P for today's episode. Also I edited most of this episode in an airport so, Enjoy! Timestamps 4:12 - Episode Outline 5:39 - Background info on Lies of P 10:48 - Soulslike s…

Into the mind of a serial killer with Jennifer Lopez and Vince Vaughn! Todays episode is just going over the thoughts I have about the film the good and the opportunities the film has and just an overall appreciation for the cinematography. Plus a creative writing prompt about nightmares! Next Up --> Indie Game: Lies of P Disclaimer: 0:00 Intro: 00…

Welcome to the 1st episode of Season 2 of the Growlery. Today's discussion is on the media artifact of Unpacking an indie Game developed by Witch Beam and how it is a game of practicing mindfulness and cathartic nostalgia. And there's a new creative writing prompt so enjoy! Time Stamps Episode Outline - 4:15 About Unpacking - 5:13 Cozy Gaming - 11:…

Hello! Welcome to the end of Season 1 and to the first season wrap-up episode. I am going back through all my episodes and talking about the lessons I've learned and reflecting on what I want to improve on in the next season. Also there is a Bonus Creative Writing Assignment. Can't wait to see you again for Season 2! Timestamps: 3:48 -Episode Outli…

Welcome to the Growlery's first Holiday/ Winter Aesthetic Special. Today's episode covers the 1823 poem A Visit From St. Nicholas, the ongoing debate of who wrote the poem and a publisher that censored Santa! Hope you are well and enjoy the episode! Correction--I am wrong Moore and Livingston most likely never met, though I think they would have be…

This Book is Gay is a young adult nonfiction book by Juno Dawson. In the Untied States it has been ranked as the 9th most banned book of the 2022 - 2023 school year. This episode explores why and some of my favorite parts. Next Up --> Censored: A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clemet Clarke Moore LGBTQIA+ Support and Charities https://www.thetrevorproj…

Today's episode is a all about the history of why the day after Thanksgiving (in America) is called Black Friday and a look at how the Horror Comedy from 2021 Black Friday turns this Capitalist Holiday into an absurd horrific experience. Stay Safe this holiday season! Next Up -- Banned Book: This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson Trailer to Black Friday: …

The 2006 book Sold, by Patricia McCormick, is a powerful and emotional story based off of 3 years of research she conducted—looking in to the lives of Nepalese girls and tragic realities of human trafficking. Today's episode talks about what this book is about, why its been banned, the style its written in and why stories like the main character La…

Today’s episode covers a brief history of tracing the origins and development of the legend of La Llorona from Mexican folklore and La Pucullén from Chilean folklore. This is the start of my research into these folkloric figures, and hope you enjoy! Next up —> Banned Book: Sold by Patricia McCormmick Aztec Empire https://youtu.be/rgdaG6aTJto?si=Qht…

Is Mike Munoz the ne ew Holden Caulfield? The book Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison is 7th in the most banned book of 2022 according to the American Library Association. This episode will include my response to its banning and an exploration on if Mike Munoz is this generations new Holden Caulfield from J.D Salinger Catcher in the Rye. Next Episode --> …

Today’s episode is Part 2 of an amazing conversation with Writer, Producer, Performer and soon-to-be Director, Sarah de Leon also known as Sweet Serendipity and Robin O’Hart. We are talking about her creative journey, mental health, the impact of the Toy Story Franchise, and the 2023 Barbie movie. I’m so grateful to have her for this episode, and h…

Today’s episode is Part 1 of an amazing conversation with Writer, Producer, Performer and soon-to-be Director, Sarah de Leon also known as Sweet Serendipity and Robin O’Hart. We are talking about her creative journey, mental health, the impact of the Toy Story Franchise, the Barbie movie, and a Buddy the Elf Universe Conspiracy?? I’m so grateful to…

Today's episode takes a look at the banned and challenged book Out of Darkness by Ashely Hope Pérez. A little bit of discussion on what the book is about, why its been banned, the historical fiction genre and history of the New London School explosion in East Texas. Next up --> ...to be announced... Ashely Hope Pérez website: https://ashleyperez.co…

New Jersey, Bukowski, and Senses Fails . This episode is an appreciation for the narrative, the messaging and lyrics within the 2008 Senses Fail album Life is not a Waiting Room. A little mix about the history of the band, the album, and some thoughts I had while re-listening to the album. Next up --> Banned Book: Out of Darkness by Ashely Hope Pér…

Today's episode covers the currently second most banned book in the United States, All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson. Today's discussion talks about Intersectionality, and power dynamics within language and history. Next Up --- The Emo of New Jersey: Senses Fail The App I talked about: https://lithub.com/the-banned-books-club-is-an-e-reader…

Today's episode dives into what is existence and how to perceive consciousness using the character of Murderbot from Martha Wells The Murder Bot Diaries: All Systems Red. We also go through a few different philosophies from Renee Descartes and Thomas Metzinger in the process.....kind of. Next up --> Banned Book: All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Jo…

Tiffany D. Jackson's book Monday's Not Coming is fiction, but it is all too real the ways in which the community, the police and the media ignored the disappearance of a young black girl, Monday. Then left her friend, Claudia, to try an put the pieces together. Today's discussion is emotionally rough but a reminder that books like this one shouldn'…

Did Han Solo commit Second Degree murder or was it Self Defense? In this episode I explore the infamous Han vs Greedo confrontation at the Cantina and how Han's character arc was affected through the many editing decisions George Lucas made between 1977 and now with all the re-releases. Also I discover a new word "Cocksure" and attempt to not laugh…

The next installment in the Banned Book Series is here with Maia Kobabe's graphic novel Gender Queer. This extremely heartwarming open letter about gender and sexual identity has been one of the most banned books of the past few years! In this episode, we will look at why it's been banned why I don't agree with the ban, and I share some of my favor…

In 1993 the Super Mario Bros film was the first movie based on a video game, why and how did it come to be and with John Leguizamo's boycott of the 2023 animated film, This episode is all about representation, globalization, chaotic filmmaking, capitalism and what Leguizamo had to say about it. With my opinion sprinkled in of course. Small correcti…

As the great Gerard Way once said, "Teenagers scare the living shit outta me." And today's episode is all about Lois Duncan's 1978 controversial novel, Killing Mr. Griffin. We'll explore a bit about why its been so controversial and why I think its actually a book with a wholesome message! If you haven't already check this book out at your local li…

North Korea, Makeup, Lawsuits and Donuts! This episode is all about unpacking the methods, means and motivations behind why Elf Cosmetics and Dunkin' did their collaboration. Short answer 'cuz capitalism but there's always more to every media artifact than meets the eye. Next up ---> We'll be talking about a particular banned book from a very inter…

We are here finally at the last part of this series. This episode is all about Blake Langermann's journey with fear and religion. We also are talking about How Religion and Fear are tools for social control and survival. This one is a gnarly one so listener discretion is advised. Next Up --> Make-up collaborations and Fast Food Chains Red Barrells …

We are going into Part 2 of the Outlast video game series discussion. Today's episode uses Waylon Park as an example of how (not) to survive as a whistleblower and explores the history of whistleblowers in the US. And of course, we are talking about some gruesome subject matter so listener discretion is advised. Please Enjoy! Next Up for discussion…

Hey there! This is Part 1 of a three-part series on the Outlast Games. In this episode, I will be discussing the job of an investigative reporter and some history around human experimentation and mental health reform. Listener discretion is advised as there will be darker topics and themes talked about in this episode. Next Episode Media Artifact -…

Hello! Today's episode is a little different...I am taking a look at the 2004 film Alien vs. Predator and retelling the story to be a little bit more romance focused. Also, I express my undying love for the character Alexa Woods and how I feel she rivals Alien's Ripley. (not to be controversial of course) Here's that fun link I mentioned in the epi…

Hello! In this episode, we are discussing The Doll, The Grand Empress of Savannah, The Lady Chablis's memoir Hiding My Candy. I'm sharing some of my favorite lines and talking about a few hopes I have for the coming year. Next episode topic: Film "Alien vs. Predator" (2004, Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson) Time to jump to--> 19:15 Links to LGBTQ San…

Hi there and welcome to Episode 1! Today we are talking about the first volume of the Princess Diaries Series and some thoughts while re-reading the book after 17 years. Time to jump ahead: 23:04 Link to The Growlery mental health clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota https://www.tothegrowlery.com/ For my former professors' disappointment in me: https:/…

Hi, I'm Liz, and Welcome to the Growlery! This is a podcast all about having fun with critical thinking, over-analyzing, and taking thoughts down a rabbit hole about the books, movies, video games, albums, and other media this crazy world produces. Contact: contact@growlerypod.com Instagram: @growlery_pod Song: Sonatina No.1 in C major by Clementi …