Best Phil Wharton Podcasts (2024)

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Ecstasy of Influence – Defending Your Life (1991)

10h ago

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Welcome to the JUDGMENT ZONE! It’s Phil and Willow and we’re back to talk about Albert Brooks’ 1991 classic “Defending Your Life!” What a weird movie to come back on, I swear. Anyways, here it is! https://ia600800.us.archive.org/0/items/ecstacy-defending-your-life/Ecstacy-Defending%20Your%20Life.mp3By philgonzales

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Season Five Reflections 9:27

2M ago9:27

9:27

Send us a Text Message. Hard times threaten resolve; when every ounce of energy is depleted, flatlining – of mind, body, and spirit - occurs. In this depleted state one often reverts to old, restrictive patterns of behavior – well worn habits that no longer serve, but reemerge in times of difficulty. During these times a spring cleaning is necessar…

1
Organic Chemistry with Dr. Maitland Jones 44:07

4M ago44:07

44:07

Send us a Text Message. Maitland Jones Jr. wanted to be tennis player. At thirteen he attempted to enlist his parents into chauffeuring him around the east coast junior tennis circuit, to which they replied, “get a job kid.” That summer Maitland’s first job was bottle washer and gofer for chemistry giants Laurence H. Knox and William von Eggers Doe…

1
Cultivating Creativity with Actress & Horticulturalist Kathleen O'Grady 51:27

4M ago51:27

51:27

Send us a Text Message. Photo: Kathleen O'Grady (L) Faith Imaafiion (R) Theatre of Note's production of Fruition 2019 A lifelong actor, Kathleen O’Grady’s earliest memory of her life’s work finds her riding with her siblings around Los Angeles, in the back of her mother’s car—driving to the next audition. Growing up in the town of Reseda - named fo…

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The Dark Descent – “A Little Something for Us Tempunauts” by Philip K. Dick

4M ago

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Aaaaaaaand, we’re done! It’s “A Little Something For Us Tempunauts” by Philip K. Dick and “The Dark Descent” is over! PARTY HORN NOISE! https://ia600308.us.archive.org/7/items/del-toro-tempu/DelToro-Tempu.mp3By philgonzales

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Musical Mentoring with Two-Time Grammy Winning Producer Robert Cutarella 1:21:28

4M ago1:21:28

1:21:28

Send us a Text Message. Robert Cutarella spent most of his childhood evenings burrowed under his pillows, a transistor radio speaker in his ear listening to the Dick Clark Show and other famous deejays. A passion for rhythm emerged during drumming sessions with wooden spoons borrowed from his aunt. At nine years-old Robert’s parents took him to see…

1
The Dark Descent – “The Hospice” by Robert Aickman

4M ago

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WE’RE SO CLOSE TO THE END! It’s the penultimate “Dark Descent” story and it’s a whopper! “The Hospice” is quintessential Robert Aickman: it’s creepy, offbeat, weird, strange, chilling and inexplicable. We really loved it and now… only one story to go! https://ia600303.us.archive.org/23/items/deltoro-hospice/Deltoro-Hospice.mp3…

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Manual Transmission with Small Farmer's Journal Founder Lynn R. Miller 1:49:32

4M ago1:49:32

1:49:32

Send us a Text Message. Lynn R. Miller is a painter, farmer, horseman, and writer. Odd jobs ranging from commercial fisherman, logger, sawyer, farmer, workhorse teamster, lecturer, and cattle rancher, supported him through college. Over the past 40 years, Lynn has become a world-renowned authority in the fields of alternative farming and animal pow…

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The Dark Descent – “The Asian Shore” by Thomas M. Disch

5M ago

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What a mystery this story is! Willow isn’t sure if she likes it, or if it even qualifies as horror. I’m enamored of it, but can’t really decide what it’s about! PERFECT! It’s “The Asian Shore” by Thomas M. Disch! https://ia800307.us.archive.org/20/items/del-toro-asian-shore/DelToro-AsianShore.mp3By philgonzales

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Thrills and Enchantments with Small Farmer's Journal Founder Lynn R. Miller 1:09:25

5M ago1:09:25

1:09:25

Send us a Text Message. Lynn R. Miller is a painter, farmer, horseman, and writer. Odd jobs ranging from commercial fisherman, logger, sawyer, farmer, workhorse teamster, lecturer, and cattle rancher, supported him through college. Over the past 40 years, Lynn has become a world-renowned authority in the fields of alternative farming and animal pow…

1
The Dark Descent – “The Willows” by Algernon Blackwood

5M ago

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This week, it’s one of the most terrifying and terribly intimate stories we’ve yet covered. The cosmic horror of “The Willows” by Algernon Blackwood! https://ia600206.us.archive.org/15/items/del-toro-the-willows_202403/DelToro-TheWillows.mp3By philgonzales

1
Music Majesty with Barbara and Lili Anel 1:18:51

5M ago1:18:51

1:18:51

Send us a Text Message. Music Intro: "Another Place, Another Time."--Performed by Lily Anel in collaboration with Barbara Anel. Music Outro: "Estey's Theme."--written and performed by Barbara Anel. Photo Provided by : Lili Anel Growing up in a Harlem tenement perched above a record store, the Anel Sisters spent their Saturday “cleaning days” listen…

1
The Dark Descent – “Afterward” by Edith Wharton

5M ago

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This week, Willow and I take a look at the creepy effects of UNFETTERED CAPITALISM with Edith Wharton’s “Afterward!” https://ia600203.us.archive.org/29/items/del-toro-afterward/DelToro-Afterward-1.mp3By philgonzales

1
Protect, Restore, and Empower with Haejin Shim Fujimura 43:56

5M ago43:56

43:56

Send us a Text Message. Haejin Shim Fujimura describes her college years as rebellious. While searching for her life purpose she received a calling to raise funds and attend World Vision’s® 30 Hour Famine retreat. Haejin witnessed horrific images from the civil war in Sierra Leone, which left fifty thousand dead over eleven years. She wanted to hel…

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Wise Decisons with Dr. Jim Loehr 52:15

5M ago52:15

52:15

Send us a Text Message. Dr. Jim Loehr has authored 19 books including, New York Times bestseller, The Power of Full Engagement, and his recent works, Wise Decisions, and Sapiens Reinvented. Before embarking on his quest to merge sports psychology, research, and technology, the field of human performance didn’t exist. To fill this industry void, he …

1
Reconnecting America with Rails To Trails President Ryan Chao 46:23

6M ago46:23

46:23

Send us a Text Message. Urban trail access began as a young boy for Ryan Chao; growing up in Portland, Oregon, skiing, fishing, and cycling were a way of life. After architecture school, he mentored with a talented group of visionaries at the Bryant Park Revitalization Project, where he discovered his love for “people over buildings,” turning New Y…

1
The Dark Descent – “The Damned Thing” by Ambrose Bierce

6M ago

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Whaddaya get when you take a dead guy, an invisible monster and a heaping dose of post-Civil War Traumatic Stress Disorder? “The Damned Thing” by Ambrose Bierce! The missingest author in the history of Weird Fiction! https://ia600206.us.archive.org/25/items/del-toro-bierce/DelToro-Bierce.mp3By philgonzales

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The Dark Descent – “The Beautiful Stranger” by Shirley Jackson

7M ago

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This week, Willow and Phil take a quick look at a quick story: “The Beautiful Stranger” by Shirley Jackson. We throw out a lot of theories as to the actual nature of this story, but the one thing we can agree on? That stranger is beautiful. https://ia601307.us.archive.org/32/items/del-toro-beautiful-s/DelToro-BeautifulS.mp3…

1
The Dark Descent – “What Was It?” by Fitz-James O’Brien

7M ago

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Sometimes, you don’t even need to ask. “What Was It?” by Fitz-James O’Brien! https://ia601302.us.archive.org/31/items/del-toro-what-was-it/DelToro-WhatWasIt.mp3By philgonzales

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The Dark Descent – “The Beckoning Fair One” by Oliver Onions

8M ago

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Boy oh boy are we ever getting tired of sad men dying for their ghosts. It’s “The Beckoning Fair One” by Oliver Onions! A good story, but jeez, guys. See a therapist or something. https://ia601304.us.archive.org/16/items/del-toro-beckoning/DelToro-Beckoning.mp3By philgonzales

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The Dark Descent – “The Repairer of Reputations” by Robert W. Chambers

8M ago

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We’ve got a big one this week! It’s “The Repairer of Reputations” by Robert W. Chambers and Willow goes OFF. If you’re looking for her sources, here they are! de Oliveira, Hugo Mendes. “An Empire of Delusion: The Process of Alienation as Expressed by Robert W. Chambers’ ‘The Repairer of Reputations.’” Thesis, Proquest Dissertations Publishing, 2021…

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The Dark Descent – “Clara Militch” by Ivan Turgenev

8M ago

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This week, we’re heading off to jolly ol’ Russia for a bit of nineteenth century whimsey titled “Clara Militch” or “Klara Milich” or any number of permutations. It’s by Ivan Turgenev and it’s a real cracker! By which I mean, we were utterly confused by it. https://ia601204.us.archive.org/5/items/del-toro-clara-militch/DelToro-ClaraMilitch.mp3…

1
The Dark Descent – “Seaton’s Aunt” by Walter de la Mare

9M ago

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It’s another headscratcher! “Seaton’s Aunt” by Walter de la Mare might not be the scariest story we’ve ever read, but it sure does make me feel sad! https://ia601201.us.archive.org/14/items/del-toro-seatons-aunt/DelToro-SeatonsAunt.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Night-Side” by Joyce Carol Oates

9M ago

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Yes, I sing Hall and Oates at one point. It’s “Night-Side” by Joyce Carol Oates! https://ia801204.us.archive.org/26/items/del-toro-night-side/DelToro-NightSide.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Crouch End” by Stephen King

9M ago

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We’re back in Lovecraft Country, this week! It’s Stephen King’s “Crouch End” and it’s a modern CLASSIC! https://ia801204.us.archive.org/14/items/del-toro-crouch-end/DelToro-CrouchEnd.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “The Signal-Man” by Charles Dickens

9M ago

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When is a ghost not a ghost? When it’s a SIGNAL-MAN! It’s “The Signal-Man” by Charles Discken and Willow has NOTES on the story! NOTES! https://ia601200.us.archive.org/26/items/del-toro-signalman/DelToro-Signalman.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Seven American Nights” by Gene Wolfe

10M ago

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“Seven American Nights” is phenomenal and Gene Wolfe is brilliant. That’s all. https://ia801801.us.archive.org/3/items/del-toro-seven-american-nights/DelToro-SevenAmericanNights.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Smoke Ghost” by Fritz Leiber

10M ago

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“Sssssssssmokin’!” Oh, somebody stop me. This week, we begin a new chunk of “The Dark Descent” as we wend our way into “A Fabulous Formless Darkness” by way of the game-changing short story “Smoke Ghost” by Fritz Leiber. Does it live up to the hype? Yes. Yes, it does. https://ia601509.us.archive.org/12/items/del-toro-smoke-ghost/DelToro-SmokeGhost.…

1
The Dark Descent – “The Jolly Corner” by Henry James

10M ago

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Oh, Henry James. Why must you be so obtuse? This week, it’s a return to the creeps and the spooks as we take a step inside “The Jolly Corner!” Any good? Well, Willow had no idea what was going on! https://ia800505.us.archive.org/32/items/del-toro-jolly-corner/DelToro-JollyCorner.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Mackintosh Willy” by Ramsey Campbell

11M ago

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This week, it’s a story that really left a wild impression on us. Is it supernatural? Natural? A little bit of both? Who knows! It’s “Mackintosh Willy” by Ramsey Campbell! https://ia600505.us.archive.org/32/items/del-toro-time-mackintosh-willy/DelToroTime-MackintoshWilly.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor

11M ago

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This week, it’s a story that is remarkably similar in many ways to last weeks. So, we both loved it, of course! Right? RIGHT?! *sigh* It’s “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor. https://ia601402.us.archive.org/9/items/del-toro-time-good-country-people/DelToroTime-GoodCountryPeople.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Three Days” by Tanith Lee

11M ago

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This week, it’s our first Tanith Lee story and, maybe not coincidentally, one of our favorites. Is it horror? Who cares? It’s awesome! It’s “Three Days” here on The Dark Descent! https://ia904600.us.archive.org/0/items/del-toro-three-days/DelToro-ThreeDays.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D. H. Lawrence

11M ago

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D. H. Lawrence’s “The Rocking Horse Winner” is no liar. It’s got a rocking horse. It’s got a winner. It’s all there on the tin! https://ia600501.us.archive.org/1/items/del-toro-rocking-horse/DelToro-RockingHorse.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “You Can Go Now” by Dennis Etchison

12M ago

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Are you ready for some heady noir? This week’s “You Can Go Now” by Dennis Etchison is weird and trippy and short and delightful! It’s a real headscratcher, I tells ya! https://ia600506.us.archive.org/34/items/del-toro-you-can-go-now/DelToro-YouCanGoNow.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “My Dear Emily” by Joanna Russ

12M ago

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Willow and I are back with more Dark Descent. This week, it’s “My Dear Emily” by Joanna Russ. It’s a vampire story, with a twist! The twist? Um… it’s good? https://ia902501.us.archive.org/14/items/del-toro-my-dear-emily/DelToro-MyDearEmily.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Born of Man and Woman” by Richard Matheson

1y ago

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If there’s one person we love talking about at The Dark Descent, it’s Dick Math! Dickie the Math Man! Richard “Richie Rich” Matheson! Yes, this week we take a look at Dickie’s first ever published story “Born of Man and Woman!” And, it’s an icky one! https://ia902601.us.archive.org/7/items/del-toro-born-man-woman/DelToro-BornManWoman.mp3…

1
The Dark Descent – “How Love Came To Professor Guildea” by Robert Hichens

1y ago

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When is a ghost not a ghost? When it’s your repressed homosexuality! It’s Robert Hichens’s “How Love Came To Professor Guildea” on The Dark Descent! https://ia902707.us.archive.org/4/items/del-toro-professor-guildea/DelToro-ProfessorGuildea.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner

1y ago

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In William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” Emily doesn’t get a rose. How about that? It’s The Dark Descent and we’re back! https://ia902608.us.archive.org/33/items/del-toro-rose-emily/DelToro-RoseEmily.mp3By philgonzales

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Season Four Reflections 11:14

1+ y ago11:14

11:14

Send us a Text Message. The gift of stepping inside the lives of this season’s guests gave me unexpected insight for my own challenges, struggles, and failures. Answers are there when we allow ourselves to listen. ·This world is full of landmines for those who have suffered from sexual abuse. Victims No Longer author, Mike Lew and the community of …

1
The Dark Descent – “The Yellow Wall-Paper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

1+ y ago

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A woman really hates that wallpaper in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wall-paper!” It’s yellow, alright! https://ia601607.us.archive.org/10/items/del-toro-yellow-wallpaper/DelToro-YellowWallpaper.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Schalken the Painter” by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

1+ y ago

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This week, Willow and Phil schalk the schalk with J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s “Schalken the Painter!” It’s based on a real guy, but it’s not! It’s pretty sexy but also gross! It’s a rip roaring good time and also about the societal helplessness of women in the face of suffocating patriarchy. “Schalken the Painter!” https://ia904709.us.archive.org/23/item…

1
The Dark Descent – “The Rats in the Walls” by H. P. Lovecraft

1+ y ago

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This week, THE CAT HAS A RACIST NAME. And, YES, we discuss it! Also, Lovecraft’s impossibly wild interpretation of Roman mythology and, look, it’s actually a pretty good story about a grieving father. It’s “The Rats In The Walls!” https://ia804707.us.archive.org/14/items/del-toro-rats-walls/DelToro-RatsWalls.mp3…

1
The Dark Descent – “Within the Walls of Tyre” by Michael Bishop

1+ y ago

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This week, it’s all about Christmastime, Mega-Malls and Stone Babies, baby! It’s “Within the Walls of Tyre” by Michael Bishop and it’s MESSED UP. https://ia904707.us.archive.org/13/items/del-toro-tyre/DelToro-Tyre.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “The Monkey” by Stephen King

1+ y ago

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You better watch out! Baby who’s that? It’s Phil and Willow back with “The Monkey” by Stephen King! And, all we really need to say is that this is the best King character and he needs to come back, please. Thanks. https://ia801602.us.archive.org/20/items/del-toro-the-monkey/DelToro-the%20Monkey.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

1+ y ago

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Willow and I return to the world of Poe with “The Fall of the House of Usher!” It’s nice to be back on firm ground with a classic story and talk all about Poe and his 13 year old bride. No, really, it’s fun. https://ia904706.us.archive.org/32/items/del-toro-usher_202301/DelToro-Usher.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Dark Descent – “Dread” by Clive Barker

1+ y ago

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Willow thinks I’m nuts for ever having liked this mess. It’s “Dread” by Clive Barker! https://ia904709.us.archive.org/29/items/del-toro-dread/DelToro-Dread.mp3By philgonzales

1
The Eyes of Orson Welles with Beatrice Welles 1:45:46

1+ y ago1:45:46

1:45:46

Send us a Text Message. Beatrice Mori Gerfalco Welles has devoted her extraordinary life to a multitude of humanitarian causes, in addition to her tireless dedication to the preservation of the work of her father, Orson Welles. In 2018, she co-created and co-starred in The Eyes of Orson Welles - directed by Mark Cousins - which premiered at the Can…

1
The Dark Descent – “Bright Segment” by Theodore Sturgeon

1+ y ago

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If you like non-verbal developmentally disabled men with borderline personality disorder performing inprov surgery on unconscious women, have we got a story for you! It’s “Bright Segment” by Theodore Sturgeon and it’s ICKY! https://ia904707.us.archive.org/12/items/del-toro-bright-segment/DelToro-BrightSegment.mp3…

1
I Can I Must I Will with Three-Time Olympic Medalist DeeDee Trotter 1:54:10

1+ y ago1:54:10

1:54:10

Send us a Text Message. Three-time Olympic Medalist, DeeDee Trotter has been a fierce competitor since the age of ten. She loved basketball and dreamed of playing for legendary coach Pat Summit at the University of Tennessee. Her quickness on the court convinced her coaches to steer their star athlete into track and field. Thus began a tenuous, and…

1
The Dark Descent – “The Roaches” by Thomas M. Disch

1+ y ago

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Are you scared of roaches? Hope not! Because we’re talking about Thomas M. Disch’s “The Roaches” from “The Dark Descent” and it’s got ROACHES! https://ia904708.us.archive.org/12/items/del-toro-the-roaches/DelToro-TheRoaches.mp3By philgonzales

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