Literary Merit

This episode is all about Alex's recent experience teaching poetry to elementary schoolers, but we ended up talking about Ashley's wedding for a good while anyway. How do you make poetry accessable to beginners, and what's poetry even for? Also, Alex got some new duds and Ashley is going to live forever.

In this episode we're delighted to have brentraptor (aka. Droosy, aka. Brent, aka. Rachel) back on the show, this time to discuss their recently-launched webcomic Miriam Beach. We talk sitcoms, inspiration, insecurity, and Miss Vanjie. Also, big life changes ahoy! Miriam Beach: www.miriambeachcomic.com

In this episode, Ashley and Alex found themselves recording in the same room! Such a treat! The topic is Coco, why so many people missed it, and why that was such a tragedy. Things ended up turning into a bit of a group therapy session, but it was mostly relevant. Also, Ashley is now terrified of the natural world and Alex keeps on truckin.

Like everyone on Earth, we loved Black Panther and we knew we had to talk about it in one way or another. We decided to focus on the rad and terrifying Killmonger, and see how he compares to other supervillains, as well as movie baddies in general. Also, Alex is giving it another go, and Ashley hates cake now.

In episode 24 we ended up summarizing a lot of Doki Doki Literature Club, so we cut it out and stuck it here. Enjoy.

We had a wild time talking about this one, and had to bring back an old guest to do it right. Welcome back to the show Dillon, aka Zoodle! Doki Doki Literature Club is a very popular visual novel/dating sim, but with a twist. This one gets a big, big spoiler warning. Also, Alex has a lot of time on his hands, and Ashley's staying put.

This one got a bit heavier than we expected, but in retrospect we really should have known better. The topic is queer coming of age stories, and a key phrase we hit on was "deferred adolescence." Hit play to hear what on Earth we were on about! Also, Ashley's headed northward and Alex had a snack.

Another year over... what good stuff happened anyway? Ashley and Alex look back on 2017 and the best things in it, and mostly gloss over the rest. Also, Alex joined the artistic elite and Ashley waited for a bus.

Happy holidays! In this very special episode of Literary Merit we discuss Star Wars, mashed potato movies, and a whole lot more with a very special guest! Sit down with a glass of egg nog, spiced cider, or something a little stronger and cozy up for a nice chat with good friends (and maybe escape your visiting relatives... ). This episode's theme song can be found at jonathancoulton.com

So this episode was supposed to be about The Good Place, and it was... for a while. Things got a little out of hand. Also, Alex is more stylish than ever, Ashley's getting into the Christmas spirit, and we fixed Brooklyn Nine Nine!

This episode is all Tolkien. Well, mostly Tolkien. We discuss the varius adaptations and spin-offs that take place in Middle Earth, with a dash of Lovecraft for good measure. Also, Ashley has a new appreciation for Ryan Gosling and Alex invented a new flavor of doughnut.

Too much good stuff happened recently, so this one's a double header. Ashley and Alex may have seen two entirely different movies when they saw Thor, though. Also, Alex spent some time on the road and Ashley has a new best friend.

Happy Halloween! Stick your broom in the closet, put the werewolf in the other room, and pour yourself a nice glass of wine (or the dark red beverage of your choice). It's All Hallow's Read!

For this spooky episode, we're talking about The new Amazon Prime series Lore. Also, Alex has a lot of lunches and Ashley's got a costume dilemma.

We sat down with a fantastic new guest to talk about Brooklyn 99, and it was a more fraught discussion than you might think. Also, Ashley invented a new hair treatment and ALEX'S BOOK IS OUT!!!!

This episode is a special sneak peek at Alex's forthcoming chapbook "The Myth of Man," plus we finally followed up on Solid State. Also, Ashley got a new rock and Alex wandered the outside world.

At long last, Ashley got to yammer about her favorite show in the world, so this one ran a little long. Also, Alex shoots aliens and Ashley got (temporarily) stranded at the beach.

Things got a little out of hand, and we ended up with a whole other episode. This is it! It's all GoT S7 finale nonsense, and we know it's what you crave.

Buckle your fantasy seat belts, because we're taking off for The Adventure Zone! Also, Alex is publishing a book, and Ashley is spending even more time in that closet.

This time we've brought on another guest and the topic is our own guilty pleasures, so you can make fun of us for the stuff we like. Also, Alex and Allie went shopping and Ashley escaped from a room.