The Free Bin

Cindy expounds on some accidental monsters of popular fiction, and the philosophical ramifications thereof. The Fly (1986) is compared and contrasted with Marvel's Fly. Hulk gets mad, at least at first. Skynet makes things complicated. Harrison defends Kharis (yet again). Municipal werewolves plan for a night out.   In this episode: "The Avengers" (franchise) by Marvel Comics "Batman" (franchise)...

The chance rediscovery of a beloved childhood visual style propels Harrison and Cindy into the depths of the Aesthetics Wiki . Pirates flee a collapsing iceberg. The dream of the '90s is alive in Harrison. Cindy defines her look. Kudzu fails to live up to its reputation .

Cindy tells Harrison about the sometimes-secretive practice of ghostwriting, as well as its more visible cousin, franchise-writing. Max Brand's basement continues to publish. James Patterson eats a shelf. Kylo Ren falls in love. A werewolf loses a wig.   In this episode: Kinsey Millhone "alphabet series" (book series) by Sue Grafton "Miss Marple" (book series) by Agatha Christie "The Oregon Files"...

Cindy and Harrison are joined by their longtime library colleague (and first-time podcast co-host) Nancy, to discuss the life and legacy of country music legend Hank Williams (and the hereditary line of Hanks thereafter). Jett Williams gets her due. Hank Jr.'s rowdy friends come over (and a few of them stay the night). Hank III is a liminal creature. IV is besieged by a pretender to the throne.  ...

Harrison reads a short story from Lord Dunsany 's 1905 book " The Gods of Pegāna ." In this episode: " Of The Thing That Is Neither God Nor Beast " by Lord Dunsany

Harrison takes Cindy on a journey through the wild world of musical interpolation ! A folk singer lawyers up. Jazz players reference the Looney Tunes while emphasizing the 2 and the 4. Romanian authorities receive news of a crime. Eddie Money feels a hunger. It's a hunger.   In this episode: " Bayatılar " (song, 1989) by Eldar Mansurov " Be My Baby " (song, 1963) by The Ronettes Creative Commons l...

Cindy and Harrison mark the recent passing of three beloved cultural icons, and share some favorite memories.   In this episode:  "Clue" (film, 1985) dir. by Jonathan Lynn "It" (TV miniseries, 1990) "Muppet Treasure Island" (film, 1996) dir. by Brian Henson "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" (TV series, 2007-2010) "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" (TV series, 1988-1991) "9 to 5" (film, 1980) dir....

Cindy and Harrison take time out of a very busy week to chat about what they're currently reading!   In this episode: "Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire" (book, 2026) by Aaron Mahnke "Your Fellow Americans" (book, 2026) by Peter Santenello

Harrison introduces Cindy to a pair of early sound films! Eddie Cantor sings, dances, and tells some extremely 1920s jokes. Harrison talks about vacuum tubes (again). A lion rides a skateboard. A man with aggressively-parted hair manipulates a duck.  In this episode: "A Few Moments With Eddie Cantor" (film, 1923) "Gus Visser and His Singing Duck" (film, 1925)

Harrison reads "Moxon's Master" by Ambrose Bierce . No dubiously-sentient automata were used in the creation of this, or any, episode of The Free Bin.

Content Warning: This episode is all about death investigation, and contains discussions of violence, decomposition, and death planning. Cindy brings some books (two fiction and one nonfiction) paying homage to forensic science pioneer Frances Glessner Lee. Harrison tells a suprising story about a civil war grave. Coconut pairs well with coconut. In this episode: "Death in the Details" (book, 2024...

Cindy and Harrison face a barrage of random conversation starters from a website Cindy found . Harrison receives an exemplary poking stick. Cindy multitasks. Harrison comes to terms with gendered bath wipes.

Cindy and Harrison discuss the Luminate 2026 Midyear Report , via Billboard's summary . 

Harrison leads Cindy through the weird and wild journey of a cancelled early-'90s "Hellraiser" video game. We have such sights to show you!   In this episode: "Bible Adventures" (video game, 1991) by Wisdom Tree "Doom" (PC game, 1993) by id Software "Golly! Ghost!" (arcade game, 1990) by Namco "The Hellbound Heart" (book, 1986) by Clive Barker  "Hellraiser" (film, 1987) dir. by Clive Barker "Super...

In observance of Independence Day, Harrison reads an appeal delivered to Parliament by William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham , in 1775. Happy Fourth, everybody!

Cindy leads Harrison on a deep dive into the romance genre and its many, many subgenres! Dukes and Skarsgårds abound. A cowboy demonstrates nominative determinism. A fortune-telling session takes an uncomfortable turn.

Harrison shares some updates and reads "The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage" and "Fundevogel"--two German folktales collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and published in 1812 .

Harrison, Cindy and superstar volunteer Olga delve into the concept of " hauntology " and how it applies to culture, society, and music. In this episode: "Etched Headplate" by Burial "Everywhere at the End of Time" by The Caretaker "На Дне" by Molchat Doma "Redline" by Lazerhawk "Хочу перемен" by Kino    

Harrison and Cindy begin a two-episode trek into the Backrooms , and the concepts, history, and artistic movements that dwell within their endless corridors. In this episode: Backrooms (film, 2026) (IMdB) Kane Pixels (YouTube) r/LiminalSpace (subreddit)

Cindy and Harrison observe Memorial Day. Harrison introduces some new whale science. Vowels merge. Formants emerge from phonic lips. Pinchy abides.   In this episode: Beguš , et al. (2026). The phonology of sperm whale coda vowels. Proc Biol Sci, 293 (2069). https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.2994 Dominica Sperm Whale Project Fleet of Flowers Sperm whale sounds (from Voices in the Sea)

Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, violence, death, and war. This week, Cindy and Harrison discuss the rather harrowing books they've recently finished. Yes, you read that correctly: Harrison actually finished a book!   In this episode:  " Big Old Boats " (YouTube channel) " Brick Immortar " (YouTube channel) "The Gales of November" (book, 2025) by John U. Bacon "The Quiet Lib...

Harrison reads Richard Le Gallienne 's poem "May is Building Her House," from the " The Lonely Dancer and Other Poems " (1913).

Cindy and Harrison are joined by youth correspondent Anara to discuss the local weather and her favorite books!   In this episode: "Key Lime Pie Murder" (book) by Joanne Fluke "Lemon Meringue Pie Murder" by Joanne Fluke "The School For Whatnots" (book) by Margaret Peterson Haddix  

The gang shares bittersweet news and celebrates Autism Acceptance Month ! 

In light of the recent release of "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ," Sophia and Harrison celebrate and discuss the Super Mario franchise. Speculation, nostalgia, and digressions abound! Jumpman learns to jump and changes his name. Universes collide. A bandicoot gathers fruit. Cranky Kong loses his wife. Gorbachev makes a pizza.