Aggressive Negotiations: A Star Wars Podcast

Nic Anastassiou: The Yoda Arc. Matt and John are joined by a special guest Nic Anastassiou, veteran editor on The Clone Wars series, to discuss their perspectives on the “Lost Missions” Yoda arc . Revisiting it in a new era, with The Clone Wars about to return with new stories, they discuss how the episodes stretch and reimagine what we knew about the story and the meaning of the Star Wars saga, i...

The Last Jedi, Revisited. As part of their re-examination of the saga in preparation for Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, Matt and John return to Ahch-To and reassess their takes on Star Wars: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. Did their opinions shift? Listen and find out! Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com...

Ahead of the Curve. Is there an intrinsic part of the Star Wars saga that makes it a more fertile ground for non-linear, non-sequential storytelling? John and Matt discuss in depth what they see as evidence that Lucas laid a framework that will make this franchise more resilient than most. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.fac...

Rey of Darkness, Rey of Light. John and Matt peel the onion of the latest revealed footage from Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, which teases an image of a Dark Rey with a double-bladed red lightsaber. They explore the likelihood of a dark fate for Rey, and along the way share some passing thoughts on Kenobi’s upcoming series and The Mandalorian’s first official trailer. Host John Mil...

Book Club: The Shattered Peace. Matt and John continue their Jedi Book Club with the 10th story in the Jedi Apprentice series. “The Shattered Peace,” by Jude Watson, features new planets and cultures, and questions of moving forward from the past. Join the Jedi Masters as they examine the story, themes, and execution on this “Legends” tale. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback...

All About the Aliens. Star Wars is known for a lot of great elements, and aliens are one of the most visible highlights. Matt and John shine a light on what the aliens in the saga have said about humanity and to humanity, and how their cultures have come into even greater focus with the television series. They also discuss their hopes for the possibilities to explore even more alien cultures in fu...

The Possession Question. John and Matt explore an idea that may explain a lot about the Sequel Trilogy and Ben Solo in specific. Or it may not, but either way it leads to an interesting discussion about the possible avenues of story for the end of the Skywalker Saga. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/...

The Unknown Regions. Matt and John explore the Star Wars galaxy’s Unknown Regions, a place that franchise authors have explored for years, and now are re-exploring. Even Disney’s parks are starting to look in that direction with Galaxy’s Edge and other materials. Does it mean this is the great new frontier for Star Wars shows and movies going forward, or just a way to sell tie-in materials? Host J...

Who's Your Master? John and Matt discuss and debate the role of the Master in Jedi formation, what sort of Master is best for a Jedi, and examples of those who have helped define not what a Jedi Master was, but what they should be. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.thenerdparty.com/...

Attack of the Surprises. Matt and John revisit Attack of the Clones and share what they thought were the most surprising moments in Star Wars Episode II. From Fetts to finales, genre influences to Dooku, find out what caught the Masters off guard in 2002. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http...

Time and Space in Star Wars. John and Matt celebrate another turning of the Galactic Core for Jedi Master Rushing, as they explore what time, space, and experience mean for a galaxy far, far away. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.thenerdparty.com/contact Subscribe in Apple Podcasts...

Last Jedi Score. Matt and John complete their journey through the Star Wars scores with the last stop on the journey to The Rise of Skywalker: John Williams’ score for The Last Jedi. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.thenerdparty.com/contact Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Make sure you...

#Bendemption John and Matt address a hot topic that's fueling a lot of speculation about the plot of Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. They debate the odds of the possible redemption of Ben Solo/Kylo Ren, known online as #Bendemption, what it means to the larger story, and whether it's as satisfying an ending as Star Wars fans might hope. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us you...

Galactic Rock. Matt and John explore the soundscape of a galaxy far, far away as established not by the stellar scores and use of leitmotif, but by the in-universe music of Jabba's palace, podracing arenas, Takodana castles, and Zeb's chill time. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.th...

Book Club: The Fight for Truth. John and Matt return to the Jedi Book Club to revisit Jude Watson's Jedi Apprentice: Book 9: The Fight for Truth. They discover the enduring lessons, the shift in regard for the Jedi way across different eras, and what the work says about Star Wars stories speaking to universal themes across generations. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twi...

Holo Transmissions. Matt and John fulfill a long-standing promise to talk about some communications they've received from across the galaxy, spurring some interesting discussions about Star Wars questions and observations having to do with Rey, lineage, Skywalkers, titles, and a few surprising twists and turns. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Fac...

The Phantom Menace Commentary. To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Phantom Menace, Matt and John returned to the the first Episode in a nine-part family saga to bring you a commentary track for Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Nothing was the same after we saw the beginning of it all, with a movie that challenged and expanded everything we thought we knew about the Star Wars galaxy....

The Jedi Council. John and Matt discuss the world-building, and perception-shifting, appearance of The Jedi Council in Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It was one of the things that changed everything about Star Wars twenty years ago, and they discuss their first thoughts, the characters that resonated from the first moment, and the story arcs since that have proven what a rich story Geor...

Paul Duncan: The Star Wars Archives 1977-1983. This year on May the 4th, the unofficial/official Star Wars Day, Matthew Rushing was able to talk to Paul Duncan, author of The Star Wars Archives. We discussed the way the book came about, finding the key to telling this story and about the book. This is truly an episode not to miss! Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter:...

Galaxy's Eats. Matt and John discuss the note about what drinks are going to be served at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. This spurs a fun discussion on the eating habits of a galaxy far, far away, the challenges of galactic food culture, and what Yoda's preferred drink was...among a few other fun notes. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https:...

Celebrating Celebration. John interviews Matt about his time at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago. Hear first-hand about the most exciting moments on the panels, the emotional vibe of an amazing crowd, and the impact of all the first-hand exclusives. They discuss the most resonant moments, the most magical memories, and the feelings that need to be carried out through fandom. Host John Mills and Ma...

New Republic's End. John and Matt explore an interconnected point between the original Star Wars episodes and the sequel trilogy thus far: the role of Papatine's machinations in bringing about the fall of the New Republic. Starting with a single exchange among the Imperial military on the Death Star, they expound what may have been Palpatine's one true master stroke to ensure everything fell with...

The Sound of an Awakening. Matt and John continue their methodical examination of the Star Wars scores, as they arrive at the sequel trilogy to discuss John Williams' work for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. They discuss triumphant returns, discordant orchestrations, and the genesis of new and memorable themes. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Faceb...

Mother of the Force. John and Matt discuss one of the more mysterious and intriguing figures from the prequel era, Shmi Skywalker. Who was this humble woman? How did she retain such a strong, nurturing outlook in the midst of a slave's life? Why was she the perfect vessel to bring the Chosen One into the galaxy? They examine these questions, and posit others about the Mother of the Force. Host Joh...

A Pod and a Prayer. Matt and John take a close look at podracing, from the fun and silly to the serious considerations of how you'd regulate such a dangerous sport in a galaxy far, far away. Along the way, they uncover on some surprising considerations and unexpected complexities born from George Lucas' desire to have a visionary space race. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedbac...