So Pretentious... a podcast

So Pretentious Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers. Episode 15: So Valentine’s Day got us thinking about love...wait, but not in the way that you are thinking. There are many types of love out there yet the world only seems to focus on romantic love. Love exists beyond romance so let’s talk about it. I’ve got a sneaky...

So Pretentious Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers. Episode 14 - Saying No is Self-Care: Dr. Viana is back and we need her! She shares advice and critical self-care tips. Enjoy!  Mental health resources for the uninsured Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Anxiety and Depression Associati...

So Pretentious Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers. Episode 13: ...Happy New Year... I guess... The new year just started and we are already tired. Anyway, welcome to season 2.  Sleeping On Helder: Reading and Love and Rockets , graphic novel Vivian: Survivor   Moment in Self Care  Helder: Practicing acceptance and for...

So Pretentious Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers. Episode 12 - The Holidays are for Streaming (featuring special guest Edward Obell) Because of COVID-19 going to the movies seems to (temporarily?) be a thing of the past and streaming new blockbusters releases is the “wave of the future.” Join us as we discuss Wonder...

Mandolorian Chapter 16: “The Rescue” Summary:   We’re gathering up our Grogu rescue posse, including Boba, Fennec Shand, Bo-Katan, Koska Reeves and a not-particularly-reluctant Dr. Pershing.   After the crew intercepts Pershing and commandeers his Imperial Lambda Shuttle, Boba and Koska trade a few blows on an unnamed refinery planet before establishing yet another hasty alliance. The plan: Mega-M...

Mandolorian Chapter 15: “The Believer” Summary :  With the help of Marshall Cara Dune, Mando recruits ex-imperial sharpshooter Migs Mayfeld to help them locate Moff Gideon's Imperial Cruiser carrying the kidnapped Grogu. Written and directed by Rick Famuyiwa, who also helmed Season 1's The Prisoner with Bill Burr's previous time out as Mayfeld, we're given backstory to Mayfeld...

Episode 10 - Normalcy in Un-Normal Times This episode features special guest Dr. Viana Turcios-Cotto. She shares self-care and mental health strategies to help you get through the holiday season and beyond. This time of year is difficult for so many of us so let’s get through it together.  Article of Interest Is Your Therapist Qualified to Treat People of Color? By Monica T. Williams, Ph. D. Shout...

Mandolorian Chapter 14: “The Tragedy” Summary:   We’re setting down on Tython, where Mando and Grogu have an appointment at the Seeing Stone, and an unexpected meet up with Slave One and Boba Fett!  Expectations are naturally high, with Robert Rodriguez in the director’s chair for an action-packed 33 minutes. Helder and Edward break it all down with the usual attention to detail. Twitter: @helderm...

We’re finally getting to Corvus! Helder and Ed recap and break down the elements in the latest episode of The Mandalorian.   Chapter 13, “The Jedi” delivers on the long-awaited entrance into the series of former-Jedi Ahsoka Tano in her first official live-action incarnation, here played by Rosario Dawson. This episode also features some major pivot points, mostly centering on the origin and identi...

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.  Episode 9: The Watchmen Episode Part 2 We continue with our discussion the Watchmen HBO adaptation/continuation of the graphic novel. Adapted by Damon Lindelhof, we discuss the show's origin and fan service to the series that influenced it.  The episode features special guest,...

The Fourth Chapter in the spin off of the So Pretentious... extended universe, "This Way is So Pretentious" recaps and reviews Chapter 12 of "The Mandalorian":  The Seige. Mandalorians Helder and Edward do a deep dive into the latest episode that finds Lone Mando and Child taking their wrecked Razor Crest back to Nevarro to repair while sipping tea with old friends, Greef Carga...

So Pretentious Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.  Episode 8: The Watchmen Episode Part 1 We discuss the origins of The Watchmen graphic novel. Its characters and cultural significance as well as its continued relevance. We also discuss the Zack Synder film adaptation which we had plenty of...uh...thoughts about. The...

The Third Chapter in the spin off of the So Pretentious... extended universe, "This Way is So Pretentious" recaps and reviews Chapter 11 of "The Mandalorian":  The Heiress. Mandalorians Helder and Edward do a deep dive into The Nite Owls, Death Watch, the Watch, The Children of the Watch, Timex Watches. We try to redeem The Child's voracious appetite for destruction while...

The Second Chapter in the spin off of the So Pretentious... extended universe, "This Way is So Pretentious" recaps and reviews Chapter 10 of "The Mandalorian",  The Passenger. Helder and Edward do a deep dive into an ice planet with Lone Mando and Child and their Uber fare, Frog Lady and her precious cargo of caviar, while trying to hide from New Republic X-Wing patrol pilots a...

So Pretentious Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.  Episode 7:  It is tough out there and we discuss some ways that you can take care of yourself. Please do what you can to make yourself a priority even if it is just for a few minutes.  “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an...

Two friends discuss The Mandalorian. 

So Pretentious Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.  Episode 6: Self Care Thy Name Is Cupcake  We end spooky season by discussing movies and television shows that creep us out. And yes, we do talk about Lovecraft Country again, primarily episode 7 and a little bit of 8 and 9 so consider yourself warned. Helder shares t...

So Pretentious Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.  Episode 5: The Snobbery of Reading  We discuss the snobbery surrounding reading. In order to be seen as “literate” you must read the right books written by the right people which means graphic novels are a big no-no. Also, even if you read the right books they only c...

So Pretentious  Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.  We started the conversation with a discussion about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of mammograms then we decided to keep the cancer talk going (because f*ck cancer). How does it impact the person living with it? How does it impact family and other...

We wanted to honor World Mental Health Day by sharing our own mental health struggles and coping strategies. We hope this helps. Please be kind to yourself, especially during these difficult times. Mental services/resources for those without health insurance: 7 Ways to Seek Therapy Without Breaking the Bank How to Access Therapy and Other Mental Health Services If You Don’t Have Insurance   We dis...

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers. We discuss (partial list): Lovecraft Country episodes 1-5n - HBO & HBO Max The Alien Trilogy (yes, trilogy) The Terror: Infamy (season 2) - Hulu & AMC A.P. Bio - The Peacock streaming service Gremlins Child stars and the film and television industry Tia and Tamera Mowry Livi...

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers. We discuss (partial list): October is all about scary movies!  Scary movies that Helder hasn’t watched Aliens (yes, again but very briefly) The Exorcist and James Baldwin The Scream films Candyman Wine - Drinking culture Friday the 13th Nightmare on Elm Street and a New Nightmare  M...