Aggressive Negotiations: A Star Wars Podcast

Star Wars Catharsis. If there’s one thing Star Wars knows how to deliver, especially to its fans, it’s emotional release. Given the current state of the world, Matt and John explore the cathartic moments from the saga that speak most strongly to them, and ask you: Where do you find catharsis in Star Wars? Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook:...

The Anakin Conundrum. John and Matt discuss a new tidbit officially entered into Star Wars lore by a recent episode of The Clone Wars: that Obi-Wan knew about Anakin and Padme’s secret relationship. They discuss what motivated him to keep the secret, what it meant for him to keep the secret, and precisely how deep his knowledge ran. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitte...

Book Club: The Dangerous Rescue. Matt and John return to the Jedi Book club to discuss Jedi Apprentice: The Dangerous Rescue, the 13th book in the classic Young Adult series. They explore the deep themes that resonate all these years later through a book for younger audiences, the similarities in approach and execution to the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, their favorite parts, and where the re...

Controversial Opinions. In this episode, John and Matt discuss some recent poll results from the @TheJediMasters twitter account, and then John asks Matt his opinions on what turns out to be a very controversial read of The Rise of Skywalker. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.thener...

The Shape of Wars. The 201st issue of Aggressive Negotiations finds Matt and John discussing the decision to have The Clone Wars include the beloved Jedi characters from the prequels, and not focus on the clones exclusively. They look at how that shaped the show, what insights it provided for the characters, the value of small human moments and the philosophical ramifications of war, and more. Hos...

Maul, Mandalore & Milestones. 200! John and Matt have swept into another milestone episode, offering a commentary on the four-episode Maul arc from The Clone Wars. Sith are setting up syndicates. Obi-Wan is everywhere. They can’t believe it’s been so long since they started this podcast. They appreciate everyone who’s been along for the ride, and look forward to presenting you with more #StarWarsL...

Skipping Death Stars. Matt and John make the jump to hyperspace to figure out...hyperspace rules in the Sequel Trilogy era. It all starts with an innocent question about whether a Death Star could use a Sith Wayfinder to get to Exegol, touches on how Lightspeed Skipping might work, and ends up back at things that might make the Millenium Falcon special. Their heads were spinning by the end, and yo...

The Rise of Ghosts. John presents one of his surprise topics with Matt, trying to puzzle through all the possibilities and problems presented by the presence of Jedi voices at the end of Episode IX. What does it mean in terms of Palpatine’s goals? Does it break established lore? Was Ben Solo trained in the retention of identity after death? They discuss all this and more. Host John Mills and Matth...

Book Club: The Evil Experiment. John and Matt return to the Jedi Apprentice series with a look at Book 12, again authored by Jude Watson, The Evil Experiment. The book spurs discussions about how much the galaxy knows about what makes the Jedi special, the dangers of ethical and moral relativity, and the continuing development of Obi-Wan’s character on an arc that pays off in the prequels. Host Jo...

Parallels. This week John and Matt are inspired by a listener email to discuss the parallels between Anakin and Obi-Wan, as well as the ways they relate to some of the new ideas from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.thenerdparty.com/contact Subscri...

The Nature of Evil. As we continue to absorb and discuss The Rise of Skywalker, John and Matt continue the conversation spurred by their examination of the Force Dyad, and discuss the nature of Evil within mythology, within Star Wars, and what lessons it offers the world. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdP...

Two That are One. After the Rise of Skywalker, fans have focused on the idea of Rey and Ben being a Dyad, a group of two, connected inextricably through the Force. Matt and John discuss the intention and expression of the idea as it’s found in the movie, and what it might mean within the context of the saga. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebo...

Book Club: The Deadly Hunter. As the dust settles from The Rise of Skywalker, Matt and John return to a slightly different timeline for that galaxy far, far away as they look at Book 11 in the Jedi Apprentice series, The Deadly Hunter. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.thenerdparty....

Skywalker Risen. A long time have they waited...and you have too. It’s the inevitable reaction show to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker from the Jedi Masters themselves. 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 follow us on...

Smuggler's Fun. John and Matt complete their revisit of the Disney-era Star Wars films before The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters as they return to the rip-roaring adventure starring everyone’s favorite scoundrel, Solo: A Star Wars Story. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.thenerdpar...

Padme's Light. Matt and John discuss a note from a listener, whose theory on the meaning and mechanism of Padme’s life and death gives rise to a new interpretation of the character’s arc and the prequels as a whole. Join Matt and John as they explore the meaning of Padme’s light. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...

The Age of the Mandalorian. John and Matt explore the intricate world building of the Mandalorians, and how it’s evolved from the Age of Republic during the Star Wars: The Clone Wars to the Age of Rebellion during Star Wars Rebels, to what can now be called...The Age of The Mandalorian! Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebo...

Thanksgungan 2019. The holiday season is upon us once more, and that brings with it our own special tradition: An episode where we give thanks for everything we’ve loved about Star Wars - and Star Wars fandom - for the year. That’s right, it’s time for...Thanksgungan! Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty...

Fan Balance in Star Wars. Few phrases are as loaded in franchise discussion as “fan service.” With the release of The Mandalorian to Disney+, John and Matt explore the more positive aspects of the term, and exactly what “fan service" might mean in the context of a long-running franchise. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.faceb...

Visions of the Future. “Always in motion is the future,” as a wise green Jedi once said. Given that truth, and the recent news from Disney/Lucasfilm, Matt and John ponder what the future holds for that cherished galaxy far, far away, and what new surprises are in store. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdPar...

Introducing Star Wars. John and Matt ponder the question, after decades of material and fandom, “How would you introduce Star Wars to someone who’s never seen it before?” 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 follow us o...

Vader's Soul(e). Matt and John discuss the Fortress Vader arc that closed out Charles Soule’s time with the Dark Lord, and established his motivations and methods for creating a very foreboding castle on the fiery shores of Mustafar. They share what makes Soule’s work so enduring, and indelibly authentic for a galaxy far, far away. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter...

Faith of the Force. Continuing on a thread spurred from last week’s episode, John and Matt explore the role of faith in the destiny of the Star Wars galaxy. From its impact on the lives of the Jedi to the formative lesson about its importance at the core of the saga, they examine it as only they can. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters Facebook: http...

Power of the Force. As fans eagerly anticipate The Rise of Skywalker, Chris Terrio, who helped JJ Abrams write the film, has teased one of the questions that they contemplated while constructing the story and it's this; "How strong is the Force?". This week John and Matt dive into this question and see where it takes us in the Star Wars universe. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your fe...

Henry Gilroy: The Ryloth Arc. Writer/producer Henry Gilroy of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels joins John and Matt to discuss the final arc of the first season of The Clone Wars. He shares insights and stories on character and story origins, never-before-heard anecdotes from behind the scenes, and news about his upcoming Netflix project. an animated adaptation of Magic: The Gathering...