Duck Town

Alex, Emily, and John discuss George Orwell's landmark fable ANIMAL FARM (1945).  Is the satirical allegorical novella funny? Does it secretly loathe the animals on the farm? What truth does it capture about life inside a totalitarian system?   In addition to the fable, Alex, Emily, and John chat about Louis Menand's character study essay about George Orwell that appeared in the New York...

Not to be confused with Disney's Pinocchio (2022)! In this episode, Emily and Andrea discuss Guillermo del Toro's stop-motion masterpiece - a strong contender for Best Animated Film. You haven't seen Pinocchio quite like this, in a tale about free will, family, life, death, and hot chocolate. Recommendations: Uzumaki/Spiral into Horror by Junji Ito Tomie by Junji Ito Gyo/Fish by Jun...

Andrea and Emily talk about the 1977 psychedelic Japanese horror film, House, which has gained a cult following for its unique visuals. They also talk about the differences between Japanese and Western horror and horror archetypes. Recommendations: Emma by Jane Austen Why I Wake Early: New Poems by Mary Oliver Dracula by Bram Stoker The Addams Family (1991) Intro music: Bossa In My Heart by SergeQ...

Andrea and Emily talk about the animated mini-series Over the Garden Wall. It's a show full of autumn imagery and Americana that is sure to get you into the spooky spirit. We follow the adventures of the brothers Wirt and Greg and their friend Beatrice as they wander through the woods in The Unknown and encounter a town of pumpkin people, a riverboat frog band, a witch in the woods, and the b...

In light of the announced upcoming Super Mario movie, Andrea and Emily talk about the infamous 1993 film, Super Mario Bros! Critically and financially unsuccessful, this film has nonetheless gained a cult following. It's a wild, adventurous story about two brothers, plumbers, who fall into a gritty, alternate version of New York and have to save a princess. Intro music: Kim Lightyear - Angel...

We talk with Marian Buchanan about growing up on the farm, meeting her husband, dancing to their favorite tune,  and much more!

Catherine Hochstein, who will soon turn 95, talks about growing up poor in a big family, shares memories of an influential person in her younger years, reminisces about working for Good Samaritan, and much more!

We uncovered some lost audio from another discussion we had about Divided We Fall by David French, so we're releasing it a little belatedly as a part two! In this podcast Alex, Andrea, and Emily talk about how the community-wide read went, the challenges and benefits of leading book discussions, and how the library's Book Club is going. In spring and early summer, the Lodi Library handed...

Alex and Emily discuss Albert Camus' landmark novella THE STRANGER.  A writing style that is at times muted and reserved and other times profoundly poetic, this story has confounded and compelled readers since its release in 1942. How does the book speak to our time and all times? Is the book funny? Why does Meursault do the things he does? Is he a sociopath? Is the book falling out of favor...

In spring and early summer, the Lodi Library handed out 200 free copies of Divided We Fall by David French and then had Daniel Kapust, a political science professor from UW-Madison, present at the library. Afterwards, the group had lunch together and discussed the book.  In this podcast, Alex, John, and Tori talk about how that all went, while also reflecting on last year's read. They also ta...

John, Andrea and Emily discuss legendary Japanese animator and storyteller, Hayao Miyazaki, and two of his visionary films: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and Princess Mononoke (1997).

"Baby, I'm amazed at the way you podcast all the time And maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you."  Alex and John discuss the individual Beatles albums of 1970 and draft songs from each album to make their own personal Beatles album of 1970. 

"One more time on the podcast / One more time to be free." Alex and John discuss The Clash and punk rock music before sharing their playlists for the 1980 triple album Sandinista!, released just one year after London Calling.  Opening conversation about The Clash and punk music 0:00-36:00 Sandinista playlists 36:01-93:00 Coda 93:01-END 

 "Guilty of being the God of Mischief?  Yes.  Guilty of finding this all incredibly tedious?  Yes.  Guilty of a crime against the Sacred Timeline?  Absolutely not. You have the wrong podcast." Lindsey, Emma, Jensen, and Becky dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe to discuss the Disney TV miniseries' "WandaVision" and "Loki."  Produced by Becky Collyard

 "You don't want to get mixed up with a podcast like me.  I'm a loner, a rebel."   Lindsey, John, and Becky discuss three lesser-known "big" Tim Burton movies, "Pee Wee's Big Adventure," "Big Fish," and "Big Eyes." 

"Why you no podcast? / Why you no even care?" Alex is joined by Lindsey Meekhof and Emma VanderKooi to discuss the new HBO limited series "The White Lotus" and John Mayer's eighth full-length studio release "Sob Rock."  Intro - 0.00 to 1:09 The White Lotus - 1:10 to 43:00 Sob Rock - 43:01 to 01:39:30 Recommendations - 01:39:31 to 01:46:17 Lindsey: "Steam&quo...

"Podcasts need three basic things in order to be content: they need to feel competent at what they do; they need to feel authentic in their lives; and they need to feel connected to others."  Alex, Jodi, and Laurie discuss Lodi's first Community-Wide Read of Sebastian Junger's book Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging.  They reflect on the panel event in July, what went well and...

"Podcasts don't mind hardship, in fact they thrive on it; what they mind is not feeling necessary. Modern society has perfected the art of making people not feel necessary. it's time for that to end." Alex, Becky, John, and Lindsey discuss Lodi's first Community-Wide Read of Sebastian Junger's book Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging.  They reflect on the panel event i...

"But look, I made you a podcast. Daddy made you your favorite, open wide."  Alex is joined by Lindsey Meekhof and Emma VanderKooi to discuss two triumphant releases in May 2021: Bo Burnham's "Inside" and Olivia Rodrigo's "Sour."  Bo Burnham 00:00:30 - 1:04:13 Olivia Rodrigo: 1:04:14 - 1:43:49 End Show Recommendations: 1:43:50 - 1:50:59 END SHOW RECOMMENDATIO...

 "I won't be late for this, late for that, late for the podcast of my life."   John, Becky, and special guest Claire Schoenemann discuss the American folk rock band, The Lumineers, and make playlists out of their three albums: The Lumineers, Cleopatra, and III.  Produced by Becky Collyard

"Strange things are afoot at the Duck Town Podcast." John and Becky discuss "The Mummy" and "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." They also delve into other things John hates and Becky loves...and vice versa. Produced by Becky Collyard

"Lay down your money and you play your part / Every podcast has a hungry heart." Alex and John talk about American music legend Bruce Springsteen. Then they make playlists out of The Boss's 1980 classic THE RIVER, using the official LP and the extra tracks released on 2016's THE TIES THAT BIND.

"Why a podcast, cousin? Why not an axe?" "Because it's DULL you twit!" Alex, Becky, and John discuss 1991's romantic adventure film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves."

"If you want to podcast, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love."  Alex, Becky, and John discuss two classic thrillers from 1991: Point Break and Silence of the Lambs. 

Baby steps to the podcast feed.  Alex, Becky, Jodi, and John discuss two movies from 1991: The Fisher King and What About Bob?