FYIZ

With "Plan and Execution," the seventh installment of Better Call Saul's final season, the show has taken what may be its most shocking turn yet! So it's a good thing returning favorites Bekah and Jonathan Eaton are here to assist with the cleanup of this very messy situation, including the pressing matter of who, exactly, we're rooting for, as well as some half-baked predictions for the remainder...

For the first time on Saul Searching: A guest with a law degree! Erin Oliver-James makes a case for "Axe and Grind," the latest episode of Better Call Saul, written by Ariel Levine and directed by the actor sometimes known as Gus Fring, Giancarlo Esposito. It happens today.

When Ronald and Steve—John's co-hosts on the long-running Movie Schmovie podcast—pop in for a chat, you can count on two things: pure unbridled chemistry and fart jokes. So with that as a promise and a warning, listen in as the guys dig into "Black and Blue," the fifth episode of Better Call Saul's final season.

She's back! Friend, podcaster, and generally creative person Bekah Eaton takes a break from several elaborate and vindictive schemes to discuss "Hit and Run," the fourth episode of Better Call Saul's sixth season, which is directed by Kim Wexler herself (aka Rhea Seehorn).

Podcaster and filmmaker Bob Rose crawls out of a giant oil puddle in an abandoned tanker to discuss the Nacho-centric third episode of Better Call Saul's sixth season, "Rock and Hard Place."

In a bold return to television recapping that some are calling irresponsible and others, merely unnecessary, John Walker hereby revives Saul Searching, the podcast all about AMC's beloved Breaking Bad spinoff, Better Call Saul. To help break down "Wine and Roses" and "Carrot and Stick," the first two episodes of BCS's final season, good friends Bekah and Jonathan Eaton pop in bearing insights and...

Our first guest ever on Playing Records with John is back! It's Brad Armstrong and the occasion is the release of Heart Like a Sigil—his third solo album overall but his debut on Flower Moon Records, the label founded by frequent collaborator Maria Taylor. Songwriting shoptalk, recording secrets, and theories about the nature of the universe are contained herein. Proceed with caution! And for gosh...

Author and filmmaker Polly Schattel returns to talk about her second novel, the bracingly violent but enjoyably pulpy Shadowdays, available now from Journalstone Publishing. Find out why Polly decided to convert a shelved screenplay into a book, who Robert Longstreet would have played in the movie that never happened, and what makes troubled protagonist Melissa Sweet tick (in a "broken clock" kind...

Making a good third movie in a cinematic trilogy is hard enough, without it also being the third trilogy in a trio of trilogies! (The previous sentence was intended to weed out the faint of heart. Only the heroes are left. You may continue.) In this galaxy-spanning podcast, pop culture obsessives Bekah Eaton, Jonathan Eaton, John Walker, and Mike White discuss the third Star Wars trilogy, aka Epis...

Horror author Gemma Files is back, this time to chat about tales from her most recent collection of short stories—In That Endlessness, Our End—as well as a couple excellently creepy films, the mystery of mortality, how to run a shared fictional universe, and a gaggle of horror books, both classic and recent, that you need on your shelf. (Part 2 of 2)   Follow Gemma on Twitter! - @gemmafiles   Foll...

Multi-hyphenated, autodidactic creative force Gemma Files writes horror fiction that is sharp-witted, often disturbing, and fun as hell. In this episode, she talks about her 2015 novel Experimental Film, from the development of the characters to the book’s themes of parenthood, artistic integrity, and the importance of hard work. (Part 1 of 2) Follow Gemma on Twitter! - @gemmafiles Follow John on...

Sue Drew has been in the music biz since the late 80s and as an A&R exec for various labels, she’s worked closely with acts like Michelle Shocked (back when she seemed cool), They Might Be Giants, Phish, and Barenaked Ladies. Sue is also a very direct and open person, so this conversation covers the decisions she’s proud of as well as candid assessment of a few missteps—a must-listen for anyone wh...

After a ten-year break from releasing albums, Azure Ray is back with Remedy, a gorgeous set of shimmering songs that redefines their classic sound. Singer/songwriters Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor open up about the process of making a record in isolation, the thoughts behind a few standout lyrics, and a variety of topics ranging from vocal cord surgery to wild suburban parrots.

Birmingham, AL-based rock band Dree Leer is here to hype their brand-new debut LP, Throw Hands, so a good time is guaranteed! Singer/guitarist Jackie Lo, bassist Mandy Graffeo, and drummer Mikey D Williams share tales about the forming of the current lineup, explain the logistics of finishing an album during quarantine, and reveal why they call Mikey The Living Shitzam. So, yeah, like I said, a go...

Velena Vego, longtime talent buyer for Athens, Georgia’s storied 40 Watt Club and Atlanta’s Buckhead Theatre, as well as manager for veteran indie rockers Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, looks back on her decades in the music biz, from her early days fronting 80s band Mystery Date, to this weird year of lockdown with no shows to run.

Otis Ball released an album of guitar pop called I’m Gonna Love You ’Til I Don’t in 1989, then recorded a more classically rockin' follow-up that was never released. But that doesn’t mean Otis hasn’t been busy! In this candid, career-spanning conversation, Mr. Ball fills in the story of his early days and his continued love of collaboration through a batch of intimate, energetic, and sometimes exp...

Recording Artist Jordan Cooper, aka Trouble’s Afoot, aka co-host of the Don’t Let’s Start podcast, aka a guy who wrote and recorded a bunch of songs, is BACK. This time we delve into some of his favorite demos from his considerable backlog of ideas, including at least one instant novelty classic! Get [expletive] stoked. Buy Trouble’s Afoot’s album “Looking For Parking” at: troublesafoot.bandcamp.c...

New York—based musician and podcaster Jordan Cooper, aka Trouble’s Afoot, makes tuneful, witty, observational songs that could only come from his point of view. In this episode, he tells the tale of his early development as a songwriter and audio addict. Buy Trouble’s Afoot’s album “Looking For Parking” at: troublesafoot.bandcamp.com Follow Jordan and Dave Fox’s encyclopedic They Might Be Giants p...

Country artist India Ramey joins in for a candid conversation about bad dads, cheap whiskey and black magic. All four of her albums are covered, including the stories behind key tracks. This is a must-listen for fans and a great introduction for newcomers to India's powerful, rousing, and sometimes gut-wrenching songs.   Follow India on Twitter @indiaramey!   Follow India on Instagram @indiarameym...

Ron James and Sir Tizzy, aka Catch the Fade, released their second EP, Black and Highly Favored, in 2019.  When it was still brand new (and people still sat down face to face), we sat down face to face to talk about each track, from the concepts to the execution.   Check out Sir Tizzy’s new solo EP, The MidKnight Hour! https://lnkfi.re/tmkh   Dig into Catch the Fade’s singles series from 2020! htt...

Multi-faceted talent Kristen Toedtman drops by to discuss her musical beginnings, her songwriting process, and the possible meaning of her last name. Along the way we hear some rare recordings, from voice memos to demos with fleshed-out alternate arrangements. Not to be missed!

One year ago we lost the beloved Neil Innes, a gently acerbic comedian with a knack for sideways pop pastiches that are as sturdy and hook-filled as the hits they’re sending up. Longtime friend of the show Skizz Cyzyk returns to pick some gems from Innes’s storied career, including memorable work with The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and The Rutles. Stick around till the very end for a musical surprise.

Funtime nerds Bekah Eaton, Jonathan Eaton, and John Walker gather for the second meeting of Star Wars Support Group, a safe place to enthuse shamelessly and voice concerns about the most overhyped, overrated, overexposed and totally awesome film franchise ever. This time around, they talk about Solo, Rogue One, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Mandalorian! The episo...

In the debut episode of TV Treasure Trove, we dig into The Randy Fellows, a once-beloved sitcom that has all but disappeared from the collective consciousness.

Sarah Read’s fiction is brutal, strange, and beguiling, so it’s a pleasure to have her on the season finale of SKEERT. And she exceeded already high expectations, affably breaking down the inspirations and intentions behind some stories from her disturbingly good collection, Out of Water. Add in some gorgeous ambient music from sonic wizard Daniel Farris, and this is the Halloween podcast that you...