Interview with a Bothan: A Star Wars Podcast

In discussing the back half of I, Jedi (1998), Lou and Lenny uncover the similarities between social media algorithms and the dark side of the force. The duo then continue to raise questions about Corran Horn’s character, particularly in relation to his views on women. If this sounds concerningly on-topic for these two, fear not! The episode begins with a discussion of how movies from the 1960s ca...

Have you ever wondered what happens when someone with ADHD takes their meds too early in the day? Well you’re in luck! On this episode of Interview With A Bothan, Lou and Lenny attempt to tackle the first 25 chapters of I, Jedi (1998). Is this done successfully? That is debatable but there is discussion of copaganda, AI, and clouds.  Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  Music: Th...

Lenny and Lou are back in the trenches with Isard’s Revenge (1999) by Michael A. Stackpole. Before they talk much about the Galaxy Far Far Away’s leadership crisis, however, the two get sidetracked by a discussion of Montréal mayoral politics and the cost of groceries. Bringing it back to slightly more relevant matters, Lou and Lenny marvel at the New Republic’s hawkish neoliberalism and ponder ho...

Lenny is out of the country doing some medical tourism, so enjoy this review of The Mandalorian and Grogu . We recorded this the day the film came out, so apologies for any misconceptions we have about the film itself or anything else. This episode features Thomas Seibel! Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  Music: Thomas Seibel Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at...

Lou and Lenny are taking a quick detour from the X-Wing series to cover The Courtship of Princess Leia (1994). The duo is struck by Han Solo’s unfortunate similarities to Corran Horn in this book, prompting questions about Corellian society at large. Lou then divulges just how much they know about Corellia, while despairing about the decline of baseball. Lenny shares their findings about Canon vs....

This episode, Lou and Lenny allegedly talk about the last instalment of the Wraith Squadron Trilogy, Solo Command (1999). In reality, Lou is losing their mind over the status of Montreal’s public services and Lenny is possessed by the ‘average Tik-Tok creator’ who is seemingly unaware of the industrial revolution. Trigger warning timestamp 1:18:11-1:33:11 for discussion of Unit 731/Nazi medical ex...

This episode, Lou and Lenny are covering Iron Fist (1998), the second Wraith Squadron book and sixth in the X-Wing Series! As of this recording, Lou is a week out from their wisdom tooth removal. Lenny has thoughts and feelings about Myn Donos and technofascism, which are more related than one might think. They also ask the question, are Corellian men bad in bed? Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Lavert...

While discussing Aaron Allston’s Wraith Squadron (1998) Lenny and Lou initially focus on the ethics and history of the use of bioweapons but at some point start playing smash or pass with Canadian Prime Ministers. Lenny gets serious about workplace rights and protections and reveals more about their day job than they probably should. The duo then discuss the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and how mo...

On this episode of Interview With A Bothan, we become a layman’s tech podcast before covering Bacta War . Lou laments that they want another updated special edition of Star Wars: A New Hope while updating Lenny on the dire straits that is the SSD/HDD market. Lenny, on the other hand, is actually on task and has thoughts and feelings about Tycho’s teenage-like atheism.  Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou...

Lenny and Lou make it through an entire episode without mentioning WMDs or biological warfare! We’re covering The Krytos Trap (1996) this week. Lenny thinks that Corran Horn would learn a lot from watching the hit TV show, Loiter Squad and Lou needs everyone to know that the Star Wars Holiday Special is the most influential film of all time. Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  M...

Lou and Lenny take front row seats to the covert-op to take Coruscant in Wedge’s Gamble (1996). Lenny is seemingly unaware that they are basically the same age as Corran Horn (25)   while complaining about his daddy issues and Lou just can't get over their dislike for him.   Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  Music: Thomas Seibel Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email...

Lou and Lenny tackle the first installment of the X-Wing series! Rogue Squadron (1996) follows the reformation of the iconic (in and out of universe) x-wing squadron during the early years of the New Republic. Lenny reveals that their opinions of Ahsoka have made them an enemy of the public and Lou can't stop calling Corran Horn ‘Corn,’ before they both analyze what it means to have ‘Harrison Ford...

Discussing the leadup to Thrawn’s exile laid out in Timothy Zahn’s conclusion to The Ascendancy Trilogy, Lesser Evil (2021), as well as Thrawn and Thrass’s tragic backstory, Lou and Lenny get unusually emotional and reflect on memory and friendship. Lenny over-intellectualizes a one-off comment comparing Thrawn’s trajectory to Anakin’s. Lou explains the different forms of conspiratorial thinking,...

Lou and Lenny discuss the second installment of the Ascendancy Trilogy, Greater Good (2021) by Timothy Zahn. Chiss military culture prompts a discussion of girlbosses in the military, and the chafing of military and political interests through the lens of Chiss family drama. Lenny talks about the early study of religion in relation to how (what we know as) the Force appears in this book. Lou expou...

Lou and Lenny start the Ascendancy Trilogy! Chaos Rising (2020) follows Thrawn at the start of his military career where he shows his early affinity for pre-emptive strikes. Join Lou and Lenny as they meander through conversation topics as wide ranging as conditional familial bonds, the significance of flag rank, and the inherent intimacy of hand-to-hand combat.  Have questions, comments, or conce...

In this episode, Lou and Lenny finish Timothy Zahn’s Empire Trilogy. Thrawn Treason was a fan favorite, Lou cannot comprehend why Ezra Bridger is barred from being an adult. Lenny, on the other hand, is obsessed with Imperial aesthetics. Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos Music: Thomas Seibel Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at interviewwithabothan@gmail.com Find...

In this episode, Lou and Lenny are discussing the second installment of the Imperial Trilogy, Thrawn: Alliances . Lou geeks out about historiography in the GFFA and Lenny, the city slicker they are, is fascinated by the indoctrination of rural populations in fascist regimes.  Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos  Music: Thomas Seibel Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us...

Episode 4- Thrawn (2017) In this episode, Lou and Lenny begin their journey with the canon Thrawn books! Thrawn , published in 2017, explores Thrawn’s beginnings as an asset to the Galactic Empire. While Lou and Lenny are fascinated by Eli Vanto and Ahrinda Pryce, they also discuss the implications of femininity in fascist spaces and the process of reading about the Empire from the Imperial perspe...

In this episode, Lou and Lenny wrap up the original Thrawn Trilogy with The Last Command ! Published in 1993, Zahn wraps up what many would consider the beginning of the Star Wars EU. Lou continues to be fascinated with Garm bel Iblis’s existence, while Lenny raises interesting questions about the environmental implications of the Emperor's decisions and workplace safety laws in the New Republ...

This week, Lou and Lenny read Dark Force Rising! Published in May 1992, the second installment of The Thrawn Trilogy raised many questions about how xenophobia manifests in the Empire and the New Republic, Garm bel Iblis’s return, and speculation on the nature of Pellaeon and Thrawn’s relationship. Hosts: Lenny Apesos and Lou Laverty Art: Lenny Apesos Music: Thomas Seibel Have questions, comments,...

On this episode of Interview With A Bothan, Lou and Lenny discuss Heir to the Empire , the first installment of The Thrawn Trilogy. Published in May 1991, Timothy Zahn’s novels are credited as the ‘beginning of the EU’ by many fans. Lou and Lenny dive into the role of warlords in the GFFA, slavery in the Empire, Thrawn’s “love” of art, and the permeability of Religion and Culture as Luke is tasked...

Welcome to Interview With A Bothan! This episode introduces your hosts, Lou Laverty and Lenny Apesos. They are scholars of Religion who are fascinated by the Star Wars universe in all its forms (and Thrawn, but that is beside the point). Interview With A Bothan will cover Star Wars books, with no preference for Canon or Legends (Old-EU). Ultimately, this is a last ditch attempt for them to talk ab...