Lit Think Podcast

Alicia and Sarah face their fears of open water with their discussion of the classic film Jaws . They look at the elements of monster stories and how the film fits the pattern. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about what they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Literary terms of the week: Elements of monster stories Sign up for the newsletter and follo...

Alicia and Sarah geek out over all things action film in the 1990’s classic The Mummy . They discuss how women are portrayed in some of their favorite films and compare them to the portrayal of Evelyn in The Mummy . At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about what they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Literary terms of the week: Elements of action films...

Alicia and Sarah return to another classic from their teen years and young adulthood, Ever After . They discuss the traits of Cinderella myths and how the 90s classic fits each trait. They discuss how the movie still holds up as a love story focused on character development and female empowerment. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about what they've been reading, watching, and analyz...

Alicia and Sarah return to a classic from their teen years and young adulthood, A Knight’s Tale . They discuss the connections to The Canterbury Tales and Chaucer as well as the modern connections to fighting our fate and finding hope when all hope seems lost. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Li...

Alicia and Sarah take a different approach as they discuss some of their favorite pieces of pop culture. Whether movies or books, these are the pop culture hills they are willing to fight for. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Literary terms of the week: “Hill I’ll die on” Sign up for the newslet...

Alicia and Sarah gush about one of their all-time favorite musicals and their favorite film of 2024. Without offering spoilers for the second half of Wicked , they explore the idea of allegory and the different ways the first half of the musical highlights important allegorical themes. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing ou...

Alicia and Sarah are back with a special episode looking back at their favorite films, television shows, and books of 2024. Literary terms of the week: Pop Culture Sign up for the newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Facebook . Music by Craig Harmann Cover art by Matt Holman Show Notes: Intro notes: * Trying something new this week (inspired by NPR’s Best of 2024 list ) Literary terms of the...

In this summer special edition, Alicia and Sarah bring in special guest Julia Breakey to discuss literature as pop culture, with a particular focus on romantacy and the book series A Court of Thorns and Roses . Get a jump on your summer reading with an adult conversation about the re-emergence of reading and the role that books also play on pop culture. At the end of this week’s discussion, they t...

In their season finale, Alicia and Sarah bring in special guest Christina Schuetz to discuss all things tragic hero through the lens of Star Wars and Anakin Skywalker. They look at classic tragic heroes from Othello to Oedipus and break down how Anakin fulfills the Greek model while also embracing the possibility of redemption. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they'...

Alicia and Sarah discuss both prequels and dystopias when they tackle the film adaptation of Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes . They look at the role of prequels in giving us a fuller understanding of beloved stories and how it gives readers and viewers a chance to spend more time immersed in their favorite worlds. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading...

Alicia and Sarah discuss the role unfettered consumerism has in the Amazon Prime dark comedy Upload . They touch on the ways that all three seasons challenge viewers to see how our conditioned need for newness and individualism impact the way we view our role in community, our relationships, and even our response to death. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've be...

Alicia and Sarah return to their ever-present love of musicals with their discussion of the latest adaptation of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple . They look at sisterhood, including adopted family, the differences between co-dependency and interdependence, and the role of belonging in community. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and an...

Alicia and Sarah couldn’t wait to talk about all of the ways that Disney+ redeemed the visual telling of the Percy Jackson series. They discuss Greek and American family values and how Percy challenges the traditions of the Greek gods. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Literary terms of the week:...

Alicia and Sarah are take on satire and mythology through their discussion of the first two seasons of Good Omens . They discuss the supernatural, origins, and the nature of good and evil. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Literary terms of the week: Elements of myth Sign up for the newsletter an...

Alicia and Sarah are joined by their NCTE presentation partner Bill Visco to discuss one of his favorites, Ted Lasso . They discuss sports journalism, the shifting sports narrative, and the power of sports to unite people. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Literary terms of the week: Sports journ...

Alicia and Sarah return to a discussion of history and historical fiction with the summer blockbuster Oppenheimer . They discuss what makes a good historical film, the complexities of telling the story of the atomic bomb, and the difference between truth and facts in historical fiction. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing o...

Alicia and Sarah embrace the whimsy of Roald Dahl and Willy Wonka as they discuss the holiday film Wonka . They discuss teaching the literary and writing concepts of style, tone, and voice and all of the ways Wonka captures the literary style of Roald Dahl. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Liter...

Alicia and Sarah nerd out with a deep dive into mental health and royal history when they sit down to discuss the Bridgerton prequel Queen Charlotte . They look at potential ailments for King George, discuss the real-life love story of George and Charlotte, and imagine what the world could be like if the Great Experiment had actually happened. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about...

Alicia and Sarah welcome podcaster and author Casper ter Kuile to discuss one of his favorite 90s films, You’ve Got Mail . They look at epistolary stories through the ages, from love letters to online chat rooms. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Literary terms of the week: Epistolary, Pen Pals S...

Alicia and Sarah combine their love for theater and satire in their discussion of the indie film mocumentary Theater Camp . They look at the history of mocumentaries, their personal love for theater and theater experiences, and the role of satire in producing effective media that takes on the form of fake documentaries. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been...

Alicia and Sarah combine their love for theater and satire in their discussion of the indie film mocumentary Theater Camp . They look at the history of mocumentaries, their personal love for theater and theater experiences, and the role of satire in producing effective media that takes on the form of fake documentaries. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been...

Alicia and Sarah finally return to the Marvel Universe with a discussion of the summer film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 . They discuss the closing of a chapter for many of the Guardians as their stories move on and the passing of the torch to Rocket as the new leader of the motley crew. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzi...

Alicia and Sarah defend the idea that graphic novels are literature as they discuss the Disney+ adaptation of the graphic novel, American Born Chinese . They discuss the differences between comic books, graphic novels, and sequential art, connecting the history of the genre to Gene Luen Yang’ groundbreaking work. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading...

Alicia and Sarah take a slightly different approach with this week’s episode over the film adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic novel, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret . They discuss the movie, puberty, the censorship history of the novel, and book bans at large. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroo...

In their first episode of Season 4, Alicia and Sarah jump right into the pop culture moment with their discussion of the massive summer hit: Barbie . They discuss the role of feminism in the film, the gender binary, and their own critiques of the ending of the film. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classro...