Novel Ideas

If you were ever wondering whether aliens exist, just know it also comes with difficult, scientific analyses, and conversations on what does it mean be human, when we inevitably find out. Luckily, all of that has been condensed into this lovely book and tv series, with quite a few differences to work through, that I've done all the work to dissect. Hopefully after you tune into the episode, yo...

To look out into the world and see the return to the traditional ideas and values of yesteryear, Margaret Atwood puts a scathing lens on the reality of women's existence in a socialized world conditioned to the exploitation and subjugation of women. The Handmaid's Tale invites a peek for the unaware and (un)intentionally blind to see a world that has everything to lose for the whims of the few. I...

I couldn't imagine waking up one day to my home and life inexplicably ripped from me, surrounded by the antiquity of plantation-style homes and cries of pain amidst fields of crops and enslaved persons toiling about. Dana is made to endure the world that follows in our stead when we imagine plots of progression and equity just beyond the horizon. Slavery and racism lies in the ground, flows throug...

Leave it to me to consider a book on what mortality means and include my two cents as if I'm in the book; but what else was I to do? I have enough to complain about and life doesn't wait for me to finish a book on life to teach my something. Enjoy the ending of April with a musing on my life so far, and what we can get out of pain. Please enjoy! BYYEEEE!

Please understand that it was not my intent to cry on the mic, it's a fortunate accident. Emotions run free in today's episode on the past, growing up, and things never being the same again. We are alive and it comes with the territory that most things come to an end, and we are blessed to remember in spite of it all. I hope you enjoy my cries to the wind and a plea to always remember the lives we...

To be is to change, alter ourselves beyond the point of our own understanding. Annihilation. Reminds me of "abomination" in Dune; a loss of self and the tragedy of awareness. We have to be ourselves, influenced by others, in a constant state of flux. How else are we to become what we will be? New and unidentified, waiting to be explored. I hope you enjoy today's newest episode! BYEEE...

Hush it up. Listen. What is that? Leaves rustling, wind pushing its way through metal bars, water cascading over shingles to slide down windowpanes. Nature speaks all the time; it's just over the cacophony of modernity we slowly lose the connection to that which sustains us. Step outside, go for a walk, visit a park, and listen to the episode with the one thing that's kept us alive all thi...

I hope you've enjoyed the Dune series as much as I have so far. Paul's an enigma wrapped in a Messiah narrative, and his kids have to bear the brunt of such a legacy. The Atredies are still having to fight for their lives, and the Golden Path that Paul tried to avoid is waiting for his son to inherit such great responsibility. Someone has to influence mankind into becoming themselves, and they can...

I had to make this bonus episode because it lay on my heart to reflect on life in its moments to remind us of our limitations. Paul is just a man, as infallible as us all, leaving us with lessons on the meaning of life and its procession, a collection of actions that ultimately defines us to what we inevitably become. Remember that we are to be present and involved with our lives, good or bad. I h...

I would never presume to be a messiah; I don't get paid enough. Nonetheless, Paul and I are agreed. The weight carries much responsibility that harbors latent danger and consequence. Is it worth it? When one sees into the infinite expanse, it'd be hard to disagree with the weight of choice that befalls us all. I hope you enjoy today's episode!

It would be an understatement that this episode has been a long time coming. Space witches, over-calculating men, a Guild of space travelers hooked on drugs enough to take bribes? Throw in a reluctant, white savior and I'd figured it was a thing of my dreams. Paul doesn't want to draw too much attention to his cause, but I'm asking for you to do check out this newest episode of the pod...

It's hard enough living in a world defined by absence, of identity and meaning and home, but to maintain persistence in the face of such rigor bodies a greater will and spirit that drives us to live for more. Bryan Washington employs well-crafted language to explore complexity within movement, growth, and change through life in its expression. Tune into another episode of works highlighting Bl...

It's damn near the end of February, and abandonment's a pretty important topic as Spring arrives. Abandonment of old ideals, forgone relationships, even our sense of self. Giovanni Zander is plagued by nightmares and a foreboding sense of dissatisfaction in the air. Nothing a cute boy, and an unexpected visitor can't solve. No expectations and all love in this episode of complicated fe...

I don't think many of us will be able to make it when the greatest epoch of our lives happens. If aliens even want to save us. I'm more for recombinating us into celestial soup and raising our consciousness to recognizing humanity is overrated. Love, compassion, understanding? Nothing to do with being human and everything to do with recognizing life has needs, and it should be greater than...

Can we say love until it fills the room? Caresses my ears soundly whispering prayers at night from mothers to their children? Silent trust displayed only in dreams flitting between stars twinkling starlight over bright irises wishing upon visions held for a brief moment? Love is fleeting, and vast, and wild, and pure, until it swallows us whole. May you find your own story of love to light your wa...

Turns out the title is very appropriate because I can seem to remember Ms. Harper's first name. But the title is unforgettable, and the end of January his right in front of us, and review is in session. Accountability, conversations on drawing boundaries, and understanding when it is time to move on. I hope you enjoy today's episode!

Consider for a moment where you are, and recognizing it's where you're supposed to be? That trials must come from uncomfortability and residing in the discomfort proves the greatest test of our humanity. Dune 's gom Jabbar seems to be the catalyst for change and self-determination, a willingness to confront truth that distresses us, in order to reach satisfaction. Hopefully, I can deal...

Much consideration must be taken to the topic of control, January 20th is looming enough as it is. We hope find ourselves not subject to systems "larger" than us, but who offers us these limitations? Darrow has come to figure out that the Society he's lived in has perpetuated lies throughout his life, his wife has participated in a conspiracy, and Darrow is the agent of chaos who is...

If you've been here for a while, you know as soon as I see or hear the mention Kazuo Ishiguro, the conversation is going to be amazing. Of course, also reflecting on the minutiae of life to make sense of where we are and where we're going is also too enticing to pass up. Cohen's seamless integration of literary works' characters' personal experiences paralleling the real-life psychoanalytical sess...

I really would've done this book a disservice not discussing its conversation in the context of our lives. Time is owed to no one, and ultimately we are the arbiters of our lives, choices, and their outcomes. It remains to be seen whether that is what happens, but I'm hoping for something meaningful from me for me by me. And I'm hoping you find something similar after you listen to this bonus epis...

It would be an understatement to say I related to the conversation around time at its objectivity to our everyday experiences, especially concerning its lack of perspective on us in general. But it's that fixation that drives me to consider my relationship to time as we embrace another New Year, and seem to affix ourselves to the implicit experience of something new when it remains to be misunders...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all an [eventual] New Year! Scrooge is facing his final trial and let's just say the judge isn't saying much. But who would need to when everybody seems delighted that you aren't here. Strike that. People are AMBIVALENT about your death. Definitely worse. But lest Scrooge and we forget, he's still alive and that's worth something more. I hope you find the reminder co...

Sometimes, we forget that time has passed us by and we are no longer where we used to be. To recognize that for myself and experience Scrooge's epiphany in tandem was enlightening to say the least for what has transpired; change. As a command or experience, it follows the same trajectory of knowledge, understanding, and willingness to embrace something new and uncomfortable. Hopefully, we get some...

To relive the past is to hopefully understand where we are and what's coming soon. Whether from Glinda and Elphaba's story, or Ebenezer's, time is a tricky thing. Details get fuzzy and what is most important gets lost along the way. Listen to Scrooge's past and the initial steps that led us to the man we've come to know.

All things need a preface, our lives included. Dickens said this story was meant to pleasantly haunt us for time to come after it had been read, and it already had me going down a rabbit hole; probably more lyrical, I didn't find any talking caterpillars or aloof cats. Just Jacob Marley and my own thoughts on growing, but most importantly, what I shouldn't hold on to anymore. I hope you enjoy my c...