Small Beans

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabo...

Writer/Actor Erik Barnes stops by the proverbial small town diner for some yuks and jabberin’ with the boys. Yes, we know we covered Road to Perdition last time, and yes, this is another early 2000s gangster movie based on a graphic novel about a man trying to hide his past life from his children. We KNOW. We’re doing a thing. Anyway, Erik brings his know-how to the chat and has a kickstarter you...

Michael brings on Brandon and Lisa, parents of two children (aged 1 and 3). Michael investigates the daily life and worries of the initial parenting phase. This episode continues the ongoing conversation about Michael and jenn’s leap into parenthood, including a huge announcement at the beginning of the pod! Buy Michael’s book: https://www.patreon.com/smallbeans/shop Support Small Beans: https://w...

Our limited series with co-hosts Abe Epperson and David Bell digs deep into the internet meme of the “dad movie.” We can all probably name a dad movie, but can we isolate the tropes that really make this a bona fide film genre? Let’s find out! Features: Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/abethemighty David Bell: https://twitter.com/MovieHooligan Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: ht...

Our deep dive of Wes Anderson and P.T. Anderson continues: this time we discuss the 2018 film Isle of Dogs which tells the story of a boy who tries to save his dog from a tyrannical cat-cult. Michael and Abe discuss Wes Anderson’s distinctive style, themes, and characters. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and...

Abe Epperson wants to tell you about the holy experience of watching The Saint. He wants to whisper into your ear how a director uses blocking, pacing, and movement to make you understand how awesome the Saint is. I mean, look at Val Kilmer in the above photo. I bet God needed another day of rest after he made that high-tech hunk of disguise. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz...

Brian Brushwood joins Michael and Adam to discuss the classic real time strategy game, Starcraft 2! They sweetly discuss the sweet strategies, the sweet story, and its sweet impact on the genre. Listen until the end for some sweet voice acting. Brian Brushwood: World’s Greatest Con https://pod.link/1572307941 Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealgan...

Author and all-around fantastic guy, Jason Pargin, joins the boys on the road to unpacking the themes, production, and structure of 2002’s Road to Perdition. They talk gangster movies, anti-heroes, and the fact that Jason is definitely not a murderer. Features: Jason Pargin: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasonkpargin Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheM...

Swaim wrote a novel called The Climb, currently available as a lush, all-color PDF, as well as in an ereader-compatible format, and in physical form. THIS is a sample of the audiobook version of The Climb, read by the author, a man named Michael. It's just the first three hours. The full thing can be had for a scant twenty dollars by visiting the Small Beans Patreon Shop at patreon.com/smallbeans/...

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabo...

Our deep dive of Wes Anderson and P.T. Anderson continues: this time we discuss the 2017 film The Phantom Thread which tells the story of a toxic relationship fostered by a tyrannical dressmaker. Michael and Abe discuss Paul Thomas Anderson’s distinctive style, themes, and characters. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Sma...

Adam Ganser breaks down two different types of popular comedies made these days by taking the comedic stylings of The Other Guys and dissecting its approach to comedy and action. He tracks how films typically choose one of the two camps and what that means for the audience. Also, he wants a cybertruck. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheM...

Michael brings on Marina and Tom Reimann, expecting parents and personal friends. Marina and Tom are expecting any day now so this conversation consists of Michael asking them about their journey so far, as he begins his own. This episode continues the ongoing conversation about Michael and jenn’s leap into parenthood. The Go-Fund Me for Marina and Tom Reimann: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-m...

Friend and illustrious bean, Katy Stoll, is forced by her friends to watch the Patrick Stewart made-for-TV vehicle that is Safe House! You’ve probably never heard of the movie because it’s insane. That’s why we chose our friend Katy to stop by and experience the glory that is Safe House. Features: Katy Stoll: https://twitter.com/katystoll Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson:...

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabo...

Our limited series with co-hosts Abe Epperson and David Bell digs deep into the internet meme of the “dad movie.” We can all probably name a dad movie, but can we isolate the tropes that really make this a bona fide film genre? Let’s find out! Features: Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/abethemighty David Bell: https://twitter.com/MovieHooligan Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: ht...

Our deep dive of Wes Anderson and P.T. Anderson continues: this time we discuss the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel which tells the story of how a refugee inherited a famous hotel. Michael and Abe discuss Wes Anderson’s distinctive style, themes, and characters. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access...

We have another patron-chosen episode! This episode covers Adam and Maggie’s picks for the film they fell in and out of love with. Maggie loves Star Trek! Adam’s lost some weight! Vote every month on our poll for the topic of the next episode! Email us suggestions for episodes at magsandganz@gmail.com as well. Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Maggie Mae Fish: https://twitter.com/Maggie...

A Massachusetts native, David Bell, infiltrates the podcast to tell us about the nature of the mean streets of Boston. And he is relentless. Find out who gets murdered: Michael or Abe! Enjoy this conversation about Martin Scorsese’s The Departed. Features: David Bell: https://twitter.com/MovieHooligan Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Supp...

Abe Epperson wants to talk about the 2009’s horror comedy where Megan Fox is a demon and preys upon high school boys. Written by Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama, this film smartly comments on the persistent male gaze that followed young actresses like Fox. Let’s get in there and eat these kids. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeThe...

Friendly Bean and all-time winner of podcasts, Vanessa Guerrero drops by to chat with the boys about the classic action adventure sci-fi The Fifth Element. They discuss fucking in tubes, tiny elephant pets, Gary Oldman, and what makes this film endure. Note: The last 10 minutes of the episode, Vanessa had a recording error which is why she appears to go silent for the ending. Features: Vanessa Gue...

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabo...

Coen Brother (?) Brothers is back, baby! We take a break from our normal deep dive Ander’s Sons to jump back to the podcast series that made it all happen. This time to cover the recent release by Ethan Coen, starring Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan. Last Week Tonight’s Daniel O’Brien stops by to dish it out. Features: Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Michael Swaim: https:...

Michael asks Abe Epperson, fellow Small Bean, to discuss his thoughts about starting a family. They discuss regret, happiness, and the anxiety of bringing a human into the world. Abe’s pretty satisfied with not having kids, but it’s always been on Michael’s list of life goals. Let’s see how these friends navigate the conversation from two different perspectives. Buy Michael’s book: https://www.pat...

Our deep dive of Wes Anderson and P.T. Anderson continues: this time we discuss the 2014 film Inherent Vice which tells the story two twelve year olds running away to live together. Michael and Abe discuss Paul Thomas Anderson’s distinctive style, themes, and characters. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and a...