Superhero Ethics

How does a Japanese pilot—and his nation—come to terms with survivor's guilt after WWII? What is the legacy of the kamikaze in Japanese culture, and how is it seen in America? And can these issues and more be explored in Godzilla Minus One , a movie about a fire-breathing monster directed by Takashi Yamazaki? Riki Hayashi joins me to discuss these questions and more! ******************************...

As an amputee, Echo holds a special place in my heart, so I’m excited to have comics expert Will Freeland join me to discuss this meaningful new MCU show. Seeing a superhero who shares some of my experiences is incredible. Maya Lopez immediately enters the pantheon of disabled representation done right. In this episode, Will and I analyze the show’s triumphs. We discuss Maya’s thoughtful portrayal...

What are the different ways we can find meaning in the midst of suffering? What is the nature of myth, and can we find it in the most mundane of places? And how did Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and a Thanksgiving podcast tradition of the McElroy brothers and friends lead us to these topics? ************************************************************************** This episode is a production of Superhe...

Paul and I look back on the themes that emerged during 2023 as we reflect on a year of ethics in genre media. We discuss the strike, people and communities being heard and speaking in their own voices, relatable villains, video games as interactive novels, and other topics. And somehow we manage to tie almost all of it back to Blue Beetle , which we both recently viewed. **************************...

What is a Christmas movie? Does it have to have a specific message or aesthetic feel? What is the Christmas romance, and why has it become so popular? Andy and Abby join me to dive into these questions, share each of our own favorite Christmas movies, and settle that age-old debate — is Die Hard a Christmas movie? ************************************************************************** This epis...

How did Snow become the villain he was? What role does nature versus nurture play in shaping our moral choices? What connections to our own world does this Hunger Games prequel highlight that give us insight? Fan-favorite Danielle (WrittenintheStarWars) returns to discuss The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes , the Hunger Games prequel, in both book and movie form! Danielle is a PhD researcher who...

The Boys: Superheroes, Villains, and the Complex Psychology Behind Their Morality In this fascinating discussion, host Matthew Fox is joined by psychologists Dr. Lynn Zubernis and Dr. Matthew Snyder, editors of the new book "Supes Ain't Always Heroes: Inside the Complex Characters and Twisted Psychology of The Boys." They dive deep into the psychological themes and moral complexities of the hit Am...

New content returns next week! Until then, we’re kicking off the season with a rebroadcast of our episode on that classic Christmas movie — Batman Returns ! Can a Tim Burton movie be TOO Tim Burton? Would Ashley Coffin have discovered blue eyeshadow if it weren't for this Catwoman? And why, oh why, does Bruce think you should bring up your ex on a first date? Paul and Ashley join me to discuss the...

Another blast from the past during the hiatus. Enjoy this conversation with Paul, Riki, and myself, and stay tuned for new episodes, starting in December! Can a sword bring about a new era? Can a former assassin find peace? Can a beloved anime translate to live action? Whether you've seen all or none of the Kenshin movies or shows, the discussion focuses on ethical and historical questions with re...

An update on our hiatus, and a favorite episode from years past—The Ethics of Professional Wrestling. In this episode, we're talking about the ethics of professional wrestling—both the stories themselves, and the meta questions about wrestling as entertainment. How far can or should a heel go before it becomes a problem? Can wrestling storylines be cathartic for the performers? What role do perfor...

The historic Hollywood writers strike rocked Tinseltown, but it has come to an end. In this episode, I discuss the outcome with my guest Andy Nelson from the TruStory FM podcast network. We break down how the Writers Guild of America (WGA) won big at the bargaining table, gaining major concessions like pay increases and AI protections. But the actors strike continues as SAG-AFTRA pushes for simila...

Bionic arms, hearing so good it makes up for a loss of eyesight - AK Maiden is back to talk with me about disability representation in the stories we love. A big-time nerd, big-time philosopher, and big-time lover of all things sci-fi and fantasy, AK Maiden is a 21-year-old with a philosophy degree and a focus on disability studies and rhetoric. She creates D&D art and content about a wide var...

What stories emerge when superpowers enter the audio format? How can superheroes reflect real-world problems, and what would an NPR-style broadcast sound like if it existed in a world where superhumans were real? Max and John of Superhuman Public Radio join me to explore these questions and discuss Season 2 of SPR, with new episodes releasing weekly! Superhuman Public Radio (aka SPR) is an award-w...

In honor of the passing of Sheldon Menery, we’re talking about his concept of Rule Zero – the idea that the first step for any game should be making sure all players share the same expectations – and the way it contributed to building community in Magic: The Gathering, and what we can all learn from it. Nile JoanRivers streams MtG content on Twitch ! Her content is focused on highlighting queer vo...

Each person brings their own experiences and perspective to how they view the stories we love. Caged Bishop Cosplay joins me to talk about his experience as a blerd (black nerd), intersectionality in fandom, and our shared love as masculine folks for Barbie. ABOUT OUR GUEST Caged Bishop Cosplay has been cosplaying for the better part of a decade and podcasting for about half as long. He does this...

Professor Matthew Kapell joins me to discuss superheroes, mythology, and the American Monomyth. What is a myth? Are superhero stories considered myths? Does America have a central myth, and how do superheroes contribute to it? Matthew Kapell has taught a wide range of subjects, including film studies and human genetics, at colleges and universities in the United States and the United Kingdom. He r...

Why is it the X-Men that are so often brought up as metaphors for social issues? Steve Stormoen of the Hype Is My Superpower podcast joins me to talk about the X-Men in comics through the lens of activism and social movements. ************************************************************************** This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics , an Ethical Panda podcast and part of the TruSto...

What is it about the Hunger Games novels that captured so much attention and love? Frequent guest Danielle aka WrittenintheStarWars joins me to talk about these books, covering everything from the writing style to the twist they put on the love triangle trope to the decisions of the rebels.  ************************************************************************** This episode is a production of...

Sometimes heroes wear capes, sometimes they carry rifles in the Napoleonic Wars. One of Sean Bean’s first roles was playing Richard Sharpe in this British series and Paul Hoppe joins me to talk about it! ************************************************************************** This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics , an Ethical Panda podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Pod...

What happens when you combine Japanese reflections on the use of nuclear weapons, hard questions about what weapons to use in moments of crisis, stirring music, and a guy in a rubber suit? Paul joins me to talk about the 1954 classic Gojira , aka Godzilla . ************************************************************************** This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics , an Ethical Panda...

So many of the stories we love use Moby Dick as the example of an obsessive focus on a goal, but do you know the actual story? Moby Dick expert and all around geek Ilse joins me to talk about this book and what it has to say about disability, queerness, race, class, and so many other topics that remain relevant today. Ilse, aka AK, (she/her)  is an all around nerd who loves Star Wars, Heavy Metal,...

Do you enjoy your medieval satire with a dose of laughter, served alongside incisive social commentary? Eager to understand what this Discworld thing is that everyone seems to be talking about? Interested in Sam Vimes's Boots Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness? Rob McKenzie joins me to unpack Discworld , with a special emphasis on The Watch sequence of books. **************************************...

The 1899 newsboy strike is more than a historical footnote; it offers valuable lessons that resonate with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strikes of today. How does one combat giant corporations that hold sway over the channels of communication? And perhaps unexpectedly, what role can singing and dancing play in the solidarity and spirit of a picket line? Becky All...

Nimona is not just a tale but a profound narrative that explores the perils of fear, the risks of blind trust in authority, and the liberating force of embracing one's truth. Beau and I delve into the significance of this story as a queer and trans allegory, discussing the strength found in personal authenticity and the importance of valuing our own wisdom and experiences above rigid dogma and tra...

In the gripping narrative of Batman: Under the Red Hood , we're compelled to question the impact Batman has on the young individuals he brings into the fold as Robins. Does his tutelage ultimately protect or endanger them? Could the Joker's theory of "One Bad Day" be more catastrophic for one of the Robins than for Bruce himself? And where does justice end and vengeance begin? Paul and I explore t...