Superhero Ethics

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...

I've been revisiting all of the Indiana Jones movies on the Bingers Assemble podcast, and I'm excited to share the first installment with you! Once the new movie is released at the end of June, we'll bring the discussion here to Superhero Ethics to specifically address Indiana Jones and the ethics of archaeology. In the meantime, head over to Bingers Assemble for our comprehensive movie coverage....

Time to delve into the realm of robots! Our discussion ignited with a Micro SF quote, which segued into a broader conversation about AI and its implications in our current world. ************************************************************************** This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics , an Ethical Panda podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network . Check out...

Let's delve into Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ! In the midst of Will's and my exuberant praise for the film's excellence, we explore ethical conundrums such as the clash between Miguel and Miles, the film's handling of representation, and the extensive comic book connections that enrich the movie. For further comic book commentary, listen to his podcast, Hype is My Superpower . Also, you ca...

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 sparked important discussions on animal treatment, and Paul Hoppe joins me to delve into these topics. This episode was inspired by listener feedback, and we also tackle a listener's question regarding the adage "with great power comes great responsibility," especially as it pertains to the dynamic between podcasters and their audience. ******************************...

My partner and I played through The Last of Us Part II , and Danielle and Matthew joined me to discuss the profound ethical questions the story raises. We've detailed the issues and story for anyone to follow along, but be warned: this conversation contains spoilers! Danielle (she/her) is engrossed in Star Wars , the MCU, and The Last of Us . As a PhD researcher in Text & Image Studies, she ha...

The TV show Severance presents a provocative premise: the ability to switch off your work self from your personal self, creating a distinct identity solely for the office. Would you opt for such a separation if you had the choice? And if so, would this work-specific persona have its own autonomy and rights? Can consciousness truly be severed from the body? Rob McKenzie joins the conversation to un...

Becky Allen dropped in to discuss the intricacies and developments of Shadow and Bone Season 2! Becky Allen, the author behind the captivating novels Bound by Blood and Sand and its sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm , brings a writer's insight to our conversation. Having grown up outside Ithaca, New York, and graduated from Brandeis University, Allen now works in tech and resides in New York with t...

Season 1 of The Last of Us is over, but we've still got a lot more to say! Prof. Dr. Mr. (not a Rev.) Matthew Kapell joins me to dive into some of the larger issues in this show and its connected video game. We'll talk about the big ethical choices at the end of the story, zombies vs vampires, why Americans in particular are so drawn to dystopian stories, and more! Matthew Wilhelm Kapell has taugh...

Joining me for a deep dive into HBO's The Last of Us are Danielle and Erin, as we dissect the pivotal choices made by the characters and examine the series' (and game's) impact on our understanding of heroism and villainy. We'll also offer some bonus musings on Pedro Pascal and explore the fan-driven notion of "thirst." Erin McGowan hails from the Twin Cities and has embraced the art of cosplay wi...

Comics aficionado extraordinaire Jess Plummer graces us with her presence to discuss DC's ambitious new lineup of TV shows and movies. A New York native with an unwavering love for Superman, Jess expresses her passion on her dedicated Superman podcast, Flights and Tights . Her expertise extends to writing about comics and literature at BookRiot.com, where she contributes her in-depth analysis. Mor...

Danielle and Erin rejoin me to delve into the harrowing world of The Last of Us , discussing both the HBO series' first four episodes and the corresponding sections of the video game. Danielle brings her expertise as a Ph. D. researcher in Text & Image Studies, which allows her to analyze comics academically, while also being a passionate commentator on Star Wars, the MCU, and The Last of Us ....