Dueling Genre Productions

The Protagonist Podcast

Arts EN ↓ 606 episodes

Each week we discuss a great character in a great story. Hosted by Joseph J. Darowski.

Author

Dueling Genre Productions

Episodes

Protagonist Podcast #281: Kengi Koiso, Natsuki Shinohara, and Granny from Summers Wars (film 2009) “Quitting won’t do you any good. You have to work for an answer.” 27.04.2020 1:04:57

Description Joe is joined by returning guest John Darowski to discuss Kengi Koiso, Natsuki Shinohara, and Granny from the anime film Summer Wars. Directed by Mamoru Hosada, Summer Wars tells the story of a shy math genius who must do … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #280: Characters from The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World (novel 1990) “The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.” 21.04.2020 1:14:04

Description Joe is joined by first-time guest Lauren Roundy to discuss the first book in The Wheel of Time series, The Eye of the World. This has been one of our most requested topics, and we hope you enjoy the … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #279: The cast of Person of Interest (TV 2011) “Chess is just a game. Real people aren’t pieces.” 14.04.2020 59:05

Description Joe and Andrew are talking about Person of Interest, a crime drama that aired on CBS from 2011-2016. With the sci-fi twist of an artificial intelligence that guides a group of heroes, Person of Interest explored issues of society’s … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #278 Katie in Seconds (graphic novel 2014) “1. Write your mistake 2. Ingest one mushroom 3. Go to sleep 4. Wake anew” 06.04.2020 55:51

Description All-star guest Kjerste Christensen is back to discuss Katie from the graphic novel Seconds by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Topics of discussion include the blending of the mundane and the extraordinary, what makes Katie work so well as a protagonist, … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #277: Susan Vance and David Huxley in Bringing Up Baby (film 1938) “In moments of quiet I’m strangely drawn to you, but, well, there haven’t been any quiet moments.” 30.03.2020 51:54

Description Joe is joined by Producer Andrew to discuss Susan Vance and David Huxley in the 1938 film Bringing Up Baby. Topics of discussion include Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant’s performances as Susan and David, the absurdity of the plot, … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #276 Martin Banks from Off to be the Wizard (novel 2013) “He had spent a lot of time thinking about himself and had come to the conclusion that he was definitely not self-absorbed.” 23.03.2020 58:35

Description All-star guest Branden Ushio is back to discuss Martin Banks from Off to the Wizard, the first book in the Magic 2.0 series by Scott Meyer. Topics of discussion include how narrative surprises work in this story, how the … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #275: Flora Buckman and Ulysses from Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventure (novel 2013) “I promise to always turn back toward you.” 22.03.2020 35:33

Description It’s a special bonus episode of The Protagonist Podcast for anyone who needs a little more entertainment in their lives right now. Joe’s daughter Lizzie got permission to do a podcast episode as a book report for her fifth … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #274: Ash Ketchum in Pokemon (TV 1998) “Helping Butterfree to grow, Ash just might have grown himself.” 16.03.2020 1:11:04

Description Joe is joined by special guest Michael Meehan to discuss Ash Ketchum from the tv show Pokemon. Topics of discussion include the breadth and depth of the Pokemon fandom, what makes Ash stand out from other characters in the … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #273: Death and Mao Xiaolian in East of West (comic 2013) “You should fear her as much as you fear him.” 09.03.2020 1:09:19

Description Returning guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to discuss Death and Mao Xiaolian from the comic book series East of West. Written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Nick Dragotta, East of West tells a post/pre-apocalyptic story that mashes several … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #272: Jack v. Jack (special 2020) 03.03.2020 1:11:23

Description Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe and Andrew to play a new game they’re calling Jack v. Jack. Joe and Mav each have teams of characters named Jack from fiction, and Andrew has made up several scenarios. Andrew … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #271: Fa Mulan in Mulan (film 1998) “I did it to save my father!” 25.02.2020 1:09:26

Description Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Joe and Andrew to discuss Fa Mulan from the 1998 Disney animated film Mulan. Topics of discussion include other projects that were in development before Mulan took shape, the themes of the movie, and … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #270: Emma Woodhouse from Emma (novel 1815) “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.” 17.02.2020 53:14

Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to talk about one of Jane Austen’s classic novels, Emma. Topics of discussion include what makes this protagonist unique, the positive and negative qualities of the characters, and why Austen loves balls in … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #269: Harvey Specter and Mike Ross from Suits (TV 2011) “You’re afraid you might have to admit you’re not as smart as you think you are.” 10.02.2020 1:01:56

Description Joe is joined by special guest George Tsakiridis to discuss Harvey Specter and Mike Ross from the television series Suits. Created by Aaron Korsh, the show stars Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter and Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross. … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #268: Characters from Rust (graphic novels 2011-2018) “The war was full of darkness.” 03.02.2020 1:10:05

Description Joe and Producer Andrew discuss the graphic novel Rust by Royden Lepp. Topics of discussion include the art style in the series, the themes of moving forward vs. looking back, and the singular voice that told the story. Support … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #267: Batman and Robin from Batman: The Movie (film 1966) “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb.” 27.01.2020 1:09:17

Description Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss the classic 1966 film Batman: The Movie. Topics of discussion include the long-legacy of the 1960’s Batman tv series, the deliberate cheesy absurdity of the franchise, and memorable moments from the … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #266: Luna, Xan, and others from The Girl Who Drank the Moon (novel 2016) “Knowledge is power, but it is a terrible power when it is hoarded and hidden.” 21.01.2020 1:03:36

Description Joe is joined by returning guest Sara Santana to discuss the novel The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. Topics of discussion include how the story functions like a puzzle, how stories can teach truth or manipulate, … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #265: Fantasy Box Office 2020 13.01.2020 55:08

Description Joe and Producer Andrew play Fantasy Box Office for 2020. First up, they reveal the winner of the 2019 contest, then they make picks and preview the films that are coming out in the next year. Support Patreon

Protagonist Podcast #264: Phryne Fisher in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (tv 2012) “Nothing that matters is easy.” 06.01.2020 49:18

Description All-star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about Phryne Fisher from the Australian tv series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Topics of discussion adapting the book series to television, the gathering of the team around Phryne, and what makes … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #263: Beta Ray Bill in The Mighty Thor (comic 1983) “I have bested him. The hammer is mine.” 30.12.2019 54:29

Description Joe and Producer Andrew discuss Beta Ray Bill, a cosmic Marvel comic book character created by Walt Simonson. Topics of discussion include the character’s origin and motivation, his unique appearance, and the twists on generic conventions Simonson uses to … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #262: Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle (short story, 1892) “My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don’t know.” 24.12.2019 57:01

Description Joe is joined by special guest Britney Broyles to discuss one of the most iconic characters in popular culture, Sherlock Holmes. Using a Christmas-themed adventure written by Arthur Conan Doyle, topics of discussion include Sherlock’s characteristics, what is unique … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #261: Christmas Special 2019 16.12.2019 54:55

Description It’s our annual Christmas Special! Producer Andrew sent Joe and Todd a list of seven Christmas movie titles they’ve never seen and they each made up a plot summary. They read their fake plots, Producer Andrew shares the real … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #260: Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper in The Wonder Years (TV 1988) “Memories are a way of holding onto things we love.” 09.12.2019 57:05

Description Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss the episode titled “Christmas” from the second season of The Wonder Years. Fred Savage played Kevin Arnold and Danica McKellar played Winnie Cooper in this coming-of-age series. Topics of discussion include … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #259: Emmet and Ma from Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (TV movie, 1977) “A person’s got to take some chances or life will never come to nothing.” 02.12.2019 1:06:18

Description Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to discuss the Jim Henson Christmas special, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. Topics of discussion include the magic of the puppetry, the story points that work best, and also how this inverted Gift … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #258 Thanksgiving Special 2019 25.11.2019 40:50

Description Joe and Andrew are joined by returning guests to talk about what they’re thankful for when it comes to storytelling. Guests include Todd Mack, Virginia McCalister, Kjerste Christensen, Henry Darowski, Lena English, Mattathias Westwood, and Sara Santana. Thank you … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #257: Harry & friends from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (novel 2003) “Give her hell from us, Peeves!” 18.11.2019 1:06:51

Description Returning guest Sara Santana joins Joe to talk about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Topics of discussion include teenage angst, the palpable evil of Umbridge, and the consequences of Harry’s choices. Support Patreon Show Notes Harry … Continue reading →