“The themes remain the same.” Actor / Director Harry Lennix expounds on the themes of friendship, politics, religion, the evolution of Black Nationalism, what it takes to be a successful revolutionary and why Julius Caesar may be the greatest person to have ever lived.

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June 1949. Heiress Mitzi Ballantyne has gone missing during her "Reno-vation" at the

Sidewinder Resort. Detective Francis O'Connell, a Bible-toting bloodhound, would rather be

at his Ma's sickbed. Instead, he steps off the train and into a den of liberated ex-wives who

test his every nerve. Crooked cops, runaways, and divorcees collide in a female-forward,

"west-of-center" take on the classic noir.

Created and Directed by Rachel Music

Showrunning by Michi Broman and Elena Christina Wagoner

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Next Chapter Podcasts presents the complete Play On Podcast series, JULIUS CAESAR, in its entirety.

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The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “JULIUS CAESAR”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by SHISHIR KURUP. All episodes were directed by HARRY LENNIX. Radio play by MARCUS GARDLEY.

The cast is as follows:

• MICHAEL POTTS             as    JULIUS CAESAR
• GLENN DAVIS                  as    MARK ANTONY
• JEREMY TARDY          as    MARCUS BRUTUS
• LESTER PURRY              as    CAIUS CASSIUS and LIGARIUS
• MEGAN BOONE               as    PORTIA, METELLUS CIMBER and others
• JONELL KENNEDY         as    CALPHURNIA, LUCIUS and others
• CHRISTOPHER MAY       as    CASKA, TITINIUS, VOLUMNIUS and others
• JAMES T. ALFRED          as    CICERO, MURELLUS, PUBLIUS, ARTEMIDORUS, LUCILIUS,  LEPIDUS, and others         
• NEMUNA CEESAY          as OCTAVIUS
• MIRACLE LAURIE           as    MESSALA, DECIUS BRUTUS and others
• CHARLIQUE ROLLE       as    CINNA, SOOTHSAYER, CINNA THE POET, PINDARUS, DARDANIUS and others
• BRANDON JONES          as    FLAVIUS, TREBONIUS and others

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES). Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND.

The Play On Podcast Series “JULIUS CAESAR” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium on Apollo Plus for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “Beware the Ides of March!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At Philippi, Octavius and Antony disagree over tactics but unite against Brutus and Cassius when they meet for one final negotiation before battle. They hurl insults at each other and part ways. Brutus and Cassius discuss what will happen if they lose. Brutus vows he will not be taken captive. The two friends say goodbye and go into battle. As Brutus attacks Octavius’s army, Cassius watches his troops flee from Antony’s soldiers. When he hears from Pindarus that Antony has entered his camp, Cassius realizes that he is likely to die on this day, which happens to be his birthday. He tells Pindaurs to kill him with his own sword. Pindarus obeys and flees, embracing her freedom. Upon discovering Cassius’s body, Titinius sends Messala to find Pindaus. Once alone, Titinius kills himself with Cassius’s sword. Brutus gets word that Cassius is dead and does his best to rally his troops. Young Cato is killed. Lucilius pretends to be Brutus and is captured. Antony praises Lucilius’s bravery and tells his troops to treat him well. Realizing he’s defeated, Brutus asks his soldiers to kill him but they refuse. He bids them farewell, then impales himself on his sword, which Lucius holds. Antony and Octavius arrive to find Brutus’ body. They praise his honor and vow to bury him with a soldier’s glory.

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As Brutus waits for Cassius in the rebel camp, he learns from Lucilius that Cassius is not as friendly as he once was. As soon as he arrives, Cassius accuses Brutus of wronging him. Not wanting their soldiers to see them fighting, they withdraw into Brutus’s tent to carry out their argument in private. It all comes to an end when Cassius offers his dagger to Brutus and bares his chest for Brutus to kill him. Once they make their peace, Brutus tells Cassius that his wife, Portia, has killed herself by swallowing hot coals. Cassius is shocked and saddened but Brutus insists that they focus on their battle plans. Cassius suggests they wait for Antony and Octavius’ armies to exhaust themselves reaching them where they are now but Brutus disagrees, saying they should meet their enemy half way, at Philippi. Cassius gives in. Once alone, Brutus is visited by Caesar’s ghost, who tells him they will meet again at Philippi. Brutus wakes his guards but they all say they didn’t see anything. He sends word to Cassius to be ready to march ahead of him the next morning.

****

The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “JULIUS CAESAR”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by SHISHIR KURUP. All episodes were directed by HARRY LENNIX. Radio play by MARCUS GARDLEY.

The cast is as follows:

• MICHAEL POTTS      as  JULIUS CAESAR
• GLENN DAVIS         as  MARK ANTONY
• JEREMY TARDY     as  MARCUS BRUTUS
• LESTER PURRY       as  CAIUS CASSIUS and LIGARIUS
• MEGAN BOONE       as  PORTIA, METELLUS CIMBER and others
• JONELL KENNEDY    as  CALPHURNIA, LUCIUS and others
• CHRISTOPHER MAY   as  CASKA, TITINIUS, VOLUMNIUS and others
• JAMES T. ALFRED     as  CICERO, MURELLUS, PUBLIUS, ARTEMIDORUS, LUCILIUS, LEPIDUS, and others        
• NEMUNA CEESAY     as OCTAVIUS
• MIRACLE LAURIE     as  MESSALA, DECIUS BRUTUS and others
• CHARLIQUE ROLLE   as  CINNA, SOOTHSAYER, CINNA THE POET, PINDARUS, DARDANIUS and others
• BRANDON JONES     as  FLAVIUS, TREBONIUS and others

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES). Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND.

The Play On Podcast Series “JULIUS CAESAR” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium on Apollo Plus for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “Beware the Ides of March!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At Caesar’s funeral, the angry crowd demands answers. Brutus speaks first, saying that he loved Rome more than Caesar. Asking the crowd if they would rather be free with Caesar dead or slaves with Caesar alive, the crowd sides with Brutus. But when Antony enters with Caesar’s body, things begin to change. He reminds the crowd of Caesar’s good qualities and shows them the wounds on Caesar’s body where each knife pierced his skin. Then he reads Caesar’s will, revealing that Caesar has bequeathed to every citizen his dream of equality. Antony doesn’t just win the crowd over to his side, he whips them into an angry mob intent on revenge. As the crowd rages, Antony’s guard tells him that Octavius and Lepidus have arrived in Rome and that the conspirators have fled the city. Out in the streets, the mob confronts Cinna the Poet, who they mistake for Cinna the conspirator. She tries to reason with them but they rip her to pieces with their bare hands. Later, Antony meets Octavius and Lepidus to form the new triumvirate of Rome. Together, they choose which conspirators are to die. Once alone with Octavius, Antony questions Lepidus’s integrity. Octavius defends him but Antony persists in his critique before turning their attention to preparations for the ensuing Civil War against Cassius and Brutus.

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Caesar approaches the Temple, noting that the “Ides of March” have come. He refuses to read Artemidorus’s warning. Cassius worries their plot has been discovered but Brutus reassures him. As they approach the Temple, Metellus Cimber pleads with Caesar to return her brother, Publius, from banishment. Caesar refuses. Once inside the Temple, the conspirators surround Caesar and stab him to death, proclaiming “Tyranny is dead!” Antony’s servant enters and reports that Antony has fled to his house. Brutus invites the conspirators to bathe their hands in Caesar’s blood. As a crowd assembles outside the Temple, Antony’s servant returns to ask for safe passage for Antony to speak with the assassins. Brutus grants his request. Antony enters and offers his life unless they can justify their actions. Brutus tells him that all will be explained once they’ve quelled the crowd. Antony shakes hands with each of the conspirators and requests permission to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Cassius is reluctant but Brutus agrees, making Antony promise not to speak poorly about them. Once alone with Caesar’s body, Antony mourns and vows revenge. Octavius’s guard enters to give word that Octavius is on his way to the city. Antony tells him to report to Octavius about what’s happened and to warn him not to arrive until they see how things unfold.

****

The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “JULIUS CAESAR”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by SHISHIR KURUP. All episodes were directed by HARRY LENNIX. Radio play by MARCUS GARDLEY.

The cast is as follows:

• MICHAEL POTTS             as    JULIUS CAESAR
• GLENN DAVIS                  as    MARK ANTONY
• JEREMY TARDY          as    MARCUS BRUTUS
• LESTER PURRY              as    CAIUS CASSIUS and LIGARIUS
• MEGAN BOONE               as    PORTIA, METELLUS CIMBER and others
• JONELL KENNEDY         as    CALPHURNIA, LUCIUS and others
• CHRISTOPHER MAY       as    CASKA, TITINIUS, VOLUMNIUS and others
• JAMES T. ALFRED          as    CICERO, MURELLUS, PUBLIUS, ARTEMIDORUS, LUCILIUS,  LEPIDUS, and others         
• NEMUNA CEESAY          as OCTAVIUS
• MIRACLE LAURIE           as    MESSALA, DECIUS BRUTUS and others
• CHARLIQUE ROLLE       as    CINNA, SOOTHSAYER, CINNA THE POET, PINDARUS, DARDANIUS and others
• BRANDON JONES          as    FLAVIUS, TREBONIUS and others

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES). Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND.

The Play On Podcast Series “JULIUS CAESAR” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium on Apollo Plus for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “Beware the Ides of March!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brutus paces in his study, unable to sleep. His wife, Portia, enters and begs him to tell her why he’s so troubled. He does his best to comfort her and tells her he’ll explain everything later. Caius Ligarius, an ailing Senator, enters to meet with Brutus, who convinces him to join the assassination plot. Caesar has a hard night as well. His wife, Calphurnia, tells him of terrible dreams she’s been having about his murder and says they are omens for Caesar not to go out of the house. When Decius arrives to accompany Caesar to the Temple, Caesar explains that he is staying home on account of Calphurnia’s dreams. Decius tells him that the blood in Calphurnia’s dreams is a symbol of the new life that Caesar gives his followers and that he will be seen as a coward if he stays home. Caesar changes his mind and leaves with Decius and the rest of the conspirators. Elsewhere, a poet and prophet named Artemidorus writes a letter to Caesar warning him to beware, naming all the traitors who are out to get him. He vows to hand Caesar his letter when he passes by. Outside the Temple, Portia frets over the conspiracy that her husband has confided to her. She tells Lucius to go into the Temple and report back to her about what’s going on. When the Soothsayer passes, Portia grills her to find out what she’s going to tell Caesar. The Soothsayer responds that she is only going to tell Caesar to befriend himself and beware of others.

****

The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “JULIUS CAESAR”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by SHISHIR KURUP. All episodes were directed by HARRY LENNIX. Radio play by MARCUS GARDLEY.

The cast is as follows:

• MICHAEL POTTS             as    JULIUS CAESAR
• GLENN DAVIS                  as    MARK ANTONY
• JEREMY TARDY          as    MARCUS BRUTUS
• LESTER PURRY              as    CAIUS CASSIUS and LIGARIUS
• MEGAN BOONE               as    PORTIA, METELLUS CIMBER and others
• JONELL KENNEDY         as    CALPHURNIA, LUCIUS and others
• CHRISTOPHER MAY       as    CASKA, TITINIUS, VOLUMNIUS and others
• JAMES T. ALFRED          as    CICERO, MURELLUS, PUBLIUS, ARTEMIDORUS, LUCILIUS,  LEPIDUS, and others         
• NEMUNA CEESAY          as OCTAVIUS
• MIRACLE LAURIE           as    MESSALA, DECIUS BRUTUS and others
• CHARLIQUE ROLLE       as    CINNA, SOOTHSAYER, CINNA THE POET, PINDARUS, DARDANIUS and others
• BRANDON JONES          as    FLAVIUS, TREBONIUS and others

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES). Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND.

The Play On Podcast Series “JULIUS CAESAR” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium on Apollo Plus for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “Beware the Ides of March!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caska and Cicero meet on a stormy night. Caska trembles at the omens he’s seen until Cassius arrives and dispels his fears with the encouragement that they’re not alone in fighting tyranny. Cinna nervously joins them, expressing her hope that Brutus will join their conspiracy. Cassius reassures her that Brutus is on board. Later that night, Brutus ruminates at home on the possibility of killing Caesar, deciding that murder is the only way to stop him. His servant, Lucius, announces the arrival of cloaked guests. Brutus welcomes them and Cassius introduces the co-conspirators: Trebonius, Decius Brutus, Caska, Cinna and Metellus Cimber. Together, they plan Caesar’s assassination. Cassius suggests that they swear an oath but Brutus says oaths aren’t necessary because their plan is noble. They all agree not to include Cicero in their plans. Cassius suggests that they also kill Mark Antony but Brutus advises against it, saying they will appear “too bloody” and that Antony won’t be a threat once Caesar is dead. When Cassius worries that Caesar won’t come to the Temple, Decius offers to bring him to the Temple herself. Cassius says they’ll all go to Caesar’s house together instead. Metellus suggests that they include Caius Ligarius in their plans and Brutus agrees, then sends everyone on their way, telling them all to freshen up so their looks won’t betray their purposes.

****

The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “JULIUS CAESAR”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by SHISHIR KURUP. All episodes were directed by HARRY LENNIX. Radio play by MARCUS GARDLEY.

The cast is as follows:

• MICHAEL POTTS             as    JULIUS CAESAR
• GLENN DAVIS                  as    MARK ANTONY
• JEREMY TARDY          as    MARCUS BRUTUS
• LESTER PURRY              as    CAIUS CASSIUS and LIGARIUS
• MEGAN BOONE               as    PORTIA, METELLUS CIMBER and others
• JONELL KENNEDY         as    CALPHURNIA, LUCIUS and others
• CHRISTOPHER MAY       as    CASKA, TITINIUS, VOLUMNIUS and others
• JAMES T. ALFRED          as    CICERO, MURELLUS, PUBLIUS, ARTEMIDORUS, LUCILIUS,  LEPIDUS, and others         
• NEMUNA CEESAY          as OCTAVIUS
• MIRACLE LAURIE           as    MESSALA, DECIUS BRUTUS and others
• CHARLIQUE ROLLE       as    CINNA, SOOTHSAYER, CINNA THE POET, PINDARUS, DARDANIUS and others
• BRANDON JONES          as    FLAVIUS, TREBONIUS and others

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES). Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND.

The Play On Podcast Series “JULIUS CAESAR” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium on Apollo Plus for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “Beware the Ides of March!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Activists assemble outside the Stadium to celebrate Caesar when they’re interrupted by Flavius and Murellus, who challenge them to honor not just one man but all the people who helped in the Movement. Once the group breaks up and moves on, Flavius tells Murellus to help him take down all the posters celebrating Caesar. Inside the stadium, Caesar and his entourage–including his closest friend, Antony, and his wife, Calphurnia–are enjoying the thrills of a drag race when they’re interrupted by an old woman who warns Caesar to beware the “Ides of March”. Caesar dismisses the woman and tells his entourage to enjoy the race with him. Cassius and Brutus stay behind and share their honest feelings about Caesar. Cassius tells Brutus he thinks Caesar is weak, spurring Brutus to confess he’s uneasy with the way things are going in Rome. As they return from the race, Caesar sees the two men talking and tells Antony he thinks Cassius is dangerous. Brutus pulls Caska aside and asks him for details about what took place at the race. Caska describes how Caesar refused the crown three times when it was offered to him, further endearing him to the crowd. Caska also describes how Caesar “fell down” and foamed at the mouth. Brutus suggests that Caesar must have the “falling sickness” (epilepsy). Cassius says Caesar is not like them. Caska goes on to describe how Flavius and Murellus were punished for pulling down placards and posters celebrating Caesar, warning Cassius and Brutus to watch how they treat him. After Brutus and Caska depart, Cassius muses to himself about how easily Brutus can be manipulated.

****

The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “JULIUS CAESAR”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by SHISHIR KURUP. All episodes were directed by HARRY LENNIX. Radio play by MARCUS GARDLEY.

The cast is as follows:

• MICHAEL POTTS             as    JULIUS CAESAR
• GLENN DAVIS                  as    MARK ANTONY
• JEREMY TARDY          as    MARCUS BRUTUS
• LESTER PURRY              as    CAIUS CASSIUS and LIGARIUS
• MEGAN BOONE               as    PORTIA, METELLUS CIMBER and others
• JONELL KENNEDY         as    CALPHURNIA, LUCIUS and others
• CHRISTOPHER MAY       as    CASKA, TITINIUS, VOLUMNIUS and others
• JAMES T. ALFRED          as    CICERO, MURELLUS, PUBLIUS, ARTEMIDORUS, LUCILIUS,  LEPIDUS, and others         
• NEMUNA CEESAY          as OCTAVIUS
• MIRACLE LAURIE           as    MESSALA, DECIUS BRUTUS and others
• CHARLIQUE ROLLE       as    CINNA, SOOTHSAYER, CINNA THE POET, PINDARUS, DARDANIUS and others
• BRANDON JONES          as    FLAVIUS, TREBONIUS and others

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES). Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND.

The Play On Podcast Series “JULIUS CAESAR” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium on Apollo Plus for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “Beware the Ides of March!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marcus Gardley’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s roiling political drama takes us into the heart of the Civil Rights movement. Directed by Harry Lennix and translated into modern English verse by Shishir Kurup, featuring the voices of Michael Potts, Glenn Davis, Megan Boone and Jeremy Tardy, with original composition and Sound Design by Lindsay Jones.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices