Unpacking Peanuts

Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, Liz Sumner

The show where three cartoonists take an in-depth look at the greatest comic strip of all time-- Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.

  • 1 hour 20 minutes
    Understanding Snoopy Episode 4 - As You See Him, You Will Draw Him

    The gang takes on the epic task of discussing Snoopy’s many visual changes and go on a few cartooning-related side quests as well… discussing Leonard Starr, Stan Drake, Hal Foster, Harold Gray and more.

    Link to Snoopy image:

    https://peanuts.fandom.com/wiki/Snoopy?file=Image_2022-06-02_120907435.png

    Link to Scott McCloud's pyramid:

    https://www.scottmccloud.com/4-inventions/triangle/index.html

    Preorder 25th Anniversary Amelia Rules:
    https://bookshop.org/shop/Gville

    Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

    Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark. 

    For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  

    Thanks for listening.

    9 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 28 minutes
    With Mark Evanier - Co-Author of The Essential Peanuts

    Comics legend Mark Evanier stops by to discuss his work on the amazing new book The Essential Peanuts. We discuss Mark’s life in comics including his relationships with icons like Jack Kirby, Jim Davis, and of course, Charles Schulz. 

    Mark's Blog https://www.newsfromme.com/

    Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

    Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark. 

    For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  

    Thanks for listening.

    25 November 2025, 5:00 am
  • 57 minutes 13 seconds
    Understanding Snoopy Episode 3 - It’s Kind of Magical

    The gang takes a closer look at Michael’s favorite era of Snoopy. Fourth wall breaks, funny punchlines, and a healthy dollop of Beagle violence are all discussed. Then we answer the question…. Who is the GOAT-- Linus or Snoopy?

    Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

    Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark. 

    For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  

    Thanks for listening.

     

    11 November 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    With Andrew Farago: Author of Snoopy: The Story of My Life

    Today, the gang welcomes Andrew Farago: Curator of the Cartoon Art Museum, and author of several books on comics and two on Peanuts in particular. We discuss Andrew’s approach to crafting Snoopy’s “autobiography,” his love of comics in general, and his work on properties from Dune to the Ninja Turtles.

    Andrew's book and other museum events are available here:
    https://www.cartoonart.org/store/snoopy-the-story-of-my-life-the-myth-the-legend-the-beagle

    Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

    Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark. 

    For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  

    Thanks for listening.

    28 October 2025, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    With Paige Braddock, Creative Director Emeritus for the Schulz Studio

    We are thrilled to welcome Paige Braddock, the Creative Director Emeritus for the Schulz Studio. Hired by Charles Schulz himself as Creative Director in 1999, Paige is also the talented cartoonist behind Jane’s World, Peanut, Butter, & Crackers, and more. 


    Paige recommends the book Love Letters to Jane's World as a place to start. https://janesworld.us/janes-world/

    Her current work, Peanut Butter & Crackers, is available from Penguin Books and from Nosy Crow in the UK.
    https://peanutbutterandcrackers.com/

    Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

    Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark. 

    For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  

    Thanks for listening.

    14 October 2025, 4:00 am
  • 14 minutes 50 seconds
    Sittiin’ in the Mailbox #1

    The gang answers your emails in this special fun-sized bonus episode!

    7 October 2025, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 25 minutes
    Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown!

    To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Peanuts, Michael, Harold, and Jimmy each pick their top ten Peanuts strips of all time! Who picks what? Will one character dominate? One Decade? Listen to find out what is the toppermost of the poppermost in Peanuts five decade run of brilliance.

    You Tube interview Jimmy mentions:
    https://youtu.be/s_vmm4JW61U?si=lNs3Cqh-aQTz9D6F

    Our original discussion of Be Of Good Cheer was in our 1955 Part 2 episode from May 24, 2022 at 0:54:42.

    Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

    Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark. 

    For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  

    Thanks for listening.

    2 October 2025, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 49 seconds
    Preview: Jimmy Gownley’s Dumb Ideas

    Please enjoy this special full-length preview of Jimmy’s new podcast. It is available on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    http://gvillecomics.substack.com

    23 September 2025, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Understanding Snoopy: Episode 2 - A Few Lines Expressing Joy

    Our season-long look at the world famous beagle continues. This week we discuss Snoopy’s metamorphosis from cute puppy to banana nose anarchist to doghouse philosopher. Along the way, we discuss evolving art styles, Ninja High School, and Jeff Smith’s Bone. 

    The Buzzfeed quiz we talk about: https://www.buzzfeed.com/appletv/this-quiz-will-determine-which-peanuts-character-you-are

    Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

    Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark. 

    For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  

    Thanks for listening.

    16 September 2025, 4:00 am
  • 1 minute 49 seconds
    Unpacking Peanuts - Fun Size

    Here's a short teaser for Unpacking Peanuts, the show where 3 lifelong cartoonists take an in-depth look at the comic strip masterpiece, Peanuts. Jimmy Gownley, Harold Buchholz and Michael Cohen examine the complete run of the comic by Charles M. Schulz from 1950 all the way up to the year 2000. Plus special guests and bonuses.

    Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark. 

    For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  

    Thanks for listening.

    2 September 2025, 8:04 am
  • 1 hour 31 minutes
    Understanding Snoopy: Episode 1 - Super Minimalist Snoopy

    We’re back! And we kick off our new era with a season-long examination of the greatest comics character ever, and everyone’s favorite flying ace/grocery store clerk, Snoopy! In this episode we examine Snoopy’s origins as an unassuming little puppy, in an unassuming little comic strip.

    Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

    Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark. 

    For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  

    Thanks for listening.

    2 September 2025, 4:00 am
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