Hey all, here’s another bonus episode, this time on the crazy new Apple TV show, Pluribus.

Pluribus is the latest show from Breaking Bad creator, Vince Gilligan, who in our book is one of the all-time great TV creators. His writing is intelligent, meticulous, unexpected, and wry, and this show is wild. It’s very Twilight Zone-y. Creepy, thought provoking, thrilling, extremely odd in the best way, and super fun.

If you haven’t tried it, we definitely recommend you give it a shot! And then, of course, listen to this podcast. And if you end up getting subsumed into the collective, we’ll be covering the rest of the season on Wax Episodic, available wherever you get podcasts, or at ⁠⁠waxepisodic.com⁠⁠. 

PS If you’ve been a Podcastica listener for awhile, you might be interested know that the hosts for this podcast are me (Jason) and Karen, who started this network 15 years ago with The Walking Dead ‘Cast. So much fun podcasting with Karen again! 

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Here’s Daphne, Wendy, and Jason with a check-in about the state of things in the United States, with our unvarnished thoughts and opinions about it all.

We walk you through:

1. The state of things in the country since Trump came into office.

2. Some hopeful signs that things may be shifting in our favor.

3. What we do (and maybe you can do, too) to cope and to fight back.

Plus, we have some impassioned feedback from you guys, which we’re always grateful for.

Please consider attending a No Kings protest this Saturday, Oct 18. You can find one near you at nokings.org.

The Human Rights Campaign information on protesting peacefully and safely: https://www.hrc.org/resources/tips-for-preparedness-peaceful-protesting-and-safety

If you feel like connecting, come join our Mayday Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thtmayday

Podcasts (w/ Apple Podcasts links):

• Pod Save America: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pod-save-america/id1192761536

• The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-show-with-jon-stewart/id1583132133

• Main Justice w/ Andrew Weissmann & Mary McCord: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/main-justice/id1679657705

• Michelle Wolf’s Thought Box: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/michelle-wolfs-thought-box/id1772719946

• Daphne’s comedy podcast, Buffalo Buffalo: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/buffalo-buffalo-podcast/id1754897232

YouTube channels:

• Robert Reich: https://www.youtube.com/@RBReich

• Heather Cox Richardson: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson

• Jimmy Kimmel Live (look for his monologues): https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyKimmelLive

• Sam Reich’s  Dropout: https://www.youtube.com/@dropout

• Amanda’s Mild Takes: https://www.youtube.com/@Amandas-Mild-Takes

• Late Night with Seth Meyers (look for A Closer Look segments): https://www.youtube.com/@LateNightSeth

• The Daily Show: https://www.youtube.com/thedailyshow

• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: LastWeekTonight

Show support and get ad-free episodes: patreon.com/jasoncabassi or go to buymeacoffee.com/cabassi for a one-time donation (thank you!)

We’ll talk to you soon!

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Bonus Episode: Introducing Wax Episodic

Hi, Jason here. This is a special bonus episode reposted from my new podcast, Wax Episodic, where I cover top-tier, story-rich TV shows one season at a time with different co-hosts.

We’re kicking things off with Alien: Earth, and I wanted to share the first episode here so you can check it out. If you like it, please consider subscribing to Wax Episodic — it’s my new podcast home, and you can find it at ⁠waxepisodic.com⁠. 

• Or just search “Wax Episodic” wherever you get your podcasts.

PS If The Handmaid’s Tale pulled you in with its chilling look at systemic oppression and power run amok, Alien: Earth offers a similarly unsettling take—this time through a sci-fi lens, with corporations and institutions exerting control in quietly terrifying ways.

Alien: Earth S1E1&2: “Neverland” & “Mr. October”

The wait is over — Alien: Earth has landed, and Noah Hawley’s first two episodes deliver everything we hoped for: suspense, grotesque alien terrors, strange new lifeforms, and a sharp look at how unchecked corporate ambition could shape our future — in a series that (at least so far) feels both classic and brand new. Join Jason, Randy, and Kara as we dig into “Neverland” and “Mr. October.”

Links from the episode:

• Brain interface used to edit YouTube video — paralyzed Neuralink patient also uses AI to narrate with his own voice:

⁠https://www.tomshardware.com/peripherals/wearable-tech/brain-interface-used-to-edit-youtube-video-paralyzed-neuralink-patient-also-uses-ai-to-narrate-with-his-own-voice?utm_source=chatgpt.com⁠ 

Next up on Wax Episodic: Alien: Earth S1E3 “Metamorphosis”!

Let us know your thoughts:

• Email or send a voice message to: [email protected]
• Or join the discussion in our Alien: Earth Facebook group: ⁠facebook.com/groups/alienearthpodcastica⁠ 

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Need a little more reflection on The Handmaid’s Tale? Here’s 3 hours for ya! :) Thanks for all the wonderful feedback everyone. It’s been a truly fantastic, meaningful experience for us, and you guys were a huge part of that.

Daphne will be leading a book club soon, probably in a couple weeks, starting with either The Handmaid’s Tale or The Testaments. If you’d like to take part, join our “The Handmaid’s Tale: Mayday” Facebook group and look for a poll about it soon: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thtmayday

Other than that, we hope to see you back for The Testaments TV series!

Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum!

Show support and get ad-free episodes: patreon.com/jasoncabassi or go to buymeacoffee.com/cabassi for a one-time donation (thank you!)

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Here we are, at the end! So much to talk about. Join Daphne, Wendy, and Jason to talk it out, and we’ll let the podcast speak for itself :)

Note: We’ll have at least one and possibly two feedback-only episodes coming soon. 

Join our group at The Handmaid’s Tale: Mayday, a place to talk about The Handmaid's Tale, and also a safe space to vent about the Trump administration, give each other support, and talk about what we can do to fight back and save our democracy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thtmayday

Next up: Feedback on the last few episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale, and the series as a whole.

• You can email or send a voice message to [email protected].
• Or check out our Facebook group, where we put up comment posts for each episode, at facebook.com/groups/podcastica.

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What an exciting, eventful, and heartbreaking episode this week. Daphne and Jason are happy to be joined by Madeline (aka Red Leader Understudy) to talk it out.

Join our group at The Handmaid’s Tale: Mayday, a place to talk about The Handmaid's Tale, and also a safe space to vent about the Trump administration, give each other support, and talk about what we can do to fight back and save our democracy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thtmayday

Next up: The Handmaid’s Tale series finale (*gulp*) S6E10 “The Handmaid’s Tale”. Once you’ve seen it, let us know your thoughts. We’ll be doing a feedback-only episode some time after the finale airs. 

• You can email or send a voice message to [email protected].
• Or check out our Facebook group, where we put up comment posts for each episode, at facebook.com/groups/podcastica.

Show support and get ad-free episodes: patreon.com/jasoncabassi or go to buymeacoffee.com/cabassi for a one-time donation (thank you!)

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Some subverted expectations this week, but in the best way, as many are forced to reckon with their decisions and their behavior, with more to come next week. We’re happy to be joined this week by listener and frequent voice message leaver, Mai Almardini!

Join our group at The Handmaid’s Tale: Mayday, a place to talk about The Handmaid's Tale, and also a safe space to vent about the Trump administration, give each other support, and talk about what we can do to fight back and save our democracy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thtmayday

Next up: The Handmaid’s Tale S6E9 “Execution”. Once you’ve seen it, let us know your thoughts!

• You can email or send a voice message to [email protected].
• Or check out our Facebook group, where we put up comment posts for each episode, at facebook.com/groups/podcastica.

Show support and get ad-free episodes: patreon.com/jasoncabassi or go to buymeacoffee.com/cabassi for a one-time donation (thank you!)

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Another great episode, emotional, with some highly disturbing moments, that sets us up for what we hope is an explosive one next week.

Join our group at The Handmaid’s Tale: Mayday, a place to talk about The Handmaid's Tale, and also a safe space to vent about the Trump administration, give each other support, and talk about what we can do to fight back and save our democracy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thtmayday

Next up: The Handmaid’s Tale S6E8 “Execution”. Once you’ve seen it, let us know your thoughts!

• You can email or send a voice message to [email protected].
• Or check out our Facebook group, where we put up comment posts for each episode, at facebook.com/groups/podcastica.

Show support and get ad-free episodes: patreon.com/jasoncabassi or go to buymeacoffee.com/cabassi for a one-time donation (thank you!)

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In this episode of Handmaids Tale: hosts Daphne, Wendy, and Jason dive into Season 6, Episode 6, "Surprise." Tensions run high as unexpected alliances form and shocking turns of events come to light, changing the game for everyone. They break down the biggest moments, explore character motivations, and share their predictions for what’s coming next. Don't miss their deep dive into this pivotal and emotional episode! 

Join our group at The Handmaid’s Tale: Mayday, a place to talk about The Handmaid's Tale, and also a safe space to vent about the Trump administration, give each other support, and talk about what we can do to fight back and save our democracy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thtmayday

Next up: The Handmaid’s Tale S6E7 “Shattered”. Once you’ve seen it, let us know your thoughts!

• You can email or send a voice message to [email protected].
• Or check out our Facebook group, where we put up comment posts for each episode, at facebook.com/groups/podcastica.

Show support and get ad-free episodes: patreon.com/jasoncabassi or go to buymeacoffee.com/cabassi for a one-time donation (thank you!)

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Alright, we’ve had a nice few episodes where people were things were pretty calm, but things are going down now, and we’re here for it. 

The Emergency Is Here (Ezra Klein getting real about the Abrego Garcia situation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN1oBfg0fwI

Join our group at The Handmaid’s Tale: Mayday, a place to talk about The Handmaid's Tale, and also a safe space to vent about the Trump administration, give each other support, and talk about what we can do to fight back and save our democracy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thtmayday

Next up: The Handmaid’s Tale S6E6 “Surprise”. Once you’ve seen them, let us know your thoughts!

• You can email or send a voice message to [email protected].
• Or check out our Facebook group, where we put up comment posts for each episode, at facebook.com/groups/podcastica.

Show support and get ad-free episodes: patreon.com/jasoncabassi or go to buymeacoffee.com/cabassi for a one-time donation (thank you!)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wendy, Daphne, and special guest Amye discuss The Handmaid’s Tale S6E4, “Promotion". Lawrence balances family life as he takes a big step while June's plans are challenged by Luke and Moira's desires for rebellion.

Check out Amye’s podcasts at: littlemissrecap.com 

Next up: The Handmaid’s Tale S6E5 “Janine”. Once you’ve seen them, let us know your thoughts!

• You can email or send a voice message to [email protected].
• Or check out our Facebook group, where we put up comment posts for each episode, at facebook.com/groups/podcastica.

Show support and get ad-free episodes: patreon.com/jasoncabassi or go to buymeacoffee.com/cabassi for a one-time donation (thank you!)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices