#podmod

By: Justin McElroy and Dan Goubert

Category: Food podcast

No Trigger/Content Warnings Apply

Rating: 4/5 Hot Mics

"Don't forget to drink the milk!" -- The Empty Bowl sign-off

         Sometimes life is too stressful for horror movies or podcasts about the hilarity of death, sometimes we need to take a step back and practice mindfulness and self-care. For me, one of my favorite ways to unwind is with a crunchy, delicious serving of cereal. Or rather, a podcast about cereal. Join Justin McElroy and cereal expert Dan Goubert as they keep us updated on breakfast news and alternative forms of cereal, all set to a backtrack of soft ocean waves. 

         Throughout each episode, Justin and Dan review at least one kind of cereal that they have eaten earlier that week (don't worry, misophones, no gross mouth/eating noises to skip). This podcast is an easy-listen, a resting place where cereal news is read in soothing tones and the audience is encouraged to call in pre-recorded messages in the same manner. If you are looking for a relaxing podcast to fall asleep to, this would be a good one to consider. 

         I really enjoy listening to The Empty Bowl, which makes me chuckle considering how I dismissed it initially. Who would want to listen to a podcast about boring cereal? Me, apparently. In the end, the light humor and calming tones of this podcast make it ideal to listen to when trying to stave off a pandemic-induced anxiety attack. Which makes this podcast perfect for anyone seeking a little calm. 

Happy Podcasting!

Rincoe Tix review

Death is Hilarious

Podcast by: Tawny Platis

Genres – Comedy, Metal Health

Rating: 4/5 Hot Mics

Content warnings: Death, death of a spouse, COVID-19 mention, dark humor

“…while I AM now in the midst of planning a revolution, I still need to cope with my grief along with everything else that comes along with the world’s current tom-fuckery.” – Tawny Platis

Keeping ‘on brand’ for me, this next podcast recommendation also finds beauty and humor in the dark. ‘Death is Hilarious’, once called ‘The Dirty Bits’, is a podcast that has changed drastically over the years, and yet has never seemed more relevant during this time of social-distancing and navigating the first hellish months of 2020. Initially, this podcast featured episodes that covered the ‘dirty bits’ of history in a way that was comedic and titillating. The topics ranged from Catherine the Great’s X-rated furniture, to James Joyce’s pornographic and fetish-y letters. Each episode ran approximately fifteen to twenty minutes long and mostly featured Tawny Platis (aka ‘The Witty Widow’) speaking to her listeners with a southern Californian drawl and a delightfully dry sense of humor.

Over time, as Tawny’s husband dealt with increasing health issues, the format of the podcast changed as well. George Platis appeared more frequently as a co-host, trading witty quips with Tawny and laughing as she regaled smutty details from history. After George passed away in November of 2019, the podcast pivoted and transformed. What had once been a project that helped Tawny and George laugh through dark days, now became a platform for Tawny to process grief and explore dark humor as a coping mechanism.

The podcast now goes by the moniker ‘Death is Hilarious’, and is a comedic and heartfelt podcast that sits with grief and those who have lived/are living through it. Using humor to cope with dark times is nothing new, like singing nursery rhymes about pockets full of posies and bridges falling down. Humans, especially comedians, have always stood in the face of their own misfortune and found something to laugh about, and Tawny Platis is an example of that human trait. ‘Death is Hilarious’ invites the listeners to be uncomfortable, to ask questions about how to support those who are dealing with grief and loss, and to laugh, even if you wonder if it’s okay to be laughing.

This podcast is in its early stages of growth beyond ‘The Dirty Bits’ era, branching off into a blog, meditative episodes, and stand-up routines. But my favorite part of this production are the episodes in which Tawny sits down with someone who has also experienced loss, to talk about their stories and to hear what they have to say. These newer episodes run approximately thirty to forty minutes long and remain engaging the entire time. The jokes are quick and sharp, and sometimes left me nearly teary with laughter. I do want to note that I enjoy dry and dark humor, as do many Millennial and Gen Z individuals. While this show does not explicitly cater to a younger audience, I have found in my own experience that those in the older generations do not have the same appreciation for this type of wit. Despite this, I would still encourage those who are over forty to give this podcast a shot. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from these episodes, even if dark humor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Sometimes it’s hard to listen to what the guests and host herself have gone through, but the wisdom and sense of camaraderie in each conversation are worth a listen. Grief is an isolating beast, and during a time when so many of us are socially isolated and grieving, it’s nice to listen to a podcast that reminds us that even when it’s dark, we do not have to be alone. We can support each other. We can laugh, cry, and most importantly listen to those who are struggling around us. So post more memes about COVID-19 and the free-fall of America’s illusion of democracy; dark humor will only help us cope with the trauma in our lives, and Tawny Platis is paving the way in George’s memory.

You can find more of Tawny’s work at Tawnyvoice.com, or search for ‘Death is Hilarious’ on your preferred podcast platform. 

Happy Podcasting!

(All images can be credited to Tawny Platis, she created the images and gave permission for use.)

CadaverCast: A Father-Son Monster Movie Podcast 

Alistair and Jeff Burnham 

Podcast Genre: TV & Film

Rating: 4/5 Hot Mics

"Welcome to Frankenstein's Monkey Farm!" - Al Burnham

CadaverCast Cover Art (Photo Credit: Angel Onofre - Instagram 'angelonofre')

 I'm not really a horror fan, so when CadaverCast was recommended to me, I almost skipped it. But after being a faithful listener for three years, I'm so glad I gave it a chance! Listeners are invited to join 'CadaverDad' Jeff Burnham and his son Alistair in delightful reviews and funny conversations about getting 'cinematically spooked'. This charming podcast features almost 100 episodes, each with an average run-time of about thirty minutes. The audience is welcome to listen in on silly, spooky, and insightful criticisms as father and son discuss both modern and classic horror films.

Alistair and Slimer (Photo Credit: Jeff Burnham)

 When the podcast first started off, Al was four years old, but you wouldn't know it by listening to him. From the very beginning, Al spoke with intelligence and empathy, and his passion for spooky things was clear. CadaverDad (an instructor at DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts) helped to guide and mediate the conversation, while encouraging Alistair to think critically about media. CadaverCast often takes requests to cover certain movies, but not all of those movies are appropriate for Alistair to watch while he’s so young. (There’s a big difference between Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the 1931 version of Dracula.) When they get requests to cover the more intense horror movies, Al produces his own segment called ‘Who the Al is…?’, where, based only on the cover art/trailer, he creates movie plots on the fly about his take on what the horror movie might be about. Sometimes, he’s surprisingly accurate!   

CadaverCast Episode 80 Cover Art (Photo Credit: Jeff Burnham)  

 Each episode follows the same basic format, with father and son introducing the movie first and giving a basic summary of the plot. There are a few recurring review questions/themes that are usually discussed, such as ‘Beastly Best’ and ‘Get Spooked’. Al advises what parts of the movie might be too scary for younger children, and CadaverDad Jeff fills parents in about content warnings within the movie that are not suitable for children. One thing I particularly appreciate is the way Jeff teaches his son to recognize harmful tropes, especially ones that target minorities. For example, in one episode, Alistair notes that a doctor, who is a woman, is never referred to by her title, just her first name. His dad takes the opportunity to have an honest discussion with his son about why this is a problem, especially since another male character is repeatedly referred to by his title.

Al and Jeff Burnham in action!  (Photo Credit: Jeff Burnham)

 Listeners of CadaverCast get the wonderful opportunity to witness how the podcast and conversations grow and become more in-depth as Al himself grows up. In the earlier episodes, when prompted to talk about that episode’s chosen movie, Al would often jump right to the end of whatever movie they were discussing. CadaverDad took it in stride (albeit with amused exasperation) and helped walk Al through the review questions. Now seven years old, Alistair is a pro at analyzing and critiquing the media he and his dad discuss on the podcast. (He even takes his own notes before they record.) He still jumps to the ending of the plot sometimes, but I am constantly impressed by Al’s ability to examine media and communicate his thoughts. Especially when he is able to articulate a difference of opinion and establish his own boundaries.

CadaverKid Al and CadaverDad Jeff (Photo Credit: Jeff Burnham) 

 Every good podcast has a social media presence, and CadaverCast is no different! I will provide the links below, and I strongly encourage people to check out their facebook fan group, the “CadaverCast Critters and Creeps Club”. You can find cool articles on horror movie news, spooky memes, and updates on the Burnham family endeavors, including some awesome pictures drawn by Alistair himself!

‘Attack of the Killer Tomatoes' by Alistair Burnham, 2016  (Photo Credit: Jeff Burnham)

 Over all, CadaverCast is a charming little podcast that is enjoyable even for those who are not hardcore horror fans. It's easy to listen to and lighthearted, even if the topic is horror. This more than deserves a rating of 4/5 Hot Mics. And major props to CadaverDad Jeff (and CadaverMom Amber) for raising such a well-spoken, empathetic child.  

 Happy Podcasting!

 PodMod