Best Christopher Allen Thomas Podcasts (2025)

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The Edge Is A Battenberg (ft. guests Brett Goldstein, Emma Thompson, Paul Thomas Anderson) 1:59:43

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22h ago1:59:43

1:59:43

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is one of those jam-packed ones in which we specialise. Guest-wise, Chris Hewitt is blessed with the presence of our old chum, Brett Goldstein, who talks beards, bums, and baring his soul in new romantic drama, All Of You; [18:37 - 36:33 approx] and Chris also has a lovely chat with Emma Thompson as she ent…

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REELTalk: AF Branco, Alexander Duncan, MG Paul Vallely and Major Fred Galvin 2:36:28

1d ago2:36:28

2:36:28

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - Nationally syndicated Political Cartoonist (with Creators Syndicate). the Comically Incorrect AF BRANCO will be here! PLUS, Founder of Stand Up America, MG PAUL VALLELY will be here! AND, Major FRED GALVIN, author or A Few bad Men, will be here! PLUS, candidate for the US Senate seat in Texas, ALEXANDER DUN…

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BEHIND THE LENS #491: Featuring Johnny Danks and Vincent Grashaw 1:15:01

5d ago1:15:01

1:15:01

An interesting show this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we take a look at two very different films and filmmakers, thanks to producer/actor Johnny Danks talking about his new film, SHAKEY GROUNDS, the first one produced under the banner of his company Dank Productions, and director/editor VINCENT GRASHAW discussing the emotionally powerful character st…

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735 Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (with Mark Hussey) | My Last Book with Graham Watson 1:23:55

5d ago1:23:55

1:23:55

Jacke talks to author Mark Hussey (Mrs Dalloway: Biography of a Novel) about Virginia Woolf's beloved novel Mrs Dalloway, which turned 100 earlier this year. PLUS author Graham Watson (The Invention of Charlotte Bronte) stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup open thr…

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For The Love Of Bagpuss (ft. guests Sean Penn; Cillian Murphy & Tim Mielants) 1:36:42

8d ago1:36:42

1:36:42

With Chris off on the fairway, taking his first proper holiday in approximately 20 years, its up to Helen O’Hara and James Dyer — the newly appointed Archbishop of Nerdbury — to hold down the fort, ably assisted by Empire news editor and former Pilot TV stalwart Beth Webb. Between the three of them, they do their level best not to refer to Cillian …

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143. The Towering Inferno 1:24:59

8d ago1:24:59

1:24:59

And here's part 2 of our Shake & Bake double bill. It's getting hot in here, so here's 1974's THE TOWRING INFERNO. Is it as good as Earthquake? Did it deserve the Oscar nominations? Does Fred Astaire dance? Join us and find out. END CREDITS - Presented by Robert Johnson and Christopher Webb - Produced/edited by Christopher Webb - "Still Any Good?" …

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REELTalk: John Guandolo, Dr. Peter Hammond, Lauren Yarger and Matt Nagin 2:31:33

8d ago2:31:33

2:31:33

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - Direct from South Africa, Dr. PETER HAMMOND will be here to share what we may not know about how Marxists operate! PLUS, Terror Threat Analyst and former FBI Agent, JOHN GUANDOLO will be here! Broadway critic LAUREN YARGER will be here to share about what's hot and what's not on and off Broadway & reginal t…

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734 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (#16 GBOAT) | 1925 - A Literary Encyclopedia (with Tom Lutz) 56:09

9d ago56:09

56:09

Jacke talks to author Tom Lutz about 1925: A Literary Encyclopedia, which provides a fascinating window into a year when literature was arguably at its peak centrality. PLUS a look at J.R.R. Tolkien and his influential Lord of the Rings, #16 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup open th…

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BEHIND THE LENS #490: Featuring Allan Ungar, Christopher Leone and Patrick Pianezza 1:05:57

9d ago1:05:57

1:05:57

We're chatting about some wonderful films with some terrific filmmakers this week on BEHIND THE LENS, starting with director/co-writer ALLAN UNGAR talking about his new film, the action buddy comedy road trip, LONDON CALLING. Then in the second half of the show, director/co-writer CHRISTOPHER LEONE and writer/former paramedic PATRICK PIANEZZA are o…

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733 Haruki Murakami (with Mike Palindrome | To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (#17 GBOAT) | A Letter from Tehran 1:24:11

12d ago1:24:11

1:24:11

Haruki Murakami (b. 1949) is one of the rare writers who combines literary admiration with widespread appeal. Host Jacke Wilson is joined by lifelong Murakami fan Mike Palindrome to discuss what makes his novels so compelling, so mysterious, and so popular. Works discussed include The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, and …

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A Clint In The Eye (ft. guests Sam Riley; Hugh Bonneville & Allen Leech) 1:49:03

15d ago1:49:03

1:49:03

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast might just go ahead, make your day, as Chris Hewitt (having recovered from a colleague-inflicted mischief) invites Helen O'Hara and James Dyer into the podbooth for a discussion of the best films directed by Clint Eastwood. Amazingly, The Rookie is given short shrift. Then, our intrepid trio take a look at …

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REELTalk: LTC Allen West, LTG Thomas McInerney, Diana West and Xi Van Fleet 2:23:00

12d ago2:23:00

2:23:00

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - Exec. Dir. of American Constitutional Rights Union and bestselling author, LTC ALLEN WEST, will be here! PLUS, author of American Betrayal, DIANA WEST will be here! PLUS, bestselling author of Mao's America, XI VAN FLEET will be here! AND, bestselling author LTG THOMAS McINERNEY of CCNS will be with us! In …

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The Shameless Plug #7: The Running Mag 41:30

16d ago41:30

41:30

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt sits down with Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, to shamelessly plug the new issue of Empire magazine — is back back back, folks, and comes with a lovely slice of Brisket. Not the meat, mind you, but Glen Powell's dog, who somehow wound up on Chris' lap during one of his forays to the set of Edgar W…

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732 The Bible (#18 GBOAT) | The Diaries of Samuel Pepys (with Kate Loveman) | Health Advice 1:13:35

16d ago1:13:35

1:13:35

Jacke starts the episode by looking at the different ways that ten writers have viewed the Bible, #18 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time. Then he's joined by scholar Kate Loveman, one of the few people in the world who's been able to read the diaries of Samuel Pepys in the original shorthand, for a discussion of her book The Strange Hist…

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BEHIND THE LENS #489: Featuring Miki Magasiva, Anapela Polataivo and Chad Hartigan 1:09:54

16d ago1:09:54

1:09:54

Let's kick things off talking about movies with TINA and my exclusive interview with MIKI MAGASIVA and actor ANAPELA POLATAIVAO.Written and directed by Miki Magasiva and starring Anapela Polataivao, Antonia Robinson, Zac O'Meagher, Beulah Koale, Dalip Sondhi, Nicole Whippy, and Jamie Irvine, among others, TINA is an inspiring drama, a light-hearted…

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731 The Brothers Karamazov Reclaimed (#19 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:21:06

19d ago1:21:06

1:21:06

Responding to a special request from a listener, Jacke discusses Fyodor Dostoevsky, his novel The Brothers Karamazov, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. This episode was originally released as episode #250 on October 7, 2020. For reasons Jacke discusses, it has not been available for several years. One show note: at several points i…

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Gleesons Vs Skarsgårds: Dawn Of Clint Howard (ft. guests MJ Bassett; Sean Ellis & Orlando Bloom) 1:49:05

22d ago1:49:05

1:49:05

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast asks perhaps the biggest question ever tackled on this show: who would win in a fight between the Gleesons and the Skarsgårds? Join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann, as they tackle that scenario and more. Is the world truly ready for the Coppola clan kicking bottom? Elsewhere, our in…

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REELTalk: Dr. Steven Bucci, Christopher Horner, Curtis Grimes and Mike Fine 2:42:20

19d ago2:42:20

2:42:20

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - Legal analyst for GAO, and bestselling author of Red Hot Lies, CHRISTOPHER HORNER will be here! AND, Dr. STEVEN BUCCI of the Heritage Foundation will be here! PLUS, brilliant farceur MIKE FINE will be here! AND, award-winning Country Artist CURTIS GRIMES will be here to share his latest album, What I'm Here…

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730 "To Autumn" by John Keats | The Invention of Charlotte Brontë (with Graham Watson) | My Last Book with Sara Charles 1:06:20

23d ago1:06:20

1:06:20

Jacke looks forward to a new season by exploring the language and imagery of John Keats's famous ode to autumn. Then he talks to Graham Watson about his new book The Invention of Charlotte Brontë: A New Life, which tells the story of how how Charlotte reinvented herself as an acclaimed author, a mysterious celebrity, and a passionate lover. PLUS Sa…

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729 Milton the Revolutionary (with Orlando Reade) | My Last Book with Jodi Picoult | More Exciting News 1:07:45

26d ago1:07:45

1:07:45

Since the publication of John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost in 1667, readers and critics have noted the relationship between the poem and the author's political and personal struggles. What has been less prominent - at least until now - is how the poem came to haunt various political struggles over the next four centuries. In this episode, Jacke…

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The Life Of Chuck/Charles/Charlie (ft. guests Eva Victor; Olivia Colman & Jay Roach; Sir Ben Kingsley) 1:58:18

29d ago1:58:18

1:58:18

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down, on Zoom and in person, with a cavalcade of cracking guests. There's Eva Victor, star/writer/director of the excellent Sorry, Baby, who talks about cats, directing themselves, and people who look like yams. [23:05 - 39:05 approx] Then there's Olivia Colman and Jay Roach, star and director of The…

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REELTalk: Dr. Peter McCullough, MG Paul Vallely, Major Fred Galvin and Alex Duncan 2:24:51

26d ago2:24:51

2:24:51

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - Founder of Stand Up America, MG PAUL VALLELY will be here! PLUS, Dr. PETER McCULLOUGH will be here to discuss his new book, Vaccines: Mythology, Ideology, and Reality! AND, Major FRED GALVIN, author or A Few bad Men, will be here! PLUS, candidate for the US Senate seat in Texas, ALEXANDER DUNCAN will be her…

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BEHIND THE LENS #488: Featuring Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin and David Mackenzie 50:33

30d ago50:33

50:33

A fun show this week on BEHIND THE LENS as I get to take a look at two new films that just opened in theatres on Friday and speak with three filmmakers whom I've spoken with in the past, all of whose work I admire, respect, and in the case of one director, can't get enough of. I'm talking about the wonderful filmmaking team of MICHAEL ANGELO COVINO…

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728 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (#20 GBOAT) | Lorraine Hansberry - RECLAIMED 1:30:35

1M ago1:30:35

1:30:35

As part of the "25 for '25" series, Jacke starts the episode with a look at #20 on the list of Greatest Books of All Time, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Then he reclaims a previous episode devoted to Lorraine Hansberry, author of A Raisin in the Sun, a brilliant playwright who died at the tragically young age of 34. (The Hansbe…

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The Life Of Custard (ft. guests Joaquin Phoenix; Tom Hiddleston & Chiwetel Ejiofor; Samara Weaving & Karl Glusman) 1:58:53

1M ago1:58:53

1:58:53

In one of those bumper-sized guest-filled jamborees in which we specialise, this week's Empire Podcast sees John Nugent sit down on Zoom to interview Eddington star, Joaquin Phoenix... or does Joaquin Phoenix interview John Nugent? All will be revealed. [18:52 - 35:59 approx] Elsewhere, Chris Hewitt has a lovely chat about The Life of Chuck with co…

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REELTalk: Dale Hurd, Michael Walsh, Dr. Peter Hammond and Matt Nagin 2:26:30

1M ago2:26:30

2:26:30

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - Direct from South Africa, Dr. PETER HAMMOND will be here to share what we may not know about Islam! PLUS, bestselling author of Rage To Conquer, MICHAEL WALSH will be here! AND, Senior Reporter and Chief European Correspondent for CBN News DALE HURD will be here! AND comedian and author of The Book of Outca…

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727 Earthly Paradise in Old French Verse (with Jacob Abell) | My Last Book with Victorian Literature Expert Allen MacDuffie | A Dueling Neapolitan Passionate for Poetry 1:04:12

1M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

What happened to Eden? While today we might view the story of Adam and Eve as metaphorical, for many generations of Christians, the Earthly Paradise was a vibrant symbol at the heart of the cosmos. In this episode, Jacke talks to Jacob Abell about his book Spiritual and Material Boundaries in Old French Verse: Contemplating the Walls of the Earthly…

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142. Earthquake 1:19:11

1M ago1:19:11

1:19:11

Part 1 of our 1970s Disaster Movie Double Bill - or as we're now calling it, "Shake & Bake". It's time for Charlton Heston to put his vest on and rescue trapped Californians and a French woman in 1974's EARTHQUAKE. Very much like Carole King (and Martika), we hope you feel the earth move under your feet. PS While editing this episode, we enjoyed a …

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BEHIND THE LENS #487: Featuring Jeremy Rudd and Chuck Russell 54:48

1M ago54:48

54:48

We're going a bit dark this week on BEHIND THE LENS thanks to writer/director JEREMY RUDD and his directorial feature debut with DIE'CED: RELOADED, and the fabulous veteran director CHUCK RUSSELL and his latest dive back into the darkness with WITCHBOARD.Let's kick things off with JEREMY RUDD and his feature debut, DIE'CED: RELOADED, which follows …

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726 England vs France - A Literary Battle Royale (with Mike Palindrome) - RECLAIMED 1:03:36

1M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

“Our dear enemies,” a French writer once called the English. Englishman John Cleese called the French “our natural enemies” and joked “if we have to fight anyone, I say let’s fight the French.” With the exception of some (very important) twentieth-century alliances, the French and the English have been at each others’ throats for a thousand years. …

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Kruegersplaining (ft. guests Celine Song, Dave Franco & Alison Brie) 1:42:37

1M ago1:42:37

1:42:37

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast will haunt your nightmares, but in a good way, as Chris Hewitt returns to the host chair, just in time to tackle, with Beth Webb and Amon Warmann, a Mount Rushmore question about the best Final Girls in horror movies. Their final choices may shock you, but that's nothing compared to the bit where Chris expl…

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REELTalk: LTC Allen West, John Guandolo, Dov Hikind, Xi Van Fleet and LTG Thomas McInerney 2:55:22

1M ago2:55:22

2:55:22

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - Exec. Dir. of American Constitutional Rights Union and bestselling author, LTC ALLEN WEST, will be here! PLUS, Terror Threat Analyst and former FBI Agent, JOHN GUANDOLO will be here! AND, Founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, DOV HIKIND will be here! PLUS, bestselling author of Mao's America, XI VAN FL…

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The Shameless Plug #6: Two Days With James Cameron 42:04

1M ago42:04

42:04

Or 42 minutes with Chris Hewitt and Nick de Semlyen. Which would you prefer? Don't answer that. Anyway, that's what you've got with the latest episode of The Shameless Plug, as Chris and Nick sit down to talk about Nick's extraordinary adventures in New Zealand, shadowing James Cameron for two days as he put the finishing touches to this month's co…

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725 The Trial by Franz Kafka (#21 GBOAT) | Edith Wharton and Patrick O'Brian (with Olivia Wolfgang-Smith) | An Uplifting Story 1:18:40

1M ago1:18:40

1:18:40

Jacke starts the episode with an uplifting story, then submerges himself into chaos and absurdity for a look at The Trial by Franz Kafka, which lands at #21 on the list of Greatest Books of All Time. Then he welcomes novelist Olivia Wolfgang-Smith to the show for a discussion of her admiration for Edith Wharton, her passion for the works of Patrick…

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Alien Earth: An Empire Podcast Special ft. Noah Hawley, Timothy Olyphant & Sydney Chandler 42:21

2M ago42:21

42:21

In space, no-one can hear you pod. Thankfully, we're not on space, we're on Earth, so you will be able to hear this wonderful Empire Podcast special dedicated to Noah Hawley's excellent Alien prequel, Alien Earth, which dropped its first two episodes today on Disney+. Here, you will hear Chris Hewitt sit down with Hawley, the show's creator and sho…

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BEHIND THE LENS #486: Featuring Kristin Scott Thomas and Howard J. Ford 1:10:55

1M ago1:10:55

1:10:55

I'm very excited about this week's BEHIND THE LENS and for you to hear from these two fabulous directors – KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS talking about the delightful, charming, and funny MY MOTHER'S WEDDING and HOWARD J. FORD talking up RIVER OF BLOOD and a "leisurely kayak ride" through the jungles of Thailand, complete with indigenous tribes who don't lik…

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724 The Stranger by Albert Camus (#22 Greatest Book of All Time) | Christopher Isherwood (with Jake Poller) | Postcard from a Listener in Yunnan 1:01:38

2M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Put on your black turtleneck! Jacke starts the episode with a look at #22 on the list of The Greatest Books of All Time, The Stranger by Albert Camus. Then he talks to Jake Poller about British and American novelist and playwright Christopher Isherwood, whose Goodbye to Berlin was adapted into the stage musical and movie Cabaret. In discussing his …

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The Not-So-Difficult Second Movie (ft. guests Guy Pearce and Benedict Wong) 1:45:04

2M ago1:45:04

1:45:04

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Helen O'Hara slip into the host's chair in Chris Hewitt's absence, and use her endless reservoir of patience to corral James Dyer, Alex Godfrey and Ben Travis in a discussion of the best second movies by notable directors (and yes, we know that we didn't mention [INSERT BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS CHOICE HERE])…

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REELTalk: Diana West, Christopher Horner and Comedian Mike Fine 2:09:15

2M ago2:09:15

2:09:15

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - Bestselling author of American Betrayal and Death of the Grown Up, DIANA WEST will be here! PLUS, legal analyst for GAO, and bestselling author of Red Hot Lies, CHRISTOPHER HORNER will be here! AND, brilliant farceur MIKE FINE will be here! In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "If we do not hang together, we …

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723 The Moral Rights of Authors (with Mira T Sundara Rajan) | My Last Book with Radha Vatsal 1:16:28

2M ago1:16:28

1:16:28

As technology advances, the ability of authors and artists to prevent their works from being pirated or misused has become urgent. In this episode, Jacke talks to copyright expert Mira T. Sundara Rajan (The Moral Rights of Authors and Artists: From the Birth of Copyright to the Age of Artificial Intelligence) about the history of copyright law, the…

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141. Crocodile Dundee (w. Tyler Adams) 1:13:58

2M ago1:13:58

1:13:58

G'day, ya flamin' great galahs! We've popped a shrimp on top of the barbecue, donned our hats with corks dangling off them, and headed off to Lassiters for a meeting with Mister Udgawa. That's right, we've gone a bit Australian with our new episode. Our superb guest Tyler Adams from Goon Pod has chosen everybody's Antipodean hero (except for Kylie)…

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BEHIND THE LENS #485: Featuring Nick Rowland and Seth Worley 1:11:31

2M ago1:11:31

1:11:31

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we're looking at two films that, at their hearts, are about fathers and daughters/a father and son – the wonderful family film SKETCH and the fugitive thriller SHE RIDES SHOT GUN. Besides being solidly entertaining films, each delivers incredible performances by the young stars. And joining me to talk about these films…

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722 Kerouac's Road - A Conversation with Ebs Burnough, Director of a New Kerouac Documentary | My Last Book with Beat Generation Expert Steven Belletto 1:03:15

2M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Since its publication in 1957, Jack Kerouac's iconic novel On the Road has inspired millions to head for the highways and live life to its fullest. In this episode, Jacke talks to filmmaker Ebs Burnough about his new documentary Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation, which interweaves stories of modern-day travelers with those influenced by or conne…

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Hey, It's Enrico Pazuzu! (ft. guests Akiva Schaffer and James Gunn) 1:45:49

2M ago1:45:49

1:45:49

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast adds insults to injury, as the team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Alex Godfrey, and Ben Travis — share their favourite movie insults. And, yes, misquote at least one of them horribly. Also, nothing on this earth will prepare you for Alex Godfrey's Pazuzu impression. We can only apologise in advance. Elsewhe…

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REELTalk: Dr. Steven Bucci, Alexander Duncan and Major Fred Galvin 2:17:33

2M ago2:17:33

2:17:33

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - From the Heritage Foundation, Dr. STEVEN BUCCI will be here to discuss Israel! PLUS, candidate for the US Senate seat in Texas, ALEXANDER DUNCAN will be here! AND, author of the bestseller A Few Bad Men, Major FRED GALVIN will be here! In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "If we do not hang together, we shall…

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721 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (The #23 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:28:14

2M ago1:28:14

1:28:14

Jacke continues his journey through the list of the 25 Greatest Books of All Time with a look at Flaubert's "perfect novel," Madame Bovary (1856-57). Telling the story of the bored wife of a provincial doctor who enters into a series of infidelities, Flaubert's debut caused an immediate sensation - and changed the way we've come to view both novels…

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BEHIND THE LENS #484: Featuring Simon Phillips and Jamie Bailey 1:00:55

2M ago1:00:55

1:00:55

It's madness, mayhem, and a whole lotta fun on BEHIND THE LENS this week as we're talking THE OMRO HEIST!!And let me just kick off the show by saying – HEEEEEEE'S BAAAACK!!! SIMON PHILLIPS is back with us today for his fifth appearance on #BTLRadioShow, which makes him the record holder with the most appearances by a single guest in the 11 years of…

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720 The 25 Greatest Books of All Time - #24 "The Odyssey" by Homer | The Conclusion to F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" (with Mike Palindrome) 1:23:43

2M ago1:23:43

1:23:43

Jacke continues his analysis of "The 25 Greatest Books of All Time" by a special look at Homer's Odyssey. Then Mike Palindrome, the president of the Literature Supporters Club, joins Jacke for a discussion of the second half of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1922 story, "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz," in which a young midwesterner travels to a secluded Mo…

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Movie News Mews (ft. guests, Matt Shakman and Sam Rockwell) 1:40:40

2M ago1:40:40

1:40:40

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is all kinds of fantastic. Guest-wise, Chris Hewitt sits down (in person, and on Zoom) with Matt Shakman, director of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, to discuss the FF's debut in the MCU [24:33 - 40:07 approx]; and Sam Rockwell, the cool cat who's Mr. Wolf in The Bad Guys 2. [1:07:02 - 1:19:28 approx] Then…

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REELTalk: MG Paul Vallely, Xi Van Fleet and Dr. Peter Hammond 2:07:24

2M ago2:07:24

2:07:24

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - Direct from South Africa, bestselling author of Slavery, Terrorism and Islam, Dr. PETER HAMMOND will be here! PLUS, author of Mao’s America, XI VAN FLEET will be here! AND, bestselling author and Founder of Stand Up America, MG PAUL VALLELY will be here! In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "If we do not hang…