Best Megan Polk Podcasts (2025)

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Swordheart by T. King Fisher 1:09:22

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5h ago1:09:22

1:09:22

This month we’re discussing “Swordheart” by T King Fisher. We recorded this long enough ago that the sequel hadn't been announced yet, but, as of Fall 2025, DAGGERBOUND has a projected release date in August 2026. If we refer to SWORDHEART as a stand-alone book in the recording, that's why. PUBLISHER: Argyll Productions YEAR: 2018 LENGTH: 426 pages…

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Episode 36: The Return of Monmouth Holiday Magic Makers - Emily McNulty and Megan Habermann-Guthrie 29:16

25d ago29:16

29:16

Send us a text This month we welcome back to the pod Megan Haberman Guthrie and Emily McNulty to chat with us about the time-honored tradition of the WOU Tree Lighting and recent community favorite, Making Spirits Bright. Want to participate in this year's holiday parade? Or maybe you want a sneak peek at one of Megan's horrible holiday jokes? Don'…

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Series Review: The Suitable 'Verse by R. Cooper 15:07

1M ago15:07

15:07

Greetings and welcome to Reviews That Burn: Series Reviews, part of Books That Burn. Series Reviews discuss at least three books in a series and cover the overarching themes and development of the story across several books. Full Text Here Powerful noble families known as the beat-of-fours, answerable only to a ruler and the mysterious, godlike fae…

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Episode 35: Return of Logan Doerfler from the Veterans Resource Center 22:16

2M ago22:16

22:16

Send us a text This month we speak to Logan Doerfler, Director of the Veterans Resource Center at Western Oregon University and third time is the charm! Logan joins us to talk about the upcoming events at WOU for Veterans Day including a week's worth of activities wrapping up with the Run 'n Ruck 5K. What did Logan think of our cool studio sound ef…

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Series: The Orc Prince Trilogy by Lionel Hart 11:18

2M ago11:18

11:18

Greetings and welcome to Reviews That Burn: Series Reviews, part of Books That Burn. Series Reviews discuss at least three books in a series and cover the overarching themes and development of the story across several books. I'd like to thank longtime Patron Case Aiken, who receives a monthly shoutout. Full Text Here This series is sexually explici…

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Episode 34: Annie Buse from Polk County Family and Community Outreach 23:48

2M ago23:48

23:48

Send us a text We have a bonus episode this month as we welcome Annie Buse. Annie is the Drug, Alcohol, and Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator at Polk County Family Community Outreach (Polk County FCO). She joins us to talk about the services they provide to the community, the upcoming Tall Cop program, and how you can help support the mission…

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New Microphone! (and other updates) 5:56

3M ago5:56

5:56

Greetings and welcome to a Reviews That Burn blog post by Robin, part of Books That Burn. I'd like to thank longtime Patron Case Aiken, who receives a monthly shoutout. Full Text Here I have a few updates for everyone! They're all good things and have been a long time coming. ----- Reviews That Burn is a review blog which accompanies the Books That…

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Introducing "Origin Stories" 5:13

3M ago5:13

5:13

Have you ever wondered how your favorite movie or book—or podcast, TV series, documentary, or article—got made? Origin Stories has you covered. Each week, veteran journalist Matthew Shaer talks to a different writer or director about the creation of a work close to their own hearts. Nothing is off the table: not the frustrations and the joys, not t…

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Episode 33: Senior Center Month Preview with Barbara Cronin 24:44

3M ago24:44

24:44

Send us a text This month we welcome the return of Monmouth Senior Community Center Director, Barbara Cronin. Barbara shares with us the incredible programs you can find every month at the Monmouth Senior Community Center. From guest speakers to classes to crafts, there is something for everyone at the Monmouth Senior Community Center. September is…

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I've Joined The Creator Accountability Network 5:51

3M ago5:51

5:51

Greetings and welcome to a Reviews That Burn blog post by Robin, part of Books That Burn. I'd like to thank longtime Patron Case Aiken, who receives a monthly shoutout. I've joined the Creator Accountability Network (CAN) as a provisionally credentialed creator! The provisional period is three months long, and at the end of that time I'll be fully …

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Series Review: The Kingston Cycle by C.L. Polk 16:20

3M ago16:20

16:20

Greetings and welcome to Reviews That Burn: Series Reviews, part of Books That Burn. Series Reviews discuss at least three books in a series and cover the overarching themes and development of the story across several books. I'd like to thank longtime Patron Case Aiken, who receives a monthly shoutout. This episode discusses The Kingston Cycle by C…

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Episode 32: The Wall That Heals 26:07

3M ago26:07

26:07

Send us a text We have a very special bonus episode this month featuring former Mayor of Independence, John McArdle and Vietnam veteran and community volunteer, Billy Whisenant. Billy and John talk to us about The Wall That Heals; a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.. Billy shares a story about a fellow serviceman who has …

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Episode 31: Talking Trash with Josh Brandt Volume II 35:26

4M ago35:26

35:26

Send us a text This month we have our annual Talkin' Trash with Josh Brandt episode! Learn about what is new in the world of recycling, simple things we can do to impact the landfills, and what you should be doing with your cardboard boxes. You don't want to miss this fun and educational conversation. To learn more about Brandts, go HERE Learn more…

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Episode 30: Smith Fine Arts Preview 2025 27:31

5M ago27:31

27:31

Send us a text This month we have the pleasure of talking to Smith Fine Arts Director Jessica Steed! Jessica shares with us all the exciting concerts coming up this season. You do not want to miss this gem in Monmouth. To learn more about the season and where to buy tickets, go HERE To find out more about The Arcadian Wild, go HERE To find out more…

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Series Review - Teeth: The Complete Meal by Chele Cooke 11:32

6M ago11:32

11:32

Greetings and welcome to Reviews That Burn: Series Reviews, part of Books That Burn. Series Reviews discuss at least three books in a series and cover the overarching themes and development of the story across several books. I'd like to thank longtime Patron Case Aiken, who receives a monthly shoutout, as well as returning patron Chris Alvarado. Fu…

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Episode 29: Ed Propst 1:03:22

6M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

Send us a text Join us this month as we share a mega-episode with an interview with Ed Propst. Ed has been a music teacher with the Central School District since 2005 and a music performer since he was very young. He shares his road to music education, his philosophy of teaching, and some of his favorite local bands. Hear some tracks from DTW and g…

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Series Review - Queen's Thief: A Series by Megan Whalen Turner 9:47

7M ago9:47

9:47

Series Reviews discuss at least three books in a series and cover the overarching themes and development of the story across several books. Thank you to Patron Case Aiken who receives a monthly shoutout. Full Text Here Eugenides, the queen’s thief, can steal anything—or so he says. When his boasting lands him in prison and the king’s magus invites …

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Episode 28: Celebrating Public Works 33:51

7M ago33:51

33:51

Send us a text Join us this month as we celebrate Public Works Week! This month our guests are David Karr, City Engineer at the City of Monmouth, and Darin Dornbusch who is the Wastewater specialist at Monmouth Public Works. They share with us some of the projects that have been working on; from rapid flashing beams to help folks cross Highway 99 t…

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Episode 27 - Volunteer Appreciation Month with Sharon Oberst, Melody Barrett, and Dena Jones 36:48

8M ago36:48

36:48

Send us a text This month we chat with Melody Barrett and Sharon Oberst from the Monmouth Arts and Culture Commission (MAC) and Dena Jones from the Monmouth Public Library to celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month. Sharon and Melody share with us all about the new rotating art exhibits at Monmouth City Hall. Want to join the commission or learn mor…

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Two Essays on The Count of Monte Cristo 9:41

9M ago9:41

9:41

I love The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. I have read the unabridged version more than once, and my most recent reread was in 2023. At that time, I wrote a couple of brief essays which I posted on Tumblr, one of which was about a canonically queer character and the other discussed a character who is often left out of the various adaptati…

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Episode 26 - Monmouth Business Association with Roxanne Beltz 26:16

9M ago26:16

26:16

Send us a text Join us this month as we talk to Roxanne Beltz, the President of the Monmouth Business Association (MBA). Roxanne shares with us ways to get involved with great community events - even if you are not a business owner! From Monmouth Music in the Park to Making Spirits Bright, there are lots of events to enjoy. Roxanne also shares info…

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Episode 25 - Meet Dr. Jesse Peters and Katie Wojke from Western Oregon University 35:41

10M ago35:41

35:41

Send us a text This month we are excited to welcome Western University President, Jesse Peters and Vice President of Development | Executive Director of the Western Oregon University Foundation, Katie Wojke. Dr. Peters shares his favorite pieces of literature and what he says is the quintessential American novel (we’ve linked to it in the show note…

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October Daye / Inheritance - Essay Series Part Five: Long Series and How to Read Them 15:11

11M ago15:11

15:11

Hello Patrons and general audience members! Welcome to another Books That Burn essay by Robin. Thank you to Case Aiken, who receives a monthly Patron shoutout. [Full Transcript Available Here] This is the fifth and final entry in a five-part essay series discussing two long-running book series by queer authors: October Daye by Seanan McGuire, and I…

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Episode 24: Director of Monmouth Power and Light, Wade Carey 35:25

11M ago35:25

35:25

Send us a text This month we hear from Monmouth Power and Light Director, Wade Carey. Wade shares with us his road to working in the industry, his insights on hot topics in power, and how customers can save money on their utility bill. Wade also shares how someone can have a career in Power and Light. Any guesses on what he listens to on his commut…

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Two Essays on Generative AI 13:53

12M ago13:53

13:53

Hello Patrons and general audience members! Welcome to a two-part reading of some Books That Burn essays by Robin. Thank you to Case Aiken, who receives a monthly Patron shoutout. These two essays are both about my thoughts on generative AI, but neither was long enough to be an episode on its own. As a reviewer of books, I'm very concerned with the…

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Episode 23: Monmouth Retrospective and the Year Ahead with Mayor Cec Koontz & City Manager Rochelle Roaden 42:33

1y ago42:33

42:33

Send us a text Join us as we look back on Monmouth 2024 with Mayor Cec Koontz and City Manager Rochelle Roaden. They also talk about their vision for the future of Monmouth, the impact of Mayor John McArdle on the entire state of Oregon, and what we can expect as we enter 2025. To sign up for the City of Monmouth's newsletter, go HERE To learn more…

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October Daye / Inheritance - Essay Series Part Four: When a Villain Lives 27:06

1y ago27:06

27:06

Hello Patrons and general audience members! Welcome to another Books That Burn essay by Robin. Thank you to Case Aiken, who receives a monthly Patron shoutout. [Full Text Available Here] This is the fourth in a five-part essay series discussing two long-running book series by queer authors: October Daye by Seanan McGuire, and Inheritance by A.K. Fa…

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Episode 22: Veterans Week at Western Oregon University 27:41

1y ago27:41

27:41

Send us a text Director of the Veterans Resource Center at WOU, Logan Doerfler and Assistant Director of Campus Recreation, Zach Hammerle join the pod this month to chat about Veterans Day activities as Western Oregon University which include the return of the Ruck N’ Run around Downtown Monmouth. Also featured, Zach talks about the many ways Campu…

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October Daye / Inheritance - Essay Series Part Three: Unreliable Narrators 19:11

1y ago19:11

19:11

Hello Patrons and general audience members! Welcome to another Books That Burn essay by Robin. Thank you to Case Aiken, who receives a monthly Patron shoutout. [Full Text Available Here] This is the third in a five-part essay series discussing two long-running book series by queer authors: October Daye by Seanan McGuire, and Inheritance by A.K. Fau…

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Episode 21: Smith Fine Arts and WOU Fall Sports Preview 41:32

1y ago41:32

41:32

Send us a text This month we chat with Dave Beasley from Western Oregon University. Dave chats with us about all things Smith Fine Arts, WOU Fall sports, and strangely enough, 18th Century British Literature. To learn more about Smith Fine Arts, go HERE To learn more about Wolves fall sports, go HERE To read a transcript of this episode, go HERE Le…

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Episode 20: Part 1 - Spooky Events in Monmouth and Independence | Part 2 - Grocery Outlet Supports the Monmouth Senior Community Center 40:04

1+ y ago40:04

40:04

Send us a text Join us this month for a two-part episode featuring Amy Lemco and Marilyn Morton to talk about the spooky activities happening in Monmouth and Independence on October 4th (History and Mystery in Monmouth) and 5th (Ghost Walk in Independence); and we also have Dave Morin from the Independence Grocery Outlet to chat about their latest …

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October Daye / Inheritance - Essay Series Part Two: Series Structure 35:31

1+ y ago35:31

35:31

Hello Patrons and general audience members! Welcome to another Books That Burn essay by Robin. Thank you to Case Aiken, who receives a monthly Patron shoutout. [Full Text Available Here] This is the second in a five-part essay series discussing two long-running book series by queer authors: October Daye by Seanan McGuire, and Inheritance by A.K. Fa…

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October Daye / Inheritance - Essay Series Part One: Character Growth 15:48

1+ y ago15:48

15:48

Hello Patrons and general audience members! Welcome to another Books That Burn essay by Robin. Thank you to Case Aiken, who receives a monthly Patron shoutout. [Full Transcript Available Here] This is the first in a five-part essay series discussing two long-running book series by queer authors: October Daye by Seanan McGuire, and Inheritance by A.…

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Episode 19: Public Safety Fees with Susie Marston and Chief Isaiah Haines 28:40

1+ y ago28:40

28:40

Send us a text Join us this month as we welcome Monmouth Police Chief Isaiah Haines and Finance Director Susie Marston to chat about public safety fees in Monmouth. Hear from them why these are needed and what they will include. We also share ways folks can get involved in the process - from the budget committee, boards and commissions, and attendi…