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Mr Morrison Podcasts
This novel is about a black family who live in 1933. Throughout the story they experience great segregation and other hardships.
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Kirstie Pike is your host of the LGBTQ+ podcast She Comes With Baggage! She’s opening the mic to incredible LGBTQ+ creators, artists, and advocates, and allies. Guests share their journeys, identity struggles, and how they’ve turned challenges into success. Tune in for candid conversations about love, queer friendships, chosen family, self-discovery, and the real, messy, beautiful parts of life. Each episode celebrates LGBTQ+ voices, builds community, and empowers listeners to embrace their ...
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The best short fiction, handpicked by the best voice in podcasting and presented in 3D immersive audio. In every episode, host LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story. LeVar’s narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories by Stephen King, Toni Morrison, Nnedi Okorafor, Kurt Vonnegut, Ken Liu and more to life. So, if you’re ready, let’s take a deep breath... Our immersive audio is best with he ...
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Hosted by Jake The Snake, the Damaged Goods Podcast laughs at the rough parts. It's conversations with people from the various arts, discussing struggles, experiences, and moments that impacted their art and life, along with plenty of eccentric humor and unique observations.
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Robbie Simpson: LGBTQ+ Representation on Hallmark's Finding Mr. Christmas
1:06:39
1:06:39
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1:06:39Today’s guest is Robbie Simpson — an actor, director, producer, and educator based in New York City. Robbie serves as the Director of Creative Development at Midnight Theatricals and the Director of Musical Theater at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. You may recognize him from his role as Chad on General Hospital or as one of the first LGBTQ+ con…
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Tony Morrison: Using Storytelling to Spark Change
1:03:00
1:03:00
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1:03:00Today’s guest is Tony Morrison — a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, media strategist, and founder of Morrison Media Group, a venture helping brands and changemakers activate through storytelling and cultural influence. Tony has spent over a decade at the intersection of media and social change, leading campaigns that shape public perceptio…
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Kinley Clark: Teaching in the South & Fighting Homophobia
1:00:33
1:00:33
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1:00:33Today’s guest is Kinley Clark — a proud queer creative who once taught in the South, where she faced more homophobia than anyone should have to. After leaving the classroom, she turned her energy toward her passion project, her podcast Lez Be Honest, a space where she shares authentic queer stories, mixes in humor, and builds community through repr…
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Manda Malina: The Dark Side of the Music Industry & Reclaiming Her Power
1:09:15
1:09:15
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1:09:15Today’s guest is Manda Malina—a Swedish singer, songwriter, and queer artist based in Los Angeles. Her hit song Her Ocean took off on TikTok in 2023, leading to headlining solo shows including EDC Las Vegas and performances at the 80s Live residency in Lake Tahoe. Through her artistry, Manda explores what it means to show up authentically as a femm…
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Victor Ramos: The Power of Living Boldly & Unapologetically
1:04:13
1:04:13
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1:04:13Today’s guest is Victor Ramos — a vibrant creator whose mix of beauty, pop culture, and comedy has earned him a loyal following on Instagram and TikTok. Beyond his viral makeup tutorials and hilarious skits, he’s also a host on The Q Agenda, where he brings visibility and representation to the queer Latinx community. In this episode, Victor opens u…
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Kelly Hrebenar: Breaking Lesbian Stereotypes
1:04:07
1:04:07
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1:04:07Today’s guest is Kelly Hrebenar — a femme lesbian content creator based in Los Angeles. Kelly shares stories about life after coming out, mental health, and the ups and downs of figuring it all out—while breaking down lesbian stereotypes and opening conversations around femininity through community building. Her work is rooted in making sure others…
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Rose Montoya: Reclaiming Her Story & Building a Life of Trans Joy
1:05:23
1:05:23
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1:05:23Today’s guest is Rose Montoya — a trans Latina creator, model, actor, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Known for her captivating presence and her fearless advocacy, Rose uses her platform to champion equity, mental health, and bodily autonomy. Through fashion, beauty, and storytelling, she celebrates self-expression as a tool for empowerment and las…
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Maartje Hensen: Exploring Queer Fluidity, Self-Expression & Destigmatizing Kink Culture
1:16:58
1:16:58
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1:16:58Today’s guest is Maartje Hensen (they/she) — an Amsterdam-based queer traveler, photographer, and author of The Pride Atlas. Soon-to-be coach and full-time storyteller, Maartje is known for their vibrant, fairytale-like imagery that captures the magic of queer joy and exploration. They’re embracing a new era, retiring the “girl boss” and leaning in…
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Madison Werner: Breaking Barriers in Beauty & Redefining Trans Visibility
1:10:55
1:10:55
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1:10:55Today’s guest is Madison Werner — a self-proclaimed “trans glam girl,” beauty content creator, and human rights activist. She made history as the first transgender face of a Covergirl campaign, and as a born-and-raised Jewish valley girl, she brings both sparkle and substance to everything she does. In this episode, Madison opens up about: ✅ Living…
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Brooke Ventre - Pursuing Creativity and Community
45:44
45:44
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45:44Today’s guest is Brooke Ventre — a multifaceted creator with a deep passion for animals and the ocean. Beyond her creative pursuits, Brooke has acting credits in productions like “Girl Lost” (2016) and “Drib” (2017). On TikTok, she’s built a following of over 128,000 and 1.5 million likes, sharing content that reflects her authentic, fun-loving per…
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Scott Frenzel: Redefining Pop, Mental Health & Breaking Gender Norms
1:03:30
1:03:30
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1:03:30Today’s guest is Scott Frenzel - a rising pop artist who first gained traction on TikTok and YouTube Shorts with his debut single “Sugar High”, which went viral as the number one song on YouTube Shorts with over a million fan-created videos. Since then, Scott has continued to captivate audiences with tracks like “Key Lime Pie” and “Streetlights”, b…
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Blair Imani: Intersectionality of Bisexuality, Islam & Fearlessly Herself
1:16:57
1:16:57
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1:16:57Today’s guest is Blair Imani - a historian, educator, and the brilliant mind behind the viral web series Smarter In Seconds. She’s also an LA Times bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter, and if you’ve ever seen her content, you know she has a one-of-a-kind way of breaking down big, complex ideas with clarity, color, and compassion. The New…
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Mariah Counts: Music, Healing & the Journey to Self-Power
1:11:07
1:11:07
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1:11:07Today’s guest is Mariah Counts, a genre-blending artist whose dynamic sexuality and musical versatility mirror her personal journey. From her early days as an athlete to her fearless rise in the music industry, Mariah has always led with grit and creativity. Music started as a coping tool through family struggles, grief, and coming out, but has gro…
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Ashamad Heard - Chasing Dreams & Creating Without Limits
54:58
54:58
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54:58Today, we’re sitting down with the insanely talented ally Ashamad Heard, a DIY fashion creator, musician, and streamer who’s making waves in the creative world. You might have seen him on Buy It Now or Beast Games on Amazon Prime, but today, he’s here to share his journey - the hustle, the creativity, and any baggage he’s carried along the way. Fol…
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Lexie Peters: Building Inclusive Community & Embracing Masculinity
1:06:02
1:06:02
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1:06:02Today’s guest is Lexie Peters - a creator and community-builder navigating identity, love, and what it means to show up authentically. From growing up more of a tomboy to finding balance in her masculinity today, Lexie’s story is about embracing all sides of yourself while building meaningful connections. In this episode, we’re diving into her jour…
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Michael Amanor (Mikestyle): Creativity, Allyship & Building a Brand
59:14
59:14
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59:14This season is full of LGBTQ+ voices and perspectives, but today I wanted to include a conversation with one of my close friends and longtime allies. Michael may not be queer himself, but his story of creativity, identity, and showing up authentically still deeply resonates. This week on She Comes With Baggage, I’m joined by the brilliant and styli…
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Noa Taieb: Breaking Gender Norms, Embracing Culture & Building a Purposeful Brand
1:08:58
1:08:58
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1:08:58Today, I’m sitting down with my friend Noa Taieb - a lifestyle creator, entrepreneur, and storyteller. Originally from Paris and now based in LA, Noa has built a platform sharing his journey through content, creativity, and self-discovery. He recently launched Sunny Days, a men’s swimwear and lifestyle brand created by and for the LGBTQ+ community,…
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Melanie Posner: Queer Friendships & Turning Art Into Healing
1:00:17
1:00:17
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1:00:17Today’s guest is Melanie Posner - an LGBTQ+ muralist, portrait artist, and creative force based in Los Angeles whose bold, unapologetic work centers around empowerment, identity, and mental health. Through large-scale murals and intimate portraits, Melanie transforms public spaces into canvases of self-expression and healing. In this episode, we go…
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Carolina Gutierrez: Trans Visibility, Resilience & Chasing Dreams
1:09:55
1:09:55
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1:09:55Today’s guest is Carolina Gutierrez—an award-winning Colombian actress, advocate, and proud Latina trans woman who is making waves both on screen and off. From her breakout roles to her most recent short Buscando Alma—which just qualified for the Oscars—Carolina’s work is as powerful as her presence. You’ve seen her in NCIS: LA, The L Word: Generat…
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Dexter Mayfield: Plus-Size Representation & Queer Joy
1:09:07
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1:09:07Today’s guest is Dexter Mayfield—a dancer, actor, plus-size model, and fierce force of queer joy and self-expression. From his early roots in Dallas to performing with icons like Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry, Dexter has built a career that celebrates visibility, movement, and radical self-love. Whether he's lighting up the stage wit…
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KITTENS: Iranian-American DJ Spinning Identity & Untraditional Love
1:13:55
1:13:55
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1:13:55Today’s guest is Lauren Abedini—aka KITTENS. She’s a powerhouse DJ, music producer, podcast host, creative strategist, and an unapologetic voice for intersectional feminism. With Iranian-American roots and a deep connection to her identity, Lauren has spent the last decade carving out space not just in music, but across fashion, beauty, and advocac…
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Kelly Balch: Understanding Non-Binary, Two-Spirit & Going Beyond the Norms
1:11:57
1:11:57
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1:11:57Today’s guest is Kelly Balch—a queer, nonbinary artist, filmmaker, and intuitive storyteller whose work feels like both a mirror and a portal. With over 15 years behind the lens as a photographer and director, Kelly’s creates mediums for us to be seen and celebrated. From their mythic fantasy book series Aphrodite’s Sister, to their docuseries Beyo…
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Matt McKenley: Growing Up In A Religious Household & Finding Your Voice
1:07:38
1:07:38
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1:07:38Matt McKenley is a model, actor, and content creator whose bold blend of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle has made waves across TikTok and Instagram. But beyond the aesthetic, Matt shares something much deeper—his journey of growing up gay in a religious household, the process of unlearning shame, and embracing his full, authentic self in both life a…
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Dominic Pérignon & Carter Nelson: Unpacking Trans Joy and Friendship
1:10:55
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1:10:55Hey everyone, welcome back to She Comes With Baggage! Where we unpack the real, unfiltered experiences that shape who we are. My hope is that through these deep conversations and laughs, we realize we’re all more alike than we are different. Today, I’m joined by two incredible guests, Dominic Pérignon and Carter Nelson—creators, storytellers, and p…
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Season 2 of She Comes With Baggage is officially here. The season is going to look a little different as I, Kirstie Pike, am opening up the mic to friends and creatives who inspire me. I truly believe in the power of stories to connect us, heal us, and remind us that we are never alone in the baggage we carry. In a time when so many stories are bei…
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Louis Levanti: Bisexuality, Monogamy & Producing Content
1:02:29
1:02:29
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1:02:29Hey everyone, welcome back to She Comes With Baggage! This season is going to look a little different as I am opening the mic up to friends and creatives who inspire me…and where we unpack the real, unfiltered experiences that shape who we are. Whether you’re here for the deep conversations, the laughs, or just to feel a little less alone in the ba…
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, Jake The Snake, aka Jake Fraczek, aka The Hennessy Hemingway, aka The Pierogi Poet's guest is artist Mr. Omar King. They discuss Omar's debut book An Odyssey Of Dingbats!, the worst part of dating The Incredible Hulk, who would direct and star in his book's movie adaption, why money can't buy a personality,…
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, Jake Fraczek, aka The Rap Jim Garrison, aka The Pierogi Poet, aka Hennessy Hemingway's guest is comedian Scott Kidd. The two discuss social media bannings, the effect large arenas have on stand-up comedy, union work, fighting Skynet with laughter, and who got peed on by Jim Morrison? Follow Scott Kidd on In…
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, Jake The Snake, aka J The S, aka the Cinematic Snob, aka Scorsese Eyebrows, discusses the most memorable movie villains, what makes them menacing, teaching kids bad words, why a great bad guy is so important, and best character arc ever. This episode has SPOILER ALERTS. Follow Jake on IG @jakefraczek @damag…
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Destro's Hierarchy of Needs w/ Scott Kidd
50:33
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50:33On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, J The S, aka Jakub Fronczek, aka Dr. Snakelton's guest is comedian Scott Kidd. The two discuss originality, different perspectives on joke stealing, the perils of Dubstep, the downside to having good vision, reading the ingredient labels on food, how G.I. JOEs were the best toys ever, and the precious value…
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, Jake The Snake, aka Jake Fraczek, aka Dr. Snakelton, aka The Medicine Man, discusses the jobs artists have on the way to being able to eat off their craft, and how even some famous and succusfel creatives have to go back to having a second, "regular" job if their career takes a bad turn. Plus, he shares the…
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, Jake Fraczek, aka Jakub the Snakeub, aka the Hennessy Hemingway, aka the Pierogi Poet's guest is entrepreneur & old friend Cyrus Kam. The two discuss the value of transparency in business, being proud of having regrets, great heist movies, wearing disguises, cultural and political changes in Iran, words bei…
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, Jake Fraczek, aka J The S, aka Dr. Snakelton, aka The Human Driftwood's guest is comedian Scott Kidd. The two discuss watching movies with sex scenes on airplanes, pros & cons of clean comedy, tackling meth-head fans off stage at concerts, hecklers & being quick off the cuff, and why crazy relationships tea…
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The world's only time traveler finally reveals his secrets. "The Toynbee Convector" © 1983 by Ray Bradbury Content advisory: suicideBy Stitcher
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A reality TV show producer tries to make love happen, on- and off-screen. “The November Story” is from MUSIC FOR WARTIME by Rebecca Makkai, published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Find LeVar on Instagram Live on Monday, May 6th from 6:30-8pm Pacific, celebrating 13 seasons of LeVar Burton…
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, J the S, aka Jakub the Snakeub, aka The Cinematic Snob, aka The Mystic Critic, discusses the recent onslaught of musician biopic movies, some underrated and overlooked ones that got it right, disrespecting legacies, and why the Hollywood monster can't stop, won't stop. Follow Jake @jakefraczek @damagedgoods…
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"She Builds Quick Machines" by Lyndsie Manusos
38:33
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38:33Robotics, quick machines, fugitives -- none are exactly what they seem on the surface. Find more from the author at https://lyndsiekay.wordpress.com. And find LeVar on Instagram Live on Monday, May 6th from 6:30-8pm Pacific, celebrating 13 seasons of LeVar Burton Reads! Join us for a Q&A and surprise guests. Follow @levar.burton on IG and mark your…
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"When the Apples are Ripe" by Diane Oliver
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44:59A young boy puzzles over the behavior of his mysterious elderly neighbor, his parents, and his older brother, a budding civil rights activist. This story appears in the collection entitled NEIGHBORS AND OTHER STORIES by Diane Oliver, published by Grove Press. Content advisory: racial slur, racismBy Stitcher
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On a long mission to search for a new home planet, an outfitter tries to protect the crewmembers' lives. But can she protect herself from the inevitable loss and heartbreak? This story first appeared in Uncanny Magazine. For more from the author, check out anamariacurtis.com. Content advisory: pandemic, death…
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, Jake Fraczek, aka J the S stands for Jake the Snake, aka the Pierogi Poet's guest is writer and actor Dustin Green. The two discuss the release of his new audiobook A.V.A.R.I.C.E., why some books don't adapt well to the screen, what makes feedback worthy, ego getting in the way of perfecting a project, & mo…
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"The Appropriation of Cultures" by Percival Everett
33:44
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33:44A young Black musician is heckled by a group of white fraternity brothers, asking him to play "Dixie." His response surprises everyone, including himself. This story appears in the collection DAMNED IF I DO, published by Graywolf Press.By Stitcher
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"The Hidden Forests of Earth and Mars" by Anna Zumbro
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43:34A young woman must decide her future: planting seeds and forging civilization on Mars, or caretaking for future generations on Earth. This story originally appeared in Cast of Wonders. Find more from the author at annazumbro.com. Content advisory: climate change and ecological collapseBy Stitcher
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"Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush" by Luis Alberto Urrea
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39:13The self-proclaimed Graffiti King of Mexico brandishes his magical paintbrush, providing commentary on small-town sins. This story appears in the collection THE WATER MUSEUM. Find more from the author at luisurrea.com. Content advisory: sexism, sexual harassmentBy Stitcher
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"The World Wasn't Ready for You" by Justin C. Key
57:50
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57:50An exploration of the depth of a father's love, and his attempts to keep his son happy, healthy and safe in a world rife with racism and violence. This story appears in Justin C. Key's collection THE WORLD WASN'T READY FOR YOU. Content advisory: death, police brutalityBy Stitcher
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"Quarropts Can't Dance" by Rodrigo Culagovski
33:29
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33:29A human street performer breaks out his boombox for an unauthorized and unwelcome performance on Planet Drx. For more from the author, visit https://culagovski.net. Content advisory: references to ecocideBy Stitcher
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, Jake The Snake, aka You can't pronounce his last name, aka The Pierogi Poet, aka The Borscht Boss's guest is author, writer, and adventurer Brendan Heneghan. The two discuss his new book, The Hard Road, why bully twins suck, how wild road trips fueled his first novel, the satisfaction of revenge, political …
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"Folk Hero Motifs in Tales Told by the Dead" by KT Bryski
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46:00A trickster storyteller brings camaraderie and hope to the land of the dead. Find more from the author at ktbryski.com. Content advisory: Death and dying; references to the death of a childBy Stitcher
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A scientist explores (and transcends) the limitations of the human body, using her daughter as a test subject. This story was first published by Tor.com. Find more from the author at www.taraisabellaburton.com. Content advisory: DeathBy Stitcher
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On this episode of Damaged Goods Podcast, Jake The Snake, aka Jack the Snack, aka the Former Cheeto Bandido, discusses five infamous myths that have existed in the world of music. From the removal of one's own bones for pleasure, to chicken heads going missing, to CIA songwriters, & more, Jake touches on what turned out to be urban music folklore. …
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LeVar Burton Reads is back with all-new episodes starting February 20th, but if you don't want to wait, you can get a taste right here! Look out for stories from Rebecca Makkai, Luis Alberto Urrea, Justin C. Key and more. We think 13 might be our lucky number...By Stitcher
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