Best James Willems Podcasts (2025)

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Announcing... Stories That Stick & Goosebuds Returns! 2:22

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16h ago2:22

2:22

Hey listeners, I'm excited to share some big changes to the podcast! If you've been listening this past year we've already made format changes-- covering wider ranges of nostalgic media as it shifts into a solo-host show. This two-month break gave me the breathing room I need to figure out what gets me most excited for the show and what will build …

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‘Good Boy’: Ben Leonberg & Kari Fischer On Crafting A Haunted-House Thriller From A Dog’s POV, Indy’s “Performance,” & Festival Reactions [The Discourse 23:38

4d ago23:38

23:38

They say dogs can sense death, staring at something just beyond our perception. In “Good Boy,” that instinct becomes the engine for an entire film. Directed by Ben Leonberg and produced by Kari Fischer, the story unfolds entirely from the perspective of a golden retriever named Indy, who seems to be the only one aware that a house carries a siniste…

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Putting Ring of Honor OUT of BUSINESS? 38:40

4d ago38:40

38:40

Scorpio Sky & James Willems talk about horn man, The Offspring, U2, false finishes, Hulk Hogan, WCW themes, TNA, Bubba Ray Dudley, diamond cutter, Gatson Cutter, DDP, New Texas Pro Wrestling, Borracho Pro Wrestling, AAPW, Brick Savage, Jim Ross, Cody Rhodes, Dynamite, Scorpio Sky vs Cody Rhodes, mall food court, Bruegger's Bagels, Cajun Grille, RF …

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‘Play Dirty’: Shane Black On Reinventing Parker, Mark Wahlberg Stepping In for RDJ, Marvel Memories, ‘The Nice Guys’ Sequel & More [The Discourse Podcast] 21:24

5d ago21:24

21:24

The underworld is crowded with thieves, but Parker has always stood apart. Created by Donald Westlake in the early 1960s, the character has been portrayed on screen by actors including Lee Marvin, Mel Gibson, and Jason Statham. He's a blunt-force professional who isn’t Bond, isn’t Batman, but something rougher, hungrier, and coded by his own ruthle…

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BENNY SAFDIE (Uncut Gems): Directing Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in THE SMASHING MACHINE plus filmmaking tips. 50:36

6d ago50:36

50:36

Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, The Curse) joins this weeks The Filmmakers Podcast to discuss the challenging process of directing his solo feature debut, the gritty sports biopic The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA legend Mark Kerr. Fellow filmmakers Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sit with Benny and dive into the Safdie style, his approa…

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#25: Who is the Tallest Michael? 52:36

6d ago52:36

52:36

Somebody call a doctor, preferably a tall one, because Elyse’s questions are D.O.A. She Speeds (1994) through quality Captain Crunch lore, breaking various Texas Bovine Laws as she races to “tear down that wall!” Luckily, the rebel alliance of James, AJ and Zach strikes back. New episodes every Tuesday. Brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠Elyse Willems⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Jam…

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Nicky Bentham & Suhayla El-Bushra on Their Powerful New Film 'Brides' Producing & Screenwriting on Challenging Narratives of Indie Filmmaking. 54:58

10d ago54:58

54:58

Welcome back to the latest episode of The Filmmakers Podcast, the show that takes you behind the scenes of making feature films and TV. This week, we are privileged to host the brilliant creative team behind Brides, an urgent and empathetic feature film that tackles one of the most complex and heartbreaking social issues of our time. First, we welc…

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‘The Man In My Basement’: Nadia Latif & Willem Dafoe On Their Visceral and Poignant Thriller, Powerful Themes Staying with You, Robert Eggers’ ‘Werewolf’ & More [The Discourse Podcast] 38:49

11d ago38:49

38:49

‘The Man In My Basement’: Nadia Latif & Willem Dafoe On Their Visceral and Poignant Thriller, Powerful Themes Staying with You, Robert Eggers’ ‘Werewolf’ & More [The Discourse Podcast]

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ALL TIME Scariest Wrestlers 37:35

11d ago37:35

37:35

Scorpio Sky & James Willems talk about a really rough start, investigating with pilots, elevator drinking, trains on youtube, Angelo Trinidad, Knott's Scary Farm, Halloween Horror Nights, The Weekend, Aaliyah, Stranger Things, Joe Keery, Djo, So Cal Haunt List, haunted houses, The Conjuring, Ed and Lorraine Warren, grift, Bray Wyatt, WWE, Sycho Sid…

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‘All Of You’: Brett Goldstein On Love, The Science of Soulmates, ‘Shrinking’ Surprises, & ‘Ted Lasso’ [The Discourse Podcast] 23:47

12d ago23:47

23:47

Love stories are rarely clean, and in “All of You,” the mess is the point. The new drama follows Simon and Laura, lifelong friends played by Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots, as they drift in and out of each other’s lives while a soulmate test promises definitive answers to the question of “the one.” Instead of neat bows and easy catharsis, the fil…

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‘Adulthood’: Josh Gad & Kaya Scodelario On Sibling Chaos, 'Crawl 2,' & The Long Road To ‘Spaceballs 2’ [The Discourse Podcast] 21:41

13d ago21:41

21:41

Secrets in the family have a way of festering, and in Alex Winter’s new thriller “Adulthood,” that rot takes the form of a literal body. The film thrusts estranged siblings Megan and Noah, played by Kaya Scodelario and Josh Gad, into a spiral where responsibility can no longer be avoided, and every choice risks compounding into catastrophe. The fil…

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#24: Dancing with Shrek in the Pale Goonlight 46:05

13d ago46:05

46:05

We oil check ourselves before we rub hog wreck ourselves in this week’s free-for-all question bonanza. Zach ponders whether or not Casper rules will allow him to bring his wheelchair with him to the afterlife; Elyse surprises with a husband-centric Ain’t No Slang; and AJ and James debate the merits of CATS (2019) versus The Cat in the Hat (2003) – …

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‘HIM’: Justin Tipping On Mashing Horror & Sports, Marlon Wayans’ Career-Best Performance, & Building A New Mythology [The Discourse Podcast] 19:59

18d ago19:59

19:59

The drive to be the best has always carried a cost, but in Justin Tipping’s new film “HIM,” that cost curdles into something nightmarish. Opening September 19 through Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Universal Pictures, the story takes the familiar arc of athletic ambition and twists it into a surreal descent where glory and terror run side…

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‘Chief of War’: Jason Momoa On His Hawaiian Epic, Directing the Finale, Historical Accuracy vs. Spectacle, & ‘Street Fighter’ [Bingeworthy Podcast] 21:21

18d ago21:21

21:21

On this episode of Bingeworthy, host Mike DeAngelo heads into ‘Chief of War’, Apple TV+’s bruising, beautiful, and epic historical saga told largely in the native Hawaiian language and anchored by Jason Momoa as Ka‘iana. The series reframes Hawai‘i’s unification through a warrior-exile (Momoa) who’s seen the outside world and returns warning that t…

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John Barth - Sabbatical: A Romance 2:31:58

18d ago2:31:58

2:31:58

The Spine Crackers return from their...well uh...extended break with a discussion of John Barth's 1982 metafictional romance of espionage, family, love, and death Sabbatical! Back again soon we promise.

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Chris Van Vliet Shows Us the Ropes 37:52

18d ago37:52

37:52

Chris Van Vliet (Insight with Chris Van Vliet) stops by to talk with Scorpio Sky & James Willems about being a podcast legend, shoe talk, Travis Scott, Cactus Jack, social media clips, interview style, curiousity, why questions, Shawn Michaels, Ultimate Warrior, Stone Cold, Sting, Randy Orton, radio DJ, MTV2, internet, maintaining kayfabe, saturday…

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Making a feature film for under 250k in 7 days with 'TAPE's Bizhan Tong and Stephen Belber 1:13:30

20d ago1:13:30

1:13:30

Join us for this weeks The Filmmakers Podcast as we chat to director and writer Bizhan Tong and screenwriter Stephen Belber to talk about their latest feature film TAPE. Tape is an adaption of Stephen's written feature (also called TAPE) back in 2001, directed by Richard Linklater. They chatted with Giles Alderson about how they collaborated and ma…

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#23: Why Can’t the FBI Find Hackers (1995) to Hire? 47:46

20d ago47:46

47:46

Clarice Starling could run laps around the FBI's dwindling hacker pool... Why? Plus, what flavor of ice cream did Baskin-Robbins release in 1969 to commemorate the Moon Landing? Which Best Picture nominee did Leo DiCaprio butcher while presenting at the 2014 Golden Globes? And why can’t dogs resist the stinky allure of skunk butts? James, Zach and …

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Most Controversial Non-Controversial Podcast 37:31

25d ago37:31

37:31

James Willems and Scorpio Sky talk about more free shoes, Antique Road Show for shoes, Mr Bucket, sock game, movie theater popcorn split, Flexo, Watts, Grand Prix, 8 percent body fat, harsh lighting, fragile ego, motorcycles, 8 hour ride, bike accident, honda shadow, Oxnard, opening up to friends, PCH, The Strandwich, 2 fingers, therapy, gossip, be…

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Willem Dafoe & Nadia Latif talk 'The Man in My Basement' 26:02

27d ago26:02

26:02

Welcome back to The Latest Filmmakers Podcast, the show that takes you behind the scenes of the most anticipated films with the creative minds who make them. This week, we're honored to have a pair of brilliant artists to discuss their new psychological thriller, a film that explores the chilling depths of history, identity, and the burden of legac…

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‘Alien: Earth’: Noah Hawley On Creature Design, Transhumanism & Proving The Show Belongs In The ‘Alien’ Canon [Bingeworthy Podcast] 21:36

27d ago21:36

21:36

On this episode of Bingeworthy, host Mike DeAngelo is joined by writer, director, and showrunner Noah Hawley ("Fargo," "Legion") to discuss his new FX series, "Alien: Earth." The highly anticipated prequel series debuted August 12th and runs through September 23rd, delivering a bold new chapter in the iconic sci-fi horror franchise. Set in a future…

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#22: Whipping Out My Gunter's Chain 50:01

27d ago50:01

50:01

Raise your hand if you’re too dumb for science trivia? Great. While AJ, James, and Zach are distracted, we can tell you that this episode features a disturbing story about how to visit Disneyland while you’re in New York City, an unnerving impression of Winnie The Pooh, and someone (we won’t say who) desperately trying to offload the mantle “Piggy …

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Getting Popcorn to Go? 39:20

1M ago39:20

39:20

James Willems and Scorpio Sky talk about tools in your toolbox, Power Rangers, Fortnite, bad guy dojo, James is big now, shirtless photos, Mr Olympia, club buff, kneecap, ATHLEAN-X, all fluff, pause bench, being 184 vs 210, being TV ready, movie theater popcorn, Regulation Podcast, AEW, new gear, tights vs trunks, angel wings, calf size, obstacles,…

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#21: Who is the "Piggy of the Podcast?" 54:37

1M ago54:37

54:37

Answer for It LIVE is at The Bell House in New York City on October 8th! Join James, Elyse, and Drawfee's Julia LePetit and Jacob Andrews! With more special guests to come. Tickets on sale now at The Bell House or via jameswillems.com/answer-for-it Calling all lollipop ladies! Sample a taste of the Magnificent Mangalista, which in no way smells lik…

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How to write and direct comedy features with ‘Poor Things’ Writer Tony McNamara & ‘Austin Powers’ Director Jay Roach: 'The Roses' 44:09

1M ago44:09

44:09

This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, returning hosts Conor Boru and Francis Annan are joined by writer Tony McNamara and producer/director Jay Roach to discuss their latest feature film The Roses (2025), starring Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Andy Samberg, to name a few. Tony McNamara – Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of The Favouri…

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‘Platonic’ Season 2: Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Stoller & Francesca Delbanco On Codependency, Physical Comedy & More [Bingeworthy Podcast] 27:15

1M ago27:15

27:15

n this episode of Bingeworthy, host Mike DeAngelo is joined by comedy icons Seth Rogen & Rose Byrne, along with creators Nicholas Stoller & Francesca Delbanco, to discuss Season 2 of "Platonic." The hit Apple TV+ comedy series returned August 6th and runs through October with new episodes that double down on codependency, middle-aged mayhem, and Ro…

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Episode #37 - Leonie Schliesing and It Takes Two 51:27

1M ago51:27

51:27

The incredibly talented voice actor Leonie Schliesing (Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, Wuthering Waves) graces us with her presence for today's episode, as we explore a couch co-op masterpiece the form of Hazelight's It Takes Two. We also explore how multilingualism helps Leonie create new opportunities in voice acting/v…

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Fight a Bear & Land a Plane 33:37

1M ago33:37

33:37

James Willems and Scorpio Sky talk about long tibia, motivation, Sky in Scotland, in flight meal, blood sausage, old fashions, weird foods, bear encounters, hey bear ho bear, emergency landing, clapping at movies, Flight with Denzel, landing a plane, Frankie Kazarian, fear of flying, Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, writing for games, Gamescom, Hallowe…

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#20: The Early BORG Gets the Worm 44:58

1M ago44:58

44:58

Answer for It LIVE is at The Bell House in New York City on October 8th! Join James, Elyse, and Drawfee's Julia LePetit and Jacob Andrews! With more special guests to come. Tickets on sale now at The Bell House or via jameswillems.com/answer-for-it Elyse trades trivia for monkey puzzles in this week’s slang-heavy episode. Then, in two clutch moment…

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Sir Ben Kingsley & Chris Colombus: From Sexy Beast to Harry Potter to The Thursday Murder Club! 51:18

1M ago51:18

51:18

This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, hosts Conor Boru and Francis Annan welcome two icons of the filmmaking world: producer, writer and director Chris Columbus, and Academy Award-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley. Chris Columbus – the creative force behind classics such as Home Alone, Mrs Doubtfire and the first two Harry Potter films – shares his exp…

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‘Relay’: Riz Ahmed, Lily James, & David Mackenzie On Paranoid Thrillers, Whistleblowers, Building Chemistry Through Distance, ‘Fuze’ & More [The Discourse Podcast] 29:22

2M ago29:22

29:22

On this episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo is joined by Riz Ahmed, Lily James, and director David Mackenzie to talk about ‘Relay’, a paranoid thriller set in New York City that follows a world-class “fixer” (Riz Ahmed) who brokers lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin. He keeps his iden…

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The Official Counter Programming Podcast 51:34

2M ago51:34

51:34

Scorpio Sky & James Willems talk about a rough start, checking in, James is having trouble, in our comfies, LAX, 15 hour flight to Scotland, Don Callis Family, back in the mix on TV, a Von Erichs update, overly humble, Scorpio Sky in Japan, Scott Lost, Kikutaro, wearing a mask, Revolution Pro, scrambled PPVs, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Summerslam, Hall…

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‘Twisted Metal’ Season 2: Michael Jonathan Smith & Anthony Carrigan On Bigger Action, Calypso’s Madness, James Gunn’s ‘Superman,’ & more [Bingeworthy Podcast] 30:08

2M ago30:08

30:08

On this episode of Bingeworthy, host Mike DeAngelo heads back into Peacock’s wildest ride, ‘Twisted Metal.’ Season one surprised audiences with its mix of brutal action, absurdist comedy, and unexpected heart. Now, season two takes things even further, upping the stakes with bigger stunts, more elaborate effects, a larger cast, and cosmic weirdness…