Best Michael O Connor Podcasts (2025)

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Frederick Mayoral Debate: Michael O’Connor vs. Tom Trott 47:48

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2d ago47:48

47:48

It was a big day for local politics on 930 WFMD as Incumbent Mayor Michael O’Connor (D) and Republican challenger Tom Trott joined us in studio for a spirited, civic-minded debate about the future of the City of Frederick. 🇺🇸 Both candidates shared their visions, discussed the most pressing issues facing the city, and made their case for why they s…

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True Grit with Stavros Halkias 2:58:27

4d ago2:58:27

2:58:27

We love to pull the cork. Comedian (and probably the biggest Greek-American entertainer of our time) Stavros Halkias joins us to chat about 2010’s True Grit, the Coens’ true attempt to cash their post-Oscar blank check. We’re talking about Hailee Steinfeld’s incredible performance. We’re talking about Jeff Bridges’ distinctive mumbly delivery. We’r…

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A Serious Man with Marc Maron 1:51:51

12d ago1:51:51

1:51:51

The time has come for us to lock the gates. On the occasion of the end of WTF, Marc Maron joins us to talk about chaos, God, mathematics, and Jewish identity as we dive into 2009’s A Serious Man. Highlights of this episode include Marc asking, “Is this a bit?” when David opens the dossier, Marc’s discussion of his audition to play Larry Gopnik, and…

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Burn After Reading with Fran Hoepfner 2:11:15

19d ago2:11:15

2:11:15

What did we learn, Palmer? That 2008’s Burn After Reading is pretty freakin’ hilarious, sir. Our Fran (Hoepfner, not McDormand) joins us this week to talk about Joel and Ethan Coen’s madcap dark comedy about a bunch of morons living in the DC area. The way John Malkovich says “mem-waah”...George Clooney’s homemade dildo chair…Brad Pitt’s stupid fac…

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Miles for Mercy - Frederick Health Hospice 13:54

22d ago13:54

13:54

Tim and Frank chat with the organizers of the Miles for Mercy is a charity poker run benefiting Frederick Health Hospice, providing compassionate end-of-life care and support for patients and families. Riders begin at American Iron Speed-n-Cycle in Frederick, making stops at local breweries, distilleries, and wineries before ending with an after-pa…

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No Country for Old Men with Leslye Headland 2:56:24

27d ago2:56:24

2:56:24

The Two Friendos, plus “Masterpiece” Leslye Headland and “I would have had no problems handling that bag of money” Ben Hosley take on one of the most acclaimed films of the 21st century in this week’s episode. It’s No Country For Old Men week on Blank Check! We’re chatting about Anton Chigurh’s strange physicality, Tommy Lee Jones’ tired resignatio…

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The Ladykillers with Connor Ratliff 2:47:07

1M ago2:47:07

2:47:07

We must have waffles forthwith! We must also have Connor Ratliff on the pod to talk about Tom Hanks for the first time since the completion of his Dead Eyes series! Join us for a spirited discussion about 2004’s The Ladykillers, a film that is universally regarded as the Coens’ worst, and is also the film that ended Hanks’ legendary decade-long bof…

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Mayor Michael O' Connor 17:33

1M ago17:33

17:33

Tim and Frank talk to Mayor of Frederick Michael O' Connor about upcoming projects for Frederick County. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Brad Young, Frederick County Council President 11:28

1M ago11:28

11:28

Tim and Frank talk to Frederick County Council President, Brad Young about the logistics and concerns about the data centers to be built and reflecting on The Great Frederick Fair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Jason Lando, Frederick City Police Chief 12:16

1M ago12:16

12:16

Tim and Frank talk to Frederick City Police Chief, Jason Lando about The Great Frederick Fair and In The Streets and officers engagement with the community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Allena Jaworski, Fair Ambassador 9:12

1M ago9:12

9:12

Tim talks to Allena Jaworski an ambassador for The Great Frederick Fair to talk about her involvement in 4H with the fair, as well as her upcoming plans after graduating high school. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Bill Folden, State Senator 29:22

1M ago29:22

29:22

Tim and Frank talk to State Senator, Bill Folden about the spending surplus in the state of Maryland, and his thoughts on the spending, crime, and other issues in the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Jason Keckler, State Delegate Distrcit 4 Candidate 14:38

1M ago14:38

14:38

Tim and Frank talk to Jason Keckler about running for State Delegate District 4 in Frederick County, his life, and his transition into politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Intolerable Cruelty with Katey Rich 2:15:37

1M ago2:15:37

2:15:37

We’ve been exposed. You’ve nailed our asses. Of course we’re going to defend this movie! 2004’s Intolerable Cruelty features George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones at the height of their powers, yet failed to connect with contemporary audiences. Guest Katey Rich joins us as we attempt to understand why. Too mean? Too talky? A lack of period trappi…

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The Man Who Wasn't There with Jordan Hoffman 2:35:01

2M ago2:35:01

2:35:01

This one’s a real enigma - is The Man Who Wasn’t There a film about the alienation of a man who is deeply closeted and searching for connection in a tightly wound post-war world? Is it about a wife guy who doesn’t know how to express his feelings? Is it somehow about how Beethoven was not only deaf but suffered from horrific diarrhea at the end of …

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O Brother, Where Art Thou? with Emily St. James 2:16:54

2M ago2:16:54

2:16:54

Those Soggy Bottom Boys really know how to carry a tune! Emily St. James joins us to talk about O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a wonderful film whose reputation was ultimately eclipsed by its octuple-Platinum soundtrack of “old timey” bops. When we’re on track, we’re talking peak Clooney, digital color correction, T. Bone Burnett, and the history of S…

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Drama vs. Documentary: Ben Baird’s Unique Sound Journey on 'Last Breath' 51:12

2M ago51:12

51:12

Not only did Ben Baird design and mix the sound for director Alex Parkinson's DRAMATIC film, Last Breath. He also designed and mixed the sound for director Alex Parkinson's DOCUMENTARY film, Last Breath. Same story told with two different approaches; documentary and dramatic - using the same director, same composer, and of course, same sound design…

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Del Pippy/Sheriff Jenkins PSEG 27:11

2M ago27:11

27:11

Tim & Frank talk to Delegate Jesse Pippy and Sheriff Chuck Jenkins about threats being made to surveyors with the Piedmont Transmission Line. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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The Big Lebowski with Seth Rogen 2:49:43

2M ago2:49:43

2:49:43

It’s the episode you’ve all been waiting for - Seth Rogen joins us to talk about the Coens’ 1998 stoner classic The Big Lebowski. It should come as no surprise that Lebowski has loomed large over Seth’s work as a writer and director, and we’re going in depth on the influence and lasting impact of The Dude. Make yourself a White Russian (but maybe t…

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Fargo with Zach Cregger 2:52:22

2M ago2:52:22

2:52:22

Did we get the director of Weapons, another “true story,” on our Fargo episode? You betcha. Zach Cregger joins the Blank Check crew to discuss the Coens’ 1996 masterpiece and we’re going SCENE BY SCENE dissecting this perfect movie. “Minnesota nice,” “Dark Marge,” the Mike Yanagita scene, the origins of Jerry’s overwhelming debt, the inner life of …

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The Hudsucker Proxy with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger 3:41:00

3M ago3:41:00

3:41:00

(Gestures at a circle) You know, for kids! Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger of the Doughboys join us for a freewheeling, gut-busting episode about the time Joel Silver gave the Coens a bunch of money to make a “commercial film” and then it ended up being 1994’s The Hudsucker Proxy. A sampling of topics discussed: Paul Newman being hot up until the day …

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Barton Fink with Chris Weitz 3:27:26

3M ago3:27:26

3:27:26

Is John Goodman the devil? Is the studio system good, actually? Is it better to be the director of a bomb than it is to be the director of a film that doesn’t exist? Filmmaker (and part of a DGA-sanctioned directing duo) Chris Weitz joins us to talk about Barton Fink, possibly the greatest film ever made about the “art vs. commerce” divide inherent…

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Miller's Crossing with Ari Aster 2:09:18

3M ago2:09:18

2:09:18

It’s a movie about hats, and a movie about giving folks the high hat. It’s also a movie about how Jon Polito is the greatest actor in the world. It’s Miller’s Crossing! Filmmaker Ari Aster (go see Eddington!) joins Griffin and David to discuss the Coen Brothers’ knotty homage to the gangster genre, a film overloaded with memorable characters and wi…

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Raising Arizona with John Hodgman 2:41:57

3M ago2:41:57

2:41:57

Jesus Cock, that’s a hot new episode! John Hodgman returns to Blank Check to chat about Raising Arizona, the Coen’s swerve of a follow-up to Blood Simple that trades in the hallmarks of noir for the hallmarks of Looney Tunes. We’re talking about Nic Cage’s sad eyes, Holly Hunter’s year of iconic crying performances, rest stop public pomade, and peo…

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Blood Simple with Ray Tintori & Jordan Fish 2:44:07

3M ago2:44:07

2:44:07

Gather round, folks - it’s time to embark upon a journey through one of the most sterling filmographies in American cinema. Our Coen Brothers series - Pod Country for Old Cast - kicks off with Joel and Ethan’s remarkably assured 1984 debut Blood Simple. Coen experts and hosts of the To The White Sea podcast Ray Tintori and Jordan Fish join us to do…

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Local perspective on Iran 12:19

4M ago12:19

12:19

Tim and Frank talk to Ben Kelke, a local resident originally from Iran. He shares his knowledge of Iranian leadership following recent developments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Vamps with Caroline Framke 2:46:25

4M ago2:46:25

2:46:25

Our Amy Heckerling series comes to an end with 2012’s Vamps, a film produced too late to have an appropriate budget, and too early to be a streaming series. However - we find it charming! Caroline Framke returns to the podcast after 6 years (an eternity for us, but probably a blink for a vampire), and we talk about the pitfalls and pleasures of ete…

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I Could Never Be Your Woman with Karen Chee 2:21:36

4M ago2:21:36

2:21:36

Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Amy Heckerling and Paul Rudd stars as ????? in a totally normal movie that might actually be a voodoo curse made against Amy’s enemies. Oh, also Saorise Ronan makes her FILM DEBUT. What a picture! The incomparable Karen Chee joins us to talk about 2007’s I Could Never Be Your Woman, a movie that was financed by a French s…

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28 Years Later 2:52:29

4M ago2:52:29

2:52:29

Blank Check is going back to the British Isles with Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, and one extraordinarily well-endowed zombie this week as they discuss 28 Years Later. This movie has so much to love in it – wet bones, third-act Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer doing a thing, the Angel of the North, Teletubbies, the aforementioned well-endowed zombies, mind-…

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Emmitsburg Mayor Davis 24:33

4M ago24:33

24:33

Tim & Frank talk to Mayor Frank Davis of Emmitsburg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Loser with Chandler Levack 2:32:48

4M ago2:32:48

2:32:48

The song. The hat. The…casual date rape?!!? In what should have been Amy Heckerling’s “blank check” after the success of Clueless, 2000’s Loser is a real LOSER. Filmmaker Chandler Levack joins us to chat about this technically-not-a-remake-of-The-Apartment “comedy” that gets college surprisingly wrong. Come for the Wheatus talk, stay for the in-dep…

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Join the AirCon25 conference at airwiggles.com/aircon - and land some great sound deals - while you can 1:22

4M ago1:22

1:22

Aircon25 is a 100% free online conference about sound for games, film, series and beyond - take part at airwiggles.com/aircon If you missed some of the livestreams earlier this week, check out https://www.airwiggles.com/c/live-replays/ - and finally, grab some fantastic deals on sound libraries at https://www.asoundeffect.com/aircon-sale/…

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Clueless with Heidi Gardner 2:37:12

5M ago2:37:12

2:37:12

Okay, so you’re probably going, “Is this like a Noxzema commercial or what?” But seriously, this is actually a way normal podcast about one of David Sims’ favorite movies! SNL’s Heidi Gardner (a total betty) joins us to talk about Amy Heckerling’s beloved Jane Austen adaptation, and we’re rolling with the homies. Join us for Alicia Silverstone and …

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Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning 2:57:09

5M ago2:57:09

2:57:09

Griffin, David, Ben, and Marie accepted the mission. They live and pod in the shadows, for those they hold close, and for those they never meet. They also have a few notes for Tom Cruise and Chris McQuarrie with regards to Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Join the crew as they break down all the problems of this latest (and final???) inst…

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Look Who's Talking Too with Max Minghella 2:32:32

5M ago2:32:32

2:32:32

The Ubriacco family are back and - can you believe it? - they’re still talking! Actor and filmmaker Max Minghella joins us to talk about Look Who’s Talking Too, the contractually-obligated, quickly produced sequel to Amy Heckerling’s surprise hit. We’re talking about Mr. Toilet Man (he eats your pee pee and poo poo), Elias Koteas’ Mr. Scary Uncle M…

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Look Who's Talking with Hillary Busis 2:22:04

5M ago2:22:04

2:22:04

In perhaps the spermiest film we’ve ever covered, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley hang out with a baby voiced by Bruce Willis and Amy Heckerling gets revenge on Harold Ramis. As David Sims says early in this episode - Look Who’s Talking is a VERY RICH text. Vanity Fair’s Hillary Busis joins us to talk about this 1989 “forgotbuster,” a film that mad…

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National Lampoon's European Vacation with Jon Gabrus 2:43:00

6M ago2:43:00

2:43:00

Congratulations! You’ve won an all-expenses-paid vacation with Griffin, David, Ben, and Jon Gabrus to Europe! Only downside is…well, you have to watch this movie. From the strange cultural stereotypes to the unfortunate lack of jokes, Amy Heckerling’s sequel to National Lampoon’s Vacation isn’t the smoothest trip. But, it certainly gives us an excu…

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Johnny Dangerously with Josh Gondelman 2:26:02

6M ago2:26:02

2:26:02

He’s the nicest bad guy in town. His last name is an adverb. And he’s got some pretty wacky bits! Sweetie pie comedian Josh Gondelman joins us to talk about 1984’s Johnny Dangerously, Amy Heckerling’s loving homage to 1930’s gangster pictures. Things we attempt to understand in this episode: the cultural legacy of Joe Piscopo; the actual joke that’…

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InSPIREd- The Movie 31:57

6M ago31:57

31:57

A conversation with Russ Hodges, producer of the Frederick historical documentary 'InSPIREd". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High with Lola Kirke 2:25:23

6M ago2:25:23

2:25:23

We’re grabbing our Vans slip ons and heading to the mall as we kick off our Amy Heckerling series - Pod Times at Ridgemont Cast - with Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Fresh off her appearance in Sinners, actual high school friend of Griffin Newman Lola Kirke returns to the pod and things get pretty bogus. Like, David Lynch was supposed to direct this…

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Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert 27:13

6M ago27:13

27:13

Sheriff Albert talks to Tim May about new policy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Schindler's List with David Ehrlich 3:47:32

6M ago3:47:32

3:47:32

Our Early Spielberg series concludes with a movie that is a super fun time and not at all distressing to watch in our current political climate! David Ehrlich joins us to discuss 1993’s Schindler’s List, the film that defined the visual language of the Holocaust and finally got Spielberg his Oscar. We’re getting into the critical debates about this…

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Jurassic Park with Sean Fennessey 3:21:13

6M ago3:21:13

3:21:13

God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates Steven Spielberg. Steven Spielberg makes 1993’s Jurassic Park and changes movie history. The Big Picture’s Sean Fennessey joins us to talk about this totemic blockbuster, and we’re spending three hours talking about the bad boys of the Jurassic era (velociraptors), the bad boys of ILM (Stev…

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Maryland General Assembly Wrap-Up 23:34

7M ago23:34

23:34

Frederick State Senator William Folden reviews the 2025 session with Tim & Frank See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Hook with Lin-Manuel Miranda 2:29:31

7M ago2:29:31

2:29:31

Everyone knows Captain Hook got swallowed by the crocodile at the end of Peter Pan. But what this movie presupposes is…maybe he didn’t? Let us go back to a time when the coolest thing a kid could have was a clubhouse that looked like a skatepark…when the worst thing a dad could do was own a cell phone…and when the craziest thing a filmmaker could d…

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Maryland General Assembly Update 28:44

7M ago28:44

28:44

Frederick Co. Delegate Jesse Pippy discusses some of the hot topics entering the final days of the legislature. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Always with Richard Lawson 2:36:05

7M ago2:36:05

2:36:05

Is it possible for Steven Spielberg to make a movie that doesn’t exist? Well, he sure tried with 1989’s Always, a film where John Goodman plays Monterey Jack of the Rescue Rangers, Richard Dreyfuss riffs to no one as an annoying ghost, and Holly Hunter falls in love with the most dull hottie at the Plane Depot. Our beloved Richard Lawson joins us t…

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Sheriff Chuck Jenkins 47:49

7M ago47:49

47:49

Sheriff, Chuck Jenkins, Joined Tim and Frank on Mid-Maryland live on 3-26-25. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Frederick Data Centers 28:35

7M ago28:35

28:35

A spokesperson for Stop MPRP, The County Council President, and a worker in the field, all give their perspective on Data Centers in Frederick County See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 930 WFMD

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Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with Chris Gethard 2:44:08

7M ago2:44:08

2:44:08

What if Indiana Jones had a dad who was a “grail scholar" but also his “eskimo brother" and he was played by James Bond and he had a funny little hat? We are so glad Steven Spielberg dared to imagine this scenario because we got Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade out of it! Chris Gethard - The self-proclaimed “Bad Boy of Blank Check Guests” - joins…