Best Rough Draught Podcasts (2025)

1
Mouthful of Birds 1:03:12

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2+ y ago1:03:12

1:03:12

Kirsty & Carissa pack some feathered snacks and go on a journey through Samanta Schweblin's spooky, surrealist, feminine focused story collection. Topic: Mouthful of Birds by Samanta Schweblin Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Interior Chinatown 42:12

2+ y ago42:12

42:12

Enter Carissa & Kirsty - into a film, or is it reality, or is it a book, about how family and society contributes to the things you want to be and the things you are. Topic: Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Watchmen 1:07:06

2+ y ago1:07:06

1:07:06

Carissa & Kirsty don their capes and enter an iconic multimedia graphic novel universe where nuclear armageddon looms and everyone kind of sucks! Topic: Watchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Anna Karenina (2012) 1:06:03

3y ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Kirsty & Carissa enjoy an unfairly maligned, highly stylized film adaptation of Tolstoy's classic romance/tragedy/political criticism, featuring many hot people, much gossip, the theatricality of passion, and aristocracy in Russia. Topic: Anna Karenina (2012), dir. Joe Wright Theme: "Make It Ours" by Evermore…

1
Life & Death 49:23

3y ago49:23

49:23

Kirsty & Carissa dive into some classic American poetry about aging, living, and dying. What more is there to say? You'll have to listen to find out. Topic: Life & Death by Robert Creeley Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Henna Wars 49:50

3y ago49:50

49:50

Kirsty & Carissa dive into teen competition, appropriation, and queer romance in this fun YA drama. Topic: Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
School of Rock (2003) 47:22

3+ y ago47:22

47:22

Listen. Sometimes you've just got to stick it to the man and rock out, dude. Let's discuss why this movie holds up better than almost any other. Topic: School of Rock (2003), dir. Richard Linklater Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
The Scarlet Letter 52:06

3+ y ago52:06

52:06

intrigue! moralistic judgment! witchcraft??? You guys know this one. Let's get silly. Topic: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Normal People 55:15

3+ y ago55:15

55:15

Kirsty & Carissa follow a tumultuous relationship over several years as Marianne & Connell deal with trauma, social status, and Being Irish. Topic: Normal People by Sally Rooney Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
A Handful of Blue Earth 57:20

3+ y ago57:20

57:20

Kirsty & Carissa dive into this translation of Lebanese poetry to discuss the blending of various traditions, legends, and truths. Topic: A Handful of Blue Earth by Vénus Khoury-Ghata Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Zami: A New Spelling of My Name 47:12

3+ y ago47:12

47:12

Kirsty & Carissa dive into Audre Lorde's biomythography to discuss heritage, relationships, and self-discovery. Topic: Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Telegraph Avenue 57:12

3+ y ago57:12

57:12

Kirsty & Carissa take a trip to Oakland to talk community, music, interpersonal drama, and redemption. Topic: Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
The Truman Show (1998) 45:09

3+ y ago45:09

45:09

Now we're really hitting the classics. Kirsty & Carissa enter the moon dome to discuss perceived reality, trust, self, and, of course, capitalism. Topic: The Truman Show (dir. Peter Weir) Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure 44:10

3+ y ago44:10

44:10

Kirsty & Carissa enter an eternal battle between good and evil that begins in 19th century England. Jonathan Joestar meets Dio Brando! Tensions are high! There may be vampires involved! Words alone simply cannot communicate what is happening here! Topic: Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 1: Phantom Blood by Hirohiko Araki Theme: "Make It Ours" by Everm…

1
What have you done to our ears to make us hear echoes? 58:05

3+ y ago58:05

58:05

Kirsty & Carissa dig into poetry that draws from several sources, including AI and various folklore. Topic: What have you done to our ears to make us hear echoes? by Arlene Kim Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
8 Mile (2002) 33:52

3+ y ago33:52

33:52

Kirsty & Carissa snap back to reality (ope!) to discuss Eminem, friendship, confidence, and deeply satisfying rap battles. Topic: 8 Mile (dir. Curtis Hanson) Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Dune! 1:00:44

4y ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Kirsty & Carissa travel to Arrakis for a political-action-thriller that may or may not now be a major motion picture. Topic: Dune by Frank Herbert Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
2021 in Review 44:22

4y ago44:22

44:22

We made it through another one. Carissa & Kirsty reflect on the good, the bad, and the weird shit they read in 2021. All hail Luigi. Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Die Hard (1988) 44:09

4y ago44:09

44:09

Kirsty & Carissa celebrate the season with a classic holiday film that is strategic, psychotic, and just plain fun. Topic: Die Hard (1988, dir. John McTiernan) Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Trail of Lightning 48:31

4y ago48:31

48:31

Kirsty & Carissa enter a quasi-apocalyptic future full of magic, tricksters, dreamboats, and makeover montages. Topic: Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Pygmalion 43:24

4y ago43:24

43:24

Kirsty & Carissa learn to speak properly about class, misogyny, and the expectations we place on the people in our lives. Topic: Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Kitchen Confidential 53:32

4y ago53:32

53:32

Kirsty & Carissa pop into the kitchen for an adventure in the NYC restaurant scene. And yes, there is a reference to the Nic Cage film Pig (2021). Topic: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead 59:29

4y ago59:29

59:29

Kirsty & Carissa -- or is it Carissa & Kirsty? -- wander through the plot of Hamlet and their own lives with some verbose companions. What is the point???? You decide! Topic: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Children of the Corn 41:59

4y ago41:59

41:59

In the October spooktacular finale, Kirsty & Carissa enter a suspiciously empty town and get to the bottom of the corn maze. Twice. Topic: "Children of the Corn" by Stephen King Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Between Two Fires 50:13

4y ago50:13

50:13

Kirsty & Carissa step back to 14th-century France and encounter plague, demons, biblically accurate angels, and a quest. It's religious horror! It's Lovecraftian! It's all-around weird! What are the fires? Let's find out! Topic: Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman Theme: "Make It Ours" by Evermore…

1
Addams Family Values (1993) 50:46

4y ago50:46

50:46

They're creepy and they're kooky, they're watching spooky movies because it's Halloween time! You know what's happening here! Let's talk about Joan Cusack! Topic: Addams Family Values (1993, dir. Barry Sonnenfeld) Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe 1:04:18

4y ago1:04:18

1:04:18

Kirsty & Carissa stay put in Birmingham for an episode full of love, community, and character. Also food. Also crying. Just buckle up, it's a fun one. Topic: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
A Confederacy of Dunces 57:06

4y ago57:06

57:06

Kirsty & Carissa have a lot of grievances to air, and so does Ignatius P. Reilly. Grab a beignet and let's discuss. Topic: A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Batman Forever (1995) 45:12

4+ y ago45:12

45:12

Kirsty & Carissa work on their villainous puns and characterization as they watch this classic superhero romp, and also take a moment to appreciate Jim Carrey. Topic: Batman Forever (dir. Joel Schumacher) Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Dream Tube 51:23

4+ y ago51:23

51:23

Kirsty & Carissa open up their voids and try to unpack exactly what happened - and whether it matters - in this abstract, introspective graphic novel. Bonus: recorded in only one physical place! Topic: Dream Tube by Rebekka Dunlap Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
The Left Hand of Darkness 57:15

4+ y ago57:15

57:15

Per recommendation, Kirsty & Carissa take off to a cold, genderless planet to discover their politics, interpersonal relationships, and survival tips for hiking through the tundra for many many days. Topic: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
The Rough Draught Cinematic Universe 57:15

4+ y ago57:15

57:15

Carissa & KIrsty try to piece together an overarching plot to link some of their favorite/least favorite characters. Does it work? Does it make any sense? Only you can decide. Theme: "Make It Ours"By Rough Draught

1
Nives 58:36

4+ y ago58:36

58:36

Kirsty & Carissa catch up on a lifetime of gossip between Nives, a widow with a troubled pet chicken, and Loriano, an alcoholic veterinarian. Details best discovered along the way. Topic: Nives by Sacha Naspini Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
The Amulet of Samarkand 56:19

4+ y ago56:19

56:19

Kirsty & Carissa shift forms and tiptoe along a complicated system of magic, politics, demon exploitation, neglect, revenge, and heists. Topic: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Meditations in an Emergency 51:47

4+ y ago51:47

51:47

Kirsty & Carissa flex the poetry part of their brains to discuss Big Feelings in New York - a favorite genre. Topic: Meditations in an Emergency by Frank O'Hara Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Red Rising 1:09:28

4+ y ago1:09:28

1:09:28

Kirsty & Carissa tackle a frustratingly-full-of-potential dystopia that ostensibly imagines a Hunger Games / Game of Thrones / Ender's Game medley with a protagonist problem. Topic: Red Rising by Pierce Brown Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Luigi Number One 37:50

4+ y ago37:50

37:50

Kirsty & Carissa pay homage to fanfiction as an art and to the great and mighty Luigi, Mr. Lean n' Green, who has long been overshadowed by his inferiorly mustached brother. Topic: Luigi Number One by Luigi Enthusiast Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
The Wretched of the Earth 1:05:07

4+ y ago1:05:07

1:05:07

Kirsty & Carissa discuss Fanon's seminal treatise on colonialism, decolonization, and sociology, while discovering exactly how many times they can say the word "colonize" in an hour. Topic: The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Mandy (2018) 49:30

4+ y ago49:30

49:30

Kirsty & Carissa take a brief break from the world of literature to discuss a trippy, stressful-then-decidedly-not-stressful culty horror film starring the greatest actor of our time. Topic: Mandy (dir: Panos Cosmatos) Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Ghost Wall 52:39

4+ y ago52:39

52:39

Kirsty & Carissa cosplay as ancient Britons to explore the connections between power, violence, masculinity, ritual, and snacks. Topic: Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
The Yellow Wallpaper 42:08

4+ y ago42:08

42:08

Carissa & Kirsty finally confront the wallpaper in the room and discuss isolation, misogyny, and sensory horror. Topic: The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Judging a Book by Its Cover 41:32

4+ y ago41:32

41:32

Kirsty & Carissa challenge each other to identify book plots solely by the covers. Mostly nonsense. Enjoy. Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 51:40

4+ y ago51:40

51:40

Carissa & Kirsty follow the White Rabbit on a nostalgic trip featuring identity crises and character analysis of Alice. Topic: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
The Confessions of Frannie Langton 56:10

4+ y ago56:10

56:10

Kirsty & Carissa set out to solve the mystery surrounding love, class, science, and murder in this smart period drama. Topic: The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Nothing to Envy 58:38

4+ y ago58:38

58:38

Kirsty & Carissa explore the stories of several defectors from North Korea & discuss bias, responsibility, and the value of personal experience. Topic: Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
The Phantom Tollbooth 41:24

5y ago41:24

41:24

Kirsty & Carissa take a road trip to a land of learning, meeting a wide cast of characters and discovering the joys of the world around them along the way. Topic: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Sing, Unburied, Sing 58:07

5y ago58:07

58:07

Kirsty & Carissa go on a modern Southern gothic road trip featuring supernatural entities, bodily fluids, and sweet sweet emotional catharsis. Topic: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Ninth House 49:12

5y ago49:12

49:12

Kirsty & Carissa go to YALE for some dark academia gore: ghosties and rituals and emotional trauma and romance and more. Topic: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Meet Cute Club 49:08

5y ago49:08

49:08

Carissa & Kirsty celebrate Valentine's Day by rediscovering a love of romance thanks to a cast of charming, complex characters and a story that is heartwarming but not saccharine. Topic: Meet Cute Club by Jack Harbon Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught

1
Deaf Republic 59:16

5y ago59:16

59:16

Kirsty & Carissa consider silence, rebellion, joy, love, and the infinite penis. Topic: Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky Theme: "Make It Ours" by EvermoreBy Rough Draught