Episode 6.2: The Wind Child

For February’s full moon, we’re so excited to welcome back Gabriela Houston to discuss her delightful new book, The Wind Child. As always, our discussion contains spoilers!

If you haven’t already, be sure to listen to our first episode with Gabriela about her debut novel, The Second Bell.

This episode was recorded via Zoom, so there may be occasional audio hiccups. Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Listening Guide

  • 0:00 – 3:07 Portki Party
  • 3:07 – 6:06 Introduction
  • 6:06 – 31:54 “Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?”
  • 31:54 – 56:43 “Bald Heads and Queer Noses”
  • 56:43 – 1:13:40 “Round About the Cauldron Go”
  • 1:13:40 – 1:43:27 “Treguna, Makoidees, Trecorum, Satis, Dee!”/ Final Spells

Episode 6.1: The Wheel of Time

Happy full moon! We’re kicking off our sixth season with a discussion of The Wheel of Time (2021 Amazon series), based on the popular fantasy books by Robert Jordan–ft. adorable commentary from Jenny’s new puppy!

CW: general mention of rape. Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Listening Guide

  • 0:00 – 3:13 Welcome
  • 3:13 – 9:22 The Dragon Re-pantsed
  • 9:22 – 14:20  Introduction
  • 14:20 – 32:20 “Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?”
  • 32:20 – 1:00:06 “Bald Heads and Queer Noses”
  • 1:00:06 – 1:13:44 “Round About the Cauldron Go”
  • 1:13:44 – 1:26:39 “Treguna, Makoidees, Trecorum, Satis, Dee!”
  • 1:26:39 – 1:34:38 Final Spells

And finally, for your viewing pleasure:

Episode 5.10: Dune

Happy full moon and lunar eclipse! This month we’re talking about Dune (2021), the recent film adaptation of the classic Sci-Fi novel by Frank Herbert.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Listening Guide

  • 0:00 – 5:45 Still Suit Riot
  • 5:45 – 13:08  Introduction to Dune
  • 18:08 – 36:41 “Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?”
  • 36:41 – 52:30 “Round About the Cauldron Go”
  • 52:30 – 1:13:25 “Bald Heads and Sadis Dee!” (Bodies + Spirituality)
  • 1:13:25 – 1:21:20 Final Spells
  • 1:21:20 – 1:25: 54 Outtakes

Episode 5.8: The Witches

Happy Harvest Moon (and fall equinox)! This month we’re discussing The Witches by Roald Dahl and its subsequent film adaptations (1990, 2020).

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Links

“The Dark Side of Roald Dahl” by Hephzibah Anderson (BBC)

Listening Guide

  • 0:00 – 8:53 Introduction
  • 8:53 – 11:08 Pants, Pants, Pants
  • 11:08 – 31:04 “Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?”
  • 30:57 – 1:03:14 “Bald Heads and Queer Noses”
  • 1:03:14 – 1:10:33 Final Spells

Episode 4.7: Bruja Born

Happy full moon AND Halloween/ Samhain! We hope you’re having a fun day and staying safe. In this episode, we discuss Bruja Born, the second book in the Brooklyn Brujas series by Zoraida Córdova. Be sure to check out our episode on the first book in the series, Labyrinth Lost, here. And check back in next month for our episode on the third book, Wayward Witch.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Here’s a listening guide for the episode. (For a description of our segments, go here.)

Welcome/ Pant Chat (0:00 – 3:25)

Introduction (3:25 – 8:03)

“Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” (8:03 – 23:22)

“Bald Heads and Queer Noses” (23:22 – 51:25)

“Treguna, Mekoides, Trecorum, Satis, Dee!” (51:25 – 1:10:26)

Final Spells (1:10:26 – 1:13:38)

Minisode 4.1: Pandemic Edition

Happy pink supermoon! In this informal minisode, Linda and Katie reflect on the changes wrought by COVID-19 and places we can turn for solace during this uncertain time. (If you want to jump straight to our recommendations, go to the 21-minute mark.)

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Recommendations/ Links

Screen Shot 2020-04-07 at 5.03.41 PM

Episode 4.1: The Witcher

Happy full moon, and welcome to Season Four!!! Jenny and Claire kick things off for us with a discussion of Netflix’s popular new show, The Witcher.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Here’s a listening guide for the episode. (For a description of our segments, go here.)

Welcome/ Pant Chant/ Introduction (0:00 – 8:45)

“Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” (8:45 – 24:55)

“Bald Heads and Queer Noses” (24:55 – 39:10)

“Treguna, Mekoides, Trecorum, Satis, Dee!” (39:10 – 58:30)

Final Spells (58:30 – 1:01:00)

Episode 3.6: Labyrinth Lost

Happy Hunter Moon and Samhain/ Day of the Dead/ harvest season! This month we’re discussing Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Here’s a listening guide for the episode. (For a description of our segments, go here.)

Welcome/ Pant Chat/ Introduction (0:00 – 8:53)

“Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” (8:53 – 39:27)

“Bald Heads and Queer Noses” (39:27 – 55:33)

“Treguna, Mekoides, Trecorum, Satis, Dee!” (55:33 – 1:19:45)

Final Spells (1:19:45 – 1:23:00)

 

Episode 3.2: The Wee Free Men

Happy belated supermoon/ Ostara/ spring equinox! It was the closest coincidence of a full moon with the equinox since 2000, so we hope you did something magical to celebrate! (Katie and Jenny went to see the superbloom poppy fields in Southern California.)

We apologize for the delay getting this posted. Katie’s been going through some major life events, which got in the way of editing, but it’s never too late to enjoy our VERY fun discussion about The Wee Free Men, the first Tiffany Aching book in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. Plus we have a gorgeously updated theme song from the talented Sarah Little Drum! (Listen to more of her music on her website.)

Here’s a listening guide for the episode. (For a description of our segments, go here.)

Welcome/ Pant Chant/ Introduction (0:00 – 10:15)

“Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” (10:20 – 35:20)

“‘Round About the Cauldron Go” (35:25 – 55:00)

“Treguna, Mekoides, Trecorum, Satis, Dee!” (55:05 – 1:11:45)

Final Spells (1:11:50 – 1:19:00)

Sign Off and Bloopers (1:19:10 – 1:23:00)

Important Links

SNL H&M Sketch

Childish Gambino’s Live Performance of Redbone

Wee Free Men Heading to Cinemas!

Next month will be a minisode. You can find our schedule for the season here.

Episode 2.2 A Wrinkle in Time

Happy full moon, warriors! And happy Ostara, Passover, and Easter to those who celebrate. It’s the last blue moon of 2018, so we hope you’re doing something magical tonight!

In this episode we discuss Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved children’s classic A Wrinkle in Time as well as the recent (2018) film adaptation directed by Ava DuVernay.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Littledrum.

Here’s a listening guide for the episode. (For a description of our segments, go here.)

Introduction (0:00 – 4:11)

Which Craft? (4:16 – 30:50)

  • L’Engle’s publication journey and inspiration for the book
  • Setting for the story: New England vs. L.A.
  • “It was a dark and stormy night”
  • Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which as witches (+ references to Shakespeare)
  • A Wrinkle in Time as a contemporary dream vision
  • Process of adaptation and changes made for the film:
    • Focus on Meg’s journey: learning to love herself
    • Sequence on Camazotz
    • Final showdown with the IT
    • Meg’s relationship with her father
    • Mrs. Who’s quotes
    • Changes to Mrs. Whatsit’s character
    • Changes to the Happy Medium
  • Visuals/ CGI and music

“Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” + “Bald Heads and Queer Noses” (30:55 – 55:37)

  • Casting Storm Reid and centering women of color
  • Meg’s journey to embrace her body and natural hair
  • The witches’ appearance and bodies
  • Importance of representation in film and how movies like Black Panther and A Wrinkle in Time are changing the industry
  • Calvin as sidekick/ love interest/ supporting character
  • Meg’s parents, biracial couple
  • Dr. Kate Murry: beauty, scientist, mother
  • Mae Jemison
  • Charles Wallace

Related Links

Vulture: Ava DuVernay on Meg’s Natural Hair

Code Switch: In Search of Black-on-Black Love

“‘Round About the Cauldron Go” (55:43 – 1:06:02)

Gather ’round while Jenny drops some of her boundless wisdom about gardens and flowers and the portrayal of the natural world in the film!

  • Meg’s backyard garden
  • Mrs. Who’s house
  • “Tessering is almost nearly perfectly natural”: finding your frequency
  • Magic of wild nights
  • Uriel: natural beauty, color-speaking flowers, Mrs. Whatsit’s transformation
  • Orion: finding balance
  • Camazotz: looking inwards

“Treguna, Mekoides, Trecorum, Satis, Dee!” (1:06:05 – 1:16:44)

  • Spiritual truths beyond Christianity
  • Nature of evil (book version vs. film version)
  • Tesseracts powered by love
  • Fantasy as a vehicle for conveying complex ideas to children

Final Spells (1:16:48 – 1:19:46)

  • Math and making learning fun
  • Flatland (Correction: the main character is a square, not a triangle)
  • Meg holding Calvin’s hand in the book vs. in the film

Blooper Reel (1:20:42 – 1:23:52)

Claire’s Recommendations