Retro Sass Mutation

Ep. 34 - From Prehistoric Practices to Present-Day Polarization

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0800

This episode examines the connecting threads between the documentaries Unknown: Cave of Bones and The Insurrectionist Next Door. Join us as Ozzie and Kristian discuss how prehistoric practices inform our understanding of the causes of our nation's present-day polarization.

Ep. 33 - Waco: American Apocalypse and Who Killed Robert Wone?

Tue, 16 May 2023 04:00:00 -0700

This episode analyzes the unexpected connections between the documentaries Waco: American Apocalypse and Who Killed Robert Wone?

Ep. 32 - Extending Human Life and Trouble at Disney

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we'll compare and discuss the latest scientific breakthroughs in extending human life and delve into Disney's current challenges.

Ep. 31 - ChatGPT and Flat Earthers

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0800

Join us as we explore the bizarre connections between ChatGPT, artificial intelligence, and those who falsely believe the earth is flat.

Ep. 30 - Zuckerberg's Metaverse and JT Leroy

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0700

Join us as we explore the hidden connections between Mark Zuckerberg's struggling metaverse and one of the greatest literary hoaxes, JT Leroy.

Ep. 29 - House of Hammer and Katrina Babies

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 20:00:00 -0700

Join us as we explore the unexpected connections between the documentaries House of Hammer and Katrina Babies.

Ep. 28 - The Secret Lives of Fungi and Monkeypox

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss and compare the secret lives of fungi and the impact of monkeypox on the LGBTQIA+ community.

Ep. 27 - Malice at the Palace and Men Not Attending College

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0700

In this podcast episode, we discuss the Netflix documentary Malice at the Palace and Douglas Belkin’s expose in the Wall Street Journal on why a generation of men choose not to attend college.

Ep. 26 - 100 Foot Wave and Grace the Robot

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0700

Is thrill-seeking uniquely human? Will medical robots revolutionize healthcare, or will they revolutionize the very fabric of our nature? Join us as hosts Ozzie Ramadan and Kristian Markus compare and discuss the HBO Max documentary 100 Foot Wave, featuring legendary big wave surfer Garrett McNamara and the rise of Grace and Sophia the Robot.

Ep. 25 - Bob Ross and Barack Obama

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we compare and discuss the documentary Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed and Matt Taibi's article 'The Vanishing Legacy of Barack Obama.'

Ep. 24 - Cryptocurrency Addiction and The Swamp

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0700

This podcast episode compares and discusses the rise of cryptocurrency addiction and the HBO documentary, The Swamp, which examines how money has overtaken Congress.

Ep. 23 - Apple TV's 'Physical' and Fooling Facial Recognition Software

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we compare and discuss the cultural shifts explored in the comedy-drama television series 'Physical' and the dangers of facial recognition software.

Ep. 22 - Masters of the Universe: Revelation and Toxic Fandom

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we compare and discuss Kevin Smith’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation and the impacts of toxic fandom with special guest David Reddish, author, journalist, and Entertainment Editor at Queerty.

Ep. 21 - The Genius of Cuttlefish and The Illusion of Consumer Choice

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we compare and discuss the underappreciated genius of cuttlefish and the illusion of consumer choice the food industry doesn't want you to know about.

Ep. 20 - CRISPR and California Exodus

Sat, 24 Jul 2021 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we compare and discuss the extent to which humanity will alter every aspect of itself using the gene-editing technology of CRISPR and the truth behind California’s population exodus.

Ep. 19 - Yoga Moms and What Identical Twins Reveal

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0700

This episode discusses and compares how conspiracy theories have infiltrated the Yoga industry and the latest research into what identical twins tell us about the nature vs. nurture debate.

Ep. 18 - Bo Burnham and Nero

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 19:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we compare and discuss Bo Burnham's Netflix special Inside, which explores the consequences of living in a digital world, and Rebecca Mead's New Yorker article, "How Nasty Was Nero, Really?"

Ep. 17 - UFOs and Burnout

Sun, 13 Jun 2021 17:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss how recent validation of UFOs stands to impact humanity's understanding of itself and the modern-day, widely-shared experience of burnout.

Ep. 16 - The Crime of the Century and Love, Death & Robots

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we compare Alex Gibney's documentary 'The Crime of the Century' exploring the pharmaceutical industry's role in creating the opioid crisis and Season 2 of the Emmy-winning animation anthology series 'Love, Death & Robots.'

Ep. 15 - Paris Hilton and Police Brutality

Fri, 28 May 2021 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss and compare the life of pioneering social media icon Paris Hilton and the systemic injustice of police brutality.

Ep. 14 - Sasquatch and Sexbots

Thu, 20 May 2021 05:00:00 -0700

Is Sasquatch real? Will sexbots solve what ails incels? In this episode, we compare and discuss Hulu's true-crime documentary Sasquatch featuring the investigative journalism of David Holthouse and the increasing sophistication and impact of robotic sex dolls.

Ep. 13 - Bald and Bankrupt and John Stuart Mill

Wed, 12 May 2021 23:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss and compare the extraordinary adventures of YouTube travel vlogger Bald and Bankrupt (also known as Benjamin Rich) and the foundational, 19th-century philosophy of John Stuart Mill.

Ep. 12 - Rick and Morty and Internet Seer Michael Goldhaber

Wed, 05 May 2021 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we compare the inimitable misadventures and trenchant wisdom of Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon's adult animated science fiction sitcom Rick and Morty and Charlie Warzel’s NY Times article “I talked to the Cassandra of the Internet Age" on Michael Goldhaber and his insights on how the internet is rewiring our brains.

Ep. 11 - The GOP Identity Crisis After Trump and 1918 Germany

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss and compare Jochen Bittner’s article “1918 Germany Has A Warning for America” and Nicholas Lemann’s article “The Republican Identity Crises After Trump.”

Ep. 10 - Pixar's Soul and Inmate Mathematician Christopher Havens

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss and compare Disney and Pixar's animated film Soul and the life of Christopher Havens, a convicted murderer turned accomplished number theorist who not only rediscovers his love of math while in prison but also his salvation.

Ep. 9 - Nas X and Gerrymandering

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we connect and descend into the diabolical practice of gerrymandering and the satanic panic conjured by Lil Nas X’s song Montero (Call Me By Your Name) and shoes.

Ep. 8 - The Social Life of Forests and Screaming into the Void

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 22:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss the connections between the latest scientific research on the vast underground networks that allow forests to communicate and collaborate and the ideas advanced in the Hidden Brain Podcast episode titled “Screaming into the Void."

Ep. 7 - Nomadland and San Junipero

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss the connections between Chloé Zhao's Nomadland, the Oscar-nominated film exploring life as a van-dwelling American, and Black Mirror's season three episode San Junipero in which technology offers humans the possibility of eternal existence.

Ep. 6 - How Civilizations Collapse and The Vow

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 22:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss the connections between the nine-part documentary series “The Vow” and the compelling NY Times article “How Do You Know When Society Is About to Fall Apart?” which revisits Joseph Tainter's seminal text, "The Collapse of Complex Societies."

Ep. 5 - Our Planet and Psychedelics

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss the connections between David Attenborough's documentary "A Life on Our Planet" and the increasing acceptance and use of psychedelics in the treatment of mental health and the search for enlightenment.

Ep. 4 - Free Solo and Kobe Bryant

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 12:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we discuss the connections between National Geographic's documentary Free Solo, in which professional rock climber Alex Honnold attempts to scale El Capitan's 900-metre vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park, and the life and legacy of former famed basketball star Kobe Bryant.

Ep. 3 - The Greatest Trick the Devil Ever Pulled and Halo

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 22:00:00 -0800

In this episode, we discuss the connections between writer Daniel Morrison's article "The Greatest Trick the Devil Ever Pulled" about the origins and effects of conspiracy theories and the science fiction first-person shooter video game franchise Halo in which players slaughter endless hoards of alien creatures through the protagonist and fictional character Master Chief John 117.

Ep. 2 - The Social Dilemma and Married With Children

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 18:00:00 -0800

In this episode, we discuss the connection between director Jeff Orlowski's documentary The Social Dilemma, which explores the tech industry's impact on human society, and the iconic 1987 sitcom Married With Children that satirizes a stereotypical working-class family starring Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, Kristina Applegate, and David Faustino.

Ep. 1 - Top Gun and Nature Deficit Disorder

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 18:00:00 -0800

In this episode, we discuss the connection between the iconic 1986 action film Top Gun starring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, and Anthony Edwards and the hotly debated modern-day condition known as nature deficit disorder.