Episode 84: It Belongs in a Museum

This week Derek and Laurel are back at it discussing the 1981 classic action adventure move, Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. While the movie retains its iconic classic feel, listen as your hosts discuss the real world implications of archaeology and ethics. As Indy always says, “It belongs in a museum” we ask, does it? What is the nature of an artifact and who really owns them? Tune in and let us know what you think as there are no easy answers.

Episode 80: Season of the Witch

Autumn is upon us, and as we wrap our sweaters around our shoulders, sip on warm cider, and spend our weekends apple- and pumpkin- picking, the chill in the air reminds us of the rich mythological and historical tradition that makes the Halloween season so spookily sweet. So for this year’s Halloween special, sit back with a candied apple and join us on a journey to ancient myth as we untangle a long and complicated history—that of the witch. We’ll question the contemporary renaissance witches enjoy and follow the breadcrumbs to her origins in Greek, Roman, and Ancient Near East mythology. We’ll trace the line from Lilith of the Talmud to the Salem witch trials, from Medusa to the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. All that and more on this week’s Midnight Myth.

Episode 62: These Violent Delights

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Have you every questioned the nature your reality, or podcast? Per chance you should…Listen this week as The Midnight Myth applies its thoughtful analysis to the HBO hit series West World. Central to West World is the idea of the "west", a frontier, a lawless land ripe for civilized folk to come and claim— if they are tough enough to keep it. Amid the moral questions of artificial intelligence and a world created where humans can cater to every lustful wish and violent desire, is a narrative of America. This week Derek and Laurel seek to understand the narrative, from Ancient Rome, to Enlightenment Politics, and everything in between and hereafter. 

Episode 52: In Love and War

Here’s looking at you, podcast. Listen as Derek and Laurel examine the politics, tragedy and love, of cinema’s greatest love story, Casablanca. Inspired by Valentine’s day, and the notion that society’s greatest virtue is love, Casablanca asks if the problems of little people amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Maybe as Rick says, they don’t. Or Maybe its the only thing that does matter. Maybe beauty will save us. Maybe we are doomed. One thing that is certain, this is a podcast you don’t want to miss!

Episode 27: All Roads Lead to Rome

From the winding streets of Rome to the cobbled alleys of Philadelphia, our histories are always just beneath our feet as we follow the well-worn tread of those generations that came before us. This week, Derek & Laurel explore the most powerful historical narratives of Western culture and their inextricable ties. In the end, all roads truly do lead to Rome and two monolithic figures: Jesus Christ and Julius Caesar, whose archetypes continue to resonate throughout Western storytelling. Untangling some of the powerful mysteries of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church, we also turn our eyes to what we can learn about ourselves in the stories we’ve always told.

Episode 7: There Is No Spoon

Have you ever wondered if this world is real? Have you ever wondered if the life you are living is the good life or just the life you have been told to live? Listen to Derek and Laurel discuss storytelling that questions and deconstructs the narratives of 1990s American peace and prosperity. We talk about three amazing movies, Fight Club, American Beauty and The Matrix. Remember, all things have questions, and all questions help us understand this fundamental truth: there is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path.

Episode 6: Rebel Rebel

In these turbulent times, we all may be feeling the need to resist. But why does resistance and rebellion resonate with us Americans? Listen as Derek and Laurel talk about stories of resistance and rebellion. We dig deep into the universal American narrative of the underdog and relate it to the American Revolution. Stories such as Star Wars, Hunger Games, Hamilton and Les Miserables are on the table and discussed with Midnight Myth humor, rigor, and grace.