This week, Bryan brings a story about a long-lost Flemish portrait of the “handsomest bodied” English courtier and Erin recounts the recent protests sweeping not just the NFL but also the WNBA. Later, guests Julie Goldman and Brandy Howard join to discuss the origin of their camaraderie, the first female Globetrotter, and the duality of comedy and politics.

This episode is sponsored by Audible (www.audible.com/SHADE) and NatureBox (www.naturebox.com/SHADE).

Season 2 is almost over! This week Kamau and Hari are joined by Damon Young (Co-founder of VerySmartBrothas.theroot.com) and David Litt (author of “Thanks, Obama: My Hopey, Changey White House Years”) to discuss the power of the pen. Young explains Pittsburg culture and headline structure. Litt lets us in on the challenges and triumphs of writing for President Barack Hussein Obama. If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, call in and tell us what YOU’VE learned this season by dialing 646-389-3721. Your voice may appear in next week’s finale episode.

Follow our guests!

Damon Young (@VerySmartBros)

David Litt (https://www.thanksobamabook.com)

Resource:

www.mariafund.org

Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

This episode is sponsored by The Jim Jefferies Show Podcast.

Tim Meadows, Dan Lippert, and Don Fanelli join Matt Besser for this week’s improv4humans! They improvise scenes about shoe-based instruments, a student with a highly unusual name, and the truth about the iPhone 9. Later, the finalists in the intern contest show off their promotional work, leading to scenes about John Williams’ one-man show and celebrity masks for your dog.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: IMPROV) and Audible (www.audible.com/IMPROV).

The Shrimps take on the Miss Demeanors at Pan Pacific park. Matt and Mark call the action.

The Shrimps on Twitter: @pistolshrimpsbb
The Shrimps on Instagram: @thepistolshrimps
Pistol Shrimps Radio on Twitter: @shrimpsradio
Pistol Shrimps Radio on Instagram: @pistolshrimpsradio

Matt Gourley on Twitter and IG: @mattgourley
Mark McConville on Twitter and IG: @markmcconville

It’s not exactly easy to be a transgender person in 2017. But at least now everyone knows what the word transgender means. Back in the 60s, 70s and 80s, the word ‘transgender’ and the concept of trans rights didn’t really exist. Today on Cracked Gets Personal, Brandon Johnson and Robert Evans talk to three women who transitioned during this time, which has been nicknamed the ‘trans dark ages’. They survived physical assaults, paparazzi shaming, black market hormone buys and so much more. Now they’re telling their stories.

Comedian and director Sara June joins Andrew to discuss meeting her cousin who sells Nazi memorabilia, more football players taking a knee during the National Anthem after Trump attacks the NFL, devastation in Puerto Rico, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

This episode is brought to you by Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com code: YO30).

Actress and improviser Janet Varney joins Matt to discuss her role as Party Girl in the 2004 superhero film Catwoman. Janet tells us whether shooting party scenes are as bad as being at a party with people you don’t know, crying on the drive home at 5am, and running into someone from her childhood on set. Plus, we hear how Janet had to pretend to be invisible for a pre-read for the role of Invisible Woman in Fantastic Four.

This episode is brought to you by Audible (www.audible.com/WASTHERE) and Mindshow (www.mindshow.com).

32 year-old White House policy adviser Stephen Miller (Zac Oyama) opens up to Mark & Pete about growing up on the mean streets of Santa Monica, littering to make a point, and stabbing Cesar Milan. Plus: Is Stephen more like Tommy Bahama or Tom Bombadil?

Actor/comedian Paul Rust returns for this week’s Who Charted! He gives the scoop on his band Don’t Stop or We’ll Die’s new album while they count down Billboard’s Top 5 Streaming Songs. Later, Paul reflects on how his kids will interpret his music during the TV Chart, and the gang counts down Kevin’s Hot Picks during Two Charted.

This episode is sponsored by the Second City Training Center (www.secondcity.com/tc), Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com code: CHARTED30), and Audible (www.audible.com/CHARTED).

Tomorrow Never Dies again! Will Matt finally agree with Matt or will Matt convince Matt that Matt is right? Cracked’s Alex Schmidt drops by to help us settle the debate.

Kevin chats with filmmakers Bobby and Mikey Roe, whose new film “The Houses October Built 2” just opened across the land. It’s a “found footage,” “haunted house mockumentary.” Kevin won’t shut up about his LOVE of their first one.

Today’s caller is a dad with two sons who just dropped his 5 year old off for his first day of Kindergarten and he and his wife have their first couples therapy appointment that afternoon. The caller says that recent professional changes, growing confidence and a desire to get more out of life are driving him and wife apart but Gethard notices him expressing strong feelings toward a female coworker.

This episode is brought to you by Magoosh (www.magoosh.com code: BEAUTIFUL), Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CG), ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/BEAUTIFUL), and Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com code: STORIES30).

Writer Demi Adejuyigbe (The Good Place, @midnight) joins Jensen and guest co-host Ali Segel to talk about doing the podcast Gilmore Guys, Apathy & O.C.’s “Perestroika” album, Detroiters, how we were late on Insecure, and many more things you should know about.

This episode is brought to you by Audible (www.audible.com/KARP) and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/GETUPONTHIS).

Literal babbling brooks, navigational-related drama, too many siblings, talking woodland creatures and SO much more are all in this very special live edition of OFF BOOK from the Now Hear This: Podcast Festival. Starring Griffin Newman (The Tick, Blank Check Podcast) and Michael Cruz Kayne (ASSSSCAT, Baby Wants Candy) with Dan Reitz on piano!

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK), Spice Islands (www.spiceislands.com/offbook), Audible (www.audible.com/OFFBOOK), Leesa (www.leesa.com/offbook), and Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com code: OFFBOOK30).

Sean and Hayes are joined by JESSICA CHAFFIN to shoot a pilot.

This episode is sponsored by the Second City Training Center (www.secondcity.com/tc), ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/THEBOYS) and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/HANDBOOK).

“The Voice” finalist Aliyah Moulden joins Emily and Deanna this week to share her personal “day ones” and to talk about acting in the new movie “Anastasia: Once Upon a Time.” Plus, she tells the girls about her favorite singer under 25 and her feelings about GroupMe before they play a game of Love It or Leave It.

This episode is sponsored by Thursday Boot Company (www.thursdayboots.com code: FREESHIP2DAY).

Comedian Cameron Esposito joins Amy this week to discuss the 1999 sci-fi film “The Matrix.” They break down “The Matrix” as a product of queer theory as well as the implications of the famous “red pill, blue pill” scene. Then they consider the film’s relevance to technology and culture at the end of a millennia, how it utilizes a mashup of styles to entertain the viewer, and why the success of “The Matrix” changed the playing field for new directors. Does “The Matrix” belong in The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

Comedian and actor Richard Lewis joins Gilbert and Frank to promote the new season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and to reminisce about his 45 years in comedy, his history of “nightmare gigs” and his relationships with Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, Rodney Dangerfield and Jonathan Winters. Also, Larry David goes to camp, David Brenner buys a stapler, the Juggalos heckle Lionel Atwill, and Richard joins the mile-high club (sort of). PLUS: John Cassavetes! Fred de Cordova! “The Island of Dr. Moreau”! Richard plays Carnegie Hall! And Gilbert plays Queen Elizabeth! 

From Mad Max to The Road to the illustrious career of Roland Emmerich, it’s clear that the modern pop-culture consumer loves apocalypses. Climate change and the threat of nuclear war or worldwide super-virus make imagining an apocalypse easy. And if you look back through history, it’s obvious that as long as there has been civilization, there has been the fear of complete and utter worldwide destruction.

One of the most prolific names today in speculative fiction is N.K. Jemisin. The first two books of her Broken Earth trilogy have won the Hugo Award for best novel the last two years consecutively. If you want to read the best sci-fi about the apocalypse, you need to be reading N.K. Jemisin’s books. 

That’s what we did, and N.K. Jemisin was kind enough to join Cracked’s Alex Schmidt and Michael Swaim in New York for a conversation about world-building contemporary sci-fi, some of the most interesting real-life apocalypses in human history, and the difficulties of writing end-times fiction when the world so often is stranger and crueler than fiction.

Footnotes and other links: https://goo.gl/BRmXxG

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CRACKED) and Felipe Esparza: Translate This on HBO.

Paul F. Tompkins slowly eases listeners into this week’s Spontaneanation! This time out, Paul’s special guest is Arden Myrin of MADtv, Shameless, and Will You Accept This Rose! They chat about the last time Arden pretended to know something, just starting to tell the truth after realizing she was lying all the time, and learning some stuff way too soon from her sex-ed teacher. Then, they are joined by improvisers Maria Blasucci, Little Janet Varney, and Steve Agee to improvise a story set in a Tommy Bahama Store. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

Andy Samberg of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Saturday Night Live fame is back to talk to Scott about the new season of Brooklyn, their dream SNL cast, and which musician would they switch professions with for a whole year. Then, Mayor Junius Bobbledoonary stops by to inform us about being a part of the ancient race of little people that live inside the walls. Plus, former pro-skater Derek Contrera arrives to talk about why he left the world of extreme sports to become the next great American entrepreneur.

This episode is brought to you by Sonos (www.sonos.com code: BANGBANG10), HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, Leesa.com (www.leesa.com/BANGBANG), and Rudy’s Barbershop (www.rudysbarbershop.com code: BANGBANG).

Usidore and Chunt’s spin-off podcast is visited by a dapper faun named Mister Chauncey, a series of bats and a talking acorn.

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Mister Chauncey: Paul F. Tompkins
Tomblain Belaroth: Steve Waltien
Alice Corn: Kate James
Thrak the Thunder God: Brian Rosenworcel, drummer of Guster
Twirl Squirrel and Girl Squirrel: Zach Reino and Jess McKenna
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi
Editor: Garrett Schultz
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban
Audio Assistance: Jason Knox
Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz
Gettin’ Nuts Theme: Brian Chard

Eliot Glazer (Broad City) joins the guys this week to do a deep dive on the Golden Girls, sudden long term relationship endings, and Teri Polo, Teri Polo… & more Teri Polo. If you have love, sex, coming out, or any kind of life questions / issues, give us a ring!: 424-248-8978 

Welcome back to Do You Remember? with your host and actor Tommy Columbo (Henry Zebrowski)! It’s the show that recalls one of the best eras of all time, the 1950s. Tommy is joined by fellow actor Julie Christmas to talk about working on the hit films Beach Blanket & Pizza Party, how their engagement ended disgustingly, and hot takes on modern media. Plus, Traci Reardon stops by to offer advice about breaking into the industry and answer questions about the beauty and majesty of 1957 in another edition of “Help Me Rhonda.”

This episode is brought to you by Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: LAPKUS) and Second City Training Center (www.secondcity.com/TC).

Garbage Pail Kids are still out there, helping a listener find true love, and more on this week’s mini-sode! Paul goes through Corrections and Omissions for Miami Connection, gives some recs, opens up the mail bag, and the Movie Bitches review Atomic Blonde. Plus, you’ll find out which movie we will be covering next!

Check out new HDTGM merch over at https://www.teepublic.com/user/howdidthisgetmade

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. Paul can be seen on Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, Opening Night, and Veep. You can see June and Paul on NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU. June stars in Grace and Frankie on Netflix, as well as Lady Dynamite alongside with Jason.

Jason can be seen in The House, The Lego Batman Movie, How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

New Emmy winner Travon Free (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee) opens up to Matt and Dave about the overwhelming experience of being bisexual, his break-up before Emmy night, plus meeting the “Stranger Things” kids! The guys also answer one of your advice calls, and break down “mother!” vs “IT”.

Negin welcomes several of her literal favs to tackle some big questions. Should drugs be legal? Do white guys get to say stuff? Does happiness take a dive in middle age? Plus, don’t forget to pick up your very own eggplant-colored Fake the Nation t-shirt at podswag.com.

This episode is brought to you by ModCloth (www.modcloth.com code: FAKE) and Ellevest (www.ellevest.com/FAKE).

Wheelin’ and dealin’ with Wheeler Walker Jr.

This episode is brought to you by Audible (www.audible.com/PARDO), Mindshow (www.mindshow.com), and The SDR Show (www.theSDRShow.com).

Kathryn Bigelow month continues on Cracked Movie Club! On a special live episode recorded at UCB Sunset, Tom and Abe are joined by Cracked’s Soren Bowie and Carmen Angelica as they discuss 1991’s Point Break, Kathryn Bigelow’s first major studio success and the movie that launched Keanu Reeves’ action career. Listen as they discuss the film’s themes of duality, its expertly directed action sequences, and whether or not Johnny Utah is secretly some kind of robot.