According to executive producer Julie Shapiro, Radiotopia is a unique podcast network that she likens to a punk rock record label, bringing together independent shows to help support and grow them. But how does a show get “signed” to Radiotopia? Julie sheds some light on that, in this episode of the Wolf Den, with hosts Chris Bannon and Lex Friedman. She explains the process behind the network’s Podquest contest, in which 1,537 entries vied to be the next podcast added to the Radiotopia roster. Julie also reflects on her career in creative audio, from co-founding the Third Coast International Audio festival in 2000 to leading the production of two new podcasts at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Finally, she offers advice to the aspiring podcaster, and reveals the kinds of show pitches she’s tired of seeing.

Dying laughing with Suli McCullough.

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: PARDO), ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/happy), and Crashing on HBO.

Actor Malcolm Barrett joins Kevin this week to talk about their shared New York roots, giving back to the theater, transitioning from slam poetry into rap, and the history of Rufuses. Plus, Malcolm discusses the process of transforming his Sin City LP into a play before giving his Top 5 Denzel Flicks, ending with a dissection of the all-time Denzel classic “Training Day.”

Comedian and podcast host Kurt Braunohler joins Scott to show off his fancy New York vocabulary, tell us about his new comedy special, and help figure out the length of a dog’s month. Later, cyclist Johnny Bikes drops by to share tips on motorcycling on the high seas and to discuss his stance on wheelies. Plus, officer of the law Susan Greenberg explains why pants are essential in solving crimes.

This episode is sponsored by Lyft (www.lyft.com/BANGBANG) and Spotify’s “Showstopper.”

Ian Roberts and Jessica McKenna join Matt Besser for a live episode straight from the SF Sketchfest! They take audience suggestions which inspire scenes about hashing out the specifics of butterfly travel, hiding baldness through haircut enthusiasm, and a jockstrap salesman competing with a lemonade stand. Plus, Melania Trump tries to make the internet smaller, and a dying man has very specific musical requests for his caretaker.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: IMPROV) and HBO’s “Crashing.”

On this weeks episode Casey and Danielle are joined by the adorable, housewives fluent Cate Freedman (Teachers on TV Land) to talk what might be the best episode of Real Housewives in the history of time (“She wanted to lick me down” need we say more?).  They break down what makes the ladies of Atlanta so mean yet loving to each other, what caused Eileen’s pink eye, and what it’s like to be an elderly girl scout.

Plus Paul Scheer chimes in to bring us a recap of The Bachelor hometown visits and Casey forced Danielle to watch Britney Ever After.

This episode is brought to you by Home Chef and Texture.

Comedian and writer Jenny Yang returns to join Andrew for a special episode in which they discuss the film The Great Wall. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

It’s roundtable time! Two couples talk about family planning as queer people of color. And how their own parents and cultural backgrounds inform their decisions. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com!

This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed, Squarespace, Yogi Teas, and Wunder Capital.

Christian Finnegan (Black and White) and Seema Iyer (The Bollywood Lawyer) join Negin to discuss what’s been going on while our heads were up Putin’s fur cap. They debate whether or not the media should give a voice to people like Milo Yiannopoulos, and whether or not comedy and politics make a good pairing. Plus, the nascent GOP resistance and Scott Pruitt’s history with the EPA.

This episode is brought to you by Credo Mobile (www.credomobile.com/fakethenation).

Former GOP presidential nominee Herman Cain (Ronnie Adrian) joins Mark and Pete to chat all things business, pizza, and Oscar nominees! Herman reveals his “trumpet pin bag” to the guys and gets emotional about Godfather’s Pizza. Plus, “everybody gets a little Cain”!

Director, actor, and improviser Alex Fernie joins Howard and Kulap this week to keep the La La Landers at bay! They count down the Top 5 Most Shazamed Songs This Week while breaking down Taylor Swift’s crew fall-out and Alex’s best musical critiques. Then, during the Movie Chart, they talk Nic Cage’s stolen comic books and Matt Damon’s appeal to Chinese audiences, and finally, Engineer Cody Ramhand helps dish out some gifts on Two Charted.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/charted), HBO’s “Crashing,” and Stamps.com (www.stamps.com code: WHOCHARTED).

The caste system, religion, arranged marriages and bisexuality are on the mind of this caffeinated caller. Raised in Kenya and India, educated in California and currently living on the East Coast, he opens up about dealing with his conservative religious family. The conversation spans from breaking down western stereotypes about Indian culture, to the amazing dosa place that Gethard goes to in Queens.

This episode is brought to you by Seeso (www.seeso.com code: BEAUTIFUL), Mailchimp (www.mailchimp.com), Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful), and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/beautiful).

Singer-songwriter Tessa Rae joins Jensen and Matty to talk about her debut EP “Young Blood,” Atlanta rapper Joye Marelyn, “fetish” rapper Tommy Genesis, Missing Richard Simmons podcast, how we were late on Ouija: Origin of Evil, The Magicians, and many more things you should know about.

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

Join Kevin as he sits down with comedic actor and director Christopher Guest (This is Spinal Tap, Mascots). Chris chats about his actor auditioning process, the serenity of fly-fishing, all while peppering his stories with sound effects.

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: KEVIN) and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/chat).

Creator of the breakup app “Mend” Elle Huerta pops by to chat with Emily and Deanna about assessing post-breakup insanity, how breakups have changed over the years, the science of attachment, and dealing with social media. Plus, Elle gives the rundown on the “Mend” program’s functionality and the unlikely marriage of coaching and technology.

Hayes and Sean give a brief tutorial on trees art, then STEPHANIE SIMBARI and ELIZABETH KOTT from the That’s So Retrograde podcast do the show to teach about crystals and the stars.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/handbook) and Stamps.com (www.stamps.com code: HANDBOOK).

This week Bryan shares his love of gifs and clips from awards shows, while Erin discusses her emotional highs and lows from finally viewing La La Land. Also, former Australian MP Ross Cameron made many explicit homophobic comments during a speech at a conservative fundraiser but now claims it was taken out of context, and a non-profit called Unchained At Last started by Fraidy Reiss has been helping countless women get out of forced or arranged relationships. Plus Erin’s sister, guest Audrey Gibson, is here to discuss Tinder profiles, political yard signage, and the horrors of teaching children. Find Audrey on Instagram @audible80

Let’s talk to Usidore’s fellowship of heroes before we set off on our journey to defeat the Dark Lord.

Credits
Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Pimbly Nimblebottom: Louie Saunders
Germ Crust: Mary Tilden
Evil Tannakin the Pinglet: Sarah Fineout
Squibbert: Sarah Shockey
Baron Ragoon: Chris Rathjen
Blemish: Martin Wilson
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi
Tricia: Kate James

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi
Editor: Chris Rathjen
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban
Audio Assistance: Jason Knox
Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz

“Roaring Orcs” by Eric from Dayton, Ohio

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: TAVERN) and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/MAGIC).

Renowned Hollywood publicist Dick Guttman talks to Gilbert and Frank about his 60+ years as a Hollywood “flack,” promoting the careers of stars like Warren Beatty, Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas, Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor (among hundreds of others). Also, Dick praises Gene Hackman, pranks James Mason, parties with Marlon Brando and pens a joke for Uncle Miltie. PLUS: “The Sweet Smell of Success”! Harpo speaks! Laurence Olivier hams it up! Cary Grant shares the spotlight! And the greatest year in movie history!

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes the audience for the 100th episode of Spontaneanation, recorded in front of a LIVE audience at the world-famous Largo at The Coronet! This week, Paul’s special guest is actress Constance Wu of Fresh Off the Boat! They chat about which sport Constance would kick Paul’s ass in, the real reason Constance got into figure skating as a child, and her dad’s love of Celine Dion. Paul is then joined by Sarah Burns, Marc Evan Jackson, and Little Janet Varney, to improvise a story set in A Shoe Store. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

Photos by Liezl Estipona.

This episode is brought to you by Leesa.com (www.leesa.com/PFT) and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/PFT).

Who can forget the classic Oscars showdown between ‘The Artist’ and, uh, ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close’? Most of us can and did, in fact. Great job, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences! Way to keep your fingers on the pulse of American filmmaking by giving gold out to the 1930s-style silent film. Trailblazing.

The Oscars have proven year after year that they’re not the best barometer for judging the best or even the most popular films from a given year. Often they’re really only judging movies on the criteria of being appealing to a group of old, white men with film industry jobs. Look at three of the last five best picture winners and their subject matter: ‘Birdman’– an aging actor known for playing superheroes strives for artistic legitimacy; ‘Argo’– Hollywood producers save hostages in Iran; ‘The Artist’– Remember silent films? And let’s pencil ‘La La Land’ into that list– an struggling actress and a struggling musician fall in love, become successful. Hollywood obviously has a problem being objective about movies wherein the subject matter is itself.

So this week we’re being objective for Hollywood. Jack O’Brien welcomes Cracked’s David Bell, Adam Ganser and Brett Rader to discuss 2016’s Best Picture nominees and award movies in some made-up categories that we’d like to see incorporated into the Oscar broadcast. Later they took a look back at the 2012 Oscars in which ‘The Artist’ won best picture and redistribute the awards with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight.

Footnotes:

Cracked Podcast: Why We Should Wait 5 Years to Award the Oscars: https://goo.gl/COc0zQ

Article: Cracked: 5 Problems Haunting The Oscars (Besides Lack of Diversity): https://goo.gl/mMgAQG

Article: Cracked: 5 Reasons the Oscars Matter Even Less Than You Thought: https://goo.gl/bql0

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CRACKED), Lincoln In the Bardo, and Away (www.awaytravel.com/cracked).

Jason “Heynong Man” Mantzoukas is back to co-host along Scott on this week’s Comedy Bang! Bang! They’ll chat about why Jason missed out the latest John Wick chapter, who should win that Oscar gold, and their dream team SNL cast made of previous Oscar winners. Then, community activists Tricia R. and Tricia L. stop by to talk about their children leaving the nest to go off to college and to make a desperate plea to their mayor to move the new playground in the center of their cul-de-sac.

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: BANGBANG), Crashing on HBO, and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/CBB).

Comedian and writer Barbara Gray (Lady to Lady) was so determined to see Hamilton that she stood outside the theater in Chicago with a sign that said “Need A Ticket.”  Her makeshift plan worked and she managed to score a free ticket to the show— in the 10th row! She joins Travon and Mike to talk about seeing the show with a generous family of strangers, her cat Linny (named after Lin-Manuel) and bringing Hamilton up in therapy. Plus, they sing over one another in a rousing rendition of “Farmer Refuted.”

This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/hamilton).

This week Bryan discusses forgetting most of Lady Gaga’s discography, while Erin shares the issues with Barbara Bush’s concealer application. Also, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson decided to continue to be horrible and sign Act 45 one of the most restrictive anti-abortion legislations in the country, and a new survey for Gay and Bisexual men on dating apps finds that guys with masc for masc and no fems in their profiles significantly less intelligent, sexually confident and dateable. Plus, guests Jordan Firstman and Charles Rogers are back on to discuss being emotional exhibitionists, the word “Fudgepack”, and their new short film “Men Don’t Whisper”. Follow Jordan and Charles on Twitter and Instagram! @jtfirstman and @gcharlesrogers

Adam Scott joins Paul, June, and Jason for a family reunion to discuss Vin Diesel’s fan fiction to himself, xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Recorded live from Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, they cover everything from forest skiing to riding motorcycles underwater. Plus, a xXx and Fast & Furious crossover is pitched during Audience Q&A!

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: BONKERS), SKYN condoms, Dunkin’ Donuts (download Dunkin app and get free beverage with code: PODCAST), Seeso (www.seeso.com code: BONKERS), and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/how).

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. 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 How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

In anticipation of the 100th episode SPONTANEANATION with Paul F. Tompkins, we present to you the never-before heard pilot episode! Featuring Matt Gourley, Mark McConville, Chris Tallman, and special interview guest Rich Sommer. They chat about how Mad Men is going to end, Rich being upset after having Citizen Kane and Battle star Galactica spoiled for him, and Rich practicing chess for 9 months to have a perfect movie moment in real life. They then improvise a story set in A Non-Tropical Resort. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano! Plus, Paul answers your Twitter questions about the show!

Maeve Higgins (Maeve in America) and Benari Poulten (Garbage Time with Katie Nolan) join Negin to talk about Michael Flynn’s resignation, Stephen Miller’s big debut, and what to say to Trump supporters who think things are going great. Plus, White House power rankings and how to win over your co-workers.

This episode is brought to you by Credo Mobile (www.credomobile.com/fakethenation) and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/FAKE).

The bros welcome actress Tawny Newsome (Bajillion Dollar Propertie$) for this week’s episode of Sklarbro Country! During Takes, Randy and Jason discuss the Patriots’ White House boycott and a Super Bowl bet between zoos. Then, they chat with Tawny about her audition for SNL, touring with John Langford, and developing a theatrical edge. Quick Hits brings stories about Kevin Durant’s sour welcome in Oklahoma City and the Nazi anthem at a tennis tournament, and finally, the Sklars call up Kris Kristofferson to hear his qualifications for the position of National Security Advisor.

This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/happy) and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/sklar).

Acclaimed novelist and NY Times Bestselling author Marisa Silver (Little Nothing) joins Sarah and Susan to talk about Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor, “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today” by Randy Newman, childhood themes, the last chapter of Winnie the Pooh, and the song “Sunday” from the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park with George.

This episode is brought to you by Third Love (www.thirdlove.com/babies) and Hullo (www.hullopillow.com/crybabies).