Ashland

We’re Baaaaaaaak! 

No, you’re not having some weird pre-pandemic deja vu. It’s us! The podcast you forgot you were subscribed to. Just like you, we’ve been through the wringer and we’re back to say hello and reconnect. We may just stay. We’ll see. SPOILERS! …for every popular show that aired since the end of 2020 so beware. Come sit with us and catch up! 

Ashland Podcast has come to an end. Andre, Ian, and Lisa explain why it was time to wrap up the podcast and move on. We had a blast throughout the years obsessing over Game of Thrones and Mr. Robot and myriad other things. And we're grateful that you came along for the ride. Come ring out rotten old 2020 with us. We'll be back one day. As a new thing. But for now, we must be going. Raise a glass. 

SPOILERS! Director Adam John Brummond and leading actor Travis Myers join us to discuss Dying Breed, a film about another pandemic no one is talking about. The film is heartbreaking, right on time, and an absolute must watch.  Beautifully shot, superbly acted, and real. We also discuss how the film was made in the blistering cold of Minnesota farm country, what productive collaboration looks like, and how everyone pretty much crash lands when they move to LA. See Dying Breed on Amazon Prime Video and Vimeo. 

Biden wins, but not so fast ole 45 says. What now? Andre, Ian, and Lisa celebrate the new presidency, but wonder what lies in wait? Nah, dawg. We're going to take this moment to dance and jiggle, holler, carry on, and pop fans and bottles. But seriously, though, they're not going anywhere are they? 

Just like you, we're glued to the TV wondering what we're getting Steve Kornacki and John King for Christmas. With the final decision not locked, we talk about where we think the U.S. is headed. We also have an announcement. 

Listennn, Lisa's going to find that catfish who came for Andre. "I will find you, Teresa/Chad. Or whatever you name is!" Also... the "president" gets COVID and ain't nobody up in here sorry. Plus, Lisa and Ian prepare for an itty bitty baby in their house. 

Ian, Andre, and Lisa take time from NOT discussing The Umbrella Academy to talk about Andre's dip back into Tinder, getting rid of the old timey ghosts in Lisa and Ian's closets, Schitt's at the Emmys, Ooky Spooky Scary Season, and the way we're choosing to spend our time for our own mental health.

Skinner Myers is a lot of things. Producer, director, writer, actor, professor, father, husband, human being. What he's very good at is telling stories from the truest place in his soul. Skinner has taken his own route, doing things his own way, and he's making a path not only for himself, but also for other filmmakers. He's not waiting for permission. And he says the quiet part out loud. 

Chadwick Boseman left us suddenly and he left the world reeling. He also left an everlasting legacy. We mourn Chad and we celebrate him. 

Talin Parseghian Middleton explains and demystifies what producers do. She tells us what the difference between a producer and a line producer is. She shares tips on how to run your house like a set. Her 6 year-old has a daily call sheet. Talin also shares what makes producing an art and a joy. And she gives some real world advice to those who want to do what she does. 

Melisa and Travis Myers have been together for two decades. She's a production designer. He's an actor. Melisa and Travis share the ins and out of their chosen professions and how they handle production prep, collaboration, budgets, downtime during the pandemic, life in the desert, parenthood to their two year old, and what to do when you're asked to wear a Speedo to an audition. 

What is a production sound mixer? How much do you pay attention to the sound in a film or TV show? Who's making all of that happen? We talk to a working sound mixer who also happens to be our co-host. 

Ian, Andre, and Lisa have one of their tea spilling sessions where they discuss lockdown life, the Emmys snubbing Mr. Robot, and the possible curse Andre's grandma placed on him, us, and now you.

Singer, songwriter, producer, screenwriter, and future director... Charity Ekeke's career path is as unique as her music. Her latest album Life reflects Charity's joyful outlook and razor sharp depiction of current events. Ever the teacher, Charity shared some useful pro tips with us, too.  

Karen and Barry Mason fell into a business as a stop gap while they searched around for a real career. What they created at Circus of Books was nothing short of a mecca and First Amendment haven for their customers, employees, and the queer community  that reached farther than anyone expected. 

Show Highlights:

-Needless to say, we weren’t expected to be moved by the closure of a smut shop

-It’s been two years since Andre joined the podcast !

-We start our COB discussion with a tangent about high school lockers

-Talking about sex in America, same as it ever was 

-Karen’s reaction to her son coming out as gay and how she turned her reaction into a teaching tool for others 

We're over here in the lockdown planning Andre's big gay wedding after watching Thai, Gabriele, and Jeremiah bring some pure joy to deserving couples. 

Show Highlights: 

-Andre wants his wedding to blow the straights out of the water

-Lisa tells all about her and Ian’s pirate-themed Halloween wedding

-Why y’all inviting 400 people to your wedding?

-We need a Queer Eye/Say I Do crossover

-All of these custom-made gowns got us feeling some type of sh*t

-How this show makes the weddings personal to their couples

This Netflix doc shows up just how messed up Trans representation, treatment, and inclusion has been. 

Show highlights:

-Not Mrs. Doubtfire! Everyone is guilty. Even your favs. 

-The stereotypes and typecasting of Trans people

-Why this doc is an extremely valuable resource

-It’s not just a TV show… it’s harmful. Representation matters.

-What are some shows we’ve watched that got it right?

-This documentary should be a series. Full stop.

SPOILERS! We're just as blown away as you are after seeing this popular musical on Disney+. Andre leads us in a discussion of the Broadway-changing phenom Hamilton. We talk about the love, the hate, and the wig snatching of Lin-Manuel Miranda's retelling of American history. 

SPOILERS! Not only did Watchmen educate us about The Black Wall Street Massacre of 1921, it also enlightened us about the many abuses and facets of law enforcement. Also, Regina King is a badass. But we knew that.

Queer Eye season 5 showcases what we love most about the Fab Five. But, we're missing that season 1 magic. Come listen to the discussion and see if you agree.

What's happening in our streets is new. What we're protesting, 400 years of black oppression and genocide sparked by the execution of George Floyd by four cops, is not. So how does one rage against the machine? Let's talk. 

A revolution is on in America. We debated how we should proceed. We're offering up some thoughts on this time in our history, but we're also offering a small piece of comfort. 

SPOILERS! Ryan Murphy's latest Netflix series pulls Ian, Andre, and Lisa in a few directions. Is rewriting Hollywood's classic homophobia, misogyny, and racism confusing, helpful, or refreshing? Also, Dr. Magalhaes is in the house. 

SPOILERS! For episode 1 of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. We're a little perplexed as to why it's called Penny Dreadful. That seems to be one of the issues. Still, we had a great time with John Logan's anthology. Question. How much did Natalie Dormer sweat in that pleather gown? 

SPOILERS! For Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad! Ian and Lisa talk about season 5 of Better Call Saul and how Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, and their writer's room keep outdoing themselves. 

Now's the time to learn how to sift through all of the crap in the news and discern what's really going on. It's a lot easier than you think. Comprehension is king. 

We're spending in Easter in Quarantine, but Jesus can still find you so stay home and come spend some time with us. We won't make you get on Zoom. Aight. 

Schitt's Creek changed us for the better. As people, as humans, and a world community. On this episode, we celebrate the cast and crew of this wonderful show and what Dan Levy did for all of us. Thank you, Schitt's Creek. Thank you.

Spoilers for Tiger King on Netflix! Andre, Lisa, and Ian welcome special guest Sofia to our second quarantine hangout where Tiger King is heavily discussed and litigated. Come hang with us! 

There's a lot of crazy information out there. We're here to talk facts! But mostly, we're here to chill and catch up. Come join us. 

As COVID-19 sweeps through the U.S., people are afraid, anxious, and confused. Andre, Ian, and Lisa share some good news and info  that can hopefully help. No one sings Imagine. 

COVID-19 and the democratic primary has a lot of people on edge and at each other's throats. Let's stop all the BS, have a bevvie, and calm the hell down. We've also got some solid recommendations for your self quarantine. 

Coronavirus. Monk. Schitt’s Creek. Hadestown. Rodgers and Hammerstein. It seemed like it was all going so well until Andre told that one story. Listen. We tried to stay calm, but things got out of control. It just did. 

Lisa and Andre discuss which advice for writers really works while working with bodies that are on fire. Also, sorry Johnny Depp. 

Lisa is on a dessert making kick. Andre is underwater. Parasite wins, but can the Oscars be saved? Next In Fashion on Netflix is confusing and the LEGO show on Hulu bums us out. 

Lisa and Andre are trying a thing. Ian is in Europe. Come listen to this straight up delightful dumpster fire. SPOILERS! For Knives Out. 

Andre is graduating soon. Lisa is rewriting. And Ian is working on the next level. Everyone is in flux. 

SPOILERS! Why is everyone so serious about Joker? Why are we still taking polls and believing they are real? The Dems swing and miss at the latest debate. And recommendations that Netflix should really pay us for. 

As we slide into 2020, the gang gets TMI. Also, spoilers for The Mandalorian, and mild spoilers for The Witcher. 

Those 10 years went by in a blink seems like. What did we learn? Where did we go? How weird did it get? 

SPOILERS! Our own little fsociety gathered to discuss the conclusion of Sam Esmail's groundbreaking series and our various states of shock, awe, mirth, glee, depression, denial, and joy.  Basically, we're all of the Christian Slaters. 

SPOILERS! Are you a 1 or a 0? Are you blue or purple? Do you cry during the credits? Are you confused as hell, but think you have the whole Whiterose machine figured out? Yeah. Us neither. Come listen to us spiral about the next to the last ever episode of Mr. Robot. 

SPOILERS! In this sliding doors episode or Mr. Robot, we think Irving, author of Beach Towel: A Novel,  might be better at teasing our podcast: Two Jersey girls grapple with love, grilled cheese, sleep, and Sour Patch Kids as they roll through the land of the RWAs after the fallout of a Not So Merry Doxxmas. What do you think? Bestseller? 

SPOILERS! Whiterose gets pipsqueaked. Price runs out the clock. Darlene fsocieties the 1%. And Magda, Robot, and Young Elliot hatch a plan. 

SPOILERS! Peanuts and Javi ponder eateries. Vera gets stripped for parts. Elliot finds a true friend in Krista while he puts Mr. Robot in timeout. Young Elliot takes Adult Elliot on a field trip. Deegan takes a family vacation. Dom goes John Wick. Janice goes on a trip. 

SPOILERS! Elliot. A play in five acts. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. 

SPOILERS! Elliot and Leon meet at Tod's. Vera spins a quaint Xmas tale. Domlene d'ohs! while Janice huhs. Whiterose ponders quantum physics as Wang Shu pushes for a red Christmas. Elliot brings Olivia Christmas in a cup. 

SPOILERS! The Aldersons do some Ho Ho Hacking. Elliot Is Wheezy on Ice. Dolph gets Home Aloned. Price hears Slay Bells. Janice prepares the stuffing. Dom is dreaming of an Irish Christmas. The Weather Outside and Inside is Frightful for Krista. Vera is home for the holidays. 

On this TeaTime... Andre is in the thick of prepping his new musical Dorian, a modern take on the eternal dude with the creepy portrait in his basement. Ian and Lisa are ready for the great cocooning. And why they gotta take shots at Marvel movies, yo?