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Ruin My Life

Ruin My Life

By Ruin My Life

A bi-weekly podcast about forcing your friends to love the things you love.
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Episode 92: Malignant

Ruin My LifeMar 31, 2023

00:00
58:33
Episode 92: Malignant

Episode 92: Malignant

Ruin My Life is back -- again! For real, this time! Probably! The journey to 100 episodes continues with an episode that was recorded literally a year ago, how is that possible? Wow. Not a great feeling. Anyway: in this episode, Jason introduces Kelsey to James Wan's 2021 masterpiece, MALIGNANT. But, more importantly, he introduces her to a lovable little scamp named Gabriel.

Mar 31, 202358:33
Episode 91: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (w/ Sarah Sheppard)

Episode 91: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (w/ Sarah Sheppard)

Yes! We sometimes make a podcast! This episode was supposed to be the first of a few released in 2022, but sometimes life happens and you don't make a podcast for two years. So enjoy this podcast we recorded nearly a year ago about a movie that most definitely changed our lives. Thanks for still listening. 

Mar 16, 202359:50
Episode 90: Inside (Bo Burnham Part 2)

Episode 90: Inside (Bo Burnham Part 2)

We're sorry we were gone. But look:

Aug 06, 202157:26
Episode 89: Stephen King's Skeleton Crew

Episode 89: Stephen King's Skeleton Crew

On a rare, brand-new, never-before-heard episode of Ruin My Life, Jason takes Kelsey on a walking tour through the nightmare landscape of Stephen King's dark imaginarium. There will be twists, turns, thrills, chills, spills, and maybe even... a few laughs? All this and MORE as Jason and Kelsey discuss the 1985 short story collection SKELETON CREW. 

Feb 26, 202101:37:22
Episode 88: Off-Menu Podcast

Episode 88: Off-Menu Podcast

This week Kelsey and Jason discuss a podcast on their podcast. Kelsey introduces Jason to The Off Menu Podcast with James Acaster and Ed Gamble, where they interview a guest about their dream meal. Tune in for some meta analysis of what make a good podcast, info on Jason's lifelong war against the British People, Apps and Zerts, and Israeli Lasagna. 

For more of our work check out: The Misery Loves Company and Musical Theater Deathmatch

Jan 29, 202101:09:39
Episode 87: How To with John Wilson
Jan 01, 202150:28
Episode 86: Holiday Special 2020 (Chrismukkah/The OC)
Dec 25, 202001:07:31
Episode 85: Get Over It & Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday The 13th

Episode 85: Get Over It & Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday The 13th

Kelsey and Jason are back at it yet again, bringing you a classic collection of 'off-the-dome' riffs and musings on two seminal films released within six months of each other at the dawn of the century: GET OVER IT and SHRIEK IF YOU KNOW WHAT I DID LAST FRIDAY THE 13TH. What's that you say? You'll have to speak up; I can barely hear you over the cold, bitter wind blowing through the branches outside my window. Ah, I see. You don't believe there could be any credible connection between a lightly absurdist Shakespearean teen comedy and the literal bargain-bin version of the SCARY MOVIE franchise. You probably think this is all a bit frivolous, I suppose -- an excuse for two amateur podcasters in their early-30's to talk about a pair of dumb movies they were both obsessed with in high school? Maybe it's just because it's that time of year, but the idea that there could be a deep and fascinating vein of similarities running between these two movies seems almost... frightening. Well, in that case, you'd better keep the candle burning late tonight, my friend. Yes, I think you should. In fact, take every precaution. Lock your doors, close your windows, and whatever you do, don't go out alone. Listener beware... you're in for a SCARE!

Oct 30, 202050:22
Episode 84: The Simpsons, Season 1 (w/ Bree Rody)

Episode 84: The Simpsons, Season 1 (w/ Bree Rody)

Kelsey takes her first dive into the classic cartoon that's as old as we are, The Simpsons. Bree Rody guests to school us on why the first season is so important and good.
Aug 28, 202001:14:20
Episode 83: The Mandalorian (w/ Sarah Sheppard)

Episode 83: The Mandalorian (w/ Sarah Sheppard)

Once again: we're back! Jason and Kelsey are joined by Sarah Sheppard as the three of them examine the hottest media property of late 2019: THE MANDALORIAN!
Aug 14, 202058:22
Episode 82: Taskmaster

Episode 82: Taskmaster

Kelsey introduces Jason to the delightfully brainless TASKMASTER and Jason once again struggles to understand the existence of the British panel show.
May 29, 202051:53
Bonus Episode: Super Pitch Time #2 - Hot Doggin' with George W. Bush

Bonus Episode: Super Pitch Time #2 - Hot Doggin' with George W. Bush

Super Pitch Time continues! Jason and Kelsey are further subjected to the maniacal whims of Executive Producer Sarah Sheppard a.k.a. "The Game-Master" as she forces them to pitch project after project to a shadowy (and possibly fictional) Netflix producer.
May 15, 202023:24
Bonus Episode: Super Pitch Time #1

Bonus Episode: Super Pitch Time #1

In these trying times, Ruin My Life is here for you -- for a limited time only, all episodes now contain 100% more Pitch Time.

Kelsey and Jason are joined by their executive producer Sarah Sheppard as they expand their most popular (and only) recurring segment into an ongoing series of indeterminate length. What bizarre and convoluted pitches will our heroes present to Netflix in hopes of scoring a triple-digit development deal? Tune in to find out!
May 01, 202034:21
Episode 81: Passover Special 2020

Episode 81: Passover Special 2020

Kelsey and Jason are BACK with their first-annual Passover extravaganza! Jason attends a (virtual) Seder for the first time and Kelsey (finally) watches UNCUT GEMS! Also, there's a bunch of stuff at the beginning about collective trauma and social isolation. It's all very cool and we're doing fine!!
Apr 17, 202001:07:39
Episode 80: Scream (w/ Emily Merrick)

Episode 80: Scream (w/ Emily Merrick)

Special guest Emily Merrick stops by to give Jason and Kelsey a good scare (or not) with America's favorite pseudo-metafictional horror series: I SCREAM, you SCREAM, we all SCREAM for the SCREAM movies! We said 'Scream' four times because there are four movies!

SCREAM 3 UNDERRATED
Mar 06, 202056:42
Episode 79: The Shining

Episode 79: The Shining

Jason makes Kelsey watch the iconic horror movie The Shining, it goes well. Topics include: Stephen King adaptations, more movies Kelsey hasn't seen, Leftist readings of The Shining, Stanley Kubrick death conspiracies.
Feb 21, 202057:50
Episode 78: The Pixies (w/ Morgan Stewart)
Jan 24, 202001:16:22
Episode 77: 4th Annual Holiday Spectacular (w/ Andrew Favaloro and Sarah Sheppard)
Dec 21, 201949:11
Episode 76: The People v. O. J. Simpson

Episode 76: The People v. O. J. Simpson

In the stunning conclusion to their two-part exploration of the life and times of O.J. Simpson, Jason and Kelsey discuss 'The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story'.
Dec 06, 201949:13
Episode 75: OJ: Made In America

Episode 75: OJ: Made In America

In the first of a two-part series, Jason and Kelsey discuss the masterpiece of documentary filmmaking that is Ezra Edelman's OJ: Made in America.
Nov 23, 201951:18
Episode 74: Nathan For You

Episode 74: Nathan For You

Jason and Kelsey are BACK to explore the outer limits of pain, friendship, and the delicate intermingling of fantasy and reality, and oyu know what that means: it's an episode about NATHAN FOR YOU!
Nov 08, 201942:01
Episode 73: Dick

Episode 73: Dick

What was intended to be a discussion of the 1999 comedy film, Dick, turns into the Kirsten Dunst Appreciation Hour. #GiveKirstenDunstAllTheAwards
Oct 14, 201951:01
Episode 72: The Vampire Diaries (w/ Erin Resnick)

Episode 72: The Vampire Diaries (w/ Erin Resnick)

Special guest Erin Resnick stops by to discuss THE VAMPIRE DIARIES in a conversation that touches on topics like fandom disputes, extended universes, and the future of television -- but mostly revolves around which vampire is the hottest. It's Damon, by the way.
Sep 27, 201947:27
Episode 71: Southland Tales

Episode 71: Southland Tales

In this special THIRD ANNIVERSARY episode, we go back and try to re-do our first unreleased episode. Jason makes Kelsey watch Richard Kelly's sophomore feature, Southland Tales, and we discover that it might make less sense than it did 3 years ago.
Sep 13, 201951:36
Episode 70: Hadestown

Episode 70: Hadestown

Jason and Kelsey discuss the hit musical HADESTOWN in an episode featuring bad theater, socialism, fan casting, good theater, and takes so nuclear they could melt the very sun itself. Come for Kelsey's enthusiastic review of a genre-defying theatrical achievement, stick around to hear Jason read off a list of leftist podcasts.
Aug 30, 201944:29
Episode 69: Mission: Impossible (Ghost Protocol, Rogue Nation, & Fallout)

Episode 69: Mission: Impossible (Ghost Protocol, Rogue Nation, & Fallout)

We wrap up our exploration of the Mission: Impossible series with the superior half: Ghost Protocol, Rogue Nation, and Fallout. Three movies that ask: How can Tom Cruise out Tom Cruise Tom Cruise and also probably almost die?
Aug 09, 201901:09:11
Episode 68: Mission: Impossible (1, 2, & 3)

Episode 68: Mission: Impossible (1, 2, & 3)

In part one of our Mission: Impossible deep-dive, Jason inducts Kelsey into the nearly-incomprehensible world of the Impossible Mission Force and the one man who somehow ends up at the center of all their operations, Ethan Hunt -- or, as most people know him, 'Tom Cruise.'
Jul 26, 201957:59
Episode 67: Gulp By Mary Roach

Episode 67: Gulp By Mary Roach

Kelsey introduces Jason to one of her favorite authors, Mary Roach, through the grossest of her books, 2013's Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal. It gets far more philosophical than expected. Conclusions include: Life is precious, go to therapy, and poop is important. Content Warning: Gulp contains a fair bit of (scientific) content about literal shit, so this podcast includes that as well, this is your heads up.
Jul 12, 201942:12
Episode 66: Weezer

Episode 66: Weezer

Join Jason and Kelsey on a deep-dive into the world of 90's alt-rock kings/perpetual disappointments/ageless trolls Weezer. Listen as they explore the band's deep lore and Jason makes a truly incendiary argument.
Jun 28, 201901:00:30
Episode 65: Paloma Faith

Episode 65: Paloma Faith

Kelsey introduces Jason to British songstress Paloma Faith. They discuss her four albums, her eclectic musical style, the Tony-award winning musical Hadestown, and Samuel L. Jackson. It makes sense, we promise.
Jun 14, 201947:42
Episode 64: I Think You Should Leave

Episode 64: I Think You Should Leave

Jason and Kelsey discuss I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE, the sketch comedy show that's taking the internet by storm -- or it was three weeks ago, at least. But it's still funny! We promise!
May 31, 201947:44
Episode 63: The Pacific

Episode 63: The Pacific

Jason and Kelsey continue their journey into the Home Box Office's very unofficial war trilogy with The Pacific. Listen for nuanced criticism of the war movie genre, but also for Rami Malek thirst, we're versatile like that.
Apr 19, 201952:22
Bonus Episode: Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes Of Grindelwald

Bonus Episode: Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes Of Grindelwald

In this special supplemental episode, Jason unironically ruins Kelsey's life by forcing her to endure FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD, the latest and unquestionably the worst entry into J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World.
Apr 08, 201901:14:45
Episode 62: Generation Kill

Episode 62: Generation Kill

Kelsey turns the HBO prestige television tables on Jason as they venture into HBO's unofficial war trilogy starting with David Simon and Ed Burns Iraq War Mini Series, Generation Kill.
Mar 22, 201955:38
Episode 61: The Leftovers (Season 3)

Episode 61: The Leftovers (Season 3)

The tension between Jason and Kelsey finally comes to a head as they face off over the ending of The Leftovers! Also featuring a guest appearance from the Ghost Of Queer Representation.
Mar 08, 201950:14
Episode 60: The Leftovers (Season 2)

Episode 60: The Leftovers (Season 2)

Part 2 of 3 of our series on The Leftovers and we are deep in spoiler territory here. Go watch the show and then come back and FEEL with us about it. Because in the words of Jason, "you don't think about The Leftovers, you FEEL about it."
Feb 08, 201959:01
Episode 59: The Leftovers (Season 1)

Episode 59: The Leftovers (Season 1)

STOP WASTING YOUR BREATH -- and download this episode about the series that gives "cult TV show" a whole new meaning: The Leftovers! In this episode, Jason introduces Kelsey to the unbelievably grim and depressing first season. But in, like, a fun way.
Jan 11, 201948:05
Episode 58: Holiday Special 2018

Episode 58: Holiday Special 2018

Kelsey and Jason are taking back Christmas! In this post-Christmas/pre-New Years liminal space episode, Kelsey gives Jason the gift of Emmylou Harris' 1979 Christmas album, Light of the Stable. Jason gives Kelsey six episodes of American Dad, and together they take the Christ out of Christmas.
Dec 28, 201854:16
Episode 57: Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows (w/ Sarah Sheppard)

Episode 57: Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows (w/ Sarah Sheppard)

This is it! Sarah Sheppard (ANDREW, NINJA WARRIOR) returns to help Kelsey and Jason work their way through HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, a weirdly convoluted road-trip/war-movie mash-up about the end of childhood and the inevitability of death. Please enjoy this super-sized episode as the Harry Potter era of the podcast comes to an close, and if your name is David Hohwald, please direct all comments to ruinmylifecast@gmail.com. NOTE: this episode contains major spoilers for the "plot" of HARRY POTTER & THE CURSED CHILD beginning at 33:45, so if you want to #keepthesecrets, just skip to 38:40.
Dec 14, 201801:43:03
BONUS: Commentary Track for 'Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them' (w/ Sarah Sheppard)

BONUS: Commentary Track for 'Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them' (w/ Sarah Sheppard)

While Kelsey was overseas, Jason was joined by Sarah Sheppard (executive producer of RUIN MY LIFE, co-host of ANDREW NINJA WARRIOR) in a viewing of Harry Potter prequel film FANTASTIC BEASTS & WHERE TO FIND THEM. If you would like to know how it feels to watch a movie with Jason and Sarah, or if you want to hear an extremely baffled dissection of the movie's alleged plot, just press 'play' on this special bonus episode at the very beginning of the film and let the good times roll. NOTE: this commentary was recorded before the release of FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD and therefor does not touch on many of the questions raised by that film. That's a discussion best left for another episode.
Dec 01, 201802:13:08
Episode 56: Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince (w/ Stephanie Walker)

Episode 56: Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince (w/ Stephanie Walker)

Stephanie Walker returns to the show to help us dissect HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, wherein Harry Potter once again finds a very helpful book and learns about the life of Tom Riddle. Complete with bookended facial injuries, sick blade moves, and the greatest clap-back in the history of the wizarding world.
Nov 16, 201857:55
Episode 55: Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix (w/ David Hohwald)

Episode 55: Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix (w/ David Hohwald)

In the fifth installment of our limited series event thing, we chat Order of the Phoenix with David Hohwald.

We try a new summarization technique (to great effect!); we discuss the macroeconomics (or lack thereof?)of the wizarding world; moody teenage emo Harry is the best Harry, all the other Harrys can ho home.
Nov 02, 201801:08:19
Episode 54: Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire (w/ Katie Warden)

Episode 54: Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire (w/ Katie Warden)

Jason and Kelsey are joined by returning guest, Katie Warden, who guides them through the very lengthy fourth and middle installment of the Harry Potter Septology.

Highlights:
Large swaths of time devoted to S.P.E.W.
We all stan Alastor Moody.
A debate: Is Bill Weasley cool?
Oct 12, 201801:11:10
Episode 53: Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban (w/ Meghan Griffin)

Episode 53: Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban (w/ Meghan Griffin)

Podcaster extraordinaire Meghan Griffin joins Kelsey and Jason for a long, strange trip through HARRY POTTER & THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, perhaps the most widely-beloved book in a series that many have called 'fairly popular.' NOTE: the recording of this episode was plagued by technical issues both minor and major, let's say because of a Dementor or a Boggart, or something. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Sep 28, 201801:17:28
Episode 52: Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets (w/ Tara Nadolny)

Episode 52: Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets (w/ Tara Nadolny)

Kelsey and Jason are joined by special first-time guest Tara Nadolny for a lovingly in-depth retelling of HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, complete with critical analysis, burning questions, and an unnervingly long debate over whether or not muggles are inferior to wizards. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR BEWARE: this is one episode you don't want to miss! What? No? Yeah, you're right. Even as I was saying it, I was like, maybe not.
Sep 14, 201801:14:09
Episode 51: Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone

Episode 51: Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone

Jason and Kelsey discuss HARRY POTTER & THE PHILOSOPHER (SORCERER?)'S STONE on the first episode of their prestige-format multi-part limited-event maxi-series.
Aug 31, 201853:24
Episode 50: What Hath We Wrought (Ruin My Life Looks Back)

Episode 50: What Hath We Wrought (Ruin My Life Looks Back)

It's the Ruin My Life 50th Anniversary Spectacular! Jason and Kelsey take a look back at the previous 50 episodes and provide updates on some of their favorite topics.
Aug 23, 201848:44
Episode 49: Travel Man

Episode 49: Travel Man

Kelsey takes Jason on a metaphorical voyage through TRAVEL MAN, a television program about the non-metaphorical voyages of British comedian Richard Ayoade.
Aug 03, 201839:08
Episode 48: Pusha T

Episode 48: Pusha T

EGHCK! Jason takes Kelsey on a trip through the life and times of the 21st century's premiere drug-rap virtuoso, Pusha T, then tries to answer an age-old question: what's beef?
Jul 13, 201846:44
Episode 47: Audra Mae

Episode 47: Audra Mae

Kelsey brightens Jason's life with the musical stylings of Audra Mae, singer-songwriter extraordinaire and creator of American fiction's most unforgettably charming rapscallion, Jebediah Moonshine.
Jun 29, 201844:19