Superhero movies. Bastardized fairy tales. The psychology of celebrity. Star Wars. And yes, some ancient Greek and Roman myths. Professional mythologist and screenwriting consultant John Bucher spins some yarns and unravels some mysteries behind what makes a good story, and why we so desperately need them. Also: rethinking your own life's narrative and gaini ... Show More
Yesterday
NEW 2025 Interview: Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) Part 2 with Dirk Moses
<p>Note: if you haven’t already heard it, please start with our original, May 2024 episode with Dr. Moses: </p><p><a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/genocidology">Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) Part 1</a></p><p>A lot has happened since then, and author, scholar and geno ... Show More
1h 11m
Jan 2019
Orestes & Electra, the Angriest, Best-Named Children of Greek Mythology (The Oresteia Part 2)
Siblings Orestes and Electra have quite the reunion; they plot and plot and plot. There's a reason it's a story covered by all three remaining tragedians.CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as d ... Show More
27m 59s
Nov 2019
Jason is a Perpetual Dirtbag, Hypsipyle & the Lemnian Women
Returning to Iolchus, before Jason ever met Medea, and the other woman he promised himself to and subsequently abandoned, Hypsipyle, one of the infamous Lemnian Women. CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters ... Show More
22m 45s
Dec 2018
Mini Myth: Zodiac Constellations, Chiron, Trainer to the Stars (Sagittarius)
Let's talk Zodiac. Sagittarius, who just happens to be that beloved centaur, Chiron.CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be were I referencing the real thing.Sources: Th ... Show More
9 m
Feb 2022
Back On His Sh*t, Heracles (Hercules) Wants to Get Hitched, Encounters w/ Iole & Omphale (More Heracles Part 1)
Heracles is at it again! We return to this "hero" after he's "purified" himself from the murder of his wife and children... So obviously he's looking to get married again! For past episodes on ol' Herc, check out this Spotify playlist. Submit your questions or comments about Atla ... Show More
35m 58s
Jun 2020
Mini Myth: All the Best Heroes Have Boyfriends, Heracles & Hylas (Plus More LGBTQ Stories)
Happy Pride! Heracles and Hylas loved each other very much, but as with most gay love stories of Greek mythology... it doesn't end well. #BLM This episode also includes last year's PRIDE episode as a bonus, CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and ... Show More
25m 18s
Mar 2024
Short Snorter by Charles Einstein - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1950s
<p><em>His saucer was parked in the woods, and Mr. Steariot (from Venus) was parked in the lobby.... Short Snorter by Charles Einstein</em>, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.</p><br><p>What does Willie Mays, Curb Your Enthusiasm, stuntman Super Dave Osborne and the 1991 mov ... Show More
19m 29s