The Worst of All Possible Worlds

This is the first episode of Ill Conceived, a new podcast from Josh Boerman of The Worst of All Possible Worlds and June Sternbach of Western Kabuki. Get new episodes every Friday in your favorite podcast client: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Spotify Pocket Casts YouTube   Josh and June take a look at Promise Keepers, the organization that massed 700,000 men on the National Mall in Washington, DC for a 1997 rally that promised to bring spiritual renewal to its attendees and a new order to the social health of the country. While they didn't quite pull off the fundamental transformation they were hoping for, Promise Keepers left a significant impact on the evangelical Christian psyche. And somehow, they're still around today, desperately trying to convince the world of their definition of fatherhood and family. SOURCES: The First Promise Keepers Event: Witnessing the Power of God" by David Roadcup Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes du Mez Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper by Bill McCartney et al. "Promise Keepers pledge to move from stadium rallies to the marketplace" by Adelle Banks, Religion News Service "New Promise Keepers CEO ready to see a revival among men" by Maina Mwaura, The Christian Index "Promise Keepers Pour Into The Nation's Capital" (CNN, 1997) "The Promise Keepers Opens Its Doors To Women" (NPR, 2009)   AUDIO CLIPS: 6:18 – Bill McCartney in a profile by WXYZ-TV Detroit (September 24, 1994) 32:46 – Norm MacDonald on Saturday Night Live Weekend Update (October 4, 1997) 33:23 – Joseph Garlington, Promise Keepers worship leader, at the 1997 Stand in the Gap rally 34:55 – Patricia Ireland, president of the National Organization for Women, on Charlie Rose (October 3, 1997) 36:31 – Huron Claus, Native American Christian evangelist, at the 1997 Stand in the Gap rally 38:00 – Bill McCartney, Promise Keepers founder, on Larry King Live (October 7, 1997) 47:49 – Shane Winnings, current Promise Keepers CEO, on Morning Joe (April 3, 2025) 50:50 – Web trailer for Wake-Up Call, the 2025 Promise Keepers in-person summit in Yakima   FOLLOW THE SHOW: Website: illconceivedpodcast.com Bluesky: @ill-conceived-pod.bsky.social Tumblr: @illconceivedpod   FOLLOW JOSH: Website: joshboerman.com Bluesky: @bosh.worstpossible.world Other podcast: The Worst of All Possible Worlds Stream: Traditional Scrench FOLLOW JUNE: Bluesky: @junlper.beer Other podcast: Western Kabuki Writing: June's Substack

Dr. Eleanor Janega and Luke Waters from the We’re Not So Different podcast join the lads on a medievalist romp through the world of morality plays as they cover the story of Everyman and two of its progeny: the works of Jack Chick and a little show called Adventures in Odyssey. Topics include the Dutch origins of Everyman, the horrors of being eternally judged while nude, and the insidious pedantry at the heart of the evangelical movement. We’re Not So Different: A mostly Medieval history podcast about how we’ve always been idiots Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Bluesky // Instagram WNSD and American Prestige Present: Welcome to the Crusades: The First Crusade The hosts of American Prestige and We’re Not So Different join forces to examine one of the seminal events in world history: the Crusades. Season 1 focuses, appropriately enough, on the First Crusade, requested by a Byzantine Empire under threat and called by a Catholic Church eager for a “great cause.” You’ll follow the expedition from its origins in Europe to the walls of Jerusalem as we try to understand why this Crusade, unique among its sequels, ended in success for the Crusaders. Website Dr. Eleanor Janega: Bluesky Luke Waters: Bluesky Media Referenced in the Episode: Everyman The Text - Project Gutenberg Lego Version GSMC Classics: Great Plays Episode 120: Everyman Chick Tracts This Was Your Life You Have a Date! Adventures in Odyssey #442a: “Two Roads” “Human Boyg Guy: Peer Gynt, ft. Brian Alford” The Socialist Shelf. October 8th, 2024. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “C.S. #2085: The Provenance Incident, as Recounted by Alistair Adelman on the Carolinian Bound for Provenance, North Carolina on June 18th, 2000” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. Brian Alford as “Alistair Adelman”, A.J. Ditty as “Melvin Mulligan”, and Josh Boerman as “The Conductor” // “The Chain” Violin Cover by Steve Bingham, Arrangement by Rowan Marshall

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall David Armstrong (Bonus Action) and the lads grab their ghosts and join the CIA as they cover Quantic Dream’s 2013 horror/sci-fi trainwreck: Beyond: Two Souls. Topics include David Cage’s whole deal, the intuitively unintuitive controls, and what it means when your storytelling is so bad, not even Elliot Page can save it. Bonus Action: Hail and well met, Peaches! Adam and Jay from the reaction channel pReview’d have started an Actual Play TTRPG channel with their DM friend David Armstrong. Come by Mondays at 7pm EST as your #internetbestfirends, along with their comedian friends as they goof and gab through the magical world of Wild Country. Youtube Media Referenced in this Episode: Beyond: Two Souls. Dir. David Cage. Quantic Dream. 2013. “David Bowie cameos and fully-rendered penises: the bizarre history of Quantic Dream” by Richard Murphy. Gamesradar. October 7th, 2013. “David Cage: From the brink” by Guest Contributor. MVC. September 28th, 2011. “Game designer Warren Spector commends David Cage's work on Heavy Rain” by Zak Islam. Neoseeker. July 5th, 2012. “Omikron: the Nomad Soul Review” by Jeremy Dunham. IGN. June 22nd, 2016. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Quantic Dream Presents: Mulhouse: Become David” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. David Armstrong as “David de Gruttola/David Cage”  

This lads kick off pride month by revisiting an oft-forgotten but foundational play in the queer canon: William M. Hoffman’s As Is. Topics include the history of the AIDS play, Hoffman’s exquisite weaponization of comedy in the face of overwhelming tragedy, and the legacy of a 90 minute play that inspired an entire genre of theater. Want more TWOAPW? Get access to our full back catalogue of premium/bonus episodes by subscribing for $5/month at Patreon.com/worstofall! Media Referenced in this Episode: As Is by William M. Hoffman. 1985. AIDS-Involved Drama Syndrome by William M. Hoffman. Poz Magazine. February 1st, 1997. Acts of Intervention by David Roman The AIDS Show Warren by Rebecca Ranson “Playwright Rebecca Ranson’s Journals Reveal Turmoil in Atlanta’s Queer Community During the AIDS Crisis” by Oli Turner. The South and the Archive. October 31st, 2023. As Is script As Is movie Interview with William Hoffman TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Writer’s Block” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. A.J. Ditty as “A.J. Ditty” Additional Voices for As Is Excerpts: Anne Huston, Eleanor Philips, Dara Swisher and Brent Shultz

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads grab their papers and hop a plane to Morocco as they cover Michael Curtiz’ 1942 Bogartfest: Casablanca. Topics include the goblin energy of Peter Lorre, the GOATness of Victor Laszlo, and what it means to drown out fascists by belting out “La Marseillaise”. Media Referenced in this Episode: Casablanca. Dir. Michael Curtiz, 1942. Everybody Comes to Rick's TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: Pages 7-12 of "The Hidden Enemy," written and performed by Josh Boerman

Abigail Thorn (The Acolyte, House of the Dragon) and the lads stand up for their beliefs and just kinda drive around New Mexico as they cover the 2014 evangelical political thriller: Persecuted. Topics include passion plays, the art of selling evangelicalism, and what it means to build your entire theological identity around whining like a smol bean. Abigail Thorn: Bluesky // Instagram The Prince: A transformative new play that has everything: sword fighting, lesbianism, Hamlet, and disappointed parents. Available on Nebula. Philosophy Tube: Giving away philosophy degrees for free! Youtube // Nebula // Patreon Kill James Bond! is a comedy film review/ pop culture commentary podcast about the portrayal of masculinity in cinema. November Kelly, Abigail Thorn, and Devon have watched Bond movies, War on Terror movies, Eurospy movies, and now they take on their biggest task yet: Heist Movies. What can Heat, Oceans’ 11, and the Fast and Furious movies teach us about how masculinity was imagined by the people who created them? What does that say about Society? Free episodes are released every fortnight on all major podcast platforms and bonus episodes are released for supporters on Patreon on the interstitial weeks. Website / Twitter / Patreon Listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Media Referenced in this Episode: Persecuted. Dir. Daniel Lusko. 2014. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Da Pope” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Donovan Eyre as “Da Pope”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads escape a chain gang and become men of constant sorrow as they embark on Joel and Ethan Coen’s 2000 Southern Odyssey: O Brother, Where Art Thou? Topics include the charms of George Clooney, the superlative soundtrack, and how to adapt the Odyssey without turning into a horny toad. Media Referenced in this Episode: O Brother, Where Art Thou? Dir. Joel Coen. 2000. Why it’s crazy that ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou’ was pulled off - Tim Blake Nelson TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Spree!!!” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. A.J. Ditty as “Spree-Man”

Alex and Jeremy of the Quorators podcast join the lads for their triumphant return to Odyssey as they throw themselves headlong into adventures of magic bats, deceitful chickens, and Edwin Blackgaard staging The Merchant of Venice. Topics include the Twilife Zone, the ethics of Watto the Toydarian, and what it means to live your life in the service of a chicken whose real name is drugs. Alex Ptak - Bluesky // Twitter // Instagram Theater of Delights featuring Gran Nidorino! Jeremy Kaplowitz - Bluesky // Twitter // Instagram Quarators - Every Monday, comedians Jeremy Kaplowitz and Alex Ptak head to Quora dot com to find the stupidest questions they can and make fun of them. Youtube // Patreon // Apple Podcasts // Spotify Quorst of All Possible Worlds w/ Josh Boerman // Quorators Full Episode Q+087: Bull Psychology w/ Josh Boerman Media Referenced in this Episode: Adventures in Odyssey #358: “The Secret Weapon” #288: “The Twilife Zone” #359: “The Merchant of Odyssey” TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Case #1189195: Audit of The Patmos Corporation As Performed by Timmy ‘Taxman’ Thompson” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Josh Boerman as “Timmy ‘Taxman’ Thompson”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall Caleb @BirdRespecter (Western Kabuki, 60 Minute Drill) joins Brian and Josh to tell the story of Richard “Beebo” Russell, a man who walked off his job as a baggage handler at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport one day in 2018 to steal an airplane. Russell and his ill-fated flight quickly became a cause célèbre among some of the darkest corners of the internet, continuing to this day. This episode tries to figure out how and why that happened. Note: This episode deals with suicide and racist extremism. Caleb: Bluesky // Twitter // Linktree Western Kabuki: Formerly the preeminent Nick Cage podcast, this show is now a few friends from Twitter, @Birdrespecter, @AGoldmund, and @JUNlPER discussing what’s going on online. Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Bluesky // YouTube Media referenced this episode: “The Sky Thief: Beebo Russell’s Last Flight” by Tim Dickinson. Rolling Stone, June 24, 2021. “I Worked With Richard Russell at Horizon Air, and I Understand Why He Did What He Did” by Todd Bunker. The Stranger, August 17, 2018. “‘Airplane of opportunity’? Richard Russell raised pilot’s suspicions a year before Sea-Tac plane heist” by Lewis Kamb. The Seattle Times, September 12, 2018. “Sea-Tac air traffic controller faced ‘one in a million’ scenario with stolen plane” by Daniel Beekman and Michelle Baruchman. The Seattle Times, August 11, 2018. “FBI: Richard Russell, who stole plane from Sea-Tac, acted alone, crashed on purpose; motive a mystery” by Lewis Kamb. The Seattle Times, November 9, 2018. “Human remains, flight data recorder found among wreckage of stolen plane on Ketron Island” by Stacia Glenn. The News Tribune, August 13, 2018. “Airline job was way for man who crashed stolen plane to visit Alaska” by Adam Lynn, Alexis Krell, Sue Kidd, Lauren Smith and Craig Sailor. The News Tribune, August 12, 2018. “White nationalists and the ‘Sky King’” by Martin McKenzie-Murray. The Saturday Paper, August 18, 2018. FBI press release on investigation from November 2018 Redacted FBI report from the investigation Music used in this episode: Anticipation by Drill Folly Lookin’ For That Orca (Beebo’s Song) by Johny Maudlin TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: The first seven pages of “The Hidden Enemy,” written and performed by Josh Boerman

Renee Olstead (The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Unfriended) and the lads grab some ice cubes and enter the cutthroat world of Vegas dancing as they cover Paul Verhoeven’s 1995 striptacular: Showgirls. Topics include the madness of Joe Eszterhas, the infamous VH1 cut, and the solidarity that can be learned from a movie that involves shoving your competition down a flight of stairs. Renee Olstead: Website // Instagram // OF // Twitter Coalition of American Sex Workers Media Referenced in this Episode: Showgirls. Dir. Paul Verhoeven. 1995. 'Showgirls' at 25: Gina Ravera discusses the cult movie's most controversial scene by Ethan Alter. Yahoo! Entertainment. September 22nd, 2020. Showgirls, Jade, and the Fall of Joe Eszterhas (Erotic 90’s, Part 14) — You Must Remember This TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “The Worst of All Possible Sex Tips” // Written by A.J. Ditty with additional lyrics by Brian Alford // Featuring Josh Boerman as “Sexy Josh” and Brian Alford as “Sexy Brian” // Music: “Careful Shouting” by Highway Superstar