Small Beans

The hosts dive into the thought-provoking themes of 'The Electric State,' exploring how capitalism commodifies art. They humorously discuss potential mascots for a robotic rebellion and critique the blend of commercialism with cultural absurdity. The conversation shifts to the dystopian implications of modern storytelling and the impact of brand marketing on audience perception. They also examine America's complex relationship with gun culture and the evolving dynamics of identity shaped by art in a commodified world.

First off, apologies for the flutter in Abe’s voice. It’s not a recording error, he’s just so moved by the conversation he is on the brink of tears. 1989’s Little Mermaid is the movie! Abe and Michael talk about the songs, the illogical characters, the backward attempt at progressiveness of the tale, and the importance of the film. Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Adam Ganser and Abe Epperson discuss the 1998 anime Cowboy Bebop. This time, we talk about session #9, Jamming with Edward. Our last Bebop crew member has arrived. 3, 2, 1. Let’s jam. Features: Adam Ganser: https://bsky.app/profile/ganz.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Bridgett and Sarah continue their dive into the Paddington trilogy. They discuss the internet hype, the feel-goodery-ness of it all, and what releasing a bear into the wild might do to the great city of London. Spread it onto your ears like so much marmalade. Features: Bridgett Greenberg: https://twitter.com/BridgettTweets Sarah Griffith: https://www.tiktok.com/@sk_griffith Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Today it’s 2025’s The Monkey, directed by Osgood Perkins. When the monkey stops beating his drum at the end of this episode, Abe and Michael unceremoniously explode into a fine blood mist. Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabotage the whole thing. This week we discuss 2018’s The Cloverfield Paradox! Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Adam Ganser: https://bsky.app/profile/ganz.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Adam Ganser and Abe Epperson discuss the 1998 anime Cowboy Bebop. This time, we talk about session #8, Waltz for Venus. The one with the healing plant. 3, 2, 1. Let’s jam. Features: Adam Ganser: https://bsky.app/profile/ganz.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

David Bell, renowned for his roles in Star Trek and Futurama, joins the conversation about the comedy classic Airplane! The group dives into the film's edgy humor and its impact on societal norms. They explore its absurdity and the evolution of comedic styles, reflecting on how its jokes resonate today. Insightful anecdotes reveal the art of 'yell comedy' and visual gags, while discussions about breaking the fourth wall highlight humor's shifting landscape. The episode cleverly mixes nostalgia with contemporary critique of comedy.

Amidst the fog of 2025, three men recollect and review a film shot 35 years previous. DJ Wooldridge joins us to discuss the unique dystopia that is the classic Total Recall. Verhoeven, Schwarzenegger, and a tiny little krang take center for this one. Check out and support DJ’s comic: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/djtalkstrash/dangerboi?ref=1pazbm Features: DJ Wooldridge: https://bsky.app/profile/djtalkstrash.bsky.social Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

KOK is back! It’s time for KOK! This episode Abe and Mike discuss the 1993 drama Needful Things with Max Von Sydow and Ed Harris! It’s the one where the devil sells you things and makes a town fall into chaos! Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691