
Small Beans
Small Beans Podcasting is a place for beans of every sort to come bean it up. Free your soul, eh? Be a frijole.
Latest episodes

Oct 19, 2021 • 1h 27min
429. Spielboys! - Hook
Tom Reimann and Abe Epperson, the “Spielboys,” have created a new podcast. They will examine the films of Steven Spielberg one by one. They discuss the development of Spielberg as an artist, the themes and execution of the movie, and the behind the scenes trivia you probably didn’t know.
This series will alternate releases between the Small Beans network and the Gamefully Unemployed network. To receive all episodes, patronize both channels. You get this one for free though!
Features:
Tom Reimann: https://twitter.com/startthemachine
Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty
Art/Logo created by Michael Vincent Bramley.
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

Oct 17, 2021 • 1h 32min
426. Shooting Threes: The Matrix
We begin our new trilogy set with 1999’s The Matrix! Oh boy oh boy, let’s go down this rabbit hole, baby! Bridgett and Sarah discuss the legacy, themes, and gender critique of the Wachowski Sisters’ smash hit.
A lot of what we reference was specifically in regards to gender, and how the Wachowskis' coming out recontextualized this film for many, many people. As a cis hosts, we want to make sure the trans authors of these works are credited and our listeners have access for additional reading:
Why The Matrix Is a Trans Story According to Lilly Wachowski | Netflix Film Club
https://youtu.be/adXm2sDzGkQ
“How The Matrix universalized a trans experience — and helped me accept my own” by Emily VanDerWerff | Vox
https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/3/30/18286436/the-matrix-wachowskis-trans-experience-redpill
“What We Can Learn About Gender From The Matrix” By Andrea Long Chu | Vulture
https://www.vulture.com/2019/02/what-the-matrix-can-teach-us-about-gender.html
Features:
Sarah Griffith: https://twitter.com/sk_griffith
Bridgett Greenberg: https://twitter.com/BridgettTweets
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

Oct 12, 2021 • 1h 2min
425. Directorpiece Theatre: How Don’t Breathe Spells Out The Movie In One Shot
Abe walks us through his theory about how the horror flick Don’t Breathe (2016) creates a sequence in the first 20-25 minutes that basically walks through the movie right in front of your eyes and you barely notice. Is this a good technique? Does it make the film more enjoyable? You know, write some stuff in the comments. Let’s get an algorithm going, huh!
Features:
Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty
Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz
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

Oct 6, 2021 • 1h 37min
424. Ander’s Sons: Hard Eight
The first episode of our new deep-dive podcast that chronicles the films of Paul Thomas Anderson and Wes Anderson. We start with the star-studded feature debut of PTA: the tale of an older scam artist who takes a young gambler who’s down on his luck under his wing, only to find that there’s always a cost. The hosts return to their patented format of three spectra: diegesis (a plot walkthrough), pedagogy (symbolism and themes), and “Howdy Do Dat?” (behind the scenes trivia and production notes). Join us next time for Wes Anderson’s debut!
Features:
Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP
Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty
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

Sep 25, 2021 • 1h 13min
420. Frame Rate - 2001: A Space Odyssey (Feat. David Bell)
We did it! We reached our 420th podcast (not including exclusives)! Join us in what will be forever remembered as “that movie you watch probably because you’re high!” David Bell sits down and discusses the legacy, the meaning, and the methodical production of undeniably the most influential space movie of all time. We also spend some time telling off Kubrick for being a prick! What a brilliant, egotistical prick who makes great movies!
Features:
David Bell: https://twitter.com/MovieHooligan
Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP
Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty
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

Sep 20, 2021 • 1h 14min
419. Directorpiece Theatre: Why Steven Soderbergh Turned Away From Hollywood
Adam walks us through the directorial playbook of the film Full Frontal (2002) and how it’s message, the techniques Soderbergh uses, and it’s annoyingly elusive ending all point to how Steven Soderbergh was never comfortable making Hollywood blockbusters.
Features:
Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz
Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty
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

Sep 18, 2021 • 1h 35min
418. I'll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours: Breakup Album
Today’s discussion covers the “breakup album” as in the album you would play during a breakup for whatever reason. The reasons and albums our hosts choose could not be more distant which is fascinating in its own right. Adam picked an album that is just as old as Maggie! Also, Maggie drops the knowledge that her dad is a big fan of Michael Swaim, so he’ll be using that as a power move in the future. Bask in the charm of the Show Me Yours-ers!
If you patronize us, feel free to email us suggestions for episodes at any time at magsandganz@gmail.com.
Maggie Mae Fish: https://twitter.com/MaggieMaeFish
Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz
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

Sep 14, 2021 • 1h 21min
417. Kings of King: Children Of The Corn
In this podcast, Michael Swaim and Abe Epperson discuss Stephen King's relationship with religious tales, the cult-like fascination with the movie 'Children of the Corn', its numerous sequels, and how it compares to other King tales. They explore the plot and characters of Gatlin, Nebraska, delve into a chilling scene from the film, and discuss Stephen King's involvement in the movie adaptation. The speakers also touch on the horror of children punishing adults in a realistic setting, the role of religion in Stephen King's writing, and the distortion of the church. They end the podcast by ranking various Stephen King movies and teasing the next season of 'Kings of King'.

Sep 4, 2021 • 1h 26min
414. Shooting Threes: 50 Shades Freed
We wrap up our first trilogy with the third installment of the 50 shades films. Listen as Sarah and Bridgett discuss how these movies are not actually stories but just series of things that happen, how communication would solve all of the protagonists’ problems in their relationship, and how Christian’s numerous red flags seem to be buried by Ana’s inability to see them!
Next month, we’ll start diving into our next trilogy. Bridgett goes over it at the end of the podcast. Please comment below your feelings on the next group of films! Is Jaws a trilogy? Is Jaws 3-D canon? These are good questions you should have opinions about. So type em, what’s your problem?
Features:
Sarah Griffith: https://twitter.com/sk_griffith
Bridgett Greenberg: https://twitter.com/BridgettTweets
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

Sep 3, 2021 • 47min
416. BOLD: Sex Work and Decriminalization (Feat. Chanelle Gallant)
Ivette Ale (@dignityandpowernow, @justicelanow) and Dahlia Ferlito (@wp4bl) talk with Chanelle Gallant (@ChanelleGallant) about decriminalization and sex work. This is a collaboration between Small Beans and Showing Up for Racial Justice, produced by White People 4 Black Lives. You can find full show notes, including useful links and recommended reading, at patreon.com/smallbeans.