The Skiffy and Fanty Show

Turbulent times, spreading love, and finding hope, oh my! Shaun Duke, Trish Matson, and Jennifer Brozek join forces to share the things they loved in 2025 and the things they’re looking forward to in 2026! We discuss books, movies, geeky things, experiences, and much more! Plus, we share some VERY important announcements about the show! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: 2025 Things: Shaun: Susana Morris’ Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler  All of the independent films Daniel and I got to watch and write or talk about (thanks Strike Media and Deaf Crocodile!) The two podcasts I got to be on to talk about movies I genuinely love: Reserved Recommendations with Hugh Dingwall (on Nightbreed) and Fine Beats and Cheeses (on Mac & Me)!  Trish: Death of the Author: A Novel by Nnedi Okorafor Andor S2: aired April 22, 2025 through May 13, 2025, 12 episodes. Mad props to producer Tony Gilroy. Revolutions Podcast Season 11 (Mars), by Mike Duncan: aired October 2024 to June 2025, 30 eps Jennifer: Overgrowth by Mira Grant (best book I read all year) Sinners. Such an amazingly good/original movie Hades 2. Great storytelling and replayability. It’s a thing I do with the Husband. Daniel: Uncertain Sons and Other Stories by Thomas Ha and Lost in the Dark and Other Excursions by John Langan Hundreds of Beavers (2022) Directed by Mike Cheslik AGFA Secret Society Sandra: A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (the perfect romance at the perfect time when I read it) The Great Flood (dir. Kim Byung-woo); not without its problems but I give it kudos for being the disaster flick I hadn’t expected to be a scifi flick Draw Steel (an interesting change from D&D 5e) Paul: Duology: The Witch Roads and the Nameless Land, a duology of fantasy novels from Kate Elliott. Set in a new and rich fantasy worlds, Elliott hitting all the power chords.  Plur1bus: Aired in Fall/Winter 2025 on Apple TV. Constantly surprisingly, interesting, thought provoking, with some great acting BallxPit, a rogue like game inspired by Balatro, Vampire Survivors and Arkanoid (for those who remember it). 2026 Things: Shaun: The Republic of Memory by Mahmud El Sayed OR The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu All of the independent films Daniel and I are going to get to watch and write and talk about this year, some from the very same places I’ve already mentioned. Seeing how Capricon will go, as I was head of programming this year (with Cassandra Moritz as my honorable and most excellent 2nd). Trish: The Faith of Beasts by James S.A. Corey, 2nd in The Captive’s War series, coming in April, because I loved the first book, The Mercy of Gods. Murderbot S2  Other: 13th Icon RPG, starting in February on Arvan Eleron’s Twitch channel. PrinceJvstin will GM, and I’m playing a dragonborn druid in it, along with Darcie Little Badger as a human rogue, Kathleen de Vere as a human paladin, and Mur Lafferty as a goliath barbarian. Jennifer: Strixhaven: Omens of Chaos by Seanan McGuire Old Gods of Appachalia: Long Shadows, Season Six podcast Finishing Eberron Oracle of War, Can*Con in Ottawa, Oberon’s Post Club Daniel: Partially Devoured by Daniel Kraus Evil Dead Burn (2026; dir. Sébastien Vaniček) Blood Feast and the Films of Herschell Gordon Lewis (AGFA Restorations) Sandra: Platform Decay by Martha Wells Murderbot S2, but also Slow Horses S6 (which is totally fantasy lol) Bouchercon (Calgary) Paul: Children of Strife by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The latest in his Children series, I want to see where his rich world of human and post-human sapients, from spiders to crows, will go next.  The Odyssey movie. I just want to see what Nolan will do with one of the ur-texts of the Western Tradition. And it can’t be worse than the early 2000’s Troy (which tackled The Iliad)  It just CAN’T. Death Valley photography trip in December 2026. Am I a good photographer? No, but I enjoy doing photography and this is a chance to do it in a place every photographer wants to go. Video versions of our episodes also appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Tight spaces, space cannibals, and space madness, oh my! Shaun Duke, Daniel Haeusser, and Aurelius Raines II join forces to talk about 2009’s Pandorum! Together, they tackle the film’s set design, get squiggly about space spelunking, talk about space cannibal families, and more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions! Follow us on Twitch! Pandorum (2009) Grades: Shaun: B Daniel: D+ Aurelius: C Average: C If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Literary apocalypses, cosmic abysses, and Sam Neill, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser join forces to discuss In the Mouth of Madness (1994; dir. John Carpenter). Together, they explore the film’s treatment of cosmic horror, its themes of literary-induced madness, what makes it distinctly a Carpenter film, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions! In the Mouth of Madness (1994; dir. John Carpenter) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Grand conspiracies, colonization, and intentions, oh my! Shaun Duke and Sandra Wong are joined by the wonderful Martha Wells for an interview about Queen Demon and The Rising World series. Together, they discuss Wells’ approach to worldbuilding, explore the link between magic and pain, talk writing process, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Martha Wells’ Things: Website Bluesky Instagram Queen Demon (Tor) Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Delicious heists, messy pasts, and subterfuge galore, oh my! Shaun Duke is joined by Fran Wilde for an interview about A Philosophy of Thieves! Together, they explore Wilde’s approach to cross genre writing, the roots of the novel’s heist premise, the complexities of power and capital, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Fran Wilde’s Things: Website Bluesky Instagram Facebook A Philosophy of Thieves (get it!) Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Cringe radio, angry ghosts, and cute Superman, oh my! Shaun Duke, Trish Matson, and R.E. Junker join forces to talk about 2005’s The Fog! Together, they tackle the film’s take on family sins, why ghosts are confusing, cute sweaters, and more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions! Follow us on Twitch! The Fog (2005) Grades: Shaun: C- Trish: C Robert: C Average: C If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Alternate histories, grim conspiracies, and hellish visions, oh my! Shaun Duke, Daniel Haeusser, and Stephen Geigen-Miller join forces to discuss From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell! Together, they explore the work’s complex plot of conspiracies and philosophical terrors, its graphic violence and art style, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions! From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell (Top Shelf Productions) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Snowball wars, blues bands, and questionable anatomy, oh my! Shaun Duke, Aurelius Raines II, and R.E. Junker join forces to talk about 1998’s Jack Frost! Together, they explore the film’s formulaic Christmas narrative, snowman puppets, ridiculous snow stunts, and more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions! Follow us on Twitch! Jack Frost (1998) Grades: Shaun: B Aurelius: B Robert: C Average: B- ish If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Fedoras, Christmas traumas, and chainsaws, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser join forces to discuss Gremlins (1984; dir. Joe Dante). Together, they talk about the film’s legacy, its brand of slapstick and macabre comedy, the adorableness of Gizmo, and more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions! Gremlins (1984; dir. Joe Dante) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Fur-matronics, foot games, and big foot burial practices, oh my! Shaun Duke and Julia Rios join forces to talk about 1987’s Harry and the Hendersons! Together, they discuss the film’s ridiculous plot, the fine use of animatronics and physical comedy, production oddities, the 80s, and more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions! Follow us on Twitch! Harry and the Hendersons (1987) Grades: Shaun: B+ Julia: B+ Daniel (in absentia): A Average: B+ish If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Imperial histories, class resistance, and alternative Romes, oh my! Shaun Duke and Paul Weimer are joined by novelist Sophie Burnham for an interview about Sargassa, the second book in the Ex Romana trilogy! Together, they discuss Burnham’s approach to alternate history and worldbuilding, the role of internal resistance in oppressive systems, the challenges of writing a series, and more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Sophie Burnham’s Things: Website Bluesky Instagram Sargassa (get it now!) Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Gorgeous dice, occult texts, and birbs, oh my! Shaun Duke, Jennifer Brozek, and Sandra Wong join forces to talk about why we collect and, more importantly, WHAT we collect. Each host shares some of their collectible objects, talk about why they matter, and more. This episode has a visual component, so checking out the video might be beneficial if you’re able! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Liquid Core Dice Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Grand insectoid mothers, web sensitive grubs, and purple lightsabers, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser join forces to discuss the new canon novel, Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss by Steven Barnes. Together, they explore the novel’s approach to the titular Star Wars character, Barnes’ fantastical worldbuilding and narrative choices, some of the new characters who appear in the book, and so much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss by Steven Barnes Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Ambiguous worlds, subdued worries, and a talking tiger, oh my! Shaun Duke and Daniel Haeusser are joined by short fiction extraordinaire Thomas Ha for an interview about his new collection, Uncertain Sons and Other Stories! Together, they discuss Ha’s approach to short fiction and storytelling, some of the common themes in the collection, the process of assembling a collection, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Thomas Ha’s Things: Website Bluesky Uncertain Sons and Other Stories (Undertow Publications) Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Blood maws, neurodivergence, and the monstrous, oh my! Shaun Duke and Paul Weimer are joined by the wonderfully weird Jason Sanford for an interview about his new novella, We Who Hunt Alexanders! Together, they discuss Sanford’s approach to monstrosity, neurodiverse protagonists, writing style and influences, and so much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Jason Sanford’ Things: Website Bluesky Mastodon Threads Instagram We Who Hunt Alexanders (Apex Books) Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Warthog sloths, dinosaur hugs, and lecherous captains, oh my! Shaun Duke, Jen Zink, and special guest R.E. Junker join forces to talk about 1948’s Unknown Island! Together, they discuss the film’s remarkably ridiculous dinosaurs, the many types of 1940s men, plot contrivances, Corriganville, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions! Follow us on Twitch! Unknown Island (1948) R.E. Junker’s Stuff: Threads Grades: Shaun: F Jen: D R.E.: D Average: D- If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Writing barriers, intense habits, and Octavia’s life, oh my! Shaun Duke is joined by scholar and biographer Susan M. Morris to talk about her new book, Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler! In this riveting conversation, they discuss some of the fascinating aspects of Butler’s life, Morris’ approach to writing a biography of such a celebrated writer, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Susana M. Morris’ Things: Website Instagram Facebook Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler (Amistad) Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Alien barriers, sweet Majors, and messy diplomacy, oh my! Shaun Duke and Trish Matson are joined by returning champion Andrea Hairston for an interview about Mindscape! Together, they explore Andrea’s approach to writing character and dialogue, the roots of the novel’s premise, the influence of language on culture and the self, reality TV, and more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Andrea Hairston’s Things: Website Instagram Facebook Bluesky Mindscape (Tor Books) Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Gendered rants, bird ships, and secret cities, oh my! Shaun Duke, Paul Weimer, and Trish Matson join forces to discuss Marie Corelli’s The Secret Power (1921). Together, they examine the reception of Corelli in her time, explore Corelli’s legacy, discuss the book’s approach to social relations, villainy, technology, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions! Follow us on Twitch! The Secret Power by Marie Corelli Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!

Bug hybrids, evil organizations, and intense vertical kicks, oh my! Brandon O’Brien and Iori Kusano are joined by Jennifer Brozek to discuss 2023’s Shin Kamen Rider! Together, they explore their feelings about the SHOCKER organization, Hideaki Anno’s approach to Kamen Rider, where this particular version fits into the canon of the franchise, and much more! Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Shin Kamen Rider (2023) Jennifer Brozek’s Things: Website Bluesky Instagram Mastodon Video versions of our episodes appear on our handy YouTube channel! Sub and watch! Don’t forget to catch our live format every Friday at 7 PM Central on Twitch at AlphabetStreams! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from Holy Mole. You can support his work at patreon.com/holymole. See you later, navigator!