Fruitless

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/152401378It's the February music exchange! Shut up, no, it's not March. This episode is a February episode. In this installment, Josh and I discuss Ultimate Success Today by Protomartyr and Sabotage by Black Sabbath. Also we talk about Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.Music by Protomartyr, Black Sabbath, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On today's episode, Chris Barker and Josiah discuss Claude Chabrol's 1993 documentary, The Eye of Vichy, co-written by historian Robert O. Paxton. They talk about France under Nazi occupation, the regime of Philippe Pétain, and how the French national identity made sense of defeat and collaboration. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferencesEye of Vichy (1993, dir. Claude Chabrol)Tu appelles Renée by Ruth Kapp HartzAudio creditsAudio from The Eye of Vichy (1993)Maréchal, nous voilà!, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmsdHnQ7RD8Yesterday – bloom.The Partisan - Leonard Cohen ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/151286472Welcome to the Fruitless Sports Corner (FSC): a semi-reoccurring series where Josiah, Nathan Thiessen, Chris Barker, and Jake the Lawyer talk about sports. On today's episode we discuss a long tweet, Ilian Malinin falling, how the Winter Olympics could improve the TV watching experience, cheating at curling, speed skaters being fast, axe throwing, Jake's weeb shit, hockey being a form of soccer, libertarian sports, Nebraska being a terrible state, Nate meeting some annoying Nebraska fans, loud college stadiums, Runza, NIL, Ruben Amorim, Nate being mad at the Packers, the Super Bowl and halftime show.Music by Viagra Boys and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On today's episode, Leo Dickenson and Josh Christianson join Josiah to discuss Operation Metro Surge and the fraud crisis that the Trump regime has used to justify the occupation of the Twin Cities. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferencesThumbnail was taken by photojournalist Jeff Wheeler for the Minnesota Star Tribune"How Minnesota became a hub for Somali immigrants in the U.S.," Joe Hernandez, NPR, https://www.npr.org/2025/12/03/nx-s1-5631809/somali-immigrants-minnesota-twin-cities-trump-ilhan-omar"Key figures in the long-running controversy over alleged fraudulent safety net programs in Minnesota," Ray Sanchez and Cheri Mossburg, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/02/us/fraud-minnesota-programs-scandal-trump"Everything we know about Minnesota's massive fraud schemes," Jonah Kaplan and Joe Walsh, CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/minnesota-fraud-schemes-what-we-know/"Minnesota investigators say child care centers accused of fraud are operating normally as governor drops reelection bid," Zoe Sottile and Andy Rose, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/us/minnesota-child-care-fraud-investigation"Federal agents probe fraud allegations targeting Somali child care providers in Minnesota," Nick Schifrin and Jonah Anderson, PBS, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/federal-agents-probe-fraud-allegations-targeting-somali-child-care-providers-in-minnesota"School districts could face funding gaps due to virtual learning, missing students during Operation Metro Surge," Gordon Severson, KARE 11, https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/ice-in-minnesota/school-districts-could-face-funding-gaps-due-to-virtual-learning-missing-students-during-operation-metro-surge/89-11755d76-3b77-4fed-a2d3-f766e332131b"Death raises new fraud allegations in Minnesota’s Medicaid-funded ICS program," A.J. Lagoe, Kelly Dietz, Steven Eckert, Gary Knox, KARE 11, https://www.kare11.com/article/news/investigations/kare-11-investigates-unattended-death-raises-new-fraud-allegations-minnesota-medicaid-funded-ics-program/89-61240443-b8c1-4a60-969b-0b601c5fbd5d“The Largest Funder of Al-Shabaab Is the Minnesota Taxpayer,” Ryan Thorpe and Christopher Rufo, City Journal, https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-welfare-fraud-somalia-al-shabaab"Key source says story that prompted Trump tirade against Somalis is erroneous," Deena Winter, The Minnesota Star Tribune, https://www.startribune.com/city-journal-fraud-story-seattle-detective/601537870"Who is Nick Shirley, the 23-year-old MAGA journalist whose Minnesota fraud story went viral?," Hadas Gold, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/30/media/nick-shirley-minnesota-somali-video"Fact check: What’s really happening with child care fraud in Minnesota," Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th, https://19thnews.org/2026/01/child-care-fraud-minnesota-fact-check/"ICE Reportedly Stole a 10th Grader’s Phone, Then Seemingly Sold It for Cash," Frank Landymore, https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ice-reportedly-stole-10th-grader-230138675.html"Immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, memo says," Rebecca Santana, Associated Press, https://apnews.com/article/ice-arrests-warrants-minneapolis-trump-00d0ab0338e82341fd91b160758aeb2d"ICE plans $100 million 'wartime recruitment' push targeting gun shows, military fans for hires," Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/12/31/ice-wartime-recruitment-push/NSPM-7, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/Timeline on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Metro_Surge#Timeline_of_operation"Minneapolis Pastor Says He Was Detained by ICE After Joining Protest, Told 'You're White' and 'Wouldn’t Be Any Fun Anyway' on Release," Ashley Vega, People, https://people.com/minneapolis-pastor-says-ice-detained-him-after-joining-protest-told-he-wouldnt-be-any-fun-because-youre-white-11884703"ICE entered Minneapolis hospital without warrant, handcuffed patient to bed, community organizers say," Jason Rantala, CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/hcmc-hennepin-healthcare-ice-patient-handcuffed/"Ecuador says ICE tried to enter its Minneapolis consulate — here's what happened," BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cvgpdx1yr15o"Walz: ICE may leave MN soon," Fox 9 KMSP, https://www.fox9.com/video/fmc-ch876hzml20j4brmAudio creditsOpening audio is from several videos of community members at the scene of Alex Pretti's murder a few hours later; videos shared by Left Voice on Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/leftvoice.bsky.social/post/3md6zzb4mzk2rYesterday – bloom.Day Without End - Protomartyr"ICE operations u...

On today's episode, Bryan Cebulski joins Josiah to discuss François Truffaut's Antoine Dionel saga--a series of five semi-autobiographical films following Truffaut's life from troubled child, to horny young man, to horny married man, and finally to horny divorced man. Are these films self-critiques or self-justifications? Does Truffaut know what a real job is? Is Truffaut the more talented Kevin Smith? All this and more on today's episode.Follow Bryan on Letterboxd @bryanonion and Bluesky @bryanonion.bsky.socialBuy Bryan's novel, It Helps With the Blues, here: https://traumbooks.com/ithelpswiththeblues/Check out Bryan's blog here: https://bryancebulski.wordpress.com/Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferenceThe 400 Blows (1959, dir. François Truffaut)Antoine and Colette (1962, dir. François Truffaut)Stolen Kisses (1968, dir. François Truffaut)Bed and Board (1970, dir. François Truffaut)Love on the Run (1979, dir. François Truffaut)Music & Audio creditsGénérique/Les Quatre Cents Coups - Jean ConstantinYesterday – bloom.L'amour En Fuite - Alain Souchon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/149171850It's the first music exchange of 2026! In this installment, Josh and I discuss Bows + Arrows by The Walkmen and 1000 Hurts by Shellac. Also we talk about Guys.Music by The Walkmen, Shellac, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/147927958/Continuing the tradition of kicking off the year with some low effort episodes while I (Josiah) recover from working the holidays, Caleb, James C. Liker, and eventually Josh joined me to hang out and mostly talk about movies. We spoil Bugonia. We also touch briefly on the recent ICE murder in Minneapolis. Music by SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

It is a tradition now to kick off the new year with a low effort episode so that I can recover from the holidays. So this year, Chris Barker and Jake the Lawyer join Josiah to hang out and talk about craft beer and coffee, the "seizing"/"capture"/"kidnapping"/"abduction" of Maduro, declining literacy, and some sports.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReference"Venezuelan Exiles Root for U.S. Military Action. Those Left Behind Oppose It," Ryan Dubé in The Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuelan-exiles-root-for-u-s-military-action-those-left-behind-oppose-it-01d3afe0Music & Audio creditsYesterday – bloom.One - Metallica ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146548844/For the final episode of 2025, Phil Cozzi returns to talk about The Bishop's Wife (1947), a Christmas movie about an angel teaching a workaholic Episcopal bishop to be nice to his wife. We also talk about Christmas movie tropes in general, and Phil does some theologizing. Music by SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is the last episode of 2025 on the free feed. Josh, Alien, and Josiah take you on a journey through Kevin Smith's filmography. I'm so sorry that we're ending the year on this note.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonMusic & Audio creditsHungry - LiadiiiYesterday – bloom.We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146403025It's a very special holiday Christmas music exchange! In this installment, Josh and I discuss The Lost Christmas Eve by Trans-Siberian Orchestra and If I Should Fall From Grace with God by The Pogues. Also not being in the Christmas spirit. Music by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Pogues, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

After a year long hiatus, the Fruitless Bookclub is back. This is the seventh installment of that show-within-a-show, featuring Chris Barker and Jake the Lawyer, where we read all those nonfiction books we've been meaning to read. Today's episode is about The Invention of Decolonization: The Algerian War and the Remaking of France by Todd Shepard, a dense, academic look at the confusing constitutional crisis France experienced in the wake of Algerian independence. Join us as we discuss France's strange attempt to deny that Algeria was a colony, the racial implications of that denial, and how Charles de Gaulle used the crisis for his own political aims.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonMusic & Audio creditsYesterday – bloom.Mao Boy - Indochine ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144831017More and more people are calling December 1st really just November 31st. That's right, it's the November music exchange. In this installment, Josh and I discuss The Dismemberment Plan is Terrified by Dismemberment Plan and My Life as a Woman by Couch Slut. Also we talk about the movies and the state of cinema. Content warning on this one.Music by Dismemberment Plan, Couch Slut, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/even-my-escapism-144196927Welcome to the Fruitless Sports Corner (FSC): a semi-reoccurring series where Josiah, Nathan Thiessen, Chris Barker, and Jake the Lawyer talk about sports. On today's episode we talk about white boys going woo, the World Series, how hard it is to be a Texas/Iowa college football fan, the martyrdom of Carson Wentz, playing while injured, generational wealth, Rooney Mara, World Cup qualifiers, Manchester United being good now, and the MLS schedule change. Also Jake tries to get Josiah sued by Robert Kraft. Music by Viagra Boys, Steve Reich, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On today's episode, Rike (@rikeyboi) and Finch (@finchowar) join Josiah to discuss Manoel de Oliveira's No, or the Vain Glory of Command (1990), a film looking at various extravagant and pathetic episodes in Portuguese history through a discussion between conscripted soldiers during the war in Angola. No, or the Vain Glory of Command (1990) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc5BTW7l9J8Follow Rike on Twitter @rikeyboiFollow Finch on Twitter @finchowar or Bluesky @finchowar.bsky.socialBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton or Bluesky @josiahwsutton.bsky.socialAudio creditsYesterday - bloom.Music from No, or the Vain Glory of Command (1990) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On today's episode, Josh and Josiah discuss Peter Watkin's 1971 film, Punishment Park, a mockumentary about the United States arresting political radicals and draft dodgers to use for police training.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonAudio creditsYesterday - bloom.Audio from Punishment Park (1971)The Price of Living By Delinquent Ideals - Magrudergrind ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142703140It's October's music exchange (a few days late, but you had four whole horror episodes in October so I figured you're fine). In this installment, Josh and I discuss Darker Days Ahead by Tragedy and A Laughing Death in Meatspace by Tropical Fuck Storm. Also we talk about about audio, video, and photo editing softwares for a bit too long. Music by Tragedy, Tropical Fuck Storm, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142209377The final episode of horror month! On today's episode, Josiah, Jackal, and Josh discuss John Darnielle's novel Wolf in White Van. Ambiguous on whether it's a proper horror novel, Josh compares and contrasts the book with The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty, exploring youthful self-destruction and the darker side of human imagination. This episode is pretty heavy, and it comes with a pretty strong content warning regarding discussion of suicide and self-harm. Music by Larry Norman and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Horror month continues! On today's episode, Jackal and Josiah discuss the fantastic horror mockumentary about xenophobia and scapegoating, Savageland (2015).Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferencesSavageland (2015, dir. Phil Guidry, Simon Herbert and David Whelan)"Inside ‘Savageland’: An Interview with David Whelan," Ross Kiefer in The Carolinian, https://carolinianuncg.com/2017/03/22/inside-savageland-an-interview-with-david-whelan/"Meet Noé Montes," Bold Journey, https://boldjourney.com/meet-noe-montes/Audio creditsToccata and Fugue in D Minor - Johann Sebastian BachAudio from Savageland (2015)GG Seq - Zoviet FranceYesterday - bloom.Bilingüe - El Shirota ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On today's short bonus episode, Josiah interviews West Des Moines mayoral candidate, M.J. Hoag. Find out more about M.J. here at his campaign website: https://mj4wdm.orgBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonAudio creditsYesterday - bloom.In My Dreams – bloom. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★