Episodes

  • Millennial Nostalgia, Season 3 in Review
    Dec 21 2024

    In the season three recap episode of the Book Club Podcast, host Carly is joined by frequent guests My Nguyen and Christy Lynn Horpedahl to discuss their experiences revisiting childhood classics like A Wrinkle in Time and The Giver. The conversation dives into themes of nostalgia, the portrayal of female characters, and the evolving nature of connection in a digital age. The trio reflects on how these books have shaped their understanding of the world and whether they prepared millennials for adulthood. They also explore the balance between the solitary and communal aspects of reading and the impact of technology on personal and collective experiences.

    Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads! You can support the podcast by making a contribution on Venmo to @bookclubpod.

    00:00 Welcome to the Season Three Recap

    00:15 Introducing the Guests

    00:58 Nostalgia and Childhood Books

    01:40 Revisiting Old Favorites

    02:51 Critiquing Beloved Characters

    04:52 The Joy of Rediscovery

    07:50 The Expanse and The Princess Bride

    12:56 Reading as a Primer for Life

    18:16 Sharing Books Across Generations

    27:36 The Solitary and Communal Nature of Reading

    33:38 Hiding your Books

    36:54 Connection with High Nutritional Value

    41:29 The Importance of Generosity and Honesty in Connection

    48:47 Technology and Radical Humility

    50:48 Female Characters and Their Portrayal

    57:40 Millennials and a Changing World

    01:02:03 Just Because you Like it

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton Book Club
    Nov 22 2024

    In this special bonus episode of the Book Club Podcast, Carly, joined by Andrene and Joel from the Rewind Rewatch Podcast, delves into Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. They explore themes of genetic engineering, human arrogance, and scientific discovery, discussing character developments such as Hammond's moral irresponsibility, Nedry's sabotage, and Malcolm's philosophical insights. The episode examines the narrative role of Lex and Tim, the depiction of female characters, and the contrast between the book and the movie. The hosts reflect on the story's relevance to contemporary issues like technological progress and environmental exploitation. They also highlight the 1993 film's enduring visual impact and influence on millennials, wrapping up with recommendations for Crichton's sequel, The Lost World.

    Listen to the Rewind Rewatch episode on the movie Jurassic Park on Apple Podcasts.

    Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

    Timestamps of conversation topics:

    00:00 Life Finds a Way

    00:13 Welcome to the Book Club Podcast

    00:31 First Impressions of Jurassic Park

    03:02 Diving into the Plot

    10:07 Hammond's Delusions and Grandchildren

    14:23 Character Dynamics and Development

    25:58 The Arrogance of Humans

    39:59 Living Systems and Chaos Theory

    41:32 Automation and Nedry's Role

    43:08 Nedry's Betrayal and Consequences

    47:40 Hammond's Hubris and Park's Flaws

    50:33 Children in Jurassic Park

    53:39 Millennial Nostalgia and Connection

    57:35 Female Characters in Jurassic Park

    01:02:42 Modern Reflections and Genetic Power

    01:08:39 Impact of the Movie on Millennials

    01:14:33 Final Thoughts on Jurassic Park

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • The Princess Bride by William Goldman Book Club
    Nov 19 2024

    In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, Carly, Margaret, and David delve into The Princess Bride by William Goldman. The discussion ranges from character connections, gender dynamics, and the significance of storytelling within stories, to the cultural impact and enduring nostalgia of the film. They also share their perspectives on the possibility of remaking the beloved movie and reflect on the broader genre themes present in both the book and film.

    Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

    Timestamps of conversation topics:

    00:00 Quote from The Princess Bride

    00:52 Personal Histories with The Princess Bride

    02:19 Summary of The Princess Bride

    07:12 Opening Question on Storytelling

    15:28 The Love Story and Ripple Effects

    25:42 Buttercup Redemption

    28:55 Max and Valerie: A Model Couple

    32:53 Bill's Midlife Crisis and Reflections

    36:01 Wesley Didn’t Age Well

    37:20 The Miracle Pill and Screenwriting Influence

    39:19 Millennials and DVD Extras

    42:41 Exploring Genuine Connections

    45:25 Female Characters in The Princess Bride

    50:07 Adventure and Genre Themes

    54:25 Never Remake The Princess Bride

    57:25 Final Thoughts and Millennial Nostalgia

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    1 hr
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling Book Club
    Sep 14 2024

    In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, host Carly, an Elder Millennial, is joined by guest Jenni to discuss Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. The episode delves into personal anecdotes about discovering the series, revisiting the story, and its impact on their generation. They explore the book's plot, character relationships, societal themes, and the broader Harry Potter universe. The conversation also touches on the challenges and emotional aspects of revisiting beloved childhood books, the portrayal of female characters, and the movie adaptation's strengths and weaknesses. Tune in next month for a discussion on William Goldman’s The Princess Bride!

    Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

    00:00 The Goblet of Fire Chooses Harry

    00:45 Welcome to the Book Club Podcast

    01:02 Personal Harry Potter Journeys

    03:50 Discussing the Goblet of Fire

    05:12 Summary of the Goblet of Fire

    12:14 Wizarding World and Muggle Relations

    21:01 Rita Skeeter and Journalism

    24:59 Impact of Cedric's Death

    36:01 Revisiting Harry Potter

    38:35 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Initial Impressions

    38:59 Breaking Rules: A Millennial Perspective

    39:24 Generational Differences and Rule-Breaking

    47:22 The Importance of Genuine Connection

    52:25 Female Characters in Harry Potter

    58:32 The Hero's Journey and Millennial Reflections

    01:03:01 Movie Adaptation: Hits and Misses

    01:07:20 Final Thoughts and Next Book Discussion

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien Book Club
    Aug 10 2024

    In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, host Carly and guest Margaret, both elder millennials, discuss the book Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien. The discussion includes a detailed summary of the plot, touching on Mrs. Frisbee’s journey to save her sick son, her encounters with wise mice and intelligent rats, and the mysterious background of the rats of NIMH. They delve into themes such as ecosystems and civilizations, the impact of scientific experimentation, and the lack of significant character development. The conversation also compares the book with its darker, magic-filled movie adaptation. The episode concludes with reflections on how millennial childhood media, including dark movies, might have influenced their resilience. Tune in next time for our episode on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

    00:00 Mysterious Marching Figures

    01:37 Introduction to the Book Club Podcast

    02:55 Summary of Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH

    07:48 Discussion on Ecosystems and Civilization

    13:24 The Role of Education and Longevity

    23:00 The Farmer and the Natural Cycles

    32:37 Morality and Justice in Mrs. Frisbee's World

    33:34 Natural Disasters and Human Vulnerability

    35:50 The Scary Imagery of Childhood Movies

    36:41 Millennial Nostalgia and Dark Childhood Films

    38:05 The Horror Elements in Mrs. Frisbee's Story

    38:44 Magical Elements in the Movie Adaptation

    43:07 Exploring Themes of Connection and Isolation

    45:31 Female Characters and Their Roles

    49:01 Hero's Journey and New Genre Themes

    51:11 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

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    56 mins
  • A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Book Club
    Jul 13 2024

    In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, Carly Jackson and guest Christy Lynn Horpedahl discuss Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. They explore the themes of good versus evil, the importance of intelligence versus love, and the significance of Meg's faults. The conversation also touches on the unique loneliness and resilience of the protagonist, and the generational contrasts between boomers and millennials in the context of the novel. Listeners are encouraged to consider how classic stories shape their perceptions and to join the reading journey with the next book discussion on Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH.

    Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

    00:00 A Horrifying Smile

    00:30 Welcome to the Book Club Podcast

    00:41 Christy's History with 'A Wrinkle in Time'

    01:49 Meg Murray: A Unique Protagonist

    02:11 The Vivid Memory of the Murray House

    02:43 Complete Summary of 'A Wrinkle in Time'

    08:00 Meg's Faults and Their Significance

    11:30 The Burden of Responsibility

    13:55 The Happy Medium and Social Media

    17:34 The Fight Against Conformity

    25:51 Meg's Loneliness and Connection with Calvin

    31:12 The Importance of Feeling Smart

    33:17 The Danger of Intellectual Pride

    35:19 The Power of Love

    37:49 Faith and Science: Unlikely Allies

    38:59 The Foolish and the Weak

    43:25 Connection and Loneliness

    46:00 Meg: The Unlikely Heroine

    55:39 Movie Adaptation: Hits and Misses

    01:01:43 Final Thoughts and Nostalgia

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry Book Club
    Jun 23 2024

    Guests My and Jenni join Carly to talk about what it means to make choices for yourself and if experiencing pain and suffering is a good trade-off for being able to make choices for yourself. They also talk about the expectations put on Millennials in school to save the rainforests and the whales and to fix the hole in the Ozone. Jonas makes a choice that will change his whole society, have Millennials succeeded in changing our whole society?

    Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

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    54 mins
  • One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy Book Club
    Jun 1 2024

    For our first book discussion on Millennial Nostalgia, guest host Christy joins Carly to talk about One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy. One in a Millennial is a memoir capturing the experiences of one person growing up through the ‘90s and ending with a successful podcasting career.

    They compare their own experiences growing up on ‘90s TV and connecting to communities online and set up the questions for the rest of the season about connection, female characters, and how millennials were raised for a world that did not exist.

    Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/

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    1 hr and 12 mins