Happy Labor Day (week)! God bless the unions and power to workers around the world. To celebrate, we’re discussing Season 7 Episode 14, Last Exit to Springfield- Homer fights for a worker dental plan, Burns shuts off the city’s power, and Lenny listens to Classical Gas. It’s one of the few pro-union stories you could find on tv in the 90’s, and it still holds up!

My guest today is my sister, Danielle George. Not only has she been a huge help to the podcast, but she volunteered to be my first guest ever. That’s right, you’re looking at the 1st episode we ever recorded! We talk about the history of unions, how 90’s satire is just today’s reality, and how you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become Abe Simpson: teller of long stories that don’t go anywhere.

Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.

Harrison Recommends: The books below, and the movies The Pajama Game, 9 to 5, and Norma Rae.

Also, check out The Working Families Party; they're doing good work. I’ve signed up to attend a virtual rally on Labor Day- this Monday, Sep 1. The event is actually taking place in my old college town, Emporia, KS, which is pretty awesome. If you want to join me, check out workingfamilies.org or this link: https://mobilize.us/s/ydS3d0

Research for this episode came from: Fight Like Hell Kim Kelly- #1 rec. Lots of historical examples of activists who are not just straight white guys. Our Numbers Be Unlimited Sam Wallman- Graphic novel about working for Amazon. A History of America in 10 Strikes Erik Loomis- A good primer. Why Unions Matter Michael Yates- Almost like a text book, in a good way.

Ever see a podcast say goodbye to summer? You have now!

To commemorate the end of summer, we’re reviewing “Summer of 4ft 2” from Season 7 with guest Alison Lynch (@alisonlunch, @bloomdropla). We discuss her new flower business, Bloomdrop, the power of reinventing yourself, and sibling rivalries. We also dive into the MANY amazing jokes in this episode; "It's a bird thing", Milhouse as The Dud, and more than 1 classic 90’s tv show reference. Sit back and enjoy as we say goodbye to summer 2025!

Follow Alison @alisonlunch and her business @bloomdropla on Instagram.

Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.

Alison Recommends: “Good Girl Gone Bad” movies: Grease, Easy A, The Craft, etc.

Harrison Recommends: “Myra Breckenridge” by Gore Vidal The movie “Mermaids” with Cher, Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci!

Snakes, why’d it have to be snakes? Because we’re talking about “Whacking Day”, that’s why! We’re joined by LA writer, actor and comedian Sophie Delaney to review this Season 4, Episode 20 classic. We talk about playing “Mission Impossible” as kids, if the bass guitar is the funniest instrument of all time, and a REALLY weird Josh Groban song about farts.

Follow Sophie @sophiewalterd on Instagram and @chompinpod on TikTok.

Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.

Sophie Recommends: The Dustbowl documentary by Ken Burns and JFK by Oliver Stone

Harrison Recommends: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn and The Fruit, The Tree and The Serpent by Lynne Isbell.

Show notes

Josh Groban Song About Beans

This week we take a little trip to the Sodom and Gomorrah of the Missisipp, New Orleans for Season 4 Episode 2 of the Simpsons, “A Streetcar Named Marge” with guest Clayton Margeson. Clayton and I talk about his connection to this episode, why Steve McQueen was, to quote Bart, “such a bitch”, and the joy of having grown-up hobbies.

Follow Clayton at @king.claz on Instagram.

Follow this show at bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.

Clayton Recommends: The Great Escape, BioShock. Harrison Recommends: “Who Am I This Time?” by Kurt Vonnegut (book and movie) and this article: The Quiet Radicalism of Being a Weird Little Guy with Weird Little Hobbies

Hot Stuff, Coming Through! Episode 2 with guest Becca Slack. We are reviewing The classic Simpson's episode Homer's Phobia, featuring the amazing John Waters. We discuss Becca's love for John Waters and Hairspray, how TV was a 3rd parent growing up, and the history of gay representation on television, including The Ellen Show and Will and Grace.

Follow Becca Slack at @ohboybeccaslack on Instagram.

Follow us on Instagram @bartannicapodcast, or email us at bartannica@gmail.com.

Research References:

Notes on Camp Susan Sontag

Tacky- Love Letters to the Worst Culture We Have to Offer Rax King

Honey I’m Homo Matt Baume

Gay New York George Chauncey

Mr. Know It All John Waters Audiobook

Interviews with John Waters James Egan

And buy your own Cactus Candy here!

It’s the first episode! I’m joined by comedian Andrew Tisher as we discuss Season Six, Episode 24 of The Simpsons, The Lemon of Troy. Andrew shares his family’s love of the Simpsons, we talk about phrases you hear in comedies that you never hear in real life, and I present my theory that Bart=Achilles. We wrap up with a great conversation about Ned Flanders and how his character has changed over the years.

Follow Andrew Tisher on Instagram and Letterboxd @tishertisher.

Follow us on Instagram @bartannicapodcast, or email us at bartannica@gmail.com.

Research:

Musical Sounds of Medieval French Cities: Gretchen Peters

Rerun Nation: Derek Kompare

Citrus: A World History: David Mabberley

Homer: Barbara Graziosi

Homer: Essays: Robert Fagles

Pandora’s Jar: Natalie Haynes

Turnip Juice Recipe

Ahoy-hoy! This is the trailer for the new podcast, Encyclopedia Bartannica, a podcast about Simpsons references hosted by Harrison George. It's part Simpsons review show, part pop culture discussion with a different guest every episode. Every two weeks we review a classic Simpsons episode and break down its references and what they really mean. From the many homages to The Godfather, to Homer's surprising knowledge of Supreme Court Justices, we cover it all!