Welcome to the show!!

US Political and Social Issues

• Government Shutdown and Civil War Allegation: They state the US government is currently shut down , which is causing severe problems for federal employees, including one anecdote about a military family struggling to get medication for their children
• Protests and ICE Agents: They discuss videos of protests in Oregon, including humorous instances of a person in an inflatable frog costume , as well as more serious accounts of ICE agents using rubber bullets on a priest and ramming a woman's car
• Antifa and Ideology: The hosts debate the nature of Antifa, asserting it is an ideology rather than an organization, and note the irony of those speaking against it refusing to say the word "fascist"
• RFK Jr.'s Claim: They mock an alleged claim by RFK Jr. that linked circumcision to an increased likelihood of autism due to Tylenol use
• Trump and Other News: They mention Trump being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and the confusing headline about a Canadian provincial leader, "Alberta says Prime speaks from love". They also express interest in how outside-US listeners perceive the US, asking them to email the podcast

National Parks: The hosts discuss the effects of the government shutdown on National Parks, including reports of vandalism.

• Great Smoky Mountains and Car Rally: They recount an unpleasant experience in Gatlinburg during a car rally, where participants were driving recklessly and vandalizing businesses, leading to gridlock that prevented emergency services from getting through. They note that the Great Smoky National Park is largely handled by Great Smokies Organization and Native American/residential communities, allowing most of it to stay open despite the federal shutdown
• Fat Bear Contest: One host shares that the winner of the annual "fattest bear contest" is Bear 32, "Chunk," whose estimated weight is over 1,200 pounds

Book Reviews

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton: The first host found it confusing initially but praised the unique narrative structure, which is told from the shared point of view of a character named Abby, who is revealed to be a fungus injected into non-human, plant-based villagers. The plot involves a scientist's murder that triggers the plant-people to take control and build a utopia.

Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu: The second host discusses this book, which deals with themes of rape. The plot follows a man named Jai, who is a servant/handyman, as he escapes a massacre at a rehearsal dinner and sets out to avenge his brother. He finds and hatches a dragon egg and attempts to return to his homeland with a foreign princess, all while navigating a magical system that involves linking one's "mana"

Tarot Reading and Conclusion The episode concludes with a two-card tarot reading: the Four of Pentacles (examining one's relationship with money/financial security) and the Seven of Pentacles (hard work and persevering toward a better harvest). They thank the audience and encourage them to rate, subscribe, and email the show.

We are also happy to announce that we Have a book club! We are reading The DiscWorld Series! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery

Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!

You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!

If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the show!

News Topics:

• American Airlines Lawsuit: A federal jury ordered American Airlines to pay $11 million for neglecting a 67-year-old California chef who suffered two strokes—one while the plane was at the gate and another mid-flight—during a 2021 Miami-to-Madrid flight. The crew failed to notify medical personnel or divert the flight
• Panama Alien Hoax: The hosts talk about a viral story of a man in Panama who allegedly found an egg sack from a meteorite that contained a growing "life form," which scientific experts have debunked as a hoax
• Alex Murdaugh's Banker: Russell Laffitte pleaded guilty to state bank fraud charges in South Carolina for helping Alex Murdaugh move stolen funds. The hosts reference the Netflix documentary on Alex Murdaugh, who was sentenced for killing his wife and son.
• Voter Data/Trump Administration: Discussion on the DOJ suing six states, including Minnesota, New York, and California, for refusing to turn over voter rolls, and the hosts' belief that voting should be private. They also mention the Trump administration's efforts to restrict the asylum system
• Tylenol and Autism Claim: Obama rebuked the claim that Tylenol causes autism. Johnny links the discredited research to Doctor Oz and his financial interest in a rival pain reliever
• RFK Jr. Impeachment: House Democrat Representative Haley Stevens has begun drafting articles of impeachment against RFK Jr. for efforts that "jeopardize public health," primarily referencing his views on food additives and seed oils
• US Tariffs: The US plans to impose new tariffs, including a 100% duty on imported branded drugs, 25% on heavy duty trucks, and 50% on kitchen cabinets
• James Comey: Ex-FBI Director James Comey was charged with making a false statement and obstruction following President Trump's call for the prosecution of perceived political enemies
• Mean Squirrel: A vicious squirrel in a Californian neighborhood has attacked at least five people, sending two to the emergency room

Books:

• Fetishized by Kaila Yu: Rated five stars for its powerful, re-evaluative content on yellow fever, feminism, and beauty, with trigger warnings for addiction, suicide, and sexual assault
• Ink and Sigil and Paper and Blood
• How to Sell a Haunted House: Disliked the author's writing style and the plot, which involved a possessed puppet
• On the Sundown Sea: Reads more like a diary than a fiction novel; not much plot
• Mort: Enjoyed the funny, alternative motive for Death

Media:

• Unknown Number : A "fucked up" story about a girl who was catfished and harassed by her own mother
• Kaiju Number 8: Described as Attack on Titan meets My Hero Academia
• Weapons: Enjoyed the film for its surprisingly accurate research into magical systems and the occult
• Alive: A "Blue's Clues for adults," with episodes covering topics like death and what it means to be an authentic human.

Tarot Cards:

• Johnny: Ten of Wands
• Kelsey: King of Cups

We are also happy to announce that we have a our book club! We are reading The DiscWorld Series! We are on book 5, Sourcery.

Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!

You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!

If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• Personal Life: Johnny talks about how they were unable to attend DragonCon this year due to various unexpected reasons, including finances, but hopes to go next year. Kelsey mentioned their brother totaled his car, but is fine.
• New Job Experience: Kelsey started a new job as a dietary aide in a nursing home, describing the training as "baptism by fire".
• Sports: Kelsey briefly mention college football season starting, with Johnny having very strong opinions on professional athletic organizations.

• Charlie Kirk Discussion:
• He was shot in the neck at the first stop of his "Prove Me Wrong" tour.
• The host strongly condemns Kirk, calling him a "piece of shit" and a "fucking Nazi".
• Queer people should be killed "like they were in the Bible".
• Questioning the qualifications of Black pilots or Black people in jobs.
• Dismissing police violence and saying Black people assaulted by police "deserve it".
• Stating women should not be in the workplace, only be at home, and that those who go to college are "just there to find a husband".
• Stating that women who are raped "deserve it" and should be forced to carry the child to term, even if it was his 10-year-old daughter.
• They also mention that Donald Trump prematurely announced Kirk's death and later suggested giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
• Other News:
• A Colorado school shooting at Evergreen High School left two students in critical condition; the suspected 15-year-old shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
• There was an active shooter situation at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
• Historically black colleges and universities were facing threats after the Kirk shooting.
• Multiple judges have blocked Trump administration efforts, including removing unaccompanied minors from Honduras in shelters , restricting federal funding for immigrant services like Headstart , and subpoenaing trans kids' medical records from a Boston hospital.
• White supremacists were taking to the streets, chanting "white men fight back".
• North Korea stated they would "take action" if Israel does not cease actions with Gaza and the West Bank.

Book Reviews:

• Assistant to the Villain by Anna Nicole Mayer
• Toxic Empathy by Allie Beth Stuckey
• On a Sundown Sea by Jill Hall
• Ink and Sigil series by Kevin Hearne

TV Show Review:

• Alien Earth TV Series (on Hulu/FX)

The hosts conclude with a card reading.

• Ace of Hearts: New feelings for a change, with the potential for great emotional and spiritual awareness. It suggests trusting intuition to lead to new horizons.
• Ten of Swords (Reversed): Indicates combating an inevitable change or ending. It's time to "rip off the bandage" and embrace the change for personal growth and regeneration.

We are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery.

Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!

You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!

If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.