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.

In this episode hosts Kelsey and Johnny catch up on their lives and discuss a variety of topics, including recent news, personal stories, and book reviews.

In the News

We dive into a mix of news stories, sharing their strong opinions and reactions. Topics include:

• The recent controversy surrounding Cracker Barrel's logo redesign, which the hosts find silly. They also touch on the blandness of Cracker Barrel's food and Midwestern cooking in general. A Pennsylvania bus crash involving a junior high football team, which sent over 20 people to the hospital. Trump's proposed reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. The hosts argue that it's a political stunt, and they discuss the hypocrisy of legalizing alcohol while restricting marijuana. We also discuss Trump's threat to send the military to Baltimore to "clean up crime". They argue that crime rates in Baltimore are already down and that his proposal is a form of "militarized police force". A federal judge's decision to strike down a Minnesota law that aimed to protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination by Christian colleges. The hosts express frustration with the ruling, arguing that these private institutions should not receive government funding or tax breaks. The denial of parole for the Menendez brothers, leading to a discussion on abuse and the justice system, comparing their case to "battered wife syndrome". A British Airways flight from Italy that had to remove 20 passengers due to extreme heat affecting the plane's ability to take off. Other news items include great white sharks moving north due to warming oceans , new discoveries by the James Webb Space Telescope , and a hoax stabbing by a Colorado park ranger.

Book and TV Reviews

Kelsey and Johnny share their latest media consumption:

• Johnny continues to enjoy the Warriors Cat book series and recommends it to listeners. Kelsey also received an advanced copy of a new book, On a Sundown Sea, which they plan to review together. Kelsey is reading the Iron Druid Chronicles and talks about the characters and plot. Kelsey also watched Fit for TV. A documentary on the dark side of The Biggest Loser, noting the unhealthy practices and lasting harm done to contestants. Johnny watched the first season of Channel Zero, an anthology series based on creepypastas, and recommends it.

Tarot Cards:

The Moon

8 of Wands/Temporance

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 4, Mort (we are reading in publication order). Please be patient with Kelsey, she never reads a series start to finish without reading things inbetween!

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.

On this episode, we're diving into the week's biggest headlines. We'll break down court decisions, from federal judges striking down parts of Florida's book removal law and a Trump-era diversity program, to the Supreme Court's decision on a new social media age-check law in Mississippi. Plus, we'll cover the latest in pop culture with a new Taylor Swift album and new food news from Mars. We'll also take a look at some of the weirdest stories making the rounds, including a new toothpaste made from hair and the mysterious horned rabbits of Colorado. Finally, we'll share our current recommendations, including the book Spook Show #10 and the movie K-pop Demon Hunter.

Tarot Cards:

Ace of pentacles

8 of swords

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 4, Mort (we are reading in publication order). Please be patient with Kelsey, she never reads a series start to finish without reading things in-between!

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.

News:

• Politics and Policy: The hosts discuss a number of major political developments, including a recent judge's order against the Trump administration's cancellation of humanity's grants and the controversy surrounding his demand that the Washington NFL team revert to its previous name. They also cover debates over the renaming of military bases with Confederate ties, and the potential impact of immigration raids on the U.S. food supply. The hosts also touch on a bill being considered to prevent the loss of foreign-born clergy serving in U.S. communities.
• Media and Culture: The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the South Park episode that followed are topics of discussion, along with a significant data breach affecting the app "Tea." A lighter note is struck with the mention of a new Magic: The Gathering space set and a convention that raised money for a girl with a birthmark to meet the voice actor of her favorite anime character.
• Controversies and Conspiracy: The episode dives into several controversies, including the re-emergence of the Epstein files and a tweet from MLK's daughter after the release of MLK's assassination files. The hosts also bring up a video that surfaced appearing to show Trump cheating at golf and the news of NASA losing funding.
• International and Election News: The podcast touches on how U.S. politics could complicate Canada's co-hosting of the 2026 World Cup and the speculation surrounding who the Democrats might be considering for their next presidential candidate.
• Losses: The death of legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne is discussed, along with other recent celebrity deaths.

Books:

• The Perfect Marriage by Jenena Rose
• How To Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Movies/Shows:

• The Fantastic 4 Movie
• Shinedown Concert

Tarot Cards:

10 of cups

Prince/knight of swords

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 4, Mort (we are reading in publication order).

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.

Join us for an exciting episode packed with the latest headlines and our top entertainment picks! In the news, we're dissecting the "One Big Beautiful Bill" and the EU's decision to delay retaliatory tariffs on US goods. We'll also cover some truly unique stories, from Donald Trump's plans to host a UFC fight at the White House to celebrate 250 years of independence, to Barbie's new Type 1 Diabetic doll, and even Chinese scientists creating the first cyborg bee with the world's lightest brain controller!

Prepare to be amazed as we discuss the incredible discovery of a 70-million-year-old dinosaur fossil unearthed beneath the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We'll also dive into the latest in celebrity news with Kelly Osbourne's response to rumors about Ozzy Osbourne, and a significant update from the DOJ and FBI regarding Jeffrey Epstein's alleged "client list." Plus, we'll examine the concerning impact of US aid cuts on HIV vaccine research in South Africa, Donald Trump's controversial suggestion to strip Rosie O'Donnell of her US citizenship, and the tragic news of a plague-related death in Arizona.

For our book lovers, we'll be highlighting "He Who Fights with Monsters" by Shitaloon, and diving into two thrilling reads by Simone St. James: "Murder Road" and "The Other Side Of Midnight." Finally, in our shows segment, get ready for our thoughts on Part 1 of Season 2 of "Sandman." Tune in for all this and more!

Tarot Cards:

8 of cups

10 of wands

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 4, Mort (we are reading in publication order).

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.

Hello and welcome everyone! In this episode, we've got a lot to unpack.

In the news: We'll dive into the details of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' recently signed by Trump, discussing its major implications for taxes, Medicaid, food stamps, and immigration. We'll also cover the controversial return of US visas for foreign students, now with the requirement of social media access, and the concerning shutdown of the LGBT+ suicide hotline by the Trump administration. Further in legal news, a federal court has blocked Louisiana's law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in schools, and a federal judge has intervened to prevent Trump's efforts to keep Harvard from hosting foreign students. On a consumer note, Kraft Heinz has committed to removing artificial dyes from all its US products by the end of 2027. We'll also discuss the NHS's ambitious plan to sequence the genome of every newborn in England, and a tech industry group's lawsuit against Arkansas over new social media laws.

For our book segment: We'll be exploring two fascinating titles. First up is "Liar, Dreamer, Thief" by Maria Dong, a speculative fantasy that delves into a young woman's struggle with mental health and the blurring lines between reality and her elaborate fantasy world. Then, we'll shift gears to "Written in Dead Wax" by Andrew Cartmel, the first in "The Vinyl Detective" series, where a record collector finds himself embroiled in a mystery involving a priceless lost recording and a string of suspicious deaths.

Tarot Cards:

5 of Pentacles

The Star

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 4, Mort (we are reading in publication order).

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.