Ruin My Life

Stephanie Walker returns to the show to help us dissect HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, wherein Harry Potter once again finds a very helpful book and learns about the life of Tom Riddle. Complete with bookended facial injuries, sick blade moves, and the greatest clap-back in the history of the wizarding world.

In the fifth installment of our limited series event thing, we chat Order of the Phoenix with David Hohwald. We try a new summarization technique (to great effect!); we discuss the macroeconomics (or lack thereof?)of the wizarding world; moody teenage emo Harry is the best Harry, all the other Harrys can ho home.

Jason and Kelsey are joined by returning guest, Katie Warden, who guides them through the very lengthy fourth and middle installment of the Harry Potter Septology. Highlights: Large swaths of time devoted to S.P.E.W. We all stan Alastor Moody. A debate: Is Bill Weasley cool?

Podcaster extraordinaire Meghan Griffin joins Kelsey and Jason for a long, strange trip through HARRY POTTER & THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, perhaps the most widely-beloved book in a series that many have called 'fairly popular.' NOTE: the recording of this episode was plagued by technical issues both minor and major, let's say because of a Dementor or a Boggart, or something. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Kelsey and Jason are joined by special first-time guest Tara Nadolny for a lovingly in-depth retelling of HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, complete with critical analysis, burning questions, and an unnervingly long debate over whether or not muggles are inferior to wizards. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR BEWARE: this is one episode you don't want to miss! What? No? Yeah, you're right. Even as I was saying it, I was like, maybe not.

Jason and Kelsey discuss HARRY POTTER & THE PHILOSOPHER (SORCERER?)'S STONE on the first episode of their prestige-format multi-part limited-event maxi-series.

It's the Ruin My Life 50th Anniversary Spectacular! Jason and Kelsey take a look back at the previous 50 episodes and provide updates on some of their favorite topics.

Kelsey takes Jason on a metaphorical voyage through TRAVEL MAN, a television program about the non-metaphorical voyages of British comedian Richard Ayoade.

EGHCK! Jason takes Kelsey on a trip through the life and times of the 21st century's premiere drug-rap virtuoso, Pusha T, then tries to answer an age-old question: what's beef?

Kelsey brightens Jason's life with the musical stylings of Audra Mae, singer-songwriter extraordinaire and creator of American fiction's most unforgettably charming rapscallion, Jebediah Moonshine.

The once and future guest Morgan Stewart returns to spread the gospel of The Monkees' 1968 psychedelic career-killing cult film HEAD. What follows is an hour-long conversation about the 1960's counter-culture, the sad trappings of fame, and the limits of post-modernism. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Jason makes Kelsey a mixtape and tries to explain the sublime genius of singer-songwriter Mike Doughty. Alas, as the songwriting team of Pasek and Paul famously put it, words fail -- but, like, that's why we've got music, man. Listen to the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrgeWoAUk1H3EPABOaOvVHRj5-LXSZN-b

Kelsey and Jason take a trip down south to attend the 144th Kentucky Derby! And then it rains. A lot.

HERE AT LAST! Because YOU demanded it: the cross-over event of the year! Ruin My Life and Andrew Ninja Warrior, together for the first time EVER! Not a hoax! Not a dream! Not an imaginary story! Jason and Kelsey join forces with Andrew and Sarah to discuss Showtime's 2005 production of Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical! Four podcasters! Two microphones! One film! Nothing in the world can prepare you for RUIN MY LIFE, EPISODE 43: REEFER MADNESS!

Jason and Kelsey dive deep into their Clover-FEELS while discussing Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and The Cloverfield Paradox. Jason misremembers the plot of Voltron, Kelsey pitches the Cloverfield musical, and everyone learns an important lesson about etymology. I don't know, I'm like, your main dude.

Kelsey and Jason embark on an historical culinary adventure when they discuss 'The Supersizers Go...', a piece of exceptionally charming British edu-tainment starring the lovable Sue Perkins and the winsome Giles Coren.

Jason and Kelsey shift into a whole new medium as they explore the electro-pop opera sensation (and Josh Groban delivery vehicle), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.

Jason lays out a case in defense of Mike Posner, the singer-songwriter behind the 2010 hit song "Cooler Than Me." Kelsey listens to "Cooler Than Me" for the first time, ever. Everyone learns something and we all walk away better for the experience.

Things get hella posh when Jennifer Harlan stops by to share the simple-yet-confounding joys of The Great British Bake Off, a show where people with charming accents bake ridiculous cakes while the 'Harry Potter' soundtracks plays in the background.

Kelsey introduces Jason to the spoken word poetry of Sarah Kay. Jason grapples with a crippling, life-long allergy to sincere performance art. In the end, hopefully, we all learn a little something about ourselves.