But Why Tho? The Podcast

This week we talk about the Star-Spangled Man with a plan, Captain America. Kate brings us through his history and journey from nationalist war propaganda machine to protector from the American Dream, even when it means he has to drop the flag and shield. With help from special guest Alex, from What We Talk About When We Talk About, the crew looks at Steve Rogers is more than a nation, and really a man of morals and action in a time when we need both. Plus, they talk about Captain America is bigger than Steve and has been a mantle worn by others in order to face American issues and how writers haven't shied away from ugly histories. at almost 80 years old, Captain America matters, but why tho? Follow Alex @MostAlwaysAlex and his pods @WWTAcast and @GameBoysCoop

We got to sit with the founder and Executive Director of the Diverse Gaming Coalition, Abbey Sager. She shares her mission, why she started the organization and how you can get involved to stop online harassment and bullying.  Follow Abbey @abbeysager Follow Diverse Gaming Coalition @diversegamingco 

From April 5-8th, the podcast crew attended PAX East 2018 in Boston. Here are their faves, worsts, and all around feels towards the convention experience for thier first PAX East. They're joined by Elvis Walden, the StOP (Stack-Up Overwatch Program) Program Director, from the veteran charity Stack-Up. 

Kate and Matt sat down to talk with the King of Kaiju himself, comic book artist Matt Frank. They talk about what they got in Episode 57, why Godzilla may be important but isn't the only kaiju that matters, special effects, and ultimately what the artist would do if he had $100 million kaiju movie budget.

A nature documentary that brought high production quality and ground breaking cinematography in addition to years of study, Planet Earth revolutionized educational nature documentaries on TV. We sit down with Quinn, ecologist and part time cosplayer to find out its impact and how it's impact is felt in it's offshoot series, the conservationists that use it's footage to save the world, and the tears that our host Kate cries when animals die. But why tho?

Get your character sheets ready and hope you roll a natural 20 because this week we talk about the tabletop of all tabletops: Dungeons and Dragons. From it's humble beginnings as a mash-up of different games and being bought out by Wizards of the Coast to the Critters that have made it surge in popularity, Adrian brings us through why D&D matters to so many people.

In the sequel to Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim we get jaegers, drones, and Kaiju and things in between. Kate and Adrian bring you through the movie and talk about their likes and dislikes in Pacific Rim Uprising, how Jon Boyega needs to be in more things, and how mechs should move given the laws of anime.  

In honor of Avengers: Infinity War coming out next month, we talk about a hero has risen from the B-list to the foundation Marvel Cinematic Universe and one of the most recognizable heroes of our time: Iron Man. Matt brings us through his comic book history, appearances in video games and television and tops it off with how Robert Downey Jr. brought not just the hero, but Tony Stark to life on the big screen.  

We saw Tomb Raider, the adaptation of the 2013 reboot franchise focused around a new and different Lara Croft. Directed by Roar Uthaug and staring Alicia Vikander as our adventurer and tomb raider, Lara Croft. We a synopsis, our thoughts, and talk about this movie, and game, differ from the classic Lara that Angelina Jolie portrayed and how it stands apart as it's own film. Spoilers inbound.

This week's episode was supposed to be about the Kaiju genre, but through our research one thing was clear: Godzilla is the one that matters. the longest running film franchise ever and over 60 years old, this giant nuclear mutated sea monster is pop culture heavy weight. 

This week, Adrian wanted to get on the lighter side of things so we talked about Shrek and how it kicked off Dreamworks animation. It may seem like a small kids movie, but the numbers and spin-offs solidly put Shrek as a memorable pop culture moment...but why tho?

In honor of Jessica Jones season 2 premiering on Netflix this week, we talked about Jessica Jones and why a hero who has only been around since 2001 has such an impact on her readers. Beyond that, we talk about the power of her show and the women behind it, as well as how people cope with trauma. *trigger warning: we do discuss the events in Jessica's life which do involve abuse and sexual assault*

This week, Matt leads us through a franchise that began in 1994 and hasn't pumped the breaks. Initially put out by Bethesda, the D&D based franchise easily became one of the best Western RPGs in existence. We go through some lore, game mechanics, and how it has built a name that sticks out among the crowd.  Music used from -- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Each month we record a review episode chosen by our $10 patrons. Here is a clip what you can find if you subscribe to the $3 tier.

We watched the 18th installment in the MCU, Black Panther. Directed by Ryan Coogler, it proved that super-hero fatigue means nothing and good movies break records and builds out a new world we have never seen. It marks a change in the MCU and leaves fans wanting more. We brought back Ritz from our Black Panther Episode and we talk about our likes, our nitpicks, and where we place in the pantheon of hero movies. We spoil this movie, DO NOT listen if you haven't watched it yet, this is a movie you should watch as fresh as possible.  Music used from The Black Panther Motion Picture Soundtrack & Original Score:  Kendrick Lamar, SZA - "All The Stars" and Ludwig Göransson - Wakanda

This week we welcome back Swara Salih from the Beltway Banthas podcast to talk about one of his and Adrian's favorite cartoons, Avatar: The Last Airbender. However, we can't talk Airbender without talking The Legend of Korra. The American TV show aired on Nickelodeon and quickly grew to become a favorite with kids and adults. As an American cartoon inspired by East Asian animation and culture we talk about how a kid's cartoon deals with real world issues all while bending a mythos of their own.  Music used: Opening Theme from Avatar: The Last Airbender all rights owned by Nickelodeon.

This week we sat down with Elvis from Stack Up to talk about what has changed since we last spoke in Episode 19. As Program Director of the Stack Up Overwatch Program (StOP), he explained how the charity had grown in the last year and how the organization is using StOP to bring awareness to suicide prevention and promote positive mental health. We hear about how they help, the power of using Discord for crisis intervention, and where they'll be next.  *trigger warning, this episode we discuss suicide and trauma*  music used from: bensound.com and "Bandolero" by Don Omar

600+ episodes, 29 years, The Simpsons have not only parodied pop culture, but created it too. This week, we welcome back Alex from What We Talk About When We Talk About, Frightday.com, and Game Boys podcast. We talk about the cultural impact, the math, and how the show has become a fortune teller for the internet.  Follow Alex: @mostalwaysalex, @WWTAcast, and @GameBoysCoop   Music belongs to the Fox Broadcasting Company, from The Simpsons

For over 50 years, the Black Panther has inspired people from the pages of Marvel, in a week, he will take his rightful place on the big screen, but why tho? Why do we still care about Black Panther, Wakanda and the man under the mask: T'Challa. With special guest Sceritz aka Ritz, host of @WakandaIVLyfe (a Black Panther podcast), we dive into the history of the character and talk representation, diaspora, authorship and how the new movie is already breaking records.  Follow Ritz on twitter @IVWall and get his podcast and writing from ivwall.net and catch up with comic book twitter in the #DoYouEvenComicBook hashtag Music this episode is "Legacy of the Panther (Panda Black Panther Remix)," an original from Ritz

We reviewed Coraline, the 2009 dark fantasy, just for Nikko! It definitely gave Matt nightmares of button eyes. Although this episode is open to all listeners, every Patreon Review episode will be available to Patrons at the $3 level.  If you want to hear us review a movie you ask us to watch, head on over patreon.com/ButWhyThoPC and subscribe at the $10 level! We'll produce just like this one! Thanks for all the support!   *all music used is from Coraline the motion picture*