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The Estradiol Illusions Podcast

Ian Thomas Malone

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Entertainment & LGBTQ Issues show hosted by Ian Thomas Malone (@ianthomasmalone)

The Estradiol Illusions Podcast

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Trans Fetishization

Ian unpacks a question that she was asked by a Grindr date last week. Is there anything wrong with going out with guys who fetishize trans women? Like many trans femmes, ITM is not a fan of being objectified, but she tries her best to unpack the reality of how trans people are seen in this vast dating realm.

Pride is upon us! It's a pretty shitty time to be a trans person in America. Ian muddles through a deconstruction of the idea of optimism, trying her best to piece together something resembling a life in this chaotic timeline.

The Mister Rogers Test

Ian returns with a foolish story of how she used to rate suitor's prospects by whether they stayed to watch Mister Rogers' Neighborhood with her in bed the morning after. There's not much point to the episode besides this story that's already been spoiled. She thinks listening to the whole story would be a waste of time and didn't want you to suffer. Ian's article on Mister Rogers that was referenced in the episode: https://fansided.com/2020/03/20/mister-rogers-neighborhood-legacy/

Transgender: Year Nine

Estradiol Illusions celebrates its fourth anniversary... a month late. Ian takes a look at trans life nearly a decade in, from the mistakes of her youth to the current heavily anti-trans climate here in the US. She's not really sure why this show has grown in popularity, but she's grateful to have you here.

The Gender of Our Discontent

ITM spends some time with one of her least favorite subjects, her own gender. Not quite feeling like a woman these days, Ian doesn't really know what that means. Her gender is probably just tired, or hormonal, or hungry. Maybe all three.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Our holiday coverage concludes with a merger of our pop culture and personal programming. A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of the most perfect holiday specials in existence, but it'll also occupy an odd place in Ian's life. Ian talks about how she watched this special mere minutes before a four-year relationship ended, days before Christmas. Ian really didn't like the idea of such a good special being tied up in trauma, making a vow to reclaim the Peanuts and all their glory. Those efforts ultimately shaped her year of mischief and healing, the promise of Christmas manifested in the heart of a chaotic transsexual. Enjoy your holidays and have a very happy New Year.

The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow

Continuing our Rankin/Bass holiday coverage with what might be their most normal special of them all. Despite its unwieldy title, The First Christmas actually tells a relatively cohesive story, albeit a fairly mundane narrative about a young shepherd who regains his sight through the magic of a Nativity play. Oddly secular given its church setting, The First Christmas is a good case study for how other Rankin/Bass specials might have turned out if they didn't try to pad out their runtimes with bizarre filler. Be sure to check out our other episodes covering the Rankin/Bass cinematic universe!

Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey

Have you ever watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and wondered if all the bullying might be better with a firmer helping of Jesus? That's basically Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey, a shorter ripoff of Rudolph with a truncated plot and fewer compelling characters. One of the more forgettable entries into the Rankin/Bass canon, Ian struggles to understand the point of this mess. Be sure to check out all of our other holiday episodes, including coverage of most of the Rankin/Bass stop motion specials.

We are back in the Rankin/Bass cinematic universe with a special that’s mostly Christmas adjacent. Jack Frost mostly identifies, for whatever reason, as a Groundhog Day special. Despite its incredibly annoying narrator, Jack Frost stands out as one of the most cohesive holiday specials in the Rankin/Bass canon, a tragic narrative that shines above its abundant filler. Maybe Ian just really likes Jack’s sparkly outfit. Be sure to check out all of our other Rankin/Bass holiday episodes.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town

We are back in the Rankin/Bass cinematic universe for another December full of overanalyzing bizarre children's television. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town is a fairly straightforward (at least by Rankin/Bass standards) origin story, albeit one that spends a bit too much time explaining every single facet of Claus lore. Ian looks at the special's legacy against some of its popular contemporaries and its peculiar underwhelming third act. Be sure to check out all of our past holiday coverage, including episodes on most of the Rankin/Bass stop-motion specials.

We're back with an episode on a controversial relationship practice that ITM happens to love. The Irish Goodbye of dating gets a bad rap, but life is not a journey that always requires closure. People come and go in each other's lives all the time, not necessarily for reasons that take things like fault or rejection into the equation. As shitty as ghosting can feel, the alternatives are often far more unpleasant for both the recipient and the executioner. Christmas coverage will begin in the next few days! Please leave a rating or review for EI on Apple if you enjoy our show.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

Grab your gamma radiation and your law degree, we're doing a whole episode on She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Ian dives into what she referred to as the MCU's best TV series, examining the mash-up of Ally McBeal with Marvel's established formula. Ian also examines the state of the broader MCU TV affairs, a territory we haven't revisited on EI since WandaVision. The incels may have hated it, but what do they know about comic books anyway? Ian's written review: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2022/10/she-hulk-attorney-at-law-confidently-grows-into-marvel-studios-best-television-series-to-date/ EI's previous WandaVision review: https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/e/wandavision-1615313625/

Vote Blue & 2022 Senate Analysis

Another election season is upon us. The Senate hangs in the balance, a 50/50 split that will come down to just a few states. Republicans have put forth morally bankrupt morons such as Herschel Walker and Dr. Crudité Oz for their candidates, threatening to further sully the already rancid cesspool that is our government. Biden isn't a perfect president and the Democrats have left a lot to be desired. That said, there is no comparison with the alternative, and it is our civic duty to try and bludgeon expected GOP gains. Every ballot has candidates on it who can improve your community. Please vote. Our 2020 Senate episode, where ITM got most of it right: https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/e/vote-joe-biden-2020-senate-analysis/

Kevin Jacobs, Big Brother Canada 10

On the eve of Big Brother 24, we are absolutely delighted to welcome Kevin Jacobs, winner of Big Brother Canada 10, to the show. Kevin played a subtlety dominant in the BBCAN house, shaping the trajectory of the game without ever besting a Head of Household competition, becoming the first winner to pull of that feat since the iconic Dr. Will Kirby back in BB2. Kevin shares his extensive knowledge of game theory, navigating the murky waters of the early game to survive a week one eviction, steering clear of the carnage wrought by BBCAN10’s multiple seven-person alliances, and forging the Crash Test Dummies alliance that took center stage down the stretch. Ian throws in some Kant for good measure. Past seasons of Big Brother Canada are available on Paramount+. Canadian viewers or viewers with one of those things called a VPN can get a taste of the delicious BBCAN10 action at https://www.bigbrothercanada.ca/ You can follow Kevin on Twitter @KevinTedJacobs or Instagram @kevintedjacobs

Transgender Storytime: Use It or Lose It

Another vagina-themed episode! ITM talks about the current state of her downstairs equipment since her service on the Tinder front lines. Things on the home front are looking in tip top shape, validating her semi-problematic assertion that the best gender affirmation comes through others, coming into you. She may not be the woman America wants, but ITM is committed to being the champion our country desperately needs. Ian's debut comedy album Confessions from My New Vagina is streaming wherever you get your music.

Bisexual Erasure

It's Pride Month, which comes with the obligatory discourse on kink at Pride (absolutely, which we covered in last year's episode on Bloodsisters), cops at Pride (absolutely not, ACAB for life), and the concept known as "bi-erasure." As a person who uses gay, straight, and bi all interchangeably, ITM has some unique perspectives on this tedious discourse. A staunch opponent of gatekeeping, she questions the very notion of a hierarchy within our letters LGBTQ. Long story short for those who don't want to commit to the episode: never let your own identity or sense of self be defined by someone else. You are bi enough.

Transgender Storytime: The Gauntlet

ITM continues her dating & sexuality commentary with an episode on The Gauntlet, her rubric for deciding whether to go out with a potential suitor. Often deemed a person with unattainable standards, ITM feels it's all pretty basic stuff like not being a creep, overly sexual, or assuming that a simple swipe to the right is all you need for a ticket to ride. Here is a picture of the show notes, if you can read Ian's handwriting. Pretty simple rules to live by!

A Requiem for ”How Are You?”

ITM loves Tinder, a dream come true for a liberated transsexual as the dawn of hot girl summer lies ahead. Tinder is full of beautiful people of many genders, but it's also a place where boring fuckboys come for their pound of flesh. Ian unpacks the most tedious opening of them all, the "how are you" maneuver farted into the void to deflect the burden of courtship. Casual relationships need not be meaningless interactions, an important reminder to view yourself as the catch that you are. If you enjoy Estradiol Illusions, please consider leaving a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Jay Northcott, Big Brother Canada 10

We are delighted to welcome Jay Northcott to discuss their time in the Big Brother Canada house. Jay is a nonbinary theatre director and drag performer based in Toronto, who made quite the impression ahead of their week two eviction, setting the stage for the epic week three house flip that shook up the entire game. Jay shares so many fascinating insights into the gameplay, as well as the unique challenges presented to LGBTQ houseguests. Ian & Jay talk quite a bit about the season as a whole, one of the all-time greats for BB North America. You can follow Jay on Instagram @jaythemcott and on Twitter @jaythemcott Be sure to check out our prior BB CAN 10 coverage, including an interview with Kyle Moore. Headshot courtesy of Jay Northcott. Production still courtesy of Big Brother Canada & Global Television Network

Downton Abbey: A New Era

We're back at Downton for an episode on the new film Downton Abbey: A New Era. Ian was unfortunately not a big fan of the movie, with its excessive subplots and bizarre adventure to the south of France, though she did enjoy the plot set at Downton and the newcomers. Ian does her best to untangle the messy web of the film, providing analysis for how it fell short of the first feature. Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2022/05/downton-abbey-a-new-era-is-too-stuck-in-the-past/ Previous episode on the first film: https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/e/downton-abbey-1569517256/ Episode all about Thomas Barrow: https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/e/downton-abbey-character-study-thomas-barrow/

Transgender Storytime: Pesky Bisexuality

An episode all about Ian's jumbled-up bisexuality, colloquially known as the leg hair spectrum (masculine of Ian's not too feminine center). Ian talks about what bisexuality means to her, how no one else can define your own sexuality, and how it's perfectly okay to "pick sides" in the sexuality equation. Ian just mostly wishes she wasn't 90% heterosexual, but who would really choose to be attracted to men anyway?

Tinder While Trans: Standards

An episode all about dating apps! ITM shares her experiences as a single trans woman, navigating the complex webs of cis men, polyamory, T4T, and all the other fun stuff Los Angeles has to offer. Whatever you're looking for, it's important to make sure you're holding yourself, and your potential romantic partners, to standards that fulfill your needs.

Kyle Moore, Big Brother Canada 10

We are absolutely delighted to welcome Kyle Moore to the show. Kyle's Head of Household reign in week three of Big Brother Canada 10 will go down as one of the most exciting in BB history, a botched backdoor attempt on Josh Nash that resulted in an epic house flip. Kyle found himself evicted by key ally Steven "Gino" Giannopolous in a similar backdoor effort the following week. Kyle talks about his experiences in the game and his thought process during his time as HoH, an extensive perspective on the challenges of strategizing within the BB CAN house. Ian & Kyle also talk about mental health and how mindfulness plays into the rigors of the game. TTTE fans will also enjoy a Theodore Tugboat reference at the end of the episode, a beloved figure in Kyle's native Halifax. Ian's article on BB CAN, which has a heavy emphasis on Kyle's HoH week: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2022/03/big-brother-canada-is-the-best-reality-show-on-television-right-now/ Kyle hosts the Life's a Wreck Podcast, wh…

The Job of Songs

We are delighted to welcome Lila Schmitz to talk about her new documentary The Job of Songs, a delightful film centered on the music scene in Doolin, Ireland. Ian & Lila talk about the power of music in communities, mental health, travel culture, open communication, and so much more! Lots of laughter as ITM shakes off the interview rust. The Job of Songs premiered at DOC NYC 2021 and will be having its wide release later this year. To learn more, please visit https://thejobofsongs.com/home Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2022/03/the-job-of-songs-makes-the-case-for-good-old-fashioned-human-connection/

Transgender Storytime: What’s in a Name?

The day has finally arrived. ITM the bisexual is learning more and more that she's probably more like ITM the heterosexual. Yuck. Boys are gross, and most of them tend not to want to date trans women named Ian Thomas. Again, yuck, but here we are. Ian does her best to unpack the mess that is her dating life, being confronted with the realities of modern romance and the ways her identity comes into conflict with our swipe left/right binary. Bit of a struggle! You've been warned.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Grab your porgs and your blue milk! The Last Jedi is a bit of a polarizing film, to say the least. Rian Johnson brought plenty of fascinating ideas to the sequel trilogy's middle entry, its best by a mile. Ian talks about what she liked about the film, what she would have changed, and the characterization of Luke Skywalker, diving a bit into Luke's appearances in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Ian's original 2017 review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2017/12/the-last-jedi-offers-aimless-entertainment/ Ian's write up of The Phantom Menace that is mentioned in the episode: https://fansided.com/2019/12/16/star-wars-phantom-menace-best-prequel/

Transgender Storytime: Breakups

We're back! ITM talks about some personal news that rocked her post-Rankin/Bass holiday festivities. Breakups are terrible. Transgender people can go through much of our lives thinking we're unlovable, which certainly does not reflect reality. ITM offers some reflections that might be useful for trans or cis people in similar boats. There's always a new adventure on the horizon, as long as you keep throwing yourself out there. Episode image is a picture taken two days after the bombshell news.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Our journey into the Rankin/Bass cinematic universe continues with the 1985 special The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus their final production to use traditional stop-motion animation. Based on L. Frank Baum's 1902 novel of the same name, the film is a pretty bizarre Santa origin story that often feels more like a riff on The Lord of the Rings than holiday entertainment. Despite it's weirdly complex narrative and confusing characters, the special is a ton of fun to watch, even if it delivers a much weirder brand of festive cheer. This is almost certainly our final holiday episode of the season. Be sure to check out all of our Christmas coverage from 2020 & 2021. From all of us at Estradiol Illusions, we wish you a very pleasant holiday season and thank you for spending a bit of it with us.

A Miser Brothers‘ Christmas

Our holiday coverage continues with A Mister Brothers' Christmas, the 2008 follow-up to the 1974 gem The Year Without a Santa Claus. Featuring returning voices Mickey Rooney and George S. Irving as Santa Claus and Heat Miser, the film aims to recapture the magic of the Rankin/Bass stop-motion classics. Unfortunately, the film never quite comes together as anything more than a nostalgia production with some truly horrendous music. Ian does her best to unpack what went wrong and why she's still happy that it exists.

It‘s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

We're back in the Muppets Extended Universe with the 2002 television film It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie. With a plot that's strikingly similar to the 2011 cinematic film The Muppets, adult-themed humor, and some uneven celebrity cameos from NBC Universal properties, the film occupies a weird place in Muppets lore. A strong performance from Joan Cusack goes a long way toward buoying a production perhaps best known for suggesting that Kermit's existence played a role in one of the defining tragedies of the 21st century. Be sure to check out all of EI's holiday coverage!

Pinocchio‘s Christmas

Into the weeds of the Rankin/Bass holiday catalog! Pinocchio’s Christmas is a bizarre special, serving as both an adaption of the 1883 novel and a more traditional Santa-infused holiday narrative. There is a lot going on, with multiple villains and plotlines converging on the poor wooden boy. Ian does her best to unpack it all. Be sure to check out all of our holiday-themed episodes!

The Little Drummer Boy

We are continuing our Rankin/Bass coverage with the 1968 classic The Little Drummer Boy. Aaron starts off our story as a misanthropic troubadour performing for an audience of none, only to be changed by the healing power of laughter after pounding his drum until a newborn baby saved his lamb. Ian isn’t sure what to make of her affection for Ben Haramad, the closest thing the special has to a villain who isn’t driving a chariot in the middle of the night. Be sure to check out all of our holiday-themed episodes!

Rudolph‘s Shiny New Year

Holiday coverage continues! Join Ian as she unpacks the trainwreck known as Rudolph's Shiny New Year, where everyone's favorite bullied reindeer is tasked with saving time itself. From the Archipelago of Last Years to Eon the Terrible, nothing here makes any sense. The people in power continue to pick on young children, presenting the sensible question of whether time should be saved. Be sure to check out our episode from last year covering the original Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special: https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/e/rudolph-a-transgender-perspective/

A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa

Our holiday coverage continues! Ian & Tara talk about the 2008 TV special, A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa, currently available on Disney+. With strong writing, music from The Muppet Christmas Carol lyricist Paul Williams, and fun celebrity cameos from Uma Thurman, Jesse L. Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, and Nathan Lane, Letters to Santa is a very entertaining way to get into the Christmas spirit. Be sure to check out all of our holiday-themed episodes! If you've enjoyed EI this year, please consider leaving us a review.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

When a cold wind blows it chills you, chills you to the bone! Ian is joined by her sister Barbara "Bibble" Malone for an episode dedicated to the definitive holiday classic. Born out of tragedy after the losses of Jim Henson & Richard Hunt, the Muppet troupe banded together to produce one of their finest works. From Michael Caine's iconic performance to Paul Williams' chilling music, The Muppet Christmas Carol is perfect on just about every level, as long as you're watching a cut that contains "The Love is Gone." Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2019/12/the-muppet-christmas-carol-is-the-definitive-christmas-classic/

Archie Kao - Christmas at the Ranch

We are delighted to kick off our holiday coverage with Archie Kao, star of the new film Christmas at the Ranch from Tello Films. Archie is also known to international audiences for his roles on shows such as Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Chicago P.D. Archie & Ian talk about Christmas at the Ranch's thoroughly inclusive LGBTQ narrative, Archie's experiences making the film, and an extended conversation on Lost Galaxy bound to delight fans of our Power Rangers coverage. Christmas at the Ranch is a great addition to the holiday genre, perfect for a cozy weekend afternoon. You can learn more about Christmas at the Ranch here: https://www.tellofilms.com/products/christmas-at-the-ranch Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/12/christmas-at-the-ranch-brings-an-inclusive-touch-to-the-holiday-genre/ Christmas at the Ranch still/poster courtesy of Christin Baker/Tello Films. Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy still courtesy of Saban Films. Head…

TTTE & Chill: Rusty to the Rescue

Back on the Island of Sodor! Rusty to the Rescue introduces the narrow gauge engines and Stepney, the Bluebell Engine who’s maybe lying about liking bluebells in order to escape the scrapyard. Some of the new engines we meet receive new names by the end of the tape, a very confusing dynamic for this series’ young target demographic. Ian & Tarabelle dissect the complexities of these small new engines. Ian also does way too many Harold the Helicopter impressions. This tape includes the following episodes * Granpuff * Sleeping Beauty * A Bad Day for Sir Handel * Rusty Helps Peter Sam * Rusty to the Rescue * Thomas and Stepney * Gone Fishing (song)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 2)

We are back in Angel Grove. Joined by special guest Kennedy Cooper for an in-depth discussion of one of the weirdest seasons in Power Rangers history. Upgrading the Dinozords to the Thunderzords rendered much of the "Zyuranger 2" zord footage unusable, instead spliced together often with mixed results. Season two featured plenty of great two-part gems, including the iconic "White Light," which introduced the White Ranger. This season marked the departure of original rangers Jason, Zack, and Trini to a years-long "peace conference." Ian & Kennedy discuss of all that and more in this jam-packed episode. Kennedy cohosts a Super Sentai/Power Rangers podcast called the Sentai Truther Club, which is highly recommended listening. You can check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sentai-truther-club/id1527939510 (also available wherever you get your podcasts) You can also follow them on Twitter @kennedytcooper

We are back in Westeros! Jim McGeehin returns to the show for a wide-ranging discussion on Storm’s End, the Stormlands, and the region’s significance within ASOIAF. George R.R. Martin’s worldbuilding is so rich that we can do an entire podcast episode about a mundane topic with relatively little bearing on the overall narrative. Lots of talk on Robert’s Rebellion, The War of the Five Kings, and (f)Aegon’s upcoming plans. You can follow Jim on Twitter @JM_SLAL, on Tumblr, and on his YouTube page Jim’s last appearance on the show: https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/e/stannis-baratheon-in-the-north/ Be sure to check out all of our other ASOIAF/Game of Thrones episodes. Map of the Stormlands courtesy of HBO.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 1)

It's morphin time! Grab your spandex and your zord, it's time for an in-depth look at one at a pivotal piece of 90s popular culture. Ian and special guest Colin George-Babb explore the first season, full of iconic monsters and the tropes that have come to define the series in the decades since its premiere. Ian and Colin discuss the origins of the series and what they love about this fabulous first season. No putties were hurt in the making of this episode! You can follow Colin at gokaiburakku

The Reign of X is upon us! Ian and special guest Ed Carroll try to cover the wide range from House of X #1 through Inferno #1 in one hour. This episode is designed to be a "local comic book shop" style chat about the Krakoan era, what worked and what hasn't worked, and some predictions for the end of Jonathan Hickman's iconic run. Spoiler warnings: Inferno #1 is discussed. Knowledge of all the various X books is definitely not required. For more of Ed, follow him on Twitter @EdRevelator34 Ed's previous EI appearance: https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/e/crisis-on-infinite-earths-1579289163/ Inferno #1 cover courtesy of Marvel Comics.

The Controversy over the new Alanis Morissette doc ”Jagged”

A new documentary about Alanis Morissette's iconic album Jagged Little Pill premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Morissette herself is not happy with director Alison Klayman's work on Jagged. Ian has seen the doc and finds the whole saga a bit perplexing. Ian's review of the documentary from TIFF: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/09/tiff-review-jagged/ The Deadline article referenced in the episode: https://deadline.com/video/alanis-morissette-documentary-jagged-director-alison-klayman-interview/ Image courtesy of TIFF

Confessions From My New Vagina (Promo)

ITM has a comedy special out! Ian wanted to share some thoughts about why she wanted to make a trans-themed comedy album. She's a little rusty after taking the summer off from podcasting, but very happy to have the special finally out in the world. Confessions From My New Vagina is available on all major music streaming websites. Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Thank you for your support. Please tell all your friends and family and strangers on the street.

BloodSisters: Leather, Dykes And Sadomasochism

Happy Pride Month everyone! We are joined today by Michelle Handelman, director of the 1995 classic film BloodSisters: Leather, Dykes And Sadomasochism, which follows the vibrant leatherdyke scene in San Francisco. Michelle talks about the legacy of the film and its continued relevance, especially as the subject of "kink at Pride" causes its annual faux controversy. Michelle also shares plenty of insights from making the film and the evolution of LGBTQ culture in the 25 years since its release. Check out a trailer for the film, remastered for its anniversary release with newly recorded bonus features. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PLMekZhzBQ&t=41s The remastered DVD will be released on June 29th. You can pre-order here: https://www.kinolorber.com/product/bloodsisters-leather-dykes-sadomasochism-dvd

Star Trek: The Next Generation - "Yesterday's Enterprise"

We are back on the Enterprise-D, and also the Enterprise-C. Tasha Yar faced a tragically silly death in "Skin of Evil," marvelously analyzed on this humble podcast. Natty Strange is back to help us assess the return of everyone's favorite lesbian chief of security and her weird relationship with Shooter McGavin. You can follow Nat on Twitter @nuns_on_film. Be sure to check out her new Star Trek blog, deepspacenat.com and her new Twitch channel You can follow Pokey the Penguin's latest adventures by checking out Pokey's website https://www.yellow5.com/pokey/ & @pokeythepenguin

Jupiter's Legacy w/ co-DP Nicole Hirsch Whitaker

We are delighted to welcome Nicole Hirsch Whitaker to the show to talk about her work as co-director of photography for the new Netflix series Jupiter's Legacy. Nicole shares plenty of insights from behind the scenes and the way she worked to shape the show's unique aesthetic in the crowded superhero landscape. Ian & Nicole also talk about the challenges of framing a series with a giant spoiler that fans of the comic book will know all too well. Jupiter's Legacy is currently streaming on Netflix. Headshot courtesy of Nicole Hirsch Whitaker. Series poster courtesy of Netflix.

We are delighted to welcome filmmaker Jessica Ellis for an in-depth conversation about her new film What Lies West, a delightful coming of age movie shot in Jessica's hometown Sonoma County. Jessica shares many insights into indie filmmaking, along with some valuable perspectives on Disneyland and the LA sandwich scene. What Lies West comes out May 11th on VOD & DVD. You can learn more about the film at https://www.whatlieswest.com/. Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/05/what-lies-west-is-a-charming-confident-indie-coming-of-story/

Downton Abbey Character Study: Thomas Barrow

New feature at Estradiol Illusions! Take a trip with us back to Downton Abbey for an in-depth look at one of the show's most fascinating characters. After being introduced as the show's primary antagonist in season one, Thomas Barrow largely sheaths his villainous inclinations, growing to become a figure with great depth. Ian explores Barrow's full series arc and the ways he gradually endeared himself to the audience. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out Ian's in-depth review of the Downton Abbey film: https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/e/downton-abbey-1569517256/ Please leave a review on Apple or wherever you get your podcasts if you feel so inclined. Photo courtesy of Carnival Films

Michael McElhatton

We are delighted to welcome Michael McElhatton to the show to talk about his new film The Last Right, a beautiful Irish road movie. April also marks the tenth anniversary of the premiere of Game of Thrones, where Michael played Roose Bolton, who's either an arch-villain or a pretty decent guy depending on how you feel about a certain dinner party hosted by Walder Frey. Michael shares plenty of thoughts on Thrones, The Last Right, Zack Snyder's Justice League, and so much more. The Last Right is currently available in theatres and on VOD. Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/04/the-last-right-is-a-touching-meditation-on-grief-with-plenty-of-laughs/ Film poster courtesy of Level 33 Entertainment. Headshot courtesy of Michael McElhatton

Transgender Day of Visibility: A Dissent

March 31st is International Transgender Day of Visibility. Ian would really like to see the day switched to Transgender Day of Action or Day of Hiring a Trans Person. Trans people are visible. Trans people don't need additional visibility. Trans people need equity. More than 80 anti-transgender bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country in 2021 alone. Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi have passed bills targeting trans healthcare and participation in sports. Trans people deserve more than to be seen, we need a seat at the table.

TTTE & Chill: Percy's Ghostly Trick

We are back on the Island of Sodor for another edition of TTTE & Chill, the number one Thomas the Tank Engine recap show in the world. Percy’s Ghostly Trick is a sentimental favorite tape. Ian & Tara break down the intricacies of Percy’s prank, Douglas’ daring rescue of Oliver, the infamous “Thanksgiving” episode, and the handling of the regatta medical emergency in All at Sea. This tape covers the following episodes * Thomas’ Anthem (music video) * Percy’s Ghostly Trick * Woolly Bear * Thomas and Percy’s Mountain Adventure * Escape * Oliver Owns Up * All at Sea Be sure to check out all of our other episodes of TTTE & Chill! Photo courtesy of the Britt Allcroft Company

Lord Varys: A Transgender Perspective

Grab your lavender and your little birds, we’re going to Westeros. Join Ian for a solo episode all about Lord Varys. As someone who knows what it’s like to lose their balls, Ian feels a kindred connection to the Spider. For his talent, George R.R. Martin often portrays Varys in an exceedingly cartoonish fashion that plays into homophobic stereotypes. Join for a close reading of many of Varys’ key passages. This episode will cover the following chapters: A Game of Thrones * Catelyn IV * Eddard IV * Eddard V * Eddard VII * Eddard VIII * Eddard XI * Eddard XII * Eddard XIV * Sansa IV * Eddard XV * Tyrion IX A Clash of Kings * Tyrion I * Tyrion II * Tyrion III * Tyrion IV * Tyrion VI * Tyrion VIII * Tyrion IX * Tyrion X * Tyrion XII * Sansa VIII A Storm of Swords * Sansa I * Tyrion II * Tyrion III * Davos IV * Tyrion IX * Tyrion X * Tyrion XI A Feast for Crows * Cersei I * Jaime I * Cersei IV * Jaime III A Danc…

Come take a ride with us to Westview! Alexandra August returns to the show for a delightful discussion all about Wandavision, which kicked off Phase 4 of the MCU. We talk about what worked, what didn't work, how amazing Kathryn Hahn is, and all the fan theories that didn't quite pan out. Maybe Mephisto didn't want to step inside New Jersey? Who could blame him! You can follow Alexandra at @alxaugust Ian's review of the series: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/01/wandavision-isnt-designed-to-meet-expectations/ Series poster courtesy of Disney.

Star Trek: The Next Generation - "Skin of Evil"

Grab your phaser and your away team, because we're heading to Vagra II. "Skin of Evil" lives on in Trek infamy for the senseless death of Tasha Var. Armus is one of science fiction's earliest incels, taking the spotlight away from a female character in order to harass the rest of the crew with his endless whining. Natty Strange, co-author of the iconic web comic Pokey the Penguin, returns to the show to discuss this mess of an episode. As Data put it, Armus has "no redeeming qualities." That's probably true, except with that annoying pile of goop, we probably wouldn't be talking about this episode. Tasha deserved better. We all deserve better. You can follow Nat on Twitter @nuns_on_film. Be sure to check out her new Star Trek blog, deepspacenat.com. You can follow Pokey the Penguin's latest adventures by checking out Pokey's website https://www.yellow5.com/pokey/ & @pokeythepenguin Photo courtesy of Paramount.

Adrienne Wilkinson

We delighted to welcome Adrienne Wilkinson to the show for a wide-ranging interview including her new film Dreamcatcher. Fans of Estradiol Illusions may know Adrienne best for her roles as Eve on Xena: Warrior Princess, Daughter in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Maris Brood in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and as Captain Lexxa Singh in Star Trek: Renegades. Adrienne shares many fascinating insights from her career throughout so many iconic franchises. Dreamcatcher is available March 5th, on demand and digital, on Amazon, Apple, Redbox, and other major VOD services. Ian’s review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/03/dreamcatcher-subverts-slasher-norms-in-an-intriguing-horror-narrative/ Headshot courtesy of Adrienne Wilkinson. Photo by Damu Malik. Poster and stills courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

Potato Head Discourse

American civilization collapses as cancel culture claims its next victim, the valiant Mr. Potato Head. Except he isn’t going anywhere. Hasbro dropped the “Mr.” from its broader Potato Head branding. Mrs. Potato Head can serve at the altar of capitalism without the oppressive patriarchy creeping over her shoulder. Ian breaks down all the Potato Head nonsense and what this whole saga is really about. LGBTQ families deserve to see themselves reflected in the corporate consumerist culture that rules over our society. Potato head logo courtesy of Hasbro.

Douglas Goldstein, creator of Devil May Care

We are delighted to welcome Douglas Goldstein, creator of Devil May Care and head writer of Robot Chicken. Devil May Care is a new animated series starring Alan Tudyk & Asif Ali that offers a fresh perspective on hell. Douglas talks about his experiences crafting both shows, their differing styles of humor, and the challenges of packing humor and narrative into an eleven-minute runtime. Devil May Care airs at 12:00 am Saturday night as part of SYFY's TZGZ block. You can watch the first three episodes on NBC.com here: https://www.nbc.com/devil-may-care Ian's review of the series: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/02/devil-may-care-finds-humor-and-heart-in-the-depths-of-hell/ All photos courtesy of SYFY

Today we are joined by Sarah and Zachary Ray Sherman, directors of the film Young Hearts. One of Ian's favorites from Slamdance 2020, the film follows two teens developing their first romantic relationship, learning the messy nature of love in a high school setting. Sarah and Zachary talk about their experiences making the film and its unique place amidst high school narratives. Ian's review of the film (originally titled Thunderbolt in Mine Eye): https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/01/slamdance-review-thunderbolt-in-mine-eye/ Young Hearts is now available to rent via VOD from all major services including Amazon, Google, and Apple. Film poster courtesy of Blue Fox Entertainment

Slamdance Series: Workhorse Queen

Slamdance 2021 coverage continues! We are thrilled to welcome Angela Washko and Mrs. Kasha Davis, director and star of the new documentary Workhorse Queen. The film follows Mrs. Kasha Davis' journey from small-town drag queen all the way to Ru Paul's Drag Race, where she competed in season seven. Angela & Mrs. Kasha Davis (Ed Popil) talk about the evolution of drag, their experiences making the film, and what mainstream visibility means for the LGBTQ community. Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/02/slamdance-series-workhorse-queen/ Slamdance tickets are on sale now for $10, which you can purchase here: https://slamdance.com/festival-passes/ Poster and still courtesy of Situated Productions

Slamdance Series: The Little Broomstick Rider

Our Slamdance 2021 coverage continues with a delightful entry in the Episodes section. The Little Broomstick Rider is a loose adaptation of Ludwig Bechstein's The Little Pitchfork Rider, the series follows 9 year old Linhard, accused of witchcraft in 17th century Bavaria. Director Matteo Bernardini shares some insights into his creative process. Made entirely using paper, pens, scissors, and glue, The Little Broomstick Rider is a crowning achievement of quarantine-inspired filmmaking. Slamdance tickets are on sale now for $10, which you can purchase here: https://slamdance.com/festival-passes/ Poster and still courtesy of Matteo Bernardini

Slamdance Series: Chef Giants

Our Slamdance 2021 coverage kicks off! Delighted to welcome Ethan Dirks and Troy DeWinne to talk about their indie fantasy animation Chef Giants, which is premiering as part of the episodes block on February 12th. Chef Giants is the proof-of-concept for their full series Gobble, a delightfully strange musical odyssey that follows two goblins who want to be pop stars. Troy and Ethan also illustrated all 145 Slamdance filmmakers for an animated virtual party, which you can check out here: https://chefgiants.com/party Troy & Ethan talk about their creative process, the marginalization of goblins in popular culture, and the importance of giving virtual festivals a sense of connective tissue. Ian really appreciates the way that Chef Giants helps emphasize the vital role of community in the filmmaking experience. Slamdance tickets are on sale now for $10, which you can purchase here: https://slamdance.com/festival-passes/ You can follow Ethan on Instagram, @ethan_dirks, and Troy, @dewinn…

Constantine Venetopoulos, director of Draw With Me

Today we welcome Constantine Venetopoulos to the show to talk about his new short documentary, Draw With Me. The film follows the coming out journey of nonbinary teen Brendon Scholl, with appearances by Brendon's aunt Jennifer Lopez and President Joe Biden. Draw With Me was featured at the first ever panel on transgender health at the United Nations and is an Official Oscar Entry for the Documentary Short category. Draw With Me is an excellent resource especially for parents looking for resources to support their trans children. Constantine & Ian discuss the complicated family dynamics that can surface after coming out and the contrasts between America's growing acceptance of LGBTQ people against the backdrop of the Trump administration. You can view the trailer for Draw With Me here: https://vimeo.com/450714908 Film poster courtesy of Ithaka Films. Headshot courtesy of Constantine Venetopoulos

Sundance Series: Son of Monarchs

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Alejandro Mejía, cinematographer for Son of Monarchs, to the show. While the cinematography is always vital to the success of a film, Alejandro carried additional obligations to convey protagonist Mendel's passions to the audience, something the film does quite well. Alejandro shares some insights into his creative process and what it was likely to film in the butterfly forests of Mexico, beautiful scenery typically only depicted in documentaries. Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/01/sundance-review-son-of-monarchs/ Photo caption: Kaarlo Isaacs appears in Son of Monarchs by Alexis Gambis, an official selection of the NEXT section at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Sundance Series: Hive

Our Sundance coverage rolls along with a film from with World Cinema Dramatic Competiton. Hive is the story of Fahrije, who is struggling to provide for her family after her husband's disappearance in the war in Kosovo. We are delighted to welcome director Blerta Basholli to discuss her work, based on a true story. Hive is a powerful narrative of perseverance in the wake of incredible hardship. Poster image of Hive by Blerta Basholli, an official selection of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Sundance Series: Weirdo Night

Continuing our Sundance coverage with a film from the New Frontiers program. Weirdo Night is a cinematic presentation of the iconic LA comedy show of the same name. We are delighted to welcome director Mariah Garnett and star Jibz Cameron, also known as Dynasty Handbag, to talk about their work. Weirdo Night is available throughout the festival to Explorer pass holders. Mariah and Jibz will be hosting a virtual party at 8:00 pm PST on January 31st. Please follow @dynastyhandbag on Twitter for more information. Poster image of Weirdo Night by Jibz Cameron and Mariah Garnett, an official selection of the New Frontier program at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Sundance Series: The Fourfold

As our Sundance coverage rolls along, we are excited to welcome Alisi Telegnut to the show to talk about her short film The Fourfold. Alisi talks about her technique that combines under camera filming with stop-motion animation, all in breathtaking detail. This is one short you won't want to miss! You can learn more about Alisi on her website http://cargocollective.com/AlisiTelengut/ Alisi's Instagram also features some fascinating behind-the-scenes photos of her process @alisitelegnut Poster image of The Fourfold by Alisi Telengut, an official selection of the Shorts Program at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Sundance Series: GNT

Our Sundance coverage continues with another film from the Shorts Program. GNT is a hilarious film all about thrush, aka yeast infections! Filmmakers Sara Hirner and Rosemary Vasquez-Brown chat with Ian all the way from Australia about their process making the short. The color palette and writing is top-notch. Ian highly recommends checking out the film! Poster image of GNT by Sara Hirner and Rosemary Vasquez-Brown, an official selection of the Shorts Program at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Sundance Series: Doublespeak

We are delighted to kick off our Sundance coverage with Hazel McKibbin and Angela Wong Carbone, director and star of the film Doublespeak from the Shorts Program. Doublespeak follows Emma (Carbone) as she deals with the aftermath of a sexual discrimination case in her workplace. The film, which premiered today at Sundance, is available on Vimeo for everyone to watch (highly recommended before listening to this episode): https://vimeo.com/439062018 You can learn more about Hazel and the film on her website: https://hazelmckibbin.com/ and on Instagram @hazelmckibbin You can learn more about Angela on her website: Angelawongcarbone.com and on Instagram @labellacarbone Poster image of Doublespeak by Hazel McKibbin, an official selection of the Shorts Program at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Zackary Drucker, director of The Lady and the Dale

We are so excited to welcome trans icon Zackary Drucker to the show to talk about her fascinating new HBO documentary series The Lady the Dale. The series dives into the complicated life of G. Elizabeth Carmichael, a trans woman whose Twentieth Century Motor Car Corporation created the three wheel car known as the Dale. Zackary & Ian discuss Liz's life and legacy and the ways the world responded to her gender identity at the time. The Lady and the Dale premieres on HBO on January 31st. Ian's review of the series: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/01/the-lady-and-the-dale-provides-a-riveting-perspective-of-a-trans-pioneer/ Film poster courtesy of HBO. Headshot courtesy of Zackary Drucker.

Nomi Ruiz, star of Haymaker

We are delighted to welcome Nomi Ruiz, star & producer of the new film Haymaker. Nomi talks about her experiences making the film, incorporating her music background as a singer into the narrative, and the importance of authentic transgender storytelling both behind the scenes and on screen. Haymaker is in theaters, VOD, and Digital on January 29th. Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/01/haymaker-is-a-worthy-entry-into-the-trans-film-canon/

Menstruation, From Moment to Movement

We are delighted to welcome Inga T. Winkler & A.J. Lowik to the show to talk about their work in the field of menstruation education. Inga is lecturer at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights and the Director of its Working Group on Menstrual Health & Gender Justice. A.J. is a non-binary trans PhD candidate and researcher at the University of British Columbia with a focus on trans people's lives and health. Inga & A.J. discuss their work and the ways to combat menstruation stigma, the challenge of moving the ball forward past "visibility," and the ways to speak about menstruation in an inclusive manner for trans and non-binary menstruators. Inga recently co-edited the Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies, which is open-access and wonderfully formatted for online browsing. You can access the book here, https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-981-15-0614-7 A.J. has written an article on trans & non-binary menstruators for the International…

Disneyland AP Cancellation Analysis

Disneyland has cancelled the Annual Passholder Program, leading to many disappointed superfans clinging to their AP popcorn buckets and Halloween AP magnets for relief. Ian is pretty sad. She also thinks that the media is being ridiculous in criticizing APs for being Karens, hogging the park, and being too obsessed among other things. Ian offers some analysis on the current situation and why she thinks the AP program will be back pretty soon after the pandemic. For more Disneyland fun, check out our other episodes including the three park ranking of every ride in Disneyland and our Galaxy's Edge analysis.

TTTE & Chill: Thomas and the Magic Railroad

Grab your gold-dust and your conductor's whistle, because we're going to Shining Time Station to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Thomas and the Magic Railroad. The Shout! Factory blu-ray set contains a number of wonderful bonus features, including numerous deleted scenes from the storylines that didn't make it into the film. Ian & Tara talk about the legacy of the film and its place within Thomas lore. Film poster courtesy of Shout! Factory

The Mandalorian Season 2 Review

Join host Ian Thomas Malone as she breaks down The Mandalorian's excellent second season. The Baby Yoda Show covered a lot of ground this year, finally bestowing a proper moniker on the little fella. As Grogu heads for the Jedi Temple, Ian talks about what worked and what didn't for season two. Ian's written review: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/01/the-mandalorian-season-2-review/

The Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 8)

What an episode! Join Ian for a recap of what she referred to as a the best chapter of Star Wars since The Empire Strikes Back. Such a beautiful tribute to everything fans love about this franchise. If only R5-D4 had come along for the adventure from Tatooine. Ian's written review: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/12/the-mandalorian-season-2-review-chapter-16/ Programming note: we will return after Christmas with a full review of season two. Happy Life Day everyone!

St. Elsewhere's Transgender Storyline

We are doing a deep dive into LGBTQ TV lore by exploring one of the all-time greats in the medium, St Elsewhere, which aired a transgender storyline all the way back in 1983. We are joined by Jessica Halem, former director of LGBTQ Outreach & Engagement for Harvard Medical School and tireless advocate for inclusivity in medicine, to help understand evolution of the medical community toward gay & transgender patients over the past few decades. Jessica shares so many great insights from her career, helping put these episodes into context. We'll be talking about the episodes 12-13, "Release" & "Family History," from St. Elsewhere's first season. Both episodes can be watched on Hulu. Ian highly recommends the series as a whole, which features Denzel Washington, Howie Mandel, Ed Begley Jr., and William Daniels (Mr. Feeney from Boy Meets World) in starring roles. You can learn more about Jessica on her website https://www.jessicahalem.com/ and on Twitter @jessicahalem Jessica's partner Je…

Star Trek: The Pon Farr

The Pon Farr is one of the weirder aspects of Star Trek lore, making it a natural topic for Estradiol Illusions to explore! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and specials guests Johnny Kolasinksi and Dr. Jackson Vane from Hi Everybody - a Bad Medicine Podcast, as well as Dr. Courtney Nicholas and Dr. Greg Winter for a wide-ranging discussion all about everyone's favorite Vulcan mating ritual. What would happen is a transgender Vulcan underwent the Pon Farr? Why don't any Vulcans ever want to talk about this totally normal biological function? All of that and much more ahead! This episode covers the following Star Trek episodes, as well as parts of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock TOS: "Amok Time" VOY: "Blood Fever," parts of "Blood & Soul" ENT: "Bounty" For more of Hi Everybody, check out their website https://hieverybody.libsyn.com/ (available on all major podcast platforms). You can also follow Hi Everybody on Twitter, @hieverybodymd and Johnny, @cycloptiko, and Jackson, @JacksonV…

The Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 7)

Why does Mando wear a mustache? Join Ian as she spends most of the episode pondering the show's existential questions (mostly kidding!), like why Boba Fett spent much of Chapter 15 hiding. Mayfeld returns, bringing American interventionism into the equation, territory that Star Wars hasn't quite presented as something its audience should worry about with regard to the New Republic. No Grogu this week, but never fear. A sighting of Pedro Pescal's beautiful face can go a long way toward forgetting about that adorable little fella. Ian's written review: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/12/the-mandalorian-season-2-review-chapter-15/

The Year Without a Santa Claus

Hop aboard your reindeer and be sure to watch out for the Miser brothers, because we are taking a journey down to Southtown. Join Ian and very special guest Barbara "Bibble" Malone as they break down the seminal holiday favorite The Year Without a Santa Claus. Santa may have wanted a year off, but a certain pink-bowed girl had other plans. We'd have a blue Christmas without this holiday classic! Be sure to check out all our holiday coverage! Film poster courtesy of Rankin/Bass Productions

Rudolph: A Transgender Perspective

Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight? Such is the question Santa posed, after committing acts of intolerable cruelty against the poor young reindeer merely because he was born different. Transgender people have heard this story before. The TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer reinforces casual bigotry. Its Santa is a giant asshole. Santa & Coach Comet can go straight to hell. No reindeer games, no presents, just a steaming pile of coal and permanent place on the naughty list. Never allow your oppressors to gaslight you into pulling their sleigh. Ian's original article from 2017: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2017/12/a-transgender-perspective-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/ Poster courtesy of CBS

TTTE & Chill: Thomas' Snowy Surprise

Holiday themed TTTE & Chill! Join Ian & Tarabelle for a trip to the Island of Sodor for a bunch of snowy shenanigans. Percy's driver abandons him on a siding to be covered in ice, while Skarloey's crew roughs it out inside the igloo. Why didn't Terence get to come to Mrs. Kyndly's Christmas party? How is he supposed to watch over her house? All of that and more! This tape covers the following episodes: * It's Only Snow * Jack Frost * Toby Had a Little Lamb * Snow * Thomas' Christmas Party * Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree * Winter Wonderland (Music Video) **Note** We chose this tape over earlier Christmas' features as this one does not contain duplicate episodes that TTTE & Chill has already covered or is about to cover. VHS image courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment

The Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 6)

Grab your jetpack and your Sarlacc pit, Boba Fett is back! The long-awaited return of everyone's favorite tertiary bounty hunter lived up to the hype. Temuera Morrison was absolutely superb. Ian provides some context for Boba Fett's popularity, including his debut in the beloved Star Wars Holiday Special. Mando might not be very good at watching his son, but at least Grogu has darksaber to keep himself occupied. Ian's written review! https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/12/the-mandalorian-season-2-review-chapter-14/

The Last Blockbuster

Grab your popcorn and your membership card, because we're making tonight a Blockbuster Night! We are so thrilled to host Sandi Harding, manager of the final Blockbuster store open in the world, located in Bend, Oregon, and Taylor Morden and Zeke Kamm, director & writer/producer of the fabulous new documentary The Last Blockbuster to the show. Sandi shares plenty of great insights as to why her Blockbuster has survived in the streaming era, a staple of the Bend community. Taylor & Zeke share their experiences crafting the documentary and why Blockbuster is a place that sparks such fond memories for so many. The film is pure joy for cinephiles. The Last Blockbuster premieres on VOD on December 15th. To purchase merchandise from the last Blockbuster, please visit their website: https://bendblockbuster.com/ Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/12/the-last-blockbuster-is-pure-joy-for-film-aficionados/ Film poster courtesy of 1091 Pictures

The Slutcracker

We are delighted to continue our holiday coverage with a panel discussion on a Boston holiday staple: The Slutcracker, joined by creator/artistic director Vanessa White, performer Jolie LaVie, stage crew Rae Mansfield & makeup artist Sparklle T. Due to covid restrictions, The Slutcracker will make its on-screen debut with Slutcracker: The Movie, available now. Vanessa and the Slutcracker talent share plenty of behind the scenes stories and talk at length about the importance of bringing inclusion to the world of ballet. To learn more about The Slutcracker: The Movie and where to rent the film, check out their website http://www.slutcracker.com/. Be sure to follow the official Slutcracker pages, @slutcracker on Instagram & Facebook. Images courtesy of The Slutcracker

The Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 5)

100th episode of Estradiol Illusions! We dive into what Ian thought was the best episode of The Mandalorian ever, steeped in Star Wars' lore. Ahsoka Tano's live-action debut was flawless. Baby Yoda's name reveal, not so much. Do we have to call him Grogu? Ian doesn't want to. Thank you everyone for following us these for 100 episodes. Here's to another hundred! Ian's written review: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/11/the-mandalorian-season-2-review-chapter-13/

We are delighted to welcome iconic transgender actress Candis Cayne to the show. Candis has appeared on such shows as The Magicians, Grey's Anatomy & Dirty Sexy Money. Candis recently starred in the new holiday film I Hate New Year's, which comes out December 4th on VOD. Candis talks about about storied career and the evolution of trans representation on screen, as well as her new role in I Hate New Year's. This holiday season will be tough for many, but the film offers LGBTQ people some much needed inclusivity in a genre often defined by its heteronormativity.

The Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 4)

Episode four takes us back to Nevarro, the pile of rocks not named Tatooine or Jakku. While Baby Yoda munches on space macarons, Mando, Greef, and Cara Dune seek to blow up the Imperial Remnant's lava base. Prequel fan favorite midichlorians return, evoking nostalgia for Jar Jar Binks. Join ITM as she breaks down an uneven episode that pulled itself together right as the action started. Halfway through the season already! Time flies when you're using the force to steal cookies.

Mark Nelson, Biosphere 2

Today we are joined by Dr. Mark Nelson, one of the eight original scientists who lived inside Biosphere 2 for two years in the early 90s. The events of Biosphere 2 were chronicled in the excellent documentary Spaceship Earth (available on Hulu), one of Ian's favorites from Sundance. Dr. Nelson talks at length about his experiences inside Biosphere 2, as well as many of the discoveries they made along their journey. Dr. Nelson has a new book out called Life Under Glass: Crucial Lessons in Planetary Stewardship from Two Years Inside Biosphere 2. You can purchase it here: https://www.synergeticpress.com/shop/life-under-glass/ Dr. Nelson's other books include Pushing our Limits: Insights from Biosphere 2 (https://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Our-Limits-Insights-Biosphere/dp/0816537321) & The Wastewater Gardener: Preserving the Planet One Flush at a Time (https://www.synergeticpress.com/shop/the-wastewater-gardener/)

ASOIAF: Data Science & Network Theory

We're back in Westeros! Delighted to welcome Professor Colm Connaughton from the University of Warwick to discuss a paper he worked on, alongside a team from several universities in the UK & Ireland. The paper "Narrative structure of A Song of Ice and Fire creates a fictional world with realistic measure of social complexity" dives into the ways George R.R. Martin has crafted such an intricate universe that mirrors our own society while remaining accessible to readers. Colm presents many of his findings in a fascinating conversation that touches subjects including Barristan Selmy, House Frey, the Meereenese Knot, & podcast favorite Stannis Baratheon among many others. Join us for a delightful dive into Westeros lore. The full paper can be read here (recommended reading before or during the episode): https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/10/27/2006465117 You can follow Colm on Twitter @CPConnaughton

The Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 3)

Big character reveals! Baby Yoda stops eating the last of Frog Lady's eggs! What could be better? Join ITM for a discussion of a vast improvement over last episode. Three episodes in, the plot is finally moving forward! Cozy up with a bowl of octopus chowder and tune in for some Star Wars analysis. Ian's episode 3 recap: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/11/the-mandalorian-season-two-recap-chapter-eleven/

Sidney Flanigan

We are delighted to welcome actor & musician Sidney Flanigan to the show. Sidney made her acting debut in the spectacular film Never Rarely Sometimes Always at Sundance, one of Ian’s favorites from the festival. Sidney’s band Starjuice just released a new EP “Reminders,” which can be heard of Spotify. Sidney talks about her experiences making Never Rarely as well as the challenges of recording music in the covid era. Be sure to check out Starjuice on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3b4yx9xGEgYJW3Kp9kwZLO Ian’s Sundance review of Never Rarely Sometimes Always: https://fansided.com/2020/01/25/never-rarely-sometimes-always-sundance-review/ Cover art courtesy of Starjuice. Headshot by Victoria Stevens.

No Ordinary Man

Today we are delighted to host Aisling Chin-Yee, Chase Joynt & Amos Mac, co-directors and co-writers of the fascinating new documentary No Ordinary Man to the show. The film chronicles the life and legacy of jazz musician Billy Tipton, whose death sparked a media firestorm after it was revealed that he was a transgender man. Aisling, Chase, and Amos share plenty of insights from their experience making the doc, an important piece of LGBTQ cinema. No Ordinary Man is part of DOC NYC’s exciting slate. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.docnyc.net/ Ian’s review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/10/no-ordinary-man/ Film poster courtesy of Parabola Films

Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 2)

Chapter 10, "The Passengers" was a bit of a mixed bag. The stellar action sequences were hindered by some pretty abysmal plotting and narrative choices. Are we supposed to care that Baby Yoda is casually eating the last of Frog Lady's eggs? Join host ITM as she breaks down this peculiar episode.

Mandalorian Season 2 Recap (Episode 1)

Baby Yoda show is back! Join host ITM for an exciting recap of The Mandalorian's second season premiere, full of Tusken Raiders, Deadwood, and the return of fan favorite R5-D4. Is Boba Fett going to be pissed that Raylan Givens borrowed his duds? Did Baby Yoda get enough blue milk? Do Krayt dragons dream of electric sandworms? Make yourself a nice bowl of spice melange and tune in to find out! Ian's episode one review: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/10/the-mandalorian-season-two-review-chapter-9/

Vote Joe Biden & 2020 Senate Analysis

Looking at you, unenthusiastic voters. Joe Biden is not a great candidate. This "decent" man has decades worth of indecent votes to his name, a shameful legacy that we shouldn't have to revisit in 2020. Alas, here we are. Trump is infinitely worse. It's not even close. LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, healthcare, and the very future of our nation is at stake. Voting doesn't need to be fun, but you need to vote. Trump may never end if we don't put a stop to this American Carnage. Ian also dives into the state of the 2020 Senate race and why it's way closer than the mainstream media thinks. Please, please, please vote. We can't pack the courts without senators who will do the packing. Fuck Trump. Vote Biden.

We are delighted to welcome Michael Hurst to the show for a wide-ranging discussion of his illustrious career. Michael is best remembered for playing Iolaus on Hercules: The Legendary Journey's & Xena: Warrior Princess, and for his directorial work on shows like Spartacus and Ash vs. Evil Dead. Ian & Michael talk at length about the influence that Hercules has had on the fantasy genre, opening the door for dozens of shows that followed. Michael recently appeared in the New Zealand production Dead, a hilarious and tender buddy cop comedy. Dead premieres on virtual cinemas on September 25th, with a VOD release on October 6th. Full of LGBTQ themes and making great use of the beautiful New Zealand landscape, Dead is a perfect choice for pandemic viewing. Ian's review of Dead: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/09/dead-is-a-hilarious-buddy-cop-comedy-with-a-ton-of-heart/ Headshot courtesy of Michael Hurst. Film poster courtesy of 1091 Pictures.

We are delighted to welcome Bradford Thomason and Brett Wittcomb, directors of the new documentary Jasper Mall, to the show. One of Ian's favorites at the Slamdance Film Festival, Jasper Mall charts a year in the life of the eponymous shopping center, struggling to keep up with a changing American retail landscape. Bradford & Brett share many insights from making the film, and the state of brick-and-mortar commerce. Jasper Mall is a must-watch for anyone feeling nostalgic for a time when we weren't all cooped up with nowhere to go. The trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LWYYcg0nuA&t=9s To learn more about the film and how to watch, please visit https://www.window-pictures.com/jasper-mall Ian's pre-Slamdance review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/01/slamdance-review-jasper-mall/ Film poster courtesy of Jasper Mall.

Amanda Jetté Knox

We are delighted to welcome author & LGBTQ activist Amanda Jetté Knox to the show for a wide ranging discussion. Amanda shares her thoughts on absurd gender critical talking points such as "lesbian erasure" and "transing children," while providing plenty of insight into the care and concerns that go into raising trans youth alongside a trans partner. Fully embodying the mantra put forth in her appropriately titled book Love Lives Live, Amanda's family is a shining example of how trans people can thrive in loving environments. You can purchase Love Lives Here (highly recommended) wherever books are sold. Be sure to follow Amanda on Facebook and Twitter, https://www.facebook.com/mavenofmayhem/ & @Mavenofmayhem Photo courtesy of Amanda Jetté Knox

TTTE & Chill: James Goes Buzz Buzz

Ya boo snubs! Join Ian & Tarabelle for another edition of everyone's favorite Thomas the Tank Engine VHS recap show. James Goes Buzz Buzz introduces the first hand-drawn animation into the show, perhaps opening the doors for its later reliance on CGI. BoCo features prominently, coparenting Bill & Ben with his husband Edward. Gordon spends the night at the harbor, potentially stranding all the passengers from the main line with him. Did the Lady with the Green hat get home safe? Tune in to find out. This collection includes the following episodes: * James Goes Buzz Buzz * One Good Turn * Bertie's Chase * Heroes * Bulgy * Wrong Road * Percy, James and the Fruitful Day VHS cover photo courtesy of the Britt Allcroft Company

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Grab your Switch and your Nook Miles Tickets because we are going island hopping! Join ITM & special guest Natty Strange, comedian, organizer and coauthor of Pokey the Penguin, for a wide-ranging discussion on life in everyone's favorite quasi-capitalistic utopia. Ian & Nat tackle the broader philosophical questions that ACNH. Are Tom Nook & Redd former lovers? Is Isabelle a neoliberal? Why doesn't Dodo Airlines chart mystery islands for return visits? What is Gulliver(varrr)'s deal? All of that and more! You can follow Nat on Twitter @nuns_on_film Be sure to check out Pokey the Penguin's latest adventures by checking out Pokey's website https://www.yellow5.com/pokey/ & @pokeythepenguin Cover image courtesy of Nintendo

Heather Reid, Musician & Cofounder of The Murmurs

Today we are joined by Heather Reid, cofounder of the iconic 90s duo The Murmurs. Heather talks about her impressive career and life as a lesbian in an era far less receptive to LGBTQ rights. Heather also talks about her recent projects, including a new single "Right Here Right Now," and the musical she's currently working on. A must-listen for 90s rock fans. Be sure to check out Heather's new video for "Right Here Right Now" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY6nVP6KZIE To keep up with Heather, be sure to follow her website http://heatherreidmusic.com/ & on Twitter @Heathmusic Photo courtesy of Heather Reid

Lendale Johnson, Professional Tennis Player & Actor

Today we are joined by Lendale Johnson, the first openly gay male professional tennis player & star of the upcoming series "Deuces & Love." Lendale talks about his experiences supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and participating in the recent protests. Lendale also shares his experiences acting in the pilot for Fox's Empire and how the intersection of tennis and acting inspired his new show. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion on LGBTQ representation in sports & show business. To learn more about Lendale's career, please check out his website www.lendalejohnson.com You can also follow Lendale on Twitter & Instagram @LendaleJohnson "Deuces & Love" will premiere on Amazon Video later in 2020. Stay tuned for updates on Lendale's website & social media. Photo credit: Robbin Phillips.

Legal Analysis of Trump's anti-LGBTQ HHS Rule

Today we are joined by Carl Charles, staff attorney at Lambda Legal, to discuss the ongoing case Whitman-Walker Clinic v. HHS, which centers around a recent rollback of LGBTQ healthcare protections within the Affordable Care Act by the Trump administration. Carl eloquently explains the case for a general audience and the dangers that this HHS rule presents to the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender individuals. This episode is a must-listen for people confused as to how such a rollback would be allowed after June's historic Supreme Court ruling. To learn more about the case or to support Lambda Legal's great work on behalf of the LGBTQ community, please visit www.lambdalegal.org Lambda Legal also posts great analysis on Twitter @lambdalegal You can follow Carl on Twitter @oh_rarl Photos courtesy of Lambda Legal

TTTE & Chill: Daisy

Woo-woo! Grab your milk van and be sure to follow fitter’s orders, because it’s time for another episode of Thomas the Tank Engine & Chill. Daisy doesn’t get many speaking roles in TTTE, but everyone’s favorite female diesel rail car made quite the first impression. This collection also includes the infamous “Whistles and Sneezes” saga, where Henry fends off some evil boys using only his stuffed up smoke box. Trevor also makes his debut, dreaming of uncomfortable subjects… This collection includes the following episodes: * Daisy * Percy's Predicament * Whistles and Sneezes * Saved From Scrap * A New Friend for Thomas * Tender Engines * Percy Takes The Plunge Photo courtesy of the Britt Allcroft Company

Everybody Wants Some!!

Join ITM for a solo episode on the 2016 Richard Linklater film, Everybody Wants Some!! Ian talks about the college coming-of-age comedy and the ways it reminded her of her own college experience. Nostalgia is a powerful, often toxic force that suffocates people in the past. Nostalgia can be a particularly perplexing force for transgender folk, parsing the good from the bad with the understanding that longing for ones memory is a dangerous proposition. Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/07/everybody-wants-some-presents-a-subtle-indictment-of-nostalgia/ Film poster courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Transgender Storytime: One Wand to Rule Them All

***Note this episode is probably not for everyone.*** There are many in the gender critical movement who think transgender people are sexless blobs, incapable of any pleasure whatsoever. Ian debunks the nonsense, explaining how her wand vibrator helped her rediscover her sexuality after bottom surgery. This subject is certainly an awkward one for many, Ian included, but there's a lot of misinformation out there. The "othering" of trans people is based on a lot of myths and false theories.

Beau Dyess, Prodigal Butch

Today we welcome Beau Dyess to the show to talk about their past involvement with the gender critical movement. Beau has authored a Medium piece detailing the lengths to which they were groomed by leading anti-trans figures to serve as a public face of the campaign. Ian & Beau discuss the unholy alliance that the GC movement has formed with the far-right and the diminishing returns of their strategies. Beau’s Medium piece: https://medium.com/@amydyess83/prodigal-butch-7f0d2e00f693 You can follow Beau on Twitter @BeauDyess Photo courtesy of Beau Dyess

TTTE & Chill: Thomas, Percy & The Dragon

The era of BoCo is upon us! Join Ian & Tarabelle for an exciting episode of Thomas the Tank Engine & Chill, covering the Thomas Percy & The Dragon collection, full of twins, depostations, and the death of that awful, totally not essential, spiteful brake van. Should Sir Topham Hatt have been more sympathetic to Percy’s scarf dysphoria? Is “Edward’s Exploit” the old blue engine’s finest hour? Tune in to find out! This collection includes the following episodes: * Thomas, Percy & the Dragon * Donald and Douglas * The Deputation * Time for Trouble * A Scarf for Percy * The Diseasel * Edward's Exploit VHS image courtesy of The Britt Allcroft Company

Today we welcome the directors & stars of the new documentary Jack & Yaya to the show, breaking EI's record for number of guests on one show. Jack & Yaya focuses on the lifelong friendship between the two trans people, neighbors who found a sense of belonging in their shared companionship. Directors Jen & Mary, along with the eponymous Jack & Yaya talk all about the film, many of its exciting scenes, and what they hope viewers take away from the touching narrative. Jack & Yaya is available now on Amazon, Vimeo, and other major streaming platforms. Website: jackandyaya.com Facebook: JackandYayaFilm Twitter: @JackandYayaFilm Instagram: @jackandyayafilm Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/07/jack-yaya-is-a-touching-testament-to-the-power-of-friendship/ Film poster courtesy of Hewes Pictures

JK Rowling & The Future of Fantastic Beasts

Join host Ian Thomas Malone for a short episode on the world's most notorious Feminism-Appropriating Radical Transphobe (FART), J.K. Rowling. Rowling's latest collection of transphobic temper tantrums have thrown the future of the Fantastic Beasts franchise into question, a series already beleaguered by various controversies surrounding Johnny Depp, Ezra Miller, not explicitly gay Dumbledore, and Nagini the snake. How many horcruxs does Rowling have left? Tune in to find out. Trans rights are human rights. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to tune in to our episode dedicated to Not Explicitly Gay Dumbledore, which was recorded last year.

TTTE & Chill: Thomas Gets Bumped

Grab your mail train and your backing signal, it's time for Thomas the Tank Engine & Chill. Join Ian & Tara as they dissect this peculiar VHS collection, featuring the return of Diesel and the introduction of Duck's branch line. The Vicar's garden party was conspicuously under-promoted before Edward swooped in with the assist. How does City of Truro talk? All of those answers and more in this exciting episode. This VHS collection includes the following episodes * Thomas Gets Bumped * Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party * Diesel Does It Again * Gordon and the Famous Visitor * Donald's Duck * Percy and the Signal * Thomas, Percy and the Mail Train For more Thomas fun, be sure to check out all of our other TTTE & Chill episodes. Photo credit: The Britt Allcroft Company

Today we are joined by Gabriel Furman and Javier Molina, writer and director of the short film Wonder. Wonder has been a favorite on the festival circuit, winning awards at Outfest, RiverRun, and the Oxford Film Festival among many others. The film follows Sammy, a gender nonconforming child who wishes to dress as Wonder Woman for Halloween, a desire that causes some stress in his father Frank (played by Furman). Gabriel and Javier share many insights into the filmmaking process, including the extensive work that went into portraying LGBTQ issues sensitively and authentically. Their film is a valuable addition to the broader conversation surrounding LGBTQ representation on screen. Wonder is available on HBO, including its services HBO Max and HBO Now To learn more about the film and its cast & crew, check out their website https://www.realtalkfilms.com/wonder You can also follow their Instagram page @wondertheshort Ian's review of Wonder: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2019/07/wonder…

Sahm Flinehan, Obsessive Transphobe & Comedy Writer

Today we begrudgingly host Sahm Flinehan (Sinner) to the show. Sahm is the creative force behind such TV shows as Sister Ned and The ITM Crowd, who was recently banned from Twitter due to his obsessive transphobia. Sahm talks about the origins of his bigotry and what he's been up to since his wife divorced him. Such is the life of gender critical radicals who toss their lives away in favor of endlessly pursuing marginalized groups. For more of our coverage of gender critical ideology, check out our interview with Cosy Snarker Trans rights are human rights

Dr. Jen Manion, author of Female Husbands

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Jen Manion to the show. Dr. Manion is the author of Female Husbands: A Trans History, a fascinating historical perspective on the lives of people who transed gender, living their lives as men and marrying women, between colonial times up to World War One. Ian & Dr. Manion talk extensively about the book and the ways that many of the issues presented have resurfaced in contemporary discussions centered on transgender rights. To learn more about Dr. Manion or Female Husbands, check out their website https://jenmanion.com/ You can also follow Dr. Manion on Twitter @activisthistory Cover image courtesy of Cambridge University Press

Splash Mountain

The laughing places laughs no more. Splash Mountain is receiving a much needed update, retheming the ride from the racist, banished film Song of the South to The Princess and the Frog. Ian talks a bit about the importance of this change, why we should leave nostalgia in the past, and what this decision means for Critter Country moving forward.

Steve Markle, director of Shoot to Marry

The Park City fun continues! Delighted to welcome Steve Markle, director of Shoot to Marry, to the show. Shoot to Marry won the Audience Award at the Slamdance film festival. The documentary is a hilarious look at the state of romance in the modern era, one of the best films from either Sundance or Slamdance this year. Steve shares plenty of insights from making the film and the challenges of crafting a documentary without a set idea for its conclusion. Shoot to Marry is currently available on iTunes, Apple TV, Amazon, and most major VOD platforms. You can learn more about the film at https://www.shoottomarry.com/ Ian’s review from Slamdance: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/01/slamdance-review-shoot-to-marry/ Photo credit: Shoot to Marry

Queen of the Capital

Pride coverage rolls along! We are thrilled to welcome Josh Davidsburg and Muffy Blake Stephyns, director and star of the new documentary Queen of the Capital, to the show. Queen of the Capital follows Muffy’s campaign to be elected Empress of the Imperial Court of Washington, an organization of drag performers that raise money for charity. Josh and Muffy share plenty of insights from making the film and the history of drag in Washington D.C. One of Ian’s favorites from the Slamdance film festival, Queen of the Capital is definitely one you won’t want to miss. Queen of the Capital is available on Alamo Drafthouse VOD starting June 20th. https://ondemand.drafthouse.com/film/queen-of-the-capital/. You can also check out the film’s website http://queenofthecapital.com/. Be sure to follow Muffy and Josh on Twitter @MuffyBStephyns & @jdavidsburg Ian's review from Slamdance: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/01/slamdance-review-queen-of-the-capital/ Cover art by Karolyn Popat

Sam Feder, Director of Disclosure

Pride coverage continues! Today we are joined by Sam Feder, director of the documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen, which Ian had the pleasure of seeing at Sundance. Sam talks about the importance of visibility, the challenges of presenting a history in real time, and the responsibility of filmmakers to depict trans people accurately. Disclosure premieres on Netflix on June 19th. You can follow Sam on Twitter @SamFederfilm and Disclosure @Disclosure_Doc Be sure to check out Ian’s review of Disclosure for FanSided: https://fansided.com/2020/01/28/disclosure-trans-lives-on-screen-sundance-review/ Photo credit: Alex Schmider

Legal Analysis of the Supreme Court LGBTQ Ruling

Big day for LGBTQ rights! The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that employers cannot fire LGBTQ workers simply for being gay or transgender. The landmark decision, authored by Trump appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch, represents a major milestone in the fight for LGBTQ equality. We are delighted to have legal analyst & journalist Colin Kalmbacher on the show to break down the case for us. Colin authored an excellent piece for Law & Crime explaining the importance of the decision. In a brief breaking-news episode, Colin supplies some superb analysis of the significance of today’s ruling. Be sure to read Colin’s article for a very thorough explainer. https://lawandcrime.com/supreme-court/liberal-and-conservative-justices-in-6-3-decision-agree-that-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-are-protected-by-civil-rights-act/ You can follow Colin on Twitter @colinkalmbacher

Teraj - Singer, Travel Host, & Entertainer

Our Pride coverage begins! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Teraj for a fascinating conversation about the protests against police brutality happening across the country and Teraj's career. Teraj is the host "Gay Travel Today" on Amazon's Alexa and recently put out his debut album "Defy." Ian & Teraj also talk about the role of Pride as an outlet for protest. For more of Teraj, check out his social media and be sure to tune in to "Gay Travel Today." Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAmTeraj Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAmTeraj/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teraj08/ Alexa Flash Briefing: https://amzn.to/2WMUJ3j Website: https://www.terajmusic.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpHce1qpmSQZ4eGy-c0pXXg Teraj's music video for "Let Yourself Soar" that was referenced in the episode can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghhBjpp7YiI We at Estradiol Illusions would like to affirm our support for Black Lives Matter and the movements across t…

13 Reasons Why Season 4

What a mess. Join Ian Thomas Malone as she breaks down 13 Reasons Why's terrible fourth and final season. From the bad writing, underwhelming narrative, and totally checked out actors who all looked way too old to be in high school, this season was a mess for just about every reason imaginable. Ian also provides a brief overview of the series as a whole and what drew her to it initially. Be sure to check out Ian's review of the season for FanSided: https://fansided.com/2020/06/07/13-reasons-season-4-review/

TTTE & Chill: Trust Thomas

First George Carlin VHS tape! Join Ian & Tarabelle on the Island of Sodor for another exciting edition of Thomas the Tank Engine & Chill. Trust Thomas strikes at the very heart of the show's ethos? Should we trust Thomas? Or maybe Sir Topham Hatt, absent from the episode where James faked sick with no repercussions, is the true nefarious actor. Why was Harold airdropping hot drinks onto Percy? Why does Henry get a tunnel and a forest? Tune in to find out! This collection includes the following episodes. * Trust Thomas * Mavis * Toby's Tightrope * No Joke for James * Percy's Promise * Henry's Forest * The Trouble with Mud Photo Credit: The Britt Allcroft Company

TTTE & Chill: Better Late than Never

Grab your diesel and be sure to watch out on the viaduct. We are heading back to the Island of Sodor to cover the final VHS collection of Thomas the Tank Engine narrated by Ringo Starr. Ian & Tarabelle break down all the peculiar inter-engine dynamics in Better Late than Never, from Thomas' anger issues to the great freight car name-calling conspiracy that sent Duck to Edward's Station? Will Thomas & Gordon's alliance last? Tune in to find out! This collection includes the following episodes * Better Late than Never * Pop Goes the Diesel * Diesel's Devious Deed * A Close Shave for Duck * Gordon Takes a Dip * Down the Mine * The Runaway Be sure to check out all our Thomas the Tank Engine recaps! Photo credit: The Britt Allcroft Company

Exploring Star Trek: Voyager

EI is back! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Robert L. Lively for an exciting discussion of the new book Exploring Star Trek: Voyager. Edited by Rob, this collection of critical essays covers a wide range of Voyager's most fascinating topics. Ian contributed a chapter to the book on The Doctor and the humanity of technology. Enjoy a discussion on what made the journey through the Delta Quadrant such an important part of Trek lore. To learn more about the book, check out its page on McFarland's website You can follow Rob on Twitter @Rob_LIV3LY Book cover courtesy of McFarland & Company

Rise of the Resistance

Grab your Mickey Ears and your lightsaber, we’re heading back to Batuu! Disneyland’s new ride Rise of the Resistance is finally open and Ian & Tarabelle are here to talk about it. Rise of the Resistance is truly incredible, one of the park’s crowning achievements. Ian & Tarabelle also break down the new Star Tours scene based on The Rise of Skywalker, as well as a general update on Galaxy’s Edge as a whole. For more of Estradiol Illusions’ Disneyland coverage, check out our episodes ranking every ride in the park as well as one on Galaxy’s Edge pre-Rise and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Sundance Wrap Up

Our Sundance coverage concludes! Returning guest Michelle Jaworski joins Ian for a look back at their favorite moments from the festival. From the films to the jam-packed nature of Park City to all the sleep deprivation and malnutrition, Sundance is both a sprint and an endurance test. Films discussed include Crip Camp, Minari, Spaceship Earth, Zola, Herself, Nine Days, Miss Americana, Jumbo, and Dick Johnson is Dead. For more of Michelle - follow her on Twitter @michejaw & check out her articles at The Daily Dot Ian's Sundance coverage can be found on her author website & FanSided page. This Twitter thread was her only attempt to organize them all...

Sundance Spotlight: Nathan Barr, composer of Uncle Frank

As our Sundance converage rolls along, we’re super excited to welcome Nathan Barr, composer of Uncle Frank to the show. Uncle Frank is one of the standout films of the festival, a heartwarming narrative for the LGBTQ community. Nathan shares some of his experiences crafting the film and collaborating with director Alan Ball again after seven seasons composing music for True Blood. You can follow Nathan on Twitter @composerbarr

Sundance Spotlight: Anthony Willis, composer of Promising Young Woman

Our Sundance coverage continues with one of my personal favorites from the festival, Promising Young Woman. Delighted to welcome composer Anthony Willis to the show. Anthony explains his approach to scoring Emerald Fennell’s unique masterpiece. Anthony also plays some of the music from the film, an exciting treat you won't want to miss. Promising Young Woman will be released on April 17th. For more of Anthony, follow him on Twitter @AnthonyBWillis Also be sure to check out Ian’s FanSided review of the film

Sundance Spotlight: Danny's Girl

Recorded from the Sundance Film Festival! Join host Ian Thomas Malone as she interviews Emily Wilson and Danny Dikel, the director and star of the new short Danny’s Girl, an eclectic provoking commentary on internet. Emily & Danny share some insights from the film and explain the decisions behind the unique narrative that shies away from technology in this iPhone-obsessed era. A spoiler-free interview, this episode works great for fans of the film looking to learn more and those interested in checking it out (which you totally should). To learn more about Danny’s Girl, check out the film’s website dannysgirl.com. For more of Emily & Danny, check out their Instagram pages @emilyannewilson & @dannydikelart

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Grab your motorcar and the deed to Toad Hall, we’re going a merrily journey to nowhere in particular. Join Ian & Tarabelle for an in-depth discussion of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, the most idiosyncratic and wonderful attraction in Disney Park history. While The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad served as a loose adaptation of The Wind and the Willows, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride largely abandons any connection to its source material. From Toad Hall to Hell, Ian & Tarabelle cover the ride in all in iterations including the original 1955 version and both tracks at Disney World, where it lived in a certain silly old bear took over in 1998. We love Pooh, but it’s okay if you’re still a little angry about the whole situation. For more Disneyland fun, check out our three part series ranking every ride at Disneyland, as well as our episode covering Galaxy’s Edge. For more Mr. Toad, check out Ian’s Instagram, where she obnoxiously posts pictures with Mr. Toad for every single visit.

The Peaches of Renly Baratheon

Grab your peach and the crown off the head of your least favorite older sibling, it’s time for a trip back to Westeros. Join Ian & special guest Sam of the Rainbow Guard for an episode all about the baby sibling of House Baratheon. Dearest Renly wasn’t in our story for very long, but he sure made an impact. Westeros’ most prominent gay character provided some great representation for the LGBTQ community, an ambitious and impeccably dressed figure who knew how to consolidate power and throw a wild tourney. For more of Sam, follow him on Twitter @therainbowguard Be sure to check out Ian’s article on Renly’s status as a queer icon

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Get your Lazarus Pit ready for a trip to Earth-CW! The Arrowverse pulled off a crossover for the ages and Estradiol Illusions is here to talk about it. Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Ed Carroll for an exciting discussion covering Crisis on Infinite Earths. Ian & Ed break down what worked, what didn’t, plus all those exciting cameos. We may not have seen Nicholas Cage finally don the Superman costume, but there were so many thrilling moments that made for one of the most ambitious events in television history. For more of Ed, follow him on Twitter @EdRevelator34

Who watches the Watchmen? Who listens to the Estradiol Illusions? Grab your Rorschach mask and your giant blue dildo, because Clint is back for an exciting episode dedicated to everybody’s favorite costumed adventurers. Join Ian & Clint for an overview of Watchmen’s first and possibly only season. From Sister Knight to Lube Man, this season was full of memorable characters and jaw-dropping moments. Ian & Clint talk about the season’s relationship to its source material, what worked and what didn’t, as well as plenty of pop culture & transgender references. Down with Ser Jorah, long live Angela Manhattan! For more of Clint, check him out on Twitter @clintw & @WesterosLaw and be sure to check out his website Laws of Ice & Fire Be sure to check out Ian's article for FanSided on The Leftovers' influence on Watchmen

TTTE & Chill: Thomas Breaks the Rules

Grab your shunter’s pole and your coil of wire rope, we’re back on the Island of Sodor! Join Ian & Tarabelle for the return of Thomas the Tank Engine & Chill, covering the classic Thomas Breaks the Rules. From our favorite “regular law breaker” to Bluebelle’s search for her calf to James’ messy accident, this VHS tape offers so much excitement. Be sure to listen to the end to hear Ian’s rendition of Percy’s victory song. This collection includes the following episodes * Thomas Breaks the Rules * A Cow on the Line * Old Iron * Double Trouble * James in a Mess * Duck Takes Charge * Percy Proves a Point For more Thomas fun, check out our episodes covering the first three Ringo Starr tapes.

Transgender Storytime: Post-Surgery Reflections

Eight surgeries in a four day stretch lead to quite the recovery! Join host Ian Thomas Malone as she reflects on having bottom surgery and facial feminization surgery (FFS) at the same time. Two months later, life is slowly getting back to normal, minus all the dilation of course! People looking to have bottom surgery will certainly want to check this episode out, as well as anyone who's ever wondered what it's like to have a vaginoplasty. On a personal note, thank you to everyone for the well wishes these past few months. Looking forward to 2020!

Therese Plummer, Actor & Audiobook Narrator

Join host Ian Thomas Malone as she welcomes actor and audiobook narrating Therese Plummer to the show for an exciting conversation about her career. Therese has had quite a fascinating career, voicing characters in the Iron Man: Extremis motion comic, Pokemon, and acting in shows such as The Good Wife and Law & Order: SVU. Therese has narrated over 400 audiobooks as well, including the Virgin River series, which has been adapted into a Netflix series premiering on December 6th. Therese provides many insights into her storied career, including the challenges of narrating an entire series’ cast of characters and the way to deliver a convincing sex scene. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation full of laughter and heartwarming stories. You can check out Therese’s work on her website thereseplummer.com. Be sure to follow her on Twitter @tplummer76

James Ellars, Democratic Candidate for CA-08

Join host Ian Thomas Malone as she interviews James Ellars, who is currently running for Congress in the 8th district of California, a seat currently held by Republican Paul Cook who is not seeking re-election. James is a member of the Yang Gang who supports Universal Basic Income among a host of other progressive policy positions. Topics covered include healthcare, data property rights, the current state of the impeachment inquiry, and the way Andrew Yang has been treated by the media, particularly on the debate stage. To learn more about James’ campaign, check out his website at jamesellars.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ellars.

David Frei, Host of The National Dog Show

We're back! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest David Frei, cohost of The National Dog Show, for an exciting conversation all about one of America's favorite Thanksgiving traditions. With over 20 million viewers for six years in a row, the National Dog Show has exploded as a must-watch family event. David shares plenty of insight from his decades-long career judging and hosting dog shows. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Estradiol Illusions is so happy to be back with such a heart-warming topic. Tune in if you've ever wondered what exactly is a benched competition or how you pick a Best in Show from close to 200 breeds. Fans of The National Dog Show will surely enjoy hearing some stories from David's exciting career. The National Dog Show will air on NBC Thanksgiving Day (November 28) from 12-2 pm in all time zones. To learn more about David's charity Angel on a Leash, check out their Facebook page. You can also connect with David on Facebook and Twitter @dfreithe…

Transgender Storytime: Thoughts Before Surgery

Vaginal liberation is upon us. With Ian set to undergo facial feminization surgery and bottom surgery, Estradiol Illusions will be going on hiatus. Ian shares some pre-surgery thoughts on her transition journey, being off hormones for two weeks, as well as plenty of laughter over the various absurdities of the process. For whatever reason, Ian also decided to rank the quality of a few, but not all, of the Disneyland bathrooms. To wish Ian well on her surgery, shoot her a note on Twitter or Facebook, @ianthomasmalone. Programming note: EI will be back sometime in November. Thank you so much for joining us on this journey so far.

Grab your corset and your lady’s maid, we’re heading back to Downton Abbey! Join host & Downton superfan Ian Thomas Malone for an episode breaking down all the various plotlines of the film. Ian dives deep into the series lore to take a look at which parts of the narrative worked best. From the return of Mr. Molesley to Mr. Barrow’s quest for love to Lady Mary’s efforts to set up all the chairs in time, there’s so much to talk about. Absolutely thrilled to have another couple of hours with these characters. Note: This episode contains major spoilers so be sure to see the film before listening. Also, be sure to check out Ian’s review of the film and her various articles on the series, both on her main author website and Downton World. Film poster courtesy of Carnival Films

Star Wars - Galaxy's Edge

Grab your droid and your blue milk, we’re going to Batuu! Ian and Tarabelle talk all about Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge, the first new land added to Disneyland since Mickey’s Toontown in the early 90s. Galaxy’s Edge is a beautiful yet simultaneously underwhelming place, a land too heavily invested in expensive experiences to leave much of a lasting impression either on first-time attendees or Annual Passholders finding themselves without much to do after the second or third visit. Ian & Tarabelle dissect the various aspects of the land, from the food to the merch to Smugglers Run. You can ride the Millennium Falcon, but can you really make the magic come alive? For more on Galaxy’s Edge, check out Ian’s article on the land. For more on Disneyland's rides, check out our three-part series ranking every single ride in the park.

Transgender Storytime: The Scent of a Woman

An episode inspired by… bodily aroma! Ian talks about the changes that HRT has brought to her body’s sweat glands. This episode also discusses the broader plights of dating, attracting, and relationships that affect the general population, transgender and cisgender. Tune in to hear all the ways love at first sight can be spoiled by one small mishap. You’ll never think of BO the same way again.

The Beauty of Magikarp

Grab your old rod and your golden poké ball! Join Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Thomas Henkins for an episode all about Magikarp. Often thought to be a worthless Pokémon devoid of any redeeming qualities prior to evolution, Magikarp serves as an inspiration for all of us struggling to splash through the gym battle called life. Ian and Thomas share personal stories that endeared them to the unsung hero of the poké world. The journey to unlock our inner Gyrados may be long, but it’s important never to forget one’s sense of worth along the way. You can follow Thomas at @thankin41 (Twitter) & @thankins41 (Instagram) Photo courtesy of The Pokemon Company

TTTE & Chill: Tenders and Turntables

We’re back on the Island of Sodor and the engines have gone on strike! Make sure you get a good seat for the Indignation Meeting, because the evil capitalist Sir Topham Hatt is going union-busting, calling in the scab Edward to stick it to his workers. Poor Henry, after showing solidarity with his tendered brothers, finds himself all alone in need of gluten-free coal. The station master’s wife isn’t too happy that Thomas spoiled their breakfast, or ruined their house, along with the show’s timeline. Better not misgender the steam tram Toby with any of that electric nonsense. This collection includes the following episodes: * Tenders and Turntables * Trouble in the Shed * Percy Runs Away * Thomas Comes to Breakfast * Henry's Special Coal * The Flying Kipper * Toby the Tram Engine Tenders & Turntables is Ian’s all-time favorite Thomas the Tank engine tape. Join us for a delightful discussion about all the confusion and delay. Who cares, this is good cocoa? If…

13 Reasons Why Season 3

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Colin George-Babb for a discussion about 13 Reasons Why’s third season. The controversial teen drama has continued to be quite divisive, though Ian and Colin both enjoyed this season. This spoiler-filled episode dives into the major points of contention through the season, including Ani’s narration, Bryce’s continued presence in the narrative, and yoga studio etiquette. Before listening, be sure to check out Ian’s review of the show on her website, as Ian explains the often strange reactions she’s been receiving since its publication. You can follow Colin at gokaiburakku. Also be sure to check out his previous EI appearance on our "On the Subject of Gay Dumbledore" episode.

Shahid Buttar, Democratic Primary Challenger to Nancy Pelosi for CA-12

Join host Ian Thomas Malone as she interviews Shahid Buttar, who is currently challenging Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for a seat in Congress representing the twelfth district of California. Shahid has made a career of speaking truth to power, as an attorney with a long career in civil rights fighting for LGBTQ equality, immigrant rights, and First Amendment protections, among many others. Throughout a wide-ranging conversation, Shahid explains how his roots in progressive activism have prepared him for elected office. Primary challenges are always an uphill battle, but Shahid is a candidate with a proven track record advocating for the causes he’s centered his campaign around. To learn more about Shahid’s campaign or to lend your support, visit the ShahidForChange campaign website. You can also follow his campaign account, @ShahidForChange on Twitter, as well as his personal feed, @Sheeyahshee.

A Conversation with Andrea James

Estradiol Illusions is back from summer vacation! We are absolutely delighted to welcome the iconic transgender activist, filmmaker, and writer Andrea James to the show for a wide-ranging conversation about her work. Andrea talks about her upcoming work The Transphobia Project, an interactive chart that tracks anti-transgender bias in the media. Andrea also shares plenty of insight regarding the evolution of trans representation on screen and the ways coverage of trans issues has changed over the years among other topics. To learn more about The Transphobia Project, check out its Kickstarter page You can find more of Andrea on her website as well as Twitter and Facebook.

TTTE & Chill: James Learns a Lesson

Grab your newspaper and your leather bootlace! Estradiol Illusions returns to the Island of Sodor, covering the seminal VHS collection James Learns a Lesson. Everyone’s favorite red engine duels the selfish yet smartly dressed man, fending off threats of dysphoric blue paint from Sir Topham Hatt. As the title suggests, we learn a lot of lessons along the way, such as the value of not getting steam all over your boss, or filling up your boiler with fish from a bucket with five holes. Put on your snowplow, it’s time for a race. This collection includes the following episodes: 1. James Learns a Lesson 2. Foolish Freight Cars 3. A Proud Day for James 4. Thomas and the Conductor 5. Thomas Goes Fishing 6. Terence the Tractor 7. Thomas and Bertie's Great Race For more of Ian, you can find her on Twitter @ianthomasmalone and at her website ianthomasmalone.com Photo credit: The Britt Allcroft Company

Transgender Storytime: Tushies & Body Positivity

An episode all about butts! Join host Ian Thomas Malone for a solo episode about her growing sense of body positivity, best represented through her tush, one of the many beneficiaries of HRT. Getting dressed in the morning used to be a struggle, but it’s been great to be able to look in the mirror and be relatively pleased with the butt starring back. Ian dives into a broader discussion of happiness, trying her best to not to be too pseudo-philosophical. This episode is (mostly) about butts.

Phase Four of the MCU

Avengers assemble! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Manu of A Scene of Ice and Fire for an in-depth look at all the exciting stuff planned for the MCU. Starting with the reception to Endgame, Ian & Manu discuss all the upcoming projects planned across film & television. With so many team-ups in the works, there's a lot to look forward to in the post-Tony Stark world. Grab your fishbowl helmet and your drones and join us for a delightful conversation covering the wide scope of the superhero cosmos. You can find Manu on Twitter @ManuclearBomb and be sure to check out his podcast A Scene of Ice and Fire For more of Ian, you can find her on Twitter @ianthomasmalone and at her website ianthomasmalone.com

A Storm of Dragonstone

Stannis returns! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Rohanne for an in-depth look at the colorful characters of Team Dragonstone. From Mel to Davos to Duram Bar Emmon, the Dragonstone chapters in A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords provided so many memorable moments. Stannis may not have found his purpose until he reached the Wall, but everyone’s favorite cuddly curmudgeon is a lot of fun in his natural habitat, even if he never asked for it. This episode is part two of our ten-part coverage of the One True King. You can follow Rohanne on Twitter @girl_hag & @bestofcarice (Carice van Houten fan account)

Progressive Politics with Natalie Holme Elsberg

Another politics episode! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Natalie Holme Elsberg for a wide-ranging discussion on progressive politics in the age of Trump. Natalie is a progressive grassroots activist who was an early supporter of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a volunteer for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 campaigns. Natalie shares some insight into the rise of AOC and the need for progressive voices in D.C. at a time when little seems to be getting done on Capitol Hill. Ian & Natalie also discuss the current state of the 2020 race and the way the primary has been shaping up thus far. You can follow Natalie on Twitter @NatalieElsberg

In Defense of the Wii U

Grab your gamepad and join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Spencer Scott Holmes for a retrospective on the Wii U. Nintendo’s rather unloved child possesses a wonderfully deep roster of games, many of which have since been ported to the Switch. Ian & Spencer talk about the highlights of the system and its library, as well as the reasons why the Wii U never seemed to get the love it deserved. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out Spencer’s previous EI appearance on the two-part “The Fall of Sega” For more of Spencer, you can follow him on Twitter @SpencerSHolmes and be sure to check out the Old Man Orange Podcast & Pizza Boys Comic Series

TTTE & Chill: Thomas Gets Tricked

New recap series here at Estradiol Illusions! Welcome to TTTE & Chill, where we’ll be taking a train ride to the Island of Sodor to cover Thomas the Tank Engine, one VHS tape at a time. Ian & Tara take on the very first release, Thomas Gets Tricked, breaking down each episode faster than the breakdown train! Get down with the chug life and have some fun with us in Henry’s Tunnel! The episodes covered in this tape are: * Thomas Gets Tricked * Edward Helps Out * Come Out, Henry * Henry To The Rescue * A Big Day For Thomas * Trouble For Thomas * Thomas Saves The Day Note: These recaps will feature the American dub narrated by Ringo Starr. If your VCR is a little dusty, fear not. The episodes can be found on many streaming platforms. Photo credit: The Britt Allcroft Company

Gender Critical Ideology with Cosy Snarker

Ever wonder why a person decides to become gender critical? The logic behind TERF ideology often boggles the mind, but host Ian Thomas Malone sat down with Mumsnet poster Cosy Snarker for a look at what drives her hate. Ms. Snarker explains how she became involved with the movement to impede LGBTQ rights, putting aside her afternoon television schedule to spend some time swatting away efforts to reach across the aisle. Cosy may shock and horrify, but she provides plenty of insight into the anti-transgender movement. Cosy refused to share any of her social media or contact information, but she did supply a photograph with the final of three bottles of Campari she required to conduct this interview.

Talking Gravel 2020 with Adriel Hampton

No more wars! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and Adriel Hampton, senior advisor to the Mike Gravel 2020 campaign for a fascinating discussion of the state of the 2020 race. Senator Gravel's campaign has been lead by teenagers David Oks and Henry Williams, who recently pulled off the very impressive feat of amassing over 65,000 individual donors, one of two thresholds for qualification for the upcoming Democratic primary debates on July 30th & 31st. Ian and Adriel discuss the polling challenges which leave Senator Gravel's place on the stage up in the air, as well as the Senator's policy positions. Senator Gravel has been an iconic voice in progressive politics for decades and we look forward to following his exciting campaign. You can learn more about Senator Gravel on his campaign website and on Twitter @MikeGravel You can follow Adriel on Twitter @adrielhampton and on his website. To support Adriel's political action committee advancing progressive values, check out The Lefty League…

The State of Transgender Rights in New Zealand

Estradiol Illusions goes international again! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Caitlin Spice for a discussion on the evolution of transgender rights in New Zealand. Caitlin shares her insight as a trans woman, explaining the history of the fight for LGBTQ equality in her country. Topics include healthcare, the legislative process, and the role of "debate" in modern discourse. Caitlin brings a fascinating perspective to complex issues, shedding light on why New Zealand's political climate is far less toxic than the United States. You can find Caitlin on Twitter at @CateSpice, as well as on the No Sleep Podcast, and on the Hallowdine Library subreddit.

Every Ride at Disneyland, Ranked (Part Three)

Disneyland knows how to give people a good time. You don’t earn the moniker, “the happiest place on earth” without doing at least a few things right. From the parades to the costumed characters to the delectable desserts, there’s so much to do in Disneyland, but one element of the park experience reigns supreme above all others: the rides. There are many great rides at Disneyland. While it’s pretty hard to fit them all in a day, perhaps even harder was the effort to rank them all in a cohesive manner. This series is a companion to our complete ranking of every ride Disneyland has to offer, available on Ian's website. Join Ian & Tara for a full adventure through the happiest place on earth. Part Three features the top ten!

Every Ride at Disneyland, Ranked (Part Two)

Disneyland knows how to give people a good time. You don’t earn the moniker, “the happiest place on earth” without doing at least a few things right. From the parades to the costumed characters to the delectable desserts, there’s so much to do in Disneyland, but one element of the park experience reigns supreme above all others: the rides. There are many great rides at Disneyland. While it’s pretty hard to fit them all in a day, perhaps even harder was the effort to rank them all in a cohesive manner. This series is a companion to our complete ranking of every ride Disneyland has to offer, available on Ian's website. Join Ian & Tara for a full adventure through the happiest place on earth. Part Two features the rides ranked from twenty to eleven.

Every Ride at Disneyland, Ranked (Part One)

Disneyland knows how to give people a good time. You don’t earn the moniker, “the happiest place on earth” without doing at least a few things right. From the parades to the costumed characters to the delectable desserts, there’s so much to do in Disneyland, but one element of the park experience reigns supreme above all others: the rides. There are many great rides at Disneyland. While it’s pretty hard to fit them all in a day, perhaps even harder was the effort to rank them all in a cohesive manner. This series is a companion to our complete ranking of every ride Disneyland has to offer, available on Ian's website. Join Ian & Tara for a full adventure through the happiest place on earth. Part One features the honorable mentions, dishonorable mentions, and the rides ranked from thirty-one to twenty.

Revisiting Star Trek: Voyager's Threshold

First Star Trek episode of the podcast! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Alexandra August for an in-depth look at Threshold, one of the most polarizing episodes of Star Trek: Voyager. Does Threshold deserve the hate, or are the salamanders merely a lightning rod for some of the broader criticism levied at Trek's venture into the Delta Quadrant? Ian & Alexandra break down the episode while including plenty of references to broader series' lore. We can guarantee you won't look at the salamanders the same way again. Warp 10, here we come! You can follow Alexandra at @alxaugust, Screen Rant & CBR To find more of Ian, follow her at @ianthomasmalone or check out her website ianthomasmalone.com

Transgender Storytime: Let's Talk About Feelings

Ever wonder what HRT feels like? Join host Ian Thomas Malone for a reflection on feelings, both pre-transition and after the needle full of estrogen went inside her tush. We all have feelings but we're not always so great at figuring them out. Ian does her best to work through the complexities of emotion while talking about the ways that transitioning has helped her gain a greater sense of understanding about herself.

Stannis Baratheon in the North

First Stannis episode of the show! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Jim McGeehin of Wars and Politics of Ice & Fire for an in-depth discussion on the One True King’s adventures in the North. From the moment he rescued the Night’s Watch from certain doom, Stannis plotted a different course in his campaign for the Throne, winning over supporters to his cause through his charming personality and desire to bring about change to a war-torn region. We take a look at Stannis’ victories at the Wall and Deepwood Motte and preview how the Battle of Ice may turn out in The Winds of Winter You can follow Jim on Twitter @JM_SLAL, on Tumblr, and on his YouTube page

The Nintendo 64

Grab your controller! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Christian Montalvo for a retrospective on the Nintendo 64. The fifth generation of home consoles revolutionized gaming in so many ways, ushering in the 3D era with colorful graphics and larger than life gameplay. Ian and Christian discuss the ways the system made a lasting impression on them, which continues even to this day. From Moo Moo Farm to the Jolly Roger Bay all the way to the Shadow Temple, the N64 opened up so many doors for us to play in. Make sure Kazooie is all safe and secure in your backpack and come have some fun with us! You can follow Christian on Twitter @ChipperMontalvo

Nipple suits forever! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and very special guest Tara Hattendorf for a Pride-themed episode celebrating the first gay superhero movie. Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin may be regarded as one of the worst movies ever made, but there's so much to love in its absurd narrative. From the codpiece to the terrible Mr. Freeze puns intertwined with constant lovers' quarrels, Batman & Robin remains an endearing classic.

A Conversation with Katelyn Burns

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Katelyn Burns for a wide ranging conversation on LGBTQ issues. Katelyn is the first openly transgender Capitol Hill reporter, covering the extensive scope of federal policy. Topics discussed include transgender representation in the media, the challenges of covering Congress, and the video game that’s currently got Katelyn’s attention. You can follow Katelyn on Twitter and on her Facebook page

Remembering Chuck Mosley

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Doug Esper for a conversation about the iconic Faith No More frontman Chuck Mosley. Doug has been Chuck’s bandmate, manager, and friend for over twenty years, spending much of 2016 & 2017 on the road as part of their “Reintroduce Yourself” tour. Topics include a retrospective of Chuck’s career, highlights from their time on tour, and the projects Doug has in the works to carry on Chuck’s memory. You can follow all the latest Chuck news on his Facebook page, Doug’s page and his Twitter feed.

Transgender Storytime: Alcohol & Transitioning

First solo show since the beginning! Host Ian Thomas Malone brings her recurring column “Transgender Storytime” to the show, talking about her experiences with alcohol after transitioning. With booze interfering with HRT, the days of Cheers-level familiarity at the local watering holes have come to an end. Join Ian as she processes the ramifications on her social life with only Mary Jane as a consistent source of illicit recreational merriment.

On the Subject of Gay Dumbledore

The sexuality of Albus Dumbledore has been a subject of great speculation in the Harry Potter fandom since 2007. J.K. Rowling revealed that Hogwarts’ headmaster was gay after the publication of the final book, though the character seems to have been whisked back into the closet in his next canonical appearance in last year’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald. What to make of this “not explicitly gay” mess? Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Colin George-Babb as they discuss the complicated relationships that gay fans often have with problematic elements of fandoms. You can follow Colin at gokaiburakku

Game of Thrones Season 8 Review

And now our watch has ended. Join host Ian Thomas Malone and Clint of Laws of Ice and Fire for a wrap up of Game of Thrones’ final season. We discuss our MVPs for the season, reflect on the journey that the series has taken us on, and surprisingly make no jokes about Ser Jorah. Thank you so much for following along with us this season. It’s been a blast. You can find Clint at @clintw, @WesterosLaw & Laws of Ice & Fire

Game of Thrones Season 8 Recap (Episode 6)

The game might be over, but our analysis is just getting started. Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guests Alexandra August, Michelle Jaworski, and Clint of Laws of Ice and Fire as we break down the very last episode of Game of Thrones. Sweetrobin is back and it looks like all of Lysa's overparenting has paid off. Will Sam face retribution for breaking his vows to the Night's Watch? Is there still a Night's Watch? All of that and more in our final Game of Thrones recap discussion. You can find our guests at: Michelle - @michejaw & The Daily Dot Alexandra - @alxaugust, Screen Rant & CBR Clint - @clintw, @WesterosLaw & Laws of Ice & Fire

Game of Thrones Season 8 Recap (Episode 5)

The bells are ringing on a toasty day in King's Landing! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guests Sam Adolfo, Thomas Hankins, and Clint of Laws of Ice and Fire as we break down all the special (and sad) moments of episode five. Varys learns a powerful lesson about passing notes in class and Daenerys brings the heat in a delightful episode full of beautiful cinematography and a smiling Euron. All of that and a whole lot of laughter as we celebrate the penultimate episode of the series. You can find our guests at: Sam - @kinda_cool (Twitter) & @kindacoolsometimes (Instagram) Thomas - @thankin41 (Twitter) & @thankins41 (Instagram) Clint - @clintw, @WesterosLaw & Laws of Ice & Fire

The State of Transgender Rights in the U.K.

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Dr. Adrian Harrop for a fascinating discussion on the state of transgender rights in the U.K. In this conversation covering a wide range of issues, Dr. Harrop shares his perspectives both as a medical doctor and as an ally to the transgender community. Topics in this discussion include the roadblocks presented to transgender people in access to health care, such as wait times and other institutional obstacles along the journey, the media’s approach to discussing transgender issues, and ways to advance transgender equality in the years to come. You can find Dr. Harrop on Twitter @adrianharrop

The Panasonic 3DO

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Rachel Presser as we do a deep dive into one of the more obscure entries in the world of retro gaming consoles, The Panasonic 3DO. Hailed at the time for its state of the art graphics, even earning Time Magazine's "Product of the Year" award in 1993, the system struggled to compete in the crowded gaming market at the time. A hefty $700 price tag, along with technological advances made by Sony, Nintendo, and Sega quickly doomed the 3DO by 1996, leaving behind a complicated legacy You can find Rachel on Twitter @nyhcmaven84 and at her website, sonictoad.com

Game of Thrones Season 8 Recap (Episode 4)

Dracarys! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guests Alexandra August, Thomas Hankins, and Clint of Laws of Ice and Fire as we break down all the events of episode four. With only two episodes left of Game of Thrones, will Jon have time to travel north to give Ghost his well-deserved pat? Will Bran forgive Daenerys for ordering Starbucks instead of supporting a local Winterfell coffee shop? All of that and more ahead in our exciting coverage. You can find our guests at: Alexandra - @alxaugust, Screen Rant & CBR Thomas - @thankin41 (Twitter) & @thankins41 (Instagram) Clint - @clintw, @WesterosLaw & Laws of Ice & Fire

Game of Thrones Season 8 Recap (Episode 3)

The Battle of Winterfell is finally here! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guests D.F. Lovett, Johnny Kolasinski, and Zoey aka girl_hag as we dissect all the moments of “The Long Night.” Was the night dark and full of terrors or simply dark and full of hard to see battle sequences? Did Bran successfully pre-order Radiohead tickets while Theon held off the Night King? All those answers and some great Melisandre coverage ahead on our episode three recap. You can find our guests at: Johnny – @cycloptiko, The Got Thrones? Podcast & The DiscoTrek Podcast David - @dflovett, What Would Bale Do? & Top Ten Games You Can Play in Your Head, By Yourself (David’s new book) Zoey - @girl_hag & @bestofcarice (Carice van Houten fan account)

Game of Thrones Season 8 Recap (Episode 2)

What an episode! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guests Alexandra August, Sam Adolfo, and Clint of Laws of Ice and Fire as we break down all the special moments in episode two. From Ser Brienne to Arya & Gendry to Davos' delectable French onion soup, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" gave fans so much to enjoy before next episode's big battle. With Theon heading up the Bransguard, Estradiol Illusions will be here to cover every moment of Game of Thrones' final season. You can find our guests at Alexandra - @alxaugust, Screen Rant & CBR Sam - @kinda_cool (Twitter) & @kindacoolsometimes (Instagram) Clint - @clintw, @WesterosLaw & Laws of Ice & Fire

The Women of ASOIAF/Game of Thrones

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Chloe of Girls Gone Canon as we dedicate an episode to the women of A Song of Ice & Fire/Game of Thrones. George R.R. Martin populated Westeros with dozens of fascinating female characters who impact the story in countless ways. Despite their achievements, often times the women in our story catch a fair amount of unwarranted slack for actions their male counterparts aren’t as criticized for. Join us as we analyze Sansa Stark, Catelyn Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister, Lysa Arryn, Arya Stark, Brienne of Tarth, Asha (Yara) Greyjoy, Ashara Dayne, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Meera Reed, and Barbrey Dustin among others, looking at these characters’ various actions and the ways they’re perceived by the fandom. You can follow Chloe at @liesandarbor, Girls Gone Canon, and at her blog, Lies and Arbor Gold, She Thought

Game of Thrones Season 8 Recap (Episode 1)

Game of Thrones is finally back! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guests Michelle Jaworski of The Daily Dot, Clint of Laws of Ice and Fire, and Joe Magician of Watcher on the Wall as they break down the first episode. From all the reunions, the Night King's mural, and of course the elephants, episode one provided some excellent table setting for the final season. Have some fun with us as we dissect the first episode in over a year. You can find our guests at: Michelle Jaworski - @michejaw & The Daily Dot Joe Magician - @joemagician42, Youtube & Watchers on the Wall Clint - @clintw, @WesterosLaw & Laws of Ice & Fire

The Fall of Sega (Part 2)

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Spencer Scott Holmes of the Old Man Orange Podcast & Pizza Boys comic series as they explore the fall of Sega in the home console market. Ian & Spencer explore the legacies of the Sega CD, 32X, and Saturn in an attempt to piece together how Sega fell from grace after the success of the Genesis. Part Two mostly focuses on the Saturn and the Dreamcast, analyzing both console's standout libraries and their individuality in a market that would soon start to consolidate. Follow Spencer on Twitter @SpencerSHolmes Old Man Orange Podcast Pizza Boys Comic Series

The Fall of Sega (Part 1)

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Spencer Scott Holmes of the Old Man Orange Podcast & Pizza Boys comic series as they explore the fall of Sega in the home console market. Ian & Spencer explore the legacies of the Sega CD, 32X, and Saturn in an attempt to piece together how Sega fell from grace after the success of the Genesis. Part One mostly focuses on the Sega CD and 32X, covering the standout libraries for both systems and their attempt on future console generations. Follow Spencer on Twitter @SpencerSHolmes Old Man Orange Podcast Pizza Boys Comic Series

Game of Thrones Season 8 Preview

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guests Jinx Lierre, Clint of Laws of Ice and fire, and Michael aka Bookshelfstud as we preview the final season of Game of Thrones complete with analysis, predictions, and plenty of jokes. Join Estradiol Illusions every Tuesday during the season for weekly episode commentary! Follow our guests on Twitter at @JinxLierre @clintw @bookshelfstud

In this episode, host Ian Thomas Malone takes a look at America's history with impeachment, using the efforts against Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Clinton to gauge the odds of Trump's removal. Ian also talks about the release of the Mueller Report, the current trajectory of the U.S. Senate, and what that means for impeachment.

Transition on Your Own Terms

In our inaugural episode, host Ian Thomas Malone talks about her decision to keep her birth name after transitioning. Transgender people are often expected to make sacrifices in the name of the supposed "right way to transition," putting aside the fact that no one seems clear as to what that means. Ian breaks down the importance of making choices that reflect the individual's own preferences and not society at large.