Episode 31: The Beatles v. The Rolling Stones

Episode 31: The Beatles v. The Rolling Stones

It's our One Year Anniversary, and we're celebrating by talking about something we haven't yet on the podcast: Rock'n'Roll! Winston and Emma talk about the two most important bands of the British Invasion, their different influences and legacies, and what wine each is more like. Listen to hear lots of bad British accents, a horrible wine pun, and some sappy retrospectives on our first year in business. Plus: John Mulaney, a real-life Vampire, Biodynamics revisited, Paleolithic Rock, the best thing America ever did for the World, Milton, Greek Goddesses, Grand Moff Tarkin, and Emma's brief career with Martin Scorsese. Transcript available!

Episode 30: The Old Kingdom Trilogy by Garth Nix (with Amanda McLoughlin)

Episode 30: The Old Kingdom Trilogy by Garth Nix (with Amanda McLoughlin)

Emma is joined by podcasting extraordinaire Amanda McLoughlin (Multitude Productions, Spirits, Join the Party) to discuss one of the most underrated fantasy trilogies ever, The Old Kingdom by Garth Nix. They discuss the three books (Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen) and their different experiences reading them: Amanda as a child, and Emma listening to Tim Curry narrate them while on her recent honeymoon. Both agree that they are tremendous novels- listen to find out why, and to find out about one of the world's oldest grapes. Plus: the Black Book of Bibliomancy, pronunciation of fantasy names, necromancers, Egyptian Afterlife, music & magic, badass librarians and messenger bags, Neil Gaiman, Descartes, #marriagegoals, and "Glacier: a Fragrance by Tim Curry.

Episode 29: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Part II

Emma & Winston wrap up their discussion of Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling by the fire, and things get heated as Emma discovers one of Winston's own darkest secrets. Things on Pairing may never be the same again. Listen to find out what caused all the drama, and also who our favorite Dumbledore is. Plus: Wizard People: Dear Reader, Harry's a baus, Emma struggles with her own timeline, remembering good times with our moms, Shakespeare Camp, the Voldemort of the Wine Industry, the validity of critics, and masterpiece podcasting. Spoilers for the whole Harry Potter series in this one!

Episode 28: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Part I

We're back with the third episode in our Harry Potter and New World Wines Series! In this episode, Emma and Winston discuss the second book in J.K. Rowling's seminal children's series: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Because it's a children's book, they discuss many children's book themes, like racism, classism, and slavery. Listen to hear why we think this book is the most underrated in the series, what is problematic about it, and why Emma pairs the wine region of New Zealand with it. Plus: hubs-bot, father figures, how to pronounce Lucius, White Male Mediocrity, Gilderoy Lockhart's Sommelier Doppelganger, an apology to Kim Crawford, racism in America, questioning wands, Basilisk mythology, and the truth about weasels.  Spoilers in this episode for the entire Harry Potter series!  Content warning: discussion of abuse, racism, and slavery.

Episode 27: Women's Wrestling: The First Royal Rumble Part Two (with Julia Schifini)

Emma is headed back into the ring accompanied by Julia Schifini (Spirits, Tides), to find out the conclusion of the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble with the WWE! Find out who wins, and who she chooses to face at WrestleMania. Also listen to hear more of Julia's insights into the world of wrestling, and which women wrestlers have their own wine label. Plus: the Stratus-phere, vaguely dominatrix-y, the cats of wrestling, whiskey, hating Ronda Rousey, the Revolution and the Evolution, the anti-diva, genderqueer wrestlers, and 30 women in wine worthy of the WWE.

Julia is a co-host of Spirits, a boozy dive into myths and legends, and star of Tides Podcast, as well as a bunch of other Audio Projects! Follow her on Twitter @JuliaSchifini to see all the amazing things she's working on!

Special thanks to Zach Valenti (@zachvalenti) for lending his studio to our cause. Zach is amazing, check out his Focused AF podcast and his YouTube channel!

Music for this episode:

"Crossing the Chasm", "Killers", "Division", & "Hiding Your Reality" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Episode 26: Women's Wrestling: The First Royal Rumble Part One (With Julia Schifini)

Get ready to rumble! Pairing is breaking new ground as Julia Schifini (Spirits, Tides) returns talk about the WWE and professional wrestling. Specifically, Julia shows Emma the first ever Women's Royal Rumble, and Emma is dumbfounded by its awesomeness. In this first part, we talk about all 30 participants, the beefs, the friendships, the outfits and the hair. Listen to learn what the kayfabe is, who's a heel and who's a face, and what beer you should drink while watching wrestling. Plus:modern commedia dell'arte, Viking Queens, divas and superstars, the Samoan Drop, werewolves, Xena Warrior Princess, the first out women's wrestler, Two-Paws the cat, steampunk Irish women, and so, so much more.

Julia is a co-host of Spirits, a boozy dive into myths and legends, and star of Tides Podcast, as well as a bunch of other Audio Projects! Follow her on Twitter @JuliaSchifini to see all the amazing things she's working on!

Special thanks to Zach Valenti (@zachvalenti) for lending his studio to our cause. Zach is amazing, check out his Focused AF podcast and his YouTube channel!

Music for this episode:

"Crossing the Chasm", "Killers", "Division", & "Hiding Your Reality" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Episode 25: Sake & Miyazaki

In this episode, Emma & Winston tackle new subjects and a new part of the world: Hayao Miyazaki, sake, and Japan! Listen to find out what Junmai, Ginjo, and Daiginjo mean on a sake label, as well as which Miyazaki films are our favorites of Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, and Spirited Away. We talk about the magic of these films and the dangers of the deliciousness of sake. Plus: how to pronounce Ghibli (we don't know), alcoholic Fresca, Mr. Hatgood, good mold, nigori, nama, genshu, Emma & Winston being gross, steampunk magic, ta-da forever, and several new slogans. Kampai!

Episode 24: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Part II

Emma is joined again by her long-time best friend, other Emma, who is definitely a real person, to discuss the first of the most seminal books of their childhood, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (or Philosopher's) Stone. This is the second episode in our HP & New World Wine Series, in which Emma S-Z pairs the Harry Potter novels with different major New World Wine regions. Listen to the episode to find out what we think about Quidditch, which trio of grapes Harry, Ron, & Hermione would be, and why Emma S-Z had to kick her sports fan habit. Plus: the nonsensical order of the Sorting Hat, wanting to go to Yale, frizzy haired ladies, The Lord of the Rings TV Show, Peeves, remembering these are kids' books, champagne, and Voldemort's conscientiousness.  BIG SPOILERS!!! If you have not read the WHOLE Harry Potter series do not listen to this episode!!!