Paul F. Tompkins welcomes grownups (children get out of here!) to this week’s episode of Spontaneanation! This week, Paul’s special return guest is actress Maria Thayer of truTV’s Those Who Can’t! They chat about the time Maria’s primary caregivers let her down, the two different Berenstain Bears/Berenstein Bears universes, and the Lowly Worm. Paul is then joined by Stephanie Courtney, Colleen Smith, and Chris Tallman, to improvise a story set in A Fast Food Restaurant Kitchen In An Alternate Universe. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

LOS ANGELES! Spontaneanation records its 100th episode LIVE at Largo on Saturday, January 7th! Be there for boring your future grandchildren purposes! Tickets: bit.ly/SPONT100

This episode is brought to you by Smartypants Vitamins (www.smartypantsvitamins.com/PFT) and Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: PFT).

Writer/director/actor Charles Rogers joins Ronna & Beverly to chat about the ins and outs of his show Search Party on TBS, having hippie parents, his first movie Fort Tilden, and much more. Happy Holidays!

This episode is brought to you by Third Love (www.thirdlove.com/shalom)

Comedians Kaitlin Fontana and Jim David join Negin to talk about Russian hacking, Rex Tillerson and their Christmas traditions. They also revisit a mortifying and newly ironic debate moment from Rick Perry. Plus, should Democrats ditch identity politics?

Walk the red carpet along with Paul, June, and Jason for the 2nd ANNUAL HOWDIES!!! They’ll be giving recognition for Best Paul Intro Line to Best June Theory and everything in between from Gooby to The Boy Next Door. Tune in to find out who will win and stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon!

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com promo code: BONKERS).

Bishop Michael Curry is the leader of the Episcopalian church, and as we head into the new year, he’s here to tell us how the teachings of Jesus just might help create change.

This episode is brought to you by Children International (www.children.org/give).

Actress Mandell Maughan joins the Sklars on this week’s Sklarbro Country. Randy and Jason discuss Raiders punter Marquette King’s celebrating penalties and a white power pistachio girl during Takes, and Mandell talks about getting cast in Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ and the story of her first audition. Quick Hits brings a soccer fan with a meat flinging problem and a forgetful boxer, and Kris Kristofferson calls in to share his Himalayan holiday plans with the Sklars.

This week Bryan discusses parenting Sherman, while Erin shares her nightmare visit to a craft fair. Also, Sofía Vergara is knee deep in a custody battle with her ex over frozen embryos and Susan Olsen, of Brady Bunch fame, was fired from her radio show after tongue-lashing her most recent guest with homophobic slurs. What would Carol Brady think? Plus guest David Mills is here to discuss punctuation, post-Brexit London, and his time working on “Florence Foster Jenkins”. Follow David on Twitter @davidmillsdept

The boys talk with Nai Palm, the lead vocalist of Hiatus Kaiyote. They make really smooth music. This is Hannibal writing in the 3rd person. I don’t want to do it any more. We had a good time talking about music and people and life and juice. Check out Hiatus Kaiyote. Their last album is great to cuddle to. I’m not an excellent interviewer. Tony is very excited during this one and it shows. Thank you to our sponsors for tolerating the nonsense.  

This episode is brought to you by Helix Sleep (www.helixsleep.com/RAMBLER), Seeso (www.seeso.com promo code: RAMBLER), and SeatGeek (promo code: RAMBLER).

Tasting Chicago with Joe Mantegna.

This episode is brought to you by Harry’s (www.harrys.com code: PARDO), Mott & Bow (www.mottandbow.com code: PARDO) , and Soothe (www.soothe.com code: NEVER).

Please enjoy the second Earmovie of Season 3, “Monsters of Mary Shelley” written by Ian Simpson. It stars Joanne Froggatt, Tom Riley, Chike Okonkwo, Scarlett Byrne, Tom Stokes, Tommy Flanagan, and David S. Lee.

This episode is brought to you by Seed & Spark (www.seedandspark.com/blacklist) and Scribnos.com.

Katie and Brian head to the White House and sit down with Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to President Barack Obama. Not only is Jarrett a guiding voice in the Obama administration, but she has also been friends with the President and First Lady since they were an engaged couple in Chicago in the early 1990s. Jarrett discusses managing her work and friendship with the President, her emotions since the election and why she has hope for the Affordable Care Act’s future. Plus, Brian talks with White House visitors from across the country.

This episode is brought to you by Sock Club (www.sockclub.com code: COURIC), Aspen Ideas to Go podcast, Omaha Steaks (www.omahasteaks.com code: KATIE), and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/couric).

Actor Lakeith Stanfield joins Kevin and guest-host Omar Dorsey this week to serve up some holiday Denzelishness. They dissect Denzel’s advantages over Casey Affleck in an acting competition before Lakeith shares his experiences working on the hit show “Atlanta.” We hear how the show captures the spirit of the city before Lakeith shares his Top 5 Denzel Movies, and finally, expectations are laid for the release of Denzel’s “Fences.”

This episode is sponsored by Sock Club (www.sockclub.com code: DENZEL), Harry’s (www.harrys.com/denzel), and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/denzel).

Christmas time is here, and its up to Charlie Brown (Armen Weitzman) to save the holidays by directing the annual Christmas Podcast for Mike Mitchell, Amanda Sitko, Mookie Blaiklock, Matt Besser, and the rest of the Peanuts gang. Will Charlie find the tolerance to keep Christmas cheerful? Does Pig-Pen harbor alt-right tendencies? Will Santa bring Sally the dildo she asks for? Tune in to find out!

This episode is sponsored by Foot Cardigan (www.footcardigan.com code: IMPROV).

Actor/writer Joshua Walker returns to join Andrew this week to talk about the Ohio legislature moving to ban abortion as early as 6 weeks after conception, having Republican friends, on campus Trump fans saying they need safe spaces, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

On a special Hard Boys investigation, Mark & Pete track down the anonymous 400 lb. New Jersey hacker (Charlie Sanders) that Donald Trump claims leaked the DNC’s emails. In between sips of liquified meat, this mysterious man will reveal secrets about Putin, his own body, and the future of America that will make you question everything you thought you knew.

The boys take some time to reflect on 2016’s Pistol Shrimps action. The beautiful and sonorous Josh Dean joins the discussion.

The Shrimps on Twitter: @pistolshrimpsbb
The Shrimps on Instagram: @thepistolshrimps
Pistol Shrimps Radio on Twitter: @shrimpsradio
Pistol Shrimps Radio on Instagram: @pistolshrimpsradio

Matt Gourley on Twitter and IG: @mattgourley
Mark McConville on Twitter and Instagram: @markmcconville

Two more murders in Boston bring the total to 7. The Strangler continues to elude investigators through the winter and spring of 1963. Then, in June, New York police find the body of sixty-two-year-old Zenovia Clegg in a Times Square hotel. She had been strangled, using a scarf tied in the Strangler’s signature bow. The NYPD quickly catches Clegg’s killer, a drifter from Maine named Charles Terry, and one legendary detective there, Tom Cavanagh, begins to suspect that he has arrested the real Boston Strangler. But the Boston PD doesn’t seem to care. Host Portland Helmich traces Cavanagh’s life-long pursuit of evidence supporting his theory, and reveals the surprising details of Charles Terry’s life that seem to confirm his guilt.

This episode is brought to you by Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/stranglers), Audible (www.audible.com/stranglers), Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/stranglers), Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/stranglers), Unsolved Murders: True Crime Stories, and A Crime to Remember on Investigation Discovery.

Parenthood changes people. Beauty guru Jane Marie gives tips on how to (mostly) accept the new you. Plus, an exciting update with a mom whose post-baby change prevented her from singing karaoke. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com!

This episode is brought to you by Aeroflow, Third Love, Olive & Cocoa, Toca TV, and Yogi Teas.

Writer and actor Dave Holmes joins Howard and guest co-host Ele Woods for this week’s Who Charted.  Dave talks about his new book “Party of One” before they dive into iTunes’ Top 5 Songs during which we hear stories of buying Phil Spector’s Christmas album on the streets and Dave’s trip to the premiere of Fifty Shades of Grey. Howard proposes color-coded video streaming services while the gang counts down the Movie Chart, and Engineer Stard shows off his tour look during Two Charted.

Join guest host Samm Levine as he sits down with legendary voice actor Maurice LaMarche (Pinky and the Brain, Futurama). Maurice talks about his dislike of private jets, his rigorous study of the infamous Orson Welles “frozen peas” outtakes, and his unexpected intimate chat with the Dalai Lama.

Brainwashed into a religious cult. Our caller escaped 10 years ago, but she’s only now starting to process the trauma: from sexual manipulation and poison, to hallucinations and “mind melding”. Chris talks about therapy (and discovers a mutual love for go kart rides).

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: BEAUTIFUL), Mailchimp (www.mailchimp.com), HUAWEI (www.huawei.fit/AnonymousPeople), Stamps.com (www.stamps.com code: BEAUTIFUL), and Texture (www.texture.com/beautiful).

Writer/comedian Chelsea Frank joins Deanna and Emily to chat about sugaring vs. waxing, the importance of having face to face game, and what to do when you accidentally like an old photo while  “insta-stalking.” Plus, Chelsea tells us the do’s and don’ts when it comes to breaking up via texting.

Rap legend MC Serch of 3rd Bass joins Jensen for a special out of format episode in which they chat about meeting Pete Nice for the first time, signing to early Def Jam, growing up with Zev Love X and his connection to the origin of The Gas Face, being an adult rapper, and much more.

This episode is brought to you by Soothe (www.soothe.com code: GETUP), Tipsy Elves (www.tipsyelves.com code: KARP), and Omaha Steaks (www.omahasteaks.com code: GETUP).

Actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis joins the Sklars this week to cut some bodies loose. They discuss the best kinds of fart jokes to make for your kids and swap stories of being on set of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Then, Daniel Van Kirk brings stories that include a nasty obituary article and a steamy home invasion. Finally, Randy and Jason check out some found audio footage from This American Life.

Our inaugural episode kicks off with dreams about 80s pop superstar Huey Lewis, demon children with pink eye, and the age old question of whether Yoo-hoo is for children or adults. Plus, special guest Aparna Nancherla reminisces about the post-apocalyptic dreams of her childhood.

Go to www.casper.com/dreams and use the offer code “DREAMS” for $50 off your next mattress purchase.

Photo of Aparna by Robyn Von Swank.

Our inaugural episode kicks off with dreams about 80s pop superstar Huey Lewis, demon children with pink eye, and the age old question of whether Yoo-hoo is for children or adults. Plus, special guest Aparna Nancherla reminisces about the post-apocalyptic dreams of her childhood.

Go to www.casper.com/dreams and use the offer code “DREAMS” for $50 off your next mattress purchase.

Photo of Aparna by Robyn Von Swank.

It seems like a good time of year to interview a magical turkey.

Credits
Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Charles the Turkey: Scott Adsit
Spurt the Elder: Andy Carey
Shan Gammador: Shannon Cason
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi
Editor: Garrett Schultz
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban
Audio Assistance: Jason Knox
Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz
Live Photo: John H. Abbot

Special Thanks:
The Chicago Podcast Festival
Jonathan Pitts
Tyler Greene
The Athenaeum Theatre
Recording Engineer: Mikel Pickett
Live Engineer: Andrew Dallas
Bread and Roses

This episode is brought to you by SockFancy (www.sockfancy.com/magic), Cards Against Humanity, and Loot Crate (www.lootcrate.com code: GIFTING15).

You know how when you watch and old movie and there’s a Y2K joke or a WAZZZZUUUP and you think, “man, this hasn’t aged well.” There’s now a whole category of those movies that are just classically heroic dudes being absolute dicks to women. There’s even a whole supercut (https://goo.gl/ejmmDH)  of all the times James Bond hits women. Just Sean Connery slapping women left and right like he’s Moe and every Bond girl is Larry and Curly.

Now, hear us out on this, but there’s a chance that images like this might have been hurting women instead of helping them. Crazy. Maybe normalizing violence against women or showing Harrison Ford literally whipping (https://goo.gl/QRB2Gw)  Kate Capshaw into kissing him have given men unrealistic ideas about how things like consent work.

This week Jack O’Brien brings on Carmen Angelica, Jason Pargin (aka David Wong) and Katy Stoll to talk about the modern-day minefield of consent, what movies have been getting wrong about it, why it’s so easy for guys to get defensive about it and a female perspective on why it’s so damn important.

Footnotes:

Carmen Angelica Twitter: https://goo.gl/ATcFbz

Katy Stoll Twitter: https://goo.gl/FzYPCG

Jason Pargin Twitter: https://goo.gl/pNcIwx

Article: Cracked: 7 Reasons So Many Guys Don’t Understand Sexual Consent: https://goo.gl/cNurtf

Video: Cracked: How To Know If A Girl is DTF: https://goo.gl/bkx5dS

Video: Han and Leia’s First Kiss: https://goo.gl/HbzMm0

Article: Cracked: 5 Things Women Want Most: https://goo.gl/WsEPiR

Article: Cracked: Everything A Woman Should Know Before She’s Groped: https://goo.gl/pcyEbj

Article: Cracked: 5 Ways Modern Men Are Trained To Hate Women: https://goo.gl/UJtzh

Article: New York Times: Nurse in V-J Day Photo Dies: https://goo.gl/KFxJci

Article: Vice: I Want a Feminism Class for Boys: https://goo.gl/7YUFf1

This episode is brought to you by I.T. is Greater Than Sci-Fir (www.VMware.com/radius/scifi), Foot Cardigan (www.footcardigan.com code: HOLIDAY16), The Bouqs (www.bouqs.com code: CRACKED), and Indochino (www.indochino.com code: CRACKED).