The Goops episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 19, 2026 · 17 MIN

The Goops

from Shoga Speaks — First Person · host Robert Philipson

What's in a bedtime story? More than you might imagine. As we were growing up, my father introduced his version of imaginary creatures, the goops, into our household and family life. Created as negative role models to teach manners to Victorian children, the goops first saw life in books of moralistic doggerel published in 1900 and after. "But it was their bad behavior that led my father to adopt them for his own." In this episode you will also be treated to one of my father's Prince Bagel stories, a world he invented whole cloth for his children as we piled on our parents' beds to listen in wonderment. "This was the mystery of the goops, and, in fact, the mystery that I never had understood about storytelling before.  The goops did not spring ex nihilo from my father's head.  They were an expression of his love.  The stories were told to somebody."Best to listen to this episode in your jammies. Host InfoHosted by Dr. Robert PhilipsonRobert is a former professor of African-American studies with a passion for jazz and art. A published author and Harlem Renaissance historian, he has produced multiple films about the intersectionality of race, music, and sexuality.Music“Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” - Billy Joel“Gymnopédie No. 3” - Martin Hederos"My Blue Heaven" - Artie Shaw"Spiegel im Spiegel" - Arvo PärtConnect With Us:Website: shogafilms.orgInstagram: @shogafilmsFacebook: facebook.com/shogafilmsTwitter: twitter.com/shogafilmsSign up for our newsletter at shogafilms.orgWebsite: www.shogafilms.com;Instagram: shogafilms;Facebook: facebook.com/shogafilms;Twitter: twitter.com/shogafilms

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What's in a bedtime story? More than you might imagine. As we were growing up, my father introduced his version of imaginary creatures, the goops, into our household and family life. Created as negative role models to teach manners to Victorian children, the goops first saw life in books of moralistic doggerel published in 1900 and after. "But it was their bad behavior that led my father to adopt them for his own." In this episode you will also be treated to one of my father's Prince Bagel st...

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The Goops

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