PODCAST · tv
Media Mothership
by Craig Norris
Media Mothership delves into how media influences our understanding of the world around us through interviews and discussions with content makers, critical thinkers and enthusiasts of movies, TV shows, video games and more. Host Craig Norris, PhD, covers the latest news, absurdities, and trends in modern media and culture.We broadcast live out of Edge Radio studios, Hobart, Tasmania, every Thursday 4-5pm (AEST).Listen live on 99.3FM (Hobart), or streaming/on-demand via YouTube, Twitch, and Edge Radio.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Discord, ResearchGate, and Twitter.To find out more, visit www.mediamothership.au
Episodes
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Creative Control
What happens when an AI actress suddenly starts speaking Cantonese? Can we trust AI when we don't know exactly what it is doing? And who is responsible when an AI agent crosses a line? This week we explore AI, gaming, online communities, creative control and the strange things players do with…
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The Used Universe
PAX, Star Wars, and the strange relationship between creativity and constraint. We look at George Lucas's defence of changing the original trilogy, then go back to A New Hope to explore how limited budgets, practical effects and unconventional ideas helped shape one of cinema's most influential...
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Making Meaning
Media, meaning and the struggle over who gets to define what things are. This week, we look at Steam, Transformers, AI, apocalypse stories, Darth Vader, Doctor Doom and digital game ownership through the ideas of Stuart Hall. More episode information here: https://mediamothership.au/episode-164/...
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The Media We Keep Coming Back To
This week on Media Mothership: Star Trek turns 60, Starship Troopers and political satire, South Park gets a new name, videogame music beyond the games, and the surprising return of CDs and physical media. More info on this episode here: https://mediamothership.au/episode-163/ This episode was...
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From GTA 6 to Viral Cows
From GTA 6 and Netflix to Silent Hill’s 1990s technological horror, a controversial Robin Hood comparison and a viral Chinese cow cartoon becoming a blockbuster, we explore how games, movies, memes and audiences are increasingly shaping one another. Episode details here:...
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Beyond Grand Theft Auto: When Games Become Culture.
A look at how Grand Theft Auto has grown beyond being a controversial videogame into a major cultural space. From Shakespeare performed inside GTA Online and governments studying its players, to GTA 6 becoming a global media event, we explore what GTA tells us about games, culture, technology and...
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Making It, Selling It, Burying It.
This week on Media Mothership, we look at Steam's winner-takes-most economy, books being bought as AI training material, Australia's bizarre Halloween: The Game classification decision, and the unlikely resurrection of Coyote vs. Acme. Then we head into a Star Wars commentary track and ask who...
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What Our Digital Habits Say About Us
Why do players quicksave 1,400 times? Why are people returning to Assassin's Creed Odyssey because of a movie? And why are AI scammers becoming better at earning our trust than humans? We unpack the latest stories from gaming, film and digital culture to explore what they reveal about the…
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The Pushback Against Digital Control
From Hollywood's renewed embrace of the theatrical experience to the ongoing battles over intellectual property, digital ownership, and physical media, we explore how creators, corporations, and audiences are shaping the next era of film and gaming. Episode 138 was recorded live at Edge Radio...
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AI, Algorithms, and Physical Media
AI is changing how we create, discover and preserve culture. We explore AI companions, synthetic media, digital ownership, game preservation, and why physical media is making a comeback. This episode was recorded live at Edge Radio 99.3FM studios in Hobart Tasmania, and first aired on 23 July…
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Who creates meaning? Humans, AI, audiences, or accidents?
Who actually creates culture. Is it authors? Fans? AI? Governments? Or sometimes complete accidents? Whether it's Star Wars fan fiction becoming a Hollywood film, governments subsidising AI translation, or gamers discovering their favourite Batman moment was actually a bug, today's stories all...
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How digital culture is reshaping reality, authority, and meaning
Digital spaces are no longer separate from society. Games, fandoms, memes, wikis, and AI systems have become places where governments govern, citizens socialise, stories are told, and institutions make decisions. For more information on this episode visit Media Mothership Media Mothership:...
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Technology changing culture and communication
Bots now outnumber humans online, AI is changing how we write, and major corporations continue to expand their grip on beloved cultural properties. This episode was recorded live at Edge Radio 99.3FM studios in Hobart Tasmania, and first aired on 18 June 2026. More information: Media Mothership:...
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Backrooms, Ghibli and AI Chaos
We discuss the surprise success of Backrooms and what it means when a YouTube creator and a creepypasta can outperform major Hollywood franchises. We also examine Studio Ghibli's controversial restrictions on photography at Ghibli Park, and look at a recent experiment where AI models were placed…
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Living Inside the Media Machine
Exploring some of the internet's most interesting recent stories: the pope quoting Gandalf while warning about AI, Red Dead Redemption 2's rise through the all-time sales charts, prediction markets turning into spoiler machines, and whether modern media increasingly requires homework to fully...
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Artificial Culture
AI disruption, disappearing videogames, Doom’s cultural canonisation, Cybertrucks as cinematic villains, Gundam’s expanding empire, and the strange blurring of reality and simulation. This episode was recorded live at Edge Radio 99.3FM studios in Hobart Tasmania, and first aired on 21 May 2026....
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Everything is Optimised
We reflect on last week’s LitRPG roundtable and the audience discussion it sparked, before exploring a collection of news stories about how modern media is changing. From Robert Kirkman discussing manga’s influence on comics, to games built around Steam backlog anxiety, to AAA creators drawing...
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The Rise of LitRPG
A roundtable discussion with LitRPG authors Shirtaloon, RinoZ, Haylock, Hannibal Forge, and Tevagah on the rise of progression fantasy, Royal Road, independent publishing, audience-building, and how internet-native storytelling is reshaping modern fiction. This episode was recorded live at Edge...
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Superman (1978) and the Birth of Believable Blockbusters
A pop culture round-up on games, AI, and adaptation, all asking the same question: how does media make the unreal feel real? Plus a deep dive into Superman (1978) and how it helped invent the modern blockbuster. For more info on Media Mothership go to https://mediamothership.au/ and...
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Franchises, Fandoms, and the AI Turn
From expanding cinematic universes to hostile fan cultures and AI-generated storytelling, this episode examines who actually shapes meaning in contemporary media. We trace the tension between corporate control, audience participation, and algorithmic systems, and ask whether storytelling is...
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From Superman to Systems
Superman gets a global “anniversary,” gamers are being recruited into real-world systems, and video games keep chasing a version of realism that doesn’t quite exist. This week, Media Mothership drifts through fandom rituals, game design oddities, and the strange ways fictional worlds start to…
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Cognitive Surrender: Who Does the Thinking Now?
From research on “cognitive surrender” in AI use to failures with AI-written criticism, the discussion considers whether thinking itself is being outsourced. A jump-scare warning app raises questions about pre-empting emotional experience, while Stephen King’s comparison of Donald Trump to The…
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April Fools and Democracy Manifest
April Fools in gaming, Nintendo’s expanding media world, and why Democracy Manifest remains an enduring viral moment. This episode was recorded live at Edge Radio 99.3FM studios in Hobart Tasmania, and first aired on 2nd April 2026. For more info on Media Mothership go to...
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Cat Ears & Cosplay
We’re joined by Dr Emerald King and PhD candidate Ashley Reminga from the University of Tasmania to explore the world of cosplay. We cover the upcoming events including the cosplay competition at the video game event, Level Up Tasmania, and then some of the bigger questions around how cosplay...
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Lost Doctor Who Stories
Newly discovered Doctor Who episodes reveal how fragile, accidental, and improvised early television really was. In this episode, we dig into the first 1963 Dalek story alongside its DVD commentary track, where producers and directors reflect on how the show was actually made. This episode was...
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Media and the War for Attention
Debates over the satire of Tropic Thunder to politicians sharing videogame footage from War Thunder as real combat, the boundaries between entertainment, politics and propaganda are increasingly blurred. We also examine claims that videogames are losing the “war for attention”, the global rise of...
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The Internet Gets Stranger
A round-up of unusual pop culture stories over the last few weeks: fandom chaos, strange marketing from fictional corporations, lost gaming history, and the weird ways technology keeps surprising us. This episode was recorded live at Edge Radio 99.3FM studio in Hobart Tasmania, and first aired on…
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Publishing the Scene: Inside HAM
Artist and HAM magazine editor Alex Poljansek joins the show to discuss independent publishing, comics and manga, and how local art scenes generate cultural influence ahead of his upcoming arts residency position in France. Links https://www.instagram.com/ham_magazine/...
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Cozy Worlds to Digital Warzones
The rise of “cozy” in gaming and storytelling, and why so many players are gravitating toward low-stress, comfort-driven experiences. And an unexpected phenomenon: gamers engaging in photojournalism inside games. This episode was recorded at Hobart’s Edge Radio 99.3FM studios, and first aired on…
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AI Dubbing
Prime Video’s AI-generated anime dubbing experiment and the backlash that followed. What happens when automation enters creative spaces built on performance and emotion? A conversation about authenticity, labour, fandom, and the limits of AI in media. Episode 137 was recorded at Hobart’s Edge…
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Movie Myths
Debunking movie myths, poking corporate platform behaviour, questioning our gaming habits, and asking what AI is doing to art and work. And Tasmania in the movies. This episode was recorded at Hobart’s Edge Radio 99.3FM studios, and first aired on 5th Feb 2026. For more info on Media Mothership…
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Royal Rumble
The latest WWE headlines and lead up to the Royal Rumble. From current storylines and booking debates to bold predictions and potential surprises, we break down what’s working, what’s controversial, and what could shake up the road to WrestleMania. Plus, we unpack key wrestling jargon, discuss…
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Asking Better Questions of Pop Culture
Angus returns for a conversation with Craig and Taylor about how we could learn to ask better questions of pop culture. We explore the difference between watching and analysing, how to think critically through confusion, obsession or discomfort. Drawing on Angus’ ideas from Kierkegaard, we also...
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Why Video Essays Matter
Angus Metcalf talks about video essays, not just as online content, but as a way of thinking in public. We discuss the emotional and creative labour behind making long-form work for YouTube, the strange intimacy the form creates between maker and viewer, and why video essays provides a space for...
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Twin Peaks & Media Re-Enchantment
I’m joined by Angus Metcalf for a thoughtful conversation about Twin Peaks and the idea of media as a re-enchanted, spiritual experience. Drawing on his recently completed Honours thesis from the University of Tasmania’s Media School, we explore questions of aura, sound, dream logic, and grief…
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John Cena’s Final Match
John Cena’s last match, wrestling news, and the biggest debates, with special guest Marcus. This episode was recorded at Hobart’s Edge Radio 99.3FM studios, and first aired on 18 Dec 2025. For more info on Media Mothership go to https://mediamothership.au/ Recorded live each week from Edge Radio...
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Japan’s Wrestling Culture
Trent Breward, recently returned from his trip to Japan, shares his on-the-ground experiences with Japan’s vibrant wrestling scene, offering insights into live events, fan culture, and how Japanese wrestling (puroresu) differs from what Western audiences may expect. We then return to last…
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Localising Gigantor: Anime, America, and Australia
I’m joined by UTAS PhD student Ashley Remminga to unpack Fred Ladd’s commentary from the 1960s cartoon Gigantor, the US localised version of Tetsujin 28-go. We reflect on the wild rewrites of early anime dubs, and the cultural impact Gigantor had in Australia. This episode was recorded at…
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Media Culture News + Anime’s Americanisation
We break down the latest media news and then take a deep dive into the early Americanisation of anime. Drawing on Fred Ladd’s commentary for the Gigantor (1964) cartoon, we explore how Ladd and his team reshaped Japanese storytelling, aesthetics, and themes to fit the expectations of American...
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Editing Stories, Framing Films
We interview Zackary Roeth, a volunteer at Print Radio and student filmmaker, to explore his work editing audiobooks for local radio and his creative work in student film. Our movie review is the 90th anniversary of Bride of Frankenstein (1935), we unpack the film’s enduring legacy, stylistic...
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When Pop Culture Gets Strange
This week we explore everything from Australia’s proposed streaming content rules to The Simpsons crossover in Fortnite. We discuss Rockstar’s abandoned spy game, why GTA never returned to London, a South Park subreddit mystery, Stellar Blade’s latest controversy, backlash over The Witcher on...
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Zombie Broadcasts and Pop Culture News
Latest pop culture oddities, including video game mishaps, virtual weddings, and retro game finds. We end the show with a discussion of what makes a good bit of “Breaking News”, “Emergency Broadcast” diegetic media in zombie fans, and play some classic examples from “Night of the Living Dead”...
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PAX Aus 2025
We discuss PAX Aus 2025, Australia's biggest convention for video games and pop culture, highlighting some of the experiences Craig had there. We also chat about some of the strange and unusual news in media culture (links provided below). Title Red Dead Redemption 2 Mod Shows NPC Memories When…
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Wrestlepalooza
Special guest Marcus joins us to explain key professional wrestling terms to understand the highlights, critiques and hype surrounding Wrestlepalooza 2025. WWE Basic Terminology https://jesuitroundup.org/2024/08/wwe-basic-terminology/ Media Mothership Instagram Facebook Discord Edge Radio Support...
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Media Places and Movie Set Ruins
We cover some recent pop culture news and then dive into today's topic, using Nick Couldry’s work on media places to talk about the cracked.com article "14 Abandoned Movie Sets That You Can Go Screw Around in If You’ve Got the Time". Media Mothership https://www.mediamothership.au Instagram...
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Throne of Blood
We discuss what is considered one of the best adaptations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood. We draw on Michael Jeck’s commentary from the Criterion Blu-ray to explore the blending of Shakespearean tragedy, Japanese aesthetics (such as Noh theatre), and Kurosawa’s unique...
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Protest, Popcorn & Pixel Art
Recent pop culture and entertainment news: a mecha director’s concerns about relevancy for young fans, “creepy” popcorn bucket marketing in the Conjuring franchise, and anime as political protest in Indonesia. Plus, game mysteries, global music aspirants, pixel art activism, Jurassic World tours…
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Gaming Immersion
Join us for a lively conversation with Leo from Hyperfixation Sensation as we dig into our most unexpected and memorable video game stories. This episode explores the unique ways immersive and ultra-realistic games shape how we connect, react, and even lose ourselves during play. Links: Listen in...
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Manga and the West: 1995 Cultural Exchange
We discuss the "East Meets West" interview from David Anthony Kraft’s Comics Interview (1995) issue 148. An interesting moment in the cultural exchange between Western and Japanese comics, focusing on a visit by American comics creators, including Will Eisner and Brian Stelfreeze, with Tezuka...
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SummerSlam 2025: Highlights and Lowlights
We break down SummerSlam 2025 from the big matches and surprises, controversies, and what succeeded (and didn't) on the night. Join host Craig, co-host Taylor and special guest Marcus as we go over all the main points. Media Mothership https://www.mediamothership.au Instagram...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Media Mothership delves into how media influences our understanding of the world around us through interviews and discussions with content makers, critical thinkers and enthusiasts of movies, TV shows, video games and more. Host Craig Norris, PhD, covers the latest news, absurdities, and trends in modern media and culture.We broadcast live out of Edge Radio studios, Hobart, Tasmania, every Thursday 4-5pm (AEST).Listen live on 99.3FM (Hobart), or streaming/on-demand via YouTube, Twitch, and Edge Radio.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Discord, ResearchGate, and Twitter.To find out more, visit www.mediamothership.au
HOSTED BY
Craig Norris
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Media Mothership have?
Media Mothership currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Media Mothership about?
Media Mothership delves into how media influences our understanding of the world around us through interviews and discussions with content makers, critical thinkers and enthusiasts of movies, TV shows, video games and more. Host Craig Norris, PhD, covers the latest news, absurdities, and trends in...
How often does Media Mothership release new episodes?
Media Mothership has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Media Mothership?
You can listen to Media Mothership on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Media Mothership?
Media Mothership is created and hosted by Craig Norris.
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