PODCAST · society
The Cluttered Desk
by Colin Cox and Andrew Hicks
We all have a cluttered desk. It's a space that holds what we want to read, watch, and think about. Join the hosts of The Cluttered Desk—Colin Cox and Andrew Hicks—as they talk literature, film, comic books, politics, critical theory, theology, and anything else that might tickle their fancy. The Cluttered Desk Podcast is produced and recorded in Bristol, Virginia, with music by Test Dream.
Episodes
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S16E8: On Dolly
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the legacy and impact of Dolly Parton. She passed on August 25, 2026. Enjoy! *** Coda: Elijah Craig Bourbon (Andrew) Reanimator's Ethiopia Mamo Kacha (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: Laura Hicks Hardy's Substack...
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S16E7: Playing the devil, embracing the saint (X-Men '97 Season 2)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss Season 2 of X-Men '97. Enjoy! *** Coda: Fever-Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer (Andrew) Apple Juice (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: Jury Duty (2023) and Paradise (2025) Colin's recommendation: Katabasis by R. F. Kaung ***...
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S16E6: Draw, Pass
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss trading card games. Enjoy! *** Coda: Jim's Organic Coffee (Andrew) Jim's Organic Coffee (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: Project Songbird Colin's recommendation: Hacks and Olivia Rodrigo's You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl…
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S16E5: Mutantmaxxing
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin return to X-Men by discussing the new trailer for Season 2 of X-Men '97 and then they analyze a few X-Men poems. Enjoy! *** Coda: Boochy Mama's Sunlight Serenade (Andrew) Water (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: The X-Terminators...
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S16E4: Under the Influence
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the intriguing and troubling contours of influence by offering a close reading of the Phoebe Bridgers song "Punisher." Enjoy! *** Coda: Miller Lite (Andrew) Deschutes Non-Alcoholic Fresh Squeezed IPA (Colin) *** Andrew's...
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S16E3: In the Name of the Mother (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin return to Westeros to discuss A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Enjoy! *** Coda: Sierra Nevade Springfest IPA (Andrew) Bubly Grapefruit Water (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: Shrinking (TV Series) Colin's recommendation: Cruel...
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S16E2: What is the Hicks that is to come? (Capitalist Realism Vol. 3)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin finish their discussion of Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism. Enjoy! *** Coda: 51K IPA from Blackrocks Brewery (Andrew) Water (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: Key & Peele Colin's recommendation: Yellowface by R. F. Kuang and A...
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S16E1: Capitalist Realism Vol. 2
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin continue their discussion of Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism. Enjoy! *** Coda: Winter Sangria Sparkling Water (Andrew) Topo Chico (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) Colin's...
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S15E12: The Simpsons Movie (2007)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In our annual Simpsons episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the 2007 movie, The Simpsons Movie. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Great Lakes Brewing Company's Christmas Ale (Andrew) and Topo Chico (Colin) *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendation: Listen to...
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S15E11: Capitalist Realism Vol. 1
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin begin their book study of Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism. Enjoy! *** Coda: Bell's Christmas Ale (Andrew) Strawberry Peach LaCroix (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: Night in the Woods Colin's recommendation: Lux by Rosalía and...
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S15E10: On Frank X Walker's "Amazin' Grace"
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss Andrew's recent conference presentation on Frank X Walker's poem "Amazin' Grace." Enjoy! *** Coda: MI P1LSNER (Andrew) La Croix Limoncello (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Colin's...
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S15E9: The Lord of the CHUDS
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the far-right's fascination with The Lord of the Rings. Enjoy? Who knows. *** Coda: Miller Lite (Andrew) Cherry Limeade Waterloo (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: Susanna Clarke's novel, Piranesi Colin's recommendation…
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S15E8: Superman but with they/them pronouns
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss James Gunn's Superman (2025) and the conservative media response to it. Enjoy! *** Coda: Clawhammer from Highland Brewing Company (Andrew) Water (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation: Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman and...
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S15E7: Everything but a dinosaur w/Betsy Cooper
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Betsy Cooper joins Andrew and Colin to discuss the new Jurassic Park movie, Jurassic World Rebirth. Enjoy! *** Coda: Sierra Nevada Summerfest (Andrew), Tennessee Hills Blackberry Sage Craft Cocktail (Betsy), and Tangerine LaCroix (Colin) ***…
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S15E6: Debate Me, Bucko!
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the destructive nature of the Jubilee debate format as well as the Jordan Peterson Jubilee debate. Enjoy! *** Here's a link to the Peterson debate. *** Coda: Andrew had the Oberon Ale from Bell's Brewing Company, and Colin…
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S15E5: Lucky Charms and New Creation
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss breakfast cereal (sort of) and heaven or, as Andrew prefers, New Creation. Enjoy! *** Coda: Both Colin and Andrew had Jim's Organic Coffee. *** Andrew's recommendation: A Specter, Haunting by China Miéville Colin's...
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S15E4: Pilot Season
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the pilot episode as a unique piece of television media. Enjoy! *** Coda: Fear.Movie.Lions Hazy Double IPA from Stone Brewing (Andrew) and Kolsch Style Non-Alcoholic from Best Day Brewing (Colin) *** Andrew's recommendation:...
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S15E3: The Steel Man and the Star War
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin examine recent reevaluations of the Star Wars prequel films. To do this, they deploy a rhetorical technique called "steelmanning." Enjoy! *** Source: "You Underestimate Their Power: The Definitive Defense of the Star Wars Prequels"…
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S15E2: I Saw the TV Glow (2024)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the 2024 film I Saw the TV Glow. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Two Hearted IPA by Bell's (Andrew) and Jim's Organic Coffee (Colin) *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendation: "You Just Lost The Game" from the…
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S15E1: A Pedagogical "Love Story"
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss teaching subjects and material they love. To do so, they use Stephanie Burt's piece from Vanity Fair, which reflects on her experience teaching a Taylor Swift course at Harvard. Enjoy! *** Here's a link to the Stephanie Burt...
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S14E12: Marge Simpson
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In our annual Simpsons episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the complex characterization of Marge Simpson. Enjoy! *** "A Streetcar Named Marge" (S4E2) "Marge vs. the Monorail" (S4E12) "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II" (S18E9) "Marge Gamer" (S18E17) *** The Coda: Tangerine…
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S14E11: Théoden is BRAT
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss Charli XCX's BRAT, both the concept and the album. Then, in a seamless transition, they decide which Lord of the Rings character, film characters only, is the most BRAT. *** The Coda: 19 Crimes Cab Sav (Andrew) and Chai Tea...
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S14E10: Colin's Community Essay
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss an essay Colin recently published on the television show Community. Enjoy! Here's a link to Colin's essay: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/13/5/117 *** The Coda: Oktoberfest from Founders Brewing Co. (Andrew) and Water…
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S14E9: Violence and the Sacred Gains
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss commercial gyms through the lens of scapegoating practices and ritualistic sacrifice. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Oktoberfest from Sierra Nevada (Andrew) and Water (Colin) *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's…
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S14E8: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). Enjoy! *** The Coda: "Gin and Buch" (Andrew) and Water (Colin) *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendation: Die (2022) Colin's recommendation: What Ever Happened to Pizza at...
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S14E7: Jesus Christ Can Do The Mashed Potato
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the three-part Netflix documentary film Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult (2024). They also return to authorial intent as a framing device to explore the narratives the documentary elects not to entertain. Enjoy! ***...
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S14E6: Andrew Hicks got that PhD rizz
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the final step of Andrew's PhD program. Enjoy! *** The Coda: HOPPENHEIMER and LaCroix Beach Plum *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendation: Dungeons and Daddies Podcast Colin's recommendation: Why Theory's...
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S14E5: X-Men '97 Part 2
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the final five episodes of Season 1 of X-Men '97. Enjoy! *** The Coda: J.T.S. Brown Bourbon and sparkling water and Jim's Organic Coffee Sweet Love Blend *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendation…
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S14E4: To Me, My Nostalgia (X-Men '97)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the first five episodes of X-Men '97. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Hopadillo from Karbach Brewing and Jim's Organic Coffee Sweet Love Blend *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendation: This by Earth Suits Colin's...
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S14E3: Ghost Protocols
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin each discuss an idea or concept that has recently haunted them. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Andalusia Whisky Company's Stryker and Saint Arnold's Spring Spring Bock and Jim's Organic Coffee Sweet Love Blend *** Here are links for this...
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S14E2: Deadpool 2 (Tolkien's Version)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the 2018 film Deadpool 2. Enjoy! *** Episode Notes: Tolkien's essay references in this episode is available here. *** The Coda: Saint Arnold Tarnation Unreasonably Strong Ale and Jim's Organic Coffee Sweet Love Blend ***…
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S14E1: Personal Shopper (2016)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the 2016 film Personal Shopper. Enjoy! *** Episode Notes: The Why Theory episode about Freud's "Mourning and Melancholia" is available here. *** The Coda: Winking Owl Wine and Jim's Organic Coffee Sweet Love Blend *** Here…
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S13E12: Cluttered Desk, eh? Doesn't ring a bell
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this annual Simpsons episode, Andrew and Colin discuss Springfield's primary antagonist, C. Montgomery Burns. Enjoy! *** Episodes: "Last Exit to Springfield" (4.17) "Rosebud" (5.4) "Two Dozen and One Greyhounds" (6.20) *** The Coda: Celebration IPA from Sierra...
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S13E11: The Maternal Masculine Figure in The Intern (2015)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss masculinity, femininity, and the 2015 film, The Intern. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Andrew: Samuel Adams Winter Lager Colin: Very Old Barton *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendation: Mike Flanagan's Letterboxd...
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S13E10: "Prepare yourself to ingest 15 pounds of raw cluttered desk meat"
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin go primal by exploring food theory and The Liver King! Enjoy! Theory text: Claude Fischler, "Food, Self and Indentity" *** The Coda: Andrew: Montucky Cold Snack Colin: A red wine, maybe? *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's...
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S13E9: The beer garden of liberty must be refreshed with the blood of senators and Ph.D. candidates
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss Andrew's dissertation prospectus defense and Ted Cruz's fight for libation liberty! Enjoy! *** The Coda: Andrew: Jim Beam Double Oak Twice Barrelled Colin: Hopping Nomad IPA *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's...
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S13E8: Deadpool (2016)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the 2016 film Deadpool. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Andrew: Sauvignon Blanc Colin: Highland Brewing's Clawhammer *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendation: Marvel Snap Colin's recommendation: More Suits and…
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S13E7: Andrew's Cat Has Feelings: On Affect Theory
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin explore Affect Theory, a theoretical framework that organizes and defines different "affects," which is to say, feelings and emotions. Enjoy! *** Episode Resources: The Affect Theory Reader, edited by Melissa Gregg and Gregory J....
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S13E6: Spencer (2021)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the 2021 film Spencer. They discuss the film as a potential gothic text and complicate its ending by thinking through the film's many genre shifts. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Andrew: Balcones Pilgrimage After Peat Single Malt...
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S13E5: Andrew Hicks Enters the (Re)Home Stretch
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew updates Colin on his Ph.D. exploits by defining and describing the dissertation prospectus. *** The Coda: Andrew: Montucky Cold Snack by MCS Colin: Summerfest by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's...
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S13E4: Thomas Wolfe's The Lost Boy
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the Thomas Wolfe novella, The Lost Boy. Here is a full-text version of the text: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~DRBR/wolfe.html *** The Coda: Andrew: Summer Pils from Saint Arnold Colin: Ruby Red American Ale from Fat Bottom...
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S13E3: English Majors...Assemble.
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss a long-form essay published in The New Yorker that caused every English major to have a Twitter meltdown. From The New Yorker: "The End of the English Major" by Nathan Heller *** The Coda: Andrew: Banger Nights from Saint...
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S13E2: PhD Level Grinding
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin draft their favorite aspects of graduate school. *** The Coda: Andrew: 4 Giants and the Haze of Destiny from Founders Brewing Co. Colin: Pernicious IPA from Wicked Weed Brewing *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's...
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S13E1: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the 2014 superhero film X-Men: Days of Future Past. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Andrew: Uncle Nearest 1865 Premium Aged Whiskey Colin: Eighty from Yee-Haw Brewing Company *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's…
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S12E12: The Simpsons! Volume 2
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk Podcast! In this episode, Andrew and Colin return to The Simpsons with a few Lisa-centric episodes. Enjoy! Episodes: *** The Coda: Andrew: Montucky Snackable Light Beer Colin: Dunkin' Decaf Coffee *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendations: Cunk on...
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S12E11: Bingeable Jesus Content
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk Podcast! In this episode, Andrew and Colin explore several ways Christianity functions as a commodity. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Andrew: Festbier by SpindleTap Brewery Colin: A red wine from Aldi (maybe the $8 bottle?) *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's...
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S12E10: Andrew Hicks, The Greatest Show on Earth
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk Podcast! In this episode, Andrew and Colin explore the newest phase of Andrew's Ph.D. process. In addition, they discuss a text on one of Andrew's reading lists: Ralph Ellison's masterpiece, Invisible Man. *** The Coda: Andrew: Kombucha and Bourbon Colin: A red wine...
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S12E9: Maintenance Phase and Vulnerable Conversations
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk Podcast! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss the informational podcast Maintenance Phase. In addition, they explore ways of having conversations while feeling vulnerable and how their podcast listening sensibilities have changed and evolved over the life of The...
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S12E8: More X-Men Content! (House of X/Powers of X)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk Podcast! In this episode, Andrew and Colin discuss Jonathan Hickman's House of X/Powers of X. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Andrew: Winking Owl Cabernet Sauvignon Colin: Jack Daniel's Bottled-in-Bond *** Here are links for this episode: Andrew's recommendations: The Tumbler's...
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S12E7: My Two Mutant Dads (X-Men: First Class)
Welcome to The Cluttered Desk Podcast! In this episode, Andrew and Colin return to the X-Men film franchise by discussing the groovy 2011 reboot, X-Men: First Class. Enjoy! *** The Coda: Andrew: AVL IPA from Highland Brewing Company Colin: Wild Turkey Longbranch from Wild Turkey *** Here are…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
We all have a cluttered desk. It's a space that holds what we want to read, watch, and think about. Join the hosts of The Cluttered Desk—Colin Cox and Andrew Hicks—as they talk literature, film, comic books, politics, critical theory, theology, and anything else that might tickle their fancy. The Cluttered Desk Podcast is produced and recorded in Bristol, Virginia, with music by Test Dream.
HOSTED BY
Colin Cox and Andrew Hicks
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Cluttered Desk have?
The Cluttered Desk currently has 267 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Cluttered Desk about?
We all have a cluttered desk. It's a space that holds what we want to read, watch, and think about. Join the hosts of The Cluttered Desk—Colin Cox and Andrew Hicks—as they talk literature, film, comic books, politics, critical theory, theology, and anything else that might tickle their fancy. The...
How often does The Cluttered Desk release new episodes?
The Cluttered Desk publishes regularly with 267 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Cluttered Desk?
You can listen to The Cluttered Desk 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 The Cluttered Desk?
The Cluttered Desk is created and hosted by Colin Cox and Andrew Hicks.
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