Episodes
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Episode 95 - The Diary of a Young Girl (Live)
Todd and Peter wrap up their look at The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank with this live episode, discussing the challenges the book faced on its way to publication, the different versions of the book that were published over the years, and the controversies around its inclusion in school...
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Episode 94 - The Diary of a Young Girl (Part 3)
Todd and Peter dig into the final 100 pages of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, and ultimately the final weeks and months of her life. Hope still lingers in these pages, even as we know what is waiting for them at the end. Email: [email protected] Facebook:...
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Episode 93 - The Diary of a Young Girl (Part Two)
We enter the second year of living in the Annex with Anne and her family as World War II continues around them. Hope is diminished but not gone and Anne struggles with complicated adolescent feelings -- whether frustration with the elders around her or budding feelings of love for Peter -- in…
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Episode 92 - The Diary of a Young Girl (Part One)
After a few weeks of scheduling difficulties, Todd and Peter have managed to get back to the microphones to start their look at The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, a true story of a young girl and her family's attempt to avoid detection from the Nazis during World War II. Email:...
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Episode 91 - Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom
Todd and Peter dig into some literal shit this episode with a look at Pier Paolo Pasolini's controversial Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom a film that is both graphically and thematically grotesque. Telling the story of four best friends living their best life in the Italian countryside, torturing,...
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Episode 90 - The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Live)
If you missed our recent live episode, worry not because we made a copy of it for you so you could check it out to hear our final thoughts on Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a book that takes a pretty intimate look at some of the best and worst sides of high school. We also…
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Episode 89 - The Perks of Being a Wallfower (Part Two)
Charlie continues to struggle with his high school experience in the latter half of Stephen Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Todd and Pete take the journey with him and come out the other side, a little bit wiser, a little bit more emotional, and yes, a little bit more messedup....
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Episode 88 - The Evil Dead
It's been a crazy few weeks for us here at Banned Things, and we haven't had the chance to get together to record a new episode, so here's one from our bank that we recorded earlier in 2025 dedicated to Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead. Todd and Pete break down this classic of sloppy gore, slapstick...
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Episode 87 - The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Part One)
It's back to school time (or at least it was when we started reading this), and Todd and Pete are pulling The Perks of Being a Wallflower out of the school library to read over Christmas vacation, or however long it takes for all these episodes to come out. Here's part one of our look at the…
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Episode 86 - Brazil
We're adjacent to 1984 this episode as Todd and Peter take a look at the Terry Gilliam film Brazil, which also features a dystopian society, fascistic government bodies, and a doomed love story, but with noticeably more laughs. Though Gilliam did eventually get his version of the film to…
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Episode 85 - 1984 (Live)
We've made it to the end of 1984, experiencing life in Oceania, and learning what Room 101 contains, and now it's time to finish things up with our final thoughts on whether this book was a decent predictor of what the today's United States of America might start drifting towards (short answer,...
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Episode 84 - 1984 (Part Three)
In this look at Part Three of George Orwell's 1984 we finally see the inside of the Ministry of Love, and eventually even get a look at room 101. But will the Ministry of Love live up to its name? Will there be a heart-felt reunion between Winston and Julia? Will Goldstein overthrow Big Brother?...
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Episode 83 - 1984 (Part Two)
In the second part of our look at George Orwell's 1984, love, or something like it, blooms in the grey-dusted despair of Oceania as Winston meets and gets to know, yes in the biblical sense, Julia, and our pair dabbles in revolution. Surely nothing terrible could happen in this dystopia. Email:...
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Episode 82 - 1984 (Part One)
It's time to get a little dystopian up in here as Todd and Peter begin their look at George Orwell's 1949 novel 1984. As we gaze at the news south of the Canadian border, it's kind of hard to believe how prescient this book is until you remember it was written following a previous attempt at...
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Episode 81 - Current Events (Daddy's Little Toy & Heil Hitler)
Todd and Pete dig into some media controversies ripped from the headlines, including the the arrest of Daddy's Little Toy author, Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, and Kanye West's release of the song Heil Hitler. How much is too much, and do either of these works cross a line? Join us for the…
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Episode 80 - Banned Together (with Allyson Rice)
We're doing something a little different this week as we invite producer Allyson Rice to join us as we discuss her new documentary Banned Together. The film is a look at the in book bans and challenges in the United States in recent years, particularly under the hand of the Republican Party. We...
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Episode 79 - The Great Dictator
It's movie night at 'Banned Things' headquarters so Todd and Peter decided to check out what is almost certainly the funniest movie about fascism that's ever graced the silver screen, Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator. This film, which was released before the United States had joined World War...
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Episode 78 - The Chocolate War (Live)
Todd and Pete wrap up their look at 'The Chocolate War', the controversial 1974 young adult novel by Robert Cormier, in which a catholic school's annual chocolate sale becomes a battleground for freedom. Do we dare disturb the universe? Well, we do, but you may have to make up your own mind.…
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Episode 77 - The Chocolate War (Part Two)
Todd and Pete glide through the second half of Robert Cormer's The Chocolate War to reach the controversial ending, as well as the true answer to the question "Do I dare disturb the universe?" And no, you probably don't want to know what the answer is. Email: [email protected]…
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Episode 76 - The Chocolate War (Part One)
After some delays, we're BACK (we hope) to a more regular release schedule starting with this episode, part one of our look at Robert Cormier's The Chocolate War. This 1974 young adult novel sees what should have been a standard high school fundraising chocolate sale turned on its head when one...
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Episode 75 - Postal 2
Holy crap it's our 75th episode and we're celebrating by covering a video game! Actually, we already did that when we livestreamed us playing Postal 2 while we talked about it! You can find that on YouTube if you want to watch (and honestly, it's probably the optimum way to experience this...
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Episode 74 - The Devils
Todd and Pete head back to the 17th century courtesy of Ken Russel's The Devils, a notoriously controversial film that is next to impossible to see. But somehow we got our hands on it! And we're here to talk about it! Email: [email protected] Facebook:...
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Episode 73 - Cocksucker Blues
It might be autumn, but it's time to finish up our summer of Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll with the Rolling Stones controversial concert film Cocksucker Blues, a movie with plenty of rock and roll. And also some sex. And some drugs. Honestly, this movie could have been dedicated to all three...
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Episode 72 - Naked Lunch (Live)
It might have felt like the longest short book they ever read, but Todd and Pete made it through the end of William S. Burroughs' 'Naked Lunch'. It was a meal consisting of sex, drugs, the black meat, homosexuality, jism, protoplasm, and, of course, ectoplasm, and so clearly not for everyone's...
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Episode 71 - Naked Lunch (Part Two)
Todd and Pete finish up their final bites of William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch, and though they enjoyed the meal overall, they probably couldn't tell you what it tasted like. Maybe the black meat? It's a strange journey that feels impossible to talk about, but they try. Email:...
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Episode 70 - Naked Lunch (Part One)
We're back! After some unscheduled away time from the podcast, Todd and Pete return just in time to strip down and enjoy a tasty Naked Lunch, courtesy of author William S. Burroughs. It's beautiful! It's weird! We can't tell what's going on! It's all part of the ride. (NOTE: Due to technical...
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Episode 69 - Sex (Live)
We celebrate our 69th episode with a look at SEX! No, not the act, but the coffee table book by Madonna from 1992. Also, yes, it was entirely an accident that this turned out to be the 69th episode, but we're gonna lean into it like it was intentional. Heck yeah. Let's talk about sex! Email:...
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Episode 68 - Beloved (Live)
This LIVE episode features Todd and Pete wrapping up their look at Beloved by Toni Morrison, the Pulitzer Prize winning novel on the horrors of slavery, and how far a mother might go to save her children from those horrors. Email: [email protected] Facebook:...
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Episode 67 - Beloved (Part Three)
Todd and Pete push through the sometimes confusing, sometimes confounding, and always engaging final section of Toni Morrison's Pulitzer Prize winning Beloved to get to the final moments of this book about slavery, suffering, and sacrifice. Email: [email protected] Facebook:...
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Episode 66 - Beloved (Part Two)
Todd and Pete continue their journey through Toni Morrison's Pulitzer Prize winning Beloved, which leads them to such questions as what the age of consent is for a spiritual manifestation. Don't ask, just listen to the episode, it'll all make sense in context. We promise. Email:...
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Episode 65 - Beloved (Part One)
Peter and Todd step through the doors of 124 to begin their examination of the Pulitzer Prize winning Beloved by Toni Morrison. It's a beautiful, confusing, painful journey, and we're only about a third of the the way through. Email: [email protected] Facebook:...
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Episode 64 - Slaughter-House Five (Live)
Well it had happen eventually -- not just because every book ends up with a wrap-up episode, but also because it's all already happened, every moment ever, and we're all just sliding through moments that could only ever be, like a beautiful Tralfamadorian night sky. Or something. Yes, this…
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Episode 63 - Slaughter-House Five (Part Two)
It took until the end of January to finish up the book we were supposed to read in November, but Todd and Pete finally made it through Kurt Vonnegut Jr's Slaughterhouse-Five. So it goes. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/bannedthingshappen Web:...
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Episode 62 - Slaughterhouse-Five (Part One)
Peter and Todd begin their look at Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five with an episode covering roughly half the short novel, featuring the first few weeks of Billy's experiences in World War 2, his trip to Tralfamadore, his wedding, his daughter's wedding, that time he almost cheated on his…
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Episode 61 - The Exorcist
One of the best horror films of all time has also occasionally felt the pressures of rating boards who have prevented the film from being released in varying formats in varying countries, and that film is William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist directed by William Friedkin. The film turns 50 this…
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Episode 60 - Heartstopper (Live)
Our crew gathered around their microphones for a LIVE episode to wrap up their thoughts on Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. Though technical difficulties prevented any callers from engaging in the conversation with Todd, Peter, and Ayla, our hosts shared their predictions for the future of this...
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Episode 59 - Heartstopper (Part Three)
And we're off to FRANCE! Well, not us, unfortunately, but the cast of Heartstoppers are, in Volume Three of Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. Todd, Pete and Ayla gather once again to break down the growth of both the central love story as well as well as the supporting cast, who feature far more...
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Episode 58 - Heartstopper (Part Two)
Summer break has taken its toll on the podcast, as vacations and long weekends have made it hard to get Todd and Pete in the same room together, but we've finally put together Part Two of our look at Heartstopper, covering Volume Two of the graphic novel by Alice Oseman. We're also joined once...
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Episode 57 - Heartstopper (Part One)
Todd and Pete tone things down this episode with the first look at a slightly different high-school set story in Alice Oseman's Heartstopper. This queer-friendly young adult romance tells the story of Charlie and Nick, two fast friends who may have to confront slightly more complicated feelings…
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Episode 56 - Rage (Live)
Todd and Peter take the podcast live to share their final thoughts on the Stephen King / Richard Bachman novel Rage -- a book so controversial that King pulled it from publication himself. Tune in to find out what they thought, and also where you might be able to find a copy if you want to read…
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Episode 55 - Rage (Part Two)
Todd and Peter make it through the second of half of the early Stephen King novel Rage, a book that is definitely short, and maybe a little bit sweet? Is it possible that a story that opens with two homicides could have a heart-warming ending? You'll have to listen to find out! Email:...
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Episode 54 - Rage (Part One)
This week Todd and Peter get it on with the short novel Rage by Richard Bachman, an author better known as Stephen King. Rage is a unique case of self-censorship, as King removed the book from publication in the 90s following its connection to a number of school shootings. Is it as controversial…
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Brave New World (Live)
Todd and Peter reflect back on their time with Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and consider whether it was as good as a grams of SOMA or instead something to inspire a return to the wilderness. And, perhaps most importantly, exactly whom, if anyone, should read this thing (hint, you probably...
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Episode 52 - Brand New World (Part Two)
Todd Sullivan and Peter Aman finish up their visit to futuristic London, shake the soma out of their system, get their libidos back in check, and chat about the experience. Did the second half of Brave New World live up to the expectations from the first half? (Hint: Not entirely). Email:...
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Episode 51 - Brave New World (Part One)
The podcast that just won't die has finally returned to the land of the living -- When Banned Things Happen To Good People is BACK after a hiatus of more than six months, with a new book, a new co-host, and...well, pretty much everything else is still the same. This week Todd is joined by new…
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Episode 50 - An Anniversary Celebration!
They say it's better late than never, and in that spirit, here is the recorded version of our 50th episode live celebration, finally posted two months after the original stream. Hosts Todd Sullivan and Oren Barter look back on the first 50 episodes of When Banned Things Happen to Good People,...
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Episode 49 - Maus: My Father Bleeds History (Live)
Todd Sullivan and Dave Coalmine wrap up their look at the first volume of Art Spiegelman's Maus: My Father Bleeds History. We share our thoughts on the graphic novel, what age groups we think it's appropriate for, and whether the banning was reasonable. Also, we talk about butt aliens for some...
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Episode 48 - Maus (Part Two)
Todd Sullivan is once again joined by Dave Coalmine to finish up their look at the first volume of Art Spiegelman's Maus, subtitled My Father Bleeds History. The story of Spiegelman's father Vladek get substantially darker as Germans begin to intensify their assaults against the Jews of Poland....
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Episode 47 - Maus (Part One)
Well, it took us a bit longer than usual to get out our first proper episode of 2022 after first losing our permanent recording of a live episode, and then losing half of the audio recorded for this episode, requiring us to start from scratch again, but here we are at last with our first part of...
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Episode 46 - Silent Night, Deadly Night
It's late, but we hope you enjoy this Boxing Day edition of When Banned Things Happen to Good People, where we look at the controversial Christmas film Silent Night, Deadly Night. This episode, Todd is joined by guest host Jason Hewlett of the Paranormal Network, and they break down this very…
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