Critical Wade Theory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scared_to_Death_(2024_film)

This episode is about something dystopian fiction understands deeply: the moment a government stops seeing people as human beings and starts seeing them as resources.Not citizens.Not neighbors.Not individuals with memories, desires, or histories.Just functions.A labor unit.A reproductive unit.A security threat.A statistic.And once that shift happens, identity itself becomes dangerous...

Some bad news for potheads...but how bad, and how true is the bad news? And who cares anyway?

Who is Omeed Malik and why is he so lame? This episode's about that.

Some songs define a genre. Others define a feeling.Portishead’s “Glory Box” is both.

Today I'm talking about a film that still feels unsettling more than twenty years after its release. A movie that refuses to explain itself, refuses to comfort the audience, and refuses to turn tragedy into entertainment.That film is Elephant, directed by Gus Van Sant.

Today we’re heading back to Oz. But this isn’t the Oz of ruby slippers and yellow brick roads. This is Oz in Times Square. Oz with memory loss, magical keys, and Christopher Lloyd chewing the scenery as the Wizard.

This episode is about three New York City kids who started in the hardcore punk scene, accidentally helped reshape hip-hop, and somehow made chaos, humor, rebellion, and serious musicianship all work together.This is the story of the Beastie Boys.

I'm diving into one of the most influential and controversial ideas in modern philosophy and feminism. A single sentence that changed how millions of people think about gender, identity, and society:“One is not born, but becomes, a woman.”

This episode is about one of the strangest success stories in British rock history.A band that emerged during the chaos of the 1970s punk explosion, but never really fit inside the punk label.A band loved by outsiders, feared by critics, and impossible to imitate.This is the story of The Stranglers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_Chynowethhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scared_to_Death_(2024_film)

Questions surrounding wealthy elites and their long-running connections to Jeffrey Epstein continue to expose how insulated political and financial power can be from public accountability.Also, Howard Lutnick apparently stumbled into a strange wormhole that mysteriously brought him and his family to Epstein's island once, and potentially some other wormholes that magically gave him business ties to the criminal. Will this mysterious wormhole mystery every be solved?

Before grunge took over MTV… before alternative rock became the mainstream… there was Jane’s Addiction.

If you grew up listening to alternative rock in the 90s, you’ve possibly heard The Vaselines.Even if you don’t realize it.

There are albums that become popular.And then there are albums that seem to escape popularity entirely and move into mythology.In 1973, The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd did exactly that.

Today I'm talking about one of the weirdest, smartest, and most unforgettable shows Nickelodeon ever aired:KaBlam! (1996) and the episode "All Purpose Kablam!"

Today, I'm talking about Throbbing Gristle. A group so confrontational, strange, and influential that they effectively created an entirely new genre: industrial music.

This episode is about a band that never really fit neatly into one scene, one genre, or one era. A band that started in the chaos of late 1970s London and went on to influence everyone from post-punk outsiders to industrial metal giants.

April 29th, 1899. Northern Idaho.A train packed with armed miners barrels through the mountains toward one of the richest mines in America.These men are angry. Organized. And done negotiating...

Maya Rupert is a prominent American political strategist, writer, and advocate known for being the third black woman in history to manage a major U.S. presidential campaign. She is currently an Executive Vice President at the digital strategy firm Blue State. She served as the campaign manager for Julián Castro’s 2020 presidential bid. Following his exit, she became a Senior Advisor to Elizabeth Warren’s campaign. She later managed Maya Wiley’s 2021 New York City mayoral campaign.Rupert was a Senior Policy Advisor to Secretary Julián Castro at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during the Obama administration.She has held leadership positions at the Center for Reproductive Rights (Senior Director for Policy) and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (Policy Director). She hosts the NAACP Image Award–nominated podcast "When We Win," produced by Lemonada Media, which focuses on electing women of color to office.Her forthcoming book, "The Real Ones: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic," is available now.She frequently contributes to outlets like The New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and The Washington Post, focusing on the intersections of race, gender, and politics. She earned her B.A. from UC Santa Barbara and her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law.Rupert has been named to The Root 100 and Ebony magazine's lists of influential African Americans.She grew up in Joshua Tree, California, and currently resides in Washington, D.C.. Her sister, Imani Rupert-Gordon, is the executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Today, I'm diving into a track that doesn’t always get the spotlight, but absolutely deserves it. It’s Ghostdancing by Simple Minds, from their 1985 album Once Upon a Time.

Donald Trump Jr. is another corrupt elite relying on the government to protect his wealth. In other words, his existence validates anarchic critiques of political systems.

Today I'm talking about one of ABBA’s most recognizable ballads, Chiquitita — and more specifically, the music video that became inseparable from it.And yes, I know I mispronounce some things in this episode.

NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, this episode is awkwardly split into two "takes." For some reason, our connection was lost, so it was necessary to re-ask a question. Check out: https://www.amarcross.com/The author, as described by the publicist: "A. Marc Ross is an international award-winning author who brings together experience from high-stakes global business, the intricacies of corporate law, and firsthand knowledge of Chinese dealings. Marc’s background is as compelling as his fiction: years spent negotiating across borders, appearances on U.S. and Chinese television, and leading lectures on business and legal issues in both countries.His latest thriller, Attacking the Dragon, is a masterclass in suspense woven through the web of global commerce and geopolitics. The story throws a sharp spotlight on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and explores the consequences when covert sabotage threatens a superpower at the heart of the world economy. The plot’s urgency and realism stem from Marc’s own work and travels in China, giving him a viewpoint few thriller writers can claim.Not only is the novel a gripping page-turner, but it’s already earning attention with a Runner-Up finish for Best Fiction at the Beach Book Festival and Honorable Mentions at the Hollywood, San Francisco, and Paris Book Festivals. Ross knows how to break down international business strategy and political intrigue for a broad audience, and would bring electrifying insights and stories to your listeners."

Why is the President's ex-wife buried in one of his golf courses? Did she even like golf? And why do the Epstein files seem relevant to this question?

Big orange bully pirate blows up boats for fun.

Rising actor Aidan Langford returns to the screen in Netflix’s comedy “Roommates,” premiering globally on April 17th, 2026. Starring alongside Sadie Sandler (daughter of Adam Sandler) and Chloe East, Langford plays Alex, a teenager navigating his sister’s transition to college while going through his own unexpected coming out journey.

The skull of the "Dragon Man" and what it says about us.

Vladimir Putin , another exaggeratedly macho A-hole who validates anarchist critiques of power.

Today, we’re diving into one of the most explosive bands to come out of Southern California’s early punk scene: the Circle Jerks. Formed in 1979, this group didn’t just play punk—they helped redefine it, stripping rock music down to its rawest, fastest, and most confrontational core.

Steven Charles Witkoff built his public profile not through electoral politics but through wealth accumulation and proximity to state power. And that in no way verifies radical critiques of state power serving the rich and well-connected at the expense of the average citizen.

Never send boys to do a man’s job.

Today we’re stepping into the roots of reggae and dub, into a sound that feels spacious, heavy, and almost hypnotic. This is a snapshot of the story of Niney the Observer.

Welcome back. Today we’re looking at a music video that’s easy to underestimate at first glance, but quietly does something really effective.It’s UB40’s 1983 version of “Red Red Wine.”

My interview with actor and executive producer Rushabh Patel on his recently released horror movie "I Know Exactly How You Die" (2026).Sorry, the interview is audio only.

Talking about a band that never quite broke into the mainstream… but quietly shaped a whole corner of underground rock.A band that, if you’ve heard of them, you probably really care about them.Thinking Fellers Union Local 282.(NOTE: I know the band photo does not capture every member. It's one of the failings of this whole system, man.)

Why do singles and EPs almost always include remixes?

What is a "fractional artist manager?" I asked Amani Roberts about his career, and we discuss some of the business aspects of...well, the music business. To learn more about Amani Roberts: https://www.amaniexperience.com/

A shallow population is an easy population to manage.

Wikipedia: "Steven Seidenberg (born 1967) is an American photographer and author. His work combines photography, philosophy, and poetry, often exploring themes of memory, isolation, and the human condition. Notable works include The Architecture of Silence: Abandoned Lives of the Italian South and Anon. Seidenberg has had solo exhibitions in various countries, including Italy, Japan, Germany, Mexico, and the United States."https://www.stevenseidenberg.com/

Today I'm exploring the work of Rhys Chatham [REESS CHAT-um], an American composer and experimental musician who helped bridge the worlds of minimalist classical music and the raw power of rock.

Alright, let’s go back to 1997. Cable TV is getting weirder, animation is still mostly family-friendly, and then suddenly — out of nowhere — South Park shows up.

I'm probably a bad critic, but it might also be a bad sign that I barely even remember a TV episode I recently watched. I'm talking about the pilot episode of D.C., a show that only lasted seven episodes, which was vaguely about politics and way more about relationship drama between attractive young people.

This is the unedited video of my interview with composer Carlos Rafael Rivera. There's about 10 seconds of quiet at the start, so be ready for that. Anyway, Carlos and I discuss his work on the movie "They Will Kill You," a 2026 American action-comedy horror film directed by Kirill Sokolov and co-written with Alex Litvak. The film stars Zazie Beetz, Myha’la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette. It follows an ex-convict who takes a housekeeping job at a mysterious New York City high-rise, only to discover a history of strange disappearances.Additionally, we talk about guitar effects pedals, the power of synthesizers, and I even shamelessly propose a music collaboration. Will that happen? I do not know...probably not. But that moment is in this video.I am also happy to somewhat demystify the experience of movie/TV show-related interviews. Also, you can marvel at my awkwardly, naturally lit face that makes me look like Casper the Friendly Ghost with a black eye!

Talking about folklore. Fairy tales. The stories people pass down.And more specifically, the idea that these stories came from some kind of “pure,” untouched oral tradition.This also leads me to eventually discussing (a little bit) one of my favorite MST3K episodes.

Pretty Lethal is a 2026 action thriller directed by Vicky Jewson and written by Kate Freund. The film stars Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika, Maddie Ziegler, and Uma Thurman. It follows a dysfunctional ballet troupe forced to take shelter when their bus breaks down en route to a major competition. When a gang of armed men targets them, the dancers must use their training to fight back.The score, composed by Paul Leonard-Morgan, was recorded with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Glasgow. It blends lush orchestral textures with driving electronic elements, mirroring the film’s mix of action and dance. A standout is the original ballet sequence, a two-and-a-half-minute piece crafted precisely to match choreography.

The biggest controversy tied to Harry S. Truman is usually considered to be his decision to use atomic weapons against Japan in 1945 during World War II.

This episode is about a man whose voice carried across prison walls, across decades, and straight into the foundation of American music.His name was Lead Belly.

Strom Thurmond remained a powerful and deeply controversial figure in U.S. politics for decades, shaping South Carolina’s political direction long after his early career. His influence even extended into later generations of politicians; for example, he campaigned on behalf of Lindsey Graham, illustrating how political networks tied to segregationist power structures persisted well into the late 20th century, extending into today.

This episode: Why Fairy Tales Repeat Across the World.