Clare and Hannah discuss themes of isolation, greed, and old age in Cormac McCarthy's 2005 Western Gothic novel, "No Country for Old Men."

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We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah read "Ready Player One," Ernest Cline's 2011 LitRPG novel in which every challenge can be solved by being chronically online. Contestants plug in to the OASIS, a virtual universe where anything is possible, if you have the credits and enough one-joystick two-button dexterity to totally kick butt in Black Tiger. Finally, knowing Monty Python and the Holy Grail word for word is useful for something. It's a masterpiece of 80s nostalgia for the Gen-Xers and nihilism for the Millenials. 

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah both share a song that rocked their world. Hannah tries to rap (sort of), and Clare tells the story of the 10,000-pound haircut. Like the comments section of George Michael's "Careless Whisper," we hope you find this episode charmingly, wholesomely, vaguely off-color.

The songs:

“Change” by NF. 

“Careless Whisper” by Wham! featuring George Michael, 1984

Sexy Sax Man

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We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah take on Jekyll and Hyde in a battle of Victorian proportions. In other words, we slink furtively through darkened doorways, scandalize young housemaids sitting up past their bedtime, and write letters to our lawyers with the tantalizing instruction: "Do not open until I have died or disappeared under mysterious circumstances."  

Get your own copy of this Robert Louis Stevenson classic, here at Clare's Bookshop.org store! 

Or, since Jekyll & Hyde is in the public domain, you can read it online for FREE at Project Gutenberg. 

Here’s a clip from the Jekyll & Hyde musical, where Dr. Jekyll confronts his evil alter ego, Mr. Hyde: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Pyjw_ZnD8 Note the impressive use of stunt hair!!

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

This is a very serious episode. Clare and Hannah tackle a topic that is probably far beyond them, but that's never stopped them before. Today we discuss the difference between tragedy and evil. Hannah brings up vampires because at least she knows something about those.

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We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah each share another song that rocked their worlds. Clare's song is a universal story about the plight of the working poor, just as relevant today as it was forty years ago. Hannah spends most of her allotted time describing what happens if you trespass at a war vet's house and pester his wife (You get shot, that's what). Also, her song made both of us cry a little.

Hannah’s song: “I Can’t Help But Wonder” by Jorge Rivera-Herrans

Clare’s song: “Fast Car” written and performed by Tracy Chapman. And here is a live performance of the song: Luke Combs’s cover.

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah look back on 2024 as the year that blew their minds every other day. A few examples:

• The day that Israel blew the pants off their enemies.
• The presidential candidate who almost got his head blown off on live television.
• Amazing health discoveries that will keep you from blowing up the bathroom at your in-laws' house.

Links:

“Stopping or reducing dietary fiber intake reduces constipation and its associated symptoms” (Sorry if that’s TMI…)

The Brilliance of ‘Operation Grim Beeper’

Toxins: Toxic Superfoods by Sally K. Norton, MPH. Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind by Georgia Ede, MD. Glyphosate (Round Up) is sprayed on crops just before harvest as a dessicant and/or mold retardant. Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying discuss this on Darkhorse Podcast Episode 182, beginning at 1:39:50. 

June 27, 2024: Presidential debate

“Atrazine induces complete feminization and chemical castration in male African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis)” 

Dangers of “heart-healthy” vegetable oils made from seeds such as soy, peanut, corn, cottonseed, sunflower, safflower, rape seed (Canola oi), grape seed

The first assassination attempt: July 13, 2024

The second assassination attempt: September 15, 2024

“Controlling Sugar Cravings & Metabolism with Science-Based Tools” | Huberman Lab Podcast #64.

“American Health and Nutrition: A Second Opinion” - Senator Ron Johnson’s roundtable discussion - September 23, 2024. Begins at 30:50. 

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah read H.G. Wells' "The Island of Dr. Moreau," and discuss universal themes like the hubris of science, the true nature of humanity, and their uncanny ability to shoehorn a C.S. Lewis shoutout into any discussion. 

Get your own copy of The Island of Dr. Moreau.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah share their experiences practicing martial arts. By share their experiences, we mean they soared with exquisite grace through a grove of bamboo trees, exchanging blows that shook the surrounding wilderness and awakened a long-dormant volcano. 

The Karate Kid Collection. Includes the original 1984 Karate Kid and its two sequels, plus the 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith. 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Little boy trying to break a board in tae kwon do—so cute!!

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah return with another book club, this time covering Joseph Heller's Catch 22, a satirical commentary on corporate malfeasance, nonsense, incompetence and bureaucracy. A classic war novel that coined a phrase still prominent in the modern zeitgeist, Catch 22 left Clare feeling like a dummy and convinced Hannah that she does indeed have a twisted brain. In other words, a bit of light reading for your summer.

Get your own copy of Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

In this breakfast chat, Clare shares a truly embarrassing story from a fellow veterinarian. Names and locations have been changed to protect those involved from further shame. 

This episode may be troubling for more squeamish listeners, as it contains terms like: uterine horn, testicles, castration, cervix, and litter-bearing animals. Also, Hannah ate spaghetti throughout this recording.

For more funny vet stories, have you ever read All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot? This is one of Clare’s favorite books. The author was a country veterinarian in the Yorkshire dales of England. His semi-autobiographical books take place in the years just before and during World War II. This book series is one of the reasons Clare became a veterinarian. She even made use of Herriot’s stories in her clinical practice! Stay tuned for another funny vet story…

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

In part 2 of our series on the kings and queens of England, Clare and Hannah talk about two kings who embodied the term, "man-child." Henry II spent his entire wedding reception goofing off with his best friend and ignoring everybody else, including his new queen. Richard II surrounded himself with his favorite sycophants, spent a ridiculous amount of his country's money on clothes, and commissioned a religious icon featuring...himself. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Story structure is what makes us love stories in the first place. We love a nice set of bookends. We root for characters who save cats. A hero's journey "there and back again" resonates with the human psyche. In this episode, Clare and Hannah talk about several kinds of story structures, including Three-Act, Five-Act, Chiastic, Save the Cat, and the Hero's Journey. 

Some of the books we mention in this episode:

The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger

Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder

Screenplay by Syd Field

The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

You can pick up these books and many more at our Bookshop.org affiliate link. You can support your favorite nerdy mother-daughter podcast, get a discount on your purchase, plus support independent bookstores everywhere! Thank you!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Hannah takes the "reigns" for part 1 in a series about the kings and queens of England. Because royalty in England just cycled through the same three names over and over, today we learn about two kings named Henry:

Henry II: the highlights of his reign were murdering his best friend in a cathedral, getting whipped within an inch of his life in the same cathedral, and giving a gorgeous castle to a six year-old out of spite.

We talk about several movies: Becket (1964, starring Peter O'Toole as King Henry II), The Lion in Winter (1968, starring...Peter O'Toole as King Henry II again!) and Robin Hood, about vagabonds causing trouble for Prince John in England whilst his brother Richard I (the "Lionheart") is galavanting around the Holy Land.

Henry III: Basically, he was pretty lame. He fled the battlefield, got captured, and had to be rescued by his son. Also, his brother-in-law called him a simpleton, which is worse than all that other stuff.

References:
Online: Historic UK has many excellent articles on the history of the British monarchy, including this comprehensive summary, "Kings and Queens of England & Britain" by Ben Johnson.

Print: The Kings and Queens of England by Ian Crofton. (Note: affiliate link. Thank you for your support!)

Video: Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty -- a 4-part documentary about the Plantagenet kings.

Music: "The Battle of Agincourt," by The Twilight

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare shares a song that terrifies both her and the man who wrote it. Hannah's song of choice did not so much rock her world as haunt her every waking moment for two weeks straight.

Clare's song:
"Cat's in the Cradle." Music, lyrics, and performance by Harry Chapin. In December of 1974 it was the Number 1 song on the Billboard Top 100. The link includes a brief interview with Chapin's widow and with his son, followed by a live performance of the song. The comments below the video are both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Hannah's song:
"One." From the musical A Chorus Line, 1975. Music by Marvin Hamlisch. Lyrics by Edward Kleban. The link is to a clip from the 1985 film version. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah read Charles Portis' 1968 novel, True Grit, and have not been able to talk normally since. We also analyze two movie adaptations of the book: the 1969 adaptation directed by Henry Hathaway and the 2010 adaptation directed by the Coen Brothers.

To get your own copy of this amazing book and/or your own DVD copy of the movies, visit Clare's Bookshop.org store. (It's in the Splanchnics Book Club section). You'll get a discount AND you'll be supporting your favorite podcast! Thanks so much for your support!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

This is a weird one. Not at all what you'd be expecting. The names of locations, individuals, and 4-legged lifeforms have been changed to protect the innocent.

If you enjoy funny vet stories, you might enjoy the books of James Herriot, a veterinarian plying his trade in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales of northern England. The stories take place before World War 2, in the days when farmers still used horse-drawn implements on their farms, and every veterinarian had to be knowledgeable about every species of animal. Hilarious, heartwarming, and poignant. Warning: will make you want to become a veterinarian. (That's what happened to Clare...) Go to Clare's Bookshop.org store and look for the "Clare's Favorites" section. You'll get a discount and your purchase will support this Very Serious Podcast. Thanks! 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare has been doing some light reading... of Dante's Inferno. 

The translation Clare's been reading is by Robert Hollander and Jean Hollander. The commentaries are A Beginner's Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy by Jason M. Baxter and Spiritual Direction from Dante: Avoiding the Inferno by Paul Pearson. She's also been referring to the Dorothy Sayers terza rima English translation. These books are all available in our Bookshop.org store, in the "Dante's Divine Comedy" section. If you purchase a book through our storefront, you'll get a discount, you'll be supporting independent book stores, AND you'll be supporting your favorite podcast from Hell...or something. Thank you for your support, and we hope you'll follow, subscribe and keep listening!

Music: "Prologue 2," by The Twilight. Listen to The Twilight on Soundcloud.

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Today we discuss whether The Chronicles of Narnia should be read in chronological order or in order of publication. Clare has strong opinions about this one. Hannah doesn't care either way, but that may change...

You already have your own copy of The Chronicles of Narnia, right? Wait...what? You don't??   Let us help you rectify that unacceptable situation right now: head over to our Bookshop.org store, where there are C. S. Lewis books all over the place: in the C.S. Lewis section, the Clare's Favorites section, the Favorite Series section, the Children's section...

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah share some more of the songs that rocked their worlds. Turns out they both really love heavy metal. Who knew?

Clare's songs:
"I See Fire" -- metal version! Performed by Malinda and Violet Orlandi
"Clean Up Your Room" by Akira the Don featuring Jordan Peterson
"What Faith Can Do" by Kutless

Hannah's songs:
"A Question" by Bombadil
"Hamburg Song" by Keane
"Between the Stars" by Canyon City
"Rain" by The Seatbelts. Vocals by Tom Conte
"Wax and Wane" by Alana Henderson

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

The four temperaments have been around since Hippocrates, who theorized that our human behavior is influenced by the quantities of various fluids present in our bodies. The four temperaments are: Sanguine (blood), Choleric (Yellow bile), Melancholic (black bile), and phlegmatic (phlegm).

Clare (a sanguine) and Hannah (a melancholic) plumb the depths of the human psyche in their discussion of the temperaments and their influence on our behavior.

"The Temperament God Gave You" by Art and Laraine Bennett
Your purchase of this book at Clare's Bookshop.org store (affiliate link) helps support this amazing podcast! 

"Begone, Itch!" performed by Andrew Kelly

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We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare shares some of her veterinary exploits.

WARNING: This episode is gross. If any of the following words or phrases gross you out, you may wish to forgo listening:

Poop
Vomit
Bile
Rectum
Rectal exam
Ringworms
Anal gland
Wheel of vomit
"Head falling off"
Moist

If you enjoy funny vet stories, you might enjoy the books of James Herriot, a veterinarian plying his trade in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales of northern England. The stories take place before World War 2, in the days when farmers still used horse-drawn implements on their farms, and every veterinarian had to be knowledgeable about every species of animal. Hilarious, heartwarming, and poignant. Warning: will make you want to become a veterinarian. (That's what happened to Clare...) Go to Clare's Bookshop.org store and look for the "Clare's Favorites" section. You'll get a discount and your purchase will support this Very Serious Podcast. Thanks! 

Music: "Splanchnics Riff" composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Whether you're writing a book, a movie, or a play, there are three elements you need to think about when creating a character. Clare and Hannah discuss these three things, debate whether James Bond is funny, and discover that they both struggle to say the word "nemesis."

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

This episode, Clare and Hannah talk about Flannery O'Connor's first novel, Wise Blood, published in 1952. O'Connor's stories are rich with symbolism, from a beat-up jalopy of a car to a stolen gorilla suit, and from a preacher's blindness to a shrunken mummified body in a museum. It's a darkly comic and often grotesque ride.

Flannery O’Connor has her own section at Clare’s Bookshop.org page. Click through if you’d like to get your own copy of Wise Blood or any other book by and about O’Connor. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

In this episode, Hannah and Clare continue to talk about Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," through the lens of one of our favorite "Star Trek" episodes. We also manage to mention "Abolition of Man" again. See if you can spot it!

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley includes adult themes. Listener discretion is advised.

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

In this episode, Clare and Hannah come off the reservation and step into a Brave New World where people are made in bottles, Henry Ford is God, and the police are armed with water-pistols.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley includes adult themes. Listener discretion is advised.

Please enjoy this hilarious video from The Onion about how Disney grows childhood stars in their advanced genetic engineering laboratory!

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Don't be fooled by the title. We're still talking about Shakespeare. This time Hannah and Clare talk about the elements of tragedy and comedy, why the Lancasters had to look good in the histories, and what kind of play The Tempest is anyway.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Hannah finally uses her drama degree! In this episode, our mother-daughter duo discuss Shakespeare, its challenges, its beauty, and its relevance to us today.

This week's installment of "Splanchnics Math:" According to Clare (3:50), Shakespeare was born in 1864 and died in 1616 at the age of 52. This is, of course, incorrect. He lived to be 248 and lived his life going backwards in time. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Spanning 18 centuries, Walter M. Miller's "A Canticle for Leibowitz" follows a Catholic monastery's attempts to preserve knowledge through several apocalypses.

In this episode, Clare and Hannah talk about very serious topics like the cyclical nature of history, mankind's self-destructive nature, buzzards, and a random shark. We also mention C.S. Lewis, but that's a given at this point.

If you'd like to pick up a copy of this science fiction classic, head over to Clare's Bookshop.org storefront. This is an affiliate link--if you buy the book, you still get a discount but a small portion of the proceeds supports this podcast. Thanks so much for your support!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah share some of their favorite songs and explain why music is an essential part of character development. We manage to quote both Plato and Michael Jackson.

Hannah's picks:
I'm a Funny Dame (Eartha Kitt): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3l1K13naLM
Blue Healer (Birdtalker): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL4AP-n091M
Simple Man (Jason Manns With Friends cover): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKMbXOwXSdM

Clare's picks:
Thriller (Michael Jackson, album 1982, single 1983): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA
Hotel California (The Eagles, 1977): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVsbvFkhzY4
How Could You Say No? (Billy Sprague): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cr0j-_mUHE

Plato's Republic (affiliate link -- thank you for clicking through!)

Intro and outro music (“Splanchnics Riff)” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

“To have a thought, you have to have a thing that can have a thought.”

In this episode, Clare and Hannah continue to geek out about robots, but to be honest we spend more time discussing humans. Typical humans, always talking about ourselves. We talk about the nature of beauty, being stewards of the earth, and something called an a priori  cognitive structure. I feel smarter already.

Check out the episode show notes for links, corrections, and more!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

"The humans, who can think, are so afraid of those who cannot think..."

In this episode, the first half of a two-part discussion, Clare and Hannah chat about the progress of robotics over the years, laying the groundwork for the second part, where we get super-duper philosophical and stuff. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

In our second episode about Lord of the Flies, things go hog wild.

For your very own copy of Lord of the Flies, stampede to Clare’s Bookshop.org store. It’s in the Splanchnics Book Club section (across from the in-store cafe…)

Special thanks to The Twilight and Donald Kozinski from AnimeRevProductions.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah discuss William Golding's classic 1954 novel, Lord of the Flies. Like all civilized people, they pass the pig mug, and things get philosophical.

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring normal people overcoming their deepest flaws and confronting their worst fears, you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It's a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal stories. 

If you'd like to support us more directly, consider "buying us a coffee" at our Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/splanchnicspodcast. Even virtual caffeine really hits the spot! Thanks so much!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Does it dry up like A Game of Thrones in the sun?  Or fester like A Wise Man's Fear, and then run? 

Clare and Hannah talk about book series that authors have left unfinished, and the repercussions of that. Should authors be obligated to finish their stories? Should Patrick Rothfuss and George R.R. Martin be locked in a remote cabin together until they finish their series that have gone fifteen years without their concluding volumes? Would it be going too far to hire Kathy Bates to loom over the two authors while menacingly wielding a sledgehammer?

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare (Gen X) and Hannah (Millennial) talk about how different generations were shaped by technology, historical events, and in Clare's case, a whole lot of geopolitical mayhem.

Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation!

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Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah watch Denis Villeneuve's 2021 film adaptation of Dune and immediately sit down to talk about it. We're both big fans of Duke Leto, and Hannah keeps wanting to talk about the Gom Jabbar for some reason.

Dune by Frank Herbert (This link goes to our Bookshop.org store, where you can pick up your own copy of this SF/Fantasy essential.)

If you'd like to support us more directly, consider "buying us a coffee" at our Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/splanchnicspodcast. Even virtual caffeine really hits the spot! Thanks so much!

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring a hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril, you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It's a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal stories. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah continue to dive down the rabbit hole and talk about Richard Adam's beloved 1972 adventure novel Watership Down. In Part 2 of this discussion, we talk about the qualities of a great leader: trusting your followers, offering peace to hostile neighbors, and saving the lives of random mice.

Splanchnics is a labor of love for your mother-daughter team of hosts, but please consider helping us stay adequately caffeinated by visiting our Ko-fi donation page.

Updates: This 2-part series was produced in October and November of 2021. Since then, there have been a couple Watership Down-related developments:

In September of 2022, fans of Watership Down celebrated the 50th anniversary of the book's publication at the "Watership Down at 50" Conference. Speakers included Rosamond Mahony, the younger daughter of Richard Adams. The program talks look fascinating! The keynote addresses were recorded.

As of October 2023, a graphic novel version of Watership Down is available!

If you'd like to enjoy your own copy of Adams's original novel, the new graphic novel, or the story collection Tales from Watership Down, please consider purchasing from Clare's Bookshop.org store. This is an affiliate link--you'll get a discount on your purchase and Bookshop.org will send us a small commission on the sale. Thank you for your support!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah talk about Clare's favorite childhood book: Watership Down! Spoiler alert: this book has nothing to do with sinking nautical vessels.

We talked briefly about Watership Down in Season 1, Episode 3 ("Hobbits and Rabbits and Gnomes…Oh My!" -- an episode about our favorite childhood books). But on today's episode, we dive "down the rabbit hole" into Richard Adams's 1972 bestselling and award-winning novel.

Updates: This episode was produced in October of 2021. Since then, there have been a couple Watership Down-related developments:

In September of 2022, fans of Watership Down celebrated the 50th anniversary of the book's publication at the "Watership Down at 50" Conference. Speakers included Rosamond Mahony, the younger daughter of Richard Adams. The program talks look fascinating! The keynote addresses were recorded.

As of October 2023, a graphic novel version of Watership Down is available!

If you go to Clare's Bookshop.org store, you can find Adams's original novel, the new graphic novel, and the story collection Tales from Watership Down. This is an affiliate link--you'll get a discount on your purchase and Bookshop.org will send us a small commission on the sale. Thank you for your support!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah may look exactly the same, but they're a lot different under the surface. One of them is introverted, and the other is extroverted. I wonder if you can guess which is which?

The Temperament God Gave You by Art and Laraine Bennett. Not a personality test, but a way of discovering your temperament, which predicts the way you respond and react to the people and events of your life. 

Random fact: "Extravert" and "extraversion" are actually the original spellings for "extrovert" and "extroversion," and this is how you'll find the terms spelled in technical works written by and for psychologists. 

Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type by Isabel Briggs Myers with Peter B. Myers. Written by the creators of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the classic personality test that discovers which of the 16 personality types best describes you. After taking the test, this book will help you interpret the results and face the world with confidence in yourself and appreciation for others. The title says it all: "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit." 

Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, this test is free online: The 16 Personalities         

"12 Ways to Care for Introverts"

"6 Things Every Extrovert Secretly Has to Deal With"

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring "everyman" introverts and extraverts overcoming their deepest flaws and confronting their worst fears, you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It's a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal stories.

If you'd like to support us more directly, consider "buying us a coffee" at our Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/splanchnicspodcast. Even virtual caffeine really hits the spot! Thanks so much!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah talk about the Plague, amputations, and blood spurting everywhere. Just your typical breakfast table conversation. 

Follow us, on Instagram if you wish: @splanchnics_podcast

Intro and outro music (“Splanchnics Riff)” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah had so much to say about the Martian Chronicles, we decided to record another episode about it. We talk almost exclusively about Hannah's favorite story in the book, and we manage to sneak a C.S. Lewis reference in there, too. This one gets pretty existential (which it usually does if you let Hannah talk for too long).

Click through to Clare’s Bookshop.org store and pick up your own copy of Ray Bradbury’s science fiction classic!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

This episode, Clare and Hannah leave the planet in our discussion of Ray Bradbury's Science Fiction classic, The Martian Chronicles.

To purchase your own copy of this excellent book, take the nearest interplanetary transport to our Bookshop.org store and go to the "Splanchnics Book Club" section. You'll get a nice discount, you'll support independent book stores, and you'll help us out here at this Very Serious Podcast. Thanks so much! 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah talk about the positive effects of handcrafts: sewing, gardening, cooking, and building your own home!

"Every tool invented by mankind is an extension of man's hand or mind." (CTW)

The books we mentioned in this podcast:

A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity by William S. Coperthwaite
Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking

These books are available in our Bookshop.org store in the section called "Simplify...Simplify."

We also mentioned a video of a hand-built getaway cabin. Here is Dave's video chronicling the build, "Simple off grid Cabin that anyone can build & afford." And here is his wife Brooke's coverage of the same build: "8-Day Tiny Cabin Build- off to a rocky start?"

And don't forget: Hannah and Clare are reading The Martian Chronicles in preparation for our next Book Club episode! Pick up your copy today!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

We've both been reading Tolkien recently! It's a different experience every time, so we decided to share what stood out to us. Hannah dissects the theme of power and corruption throughout the legendarium, from Feanor to Frodo. Clare shares her favorite passages from the Lord of the Rings about how beauty brings healing to the hardened heart.

You already have numerous copies of The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings, right? What? You don’t even own ONE copy of those books? <<GASP>> “Fly! Fly, you fools!” to our Bookshop.org store and rectify that situation at once by scrolling down to the Tolkien section!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah struggle to untangle the final book in C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy: That Hideous Strength. Clare declares this book did not require a wizard. Hannah finally discovers a romantic subplot she's invested in. Once again, we mention The Abolition of Man, but only because Lewis mentioned it first. 

Get your own copy of That Hideous Strength at Clare’s Bookshop.org shop. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah talk about the importance of art and creativity in our world.

Stories are not “lies, breathed through silver” but are ways of conveying Truth.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

My dear chap, it is never a bad time to talk about Dorian Gray. He was made to be worshipped. He's a minor minor gentleman, you know.

Join Clare and Hannah for their first book club episode of Season 2. Join us as we discuss Oscar Wilde, Aestheticism, Hedonism, and other vocabulary words that will make you sound really really smart!

The Picture of Dorian Gray can be found at our Bookshop.org store, in the Splanchnics Book Club section. (Near the front of the store. Can’t miss it. Turn left at the display of fancy perfumes…)

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

Clare and Hannah continue their epic journey through their 21 favorite movies. That's 21 for each of them, so according to their math skills, that's 57 movies... or thereabouts. Our movies include such famous lines as, "Do, or do not. There is no try," "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti," and "Waffles! She's frozen with fear!" 

Yeah, that last one seems out of place to us, too.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories. 

In this first episode of our second season, we return from our holiday break to geek out about our top 21 favorite movies. We chose that number for no particular reason, obviously. We won't give away any of the movie titles, but here are some hints: a llama in a diner, Grabthar's Hammer, and the man who cried, "RIIIICK!"

Intro and outro music (“Splanchnics Riff)” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us a text message!

Support the show

We provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you’ll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin’ somethin’ to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking!

Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker

Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you  might enjoy The Keys of Death. It’s a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories.