The Couch Podcast
Conversations about pop culture and why it matters
The Couch Podcast #168: The 23 New Holiday Movies to Watch in 2023
As always, my best friend (and best friend of the show) Anna Rendell and I are here to guide you through this hectic but holly-jolly season. We’ve waded through all the new holiday movies (nearly 100 of them, which is thankfully and bizarrely a much smaller number than recent years) to create for you a list of 23 holiday movies to watch in 2023.
The Couch Podcast #167: Home Renovation Shows & Accidental Homesteading with Kathi Lipp
My good friend (and good friend of the show) Kathi Lipp is here to talk about homesteading and home renovation—and the shows that give us hope we can do those things. Kathi is a speaker and author, and her newest book, The Accidental Homesteader: What I’ve Learned About Chickens, Compost, and Creating Home, came out yesterday. Part how-to, part memoir, and totally down-to-earth for even the most novice homemakers, this book is about the mindset of freedom, independence, and strength that anyone can find, no matter where they call home. And it’s the inspiration for today’s conversation about home shows that we have loved watching and are watching these days!
The Couch Podcast #166: Dance the Night Away with Movie Theme Songs (with James Walters)
One of my favorite parts of the Barbie movie was the soundtrack, chock full of songs written specifically for the movie. And that got me thinking about all the other iconic songs we have purely because a movie called for them. So today my brother (and friend of the show) James Walters is back on The Couch to talk about some of our favorite movie theme songs.
The Couch Podcast #165: What to Watch in August 2023 & a Deep Dive into Hulu
Between the writers’ strike and the post-4th of July summer situation we have most years, August doesn’t have a ton of new content to offer. But don’t you worry! I’m here to make sure you know what IS returning and premiering. Plus, we take a look at Hulu, in case you need more options for what to watch.
The Couch Podcast #164: What to Watch in July and a Look at Paramount+
July might not have a lot of new (or even returning) series to offer but wow! We are looking at more than two dozen new movies this month! So I am here to help you navigate it all. And I know you’re going to be listening carefully and taking notes during this very educational episode, but in case you get distracted or overwhelmed, don’t worry! You can find dates and locations of everything I mention (plus more) in the July Watch Guide, a free resource for all Patreon members (join us at marycarver.com/patreon!).
The Couch Podcast #163: Answering Your Pop Culture Questions! Ask the Couch, vol. 8 (with Alana Dawson)
You asked, and I answered! Today I’m answering all your burning pop culture questions, from what does the writers’ strike mean for us and what’s going on with streaming these days to what movies should we see in the theater this summer and, of course, what is Hallmark doing for Christmas in July.
The Couch Podcast #162 – Whoomp! There It Is: A Look Back at 1993 (with Jenny Rapson)
Today I’m joined by my good friend (and good friend of the show) Jenny Rapson, and we are taking a look back at the pop culture of 1993—the biggest movies, TV shows, music, and news from 30 years ago. Three decades!
The Couch Podcast #161: Summer Movie Preview (with Dawn Camp)
My good friend (and friend of the show) Dawn Camp is back on The Couch to talk all about the movies coming out this summer. We have big action sequels to discuss, as well as animated movies for the kids and quieter indie films. So if you’re wondering what to see with your family or for a girls night out or on a date night, we’ve got you covered!
The Couch Podcast #160: Celebrating Asian American Stories All Year Long (with Tasha Jun)
May might be coming to a close, but it’s always a good time to appreciate and learn more about Asian Americans through books, TV series, and movies. My good friend (and friend of the show), Tasha Jun, is back on The Couch this week to talk about some of our favorite stories about Asian Americans. We’re talking about everything from children’s picture books to Oscar-winning movies, and you don’t want to miss it!
The Couch Podcast #159 – Sorta Spooky Series & Movies About Ghosts (with Meg Tietz)
I’ve noticed a trend lately, and it’s . . . spooky. That’s right, I’m talking about TV series and movies about ghosts. They’re everywhere these days! Ghosts are really having a moment. When I noticed this and decided to talk about it on The Couch, I knew the only person to have this conversation with was my friend and fellow podcaster, Meg Tietz. So we are talking about why these stories are so popular right now, which shows and movies you should watch, and (of course) if we believe in ghosts ourselves.
The Couch Podcast #158: Some of Them Are Actually Good! Recent Hallmark Movies with Anna Rendell
We all know Hallmark movies are a staple of the holiday season. But new movies air on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries all year long! Do you watch them? I do, and so does my best friend and best friend of the show, Anna Rendell. But this year, Anna hasn’t had a chance to watch any of the new, non-holiday Hallmark movies yet, so this week I’m telling her—and you—which ones to watch next time they air, plus one to avoid and one coming soon to look forward to.
The Couch Podcast #157: What to Watch in May (Plus a Look at Apple TV+)
Today we’re talking about the new movies and series you’ll probably want to watch in May (while keeping in mind that I’ll share the where and when of allllll the new stuff in the May Watch Guide, which is extremely thorough and completely free for everyone in the Patreon community). Then (but wait! there’s more!) I’m taking a look at Apple TV+ and what you might want to watch during a short subscription or free trial.