Breakthru Radio Weekly

"J. McVay is joined by several people who produce podcasts, videos, and articles centered on music for BTRtoday – Bryan, Drew, Elena, Emily, Lottie, Maggie, and Peter – to discuss some of their favorite music of the year so far. Plus a live performance from Will Stratton, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/YInBVWRRsLE[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 00:48 - START /// Mid - Year Music Survey / Introducing the panel 05:15 - Our #5 Pick 07:00 - Our #4 Pick 11:55 - Our #3 Pick 15:10 - Our #2 Pick 22:00 - Our #1 Pick!!! 27:50 - Two more from Drew 31:55 - Two more from Elena 38:00 - One more from Bryan 41:20 - One more from Lottie 46:25 - One more from Peter 51:45 - One more from Emily 57:30 - One more from Maggie 64:10 - One more from J. McVay 66:35 - Overarching thoughts and observations 69:00 - Upcoming releases we’re excited for (by Molly Burch, Alicia Walter, Brandee Younger, Gringo Star, etc.) /// END 74:10 - "

"‘Black Widow’ is directed by Cate Shortland and stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz. Originally scheduled to come out in May of 2020, it was delayed because of the pandemic. Now it’s out in theaters, making it the first movie released by Marvel Studios since July of 2019. Charles Hinshaw reviews the film and he, J. McVay, and Jacqueline Soller discuss. Plus a live performance from niecesandnephews, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller, Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/hTaM9zJIfE4[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Movie Review: Charles Hinshaw on ‘Black Widow’ 03:30 - Group discussion on ‘Black Widow’ and the overall MCU [SPOILER ALERT] 75:50 - "Missing Step" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - niecesandnephews 80:10 - Outro/credits 81:02 - Finish. "

"‘No Sudden Movie’’ is directed by Steven Soderbergh. It stars Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm, Amy Seimetz, Brendan Fraser, Kieran Culkin, and Noah Jupe – and it’s available now to stream on HBO Max. ‘Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)’ is directed by Questlove and features footage shot during the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which went largely unseen for 50 years. Featuring performances by Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, The 5th Dimension, the Staples Singers, and Sly and the Family Stone – among others – the documentary is distributed by Searchlight Pictures and playing now in select theaters. It’s also available on Hulu. J. McVay and Charles Hinshaw discuss both those films. Plus a live performance from Wes Tirey, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Contributor on Movies: Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/ZpNFhWQX5Mw[/youtube] [youtube]https://you

"Associate producer Joe Virgillito speaks with Julie Kliegman, Copy Chief for Sports Illustrated, about trans athlete bans going into effect in states across the country, the invasiveness of these laws, and how this issue has become a culture war cudgel. You can follow her on Twitter @jmkliegman and you can find her writing on this topic in a thread on that account. Later in the episode, J. McVay and Jacqueline Soller discuss the new film, ‘False Positive,’ directed by John Lee and starring Ilana Glazer, Justin Theroux, and Pierce Brosnan – distributed by A24 and available to stream on Hulu. Plus live performances from Gracie and Rachel and Talay, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/H_zG28DsucM[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/sKzWxN7m1SI[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/6sx6ySzBBr0[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:12

"Associate producer Joe Virgillito speaks with Madeline Peltz – senior researcher at Media Matters for America – about the right wing media ecosystem, the life cycle of far right conspiracies, and the propaganda skills of former Trump White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. You can find Madeline Peltz’s work on MediaMatters.org and follow her on Twitter @peltzmadeline. You can also find her research partner on Twitter @justinhorowitz_. Later in the episode, J. McVay and Charles Hinshaw discuss ‘Plan B.’ The first film directed by Natalie Morales, it stars Kuhoo Verma and Victoria Moroles and it’s available to watch on Hulu. Plus live performances from Sarah Osborne and Milly, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito Contributors on Movies: Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/eEGQDwJk8f0[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/zuh_408-RV4[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Right Wing Media

"J. McVay and Jacquleine Soller discuss ‘In The Heights,’ directed by Jon M. Chu. Based on the Tony award-winning stage musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits. It’s now in theaters and is available to watch on HBO Max until July 11th. We also have 1st Person stories from a few people the BTRtv team has spoken to in recent months about their experiences either during the pandemic or Black Lives Matter protests. Plus live performances from Alex Lleo and Ifeanyi Elswith, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/ZLHblvmVxyY[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/BkSatbqhBeU[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/lSCppEu5jjw[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/lV5S6vaZ0NU[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/3jCJt8I8H3w[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro

"Joe Virgillito speaks with Ryan Cooper, national correspondent at The Week and co-host of the Left Ancho‪r‬ podcast, about the latest assaults on democracy being carried out by the Republican Party and the ability of the Democratic Party to stand up to the GOP – or their lack thereof Later in the episode, J. McVay and Jacqueline Soller discuss ‘Censor,’ which is directed by Prano Bailey-Bond and stars Niamh Algar. Distributed by Magnet Releasing, it premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. It’s now in theaters as of June 11th, and will be available on demand on June 18th. Plus live performances from Golden Alphabet and Phantom Wave, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/wngnCFxZCbc[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/RUgETqrPfdk[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - The GOP Assault on Democracy w/ Ryan Cooper (interview b

"Joe Virgillito speaks with author Robin Marty about the United States Supreme Court taking up a case out of Mississippi that could dramatically change the future of reproductive rights in the country. Marty is the author of The (New) Handbook for a Post-Roe America. Later in the episode, J. McVay and Charles Hinshaw discuss ‘A Quiet Place Part II,’ directed by John Krasinski. In this direct sequel to the first installment from 2018, stars Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe are joined by Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou. Distributed by Paramount Pictures, it opened over the Memorial Day weekend to the biggest box office gross of any movie since February 2019, before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus live performances from Willa Amai and The Planes, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito Contributors on Movies: Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/TD9-fzQxd1s[/youtube]

"After taking 2020 off from this sort of thing (for, you know, reasons), this week we have our 2021 Summer Movie Preview, featuring the movies being released from Memorial to Labor Day that we’re most excited to see. We also discuss our own recent ventures out to theaters post-vaccinations and our thoughts on the future of moviegoing as these releases hopefully attract people to venture away from streaming options -- when safely possible, of course! Plus a live performance from Endearments, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Here are the movies mentioned in the episode, by release date: May 28 Cruella (dir. Craig Gillespie) / Theatrical & Disney+ Plan B (dir. Natalie Morales) / Hulu A Quiet Place Part II (dir. John Krasinski) / Theatrical June 1 Changing the Game (dir. Michael Barnett) / Hulu June 4 All Light, Everywhere (dir. Theo Anthony) Undine (dir. Christian Petzold) / Internet June 11 Censor (dir. Prano Bailey-Bond) / Theatrical In The Heights (dir. Jon M. Chu) / Theatrical & HBO Max June

"Joe Virgillito speaks with Dr. Celine Gounder about ways to boost confidence in the vaccines available to protect against COVID-19. Dr. Gounder is the CEO/President/Founder of Just Human Productions, a non-profit multimedia organization and is host and producer of two podcasts – American Diagnosis and Epidemic. She has also contributed to or appeared on several high profile publications and news outlets such as The New Yorker, The Washington Post, MSNBC, CBS, while she is currently a medical analyst for CNN and has been on President Biden’s COVID-19 Advisory Board. Later in the episode, Jacqueline Soller and Charles Hinshaw discuss the film ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead,’ directed by Taylor Sheridan and starring Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Aidan Gillen, and Jon Bernthal – distributed by New Line Cinema and available to stream on HBO Max. Plus a live performance from Michael Cormier, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito Contribu

"J. McVay speaks with Emily Smith, as we continue our series of recurring segments in which we meet the people behind what we do here at BTRtoday. Emily produces Ladies Skate Only, BTR Top 10, The Alt-Country Show, and Roadside Assistance. Later in the episode, Jacqueline Soller and Charles Hinshaw discuss the film ‘My Octopus Teacher,’ which recently won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Plus a live performance from Juliet Quick, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller, Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/G4r68Hfbzww[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - START /// Meet Emily Smith… earliest musical memory 03:44 - Getting involved in music 06:00 - Stagefright vs. on air / 1st concert 09:25 - Path to BTR 12:50 - Industry changes over the years / grassroots music support 20:10 - Pandemic / recent + upcoming podcast highlights /// END 22:40 - Movie Review: Jacqueline Soller on ‘

"J. McVay speaks with Bryan Bruchman, as we return to our series of recurring segments in which we meet the people behind what we do here at BTRtoday. Bryan produces the Subliminal Inevitable Show and the Music Digest, produces and often hosts BTR Live Studio, is a Senior Video Producer for BTRtv, and acts as BTRtoday’s Art Director. Plus live performances from Sasha and the Valentines and GracieSouz, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/xt-AiOFcWtk[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/BhtZMGWJ6Zc[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/YiRFaW2jNJ0[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - START /// Meet Bryan Bruchman… earliest musical memory + experience 04:15 - Film school 06:14 - Art / BTR illustrations 09:00 - Path to BTR 13:35 - Industry changes over the years 17:15 - Mount Sharp 20:20 - Totally Real Records / record labels, generally 39:15 - Recent podcast highlights 41:25 - Cat update =^._.^= /// END 43:15 - 1

"Joe Virgillito speaks with Dr. Yan Zhang, an associate professor at Sam Houston State University, who in January published a study examining the nature and characteristics of hate crimes against Asian Americans. Later in the episode, J. McVay speaks with Charles Hinshaw about the new film, ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?,’ the submission to the Academy Awards from Bosnia and Herzegovina, which earned a nomination for Best International Film. Plus a live performance from A Day Without Love, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito Contributors on Movies: Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/vZo4e0u_9-E[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/BejaUmgluYo[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/5Kn4TOJwR2w[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:20 - Dr. Yan Zhang speaks w/ Joe Virgillito about a recent study on hate crimes against Asian Americans 26:05 - 1st Person: Jen // COVID - 19 Long-hauler 35:15 - Movie Review: Charles

"Ahead of the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, J. McVay is joined by Jacqueline Soller and Charles Hinshaw to discuss this year’s nominations. They also revisit 2020 in movies, sharing their favorite films, performances, and more along the way. Plus live performances from A Very Special Episode and Beau Jennings, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller, Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/-blfm8BQOAs[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/7foYBCECIqQ[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - 2020 Movies and Oscar Nominations 08:30 - Most surprising and disappointing movies 15:00 - How surprising were the Oscar nominations? 17:50 - Best Actress 24:00 - Best Actor 29:20 - Best Supporting Actor 35:30 - Best Supporting Actress 43:30 - Best Original Screenplay 50:30 - Best Adapted Screenplay 59:10 - Best Director 65:00 - Best Picture 80:50 - Other categories 88:00 - Things that should have been n

"Manny Nomikos joins J. McVay to discuss how both the pandemic and his bi-racial identity – along with his Korean and Greek cultural backgrounds – have all played a part in the musical project known as Ilithios that he’s pursued over the course of the last year. Later in the show, Charles Hinshaw joins J. McVay to discuss the film, ‘News of the World,’ directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel – distributed by Universal Pictures. Plus live performances from Veronica Bianqui and LAPÊCHE, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Contributors on Movies: Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu Mentioned in the Episode: [youtubelg]https://youtu.be/EZQRQjdDSCk[/youtubelg] [youtubelg]https://youtu.be/XwD6bAOjLy0[/youtubelg] [youtubelg]https://youtu.be/rgKc6_0lfwc[/youtubelg] [youtubelg]https://youtu.be/nB4g4gNBvQQ[/youtubelg] [youtubelg]https://youtu.be/_2rEyw14NUk[/youtubelg] 00:00 - Intro 01:17 - START /// Interview w/ Ilit

"‘The Father’ is directed by Florian Zeller, based on his play, ‘Le Père.’ It stars Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Olivia Williams, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, and Rufus Sewell – and it’s distributed by Sony Pictures Classics. The film is nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Lead Actor. ‘Pieces of a Woman’ is directed by Kornél Mundruczó. It stars Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Molly Parker, Sarah Snook, Iliza Shlesinger, Benny Safdie, Jimmie Fails, and Ellen Burstyn – and it’s available to stream on Netflix. It’s nominated for Best Lead Actress at the Academy Awards. Plus live performances from The Black Black and E. Woods, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller & Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/1GvRLM74zi8[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/6E0wke2FHrA[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:15 - Movie Review: Jacqueline Soller on ‘The Father’ 02:25

"'Tenet' was released in theaters in the second half of 2020 after months of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film’s director, Christopher Nolan, known as a champion of preserving the classic filmgoing experience, was adamant that his movie should be seen on a big screen if at all possible and had shot much of it in the IMAX format for that reason. As a result, it was only more recently available on streaming, whereas many other movies released in recent months reached those platforms relatively more quickly. Both our regular contributors on movies, Jacqueline Soller and Charles Hinshaw, are based in New York City and chose to safely see the movie on IMAX screens, while J. McVay is in Austin, Texas, and decided to rent it at home. The three discuss the film and getting back to going to the movies. Plus live performances from Faith & Majesty and Pearl Charles, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller & Char

"‘Justice League’ was originally released in theaters back in November 2017. The production had been interrupted when the film’s original director, Zack Snyder had to leave to deal with a family tragedy and director Joss Whedon was brought in to finish the movie, making edits and shooting new material that was reported to have changed the story rather dramatically. The released film wasn’t popular with critics or fans and a campaign among some fans of DC Comics characters and Snyder began, calling for Warner Bros. to allow the original director to finish the film how he had intended. Eventually, Warner Bros. gave Snyder a budget to finish the film for release on their new streaming platform, HBO Max. The final product, clocking in at 4 hours, is now available to stream. And Jacqueline Soller joins J. McVay to discuss it. Plus a live performance from Sunny War, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller Composer/Editor: Hansdal

"J. McVay and Joe Virgillito discuss the recent progress made by the Biden administration, and what they’ll hopefully do with the accrued political capital going forward. They also discuss the latest developments in the multiple scandals swirling around New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Later in the show, Charles Hinshaw and J. McVay discuss the film, ‘Another Round’ Directed by Thomas Vinterberg and starring Mads Mikkelsen, the film is newly Oscar-nominated for Best Director and Best International Feature Film – distributed in the U.S. by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Plus live performance from both Bartees Strange and Mala Vista, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito Contributors on Movies: Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/83r6dhERMJA[/youtube] [youtube]https://youtu.be/atqOpG9sMa0[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:11 - Biden’s American Rescue Plan passed, now he has political capital to spend 27:30

"Associate producer Joe Virgillito speaks with Mikey Biddlestone, a political psychology PhD researcher at the University of Kent, about a conspiracy theory propagated on social media app TikTok that questions the truth of Helen Keller’s life story. Later in the show, Charles Hinshaw and J. McVay discuss the film, ‘One Night in Miami…’ Directed by Regina King and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom Jr., the film is available on Amazon Prime. Plus a live performance from Soul Honey Records, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday. Episode Credits: Producer/Host: J. McVay Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito Contributors on Movies: Charles Hinshaw Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu [youtube]https://youtu.be/ZHOLcw91KoA[/youtube] 00:00 - Intro 01:21 - INTRO /// Joe Virgillito speaks w/ Mikey Biddlestone 03:10 - Kids on Tik Tok don't think Helen Keller is real? Is it a conspiracy theory? 05:49 - Relationship between age and belief in conspiracy theories / postmodern irony vs. genu