Gobbledygeek episode 308, “A Worthwhile Life Defined (feat. Pam Smith),” is available for listening or download right here and on iTunes here.
This week, a podcast about a podcast. Of course, S-Town is no ordinary podcast; from the producers of This American Life and Serial, it’s a coherent piece of documentary art unto itself. Reporter Brian Reed had little idea what he was getting himself into when John B. McLemore of Shittown (née Woodstock), Alabama, emailed him about a possible murder cover-up. Likewise, the listener who presses play on the first episode of S-Town has no idea of the journey they’re about to take, one that is about time, empathy, compassion. Joining Paul and Arlo to suss out some of this journey’s meaning is Paul’s better half, Pam Smith, herself a lifelong Alabamian. The gang discusses how S-Town resonates with them, whether or not it’s too invasive, why it should be mandatory listening, and Paul and Pam’s trip to Woodstock. Plus, Pam plays some calming video games (Abzû, Flow, Journey, and Flower), while Arlo’s other half finally gets him to play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time; and we have movie sign as Paul heckles Netflix’s Mystery Science Theater 3000 revival.
Next: Gobbledypal Chance Mazzia stops by for more Four-Color Flashback fun. This time, he’s here for Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra’s Y: The Last Man. He’ll help Paul and Arlo tackle Vol. 4: Safeword.