For this episode I have gathered a panel of weapons-grade music enthusiasts to discuss some of our favorite holiday music songs - mostly Christmas tunes but a few more general “it’s wintertime” numbers.

The picks run the gamut from beloved songs almost everybody knows (Johnny Mathis! Darlene Love!) to oddball novelty numbers (Max Headroom! Weird Al!) to songs that should be more well-known because they’re so great. I’m joined in this endeavor by returning guest Guy Benoit, who has written and directed independent films and plays, was the singer for the amazing Providence, RI bands Von Ryan’s Express and Thee Hydrogen Terrors, and whose creativity always inspires and impresses me and by two new guests to the show. Chris Cummins has appeared on my other podcast GLEAMING THE TUBE and I don’t know anyone who is better at unearthing strange and wonderful artifacts and clips from recent pop culture. He’s written for Archie Comics, streams a wonderful array of classic pop culture ephemera at his Sci-Fi Explosion Twitch channel, hosts fun live events in the Philadelphia area and at various Sci-Fi conventions around the country and co-DJs the MTV’s 120 Minutes Dance party with me every year at Dragon Con. And Dana Stinson, aka BimboKatan, is a brass band musician, photographer, and passionate music fan.

You can find most of (but not all) of our songs picks on my holiday Spotify playlist: XMAS

Per usual, You can email this show at gleamingpod@gmail.com.

The Best Stuff in the World theme song by Mister Michael Brousseau

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I am talking to Jaina Cipriano: photographer/experiential designer/filmmaker/Executive Director of the Arlington International Film Festival!

Jaina and I talk all about her art and the film festival, including the immersive experience that Witch Hunt Theatre staged at this year’s event. (You may remember that I chatted with Witch Hunt’s artistic director Taylor Stark earlier this year.)

Jaina is working on a ton of interesting stuff and it was great chatting with her about the art she makes and the art she loves.

Per usual, You can email this show at gleamingpod@gmail.com.

You can find out more about Jaina Cipriano at her website: https://www.jainaciprianophotography.com/

Check out the Arlington International Film Festival: https://www.arlingtonfilmfest.com/

Jaina's experimental tv series The Imposter Syndrome is screening at the Capitol Theatre on January 24th. Get tickets here: https://www.capitoltheatreusa.com/movie/the-imposter-syndrome/

The Best Stuff in the World theme song by Mister Michael Brousseau

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On this edition of The Best Stuff in the World my guests and I are diving into our collective love of MAD Magazine!

For decades, MAD skewered politics, pop culture, advertising, television, and almost anything else you can think of. Joining me to discuss MAD and the "usual gang of idiots" who wrote and drew it are two of The Best Stuff in the World’s usual gang of idiots, returning guests Kevin Eldridge from the great podcast The Flopcast and Michael Brousseau, who I co-host the skateboard movie podcast Gleaming the Tube with and who wrote and sang this very podcast’s theme song!

You can find Kevin Eldridge over The Flopcast!

You can find Michael Brousseau co-hosting Gleaming the Tube with me!

I was a guest on the GIMMICKS podcast to talk all about the series finale of Pee-Wee's Playhouse! Check it out here: Pee-Wee's Playhouse: Playhouse for Sale!

You can email me at gleamingpod@gmail.com

Theme music by Mister Michael Brousseau

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