Xena: Warrior Podcast

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, in Alder we trust! Vera, Katie, and Livy are witchbombing in Minisode 42: Motherland: Fort Salem. We discuss the rich worldbuilding of this underseen Freeform gem, its huge cast of complex female and non-binary characters, its unique take on witchcraft tropes, awesome sound design, and unabashed queerness. TLDR we’re all General Alder’s biddies! SKA! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@LivTarcov) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, the owls are not what they seem! Vera, Katie, and Livy are rocking out at the Roadhouse for Minisode 41: Twin Peaks. We discuss the original 1990 show, David Lynch’s unjustly maligned follow-up film Fire Walk With Me (which just might be the key to everything), and the remarkable anti-revival revival, the Showtime series Twin Peaks: The Return. Plus: the long shadow of Laura Palmer, the primal images and sound design of David Lynch, visions of BOB in a New Hampshire cabin, the greatest promotional tie-in book ever, a defense of Dougie, and OMG Episode 8! We’ll see you again in twenty-five years. Meanwhile… Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@LivTarcov) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST: bow down, bitches! Vera, Katie, and Livy are back from camp in Minisode 40: Xenite Retreat 2022! We discuss the long-awaited return of this unique Xena-themed gathering and give a rundown of our many adventures there, including meeting crusader for better queer storytelling Katherine Fugate, attending the West Coast premiere of Xena: Warrior Musical, and best of all, getting to hang out with so many amazing Xenites. Plus: Vera becomes Hades 2, Katie discovers a special talent, and Livy has a celebrity encounter with Baby Roe! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@LivTarcov) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, buzz buzz buzz! Vera, Katie, and Livy are talking about one of our favorite new TV shows in Minisode 39: Yellowjackets. We discuss the unique storytelling of Showtime’s blockbuster genre hybrid, the tremendous performances, the vivid evocation of high school in the 90s, the note-perfect needle drops, and how deftly this show avoids falling into the mystery box trap. Plus: our own high school sports careers, Vera finally appreciates Melanie Lynskey and Christina Ricci, who’s going to join the cult, and cannibalism galore! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@LivTarcov) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, move over necessity, Xena is the new mother of invention! Vera, Katie, and Livy discuss Xena’s many historic accomplishments in Minisode 38: Xena Did It First. We pick our favorite Xena inventions, from TV CPR to centaur cesarean sections to Caesar himself (maybe not her proudest moment). Even Gabs gets in on the action, inventing tap dancing and writing both the Iliad and the Bible. We have these ladies to thank for basically all of world history! Plus: we talk about some of the pop culture currently making us happy including Yellowjackets, West Side Story, Hawkeye, Scream, and more! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, reunited and it feels so good! Vera, Katie, and Livy are very thankful for Lucy Lawless and Renee O’Connor in Minisode 37: My Life is Murder (The One With Renee). We’re discussing the big episode, you know the one! It’s a family affair, with Michael Hurst in the director’s seat, Renee’s son joining his mom in front of the camera, and a whole lot of cameos, subtext references, and secret messages just for us! Plus: we’re also talking about Lucy and Renee on Tiny Kitchen Cook-Off, where they see their reflection in a tiny pile of nachos! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, it’s the match of the century! Vera, Katie, and Livy enter the ring for Minisode 36: Xena vs. Buffy Deathmatch! Join us as we referee a series of match-ups that will test our fannish loyalties and our hearts! Who will win when Joxer meets Xander? When Callisto meets Faith? When Gabs meets Willow? Waaaaaah, don’t make us choose! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, we’ve got recs! Vera, Katie, and Livy are talking fave summer entertainment in Minisode 35: Recs Roundup! It’s been a busy summer and we’ve watched and read many things! Join us as we discuss For All Mankind, Girls5Eva, Gideon the Ninth, Cruel Summer, Evil, Fear Street, and more. Plus: a sneak peek at upcoming minisode topics Black Widow, Motherland: Fort Salem, and of course, My Life is Murder! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, clear eyes, full bra, can’t lose! Vera, Katie, and Livy are off to the Ghost River Triangle for Minisode 34: Wynonna Earp, the little Syfy show that could. We discuss this Weird Western’s indebtedness to Xena and Buffy, its commitment to putting a happy queer relationship onscreen, and the obstacles it overcame with the help of its fervent fandom. Plus: Canadian production values, that time Lucy Lawless was almost cast as Mama Earp, never forget Doc Holliday is a dentist, and we love you WayHaught but you may have a sex addiction! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, Black Alert! Vera, Katie, and Livy journey into the unknown with Minisode 33: Star Trek: Discovery. We discuss the production troubles that led to successive showrunner changes and reboots, and the fascinatingly divergent iterations of the Star Trek universe that resulted, from Season 1’s explorations of imperialist warmongering and fascism to Season 3’s celebration of diversity and empathy, all of it built around the fascinating main character of Michael Burnham. Plus: Michelle Yeoh owns us, bury and resurrect your gays, Spock’s beard, justice for L’Rell, never forget the ship runs on mushrooms, captain catchphrases, Chief of Engineering Jett Reno, Vera IS that kind of person, Katie loves all the Star Treks, and all hail her most Imperial Majesty, Mother of the Fatherland, Overlord of Vulcan, Dominus of Qo’noS, Regina Andor: Philippa Georgiou Augustus Iaponius Centarius! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, it’s a bard’s tale! Vera, Katie, and Livy have their quills out and ready for Minisode 32: Xena Fanfiction. First we discuss our own fanfic histories as both readers and writers, and unpack the vital role fanfiction plays in fandom. Then we dive into Xena fic: its evolution as the show aired; its many genres and subgenres including alt, gen, Uber, Conqueror, and FIN fix-its, and the profound effects fanfic had on the TV show’s production, the lesbian erotica publishing industry, and on the Xena fan community itself. Plus: Vera doesn’t read, the fourth wall, why long fics are so popular, femslash vs. male/male slash, Livy’s sandcastle, Vivian Darkbloom’s sense of humor, and Missy Good’s fadeouts! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, care to join us for a Clandestine Glove Lunch? Vera, Katie, and Livy are pining and yearning in Minisode 31: Coming Out of the Corset, a discussion of Hollywood’s hottest new genre: Lesbian Period Dramas! We take five recent examples: The Handmaiden, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Ammonite, The Favourite, and Carol, and explore their similarities in structure, tone, symbols, and themes, as we wrestle with some burning questions like, why are these women always so sad and cold? Plus: the provocative sex scene setpieces that have become a genre staple, the female gaze and how it shifts when queer women are involved in front of and behind the camera, and the failures of this new genre to depict a full range of historial lesbian experiences. Plus: squid sex, the gift of Rachel Weisz, and Patricia Highsmith’s snail collection! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, what’s that sound? It’s Minisode 30: Whoosh.org! Vera, Katie, and Livy talk about the sprawling Xena website central to the fandom when the show was airing, and which continues to be an information hub today for fans both old and new. We discuss our own experiences using Whoosh.org to research our podcasts, and we also share the experiences of Whoosh webmistress Kym Taborn, who has seen everything there is to see in Xena fandom! Plus: the breadth and balance of the articles in the Journal of the International Association of Xena Studies, the cast and crew’s reaction to Whoosh.org, the website’s legacy, and how fandom has changed since the days of centralized fan communities. Where would we be without Whoosh?! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, the world of men do not deserve her! Break out your Lasso of Truth for Minisode 29: Wonder Woman. Vera, Katie, and Livy are talking about both of director Patty Jenkins’s big screen takes: Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984. We discuss the original film’s unique WWI setting, its mythic depiction of Amazons and their secret island of Themyscira, and the character-driven storytelling so rare in a superhero film. Then we move on to WW84, debating whether its about-face into ‘80s romp was the right play, just how creepy was that Steve Trevor plot, and oh what could have been with Barbara Minerva. Plus: wedge heels nooooo, horse stunts yessss, the femslash vibes of early dinner, American-issued bag!, Vera always wants more Athena, and just what is with these movies’ obsession with Elf? Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, she saved the (known) world a lot! This week, Vera, Katie, and Livy return to Sunnydale in Minisode 28: Sorry Buffy, Xena Did It First! We explore the many thematic elements shared by these two series in an attempt to solve the ultimate mystery: was Joss Whedon watching Xena and just how much stuff did he steal from it? Our evidence includes: Faith as Buffy’s dark mirror much like Callisto is Xena’s, Ares and Spike as reformed baddies in leather pants, shockingly dark musical episodes!, body swapping with your nemesis resulting in your nemesis having an identity crisis, It’s a Wonderful Life AUs, many years ago flashbacks with a morally dubious ex, deaths and resurrections, Sapphic body art, Sapphic levitation, just Sappho in general. Also: doppelgangers? fandom drama?? and character development??? Look, we know some of these are reaching, but hear us out! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, the data tells the story! Vera, Katie, and Livy are crunching the numbers in Minisode 27: Fins, Femmes, and Fractions. We re-evaluate an episode of Xena we’ve never given many kudos to, based on the rating system devised by two of our generous patrons! Will we appreciate it more if the data supports it? We’ll see! Plus: objectivity and subjectivity, cold nineties lipstick, how does math work?, are we evaluating Xena or are we evaluating ourselves?, Xena forever!, and this episode of the podcast is brought to you by De Beers! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/xenawarriorpodcast Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, ZOMBIIEEE-EEEE-EEE! Vera, Katie, and Livy sink their teeth into Minisode 26: Resident Evil. We discuss the video games that started it all, the surprisingly still good original film, the fantastic early aughts trend of mid-budget female asskicker movies, all the iconic setpieces, lewks, characters, and femslash ships. Then: we talk about some of the horror films and TV we’ve been watching this spooky season! Plus: under my umbrellaaaa, our little hellhound, no one wears a napkin like Milla Jovovich, Darren Q. Aronovsky, Nineties sticky-up hair, and Scooby Doo it is! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, kill them all! Vera, Katie, and Livy enter the arena with Minisode 25: Spartacus. Don’t judge this Starz show by its bawdy bloody reputation -- it’s a modern TV classic that combines the best of Xena and Buffy. We discuss Spartacus’s grand ambitions, its distinctive visual look, its deeply human characters, and its playful use of language to evoke the past. Also: did we mention Lucy Lawless is there, giving her most indelible performance since Xena? Plus: the House of Batiatus just trying to do their best, Vera’s gladiator facts, the Beast of New York, Rob Tapert’s continuing love of floaty fabrics, Bury Some But Not All of Your Gays, Downton Abbey and Spartacus are the same show?, another memorable crucifixion from Renpix, and SLO MOOOOOOOO. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, Happy Xenaversary!!! Vera, Katie, and Livy are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sins of the Past in Minisode 24: Our 25 Favorite Xena Things! In which we make a very scientific list of all things we love about Xena, including Xena’s murder smile, Gabrielle’s plot-motivated haircut, SPLISH SPLASH, patented soft voice, BOOB TOUCHES, doppelgangers, ABS, the way Xena says ‘Ares,’ flipping it out, and GOONS! Happy 25th!!! The power, the passion, the podcast! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, sorry baby! Vera, Katie, and Livy are dressed to kill in Minisode 23: Killing Eve. We discuss all three seasons of the hit BBC America series, a genre-bending boundary-busting queer feminist comedy thriller, the galaxy-brain ideas of head writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, stars Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer’s career trajectories, and our fave scenes, lewks, and kills. Plus: the dame-off that never happened, Livy’s least favorite trope, “British hot,” do villains need a backstory to explain their actions?, Villanelle is Rey’s mom???, and DASHA! The power, the passion, the podcast! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xenawarriorpodcast iTunes: http://apple.co/2f0NAIM Twitter: @xenawarriorpod Tumblr: xenawarriorpodcast.tumblr.com Facebook: facebook.com/xenawarriorpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/xenawarriorpodcast ———————————————————————— Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl) Katie: (@katetocci) Livy: (@PonderousLivy) Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/