Chris has around 20 releases since 1991, mostly under his own name, while moonlighting as a metal guy and otherwise collaborating. We discuss "She Looks Good in Black" from Obsolete Path (2025), "Intransitive Proverb" from Limitations of the Source Tape (2017), and "Angel Be Mine" from Your Own Chosen Speed (2001). End song: "Sisiphus" by Däng from Tartarus: The Darkest Realm (2014). Intro: "Every Time" by Flat Earth from Prefacipice (1991). More at  . .

NEM#232: Chris Church Refines Power Pop

Kolby runs , which curates short stories about philosophy. He's also been a "producer" of improv shows. We talk about what makes a story philosophical, Kolby tells some stories, and we run some scenes about teleporter shenanigans and guidance counseling. . . Sponsor: Go to  or use code IMPROV at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Philosophy vs. Improv #94: Storifying Philosophy w/ Kolby Granville

On the eight-film action series that launched in 1996 (based on the 1966 TV series) in light of its apparently final film. Featuring&nbsp;Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al. Is this a coherent narrative as the last film would have you believe, or just an excuse for a series of Tom Cruise physically challenges? Maybe the latter is enough for us! For more, visit . Hear this ad-free with bonus content at  or by subscribing via Apple Podcasts to the .

Pretty Much Pop #199: Missioning Impossibly

In immediate reaction to the Apple TV+ Seth Rogan show The Studio, we talk about Hollywood's obsession with itself and how studio dynamics interfere with what exactly we all get to see. Also, what's with the fascination with old Hollywood? What's the appeal of Hollywood gossip? Erica our first-season co-host returns to join Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. For more, visit . Hear this ad-free with bonus content at  or by subscribing via Apple Podcasts to the . If you enjoy our show, check out .

Pretty Much Pop #200: Hollywood Studio Antics (feat. The Studio and Erica Spyres)

Not only is John a multi-instrumentalist who's played with Violent Femmes, Allen Ginsberg, Hal Willner, John Prine, et al, but he's released around 24 albums as a solo artist or with groups including the NYC world music outfit TriBeCaStan. We discuss "(Be Careful What You Say to) An Armed Lady" by Folklorkestra from A Strange Day in June (2023), the title track from Forever Ago (with La Societe; del Musici) (2018), "Bed Bugs" by TriBeCaStan from New Deli (2012), and listen to "Back Country" by The Electric Chairmen from Toast (1995). Intro: "Grim Reaper’s Song" from&nbsp;Midnight Snack (1986). More at&nbsp;. . . Sponsor: Visit  to take control of your health through testing and get $100 off your membership.

NEM#234: John Kruth the Multi-Hyphenate

We're back for the 2025–26 school year after taking a hiatus last spring. Today, Ocean shares his thesis experience with us which was focused on studying writers from the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, especially Édouard Glissant, and tells us why he thinks poetry and art is important.

Ace Lackey '27, our new student producer, produced this episode for us. Welcome to the podcast Ace!

Reed community members can read Ocean's thesis, “ rhizophora” online in the Electronic Theses Archive:
https://rdc.reed.edu/i/ba4917ec-7250-448e-976a-ac001f5b3edc

Explore more interviews with Reed College alumni on our website:
reed.edu/burnyourdraft

#69: Inventing the Future with Ocean Chamberlain '23, Comparative Literature

2025 Convocation Audrey Bilger Welcome

Emma's economics department thesis explored the effect that Tony awards have on the consumer demand for Broadway shows.

Reed community members can read Emma's thesis, “'It's All About the Green': The Tony Award's Effect on Broadway Show Demand” online in the Electronic Theses Archive:
https://rdc.reed.edu/i/2ec90330-430a-417d-ad4b-b724611a5c60

Explore more interviews with Reed College alumni on our website:
reed.edu/burnyourdraft

#70: Value of a Tony with Emma Bramson '23, Economics

Amelie started out in the biology department at Reed because she wanted to study bacteria and living things, but then she got a chance to start learning from the biochemists on the faculty. They helped her build the bridge from chemistry to life, which led her to switch her major from biology to biochemistry and molecular biology.

Amelie was also the second student producer for Burn Your Draft, working with us from 2021–22, and it was a delight to get to talk to her.

Reed community members can read Amelie's thesis, “MntR: The Mastermind of Manganese Ion Homeostasis” online in the Electronic Theses Archive:
https://rdc.reed.edu/i/9e05e465-0d21-4fb0-9de1-e6d4d2bf1349

Explore more interviews with Reed College alumni on our website:
reed.edu/burnyourdraft

#71: Bags of Chemistry with Amelie Andreas '24, Biochem and Molecular Biology

I’m sure you've read joke books, but have you read ancient joke books? Let’s go back to our comedic roots with Jake Buck and his translation of one of the oldest Chinese joke books.

#2: Translating Ancient Chinese Jokes with Jake Buck '20, Chinese

“Burn Your Draft” is a podcast exploring the year-long senior thesis experience at Reed College, an independent liberal arts and sciences college in Portland, Oregon. Each episode showcases a senior or recent graduate and interviews them about their thesis: what is it, why did they do it, and what comes next. This podcast is a joint production of Reed students, staff, and alumni, and was made possible by a gift from Seth Paskin '90. New episodes released every other week during the academic year. Episodes may contain explicit language and may deal with sensitive topics. The views, information, or opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reed College.