The Occasionalists Podcast

1965: Signals in the Dark

Our first episode of 2026 is here!
To kick off our brand new theme, we are taking it way back to a year of political turmoil, foreign wars, and true crime. That may sound very current, but that's the point!
We are discussing the year 1965 for all of January, and we are starting with the unprecedented rise in violence in the United States, headlined by America's budding interest in serial killers.

Top 5 of 2025: #1 - Franchise February The Walking Dead - February 28

Our final episode of 2025 is a revisit to the top episode of the year, and it's no surprise what's taking the top spot: The Walking Dead!
Specifically, our look at The Walking Dead during Franchise February with Chemma.
This episode's popularity is proof that not only is TWD a legit mega-franchise, but maybe the biggest in television history. Maybe? 
Let's discuss it! 

2025 Pop Culture Year in Review

Our last new episode of 2025 is a look at some of the best of pop culture in 2025. 
Short and sweet synopsis, no?
See you next year, kiddos!

Top 5 of 2025: #2 - Musical Movie May Scores and Soundtracks - May 9

Our #2 episode of the year is another academic-style episode where we broke down the differences between movie scores and soundtracks and some of the key terminology that comes with this musical territory.
Enjoy!

The Occasionalists Year in Review 2025

It's time for our first of two wrap-up episodes, offering a direct look back at each month and what was learned throughout the year.
Enjoy the first part of our Year in Review.

Top 5 of 2025: #3 Fright Fest 7 Horror Comedies 101 - Oct 3

The #3 episode as voted (there was no vote) on by you is another intro minisode. This time, it was our intro to the world of Horror Comedies. 
What makes a horror comedy great and how do the two genres overlap? Listen and find out!

In Memoriam: Dennis Kisela

This past week has been one of the hardest all of us associated with the podcast have ever had. Our dear friend Dennis Kisela passed away unexpectedly last week. He was a building block of what this show would eventually become, teaming up with me almost two decades(!) ago to produce our stupid little sports and pop culture podcast.
Needless to say everyone who knew him is crushed and words alone cannot do him justice.
I think re-sharing the Drinking W/ Buds episode, Denny's last on the podcast, will give everyone some insight into the funny and kind person he was and why he was a great friend to me for over 20 years.
Dennis Kisela. Gone but not forgotten.

Top 5 of 2025: #4 Musical Movie May Primer - May 2

The #4 episode of 2025 has been revealed and it is...an intro episode?! I'm assuming this is because it's really short and our brains can't focus for more than 30 minutes at a time. I get it!
Enjoy this brief minisode on the goings on for the first ever Musical Movie May.