Illiterate

Lupin | the French thief who outsmarted Sherlock Holmes

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the enormous world of Arsène Lupin, his connection to the British detective, Japanese anime, and what makes a gentleman thief. Lupin is o...

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | the Mother of the Blues

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How did a bisexual black woman become the founder of classic blues? And why don’t people know about her? Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is based on the ...

Best of 2020 | the finest moments of ILLITERATE this year

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Evan and Taylor replay the top moments from the year, and their picks for the must-listen episodes! If the show has helped, educated, or inspired you ...

Die Hard | how to make a Christmas story

26 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Was this always a Christmas film (and book?), and how did it redefine the “action hero”? Die Hard with Bruce Willis was originally “Nothing Last...

Hallmark Christmas Movies | mastering holiday media

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hallmark is not just cards. Learn about the twisty history the company has in TV, children’s toys, and even a famous invention! Extras: happiest s...

Steven Spielberg (pt 2) | the life of a director

11 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Catch up to the present with the twists and turns of the biggest director of the past 40 years. HBO documentary “Spielberg” trailer // 2 min http...

Steven Spielberg (pt 1) | the life of a director

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the twists and turns of the biggest director of the past 40 years. HBO documentary “Spielberg” trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/spielberghb...

Hillbilly Elegy | can memoirs make good movies?

27 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the book about, and why does the film miss it? And what the heck’s an elegy? Hillbilly Elegy is on Netflix, based on the book by JD Vance. ...

The Crown | how the British Royal Family works

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the purpose of the Royal Family, the Queen, and why are people so obsessed with them all? The Crown is on Netflix, based on the play The Audi...

The Queen’s Gambit | the story of a female chess prodigy

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Is the life of Beth Harmon, chess prodigy from the 1960s, based in fact? Why did this take so long to make? And how many more people are buying chess ...

Elections | stories of the American voting system

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A MISSING EPISODE! We recorded this episode about elections in books and films through history, but unfortunately lost the audio. Please enjoy a few r...

Halloween Special | the history of spooky stuff

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

BOO! Learn the history of Halloween traditions, and origins of the monsters from literature and film. Check out our other spooky episodes! ep. 87 - L...

Lovecraft Country | on monsters, magic, and Jim Crow

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How could the cosmic horror of HP Lovecraft meld with the Jim Crow laws of 1950’s America? Let’s find out! “Lovecraft Country” on HBO is by Mi...

The Haunting of Bly Manor | where ghosts come from

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the history of gothic horror, ghosts, and the works of Henry James. The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix) is based on The Turn of the Screw and th...

Books of Blood | the horrifyingly thoughtful mind of Clive Barker

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the deal with these spooky stories? Why do people like them? And how is it more than just gruesome gore? Books of Blood is on Hulu, based on ...

Who Framed Roger Rabbit | the founding of modern animation

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How did one of the highest grossing films of the 1980’s never get a sequel? What on earth was the book about? And why’s it so important to “bump...

Enola Holmes | it’s elementary, my dear listener

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dive into the mystery of Sherlock Holmes’ secret sister. Learn about - all the things people get wrong about Sherlock, obscure copyright laws, and w...

Moonlight | the path to portraying masculinity

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss the journey to creating the intimate story of growing up as a black gay man in Liberty City. Moonlight is based on the unrelease...

I’m Thinking of Ending Things | the pɹ!ǝʍ world of Charlie Kaufman (& Iain Reid)

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dive headfirst into the novel, nonlinear take on what makes us human. Is it horror, thriller, or just an existential question? I’m Thinking of Endin...

Philip K Dick | how to start the cyberpunk revolution

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Blade Runner. Minority Report. Total Recall. Just a few of the many stories by an almost-overlooked sci-fi legend - Philip K Dick left us a catalog of...

Taking a Break This Week!

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Evan and Taylor are off this week! Please reach out with a message if there’s a movie or book connection you want us to cover next time. Thank you a...

Avatar: The Last Airbender | the fight for a multicultural cartoon

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How did the hit Nickelodeon show come to be? What made it so revolutionary? And why is it all up in the news again? Avatar: The Last Airbender was cre...

The Secret Garden | the forgotten story of the bestselling female novelist

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Frances Hodgson Burnett was the bestselling American female novelist of her lifetime. How did her legacy end up becoming an often-forgotten children’...

Tread | building a Killdozer for small town revenge

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why did a man build a war machine and wreak havoc on a small town in Colorado? What films and movies might have inspired this? And is this the first t...

The Kissing Booth | how fan fiction gets sold for millions

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Shakespeare wrote fan-fiction? There’s sexy Gulliver’s Travels fanart? This is our most salacious episode yet, as we dive into the world of self-p...

Harriet | why no one really knows Harriet Tubman

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we learn Harriet Tubman’s incredible life, as an abolitionist, spy, and Civil War hero. And why are the only things about her life from c...

Love, Victor | coming out on the big screen

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the work that brought gay teen love stories to the mainstream. Love, Victor is on Hulu and based on the film Love, Simon, adapted from the...

Hamilton | America then, told by America now (Lin-Manuel Miranda & Ron Chernow)

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The ten-dollar Founding Father without a father, and how his story came to be. Hamilton is a musical on Disney Plus, based on the book Alexander Hamil...

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark | how Michelle McNamara tracked the Golden State Killer

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A civilian investigator becomes the foremost authority on a decades long manhunt. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is a miniseries on HBO, and a book, writt...

Watchmen (HBO) | the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We tackle the race massacre of 1921, the lead-up of the Red Summer of 1919, and the hidden history uncovered in modern times. Watchmen is created by D...

Da 5 Bloods | Black Veterans of the Vietnam War (from Spike Lee & Wallace Terry)

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s talk about our history. We learn about the black veterans of the Vietnam War, and hear the stories of military service of African Americans in...

Harry Potter (pt 3) | the worldwide impact

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How so many parts of our world have been touched by the magic. Extras: how Harry Potter changed books // article https://bit.ly/hpbooklegacy the p...

Eight minutes, forty-six seconds

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Eight minutes, forty-six seconds. That is how long a police officer kept his knee on George Floyd’s neck. A murder committed on an unarmed black ma...

Harry Potter (pt 2) | how the movies got made

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The magical cinematic journey from book to screen. Extras: the first screen test with Harry, Hermione, and Ron // 12 min https://bit.ly/hpscreentes...

Bad Education | the biggest theft from the best school (Frank Tassone)

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How does 11 million dollars go missing from the best school system in the nation? And what does Charles Dickens have to do with it? Bad Education is a...

Harry Potter (pt 1) | the life of JK Rowling

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How it all began, with the woman who made the best-selling book series of all time. Extras: JK Rowling on her extensive notes // 5 min https://bit....

Defending Jacob | is there a murder gene?

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We tackle the history of legal thrillers, the journey of a lawyer-turned-author, and if violence is hereditary. Defending Jacob is a miniseries on App...

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy | don't forget your towel

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The comedic sci-fi series you wish you understood, and now, you can! Learn about Douglas Adams, the number 42, and why you shouldn’t panic. It’s t...

Mrs. America | how one woman changed the United States

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about one of the most influential women of the 20th century, how amendments work, and a college sophomore who uncovered a 202-year-old loophole ...

Westworld | the masterful mind of Michael Crichton

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We uncover the origins of the hit TV show on HBO, the beginning of computer effects in film, and the life of the author of Jurassic Park. Westworld is...

Emma & Clueless | why Jane Austen is timeless

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Journey with us into Regency England, Beverly Hills in the ’90’s, and what Jane Austen invented that changed literature. Extras: Emma. (2020) t...

Little Fires Everywhere | moms in the 1990’s

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The odd (and real!) town of Shaker Heights, baby adoption in the 1990’s, and Evan and Taylor’s earnest attempt to understand motherhood. This week...

The Plot Against America | if Charles Lindbergh was president

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We give you the imaginary presidency of Charles Lindbergh, the cycles of human history, and what the heck was really going on in 1940. This week, “T...

Pandemics | how they affect art & history (feat. Contagion & Outbreak)

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Stay safe, wash your hands, socially distance, and call your parents! This week, we cover pandemics in history, and some old movies that are now popul...

Peter Pan & Wendy | the adventure of growing up

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The new, artistic film “Wendy” by Benh Zeitlin, the odd life of author JM Barrie, and the largest covert operation to fly children across the worl...

The Invisible Man | how to modernize a monster (Leigh Whannell & HG Wells)

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We tackle the father of science fiction, the odd 2000’s Kevin Bacon adaptation, predicting the future, and even the One Ring from Lord of the Rings....

The Call of the Wild | how to be a real dog (feat. Togo)

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We explain the history behind the madman Jack London, his iconic work, the bizarre Disney adaptation, and a lesser known, live-action dog tale. The Ca...

High Flying Bird | the business of the NBA

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

An under-the-radar film shot on iPhone, the 1968 Olympic protests, and The Revolt of the Black Athlete. The book is by Harry Edwards, and High Flying ...

Parasite | foreign films and critics awards

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The South Korean film that swept the Oscars this year, and the meaning behind the big film and literature prizes. Extras: Parasite trailer / 2 min:...

Color Out of Space | HP Lovecraft & the long-lost Richard Stanley

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How the 24-year-missing director of this film is a Nazi-hunting Indiana Jones, the unfortunate life of H.P. Lovecraft, and what makes these spooky sto...

Gretel & Hansel | with director Oz Perkins

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

An interview with the director, Oz Perkins of the new film, Gretel and Hansel. Plus, were the Grimm Brothers really so grim? And why are there so many...

Martin Luther King, Jr | how to lead a movement

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Civil Rights movement in the 60’s, the missing speech paper, FBI threats, and the biggest Star Trek fan. We cover Martin Luther King Jr, and Sel...

Animal Farm | teaching history with pigs

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about how the CIA paid for the film version, the links to the Russian Revolution, and how the author (literally) lost his voice. This is a dive ...

Little Women | the history of these heroines

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The story behind the progressive book from 150 years ago, and why it keeps being re-told. Little Women is based on the book by Louisa May Alcott. Lin...

New Year's Special | the past & future of Illiterate

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Evan and Taylor recap the best episodes, uncover shocking new developments, and say what’s in store for 2020. Also, YOU can get some FREE illiterate...

Cats | how to make a musical sensation

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Musicals from the 80’s, an almost-animation, the history, the hype, and why on earth there’s a movie now. Cats is based on TS Eliot’s “Old Pos...

Star Wars | the forgotten book (feat. Splinter of the Mind’s Eye)

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was a book. The Star Wars saga is more intertwined in literature than you’ve ever been told. Also,...

The Irishman | the Forrest Gump of organized crime

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The mafia, Jimmy Hoffa, and the Irish guy who told it all. The Irishman, directed by Martin Scorsese is based on the (maybe) true book, “I Heard You...

Frozen | how a fairy tale made billions

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The decades-long production of Frozen, the wild life of a Danish man, and how a 150-year-old story made just a few billion dollars. Frozen is based on...

Thanksgiving Special | what to watch and read this holiday

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the history of Black Friday, media to watch/read this season, and the juicy details on the Christmas films we all love. (Yep, they were books.) ...

Ford v Ferrari | why racing is about people (feat. Go Like Hell)

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Everything you need to know about Le Mans, racing, and the underdog team that changed the game. The film Ford v Ferrari, based on the book Go Like Hel...

Stephen King | an amazing life of horror (feat. Doctor Sleep)

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Everything you need to know about the master of horror. Also, the tale behind his latest adaptation, Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining. Watch/re...

Motherless Brooklyn | detectives, Tourette’s, & 20 year projects

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The film that took two decades (and a million favors) to make, and the book about a detective with Tourette’s. Also, the secret man who ran New York...

The Laundromat | the Panama Papers and their “Secrecy World”

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Explaining the biggest worldwide monetary scandal everyone promptly forgot about. The Laundromat is out on Netflix, based on the book Secrecy World by...

Jojo Rabbit | finding comedy in Hitler (feat. Caging Skies)

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How the film Jojo Rabbit was birthed from a tragic book, the history of Hitler satire, and what all the dictators are writing about. Jojo Rabbit is ou...

Nancy Drew | how her mysteries inspired millions

18 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the bizarre changes to Nancy Drew over time, who wrote the stories, and why she’s inspired millions, even if we can’t remember what ha...

Joker | how one villain has multiple origins

11 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the history of the Joker, and the real world assassinations and scandals that created the Joker character over the years. Now a major film...

Judy Garland | living at the End of the Rainbow

04 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the tumultuous life of Judy Garland, and the lesser know play End of the Rainbow - which the new film “Judy” is based on. We also rev...

Ad Astra & Heart of Darkness | journeying into the unknown

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the space epic Ad Astra and the 19th century novella it’s based on, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. SUPPORT US: CRAZY DEAL - 5$ for...

The Goldfinch | do great books make bad movies?

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t let this one pass you by. Learn about the Pulitzer-Prize winning epic that became a box office bust. By Donna Tartt. SUPPORT US: CRAZY DEAL -...

It | why clowns are scary

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The horror epic that spawned our preteen nightmares. Learn about the origins of the book, how it got adapted, the history of clowns, and why Stephen K...

Huck Finn & The Peanut Butter Falcon | adapting the american controversy

06 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the amazing independent film, The Peanut Butter Falcon and how it fits into the controversial classic, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by M...

Toni Morrison | how to write with a voice

30 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the Nobel & Pulitzer Prize winning author, teacher, editor and voice of the black experience. SUPPORT US LINKS: Get a copy of Toni’...

Mindhunter | the story of the real serial killer FBI team

23 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the FBI team who solved crimes by partnering with the biggest baddies of our time. By John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, also a hit show o...

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark | why children need horror

16 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

BOO. Learn about the artwork that gave every 90’s kid nightmares, and the history of horror in Children’s literature. Now a feature film in theate...

Charles Manson, Hollywood, and the CIA | a theory 20 years in the making

09 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The theories and web of connections you’ve never heard in the case against Charles Manson. We discuss CHAOS by Tom O’Neill (a masterwork 20 years ...

The Boys | why we're starting to say "f*** superheroes"

02 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What if superheroes were just as flawed as our celebrities and politicians? Learn about an amazing comic series, also now a show on Amazon. ANNOUNCEM...

Hamlet | how one of the most copied works was made

19 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

To listen, or not to listen…of course you should! One of the most quoted (and copied) works of all time, but did Willy Shakes copy someone else? Joi...

The Greatest Literary Hoax | how JT Leroy fooled millions

12 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Was it a performance piece, or a con-artist job? Learn both sides of the story, with the tale of the mysterious author JT Leroy. Now a film with Laura...

1775 | why it's such an important year for america

04 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The more important year? Learn about what started the revolution, and some little known facts to impress at the weekend picnics. 1775 by Kevin Phillip...

Catch-22 (part 2) | how war is scarily funny

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

War! HUH. What is it good for? Learn about Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, now a Hulu show from George Clooney. NOTE: This is a monster classic, so we mad...

Catch-22 (part 1) | how war is scarily funny

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

War! HUH. What is it good for? Learn about Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, now a Hulu show from George Clooney. NOTE: This is a monster classic, so we mad...

This is Where You Belong | how to love where you live

21 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Going off to college? Getting started in a new place? Just want to feel more connected? Learn the best ways to love where you live, with tools, tips, ...

Voices From Chernobyl | the human stories of disaster

14 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hear the human stories of the disaster, from Nobel-Prize winning author Svetlana Alexievich, in Voices From Chernobyl. Now a 5 part HBO miniseries. Pl...

The Handmaid's Tale | what our past says about our future

07 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

History, or the future? We uncover what makes this book so important, the crazy-good ending, and how the tone of words gets translated to film. Learn ...

Casino Royale | the literary origins of James Bond

31 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Was the original James Bond a gruff, angry old man?! Learn about the origins of the famous character, The Fleming Effect, and how to play Baccarat. N...

Aladdin | the original had two genies, and more

24 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There were two genies?! Learn about the original street rat, ancient literary history, and how people thought every place they didn’t know was calle...

Digital Minimalism | how to detox from social media

17 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A hot, new bestselling 2019 release! Learn about the ways you can declutter your digital life and go Marie Kondo on your phone. This week, we tackle D...

Ted Bundy's Girlfriend | firsthand account of The Phantom Prince

10 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Strap into a crazy roller-coaster relationship story, from Elizabeth Kendall, who was in a relationship with Ted Bundy through the 70’s. Learn thing...

Lord of the Flies | the original Hunger Games

03 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You've heard about Hunger Games, but do you know where the start of savage children began? There's so much more to it, so get those ears a'listenin to...

Stan Lee and Marvel Comics | the spectacular story

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You know him from his appearance in every Marvel film. But do you know how he came to create all those heroes, and why his comics were so revolutionar...

How to Change Your Mind | everything you should know about psychedelics

19 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The history and future of psychedelics (and a drunk moose!) The book this week is "How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teach...

Dr. Seuss | how he became the top children's author

12 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we tackle the life and legacy of Dr. Seuss. CONTENT CORRECTION: Every time we mention the 500 Fingers of Dr. T, it should be 5,000. He's go...

Better Than Before | how to form habits

05 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we tackle habits, tactics, and self awareness with “Better Than Before” by Gretchen Rubin. SHOW LINKS: the quiz for your Four Tendencie...

Becoming by Michelle Obama | the life of a First Lady

29 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A life of a former first lady. By Michelle Obama. SHOW LINKS: a trailer for the film "Jackie" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cdzT05HpS4 her interv...

Watchmen | why superheroes changed

22 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The OG gritty reboot. By Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Our most visual book yet, be sure to look at the links! SHOW NOTES: A great video about it being...

Black Klansman | how a black man infiltrates the KKK

15 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A black man infiltrates the KKK. True story. By Ron Stallworth. The interview where Ron and Spike Lee talk about David Duke concerned he'll look foo...

Pride and Prejudice | how Jane Austen gets modern love

08 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Canoodling. By Jane Austen. This is a MEGA CLASSIC, so it’s a bit more exhaustive, but well worth knowing. The 5 cool party topics - The book is ...

Betcha didn't know that!

28 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Find out the surprising literary basis for our current news, movies, and pop culture with Evan and Taylor, every Friday. Illiterate is the only book p...