material girls

We're Halfway to Spring!

Welcome back to The Monthly Hoot: Witch, Please Productions' Newsletter!

Witch, Please Productions

— 6 min read
We're Halfway to Spring!

Hi lovely people!

As of this past weekend, we’re officially halfway to the spring equinox, hell yeah! I celebrated Imbolc by making a jar altar on my mantle filled with salt, herbs, evergreens, and a flameless candle (I’m too scared of fire to use a real one!) and spent some time outside. There’s a big pond in my neighborhood park that has been frozen since the start of the year and it’s finally starting to thaw—pretty neat. Things are starting to grow, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Sound off in the comments with what’s making you feel okay these days — we welcome all suggestions for staying OK. Read on for updates from the crew!

Love ya!

xoxo,

Gaby, Hannah, Marcelle, Coach, and Zoe

First up, longtime friend of the pod, Neale Barnholden (he/him), joins Marcelle and Hannah to discuss the materiality of comic books and their influence on modern-day meme culture! If you’re someone with a favorite meme or a tendency to only communicate with extended family and friends through this little guy, then we think you’ll enjoy the episode. AND if you can’t get enough of film guy Neale, buy his book From Gum Wrappers to Richie Rich: The Materiality of Cheap Comics, here!

Next up, it’s a new Material Concerns! In this episode, Hannah and Marcelle consider being emotional support Canadians for Americans and then chat about fancy linen paper in the 1700s, memes, monoculture and more! As a reminder, for just $5 USD/month you'll get part two, our extensive backlog of bonus content, and ad-free episodes, oh my!!

You’re Invited

On February 15th at 2 pm ET, we’re hosting a watch-along of (near-perfect film) Thelma & Louise in the spirit of Valentine’s Day! Centering friendship, women and the escape from patriarchy for V-Day? Hell yeah! We can’t help ourselves! Also, patrons voted for it. :) Join us at the $10+/month tiers and you can attend! We gather on discord, Hannah and Marcelle chat, everyone makes silly jokes in the chat and we have a generally wonderful time.

BEFORE THEN — on February 13th, patrons of our highest two tiers (Board of Trusties and Apologetic Billionaires) are invited to join a production meeting with Coach, Hannah and Marcelle. We’re meeting with patrons to discuss some very exciting upcoming changes and to have a group brainstorm. If that sounds like fun to you, be sure to join our Patreon before February 13th at the $30+/month tiers to get the invite!

Be a Hero, Join Our Patreon

Oh here’s one other thing you should know, if you have a friend for whom you need to buy a gift, you can buy them a Patreon subscription! I’m sorry (COACH SORRY), but this is a relatively new feature on Patreon and it’s so exciting for small indie productions like us who survive only because of patreon support. Send a gift to your coolest friend(s)!

Wicked is Gay!

In case you missed it, Marcelle went long on Galinda, Elphaba, and “I’m Not That Girl” in a new Behind the Episode newsletter! Thoughts? Questions? Give it a read and let us know your take!

It’s cold and the world is kind of a bummer, so here are some of our favorite un-skippable bops! Dance, sing, etc. Get ‘em here. Xoxo.

I have been having A Very Bad Time (unique, surprising, wow) and when I am sad what I want is to listen to funny people be funny and silly in my ears. To that end, I have spent the past week bingeing the entire back catalogue of Caleb Hearon's So True (thank you daddy headgum, I love you daddy headgum), which is sharp and funny and profoundly queer. I particularly loved his episode with Josh Sharp (of Dicks: The Musical fame) but start wherever you want, it's all just silly fun. And while I'm at it, I know this is supposed to be about things I'm listening to but you probably need to watch Caleb on Ziwe.
On the recommendation of friend-of-the-pod Carly B., I borrowed Now Is Not The Time To Panic by Kevin Wilson from my public library. I had previously read and ADORED Wilson's novel Nothing to See Here (which I think Carly had also recommended?), so I was optimistic about this read. It did not disappoint! Wilson writes female protagonists who are quirky, complicated, and imperfect but deeply sympathetic. This novel is about two awkward teens in a small town who desperately want to Do Something Big, an experience I remember so palpably it hurts. The main events take place in the '90s and I think the protagonist does a lovely job of reflecting on how untethered she was (and we were) by communications technology and social media back then. It's thoughtful and believable. If, like me, you prefer an audiobook format, Now Is Not The Time To Panic has a great reader and production quality. Either way, I think you'll love this book!
I've been watching everything Mitch Wood posts on Instagram (and sending videos back and forth with my mom on the daily). This man makes me laugh so hard with his specific impressions of the many people you encounter in theater. Please enjoy my current favorite: Girl in Cast Who Injured Herself 10 Years Ago.
As I lay here in bed with the flu, I am dreaming of being well enough to make these NYT Recipes brownies again! I have made them for friends three times in the last two weeks, and they are always a huge hit. They can easily be made gluten free as well.
Hey did you guys know it’s fucking cold out? I recently went to a football game (lol) and the temperature was like, I don’t know, negative one million fucking degrees with wind. You can tell I’m still mad about it by my attitude writing this. Anyway, I invested in these hand warmers ahead of time and graciously gave them to my partner and friends (even though it was their fault I was at an NFL game) (kidding, I eventually had fun) and man, these fuckers will keep you TOASTY. They also make them for your feet! They activate as soon as you open them and then you’re all set. I recommend if you hate winter as much as I do. Bonus: visual evidence of me being cold as fuck.

Have a topic you want us to tackle? Feel free to submit to this form!

Something else you want us to know? You can always email us at ohwitchplease@gmail.com.

Want to talk to us all the time? Join our $30 Patreon tier and find us on Slack, where we live.

Want to sponsor an episode of Gender Playground? Learn more here!

Have a strongly worded comment about this newsletter? You can now reply right on Substack and we’ll be able to see it and even reply! Just be nice to us.

You can also leave us a review for Material Girls or Gender Playground on Apple Podcasts! We love that. They make us happy.

Okay, bye! xoxo

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