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The Protagonist Podcast

Dueling Genre Productions
Disney
Naruto
Bluey
Children's Media
The Rookie
Mary Poppins
Hercules
The Little Mermaid
Police Procedural
Data
Star Trek: the Next Generation
Big Fish
Storytelling
Dune
Nathan Fillion
Copaganda
Artificial Intelligence
Starfleet
John August
Tim Burton

Each week we discuss a great character in a great story. Hosted by Joseph J. Darowski.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes577Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for The Protagonist Podcast

Latest Episodes

Description

Returning Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe and Producer Andrew for their annual Christmas Special. Producer Andrew has provided Todd and Joe with a list of titles for Christmas movies they have never seen, and Todd and ... more

Description

Returning guest Cavan Helps and Norman Mitchell join Joe and Producer Andrew for a role-playing Christmas adventure. This year, we’re celebrating the holidays in the Marvel Universe.

Support

• Patreon

Description

Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss the 1816 short story “The Nutcracker” by E.T.A. Hoffman. This story has been adapted frequently and has become a Christmas classic. It tells the story of a young girl’s favorite Ch... more

Description

Returning guest Kate Reid joins Joe to discuss the classic sitcom Friends. We’re talking about a pair of their Thanksgiving episodes, “The One with All the Thanksgivings” and “The One Where Ross Got High.” Besides talking about the speci... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

Jonathan Wade
Specialist in early modern Spanish literature and an educator
Episode: Vashti and Kuno from “The Machine Stops” and the man from “Mechanopolis” (short stories 1909 and 1913)
Andy Hartzell
Cartoonist and author of the graphic novel 'Monday'
Uncivilized Books
Episode: Eve and Adam from Monday (comic 2025)
Valentino Zullo
Associate Editor at the Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics, psychotherapist
Episode: Jack Kamen from Kamen’s Kalamity (comic 1952)
Lena English
Episode: Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona from 10 Things I Hate About You (film 1999)
Taylor Iverson
Episode: Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona from 10 Things I Hate About You (film 1999)
Josh Allen
Author of middle grade horror and spooky stories for children
Self
Episode: Mabel and Dipper from Gravity Falls (tv 2012)
Andrew Deman
Episode: The teammembers from X-Factor #87 (comic 1992)
Stephanie Siler
Wife of host Chris Mav Maverick, guest on the show.
Episode: Inverted Detective Stories or “HowCatchEms” (special 2025)
Wayne Wise
Episode: Maggie and Hopie from Love and Rockets (comic 1981)

Host

Joseph J. Darowski
Host of a show focused on character analyses within various narratives and storytelling mediums.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 121 ratings
  • It’s so good

    I love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Good :D :)
    United States5 months ago
  • A great listen!

    I love that they pull characters from all different types of media, and discuss characters as both fans and as academics. More than once I’ve gone to read or watch something based solely on this podcast’s recommendation and I’ve never been disappointed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MustReview
    United States6 months ago
  • Love the Amulet episode

    See above

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DJ fgfff
    Canada7 months ago
  • Yea!!!

    It’s so entertaining

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    name: peter
    United States2 years ago
  • So Good!

    Fun and in-depth discussion on great stories and characters. Great guests! The special game episodes are brilliant! Don’t miss out!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnonymousHui
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is praised for introducing new stories and characters to listeners, enriching their understanding of narrative techniques.
Listeners enjoy the engaging discussions that balance humor with intellectual analysis of characters from various media.
Many find the mix of nostalgia and critical examination refreshing, making the podcast both entertaining and enlightening.
Reviews often highlight the enthusiastic hosts and their ability to make complex topics accessible, which enhances the overall listening experience.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Vashti and Kuno from “The Machine Stops” and the man from “Mechanopolis” (short stories 1909 and 1913)
Q: If you could have a dinner party and hang out with a handful of fictional characters, who would you want to enjoy the company of for an evening?
I want Don Quixote and Sancho Panza because the night wouldn't be the same with just one or the other.
Maggie and Hopie from Love and Rockets (comic 1981)
Q: Wayne, I know this is a text you know far better than me. Why don't you tell us a little bit about your relationship with music or Love and Rockets?
Wayne shares his early reading experiences and how he encountered Love and Rockets at a young age, while also discussing how the series has developed over time and the significant impact it has had on his personal reading journey.
Valentina from Lunar New Year Love Story (graphic novel 2024)
Q: What were you trying to capture in presenting Valentina?
Gene explains that Valentina's character explores different types of love, including familial relationships and the relationship with truth.
Valentina from Lunar New Year Love Story (graphic novel 2024)
Q: How did your collaboration come about?
Gene and LeUyen share the story of their long-lasting friendship and previous discussions about collaborating, leading to the creation of 'Lunar New Year Love Story'.
The Power Family and Friends from Power Pack (comic 1984)
Q: Why do the Power Pack characters appear younger than their age?
They were created during a time when the storytelling aspect in comic books often had characters becoming stuck at a certain age, while real time progresses.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Protagonist Podcast

What is The Protagonist Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly examination of memorable characters from a variety of stories, this podcast explores the depth and nuance that define great narratives across different media, including literature, film, television, and comics. The conversations delve into character motivations, themes, and the storytelling techniques that bring these figures to life, engaging listeners with both analytical insights and personal reflections from the hosts and their guests. Notably, it fosters a vibrant community of story enthusiasts by intertwining scholarly discussions with a sense of fun and nostalgia, promoting a better understanding of storytelling tropes and character arcs in popular culture.

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How many listeners does The Protagonist Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Protagonist Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Protagonist Podcast:

1. Stuff You Should Know
2. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

How many episodes of The Protagonist Podcast are there?

The Protagonist Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 577 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Protagonist Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Protagonist Podcast?

Recent guests on The Protagonist Podcast include:

1. Jonathan Wade
2. Andy Hartzell
3. Valentino Zullo
4. Lena English
5. Taylor Iverson
6. Josh Allen
7. Andrew Deman
8. Stephanie Siler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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