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The Protagonist Podcast

Dueling Genre Productions
Naruto
Bluey
Children's Media
Alan Menken
The Rookie
The Little Mermaid
Frozen
Police Procedural
Data
Star Trek: the Next Generation
Storytelling
Big Fish
Dune
Nathan Fillion
Copaganda
Starfleet
Artificial Intelligence
Tim Burton
John August
Land Of Waves Arc

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes568Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for The Protagonist Podcast

Latest Episodes

Description

Returning guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss the tv show Resident Alien. This sci-fi dramedy series stars Alan Tudyk as an alien who wants to destroy earth but is disguised as the human Harry Vanderspiegle. We discuss the tone of the... more

Description

First time guest Valentino Zullo joins Joe to discuss “Kamen’s Kalamity,” a story from the EC Comics Tales from the Crypt #31. We discuss the place of EC Comics in pop culture history, and also dig into this particular story which is a f... more

Description

Returning guests Lena English and Tayler Iverson join Joe to discuss the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You. Based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, this film moves the plot to an American high school in the late 1990s. Starrin... more

Description

First-time guest Joseph Darowski (hi, Dad) joins returning guest John Darowski and Joe to discuss to stories about supernatural dangers faced by humans as they take to the skies. “The Horror of the Heights” is a 1913 short story by Arthu... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

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)
Branden Ushio
Returning guest
Episode: Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso from The Karate Kid (film 1984)
Gabriel McKee
Author and researcher of UFO culture, promoting his book, The Saucerian.
MIT Press
Episode: UFO Stories (special 2025)

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 States3 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 States4 months ago
  • Love the Amulet episode

    See above

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DJ fgfff
    Canada5 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.

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.
The Power Family and Friends from Power Pack (comic 1984)
Q: Who is the intended audience for this comic?
The intended audience seems to be a mixture of young readers with themes that may appeal to older adolescents or adults due to the mature subject matter.

Audience Metrics

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

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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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What are the audience demographics for The Protagonist Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does The Protagonist Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Protagonist Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Protagonist Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Protagonist Podcast:

1. Everything 80s
2. DC Studios Showcase: The Official Podcast
3. Office Ladies
4. Star Trek: Khan
5. Avatar: Braving the Elements

How many episodes of The Protagonist Podcast are there?

The Protagonist Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 568 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Protagonist Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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. Valentino Zullo
2. Lena English
3. Taylor Iverson
4. Josh Allen
5. Andrew Deman
6. Stephanie Siler
7. Wayne Wise
8. Branden Ushio

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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