Special Topics in Media
Special Topics in Media Studies is a lecture-based podcast that tackles media history one artifact at a time. Each season of the series we will investigate a different mass media theme, medium, or programming genre. While our focus is educational (it is an academic podcast after all), we tailor our conversations toward a broad audience of media enthusiasts.
Episodes
157 episodes
Summer Movie Season Top 5's - First Run In-Theater Heart-Pounding Experiences ...and Kindergarten Graduation!
In this early interlude within our Special Topics in Media "2025 Summer Movie Season", host Garret Castleberry accesses sentimental bias to recall his "Top 5 First-Run Summertime In-Theater Heart-Pounding Experiences". It...
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Season 10
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Episode 14
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32:19
2025 Summer Movie Season - April
The extended "2025 Summer Movie Season" wrap-up conversation starts here! Host Garret Castleberry is joined by media scholar Kyle Hammonds to list, rate, and respond to the films that ushered in the summer movie season back in April.
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Season 10
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Episode 13
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1:02:32
Summer Movie Season Top 5's - The Brainstorm!
As we get set to premiere our "2025 Summer Movie Season", host Garret Castleberry ushers in a secondary moviegoing conversation that strikes at the heart of memories, movies, and personal preferences. It's a Top 5 Brainstor...
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Season 10
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Episode 12
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14:26
2025 Summer Movie Season - The Preview!
The cinema harvest is nearly here! Tune in to our "2025 Summer Movie Season" preview event. Host Garret Castleberry and Kyle Hammonds dart under the velvet rope, cut through the concession lines, and sneak into their local ...
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Season 10
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Episode 11
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13:58
Talking Mass Communication Perspectives - "Smartphones as Substitute Teachers"
This week we wind down our "Talking Mass Communication Perspectives" season of Special Topics in Media
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Season 13
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Episode 5
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41:38
Talking Mass Communication Perspectives - "Hashtag Advertising and Multistep Flow Theory"
Welcome to the "Talking Mass Communication Perspectives" season of Special Topics in Media. Once ag...
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Season 13
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Episode 4
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41:16
Talking Mass Communication Perspectives - "Muted Group Theory in Pixar Animation"
Welcome to the "Talking Mass Communication Perspectives" season of Special Topics in Media. This we...
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Season 13
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Episode 3
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42:15
150th Episode Monologue!
In this summer interlude, host Garret Castleberry looks back at the past year's programming themes, while setting the stage for ongoing programming to come. Host: Garret CastleberryProducers: Garret Castleberry...
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12:07
Talking Mass Communication Perspectives - "Fantasy Theme Analysis in TV's Parks & Rec"
Welcome to the "Talking Mass Communication Perspectives" season of Special Topics in Media. This we...
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Season 13
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Episode 2
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37:42
Talking Mass Communication Perspectives - "Interpreting Hegemony in Disney"
Welcome to the "Talking Mass Communication Perspectives" season on Special Topics in Media. This we...
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Season 13
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Episode 1
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37:33
Talking Mass Communication Perspectives - The Teaser!
A New Season begins! What is on deck? Who is covering it? And why should you listen!Reading Reference: Roberts, Kathleen Glenister (Editor).
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Season 13
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10:37
Internship Interview Series: "Sports Social Media & Graphic Design" with Jacob Mallozzi
Closing out our Internship Interview Series, host Garret Castleberry visits with graduating senior and MACU's Men's Baseball pitcher Jacob ...
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Season 12
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Episode 6
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25:22
Internship Interview Series: "Social Media Coordinator" with Kaetlen Schier
Winding down this month's Internship Interview Series, host Garret Castleberry visits with junior Kaetlen Schier, a student athlete "t...
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Season 12
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Episode 5
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24:07
Internship Interview Series: "Multimedia Ministry" with Brady Allen
Rounding the corner with May's Internship Interview Series, host Garret Castleberry connects with junior Brady Allen, a missions-minded med...
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Season 12
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Episode 4
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17:25
Internship Interview Series: "Social Media Videography" with Jared Hinkle
Continuing May's Internship Interview Series, host Garret Castleberry connects with sophomore Jared Hinkle, a burgeoning videographer and s...
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Season 12
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Episode 3
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23:24
Internship Interview Series: "Public Speaking" with Annabeth Fehrle
Diving deeper into May's Internship Interview Series, host Garret Castleberry sits down with graduating senior,
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Season 12
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Episode 2
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24:45
Internship Interview Series: "JV Collegiate Coaching" with Jordan Smith
Kicking off May's Internship Interview Series, host Garret Castleberry sits down with graduating senior, MACU Men's Baseball Pitcher, and r...
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Season 12
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Episode 1
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19:25
Internship Interview Series - The Teaser!
This May, Special Topics in Media is proud to recognize students demonstrating excellence through participating in internship partnership this year. Throughout the month we will spotlight one-on-one sit-downs with current and grad...
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Season 12
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6:23
"College Unpacked" Author Interview with J Hall
Celebrating independent bookstore week, Special Topics in Media host Garret Castleberry sits down with...
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52:37
Vinylthon Month Special: Vinyl on Film Countdown!
Vinylthon month is here! Which raises a fun question: How does vinyl intersect with other mass mediums? To connect the dots between vinyl and film history, Scott McMurry joins Special Topics in Media for a discussi...
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Season 11
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Episode 3
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1:08:49
Vinylthon Month Special: What is Vinyl?
Vinylthon month is here! Which raises an important question: What exactly IS Vinyl?To deepen listener appreciation for Vinylthon month, Scott McMurry joins Special Topics in Media for a discussion about what distin...
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Season 11
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Episode 2
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27:13
Vinylthon Month is Here! What is Vinylthon? (Interview: Tim Craig)
Vinylthon month is here! Which raises an important question...What IS Vinylthon?Joining us to discuss "Vinylthon" and more, Dr. Tim Craig (Warner University) joins Special Topics in Media for a discussion about the orig...
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Season 11
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Episode 1
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44:32
Film Listology: The Recalibration Countdown (#107-76)
The time has come. In this "Recalibration Preview", Special Topics in Media examines the data sets that feed into the tabulation process defining the "Film Listology" methodology. Cohost Scott McMurry provides listeners with the cleare...
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Season 8
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Episode 41
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1:31:44
Film Listology: Recalibration Preview!
The time has come. In this "Recalibration Preview", Special Topics in Media examines the data sets that feed into the tabulation process defining the "Film Listology" methodology. Cohost Scott McMurry provides listeners with the c...
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Season 8
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Episode 40
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32:31
