Time for another bifurcated discussion on everyone's favorite Jedi Memester. The guys talk about the dismal conclusion to the "Obi-Wan Kenobi" series, the infatuation with entertainment media and its discontents, the act of reviewing entertainment and the religiosity of fandoms – all while Ryan breaks down why this show was a miss for most folks. Do not expect any more "Star Wars" content as we move forward, it's time to let some things go. Speaking of Ryan – he has a website! Check out Ryan's w...
Jul 06, 2022•1 hr 38 min•Season 3Ep. 119
Following the news on Roe v. Wade, Drew talks with Ryan about some book recommendations about the conservative movement and how it gave rise to the anti-abortion movement and Justice Clarence Thomas. Ryan also details his favorite of Rick Perlstein's books documenting the conservative movement from Goldwater to Nixon to Reagan, as well as Nina Easton's "Gang of Five." Go to BookOutlet to grab "Reaganland" and "Gang of Five" at affordable discount prices. Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifesh...
Jul 04, 2022•10 min•Season 3Ep. 119
Airman Sebastian Schug has made the return flight to the podcast to talk about his absence and his time in the United States Air Force. Amidst the catch-up, the guys talk about the news of the year, TikTok, watching older movies and Joker 2 ("this was a setup!"), all the while Ryan had no running water thanks to a sheared hydrant! Finally Ryan and Drew recap on the June 7 California Primary, concluding with a serious rationale behind whether The Proclaimer's continued existence could have played...
Jul 04, 2022•1 hr 40 min•Season 3Ep. 118
Travel nightmares aside, here's more of Ryan's retelling of his trip to Ireland and Scotland talking about cuisine, tourists, city life and culture. Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter and Instagram Ryan Mancini: @mancinira (Twitter) and @manciniryan (Instagram) Andrew Martinez: @andrewomartinez (Twitter) Artwork by Zachary Erberich (@zacharyerberichart) "Space X-plorers" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativ...
Jun 29, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 117
Ryan returns from his trip to Ireland and Scotland with tales of awe and terror, met with European culture and American nationalism. (Expect more about the pluses and oddities of the trip in an upcoming bonus episode.) And the airlines did not make anything easier! Ryan shares what traveling hell bookended the trip while immediately unveiling some major news Andrew has yet to hear until this episode. Our cohosts also briefly discuss the ramifications of the devastating news about Roe v. Wade's d...
Jun 26, 2022•1 hr 46 min•Season 3Ep. 117
Enter a sensory journey of the self through Southern California: A Mars on Life experiment. Sources: https://waterandpower.org/museum/Name_Change_Chronology_of_DWP.html https://ci.san-fernando.ca.us https://www.tataviam-nsn.us/community/places-to-visit/mission-san-fernando-rey-de-espana/ https://sfbmi.org/who-we-are https://knock-la.com/rick-caruso-la-mayor-campaign-lies-misleading/ https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/a-literary-tour-of-charles-bukowskis-los-angeles Social media: Mar...
Jun 15, 2022•54 min•Season 3Ep. 116
This week's show is a bit smaller as Drew and Ryan discuss the 1997 film "Jackie Brown" by Quentin Tarantino. They talk about why it holds up, why it's under-looked, how its presentation of Los Angeles is far more subtle than other films and why it's a testament to the resilience of 90s cinema. Most importantly, this is Drew's favorite film! Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter and Instagram Ryan Mancini: @mancinira (Twitter) and @manciniryan (Instagram) Andrew Martinez: @andre...
Jun 08, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 3Ep. 115
The return of a Jedi has the boys curious about "Star Wars" again. Does "Obi-Wan Kenobi" live up to the hype or is it the sign of a franchise in great decline? Find out in this week's specially bifurcated episode, with a request from co-host's past. Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter and Instagram Ryan Mancini: @mancinira (Twitter) and @manciniryan (Instagram) Andrew Martinez: @andrewomartinez (Twitter) Matt Fernandez: @matt_fern (Twitter) and @thewoodseyninja (Instagram) Art...
Jun 01, 2022•1 hr 52 min•Season 3Ep. 114
Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter and Instagram Ryan Mancini: @mancinira (Twitter) and @manciniryan (Instagram) Andrew Martinez: @andrewomartinez (Twitter) Artwork by Zachary Erberich (@zacharyerberichart)
May 26, 2022•58 min•Season 3Ep. 112
Tired with gas? Don't sweat, we have the remedy for you. We talk about some bizarre, awkward algorithm used by Activision Blizzard in how they incorporate various forms of diversity into their games. Then we reflect on some crazy hotel stories we endured back in the day, respectively. But we start off with some racist paraphernalia that appeared on some Santa Clarita Facebook pages. Producer's note: This episode was recorded prior to the May 24 shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Listen to the bonus epis...
May 25, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Season 3Ep. 113
The descendants of the families uprooted from their homes and displaced by the creation of Dodger Stadium are demanding reparations. In this episodes, we briefly discuss some important recent news reported in L.A. Taco in need of widespread attention in SoCal. Check out the nonprofit seeking "justice for the forced removal of Mexican, Mexican-American, and indigenous families from the communities of Palo Verde, Bishop, and La Loma, where Dodger Stadium now sits" at Buried Under the Blue's websit...
May 20, 2022•12 min•Season 3Ep. 112
Journalist, podcaster and actor Matt Fernandez joins today's show. A longtime colleague and friend of Ryan's, he's also a lifelong SCV resident with a lot to say about growing up there, facing the town's racism while being Filipino in a politically and socially conservative town, the detriments to being a young person in the Santa Clarita Valley and the lack of opportunity to grow professionally and socially, the contrast in working with Variety then The SCV Signal versus The SCV Proclaimer, and...
May 18, 2022•1 hr 38 min•Season 3Ep. 112
Andrew and Ryan return with a surplus of topics to unleash. Take in the cold open talking about Charles Bukowski, book covers and poetry as the guys discuss restaurants and Covid conditions (shoutout to Don Cuco for staying golden), followed by the crucial California Primary Election coming up June 7. Voter guides are available (and relatively complete) so be sure to fill out your ballots and mail them as soon as you can; but do you need help? KnockLA has an outstanding voter guide that will hel...
May 14, 2022•1 hr 39 min•Season 3Ep. 111
Time for the in-depth review of a film Sebastian really needs to see. If the episode title wasn't an indicator, Andrew and Ryan talk at *length* about the 2019 Netflix horror satire "Velvet Buzzsaw." Listeners well know this film by Ryan's countless references to it, but what is it about the movie that's so relevant? Who's its audience? Why bother with it all? What's the deal with Hoboman?" People in 2019 hated it, but it's arguably ingrained in this show's DNA. Come join us down a road filled w...
May 07, 2022•1 hr 41 min•Season 3Ep. 110
On the thirtieth anniversary of the L.A. Riots, Andrew and Ryan talk about America's standing in the world before the riots, how the riots affected Angelenos and residents in L.A. County, this moment's lack of recognition, consequences (and lack thereof) of the events causing the riots, Stacey Koon's post acquittal life, the riots' relationship with the Watts Rebellion, the politics around Los Angeles at that time and the media that's taken a better effort to remember the riots than most histori...
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr 39 min•Season 2Ep. 109
"Wild" - Andrew "I don't really know what James Wan was thinking" - Deja "The 'Velvet Buzzsaw' of horror films" - Ryan At long last, we discuss the 2021 Warner Bros. horror film "Malignant." Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter and Instagram Ryan Mancini: @mancinira (Twitter) and @manciniryan (Instagram) Andrew Martinez: @andrewomartinez (Twitter) Deja Magee: @thewarblerette (Twitter and Instagram) Artwork by Zachary Erberich (@zacharyerberichart) "Space X-plorers" Kevin MacLeo...
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 108
Lots occurring on Christopher Hitchens' birthday. Andrew and Ryan talk about this week's shooting in a New York City subway, another sad update on America's pandemic of gun violence with a reflection on a mass shooting close to home. Much of the episode focuses on an article by the sports website Yardbarker sharing "The 25 Best Films Set in Los Angeles." How does it stack up, what's missing and what do the guys think of each movie mentioned? It's yet another fun one here on Mars. Head over to Sl...
Apr 15, 2022•1 hr 39 min•Season 2Ep. 107
Ryan talks about his home's COVID-19 scare and the wider context of the pandemic as of April 2022, while Andrew addresses the latest stage of the Los Angeles mayoral race. Both subjects intertwine when you have two elections down the road and a pandemic not slowing down any time soon. Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter and Instagram Ryan Mancini: @mancinira (Twitter) and @manciniryan (Instagram) Andrew Martinez: @andrewomartinez (Twitter) Artwork by Zachary Erberich (@zachary...
Apr 14, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 107
This week's show is jam-packed with news and more climate talk. We begin with KnockLA's Los Angeles County Sheriffs Candidate forum and the preceding social media chaos followed by news from Ryan regarding his job, accessing a discussion on the journalism industry. As a reprieve, Ryan and his family went to Immersive Frida Kahlo in Hollywood on Sunday. He gives his review on what was a gorgeous experience looking back on the life of an amazing artist and an extraordinary human from history. Fina...
Apr 09, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 106
In a classic stream of consciousness, we begin and end with the Joker. First off we walk around "the Slap" news followed by some big L.A. stories: people are leaving the state (a la the aforementioned exodus) and what does this mean regarding affordable living in the city and state, plus how could play out in a climate catastrophe scenario, and two dudes walked 50 (not 500) miles across Los Angeles – igniting an age old discussion of Ryan and Drew's about what in SoCal still constitutes as the C...
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Season 3Ep. 105
We return to COVID-19 news after a few weeks, contrasting conditions in Boston versus Los Angeles County. We also go over a variety of topics beginning with our first podcast effort in college, David Bowie, traveling during the pandemic and mask fatigue versus mask anxiety. Today's show primarily looks at the installation of a botanic garden at Dodger Stadium, so expect some "Stealing Home" discourse to pick back up. Finally, Ryan updates listeners on his latest book recommendation, "Confederate...
Mar 26, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Season 3Ep. 104
Two Matadors for beaming: Andrew and Ryan talk about the construction of a new building on their alma mater's campus. Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter and Instagram Ryan Mancini: @mancinira (Twitter) and @manciniryan (Instagram) Andrew Martinez: @andrewomartinez (Twitter) Artwork by Zachary Erberich (@zacharyerberichart) "Space X-plorers" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/...
Mar 22, 2022•10 min•Season 3Ep. 103
Journalist and returning guest Andrew Martinez makes his debut as guest cohost of Mars on Life as he and Ryan talk about "The Batman." Simply put, go see it. To read Ryan's highfalutin college take on Batman from 2014, head over to The Sundial: https://sundial.csun.edu/82051/arts-entertainment/batman-v-superman-who-will-win/ Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter and Instagram Ryan Mancini: @mancinira (Twitter) and @manciniryan (Instagram) Andrew Martinez: @andrewomartinez (Twitt...
Mar 18, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Season 3Ep. 103
Amidst Sebastian's sendoff episode, we discuss some personal content news such as overcoming adversity within a chosen profession, transitioning from one profession/hobby to another, personality changes, artistic success, job matching on LinkedIn, gas prices and the age old gatekeeping. Finally we talk about a critical plight affecting America's unemployed and recruiters: the Great Mismatch. Check out the Recode article about the Great Mismatch here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/curtmueller/2021...
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 102
News of Russia's invasion into Ukraine has commanded the news cycle. Rather than sound like armchair generals on Twitter, we offer a sober take on the situation and Sebastian goes off on what we can or cannot do. We also discuss the latest COVID-19 news – bye bye, indoor masking. To read the Vox article advocating against a no-fly zone, head to: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/2/27/22952220/ukraine-russia-no-fly-zone-nuclear-war Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter...
Mar 04, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 101
Two years, 122 hours, one recession and a pandemic later, we have at long last reached the greatest milestone in our show's short history. Welcome to the 100th episode of "Mars on Life." In this extended, celebratory episode, we look back on how we have improved from our days of making a scrappy podcast at [classified] to reporting from home via Skype, Internet woes aside. We then answer the ONE question sent our way before we look ahead at the rest of Season 3 and what's in store. We're three f...
Feb 25, 2022•2 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 100
We conclude all thoughts on the Super Bowl (the Rams won, bleat) before catching up on breaking COVID-19 rules in California and what Disneyland's doing about it. Then we transition into tangible hobbies with those perpetuated by the Big Game itself, namely cryptocurrency, and finally we share our thoughts on a recent article by Luke Savage from Jacobin regarding why NFTs "are, quite simply, bullshit." To read Luke's story for yourself, head to https://www.jacobinmag.com/2022/01/nfts-fallon-pari...
Feb 18, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 99
Behold "Mars on Life's" entry into 2022. Ryan and Sebastian discuss the latest stage of the pandemic, what it means looking to the months ahead and the unspoken impact in which the Big Game could have on dwindling case numbers. This spins off into people's consumerist identities manifesting despite ongoing global catastrophe, with examples of how individuals spend their money and some shots fired at sports in general. The guys then catch up with each other, Seb discloses his COVID-19 diagnosis w...
Feb 11, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 98
Threequels? Whether you're a king or a Jedi making a comeback, the third installment of Mars on Life is at last making its way into 2022. Stay tuned for Episode 98 on Feb. 11 here on Anchor or wherever you listen to your podcasts...even Spotify! Social media: Mars on Life: @marsonlifeshow on Twitter and Instagram Sebastian Schug: Seabass on YouTube Ryan Mancini: @mancinira (Twitter) and @manciniryan (Instagram) Artwork by Zachary Erberich (@zacharyerberichart) "Space X-plorers" Kevin MacLeod (in...
Feb 07, 2022•2 min•Season 3Ep. 1
The second season of "Mars on Life" comes to a close. Rather than a drag-out fight over one titanic subject, the guys carry on a series of vignettes touching on the major subjects of this last season and last year. Beginning with Ryan's recent birthday and life during the quarter-life crisis; followed by the muted topic of DMCA claims (remember those episodes??); Sebastian's latest cartoon for The SCV Proclaimer; COVID-19 for the holidays, blended with "patriotism" and lumpen idiocy; NFTs, socie...
Dec 24, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 97
