Join us as we tumble unapologetically into discussions about various book adaptations, both the good and the bad. From Kubrick’s take on The Shining to Flanagan’s atmospheric recreations, and even the chaos of World War Z. We pick apart why some adaptations win our hearts while others leave us in head-scratching bewilderment. Sprinkled with rants on The Hobbit, Frankenstein, and, of course, some unexpected love for Nicholas Cage flicks. Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: noth...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 18 min
In this wild ride of an episode, we jump into deep and thoroughly entertaining discussions on literary conspiracies. Did Christopher Marlow fake his own death? What really happened to Agatha Christie during her mysterious disappearance? Could HP Lovecraft have been keyed into actual cosmic horrors? We also humorously debate whether Lewis Carroll was Jack the Ripper and whether Stephen King has more skeletons in his closet than what he writes about. Full of laughs, wild theories, and a touch of h...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Another season of Doctor Who is complete, so you you what that means?! Eloise and Brayton are back to recap and ramble about our favourite Time Lord. WARNING: This episode contains full spoilers for the newest season, so watch then first before listening. Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Bluesky: @nothelpfulpod.bsk.social Facebook: We're Not Helpful podcast Instagram: @nothelpfulpod Threads: @nothelpfulpod TikTok: @nothelpfulpod Hosted on Acast. See ...
Jun 07, 2025•1 hr 44 min
Jumping into a lively discussion about mums in literature. We dive deep into Carrie's fearsome mother, Molly Weasley's warmth, and other memorable mums. Of course we go of on tangents about bullshit jobs and a less than thrilling reading of The Axolotl Song. As usual, we're not super helpful, but wishing all mums a happy belated Mother’s Day! Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Bluesky: @nothelpfulpod.bsk.social Facebook: We're Not Helpful podcast Insta...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 1 min
In this episode we dive into the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) ways language evolves — especially in online spaces, sparked by Eloise's strong feelings about the word “unalived". We explore the reasons behind these linguistic shifts — from censorship and community guidelines to the power of words and cultural sensitivity. Along the way, we reflect on the importance of clear communication, the role of discomfort in language, and how euphemisms both help and hinder us. Content Warning: T...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Eloise, Brayton, and Julian jump straight into the conversation discussing random topics (as per usual) ranging from 'raw dogging' flights, feelings of guilt, and random tangents into personal experiences and nostalgia, before diving into the Dymocks Top 101 Books for 2025. Casual, funny, and a bit all over the place - but did you expect anything different? Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Bluesky: @nothelpfulpod.bsk.social Facebook:...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Welcome to another episode of 'We're Not Helpful,' where the guys take us on a rollercoaster ride dissecting the Amazon Prime series 'Reacher.' Eloise is out for the week, so it's a boys' night in with Adrian as the special guest. From discussing the intricate plot lines, iconic characters, and the evolution of the show through its three seasons, they leave no stone unturned. It's casual, it's fun, and it's everything you didn't know you needed to know about Jack Reacher. NOTE: Unfortunately one...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 20 min
In this special episode of 'We're Not Helpful' podcast, hosts Eloise, Brayton, and Julian are joined by Megan White, author of 'The Anatomy of Songs.' Megan shares the story of her writing career, including her time living in Scotland, working on a sheep farm, and her journey to becoming a published author. They delve into Megan’s writing process, the challenges of editing, and her inspirations. Megan also gives a sneak peek into her upcoming works and discusses the emotional connections she aim...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 8 min
In this fun episode of 'We're Not Helpful,' Eloise, Julian, and Brayton dive into some controversial writing opinions and discuss what hills people would be willing to die on when it comes to writing. They also navigate through listener mail, touching on witty poems sent in by listeners. Plenty of laughter, hot takes, and friendly banter! Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Bluesky: @nothelpfulpod.bsk.social Facebook: We're Not Helpful podcast Instagram...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Back by popular demand? Maybe? We return to reading entrants from the 2024 winners of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest. The annual competition that challenges authors to write the "best" worst opening to a novel possible. If you enjoyed them you can read more entries here: https://www.bulwer-lytton.com/ Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Bluesky: @nothelpfulpod.bsk.social Facebook: We're Not Helpful podcast Instagram: @nothelpfulpod Threads: @nothelpf...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min
In this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into the controversial issue of book banning. As the conversation around censorship in schools and libraries grows louder, we examine the complex question: is book banning ever truly justified? Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Facebook: We're Not Helpful podcast Instagram: @nothelpfulpod Threads: @nothelpfulpod TikTok: @nothelpfulpod Bluesky: @nothelpfulpod.bsk.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 29 min
In this episode, we dive deep into the life and works of one of history's most influential writers—William Shakespeare. Join us as we explore the enduring legacy of his plays, the complex characters that continue to resonate today, and the linguistic brilliance that set him apart. We also ask the tough difficult questions, such as "Who really wrote Shakespeare's play?" - Spoilers: It was probably Shakespeare. Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Facebook...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 32 min
It's 2025 and to celebrate we are back with a new episode! Do you like to make new year's resolutions? Do you stick to them? Today we discuss whether making new years reading resolutions are beneficial or if making too lofty goals are doing more harm than good? Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Facebook: We're Not Helpful podcast Instagram: @nothelpfulpod Threads: @nothelpfulpod TikTok: @nothelpfulpod Bluesky: @nothelpfulpod.bsk.social Hosted on Acast...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 8 min
This week, we're still on a break, so of course we’re diving headfirst into the bloody, gory madness of the Terrifier movies! If you’re a die-hard horror fan or just curious about what all the fuss is about, this one’s for you. So join us for a fun, slightly chaotic conversation about all things Terrifier ! Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Facebook: We're Not Helpful podcast Instagram: @nothelpfulpod Threads: @nothelpfulpod TikTok: @nothelpfulpod Blu...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 35 min
This week we are on holidays, so we are diverting from our usual episode format to discuss The Lord of the Rings...again. Though this time we are discussing the Amazon Prime series "The Rings of Power". Did we like it or was it a resounding "Meh"? You'll have to listen to find out. Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail.com Facebook: We're Not Helpful podcast Instagram: @nothelpfulpod Threads: @nothelpfulpod TikTok: @nothelpfulpod Bluesky: @nothelpfulpod.bsk.s...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 28 min
Get ready for some festive fun as we dive into the ultimate showdown of Christmas movies! In this episode, we rank the best (and maybe some of the worst) holiday classics—from Elf and the action-packed Die Hard (yes, it’s a Christmas movie, no we won't be taking questions). We’ll discuss what makes a holiday movie truly iconic, share nostalgic memories, and settle age-old debates about the greatest Christmas films of all time. So grab your cocoa, turn on the twinkle lights, and join us as we spr...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Well it was bound to happen eventually, the long arm of politics has finally reached this show. Join us as we discuss whether or not content creators in the book space should strive to be apolitical, or is it impossible to separate the two? Note: the opinions expressed in this episode are ours alone. Music mentioned in the video: https://daltondeschain.bandcamp.com/ https://bloomersound.bandcamp.com/album/butterfly-world Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at: Email: nothelpfulpod@gmail....
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 18 min
We made it to our one year anniversary! And what better way to celebrate than by doing a Lord of the Ring trivia challenge. Listen as Eloise tries her best to answer some Tolkien Trivia and then go off on a lot of random tangents, but did you expect anything different from us by this point? Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at nothelpfulpod@gmail.com or on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and now Bluesky! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 12 min
CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of adult themes including abuse and gun violence. In this spine-tingling episode of We’re Not Helpful , we dive deep into the terrifying world of Stephen King! From iconic works like It and The Shining to underrated gems, we explore the stories, characters, and nightmares that have haunted readers for decades. We’ll discuss what makes King’s writing so terrifying, his unique storytelling style, and the best and worst of the film and TV adaptations. Of course, true to ...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 21 min
We have officially entered spooky season, and to celebrate we start off asking an ethical quandary which breaks Eloise's brain, before moving onto a discussion all about horror. We cover a lot of different topics from the works of H.P. Lovecraft to Stephen King and the films that have shaped horror discourse over the last 50 years, as we attempt to answer the question, "What is horror and why do people like to be scared?" Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and ignore that strange sound coming ...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 19 min
In this hilarious episode join our hosts as they dive into the wild world of one-star reviews for some of literature's most beloved books! From baffling critiques to outrageous complaints, our hosts read, react, and try to guess the titles of these infamous reads. Will they recognize the classics, or will the reviews leave them scratching their heads? Tune in for a fun-filled journey through literary misinterpretations, unexpected hilarity, and a celebration of why reading can be so delightfully...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 12 min
In this episode we tackle the highbrow literary theory known as "The Death of an Author"—and by "tackle," we mean we kind of bump into it, spill our coffee, and then pretend we know what we're talking about. Join us as we try to explain why the author's intentions may or may not matter. Is it deep? Sure. Is it helpful? Absolutely not. Links to things discussed this episode: Roland Barthes' original essay "Death of the Author" - https://writing.upenn.edu/~taransky/Barthes.pdf Lindsey Ellis video ...
Sep 10, 2024•57 min
Should you able to enjoy things produced by horrible people without fear of judgement from others? Do public figures need to be held to a higher standard than others? Can you truly sperate the art from the artist? CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of sexual assault and transphobia Links to videos mentioned in the show: https://youtu.be/P60gfp4VBQQ?si=Kcj4hltxItdGMwV8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xmeEXDFM8I Comments, questions, feedback? Get in touch at nothelpfulpod@gmail.com or on Facebook, Inst...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Julian wasn't feeling well so we recruited our good friend Adrian to talk about his area of expertise. If you've ever taken a flight then you might've had one of these with you. That's right, on this episode we are talking about Airport Fiction! From James Patterson, Lee Child and Matthew Reilly (actually a lot about Matthew Reilly) we talk about the tropes and themes in these fast pace thrillers that can make the longest plane trip fly by. Buy Julian's book "Shadows Embrace" here: https://amzn....
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Have you ever found yourself staring at your bookshelf, unable to muster the motivation to pick up a book? You're not alone. We'll discuss common causes of reading slumps and share some tips to reignite your love for reading. Well, we try to. Our conversation also takes a turn into the digital age. How are e-books, audiobooks, and the endless distractions of social media affecting our reading habits? Buy Julian's book "Shadows Embrace" here: https://amzn.asia/d/5BiSEJu Comments, questions, feedb...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Joining us this week is Annie, the host of The Quiet Corner Bedtime Stories podcast. We touch on a lot of topics from narrating audiobooks to Stephen King to The Wheel of Time. It really has a bit of something for everyone. EXTRA NOTE: Brayton had some audio issues, caused by him forgetting to check which microphone was actually recording, so apologies for some of the audio not being to the usual level. Check out The Quiet Corner Bedtime Stories wherever you find your podcasts, or on her website...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Are you a horror fan? In this episode we venture into the unexpected and eerie world of the Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 1 & 2. Join us as we dissect this dark reimagining of the beloved children's classic. Are they worthy of your time or should they be relegated to the bargain bin? WARNING: This episode contains discussions of violence and adult themes, as well as full spoilers for both films. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more content like it please drop us an emai...
Jul 06, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Are you a Doctor Who fan? Well do we have a treat for you. In this very special episode (that was meant to just be a quick chat...oops!) Eloise and Brayton discuss the newest season (season 1? 14? 40?) of Doctor Who. From the state of the series after the Jodie Whittaker era to the return of David Tennent and the introduction of the fabulous Ncuti Gatwa we discuss the highs and lows of the newest episodes, and just generally geek out over a silly little sci-fi series that we love. WARNING: This ...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 26 min
In this episode we delve into a profound yet often overlooked aspect of human experience: grief in the face of tragedy. Brayton discusses how he has been navigating these turbulent waters following the loss of a family member. Whether you're seeking solace or guidance, we hope this episode helps people experiencing the whirlwind of emotions that can come at times like these feel like they are not so alone. Content Warning: death, grief, mental health Some books mentioned in this episode: Hardcor...
Jun 18, 2024•59 min
On this episode Brayton and Eloise chat with fellow Brisbanite, author of the Flamegate Duology, Kate Mac. We have such a fun conversation touching on a variety of different topics, not only about as her journey in writing and self publishing, not one, but two novels, but we also about life and pop culture references. We were also very lucky to be joined by her dog Banjo, who voiced his opinions about certain topics throughout. Check out the first episode of The Helpful Parts to hear a mini revi...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 8 min
