In the Middle of Life

In this lively and wide-ranging episode of The Middle of Culture, Eden and Peter dive into everything from the metalcore chaos of Spiritbox's live show to the surprisingly emotional depth of Marvel's Thunderbolts*. Peter recaps a whirlwind couple of weeks--graduations, concerts, and GMing a D&D campaign--while Eden shares updates on the comics scene and the drama behind the latest Infinity Nikki patch. The duo also take a deep dive into 2003's Hulk, unpacking its messy brilliance, thematic depth, and radioactive-green visuals. It's a chaotic blend of media breakdowns, cultural commentary, and deeply felt reflections on trauma, transformation, and finding connection in unexpected places.

In this episode of The Middle of Culture, we catch up with hosts Eden and Peter to discuss their recent activities and interests. We chat about Peter's recovery from a cold, Eden's preparation for Free Comic Book Day at their shop, and Peter's experience seeing his wife perform as Mary Poppins in a local production. Peter shares his latest music discoveries in the metal scene, while Eden dives into their gaming adventures with Claire Obscure Expedition 33 and recounts a quirky trip to House on the Rock in Wisconsin. We wrap up with a playful bracket tournament pitting Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Muppet properties against each other, ultimately crowning The Muppet Christmas Carol as the supreme winner.

In this episode of Middle of Culture, Peter and Eden dive into RPG mechanics they love, sharing a passionate, nuanced breakdown of what makes certain features stand out--especially in the context of Avowed, the latest release from Obsidian. They explore how good design in maps, crafting, character depth, and flexibility can make or break an RPG. The conversation also touches on Avowed's bold narrative choices, rewarding exploration, and morally tricky decisions, all while Peter and Eden reflect on broader RPG trends. Plus, they dish on recent music discoveries and their ongoing Andor rewatch. It's a nerdy, thoughtful, and thoroughly entertaining discussion.

In this episode of The Middle of Culture, Eden and Peter dive deep into the first three episodes of Andor, exploring how the Star Wars series breaks away from franchise expectations with grounded storytelling, sharp performances, and a grimy, lived-in world. Eden makes the case for Andor as the best piece of Star Wars media ever created, while Peter--coming in with a healthy dose of franchise fatigue--finds himself unexpectedly pulled in by the third episode's emotional payoff and political subtext. The two discuss everything from the show's anti-cop undercurrents to its brilliantly realized industrial world, while also sharing personal stories about their week, retro gaming regrets, and comic book industry absurdities.