This episode of the Wayward Dragon podcast features our hosts diving into a mix of personal updates, bizarre global news, and their latest media reviews. From Olympic "penis-gate" to the trial of social media giants, the duo balances heavy topics like the Epstein files with lighthearted banter about fast-food feuds and Harry Potter mascots.

• Kelsey discusses her exhaustion from working six-day weeks and her relief at the Midwest "false spring" melting the snow.
• Johnny shares updates on his kickball league and a recent Magic: The Gathering tournament held for his birthday.

• Kidnapping Mystery: The hosts discuss the alleged kidnapping of a Today Show host’s mother, involving a bizarre one-Bitcoin ransom and suspicions of an "inside job".
• Olympic Scandals: A breakdown of "penis-gate," where male ski jumpers are accused of using fillers to increase suit drag for better flight. They also touch on crumbling gold medals and a Norwegian medalist who used a press conference to confess to cheating on his girlfriend.
• Society & Tech: * Discussion on research suggesting "Zoomers" are the first generation to be less educated/intelligent than their predecessors.
• Updates on the Epstein files, including speculation about Ghislaine Maxwell’s prison "double" and Epstein’s alleged active Fortnite account in Israel.
• Instagram leaders testifying in court regarding the platform's addictive design for youth.
• Bizarre Headlines: * Draco Malfoy becoming the accidental face of Chinese New Year due to a name translation quirk.
• A Raising Cane’s in Boston facing eviction because the landlord claims the building smells too much like chicken.
• A "Home Alone" inspired drug dealer in the UK who booby-trapped his house with flamethrowers and man-traps.

• Anime: Johnny reviews To Your Eternity, praising the first two seasons but admitting he is struggling with the third.
• Books: Kelsey discusses finishing A New Lease on Death and her interest in Ann Rule’s true crime books, though she is considering a "DNF" (Do Not Finish) for an Egyptology book that feels too "whiny".
• Background Noise: Kelsey admits her love for having Dateline on as background sound while doing chores.

• The King of Cups: Represents wisdom, compassion, and the need for diplomatic action.
• The Seven of Swords Reversed: Indicates imposter syndrome or self-deception, urging the listener to give themselves grace

We are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery (we are reading in publication order). Please be patient with Kelsey, she never reads a series start to finish without reading things inbetween!

Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!

You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!

If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome!! This is what we covered in this Wayward Dragons Podcast:

• Tribute to Catherine O’Hara: The hosts mourn the reported death of actress Catherine O’Hara, discussing her legacy in films like Home Alone and The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as her role in Schitt's Creek .
• Midwest Weather: The episode begins with a discussion on surviving severe Midwest snow and ice storms, including stories of people in Arkansas "sledding" in kayaks on solid ice .

• Government Shutdown: The hosts mention a partial government shutdown occurring after Congress failed to pass spending bills .
• SNAP Benefit Changes: They detail new work requirements for SNAP (food stamp) recipients, which now apply to able-bodied adults up to age 64 .
• Job Market Criticism: One host argues that the perceived abundance of jobs is a "facade," claiming many companies post fake openings for tax breaks while requiring "bullshit" credentials like high school transcripts for experienced workers .
• Voting Rights: A federal judge’s ruling is discussed, which struck down parts of an executive order requiring citizenship verification for voter registration .

• Mardi Gras Shooting: The hosts report on a shooting at a Mardi Gras parade in Louisiana that injured six people, including a child .
• Meta Trial: The episode covers a trial in New Mexico where Meta (Facebook) is accused of failing to protect children from sexual solicitations documented by undercover state investigators .
• ICE and Civil Unrest: A large portion of the episode is dedicated to harsh criticism of ICE operations, which the hosts allege involve the murder of protesters and civilians . They also discuss a "general strike" and local efforts by officials in New York and California to block ICE cooperation .

• Vacuum Incident: A man in Central Florida was reportedly arrested for performing sexual acts with a vacuum cleaner in public .
• AI Hallucinations: The hosts laugh at a report of tourists traveling to a small Australian town for "famous hot springs" that do not exist, having been fabricated by an AI travel algorithm .
• Unearthing History: A 140-year-old wooden ship, the Lawrence and Mackenzie, was recently unearthed on the New Jersey shore due to storm surges .
• Real ID Fines: The hosts warn listeners about a $45 TSA fine for travelers who do not have a "Real ID" star on their license .

How To Become The Dark Lord or Die Trying Django Wexler

Queen of Swords and the 2 of Pentacles

We are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery (we are reading in publication order). Please be patient with Kelsey, she never reads a series start to finish without reading things inbetween!

Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!

You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!

If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome everyone! This is what we will be talking about in this episode!

Political news:

• Venezuela Invasion: The hosts discuss the US entry into Venezuela, noting that fentanyl was allegedly classified as a weapon of mass destruction to justify the move. They also touch on the seizure of oil tankers and reports of experimental weapons being used.
• The Greenland Acquisition: Discussion regarding Donald Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland, which has reportedly caused friction within NATO and prompted naval responses from Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Germany.
• Minneapolis & Ice Unrest: Following three confirmed murders by Ice agents on New Year’s Day, Minneapolis has become a flashpoint for protests. The hosts discuss the administration's use of the Insurrection Act and the push by several states (NJ, NY, OR, CA) to limit Ice cooperation or abolish the agency entirely.
• Reproductive Rights: California Governor Gavin Newsom has notably refused to extradite a physician to Louisiana for mailing abortion medication, citing California’s Telemedicine Abortion Shield Law.

From quantum warfare to lunar power, the episode highlights several strange developments:

• Quantum Cyber Weapons: China is reportedly testing over ten experimental quantum tools for military intelligence and stealth.
• Nuclear Moon Power: NASA aims to place a nuclear fission reactor on the moon by 2030 to support long-term settlement.
• Florida News: In a classic "weird news" segment, a man was arrested on a construction site wearing a red lace bra and a G-string while concealing a gun in silicone breast implants.
• Cemetery Theft: A Pennsylvania man was arrested for stealing over 100 human remains from a historic cemetery.

The hosts shared their current reads and cultural interests:

• Magic: The Gathering: Johnny expresses excitement for the new Lorwyn/Shadowmoor set. They discuss a new music video, "Bogart Ballad," created in collaboration with the Jim Henson Company.
• Book Reviews: Kelsey is reading A New Lease on Death by Olivia Black and struggling with a heavy Egyptology series, The Space Between the Stars.
• Film Review: Johnny recommends "The Order," starring Jude Law as an FBI agent pursuing white supremacists.
• Nursing Home Struggles: Kelsey vents about the physical toll and strict regulations (like hand sanitizer overuse) during state surveys at the nursing home where she works.

The episode concludes with a dual card pull for the listeners:

Seven of Pentacles: Hard work, perseverance, and the promise of a harvest after toil.

Six of Cups: Nostalgia, happy memories, and reconnecting with the past or community.

We are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery (we are reading in publication order). Please be patient with Kelsey, she never reads a series start to finish without reading things inbetween!

Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!

You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!

If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.