Spencer Allen
@spencermakesstuff.bsky.social
I podcast about stuff I love and write about stuff I struggle with. www.spencermakesstuff.com
Reposted by Spencer Allen
It's Hayao Miyazaki's birthday! Celebrate by running very fast in the countryside after learning something weird has happened to your parents.
January 5, 2026 at 1:25 PM
It's Hayao Miyazaki's birthday! Celebrate by running very fast in the countryside after learning something weird has happened to your parents.
Reposted by Spencer Allen
Rereading this extraordinary piece, like watching the perfect film, is becoming an annual tradition.
Thanks to @coffeeeeee.bsky.social for this perfect essay about It’s a Wonderful Life. “It’s a Wonderful Life is, in part, the story of someone becoming, kicking and screaming, against all intentions and desires, a big man. Mary sees the big man in George from the first, because she is a big woman.”
There Is No Mary Problem in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
George’s vision of his wife without him is essential to the film, but critics continue to miss its true—and profound—meaning.
www.thebulwark.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Rereading this extraordinary piece, like watching the perfect film, is becoming an annual tradition.
If you’re going to read a holiday story about a magical independent bookstore (which I personally recommend), then it only seems fitting that you buy it from an independent bookstore such as @quailridgebooks.bsky.social that feels quite magical in its own way.
quailridgebooks.com/book/9781088...
quailridgebooks.com/book/9781088...
Marley's Christmas
Marley's Bookshoppe is many things, but it is not what would be categorized as a magical bookstore; yet that all changes when she receives a shipment of A Christmas Carol hardcovers that reveal the past, present, and future of anyone who receives them. As the year comes to a close, can Marley use her newfound knowledge of the obstacles in front of those whose stories she surreptitiously reads to gift them a merry Christmas? This heartwarming tale is a modern, magical twist on a classic, inviting readers to explore the true meaning of connecting with the people and places around them.
quailridgebooks.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM
If you’re going to read a holiday story about a magical independent bookstore (which I personally recommend), then it only seems fitting that you buy it from an independent bookstore such as @quailridgebooks.bsky.social that feels quite magical in its own way.
quailridgebooks.com/book/9781088...
quailridgebooks.com/book/9781088...
Started reading Katabasis by @rfkuang.bsky.social and am already hooked two chapters in! Loved her inventive system of magic in Babel and loving it here.
app.thestorygraph.com/books/f6d869...
app.thestorygraph.com/books/f6d869...
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Dante’s Inferno meets Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi in this all-new dark academia fantasy from R. F. ...
app.thestorygraph.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Started reading Katabasis by @rfkuang.bsky.social and am already hooked two chapters in! Loved her inventive system of magic in Babel and loving it here.
app.thestorygraph.com/books/f6d869...
app.thestorygraph.com/books/f6d869...
It's November, which means it’s officially Christmas season, so I am legally allowed to share my holiday novella Marley’s Christmas. It tells the story of a bookstore owner who receives a set of A Christmas Carol copies that reveal the past, present, and future of anyone who touches one. Links below
November 2, 2025 at 6:43 PM
It's November, which means it’s officially Christmas season, so I am legally allowed to share my holiday novella Marley’s Christmas. It tells the story of a bookstore owner who receives a set of A Christmas Carol copies that reveal the past, present, and future of anyone who touches one. Links below
I can think of no better way to spend Halloween than to binge @patrickmchale.bsky.social ‘s autumnal classic and then listen to @jduren9.bsky.social and I gush about it
You'll be the talk of the town by serving potatoes and molasses this Halloween!
🎧
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0zeS...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Amazon: music.amazon.com/podcasts/593...
YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=UIBp...
🎧
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0zeS...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Amazon: music.amazon.com/podcasts/593...
YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=UIBp...
Over the Garden Wall
open.spotify.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I can think of no better way to spend Halloween than to binge @patrickmchale.bsky.social ‘s autumnal classic and then listen to @jduren9.bsky.social and I gush about it
Reposted by Spencer Allen
every single extra inning feels like this
October 11, 2025 at 4:40 AM
every single extra inning feels like this
Good news for those who start their Christmas shopping in October: I have a new novella out about a set of magical copies of A Christmas Carol that reveal the past, present, & future of those who come in contact with them. I promise that if you pickup a copy, it won't reveal your secrets to others
October 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Good news for those who start their Christmas shopping in October: I have a new novella out about a set of magical copies of A Christmas Carol that reveal the past, present, & future of those who come in contact with them. I promise that if you pickup a copy, it won't reveal your secrets to others
Reposted by Spencer Allen
Dude the Trade Deadline is wild
Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails are switching drummers. Former Foo Josh Freese is going to rejoing NIN, while Ilan Rubin will mosey over to the Foo Fighters.
Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails Are Switching Drummers
Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails are switching drummers. Former Foo Josh Freese is going to rejoing NIN, while Ilan Rubin will mosey over to the Foo Fighters.
www.vulture.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Dude the Trade Deadline is wild
Reposted by Spencer Allen
I feel you should know that Gorman Thomas had an absurd number of baseball cards in which he was photographed staring contemplatively into the middle distance. 🧵
July 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
I feel you should know that Gorman Thomas had an absurd number of baseball cards in which he was photographed staring contemplatively into the middle distance. 🧵
Beautiful encapsulation of a beautiful show
the most important thing about ofmd is that it's very realistic with all its ups and downs, light and dark, and light again
(and this is not a ship edit)
(and this is not a ship edit)
June 26, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Beautiful encapsulation of a beautiful show
The Bear and Ironheart purport to be set in Chicago, but I haven't seen a single character wince through a shot of Malört, so I'm skeptical.
June 26, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The Bear and Ironheart purport to be set in Chicago, but I haven't seen a single character wince through a shot of Malört, so I'm skeptical.
Reposted by Spencer Allen
This morning in The Bandwagon, I wrote about Clayton Kershaw's pointed rebuke of Pride night, and Josh Hader, who seems to have learned, empathized and changed after his teenage tweets came to light. bandwagon.substack.com/p/36-do-coac...
June 18, 2025 at 2:16 PM
This morning in The Bandwagon, I wrote about Clayton Kershaw's pointed rebuke of Pride night, and Josh Hader, who seems to have learned, empathized and changed after his teenage tweets came to light. bandwagon.substack.com/p/36-do-coac...
Loving the Switch 2 so far, but there is one glaring issue that should have received a Day One Patch: No outfits for Cow in #mariokartworld?!?
June 6, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Loving the Switch 2 so far, but there is one glaring issue that should have received a Day One Patch: No outfits for Cow in #mariokartworld?!?
Just finished the Murderbot Diaries (first 4 novellas) by @marthawells.com and cannot recommend them more. For one thing, they're just immensely imaginative and engaging sci-fi. But also, it was such a refreshing representation of autism, particularly compared to how this is often portrayed in media
May 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Just finished the Murderbot Diaries (first 4 novellas) by @marthawells.com and cannot recommend them more. For one thing, they're just immensely imaginative and engaging sci-fi. But also, it was such a refreshing representation of autism, particularly compared to how this is often portrayed in media
For this month’s The Good Art Friends episode, @jduren9.bsky.social & I discussed The River Has Roots by @amalelmohtar.com. Such a lovely and lyrical spin on an old ballad.
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7lex...
YouTube: youtu.be/wkw6m5kUwNg?...
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7lex...
YouTube: youtu.be/wkw6m5kUwNg?...
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
Podcast Episode · The Good Art Friends · 05/27/2025 · 45m
podcasts.apple.com
May 27, 2025 at 2:26 PM
For this month’s The Good Art Friends episode, @jduren9.bsky.social & I discussed The River Has Roots by @amalelmohtar.com. Such a lovely and lyrical spin on an old ballad.
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7lex...
YouTube: youtu.be/wkw6m5kUwNg?...
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7lex...
YouTube: youtu.be/wkw6m5kUwNg?...
Reposted by Spencer Allen
This is the face of a guy who just struck out on 3 pitches
May 24, 2025 at 3:43 AM
This is the face of a guy who just struck out on 3 pitches
You are undoubtedly wondering: What is the Jojo Siwa-Elliott Smith Scale & where does Daredevil fall on it? @jduren9.bsky.social & I discuss just that in our latest episode!
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3KjI...
YouTube: youtu.be/QTeEv-lvYTg?...
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3KjI...
YouTube: youtu.be/QTeEv-lvYTg?...
Daredevil: Born Again
Podcast Episode · The Good Art Friends · 04/22/2025 · 57m
podcasts.apple.com
April 24, 2025 at 12:35 PM
You are undoubtedly wondering: What is the Jojo Siwa-Elliott Smith Scale & where does Daredevil fall on it? @jduren9.bsky.social & I discuss just that in our latest episode!
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3KjI...
YouTube: youtu.be/QTeEv-lvYTg?...
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3KjI...
YouTube: youtu.be/QTeEv-lvYTg?...
Yesterday I let the only news I consumed be about the Kristian Campbell extension and the Switch 2 reveal. It was a lovely day. But it did leave me feeling like Troy walking in with pizza when I got caught up today.
April 3, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Yesterday I let the only news I consumed be about the Kristian Campbell extension and the Switch 2 reveal. It was a lovely day. But it did leave me feeling like Troy walking in with pizza when I got caught up today.
New episode of The Good Art Friends is up where I debate with @jduren9.bsky.social, @tgk.bsky.social, and Tyler-who-is-not-on-Bluesky-presumably-because-he-likes-fascism about the best baseball uniforms of all time. Links below.
The best baseball uniforms of all time
Podcast Episode · The Good Art Friends · 04/01/2025 · 1h 11m
podcasts.apple.com
April 2, 2025 at 8:28 PM
New episode of The Good Art Friends is up where I debate with @jduren9.bsky.social, @tgk.bsky.social, and Tyler-who-is-not-on-Bluesky-presumably-because-he-likes-fascism about the best baseball uniforms of all time. Links below.
This season White Lotus has a character choosing between Duke (where his father attended) and UNC (where his mom went). Both parents are awful, so the only logical resolution has to be NC State #GoPack
February 19, 2025 at 4:52 PM
This season White Lotus has a character choosing between Duke (where his father attended) and UNC (where his mom went). Both parents are awful, so the only logical resolution has to be NC State #GoPack
Listeners: Give us the Princess Bride podcast.
The Good Art Friends: We have no Princess Bride podcast.
Listeners: Fezzik, tear their arms off.
The Good Art Friends: Oh, you mean *this* Princess Bride podcast...
Was a pleasure recording this episode with @jduren9.bsky.social
The Good Art Friends: We have no Princess Bride podcast.
Listeners: Fezzik, tear their arms off.
The Good Art Friends: Oh, you mean *this* Princess Bride podcast...
Was a pleasure recording this episode with @jduren9.bsky.social
February 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Listeners: Give us the Princess Bride podcast.
The Good Art Friends: We have no Princess Bride podcast.
Listeners: Fezzik, tear their arms off.
The Good Art Friends: Oh, you mean *this* Princess Bride podcast...
Was a pleasure recording this episode with @jduren9.bsky.social
The Good Art Friends: We have no Princess Bride podcast.
Listeners: Fezzik, tear their arms off.
The Good Art Friends: Oh, you mean *this* Princess Bride podcast...
Was a pleasure recording this episode with @jduren9.bsky.social
Didn’t realize when I started A Heart that Works by @robdelaney.bsky.social
and The Life Impossible by @matthaig.bsky.social that there would be a common theme (and one challenging to process as a parent), but both are heart achingly beautiful so far.
and The Life Impossible by @matthaig.bsky.social that there would be a common theme (and one challenging to process as a parent), but both are heart achingly beautiful so far.
January 25, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Didn’t realize when I started A Heart that Works by @robdelaney.bsky.social
and The Life Impossible by @matthaig.bsky.social that there would be a common theme (and one challenging to process as a parent), but both are heart achingly beautiful so far.
and The Life Impossible by @matthaig.bsky.social that there would be a common theme (and one challenging to process as a parent), but both are heart achingly beautiful so far.
Was thrilled to see the snow! But now I'm ready for Spring and don't want to see another day under 50 until there's Christmas music on the radio again.
January 22, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Was thrilled to see the snow! But now I'm ready for Spring and don't want to see another day under 50 until there's Christmas music on the radio again.
Drafted art coming out in 2025 in the latest episode of The Good Art Friends. Movies! Music! Shows! And a surprising amount of dinosaur-related media from @jduren9.bsky.social
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0Vcr...
YouTube: youtu.be/jivyKtjbn4E?...
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0Vcr...
YouTube: youtu.be/jivyKtjbn4E?...
2025 Draft
Podcast Episode · The Good Art Friends · 01/18/2025 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
January 19, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Drafted art coming out in 2025 in the latest episode of The Good Art Friends. Movies! Music! Shows! And a surprising amount of dinosaur-related media from @jduren9.bsky.social
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0Vcr...
YouTube: youtu.be/jivyKtjbn4E?...
🎧
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0Vcr...
YouTube: youtu.be/jivyKtjbn4E?...