The Trio Simpatico Podcast

"History shows again and again. How nature points out the folly of men."  ---Blue Oyster Cult Born in a nuclear genesis, secluded on a remote and desolate island, there lives a beast of such tremendous size and power that it can only be described as a cataclysmic force of nature! GODZILLA, King of the Monsters! On this episode of TRIO SIMPATICO David and Joshua are discussing the one and only conquering kaiju, GODZILLA, along with the plethora of friends and enemies which GODZILLA has met over the 63 year history of the franchise! Our trio is completed by guest SHANNON CRUTCHLEY who brings her own love of the original kaiju movies to the table.  Together we set off on various topics both broad and concise, however the main crux of our discussion is: GODZILLA is pretty awesome, right? Well tune in and find out precisely what we decide on this episode of TRIO SIMPATICO!  

Joshua and David are back together once again!   After a couple of solo episodes TRIO SIMPATICO is back and embarking on another month-long series of horror themed episodes! We're kicking off this Halloween season with an episode of horror related news stories.  Discussing  brand new horror related movies, television, new books, and upcoming horror related video games!  Dave and Josh of course also take some time to reflect on their favorites from the past. All this AND Reginald Sterling is back, offering a brand new line of products and services to help you fend off all those damnable creatures of the night which daily threaten your existance! So join us, if you dare, on this episode of TRIO SIMPATICO!

Welcome to another edition of Solo Simpatico and David Tavolier's first! This week, David reviews the newly released movie adaption of Stephen King's classic, IT. This also gives David a chance to also discuss the idea of bringing King's various stories to the big (and little) screen and why they sometimes succeed and (more often) fail. Listen 'IT' Spoiler Free Review until 20:54 Spoiler Review ends at 52:12

Here is the first in our series of episodes we are calling SOLO SIMPATICO where Joshua and David take the mic by themselves in order to rant about a subject they love, hate, or just feel needs further discussion! On this premiere SOLO SIMPATICO Josh has had a couple of glasses of wine and is ready to talk about his favorite subject: Star Wars! In particular he is discussing his favorite character, the hapless protocol droid C-3PO! In his focused ramble Josh describes his history with the character, what he likes about the golden droid, and why you should give ol' C-3PO more credit among the other Rebel heroes! So plug into this episode of TRIO SIMPATICO while cleaning your circuits in a nice refreshing oil bath! And don't worry this episode will be translated into 6 million forms of communication!

As promised here is part two of our Coen Brothers episode! From Blood Simple to Hail, Caesar!  Joshua Witsaman and David Tavolier are here to discuss the films of THE COEN BROTHERS! Joining the trio once again is the one and only JASON LEMMON! David and Jason recently hosted a Coen Brothers movie marathon and are eager to discuss the work of these auteur siblings.  Listen as the trio discusses their favorite Coen Brothers projects, what they like about these films, and the various themes and styles employed by the Coens.   This is of course far too much to contain within a single episode so we've gone ahead and broken it down into two parts! (as mentioned before, this is part two.) So sit back and relax with this Coen-centric episode of TRIO SIMPATICO and see if you can spot all the Steve Buscemi appearances throughout!

From Blood Simple to Hail, Caesar!  Joshua Witsaman and David Tavolier are here to discuss the films of THE COEN BROTHERS! Joining the trio once again is the one and only JASON LEMMON! David and Jason recently hosted a Coen Brothers movie marathon and are eager to discuss the work of these auteur siblings.  Listen as the trio discusses their favorite Coen Brothers projects, what they like about these films, and the various themes and styles employed by the Coens.   This is of course far too much to contain within a single episode so we've gone ahead and broken it down into two parts! So sit back and relax with this Coen-centric episode of TRIO SIMPATICO and see if you can spot all the Steve Buscemi appearances throughout!   

It's a TRIO SIMPATICO exclusive! On this bonus episode we discuss our SNEAK PEAK at upcoming summer blockbuster COBALT! Thanks to returning guest JASON LEMMON we were given the privilege of attending a screening of this future-Hollywood-classic BEFORE it is released in theaters later this month! Your co-hosts JOSHUA WITSAMAN and DAVID TAVOLIER do their best to lead a spoiler free discussion of this upcoming mega hit!  (Though we might slip up a few times along the way, fair warning!) Starring Martin Lawrence, Naomi Watts, Richard Dryfuss, Kenneth Branagh, Taye Diggs, and Dolph Lundgren and directed by Luc Besson.  The trio does their best to recap the film and give you plenty of reasons to be excited about this movie. Although opinions and final ratings vary amongst Jason, David, and Joshua they all agree that COBALT is a win and think everyone should be sure to see it this summer! 

Beer!   It is an ancient draught which has been brewed by mankind since time immemorial. It has given us the courage to stand against the armed phalanxes of our enemies and later helped us celebrate those glorious victories in the boisterous mead halls of old!   For many, beer has historically provided the mettle required to take those first steps when approaching members of the opposite sex and in turn beer has often created regrettable situations which embarrassingly ruin otherwise enjoyable wedding receptions.   In this episode of TRIO SIMPATICO Joshua and David are guided through a tour of beers with returning guest BRIAN ASHTON and new guest JEN ASHTON!   Which makes this episode a QUARTET SIMPATICO!   Brian and Jen prepared a selection of beers to sample and pore over. We discuss different brews, how certain beers are made, why some beers taste like garbage, and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that not all beers are created equal.   So if you enjoy beer and discussi

Grab your polyhedral dice, bring along that core rulebook, and double check those stats on your character sheet because we're about to be teleported to Golarion and the RPG realms of PATHFINDER! Joshua and David are joined once again by returning guest, and regular PATHFINDER player, JASON LEMMON! This episode we discuss tabletop roleplaying games in general and PATHFINDER in particular.  We make Jason roll a knowledge check as we inquire about this wildly popular RPG.  We discuss the differences between Pathfinder and other RPGs, how Jason prefers to play the game, and he shares some tips when it comes to running a campaign! So apply all your skill points to 'listen' and join us for this episode of TRIO SIMPATICO!

Attention all Nintendo nerds! As most of you may know another E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) has come and gone and it feels good to be a Nintendo fan. E3 is the time of year when video game companies such as Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft are given the chance to announce and showcase their upcoming projects. This was a big year for the company that has brought us such characters as Mario, Link, Donkey Kong, Kirby, Samus, and Pikachu. With the Nintendo Switch now released upon the world and the 3DS running strong, Nintendo pulled out all the stops to announce a slue of new games for some of our favorite franchises. Although containing an unfortunate absence from Trio Simpatico's own Josh Witsaman, David Tavolier sits down with former Nintendo guest of the show, David Wester, for a quick chat about the latest news and announcements in regards to the company that has won our love (and money) for years.

Every year or so, fans from around the world gather in one specific place to celebrate a little franchise we all know as Star Wars. And this year, Trio Simpatico's own David Tavolier was fortunate to attend! Held in Orlando Florida, this year's Celebration was special indeed. Not only has it been 40 years since the release of the original Star Wars in 1977, but we're edging ever closer to the next installment of the Star Wars saga; Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. Add to that all the new video games, TV shows, comics, and basically any other medium Star Wars can possibly embody and you definitely have a franchise worth celebrating. It's a good time to be a Star Wars fan, so join Josh and David as they discuss David's trip to Star Wars Celebration, The Last Jedi trailer, Star Wars Battlefront II, Star Wars Rebels, and much more!    

Calling all Hog Body Honeys and Eleganza-Gagging Glamazons! On this episode of TRIO SIMPATICO we’re talking about RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE!  And we’re turning this threesome into a foursome!  That’s right, joining your ever loveable co-hosts David and Joshua are returning guests LAUREN WITSAMAN and MARY CLAIRE WILLIAMS. Listen in as Dave is introduced to the world’s greatest drag competition.  Hear Mary Claire and Lauren provide a Drag Race primer.  Mull over our discussion about our favorite guest judges. AND ponder as we debate which are the greatest queens to come out of the show! It’s all tea and no shade on this episode of TRIO SIMPATICO! (Well maybe just a skosh of shade?)  So bring on your fiercest tuck game, beat the hell outta that face, pile that lace front high, and tune into this Drag Race gab fest extravaganza!

"Donuts.  Is there anything they can't do?" ---Matt Groening    "If you're talking about how you promoted synergy in an organization, that could mean you just got everybody together for donuts twice a week." ---Erin McKean   Yes, that's right!  This episode of TRIO SIMPATICO is completely dedicated to DONUTS!  Those wondrous doughy rings that Americans have been stuffing their gobs with since 1847!   Joining us in this celebration of confectionery creations are TWO returning guests: LAUREN WITSAMAN and MARY CLAIRE WILLIAMS making this week's TRIO SIMPATICO a quartet!   Josh, David, Lauren, and Mary Claire each scoured Northeast Ohio for their favorite donut shops (or those shops which had the most convenient hours) and requested the top three best selling varieties from each establishment.  Then they got together, divided up their baked-good* bounty, and compared notes during a professionally executed DOUGHNUT TASTE TEST! Listen in as the panel also discusses their favorite doughnut franchise chains, other sh

Simpatico Prism Power, Make Up! This week David and Joshua chart a course through unfamiliar waters across the fandom sea of SAILOR MOON!  Thankfully the trio was guided by veteran sailor ROSEY TUMPAK who navigated them through the expansive and sometimes choppy waters of this ground breaking anime series! (But enough of the sailor metaphors because it doesn't really make sense with the series) Dave and Josh sit down with Rosey and discuss their first in-depth viewings of Sailor Moon!  We go into detail about the characters and lore of the show, discuss the several varieties of Sailor Moon merchandise, and dig into the different incarnations of the series over the years.  The trio share their first introductions to anime and how Sailor Moon broadened and later inspired the genre as a whole. So if you're new to Sailor Moon or a veteran of the series there's something for you to enjoy about this week's TRIO SIMPATICO!   

It's Valentine's Day and LOVE is in the air! This week we're discussing all things LOVE!  Our favorite pop culture depictions of love, our favorite fictional couples, what we think are the most realistic depictions of love, and the most UNrealistic!   Joining Joshua and David this episode is none other than LAUREN WITSAMAN!  She's a woman who has won at least one of their hearts, but who could it be?  I'll never tell, you'll have to listen to find out! The Trio also discusses Valentine's day traditions, our favorite Northeast Ohio chocolatiers, and reveal our various "particular set of skills" that set us apart!  So light a few candles and set up the sensual aroma therapy as you tune into this TRIO SIMPATICO Valentine's Day Special!  

Trio Simpatico, transform and roll out! Robots, disguises, alien worlds, and plenty of laser beams! This week we're continuing our discussion with returning guest DAVID WESTER, bringing you part two of our TRANSFORMERS episodes! Our ol' pal Wester opens up about his love and expertise of the Transformers universe, the comics, the games, the cartoons, and of course all the many generations of those wonderful toys! The debate continues this week about which toy scale is best, CHUG or Masterpiece!  There is a Transformers toy scale civil war brewing and the tensions really reach new heights during this week's episode! Plus we finally find out where baby Transformers come from, if robots have gender, if the Transformers can be gay, what a Kremzeek is, and the revolutionary origins of Megatron! This and so much more is presented throughout this second installment of our TRANSFORMERS episode here on TRIO SIMPATICO!  

Trio Simpatico, transform and roll out! Robots, disguises, alien worlds, and plenty of laser beams! This week we're bringing back former guest of the show DAVID WESTER to sit down with us and finally record our long awaited TRANSFORMERS episode! Last time we were together the recording was interrupted by an emergency flair up of pink eye but this time there was absolutely no strain of conjunctivitis that could stop us!   Our ol' pal Wester opens up about his love and expertise of the Transformers universe, the comics, the games, the cartoons, and of course all the many generations of those wonderful toys!   Which scale do you collect? Masterpiece?? CHUG scale?? Are you aware that we are at the precipice of Transformers toy scale civil war?  Well you're about to learn all about it, and so much more! Where do baby transformers come from?  Do robots have gender?  Can they be gay?  What is a Kremzeek!? Is Megatron secretly a hero?? These questions and many more are presented throughout this episode and we do our

On this bonus episode returning guest BRIAN ASHTON sits down and talks to our very own DAVID TAVOLIER about a certain wildly popular, first person shooter video game, set in a galaxy far, far away: STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT! This bonus content was recorded during our Rogue One: Dissection episode where, off-the-air, Brian and David were discussing their shared enjoyment of Battlefront.  Brian was so impressed by David's in-game stats and hours logged that he demanded the opportunity to sit down and record a segment where he could question our beloved co-host about his favorite aspects of the game, his winning strategies, and where he thinks the game will go next!  So hike up your Imperial stormtrooper armor, tighten your Rebel chin straps, and prime your blasters for this bonus episode of TRIO SIMPATICO!

**Spoilers**   We talked so long we had to turn it into TWO episodes!  Here's part 2! This week we return for yet more discussion about the newest installment of the STAR WARS saga, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY We've had a week to digest the movie, think it over, break it down, and dissect it in an attempt to attain a complete understanding of all the events portrayed on screen.  Joining us in this endeavor is returning guest BRIAN ASHTON who sits down with DAVID TAVOLIER and JOSHUA WITSAMAN once more in order to determine just how right and/or wrong we all were in our earlier prediction episode! "The circle is now complete!" From predictions, to reactions, we have come to this: the Rogue One dissection episode.  We go deep and cover a great many aspects of the movie including the many new characters, the actors who portrayed them, the crew who made it all happen, and how this story fits into the greater STAR WARS universe as a whole. Listen in on what the trio has to say, and if you agree, disagree, or have

**Spoilers**   This week we return for yet more discussion about the newest installment of the STAR WARS saga, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY We've had a week to digest the movie, think it over, break it down, and dissect it in an attempt to attain a complete understanding of all the events portrayed on screen. Joining us in this endeavor is returning guest BRIAN ASHTON who sits down with DAVID TAVOLIER and JOSHUA WITSAMAN once more to determine just how right and/or wrong we all were in our earlier prediction episode! "The circle is now complete!" From Predictions, to reactions, we have come to this: the Rogue One dissection episode.  We go deep and cover a great many aspects of the movie including the many new characters, the actors who portrayed them, the crew who made it all happen, and how this story fits into the greater STAR WARS universe as a whole. Listen in on what the trio has to say, and if you agree, disagree, or have your own thoughts to share leave us some comments or join us on facebook or twitt