Women on the Verge or away from the Verge is the theme of this week's podcast.

First we are joined by Lauren Miller, author and star of the new film For a Good Time Call, who discusses the state of romantic comedy and what it means to make a romantic comedy in this day and age.\

Then we chat with Deborah Schoeneman, journalist, writer for HBO's Girls, author of the new ebook Woman-Child a fascinating dissection of the new breed of Hello Kitty Band Aid bedecked grown up, and what that says about and means for women in our culture today.

Plus!

Thoughts on whether to be nice or mean as a critic!

And intro and interstitial music by Kevin MacLeod!

We are back from hiatus with two provactive and exciting conversations about the decline and the fall of civilization - or not!

First off - no generation in American history has been so maligned and disparaged than the millenials.  Even bearing the brunt of the worst economic collapse in almost a century they still get no sympathy - least of all from this podcast!  After disparaging the name of America's most precious generation for so long I have invited on three of its brightest members to offer its defense.   Should Gen Y be saved or rounded up and sent away some where?  I have it out with:

• Logan Sachon, editor and founder of The Billfold.
• Liana Maeby, blogger and internet wit
• Alex Pareene, political writer for Salon.

In the second segment I am joined by entertainment blogger David Poland, editor of Movie City News - a man who has been at it since before the term existed.  One of the true savants on the entertainment industry, Poland will tell us about starting out in the business working on SNL in age 20 and establishing himself and his site at the dawn of the internet.  We discuss the sorry state of entertainment reporting, from high to low, why it matters.  As well as a quick preview of the Oscar race ahead.

Plus - greetings and thoughts!

And intro and interstitial music by Kevin MacLeod!