Estradiol Illusions

David Frei, Host of The National Dog Show

We're back! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest David Frei, cohost of The National Dog Show, for an exciting conversation all about one of America's favorite Thanksgiving traditions. With over 20 million viewers for six years in a row, the National Dog Show has exploded as a must-watch family event. David shares plenty of insight from his decades-long career judging and hosting dog shows.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Estradiol Illusions is so happy to be back with such a heart-warming topic. Tune in if you've ever wondered what exactly is a benched competition or how you pick a Best in Show from close to 200 breeds. Fans of The National Dog Show will surely enjoy hearing some stories from David's exciting career.
The National Dog Show will air on NBC Thanksgiving Day (November 28) from 12-2 pm in all time zones.
To learn more about David's charity Angel on a Leash, check out their Facebook page. You can also connect with David on Facebook and Twitter @dfreithedogguy

Transgender Storytime: Thoughts Before Surgery

Vaginal liberation is upon us. With Ian set to undergo facial feminization surgery and bottom surgery, Estradiol Illusions will be going on hiatus. Ian shares some pre-surgery thoughts on her transition journey, being off hormones for two weeks, as well as plenty of laughter over the various absurdities of the process. For whatever reason, Ian also decided to rank the quality of a few, but not all, of the Disneyland bathrooms.
To wish Ian well on her surgery, shoot her a note on Twitter or Facebook, @ianthomasmalone. 
Programming note: EI will be back sometime in November. Thank you so much for joining us on this journey so far.

Downton Abbey

Grab your corset and your lady’s maid, we’re heading back to Downton Abbey! Join host & Downton superfan Ian Thomas Malone for an episode breaking down all the various plotlines of the film. Ian dives deep into the series lore to take a look at which parts of the narrative worked best. From the return of Mr. Molesley to Mr. Barrow’s quest for love to Lady Mary’s efforts to set up all the chairs in time, there’s so much to talk about. Absolutely thrilled to have another couple of hours with these characters.
 
Note: This episode contains major spoilers so be sure to see the film before listening.
Also, be sure to check out Ian’s review of the film and her various articles on the series, both on her main author website and Downton World.
 
Film poster courtesy of Carnival Films

Star Wars - Galaxy's Edge

Grab your droid and your blue milk, we’re going to Batuu! Ian and Tarabelle talk all about Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge, the first new land added to Disneyland since Mickey’s Toontown in the early 90s. Galaxy’s Edge is a beautiful yet simultaneously underwhelming place, a land too heavily invested in expensive experiences to leave much of a lasting impression either on first-time attendees or Annual Passholders finding themselves without much to do after the second or third visit. Ian & Tarabelle dissect the various aspects of the land, from the food to the merch to Smugglers Run. You can ride the Millennium Falcon, but can you really make the magic come alive?
For more on Galaxy’s Edge, check out Ian’s article on the land.
For more on Disneyland's rides, check out our three-part series ranking every single ride in the park.
 

Transgender Storytime: The Scent of a Woman

An episode inspired by… bodily aroma! Ian talks about the changes that HRT has brought to her body’s sweat glands. This episode also discusses the broader plights of dating, attracting, and relationships that affect the general population, transgender and cisgender. Tune in to hear all the ways love at first sight can be spoiled by one small mishap. You’ll never think of BO the same way again.

The Beauty of Magikarp

Grab your old rod and your golden poké ball! Join Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Thomas Henkins for an episode all about Magikarp. Often thought to be a worthless Pokémon devoid of any redeeming qualities prior to evolution, Magikarp serves as an inspiration for all of us struggling to splash through the gym battle called life. Ian and Thomas share personal stories that endeared them to the unsung hero of the poké world. The journey to unlock our inner Gyrados may be long, but it’s important never to forget one’s sense of worth along the way.
 
You can follow Thomas at @thankin41 (Twitter) & @thankins41 (Instagram)
 
Photo courtesy of The Pokemon Company

TTTE & Chill: Tenders and Turntables

We’re back on the Island of Sodor and the engines have gone on strike! Make sure you get a good seat for the Indignation Meeting, because the evil capitalist Sir Topham Hatt is going union-busting, calling in the scab Edward to stick it to his workers. Poor Henry, after showing solidarity with his tendered brothers, finds himself all alone in need of gluten-free coal. The station master’s wife isn’t too happy that Thomas spoiled their breakfast, or ruined their house, along with the show’s timeline. Better not misgender the steam tram Toby with any of that electric nonsense.
This collection includes the following episodes:
Tenders and Turntables
Trouble in the Shed
Percy Runs Away
Thomas Comes to Breakfast
Henry's Special Coal
The Flying Kipper
Toby the Tram Engine
Tenders & Turntables is Ian’s all-time favorite Thomas the Tank engine tape. Join us for a delightful discussion about all the confusion and delay. Who cares, this is good cocoa?
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out our previous TTTE & Chill episodes covering Thomas Gets Tricked & James Learns a Lesson. 
 
Photo credit: The Britt Allcroft Company

13 Reasons Why Season 3

Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Colin George-Babb for a discussion about 13 Reasons Why’s third season. The controversial teen drama has continued to be quite divisive, though Ian and Colin both enjoyed this season. This spoiler-filled episode dives into the major points of contention through the season, including Ani’s narration, Bryce’s continued presence in the narrative, and yoga studio etiquette.
Before listening, be sure to check out Ian’s review of the show on her website, as Ian explains the often strange reactions she’s been receiving since its publication.
You can follow Colin at gokaiburakku. Also be sure to check out his previous EI appearance on our "On the Subject of Gay Dumbledore" episode. 

Shahid Buttar, Democratic Primary Challenger to Nancy Pelosi for CA-12

Join host Ian Thomas Malone as she interviews Shahid Buttar, who is currently challenging Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for a seat in Congress representing the twelfth district of California. Shahid has made a career of speaking truth to power, as an attorney with a long career in civil rights fighting for LGBTQ equality, immigrant rights, and First Amendment protections, among many others. Throughout a wide-ranging conversation, Shahid explains how his roots in progressive activism have prepared him for elected office. Primary challenges are always an uphill battle, but Shahid is a candidate with a proven track record advocating for the causes he’s centered his campaign around.
 
To learn more about Shahid’s campaign or to lend your support, visit the ShahidForChange campaign website. You can also follow his campaign account, @ShahidForChange on Twitter, as well as his personal feed, @Sheeyahshee.

A Conversation with Andrea James

Estradiol Illusions is back from summer vacation! We are absolutely delighted to welcome the iconic transgender activist, filmmaker, and writer Andrea James to the show for a wide-ranging conversation about her work. Andrea talks about her upcoming work The Transphobia Project, an interactive chart that tracks anti-transgender bias in the media. Andrea also shares plenty of insight regarding the evolution of trans representation on screen and the ways coverage of trans issues has changed over the years among other topics.
 
To learn more about The Transphobia Project, check out its Kickstarter page
 
You can find more of Andrea on her website as well as Twitter and Facebook.  

TTTE & Chill: James Learns a Lesson

Grab your newspaper and your leather bootlace! Estradiol Illusions returns to the Island of Sodor, covering the seminal VHS collection James Learns a Lesson. Everyone’s favorite red engine duels the selfish yet smartly dressed man, fending off threats of dysphoric blue paint from Sir Topham Hatt. As the title suggests, we learn a lot of lessons along the way, such as the value of not getting steam all over your boss, or filling up your boiler with fish from a bucket with five holes. Put on your snowplow, it’s time for a race.
This collection includes the following episodes:
1. James Learns a Lesson2. Foolish Freight Cars3. A Proud Day for James 4. Thomas and the Conductor5. Thomas Goes Fishing6. Terence the Tractor7. Thomas and Bertie's Great Race
 
For more of Ian, you can find her on Twitter @ianthomasmalone and at her website ianthomasmalone.com
 
Photo credit: The Britt Allcroft Company

Transgender Storytime: Tushies & Body Positivity

An episode all about butts! Join host Ian Thomas Malone for a solo episode about her growing sense of body positivity, best represented through her tush, one of the many beneficiaries of HRT. Getting dressed in the morning used to be a struggle, but it’s been great to be able to look in the mirror and be relatively pleased with the butt starring back. Ian dives into a broader discussion of happiness, trying her best to not to be too pseudo-philosophical. This episode is (mostly) about butts.

Phase Four of the MCU

Avengers assemble! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Manu of A Scene of Ice and Fire for an in-depth look at all the exciting stuff planned for the MCU. Starting with the reception to Endgame, Ian & Manu discuss all the upcoming projects planned across film & television. With so many team-ups in the works, there's a lot to look forward to in the post-Tony Stark world. Grab your fishbowl helmet and your drones and join us for a delightful conversation covering the wide scope of the superhero cosmos.
You can find Manu on Twitter @ManuclearBomb and be sure to check out his podcast A Scene of Ice and Fire 
For more of Ian, you can find her on Twitter @ianthomasmalone and at her website ianthomasmalone.com

A Storm of Dragonstone

Stannis returns! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Rohanne for an in-depth look at the colorful characters of Team Dragonstone. From Mel to Davos to Duram Bar Emmon, the Dragonstone chapters in A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords provided so many memorable moments. Stannis may not have found his purpose until he reached the Wall, but everyone’s favorite cuddly curmudgeon is a lot of fun in his natural habitat, even if he never asked for it.
This episode is part two of our ten-part coverage of the One True King. 
You can follow Rohanne on Twitter @girl_hag & @bestofcarice (Carice van Houten fan account)

Progressive Politics with Natalie Holme Elsberg

Another politics episode! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Natalie Holme Elsberg for a wide-ranging discussion on progressive politics in the age of Trump. Natalie is a progressive grassroots activist who was an early supporter of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a volunteer for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 campaigns. Natalie shares some insight into the rise of AOC and the need for progressive voices in D.C. at a time when little seems to be getting done on Capitol Hill. Ian & Natalie also discuss the current state of the 2020 race and the way the primary has been shaping up thus far.
You can follow Natalie on Twitter @NatalieElsberg

In Defense of the Wii U

Grab your gamepad and join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Spencer Scott Holmes for a retrospective on the Wii U. Nintendo’s rather unloved child possesses a wonderfully deep roster of games, many of which have since been ported to the Switch. Ian & Spencer talk about the highlights of the system and its library, as well as the reasons why the Wii U never seemed to get the love it deserved.
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out Spencer’s previous EI appearance on the two-part  “The Fall of Sega”
For more of Spencer, you can follow him on Twitter @SpencerSHolmes and be sure to check out the Old Man Orange Podcast & Pizza Boys Comic Series