Podcast

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast

Arts, Books

Each episode, we take a deep-dive into the book we are focusing on—we explore the references, characters, plot, and everything in between from a non-scholarly point of view. We are just four fans who love these books and can talk about them endlessly.

Episodes
132
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
2 hr 46 min
On air since
2023
Latest episode
1 week ago

Episodes

132 episodes, newest first

  1. Against the Day: Ch. 45-46

    Show notes

    Far from too soon, we rendezvous with Stray, in following Frank's happenstance ramblings among the rebels of northern Mexico. Similarly, across the sea, we catch up with Reef, who runs into Ruperta, and each scene lays our hosts ready for such lovely conversation about the characters and lush surroundings... What more could you want?

    Next episode: Ch. 47-48 (p. 644-660)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Spreadshop: https://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com/

    Editing/production by Max

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    3 hr 24 min
  2. Against the Day: Ch. 43-44

    Show notes

    After these last few episodes, it's starting to feel like these guys are the ones with their heads full of gas! At least this time they made it through more than the one chapter, but, crud, The Slow and the Stupefied is on later, might have to cut it off if they spend too much longer on this 'historical context'. Fewer mathematicians, more jelly doughnuts, puh-leeze! Why do I bother even complaining at this point...

    Next episode: Ch. 45-47 (p. 637-653)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Spreadshop: https://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com/

    Editing/production by Max

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    3 hr 42 min
  3. Against the Day: Ch. 42

    Show notes

    At last, somewhere rational, even on a map, Göttingen! What a lovely place to set the scene for romance for Kit, and to finally get to know the real star of the show, Yashmeen. Oh, o-oh. Never mind. Is it all just history and math, now? Wow. Great job, with the "podcast dedicated to books" there.

    Next episode: Ch. 43-44 (p. 605-637)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Spreadshop: https://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com/

    Editing/production by Max

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    4 hr 41 min
  4. Bonus Episode - Heather Parry

    Show notes

    Visit Heather Parry's Substack (general observations on eggs): https://substack.com/@heatherparry

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmons-run/id6789264747

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Spreadshop: https://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com/

    Editing/production by Max

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    1 hr 17 min
  5. Infinite Jest: "The Powdered Milk Fiasco"

    Show notes

    Next episode: Pages 698-808 (ending at “...his face unspeakable”)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    3 hr 27 min
  6. Against the Day: Ch. 40-41

    Show notes

    That—over there! Is it... the Q weapon? Wait, what's it do, anyway? What has the Hanseatic League got to do with a 20-sided die now? Where is Dally? Hold it, who is she kissing? Ugh, my head. Pairing recommendation: an NSAID

    Next episode: Ch. 42-43 (p. 589-615)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters:

    Books: M. Son of the Century by Antonio Scurati

    TV: Mussolini: Son of the Century

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmons-run/id6789264747

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Spreadshop: https://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com/

    Editing/production by Max

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    3 hr 58 min
  7. Bonus Episode: Adaptations (and The Odyssey... a bit)

    Show notes

    We like to talk, so we thought we'd record ourselves yapping about the Christopher Nolan adaptation of The Odyssey (and adaptations in general).

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Spreadshop: https://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com/

    Editing/production by Max

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    1 hr 19 min
  8. Against the Day: Ch. 38-39

    Show notes

    While the lines have been set since the first pages of this novel, it seems some of our hosts feel it's only recently fully caught wind in its sails, and the lot of them seem pleased as punch. What that means for you, dear listener, is plenty of history, of course! Really, what would you do without us?

    Next episode: Ch. 40-41 (p. 557-588)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmons-run/id6789264747

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Editing/production by Max

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    3 hr 20 min
  9. Infinite Jest: "I always end up finding more than I thought I would"

    Show notes

    Another month means another 100ish page section of Infinite Jest! This month features uncomfortable hugs, uncomfortable drugs, Randy Lenz being the absolute worst, Michael Pemulis being close to the absolute worst, and more backstory than you can shake a large wooden spoon ideal for eating granola with at.

    Next episode: Pages 601 - 698 (ending at “She could barely stand to think about them, even at the best of times, which the present was not.”)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters:

    Books: The Chaos Machine by Max Fisher

    Film/TV: The Wire (HBO)

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Merch: http://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    3 hr 24 min
  10. Against the Day: Ch. 36-37

    Show notes

    For the first time, listen to the crew of your fair show abdicate their preferred fine-toothed approach! Is it fair? You be the judge! Are you offended? Tell us! Engage! Engage like your lives depend on it! But worry not, kind audience, for the "Stupendica" and its ports of call are so historically salient to satisfy any apparently-endless craving for contextualization and discussion. Bon appetit!

    Next episode: Ch. 38-39 (p. 525-557)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters:

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmons-run/id6789264747

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Editing/production by Max

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    2 hr 46 min
  11. Against the Day: Ch. 34-35

    Show notes

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters:

    Films/TV: Burn These Books (https://www.youtube.com/@BurnTheseBooks)

    Music: Brazil (dir. Terry Gilliam, 1985); Dark City (dir. Alex Proyas, 1998)

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Editing and production by Max (Thanks Max!)

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    3 hr 47 min
  12. Against the Day: Ch. 32-33

    Show notes

    After some much-needed psychic rehabilitation, the whole crew is back together, and like Lindsay and the other Chums reuniting, we're diving in deep straight off the bat. Things do get twisted, perhaps even time itself, with a tinker like Merle at Candlebrow up to his elbows in the stuff. Please have your textbooks with you.

    Next episode: Ch. 34-35 (p. 460-488)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters:

    Films/TV: Burn These Books (https://www.youtube.com/@BurnTheseBooks)

    Music: Brazil (dir. Terry Gilliam, 1985); Dark City (dir. Alex Proyas, 1998)

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Edited by: Max (thanks Max!)

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    3 hr 22 min
  13. Infinite Jest: Il ne faut plus qu'on pursuive le bonheur

    Show notes

    How is a book this long, still this good, this far in? Gately gets a job, Marathe and Steeply converse and wax philosophical, and a young JOI helps his dad move a mattress. Put your empty glass of peppered tomato juice down somewhere and join us in this latest episode.

    Next episode: Pages 503-601 (ending at “Orin’s smile wasn’t as cool as he though as he told the seated figure that that was a matter of opinion.”)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters:

    Books: Forget the Alamo, by Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, and Jason Stanford; David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest: A Reader's Guide, by Stephen J. Burn; A Reader's Companion to Infinite Jest, by Robert Bell and William Dowling; Elegant Complexity: A Study of David Foster Wallce's Infinite Jest, by Greg Carlise

    Film/TV: Short Cuts (dir. Robert Altman, 1993)

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Merch: http://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com/http://bradspersecond.com

    2 hr 35 min
  14. Infinite Jest: "Like Last Time, Only Moreso"

    Show notes

    Next episode: Pages 410 - 503 (ending at “This was how I first became interested in the possibilities of annulation.”)

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters:

    Film/TV: Twin Peaks: The Return (2017; dir. David Lynch)

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Merch: http://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com

    3 hr 9 min
  15. Bonus Episode - Billy Woods "Hiding Places"

    Show notes

    Finally wrapping up our hiatus episodes, Will is back, and he's stirring the pot again. Inside, listeners will find a lyrical brief on billy woods & Kenny Segal's Hiding Places, making this a meaningful step in the evolution of our show, as it lasts longer than the subject matter. The better thing to do may be to just listen to the album. You know you want to.​

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Merch: http://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com

    1 hr 2 min
  16. Bonus Episode - The Franchiser by Stanley Elkin

    Show notes

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Merch: http://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) http://bradspersecond.com

    51 min
  17. Bonus Episode - R.A. Lafferty

    Show notes

    On this week's bonus episode, Luke discusses the short stories, novels, and life of R.A. Lafferty. Give it a listen? Yeah, you should.

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road (or just to support us!)

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Merch: http://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com

    34 min
  18. Bonus Episode - Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution (w/ Sara Marcus)

    Show notes

    In the first of our series of bonus episodes in-between parts 2 and 3 of Against the Day, we talk with Sara Marcus about her 2010 book about the Riot Grrrl movement. We discuss the bands, the music, the zines, and the revolution itself.

    If you're looking to hear Riot Grrrl music, I've compiled a playlist (see below) of bands and artists who were either part of the movement or who I feel are carrying the torch of those women into the 21st century. You don't need Tidal to play it; the playlist will open in any streaming platform.

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road (or just to support us!)

    If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters:

    Music: https://tidal.com/playlist/05b96c9e-0a9c-40b2-a200-8e36e5215b29

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Merch: http://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com

    1 hr 15 min
  19. Infinite Jest: "I just need to put the book down and go for a walk"

    Show notes

    It's a beautifully tragic series of scenes we get with this section of the book. While this is some of the best writing in the novel, thus far, it's also tremendously upsetting and hard to get through. There's still plenty of humor and weirdness to be found, so join us as we talk about the ups ad downs of this motley cast of characters.

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Merch: http://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com

    3 hr 43 min
  20. Slow Learner: Low-lands

    Show notes

    If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better.

    https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone

    You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road (or just to support us!)

    As always, thanks so much for listening!

    Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/

    Merch: http://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com

    Edited by: Max

    Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)http://bradspersecond.com

    1 hr 16 min

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