The Miss Independent Podcast

The Miss Independent Podcast
  • 5.0 (3)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Miss Independent is a fun, thought provoking and engaging podcast that revolves around independent films and the questions they pose. Join us for a glass of wine, selectively paired with each episode, and expand your podcast palette!

  1. 3.23 - Fresh Kills: Loyalty, Silence, and a One-Woman Riot.

    3D AGO

    3.23 - Fresh Kills: Loyalty, Silence, and a One-Woman Riot.

    What if the most powerful mob story… wasn’t about the mob bosses? What if the real power lies in the silence that surrounds them. In today’s episode we’re talking about Fresh Kills, Jennifer Esposito’s incredible film set in Staten Island in the late ’80s and ’90s. Rather than centering the men who run the mob, the story follows two sisters growing up within that world - navigating loyalty, family expectations and the complicated inheritance of a life shaped by organized crime. It’s explores what it means to grow up inside that system: the protection it offers, the pressure it creates, and the constant awareness that some truths are simply never spoken aloud. For the wine pairing, we opened Saragat Monica Atzei - a bold Sardinian red with ripe dark berries, Mediterranean herbs, soft spice, and a little earthy edge. Smooth, balanced, and dangerously drinkable. ALSO, Patrick somehow nailed every single note during the tasting. Absolute 10/10 performance. And if things get a little chaotic toward the end of the episode… just know the wine was doing its job a little too well…

    53 min
  2. 3.22 - I Used to Be Funny: Trauma, friendship, and using humor as a defense mechanism.

    MAR 3

    3.22 - I Used to Be Funny: Trauma, friendship, and using humor as a defense mechanism.

    This week, we're discussing I Used To Be Funny (2023). The film follows stand up comedian Sam as she navigates life with PTSD and considers joining the search for a missing teenage girl she once nannied. The film stars Rachel Sennot, Caleb Hearon, Olga Petsa, and Sabrina Jalees, and makes the feature writing and directorial debut of Ally Pankiw. We paired the film with Element[AL] Pinot Noir from Bogle Family Vineyards. The AL is boxed in on the label to reflect its 100% aluminum bottle packaging, offering a sustainable take on a California wine. This Pinot Noir features notes of ripe red berries, cherry, and subtle spice. For a fun wine fact, Pinot Noir is known as the "heartbreak grape" because its notoriously delicate and difficult to grow, make it both challenging for winemakers and deeply rewarding when done right.

    59 min
  3. 3.21 - The Lure: Mermaids, Mayhem, & Genre-Bending Storytelling.

    FEB 24

    3.21 - The Lure: Mermaids, Mayhem, & Genre-Bending Storytelling.

    Would you look at that...It's Tuesday again! This week, we're discussing 2015's The Lure. Set in 1980s Warsaw, Poland, the film follows two mermaid sisters, named Golden and Silver, who are recruited into a nightclub. What starts off as exciting and exotic turns into a haunting tale of identity and survival. We paired The Lure with The Prophecy Rosé from the South of France. With notes of cherry, raspberry, and white peach, it's bright and playful on the first sip. Some would say it's beautiful, sharp, and a little dangerous...just like the film itself.

    47 min
  4. 3.20 - Twinless: Deception, Obsession & Finding Yourself

    FEB 17

    3.20 - Twinless: Deception, Obsession & Finding Yourself

    In today’s episode, we’re unpacking Twinless, the 2025 dramedy that transforms grief, identity crises, awkward humor, and emotional chaos into something unexpectedly tender and deeply relatable. Darkly funny and quietly devastating, the film explores the impossible task of redefining yourself after losing your built-in best friend, balancing absurd comedy with raw vulnerability as it peels back layers of memory, longing, and the lies we tell to ourselves and others. All of this punctuated by perfectly unhinged moments that somehow take us from heartbreak to fetishes and random Friends quotes, but somehow…we make it work! We paired the film with the 2019 Eudes Etna Rosso - a volcanic red  (yes, red!) bursting with bright fruit, smokey notes, and a hint of ash. Born on Mount Etna, its depth, tension, and fingerprint-triangle label echo the film’s themes of identity and connection, leaving a lasting impression with every sip.A wine so enticing that Patrick couldn’t wait for the episode to start…some research just has to happen ahead of schedule.

    49 min
  5. 3.19 - The Tree of Life: Grace, nature, and leafing through the memories of life.

    FEB 10

    3.19 - The Tree of Life: Grace, nature, and leafing through the memories of life.

    This week, we're diving into Terrence Malick's 2011 film, The Tree of Life. Starring Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, and Sean Penn, this movie centers on a family in Waco, Texas, viewed through the eyes of their eldest son, Jack. It's a journey through the loss of innocence, the struggle between his parents' conflicting views, and the complexities of growing up. To balance the film's heavy themes, we've paired it with Fre Alcohol-Removed Chardonnay. This refreshing white wine offers notes of creamy apple and crisp citrus that provide a bright contrast to the film's intensity. We chose a non-alcoholic option to mirror the central theme of innocence, offer a light, clean palate cleanser for a truly deep cinematic experience.

    46 min
  6. 3.18 - Didi: Childhood nostalgia, finding yourself, and our ideal MySpace song.

    FEB 3

    3.18 - Didi: Childhood nostalgia, finding yourself, and our ideal MySpace song.

    Happy New Year, Miss Independent Podcast listeners! After taking some time off to enjoy the holidays with family and friends, we're thrilled to be back with brand new episodes. This week, we're discussing Didi (2024), a comedy-drama written, directed, and produced by Sean Wang. The film follows a 13 year old Taiwanese American boy as he learns how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love his mom during the final month of summer before starting high school. We paired Didi with the Bodega Lagarde Atlas Cumbres Torrontés, a white wine from Argentina. The mountains on the label had us reflecting on our own teenage years, and how those messy, chaotic moments shaped us into who we are. Pour a glass and join us for the newest episode of The Miss Independent Podcast.

    49 min
  7. 3.17 - Lovely Still: Elderly love, what love means to us, and looking ahead to 2026.

    12/23/2025

    3.17 - Lovely Still: Elderly love, what love means to us, and looking ahead to 2026.

    Happy Holidays, Miss Indie listeners! For this week's midseason finale, we're discussing the 2008 film, Lovely Still. The film follows Robert, an elderly bachelor, whose quiet life is disrupted when his new neighbor, Mary, asks him out, and an unexpected romance begins to bloom. This week, we paired Lovely, Still with the 2017 Chardonnay from Mon Frère Winery. This wine offers delicate golden hues with aromas of citrus and pair, complimented by notes of vanilla and nutmeg. Mon Frère - French for "my brother," or in this case, my friend - is dedicated to my co-host Emily, in honor of the friendships that make life worthwhile. To our listeners: Enjoy the holidays, and please remember to take care of yourselves. We'll be back in February with new episodes. Until then, catch up on our full catalog and our first 3 Uncorked interviews on Youtube. Until the next sip...

    57 min
  8. 3.16 - Past Lives: Identity, the power of nostalgia and a splash of the Upside Down

    12/16/2025

    3.16 - Past Lives: Identity, the power of nostalgia and a splash of the Upside Down

    In this episode, we explore Past Lives, the tender A24 film that delves into the fascinating concept of InYun—the belief that the threads of connection between people stretch across lifetimes. We unpack how identity, longing, and the notion of soulmates shape the characters’ journeys, and why this story resonates so deeply with anyone who’s ever wondered about the paths not taken. Join us as we explore love, fate, and the invisible ties that pull us across time. Pairing this film with Clean Slate Riesling from Mosel, Germany felt like a natural choice.  This crisp wine brings bright acidity with a touch of sweetness - reflecting the film’s emotional contrasts. Its clean refreshing profile mirrors Nora’s pull between past and present, while its subtle fruit notes add a gentle nostalgia. It’s a fitting match for a story defined by longing and unspoken connections. And just for fun, Emily decided to surprise everyone with a second beverage: a Blueberry Soju, as a nod to the Korean roots at the heart of the film.  Light, juicy, and (dangerously) smooth, it went down a little too easily, adding a playful twist to an episode filled with reflection, emotion, and perhaps a touch of fate?

    52 min
See All (45)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Miss Independent is a fun, thought provoking and engaging podcast that revolves around independent films and the questions they pose. Join us for a glass of wine, selectively paired with each episode, and expand your podcast palette!

Information

  • Creator
    The Miss Independent Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Miss Independent Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Miss Independent Podcast