Basket Traffic: Entertainment Meets History

Basket Traffic Productions
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Welcome to Basket Traffic! Brought to you by hosts Craig, Shawn and Susie. Through story telling and conversation, our podcast delves into history and entertainment and playfully examines the intersection of these two worlds. Craig thinks he knows history. Shawn is apparently into cinephilia (cinema), and Susie wants nothing to do with any of it. In short, we're seriously unserious and a little irreverent.  Have a listen and press "follow" if you enjoy it. We'd really appreciate it.

Episodes

  1. Alvin York: A World War One Hero (and is cinema dead?)

    DEC 16

    Alvin York: A World War One Hero (and is cinema dead?)

    Heroes used to earn their victories. They faced fear, made sacrifices, and returned changed. But somewhere along the way, the journey itself began to disappear. Today, corporate money shapes what stories get told, while algorithms decide which ones survive. Franchises are engineered for global markets, risk is minimized, and characters are sanded down until no one stands too tall. At the same time, postmodern writing has reworked the very idea of heroism—blurring good and evil, questioning moral certainty, and turning once-mythic figures into vessels for commentary rather than transformation. In this episode, Craig, Susie and Shawn explore how corporate interests and postmodern storytelling have reshaped the hero’s journey—and ask a simple question: when meaning, courage, and growth are stripped away, what’s left of the hero? Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    46 min
  2. Alien Earth: No You Didn't!

    NOV 19

    Alien Earth: No You Didn't!

    In this episode, we dive into the new sci-fi series Alien Earth, a bold reimagining of humanity’s future and our struggle to survive on a rapidly changing world. The show blends political tension, frontier exploration, and alien mystery—and our hosts have very different opinions about it. Craig comes in mostly impressed by its potential, praising the series for its gripping atmosphere, layered mythology, and its introduction of a whole host of new and scary creatures. Craig believes the show’s potential is enormous, but not fully realized… at least not yet. Shawn, however, isn’t fully convinced. While he appreciates the ambition and visual throwbacks to 1979, he argues that the pacing lags, the character motivations feel murky, and certain plotlines—especially involving boy genius—raise more questions than answers.  Susie on the other hand couldn't finish it. She chose having a peaceful sleep over enduring 8 episodes of horror with a Xenomorph and "The Eye". Together, they break down the themes, standout moments, and where the series might go next—offering a lively, thoughtful, and occasionally fiery debate. Whether you’re a die-hard sci-fi fan or just curious about the hype, this is your guide to understanding the strange, fascinating world of Alien Earth. Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    55 min
  3. Halloween: The Story Behind Dracula (Part 2)

    OCT 27

    Halloween: The Story Behind Dracula (Part 2)

    As the nights grow longer and shadows creep across the land, one name still sends a chill through the centuries—Dracula. But before he became the immortal count of gothic legend, there was a real man behind the myth: Vlad the Impaler, a 15th-century prince whose brutal rule inspired Bram Stoker’s timeless tale of blood and fear. Tonight, Shawn, Susie and Craig will sink their teeth into the history behind Halloween’s most iconic monster—exploring how folklore, fear, and fact intertwined to give birth to the world’s most famous vampire. Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    51 min
  4. Halloween: From Celtic Tradition to Disney Reinvention (Part 1)

    OCT 14

    Halloween: From Celtic Tradition to Disney Reinvention (Part 1)

    Every October 31st, we carve pumpkins, wear costumes, and wander into the night—but where did it all begin? From ancient Celtic rituals honoring the dead to medieval superstitions and modern candy-filled traditions, Halloween has transformed over centuries into the celebration we know today. Join Craig as he explores how Samhain became All Hallows’ Eve, and how fear, faith, and fun blended into one hauntingly fascinating holiday. So light your jack-o’-lantern, grab some candy, and step with us into the shadows of history—welcome to the story behind Halloween. Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    11 min
  5. 1982: Movies and Music: E.T., Poltergeist, Tron, Thriller and so much more.

    AUG 31

    1982: Movies and Music: E.T., Poltergeist, Tron, Thriller and so much more.

    1982 wasn’t just another year at the movies—it was a turning point. Audiences were transported to fantastical worlds, terrified by creatures from the deep, and inspired by visions of the future. From the emotional magic of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to the neon-drenched dystopia of Blade Runner, from Tron’s groundbreaking digital landscapes to the terror of Poltergeist—this was the year Hollywood redefined what blockbusters could be. So grab your popcorn, rewind the VHS, and join Shawn, Susie and Craig as we journey back to 1982—a year that shaped the way we watch movies forever. Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    56 min
  6. Jaws: The 50th Anniversary of the Movie and the Harrowing Story of the USS Indianapolis

    JUL 31

    Jaws: The 50th Anniversary of the Movie and the Harrowing Story of the USS Indianapolis

    “You’re gonna need a bigger boat…” Shawn says to Craig incredulously. Welcome to Basket Traffic, where we dive deep (actually we stay in the shallows because we’re terrified of sharks) into a classic that changed cinema forever. Today, Susie, Shawn, and Craig are plunging into the waters of suspense and terror with Steven Spielberg’s 1975 masterpiece: Jaws. From its unforgettable score from John Williams to the shark that kept an entire generation out of the ocean, we’ll explore how this film redefined summer blockbusters, terrified audiences worldwide, and turned a simple story about a seaside town into one of the greatest thrillers ever made. So grab your life vest because we’re also going to explore the real historical story of the USS Indianapolis and its crew that was stranded at sea for five days in shark-infested waters. Book: In Harm’s Way, by Doug Stanton Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    1h 6m
  7. A Cheeky Podcast Recap (of our experience so far)

    JUL 11

    A Cheeky Podcast Recap (of our experience so far)

    Craig, Susie and Shawn take the time to reflect on their experience with podcasting. If you're doing a podcast or thinking about it then perhaps we can offer something of value (honestly, don’t expect much). We talk about many things: the least of which is how we avoid marketing this podcast; Craig's obsession with listenership; Susie's Stockholm syndrome, and Shawn figuring out live on this episode that Craig is secretly doing an employee review...sort of. Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    40 min
  8. Mickey 17: The Latest Weirdest Bong Joon-Ho Movie

    JUN 12

    Mickey 17: The Latest Weirdest Bong Joon-Ho Movie

    Would you sign up for a job where dying is literally part of the contract? Mickey did! In Mickey 17, Oscar‑winner Bong Joon‑ho (Parasite) delivers a bizarrely brilliant mix of sci‑fi, satire, and dark humor. Robert Pattinson stars as Mickey Barnes, a man who volunteers to be an “Expendable” for a space‑colonizing mission—sending himself on the most dangerous tasks knowing that when he dies, a clone with his memories will take his place.  Craig, Shawn, and Susie add to the conversation. We liked it, but we wanted to like it more. Did Bong have too much of the bong when producing it? Spoiler alerts 😲 Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    47 min
  9. Who Really Sparked the First World War: Princip or Potiorek?

    MAY 24

    Who Really Sparked the First World War: Princip or Potiorek?

    Shawn and Susie join me as we try to figure out who actually deserves the heavy weight champion title of starting World War One. It's not exactly a title that any one wants or deserves, but someone has to be responsible! If you're even a little interested in history then this episode is for you. Who doesn't love a story about love and assassination? Why does a lonely young man, who had difficulty with women, get inspired to murder for love of country? Press play to find out. -Gavrilo Princip, Frank Ferdinand, Oskar Potiorek Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    45 min
  10. Mufasa: The Lion King (we really wanted to like it)

    MAY 7

    Mufasa: The Lion King (we really wanted to like it)

    Proceed with caution. Before you listen, you must really like listening to people geek out on movies. We bring out the real experts today. Craig and Susie's daughters join them in examining the latest installment of Disney's Lion King franchise, Mufasa. While Craig can't stop fixating on stupid things in this movie, the rest appropriately deep-dive on the elements that matter. Does the movie live up to the 1994 original? If this is your cup of tea then press play to find out.  Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    47 min
  11. Adolescence: the latest smash hit from Netflix

    APR 24

    Adolescence: the latest smash hit from Netflix

    “What would you do if your teenager was accused of murder?  Craig, Shawn and Susie have a conversation about Adolescence—a relentless four-part journey inside the mind of a frightened boy… and a fractured family. Craig and Susie bring their experience in education to the conversation while Shawn speaks to its unique production. Shot in real-time, with each episode captured in one single, unbroken take, this isn’t just television—it’s immersion at its most unsettling. In Adolescence, 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested at home for allegedly murdering a classmate. His father, played by Stephen Graham, navigates guilt, confusion, and public scrutiny alongside him. Beneath the surface lies an exploration of toxic masculinity, online radicalization, and the corrosive impact of social media. Praised as near perfect, Adolescence became Netflix’s second most-watched English-language series—garnering over 140 million views and sweeping major accolades, including multiple Gotham TV Awards. In this episode, we break down how its bold cinematography, razor-sharp writing by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, and tour-de-force performances turned a crime drama into a cultural reckoning. Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    55 min
  12. Günter Had a Bad Day...The Wall Fell

    APR 24

    Günter Had a Bad Day...The Wall Fell

    It’s not commonly known the specific events that caused the Berlin Wall to “fall” in November of 1989. A man named Günter made some interesting choices on the days leading up to that fateful day of the 9th, and no doubt made assumptions about his new position as press secretary of the Soviet-controlled East German republic. We’ve all been there at some point where our actions have had impacts, but were they ever this large? Listen to find out why he had a very bad day. Click here to send us feedback, or if you have a request please reach out.

    49 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Welcome to Basket Traffic! Brought to you by hosts Craig, Shawn and Susie. Through story telling and conversation, our podcast delves into history and entertainment and playfully examines the intersection of these two worlds. Craig thinks he knows history. Shawn is apparently into cinephilia (cinema), and Susie wants nothing to do with any of it. In short, we're seriously unserious and a little irreverent.  Have a listen and press "follow" if you enjoy it. We'd really appreciate it.

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