Because I'm John Sellmeyer

John Robert Joseph Sellmeyer

Welcome to a podcast powered by curiosity, caffeine, and the occasional existential crisis. Most episodes are interviews with interesting people who teach me something new—sometimes surprising, sometimes profound, always human. Other times, it’s just me, thinking out loud about whatever’s been rattling around in my brain lately. It’s part conversation, part observation, and part “how did we end up here?” If you like honest chats, unexpected turns, and the feeling of learning something without realizing it, you’re in the right place. No niche—just stories, thoughts, and wondering out loud.

  1. 4d ago

    Obsession (2026) Review

    Directed by YouTube comedy genius Curry Barker, Obsession masterfully balances deadpan humor with deeply uncomfortable tension. We dive into the brilliant performances of Michael Johnston as the pathetic, relatable Bear, and Indy Navarette as Nikki, the target of a disastrously effective One Wish Willow spell. Navarette is a major fan favorite to play Violet in the upcoming Fourth Wing adaptation, and her performance here proves exactly why. We also discuss Barker's transition from YouTube skits to major cinematic moves and why we are hyped for his upcoming film Anything But Ghosts starring Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard. We also get into the villain debate, asking if Bear is the true antagonist of Obsession. We discuss the terrifying reality of stripping away autonomy and how forced love is an act of violence. The film offsets this dark theme with hilarious deadpan absurdity, perfectly highlighted by the contrast of side characters like Ian getting filthy rich and reacting to the supernatural trauma unfolding around them. We keep the first half of our review completely spoiler free before diving into the catastrophic chaos. If you like stories about things lurking beneath the surface that finally snap, check out the self-published eco-thriller The Maw Beneath the Mane by JRJ Sellmeyer, available right now on Audible, Kindle, and Barnes & Noble. Keywords: Obsession movie review, Curry Barker director, Indy Navarette Fourth Wing Violet, Michael Johnston actor, Anything But Ghosts movie, supernatural thriller, horror comedy, forced love trope, One Wish Willow, indie horror films.

  2. Mar 16

    Oscars 2026 Recap: Michael B. Jordan, Conan, & ‘The Maw Beneath The Mane’ Sneak Peek (+Audiobook Sample)

    Oscars 2026 Recap: Michael B. Jordan, PTA’s Big Win, and a Dark Twist The 98th Academy Awards are officially in the books, and we are breaking down every viral moment, from Conan O’Brien’s opening parody of Weapons to the history-making wins. Did Michael B. Jordan deserve Best Actor for playing twins in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners? Was Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another the right choice for Best Picture? We’re diving deep into the 2026 winners, the snubs, and the awkward chemistry that had everyone talking. The Big Winners: Analyzing Michael B. Jordan, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), and Paul Thomas Anderson’s long-awaited Directing Oscar. Viral Moments: Conan O’Brien vs. Grogu, and the Josh Groban / Moulin Rouge surprise reunion with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. The "Egg" Energy: What was going on with Channing Tatum’s presenter chemistry? Timothée Chalamet & Kylie Jenner: Discussing the drama surrounding the Marty Supreme star’s early exit. Animated History: How K-Pop Demon Hunters (Netflix) disrupted the Disney / Zootopia 2 streak. Stick around until the very end of the episode for a special world premiere. I’m sharing an exclusive sample of my new eco-thriller, The Maw Beneath The Mane . Hear the incredible narration by Marvin Abrego as he performs Chapter 4, a haunting look into the life of Sal Carpathia. The full audiobook is coming to Audible soon! Follow "Because I'm John Sellmeyer" for more deep dives into film, history, and the writing process. Inside This Episode:🔥 EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK: "The Maw Beneath The Mane"

  3. Feb 22

    Autism in Film & TV: The Good, the Bad, and the Authentic (Feat. Reese)

    Podcast Summary: Autism in Film, TV, and Pop Culture In this episode of "Because I'm John Sellmeyer," John sits down with his lifelong friend Reese to dive deep into the world of autism representation in media. John and Reese use a "Plus" (Authentic/Relatable) and "Minus" (Stereotypical/Exploitative) system to break down a massive list of titles: Taxi Driver (1976): [PLUS] Starring Robert De Niro (Travis Bickle) and directed by Martin Scorsese. Reese highlights Bickle's social stiltedness and literal thinking (the "get organized" poster) as a raw, unintentional portrayal of neurodivergence. Rain Man (1988): [MINUS] Starring Dustin Hoffman (Raymond Babbitt) and Tom Cruise, directed by Barry Levinson. While a classic, they discuss how it birthed the "autistic savant" trope and treated the character as a plot device for others' growth. Forrest Gump (1994): [MINUS] Starring Tom Hanks, directed by Robert Zemeckis. They contrast the movie's "inspirationally disabled" vibe with Winston Groom’s original novel, where Forrest is more explicitly autistic. Napoleon Dynamite (2004): [PLUS] Starring Jon Heder, directed by Jared Hess. A favorite for its portrayal of a world where everyone is a little neurodivergent and social quirks are just part of the charm. Punch-Drunk Love (2002): [PLUS] Starring Adam Sandler (Barry Egan) and Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Praised for showing sensory overstimulation and anxiety. Sherlock Holmes (2009): Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, directed by Guy Ritchie. Analyzing the detective's hyper-fixation and social detachment. Community: [PLUS] Featuring Danny Pudi as Abed Nadir, created by Dan Harmon. A standout for "accidental" authenticity—Harmon discovered his own autism while writing the character. The Good Doctor: [MINUS] Starring Freddie Highmore, created by David Shore. Discussed as a stereotypical "Hollywood" version of autism. The Walking Dead: [PLUS] Featuring Josh McDermitt as Eugene Porter. They explore Eugene's social masking and his survival strategy of using his intellect as a shield. The Office (US): Created by Greg Daniels. A debate on whether Steve Carell (Michael Scott) or Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute) more accurately reflects autistic traits. Bob's Burgers: Created by Loren Bouchard. A look at Tina (Dan Mintz) and Gene (Eugene Mirman) Belcher as relatable neurodivergent characters. Avatar: The Last Airbender: Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. A deep dive into the fan "head-canon" of Zuko (Dante Basco) being autistic based on his social dorkiness and hyper-focus on honor. Hazbin Hotel: Created by Vivienne Medrano. Featuring Keith David as Husk; they discuss the character's non-verbal cues and fan-favorite status. SpongeBob SquarePants: Created by Stephen Hillenburg. John shares Tom Kenny’s quote about SpongeBob being "on the spectrum" because of his rigid routines and social naivety. Seinfeld / Curb Your Enthusiasm: Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. Discussing the "autistic vibe" of the writing and Jerry’s own comments on having Asperger’s. Harry Potter (Books): They discuss Severus Snape as portrayed in J.K. Rowling’s books versus Alan Rickman’s film performance, focusing on Snape’s social isolation and rigid bitterness. Of Mice and Men: By John Steinbeck. A classic look at Lennie Small and the history of portraying intellectual disability in literature. Masking & Disassociation: The exhausting mental effort of "appearing normal" and the anxiety it causes. Nothing About Us Without Us: The importance of involving autistic creators and actors in stories about neurodiversity. The "Todd" Theory: A surprising analysis of Jesse Plemons’ character Todd Alquist from Breaking Bad and El Camino, reframing him as an autistic man mentored by sociopaths. +More John’s novel, The Maw Beneath The Mane, is available on Amazon! The "Plus/Minus" Review: Portrayals AnalyzedMoviesTelevision & AnimationLiterature & OtherKey Discussion Points

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to a podcast powered by curiosity, caffeine, and the occasional existential crisis. Most episodes are interviews with interesting people who teach me something new—sometimes surprising, sometimes profound, always human. Other times, it’s just me, thinking out loud about whatever’s been rattling around in my brain lately. It’s part conversation, part observation, and part “how did we end up here?” If you like honest chats, unexpected turns, and the feeling of learning something without realizing it, you’re in the right place. No niche—just stories, thoughts, and wondering out loud.