‘funny,’ not funny

Jim Infantino and Lionel Cassin

Conversations about books, music, movies, shows, tech, culture, and more. Jim is a songwriter and leader of the band Jim’s Big Ego. He is also an author of The Wakeful Wanderer’s Guide series. Lionel Cassin is an IT security specialist and a voracious reader of Science Fiction and History. They enjoy lively conversations and are now sharing those with you. We are adverse to advertising, so we rely on your support. Subscribe at patreon.com/jiminfantino for as little as $3 per month for live webcasts and bonus content.

  1. 2D AGO

    “Lighten Up Francis” | topic: Werner Herzog, Klaus Kinski, The Viking & Mongol invasions | Jim & Lionel

    In this episode, Jim and Lionel discuss various topics ranging from technical difficulties in live streaming to the complexities of PCI compliance. They delve into literary discussions about Steinbeck's ‘East of Eden’ and cinematic explorations of Wong Kar-Wai's films, particularly ‘In the Mood for Love.’ Lionel brings up Werner Herzog's movie ‘My Best Fiend.’ The conversation also touches on historical narratives presented in 'The Last Kingdom' and the significant impacts of Vikings and Mongols on history. The hosts share recommendations for films and discuss future topics for their podcast.

    59 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Ratcatcher & Morvern Callar: the films of Lynne Ramsay | topic: indie films, cinematic style, storytelling | with Adam Schartoff

    Jim, Lionel and Adam Shartoff of Filmwax Radio delve into the works of Lynne Ramsay, focusing on her films Ratcatcher and Morvern Callar. They explore the themes of childhood trauma, guilt, and the complexity of emotionally disconnected characters, while also discussing Ramsay's unique cinematic style and the emotional depth of her storytelling. The discussion highlights the ambiguity present in Ratcatcher's ending and contrasts the narratives of both films, providing insights into the societal issues they reflect. Overall, the conversation offers a thoughtful analysis of Ramsay's contributions to indie cinema.

    55 min

  3. FEB 4

    History Happy Hour & The Ghost Army | topic: Documentary filmmaking, deception in warfare, inflatable tanks | with Rick Beyer

    Jim Infantino, Lionel, and Rick Beyer delve into Rick’s podcast History Happy Hour and the fascinating history of the Ghost Army, a unique World War II unit that used deception to mislead the enemy. They discuss Rick's journey into documentary filmmaking, the impact of his work on public understanding of this historical narrative, and the importance of personal stories in history. The conversation also touches on the role of creativity and artistry among soldiers, the significance of deception in warfare, and the future of historical storytelling.

    51 min

  4. JAN 28

    “It's all totally mental” | topic: Bernardo Kastrup on Schopenhauer and Analytic Idealism | with Sarah Elkins

    The conversation delves into the philosophical ideas of Schopenhauer and Kastrup, exploring themes of consciousness, the nature of reality, and the historical context of their thoughts. It highlights the eccentricities of historical figures, the evolution of philosophical thought, and the implications of analytic idealism versus physicalism. The discussion also touches on the relevance of these ideas in contemporary debates about consciousness and reality.

    1h 18m

  5. JAN 15

    "The Power of Presence Fundamentally Changes Everything" | topic: Buddhism, Meditation, Shambhala | Sarah Lipton

    Sarah Lipton, podcaster, author, and meditation teacher joins us to talk about her path in, and experience with Vajrayana Buddhism. They discuss the Shambhala path, the role of sutras, and the diverse practices within Buddhism, emphasizing that meditation is not just a formal practice but can be integrated into daily activities. The conversation highlights the significance of being kind to oneself to effectively help others and the transformative power of mindfulness in navigating life's challenges.

    1h 18m

  6. JAN 14

    "Deliver Me From Nowhere" | topic: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan | A conversation with Chris Chandler

    Chris Chanlder joins us once again to talk about the movies "A Complete Unknown" and "Deliver Me From Nowhere." The conversation explores the potential for creating a better biopic of Bruce Springsteen, comparing it to the Dylan movie and discussing the creative choices that could enhance storytelling in music films.

    54 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    Tokyo Story | topic: Filmmaking, Japan, Yasujirō Ozu | a conversation with Jim & Lionel

    We begin by announcing the live stream of the podcast on Patreon for subscribers. This is a new direction for the pod and we encourage anyone who wants to support these episodes to join Jim's Patreon, where you can listen as we make the sausage, and get bonus materials (songs, novel chapters, and more). This podcast requires a great deal of editing and incurs costs relating to the software we use to record and stream, so your support is very much appreciated.Lionel and Jim both watched Tokyo Story by Yasujirō Ozu, considered a perfect movie by film buffs. We react to it as amateur film watchers, from our own cultural perspective. We compare and contrast other films like Singing In the Rain, Citizen Caine, and others. Notable is the comparison with the film making of directors like Wim Wenders, and the inspiration he must have drawn from this film. Lionel did not see Tokyo Twilight, but Jim did, and offers his reaction. Late in the podcast we mention a poem by W.H. Auden and compare that sentiment with the final scene in the film.

    58 min

  8. 12/11/2025

    “Do Not Be Distracted” | topic: a look at Kundun and Hugo by Martin Scorsese | Lionel & Jim

    We begin with an embarassing discussion of Jim's relationship with his bidet without being overly disgusting. Somehow, we move to Martin Scorsese’s 1997 movie Kundun and each of our reactions to it. We transition to his movie Hugo (2011) and we should warn you, that this movie is full of surprises and we give them all away, hence, there is a huge SPOILER WARNING with this episode.Afterwards, we openly plan for upcoming episodes and talk about Jim's experience at the Northeastern Regional Folk Music conference he went to in Albany back in early November. This episode was recorded November 14.For those interested in watching it, Jim mentions Janis Ian’s keynote address at the conference which can be viewed here: https://janisian.com/videos/janis-ian-keynote-speech-at-nerfa-2025/

    1h 1m
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Conversations about books, music, movies, shows, tech, culture, and more. Jim is a songwriter and leader of the band Jim’s Big Ego. He is also an author of The Wakeful Wanderer’s Guide series. Lionel Cassin is an IT security specialist and a voracious reader of Science Fiction and History. They enjoy lively conversations and are now sharing those with you. We are adverse to advertising, so we rely on your support. Subscribe at patreon.com/jiminfantino for as little as $3 per month for live webcasts and bonus content.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Infantino and Lionel Cassin
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    170
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Jim Infantino and Lionel Cassin
  • Show Website
    ‘funny,’ not funny