Trade School

Case Aiken

Do you have a comic book you just can't stop thinking about? One that stuck with you—years later? On Trade School, guests get the mic to tell us about a graphic novel that changed the way they see the world—or just made them fall in love with comics all over again. In just 5 to 15 minutes, you'll hear stories about the stories we love most. Trade School

  1. Zenith Book One with Jay McKiernan

    5H AGO

    Zenith Book One with Jay McKiernan

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about Zenith, Book One: Tygers! Our host this week is Jay McKiernan! Support us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia Edited by Case Aiken Scored by Bret Eagleston Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 FOLLOW US: ▶ Instagram: @certainpovmedia Outline   This section provides a structured outline of the key topics discussed during the meeting. Introduction to Zenith (00:00) Overview of Zenith as a unique superhero character created by Grant Morrison. Discussion of the character's background and his role as a pop star rather than a typical superhero. Establishment of the 80s superhero context and Morrison's impact. Character Analysis (01:19) Exploration of Zenith's personality traits: apathetic, self-serving, and cowardly. Introduction of supporting characters from the 60s supergroup Cloud 9, such as Voltage and Red Dragon. Mention of the antagonist, the Many Angled Ones, and their threat to Earth. Story Structure and Phases (02:37) Breakdown of the story into three phases, starting with Phase One. Overview of the multiverse concept introduced by Morrison and its significance in superhero narratives. Recognition of the Eagle Award for the story as a validation of its quality. Artistic Contributions (05:16) Praise for Steve Yeowell's artwork, highlighting its expressive and detailed nature. Discussion of Yeowell's limited exposure in North America compared to his work in 2000 AD. Identification of future reading interests based on the podcast discussion.

    8 min
  2. You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    5H AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing Growing Your Passion into a Business with Oprah and Jürgen Ingels from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast Oprah speaks with global entrepreneur, tech pioneer and venture capitalist Jürgen Ingels to discuss what it takes to start a successful business as detailed in his book "Start, Grow, Sell: 50 Tips for Entrepreneurial Greatness." During this lively discussion, Jürgen shares the concrete and practical lessons he learned during his own entrepreneurial journey - which also apply to all aspects of our daily lives. Including how to take an idea from startup to success, how to focus your talents, find investors and build the right team. We hear from entrepreneurs with questions for Mr. Ingels including a woman named Sanna who was inspired to leave the corporate world to open her dream clothing store Happy on Main in Concord, MA after overcoming a personal challenge. Also Shark Tank alum Ashley whose company Tones of Melanin makes stylish athleisure for students and graduates of HBCUs - or historically Black colleges and universities. Also Shark Tank alum Ashley whose company Tones of Melanin makes stylish athleisure for students and graduates of HBCUs - or historically Black colleges and universities. BUY THE BOOK! https://www.amazon.com/Start-Grow-Sell-Entrepreneurial-Greatness/dp/9401474133 00:00:00 - Welcome Jürgen Ingels, author of “Start, Grow, Sell” 00:04:50 - Jürgen’s first business venture 00:10:20 - Jürgen’s work ethic 00:11:40 - Jürgen changed payment systems 00:15:00 - Biggest business mistakes 00:18:30 - Going the extra mile 00:23:50 - Drive revenue and scale 00:28:20 - Keep your word 00:31:20 - 3 tips for scaling your business 00:34:40 - Entrepreneurs: better after 40 00:35:38 - Passion is crucial 00:37:30 - Always ask why 00:43:30 - Jürgen’s definition of a well lived life Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Wayward Vol. 1 with Keith Lehtinen

    FEB 5

    Wayward Vol. 1 with Keith Lehtinen

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about Wayward! Our host this week is Keith Lehtinen! Support us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia Edited by Case Aiken Scored by Bret Eagleston Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 FOLLOW US: ▶ Instagram: @certainpovmedia   Outline   Introduction to Certain Point of View's Trade School & Episode Overview (00:00 - 01:13) Keith Letzinen introduces the podcast concept where hosts discuss beloved comic book trade paperbacks. This talk about Wayward will be unscripted and personal. Introduction to Wayward and Creators (01:13 - 01:50) Keith introduces the comic Wayward from Image Comics. He shares his background as a Marvel and Vertigo reader and how this book stood out to him. Personal Context and Interview Experience with Jim Zub (01:50 - 02:38) Keith describes interviewing Jim Zub years ago. He was captivated by Wayward despite it not being the interview focus. Japanese Cultural Elements and Essay by Zach Davison (02:38 - 04:06) Keith praises an essay by Zach Davison included in the trade paperback. It aligns with Zach's expertise and passion for Japanese culture. Plot and Character Overview of Wayward (04:06 - 05:37) The story centers on Rory, a half-Irish, half-Japanese girl moving to Japan. Keith expresses a deep affection for Rory as a character. Artistic Authenticity and Personal Japan Experience (05:37 - 07:09) Keith appreciates how artist Stephen Cummings captured authentic Japanese scenery. He shares his personal trip to Japan and how this resonance deepened his connection to the comic. Character Introductions and Relationships (07:09 - 08:43) Keith highlights key characters Rory interacts with: Ayane the cat girl, Shirai the dreamy but goofy boy, Nikaido the sweet and soft boy. He admires character dynamics and the culturally-infused monster designs. Challenges in Recommending the Book & Praise for Its Impact (08:43 - 10:16) Keith admits he's hesitant to recommend Wayward due to his intense personal connection. He describes purchasing many variants and holding hope for a TV adaptation and board game. Encouragement to Read & Community Engagement (10:16 - 10:42) Keith strongly recommends Wayward (30 issues) to fans of anime and school stories. He invites listeners to connect with him via social media and the Certain POV Discord. Upcoming Shows and Call for Show Naming Suggestions (10:42 - 11:41) Keith and Josue discuss reviewing many new comics from various publishers. They express the need for a catchy, punny name for their comic review show.

    12 min
  4. Avengers Under Siege with Case Aiken

    JAN 28

    Avengers Under Siege with Case Aiken

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about Avengers Under Siege! Our host this week is Case Aiken! Support us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia Edited by Case Aiken Scored by Bret Eagleston Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 FOLLOW US: ▶ Instagram: @certainpovmedia Outline Introduction to Trade School & Host (00:00 - 00:30) Case Aiken welcomes listeners to the Certain Point of View's Trade School podcast. Announces discussion of the comic trade paperback Avengers: Under Siege. Overview of Avengers: Under Siege Story and Characters (00:30 - 02:25) Trade collects Avengers issues #270-271 and #273-277 from the 1980s. Focuses on the Masters of Evil's renewed threat to the Avengers. Masters of Evil & Villain Roster Expansion (02:25 - 03:50) Led by Helmut Zemo, son of Heinrich Zemo, aiming to outsmart the Avengers. Villains recruited: Moonstone, Blackout, Wrecking Crew, and others. ️ Conflict Dynamics & Key Battles (03:50 - 05:30) Sub-Mariner temporarily absent due to Atlantis issues. Showcases especially powerful Goliath's fight and Hercules' near death experience. Wasp's Leadership & Team Counterattack (05:30 - 07:10) Wasp gathers remaining Avengers for a counteroffensive. Scene depicting Captain America's grief over Zemo destroying his late mother's photo. Significance & Influence on Marvel Lore (07:10 - 08:30) Story sets a turning point for the Masters of Evil. Direct precursor to the Thunderbolts series; many villains reinvented as Thunderbolts. ️ Availability & Format Considerations (08:30 - 08:38) Available on Marvel Unlimited platform. Trade paperback includes an insightful foreword detailing villain choices and cameos. Character Highlights & Narrative Style (08:38 - 11:50) Moonstone praised as a standout villain—manipulative and complex. Emphasis on the Avengers being outpowered and outnumbered despite strong roster. Personal and Storytelling Commentary (11:50 - 13:45) Appreciates fight sequences, especially Hercules's. Acknowledge story aging but still fun and important. Host's Engagement & Call for Listener Interaction (13:45 - 15:40) Encourages subscribing, reviews, and listener submissions for the series. Promotes Certain Point of View's Patreon and Discord server for community interaction. Upcoming Shows & Abschluss (15:40 - 16:20) Mentions potential new show about Superman called Men of Steel. Sign-off invitation for continued engagement.

    16 min
  5. House of X / Powers of X with Derek Van Dyke

    JAN 21

    House of X / Powers of X with Derek Van Dyke

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about House of X / Powers of X! Our host is Derek Van Dyke from the Castle Bravo podcast! Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia Edited by Case Aiken Scored by Bret Eagleston Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 Outline ️ Introduction to Certain Point of View's Trade School and host Derek Van Dyke (00:00 - 00:30) Derek's credentials: editor, co-host of Godzilla series 'Castle,' and frequent collaborator with the network. ️ Background on writer Jonathan Hickman and his impact on Marvel Comics (00:30 - 01:09) Highlighted Hickman's notable runs on Fantastic Four (2010-2012) and Avengers up to 2016's Secret Wars. Compared Hickman to Brian Michael Bendis, emphasizing Hickman's bold and intricate storytelling style. Introduction to the 'House of X' and 'Powers of X' miniseries launching the Krakoan Age (01:09 - 02:18) Launched late 2019, rewriting the decades-long X-Men status quo. Described as a timeline-dividing moment: before and after Krakoan Age. Detailed synopsis of 'House of X' (02:18 - 03:00) Story of Professor X forming a mutant sovereign nation on Krakoa. Mutants unite as a nation with peace through trade, death dealt with differently. ⏳ Synopsis of 'Powers of X' (03:00 - 04:25) Complex narrative structured around four timeline points spanning from a universal origin to distant future epochs. Explores recurring extinction events of mutantkind by machine singularity, including alliances with alien Phalanx. ️ Combined impact of both series (04:25 - 05:08) Presents a paradoxical scenario of mutants having a utopia but also looming existential threats. The story provides hope along with paranoia, changing the X-Men narrative from ongoing struggle to a new phase. Recommendation and closing thoughts (05:08 - 06:08) Encourages listeners to read the trade paperback for full story clarity and emotional payoff. Cautions against reading the out-of-order version on Marvel Unlimited.

    6 min
  6. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth with Jim Fetters

    JAN 14

    Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth with Jim Fetters

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth! Our host is Jim Fetters from the Long Live the Legion podcast! Find him at https://www.certainpov.com/long-live-the-legion Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia Edited by Case Aiken Scored by Bret Eagleston Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 FOLLOW US:  ▶ Instagram: @certainpovmedia ▶ Website: https://www.certainpov.com Outline ️ Introduction to Certain Point of View's Trade School & Speaker Introduction (00:00 - 00:00)  Jim Fetters introduces himself and the series, explaining the focus on discussing favorite comic book trade paperbacks. Background Story and Personal Connection to Arkham Asylum (00:00 - 01:23) Jim shares his first encounter with Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth during college post-Batman '89 movie craze. Explaining how he invested limited funds into purchasing this landmark book and how it changed his perception of comics. Plot Overview of Arkham Asylum (01:23 - 02:39) Explanation of the storyline where Batman must escape Arkham Asylum within an hour after inmates take over on April Fool's Day. Including the rogues' gallery of Batman villains like Joker, Two-Face, Black Mask, and others. Parallel origin story of Amadeus Arkham is introduced. Artistic and Symbolic Depth of the Book (02:39 - 05:32) Description of Dave McKean's intricate art combining hand-drawn elements, paint, and photography. Alongside Grant Morrison's deep writing filled with symbolism, including paganism, tarot, Hebrew and Greek elements, occult references, and the significance of salt circles as binding spells. Influence of Historical Figures and Psychological Themes (05:32 - 06:57) Appearance of characters such as Aleister Crowley and Carl Jung, emphasizing the book's psychological and occult layers. Highlights Gaspar Saladino's unique lettering for each character, enhancing the storytelling. Importance of Reading and Editions (06:57 - 08:15) Recommendation to read the annotated edition for better comprehension of the myriad symbols and complex meanings embedded in the text and artwork. Cultural Impact and Legacy (08:15 - 09:49) How the book influenced modern Batman writers and the narrative foundation it provided for the Rocksteady Arkham Asylum video game. Jim stresses its importance both for comic book and video game fans. Closing Remarks and Contact Info (09:49 - 11:23) Jim invites listeners to reach out via Blue Sky or Discord to discuss the book and plugs the Long Live the Legion podcast as well.

    11 min
  7. Reckless with Lee Greger

    JAN 7

    Reckless with Lee Greger

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about Reckless! Our host this week is Lee Greger! Support us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia Edited by Case Aiken Scored by Bret Eagleston Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 FOLLOW US: ▶ Instagram: @certainpovmedia Outline Introduction & Context (00:00 - 01:24) Lee Greger introduces Certain Point of View's Trade School podcast episode focused on comic book trade paperbacks. Personal background context: Lee born in 1973, describes cultural and media influences growing up as an '80s kid. Review of "Reckless" by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (01:24 - 04:19) Summary and analysis of Reckless by Brubaker and Phillips (started in 2020). Main character Ethan Reckless as a private investigator with CIA past, set in Southern California near a beach. Recommendation & Availability (04:19 - 05:43) Lee recommends Reckless for fans of 80s noir, pulp detective novels, and similar TV shows. Notes that Image Comics produces these in 144-page hardcover trade editions, available on Amazon and retailers. Additional Podcast Promotions & Wrap-Up (05:43 - 07:16) Introduction of Case Aiken and Sam Alicea from "Another Pass" podcast focused on movie reviews—balancing fascination with flaws and constructive criticism. Brief announcement about the new show "We Have Issues" with hosts Keith and Josue, reviewing a wide range of new comics weekly.

    7 min
  8. The Deviant Vol. 1 with Keith Lehtinen

    12/24/2025

    The Deviant Vol. 1 with Keith Lehtinen

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about The Deviant! Our host this week is Keith Lehtinen! Support us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia Edited by Case Aiken Scored by Bret Eagleston Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 FOLLOW US: ▶ Instagram: @certainpovmedia Outline   Introduction to Certain Point of View's Trade School (00:00 - 00:01) Introduction to Certain Point of View's Trade School comic book review series and host Keith Lehtinen. Transition from early 2000s Marvel Youth Movement comics to a different theme. Focus on 'The Deviant' (00:01 - 02:30) Focus on the comic book 'The Deviant' from Dark Horse Comics by James Tynan IV, with art by Joshua Hickson and lettering by Hasan Osmani Al Haou. Description of 'The Deviant' as a Christmas-themed murder mystery infused with queer themes and social commentary on prejudice. Plot Overview (00:02 - 00:03) Plot overview without spoilers: Michael, the protagonist, investigates murders connected to a 1970s killer he admires; themes of queer identity, bigotry, love, and justice unfold. Praise for the masterful mystery plotting, complex and imperfect protagonist Michael, and the unpredictable tension sustained throughout the story. Artistic Highlights (00:04 - 00:05) Artistic highlights including Joshua Hickson's use of shadows, colors, and realistic character expressions, and Hasan Osmani Al Haou's expert lettering that complements the horror tone. Strong recommendation for 'The Deviant' to fans of murder mysteries, true crime, and nuanced queer narratives, with a warning about graphic content. Promotion and Community Engagement (05:25 - 07:03) Keith's promotion of his podcast 'We Have Issues' and social media presence on Bluesky, Instagram, and Certain POV network, including an invitation to join their Discord community. Discussion with Josue about a new weekly comic review show covering multiple publishers and brainstorming show name ideas emphasizing cleverness and pun potential.

    7 min

About

Do you have a comic book you just can't stop thinking about? One that stuck with you—years later? On Trade School, guests get the mic to tell us about a graphic novel that changed the way they see the world—or just made them fall in love with comics all over again. In just 5 to 15 minutes, you'll hear stories about the stories we love most. Trade School