Way Too Interested

On today's episode of Way Too Interested, author Chuck Wendig talks with Gavin Purcell about the many types of apples you've never tasted, the state of Twitter in 2022, and his obsession with creepypasta, an online cousin to urban legends. Chuck also talks about the real-world impact of these spooky tales and how they have evolved in the transition from 4chan to Tumblr to TikTok.

Then, Chuck and Gavin are joined by creepypasta expert Lucia Peters, the author of Dangerous Games to Play in the Dark. Lucia further explains exactly what makes something creepypasta and discusses some famous examples, including Slenderman, the Elevator Game, and "BEN Drowned." She also looks ahead to the future of the internet-driven genre, which has already made the leap to mainstream films and video games.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Follow Chuck on Twitter @chuckwendig and read his bestselling novel, The Book of Accidents

Read Lucia's work at The Ghost in My Machine

On this episode of Way Too Interested, writer Zito Madu joins Gavin Purcell to talk about poetry, being a voracious reader, and his interest in how animals like homing pigeons and monarch butterflies navigate around the world.

Then, they're joined by David Barrie, the author of the books Sextant — about human navigation — and Supernavigators: Exploring the Wonders of How Animals Find Their Way. Barrie explains what we know and don't know about the topic and shares some mind-blowing examples of animals who can navigate far better than modern humans.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Follow Zito on Twitter @_Zeets

Read David's book, Supernavigators: Exploring the Wonders of How Animals Find Their Way

Writer and web designer Rex Sorgatz (The Encyclopedia of Misinformation) joins Gavin Purcell to talk about his obsession with deepfakes, why he's less worried about them now than he used to be, and why he believes a dead actor will win an Oscar someday. Then, deepfakes and synthetic media expert Henry Ajder joins to explain whether we should be worried about deepfakes — and how much — and to talk about "shallow fakes," revenge porn, and the perverse way the existence of deepfakes has affected our perception of real media.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Read Rex's book, The Encyclopedia of Misinformation: A Compendium of Imitations, Spoofs, Delusions, Simulations, Counterfeits, Impostors, Illusions, Confabulations, Skullduggery, Frauds, Pseudoscience, Propaganda, Hoaxes, Flimflam, Pranks, Hornswoggle, Conspiracies, and Miscellaneous Fakery

Learn more about Henry's work and research

Today, on an unusually topical episode of Way Too Interested, screenwriter and Scriptnotes co-host John August joins Gavin Purcell to talk about how his experience selling a custom deck of playing cards — the Writer Emergency Pack — awakened him to the complex and fascinating world of the supply chain. He also talks about his writing habit and the thing he misses most in the current supply chain crunch: Caffeine-free Coke Zero.

Then, they're joined by the New York Times' global economics correspondent, Peter S. Goodman, who explains what exactly the global supply chain is, how it arose, and why everyone should have ordered their Christmas presents yesterday. Plus: Who's making money when supply ships aren't moving, who's pain are we not hearing about, and which industries are most affected by a disruption to the normal rhythm?

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Listen to John's podcast, Scriptnotes

Read Peter's writing in the New York Times

New Yorker staff writer Helen Rosner joins Gavin Purcell to talk about how visiting Japan awakened her interest in moss, why "at least three-quarters of my job is internet stalking," and why we focus too narrowly on careers when we talk about our passions.

Then, they're joined by Annie Martin, a.k.a. "Mossin' Annie," a moss expert from North Carolina, who talks about how she began planting and rescuing mosses, her favorite species, and how she acquires new moss. She also explains how mosses reproduced ("the X-rated part"), why they're so versatile, and how to cultivate moss in your own environment.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Follow Helen on Twitter @hels

Learn more about moss and consult with Mossin' Annie