The Lorehounds

David sits down with Dr. Amy H. Sturgis, professor of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Gothic literature at Signum University and a contributor to the Hugo Award-winning podcast StarShipSofa, for a wide-ranging conversation about Star Trek, Star Wars, and the stories we need.
They explore why both franchises have retained such fierce cultural grip across generations, unpacking the co-creative tradition that has defined Star Trek fandom, the danger of nostalgic and entitled fandoms, and the distinct but complementary ways the two franchises ask us to think about power, agency, and the future. The conversation also touches on Amy's two co-edited Vernon Press anthologies, the acafan identity, dark academia as a Gothic tradition, and her current recommendations across television, fiction, and music.
Guest Bio
Dr. Amy H. Sturgis is a professor of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Gothic literature at Signum University. She has authored or edited more than a dozen books, contributed over sixty scholarly essays, and holds a PhD in Intellectual History from Vanderbilt University. Since 2008, she has contributed her "Looking Back on Genre History" segment to the Hugo Award-winning podcast StarShipSofa. Her most recent books are two co-edited anthologies: Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier and Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away (both Vernon Press, 2023).
Website: amyhsturgis.com
Mastodon: @DrAHSturgis@Universidon
Amy's Three Things
Vienna Blood (TV series, PBS Masterpiece)
https://www.pbs.org/show/vienna-blood/
The Liebermann Papers novels by Frank Tallis https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/MXL/max-liebermann/
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/sunrise_on_the_reaping.htm
In Times of Dragons by Tori Amos
https://toriamos.com/music/
Also Mentioned
Signum University SPACE Program (Adult Continuing Education) https://signumuniversity.org/non-degree-programs/adult-continuing-education/
Heat Death — Decline and Fall series by Asher and Saul Elbein
https://heat-death.ghost.io/tag/decline-and-fall/
Contact Us
Questions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected]
Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.
Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates
https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds
Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

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David, Jean, and Bryan close out the first season of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord with a finale that earns a standing ovation from the entire team. The conversation opens with reactions to a season they rank among the best Star Wars storytelling ever produced, animated or live action, before diving into full-spoiler discussion of both episodes. The team explores the shifting alliances and escalating power dynamics of the finale, Daki's complete character arc and the respect he ultimately earns, and the question of whether Devon's final choice is truly her own or the product of masterful manipulation. Bryan raises a compelling question about legacy versus weaponry in the Sith tradition, while Jean unpacks the cycle of grief and loss that connects the dark side across generations. Elysia delivers fresh takes and a lore bomb on the history of Stormtroopers. The crew also previews a packed slate of upcoming coverage across the network.
Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected]
Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.
Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds
Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

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Elysia and John meet new friends and foes in the island-hoping second half of Season 2 of One Piece.
Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected]
Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.
Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates
https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds
Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

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David, Jean, and Bryan continue their weekly coverage of Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord with a pair of episodes that push the series into its darkest territory yet. The conversation explores Rylee's capture and interrogation by the 11th Brother, the team's growing suspicion that Rylee has been compromised, and the broader question of whether Devon can straddle the line between light and dark without falling to either side. Two Boots' arc takes center stage as the droid's loss of identity sparks a reckoning with what the Empire truly represents, leading to one of the most layered character turns of the season. Elysia sends in fresh takes, a listener email response connecting Dathomir witchcraft to Marvel's Witches' Road, and a lore bomb on Crimson Dawn. The team digs deep into Maul's harrowing vision sequence in episode eight, what his suffering reveals about the cost of the dark side, and how his story connects to the broader question of what the Jedi must become in order to survive a post-Order 66 galaxy.
Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected]
Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.
Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds
Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

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David, Lisa, and Bryan are joined by Tolkien scholar Marilyn R. Pukkila for a special episode exploring the meaning behind the podcast's name and the deep cultural associations between the West and human mortality. The conversation traces how civilizations from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to the Maori, the Celts, and the indigenous Wabanaki have connected the setting sun with death, transition, and what lies beyond. Marilyn draws on John Garth's research into how the phrase "going West" entered the English lexicon through Celtic-speaking soldiers in the trenches of World War I and became a foundational element in Tolkien's myth-making, while the hosts reflect on how art, storytelling, and community create spaces for renewal, shared grief, and the celebration of lives well lived.
Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected]
Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds
Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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