Episode 23 of A Place To Stray.

Disclaimer: No animals, real or fictional, were harmed in the making of this episode. But like. Would you still listen if a fictional dog didn't make it through? And if you knew a dog was in it, would you want to know in advance whether they survive or not?

Sure, there's a 90 minute episode in that premise. Whatever you say, Stephen.

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Did you know that the release of Super Mario Bros on the NES is now closer to the Second World War than to the present day? Isn't that CRAZY? Isn't that NUTS? Isn't that INSANE?

No? You don't think so? Not especially? I mean, 1985 was a long time ago now, you're right.

But like... Isn't it BIZARRE?

Enjoy an hour of that kind of insight, everyone.

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Episode 20 of A Place to Stray.

Having returned to his home planet, Stephen decides to re-familiarize himself with the place through the power of song. He immediately falls down so many rabbit holes that he had to cut most of them before he even began recording.

Welcome back to the show, everyone. Nothing has changed.

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The unsung hero of the podcast, from the very first episode, has been the mint tea Stephen drinks to keep his throat alive while talking for (sometimes) hours. He realises he doesn't actually know that much about mint, and falls down a rabbithole.

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Episode 18 of A Place to Stray.

This episode releases a week before Stephen's thesis. He is stressed, busy, overworking and undersleeping. It's the perfect time for him to revisit and try (very very badly) to explain one of his biggest sources of joy recently. And also 7 years ago? But also recently again.

Haiji is the best character, no other opinions are valid.

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Episode 17 of A Place to Stray

The first of his two "Thesis Mode" episodes, Stephen reminisces about the times before, when he was travelling and, crucially, wasn't writing a thesis. This leads to a full-circle moment at he base of Paris's Tour Saint-Jacques. Speaking of full circles, the sun is out. For some reason, Stephen thinks this is a bad thing.

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Episode 16 of A Place to Stray.

Stephen misses his cat. At the time of recording, he would see Ash the next day. At the time of release, he does not know when he'll see that little grey idiot next. To fill that little fluffy hole in his heart, he examines various attempts to sell children on pets which don't need all that same feeding, care and attention. Except for when they do.

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Episode 15 of A Place to Stray.

This month finds Stephen still recovering from the transcendent experience of eating whole, actual meals two days in a row, as opposed to the usual slop he "cooks". He takes an hour to ruminate on his warped relationship with food.

Also, happy Paddy's Day everyone!

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