In part 2 of our Star Wars trilogy, we dive deep into the dark heart of Star Wars, using The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Chris Kempshall as our guide. Drawing sharp parallels between the fictional Empire and real-world history, we explore how Star Wars mirrors the rise of authoritarian regimes, propaganda, militarism, and the slow erosion of democracy. We break down the inner workings of the Galactic Empire—from its bureaucracy and chain of command to its use of fear and control—and examine how its creation wasn’t just evil, but eerily familiar.

What does the fall of the Republic teach us about our own world? And how can sci-fi help us better understand the systems we live in? Join us for a thoughtful, galactic deep dive into power, history, and the myth that continues to speak volumes.

You can find Dr. Chris Kempshall's book Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire here.

Music in episode by Luis Humanoide & Cody Martin with permission and/or copyright usage allowed.

In Part 1 of our Star Wars trilogy, we journey to a galaxy far, far away to explore the deeply political roots of the beloved saga. From the fall of the Republic to the rise of the Empire, Star Wars has always been more than just lightsabers and space battles—it’s a reflection of real-world power struggles, corruption, and resistance. We unpack the allegories behind the Jedi, the dangers of authoritarianism, and how George Lucas used sci-fi to comment on war, democracy, and the fragility of freedom. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this episode peels back the layers of myth to reveal the very real politics beneath.

The rebellion has only just begun.

You can find Dr. Chris Kempshall's book Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire here.

Music in episode by Luis Humanoide & Cody Martin with permission and/or copyright usage allowed.

In this flavorful episode, we dig into the delicious history of food in video games—how pixelated meals became cultural icons and why they’ve always mattered more than just health points. From power-up mushrooms to pixel-perfect potions, we explore how food shapes storytelling and gameplay.

We also dive into the deeper meaning of symbols in art and games, unpacking how visual language communicates emotion, culture, and identity.

And for the grand finale: we roll up our sleeves and share a few real-life recipes inspired by our favorite in-game dishes—yes, we actually made them, and yes, we have opinions.

Whether you're a foodie, a gamer, or just hungry for insight, this episode serves up something special.

-

Joshua Noel is a licensed minister, an aspiring Taoist Christian, an open theist (not process), taught hermeneutics & children's church for many years. He has been a podcaster for a long time with the Anazao podcast network. Under the umbrella of Anazao, you can find him as part of the Whole Church Pod, Systematic Geekology, and Dummy for Theology. He also has his own substack.