The Couch with Mary Carver

10 Episodes
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By: Mary Carver

Do you love Hallmark movies, cozy mysteries, and 80s music? How about children's books, romantic comedies, or a good Netflix binge? This is the place for you! The Couch is a place for cozy conversations about pop culture and why it matters. Host Mary Carver is a writer known for finding Truth in unexpected places (and telling you the TV show you absolutely must watch next), and in every episode of The Couch, she's chatting about all the things we love (or don't), why we love it (or don't), and why it matters (it always matters).

23 New Holiday Movies to Watch in 2023
#168
10/19/2023

I get it now. It actually makes total sense that the new holiday movies sneak up on us every year, since it's happening during spooky season. Right? That explains it, for sure. It has nothing to do with capitalism rushing the calendar more every year or us getting older and time flying faster. Nope! Spooky season strikes again!   Well anyway. Whether you're ready for it or not (and let me tell you, and I will keep on telling you, how incredibly ready I am for some cheese and cheer in my life), holiday movies are beginning in 3, 2, 1...NOW. This weekend b...


Home Renovation Shows & Accidental Homesteading with Kathi Lipp
#167
08/30/2023

Because you know me to be a clearly indoorsy person who loves the convenient things in life, you might be surprised by today’s topic. My good friend (and good friend of the show) Kathi Lipp is here to talk about homesteading and home renovation—and the shows that give us hope we can do those things.

Kathi is a speaker and author, and her newest book, The Accidental Homesteader: What I've Learned About Chickens, Compost, and Creating Home, came out yesterday. Part how-to, part memoir, and totally down-to-earth for even the most novi...


Dance the Night Away with Movie Theme Songs (with James Walters)
#166
08/09/2023

One of my favorite parts of the Barbie movie was the soundtrack, chock full of songs written specifically for the movie. And that got me thinking about all the other iconic songs we have purely because a movie called for them. So today my brother (and friend of the show) James Walters is back on The Couch to talk about some of our favorite movie theme songs.

James is not just my brother and a music and pop culture expert, of course. He’s the owner of The Big Gay Collective, creating fabulous sc...


What to Watch in August and a Deep Dive into Hulu
#165
08/01/2023

Between the writers’ strike and the post-4th of July summer situation we have most years, August doesn’t have a ton of new content to offer. But don’t you worry! I’m here to make sure you know what IS returning and premiering. Plus, we take a look at Hulu, in case you need more options for what to watch.

Speaking of What to Watch, remember that I create a monthly watch guide for Patreon members and newsletter subscribers. So for details on everything I talk about today plus a whole bunch mo...


What to Watch in July and a Look at Paramount+
#164
06/27/2023

July might not have a lot of new (or even returning) series to offer but wow! We are looking at more than two dozen new movies this month! So I am here to help you navigate it all.

Now, I know you’re going to be listening carefully and taking notes during this very educational episode, but in case you get distracted or overwhelmed, don’t worry! You can find dates and locations of everything I mention (plus more) in the July Watch Guide, a free resource for all Patreon members (join us at m...


Answering Your Pop Culture Questions! Ask the Couch, vol. 8 (with Alana Dawson)
#163
06/20/2023

You asked, and I answered!

Today I’m answering all your burning pop culture questions, from what does the writers’ strike mean for us and what’s going on with streaming these days to what movies should we see in the theater this summer and, of course, what is Hallmark doing for Christmas in July.

My good friend (and good friend of the show) Alana Dawson is back for volume 8 of Ask the Couch, as well as a conversation about the rom coms we’ve seen lately (and the ones sti...


Whoomp! There It Is: A Look Back at 1993 (with Jenny Rapson)
#162
06/13/2023

Even though we’re focused on starting summer and looking forward to all our fun plans for the season, it’s not just time to look ahead. Today I’m joined by my good friend (and good friend of the show) Jenny Rapson, and we are taking a look back.

Jenny is a longtime friend of The Couch, but she’s also now hosting her own podcast. Disaster Queen examines disasters that have taken place in the past and reflects on what these parts of our history mean and what we can learn from the...


Summer Movie Preview 2023 (with Dawn Camp)
#161
06/06/2023

It’s summer and you know what that means! Summer! Movie! Preview!

My good friend (and friend of the show) Dawn Camp is back on The Couch to talk all about the movies coming out this summer. We have big action sequels to discuss, as well as animated movies for the kids and quieter indie films. So if you’re wondering what to see with your family or for a girls night out or on a date night, we’ve got you covered!

Of course, you know this is The Co...


Celebrating Asian American Stories All Year Long (with Tasha Jun)
#160
05/29/2023

May might be coming to a close, but it’s always a good time to appreciate and learn more about Asian Americans through books, TV series, and movies. My good friend (and friend of the show), Tasha Jun, is back on The Couch this week to talk about some of our favorite stories about Asian Americans. We’re talking about everything from children’s picture books to Oscar-winning movies, and you don’t want to miss it!

 

And, of course, because this is The Couch where side notes and rabbit trails are always welcome, we also talk...


Sorta Spooky Series & Movies About Ghosts (with Meg Tietz)
#159
05/10/2023

I've noticed a trend lately, and it’s . . . spooky. That’s right, I’m talking about TV series and movies about ghosts. They’re everywhere these days! Ghosts are really having a moment.

When I noticed this and decided to talk about it on The Couch, I knew the only person to have this conversation with was my friend and fellow podcaster, Meg Tietz. Meg is the founder and host of Sorta Awesome, and someone who loves a good ghost story. So we are talking about why these stories are so popular right now, whi...