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Hand Me the Mike

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by Daniella Mazzio

5.0(4 reviews)
9 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview

Michael Shannon: A true Midwesterner with over 100 acting credits to his name; a fan of The Smiths and REM; a man who remains dedicated to the stage; General Zod. Shannon may be remembered as a character actor to many, but there’s no doubt that the gravity of a scene shifts in his direction whenever he is on screen or the stage. While his roles range in size and screen time, genre, legacy, collaborators, and quality, a look through Shannon’s filmography reveals a fascinatingly comprehensive snapshot of America. The country’s paranoia and crookedness... its diseased capitalism... the American nuclear family... the U.S.’s possibility of resilience and community... our worst superhero movie impulses... our valiant depictions of war... our adoration of Rock n’ Roll... it all exists within the Mike Shannon Canon. Host Daniella Mazzio will be joined by a rotation of Michael Shannon fans, film critics, and Chicagoans, to discuss how Shannon’s filmography and what makes him such an illuminating performer, with special reported episodes that look at his work across other mediums, including music and theatre.

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Publishing Since

8/7/2025

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for S1E9 - 9. Cecil B. Demented with Natalie Marlin

April 10, 2026

S1E9 - 9. Cecil B. Demented with Natalie Marlin

<h1>Did you ever f*** Mel Gibson?</h1> <p>After a hiatus, Hand Me the Mike is back with one of our most fun episodes yet! Host Daniella Mazzio is joined by Minneapolis-based writer Natalie Marlin to talk about John Waters' irreverent Hollywood satire <strong>Cecil B. Demented</strong> (2000). Listen as Daniella and Natalie discuss the different eras of John Waters' career, his prescience regarding the future of filmmaking, and how Michael Shannon's small but pivotal role within the ensemble utilizes his signature intensity.</p> <p><strong>Natalie Marlin</strong> is a writer, art and culture journalist, and essayist based near Minneapolis, MN. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Stereogum, The Quietus, Bright Wall/Dark Room, and Pitchfork. Her book <strong>Noise Music</strong> is <a href="https://333sound.com/new-and-forthcoming-in-genre-a-33-1-3-series/" rel="nofollow">forthcoming from Bloomsbury</a> as part of <strong>Genre: A 33 1/3 Series</strong>.</p> <p>Follow Natalie on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/nataliesnotinit.bsky.social" rel="nofollow">Bluesky</a>.</p> <p>This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated.</p> <p>Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬.</p> <p>The <strong>Hand Me the Mike</strong> theme song samples R.E.M.'s &quot;Nightswimming.&quot;</p> <p>Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track &quot;01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)&quot; from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: <a href="https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/</a>.</p> <p><strong>Hand Me the Mike</strong> cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of <a href="https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts" rel="nofollow">The Chicago Neighborhoods</a>.</p> <p>Additional audio snippets are from C<strong>ecil B. Demented, The Simpsons,</strong> and <strong>They Came Together.</strong></p> <p>This episode of <strong>Hand Me the Mike</strong> was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio.</p> <hr> <p><strong>Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode:</strong></p> <p>Natalie's interview with Michael Shannon for Stereogum: <a href="https://stereogum.com/2249662/weve-got-a-file-on-you-michael-shannon/interviews" rel="nofollow">https://stereogum.com/2249662/weve-got-a-file-on-you-michael-shannon/interviews</a></p> <hr> <p><strong>Michael Shannon interviews from...</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/353678/exclusive-interview-john-waters-talks-20th-anniversary-of-cecil-b-demented-at-salem-horror-fest/" rel="nofollow">Dread Central (2020)</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.mandatory.com/culture/916351-interview-michael-shannon-sticky-morals-99-homes" rel="nofollow">Mandatory (2015)</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.fangoria.com/shelter-michael-shannon-interview/" rel="nofollow">Fangoria (2011)</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/film_tv/actor-michael-shannon-discusses-working-with-werner-herzog-and-the-diva-trips-of-flightless-birdsson/article_2a9b6179-34c0-520f-a2cb-16956ad8df74.html" rel="nofollow">Nashville Scene (2010)</a></p> <hr> <p><strong>John Waters Interviews from...</strong></p> <p><a href="https://room-tone.ghost.io/cut-the-history-of-federal-funding-the-future-of-film/" rel="nofollow">Boston Globe (2024)</a></p> <p><a href="https://nitrateonline.com/2000/fcecil.html" rel="nofollow">Nitrate Online (2000)</a></p> <p><a href="https://filmmakermagazine.com/archives/issues/summer2000/features/what_price.php" rel="nofollow">Filmmaker Magazine (2000)</a></p> <p><a href="https://windycitytimes.com/2000/07/26/ready-for-his-close-up-john-waters/" rel="nofollow">Windy City Times (2000)</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/interview-john-waters-demented-forever-81477/" rel="nofollow">Indiewire (2000)</a></p> <p>Order <a href="https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2525-the-extended-universe" rel="nofollow">&amp;#x27;The Extended Universe&amp;#x27; by Vicky Osterweil</a></p> <p>Read <a href="https://room-tone.ghost.io/cut-the-history-of-federal-funding-the-future-of-film/" rel="nofollow">the first part of Daniella&amp;#x27;s write up</a> on public funding in the film industry.</p> <p>Read Daniella's <a href="https://chicagoreader.com/film-tv/chicago-movie-theater-accessibility/" rel="nofollow">2023 reporting on why certain movies aren&amp;#x27;t always available to audiences</a>.</p> <p>Watch the <a href="https://youtu.be/SANpmd7V6jU?si=kEiVQ5hxgLYAoGWw" rel="nofollow">&amp;quot;White Lie&amp;quot; music video</a> from Foreigner featuring Michael Shannon and Nick Offerman.</p> <p>Get tickets to the <a href="https://heightstheater.com/lnh/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Pink Flamingos</strong> screening at The Heights Theater</a> in Minneapolis (introduced by Natalie!)</p>

Episode thumbnail for S1E8 - 8. Eric LaRue with Whitney Wasson

December 6, 2025

S1E8 - 8. Eric LaRue with Whitney Wasson

<h1>We don't want these wounds to get infected.</h1> <p>As we near the end of 2025, host Daniella Mazzio is joined by cartoonist Whitney Wasson (Sober Rabbit) to discuss Michael Shannon's directorial debut Eric LaRue. Though the film (written by Brett Neveu, adapted from his play) hasn't made it into awards conversations, Daniella and Whitney discuss the 2025 release and how it encapsulates many of the feelings from the past year—particularly how Americans handle discomfort around tragedy and fear.</p> <p><strong>Whitney Wasson</strong> is a Chicago-based cartoonist, theater person, and comedian originally from Arkansas. They draw Sober Rabbit, an ongoing comic series about addiction recovery, disability and mental health. You can learn more at <a href="https://soberrabbit.com/" rel="nofollow">soberrabbit.com</a>.</p> <p>Follow Whitney on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/soberrabbit/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://x.com/soberrabbit" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://facebook.com/soberrabbitcomic" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a>.</p> <p>Subscribe to the <a href="https://patreon.com/soberrabbit" rel="nofollow">Sober Rabbit Patreon</a>.</p> <p>This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated.</p> <p>Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬.</p> <p>The <strong>Hand Me the Mike</strong> theme song samples R.E.M.'s &quot;Nightswimming.&quot;</p> <p>Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track &quot;01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)&quot; from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: <a href="https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/</a>.</p> <p><strong>Hand Me the Mike</strong> cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of <a href="https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts" rel="nofollow">The Chicago Neighborhoods</a>.</p> <p>Additional audio snippets are from <strong>Eric LaRue</strong> and <strong>Arrested Development.</strong></p> <p>This episode of <strong>Hand Me the Mike</strong> was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio.</p> <p>Shout out to the Chicago International Film Festival. 😊</p> <hr> <p><strong>Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode:</strong></p> <p>Everytown Research and Policy's Gunfire on School Grounds data: <a href="https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/" rel="nofollow">https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/</a> <strong>(Additional sources for each incident named in the episode are cited in Everytown's data).</strong></p> <p><a href="https://room-tone.ghost.io/hand-me-the-mike-02-take-shelter-with-isaac-feldberg/" rel="nofollow">Isaac Feldberg</a>'s interview with Michael Shannon: <a href="https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/michael-shannon-eric-larue-interview" rel="nofollow">https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/michael-shannon-eric-larue-interview</a></p> <p>Variety interview with Michael Shannon and Judy Greer: <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/features/eric-larue-michael-shannon-judy-greer-1236359453/" rel="nofollow">https://variety.com/2025/film/features/eric-larue-michael-shannon-judy-greer-1236359453/</a></p> <p>Chicago Reader interview with Michael Shannon and Brett Neveu: <a href="https://chicagoreader.com/film-tv/movie-feature/eric-larue-film-brett-neveu-michael-shannon/" rel="nofollow">https://chicagoreader.com/film-tv/movie-feature/eric-larue-film-brett-neveu-michael-shannon/</a></p> <p>Al-Jazeera explainer – U.S. school shootings in 2025: <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/28/how-many-school-shootings-have-there-been-in-the-us-in-2025" rel="nofollow">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/28/how-many-school-shootings-have-there-been-in-the-us-in-2025</a></p>

Episode thumbnail for S1E7 - 7. The End with Ross W. Berman IV

October 15, 2025

S1E7 - 7. The End with Ross W. Berman IV

<h1>Hey, you.</h1> <p>Host Daniella Mazzio has finally emerged from the bunker (aka a month of depression) to bring you the latest Hand Me the Mike! Writer and musician Ross W. Berman IV joins to talk about Joshua Oppenheimer's first narrative feature (and a musical, too!) The End. We discuss how Oppenheimer's film is in conversation with his seminal documentary The Act of Killing, varied perspective on the filmmaker's humanistic lens, and Michael Shannon's work playing a character that challenges what we expect from his performances.</p> <p><strong>Ross W. Berman IV</strong> is a Chicago-based folksinger and comedian, as well as a writer/editor at <a href="https://www.wrestlinginc.com/author/rossberman/" rel="nofollow">Wrestling Inc</a>. His music is available at <a href="https://rossberman.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow">rossberman.bandcamp.com</a>.</p> <p>Follow Ross on <a href="https://x.com/RossWBermanIV" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/rosswbermaniv.bsky.social" rel="nofollow">Bluesky</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/rosswbermaniv/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rossbermaniv/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://rosswbermaniv.substack.com/" rel="nofollow">Substack</a>.</p> <p>This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated.</p> <p>Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬.</p> <p>The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s &quot;Nightswimming.&quot;</p> <p>This episode also includes an introductory song based on &quot;Big Blue Sky,&quot; originally sung by Michael Shannon for The End; alternative lyrics sung (unfortunately) by Daniella; music composed by Joshua Schmidt with lyrics by director Joshua Oppenheimer.</p> <p>This episode's closing song is Ross W. Berman IV's &quot;In the Way&quot; from the 2021 album <a href="https://rossberman.bandcamp.com/album/where-the-light-dont-reach" rel="nofollow">Where the Light Don&amp;#x27;t Reach</a>.</p> <p>Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of <a href="https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts" rel="nofollow">The Chicago Neighborhoods</a>.</p> <p>Additional audio snippets are from The End and (unfortunately) Hamilton.</p> <p>This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio.</p> <p><strong>Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode:</strong></p> <p>Michael Shannon interview for Vanity Fair: <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/michael-shannon-interview-the-end" rel="nofollow">https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/michael-shannon-interview-the-end</a></p> <p><strong>For further reading:</strong></p> <p>Daniella's coverage on NEA/NEH funding cuts: <a href="https://chicagoreader.com/music/music-feature/neh-nea-imls-arts-grant-clawback-funding-nonprofit/" rel="nofollow">https://chicagoreader.com/music/music-feature/neh-nea-imls-arts-grant-clawback-funding-nonprofit/</a></p>

9 total episodes available

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What is Hand Me the Mike?

Michael Shannon: A true Midwesterner with over 100 acting credits to his name; a fan of The Smiths and REM; a man who remains dedicated to the stage; General Zod. Shannon may be remembered as a character actor to many, but there’s no doubt that the gravity of a scene shifts in his direction whenever he is on screen or the stage. While his roles range in size and screen time, genre, legacy, collaborators, and quality, a look through Shannon’s filmography reveals a fascinatingly comprehensive snapshot of America. The country’s paranoia and crookedness... its diseased capitalism... the American nuclear family... the U.S.’s possibility of resilience and community... our worst superhero movie impulses... our valiant depictions of war... our adoration of Rock n’ Roll... it all exists within the Mike Shannon Canon.

Host Daniella Mazzio will be joined by a rotation of Michael Shannon fans, film critics, and Chicagoans, to discuss how Shannon’s filmography and what makes him such an illuminating performer, with special reported episodes that look at his work across other mediums, including music and theatre.

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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