Libraries are way more than just a place to study and read books. Join hosts Reilly Hacker and Geo Von Griffin once a month to listen to a wide array of library topics from books, video games, and film to guest speakers who delve into their specific areas of expertise and knowledge!
EPISODE 11: Fantasy, Romantasy, and ACOTAR Deep Dive with Special Guest Katie Perlas
This month is all about fantasy and romantasy books in celebration of the highly anticipated release of A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas!
Reilly and Geo will discuss iconic fantasy series and how to get into fantasy for beginners while, later in the episode, special guest Katie Perlas joins us for our deep dive into all things Sarah J. Maas! Whether you are a seasoned fantasy reader or looking to see what all the hype is about, this episode has something for you!
Series Mentioned:
Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Lord of The Rings by J R. R. Tolkien
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
The Priory of The Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
The Rainshadow Orphans by Naomi Ishiguro
The Saga of the Unfated Duology- A Fate Inked in Blood and A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen
The Library of Amorlin by Kalyn Josephson
The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden
Databases by R.F. Kuang
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
23 Sept 2026
Episode 10: Biomedical Engineering with Columbia Professor Dr. Alice Huang
Join us for a very informative episode where we learn all about Biomedical Engineering from Demarest Resident Dr. Alice Huang! The episode has something for everyone from what biomedical engineers actually do for science to Dr. Alice Huang's postdoctoral research into the mechanisms of musculoskeletal development and integration during embryogenesis. Dr. Alice Huang is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering (in Orthopedic Surgery) at Columbia University.
26 Aug 2026
EPISODE 9: Demarest History with Demarest Historian Mary Anne Clarke
In honor of 2026 being the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, join us for this special episode of Stacks Chats with the Demarest Historian Mary Anne Clarke. We discuss the history of Demarest and how Mary Anne became the Demarest Historian!
To find out more about the history of Demarest, visit the borough history section of the Borough of Demarest website.
Link: https://demarestnj.gov/departments/history
10 Jul 2026
EPISODE 8: Art Exhibitions with Artists Rakefet Krochmal, Adele Grodstein, Karen Maloof, and Ron Wohlgemuth
Learn all about art in a special early release of the July episode of Stack Chats! This episode is all about our monthly art exhibitions! At The Demarest Library, artists showcase their work in our beautiful community room for 2 months. Featured in this episode are artists Rakefet Krochmal, Adele Grodstein, Karen Maloof, and Ron Wohlgemuth. Make sure to check them out!
18 Jun 2026
EPISODE 7: Summer Must Read/Watch Books and Movies
It is finally summer! Join Reilly and Geo as they discuss books and media that they love for this time of year from Emily Henry books to the hit show Black Mirror! We also discuss how you can go to museums for free with your Demarest Library card!
27 May 2026
EPISODE 6: "Navigating Life With Dementia" by Dr. James Noble
Please join us for this interview episode of Stack Chats where we discuss all things Alzheimer's and Dementia with Dr. James Noble, a resident of Demarest for 17 years, and a Professor of Neurology in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. James Noble authored the caregiver handbook “Navigating Life with Dementia” which is available at the library and is extensively discussed in this episode.
Make sure to check out "Navigating Life with Dementia" today and grab your pen and paper for this informative interview.
27 Apr 2026
EPISODE 5: Digital Content and Tech Deep Dive
This month's deep dive is all about digital content and tech! Hear Reilly and Geo discuss a range of e-content from audiobooks, magazines, and e-books to their opinions on tech and the big debate of Apple versus PC.
This is a great episode to listen to if you are a beginner with technology and digital content at the library or want a refresher!
26 Mar 2026
EPISODE 4: Movies with HBO Actor and Metropolitan Opera Singer Anthony Laciura
Grab your popcorn! This month's episode of Stack Chats is all about movies and acting! Hear Reilly and Geo discuss their Top 4 favorite films at the moment, the recent Academy Award Nominated Films, and Wicked (Cue the Defying Gravity riff)!
Stick around for this month's special guest Anthony Laciura! Anthony Laciura is a SAG Actor best known for his role as Eddie Kessler on HBO's hit drama series Boardwalk Empire and was an opera singer at the Metropolitan Opera for 27 years.
Movies /Theater Discussed
The Ritual
Midsommar
Underwater
The Thing
Princess Mononoke
Kiki's Delivery Service
Fern Gully
Dune
The Devil Wears Prada
La La Land
Wicked
Sinners
Hamnet
One Battle After Another
F1
Boardwalk Empire
Boris Gudinov
To Kill a Mockingbird
24 Feb 2026
EPISODE 3: Video Game Deep Dive
Welcome to the first episode of Stack Chats where Reilly and Geo deep dive into a library topic! This deep dive is all about video games! You'll learn about Reilly and Geo's opinions on Mario, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, PC Gaming, Indie Gaming, Resident Evil 4, and more!
Media Discussed:
Animal Crossing
Pokemon Legends Arceus
Super Mario 64
Super Mario Sunshine
Mario Kart World
Pokemon Ranger: Temple of The Sea
Resident Evil 9
Resident Evil 4
Dead By Daylight
Arc Raiders
FC 2025
NBA 2K
Stardew Valley
Kingdom Hearts
ToonTown
Super Smash Bros
Fallout
Bioshock
Uncharted
Elden Ring
It Takes Two
Split Fiction
Wizard 101
GTA
Halo
Minecraft
Undertale
Deltarune
22 Jan 2026
EPISODE 2: YA Books That Still Hit with Special Guest Parinda Desai
YA Books are not just for teens! This episode is all about YA books and their impact on adults AND teens. From the iconic "The Hunger Games" to lesser known titles such as the "Chaos Walking" series, you are sure to geek out on nostalgia and learn something new this episode! This episode's special guest is The Demarest Library's Director Parinda Desai.
Books/Media Discussed
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Happy Death Day
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maass
The Lord of The Flies by William Golding
Looking For Alaska by John Green
Turtles All The Way Down by John Green
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Paper Towns by John Green
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
Ramayana
Mahabharata
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins
22 Jan 2026
EPISODE 1: Children's Books with Special Guest Sandhya Nankani
Welcome to our first episode of Stack Chats! In this episode, you will hear all about children's books that meant a lot to Reilly and Geo growing up from Percy Jackson and his adventures in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" to the beautiful artwork of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret." This episode also contains our very first interview with our Library Board President Sandhya Nankani!
Books/Media Discussed
Percy Jackson and The Olympians by Rick Riordan
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
The Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin
The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
Crickwing by Janell Cannon
The Berenstain Bears by Jan Berenstain, Stan Berenstain, and Mike Berenstain
The Magic School Bus by Joanna Cole
Osmosis Jones
The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz
Literary Safari
Story Seeds Podcast
KIDMAP
Educated by Tara Westover
Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
The Life Impossible by Matt Haidt
The Midnight Library by Matt Haidt
21 Jan 2026
Stack Chats Teaser with Special Guests Jose D. Cruz and Ruthie Nussbaum
Welcome to Stack Chats! This is a special teaser episode where you will meet hosts Reilly and Geo, learn about what the podcast will entail, and hear from two very important people who contributed to the creation of Stack Chats.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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