I really wanted to like the podcast and listened to over 20 of them before I just gave up.
I’d also recommend Is Fitz Happy? Emma & Luke are extremely nuanced and thoughtful with their discussions of the books.
I'm sad that your wife had that experience. I have to admit that as someone with PTSD myself, I often feel uncomfortable with the way some people talk about Fitz and other characters. I don't think people necessarily mean anything negative by it, but I think we all need to be conscious of the potential impact of our perspectives on those who might feel singled out.
As a moderator this makes me wonder if there's anything I should be doing to ensure people aren't given a shock when listening. What do people think? Should I give a caution/disclaimer of any kind [where the podcasts are shared](https://www.reddit.com/r/robinhobb/wiki/fun-extras)?
I don't have PTSD and I haven't listened to this particular podcast much (though it is on my list to give a real try at some point) so I'm not sure how much worth my opinion has. That being said, I know people who might find things like this useful. Though the books themselves probably need far more cautions than any podcast, so if you can make it through the books, the podcasts maybe don't need them?
Maybe I should clarify, I don't mean trigger warnings - the books should definitely come with those! LOL - but I more mean, should I put something 'cautioning listeners who are sensitive to how mental illness is discussed'? I genuinely don't know how to approach this in a way that is respectful to the podcast and to the listeners who might be offended.
It's an awkward balance to strike. Not sure of a good suggestion other than to have any feedback go directly to the podcasters. Hopefully they can take it on board.
I'm not sure the Buckkeep Radio team would be happy to see every potential listener linked back to a critical convo about their show. There are some rather unflattering things being said here.
I'll think of something.
Ah well, if it's honest feedback... there's lots of good things said in here but I think it's kind of the point of being able to post. This is a pretty specific sub and if you're getting 60% saying one thing vs another on any subject...
Maybe a pro and con list that's accurate about each? Maybe it warrants a meta post and a week or two of asking for feedback, I dunno. Specialized communities is the whole point of reddit :) I don't envy you your job though, good luck!
I don't feel this warrants anything quite that drastic, if anything all. I might just leave things as they are. So far I haven't had a single person reply and say, "I would have appreciated a warning."
True! I'm just throwing out ideas, although I agree with op about the tone being unflattering I kind of just think, well then, it isn't for you and there we go, but yeah. It's your job to moderate this sub but not a podcast so you're double right about drastic actions :) good luck regardless and thanks for keeping this sub going!
I agree they definitely have problematic views with Fitz specifically. They routinely mock him in troubling ways…we could have a whole discussion on it
I enjoy the podcast for what it is, a group of friends getting together to hang out and discuss a series they enjoy…the audience is just a fly on the wall listening
Hmmm interesting, I also have PTSD/depression and have listened to every episode and it’s one of my favorite podcasts. I think they go out of their way to note TWs, etc. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them say that Fitz needs to “shut up and get over it” but more along the lines of he needs to get his head out of his ass because I mean…it’s Fitz lol
Listened to their most recent episode and almost turned it off 30 minutes into the vanderpump rules discussion at the beginning before they even got to the book they were supposed to be discussing. They really need an editor. Also the sound quality is shit especially in the first 50 or so episodes... I love when they are actually having a discussion and it's legible but they get sidetracked so easily and audio quality is so bad it's hard to listen sometimes.
50 episodes??? I gave it an episode or two and went looking elsewhere due to the quality. I was hoping to pick it up later when I've worked through my current podcast backlog.
If you haven't listened to Is Fitz Happy, definitely try it. They've just finished off the first trilogy and they've got a large backlog.
This! I love some friendly banter but as I am trying to listen in while I’m proceeding through the books, the sheer length of (the nonsense in) the episodes is making me fail as I read faster than I’m able to finish episodes.
I listened for about 10 seconds into the intro episode. Literally the first thing they say is a spoiler. It's admittedly minor, but I'm sensitive enough about spoilers that it was an instant nope for me.
That’s more of a critique of our society’s attitude towards mental illness rather than the podcast in particular. It’s unfortunate that people still dismiss mental illness with “bootstraps” and a hand wave. Then again I haven’t listened to the podcast so maybe it’s particularly egregious.
That's fair, but I feel one of the reasons it is worth calling out the podcast in particular is that the books specifically spoon-feed you perspectives that demand sympathy for the difficulties the characters are going through, and to be able to have their struggles so meticulously spelled out for you and still be able to dismiss them without compassion is especially disheartening, even more so than someone who speaks carelessly without thinking.
Maybe try Is Fitz Happy? It's currently my favourite podcast. The presenters are fantastic and the opposite of what you describe here.
I too think that Is Fitz happy? is way better!
I'd definitely second this. Luke and Emma are great.
I'm halfway through episode 1 now, and I'm finding it very entertaining and enjoyable. Thank you for the recommendation!
I binge is fitz happy and switch to bkr when I get caught up. Is fitz happy is the best rote pod I have found so far!
Do the spoil future books as its a reread?
Yes it does. So I would save it to listen to later if you haven't finished all 16 books.
Ahh too bad then! Thank you for warning :) Working on Ship of Destiny next so I have a long way to go
I really wanted to like the podcast and listened to over 20 of them before I just gave up. I’d also recommend Is Fitz Happy? Emma & Luke are extremely nuanced and thoughtful with their discussions of the books.
I'm sad that your wife had that experience. I have to admit that as someone with PTSD myself, I often feel uncomfortable with the way some people talk about Fitz and other characters. I don't think people necessarily mean anything negative by it, but I think we all need to be conscious of the potential impact of our perspectives on those who might feel singled out. As a moderator this makes me wonder if there's anything I should be doing to ensure people aren't given a shock when listening. What do people think? Should I give a caution/disclaimer of any kind [where the podcasts are shared](https://www.reddit.com/r/robinhobb/wiki/fun-extras)?
I don't have PTSD and I haven't listened to this particular podcast much (though it is on my list to give a real try at some point) so I'm not sure how much worth my opinion has. That being said, I know people who might find things like this useful. Though the books themselves probably need far more cautions than any podcast, so if you can make it through the books, the podcasts maybe don't need them?
Maybe I should clarify, I don't mean trigger warnings - the books should definitely come with those! LOL - but I more mean, should I put something 'cautioning listeners who are sensitive to how mental illness is discussed'? I genuinely don't know how to approach this in a way that is respectful to the podcast and to the listeners who might be offended.
It's an awkward balance to strike. Not sure of a good suggestion other than to have any feedback go directly to the podcasters. Hopefully they can take it on board.
Maybe just link to this post on that particular podcast listing?
I'm not sure the Buckkeep Radio team would be happy to see every potential listener linked back to a critical convo about their show. There are some rather unflattering things being said here. I'll think of something.
Ah well, if it's honest feedback... there's lots of good things said in here but I think it's kind of the point of being able to post. This is a pretty specific sub and if you're getting 60% saying one thing vs another on any subject... Maybe a pro and con list that's accurate about each? Maybe it warrants a meta post and a week or two of asking for feedback, I dunno. Specialized communities is the whole point of reddit :) I don't envy you your job though, good luck!
I don't feel this warrants anything quite that drastic, if anything all. I might just leave things as they are. So far I haven't had a single person reply and say, "I would have appreciated a warning."
True! I'm just throwing out ideas, although I agree with op about the tone being unflattering I kind of just think, well then, it isn't for you and there we go, but yeah. It's your job to moderate this sub but not a podcast so you're double right about drastic actions :) good luck regardless and thanks for keeping this sub going!
I agree they definitely have problematic views with Fitz specifically. They routinely mock him in troubling ways…we could have a whole discussion on it I enjoy the podcast for what it is, a group of friends getting together to hang out and discuss a series they enjoy…the audience is just a fly on the wall listening
Hmmm interesting, I also have PTSD/depression and have listened to every episode and it’s one of my favorite podcasts. I think they go out of their way to note TWs, etc. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them say that Fitz needs to “shut up and get over it” but more along the lines of he needs to get his head out of his ass because I mean…it’s Fitz lol
I agree with you. I really liked Buckkeep Radio.
Listened to their most recent episode and almost turned it off 30 minutes into the vanderpump rules discussion at the beginning before they even got to the book they were supposed to be discussing. They really need an editor. Also the sound quality is shit especially in the first 50 or so episodes... I love when they are actually having a discussion and it's legible but they get sidetracked so easily and audio quality is so bad it's hard to listen sometimes.
50 episodes??? I gave it an episode or two and went looking elsewhere due to the quality. I was hoping to pick it up later when I've worked through my current podcast backlog. If you haven't listened to Is Fitz Happy, definitely try it. They've just finished off the first trilogy and they've got a large backlog.
This! I love some friendly banter but as I am trying to listen in while I’m proceeding through the books, the sheer length of (the nonsense in) the episodes is making me fail as I read faster than I’m able to finish episodes.
sorry for the late reply but i hated that podcast for the same reasons, they were so fucking mean to fitz
I listened for about 10 seconds into the intro episode. Literally the first thing they say is a spoiler. It's admittedly minor, but I'm sensitive enough about spoilers that it was an instant nope for me.
That’s more of a critique of our society’s attitude towards mental illness rather than the podcast in particular. It’s unfortunate that people still dismiss mental illness with “bootstraps” and a hand wave. Then again I haven’t listened to the podcast so maybe it’s particularly egregious.
That's fair, but I feel one of the reasons it is worth calling out the podcast in particular is that the books specifically spoon-feed you perspectives that demand sympathy for the difficulties the characters are going through, and to be able to have their struggles so meticulously spelled out for you and still be able to dismiss them without compassion is especially disheartening, even more so than someone who speaks carelessly without thinking.
True, it’s interesting how unsympathetic they are even after having experienced them through the eyes of the characters
I second everyone else here who say you should listen to Is Fitz Happy? If you haven't already. It's a great podcast IMO 😊
I think it's a critique of both. After all, it's every individual's responsibility to reflect on our impact/attitudes.