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This week I wanted to get back to some reviews, and make some recommendations to the listeners of things I watched/listened to lately. This episode has three of them, and they\'re all linked by a common theme: Is aiming for popularity justified in making creative choices and decisions, or does it have a way of poisoning the story you were trying to tell in the first place?

Popularity is a funny thing. In many ways, it signals success to people. Should that be the only goal though? Is it not also successful to tell the story that you wanted to tell, regardless of how it\'s perceived? This isn\'t a conversation of good vs. bad decisions, but an analysis in perspective when starting a creative venture, and the way that outside pressures can get to you if you\'re not careful.

I thought all three of these things bucked the trend, and found a way to stay true to themselves, despite some decisions that could have really gone either way.

First, I talked about "Pose" which had its series finale recently, and I watched it through teary eyes, just like you will if you take my advice. It was one of the best shows I\'ve seen on TV lately, and I don\'t just say that about anything (and if you liked the clip at the end of the "Pose" section of the pod, click here for the video version)

Up second was "Raya & The Last Dragon" which is available on Disney + for no extra charge, but did launch under their "Premiere Access" feature, costing an extra $30 when it came out. Did that turn people away? Probably. Can we blame the stupid pandy? Definitely. Either way, it\'s an interesting study.

Last, but certainly not least, was the new album by the "Black Keys - Delta Kream." This album felt like a bit of a new and different direction for them, which is always a scary leap to take for a band.

Check it out, take my recommendations, or don\'t...but definitely do.

While you\'re at it, follow the pod on Instagram and Twitter for more behind the scenes peaks into my weird brain, and info about past/upcoming episodes.