Épisodes

  • Chapter 6: Monkey King Meets the John Wick of the Great Beyond

    Chapter 6: Monkey King Meets the John Wick of the Great Beyond
    Sep 20 2019
    After getting caught red-handed for stealing the Queen Mother's peaches, harassment and drinking on the job (but mainly for stealing those peaches), heaven’s forces give the Monkey King a choice: surrender, or war? Naturally, newly-fired peach guardian the Monkey King chooses open rebellion instead of accepting punishment. Is there nobody in the universe strong enough to bring ol’ Monkey to justice?   While the Jade Emperor sends for a monster-subduing specialist, heaven’s ‘John Wick’, the god Erlang, the Boddhisattva of Mercy, Guanyin got her own staff-swinging disciple, Moksa! Can he succeed where his brother, Nata, failed?   This week, Richard and James meet The Little Sage and witness more transformations than a Michael Bay blockbuster—don’t miss it!
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    45 min
  • Episode 7: Buddha's Wager

    Episode 7: Buddha's Wager
    Sep 27 2019
    With his forces finally defeated and the rebellious Sun Wukong himself brought to heel, one question remains: How do you punish an immortal when he’s made himself impossible to kill?   Everyone from the executioner to the fire department will try to end this monkey’s life. Even history’s most famous Taoist, Lao Tzu tries out his Brazier for an old-fashioned Monkey King smoke out!   But if public executions aren’t your thing—have no fear! This week’s episode promises more action, more simian hijinks, and a bitch slap felt 'round the universe because the embodiment of Nirvana himself is in the house. That’s right, Buddha’s here now, and he’s sure to entertain us!
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    1 h et 2 min
  • Episode 8: Guanyin's Quest

    Episode 8: Guanyin's Quest
    Oct 4 2019
    What’s Buddha going to do now that the monkey madness is over? Finish his magnum opus on how to get enlightened, that’s what. And how does an ancient ascended all-knowing awakened one launch a book series before social media and Amazon? By getting Guanyin (see episode 6) to find a worthy monk from the East capable of making the perilous journey to India to get them, that’s how.   Now the trip to China’s capital, Chang’an, is no walk in the park even for immortals. So a human monk carrying priceless scriptures is going to need protection. Watch Guanyin’s masterful recruiting skills at work as she uses her mercy and compassion (and inspirational words of wisdom) to convert every monster she meets along the way. Plus, her disciple Moksa’s got a big stick. So when the carrots fail, thrilling combat is bound to ensue!   Join Richard and James as we catch up with old Monkey under the mountain and help Guanyin pave the way for some new disciples to Buddha’s cause.
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    1 h
  • Chapter 9: A Sadder Origin Than Batman and Moses Combined

    Chapter 9: A Sadder Origin Than Batman and Moses Combined
    Oct 11 2019
    Guanyin’s ready to meet the monk who will retrieve Buddha’s scriptures, and so are we! If you thought Batman’s origin was sad, just wait until you read Xuanzhang’s. It’s got echoes of Moses and Bruce Wayne, with plenty of tragedy and divine intervention to boot.   Plus, want an Ancient Chinese government job? Well, get your time machine ready because we’re about to tell you how! Just watch out for bandits and evil ferrymen because the relocation is fraught with peril.    On a more serious note, we also take a brief look at how Ancient Chinese cultures viewed suicide and why it would pop up in an otherwise happy ending to this week’s story.   Not exactly a “very special episode” but one you won’t want to miss nonetheless.
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    1 h et 4 min
  • Episode 10: Journey to the West Research's Jim McClanahan

    Episode 10: Journey to the West Research's Jim McClanahan
    Oct 18 2019

    We had a really great time sitting down with Jim McClanahan whose blog, Journey to the West Research is a wealth of information on all things Monkey King and his pals. Whether you’re just starting the book with us or you’ve spent more time ruminating on the book than Wukong has spent under Five Phase Mountain, there’s something new for everybody.
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    1 h et 27 min
  • Chapter 10: Dragon King's Lament

    Chapter 10: Dragon King's Lament
    Oct 25 2019

    We go from commoners and lords to emperors and gods in this week's chapter of Journey to the West. Starting with an Ancient Chinese rap battle and ending with one of China's greatest emperors passing away into the great beyond. A dragon head will roll in this week's episode. Don't miss it!
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    54 min
  • Chapter 11: The Emperor Goes to Hell

    Chapter 11: The Emperor Goes to Hell
    Nov 1 2019

    It's like Dante's Inferno meets a Christmas Carol in this week's Journey to the West podcast.

    One of the greatest emperors who's ever lived confronts the ghosts of political intrigue's past when he's forced to stand trial for failing to save the Dragon King and then confront his brothers who he killed to get to the throne.

    Talk about a mortifying family reunion! Join Richard and James in this very spooky Halloween episode!
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    55 min
  • Chapter 12: Imperial Payback

    Chapter 12: Imperial Payback
    Nov 8 2019

    In which the emperor's attempts to keep all the promises he made in the afterlife leads to the building of a grand temple and the commencement--once and for all--of the Journey to the West.

    If you were wondering what the hell was going on (pun intended) with this extended detour involving a Dragon King, royal brothers, that loan made out in the afterlife, this chapter gives you all the answers. It all had to happen so that Guan Yin could find the right disciple to get the scriptures.

    Join Richard & James this week to see how it all went down!
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    45 min