Because I'm John Sellmeyer Podcast By John Robert Joseph Sellmeyer cover art

Because I'm John Sellmeyer

Because I'm John Sellmeyer

By: John Robert Joseph Sellmeyer
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Welcome to a podcast powered by curiosity, caffeine, and the occasional existential crisis. Most episodes are interviews with interesting people who teach me something new—sometimes surprising, sometimes profound, always human. Other times, it’s just me, thinking out loud about whatever’s been rattling around in my brain lately. It’s part conversation, part observation, and part “how did we end up here?” If you like honest chats, unexpected turns, and the feeling of learning something without realizing it, you’re in the right place. No niche—just stories, thoughts, and wondering out loud.John Robert Joseph Sellmeyer Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Oscars 2026 Recap: Michael B. Jordan, Conan, & ‘The Maw Beneath The Mane’ Sneak Peek (+Audiobook Sample)

    Oscars 2026 Recap: Michael B. Jordan, Conan, & ‘The Maw Beneath The Mane’ Sneak Peek (+Audiobook Sample)
    Mar 16 2026

    Oscars 2026 Recap: Michael B. Jordan, PTA’s Big Win, and a Dark Twist

    The 98th Academy Awards are officially in the books, and we are breaking down every viral moment, from Conan O’Brien’s opening parody of Weapons to the history-making wins. Did Michael B. Jordan deserve Best Actor for playing twins in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners? Was Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another the right choice for Best Picture?

    We’re diving deep into the 2026 winners, the snubs, and the awkward chemistry that had everyone talking.

    • The Big Winners: Analyzing Michael B. Jordan, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), and Paul Thomas Anderson’s long-awaited Directing Oscar.

    • Viral Moments: Conan O’Brien vs. Grogu, and the Josh Groban / Moulin Rouge surprise reunion with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.

    • The "Egg" Energy: What was going on with Channing Tatum’s presenter chemistry?

    • Timothée Chalamet & Kylie Jenner: Discussing the drama surrounding the Marty Supreme star’s early exit.

    • Animated History: How K-Pop Demon Hunters (Netflix) disrupted the Disney / Zootopia 2 streak.

    Stick around until the very end of the episode for a special world premiere. I’m sharing an exclusive sample of my new eco-thriller, The Maw Beneath The Mane .

    Hear the incredible narration by Marvin Abrego as he performs Chapter 4, a haunting look into the life of Sal Carpathia. The full audiobook is coming to Audible soon!

    Follow "Because I'm John Sellmeyer" for more deep dives into film, history, and the writing process.

    Inside This Episode:🔥 EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK: "The Maw Beneath The Mane"
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    27 mins
  • Autism in Film & TV: The Good, the Bad, and the Authentic (Feat. Reese)

    Autism in Film & TV: The Good, the Bad, and the Authentic (Feat. Reese)
    Feb 22 2026
    Podcast Summary: Autism in Film, TV, and Pop CultureIn this episode of "Because I'm John Sellmeyer," John sits down with his lifelong friend Reese to dive deep into the world of autism representation in media.John and Reese use a "Plus" (Authentic/Relatable) and "Minus" (Stereotypical/Exploitative) system to break down a massive list of titles:Taxi Driver (1976): [PLUS] Starring Robert De Niro (Travis Bickle) and directed by Martin Scorsese. Reese highlights Bickle's social stiltedness and literal thinking (the "get organized" poster) as a raw, unintentional portrayal of neurodivergence.Rain Man (1988): [MINUS] Starring Dustin Hoffman (Raymond Babbitt) and Tom Cruise, directed by Barry Levinson. While a classic, they discuss how it birthed the "autistic savant" trope and treated the character as a plot device for others' growth.Forrest Gump (1994): [MINUS] Starring Tom Hanks, directed by Robert Zemeckis. They contrast the movie's "inspirationally disabled" vibe with Winston Groom’s original novel, where Forrest is more explicitly autistic.Napoleon Dynamite (2004): [PLUS] Starring Jon Heder, directed by Jared Hess. A favorite for its portrayal of a world where everyone is a little neurodivergent and social quirks are just part of the charm.Punch-Drunk Love (2002): [PLUS] Starring Adam Sandler (Barry Egan) and Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Praised for showing sensory overstimulation and anxiety.Sherlock Holmes (2009): Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, directed by Guy Ritchie. Analyzing the detective's hyper-fixation and social detachment.Community: [PLUS] Featuring Danny Pudi as Abed Nadir, created by Dan Harmon. A standout for "accidental" authenticity—Harmon discovered his own autism while writing the character.The Good Doctor: [MINUS] Starring Freddie Highmore, created by David Shore. Discussed as a stereotypical "Hollywood" version of autism.The Walking Dead: [PLUS] Featuring Josh McDermitt as Eugene Porter. They explore Eugene's social masking and his survival strategy of using his intellect as a shield.The Office (US): Created by Greg Daniels. A debate on whether Steve Carell (Michael Scott) or Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute) more accurately reflects autistic traits.Bob's Burgers: Created by Loren Bouchard. A look at Tina (Dan Mintz) and Gene (Eugene Mirman) Belcher as relatable neurodivergent characters.Avatar: The Last Airbender: Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. A deep dive into the fan "head-canon" of Zuko (Dante Basco) being autistic based on his social dorkiness and hyper-focus on honor.Hazbin Hotel: Created by Vivienne Medrano. Featuring Keith David as Husk; they discuss the character's non-verbal cues and fan-favorite status.SpongeBob SquarePants: Created by Stephen Hillenburg. John shares Tom Kenny’s quote about SpongeBob being "on the spectrum" because of his rigid routines and social naivety.Seinfeld / Curb Your Enthusiasm: Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. Discussing the "autistic vibe" of the writing and Jerry’s own comments on having Asperger’s.Harry Potter (Books): They discuss Severus Snape as portrayed in J.K. Rowling’s books versus Alan Rickman’s film performance, focusing on Snape’s social isolation and rigid bitterness.Of Mice and Men: By John Steinbeck. A classic look at Lennie Small and the history of portraying intellectual disability in literature.Masking & Disassociation: The exhausting mental effort of "appearing normal" and the anxiety it causes.Nothing About Us Without Us: The importance of involving autistic creators and actors in stories about neurodiversity.The "Todd" Theory: A surprising analysis of Jesse Plemons’ character Todd Alquist from Breaking Bad and El Camino, reframing him as an autistic man mentored by sociopaths.+MoreJohn’s novel, The Maw Beneath The Mane, is available on Amazon!The "Plus/Minus" Review: Portrayals AnalyzedMoviesTelevision & AnimationLiterature & OtherKey Discussion Points
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • The Bad Bunny Effect: Purple Rain to Puerto Rico, The "Muted" Halftime Show (Lady Gaga, Drax, and more! Feat. Alondra!)

    The Bad Bunny Effect: Purple Rain to Puerto Rico, The "Muted" Halftime Show (Lady Gaga, Drax, and more! Feat. Alondra!)
    Feb 10 2026

    In this episode of Because I’m John Sellmeyer, John and his beautiful wife Alondra reunite behind the mic for a deep dive into the cultural phenomenon that was Super Bowl 60. While the game itself—a Seahawks vs. Patriots rematch—might have been a "boring" defensive struggle for a Chiefs fan, the halftime show was anything but.

    We break down Bad Bunny’s record-breaking, cinematic halftime performance. With over 128 million viewers, it wasn’t just a show; it was a powerful statement on Puerto Rican culture, unity, and the resilience of the island's people. From the hidden messages about the power grid to the surprise appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin (plus a legendary nod to Daddy Yankee), we discuss why this performance made Alondra feel "seen" and why it left John—our resident "gringo"—vibing along.

    Plus, we look ahead to some exciting life updates:

    • Autism in Film: A sneak peek at our upcoming episode with Reese, diving into characters like Forrest Gump, Drax, and Buddy the Elf.

    • The Big 10th Anniversary Trip: Planning our epic journey to London, Paris, and Rome for October 2026.

    • Destination: Puerto Rico: John and Alondra are heading to San Juan in just over a month!

    • Super Bowl Commercials: We talk about the funniest spots (shoutout to Ben Stiller) and the more controversial, impactful ones like Rocket Mortgage.

    Finally, stick around for a special guest review from Benjamin, who gives the halftime show his official rating.

    Check out John’s book: The Maw Beneath the Mane is available now on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Dive into this myth-infused thriller featuring Sal and his trailer full of gators—a perfect read that resonates with the themes of today’s world.
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    21 mins
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