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The Twist Podcast #313: Kennedy Center Dishonors, Worst Holiday Movies Ever & An Interview with Author and Pop Culture Historian Herbie J. Pilato
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for a quick take on the Kennedy Center desecration. From there we lean into the lighter side of the season with a spirited list of the worst holiday movies ever made, celebrating classic clunkers and festive films that missed the mark. The episode culminates in an engaging interview with Herbie J. Pilato, acclaimed pop culture historian and author, who joins Rick to talk classic television, celebrity legacies, media nostalgia, and why decades-old shows continue to resonate in today’s streaming-dominated landscape.
Copyright MadeMark Media
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The Twist Podcast Gets a New Intro for 2026!
I love this. Fasten your headphones!
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The Twist Podcast #312: Indiana Comes Through, Worst Words of 2025 Survey, and Ice Skating Fun Facts
In this episode of The Twist Podcast, co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose take on politics, culture, and everyday absurdities with their trademark irreverence and personal spin. From unexpected political backbone in Indiana to linguistic crimes we’re ready to retire, Episode #312 delivers commentary, humor, and a few surprises.
The hosts congratulate Indiana’s senators for finally showing a spine, roll out a new “Worst Words of 2025” survey featuring the phrases you never want to hear again in 2026, and cool things down with fun facts about ice skating you probably didn’t know. As always, the conversation blends cultural commentary, politics, entertainment, and personal observations into one twisted take on the world.
In this episode:
- Indiana politics and a rare moment of accountability
- The Worst Words of 2025 survey (and why we’re done with them)
- Ice skating fun facts and surprising history
- Culture, language, humor, and personal reflections
The Twist Podcast is a weekly podcast covering politics, culture, entertainment, language, and life, hosted by Mark McNease and Rick Rose, featuring smart conversation with a sharp edge and a sense of humor.
👉 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and on our YouTube channel (YouTube.com/@TheTwistPodcast). Follow and share!
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Cover Reveal: ‘Blank Page to Bookshelf’ – Early 2026
Two years in the making …
I’m writing the final draft of a book based on my workshops for the past nearly-two years: fiction writing essentials, character creation, and self-publishing. I love doing the workshops, and this is a natural outgrowth of that. One of the most rewarding things I learned the past couple years is how much I’ve learned in 50+ years of writing, 15 of self-publishing … it’s a natural progression for me to write this book, and a bit of a ‘what’s next?’ venture. We’re about to find out—what’s next for me, what’s next for this country, what’s next? It really is the question that kept me going through the rough times and difficult years, especially in my youth. I was determined to stick around not just to prove a point, but to find out what my life would look like after whatever crisis I was in had finally passed. I’m still asking myself that question, and I’m still excited to see what comes next.
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The Twist Podcast #311: The Twist Gets a YouTube Channel, December Fun Facts, and Jo’s Wisdom Returns
NOTE FOR VIDEO: Hang on till the 7 minute mark for full-screen view. Our IT department is still learning. Join Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we try out our fun Christmas hats, offer up the holiday survey results, and have a good time in the face of grim realities. READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE.
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Free To Subscribers – One Thing Or Another: Life, Aging, and the Absurdities Of It all (2nd Edition)
Now free to current and new subscribers:
One Thing Or Another: Life, Aging, and the Absurdities Of It All (2nd Edition)
Welcome to the Second Edition of One Thing or Another, a collection of humor columns that takes a look at life, aging, and the absurdities of it all. It’s been a few years since the first edition, and even more since they were written. The Big Six-Oh is now the Big Six-Seven, and life is just as absurd as it was the first go-round.
From our culture’s refusal to use the word ‘old,’ to the sometimes comical consequences of aging in body and mind, if not always in spirit, you’re sure to enjoy this skewed look at life’s foibles for the ages. Collected from the author’s personal columns, these short essays will make you chuckle, recognize yourself, and sometimes grimace at the not-always-funny price we pay for simply staying alive.
Current subscribers will receive a link to download their complimentary copy.
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Online Fiction Writing Workshop Sample Video (20 Minutes)
Thanks to Stacey, Michael and Steve for permission to share this. The workshop is two hours long, this is just a sample to show how they work online (and in-person!)
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NEW! ‘One Thing Or Another: Life, Aging, and the Absurdities Of It All (2nd Edition) Now Available on Amazon and IngramSpark
Now on IngramSpark (and Amazon, too!)
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The Twist Podcast #310: On to Christmas, Colonoscopy Gift Ideas, and Prime’s ‘The Outsider’ Chills
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we head for the Christmas homestretch, take a break for Mark’s colonoscopy, and recommend Prime’s ‘The Outsider’ for some winter chills.
NOW ON YOUTUBE! Check us out each week on the MadeMark Publishing YouTube Channel. Playlist: The Twist Podcast.
Our holiday survey: What are your favorite parts of the holiday season?
You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
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The Twist Podcast #309: Not So Quiet Piggies, Fun Thanksgiving Facts, and Emma Zoe Lyons Talks John Candy
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we shout to piggies everywhere (never be quiet!), check out some fun Thanksgiving facts (Jefferson was not a fan), and check in with Emma Zoe Lyons on the John Candy documentary.
NEW! You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!